Amanda Palmer 31.1.2020
As part of her There Will Be No Intermission tour, Amanda ‘F***ing’ Palmer disembarked from her cosmic broomstick for two nights at the Powerhouse. Every time I visit the vibrant venue, bordered by the huge life-force of the river, I’m thankful that Brisbane is home to it.
BOOMALLI - The Promise
You don't get much more real than this you Kamileroi hip hop artist from the Walli Aboriginal Reserve in Collarenebri NSW - a remote Indigenous community on the banks of the Barwon River in Northwest NSW.
Boomalli’s musical journey began when he was just 15yrs old - as frontman for the notorious ‘Colly Crew’, an outfit of diminutive, but razor-sharp rappers that evolved from a series of collaborative storytelling projects with charity organisation, Desert Pea Media - at Collarenebri High School.
Over a decade, the Colli Crew created a range of music and film productions that took them to performances including the ARIA Awards (2011) in front of 10,000 people at the Sydney Opera House and the Indigenous All-Stars NRL Game (Gold Coast, QLD 2013). The Colli Crew’s work is still featured in the National High School Curriculum around the country. Boomalli has consequently developed a huge following amongst Indigenous young people in NSW and around Australia.
Sadly, in 2012, Boomalli's mother was at the end of her life’s journey, in Collareneri hospital. That night Boomalli made a promise to her that he would continue with his musical journey, and to represent his people, no matter what.
This album is his word.
Michael has been mentored and supported via a strong bond with DPM creatives, Toby Finlayson (DPM founder) and Josh Nicholas (music producer aka ‘Hazy’). In 2015 Boomalli released a 6 track EP ‘Boomalli Self Titled’.
Mick’s journey has been hard. After the loss of his mother in 2012, Mick was diagnosed with severe epilepsy, and his illness has formed a backdrop to the artistry of the album, and he continues to struggle with the realities of his condition. In 2019, Mick’s father also passed away in tragic circumstances.
Produced by Josh Nicholas aka ‘Hazy’ with an audio engineer team of some of Australia’s finest (David Nicholas and Micth Kenny) – this album features Indigenous hip hop artists Deekay (Native Rhyme Syndicate) DCP (Indigenous Intruders), Declan Francis (Central Arrandta writer/ hip-hop artist) and Toby Finlayson (DPM Founder and Creative Director).
Get behind this young brother.
Jack Vidgen - Eurovision: Australia Decides 2020
Almost ten years ago he was every grandma's dream - the little blonde cherub with the angelic voice. Now, after several years away from the music industry, working his way through growing up, finding his own truth and coming out as a very happy and talented gay man, he's is back doing what he loves - singing for an audience. His self-penned song "I am King I Am Queen" digs deeply into his psyche and presents a powerful anthem of awareness and self-worth, and is one of the ten contenders to represent Australia in Rotterdam, The Netherlands for the 65th Eurovision Song Contest in May.
7th February 2020
Khruangbin & Leon Bridges: Texas Sun (Dead Oceans)
Texas Sun by Khruangbin & Leon BridgesSløtface: Sorry For The Late Reply (Propeller Recordings / Caroline Australia)
Jaguar Jonze - Eurovision: Australia Decides 2020
She's been in Studio 3 at 4ZZZ for "Right Here, Right Now", she's the only Eurovision: Australia Decides 2020 entrant who is a 4ZZZ Hot 100 2019 placegetter, and she's bringing alternative indie rock to Eurovision.
She is Qld's Jaguar Jonze! "Rabbit Hole" is her song, written just over a year ago when she was dealing with the tumbling thoughts and conflicts that life was bringing - and now she's laying it out big time on television - her first ever experience of working to camera! No biggie!!
Mitch Tambo - Eurovision: Australia Decides 2020
Yaama! Mitch Tambo singing in both English and his native Gamilaraay language takes Eurovision: Australia Decides 2020 up a notch. Hell, SEVERAL notches. A powerful anthem of unity and the power that is possible to be harnessed could be the song that Australia needs to hear, and maybe - just maybe - the song and artist that goes on to represent Australia at Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Didirri - Eurovision: Australia Decides 2020
The most indie/alternative of the indie alternative artists at Eurovision: Australia Decides. Melbourne "sadboy" Didirri, the son of two creative people (artist and song writer) brings one of the most personal songs to this year's contest to find the one artist to represent Australia at Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdamn, The Netherlands.
"Raw Stuff" is a self-penned song about a very painful breakup, and it does what it says on the label! It's about "Raw Stuff" - it's a beautiful, totally pared down piano and light strings number that may the surprise of the show!
iOTA - Eurovision: Australia Decides 2020
Glam and gorgeous! iOTA has had a near 25 year career in Australia, first as a flamboyant rock star in the late 90s and then transitioning to theatre and creating unforgettable portrayals, such as "Hedwig" in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" and a definitive performance as "Frank N Furter" in "The Rocky Horror Show". Eurovision is made for iOTA and iOTA for Eurovision.
Reptant: Reptilian Magnetism
- Reptant has just released a new 12” on Salt Mines titled Reptilian Magnetism. Reptant, a pseudonym of Lou Karsh, has put out a number of 12”s under the Reptant alias since 2017, in addition to even more under the name Lou Karsh. Whether he’s running his label, raising money for the bushfires, or producing graphic design, he’s doing commendable work. Salt Mines, the label this record is coming out on, is an ‘Australian made’ Berlin label.
Sløtface: Sorry For The Late Reply
- It was back in 2017 when Slotface’s steady simmer boiled over in emphatic fashion and onto my radar, with their standout debut full length Try Not To Freak Out. This release even got them name dropped in the Netflix series Sex Education. The Norwegian crew deliver bombastic pop-rock with an edge sharpened on the wet stone of a clear social conscious and a snarl that raised a small-scale, punk rebellion.