Music for Clean Beaches
Today, in some parts of the world, water is already more expensive than oil, a trend that is spreading. In Hearts Wake – comprising frontman Jake Taylor, guitarists Ben Nairne and Eaven Dall, bassist Kyle Erich and drummer Conor Ward – are bringing this distressing issue to the world’s attention. Their new album Ark is both a dynamic breath of fresh air for the metalcore genre as a whole and a treatise on one of the world’s great impending issues. The band has created an album and a launch that puts change in motion.
‘No matter what side of the world we live on, water connects us all,’ says Jake. ‘Every living thing, and every human being that ever was, or will be, is born of water. The plasma in our blood is 92 per cent water, our brains 75 per cent, and even our bones are 30 per cent water. The same water that shapes our Earth is the same water within each of us.
‘This record is an ode to the Ark, that is our ocean planet. Just like a ship: if one part is compromised, all life is threatened. What happens on one side of the world affects the other. If we don’t work together to repair our home and restore the integrity of its natural resources, we will all go down with the ship. Since water is our lifeblood, it needs to be respected, protected, and acknowledged – not only as a basic human right, but as an essential human need.’
In conjunction with the release of Ark, In Hearts Wake have joined forces with Tangaroa Blue for We Are Waterborne: An In Hearts Wake Initiative to lead a series of waterway cleanups in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and at home in Byron Bay. Marine debris is one of the major environmental issues worldwide and In Hearts Wake are calling upon their fans to join them in these cleanups, as well as encouraging fans to form their own cleanup crews to tackle their local problem waterways. In Hearts Wake plan to take the initiative global with a series of cleanups in the works for future overseas tours. To celebrate the release of their new album Ark (out May 26 via UNFD), In Hearts Wake have have announced they will play a very special hometown show at The Northern Hotel in Byron Bay on Thursday 1 June. All cleanups will kick off at 1pm and participants will receive a free We Are Waterborne Volunteer T-Shirt on arrival. Go hard core on the cleanup and be at the surf club entrance at 1pm on 1 June!
Cariad Magic
Cariad is the combination of two talented singer/songwriters and guitarists from the Byron Shire: Virginia Cook and Geraint Jenkins. Together they weave a magical blend of unique melodies, meaningful lyrics and sublime harmonies to create original, uplifting music from the heart.
They are launching their album A Thousand Dreams, produced by Paul Pilsneniks, at the Byron Community Theatre on Saturday. Joining them onstage will be some fantastic musicians: Murray Cook on keys (Mixed Relations, Warumpi Band, Mental As Anything), Maria Stratton on violin (ABC recording artist, Miley and the Milkshakes), Al Brooker on double bass (Paul Kelly, Nick Barker, Heartworn Highway) and Matt Connolly on Irish flute and whistle. This promises to be a great night of original, local music. Tickets can be bought online at byroncentre.com.au or purchased at the door. Show starts at 7pm.
Coco Republic
Coco Republic FSTVL is set to bring all-day festival vibes to the Byron Bay Brewery. With two stages and more than ten DJs and live artists, you will forget it’s winter as the summer vibes take over. Kicking off at 1pm there will be live music by Akova in a tropically themed outdoor setting, followed by DJs playing sunny soulful tunes. The indoor Rave Cave will bring a churning nightclub experience with Sounds Good Soundsystem providing the beats with their huge sound and full festival-quality light show. Summer isn’t over! Catch the last luscious beats at the Byron Bay Brewery on Saturday from 1pm. Free entry until 5pm, $10 after that.
Discover new music at Bello
Bello Winter Music features more than 90 acts over three days including festival favourites Husky, Ben Ottewell (Gomez), Joe Pug, Bec Sandridge, Tinpan Orange and Mama Kin. But the beauty of Bello Winter Music and its diverse, multi-genre programming is that there is always something new to discover. Like Melbourne hip-hop and R&B act 30/70. Beat disciples Ziggy Z, Hazy Hicks, Chaser and Thomas keep it tight in the rhythm section while Allysha Joy stays liquid smooth and grooves over jazz, hip-hop live beats. Their first LP Cold Radish Coma sold out its first pressing in less than a month. The band is receiving a lot of attention in Europe thanks to Rhythm Section as well as the release of The Strut film clip through Stamp The Wax.
Vaudeville Smash are three brothers and two mates who present an explosion of funk, flute, sax, synth and groove. In case you’re wondering, they took their name from an Italian children’s karaoke machine that was around in the late 80s. In 2016, Vaudeville Smash released their sophomore album The Gift. A contemporary reworking of the early 80s funk/boogie evoking visions of Cameo, Midnight Star and the Gap Band. Archer is an old-time singsong man. He works the fruit-picking rounds, sits under the sky a lot, and drives a car if he has to. He’s toured widely across Australia and internationally, playing many major festivals. He’s supported luminaries such as Martha Wainwright, Pokey Le Farge and CW Stoneking. Despite this you might find it hard to catch him. He’ll appear off a road somewhere and sing you a few songs and then wander off into a forest leaving you wondering if it was a ghost story or a dream.
Ukulele Death Squad are pushing the boundaries of the small 4-stringed instrument. With their own uke style, blending Flamenco, Mexican and folk, and sold-out debut Adelaide Fringe shows, the squad will warp your perceptions of ukuleles one nylon string at a time. Expect high-energy performances full of mad thumping rhythms and outrageous solos. Heartbreaker alt-country duo Miles and Simone weave their lonesome seaside lullabies and ballads with restraint – two sublime voices, catchy melodies, poetic lyrics and hilarious banter. The duet are currently recording their third record with acclaimed producer Dan Luscombe (The Drones, Courtney Barnett) who promises to draw out the darkness and grit from the pair’s sweet and mournful love ballads. All these acts play Bello Winter Music 7–9 July. Friday Memorial Hall 11pm. Saturday Diggers Tavern 8.45pm.
Hawaiian Uke
This Thursday from 6.30pm at Club Mullum in The Ex-Services be transported to heavenly islands with moonlit skies at Miss Amber and Stukulele’s Hawaiian Uke Night. Special guests Aloha Baby will lead some Hapa Haole classics and instrumentals and the graceful Hula Tomoka and her troupe will dazzle you with their hula dancing. Come dressed in your best Hawaiian outfit for a chance to win a Kahuna massage and be prepared to wiggle those hips when Hula Tomoka teaches you the hula steps for the Hukilau song. Adults $12.50, kids under 16 $2.50. Join the mailing list at www.ukemullum.com to download the songbook.
