Bass sensation Steve Morrison returns to The Basement with his big jazz, soul and funk band to farewell Sydney sax player and member of Steve's band Con Campbell.
Con is moving to Chicago in June and this will be his last gig at The Basement before the move. The band will feature regulars Mike Hammond, Tim Rollinson, Gerard Masters and Steve Ley plus a list of special guests including Jeff Duff, John Dickson and more.
A musical evening spanning four decades of hits with legendary musician, songwriter, producer and musical visionary Todd Rundgren.
A Wizard, A True Star. The title of Todd Rundgren's 1973 solo album aptly sums up the contributions of this multi-faceted artist to state-of-the-art music. As a songwriter, video pioneer, producer, recording artist, computer software developer, conceptualist, and, most recently, interactive artist, Rundgren has made a lasting impact on both the form and content of popular music. This July Todd and his amazing band which includes keyboard master John Ferenzik (Jefferson Starship, Todd Rundgren), guitarist and former Guitar Player Magazine editor Jesse Gress, drummer Prarie Prince (The New Cars, The Tubes, Jefferson Starship) and on bass Kasim Sultan (Blue Oyster Cult, The New Cars, Utopia), will bring to life 40 years of amazing music to Australian audiences.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Rundgren began playing guitar as a teenager, going on to found and front The Nazz, the quintessential `60's cult group. In 1969, he left the band to pursue a solo career, recording his debut offering, the legendary Runt. But it was 1972's seminal Something/Anything?, on which he played all the instruments, sang all the vocal parts, and acted as his own producer, that catapulted Todd into the superstar limelight, prompting the press to unanimously dub him 'Rock's New Wunderkind'. It was followed by such landmark LPs as The Hermit of Mink Hollow and the above mentioned A Wizard, A True Star, as well as such hit singles as I Saw The Light, Hello It's Me, Can We Still Be Friends, and Bang The Drum.
In 1974, Todd formed Utopia, an entirely new approach to the concept of interactive musicianship, and embarked on an extensive round of touring and recording. Standout Utopia offerings included Oops! Wrong Planet, Adventures in Utopia, and Oblivion. Along the way, Utopia combined technical virtuosity and creative passion to create music that, for millions, defined the term "progressive rock."
Rundgren's myriad production projects include albums by Patti Smith, Cheap Trick, Psychedelic Furs, Meatloaf, XTC, Grand Funk Railroad, and Hall And Oates. Rounding out his reputation as rock's Renaissance Man, Rundgren composed all the music and lyrics for Joe Papp's 1989 Off-Broadway production of Joe Orton's Up Against It (the screenplay commisioned by The Beatles for what was meant to have been their third motion picture).
Early last year Rundgren performed his iconic 1973 album A Wizard A True Star in concert in its entireity for the first time ever, and recently did the same with a double bill: Todd & Healing. His latest two studio albums Todd Rundgren's Johnson, a collection of classic Robert Johnson songs, and reProduction, covers of songs Todd has produced for other artists. This summer he toured with Ringo Starr (for the third time).
Todd Rundgren will release his new studio album State on the Esoteric Antenna label via Cherry Red in May, 2013. State is Rundgren's 24th solo studio album (and that's not including the two albums he recorded with his first band The Nazz, and the nine albums he recorded with his band Utopia). Todd's latest musical vision is a fusion of rock, soul, r'n'b and electronica that is at once danceable, groundbreaking, spiritual, challenging and infectious.
The name may not be familiar to all reading this, but I am sure you have heard of the bands he has created, the Hippos, the Bondi Cigars and more recently the Nervous Investors in WA. Les Karski is back with an axe to grind, for one night only at the Bridge.
Lez Karski has been the unique soul/blues guitar and vocal style of The Foreday Riders, Hippos, Bondi Cigars, Donkeys, and Nervous Investors. He's also the preferred sideman for visiting US Blues artists. The late great Johnny Johnson, Chris Cain, Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne, Diunna Greenleaf, Barbara Blue and Kyla Brox have all chosen Lez as guitar man for their Oz tours. A regular at the Bridgetown and Narooma Blues festivals, Lez played at the Byron Bay Festival with the Bondi Cigars and later with Johnny Johnson. He also represented Australia at Poland's 'Thanks Jimi' guitar festival while touring Europe with 'the Nervous Investors'. 'Dog Holiday' screened on ABC TV's 'Live at the Basement' featured Lez's songs performed with former Sydney band mates. Lez has just relocated from W.A. where he was a founding member of the Albany Blues Club and their house band, 'Mooseknuckle'. Now based in the Northern Rivers, he performs with his own 'Lez Karski Band'.
R'n'B vocalist Thando and her band are gearing up to set the Evelyn Hotel ablaze with the release of their debut single. Thando's sound infuses contemporary R'n'B with Pop, Rock, Jazz and Neo Soul to create a sound that is sure to get you off your feet.
Fresh from SOLD OUT performances of "The Motown Story" to standing room only crowds for The Adelaide Fringe 2013 and back by popular demand at The Gov, Motown Connection presents their brand new show: Motown's Soul Sisters and Funk Brothers Tribute. Motown Connection will pay tribute to all the MOTOWN, SOUL, DISCO and FUNK artists from the 60's, 70's and 80's.
This 12 piece outfit including a FAT 4 piece Horn Section has The Motown Sound, a style of soul music with a distinct pop influence. Together they sing, dance and perform all of the MOTOWN and SOUL hits from the great artists of the 60's era combined with the Massive DISCO and FUNK Dance Floor anthems of the 70's and 80's.
"They will have you up singing and you will go home with sore feet from dancing all night long" You'll believe you're really back in the days of classic songs everyone knows and loves. "A soulful and exciting show".....
So grab all your Soul Sisters and Funk Brothers and Boogie on Down to The Gov.
MOTOWN CONNECTION LIVE AT THE GOV
Doors open at 6pm for Dinner. Call 8340 0744 to book your table today.
Show doors at 7:30pm
Something For Kate are excited to announce their first extensive Australian tour in over six years this coming May and June. The 'Star-Crossed Cities Tour' will see the band visit larger venues in each capital city, as well as playing many of the regional areas and cities that have been bereft of a visit from one of Australia's best loved bands, for the first time in many years.
Something For Kate will showcase material from their new album, the critically acclaimed 'Leave Your Soul To Science', as well as a comprehensive selection of material from their large and enviable back catalogue.
Upon it's release in October 2012, 'Leave Your Soul To Science' was hailed by fans and critics alike as Something For Kate's finest work to date and entered the ARIA album charts at number 5. A short tour of capital cities followed, with shows selling out in minutes and additional shows added to meet demand.
Joining the band for all performances will be Melbourne's one and only Courtney Barnett. Following the release of her debut EP 'I've Got A Friend Called Emily Farris', Barnett followed up with the brilliant single 'History Eraser' which was regarded by critics as one of the singles of 2012.
With a long history of Something For Kate tours selling out at lightning speed, fans are advised to get in fast to secure their tickets for what will be a most memorable night of music spanning the career of one of Australia's most revered and respected bands.
'An astonishing performance... a stunning return to the live circuit...an outstanding performance, reaffirming Something For Kate as one of Australia's leading and most talented acts.' - Drum Media
'Something For Kate (delivered) what can only be described as a blistering set...crammed with people truing to get a glimpse of Dempsey//Ashworth//Hyndman machine that cannot seem to play a bad show.' - Tone Deaf.com.au
Simon Meli has forged the reputation of 'working class soul rocker' that remains instilled in the minds of those who have bared witness to his unique stage presence and unrivalled passion.
The word is on the street about one of Australia's most remarkable voices.
Reviving and owning a classic essence, frontman of Sydney band The Widowbirds, feels the time has come to give his own name a moment In the sun. Simon has invited members of The Widowbirds and fellow like-minded musicians to form a solid band for his solo tour.
'Front man Simon Meli, has more Soul than the devil could ever collect. Every note and every lyric is delivered with more passion than the most tragic of Shakespeare novels... ' Robyn Anson - The Brag 'There was a time when all rock'n'roll bands had to have a frontman who sang this well - but that era is long gone: I had not heard a sound like this for years.' John Hardaker - The Orange www.simonmeli.com.au
4 x ARIA award winner Katie Noonan's technical mastery and pure voice make her one of Australia's most versatile and beloved vocalists. 'Songbook' will see Katie exploring material from throughout her career including songs from George, Katie Noonan and the Captains, Elixir and her acclaimed solo album. This intimate solo performance mode is the perfect setting for Katie to revisit her most popular songs.
In 2013 The Herald Sun announced Katie one of the 20 greatest Australian singers of all time as voted by her peers.
'There is a crowd of hundreds but when she sings it feels like it's just Katie Noonan, a piano and you. 5/5'
5AA
'Katie Noonan has a rare and priceless gift - a vocal talent which transports the listener to a higher realm, a piercing of spirit and caressing of woes. Many singers can bring on the goosebumps, but Noonan is one of only a few who can reach through air and space to minister to your very soul.'
'Not many artists these days can boast such a mix of fans ranging from nannas and pops to tweens - and even fewer possess the power to keep them transfixed for nearly two hours. But then again, Katie Noonan has never been like any other artist and she well and truly proved that tonight.'
Drum Media
R&B/SOUL SINGER-SONGWRITER DRU CHEN LAUNCHES 'INTENTIONS EP'.The East Coast Australian Tour kicks off on May 26 at The Toff in Town. Complete with raging guitar solos, sharp horns, soul-sangin' backgrounds, and a tight rhythm section, DRU CHEN bring his trademark pop-savvy funk show to Melbourne.
This event comes hot on the heels off DRU's Singapore/Malaysia Tour and the release of the EP's lead single "You Bring Out The Best In Me", which swiftly got on radio internationally (Triple R, PBS, 4ZZZ, Northern, Southern FM Australia, 98.7fm Singapore, WKCR89.9 New York) and whose soul-train inspired music video garnered 15, 000 views in 1 month.
Dru Chen - 'You Bring Out The Best In Me' (Official Video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGi6Q5WsvtM
"Intentions EP first strikes with Chen's technical mastery and songwriting ability, but leaves you with his genuine passion and sincere dedication to his influences, which is exactly what makes it a lovely, inspiring listen."
- Music Weekly Asia
Don't miss this opportunity to catch DRU CHEN and band along with supports earthy roots/pop songstress AL PARKINSON, and partying folk/rockers THE BON SCOTTS at THE TOFF IN TOWN on May 26th!
Intentions EP is available at http://druchen.net
https://www.facebook.com/events/120334861496838/
http://facebook.com/druchenmusic
http://www.facebook.com/alparkinsonmusicpage
http://www.facebook.com/thebonscotts
Almost 10 months after their initial release of a debut single 'Something Old Something New' which received generous critical acclaim and national radio regard - and some heavy reconfiguration of the bands essence - Melbourne's Brave Face have teamed up and signed with First Love Records to release their sophomore single, the transcendental beauty 'Any Other Love'. Fans can rejoice at the fact that there will be no departures here (bar a background whiff of the 80's) a jogging synth-laced guitar-pop track which delivers as much playful joy as it does devastation. Brave Face stay true to their brand of breezy narcotic pop tunes, organic guitars and driving yet dreamy percussion - sure to leave an audience hearts fluttering, nothing bitter to ponder.
Support will be in the form of Australian Soul/Pop sensation Willow - who are riding high on the back of their recent single's national radio success - along with young songwriting prodigy Jackson Mclaren - fresh off a national tour with Counting Crows.
http://firstloverecordlabel.com
www.facebook.com/musicbywillow
Three years on from their last album 'Engineering The Soul', Central Coast rockers Something With Numbers stage a return with long-awaited album 'Eleven Eleven', and a national tour to support the hotly anticipated release! Kicking off on June 14 at the Mona Vale Hotel, Something With Numbers are set to take Australia by storm once again with the signature rock swagger that has been their trademark since day one.
Bursting with melody, ambitious hooks and sincere intent, 'Eleven Eleven' is a return to form for Something With Numbers. Featuring 11 killer tracks from a band filled with newfound energy featuring stomping glam falsettos ("Wild One") to ballads of regret ("Summer"), dancefloor beats ("Harvard + Stone") and straight up riffs ("Meant To Be"), 'Eleven Eleven' sees Something With Numbers returning bigger and better than ever. Recorded in October 2012 at Annandale's Jungle Studios with producer Lachlan Mitchell (The Jezabels, The Whitlams and SWN's 2004 debut, Etiquette) and mixed by Tim Carr, the album wears its heart on its sleeve, with vocalist Jake Griggs' unmistakable voice pulling it all together into a true sonic experience. Something With Numbers' live show is set to deliver on this tantalising spectrum of music and raw human emotion across the country.
An incredibly accomplished seven-year career (and life in between!) has culminated in Something With Numbers' most introspective, and most striking, offering to date. Deeper, more personal, but still more rockin' than ever, don't miss out on witnessing these boys bring the house down!
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY MAY 10th
Eleven Eleven is out 10th May 2013 via Stop Start/EMI
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https://twitter.com/somewithnumbers
