Josh Pyke 'Rome' - Podcast Interview

“YOU CAN’T ESCAPE WHO YOU TRULY ARE IN YOUR CORE”

They say everything leads back to Rome, so it's fitting that one of Australia's best story-tellers, Mr. JOSH PYKE has returned to his home in music after a three-year hiatus! Brendan the blind guy caught up with Josh to chat about his new album 'Rome' plus upcoming intimate tour, projects on his hiatus and more! Like, Share and follow Keen Eye 4 Concerts via our e-newsletter at www.keeneye4concerts.com/sign-up

They say "all roads leads back to Rome", with "Rome being a kinda metaphor for yourself" so it's fitting that one of Australia's best story-tellers, Mr. JOSH PYKE has returned to his inner home in music after a three-year hiatus!

Brendan the blind guy caught up with Josh to chat about his new album 'Rome' plus upcoming intimate tour, projects on his hiatus and more!

Like, Share and follow Keen Eye 4 Concerts via our e-newsletter at www.keeneye4concerts.com/sign-up

Check out the press release announcing Josh Pyke’s new album, intimate tour and more here.

Montana Sharp 'Greenhouse' Single - Podcast Interview

“I WISH I WAS A SLICE OF CHEESE”

"I WISH I WAS A SLICE OF CHEESE" Classically trained pop new-comer MONTANA SHARP drops her mysterious, theatrical and spine-tingling debut single 'Greenhouse' Brendan the blind guy had a chat to Montana about the single and more to make you feel like a Disney Princess!

Classically trained pop new-comer MONTANA SHARP drops her mysterious, theatrical and spine-tingling debut single 'Greenhouse' Brendan the blind guy had a chat to Montana about the single and more that’ll make you feel like a Disney Princess!

“Apart from it having the obvious humorous lyrics, it’s actually quite beautiful as far as the music goes and all in all, shows a rare creativity and talent for songwriting which I think people will love!” Brendan - ‘A Slice Of Cheese’

View the press release for ‘Greenhouse’ by Montana Sharp here.

Like, Share and follow Keen Eye 4 Concerts on social media and via our e-newsletter at www.keeneye4concerts.com/sign-up

Harper Bloom 'Mary' Q&A

HOLY MOTHER OF MARY!

HARPER BLOOM SHARES DEBUT SINGLE & VIDEO MARY 

Upcoming folkster Harper Bloom (otherwise known as Hayley De Pledge) has today announced her debut single Mary, a gorgeous, empowering romp about taking control back over your life, out April 2.  Harper Bloom has also announced a moving clip to accompany the release, directed by David Hansen (notable for his short film Anija).  

For fans of Alex The Astronaut, Courtney Barnett and Paul Kelly, Harper Bloom’s Mary is a wonderful example of brilliant Australian songwriting from beginning to end.  Deeply personal, affecting and sweet, Mary shines with acoustic guitars, driving percussion and Harper Bloom’s wonderfully unique, gentle vocals.  Working alongside Benjamin McCarthy (G Flip, Thelma Plum, Megan Washington) to bring Mary to life, Harper Bloom is sure to impress with this brilliant single.  Speaking on the inspiration behind the track, Harper Bloom enthuses, “The single is essentially about not being afraid to be vulnerable and take risks, no matter who you are or how old you are.  It’s about having the strength to leave a comfortable, mundane existence behind in search of enriching experiences and a new lease of life.  The idea really came from observing people on trains and buses…some of the verses came from overheard conversations or things I saw on public transport, and watching  the body language and expressions of people doing a job they didn’t really want to be doing.”

The clip for Mary is so well done, so touching, that it will absolutely stay with the viewer for hours after viewing.  It follows the story of an elderly wife, who finally liberates herself from the hum-drum nature of daily life, bucking all expectations for what elderly people should and shouldn’t do and having a ball all throughout.  It’s a beautiful, cinematic clip – every freeze frame looks like a spectacular photograph.  Reflecting on the narrative of the video for Mary, Harper Bloom says, “The story begins in Mary’s run-down suburban home – which was my sharehouse at the time – with her husband drunk and unresponsive on the couch.  After moments of taking in her life over the past 60 years, she gains clarity and decides to finally leave.  The story then follows Mary on her journey of rediscovery.”

Mary is set for release on April 2. 

“Loving this debut release from Harper Bloom.  Good luck resisting this song’s stirring pull and Harper Bloom’s storytelling nous” Dave Ruby Howe, triple j unearthed

“Fans of Alex The Astronaut should keep an ear out for your charming, stream of consciousness, observant songwriting and the fun-as-hell musical bits and bobs that accompany it” Abby Butler, triple j unearthed

Listen: MARY

Watch: MARY

   Q&A WITH HARPER BLOOM

What’s the inspiration behind your new single ‘Mary’? 
”It’s a narrative about an older lady who is living a mundane existence who finds the courage to leave in search of enriching experiences and a new lease of life. I think subconsciously the initial idea came from working with a few middle-aged women who weren’t happy with their lives and had a lot of regrets about avenues they didn’t pursue. So, its just about having the courage to move forward and make a change, which is scary because change is uncertain. The song was then glued together by things I had seen or conversations I had heard on public transport between New York, Perth and Melbourne.”

 Who are your greatest musical influences?
”I would say artists whose music has longevity and resonates with multiple generations. A huge influence has been Bob Dylan because of his ability to take observations from the world around him to convey thought provoking messages about society in his songs. Then there’s the metaphorical writing style of Stevie Nicks. I think by being more symbolic in lyrics, their meaning can be inferred differently by different people and in that way the songs can be more personal. Also, the Beatles and their ability to push out catchy hooks that resonate with people. They also got me into arranging fingerstyle melodies.”  

 What do you bring to the live stage? 
”I have formed a full 4-piece band early this year, which I am really excited about. All the band members are extremely seasoned and talented musicians (Keyboardist- Jack Saward, Bassist- Joe Kniepp and Drummer- David Quested) and I am stoked to have them on board. As I was formerly playing solo or as a duo, it’s nice to have a full band as it helps bring the single and debut EP to life. The live show is pretty energetic and upbeat with acoustic-pop driven songs and a couple of open-hearted ballads in between.”

 How was the recording process? 

“It was a lot of fun. I was lucky enough to work with an amazing producer called Benjamin McCarthy! He has worked with a bunch of talented artists such as G-flip, Thelma Plum and Alex The Astronaut. He has a studio set up at his Carlton house which is where we recorded the track. Ben arranged keys and the driving drum beat which really made the song pop.”

 What was the inspiration behind the music video? 

“I think the narrative of the song inspired the foundation of the music video. I also worked with an amazing director called David Hansen who was able to generate a storyline that didn’t follow the lyrics so literally, instead he used the general message of the song to form the story-line in the video. So, we came up with ideas of scenes that represent freedom and then ended on a scene that was symbolic of moving onto a new chapter in life.”

How would you describe your writing process? 

“Most of the time I catalogue lines in my notebook or phone. Maybe it’s something that I thought of, or read or heard somewhere. I am kind of obsessed with doing that. I won’t watch a movie or go anywhere without my notebook. Then when I am feeling inspired, I write sections of songs or a melody. Most of the time, I write a little bit then sit on it and let it stew and then come back to it. Then other times, but not as often, a whole chorus or verse can come out of no-where.”

 Give us an interesting personal fact!

“I worked as a beach lifeguard for 4 years and was lucky enough to work and live on an Island off the W.A coast!”

KIT (All Our Exes Live In Texas) 'Good Guy' Single Q&A

THE GOOD GUY IS BEST!

KIT ANNOUNCES DEBUT SINGLE AND VIDEO GOOD GUY

An integral part of the beloved Australian group All Our Exes Live In Texas, Kit (otherwise known as Katie Wighton) has today announced her debut solo release, Good Guy.  A gritty, guitar-led powerhouse of a single, Good Guy calls out every dude who’s ever gotten away with bad behaviour.  Kit has also released a stellar clip to accompany Good Guy, created in collaboration with Gina Somfleth of Pop Candi Films (Merpire, Peach Noise, Press Club).  

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, Kit has had to be creative with her single launch shows. After performing at ISOLAID on March 22 she was inspired to do her single launch show live on Instagram. With support from Bonnie Songs , Nancie Schipper & Hannah Blackburn, Kit will perform live from her livingroom on Friday April 17 at 7pm AEDT. She will have a Bandcamp set up with the idea that people can buy the single and donate what they may have paid to come to the show, and a percentage of the proceeds from the night will also go to Support Act to help those who are seriously suffering in our musical community."I find it very interesting that at the moment the things we seem to be talking about are our healthcare workers and hospitals, schools and universities and The Arts. In a crisis, these things become the most important and I hope that when we get through this awful time we will remember that.” Kit remarks.  “Being creative can sometimes be a burden but right now, it's our biggest asset. I've been doing the crossword on Instagram live and also have started an insta-choir – which is so much fun. I was sitting in my room playing a Hank Williams song and really missing the harmonies, so I chucked it up on my socials and asked people to send in their harmonies. The second week has really taken on a life of its own - we did Two Strong Hearts and had drums and bass and even a wine bottle solo! It’s so beautiful to connect with people safely and bring a little smile to people across the interwebs!”

Co-written with Ali Barter (also featured on backing vocals) and created with producers Dave Symes (Boy and Bear, Sarah Blasko, Missy Higgins) and James Seymour (Merpire, Eaglemont), Good Guy is a sharp, hard-hitting track with a vital message.  One for fans of rockers Alex Lahey, Angel Olsen and Ruby Fields, Good Guy leads with its heart on its sleeve; with amps cranked and driving percussion alongside clever and playful melodies, this track is impossible to ignore.  Speaking on the inspiration behind the track, Kit explains, “I wrote this song with Ali Barter last year after having one too many conversations with amazing women about men in the entertainment industry getting away with bad behaviour.  There is a long and specific story behind it, basically I was tired of hearing sad songs by incredible women about other remarkable women who were wronged – I just wanted to get mad about it. The chorus is kind of a G-rated ‘fuck the patriarchy’.  One of the lyrics is 'it's bigger than us both’.  The conversations stopped just being about my own sadness, anger, disappointment and horror and turned into ‘What the actual shit is going on around us?  How can we fix this?’”

The clip for Good Guy reinforces the message behind the track wholeheartedly.  Reflecting on the video, Kit says, “It's kind of alluding to the experience of someone seeming like a lovely person at first and lulling you into a semi-false sense of security.  Then bam, they do something shit and you're all confused.  And I feel like it's so common now.  Sometimes it's not even something that bad.  Ghosting and not replying to texts, not going straight for a condom, not being honest and open about where they're at.  Anyway, it's that.  In a film clip.  You'll just have to watch it to get the full scoop!  And it's shot in Melbourne at some of my favourite spots!  The patriarchy is giving me a lot of creative fodder, ha!”

Good Guy is a far cry from the exquisite folk stylings of All Our Exes Live In Texas that fans might know Kit best for, but it’s all a melting pot of influences as she explains, “I've been listening to different music – more rocky, raw stuff.  We played folk songs for a long time and I got to a point where I wanted to yell a bit.  Get my punk on!  And have my own voice too.  The band has definitely been a part of KIT, even if it isn't conscious.  Those women are a really important part of my music and emotional history and it would be naïve to think it hasn't influenced KIT.”

Good Guy is out April 3 through Believe.

Listen: GOOD GUY

Watch: GOOD GUY

 FRIDAY 17 APR @ 7pm AEDT | LIVE ON INSTAGRAM WITH BONNIE SONGS, NANCIE SCHIPPER & HANNAH BLACKBURN

Q&A WITH KIT

What’s the inspiration behind your new single Good Guy? 

“I wrote this song with Ali Barter last year after having one too many conversations with amazing women about men in the entertainment industry getting away with bad behaviour. There is a long and specific story behind it, basically I was tired of hearing sad songs by incredible women about other remarkable

women who were wronged – I just wanted to get mad about it. The chorus is kind of a G-rated ‘fuck the patriarchy’. One of the lyrics is ‘this is bigger than us both’. The conversations stopped just being about my own sadness, anger, disappointment and horror and turned into ‘What the actual shit is going on around us? How can we fix this?”

Who are your greatest musical influences?

“Phoebe Bridgers, Merpire, my mum. “

What do you bring to the live stage? 

“I HOPE good banter and open, honest music. “

How was the recording process? 

“Long haha! But so fun. I was just so picky about this first single that it took awhile. Thankfully I had a lot of very kind, patient, BRILLIANT musicians and friends around me so that helped. And in the end I’m really proud of where we got to so it was all worth it!”

What was the inspiration behind the music video? 

“Well we’re tackling what I think is pretty heavy subject matter so Gina Somfleth (from Popcandi and who I made the clip with) and I were keen to stay away from that. We wanted to find a humourous route to take so we went with going on a date with the devil - except I don’t know he’s the bad guy!!”

How would you describe your writing process? 

 “I think it changes all the time. BUT I would say I mostly start with an idea or a melody. Then I usually build it from there. Honestly there’s no one way though! “

Give us an interesting personal fact!

“I once baked a cake with a BB8 (Star Wars) on the top of it for a friend’s birthday. I still sleep with a teddy bear called White Bear and he’s actually a cat. “

PARKER 'Become The Fool' Q&A

YOU’LL BECOME THE FOOL IF YOU DON’T CHECK THIS OUT!

           PARKER ANNOUNCES ARRESTING SINGLE & VIDEO 

BECOME THE FOOL

Visual artist, songwriter and musician PARKER has today announced her devastatingly beautiful new single Become The Fool, a heartbreakingly powerful song about an unbalanced relationship in which one person ends up sacrificing too much of themselves and their dreams for another, set for release January 24.  PARKER has also announced a gorgeous Bauhaus-inspired clip to accompany Become The Fool.  This affecting new single is the first taste of what is set to be an incredibly exciting 2020 for this innovative artist. 

Become The Fool is about as vulnerable as a song can be.  Everything from PARKER’s delicate, glassy vocal delivery, to the melancholy synths and deep, arresting percussion, bleeds with heavy emotion, and will speak to anyone who has gone through a complicated heartbreak – one that perhaps they wondered if they would ever recover from.  Speaking on the inspiration behind the track, PARKER reflects, “This is the first song that was co-written with my writing and production team, Hans Van Vliet (QLD) and Becki Whitton (VIC), across three states and I’m really excited about it.  When a relationship ends it can be devastating.  But what happens afterwards can be a beautiful mess of experiences and vivid feelings.   When I got to the end of my longest relationship, I realised I had lost so much of myself.  I had been living for someone else and their dreams for so long I didn’t know who I was without them.  But through this experience, I was set free to find myself again, to pursue my creative practice with all my heart.”

The video for Become The Fool is a stunning journey that explores the depth of emotion behind this extraordinary song.  The viewer feels connected to the main character as someone who is left behind in a world built for someone else.  The narrative begins in sepia tones, and as the clip progresses and the character reclaims the city for herself through expressive dance, the scene begins to fill with colour as an empowering metaphor for this story.  PARKER explains, “The clip for this song is so incredible!  It was made in one month on a super tight budget.  It was made by Hans Van Vliet (7 Bit Hero + HUNZ) in just three weeks.  We took inspiration from bauhaus design; we wanted to create something that felt nostalgic yet contemporary.  Every single element in the clip has a meaning and a reason to be there.  Nothing is superfluous.”

This wonderfully considered release is just the beginning of what is set to be a spectacular year for this multi-disciplinary artist, as she gives fans a taste of what is yet to come, “I’m really excited about all the singles and music videos we have lined up to release this year.  I’ve also got a number of live videos in the making!  I feel so lucky to be working with so many great film makers, musicians and audio engineers on these projects.” 

PARKER is Tash Parker. 

Become The Fool  is out January 24.

Stream: BECOME THE FOOL Watch: BECOME THE FOOL

 PARKER Q&A

Q; What’s the inspiration behind your new single ‘Become The Fool’? 

A; This song was originally inspired by the hit TV series The Marvelous Mrs Masel.  We took inspiration from the story but made the lyrics more personal to my own narrative of heartbreak.  Become The Fool is about taking ownership of loosing myself in a relationship. 

Q; Who are your greatest musical influences?

A; For voice - Dolly Parton, Joni Mitchell and Stevie Nicks are the artists who I have sung along with the most.  I love how they sing with their own voices and don’t sound like anyone else. 

For production - I love anything from the 80s.  Peter Gabriel, The Cars and The Eurythmics are at the top of my list. 

For a challenge - I love listening to Arthur Russell because I really believe he wrote great pop melodies. The complexity of his arrangements and song structures really challenge my brain in an enjoyable way. 

Q; What do you bring to the live stage? 

A; I have always performed self accompanied on guitar until now.  Next week I will be debuting my new live show at the Earl Arts Centre in Launceston.  The band consists of a drummer playing SPD and a Keys player playing Nord and Prophet X.  I will be able to focus on performing these big vocal parts we’ve written for these songs and probably be wearing something very sparkly. 

Q; How was the recording process? 

A; This track was written and recorded across 3 states.  Hans worked on production in Brisbane.  The lyrics were written in Launceston and we recorded the vocals in an on the Mornington Peninsula.  I actually recorded the vocals in the studio owned by the person the song is about so it was quite a healing experience for my heart and that relationship. 

Q; What was the inspiration behind the music video? 

A; We wanted to honour female artists in history who had not been recognised as much as their male counterparts.  The Bauhaus movement had many female artists, photographers, weavers and painters who contributed significantly but were not as well known. We used bauhaus design theory and referenced iconic photographs to create the world the dancing cloaked figure is in.  The cloak is made from Denim which is a direct reference to the opening line of the song.  The martyr pose is significant to the sacrifice the character had made for another.  They dance through the world to reclaim the space that was built around them and that they were left behind in. 

Q; How would you describe your writing process? 

A; I love to collaborate.  I often sketch out song ideas and then take those to my writing team.  I write in 3 different projects and they are all very different.  I don’t like pinning myself to one genre so when I write a country pop song I take it to Runaway Belles and when I write an 80s heartbreak ballad I take it to the Parker team. All the other experimental vocal arrangements I work on I take to Ladychoir so there is always something exciting that we are creating at any given time. 

Q; Give us an interesting personal fact!

A; I’m a really great waterskier.  I grew up on Lake Kununurra so I would ski with fresh water crocodiles most weekends.  Knowing they were in the water made it really easy to learn how not to fall off.