By jane
On 30, Nov 2014 | In Music Music features | By jane
Homeground Festival: A Photo Journal
As part of Corroboree Sydney, the free weekend festival ‘Homeground’ returned to the Sydney Opera House for two inspiring days to celebrate the music, dance and culture of First Nations people from Australia and around the world. Taking place on the traditional land of the Gadigal people, the stunning setting on the Western boardwalk of Sydney Opera House opposite the Harbour Bridge provided an incredible atmosphere for the weekend festivities.
By jane
On 30, Nov 2014 | In Music Music features | By jane
Soulfest: Brisbane 2014
When all of one’s musical dreams have just come to an epic peak of fruition, it’s hard to know where to start raving. Will I begin with the absolute rapture of beholding D’Angelo in all his soul-sex glory? Or should I hit you with the awe of witnessing street-style rap guru Mos Def (Yasiin Bey) in perfect form? What about that golden taste of classy soul mistress Angie Stone with honey dripping from her sweet lips? With a line-up that included all these industry icons as well as the likes of Common, Musiq Soulchild, Maxwell, Leela James and Anthony Hamilton, it’s hard not to melt into a glorious puddle of soulful delight.
By jane
On 30, Nov 2014 | In Music Music features | By jane
Touring China: What You Need to Know…
So, you want to tour in China?
So many artists are hypnotised by the idea of touring in China simply because this is where one-fifth of the world’s population resides. ‘It’s a huge market’, my friend said, dollar signs widening his eyes. ‘Yes,’ I said, ‘But who are they? What do they like?’ He had no answer.
The Great Wall of China no longer keeps foreigners out, but a new and equally powerful wall stands in its place. We expats here call it ‘The Great Firewall of China’ and it lies quietly in the background. Many foreign websites are censored here, like Facebook, YouTube, Google and any popular blog platform.
By jane
On 30, Nov 2014 | In Music Music features | By jane
Suttons House of Music : Ballarat’s Iconic New Venue
31 Sturt St, Ballarat, Victoria, AustraliaA stunning new venue with a rich musical history has opened its doors in Ballarat. Finally, a sizeable listening room has re-emerged in the regional Victorian city, and audiences can enjoy live music in a space with a theatre-quality aesthetic. The grandeur of the room pays homage to the art form, with a centrally located stage, and an elegant backdrop of Victorian era architecture highlighted by evocative moody lighting.
By jane
On 01, Oct 2014 | In Music Music features | By jane
The 10th Annual Robson Valley Music Festival
Visit the beautiful valley of Canada’s tallest mountain in August and discover the best of the BC Canadian festival scene. Robson Valley Music Festival celebrated its 10-year anniversary this year. We were honoured to come and play again and I couldn’t help but document this momentous event! I hope you enjoy this snapshot of a realm of music, creativity, nature, sustainability, and community. Read more…
By jane
On 30, Sep 2014 | In Music Music features | By jane
Deadly New Clips from Australian Indigenous Artists
With AWME on the horizon, we thought it’d be great to put together a collection of Australia’s best Indigenous videos in recent years. From Elcho Island and regions of North East Arnhem Land to the streets of Newcastle, these musicians all have a few things in common; extraordinary talent, an arresting presence and a strong sense of individual style and identity. With influences of soul, hip-hop, folk and country these clips represent a diversity that mirrors the depth and complexity of Indigenous people themselves. Many of these tracks feature powerful lyrics and visuals that both honour culture and history while simultaneously embracing and critiquing modernity. All of these songs have something to say. So sit back and enjoy just few of our favourite Indigenous music videos here at Mojo Junction.
By jane
On 30, Sep 2014 | In Music Music features | By jane
5 minutes with Dru Chen: Soulfest’s Soulsearch Winner
Mojo Junction was lucky enough to have 5 minutes with Dru Chen, Melbourne based soul artist and winner of Soulfest’s Soulsearch competition. We chatted about the contest, and Soulfest, which is on this month. Get your tickets here.
By jane
On 02, Aug 2014 | In Music Music features | By jane
Studio Tips with Jesse Bear (Episode 3)
Jesse Bear is a full time writer, producer and mix engineer, and has worked with several Grammy Award winning and Top 40 artists over the last ten years. Of no fixed abode, he spends his time equally across the four corners of the globe.
In this video he shares some tips and tricks on taking your audio mix to the next level with stereo bass.
By jane
On 31, Jul 2014 | In Music Music features Scene Reviews Travel & Culture | By jane
Rabbit + Cocoon: Gold Coast Venue Review
Rabbit + Cocoon
23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami, Queensland, Australia
http://rabbitandcocoon.com/
Some consider Queensland’s Gold Coast to be a cultural void. Sometimes, walking the streets of tacky tourist hub, Surfers Paradise, I do share the sentiment. But then I notice the cracks in the pavement. I see the small, delicate flower blooming forth. I lean into the cracks and venture beyond the superficial façade of this bustling, botoxed, leopard-printed city and I find it. It’s here. Richness. Diversity. Creativity. Innovation. Flavour. Colour. And the big C-word: Community.
By jane
On 31, Jul 2014 | In Music Music features | By jane
5 hot new music videos
In this day and age where we hook up to the web like it’s some kind of drip that keeps us alive and connected to culture in a way that TV never could, the era of the music video is alive and well. Spawned in the mid 70s by Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (generally regarded as the first music video), Michael Jackson took things to a whole new level with ‘Thriller’ and ‘Beat It’. From this time onward, quality music videos became less about seeing the band perform live, and morphed into intricately crafted short films. Read more…
By jane
On 31, May 2014 | In Music Music features Scene Reviews Travel & Culture | By jane
Live Music in Byron Bay: Booking Gigs or Perusing the Local Culture?
Booking gigs in any town is often a mission, a struggle, a fight to even get heard or considered, and occasionally, a simple joy. Knowing the right venues to approach for you, your music, and what you do, can sometimes only work out if you have some insider local knowledge on an area. Read more…
By jane
On 31, May 2014 | In Music Music features | By jane
Taste of a Soul Master: Anthony Hamilton.
Gracing Australia for Soulfest 2014
It seems music heaven’s gilded gates have opened and a chorus of the world’s most distinguished and well-loved soul artists will converge on Australia’s sunny shores this year for Soulfest—our very first annual neo-soul, jazz and hip-hop festival. Read more…
By jane
On 31, May 2014 | In Music Music features Travel & Culture Travel & Culture Features | By jane
Guitar Safari with Davo Abbentorough (episode 2)
In Part 2 of his search for guitars in their natural habitats, nature musicologist Davo Abbentorough travels to a remote island and discovers the strange and unique adaptations that occur in string instruments in these isolated environments. Read more…
By jane
On 31, May 2014 | In Music Music features Travel & Culture Travel & Culture Features | By jane
Artists of Australia. Get A Real Job.
(A Response to Tony Abbott’s Budget)
Get a real job.
It’s said to artists all the time. Creating art is not a real job. It’s a hobby. Get off your arse, and just ‘contribute to society’.
The frustrating thing is that art surrounds us, defines us, enriches us, informs us, and by and large keeps us relevant in the most socially influential global forum—the entertainment industry. Read more…
By jane
On 31, May 2014 | In Music Music features Travel & Culture Travel & Culture Features | By jane
Visual Enthusiast: 5 questions with Mumbai filmmaker Sachin Pillai
Mojo Junction chats with Mumbai filmmaker Sachin Pillai about his creative journey, music, and the thriving arts scene in India. A freelance film professional, Sachin describes himself as a visual enthusiast, and has a distinctive approach to his art. He has worked on projects as diverse as nature documentary to Channel V. Read more…
By jane
On 30, Apr 2014 | In Music features Travel & Culture Travel & Culture Features | By jane
The Music of Northeast India: Roots on the Move & Soulmate
This month on Mojo Junction we are delighted to present a double feature celebrating the incredible region of Northeast India. Back in 2007, 25 musicians traveled around this remote part of the world as part of the ‘Roots Festival’. One of those musicians was Northeast local Rudy Wallang of ‘Soulmate’, a blues band that recently released a third album – reviewed this month here on Mojo Junction.
By jane
On 30, Apr 2014 | In Music Music features Scene Reviews Travel & Culture | By jane
Temple Bar – Beijing, China
206 Gulou E St, Dongcheng, Beijing, China
In the heart of Beijing’s coolest district for all things music is the hottest bar in the city. Tucked away down a short alley in Gulou 鼓楼, just north of the famous “Nan Luo Gu Xiang 南锣故乡,” is the venue everyone’s been talking about since 2011. Read more…
By jane
On 30, Apr 2014 | In Music Music features | By jane
Byron Bay Bluesfest
Byron Bay Bluesfest is an annual blues and roots festival held in Northern New South Wales. This year Bluesfest celebrated its 25th anniversary. The festival attracts some 80,000 people a year and with names like Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Ben Harper, BB King, James Brown and Robert Plant appearing on the line-up, it’s no wonder that this festival is still going strong after 25 years.
By jane
On 30, Apr 2014 | In Music Music features | By jane
Studio Tips – with Jesse Bear (Episode 2)
THE SECOND IN AN ONGOING SERIES OF STUDIO SECRETS REVEALED.
Jesse Bear is a full time writer, producer and mix engineer, and has worked with several Grammy Award winning and Top 40 artists over the last ten years. Of no fixed abode, he spends his time equally across the four corners of the globe.
By jane
Mojo Radio Podcast – Episode 4 hosted by Tim Bennett
EPISODE 4 – APRIL ’14
Tim’s back for another round of song sharing and story telling in the fourth Episode of Mojo Junction Radio.