by Stuart Blythe
Currently on tour in support of their new EP ‘Miles Away’, we caught up with Tully On Tully for a quick chat.
You have a new EP coming out called ‘Miles Away’. Tell us a little about the album.
Continue reading Interview : Tully On Tully
With a reputation for delivering blistering live performances and their latest EP ‘Holy Sick’ in tow, WAAX will be hitting the stage at the 2016 ‘The Blurst Of Times” Festival. We caught up with WAAX drummer Tom Bloomfield for a chat.
First of all, congratulations on the release of your 2015 EP ‘Holy Sick’.
Thankyaaaa
‘Holy Sick’ has been extremely well received. Do you enjoy the writing/recording process or prefer touring and playing live shows?
That’s a toughy, I think we love them both for different reasons, playing live probably has our collective heart though.
Continue reading Q&A with Tom Bloomfield – WAAX
Review By Wanda Hill
Photos by Stuart Blythe
It was an emotional end to Bluesfest last night witnessing Brian Wilson perform Pet Sounds with original Beach Boys member Al Jardine and long term member Blondie Chaplin accompanied by a mini orchestra including string, woodwind and brass sections as well as drums, percussion, guitars, bass and support singer. This was part of a world tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of Rolling Stone’s declared second greatest album of all time and will most likely be Brian Wilson’s last trip to Australia. Hearing the historically important songs of the Beach Boys, live from the creators mouth was a surprisingly special experience considering that I have never particularly been a Beach Boys fan. Realising the place in history of these songs and the way they continue to influence several generations was deeply moving. The world the Beach Boys were singing about in the 60’s seems so innocent compared to the world we live in today. Brian Wilson was not looking his best but still managed to sing songs including Fun Fun Fun, Good Vibrations, Help Me Rhonda and Wouldn’t it be Nice with a bit of support from Matt Jardine for the sections that were no longer in his vocal range. They created a joyous atmosphere that was so infectious… maybe I’m a Beach Boys fan now just in time before this era sadly comes to and end.
Continue reading Live Review + Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2016 – Day Five
Review By Wanda Hill
Photos by Stuart Blythe
Shooglenifty were a great fresh way to start Bluesfest 2016 Day 4. Their celtic flavours are not often heard at Bluesfest. A great contrast and way to refresh the ears, kind of like sniffing a coffee bean in between wine tasting. With a fiddle, banjo, mandolin, drums, guitar and bass these guys from Scotland had the audience experimenting with their best River Dance impersonations and moving in energetic ways that are not your usual Bluesfest hip swinging standard. With beautiful tunes, jigs and reels that branched out to sound almost middle eastern and esoteric at times, this band can really get you dancing. Violinist Angus Grant kept the focus sharply on the music declaring ‘we only have an hour, so we are going to dispense with the hysterical banter that goes on between songs’. See Shooglenifty perform today at the Juke Joint 4:15pm.
Continue reading Live Review + Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2016 – Day Four
Review By Wanda Hill
Photos by Stuart Blythe
Day three was all about soaking up epic saxophonist Kamasi Washington with his band from Los Angeles during their last Australian show for 2016. To see a jazz/funk band of this quality and diversity in Australia is a real treat and must be embraced if you like this genre. Each incredible musician on tour with Kamasi was given plenty of stage time to showcase their unique contribution and own original material with respectful introductions from Kamasi explaining how they met. It was a real neighbourhood affair with childhood friends and Kamasi’s father all on stage. Some have been friends before they had even picked up an instrument. The arrangements were intricate, full of detail, embracing difficult time signatures, highlighting the fine pedigree of these musicians who mix with jazz royalty back in their homeland.
Continue reading Live Review + Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2016 – Day Three
Review By Wanda Hill
Photos by Stuart Blythe
Wondering around the Bluesfest site during the early afternoon on day 2, I could hear a beautiful familiar voice rising over the cacophony of sounds emanating from multiple tents. Following the voice lead me to the Crossroads stage to find Djakapurra from Bangarra singing with East Journey, an amazing band from North East Arnhem Land carrying on the tradition of Yothu Yindi. They performed new original songs that are bound to end up in the charts as well as performing Yothu Yindi favourites such as Treaty. Lead singer Rrawun Maymuru’s versatility was showcased with vocal styles ranging form traditional ceremonial song poetry, to ballads and full on rock. His song writing is appreciated world wide through songs he has written for Gurrumul. The band and dancers were truly exceptional and will be appearing at the Boomerang Dance Grounds over the next 3 evenings.
Continue reading Live Review + Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2016 – Day Two
By Wanda Hill
Day one and there is already too many choices. Who to see and where to be? The answer… a bit of everything and everywhere. Entering the festival site was made sweet with the sounds of Lord Huron paving the way for a relaxing night at Bluesfest 2016. The opportunity to leave the world of commitments behind and bathe in sweet music for five days is a pleasure that I am always grateful for and being spoilt for choice of which brilliant set of musicians to cast my ears and eyes upon, never gets old. I guess thats why Bluesfest has been going strong for 27 years and still finds new audiences by stepping out of the mould and bringing artists like Kendrick Lamar into the fold.
Continue reading Live Review + Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2016 – Day One
Photographer: Stuart Blythe
Continue reading Photo Gallery : Nightwish at The Tivoli, Brisbane – January 7th, 2016
Photographer: Stuart Blythe
Continue reading Photo Gallery : Bellusira at The Tivoli, Brisbane – December 15, 2015
Photographer: Stuart Blythe
Continue reading Photo Gallery : Halestorm at The Tivoli, Brisbane – December 15, 2015
Photographer: Stuart Blythe
Continue reading Photo Gallery : The Black Swamp at The Tivoli, Brisbane – November 29, 2015
Photographer: Stuart Blythe
Continue reading Photo Gallery : Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society at The Tivoli, Brisbane – November 29, 2015
Interview by Stuart Blythe
Progressive instrumental rockers Balloons Kill Babies are hitting the stage with Anathema in Brisbane this month (October 29, 2015). We caught up with Christian ‘Twiggy’ Carter, guitarist for Balloons Kill Babies, for a chat.
You’re about to play a one-off acoustic show with Anathema in Brisbane?
Continue reading Interview with Christian ‘Twiggy’ Carter of Balloons Kill Babies
Only three years into songwriting and performing Deena has certainly hit the ground running with two albums already under her belt ‘Lone Wolf’ and ‘Black Cat’ as well as a national tour, a string of festivals dates and played shows in the USA, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Japan.
To celebrate the release of her latest single ‘Turpentine’ DEENA is setting off on a national tour… details below.
Continue reading Q&A with Deena
Photographer: Stuart Blythe
Continue reading Photo Gallery : KISS at Brisbane Entertainment Centre – October 13, 2015
