Hello and welcome to the Locality column for July and August! Shiteloads to get through so let’s jump straight in.
Beloved musician and all-round artistic maverick, Endrey, has just dropped his latest track, Lusitania. Featuring local rapper, Kojo Ansah aka Citizen Kay, the song is a reflection on the myths that dominate our lives. You can listen to Endrey’s catchy, electro-pop track on Spotify.
Staying on the trend of the aforementioned, incredibly talented and, it would seem, incredibly busy, Citizen Kay, the hip-hop artist, producer and rapper will be headlining the inaugural Canberra music bash, Sweet Dreams Festival. Joining the line-up will be a host of other local and interstate talent including Kirrah Amosa, Kirklandd and Thandi Phoenix. The event will be held at the Truffle Farm on Mt Majura Road. Tickets are available via the website now (sweetdreamsfestival.com.au) and the festival itself will be on Saturday, 21st September.
Groovy Daughter has just released a new track on iTunes and Spotify. Reboot is a beautifully haunting song that, as described by the artist “is a plea, from the deepest parts of our brain. It describes the desperation of trying to function in society when you’re plagued with mental illness.” I very much admire the candour and honesty of this young artist and look forward to hearing more of her work. Be sure to catch her live too, such a great performer!
A couple of other releases to plug. Local rising-stars Teen Jesus and The Jean Teasers have a new track called See You In A Bit (I Still Care), which is out on 25 July. The song follows the same gritty-grunge style as their last release and reflects on love-hate relationships.
Sputnik Sweetheart will be releasing their new track, Us Girls, on 1 August. The song throws gender inequality into the spotlight in a passionate, frustrated, and anthemic fashion. Both these releases are available on all major streaming platforms.
Local Canberra band Kopasetic are set to launch their debut EP Rhapsody Blues at Smith’s Alternative on 2 August. Recorded at Amberly Studios overlooking Namadgi’s mountains and the Bullen Range, the EP features a unique dialect of roots music influenced by folk, reggae, ska, and finger-style guitar.
Supporting Kopasetic on the night will be local indie rock band, Bobby James. Citing influences such as Andrew Bird, Death Cab for Cutie and Hozier, Bobby James delivers captivating performances with soothing catchy melodies and driving worldly rhythms. Doors open at 7pm and tix can be purchased online at smithsalternative.com/events/kopasetic-60237 or at the door for $10/$15.
Canberra favourites, Pleased To Jive You, will be launching a new album at Live at The Polo on Friday, 16 August at 8pm. Whitman’s Peak is Jive’s self-produced concept album, a 12-track opus, three years in the making, which tells the story of the fictional town of Fevernall, NSW and the people who attempt to tame the infamous local mountain and its dangerous terrain.
It’s a dreamy, jazz-filled funk rock album with acoustic campfire singalongs and psychedelia. Supported by a bunch of local acts, this is sure to be a great night out. Tickets are $10/$15 at trybooking.com or at the door.
The National Live Music Awards (NMLAs) are now open for nominations! If any of these artists, or others I haven’t mentioned here, have caught your attention over the last year and you feel their talent is deserving of some public recognition, head over to nlmas.com.au to nominate them for this year’s awards! Nominations can also be submitted for your favourite event, venue or music photographer. Nominations close Thursday, 15 August.
Lastly, MusicACT has been working hard to advocate for the continuation of live music in Canberra, as venues constantly battle noise complaints and restrictions as the city centre grows.
Let Music Live – Jam Against A Silent City, happened on 21st June in Garema Place, and was a demonstration by Canberra bands (including SAFIA and Citizen Kay – see, such a busy man!) to let our local pollies and developers know that Canberrans want live performance in the city to remain strong.
With a turnout of over 1500, it’s clear that support for a reached agreement around live music and future development for the protection of Canberra’s music scene is fervent. And as we can see, the music scene in this city is alive and well so let’s keep it that way.
For more info on this important issue, and to see what MusicACT want to see changed, view their Cool Little Capital Action Plan at musicact.com.au/blog/2018/11/29/cool-little-capital
