Australia’s newest, hottest, summer music festival SUNSET SOUNDS is back for its sophomore year after the inaugural SELL-OUT event in January; returning to the stunning Brisbane Botanical and City Gardens over January 6 and 7 to invoke a sumptuous summer soiree of delights. With tickets to The Falls Festival selling out each year, fans need not despair as the most sumptuous of the handpicked spices from around the globe that are playing The Falls will frolic in the park at Sunset Sounds, such as; The kaleidoscopic vocals of Karen O guiding the formidable YEAH YEAH YEAH’S (USA); iconic songwriter and producer, MOBY (USA); rewriting the hip hop rulebook comes HILLTOP HOODS; nerve-shatteringly beautiful and likely

contender for Album Of The Year, GRIZZLY BEAR (USA – First Ever Australian Shows); harmony-laden whole hearted dynamism of THE TEMPER TRAP; in his first Oz performance with new international band comes XAVIER RUDD; iconic modern rockers the EDITORS (UK); the ethereal, organic and immaculate performance of SARAH BLASKO; the unbridled dynamic energy of incendiary guitar virtuosos RODRIGO Y GABRIELA (Mexico); a hootenanny hoedown from bluesman SEASICK STEVE (USA); captivating soaring vocals and sonic alchemy of EMILIANA TORRINI (Iceland); the dazzling guitar work and shimmering tapestry of future folk from KAKI KING (USA); Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist and lyricist, the eclectic ANDREW BIRD (USA); diversely mixed palate of classic gypsy-pop from YVES KLEIN BLUE; sweet pop-folk sensibilities of LISA MITCHELL; the 11-peice psychedelic-soul big band explosion from dynamite act KING KHAN AND THE SHRINES (Germany – First Ever Australian Shows); the rare multi-instrumentalism and indie-rock melting-pot of THE JOHN STEEL SINGERS; three sets of funky hands from the feel-good brand of obscure pulsating electro/pop from ART VS. SCIENCE and the lush, raw, emotive power from Townsville folk darling’s THE MIDDLE EAST. Plus, LOADS MORE LOCAL & INTERNTAIONAL ACTS to be announced

Dates: Wed 6 & Thu 7 January, 2010
Venue: Sunset Sounds combining The Garden Stage and The Hibiscus Stage in the Botanic Gardens and the Riverstage in the City Gardens, Brisbane QLD
Tickets: On sale Sept 24, 9am www.ticketmaster.com.au 18+ event.

For further info on the magnificent talents gracing the stages at SUNSET SOUNDS, read on below or check www.sunsetsounds.com.au

At the turn of the twenty-first century the New York City music scene floated in a surfaceless orbit of samplers, shoegazers and delay pedals. Then came the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (USA), fronted by the psychologically kaleidoscopic vocals of Karen O. The trio’s first full-length album, Fever To Tell, was simultaneously filthy, infectious, sloppy and brilliant. You could dance to it, and you could probably die to it. It would have been easy enough to record another spastic, live-sounding garage album after the success of Fever To Tell, but their next full-length, 2007’s Show Your Bones, added acoustic guitar and more serious compositions. Now their brand new effort, It’s Blitz, signals both a glance backward and a step forward for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
www.myspace.com/yeahyeahyeahs

Few have had more influence on modern pop music than Moby (USA). The iconic songwriter and producer has been making music since he was nine-years-old. He released his first single, Go, in 1991(listed as one of Rolling Stones best records of all time), and has been making albums ever since. His own records have sold over twenty million copies worldwide, and he’s also produced and remixed scores of other artists, including David Bowie, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy. His new album, Wait For Me, was released to much acclaim this year. He will be touring Oz with his full band and playing some newbies, mixed in with our faves from brilliant album Play such as ‘Honey’, ‘Bodyrock’ and ‘Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad’.
www.myspace.com/moby

Hilltop Hoods are easily Australia’s most important – and successful – hip hop act today. State Of The Art, the chart topping, platinum-selling fifth studio album from Australia’s premier hip-hop crew is the Hoods’ official follow-up to their 2006 award-winning album, The Hard Road. It’s been a long time coming, but State Of The Art is everything Hood fans could have wished for: dark, heavy, challenging, raw and occasionally funny. It’s State Of The Art in sound and soul. It’s Hilltop Hoods continuing to rewrite the hip hop rulebook.
www.myspace.com/hilltophoods

Billed by Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood as “my favourite band in the world”, Brooklyn’s Grizzly Bear (USA) are one of the most talked-about and widely celebrated bands to arise in the last few years. Already being lauded as “the best record of the 00s by Fleet Foxes’ frontman, Robin Pecknold, and singled out by the critical establishment as a likely contender for the Album Of The Year, their new album Veckatimest (pronounced veck-ah-tim-est) is undoubtedly a modern classic. This is Grizzy Bear’s first ever-Australian tour.
www.myspace.com/grizzlybear

A lot of water’s passed under the bridge since The Temper Trap’s delay soaked opening to Sweet Disposition first began causing a stir on Australian radio late last year. The track was the first taster of their recording sessions with UK producer Jim Abbiss (UNKLE, Adele, Arctic Monkeys) and it clearly made the world sit up and take notice. The track instantly won the band a steady stream of influential fans around the globe. The new year only saw the momentum gather pace with the band signing a worldwide record deal with Korda Marshall’s newly re-launched Infectious Records (previously home to Muse, Garbage and Ash), scoring a trailer and key film placement for Sundance buzz US film 500 Days Of Summer and continued glowing reviews. Thank goodness the band’s debut album, Conditions, has finally arrived to quench the hunger.
www.myspace.com/thetempertrap

He’s one of Australia’s most loved artists. And he’s back with another album of unforgettable anthems that aspire for a better world. It’s been a whirlwind couple of years for Xavier Rudd. In between sold out tours in Europe, Canada, Australia and the US, both headlining and supporting the likes of the Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson and Ben Harper, he has been working on the film score for fellow-surfer and Rudd-enthusiast Matthew McConaughey called Surfer Dude, starring McConaughey, Woody Harrelson and Willie Nelson. His latest album, Dark Shades Of Blue, is dusky and cool, more sober than any work Rudd has ever done. The results are less ‘world music’ than they are the makings of a truly global record.
www.myspace.com/xavierrudd

They are one of the most iconic bands of the decade. Their debut album, The Back Room, is already considered a modern rock classic. They are Editors (UK), and it’s time for album number three. Comparisons with Joy Division are nothing new when it comes to this Midlands quartet — mainly thanks to the military funk of Ed Lays’s drumming. But they’re even less avoidable in a live context. If front man Tom Smith’s sonorous baritone recalls that of Ian Curtis, his painfully skinny frame seems no less able to contain the energy being summoned around him. The light and shade of third album, In This Light And On This Evening heralds the start of a new chapter for Editors with a determination to push their sound into wholly new territory.
www.myspace.com/editorsmusic

With the release of her brilliantly produced 3rd album (made with the helping hand of Bjorn Yttling of famed Swede’s Peter, Bjorn and John) As Day Follows Night , Sarah Blasko serves a platter of veritable goods that traverse the fragile landscapes of relationships and self preservation that has been lauded as her best album yet. Overlaid with Blasko’s renowned otherworldly qualities, punctured with ethereal lyrics and stunning vocals. Sarah’s live shows are always something special, and a never-to-be-missed experience of sheer joy.
www.sarahblasko.com

“So ear-poppingly dexterous, so ineffably charming and so supremely entertaining…their hyper-speed virtuosity is mesmerising.” That’s how the UK’s Guardian Newspaper described the brilliance of Mexican acoustic duo Rodrigo Y Gabriela (Mexico). With a new studio album ready set for release – 11:11 – this exciting duo have been one of music’s great word-of-mouth success stories of recent times. 11:11 is the long awaited follow up to 2006’s Rodrigo y Gabriela, which has so far enjoyed worldwide sales in excess of half a million albums.
www.myspace.com/rodrigoygabriela
“I guess they kinda like hearin’ me with an acoustic guitar stompin’ on a box” states rambunctious bluesman Seasick Steve (USA). Well, yes indeed we do! Grease up that slide guitar and get yer stomping boots ready, because Seasick Steve’s a-comin’ to Oz this summer, bringing his gravelly charm and corn-fed rock’n’roll with him. Seasick Steve will holler out to y’all with his one stringed ‘Diddley Bow’ and ‘Mississippi Mud Box’ for percussive stamping to pay homage to the likes of Charley Patten and Son House with enough bluegrass ballads to create a genuine southern hoedown in our very own backyard.
www.seasicksteve.com

Following on from her critically acclaimed debut for Rough Trade Fisherman’s Woman, Me And Armini saw Iceland’s Emiliana Torrini (Iceland) rise to greatness with one of the best albums of 2008. Me And Armini is a hugely ambitious and inspirational pop record with Torrini’s soaring voice centre stage, bolstered by a rich gamut of musical styles. “Iceland is a big influence for me,” she explains of her unique music. “The landscape, the people, my family… my Aunt and I decided to go for a little drive. Six hours later we were on top of Snaefells glacier in the middle of the bright night. You could really feel the weird energy.”
www.myspace.com/emilianatorrini

Thumping bass lines, tapping melodies, and slapping percussion on her guitar, Kaki King (USA) is a one-woman force wreaking havoc. She’s a riveting performer; combining jaw-dropping technique with unique compositions. Her playing has a passion and an edge that keeps her tenuously balanced, one foot in the acoustic world, the other in rock’n’roll. Her latest album Dreaming Of Revenge is a winning, gorgeously eccentric indie pop offering that aims straight for the heart. “There are some guitar players that are good and there are some guitar players that are really fucking good. And then there’s Kaki King.” – Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, quoted in NME
www.kakiking.com

Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist and lyricist Andrew Bird (USA) picked up his first violin at the age of four. He spent his formative years soaking up classical repertoire completely by ear so when it came time for a restless teenager to make the jump to Hungarian Gypsy music, early jazz, country blues, south Indian etc, it wasn’t such a giant leap. On listening to Bird’s latest offering from his genius repertoire, Noble Beast, it is no surprise to hear that he is a must-see live artist that spellbounds the crowd with looping antics and improvisational flair.
www.myspace.com/andrewbird

Yves Klein Blue are wry storytellers who expound their jangly tales as a sophisticated, entertaining and spirited mixed palate of clashy blends. Their album Ragged & Ecstatic is a wild, irresistible ride that subtly and cleverly captures the exuberance and experience of life via classic pop ditties, old punk, indie rock, gypsy jazz and a touch of 70’s glam. “Their irresistible mélange of pop-hooks, fuzzy guitar and Arctic Monkeys cheek will charm even the most cynical listeners.” Sunday Age
www.yveskleinblue.com

Lisa Mitchell has had a year most artists only dream of – she’s headlined her own national tour, played in the UK at the legendary Glastonbury Festival and worked with industry heavyweights on her stunning debut album. Wonder aptly displays Mitchell’s surreal world of sweet pop-folk sensibilities. Her songs display an incredible wealth of talent that is offered as sparse and simple tracks that rely heavily on Lisa’s incredible vocal quality that is both unique and stunning; driving her unique flavour of folk wonderment.
www.lisamitchell.com.au

The 11-piece psychedelic-soul big-band explosion known as King Khan & The Shrines (Germany) finally detonates their musical dynamite for the very first time in Australia! The Supreme Genius of King Khan & The Shrines have been spreading their love like peanut butter since 1999. We’d go as far as saying they’re one of the best live acts out there. With an insanely impressive line-up that includes muso’s who have worked with Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, and many other Soul-Legends, King Kahn leads a super bad ass 10 piece soul inferno! A not to be missed festival first (if we could predict the best of the fest, this would be it!). www.myspace.com/kingkhantheshrines

The Brisjanglian brood The John Steel Singers, deliver a catchy blend of pop that has seen them become firm Triple J favourites as well as tour with the likes of the Polyphonic Spree, The Panics, Yves Klein Blue, Built To Spill and many more. Having been raised on a steady diet of ‘60’s and 70’s records, it’s the pop ethos of yesteryear that is firmly at the centre of the indie rock band. Rarities in the music world, The John Steel Singers have not one, but three singers and a number of multi-instrumentalists! With a slew of fans, wicked shows under their belts and a whole lotta love ‘n’ rock ’n’ pop to offer, The John Steel Singers are indeed something special.
www.myspace.com/thejohnsteelsingers

Art Vs. Science is one of the few outfits in Australia that play all the right ingredients for the perfect club night – live. No laptops, no backing tracks, just drums, keyboards, synths and three sets of funky hands. Art vs Science breathe fresh air into the genre, with an immediate, breath-taking live show, and songs, such as favourite ‘Parlez Vous Francais’, that are pleasing, joy-inducing; as if meticulously designed, element by element, to intensify user stimulation.
www.myspace.com/artvsscience

Townsville’s The Middle East’s great appeal is the ease with which they sweep you into their rousing haze; their melancholy wanderings that stretch on attractively, impervious to time. With standout tracks ‘Blood’ and ‘The Darkest Side’ doing the rounds on the airwaves, it is no wonder these guys have been added to festival bills and supported international acts. The band’s exquisite sharing of vocals and sparse instrumentation is expertly unravelled in their live shows that build into triumphant hymns. Their use of evocative instruments (banjo, accordion, trumpet, flute, organ/piano) that swell around the essential guitar, bass and drums create an air of majesty. The stirring, glowing music of The Middle East creates dramatic and climactic anthems – and its awe inspiring.
www.myspace.com/visitthemiddleeast