Noonan & Schaupp
Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp’s second project together Songs of the Latin Skies has just been released and on its first day it raced immediately to #1 on the iTunes World Chart.
The album is a followup to 2012’s ARIA-nominated groundbreaking release Songs of the Southern Skies. Together Katie and Karin create a unique sound, putting a fresh spin on Latin jazz and classical pieces from the musical masters of South America. The album Songs of the Latin Skies features 13 tracks, paying homage to this wonderful genre and showcasing two of Australia’s most accomplished talents at their finest. Renowned for breaking down genre boundaries, Katie Noonan’s technical mastery and pure voice makes her one of Australia’s most versatile and beloved vocalists. Guitarist Karin Schaupp has been lauded around the world as one of the best classical guitarists of her generation. View footage of Katie and Karin in the recording studio. Songs of the Latin Skies will be revealed in the intimate live performances from Katie and Karin with a show at the Bangalow A&I Hall scheduled for Friday 19 May.
Tickets through redsquaremusic.com.au.
While My Sitar Gently Weeps
One of the finest sitar virtuosos among the present generation, and a worthy torchbearer of the famed Sarod Gharana of Senia Shahjahanpur, Pt Sugato Nag started his training at the age of eight under the guidance of Late Shri Anil Roychowdhury. Sugato next became the disciple of sarod maestro Sangeetacharya Radhika Mohan Maitra. At present he is under the guidance of renowned sarodiya Padmabhushan Pt Buddhadev Dasgupta.
Sugato’s recital has a blending of the sitar baaj or style of playing of Ustad Vilayat Khan and the rabab-based sarod baaj of Md Ameer Khan of Shahjahanpore. Sugato is a very melodious and sensitive player. His immense talent is evident in the way he handles the sitar, playing and synthesiding two very different types of baaj to create a unique and ‘completely satisfying listening experience’. The alluring sweetness of his playing coming from the gayaki style, the effortless meends extending up to six pardas combined with strong and intricate bolwork and gamaks reflects a mastery of execution of the highest order. Playing with Sri Shen Flindell on tabla, Sri Shivam Rath on Indian slide guitar and Ku Sohini Nag performing Bharat Natyam dance on Sunday 21 May at Serene Earth Sanctuary. For tickets go to https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=273208.
Perks & Patto
This Saturday from 8pm at Club Mullum, Tex Perkins reunites with his songwriting buddy Murray Paterson. The pair have worked together on film scores (ARIA-nominated soundtrack to Rachel Ward’s Beautiful Kate) as well as Tex’s solo albums of the last decade.
This is a rare opportunity to catch two of Australia’s premier songwriters tell their stories and share their compositions together in an intimate concert.
Tickets are strictly limited and on sale now at www.clubmullum.com. Be quick – this show will sell out! (18+)
Federal Blues
Live music from four bands will get you dancing all night at Federal Hall on Saturday. Surf Dogs will kick off the night at 7.30 with an authentic 60s surf sound. Taking the party off the beach and into the hall, you will be twisting like you did last summer.
Get there early for this one! The Plasms, a four-piece band, will follow at 8.15 with one of the most creative, diverse and original sounds on the north coast. Starting with covers from the 70s Aussie punk scene such as The Saints and following with a bunch of original songs with punchy bass lines and catchy choruses, The Plasms will have the dancefloor moving and grooving. Federal Blues Incorporated hit the stage at 9.15. This legendary local four-piece blues outfit delivers all the smoothness that blues deserve. In the tradition of Muddy Waters and BB King, FBI pump out grinding guitar riffs, solid backbeats and, with Soron on the vocals, you will dance the blues like never before.
The show not to be missed is on next at 10.30. Ska2D2 play their very own original ska/reggae sound. With a mixture of covers from The Specials, Toots and the Maytals and Ace of Bass, the band then add a dash of digitided rock and a little bit of Dirty Circus.
A big dubby bass-and-drum sound with guitars weaving their magic is complemented by Corey, who comes in with his big vocal sound. This band is sure to be a real crowd pleaser. This is a fundraiser for Jasper Corner. Entry from 7pm. Cost $15.
Nudging for flood relief
May’s Nudge Nudge Wink Wink
is keeping it local and asking us all to dig deep and dance to raise funds for the Billinudgel Village Flood Relief. The home of our event, the Village of Billinudgel, was underwater with devastating effects from Cyclone Debbie; it deserves our help to rebuild itself and we all can help! The funds will be distributed to those in the village most in need of assistance. May’s DJs ensure you’ll be dancing from start to finish with the lineup including the Cunning Stunts resident DJs Lord Sut and Dale Stephen, locally based Nudge regular Al Royale, and one of Australia’s most highly regarded Sydney-based house DJs, Scott Pullen! Scott is recognised internationally as one of the best house DJs in the country, and his remarkable performance history spans decades and continents playing legendary venues in New York, London, Italy, Sydney, Bali, Ibiza, Mykonos and Rio de Janiero. And now, the Nudge! Sunday at Billinudgel Hotel 2–9.45pm. A party with a conscience.
Sunday Jam
Brunswick Picture House presents a new spin on Sunday brunch – every Sunday from 10am! Breakfast and live music served in the surroundings of their beautiful garden, in conjunction with Diego from Valiant Musi, who will present a roster of the most exciting local and touring artists around. Local chef Dan Kellie will be cooking up a delicious breakfast menu to start your Sunday off right.
You’ll be hard pressed to find a better place to read the morning paper on a Sunday, grab a bite, and listen to chilled-out tunes played by musos right in front of your eyes. Tickets from brunswickpicturehouse.com.
Splendour flood fundraiser
Did you miss out on tickets to Splendour in the Grass? Well here’s your chance to get a Gold Pass and donate to flood relief at the same time. Splendour in the Grass organisers are donating 50 passes to be auctioned until Friday at 9pm. To get VIP entry to Australia’s most popular youth music event 21–23 July, featuring Queens of the Stone Age, The XX, Sigur Ros, and a whole heap more.
Head to splendourinthegrass.com.
They call it Mellow Cello
Louise King is an exciting example of an independent contemporary classical musician. A refined English cellist with extensive international experience and training, she is an inspiring concert artist, teacher, recording artist, adjudicator and event producer. Louise has won prestigious scholarships, solo prizes and several international chamber music competitions and now performs in Australia’s finest music festivals and classical concert series. Louise King moved to Australia in 2003 after working extensively throughout the UK, Europe and Asia with the BBC Philharmonic, the Hallé Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, and as a cello chamber music tutor and conductor of the Royal Northern College of Music Junior Department, Manchester. A multi-award- and competition-winning graduate of the Royal Colleges of Music in London and Manchester, she performs for the Byron Music Society at the Byron Theatre on Sunday 14 May. For tickets go to byroncentre.com.au.
Flood fundraiser in Lismore
It seems that we are awash with flood fundraisers with the creative community all trying to do what they can to raise funds for the victims of the recent inundation. This Thursday at the Unibar a bunch of bands come together for a gig where all the proceeds go to flood victim relief.Featuring Nocturnal Tapes – sounding a bit like the lovechild of Darkside, Daft Punk, and Jimi Hendrix, with solid 4/4 beats, escalating arpeggios and vocals awash with reverb and beautiful falsetto.
Also appearing are Wharves, who, since their 2015 inception, have continually released critically adored songs, with strong support from the likes of Triple J Unearthed, community radio and worldwide tastemaker blogs. In the live arena, Apts fuse modern electronica and future soul with vintage hip-hop and pop. Prysm is Fynn Barker is a 17-year-old music producer hailing from the northern rivers, having been influenced by the likes of Flume, Hermitude, and Madeon. TLK are Teddy Lewis King, a three-piece hip-hop act hailing from Lismore in the lands of the Bundjalung Nation. Vamasi is a producer/rapper hailing from Lismore and known for crafting music that is medicinal to the mind and live performances that uplift the spirit. And lastly there is Damien Cooper, a musician who creates soulful music with nothing more than his guitar, voice and trusty loop pedal. Entry $10.
BBQ Mojo
Mojo Webb has made a name for himself as one of Australia’s best-kept musical secrets. You can’t get much more accomplished then this man. Performing his original brand of blues and roots for more than 25 years, Mojo has played alongside the best acts at the biggest festivals.
Having lived and studied all styles of blues guitar full time for more than twenty-five years, Mojo can do it all. On top of his unbelievable knowledge of the guitar, Mojo has a rare singing talent. He combines his soulful natural voice with the passion and honesty of his biggest blues influences.Mojo Webb will be stopping into Byron Bay on Sunday as part of the BBQ, Brews & Blues at the Byron Bay Brewery. Along with the live blues, there will be an American-style smokin’ barbecue and of course some delicious craft beer to wash it down. Sunday at 2pm. Free.
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