Tora
Beach Hotel, Byron | Friday
Originally from Byron, Tora have made themselves a global name touring throughout the UK and Europe, with more than forty album-tour shows sold out in Melbourne, Paris and London. They even found an adoring fan in Fifth Element Star, Milla Jovovich. The band have just released their richly textured second album Can’t Buy the Mood. Featuring two added B-side tracks, as well as a raft of carefully curated remixes from producers around the world – including Sydney’s Two Another who have re-worked the album title-track with lush house vibes. Says the band: ‘It’s a compilation of remixes from incredible friends, and some of our favourite artists from around the world, plus a couple of original tunes in the form of B-sides which didn’t make it onto the initial album selection. We’re very excited to release it, and to take the current album and these new B-sides to new places around the world as part of our touring cycle in 2020.’
The original Can’t Buy The Mood album was primarily made in the Byron area, though the band also ventured into iconic studio spaces in LA, London and Amsterdam to work on it. It was largely written and produced by the band themselves; they also mixed and mastered all tracks, and did all the design and artwork, and shared in the art direction of the music videos, completing an artistic vision which was key to the holistic experience of the album. With field recordings once again a key feature, the album is 13 tracks full of lush grooves and intricate moments.
Catch these Byron Bay locals before they head back into the blue yonder at the Beach Hotel on Friday.
Curious: DJs Lippo, R.I.A., Dale Stephen, Lord Sut + Gabriel Otu (Live on African percussion)
Billinudgel Hotel | Saturday | 4–11pm
This Saturday, the team behind Nudge present Curious, where DJs and live musicians create cosmic osmosis. Featuring DJ Lippo, R.I.A., Dale Stephen and Lord Sut with Gabriel Otu – live on African percussion. All guaranteed to soothe the heat as you dance and mingle in the best sounding shed in the southern hemisphere. Sassy and sweet, Cunning Stunts resident DJs Lord Sut and Dale Stephen spin the boogie with the beat. Their awesome selections and fantastic tracks surprise and delight, throughout the night, with musical journeys that keep you rocking on your feet!
Bringing the beat is the master of African drumming, Gabriel Otu – a West African performer, dancer and teacher from the beaches of Ghana’s South Coast; he is a master in playing percussion, singing and carving djembes.
Elevating your heartbeat, the NZ born Rhythms In Action aka R.I.A. brings her unique gifts to lift you off your feet! R.I.A. effortlessly journeys across multiple genres of music, from global bass to deep house, ebbing and flowing in her sets to energetically charge the listener and ensure the dancer’s journey is complete!
DJ Lippo is the final treat! Playing all over the world, he has united booty-shakers for the last 20 years. Lippo’s sold-out sets feature his magic combinations of soul, jazz, Latin, hip hop, disco, deep house, techno, Afro, and everything in between, resulting in experiences that connect your soul to your feet, and your body to the beats!
Saturday at Billinudgel Hotel from 4–11pm. Tickets from cunningstunts.com.au
Mad Zach’s masterclasses
SAE Byron | 6 and 10 February | Free
Globally renowned music producer, performer and educator Mad Zach has teamed up with SAE Creative Media Institute and Plasma Collective to deliver free and exclusive world-class electronic music masterclasses, across the country, during February.
Creatively aligned, Mad Zach and SAE Institute are at the forefront of innovative educational design and delivery – and championing the application of creative sound techniques.
As an artist, Mad Zach has over 20 million YouTube views, 10+ million plays on Spotify, DJ and label support from the likes of Aphex Twin, Tipper, Bassnectar, G Jones, Eprom, Claude Von Stroke and Deadmau5, as well as extensive international tour and festival experience.
Audiences will gain insight into how Zach has turned his passion into a globally successful career. A well-respected leader in the electronic music scene, Zach will be sharing his trade secrets at the two-hour masterclasses, guiding audiences through the process of building an original sound track in Ableton Live, drawing influences from hip hop, glitch, drum and bass, dub and trap, and using the pack to write a fleshed-out track. Participants will be encouraged to engage in the creative process with Zach, as well as to ask questions along the way.
Combining the masterclass events with a national tour, this will be Zach’s third time visiting the Bay. Mad Zach’s masterclasses at SAE Byron, on 6 & 10 Feb. To book tickets go to sae.edu.au/events
Miss Amber and Stukulele present Uke Night, Mullum
Mullum Ex-Services | Thursday 6.30pm | $20
Miss Amber and Stukulele are bringing Uke Night back to Mullum in the Ex-Services Club, every second month, starting this Thursday from 6.30pm. Bring your ukulele and get ready for some major fun, strummin’ and singin’ lead by the uke night band, with guest vocalist Clelia Adams, and local members of the Monday night Mullum Uke Club.
Beginner ukers are catered for in this month’s easy-play songbook. Entry is $20 at the door on the night. Book online and save on entry. For more info, songbook and tickets visit www.ukemullum.com
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