The deadline for entries to the Darebin Music Feast’s Songwriters’ Award has closed and judges Peter Farnan, Charles Jenkins and Evelyn Morris are busy sifting through them to find the ten best. The Darebin Music Feast’s Songwriters’ Award  is focused firmly on encouraging local songwriters to hone their craft, in addition to promoting and recognising local talent.

Punters can see the 10 Darebin Music Feast Songwriters’ Award finalists on October 31st as they battle it out for the trophy and an amazing prize package, including $2000 cash thanks to APRA, studio time at Head Gap and heaps more. With past winners including Jordie Lane, Sal Kimber, Ben Mason, Dan Flynn and Maddie Duke, they’ll be in good company. Hosted by writer, musician and man about town Ben Birchall and featuring special guest performances from past winners Charm of Finches and Dan Dinnen, this is an evening of the great songwriting talent that has made Darebin the heart of Melbourne’s music scene. This is a free event.

Darebin Music Feast Songwriters’ Award Grand Final
Monday 31 October @ 7pm
Northcote Town Hall, Studio 1 – 189 High Street, Northcote

Taking place from Thursday October 27 to Sunday November 6, the Darebin Music Feast will span over 40 venues, featuring more than 600 artists over 11 days.

CHARLES JENKINS PONDERS 3 SONGWRITING MYTHS
Ahead of the Darebin Music Feast’s Songwriters’ Award final, chief judge and local singer-songwriter guiding light Charles Jenkins kindly offered to debunk 3 myths about songwriting that many assume to be set in stone.

There are lots of step by step guides to writing songs out there, so just Google them and have a read of those. What I would like to ponder is what I consider to be 3 of the myths regarding the song writing process.

1. Songs are meant to sound a certain way
It seems that people feel the need to wear a particular songwriting hat – one that predetermines how their song should sound, regardless of what it is they are trying to say or do. The story you told me was all yours – and it was moving, arresting, entertaining, idiosyncratic and captivating and yet in the process of putting it into a song you leant on melodies and chords and lyrics that turned it into a very common piece of writing. Why not take off your songwriting hat and get yourself into the song? Listen to music from all eras and all genres and then you will realize that everything and anything can and should happen in a song.

2. I can’t write unless I’m inspired.
“Inspiration is for amateurs…” American painter Chuck Close said that, Cole Porter said “All the inspiration I ever needed was a phone call from a producer”. The time to start is now, don’t wait for Tuesday, or until you’re high or drunk or sober, start now. The more you write the better you get. The more you read, listen, practice and engage the more interesting your song. Ideas lead to ideas. The harder you work the greater the artistic rewards. The more you know of all other art forms the more you will understand your own. As the potter Michael Cardew once wrote about his art form: “The road to a more subjective expression comes from getting on top of your craft, not short-cutting it”

3. What comes first the music or the lyrics?
Why do we have to start with this notion? Can’t it be an idea, or a rhythm, or an elephant’s call, the tone of a particular instrument, a break neck tempo, a slow crawl, a riff turned backwards, a melody turned upside down. Why should we limit ourselves? Everything that goes into a song is itself a way to start a song. There are no rules, and if there are feel free to break them, all of them. Why can’t we start with structural ideas? Let’s write a song with 42 verses, or perhaps a song that goes for 23 seconds? Parameters are always good, as they will lead to ideas. The break neck tempo may well imply a particularly thrilling tale. A riff turned backwards could inspire a story told in reverse. Trust your instincts; go wherever you feel you should with the song.

So get yourself into your song, roll up your sleeves and do whatever it takes to get songs started. Listen to everything you can, investigate all other art forms, have fun, play a lot, and get started, today.

Charles Jenkins

For more info on the Darebin Music Feast Songwriting Award night click here

ARIA-nominated, Melbourne rockers KINGSWOOD, known for their signature rock ’n’ roll swagger and unstoppable quest for greatness, have announced a string of nation-wide headline tour dates beginning November 2016. The tour will take in nine shows across five states, including up close and personal capital city venues, as well as off the beaten track regional club shows, kicking off with a performance on Friday, November 4 at Chinchilla Event ‘Fusions on the Field’ in Queensland.

These shows offer fans a chance to see KINGSWOOD perform on stages not seen since the early days of their career where they’ll be premiering select material off their forthcoming sophomore album. The band’s most recent ‘Microscopic Wars’ album tour (March 2015) saw the band sell out iconic venues across the country, including Sydney’s Metro Theatre and the Forum Theatre in Melbourne and then went on to support Australian rock royalty AC/DC on the nine date Australian leg of their ‘Rock or Bust’ stadium tour in November 2015, alongside energetic Swedish rock stars, The Hives. These electrifying shows saw the band play to some of the biggest audiences of their career, playing to 80,000 seat venues like Sydney’s ANZ Stadium, to which the band’s vocalist/ guitarist Alex Laska proudly accepted, “There isn’t really much one can say about touring with AC/DC, childhood dreams being realised generally results in a loss for words.”

Kingswood members Laska, Fergus Linacre and Justin Debrincat have spent the earlier part of 2016 bunkered down recording the follow-up to their 2014 debut, Microscopic Wars, at the legendary Nashville USA studios: Sound Emporium, owned by musical legend Johnny Cash’s producer Jack Clement – a studio that has recorded the albums of many of the greats, from Robert Plant and Cyndi Lauper, to the Alabama Shakes and Pharell.

Microscopic Wars, which was produced by the Grammy Award-winning Vance Powell (Jack White, Arctic Monkeys, The Ractonteurs), was one of the most outstanding rock releases in recent Australian music industry history, selling over 30,000 units, achieving a top 10 debut in the national ARIA charts at #6, and subsequently receiving an ARIA Nomination for ‘Best Rock Album’.

For further info Kingswood and full show dates go here http://www.kingswoodband.com/.

Tickets on sale now!

KINGSWOOD Australian Tour Dates
Special Guests To Be Announced
FRI 4 NOVEMBER     CHINCHILLA EVENT ‘FUSIONS ON THE FIELD’  QLD
SAT 5 NOVEMBER     SPOTTED COW    TOOWOOMBA   QLD
FRI 11 NOVEMBER     JIVE BAR   ADELAIDE   SA
SAT 12 NOVEMBER     BLUES AT BRIDGETOWN     BRIDGETOWN   WA
SUN 13 NOVEMBER     96FM ‘KICK START SUMMER OF MUSIC CONCERT’ PERTH   WA
THU 17 NOVEMBER     IMPERIAL HOTEL  SYDNEY  NSW
FRI 18 NOVEMBER     SSA   ALBURY  NSW
SAT 19 NOVEMBER     HOWLER   MELBOURNE  VIC
THU 24 NOVEMBER     WOOLY MAMMOTH  BRISBANE QLD
SAT 26 NOVEMBER    BASE MAGNETIC ISLAND     TOWNSVILLE   QLD

Two of the drumming worlds biggest names, Carmine and Vinny Appice will be touring Australia as the Appice Brothers: Drum Wars in February 2017. The legendary brothers have been the engine room for some of the greatest bands of all time. Black Sabbath, Dio, Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart, Vanilla Fudge, Blue Murder, Paul Stanley, King Kobra and more. And now they have joined forces to conquer the world with their own show. Playing the greatest hits of a host of their previous bands, the Appice Brothers deliver a rock show that will impress both rockers and drummers alike.

This show is a high energy, mind blowing rock concert played with vehemence and power. Both drummers will be on stage playing their most famous songs with special guest musicians and they will also be holding epic drum battles, super solos and displaying some fancy tricks that have earned them their reputations as legendary sticksmen.

The Brothers will also be holding special clinics in both cities where the opportunity to receive a once in a lifetime double lesson with the Appice Brothers awaits. Tickets to these clinics are very limited so get in quick!

Legendary rock drummer, Carmine Appice has enjoyed an amazing almost 50 year career as a rock star, music educator, author, and rock pioneer. He is widely considered to be one of the most accomplished showmen in rock. Recipient of numerous awards including Modern Drummer Hall of Fame, Hollywood Rock Walk of Fame, and dozens of gold and platinum selling records. Carmine co-wrote such monster selling hits as Do Ya Think I’m Sexy and Young Turks.

As a performer, as a teacher, and as a writer, he continues to inspire drummers and listeners throughout the world with his originality and his unwavering dedication to the art of drumming. In 2016, Carmine unleashed his book titled “STICK IT – My Life of SEX, DRUMS, AND ROCK ‘N’ ROLL”.

Vinny Appice has anchored the rhythm and power live and in the studio for the music of Dio, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, WWIII, Axis, Rick Derringer, John Lennon, and more. He has recorded and co-written songs on over 25 albums and CDs, including many multi-platinum records. Vinny’s drumming can also be heard on numerous movie soundtracks, including Wayne’s World 2, Heavy Metal, Iron Eagle and Bedazzled.

A consummate performer and drummer, Vinny is also a brilliant clinician, performing clinics and master classes all across the globe, as well as making appearances in films and television. Vinny can also be heard on classic albums like Black Sabbath’s Mob Rules and Dio’s Holy Diver & Last In Line.

TOUR DATES
Thursday, February 16: The Factory Theatre, Sydney – DRUM CLINIC
Friday, February 17: The Factory Theatre, Sydney – FULL SHOW
Saturday, February 18: Max Watts, Melbourne FULL SHOW
Sunday, February 19: Croxton Park Hotel, Melbourne – DRUM CLINIC (afternoon)

Full Show tickets are $74.90 for General Admission & $199.90 for VIP Packages
Clinic Tickets are $59.90 for General Admission & $199.90 for VIP Packages
On sale 9.00am Tuesday, September 27 via
hardlinemedia.net
Official Event Page:

Legendary leather-clad rocker Suzi Quatro has done a Farnsy! She said that her 2015 tour of Australia would be her last but did anyone really believe her? With a career now spanning over 50 years of performing, it’s “one more time for Suzi” as she returns in February 2017 for a national tour starting on the Gold Coast on February 3 and finishing in Darwin on March 4.   Tickets go on sale October 12.
“Well…..what can I say….eh!  Australia.   You’re in my bones, you’re in my blood, I was born to entertain, I had to come back – I missed you too much,” Suzi said on the announcement of the tour.

With 31 Australian tours under her belt, for this tour, Suzi will bring Andy Scott from THE SWEET on guitar and vocals and Don Powell from SLADE on drums.   They will perform as “QSP” for the opening act. The trio have recorded an album “QSP” which will be released in January.  Suzi will have an eight-piece band, performing the hit programme for the second half of the show, in her leather jumpsuit of course.

Also joining Suzi’s band once again will be the awesomely talented Australian guitarist Nat Allison, who has just relocated to the UK. Those who attended the 2015 Melbourne Guitar Show will remember the stunning show presented by Nat and her band. View a clip here

Born in Detroit Michigan, Suzi was raised in a musical family who all played various instruments.  Suzi made her stage debut, playing bongos in her father’s Jazz band, The Quatro Trio.  From an early age, she studied classical piano and percussion and at the age of 14 began an all-girl band with her sister Patti calling themselves The Pleasure Seekers.  Suzi was ‘told’ she would be playing bass guitar which was as tall as she was and also became the lead singer.  In 1969 they changed their name to Cradle and it was this band that caught the attention of famed record producer Mickie Most who offered her a solo contract as a singer/songwriter/musician.

She went to the UK in 1971 to begin her journey to fame.  Suzi began working with the now legendary songwriters Chinn and Chapman. Chapman also produced Suzi, which resulted with her first magic hit “Can The Can” which went to #1 around the world, and sold over 2.5 million copies.  In the past four years the original video has nearly 6 million hits.

Between 1973 and 1980 Suzi Quatro featured in the British charts for 101 weeks and to date sold over 55 million records including hits, “48 Crash”, “Too Big”, “Devil Gate Drive”, “Daytona Demon”, “The Wild One”, “She’s In Love With You”, “Rock Hard” and her duet with Chris Norman, “Stumblin’ In”.

In 1977 Suzi then spread her wings and headed for the small screen playing Fonzie’s good friend, Leather Tuscadero in Happy Days.  She continued to act in other television series including Minder, Dempsey and Makepeace, Absolutely Fabulous and Midsomer Murders.   In 1986 Suzi made her West End debut playing the lead of Annie Oakley in Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun receiving critical acclaim. In 1991 Suzi wrote and starred in the title role in a musical about the life of actress Tallulah Bankhead entitled Tallulah Who?

Recently, Suzi presented her one-woman show Unzipped both in the West End and on BBC Radio 2 as a two-hour Christmas special performed live at the BBC Radio Theatre in London. Suzi has had her own radio show on this station since 1999 and has recently published her first poetry book released worldwide titled “Through My Eyes”.

Suzi was one of the first rock and roll acts to tour to Russia where she performed to 500,000 people in six weeks in 1989.

The tour is presented by Duet Productions and Sony Music Entertainment Australia. Denis Handlin AM, Chairman & CEO Sony Music Entertainment Australia & New Zealand and President of Asia said, “I have always been a big fan of Suzi’s amazing career and we are delighted to partner with Duet Productions for Suzi’s forthcoming Australian tour, “Leather Forever”. It will be great to see her perform in Australia again.  We are also excited to be releasing Suzi’s new album “QSP” with legendary performers Andy Scott (The Sweet) and Don Powell (Slade) and we are really looking forward to them performing on the tour with Suzi”.

2017 LEATHER FOREVER ENCORE tour dates

TWEED HEADS – TWIN TOWNS – Friday February 3 & Saturday February 4
TOOWOOMBA – EMPIRE THEATRE – Monday February 6
BRISBANE – CONCERT HALL – Tuesday February 7
ADELAIDE – ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE – Thursday February 9
PERTH – CROWN THEATRE – Saturday February 11
SYDNEY – SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE – Tuesday February 14
GEELONG – GEELONG ARENA – Thursday February 16
MELBOURNE – ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE, HAMER HALL – Saturday February 18
SALE – BOTANIC GARDENS – Sunday February 19
HOBART – WREST POINT ENTERTAINMENT THEATRE – Tuesday February 21
CANBERRA – CANBERRA THEATRE – Thursday February 23
WOLLONGONG – ANITA’S THEATRE THIRROUL – Friday February 24
HUNTER VALLEY – HOPE ESTATE WINERY – Saturday February 25
MACKAY – ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE – Tuesday February 28
TOWNSVILLE – ENTERTAINMENT & CONVENTION CENTRE – Wednesday March 1
CAIRNS – CONVENTION CENTRE, GREAT HALL – Thursday March 2
DARWIN – CONVENTION CENTRE – Saturday March 4

http://suziquatro.com.au/

On sale October 12

Acclaimed American blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa, who is currently on tour in Australia has just released a new live album which is available on CD, DVD, Blu-ray and LP. Live At The Greek Theatre is a 22 track double album (4 LP deluxe edition) which honours The Three Kings, Albert King, BB King and Freddie King. Filmed during his 2015 US amphitheater tour, the release includes a collector’s edition booklet, several bonus features and behind the scenes footage.

Playing on a warm summer night to a large crowd, Bonamassa’s handpicked set list of songs was called spectacular by Premier Guitar; Los Angeles Times said the show had swing and polish and that Bonamassa evoked the signature licks of all three icons while managing to put his own stamp on things.

Songs ranged from blues standards to deep cuts, including Born Under A Bad Sign, Lonesome Whistle Blues, Hummingbird, Let The Good Times Roll, and, of course, B.B. King’s famed The Thrill Is Gone  as the evening closer.

On the shows, Bonamassa introduced a steady rotation of vintage guitars, including four Gibson ES models, a Gibson Les Paul, a Gibson Flying V, two new Gibson Custom Shop models, two Fender Strats, and a 1972 Dan Erlewine custom Flying V named Lucy, originally owned and played by Freddie King and currently in the collection of actor Steven Seagal.

JOE BONAMASSA AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES

Wed 28th Sept         QPAC                                     SELLING FAST         Brisbane       QLD
Fri 30th Sept             Sydney Opera House         SOLD OUT                Sydney          NSW
Sun 2nd Oct              Thebarton Theatre             SELLING FAST         Adelaide        SA
Wed 5th Oct              Palais Theatre                     SELLING FAST         Melbourne    VIC

More info at Joe’s website