A lot of DJ’s are boring – FACT!  Mike Who’s different mannn.

Our Favourite Australian DJ “Mike Who” has dropped a new mix-tape to chill back with in the nasty winter…

Usually known for his eclectic and uplifting live hip hop crossover sets across Sydney, he chills back in this one a little to accommodate to any mood or setting at home, at the party, at the beach, or really just anywhere.

Take it in, and if you like what you hear, you can catch this dude all around NSW generally, if the musics good chances are he’ll be setting the vibe from the opening set.

Niceness Vol 1 – from Mike Who

Check it out here

Nice

Hey Peoples…

Throwing back to an earlier piece on Australian Slam Poet Champion Omar Musa, the man’s released his first studio album of Australian hip hop with a unique twist.

Always the gentleman, he’s decided to post the album online for free download for all of those looking for some new materials to chill out to this coooooooooooooooold winter! so head on down to www.obmmusic.com to take a listen.

Press release comin at ya:
Omar Musa is a rapper cut from a different cloth. The 26 year old from Queanbeyan, Australia, won the Australian Poetry Slam at the Opera House in 2008 and believes his debut album “World Goes to Pieces” sets a new standard in poetry and genre-bending in Australian hip-hop. Produced entirely in Seattle, USA, with rock veteran Geoff Stanfield (Sun Kil Moon, Black Lab) it is jam packed with chunky beats, thoughtful lyrics and outright weirdness. From the wild, industrial opening track Nomad to the luscious ode to summer and love Pura Vida (The One), the Malaysian-Australian MC brings a poetic flair to “World Goes to Pieces”. He bears down on wide ranging subjects such as Aboriginal poverty on What We See, his hometown on Raise Up, his relationship with his father on Sunshine and one night stands and “black-lit dreams” on the space age Neon Address.

An ambitious representation of a young man caught between activism and partying, love and depression, Musa says “I treated this album as if it was my last, so everything had to count.” Stanfield and Musa called in help from inspirational keys player Dave LeBolt (Paul McCartney, David Bowie), French jazz pianist Pierre Savoye, as well as Bay Area rappers Young Murph and Mighty Joe. The artwork, an original painting by Vancouver’s Ben Tour, is a testament to this perfectionist approach.

“I know Geoff was influenced by Massive Attack, Bjork and Portishead, but you can also hear the West Coast influence on there,” says Musa. “In terms of lyrical approach, I took influences from everyone from Kanye West and Ben Okri to Gil Scott-Heron. We weren’t afraid to push things a bit and I wasn’t afraid to be brutally honest about my life. Considering the cookie cutter music out there at the moment, it seemed the natural thing to do.”

enjoy

…bs

This Sunday in Melbourne marks the official launch of the Rise Refugee organisation in Fed Square.

In their own words:

“RISE (Refugees, Survivors & Ex-Detainees) will be holding their first multicultural arts and dance festival in Melbourne. The festival has an amazing line up of singers, musicians, comedians, break dancing, DJs, Fashions and so much more! Acts will include rap, funk reggae, hip hop amongst other musical styles

The event will be hosted by Aamer Rahman and Nazeem Hussain, the creators of the critically acclaimed standup comedy show FEAR OF A BROWN PLANET which was awarded the Melbourne International Comedy Festival – Best Newcomer Award.

From African Gospel to Brazilian Capoeria, this showcase of young talent is an expression of the vast experience and cultural assets within the ethnic community.

RISE aspires to address issues of social isolation, identity and inequity by creating a safe place for young people and practicing social inclusion, trust, generosity and respect.

Come along and join us in our celebration of cultural diversity and to officially launch our organisation.”

Performing at 6pm will be Very Good’s own Pataphysics with full band

Date: Sunday, May 23, 2010

Time: 3:00pm – 6:00pm

Location: Federation Square (BMW Edge)

Limited seats available, arrive early to secure your spot!

Media Contacts:- Sally Saadeldin, Reem Mussa or Nawal Ali (03 9639 8623)

For more information, contact info@riserefugee.org

Make a donation:

RISE is a Tax deductible organization and your support help us to build the community in Victoria. To make a donation to RISE contact admin@riserefugee.org

ABN :- 83 916 539 886

Ph: – (03) 9639 8623

Fax: – (03) 9650 3689

Kicking off next Thursday (22nd April) is the Space Invadas Launch tour, hitting 5 Australian city’s for a series of one off shows. Along for the ride will be special guests Koolism making for a double header of some strong Australian hip hop crossover artists.

We spoke to half of Space Invadas (Katalyst) not so long ago when he was gearing up for these shows with partner Steve Spacek and their live band / vocalists… well it’s finally here so check it out people…

Space Invadas feat. Buff 1 and RuC.L

Enjoy

…bs

Mos Def – History feat Talib Kweli (Pataphysics Remix) by Pataphysics

Check out the first remix Pataphysics has done for a Mos Def, Talib Kweli joint complete with JDilla gymnastic beat flip navigation..

Weaponry: Trumpet, Flugel Horn, Bass, MS2000, MPC, B4 Organ, Guitars (Acoustic & 330 Jap copy)

enjoy

Since we last spoke of our hope to see Brittish Singer, Songwriter, DJ, producer, and Soul man Fink in Australasia he has finally arrived, thanks to Niche Productions, and following some Sydney performances Fink will play 2 shows in Melbourne this week at:

The Corner Hotel in Richmond Thursday 28th Jan

The Hi-Fi with Madeski, Martin & Wood Friday 29th Jan

Fink – This is the Thing

The last post has a good introduction to who Fink is and where he came from for those who haven’t before heard of him. And the music says it all.

If you get the chance… you’ll want to check this guy out.

You can hear more of Fink at:

www.myspace.com/finkmusic

…bs

If you haven’t already heard Dead Prez are here in Australia to play Big Day Out this Australia Day week, and they have announed a side show at The Espy in Melbourne this Monday 25th with Pataphysics on support. With the range of political projects and ventures Stic Man and M1 are involved in it’s sweet to see them still taking the time to reach out to our side of the Globe in the summer circuit.

Dead Prez – Summertime

You might have heard of Big Day Out also? yeah they’re playing there too.

You can check them out at:

www.deadprez.com

…bs

It’s finally time to kick off the Olmecha Supreme VS Pataphysics tour this Thursday December 3rd in Canberra!

So excited were the artists that they went out an bought themselves tickets for the show only to learn that as performers they get in for free! So as not to waste these tickets the bands asked Very Good if there were any people in Australia who might want their double passes to enjoy one of the shows they are playing around Australia?

Olmecha Supreme Live at De La Soul Wellington New Zealand

If you would like to enter the draw to take them up on their offer email your name and city to vg@verygood.com.au with the subject line ‘community’.

TOUR INFORMATION:

ANU Bar Canberra, Dec 3rd w special guests TBA Tickets are at Ticketek

Beach Rd Bondi, Dec 4th w Laneous and the Family Yah and DJ Mike Who

Gaelic Club Sydney, Dec 5th w Budspells and DJ JC – Tickets will be on sale at Moshtix

The National Hotel Geelong, Dec 11th w special guests TBA Tickets at Oztix

First Floor Melbourne, Dec 12th w Kano and Guests – Tickets at Moshtix

Great Northern Hotel Byron, Dec 17th w special guests TBA tickets will be on sale at Oztix

Cooly Hotel Gold Coast, Dec 18th w special guests TBA tickets on sale Oztix

The Hi-Fi Brisbane, Dec 20th w special guests TBA Tickets on sale The Hifi

Ruby’s Belgrave, Dec 16th w special guests TBA  Tickets on sale at Moshtix.

Olmecha Supreme play The Woodford Folk Festival Dec 30th

See you there!

If you’re a regular reader of this site or just had a flick back through some of our old posts, you may have noticed a bit of info on our very good friend (see ‘Artists‘ link above) O.G (A.K.A Oakley Grenell).  A man with many musical/creative talents that always seems to have a few different projects on the go. Recently one of his bands Departure Lounge (a mix of Christchurch musical ‘Allstars’) released  their second album “In Session” and have been doing some touring in New Zealand to celebrate.  So to keep our readers in the loop I thought I’d add this info from a recent press release:

“They are some of Christchurch’s top players, featuring six musicians with a reputation for excellence in search of the good groove.

Departure Lounge will release their second album In Session on November 3, serving up ten crisp musical biscuits of psychedelic groove. “In Session” captures Departure Lounge’s solid reputation for soulful, mood-swinging melodies and a dynamic live performance that is a must-see for fans of progressive music.

It was, after all, a celebrated live performance that initiated the journey of Departure Lounge when Grenell collected some of Christchurch’s best jazz musicians for the 2005 Christchurch International Jazz Festival – a performance that was so electrifying that the recording was released as their first album a year later, Departure Lounge – Live.

The line-up is led by Grenell on guitar, who released his solo album Moving On in 2008 to critical success, and features drummer Nick Gaffaney (Cairo Knife Fight, Golden Horse), bassist Johnny Lawrence (Solaa), Cameron Pearce on trumpet (head of Chch Jazz School), saxophonist Chris Burke, pianist Darren Pickering, and the percussion duo of Sum Suraweera and Kurt  Dyer (Solaa).

Joining the band as guests on the album are vocalists Mara TK (Electric Wire Hustle), soul star in-the-making Mark Vanilau, and new recruit Roslen Langton (LA Mitchell). In Session was mixed by electronica pioneer The Nomad at his Fresh Produce studio in Melbourne, mastered by Grammy winner George Lambert of Massive Masters in the UK, and will be distributed by Border music in NZ. This will be Grenells seventh album released on his independent record label Central Records based in Christchurch.

It all adds up to an album with a damn-good groove from this exceptionally talented group of musicians!

Clip of Oakley playing Live on RDU:

…Yossarian

Since their beginnings in January 2005, Tahuna Breaks have always been a band built upon a simple philosophy- the love of music. With an open mind and an adventurous spirit, unafraid to mix genres and musical stylings- their ‘anything goes’ and sometimes unconventional approach is governed only by two criteria: passion and energy.

In the two years since the release of their last album ‘Reflections’, the laid-back party starters from New Zealand have been busy touring, writing and recording. The 8-piece band are pleased to announce that their new tunes are ready for public ears by way of their new album.

“Black Brown and White” was recorded in December 08 with the infamous Dr Lee Preeble at the Surgery Studio in Wellington and features 13-tracks in true Tahuna Breaks style – a diverse mix of soul, funk, blues, roots & reggae.

The lifeblood of this band is live performance and it is from countless live gigs and tours that they have crafted their own brand of roots reggae, funk, soul and good old fashioned rock and roll!

If you haven’t already seen or heard of these funky cats, give them a listen and look out for them next time they are touring near you!

Links to follow up:

The offical site

Their myspace page

…Yossarian

[Info gathered from press releases]