Phantom Atlantic Say Farewell To 2018 In Festive Style

Friday 7th December 2018
A Minor Presents Phantom Atlantic 'Beneath Your Moment' Single Release at Radio, Toronto

Phantom Atlantic
www.phantomatlantic.com
Alternative/Rock
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Sha

It was the night of the media launch for this year's Indie Week in mid October at venue Hideout when I first discovered alternative/rock Toronto band Phantom Atlantic. A short 15 minute set showcased a selection of some of the band's hard hitting rhythmic songs which helped highlight them, as a band to remember from the night and to catch at one of their last shows of 2018. My contribution to the festival as a volunteer in the role of Stage Assistant meant being able to meet the four talented and friendly guys before they hit the stage and made their impression.

Fast forward to the band's last show of the year at the newly renamed Radio, formerly Adelaide Hall, where the band are presenting the release of new single 'Beneath Your Moment' to a lively crowd on a bitterly cold Friday night. The stage lights go off in front of a buzzing crowd that fill the majority of the room and the best opening music you could possibly choose to fit the season and add hype to the anticipation plays, the dramatic choir of 'Carol of The Bells' rings out across the venue. First song of the night reminisces the riff of One By One from one of their biggest musical influences Foo Fighters, on a song that pumps and chugs to a strong rhythm all the way through. Songs that follow have elements of other stadium rock bands Kings of Leon with epic sounding guitars and Coldplay when things become more melodic with Ryan supplying keys. Moments of guitar shredding heighten energy during the set and on-stage banter throughout shows chemistry that only a band of friends can have. A variety of different set ups and lighting during the show also manages to keep the audience entertained by every change, as Phantom Atlantic display awareness for the importance of the visual when showcasing their music on stage.  

Halfway through the set is when Phantom Atlantic drop new single, 'Beneath Your Moment'. There is the musical amalgamation of a pulse set by Ken on drums and Jeff on bass, complimented by Kyle's calling vocals surrounding the venue along with crashing symbols and striking guitars. This song is one of the slower tempo songs in their set and has a relaxed mood. Song tempo is another thing the band enjoy altering during the set, while the majority of songs do tend to be in the vein of garage rock stompers with thundering type drums and intricate guitar play. The penultimate song of the night is previous single 'Lessons' which is obviously their crowning moment. Kyle's vocals soar to a sound that can often be found in some of the most popular modern rock bands. 'Lessons' is a stadium rock anthem and as it comes to a climatic finish the crowd have been conquered. Loud cheers from their strong following beg the band to return one last time. The band answer with another festive surprise as they return to the stage and we're treated to a couldn't-be-more-lively performance of Mariah Carey's hit 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'. Madness ensues with support band Man Crush loving their moment on backing vocals in the middle of the stage. The audience are fully involved, dancing and enjoying this singalong moment to arguably the most popular Christmas song ever made. The festive hit tops the night perfectly. 

Despite only having formed in 2017, Phantom Atlantic have a tight, well crafted sound that make them an unmissable band to see live. Be sure to catch a Phantom Atlantic show in the new year when the band return to prove their place within a busy Toronto music scene. In the meantime, enjoy new single Beneath Your Moment here.

Aussie Busker To International Music Star Part 1

It's been a long time coming, about a year and 4 months long, but I think it's about time I put fingers to keys and write this post. It was in November 2015 that I begrudgingly returned home to England after two adventure filled years in Australia. Going to Australia was probably the best thing I've ever done, and I would recommend anyone under the age of 30 to go grab the Working Holiday visa and fly out there asap. Settling back hasn't been easy, mostly on the work front, but I always love reminiscing over the many brilliant memories I made there and do hope to return at some point in the future.

You may struggle to think of some big current international music stars from Down Under past the likes of Kylie Minogue, AC/DC, Flume and chart hit maker Sia, but there is actually 'heaps' of musical talent to be found on the streets, in the live music venues and on stage at the music festivals. Getting to know who was who on the Australian music scene was something I enjoyed on a daily basis and I am very pleased to have formed an interest in a whole host of Australian artists. I even got to meet some as an Artist Liaison at Groovin The Moo in 2015 which was an amazing experience. 

When it comes to musicians on the street, many you have probably passed without much care and quickly placed them into the 'just another singer/songwriter with a guitar' category. But every now and then a certain unique sound will instantly catch your attention. The performance they give enthrals you and you are enticed to hear all they have to offer. 

This post is part one of three, showcasing such artists I was lucky to see busking on the streets in Australia and where their careers have taken them since. 


Tash Sultana
www.tashsultana.com

  This corner of Bourke Street will always belong to Tash Sultana in my eyes.

It's crazy to think how far a musician can go in just a couple of years. 

As they say though, true talent will always rise to the top. I think it's important to add that it's the true talent that works the hardest that will rise to the top, and I think it's fair to say that the countless hours Tash Sultana spends crafting her skill has lead to the mass of sold out international shows she's able to achieve today. 

It was at just three years old when Tash was given her first guitar from her grandfather but instead of joining the music classes in school she chose to do things her own way and went on to self teach herself several different instruments. Now at the age of 21 she is adept in over ten of them with an exciting live set that can feature anything from intense guitar solos, harmonica, trumpet, panpipes, beatboxing and hynotic looped beats throughout. Word really started spreading about Tash in the spring last year after she uploaded to YouTube and Facebook a series of home videos of her performing her own material. One such video of her performing 'Jungle' was shared by a page called 'Young Black n Deadly' and quickly went viral racking up 7.2 million views. 

I first came across Tash performing on Bourke Street, located in the heart of Melbourne city, in 2015 and would regularly see an impressive crowd of people listening intently to her unique sound. To me she really is a unique artist. I mean I've seen elements of what she can do before but I've never seen someone put it all together and pull it off with such effortless style. 

She describes her sound as 'alternative roots reggae folk' and it's understandable how her greatest musical inspiration is the experimental Erykah Badu. Her guitar play is breathtakingly good, she has a knack for extraordinary rhythmic percussion and the soothing wails in her vocals raise you up to an other-worldly place of serenity. Like all the best musicians they have a story to tell and you can tell she is someone that has lived through a lot things both good and bad. Everything about her music screams an expression of cathartic release. As I'm sure any fan will agree, you can feel all the emotion she conveys through her music and it hits you full force, as you are flooded with intrically crafted sounds of all proportions. Tash is also someone who strongly stands up for what she believes in and I find that inspiring. The music industry is incredibly hard and after 7 years I'm still trying to crack it but with honest words like this you can completely relate. Never stop believing in your dreams and keep working hard. 

2016 was definitely a year that Tash will never forget. Her first EP 'Notion' topped the iTunes chart in Australia, went to #8 on the ARIA album chart and won her a Triple J award for 'Unearthed Artist of the Year'. That then bring us up to date in 2017 when the Tash Sultana viral buzz shows no sign of stopping. She found herself performing on the Laneway Festival lineup across her home country at the start of the year, 'Jungle' placed at number 3 on Triple J's fan voted 'Hot 100 for 2016', and live shows continue to sell out all over the world. 

Catch her as soon as you can, this girl is really going places, fast! I for one will be front row for her show at The Opera House in Toronto in September. See you there.

       
 
I mean, this was the same stage I saw Vance Joy, followed by Chvrches, followed by Haim, followed by Lorde in 2014. 
It's a big deal!

My Live Catelogue

Glastonbury 2010, a year with rare perfect weather!

Last.FM took away the old About Me section of your profile that used to run down in a column on the right hand side, at a time I'm not quite sure, and with that came the removal of my list of the artists I have seen live and the festivals I have attended. Now to provide a place online for myself to recap on my live music memories when I want to and for others to see for whatever reason, I am posting this here. I feel it gives employers in the events and music industry the impression that I'm not just a list-making maniac, but someone who cares about the many experiences I have had with live music. I believe it shows that I have a good understanding of what a live show and festival entails, from a history of experience witnessing the live entertainment from a wide variety of artists, genres and venues. Elements of these experiences are taken into account when I attend an event in the future be it for business or pleasure.

Seen Live:

The 1975
30 Seconds To Mars
Above & Beyond (Dreams Festival 2017)
Adele (The Brit Awards 2016)
Air Traffic (V.08)
Akon (Orange Rockcorps 2009)
Alan Walker (Veld 2018)
Alesso x2 (Stereosonic 2013/14)
Alicia Keys
American Authors (Optus Rockcorps 2014)
Amy McDonald (IOW.08)
Amy Winehouse (V.08)
Andy C (Stereosonic 2013, Dreams Festival 2017)
Arctic Monkeys (V.11)
Athlete
The Automatic
Azealia Banks x2 (Hackney 2012, NXNE 2018)
Ben Howard (Hackney 2012)
Beyoncé
Biffy Clyro x4 (Rockness 2012, Soundwave 2014)
Billy Bragg
Bleachers (NXNE 2017)
Bloc Party x3
Blonde (Southbeats 2016)
The Bloody Beetroots (Stereosonic 2013)
B.o.B (Hackney 2012)
Bob Dylan
Bombay Bicycle Club (Glastonbury 2010)
Boy George (Orange Rockcorps 2010)
Boys Noize (Stereosonic 2013)
Burns x2 (iTunes 2012, Stereosonic 2013)
Bruno Mars (V.11)
Calvin Harris x6 (V.08, V.09, Wireless 2012, iTunes 2012, Stereosonic 2013/14)
Chase & Status x4 (Optus Rockcorps 2009, Warriors 2010, V.10, Future 2014)
Chemical Brothers (V.08)
Cher Lloyd (V.12)
Chicago
Chiddy Bang
Chipmunk
Chris Stapleton
Chvrches x2 (Laneway 2014, NXNE 2018)
Cold War Kids (NXNE 2019)
Conor Maynard (V.12)
The Coral
Crystal Fighters x2 (V.10)
Cymbals Eat Guitars (Glastonbury 2010)
Daniel Caeser
Daniel Merriweather x2 (V.09)
David Guetta x2 (Orange Rockcorps 2009, iTunes 2012)
Dead Kids
Deadmau5 (Rockness 2012)
The Delays (V.08)
Delphic (Glastonbury 2010)
Disclosure x2 (Groovin The Moo 2014)
Dizzee Rascal x5 (V.09, Glastonbury 2010, Hackney 2012, Groovin The Moo 2014)
DJ Fresh x2 (Rockness 2012)
Does It Offend You, Yeah? (Warriors 2010)
The Doobie Brothers
Doves
The Drums (Glastonbury 2010)
Dua Lipa
Duffy
Duke Dumont (Stereosonic 2014)
The Duke Spirit (IOW.08)
DVBBS (Veld 2018)
The Dykeenies
The Editors (V.07)
Ed Sheeran x2 (Rockness 2012)
Eels (V.10)
Eliza Doolittle x3 (V.10, V.11)
Ellie Goulding x2 (V.10, V.11)
Eminem (V.11)
Empire Of The Sun (Stereosonic 2013)
Enter Shikari x2 (Warriors 2010, Hackney 2012)
Faithless x3 (Glastonbury 2010, V.10)
Fitz & The Tantrums
Flight Facilities (Stereosonic 2013)
Florence + The Machine x2 (Glastonbury 2010, Hackney 2012)
Foals x2 (Glastonbury 2010)
Foo Fighters x2 (V.07)
The Futureheads x2 (V.08)
The Gaslight Anthem
Giggs (Glastonbury 2010)
Girls Aloud (V.08)
Glasvegas
Golden Silvers
Good Charlotte (V.11)
Gorillaz (Glastonbury 2010)
Green Day (Soundwave 2014)
Guillemots (Rockness 2012)
Haim (Laneway 2014)
Heaven 17
High Contrast (V.10)
The Hold Steady (V.08)
Honne (WayHome 2017)
The Hoosiers x2 (IOW.08)
The Hours
Ian Brown (V.08)
Imagine Dragons (WayHome 2017)
Imogen Heap (Glastonbury 2010)
Ironik
J. Cole (Wireless 2012)
Jack Johnson (Glastonbury 2010)
Jaguar Skills (Southbeats 2016)
Jake Bugg
Jakwob x2 (Rockness 2012)
James (IOW.08)
James Bay (The Brit Awards 2016)
Jamie T (V.10)
Jaz Cartier (NXNE 2018)
Jessie J x3 (V.11, Hackney 2012, Wireless 2012)
Jess Glynne (The Brit Awards 2016)
Johnny Borrel
Joshua Radin (Glastonbury 2010)
Joss Stone x2
Justice (Rockness 2012)
Justin Bieber (The Brit Awards 2016)
Justin Timberlake
Kaiser Chiefs (IOW.08)
Kano (Southbeats 2016)
Kanye West (V.07)
Kate Nash x3 (IOW.08, Glastonbury 2010)
Katy Perry (V.09)
Kaytranada (NXNE 2017)
Kele (Glastonbury 2010)
Kelis (Glastonbury 2010)
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Rowland (Orange Rockcorps 2009)
The Killers x3 (V.09, V.12, Bluesfest 2019)
The King Blues
Kings Of Leon x3 (V.08,V.10)
The Kite String Tangle (Groovin The Moo 2014)
The Klaxons
Knife Party x2 (Rockness 2012, Future 2014)
Korn
Kreayshawn (Wireless 2012)
Krewella (Stereosonic 2013)
KT Tunstall (IOW.08)
Labrinth (Wireless 2012)
Lady Gaga (V.09)
Lana Del Rey (Hackney 2012)
Laura Marling (Glastonbury 2010)
Lauryn Hill
Le1f (NXNE 2019)
Leikeli47 (NXNE 2019)
The Lightning Seeds (Glastonbury 2010)
LIGHTS (NXNE 2018)
Lily Allen (V.09)
Linkin Park
Little Boots
Lizzo
Local Natives
Lorde (Laneway 2014)
Lostprophets (V.08, V.11)
Loud Luxury (Veld 2018)
Lucy Rose x2 (Rockness 2012)
Mabel
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (Future 2014)
Madeon (Rockness 2012)
Maggie Rogers
Magnetic Man (Hackney 2012)
Major Lazor (Veld 2017)
Manic Street Preachers
Marina & The Diamonds
Mark Ronson & The Business Intl x2 (Orange Rockcorps 2010)
Marshmello
Martin Garrix x2 (Future 2014)
Master Shortie
Mattafix
Maximo Park (V.08)
Metronomy (Rockness 2012)
Migos (Veld 2018)
Miike Snow (Glastonbury 2010)
Mindless Behaviour (Hackney 2012)
Mike Williams (Veld 2018)
MK (Stereosonic 2014)
Monsta (Wireless 2012)
Morning Parade
Mumford & Sons x2 (Rockness 2012)
Mummers (V.11)
Mura Masa (WayHome 2017)
Muse x2 (Glastonbury 2010)
Mz Bratt
The Naked and The Famous (Groovin The Moo 2014)
Nas x2 (Orange Rockcorps 2009)
N-Dubz (Orange Rockcorps 2010)
Nelly (Orange Rockcorps 2009)
Nero (Stereosonic 2013)
Newton Faulkner x3 (IOW.08, V.08)
New Young Pony Club
Nickelback
Noah And The Whale (V.08)
Noisettes (V.11)
Norah Jones (Glastonbury 2010)
Novo Amor
Oasis
Olly Murs (V.11, V.12)
One Night Only (IOW.08)
One Republic
Owl Eyes (Falls Festival 2013)
Paloma Faith (Glastonbury 2010)
Paul Weller (V.10)
Peking Duck x2 (Groovin The Moo 2014, Stereosonic 2014)
Pendulum x3 (V.09, Warriors 2010, Orange Rockcorps 10)
Pharrell Williams (Future 2014)
Phil Collins
The Pierces
Pigeon Detectives (Rockness 2012)
Placebo (Soundwave 2014)
Poalo Nutini (V.07)
Porter Robinson (Stereosonic 2014)
Post Malone
Pink x2 (V.07, iTunes 2012)
Pitbull (Wireless 2012)
Plan B x4 (V.10, Orange Rockcorps 2010, V.11, Hackney 2012)
The Proclaimers (V.07)
The Prodigy x4 (V.08,10)
Rolf Harris (Glastonbury 2010)
Ray Davies (Glastonbury 2010)
Razorlight (Orange Rockcorps 2009)
Red Kites (Rockness 2012)
Richie Sambora (Soundwave 2014)
Rihanna x4 (V.11, Hackney 2012, Wireless 2012, The Brit Awards 2016)
Rita Ora (V.12)
Robyn x2 (V.08)
Roll Deep
Route 94 (Stereosonic 2014)
Royal Blood (WayHome 2017)
Rudimental (Future 2014)
Sam Beeton (V.08)
Santigold x2 (Hackney 2012, NXNE 2019)
The Saturdays (V.09)
Savages (Laneway 2014)
Scouting For Girls x2 (IOW.08)
Sebastian Ingrosso (Stereosonic 2013)
Serj Tankian
The Sex Pistols (IOW.08)
Shakira (Glastonbury 2010)
Shed Seven (V.08)
Sheryl Crow
Shockone (Stereosonic 2013)
Showtek (Stereosonic 2014)
Sister Sledge
Slash (Glastonbury 2010)
Sneaky Sound System
Snotty Nose Rez Kids (NXNE 2019)
Snow Patrol x2 (V.07, V.12)
Scouting For Girls (IOW.08)
Seasick Steve (Glastonbury 2010)
Skrillex (Stereosonic 2014)
Solange (WayHome 2017)
Soul II Soul
Stereophonics (V.08)
Steve Aoki (Stereosonic 2014)
Stevie Wonder (Glastonbury 2010)
Stone Sour
Stooshe (Wireless 2012)
The Stranglers (IOW.08)
Sub Focus
The Sugababes x2 (IOW.08, V.08)
Swiss Lips
Taio Cruz (Orange Rockcorps 2010)
Tash Sultana x2
Taylor Swift
Tchami (Veld 2017)
Tegan and Sara (Glastonbury 2010)
The Temper Trap (Glastonbury 2010)
Thundamentals x2 (Falls Festival 2013, Groovin The Moo 2014)
Timmy Trumpet (Stereosonic 2014)
Tinashe (NXNE 2018)
Tinchy Stryder x2 (Glastonbury 2010)
The Ting Tings (V.09)
Tiësto x2 (Stereosonic 2014, Veld 2017)
Tinie Tempah x8 (Glastonbury 2010, V.10-V.12, Hackney 2012, Future 2014, BSTK 2016, NXNE 2017)
Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (Rockness 2012)
Tory Lanez (Veld 2017)
Tyrannosaurus Alan (Rebellion 2013)
U2 x2
Vampire Weekend (Glastonbury 2010)
Vance Joy (Laneway 2014, WayHome 2017)
Walk The Moon (iTunnes 2012)
Wave Racer (Groovin The Moo 2014)
We Are Scientists x2 (Glastonbury 2010)
The Weeknd (The Brit Awards 2016)
Wheatus
White Denim (Falls Festival 2013)
Wire (Offset 08)
The Wombats (IOW.08)
Wretch 32 x2 (Rockness, Hackney 2012)
Wilkinson x2 (Stereosonic 2014, Southbeats 2016)
The xx (Glastonbury 2010)
Yes Giantess
The Young Knives
Yr Ods (Glastonbury 2010)
The Zutons (IOW.08)

Festivals:

V Festival 2007-2012
Isle of Wight Festival 2008
Offset 2008
Orange Rockcorps 2009-2010
Glastonbury 2010
Warriors Dance Festival 2010
Harvest At Jimmy's 2010
Freeze Festival 2010
Rockness 2012
Wireless 2012
iTunes Festival 2012
Rebellion 2013
Stereosonic 2013-2014
Falls Festival 2013
Laneway Festival 2014
St Kilda Festival 2014
Soundwave 2014
Future Music Festival 2014-2015
Optus Rockcorps 2014
Groovin The Moo 2014-2015
BSTK 2016
Southbeats 2016
Canadian Music Week 2017
Dreams Festival 2017
WayHome 2017
NXNE 2017-2019
Electric Island 2018
Veld 2017-2018
Ottawa Bluesfest 2019

Other:
The Voice UK 2012
Later...with Jools Holland x2
The Brit Awards 2016

Live Wishlist:

Adele
Alex Clare
Avicii (RIP ;( )
Basement Jaxx
Enter Shikari
Friendly Fires
Haim
Jack Penaté
Jessie Ware
Kanye West
Katy B
Lil Wayne
Limp Bizkit
Nickelback
Timbaland

Take A LIEP Into The Future

Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/liepofficial

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/liepofficial

Take a LIEP into the future! This new young prodigy of the dance music scene is breaking out of the little Danish island of Bornholm, with the powerful combination of both eager ambition and inspiring talent. Countless hours in the young 19 year old's home studio have lead to a collection of exhilarating tracks and a live show encompassing the sounds of House, Future House, Deep House and the freshest genre of Bounce. LIEP is grasping every opportunity with two enthusiastic hands set to rapid fire on the turntables.

With a profile coming straight out of the Martin Garrix book, a fellow European of the same age who has shot to stardom, going from number one smash 'Animals' in 2013 to claiming the current DJ Top 100 in just a mere 2 years, LIEP is burning to make such an impact in his own merit. Future House king Don Diablo is an obvious idol of LIEP's along with a plethora of influences ranging from Pep & Rash, Oliver Heldens, JAUZ, Curbi, Lucas & Steve, and Tritonal.

At the turn of his 19th birthday, the Danishman made the bold decision to travel across the world, starting in the multicultural hub of Melbourne, Australia. A chance find of underground Melbourne nightclub Hidden Forest, taking regular host of the best Melbourne Bounce DJ's, lead to a meeting with up and coming artist Lefty. Quickly followed was his first booking in Australia at the well respected Blue Diamond, all within his first week of travels. This positive experience on the other side of the world will only enhance his constant hunt for the best, new and exciting sounds. And there's nothing LIEP loves incorporating more into his music than hard hitting rhytmic percussion and a multitude of boosting bass layers, found shining through in his remixes of famous DJ's and his original work. You can guarantee that the production of even bigger and better tunes to keep you shuffling on the dancefloor are already in the pipeline. It's on the dancefloor that LIEP understands is the best way to preview his new music and it's live on stage where he is capable of showcasing buckets full of energy and charisma, making a live House extravaganza not to missed.

Look out for LIEP over the next 8 months as he makes his journey of DJ enlightenment across the globe. Australia, Fiji, Asia and USA have no idea what they're in for.

Adventures Of The Australian Festival Scene

As UK festivals start promoting the hell out of their annual wild, summer weekends over social media with witty meme graphics and the constant bombardment of ‘Tickets almost sold out! Get yours now (or we’ll tell you to again in an hour anyway)’, the Australian festival season is sadly coming to a close. Alas, the reverse of seasons to this side of the world means Autumn has arrived outside my Melbourne city-view window with grey, rainy days, as the number of festivals plastering their brightly coloured posters around the city dwindles.

Since I arrived in this beautiful country back in November with wide-eyed ambitions of music work experience I have been lucky to attend a surprisingly impressive total of six music festivals (Stereosonic, Falls Festival, Laneway, St Kilda Festival, Soundwave, Groovin The Moo) for work and one for pleasure, Future Music Festival. Big Day Out narrowly misses out on that first list by an hour as I get screwed over by a food van company I was working for, ‘Running On Empty’ if you’re asking, but that’s another story. And by the way, this wasn’t any glamorous backstage work giving Placebo their ‘raspberries, flowers and incense sticks’ (genuine rider request list I found backstage), but cleaning, wrist banding and volunteering, that kind of stuff. And so to the point of this article, to provide an insight to the Australian festivals that IKE’s audience may one day wish to attend or have already been able to enjoy themselves.   

To read the rest of this article and my reviews of Laneway Festival and Soundwave, head to: www.ikeproductions.co.uk/adventures-australian-festival-scene/

My Festival Merch And What It All Means

(From left to right, top then bottom)

1. Stereosonic, Melbourne Showgrounds (Melbourne), 8/9th December 2013
For my first festival in Australia I was on the Showcleaners cleaning team. I bought my first vest 'singlet' that would later start my trend of buying a vest at every festival I attended. At this electronic dance music festival I got to see David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Nero and many others.

2. Laneway Festival, Footscray Community Arts Centre (Melbourne), 1st February 2014
At this Indie/Rock/Alternative festival I was a volunteer on the wristbanding team. I got to see Vance Joy, Chvrches, Haim and Lorde on the same stage. My second favourite of all the festivals I've experienced so far because of its laid back and feel-good atmosphere.


3. St Kilda Festival, St Kilda (Melbourne), 1-9th February
I was a volunteer for Live n Local week as part of St Kilda Festival which was taking part as gigs in various venues in St Kilda. I was delivering sandwich boards with gig posters, giving out promotional guitar picks and surveying the audience at the gigs. Sunday Chairs were one of the best bands I saw, they played at Prince Bandroom.


4. Soundwave, Flemington Racecourse (Melbourne), 28th February 2014
I was on the Showcleaners team again for this Rock/Metal/Alternative festival. I got to see Biffy Clyro, Placebo and Green Day headline with a 3 hour set. There was a bright blue sky and hot sun all day.

5. Future Music Festival, Randwick Racecourse (Sydney), 8th March 2014
Future Music Festival was my favourite of all the music festivals I've attended so far in Australia, so much so I spent $100 on merch to wear on the day. The festival showcases some of my favourite acts in electronic dance music and hip hop, two of my favourite genres. I booked my ticket before I left home in the UK as it looked like it has the biggest and best lineups. Martin Garrix, Rudimental, Pharrell Williams, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Chase & Status were all awesome. Big party atmosphere.


6. Optus Rockcorps, Prince Bandroom (St Kilda),
I had previously volunteered for Rockcorps in 2008 and 2009 in London where I carried out four hours gardening and painting for a Rockcorps gig ticket. When I heard the well known slogan 'Give, Get Given' on Nova FM at the gym I looked online to find projects in Melbourne. I helped out at second project where the band playing the gig, American Authors came to see us and take part. The gig, although underage, was better than I'd anticipated, they make an effort to put on an energetic show.


7. Groovin The Moo, Bendigo, 3rd May 2014
The purple tshirt is my favourite tshirt of all the merch I've collected, I like the bright colour and cool gold design on it. A friend and I was working on the main gate wristbanding for ths festival. We got to see Thundamentals, Peking Duck, The Naked And The Famous, Dizzee Rascal and Disclosure for a second night in a row. The weather was really cold and it rained quite a bit near the end so we didn't mind leaving early for our train!

London Girl Goes To The Grammys

...And we don't mean Adele. Adele's now recognisably warm seat at the Grammys may have been a sure-fire guarentee as the current Brit that shifts the most albums - by the shed-load as she still sits comfortably in the top 40 with second album '21' rising back up eleven places on the chart to this week's number 22. Just when you thought her time was finally up, almost two years and two months after its first release in the UK Adele's now legendary sales records have made her a British export in her own right with two multi-platinum albums and a 2013 Grammy to boot. But then you probably already knew all that, or bored to tears of hearing it anyway. 

                 
Step up Beaux Saunders. This little known Jazzy Popper who first caught our attention at an intimate London gig in 2010 (golden-treasure-discovered-at-bottom-of.html) is now blossoming into a pop starlet to be reckoned with. Truly proving that social media has greatly expanded the chances for opportunity, Beaux's manager (Idle Management) stumbled across American producer Daniel Snyder on twitter and asked him whether he had any music in the range of 'pop with elements of country and gospel'. An exchange of emails later and out pops big, perky soul belter 'Ain't That Beautiful'. A few other muscial gems in between and Snyder submits the first track to the Akon-assisted Hitlab Emerging Artist Competition in November 2012. Coming from a website that predicts a song's hit potential it compares different variables with songs that have been hits in the past, Beaux's 'Aint That Beautiful' got a whopping 95%. An appealing verdict for a song gets 70%. Although any kind of technology that predicts a song's commercial ability sounds quite far-fetched to most, it obviously worked out for Beaux as she shot straight into the top ten finalists after a tough judging process. A final round of world-wide voting from Beaux's dedicated and new fanbase was just what this 22 year old West London girl needed to place her in third place and take her to the biggest music awards show in the world, The Grammys 2013 in Los Angeles, USA on the 10th February. After this whirlwind experience of glitz and glamour that most singer-songwriters can only dream of which included a performance of her own at Grammys week, we caught up with Beaux to find out all the gossip!

How are you feeling after the Grammys experience?!

Overwhelmed to be honest. The experience as a whole was surreal.

We're not surprised, what an incredible opportunity. What was your biggest highlight? (There must have been a few!) 

Indeed there were a few. Walking the red carpet was a real insight into how celebrity's operate and just how hectic it is on a minute to minute basis. Also going to Bruce Springsteen's party and having him metres away was insane!




We would have loved to have been at that party. Which music stars did you get to see/meet? 
Well Bruce Springsteen, Taylor swift, Mumford & Sons, Beyonce, Jay-Z and Katy Perry to name a few!








Wow, who knew you would be in such company weeks before! What was it like meeting Akon? 
I was terrified going into the studio but once I was in there it was cool. I just kept telling myself that he's a normal guy and he was once starting out like I am now.


Sounds like the best way to deal with it. What are you working on now that you're back on home turf in London?  
Pretty much have been in the studio everyday since I've been back! Have been working on new material as I got so much inspiration from being in LA.


We're sure that LA inspiration will last a long time, can't wait to hear it. What can we expect from your new music? 
It's pop mainly but there's country, jazz and gospel in there. That sounds MAD but I promise you it works.








Sounds exciting to us! Who and what inspires you when writing and performing your own music?  
In songwriting everything is inspiring from a jingle you hear on an advert to heavy metal. But if I had to choose I would turn to Carol king for good old great songwriting, Fleetwood Mac for being just well the best band of all time, Joni Mitchell if I'm down in the dumps, Hall & Oates/Mayer Hawthorne/Paul Simon if I'm feeling up and Counting Crows if I fancy some light country music.


Can't hear any heavy metal influences shining through just yet! When did you start taking music seriously as a career? 
It took me a long time to realise that I could do what I love and that could be my job, it didn't seem real but properly about 2 years ago when I got management. I could never manage myself, I'd be useless!


Sounds like you must have some good backing behind you. What is the greatest achievement you hope to achieve in your career?  
Aha I was discussing this today in the studio. Hearing my song on Eastenders. That's the actual truth!








Now that's a moment we would love to come true for you, we're sure you'll have it on record if it happens. Any idea when we can expect your next shows and new music? 
I've got all new songs, so the live set is dramatically different and the new music...I'm not even sure - I'm so busy. Watch this space!


Can't wait! Thank you for taking the time out of the studio to speak to us Beaux, good luck with the recording and we'll be ready to freak out when we hear the new material. Let's have a listen to that infectious song that got her there again, 'Ain't That Beautiful'...