The Very Good Agency

Homegrown Music Festival

It’s getting to be that time of the year again in New Zealand. When you can leave the house without a jacket, see through your windscreen without scraping ice off it; so you can go to work and dream of being outside in the sparkling midday sun. Oh yes, the southern hemisphere summer is rapidly approaching, with all the joy it brings.

So now we can start looking forward to warmer weather, barbecues and trips to the beach where you can actually swim.  The other great aspect of all this, is you can start to plan what music festivals you want to see. Previous posts on this site have already mentioned upcoming NZ music events like Southern Amp (9th Nov) and A.R.E.A 9 (6th-8th Feb) that are selling out fast. So to help you map out the rest of your summer itinerary, I thought I would tell you about another event on the way.

Tickets are now on sale for The Homegrown Music Festival, that is taking place on the Wellington waterfront on March 14th 2009. Headline acts are yet to be announced for all stages, but I can give you the news about the line up announced so far. There will be five stages featuring around 35 top kiwi bands and DJs, there will also be lots of other great stuff as the organisers plan to transform the waterfront area into a playground. Things to look out for will include Wellington’s best graffiti artists, a Breakdancing competition, an International food market, Sculptures and Art installations, Street performers and loads of other interactive activities.

Going back to the music for a moment, the line up already announced boasts the talents of many kiwi greats, such as: Supergroove, Kora, The Black Seeds, Tiki Taane, Katchafire, Tahuna Breaks, Sunshine Sound System and a whole lot more. Many of these names have been mentioned before, as they are favourites of Very Good, but in case you haven’t heard of Tahuna breaks I’ve got one of their vids here for you to see:

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Tahuna Breaks – Real Life

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So get yourselves together and start a plan, because summer is only here for a quarter of the year (if we’re lucky) so make the most of it and check out what these groups have to offer. But if you’re like me and haven’t even planned your New Years Eve yet, then it’s just another idea for you to ponder. The promo site also advises that if you are interested in getting creative & producing art installations, sculptures and the like for Homegrown, please email info@homegrown.co.nz for more details.

To find out more about stuff mentioned here, go to:

The Official Homegrown Site

“Sitting inside my head,
Laughing at what I said
Come on baby
Let’s have another toast
You might think I’m dense,
Laughing at my expense
Let’s fill the cup
Let’s wash away the ghost”
(Sitting Inside My Head – Supergroove)

Wish you were here …Yossarian

Tags: Festival, gigs, New Zealand Artists, News

Andy Bull – Small Town Girl National Tour

Nice…

That’s what I thought when I checked out the Soundlounge website to see if there was anything worth seeing while i’m working on Australia’s Gold Coast for two weeks. If you’ve spent any time on the Gold Coast of Australia before, you may be well aware that the place is starved of any identifiable culture (with the exception of surf culture), alternative entertainment, and unfortunately decent venues or clubs to enjoy a night out seeing a live artist or band in a comfortable environment. (it is worth noting that you have The Cooly Hotel in Coolangatta, an hour drive to Byron Bay NSW to The Great Northern Hotel, or an hour the other way to a few places in Brisbane).

Nice, because there was an Australian artist that I hadn’t yet heard, who I was immediately feeling, and yet unable to pigeon whole into a style, or compare to an artist gone by.

It turns out the fact that I hadn’t heard of Andy Bull is more indicative of my level of interest in mainstream media then his success as of late. Andy has been receiving plenty of attention from radio and television recently, mostly for his catchy, tidy, and even poppy (for once in a good way) little track that his current tour is named after “Small Town Girl”, and he is even signed to Universal, which just trips me out given their usual artist roster. Check it out:

Andy Bull – Small Town Girl

Andy began his musical life as a young child, playing on the parlour piano and pump organ his keyboard enthusiast father had collected through his travels in the 1970s. At just 24 today the singer, songwriter and piano player has gone from playing club shows to his hometown crowd in Sydney, to signing to ‘Island Records’ Australia, recording at New York’s legendary ‘Electric Lady Studios’ and Sydney’s ‘301 Studios’, as well as touring the country with Little Red and The Holidays. With such a variety of genres involved in the pieces I have heard thus far including folk, soul, jazz, pop, rock, blues, and even touches of hip hop, it’s going to be interesting to see the direction his career takes over the next few years as he further developes his already funky, definitive sound

If your in NSW, unfortunately this time you have already missed that leg of his tour, however for those of you who are not, the following dates are set to play over the next 2 weeks, which I will be fortunate enough to enjoy on the sunny Gold Coast Thursday at ‘Soundlounge’ (thanks guys), before returning to culture rich, beachless and rainforestless Melbourne (there’s always a trade off).

Thu Oct 23rd          Soundlounge, Gold Coast

Fri Oct 24th            Solbar, Sunshine Coast

Sat Oct 25th           The Troubador, Brisbane

Wed Oct 29th         Toff in town, Melbourne

Thu Oct 30th          Karova Lounge, Ballarat

Fri Oct 31st            Jive Bar, Adelaide

You can check out more of Andy Bull at:

www.andybull.com.au

www.myspace.com/andybull

…bs

Tags: Australian Artists, Blues, gigs, Jazz, Soul

The Pharcyde to rock Good Vibrations in 2009

Earlier this year, hip hop history was made when pioneering West Coast crew, The Pharcyde, were to reunite for the Rock The Bells hip hop tour across the States; fans were to be treated to live performances from the four original members, who hadn’t performed together for 10 years. Now, as far as I was concerned, this was a pretty big deal. I mean, for me there are certain artists and groups that you dream of seeing in your lifetime, A Tribe Called Quest or the original Wu-Tang lineup would be a couple just off the top of my head, and The Pharcyde are another. Imagine my delight then, when the Good Vibrations promoters announced this past weekend that The Pharcyde would be joining the festival’s tour across Australia next February!

Yes, that’s right, next year you will be able to catch Fatlip, Imani, Bootie Brown and Tre (SlimKid3) Hardson on stage together, belting out hip hop classics such as “Runnin”, “Drop” and “Passin Me By”. Provided you are in Australia, that is. And if you’re not, GET HERE! Best known for their album “Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde”, the group are immortalised as hip hop legends and clearly had a major effect on a new generation of artists who were uncomfortable with the gangsta rap angle that was popular at the time. Once described by Rolling Stone as a “pack of class clowns set loose in the studio”, their wacky story-telling rhymes and comedic lyrics brought an alternative hip hop flavour to the table, and has obviously influenced the likes of Jurassic 5, De La Soul and Del The Funky Homosapien.

Check out the dope video for “Drop” above

Joining The Pharcyde on the Good Vibrations tour is another legendary hip hop crew in The Roots. No strangers to Australia, the world’s best hip hop band always impress with their tight live shows and huge back-catalogue of classic tracks. Expect to hear some new material as well, with their latest album, “Rising Down”, having been released earlier this year. Also touring is up-and-comer Wale, who you may have in fact heard on “Rising Down”, or his Seinfeld-inspired mixtape, “The Mixtape About Nothing”; definitely an artist to watch. Many more acts are sure to be announced, and with Good Vibrations consistently having the highest quality headlining acts (last year; Kanye, Cypress Hill and Pharoahe Monch, the previous year; Snoop Dogg, The Beastie Boys and Jurassic 5) you’d be wise to get your tickets and travel plans sorted now.

Good Vibrations Festival 2009 tour dates:
Sat Feb 14 – Sydney, Centennial Park
Sun Feb 15 – Melbourne, The Nursery – Flemington Racecourse
Sat Feb 21 – Gold Coast, Parklands Showgrounds
Sun Feb 22 – Perth, Heirisson Island

To check out more info look at these sites:

The Pharcyde Fansite

The Pharcyde at MySpace

Fat Lip & Slim kid 3

…cracked

Tags: Festival, gigs, hip hop

Yaheard? Blackalicious – Blazing Arrow

If you’ve managed to get to one of the Parklife events currently being held across Australia, then you’d have been lucky enough to witness one of the most legendary underground hip hop crews going round. I’m talking about Blackalicious, Bay Area residents, alongside the likes of Jurassic 5, Lyrics Born and Dilated Peoples, and purveyors of some of the finest hip hop I’ve had the pleasure of listening to. If you’re like me and loathe the way hip hop has slowly imploded on itself over recent years, then you can take heart from the fact that albums like ‘Blazing Arrow’ exist. Timeless, and near flawless are two things that first come to mind. People Under The Stairs got it right with their ‘musical dope’ sample; ‘Blazing Arrow’ is my musical dope, and I get just as high hearing it now as I did when I bought it back in 2002.

The second full-length album from Gift of Gab and Chief Excel, ‘Blazing Arrow’ is an amazing collection of songs that push boundaries, provoke thought, and more often than not, get your head nodding. Blackalicious are part of the ever-diminishing pack of artists that are staying true to their roots, something that is apparent on every track of the album. Featuring a diverse array of guests such as Ben Harper, Chali 2na, Zach De La Rocha, and Gil Scott-Heron, as well as production assistance from Cut Chemist, ?uestlove and DJ Shadow, it is much more a musical journey than an album.

The first five tracks of the album alone will blow you away; you will be listening wondering how it could possibly get any better, only to be struck down by the following track. And the one after that. If I had to write this review in one sentence it would be simply: Good tracks – all of them, bad tracks – none enough said. From the funky organ-laced intro, into the bouncy-bass line of the title track, with its flute and horn-laden chorus and awesome Harry Nilsson sample from “Me and My Arrow”, to the intense chanting hook on “Sky is Falling”; you don’t know what to expect next! What you get is the smooth groove of “First in Flight”, where Gil Scott Heron steps in and blends beautifully with Gift of Gab, his soulful crooning proving he only gets better with age. Chali 2na and Lateef lend a hand on “4000 Miles”, a happy head-nodder that takes the listener on “a journey through music”; Chali 2na bringing his usual imposing bass-packed game (probably the best track he’s featured on, next to Roots Manuva’s “Join the Dots”), and Lateef kills it with his wandering party rhymes.

One of the major standouts is the furious “Chemical Calistenics”, where Cut Chemist steps in and throws everything at Gab, only to have it thrown back twice as hard. The two battle it out with beats and rhymes, with Gab spitting some incredibly complex lines incorporating the periodic table, really demonstrating his talent on the mic with the ability to change it up mid song and match his flow to the beat perfectly. “Make You Feel That Way” is another really strong track, a dreamy feel-good track with a haunting trumpet sample segregate Gab’s nostalgic verses that touch on all things that “make you feel that way:

“How you felt when you first heard the Daddy Kane,
Rakim, KRS, hey I had that tape,
Cooling out with ol’ girl on a phat ass date,
Find a hundred dollar bill, wow man that’s great,
Get promoted at your job up to management,
Plot a long time finally your plan has made it,
Time I feel I wanna shout, man its real that way,
When I think of things that make you feel that way”
“Nowhere Fast” is solid with ?uestlove’s cracking drumbeat, Chief Xcel’s cutting and Gift of Gab’s devastating rhymes tearing up the track, and the Ben Harper feature “Brain Washers” is not-so-surprisingly good also. Really though, I could sit here and tell you about each individual track; “Paragraph President” and “Aural Pleasure”, featuring the funky and soulful Jaguar Wright on the hook, are must listen tracks for sure also.

Gift of Gab is a bit of a ballsy name to call yourself really, when you think about it. But if anything, this is an understatement in this case; Gab is so fresh, creative, deep and profound in his rhymes, he is easily one of the most skilled and technically refined rappers you’ll ever hear. On a technical level, his flow is smooth as silk, his wordplay is intricate without going over your head, and his command and delivery are excellent, he effortlessly changes up his rap style depending on the song’s concept. And his combination with Chief Xcel is something special, the diverse production styles across the album really do take you on a journey, with little segues between many of the tracks that keep the album flowing brilliantly, such as the trademark DJ Shadow breakdown after the De La Soul inspired “Paragraph President”. He creates a cohesive sound that’s organic as well as progressive, lush and atmospheric, and the assistance he receives from outside producers can only be described as touches of genius. Yes, it’s safe to say the production is almost as brilliant as the rapping.

I’m happy to call this one of the most inspiring hip hop albums I’ve ever heard, it was released at a time when I was searching for exactly what it offers, and it has subsequently shaped my hip hop tastes since; another fine example of hip hop being made for the right reasons. I would recommend ‘Blazing Arrow’ to people that aren’t usually hip-hop fans, to those that still think hip hop is all about bling, bitches, and gangsterism; this album will go some way to clearing that misconception for sure. Full of soulful grooves, liquid beats and thoughtful lyrics, ‘Blazing Arrow’s’ well-delivered fusion of melodic funk, jazz and hip hop creates one of the richest, most captivating albums ever released.

If you are lucky enough to be in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch, then you can still catch Blacklicious in October touring with Gift of Gab’s new side project, The Mighty Underdogs. Always one to rock the party, Gift of Gab is sure to put on a performance that is not to be missed, so get your tickets now! Check out the dates below
9th Oct – Auckland at Fu
10th Oct – Wellington at San Fran Bath House
11th Oct – Christchurch at the Civic

You can hear more of Blackalicious at

www.myspace.com/blackalicious

…cracked

Tags: gigs, hip hop, Old School

Nas hits Australia… oh, and some dude called Kanye

Yo…

Kanye West has announced he is returning to Australian shores courtesy of Michael Coppel Presents. Bringing his Glow In The Dark Tour in December, he brings also for the first time in Australia, NAS. Two of the most recognised voices in hip-hop today, they will be at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on December 5, Sydney’s Acer Arena on December 6, and Brisbane’s Entertainment Centre on December 7 (tickets on sale October 13 through Ticketek).

Kanye always seems to get mixed reviews depending on the day of the week, his most recent publicity, and what angle his cap is placed backwards, so here is a blog from some guy called Sean, that happened to catch the concert in America and seemed to think it was ok;

With 9 albums released over the last 14 years, it’s surprising that Nas (formerly known as Nasty Nas) has never toured Australia or New Zealand. With the recent release of his latest album, originally and controversially named ‘Nigger’, controversy was widespread even reaching discussion in American congress before hey withdrew the title. Political statement, or marketing gimic? who knows considering his public feud with Jay Z culminated in joint concerts, and Nas signing to Jay Z‘s label ‘Def Jam’, either way everybody talked about it (including me). Nas will perform a mixture of new songs and classics fans have been awaiting for all this time, surely warming the crowd up for Kanye to finish off.

Love him or hate him, with the work he’s put in over his lifetime, there is no doubt that Kanye‘s concert will be inspiring for anyone who’s fallen for Hip Hop… for every bit of cheese he may have put out, he comes back with tracks like ‘Heard ‘Em Say’, which only solidify his place in musical history as one of our generations classic writers, composer, and rappers, check it out;

You can check out more from Kanye:

practically anywhere people, come on

…bs

Tags: gigs, hip hop