Musicadium Blog

Musicadium artist and compassionate self-starter Joel Davies had his self-titled release on iTunes for just one week, when he received a call from a prestigious (and Apple-funded) film school who had seen and heard his music on iTunes. After hearing Joel’s undeniable talent and realising that he was donating all of the proceeds from his release to charity, the film school decided that they wanted to shoot a film clip for him spending upwards of $15, 000. Modelling and acting agencies around Sydney have also jumped on the Joel bandwagon by providing professional actors and models for the shoot.

Joel will be describing his experiences of the film shoot first-hand to us so that any artists considering this path can grab some insight into this exciting venture. Over the next few weeks we will speak with Joel about his experiences before, during and after the making of the film clip.

In the meantime, check him out on

This week Musicadium features Brisbane band The Gallant who have just released their self titled EP. The release of the EP follows a few solid years of local shows around Brisbane and mini tours to Sydney and Melbourne. The four-piece who originally formed in high school deliver a charismatic and captivating live show, wooing audiences with every performance.

The Gallant have supported artists such as Birds of Tokyo, The Dirty Secrets, British India and Small Mercies and have proved themselves as one of Brisbane’s up and coming bands. We were lucky enough to catch up with the guys to talk about drums and Dr Dre.

How did the band get together?

We started off at high school doing some punk covers and Limp Bizkit medleys before we started trying our hand at writing originals. There were arguments, line-up and band name changes along the way. James See (Vocals/Guitar) initially started on drums before he briefly left in mid 2001 and was replaced by Sam Thomson (Drums) who had changed schools that year. The current line-up, which is rounded off with David Byrne (Guitar) and Jordan Lawson (Bass), have been together since late 2002.

You’ve just released your EP, how did you find the writing and recording process?

It was an easy transition taking our songs from our rehearsal room into the studio. We were working with a producer who is a friend, so it made the “work” environment fun. It was interesting hearing our songs played back for the first time as if we were hearing it live. Alex Markwell (Producer) was always full of ideas to help bring out the best in our songs.

What are the plans for the band now that your EP is finished?

Now the EP is finished, it’s a case of giving everyone a chance to hear it. We want to use it as a step forward towards bigger shows and something that helps us land support slots with touring bands, both Australian and International.

What artists influence your music?

We all have such varied tastes in music that we often surprise ourselves how we can find a median between the lot of them to help write a new song. Some influences would be The Mars Volta, Death Cab for Cutie, The Faint, Panic at the Disco and Bloc Party.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Holding a copy of our first EP in our hands was pretty special. It felt like it had been a long time coming so it put an end to the recording saga and has started a new chapter for the band. Playing with one of our favourite bands The Faint in September will also be a highlight.

Tell us about your song writing process.

It all starts with a bit of spontaneous jamming on particular riff, which carries on for awhile before one of us stops and decides we should try and write a song out of it. From there we work out the transitions between verses and choruses to make the song flow, while vocal melodies are tried out. Once we have song completed instrumentally, it is then vocal parts are finalised with lyrics.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

We agreed that if ever we get the opportunity, we want to work with Eminem and/or Dr Dre. It’d bring something completely different to the table. Also Thom Yorke and Matt Bellamy would be amazing.

You have quite a loyal following in Brisbane; do you have plans to tour nationally/ internationally?

We have done brief tours to Sydney and Melbourne but we’d love to do a more extensive national tour so we can play in the states we haven’t already visited. As for International touring, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Check out their rocking new self-titled EP on

Benjamin Hooper has been short-listed as a finalist for the Australian Songwriters Association 2008 Australian Songwriting Contest for his song ‘Natural Reaction‘.

The song has been short-listed for the ballads section.  Benjamin Hooper looks like he’s going to be a force in the industry for years to come - his music combining typical “rock” instruments like electric guitar, bass and drums, with cello, piano accordion, saxophone and violin. A Conservatorium boy - we can’t wait to see Benjamin Hooper’s name up in lights!

Incredible.

The Musicadium office has been abuzz lately after some great signings. We put out the recent Chopper Read vs Bukk City record and we’re about to release the new record from Suzee Fenech (Jeff Fenech’s wife).

The Musicadium band Polaroid Fame (previously known as The Frankie Band) have had a huge couple of months. On the back of 24 shows between Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast - the boys have been getting regular JJJ airplay from Sarah Howells and have been on high rotation on ZZZ in northern NSW.

Not content with that, Polaroid Fame have also had a ton of coverage in street press, radio interviews and scored the front page of ‘The Fuzz’ liftout in Scene Magazine. Oh, and there was also an eight minute interview on Splendour Weekend for Channel 10’s ‘State Focus’. Combine all that with support slots for The Galvatrons and Magic Dirt, a spot on the Greenfest bill, and plans for another mini tour to launch their new filmclip for single ‘Closure’ - and you have a recipe for a band on the up and up.

Polaroid Fame are a Musicadium favourite having played a killer set at our Launch Party and being genuinely lovely guys and gals. We can’t wait to see what they do next!

PS. Pete Murray also reckons Polaroid Fame are his favourite band to listen to on the iPod.

This week Musicadium presents to you a Sydney Schoolgirl who has done more in her 15 years than some of us will manage to achieve in a lifetime - Bianca.

Bianca has performed at places such as the Sydney on Sale Expo, Kids World Expo, Kids Universe, Starlight Foundation Gala, Darling Harbour Australia Day celebrations, Entertainment Quarters and the Sydney Spring Carnival . She has also featured in numerous television commercials and editorial shoots, including the Maggi TV campaign that aired nationally around Australia and a national Australian idol commercial. Her debut film clip can be viewed on her website and we are in agreement at Musicadium that Bianca is an International pop star in the making that could rival the likes of Avril Lavigne and The Veronicas.

Musicadium currently distributes her debut EP ‘What Does It Matter’ and we will proudly admit to giving her record a big workout at the office as we were blown away by her song-writing skills and slick production. We had a chat with the young chanteuse about music, dance, and difficult to pronounce surnames!

Congratulations on your EP ‘What Does It Matter’, we love it at the Musicadium office!

Thanks heaps. I’ve worked really hard on it so it’s great to hear that you like it.

How long did it take you to record?

Including drums and strings etc. it took about a month on and off.

You are 15 years old, did you get some time off from school to record it?

No, I would have liked to but we did it in the holidays, after school and on weekends. lol

What are some of the bands that you are listening to at the moment?

Silverchair, The Used, Alicia Keys, We the Kings, Flight of the Conchords. I really listen to a bit of everything, even the Beatles.

You’ve done some acting work as well as performing at some great events. What is it about performing that you love?

I like to get up and show people what I’m capable of and it’s great to let them hear music that I’ve written. It’s also just a lot of fun.

When did you first start singing or when did your Mum or Dad realise that they had an extremely talented daughter?

I started singing when I was about 9 and it was really one of my dancing teacher’s who first got me to sing solo with the dance group and I’ve been singing ever since.

We discovered that you have a German background – have you always lived in Australia?

Yeah my dad is German but I was born in Melbourne and have lived most of my life in Sydney.

Have you ever had any funny attempts from people trying to pronounce your last name? (Oechsle)

Heck yes, omg all the time! I don’t think I’ve ever come across someone that can pronounce it without me telling them how.

Thanks for your time Bianca!

My pleasure =]

Get a copy of this rocking EP for yourself from

Matt O’Connor - a great friend of the Musicadium team - has just capped a massive 12 months with his company The A&R Department.

Three tracks (by Thirsty Merc and The Beautiful Girls) which Matt A&R’d got nominations at the 2008 APRA Awards.

Matt’s also had his touch on Shihad’s Beautiful Machine, the new  albums, Faker singles ‘This Heart Attack’ and ‘Are You Magnetic’ and a heap of others.

Matt knows hit songs and he knows how to get songs there.  He’s about to launch a series of open forums with big name producers like Jim Diamond, Magoo, Tom Larkin, Ian Pritchett, Paul McKercher, Lee Groves.

For more info - go to the website - and look out for an interview here on the blog with Matt in coming weeks.

Musicadium proudly distributes the music of blues legend Rick Steele.

Rick’s son is Luke Steele of the Sleepy Jackson a band we love here in the Musicadium office.  So were were pretty excited to hear that Luke and fellow music genius Daniel Johns of Silverchair are set to collaborate on an upcoming project -  Hathaway and Palmer.

Check out Luke’s work here in this wicked clip.

Out west we are happy to have on board Rick Steele - the patriarch of the Steele music family - who is releasing his record with Musicadium. The Australian blues and country rock legend has been in the industry for 40 years, played more than 8000 gigs and at a shade over 60 doesn’t look like slowing down. His new album features Katy Steele, Luke Steele and Paul Kelly and is an absolute cracker.