Paul Spurling
Paul Spurling is a Melbourne-based composer and pianist. His widescreen jazz-tinged instrumental tracks are highly melodic, deeply melancholic and ultimately uplifting.
All of the pieces on his debut EP ‘August’ were written the second half of last year (2013) largely as a reaction to the realisation that “I didn't have pure jazz running through my veins quite enough to be the next Herbie Hancock; and I went about finding out who I was as a composer and as a player. The results, I think, are jazz-tinged, but it is mostly what I would call ‘cinematic’ music; and most importantly, and for better or worse, it sounds like 'me'.”
‘August’ itself is a wistful composition with Joni Mitchell-like piano (think ‘Blue’-era) and lurking cello lines courtesy of Jesse Martin. ‘Library’ is a hybrid of styles: there’s the jazzy ‘piano trio’ arrangement, the hummable pop melody, and the widescreen quality of the production. ‘There Is Another’ is a John Williams-inspired piece of piano music with an uplifting and decidedly ‘rock’ coda featuring co-producer Stephen Ward on guitar and bass, and Robi Parolin on drums.
Paul plays in a number of bands and teaches ‘Piano For Songwriters’, a course he devised to help non-pianists expand the harmonic scope of their songs.
http://www.paulspurling.com.au/
All of the pieces on his debut EP ‘August’ were written the second half of last year (2013) largely as a reaction to the realisation that “I didn't have pure jazz running through my veins quite enough to be the next Herbie Hancock; and I went about finding out who I was as a composer and as a player. The results, I think, are jazz-tinged, but it is mostly what I would call ‘cinematic’ music; and most importantly, and for better or worse, it sounds like 'me'.”
‘August’ itself is a wistful composition with Joni Mitchell-like piano (think ‘Blue’-era) and lurking cello lines courtesy of Jesse Martin. ‘Library’ is a hybrid of styles: there’s the jazzy ‘piano trio’ arrangement, the hummable pop melody, and the widescreen quality of the production. ‘There Is Another’ is a John Williams-inspired piece of piano music with an uplifting and decidedly ‘rock’ coda featuring co-producer Stephen Ward on guitar and bass, and Robi Parolin on drums.
Paul plays in a number of bands and teaches ‘Piano For Songwriters’, a course he devised to help non-pianists expand the harmonic scope of their songs.
http://www.paulspurling.com.au/
Michael Meeking and the Lost souls
With the rasp of Rod Stewart, musical sensibility of Bruce Springsteen and the forlorn heart and whimsy of Hank Williams, it’s no wonder Michael has wowed audiences at Tamworth and Whittlesea Country music festivals, and was nominated for an Australian Songwriting Award in 2012.
The acclaimed singer-songwriter previously spent six years in the UK sharing the stage with Tim Rogers, Mick Thomas and Nick Barker, and played support gigs for British artists such as the Men They Couldn’t Hang and Glen Tilbrook. His band The Lost Souls comprise of three highly regarded Melbourne musicians, who have their finger in a myriad of musical pies; Dave Kleyjnans (The Wellingtons et al.), Julian Chick (Mick Thomas and the Roving Commission), Chris Gates (Ground Swell), Cate de Carteret (The Migrations and The Fujiyama Mamas) and Maryanne Smart (The Fujiyama Mamas).
Recent signing with U.K. label “At The Helm Records” and successful U.K. tour and a glut of gigs around Melbourne is a sure sign that if
you have not already heard of Michael Meeking and the Lost Souls, you certainly soon will.
The acclaimed singer-songwriter previously spent six years in the UK sharing the stage with Tim Rogers, Mick Thomas and Nick Barker, and played support gigs for British artists such as the Men They Couldn’t Hang and Glen Tilbrook. His band The Lost Souls comprise of three highly regarded Melbourne musicians, who have their finger in a myriad of musical pies; Dave Kleyjnans (The Wellingtons et al.), Julian Chick (Mick Thomas and the Roving Commission), Chris Gates (Ground Swell), Cate de Carteret (The Migrations and The Fujiyama Mamas) and Maryanne Smart (The Fujiyama Mamas).
Recent signing with U.K. label “At The Helm Records” and successful U.K. tour and a glut of gigs around Melbourne is a sure sign that if
you have not already heard of Michael Meeking and the Lost Souls, you certainly soon will.
Stephen Ward
Originally from Sale in Eastern Victoria, Stephen Ward is based in Melbourne, Australia. He has been teaching guitar, trumpet and bass from the age of 16 and working as a professional guitarist since 2003, whilst completing an Adv Dip (Music Performance) from NMIT (2005).
The multi-instrumentalist (voice/guitar/piano/bass/trumpet/drums) has been performing from an early age:
“When I was 12 I was given a unique opportunity to play ‘Stars and Stripes Forever’ on trumpet in a US school. Over 1000 students began stomping their feet on the gymnasium floor in time with me. My career was born.”
September 2011 saw Ward launch his long-awaited debut recording So Long. The early response to Ward’s self-recorded album has been enthusiastic - the original demo of “Plasticine Eyes’ was played on ABC radio during a live-to-air interview, while the freshly released album has been selling fast via digital channels to increasing numbers of fans in the US, UK, Germany and New Zealand. So Long was mixed by Joel Tipping, and features Ward playing guitar, bass, percussion and trumpet, with drums played by Robert Callea.
The carefully constructed So Long is a result of years of experience and musical influences, and it shows. While the overall sound is chilled, with an acoustic pop flavour, this powerful performer showcases passionate and intelligent vocals alongside good honest rock. Underpinned with technical excellence and accessible hook driven melodies, its been incubating during Ward’s diverse musical career to date. Comparisons are already being made to Neil Finn, Foo Fighters and John Mayer.
The multi-instrumentalist (voice/guitar/piano/bass/trumpet/drums) has been performing from an early age:
“When I was 12 I was given a unique opportunity to play ‘Stars and Stripes Forever’ on trumpet in a US school. Over 1000 students began stomping their feet on the gymnasium floor in time with me. My career was born.”
September 2011 saw Ward launch his long-awaited debut recording So Long. The early response to Ward’s self-recorded album has been enthusiastic - the original demo of “Plasticine Eyes’ was played on ABC radio during a live-to-air interview, while the freshly released album has been selling fast via digital channels to increasing numbers of fans in the US, UK, Germany and New Zealand. So Long was mixed by Joel Tipping, and features Ward playing guitar, bass, percussion and trumpet, with drums played by Robert Callea.
The carefully constructed So Long is a result of years of experience and musical influences, and it shows. While the overall sound is chilled, with an acoustic pop flavour, this powerful performer showcases passionate and intelligent vocals alongside good honest rock. Underpinned with technical excellence and accessible hook driven melodies, its been incubating during Ward’s diverse musical career to date. Comparisons are already being made to Neil Finn, Foo Fighters and John Mayer.
The Fujiyama Mamas
They gathered like tumbleweed in the badlands of Melbourne's Northern suburbs and entered the new wave of Australian alt-country roots bands. In 2013 they played as house band for The Banjo Paterson shows supporting an array of artists like Damian Howard and Alison Ferrier. The group of rambling raconteurs is: Cate de Carteret, Paul Spurling, Sonja van den Berg, Maryanne Smart, Joel Stibbard and Michael Meeking.
http://www.reverbnation.com/thefujiyamamamas
[email protected]
http://www.reverbnation.com/thefujiyamamamas
[email protected]
The Migrations
The Migrations formed in 2011. The 6 piece started as a solo project for front man Matt Mildsparrow Davidson, and through well forged friendships have taken flight together as a flock since. Made up of two songwriters, four vocalists and a bass/guitar/keys/synth drums back line, The Migrations sound is a luscious amalgamation of all things that good music should be about.
Hailing from Melbourne, the band takes inspiration from its neighbourhood and surrounds, its stories illustrating a reflection of inner city living, of the 9-5 working week, of the sanctuary of the weekend. Their sound has been said to be many genres, and they certainly are not shy about displaying their musical inspiration ranging from Garage Rock, Alt Folk Country, Pop, Blues and a good dash of Rock and Roll likened to The B52's, Wilco, Kingswood, The Stooges and You Am I, and reflects on their debut EP. The Migrations have since organically developed a new found sound which introduces dreamy Psychedelic Garage Pop soundscapes to be featured on upcoming album, Superbia.
Hailing from Melbourne, the band takes inspiration from its neighbourhood and surrounds, its stories illustrating a reflection of inner city living, of the 9-5 working week, of the sanctuary of the weekend. Their sound has been said to be many genres, and they certainly are not shy about displaying their musical inspiration ranging from Garage Rock, Alt Folk Country, Pop, Blues and a good dash of Rock and Roll likened to The B52's, Wilco, Kingswood, The Stooges and You Am I, and reflects on their debut EP. The Migrations have since organically developed a new found sound which introduces dreamy Psychedelic Garage Pop soundscapes to be featured on upcoming album, Superbia.
Summon The Birds
If Mick Jagger came from an Aussie country town, sang with an occa drawl and fronted a band comprising of musicians from Pink Floyd and Spoon, Summon The Birds just may have been the result.
These Psychedelic folk rockers are ‘uncompromisingly unfashionable’. The three fellas, Jonathan Shaw, Kris Arrowsmith and Pete Woodlands all came from the rural stretches of NSW, but met in Melbourne in 2007 to form the original Summon The Birds trio. In 2009, Tim ‘Milky’ Clarke (born in the UK) joined on a trial basis, and the boys are glad to announce that Milky’s trial is over and the band’s true work has just begun.
In fact, they’ve gone epic: “We have expanded our instrumentation, challenged ourselves to write longer songs and dared the lyrics to be mythical and timeless.”
The band’s philosophical lyrics and sonic experimentation have enabled STB to forge a place in Melbourne’s bustling music scene.
They are currently undertaking a recording project called “BloodLove”, which one hopes doesn’t take as long as their debut album “48”, whereby after spending 6 weeks in pre-production and only one week recording, they took five years to mix their first mini masterpiece!
Summon The Birds are both a breath of fresh mountain air and a band you can rock out to.
To sink your teeth into the pithy and erudite lyrics of Shaw, the silky percussion of Arrowsmith, the dulcet bass licks of Woodlands and wrap yourself up in Milky’s singing Barrett-esque guitar is the best thing an appreciator of the finer aural things in life can do.
These Psychedelic folk rockers are ‘uncompromisingly unfashionable’. The three fellas, Jonathan Shaw, Kris Arrowsmith and Pete Woodlands all came from the rural stretches of NSW, but met in Melbourne in 2007 to form the original Summon The Birds trio. In 2009, Tim ‘Milky’ Clarke (born in the UK) joined on a trial basis, and the boys are glad to announce that Milky’s trial is over and the band’s true work has just begun.
In fact, they’ve gone epic: “We have expanded our instrumentation, challenged ourselves to write longer songs and dared the lyrics to be mythical and timeless.”
The band’s philosophical lyrics and sonic experimentation have enabled STB to forge a place in Melbourne’s bustling music scene.
They are currently undertaking a recording project called “BloodLove”, which one hopes doesn’t take as long as their debut album “48”, whereby after spending 6 weeks in pre-production and only one week recording, they took five years to mix their first mini masterpiece!
Summon The Birds are both a breath of fresh mountain air and a band you can rock out to.
To sink your teeth into the pithy and erudite lyrics of Shaw, the silky percussion of Arrowsmith, the dulcet bass licks of Woodlands and wrap yourself up in Milky’s singing Barrett-esque guitar is the best thing an appreciator of the finer aural things in life can do.
The Gallant Trees
The Gallant Trees which derived it's name from a James Boag advert was started as a solo project of Joel's in Adelaide in 2008 before moving over to Melbourne. When the Birdwatching EP was released in March 2009 under Neika records, Chris Chinchilla (formally of Art Brut) approached Joel to play Drums. Since then Chris has moved to Guitar and our new drummer, Alistair Cook has joined. Sonja Van den Berg has also joined us on Bass Guitar. The Gallant Trees have played residencies at The Empress Hotel (Sept 2010) and also The Esplanade in St.Kilda (March 2011) and released their first album 'Music For Frustrated Ornithologists' in March 2012.
Jessica Moussi and the Songbird Orchestra
Jessica Moussi’s music takes you on a journey from Melbourne’s intimate laneway bars to dusty Middle Eastern streets and back again. Moussi has toured extensively locally and abroad both as a solo artist and with Kristian Mizzi and the Sirens.
On her latest release ‘Wholly Unholy’, Moussi’s dulcet tones whisper and cry as she plucks away alongside the jazz musings of guitarist Matt Moras. She is supported by the lush chords of her vocal army ‘The Songbirds’; consisting of Malia Sloman, Anna Paddick and Mariel Korobilulu.
Moussi fits a rigorous touring schedule in between the responsibilities of co-owning a café with fellow Songbird Malia Sloman.
‘Wholly Unholy’ and ‘Change’ are a delicious precursor to what will be one of Melbourne’s best albums of 2012/13. Stay tuned to the next installment from songstress and rambling woman extraordinaire, Jessica Moussi!
On her latest release ‘Wholly Unholy’, Moussi’s dulcet tones whisper and cry as she plucks away alongside the jazz musings of guitarist Matt Moras. She is supported by the lush chords of her vocal army ‘The Songbirds’; consisting of Malia Sloman, Anna Paddick and Mariel Korobilulu.
Moussi fits a rigorous touring schedule in between the responsibilities of co-owning a café with fellow Songbird Malia Sloman.
‘Wholly Unholy’ and ‘Change’ are a delicious precursor to what will be one of Melbourne’s best albums of 2012/13. Stay tuned to the next installment from songstress and rambling woman extraordinaire, Jessica Moussi!
Private Radio
Private Radio’s energetic style of Rock, which takes influences from ground breaking 3-piece bands like Cream, Hendrix Experience and The Police, creates a sound that is larger than the sum of its three members. Gareth’s unique melodic lines with lyrics that are both captivating and confronting add to the explosive sound from this band.
Gareth and Adam have been writing, gigging and recording together for ten years. Two years ago Cam joined the band and ever since Private Radio has become a solid unit. Never content to stay idle, Private Radio are playing regular shows in the vibrant Melbourne music scene and their debut EP ‘Broadcast One’ has just been released and is available for download on itunes.
Gareth and Adam have been writing, gigging and recording together for ten years. Two years ago Cam joined the band and ever since Private Radio has become a solid unit. Never content to stay idle, Private Radio are playing regular shows in the vibrant Melbourne music scene and their debut EP ‘Broadcast One’ has just been released and is available for download on itunes.