Coalchella is back but with a bit of a difference, this year it will be held at Coledale RSL instead of Wombarra Bowling Club (as pictured in this week’s feature image by Chris Frape) but the same line up vibes are there. Veterans of the event Shining Bird are back to play tunes from their freshly released fourth album, while the amazing Grace Cummings is making the journey up from Melbourne. Antenna, the new project from Royal Headache frontman Shogun will also make an appearance, while rising Nowra trio Sevilles will make their Coalchella debut, there is one more spot for a special secret guest who will be announced closer to the event. Tickets are on sale now here.
There has been an amazing array of local music released lately so I thought I’d once again highlight my Hits From The Gong playlist. For the purpose of this playlist it features artists based in or originating from our local area that stretches from Helensburgh in the north to Gerroa in the south. Just in the last week Sesame Girl released a new single, Misso released a new EP, Rhys Scoular finally delivered some recorded output after years of playing live and rising indie pop outfit The Summer Guppys released a new single produced by Jez Player. Elsewhere on the playlist you can hear recent new tunes from Miners, Jack R Reilly, The Leftards and Plastic Bath. The playlist features twenty current local tunes, clocks in at around an hour and is updated weekly. Get up to date with some of the area’s best new music!
It’s time for some personal recommendations from the Music Farmers racks again as I haven’t done that for a while, I’ve picked a new release, a reissue and a compilation to feature. Starting with a new release and I wanted to highlight the new album from Sydney duo Party Dozen, they have been a live favourite here in Wollongong for many years and they are making some of the most interesting music not just in Australia, but in the world. The new album steps it up to another level and deserves a listen, actually many listens to let it really seep in. Next up is a reissue and while not technically any special edition reissue, it is a nineties classic that is back in print, the amazing Cocteau Twins Heaven Or Las Vegas. Cocteau Twins are a band I took a while to actually get across but listening back to this album recently, really solidifies how timeless it sounds. Finally I’ve really been loving a compilation from the always reliable Numero label called Soft Summer Breezes, a collection of soft rock and psych pop sounds from late sixties artists that never were. The perfect soundtrack for this time of year!