AUSSIE'S NEW HIP-HOP STAR

With a lot happening for hip-hop artist such as gigs, album release, being played constantly on triple J and heading to New York in a few weeks, we decided to sit down (via facebook)  and catchup with the man himself. 

When did you decide you wanted to be a Hip-Hop Artist?

Well I was always a massive fan. So was a good mate of mine. One day my mate bought a mic home and we started mucking around and I eventually put together a rough mixtape around the year 2000. At the time no one was really making major moves. Koolism, Hyjak and Torcha, Hilltop Hoods were getting some love still though. Once the Hoods really cracked through I seen that we can actually do something here in Aus with music. With others following like Bliss n’ Eso it only inspired me more so in like 2004 I started making an album to vent my feelings and what dramas life was dealing me at the time (My first major breakup). In early 2006 my debut album hit the shelves with no label backing, just self belief and hustle. I haven’t looked back since. Hip-hop to me is like religion, it saved me from going down bad paths and helped me to keep positive in negative times. I have just dropped my 3^rd LP and it’s doing fantastic!.       

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I get inspired by what life gives me. The dramas, the highs and lows. I like to make music that everyday Aussies can relate to. I get inspired by soul samples and artists who put their heart into their music.

What do you think the ingredients of a good Hip-Hop song?

Soul Food!!!! People need music with a message. Feel good music you know.

What is trending on your iPod right now?

Anything by Action Bronson, Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole, Reks. DJ Premier produced joints are VERY addictive and always will be. I’m really enjoying “The Drums” by The Tongue atm too. Chase also gets alotta spins!! 

What is the one thing you can’t leave the house with?

A Hip-Hop classic to bump in the ride! ;)

For others who are trying to make it in the Music industry what advice would you give them?

First and foremost are you doing it because you LOVE it? Or for the MONEY?.. If you answer money, please do us all a favour and put the mic down!!!!. Hip-Hop is a way of life. It’s expression! We can see through you if you’re faking the funk!. Be prepared as it can be tough at times. Success sometimes is just LUCK. Right place at the right time. If I was done tomorrow I could smile at all I’ve done. The hustle is a beautiful thing!.

What can we expect from NJE in future?

Right now, Album launches all over Australia! We going to have a great time! Brisbane is in a few weeks and have been fantastic!. I’m also heading to New York to do 2 shows in a few weeks! Very excited about that!. Besides that, plenty more music!! 

If you could be anything (object, animal, plant or person) what would it be?

Oh easily a monkey! One of those hustler ones from Bali that take your food and smokes! They are awesome!!

Finally would you like to give a shout out to any of your fans?

Yes!. To anyone who has copped Like Food For The Soul. Thanks so much for your support!!! Hope to see you at the album launch night in your city! Oh and to anyone who is downloading/requesting “I REMEMBER” on Triple J Unearthed!! THANK YOU!!!


Watch this space as there is a lot happening for NJE and we can expect so great things in the very near future.

xx Laura

SUNDAY SESH PLAYLIST

Yes I do realise that it is Friday and I am writing about Sunday, but it is always good to be prepared. I generally play music to suit my mood and generally on Sunday’s my mood conisists of RELAXATION(!) candles, bubble and tea (as well as spending the afternoon/evening with friends and drink a few bears or cidars. To get me ‘in the mood’ I have my essential Sunday playlist, which consists of acoustic and harmonious beats. Something soulful and easy listening. When writing this post the aim was to pick out my top 10 favourite songs… this prove to be a much more difficult task than first intended, however I did it. I am quite happy with the playlist that I have come up with (although I would have liked to add another 20+ songs on their but I thnk that would be over kill. So here are my Top 10 songs in alphabetical order playing on my Chillaxing playlist… and yes I do realise that a lot of these songs are over a year old.. but they are the best (in my opinion) and only the best should be played on Sundays.

1.    Celestica – Crystal Castles

2.   In The Fall – Future Islands

3.   Midnight Dreams – M83

4.   Olympic Airways – Foals

5.    Ooh La – The Kooks

6.   Perth – Bon Iver (pretty much anythingBon Iver goes)

7.   Strangers In The Wind – Cut Copy

8.   Summertime Sadness – Lana Del Rey

9.   Waste – Foster The People

10.  W.O.W– Architecture in Helsinki

You can check all the songs out here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?feature=edit_ok&list=PLXzTkry2ENg5jX4qKo04XH5XB-wXZB9I_  

 

 

xx Laura

(all photos are from the artists Facebook page)

NAYSAYER AND GILSUN

If you haven't realised by now... I am obsessed with electronic/raw sounding music. 

Have you ever been in love or been really nervous... something along those lines? Well if the answer is yes than you would know what I mean when I explain the feeling of getting butterflies. It is that feeling I like to get when I listen to a really good song. And it is this feeling I get when I listen to the song In Mind by Naysayer and Gilsun. I first heard the song on Triple J when I was in the car (around Christmas time) and 4+ months on it is still one of my favourite songs (and after you have listened to it you will understand why, I am sure). These two besties bonded throughout highschool over a love of film and music and began producing and Djing at the age of 16 and are still going strong.

Reasons why I love this song: The use of synths is just BEAUTIFUL. The fact that there isn't a lot of instruments going on yet the song sounds full is just perfection. Vocals are well simply pitch perfect. The way they have manipulated the voices makes it sound amazing and not over done (Simon Lam you have a voice of an angel). There is also just the right amount of 'space' in the song as well. This creates movement and keeps it interesting (probably the reason as to why I can play it over and over and over again four months straight and not be bored of it!). For a song to have this ability is quite rare these days so GOOD WORK! There's really not one bad thing I can say about this song, it is interesting, complex yet not over done, simple in the way that it hasn't gone over board with instruments and just perfect in the way that everything fits together.

Check out their:

Vimeo

Facebook

Soundcloud

xx Laura

ST KILDA YOUTH FESTIVAL - ALLDAY

ST KILDA YOUTH FESTIVAL - ALLDAY

As I laid on the couch, bored and missing fashion week, my housemate suggested that I 'google' events happening around the area I live. So well I did and I was surprised that there was actually a little festival down the road from me YEY. So I rang my sister who came around and off we went. I love how Stonnington puts so much effort into festivals and culture around the area, especially for the youth. Anyway to the point of this post... I went down to the St Kilda Youth Festival. Although I was one of the oldest people there (20) it was still fun. The rain came down during the act just before Allday came on (and for those who don't know Allday.... his a young 22 year old hip-hop artist who had a track on Triple J's Hottest 100). Allday has currently been working on some new albums and we cannn'ttt wait for them to drop. He brought the crowed alive with a tone of screeming girls gathering around the stage annnddd boy he gave them something good (in the music senes). With some covers and original songs, he also played a mix of one of FLUME'S songs which was AMAZING I might add. With his young career taking off I am sure we can expect to see a lot more of this kid around! 

xx Laura

Wearing:

Dress: Vintage

Shoes: Dr Martens

Cardigan: Zara

LMFF MUSIC REVIEW

They say that memories are triggered by smells and sounds. Well it has been exactly a week since the opening runway show of the 2013 L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival and I am feeling a little nostalgic already (even though the last show was only 2days ago). In my attempts to re-live the moment I have constructed a number of playlists of my favourite songs that featured at the festival and I would like to share them with you all.

Fashion is one thing, but music helps bring the whole experience together. You need to have the right song to set the mood of the show and bring the pieces to life. It also helps the models walk at the right (very fast) speed. The runway which had THE BEST music to me was the Graduate Showcase (it was also my favourite runway show of the whole week). The music somewhat dark and really engaging. It brought each piece alive and I now have the playlist on repeat (I am listening to it right now as I type this). Anyway enough of me jabbering on lets listen to some music!!!!!

OPENING NIGHT
RUNWAY 1&2
RUNWAY 3&4
RUNWAY 5&6
RUNWAY 7 & INDEPENDANT RUNWAY
GRADUATE SHOWCASE & MIMCO RUNWAY



XX Laura

SASSIN FRAS

When I first heard this name I thought it was either (a) the ingredient saffron that someone obviously couldn't spell or (b) a person. Some cool hipster. Well turns out its two good friends of mine Robert Cosgrove and Adam Beatz (and it is far more than just an obsessive bromance). Two Gold Coast lads who branched out from their band Young Meadows (one of the first bands to ever open for FLUME commercially) to their new band Sassin Fras this year are hitting the rock and roll scene.

Sassin Fras is definitely a different sound to Young Meadows, a deeper darker, less comercial, more rock and roll vibe. With Rob on lead guitar and vocals and Adam on drums, it's nice to see these two boys true talents shine.

Now if you are reading this you should feel privileged as you are one of the first people to ever hear their new songs... as whilst I was on the phone to Rob the masters of the song came through!. Their song jellyfish not only has a sick name but a catch beat with some grungy vocals and a lot of nah nahs that I am sure the crowed will be jumping and screaming to in the near future. Their other song limo, demonstrates the guys talents with vocal abilities, riffs, time changes and the works.

Can't wait for song number three.

Keep up the good work guys


** They will be touring Australia this year. Keep your eyes peeled on this blog for more information on their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/sassinfras. In the mean time check out their soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/sassinfras-1) and their jeallyfish promo clip (bellow)**

XX Laura

MOTZART - SPACE

The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between. Has been my favourite quote for years. It is a quote by the famous musician Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and a quote I swear by. When you listen to a song it is meant to evoke an emotion, whether it be happy or sad or somewhere in between. Away in which this is portrayed is through the silences and pauses in between a song. Think of a powerful song that actually makes you feel something and think about what element it is about that song that brings about that feeling. For me it is the silences or pauses that make me feel. Or another example could be when you are listening to a bass heavy song and there is that pause or silence just before the beat drops. It is a technique produces use to make you get all amped up, and hey it works. So next time you listen to a song think about the 'Mozart' rule and see how it makes you feel.

I've uploaded some songs that are good examples.

XX Laura

THE XX

I was very excited yesterday when I got an email from pedestrian.tv announcing The XX tour down under. So much so that all I wanted to do was blog about it (however my internet decided to crash and was not up and running until this morning. So here is my belated post).

The XX is an atmospheric, beautiful, angelic indie pop group originally consisting of  high-school buddies Romy Madley Croft, Oliver Sims, Baria Qureshi and Jamie Smith (Baria Quershi left due to personal differences). Their signature sound is moody, soulful indie rock which is evident on both albums. Their second album, self titled The XX is some what darker than their first Coexist. Both of which are beautiful and enlightening.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart once said 'Music is not in the notes, but in the silence between'. Studying music since I was six it is easy to see what Mozart meant. That long pauses, silences between notes can give a song a lot more meaning. It gives you time to stop think and feel about every detail in the song. Perhaps this is why The XX is music is such a hit. They use this technique to perfection.

The songs in their new album is soulful, moving and full of emotion. They have a mixture of both up beat and slow songs. With amazing meaningful lyrics it is quiet hard not to fall in love with this album. One of my favourite songs of theirs is Angels. Every time I listen to it I feel as though I am in love and play and epic little love story in my head as though it was on an old video real.

The XX first hit the shores of AUS  in 2010 at eh Laneway festival, and now they are back touring Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in April this year. Tickets officially go online TODAY at midday at http://handsometours.com/current/the-xx-3/. Be sure to grab your tickets because they definitely wont be around for long.

xx Laura

Credits: handsometours.com | allmusic.com | pedestrian.tv

BORED NOTHING

The Brains behind the band, Fergus Miller, came up with when he was bored one summer (along with 'friends') The brains behind the sound is Fergus Miller, who one summer was bored so decided to right some music. He wrote, recorded and produced all the music himself in his Melbourne residence. To me personally, his album reminds me of a Death Cab for Cutie like sound, perhaps this is due to his beautiful vocals and the arrangement of each song fitting perfectly which gives of an 90's indie vibe. Whatever it is it's amazing!

Imagine sitting on a porch in the countryside, the sun is setting and your drinking a cold glass of beer waiting for your friends to swing to get up to some wild shenanigans with you. Thats the image I get when listening to this album.

With his self tittled album being released in November Fergus has been touring all over Australia with other bands such as Best Coast and Bleeding Knees Club, Minning Boom and Milk Shake, Johnny Telafone and BLACK ZERO, Jeff the Brotherhood and Step-panther as well as their final gig in Melbourne featuring Jeff the Brotherhood and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.

For all 'gig-tails' go to http://borednothing.tumblr.com/shows

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bored-Nothing/368912743183570

https://soundcloud.com/borednothing

xx Laura

IT ALL STARTED WITH CEREAL

Seems like at the moment, everything this kid touches turns to Gold. While he was casually waiting at the airport to board his flight to the UK to begin his first European tour he got news that  his hit song Holding On had just turned Gold. The artist took to facebook posting a photo saying

'I was blown away when the album went Gold. Now Holding on has gone Gold to, So I get another one of those gold plaques...' (obviously he would do so with a gold pen)

He then went on telling his fans to share the photo and who ever gets the most likes can have his plaque (isn't that nice of him).  

To think that He is only 21 and has only been on the music radar for the last year and a bit. He has gone on to tour with Australia's largest festivals such as Splendour in the Grass, Parklife, Forshore, Vivid Live, Field Day and Laneway. He was a runner up for Best song with SMAC and was shortlisted for the Northern Lights Competition by FBI Radio.

Isn't ironic that all of this started with a cereal box. Harley (Flume) has been producing since he was 13. His first DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) was found in a cereal box (I guess he was lucky it wasn't a baseball card or a plastic card) and he hasn't stoped since. With producing some chart topping hits. Listening to his album as I write this. I couldn't think of anything better to listen to on a hot sunny afternoon, cool friday night or pretty much any day, any night, any occasion. His album is full of amazing tracks and variety with his signature FAT! bass, interesting synth sounds, and altered/edited vocals. One thing is for sure, his tracks are never boring. He said when interviewed in Frankie Magazine that his aim is 'to create something strangely unique' and I am sure he can rest easy that he has been successful in this.

Here's some links so you can check out his music, info and tour information

http://www.triplejunearthed.com.au/Flume

http://flumemusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/flumemusic 

xx Laura

AUS MUSIC MONTH

So here in Australia on Triple J (a radio station that KICKS ARSE and helps unsigned musicians make it!) it is Aus Music month so in celebration I thought I would write a post about my favourite producer FLUME! To kick off the first week of Aus Music Month Flume released his FIRST ALBUM. I've had this baby on pre-order for a few months now and could not contain myself with excitement when the day came. (UNFORTUNATELY! I lost my bank card at the races and so now I have to wait for my new card =( ) I've previewed the songs on Itunes and man this kid gets better and better with every song. To think that the first time I saw him play hardly anyone knew who he was and it was in a club on the Gold Coast with only a small crowed present. His tracks have the catchiest beats sick fills and the vocals are out of this world. This dude knows his shit when it comes to producing a ripper electronic track and to think his not even old enough to drink in the states. There's only bigger things to come for this dude and I'm excited for it all to happen! Best part about his music is that its alllll different I could go on and on and on about how amazing each track is and pull it apart but why not just take a listen yourself! I'm sure there's a song for practically everyone on his self titled album FLUME so check it out and make a purchase.

Now onto the band that played the first time I saw FLUME the amazing Gold Coast band Young Meadows now these guys have also been up to quite a bit since I last wrote about them. They have their first album coming out as well and there are a few changes in the band which I will tell you all about when I do my write up on their new album but if its anything like their first two songs they released it is going to be amazing. If you haven't listened to their stuff you can find all the details here http://www.facebook.com/youngmeadowsmusic check em out they're also on insta @youngmeadows. GREAT THINGS TO COME!

Last band I wanna talk about is another kick arse band that if you LOVE FLUME you will also love!! their name is RUFUS and they're from Sydney. Similar indie electro style as flume that makes you wanna jump, dance and shake your head like a crazy person. CHECK EM OUT http://soundcloud.com/rufussounds.

Now finally while you are listening to all this amazing Australian Talent you need a fabulous set of headphones so you can rage out naked in your bedroom to the early hours without pissing off your mum, dad, brother, sister house mate, cat dog or who ever else you bloody live with. My pick would be Audio technica. WHO THE FUCK wants to pay 300-600 dollars for stupid Dr. Dre beats. This stupid headphones really get me gee-ed up. You're paying for the name dickheads not the quality (excuse my language). Audio are half to a quarter of the price they have a larger frequency range are more durable and also the base on these babies will blow your mind yet no one else will here. They are like to nicely placed cushions around your ears which are comfortable enough to sleep with them on. If you want some good quality headphones better than the rest yet wont break the budget get audio technica. Aussies go to http://www.shopbot.com.au/m/?m=audio+technica+ATH-M50. They have some better quality ones but to be honest this edition is pretty frickin sick you wont be able to take them off. I know I never wont to. Musics better LOUD and SURROUND.

I'll do a more thorough write up on these guys and Young Meadows in the weeks to come but I think for now thats enough blabbering on for one post. YOU BETTER MOTHER EFFING READ THE WHOLE THING!

YOU COW

This may be some what strange, but one of my favourite instruments is the cowbell. There is just something about it which is quite special. It may be because I grew up on a farm surrounded by cows. Or because I'm weird. I would say a bit of the both.

All of my favourite songs incorporate this instruments. Some of which include Snakadaktal, The Kooks, San Cisco and more.

This instrument is more common in music these days. However it did originate from OBVIOUSLY the cow. The cowbell was used to help determine which cows belonged to what herd. These days we use branding for this (a some what cruel but more easier way to distinguish the animals). I guess you could say the cow bell is a giant version of a cats bell.

Whatever the origin of this fascinating yet simple instrument. It is easy to say IT IS AMAZING

Listen to this song skin by snakadaktal and you will know what I mean (fast forward to 3:12). There's something magical about it

xx Laura

SLEIGH BELLS

Who doesn't like a little bit of grunge? The Sleigh Bells are a music group that combined both elements of both pop and grungy rock into one creating something amazing. I can't remember the first time I heard these guys it would of had to have been ages ago because I have them on myspace (which is ancient). They're playing at BDO (Big Day Out) next year which is so exciting.

The way they utilize the vocals by making them distorted is amazing. Many bands are starting to do this such as Crystal Castles. It has also influenced my music which you will hopefully be able to hear soon. Some of their songs have featured on top shows such as gossip girls.

The use of catchy riffs and heavy rhythms gets you really hooked on their songs. The band has a unique and different sound like none I have really ever heard.

You can find all you want to about them on http://www.allmusic.com/artist/sleigh-bells-mn0002048033 as well as some of their songs.

YOUNG MEADOWS

Haven't heard of these guys yet? I wouldn't be to surprised, however I am sure it wont be long until you have. If you are reading this I garantee that you and your friends will be listening to these guys (assuming you like this genre of music)by the end of this post. The band consists of 4 high energy CRAZY dudes; Jake, Rob, Semi and Adam, and I'm sorry to say ladies that Jake is the only single one (lucky for Jake). This guy doesn't have much trouble sooning the ladies with his voice which sounds like an angel sent down from heaven. This doesn't mean the other three don't get attention from the ladies they just have some sexy ladies already by their side which you will have to battle if you want to get near them =P. The guys describe their music as... Sexual Indie Pop, which pretty much sums it up. They have played a number of gigs accross Brisbane and Gold Coast and will soon be touring. They are also have a top hit on Tripple J's indie unearthed (and quiet frankly I'm surprised they havent one Tripple Js Unearthed. I had the pleasure of sitting in the studio with the guys in Adam's home studio (a drunken text from one of the band members to come and hang out with them... )the other night while they were jamming along. After a few beers and some mischievious behaviour the boys true colours shone and the creative juices were flowing and I'm sure one of their top hits were created that night (hopefully they remember). These four guys are very down to earth and just love what they do and together create something pretty amazing. When they're on stage theres not one person sitting down. They're also very easy to get a long with (when they aren't trashing your car with lettuce from maccas). They're first song has been released Nightmares.. It has a sick beat, amazing lyrics and a pretty hectic video clip to follow. I must admit my favourite part of the song is the cowbells it reminds me of one of the cooks songs. All together the song the band and everything about them is pretty amazing and special so download their shit and listen to them before they become to mainstreem and uncool for all you hipsters out there... Follow them on facebook to keep up with whats going on http://http://www.facebook.com/youngmeadowsmusic Download their song at:

There are many amazing things about Hot Chip first of all THEY ARE AN AMAZING BAND! secondly hot chips taste sooooooo good.

Have you downloaded the new album yet? NO? you say... WHY THE HELL NOT. It has a really good grove and well really, when have these guys gone wrong? My favourite song of theirs at the moment is motion sickness. Check it out http://soundcloud.com/jags108/motion-sickness (I couldn't find Hot Chip on soundcloud but I found their song).

I saw these guys at Splendour in the grass two years ago (for all you not in Australia Splendour is a big music festival held usually at the Hippie town of Byron http://splendourinthegrass.com/) and they were so energetic and so much fun. I couldn't help myself but jump up and down yelling HOT CHIP! (mind you my boyfriend at the time and I had a huge fight during that concert but thats a whole other story. Hot chip lifted my spirits). Each of their songs have a unique sound and that's what i really love about them. I love when bands like Hot Chip and others such as Crystal Fighters music because it's all SO different! Keeps it fresh and interesting (but then again LADY GAGA takes it WAYYYY TO FAR!)

Check them out and you may just love them as much as me.

xx

Laura

DON'T TELL MY OUR YOUTH IS RUNNING OUT

I am a tv series fanatic. When I start watching a series I have to watch the whole lot. I can get quiet addicted. Sometimes spending the whole day from 8am - Midnight watching. Anyway having this addiction does have some benefits. For one I discovered an amazing band through watching Gossip girl.

Foxes - The band was hard to find on google and Itunes. The band is based in London and has been around since 2006. I know that most people are like EWWW myspace I deleted that ages ago. Well I'm one of the sad losers that never did. As sad as that may be it to has its advantages as many bands still use this social network. You can check out Foxes page on http://www.myspace.com/foxesfoxesfoxes. As well as looking them up on soundcloud. My favourite song of theirs is Youth. It starts off sort of slow and melancholy until (of course) the beat drops. It then has an amazing part towards the end that just brings the whole song together. Its sort of a blend of indie/elector/pop. I think thats why I like it so much. It has a bit of everything in it that just makes you want to get up and move. And for once you can actually hear and understand the vocalist so you can shout out the lyrics (which I tend to do on my way to uni and work). There is also a pretty awesome remix to it by adventure club which some of you tech heads might like better. I must admit that listening to some of Foxes songs I don't like them all but they definitely hit the nail on the head when it came to the song Youth. The song is pretty much saying that they don't want they're youth to run out its only just begun. Which is true. We are only young for a very short time. Until we then have to grow up get real jobs settle down and start a family. We spend so much of our time as adults with responsibility and the time we don't we usually wish we could grow up faster. I'm only 20 and for years I wanted to speed up my life and settle down. But now I'm so scared of growing up. I wish there was a pause button on life and I could stay 20 forever but there isn't. I'm going to get old and wrinkly and have gran kids one day like everyone else. So for now I'm not going to let my youth slip away from under my fingers I'm going to grab it with all of my might and run with it. We only live once so don't live life without doing the things you wish you could or you will regret it. Okay well that's enough in depth conversation for me for now (thats what this song does to me - inspires). So I think you should all take a listen you never know you may love it just as much as me

xx Laura