Musicadium Blog

Riding the latest wave of electronic music popularity, Musicadium artists THE CITYSCAPE RIOT create a sound that has been described as “like being inside a computer game where you’re dressed in a fluoro suit, driving a fast car and fighting for your life”. Being based simultaneously in Brisbane and Hobart, Joesph and Jay caught up with Musicadium intern “Foxy” Roxy Burt (also known as DJ Jane Doe) to chat about the recent happenings of the pair closing the gap across the Bass Strait.

Congratulations on scoring the support slot for Grafton Primary! Electronica is becoming rather popular now. What do you think of the state of the dance/electronica scene in Australia? 

Yeah supporting Grafton was a blast. The sound we got was huge. It’s always great playing through a big rig and to a large crowd in the mood to party. Popularity in anything on the other hand always makes me cringe though and makes me want to do the opposite and I guess that’s one of the reasons why we started playing electronic music in the first place. We grew up listening to Nirvana and playing in indie/rock bands so we still kind of look at the state of music through those eyes. Although our eyes have been opened far wider since those days we still have strong punk rock ideals. I think the best thing about electronic music being popular at the moment is it gives people an opening and departure point to further investigate the genre.

I can hear influences of Daft Punk and Joy Division which is an amazing mix, will you write similar music when recording in the future?

It’s a fine line at the moment…how indie to go? How dark to go? Whilst still pumping out the dance beats and good times. I think our live show has a good balance but our recordings are still a work in progress. We definitely are huge fans of Joy Division and French house so hearing those influences makes sense. When we started this project it was far more Joy Division/New Order driven and way more indie orientated but as our equipment and set-up has changed it’s become a bigger more danceable sound. I don’t think we want to lose all our rawness or darkness though as I think that differentiates us from a lot of other electronic artists.

Because you have quite a full sound and there are only 2 members of the band, how do you play live?

It’s true; we only have two arms and two legs each too so machines are involved. We’ve used nothing in the past, we’ve used drum machines, we used Ipods, moogs, and now we’re moving to computers. It’s something I felt really uneasy about when we first started-the whole backing tracks thing that is-but there is no other way for us to play with such a full sound live. Jay plays drums live and I play keys, percussion and sing so our energy on stage is definitely something we emphasise. We are not programmed robots-we control the machines, they don’t control us.

You’ve recorded an EP, when can we expect the album?

At this stage you can’t, you can expect another E.P probably around the start of next year though. I’m a strong believer in E.P’s for less established bands. I don’t want to listen to crud from established groups let alone anyone else. The album will be themed again and revolved around a few key subject matters and sounds. At this stage the big difference will be the increased quality of production. We’re really focusing on keeping things simple and sharp.

Do you remix many other bands music?

Yeah we’ve done a few in the past and have a few coming up in the future. I like remixing all kinds of music but I really enjoy remixing indie/rock music and totally warping the bones of the song into a different environment. I think the next one we have planned to remix is a song by Red Rival which will be off their debut album when they release it. We really enjoy remixing songs so if anyone is keen just drop us a line. The main thing we look for is strong hooky vocals and some distinctive sounds we can sample.

Apart from supporting Grafton Primary, what other shows have you got coming up?

Well we are supporting Miami Horror and Philadelphia Grand Jury interstate during October which will no doubt be great shows and our first X and Y show in the Valley around mid October as well. So I guess keep your eyes pricked and your ears peeled over the coming months as we’ve got a few shows in the pipe line.

Check out The Cityscape Riot on MySpace and you can buy their EP “Technodome Lights” on

Musicadium artists DEEP SEA ARCADE’s reverberated pop recalls The Beatles at their psychedelic peak, yet with a character and charm that is undeniably unique.  Ethereal guitars and lyrical quirks will transport the listener to a dark, watery world of mystery and enchantment, and leave their heads swimming with unforgettable melodies.

The group began as a song writing and home recording project for founding members and school mates Nic McKenzie and Nick Weaver when they were in their mid teens. Using 4-track tape recorders, broadcast microphones and unconventional computer programs they created a sinister backdrop to contrast with their penchant for pop song structure and melody.  Sarah from Musicadium caught up with the boys for a quirky and hilarious interview just before they hit Brisbane’s X and Y Bar 5th September on their run of dates up the East Coast of Australia.

You guys have just toured with Bluejuice – so exciting! How did that come about?

We’ve been offering to write songs for Bluejuice for years. We’ve sent them countless ideas that we thought fit their sound. Finally we must have made an impact. Not only are they using one of our songs as their next single (watch it here), they wanted to take us on the road. Maybe they want to touch us in the darkness.

You’ve got a very distinctive sound which has meant that you’ve had some hilarious and strange descriptions of it including, ‘it’s like the underwater dream John Lennon had about his ex-girlfriend’s haunted house while he was on acid, directed by David Lynch…’, and ‘it’s so goddamn lovely I want to vomit’. What is the strangest thing someone has written or said about your sound?

A Russian politician once likened one of our songs to being “shirtless inside a wheat silo”.

Ok, so there are the ridiculous descriptions of your sound – how would you describe it to someone who hadn’t heard it before?

Dreamy psyche-wave pop songs for scuba folk.

Richard Kingsmill is a fan of your work and you’ve now been added to high rotation on triple j. How did it feel to find out that Australia’s premier tastemaker was into it?

We’ve always loved triple j so of course we were very happy. We were also lucky enough to meet “The ‘Smill” and he was a sterling gentleman.

If you could collaborate with any musicians (living or dead) who would they be?

Lee Hazlewood, Ennio Morricone, Bluejuice and this guy.

Finally, what’s next for Deep Sea Arcade?

We were hoping Musicadium might consider hiring some of our band members in upper management positions. And we have an album on the way.

Deep Sea Arcade’s Don’t Be Sorry is available now on and they can be found at MySpace!

This week, Musicadium is profiling a young artist putting his all into his music.

Dan Webb is a 19 year-old alternative rock musician on a mission, bringing the beloved board back into the limelight with his triumphant debut EP “Capitulation“.

The self-produced release was recorded and mixed with engineer Matt Voigt (Powderfinger, The Living End) at Sing Sing Recording Studios in Melbourne, and mastered by Adam Nunn (Radiohead, Franz Ferdinand) at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London.

Little more than a year out of high school, Dan has headlined iconic rock venues such as Northcote Social Club, The Tote and The Evelyn. Armed with keyboards, microphones and effects pedals, and accompanied by Josiah Bradshaw on drums and Luke Ebert on bass, Dan’s stellar set features frenetic energy and addictive tunes.

Sarah and Roxy caught up with Dan!

You’re only 19, when did you start playing music and how did you get into it?

I started learning classical piano when I was four and a half. For some reason I wanted to learn trombone, but my parents pushed me towards piano instead. I stuck with it all the way through school, and luckily I was taught by some great teachers in high school. At this point I gotta send a shout out to Michael Davis (he told me to!). Participating in school stage bands and the Kool Skools project got me thinking about the possibility of recording an EP.

You produced your EP yourself, do you see yourself producing more in the future?

Yeah, for sure! I’m planning to record another EP sometime between March and July next year, and I’ll likely be taking on that role again then. Partly cos I like to be in control of the direction of my music, but mostly cos I can’t afford anyone else!

Your music has so much energy, what can we expect from a live show?

Ah, each show has been different so far. I like to interact with the audience, and I feed off their energy. The guys in my band (Josiah Bradshaw on drums, Luke Ebert on bass) are really talented, so it allows room for improvisation. Sometimes I’ll tip my organ over, sometimes I’ll spontaneously break out with a tambourine solo. At the end of the set you can expect to be covered in sweat. Everyone has fun.

What was it like working with Matt Voigt?

I really enjoyed working with Matt, he’s a great engineer. It really helped having someone onboard with so much experience. It was also kinda fun just hanging out with him in the studio in between takes, cos he would entertain us with stories about eccentric artists he’s worked with. We also watched a fair bit of Robot Chicken together…as well as quoting South Park and discussing the state of footy teams. I’d love to work with him again!

What is your most memorable gig so far and why?

I’d have to say my EP launch at Northcote Social Club in March this year, just cos it was the culmination and celebration of so many hundreds of hours of work (I started planning the EP at the end of 2007). I went crazy on stage, and got through about six bottles of water. I was trying to play one of my keyboards with my foot at one stage. The crowd really dug it!

What have you got planned for the next 6 months?

My drummer is overseas at the moment, living it up in America. So in the meantime I’m writing some new music… and trying to pry myself away from eBay. It’s harder than it sounds!

Dan’s EP is available on right now and his tunes can be found at http://www.myspace.com/danwebbmusic!

Musicadium intern Julia Bridger caught brilliant Australian solo artist Georgia Potter for a brief moment in between playing with the numerous creative outfits she performs in, painting her own album cover art and teaching indigenous students in Northern Australia. A talented artist, she is also a very busy one!

1.      You’re up in Far North Queensland at the moment, what have you been doing up there?

I’m just back from my trip actually. Besides soaking up the sun and the city-free surroundings at places like Cape Tribulation, Kuranda & Laura, I made a very special trip back to my birthplace of Aurukun, which is a remote community on the West Coast of Cape York Peninsula. We hadn’t been back for a very long time, but Aurukun has been a big part of my family history.  From the stories, photos, footage & the people we’ve remained connected to, I’ve always had the spirit of the place with me, but it was time to make my own memories!  I couldn’t begin describing the depth of the experience I had there (unless you’ve got a few hours & a pot of tea brewing), but I felt very at home & left with a big smile on my face & tears in my eyes! Surely I’ll get a song out of it…

2.     You not only wrote, recorded and funded your mini-album “Living the Grey” but also designed the cover artwork. How was this whole experience? Any advice for aspiring musicians about to do the same?

It was incredibly fulfilling obviously since it was largely DIY and luckily it all came together pretty naturally. I was studying audio engineering & production at uni which gave me plenty of time to write/record and visual art is another passion of mine so that was no chore! Recording was the most difficult part of process as I started out as a beginner in the studio. My advice I guess would be to play on your strengths & passions rather than your pride.  The best thing I did for this humble release was let go of my need to prove I could do everything on my own and ask other people for their advice & opinions.

3.      Your lyrics are distinctly critical about current social problems whilst still being optimistic. If you had the power, what would you change about the world right now?

Wow tough question. I guess I would like to inject everyone with some excitement & compassion for “the world around them,” because then people would be genuinely motivated to live with integrity. Is that too idealistic? Reality related answer - I’d love to sort out some cultural understanding issues we’ve got going on, particularly in this young little country of ours.

4.     You perform regularly with Mr Laneous & the Family-Yah, Yeo & the Fresh Goods, The Cool Calm Collective and jazz duo G-Roove whilst still performing your own shows. Do you adopt different personas when performing with different groups?

Yes definitely! From my attitude to my outfits! It’s something I’m realising is a huge part of my enjoyment as a performer. Be prepared to see MUCH more of the chameleon I really am slipping in to my solo project.

5.     You work part-time with Indigenous high-school students from Cape York who study outside their community- how did you get involved with this?

My mother Elizabeth has worked in that field for a long time and together with our Cape York contacts the right people found out I was looking for work. It’s a complicated job - you never know what a day will entail, but it’s immensely rewarding and keeps my brain ticking. Plus I meet a lot of incredible young people who help keep me on my toes & inspired!

6.     Who are your major influences, musically and lyrically?

I go through a lot of different musical binges.  At the moment I’m listening to heaps of neo-soul & hiphop - Georgia Anne Muldrow (get her albums & listen from start to finish), Erykah Badu’s last album New Emerykah Part 1 & Brisbane’s own Lachlan Mitchell (aka Mr Laneous) are really lighting my fires, plus I’m also relishing in pop music too, spearheaded by the death of Michael Jackson - Rock with You is on high rotation.

7.     When can we expect to see you back on stage?

Briefly in late September at U Tribe Festival on the Sunshine Coast, and then again in the 1^st fornight of November when I take the band on the road (with a bunch of new material) to Sydney & Melbourne, and of course homecoming shows in Brisbane, the Gold Coast & Byron Bay after that. Exact dates & venue details going up on http://www.myspace.com/georgiapotter soon!

Georgia’s wonderful 7-track EP is now available on

I first saw Timothy Carroll perform at the Joynt in West End, a quaint venue where music lovers go to revel in local talent without fear of a glassing or a pushy princess with heels jostling past.

For his entire set, I was as mesmerised as the rest of the crowd who sat silently drinking in his beautiful music. A year or so on, I’m still mesmerised. Timothy Carroll creates a certain wonder with his cleverly-crafted lyrics, beautiful melodies and the supremely talented cronies that he chooses to create with. This week, Ryan caught up with Timothy as we feature his stunning album, ‘For Bread and Circuses’ which is available for purchase from

1.    Congratulations on the great reviews for your album, it must be nice to get recognition after putting your heart and soul into a project!
Yeah, it’s scary to have your songs judged by critics but it’s good too. It’s important to hear the opinions of outsiders. Certainly I put my heart and soul into this record and I love the opportunity to do just that. I have a 9-5 job too and so I adore the time to spend on Music; On writing and rehearsing and planning gigs and making cool posters, I enjoy all of that.

2.    What can we expect from a Timothy Carroll show?
In terms of the show I always think the moments that people take away are things they haven’t seen before and musicians playing outside of their comfort a bit. I hope people will get the chance to really hear the talent of the band and the beauty in the instruments they play - so expect plenty of organ, brushes, clarinet and cello.

3.     You’ve got a show at the Sydney Opera House real soon, this must be a real thrill! Tell us a bit more about the gig.
Well I don’t know what to expect really. I played a show last year supporting Darren Hanlon and Megan Washington was in the crowd. She wrote to me later and said she enjoyed the show and one song, a duet called “something else” in particular. When the record was finished I sent her a copy and she invited me to come down for her show in Sydney at the Opera House to sing “something else” with her.
It’s a long way to go for one song but when am I ever going to get the opportunity to play at the Opera house studio again?  I am excited to be involved in the show that Megan is putting together.

4.     You mention in your influences that you listen to a lot of your comrades in the Brisbane music scene, how has the indie scene in Brisbane influenced you and do you see a strong future for indie music in Brisbane?
I often find myself searching through my music and I always seem to stop on something local. I believe that there is good music in every city but certainly you don’t have to look too hard to find it in Brisbane. Perhaps due to great venues like the old alley bar, the troubadour, rics, the zoo and more recently the powerhouse and the valley studios. There is always something worth stepping out for. The other night I was faced with the challenge of choosing between the Middle East at the old museum, Steve Poltz at the troubadour, Quan at rics, Ben Salter at the step in and Jackson Jackson at the zoo (I managed to catch three out of five).

Working at the troubadour for a year and half was great for my music. Hanging around and playing guitar with Tom Cooney, Nathan Hollywod, Chris Dale and Edward Guglielmino inspired me to write and sing and get to the studio to make this record. I am really happy with the result and working with Jamie Trevaskis was such  pleasure.
The future for Music in Brisbane is undeniably bright…but I think the future of music anywhere is bright. Music is a part of the human condition and will be with us always.

6.    What’s the story behind the name of your album ‘for bread and circuses’?
Well it’s a complex little metaphor. To quote wikiipedia.
This phrase originates in Satire X of the Roman poet Juvenal (c 200). In context, the Latin phrase panis et circenses (bread and circuses) is given as the only remaining cares of a Roman populace which has given up its birthright of political involvement. Here Juvenal displays his contempt for the declining heroism of his contemporary

Romans.[1]:
… Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses
-Juvenal (c 200).

This week, we are featuring recently-returned-from-recording-in-the-United-States-of-America band, Montpelier.

From their MySpace: Montpelier create modern indie-pop with purpose and clarity. The four-piece combine close soaring harmonies with fresh electro-synth and sharp rhythms to give a sound that inspires fans of Coldplay, Radiohead, and Arcade Fire alike.

Montpelier Rd in Brisbane, Australia, was where Dave Butler, Greg Chiapello, Andrew Stone, and John Pickering formed the band that would revisit the lush sounds and pop writing legacies of past decades and reinvent them for the 2010’s. “While our sound is modern, there is something to be said for capturing the beauty of records from another age,” says singer/bassist Greg Chiapello.

Following their inception in early 2009, Montpelier have performed across Australia, though under a different name. The band have since taken a break from the road and non-stop songwriting, and are currently in Los Angeles recording their first EP with eclectic producer Kevin Augunas (Cold War Kids, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Yves Klein Blue).

What’s the name of your band? What’s the origin of that name?  Who came up with it?

We’re called Montpelier, which is named after Montpelier Rd in Bowen Hills, Brisbane, and the old Wizzard studios that many Brisbane bands are fond of and know well! That’s where the four of us first hooked up and decided to play together, and also where The Quills was based in the old days.  Greg and Dave came up with the name when we decided to change from the old name.  We figured, we’re a new band now, it’s a change of direction musically, and Montpelier suited the new style, approach and had the energy of a fresh start! Montpelier is also the name of a few cities across the world, the most notable of which is the capital of Vermont in the USA, which is the only US state capital without a McDonald’s!

You have just been in the United States recording with the producer who has worked with Cold War Kids and fellow Brisbane Locals, Yves Klein Blue.  What was the experience like – where were you and what was the funniest moment during recording?

The experience was like nothing we expected. Being totally immersed in four songs for almost three weeks can do weird things to four blokes. Further, hanging out with each other in close confines for that length of time can get pretty full on, but we got through it as good mates which is important to our musician cohesion and all that other touchy feely shit! John and I had to put up with Greg and Dave doing vocal warm ups all morning while we tried to get our beauty sleep. I swear they spent the whole trip trying to out do each other with who could to the stupidest me-my-mo-ma warm up routine.

Working was Kevin was great! He’s got an awesome studio full of the most amazing gear you can imagine. We tracked all the vocals using the very microphone Michael Jackson (RIP) used to record ‘Thriller’ and his desk is an old one from Abbey Rd. Not to mention the endless guitar amps, old synths, vintage drums etc. We also hadn’t worked with a pro producer previously, and that was a great learning experience in itself. Kevin’s approach is truly about capturing the energy and emotion in the room; our job was to deliver fucking hot performances as often as we could.

The funniest experience of the trip was when our producer, Kevin, decided to take us for a hike up to the HOLLYWOOD sign one morning before we got started in the studio.  Little did we know it’s ludicrously illegal and surrounded by motion sensors and cameras and the like. Little did the authorities know, however, that our producer is sadistic and decided to take us on the most out of the way, bush bashing route known to man. Two hours later covered in cuts and grazes we made it up the, sat on one of the ‘Ls’ and were taking pictures when the alarm went off and a voice came over the speakers saying “Stop hiking now!”. We got down and took off back down the hill.

What’s your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?

Ultimately we want to be a band that can tour the world and continue making the music we want to make. We also want to create a new sound for the 2010s, and be part of a revolution that looks back to some of the wonderful music and sounds created over the past few decades.  Word on the street is that fortune could be a looooong way coming!

Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?

We’ve been giving the songs that are on this EP a fair workout lately, songs like The Rafters and Comets. We’ve never been a band who plays covers, but that doesn’t mean we never will. I think if it’s a great song people haven’t heard fror a while, and something that is quite different to what we do already it’d be good fun to cover.  The main goal at the moment is to write and write to get a fat set together in the lead up to recording a debut album next year.

Greg Chiapello, your bass player, is one of our previous interns.  He’s a total dude!  Has his inclusion in the band changed the style/feel of the band?

Yeah, Greg’s a wild one. He must be of good breeding coming from Musicadium! His vocal presence and song writing is what has changed us most as a band, and is what inspired us to change the band name and entire feel of what we do. He’s a fucking great songwriter too, and that’s the most important thing about being in a great band, having good songwriters!

What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?

It depends, we’ll ramp it up before a show, but we’re mostly writing at the moment, trying to put something special together for when we launch this EP. We hope to be touring a heap for the rest of the year so it’s best to get the songs ready now!

What inspires you? What makes you wake up and think “Wow! That really matters!” What makes you want to write songs that make people sit down and think?

People and the truth. They’re what do it for me. There’s alot of nonsense in this world and often people lose sight of what matters. I’m not saying that we have all the answers about what matters, but it’s an interesting journey and that’s what we write about. That also sounds really vague and like I’m avoiding the question - but it’s a hard thing to explain.

We like to give people a moment where they might hear a tune or a lyric and say ‘hey yeah, I can relate to that’. It doesn’t have to be something that you actually experience yourself, but it is usually something that you have experience with.  Hearing it put into words, or a song, or a movie, or a picture gives you perspective on that thing, and on life in general.  For example, a song I’m writing at the moment is about a lady who mildly exaggerates every story she tells because she doesn’t feel the original story is good enough - it’s sad and funny at the same time. I used to feel like that, maybe others do too. Who knows, the song might turn out shit, but we’ll see.

How do you promote your music that you have for sale in the digital outlets?

We promote it like we promote everything band related, accross online media, social networks and we mention it at shows and in publicity. As an independent band with worldwide aspirations it is so important to be able to point a festival promoter or New York fan to a link to iTunes for quick and easy consumption!

We knew that Buckley Ward would tickle our fancy when we saw their influences listed as Crowded House, Wilco, The Shins and Death Cab for Cutie, but we didn’t know just how much until we heard their debut album, ‘Something in the Night’.

The title track of the album is this weeks free download as iTunes Single of the Week - the most highly coveted position on the iTunes home page. It’s no wonder why as the intricate melodies and instrumentation hark back to the songwriting greats of the 60s and 70s, but with a definite and self-assured modern, indie twist.

Ryan caught up with lead singer Jimmy for some insight into the Buckley Ward world, and an album that should be a definite favourite on many playlists.

Lets get the boring stuff out of the way, how’d you get your band name?

Well, it’s actually the council electorate where four of us grew up. We used to rehearse in a tin shed down there. Our guitarist just came up with it one day in the shed. When we used to Google ourselves, the council would come up first. Now it comes up 7th. It was a pretty big deal when we first knocked the council off it’s number one slot.

The album definitely has a wide scope of influences and songwriting styles, were your ideas solid before going into the studio? Or was recording the album a journey of writing as you go?

A lot of the songs were written before we started, but the arrangements were pieced together as we were recording. The album was recorded at my house in a bedroom converted into a studio. I have a really short attention span, so I’d go in to the studio to record a part and I’d just end up writing new songs instead. There comes a point though where you just have to take what you’ve done and finish it. Having said that, I wrote and recorded the first track on the album the night before we started mixing. I guess one last idea-gasm snuck in there.

I notice all members are credited for writing the material, how do you manage five creative ideas and inputs in the songwriting process?

I usually record a demo of a song before we work on it as a band. Sometimes the song is very basic and empty, other times I have a pretty solid idea of where I want it to go. In both cases the songs always end up sounding like us anyway, so regardless of my ideas, they are always Buckley Ward songs. Everyone has a unique influence on the sound and we all interoperate songs differently. Sometimes we go back and listen to the demo and wonder how we ended up where we did.

I love the artwork on the album. Is the family pictured on the front  a distant relation of any band member?
The girl on the back cover of the record is Tim’s (our drummer) great-great Grandmother, and the girl on the tray inlay is his Grandmother. We have no idea who the family on the cover are. After Tim had the initial idea for the cover, he showed us an image as an example. The image really stood out. It’s just a weird and slightly creepy shot, and the mother and the father look pretty much identical. In most of the old shots we looked at most people look either nervous or terrified. We thought it went with the theme of the record so it stayed. Don’t ask where the Bear came from.

Is there a favorite song on the album for Buckley Ward, and if so why?

I don’t think we have a communal favorite. I’m pretty sure everyone has different favorites. It’s the same with people who have given us feedback on the record. Some people’s favorite song is others people’s least favorite. It’s weird like that, different people take it different ways. That does make choosing a single tricky though. My personal favorite is “Ukulele” just because it reminds me of when and where I wrote it. I was working on Cocos Island, which is exactly what I imagined a remote tropical island to be like. It was my birthday and I was essentially spending it alone in paradise. I had a ukulele with me and I just wrote the song as the sun set. When I hear it I remember being there very clearly, and how I felt. Somewhere between lonely and contented, a great headspace for writing songs.

Finally what’s next for Buckley Ward, any tours coming up?

We’re launching our album in Melbourne on the 8th of August at the Curtin Bandroom and in Sydney on the 15th at the Excelsior Hotel. We’ve never played in Sydney before so we’re pretty excited. We’re also starting our next record at the end of September, which is also very exciting. We’re hoping to have something ready before Christmas.

Get your free download of ‘Something in the Night’ from

Glen Terry is one of our blues artists - a fantastic performer who has played for audiences all around the world.

From his MySpace:

A very passionate, soulful entertainer, Glen has entertained people around the world! A musical journey has taken Glen from his birthplace in India to five star hotels in Cairo, Egypt in the mid eighties; Blues festivals and tours to Tokyo, Japan in the nineties; and performances in Kenya, Mauritius, Thailand, Dubai, Sri Lanka to his adopted home in Australia where he settled in 1988 and became an Australian Citizen. November and December 2007 saw Glen on tour across Scandinavia, where he was well received in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. Glen is also known for his many performances in aid of NGOs around the world. His Concerts were often sponsored by brands such as Corona Extra, Sri Lankan Airlines, HSBC, Barefoot Gallery and they were not to be missed. Glen has just released his brand new album “ SOUL SEARCHIN”, which is being given rave reviews and lots of airplay. Glen’s shirts are sponsored by Barefoot Sri Lanka.

1. Glen, your album ‘Soul Searchin’ has received rave reviews and as one music journalist suggests, has ‘cemented your place in the Australian Blues hierarchy’. Who are the other key Blues Musicians in Australia and how do you think the Blues scene is travelling in this country?

Glen Terry: The Australian blues scene is thriving. The Australian Blues Music Festival held in Goulburn this year reflected that in a big way.

2. Which blues musicians would you say have influenced your style the most?

Glen Terry: BB King for sure! Buddy guy, Kenny Neal, Jimmy Burns and a whole lot of other un-known musicians around the world from Sri Lanka to Mauritius have had a great influence in my playin.

3. What is it about the blues that you love so much? When did you discover it?

Glen Terry:  I love the fact that you can truly express yourself when playing the blues. It is story telling at its best. The first time I heard a BB King album.

4. You’ve lived and travelled in many countries around the world, but currently live in Canberra. Where is your favourite place that you’ve performed and why?

Glen Terry:    BAREFOOT GALLERY in Colombo Sri Lanka! That is surely one of my favourite places to play in the world. The atmosphere, the Vibe and the people!

5. What is your favourite song to play from the album and why?

Glen Terry: Sugar Blues Express, as I always long to escape from the city to the country!

6. Do you think the Australian blues scene will survive and flourish?

Glen Terry: I do think the Aussie blues scene will survive and flourish. There are a few of us performing all over the world and letting everyone know that there is some real good blues coming out of Australia. The Canberra blues Society and other blues organizations around the country play their part to ensure that the blues lives on.

7. Finally, what is next for Glen Terry?

Glen Terry: Keep Playin! Everything else will follow. New album etc!!!

Thanks Glen! We appreciate you taking the time to answer these questions.

Glen’s Music is available on

Ange Takats weaves intricate and soulful stories with her beautiful lyrics, melodies and soul. Her music manages to combine the songwriting talents reminiscent of Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell with a modern-day fervour and sass. She has spent the last 6 months playing Australia’s festival circuit, and was featured at Brisbane’s Greenfest last weekend - the perfect platform for her folky goodness. Grab a hold of her very special LP from , and discover that beautiful storytelling hasn’t faded with the dissent of folk legends, but is alive and thriving.

You have a solid schedule right through to October at this point, what have been and will be some of the highlights?
I’ve spent the past 6 months doing the folk festival circuit - kicking off with Woodford at the beginning of the year.
I’m  really excited about playing The Village festival up in Yeppoon in August because it’s a chance to see Mr Percival perform again. I’m a big fan! There are loads of other great performers taking part like Tijuana Cartel & Mojo Webb.

Tell us a bit more about your live performances. What can people expect when they see you play live?

I suppose storytelling would be the key word to describe my performances. My songs are very story-based and I like to weave little anecdotes between the tunes to give people some idea of how the song came about. I always enjoy the energy of the crowd and talking to them while I am on stage. Maybe it’s better for someone else to describe my live performance style:
“Ange Takats captivated the audience with her simple but perfectly crafted songs and I must admit her voice is truly one of the most beautiful and powerful female voices I have ever heard, bestowing goose bumps on me throughout the evening,”- Tsunami Music Magazine

Some great things have been happening in Ange Takat’s world. You’ve been selected as the album of the week on Artsound FM 92.7 in Canberra, you’re supporting Renee Geyer in Eumundi on June 11, and you’ve just been selected as an outstanding entrant in this year’s Q Song awards. Do you feel that everything is happening at once?
It’s always nice when things fall in to place. I’ve put a lot of time and energy into the music side of things over the past two years and it’s great to get recognised and rewarded for that. Each new album review gives me a little thrill but playing to packed venues at Woodford and the National Folk Festival in Canberra have definitely been music career highlights in recent months.

What inspires you when you’re songwriting? Is there a particular way/place/mood that you like to write songs in?
Um….I gain inspiration from all kinds of sources. My debut album Aniseed Tea has songs inspired by Irish nudists, Romanian Canadian medical students, knitters, heart breakers, op-shoppers…
Most of my songwriting happens in my little beachside unit on the Sunshine Coast. I often start writing a song with my guitar and then finish the lyrics in my head as I walk along the beach. That seems to work for me.

What would your dream gig be? Where? Who with?
Supporting Paul Simon or Joni Mitchell. I am in awe of them both as songwriters. But in reality, my dream gig is any gig that has a bunch of people seated in front of me, willing to listen and enjoy what I do. ‘The dream’ is to play those kinds of gigs all the time!

Finally, what’s in store next for Ange Takats?
The festival scene slows down over Winter so I’m going to use that time to focus on my songwriting and the business side of things. I was successful in securing an RADF/Arts Queensland grant at the end of last year which helped fund my album tour and I’m keen to apply for some other grants in the coming months.

Streamer Bendy are a fantastic addition to the Musicadium Family, we were alerted to their music a little while ago now by Who The Hell Contributor, Sophie Benjamin, and we loved it straight away.  Since then, they have been getting a nice run of radio play on Triple J, but as yet, have not played any live shows.  Well, all that is about to change, as they will take the stage for the first time at our WITH DIGITAL LOVE Showcase June 10th at Brisbane’s BarSoma, with The Gallant and Moonjog!

Sarah and I (Tim) had a chat with front-rock-chick, Erinn Swan about Streamer Bendy, so far…

What’s the name of your band? What’s the origin of that name? Who came up with it?

Streamer Bendy was the name of my imaginary friend when I was little (Erinn).  From what I remember she had ribbons in her hair and sometimes she was in the mirror with me.  I think I may have been a strange child.

You have all been in bands in the past that have had great followings.  Do you feel like the combination of the members in the band has formed a creative Voltron, so to speak? As in, strong individually, but when combined, form an unstoppable force? Do you have a Blazing sword? (i.e. a secret weapon?)

Oh we are unstoppable!! We’re all really excited about Streamer Bendy, it’s so fresh still which is great fun because we haven’t been sitting in a van together for weeks on end and we don’t hate each other…yet.  Dane (drums) is definitely our secret weapon.  It’s his hair. Constantly changing colours, always looks good, blows about seductively when he plays..he’s a people magnet.

What’s your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?

Like most musicians we’d just like to be able to keep doing this and get paid for it.  We all share a love for writing great songs and performing them live.  We just want to be able to sustain ourselves to continue doing that.  I personally love the reaction I get from someone who really identifies with something I have written.  It makes me feel in some strange way like I’ve made a small difference to the world.  If I can keep doing that, having that be my focus, I’ll be extremely happy.

Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?

Streamer Bendy have never played a show!! We are six months old.  We’ve all been in bands that have toured their asses off over the last few years and we decided we were going to be very selective about what and where we play.  So stay tuned!! In answer to your question regarding covers however, both Matt and Travis play in the Queen tribute band - they’re currently in canada, so in fact, they’re playing covers RIGHT NOW!!

You are about to record an album - Any new influences that you will be drawing into your next release?

Yes, definitely.  Matt and I have just been in Sweden writing music, and we learnt a lot from the producers we worked with over there, so we’ll definitely bring a lot of that to the record.  Matt discovered ’snus’ when he was in Sweden, I expect that will be a major influence (snus is tobacco in a little packet that you stick on your gum and absorb into your blood stream.  it’s completely legal but addictive and made me so dizzy i almost passed out).  We’re also very into ‘The Temper Trap’ at the moment we saw them play at sxsw.

What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?
They’ve been a bit spontaneous actually as we’ve all been in and out of the country so regularly.  They range from Matt and I in a room, to Matt and I on skype with Damon, to everyone in a room jamming it all out.  I hope we’ll fall into a routine but you know how these things go…

What inspires you? What makes you wake up and think “Wow! That really matters!” What makes you want to write songs that make people sit down and think?
I’m fairly political, and I like to comment when I think certain areas of society aren’t getting a good enough go, or are being taken advantage of.  I don’t think many young people take an interest in politics and the world around them and I’m keen to inspire them to do so.  Mostly though, I’m also a hopeless romantic, and the slightest romantic thought i have is a great place to start a song.  I’ve been having some crazy dreams lately, and I”m not sure how much they MATTER, but they’re great places to start writing a song from.

How do you promote your music that you have for sale in the digital outlets?
We will promote on myspace, triple j unearthed, and speak to various networks of kids we have about blog sites etc.

Streamer Bendy’s EP will be available on iTunes very soon and they will be playing at the Musicadium showcase June 10th!  Their Myspace is http://www.myspace.com/streamerbendy!