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Musicadium hearts Casey Barnes

Friday, January 2nd, 2009

In the wonderful world of the musical industry, there are the inevitable massive egos kicking around and some pretty repellent personalities that unfortunately exist. This could not be further from the truth however with Musicadium artist Casey Barnes - who, apart from being a fantastic musician who has achieved some dizzying heights,  is also an all-round nice guy. (For proof of this, check out his appearance on Sixty Minutes where he helped out a young musician with some serious health problems).

Casey has just released his latest EP ‘Red Lion Motel’ and if his previous successes are anything to go by, we should expect more great things from this artist. His previous single with DJ/producer Marco Denmark which was re-working of the classic Elton John hit ‘Tiny Dancer’ reached #1 on the UK club charts, and was played and remixed by some of the world’s top DJs including Pete Tong, DJ Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren and Carl Kennedy.

Check out his latest EP ‘Red Lion Motel’  at Casey Barnes - Red Lion Motel - EP

We caught up with Casey for a quick chat about what to expect from his latest release.

Your track ‘tiny dancer’ was a huge hit on an international level, achieved the #1 spot in the UK club charts, and has been remixed by Superstar DJs such as DJ Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, Pete Tong and Carl Kennedy. How does Red Lion Motel differ from your previous releases?

Yes Tiny Dancer has definitely done very well especially throughout Europe, America and Brazil  but ‘Red Lion Motel’ definitely has a different feel all together. With this release I especially wanted a more acoustic/raw sound and deliberately worked with a fresh group of musicians, studio and producer to give it a new vibe.

What has been the most memorable live gig that you’ve played?

Supporting Bryan Adams on his last Australian tour for the Day On The Green concert series has been by far my most memorable gig so far…. once you get a taste of playing in front of crowds like that you just want to do it again!

You’ve also travelled extensively, performing around the world. Where is your favourite place to perform and why?

I really enjoyed performing in America.  For some reason people over there really come to ‘listen’ to live music and really do appreciate live performances…. not that Australians don’t, it’s just slightly different over there I guess with so much musical variety.


What are some Aussie acts that are exciting you at the moment?

I’d have to say my good friend Marco Demark who I recorded Tiny Dancer with. He’s definitely one to watch over the next 12 months… and as much as I don’t normally tune into Australian Idol I am a big Wes Carr fan only because I heard his original stuff before he went on idol and its brilliant.

If you could collaborate with any musician/songwriter who would it be?

I’d love to work with Bernard Fanning…. also his guitarist Andrew Morris who is another Brissy boy and an amazing singer songwriter himself.

Any funny/embarrassing moments onstage?

Lots and lots of those… from forgetting the words on stage to have all in brawls brake out at venues I’ve played at over the years… I’d love to write a book one day all about all the weird and funny things that happen to you at gigs…. too many things to answer in a short response but I’m sure any guy that’s spent the last 10 years playing many a gig in many a pub would have some similar stories to tell!

How should punters dance to Casey Barnes’ music? (if at all)

Ha ha… um that’s a tough one to answer. My latest release ‘Red Lion Motel’ is more a listening album… if you’re more the ‘dancing type’ then definitely check out ‘Tiny Dancer’.

Finally, what are your plans for 2009?

I’d love to look at another full album release at some point in the year with a lot more live touring too… I’m already excited about what 2009 may bring… stay tuned!

Posted in Featured Artist, General | 1 Comment »

What’re your Top 10 albums of 2008?

Friday, January 2nd, 2009

We are only into the second day of 2009.  We are all nostalgic for everything 2008!  We are looking back on a cracker of a 2008 - business-wise and music-wise!

We encourage you to post your top 10 albums of 2008 in the comments section!  Here are our favourites in the office!

MARNIE’S TOP TEN OF 2008

1.  The Bronx - The Bronx (III) http://www.myspace.com/thebronx
2.  Kings Of Leon - Only By the Night http://www.myspace.com/kingsofleon
3.  Adele - 19 http://www.myspace.com/adelelondon
4.  William Fitzsimmons - The Sparrow and The Crow http://www.myspace.com/williamfitzsimmons
5.  Tim Fite - Fair Ain’t Fair http://www.myspace.com/timfite
6.  Birds of Tokyo - Universes http://www.myspace.com/birdsoftokyo
7.  Alkaline Trio - Agony & Irony http://www.myspace.com/alkalinetrio
8. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - Gurrumul http://www.myspace.com/gurrumul
9.  Eagles of Death Metal - Heart On http://www.myspace.com/eaglesofdeathmetal
10. Kanye West - 808’s and Heartbreak http://www.myspace.com/kanyewest

SARAH’S TOP TEN OF 2008

1. Lykke Li - Youth Novels Something about this lady is just too cool. Her tunes are put together in such an interesting way, and I just can’t get enough of them. Lykke Li is my crack.

www.myspace.com/lykkeli
2. Santogold - Santogold Another very cool lady who has had lots of comparisons to Tegan and Sara and M.I.A. - and yes, she sounds like the love child of these musical masterminds but with a sharper tongue and tendency to spew golden glitter.

www.myspace.com/santogold
3. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend This album was so new and fresh when it landed it reminded me of clean laundry. Loved the Graceland style drumming and nerdy college sweaters.

www.myspace.com/vampireweekend
4. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes A slow burner for me - at first was a little too ‘parenty’ but as I gradually listened to the bearded men, I was blown away with their sweet harmonies and bearded goodness.

www.myspace.com/fleetfoxes
5. Custom Kings - At Sea Put this album on when in a car, driving to the beach. This is exactly what I did, and so whenever I listen to it I’m taken back to that lazy Sunday of barbecues and beers.

www.myspace.com/customkings
6. Sparkadia - Postcards ‘Too Much to Do’ was one of those songs that I could not get out of my head and subsequently sang to everyone around me. Constantly.

www.myspace.com/sparkadia
7. Hungry Kids of Hungary - Hungry Kids of Hungary These local boys really came out with a great EP and I would have listened to it hundreds of times over. One of the best parts of my job - finding and listening to phenomenal music.

www.myspace.com/hungrykidsofhungary
8. Black Kids - Party Traumatic A Party album! Put it on in a darkened room with a disco light and twirl like you are Patience from the Grates.

www.myspace.com/blackkidsrock
9. The Presets - Apocalypso Indie elitists, clubbing maestros, music industry big wigs and nova-listening fluro kids can finally agree on something. The Presets make kickass music.

www.myspace.com/thepresets
10. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular Yes they may be over-hyped and accused of being over-rated but man they are cute. And their music makes me happy. For some reason I picture midgets dancing in rainbows? Might want to look into that.

www.myspace.com/mgmt

Honorable mentions: Birds of Toyko - Universes, Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago, Kings of Leon - Only by the Night.

TIM’S TOP TEN OF 2008 (In no particular order)

John Steel Singers - In Colour Before I moved to Brisbane, I had heard whisperings of this John Steel Singers mob. I had heard people talking about how they were the next big thing.  I brushed it off at the time, thinking that it would be nothing but hot air.  By chance, I was the assistant stage manager at the annual Q-Song awards at the marvellous Tivoli theatre in Brisbane, where I witnessed John Steel Singers bust out some tunes (including my personal favourites of theirs, Evolution and Rainbow Kraut).  I fell in love with their infectious attitude, their catchy-as-hell songs and their vibe on stage.  Since then, I then saw them again, stage managing their showcase for Q-Music’s Big Sound conference and then as a punter at the Sounds of Spring Festival.  They have become an integral part of my soundtrack to Brisbane.

http://www.myspace.com/thejohnsteelsingers
Cog - Sharing Space I was a fan of Cog before this album, but this album broke down my preconceptions of song structure.  The use of repetitive hooks and an explosive shift in tempo, perhaps even time signature, to finish some of the tracks blew my mind and made me want to be a better drummer.

http://www.myspace.com/cogrockmusic
The Butterfly Effect - Final Conversations of Kings The Butterfly Effect have come up with their most-produced album yet, but I think it needed to be, to incorporate the epic scope of what they intended it to be.  With strings, pianos, trumpets and more showing up at various times throughout the album, as well as the expected massive guitar, bass and drum sounds, it needed to be produced by the best - Forrester Savell excels here again.  Clint’s voice is great here, too.

http://www.myspace.com/thebutterflyeffectau
The Paper and The Plane - One Year, Two Months, Sixteen Days and Counting From the moment I heard Dan from TPATP’s voice, I couldn’t stop - I needed to hear more.  I fell in love with their first EP and this one steps it up a notch.  The creativity, the breaking down of musical walls, the notion of a melodic band that hardcore kids can love…it all adds up to a very atmospheric, love-soaked delirious mix of an album.

http://www.myspace.com/thepaperandtheplane
Dead Letter Circus - Next in Line Single/4-track My favourite band in the world, these guys could not NOT be on this list.  Even though this is only a single release, I love all 12 or so minutes of it.  Delay-soaked guitars, amazing vocals and some of the best drumming in Australian rock music ever.

http://www.myspace.com/deadlettercircus
The Getaway Plan - Other Voices, Other Rooms I don’t know how I missed these guy’s first EP, but this album is great from start to finish.  Some of the best hardcore put out in Australia this year, mixed with some great melodic vocals and screaming.  Some of the nicest guys I have ever met.

http://www.myspace.com/thegetawayplan
One Day as a Lion - Wild International The return of Zach De La Rocha - I had grave fears for this.  I feared it would pale in comparison to his incendiary Rage output of years gone by.  I was wrong!  Still relevant, still angry, still spitting great vocals and backed by a great band, Zach rocks.

http://www.myspace.com/onedayasalion
Birds of Tokyo - Universes Birds’ first album was one I picked up, unheard prior, and loved every second.  This album takes that and trumps it.  It would be easy to say that Birds are a limp version of Karnivool, simply because Ian Kenny is the vocalist for both, but this album proves otherwise.  Creative, slick, amazing and provocative, I love every second of it from opening strains to the final guitar chord.

http://www.myspace.com/birdsoftokyo
Gyroscope - Breed Obsession This album exploded onto the scene in Australia and went straight to number one at a time in the year where prior to that, had been held exclusively by american r’n'b artists such as Timbaland, Nelly Furtado and The Pussycat Dolls.  It proved that Aussie rock is still respected and loved.  This album is an absolute ball-tearer and the boys are the best people to party with - first on the scene and last to leave.  Awesome.

http://www.myspace.com/gyroscope
Grafton Primary - Eon This album just makes me want to dance. Full Stop.  Infectious, enthusiastic and catchy.  Nuff Said.

http://www.myspace.com/graftonprimary

Honorable Mentions:The Presets - Apocalypso, Kings of Leon - Only By the Night, Here Come the Birds - Here Come the Birds, Melodyssey - The Two Windows.

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