Nick Tiliacos - Singer and Songwriter
Nick Tiliacos talks to Bigoz Music
Nick Tiliacos talks about how he always knew he wanted to be a singer, how he developed his voice and that he is a bit of a perfectionist. You can hear songs from his new Album Close, which is now available on www.bigozmusic.com.au.
When people first listen to Nick’s songs, particularly his voice, artists like Neil Young, Thom Yorke and even Art Garfunkle come to mind. His articulation, his tones and the lyrics he writes leave an impression. They stay with you somehow. In his formative years, Nick spent a lot of time alone in the Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg West, finding dark spaces and listening to the folk rock masters that would ultimately shape his own creations.
The next few years were spent writing and developing his sound and playing various gigs around town with other musicians. One day Nick decided to ask Jen Cloher's band 'The Endless Sea' to jam with him. They agreed and soon thereafter, it became clear that the sounds needed to be captured on some recordings…..enter Ross Calia. Ross, a performer and songwriter in his own right, came to one of the jam sessions and, so taken by Nick’s music, agreed to produce, engineer and mix the recordings. The planning for the EP ‘Close’ began.
As the recording process carried on, fate it seemed started to present Nick with the musicians, who would ultimately form the foundation of his band ‘Goodnight Thomas’. He now regularly engages the talents of these great musicians aswell as others – transient performers ready to take the stage with a drum kit, cello or keyboard as required. Whether as a stripped back 3 piece acoustic formation, or the fuller 7 piece band, these guys have been wooing audiences around Melbourne since 2006. Performing in venues such as The Northcote Social Club, Ruby’s of Belgrave and The East Brunswick Club Hotel, the performances have been well received, particularly by the great musicians like Heather Frahn, Tobias Cummings and Tim McMillan that they’ve shared the stage with.
Keen to explore another avenue of the music business, the band also came to the attention of film maker Rohan Spong in 2006. Developing a new special effect technique with a colleague of his, Rohan approached Nick to collaborate on a film clip for ‘Close Your Eyes’. The end result was a wonderful interpretation of the song – originally written by Nick after a moment of inspiration and desperation post a Tobias Cummings gig in 2004.
Based in Northcote, Goodnight Thomas find themselves in good company, with fellow musicians Mick Thomas, Claire Bowditch and Jen Cloher also calling the suburb home. The performances continue to attract a devoted following and a regional tour planned through Victoria and New South Wales later in the year is certain to draw more devotees to the fold. Through 2007, these guys will certainly be a band to watch.
Nina Czempinski - Singer and Songwriter
Nina Czempinski talks to Bigoz Music
Nina Czempinski discusses her new Album "Songs in the key of strife" on Bigoz Music, she explains how she came up with the song Enforced Exile and what her plans for the future are. You can also hear songs from her new album, which is now available on www.bigozmusic.com.au.
Songs in the key of strife is the debut album by singer/songwriter Nina Czempinski. It is a collection of quirky acoustic jazz numbers with a unique Aussie flavour and has already been featured on independent radio PBS, RRR and the ABC. Recorded and co-produced with Nina by Myles Mumford at the Victorian College of the Arts, the music subtly moves from layered and insightful jazz soundscapes to silly tongue-in-cheek ditties and the seriously warped. There's some Led Zeppelin rock, doo-wop, gospel, even a circus themed tune, and a song meaningfully titled 'What I really want to be is a kept woman!' All songs were composed and arranged by Nina.
There is a glut of fabulous jazz musicians on the album, all of whom were handpicked for their particular style. The recording features the talents of Mark Shepherd (upright bass), Ben Hendry (drums), Jessie Mac (acoustic guitar), Michael Arvanitakis (upright bass), Dan MacDonald (drums), Natalie Grant (percussion, vibes), Paul Davies (electric guitar), Nick Lester (sax), Peter Carolane (Hammond) and Eugene Ball (trumpet). Nina played piano and Rhodes on the album and also added the layers of lush harmonies that drift by.
Nina has developed her original soup of jazz and the popular song by playing everything from Beatles to Bach as a soloist here in Melbourne and Tokyo. She actually started out her music career singing in a funk band and trying to impersonate the whacky and wonderful Bette Davis. Her other musical dabblings include: singing in a swing band, the odd cocktail jazz gig and an 18 piece disco-orchestra. She has completed solo pianist/vocalist residencies in Tokyo and the Melbourne Sofitel's atrium.
Summing up, Songs in the Key of Strife is exactly what it says. It is a collection of well crafted stories about the heartache, paranoias and misdemeanors of a girl in Melbourne who takes life seriously but can't help poke fun at it. It's been created purely for the enjoyment of making music and hopefully will please the listener's ear too!
Miso - Trip Hop and Dub
Human Spaces Video Clip
The Video features footage from the G8 protest in Gleneagles, Scotland, the crumbling World Trade Center in New York, Aztecs dancing at Plaza Mayor in Mexico City, child labour and beggars in Varanasi and Delhi, India, and a soldier in Kashmir. These visual references to poverty, greed, Abu Ghraib, terrorism, and oppression are not so much a political statement but rather a symbolic reference to the age-old struggle against power and control but also their impermanence, whether we are the oppressor or resistor, Aztec or American, our civilizations will crumble, but for as long as we live we share these human spaces and might as well make them pleasant and useful. (Thomas Reissmann)
Drawing from Dub, Triphop and Broken Beats genres, MISO deliver a unique and captivating live experience. Characteristic of their sound is the contrast between jazz and classical instrumentation with electronic beats. This rare blend is complimented by seductive yet abstract female vocals.
MISO's core members stem from varied fields within the creative arts industry. Producer Thomas (Soup) Campbell has acquired two diplomas of contemporary music and a Degree in Sound Technology. Violoncellist and lawyer Benjamin (Benshaman) Skepper is classically trained also in piano and harpsichord. He has toured nationally and internationally as a guest soloist with full orchestra at the age 10. Benjamin has collaborated with many prominent artists including Curse ov Dialect, Uberlingua, Sunwrae ensemble and Dj Gsan/Thief (Syncopated Zen/Ninja Tunes). Double Bassist Martin Hadley commenced his musical adventures in a punk band. He has a diploma of contemporary music through Victoria University. Vocalist Supina Bytol has gained a broad knowledge of performance art through her work with Perth outfits Spin-FX and Bizurcus. She holds a Certificate IV in Visual Arts.
Jordie Lane - Lead Singer and Guitarist
Jordie Lane on Bigoz Music
Jordie Lane is interviewed on Bigoz Music and discusses the background to a couple of his songs. He explains why his style of music is so varied, how he made a record for less than 150 dollars Australian and why he broke up his previous band with Simon Bruce. He also makes a confession about his nocturnal activities and introduces his new album Lover's Ride, which is now available on www.bigozmusic.com.au.
With his unique finger-style guitar, blues harmonica, and a commanding voice that jumps from a Jimmie Rodgers yodel to a Springsteen-like roar, Jordie Lane is fast creating a rumble amongst not only Australia’s music fans but is gaining much respect from it’s songwriters too. In the past year, the release of his EP ‘Lovers Ride’ receiving extensive local airplay, a crazy 40 show East Coast tour, recent standout performances with a new band at Port Fairy Folk Festival, and supports for major touring acts have all helped cement his place in a new breed of artists who once again believe primarily, in the power of a good song. Jordie’s love for American folk, blues and country music such as Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, Hank Williams and Gillian Welch are surely evident in his sound, but he’s not trying to re-hash anything. He’s telling his stories, through his experiences. And he does so with a remarkable sense of clarity and awareness considering he is only 22 years old. Since his 2005 E.P. ill communication which was recorded with Aria Award winning producer David Bridie (Not Drowning, Waving/My Friend the Chocolate Cake), Jordie released a 7 track E.P, ‘Lovers Ride’. It was recorded on a budget of a measly $132.50 AUS in his back shed with a big list of local guests who all gave there time freely including fellow Melbourne born folk singer/songwriters Liz Stringer, and Simon Bruce.
The Beach Chromers
The Beach Chromers talk to Bigoz Music
The Beach Chromers do an interview in front of a live audience and explain how they got together; why lead guitarist Jeff Harrison needs Achroma Therapy; how they produce this authentic surfer sound even though they hardly ever make it to the beach and why people should most definitely stay away from surfing. You will also get a sneak peek at their new music videos shot in the backyard of their Fitzroy home and interspersed with stock footage of Squeaky Beach, a very friendly French surfer and a totally tubular blond day-time beach wombat at Wilson Prom. This interiew with Bigoz is part of their international promo campaign for their new Album, most creatively named The Beach Chromers, which is now available on www.bigozmusic.com.au
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