Interview with Jess Harlen

photograph by Elle Photography


>>> LISTEN TO INTERVIEW<<<

Jess is currently recording her debut LP, Neon Heartache, produced by Plutonic Lab. She's been around for more than a minute, doin her thing and gigging around Melbourne/Australia/abroad, performing her original tracks and singing backup styles with Blue King Brown - along with Ngaiire (scroll down for more info on her).

She was raised on a healthy dose of Roberta Flack, Gladys Knight, and other soul divas - who doesn't respect that?!

Jess released her EP, Street Level Soul, in 2007 to much critical acclaim. She even won BEST UNSIGNED ARTIST @ The Urban Music Awards.
... keep your ear to the ground for Neon Heartache - dropping later this year...

Tequila Mockingbird by Alison Curtis

It's amazing how far a few onion bags, some turkey feathers and a lot of creativity will get you! Check out this amazing bodice and skirt ensemble by Alison Curtis. Winner of the Judges Award in the Agricultural Art competition held in Bairnsdale, Victoria, recently. Entrants were challenged to create an outfit that was made entirely from materials found in an agricultural environment!

Aside from the fact that it's environmentally sound - it's just downright pretty!

Look out for Alison's creations at Fashion on the Field later this year as part of Melbourne's acclaimed Spring Racing Carnival.

I heart Acclaim

A transcribed version of my interview with the KillaQueenz is now up on Acclaim Mag's website.

KILLA!!!!!

>>> Check it out <<<

Interview and Acoustic tracks with Nyssa Bradsworth

>>> Listen to interview & hear exclusive acoustic tracks <<<

Nyssa Bradsworth has been gigging around Melbourne for many years now. I'd heard a lot about her, rave reviews in fact - but, being overwhelmed by live music in Melbourne, it's impossible to see everyone. So, unfortunately for me, I hadn't seen Nyssa live before I met her in the studio. I know, shame on me, right? But I'd heard her music, and after hearing that she once supported one of my all time favourite Australian voices since forever, Sally Dastey, I was sold! And how right I was to be sold!

Nyssa lives and breathes music, and that passion shows in her effortlessly smooth and emotive vocals. Her songs take you on a journey through heartbreak and longing, love and whistful wonderings.

Her debut album, Hurricane, is available right this very moment!

NEW single, 'Don't Know Why' is hot off the press - so wrap your ears around it!

Check out Nyssa's Myspace

Interview with Illustrator Cat MacInnes

>>> Listen to my interview with illustrator, Cat MacInnes <<<

Recently, I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Melbourne-based illustrator, Cat MacInnes. She is one of those rare creators who possess both the talent and passion for their craft that would see them be successful, coupled with the humbleness and sense of humour that has everyone else championing for them to succeed.

She has even won favour with none other than Yoko Ono! Who loved the portrait Cat did of her so much, that she micro-blogged about it on social networking site, Twitter.

Cat is a very busy girl.

If you are in Melbourne between 24/April and 17/May, be sure to get down to the No Vacancy Artist's Market. Where you'll have the rare chance to pick up prints AND original pieces.


Image sourced from Bucket 'o' Thought

If you'd like to get in touch with Cat about her work... >>> CLICK HERE <<<

Interview with KillaQueenz

>>>Listen to my interview with the KillaQueenz Part 1 <<<
>>>Listen to my interview with the KillaQueenz Part 2<<<

Confession: there are few Australian albums that I've been anticipating, the way I've been anticipating this debut effort from the KillaQueenz (who, incidentally, are everything that their namesake would have you believe). SistarHood, is the show-stopping hot-off-the-press LP, newly dropped by Belizean Bombshell and Kween G - KillaQueenz. Spending any more than 2 minutes with these ladies will give you a taste of the potential of their stage presence (just times that by, like, eleventy-billion, or something).

SistarHood is full to the brim with the kind of beats that keep the dance floors packed like sardines. Boasting input from some of the hottest producers around at the moment - such as ZDE, M-Phazes, Katalyst & South Rakkas Crew, and co. - SistarHood will even have you nodding your head as you stand in line at the supermarket, ipod in hand.

Another note, worthy of mention, is that the album is not only packed with Killa beats - it's just downright packed with tracks!! 19, to be exact. No standard, "12 tracks and we're done here", malarki. These girls have gone all out! I respect that.


Stand outs, for me, are as follows: Double Up ft. Lady Chann (which is also the first single, and getting a bunch of air-time. Apparently, it's the 19th most added song on Australian radio rotation. Big ups, ladeez); Boyfriend; and Kick in the Back Door. But, to be fair, I've been play-rewind-playing Sweaty Wet & Bitches for months now, which is probably the only reason they don't feature in this here list.

They're great people too, with a lot to say - so listen up!

>>visit their myspace<<

Belizean Bombshell


Kween G

>>>Update Bombardment<<<

Several points of note: (now, who doesn't love interesting information contained in a series of bullet points??)

• My good friendpal Sheeny has a blog. If you haven't already, check it out! She takes amazing photographs of arty Melbourne life; she finds hip things EVERYWHERE and schools us on them; she writes like a wizard - and she's a tops lady! Get on it!! (Interview coming soon - watch this space...)

She is available to photograph/review events - but she's leaving Melbourne soon, so be quick!

Photo by Juhi Sharma
http://juies.blogspot.com

• NEW INTERVIEWS coming very very soon!! Including: KillaQueenz (who have just released their debut album - SistarHood), Cat MacInnes (Illustrator of international critical acclaim - Yoko loves her!), Nyssa Bradsworth (Melbourne Singer/Songwriter on the rise), and more more MORE!!

• One last thing (for now), the review I wrote a little while ago about 'Samson & Delilah' has been posted on Two Flat Whites!! I'm super psyched about this development, because I have been a big admirer of the TFW initiative for some time. They support and encourage Australian talent in a broad range of art forms - from film, fashion, music, literature - they've got it sorted. They love participators too, so if you're an arty type, hit 'em up!!
• Oh, I lied, one more "last thing", coming up on Girly is Good, interviews with: Ladi6 (TBC), Helen Begley (Melbourne singer/songwriter - she's won lots of songwriter awards and is like a guru!), Jess Harlen (has recorded with Muph & Plutonic, performed with Ngaiire, Blue King Brown and others), & Rachel Murray (DJ and founder of the 'Lady Fingers' initiative - teaching young women of different minority backgrounds to DJ with the best of 'em!)