BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA: Yes, it’s hot. Yes, it’s wet. But Brisbane is also a city with one of the strongest independent music scenes you will find anywhere.

Believed to be a world first, soundslikebrisbane (SLB) is bringing together the citys indie labels under the one banner – already 17 independent labels are represented, with more to join the fold soon. They are giving you a taste of the collective with a free Brisbane music sampler available online now.

Covering every genre from garage rock and indie, to jazz, hip-hop, country and pop, the labels define the creative melting pot that Brisbane has become. Together these labels work with dozens of artists, promoting close to 100 releases each year.

Among them are some of the countrys most exciting new artists including DZ DEATHRAYS, Mr Maps, The Optimen, The Medics, Regurgitator and Jackie Marshall. Whether you’re a fan or a music industry type, discover new labels, new bands, make new connections in Australia and get your head around one of the world’s most exciting music cities at www.soundslikebrisbane.com .

Still one of the best intimate venues in Sydney for live music is The Vanguard in Newtown. Walk through the doors and you feel like you have stepped back in time.

With a 1920’s interior, this purpose built live music venue brings out the crisp sounds. With an elegant and stylish restaurant of which the menu includes an eclectic mix of soul food and modern Australian cooking; this is the place for a great night. The Vanguard plays host to big acts from Australia and around the world. But what I really love is the way it supports our local musicians.

The Vanguard is situated at 42 King Street, Newtown, a cosmopolitan neighbourhood where professors and students, the upwardly mobile and the down at heel, gay and straight, migrant and middle class, wealth and welfare, suits and spikes share a successful experiment in the new globalism. Newtown is the impact point where the University of Sydney collides with the University of Life.

Some of the gigs coming up at The Vanguard include Mama Kin in the 28th October, Urban Gypsies on the 29th October, Ava Torch and The Boybirds on the 3rd November and Aaron Harvie from Masterchef presents Food that Rocks: South of the border on the 9th November 2010.

After just a few moments in the company of Melbourne-based singer/songwriter, Bridget Pross, it becomes clear that she is a woman who fearlessly wears her heart on her sleeve. Some pessimists warn that it’s dangerous to display emotions out in the open as it leaves you exposed and vulnerable.  Bridget reckons these people worry too much.  “If you hurt me, it just don’t even hurt me,” she proclaims in a lyric from an upcoming single.

One marvels at how an isolated teenager from the remote town of Westerway in Tasmania has arrived at the age of 25 and in the possession of such self-assured exuberance.  With one album already released and a second currently being recorded, I meet with Pross just as she is busy packing her bags for Sydney, having just won an APRA-sponsored trip to attend music discussions and workshops at Song Summit 2010 .  “Everything is happening at once,” Pross grins.  “I’ve had this massive spurt of creativity and I’m waking up with songs in my head.  It’s so good, it’s just happening, my music is happening.”  For the envious among us, the truth is that Pross’s road was not always paved with yellow bricks.  It’s just that she learnt how to put on a brave face and get on with it.

From a young age Pross knew that her destiny lay beyond the restrictive confines of Tasmania.  Life at home continuously presented difficult challenges: at the age of four Pross and her two year old sister went to live with their mother’s new partner, whom had 6 children from a previous relationship.  Though the household atmosphere was always lively and high-spirited – Pross’s new dad, who loved to sing, referred to himself as American folk hero Davy Crockett – Pross struggled to find her place within the new family and never felt completely accepted. Read the rest of Bridget Pross's Diary»

Gyroscope is an Australian rock band from Perth, Western Australia, formed in 1997. The band comprises vocalist and guitarist Daniel Sanders, guitarist and back up vocalist Zoran Trivic, bassist and back up vocalist Brad Campbell and drummer Rob Nassif.

Gyroscope is expert at providing satisfaction with seamless transitions between sparse, rock-hard verses and soaring, harmony enriched, guitar-counterpointed choruses. Gyroscope has released four studio albums to date in their thriteen-year career, all recorded with their current lineup. In 2000, they released their first two EPs ( Scalectrix and Means to an End ), followed up by the Take Time EP in 2002. The band signed to Festival Mushroom Records in 2003 and released a further two EPs, Midnight Express and Driving for the Storm / Doctor Doctor , the later brought Gyroscope’s first appearance on Triple J’s Hottest 100 list, with the song “ Doctor Doctor ” featuring at number 92.

Gyroscope’s first album, Sound Shattering Sound , was released in 2004, seven years after forming. The debut album peaked at number 37 on the ARIA charts. A year later, Are You Involved ? was released, debuting at number 20 on the ARIA charts. The second album was followed by the release of the split single “ Fast Girl / Beware Wolf “, both songs appeared on the Triple J Hottest 100 in 2005. The band’s rise in popularity continued, striking significant commercial success with their 2008 album Breed Obsession , which peaked at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart. The third album was released through Warner Music Australia, having four singles released from it, including “ Snakeskin ” (number 16 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2007) and the anthemic “Australia”.

The band’s fourth album Cohesion was released on April 9, 2010, with the single Some of the Places I Know . Don’t miss this opportunity to witness Gyroscope’s frequently lauded high-energy rock show in some of the most beautiful venues they have performed, to find their next gig click here .

If you haven’t checked out the Podmag, a new online experience combining words, visuals and audio with the first of the series being dedicated to Circa 1979: Signal to Noise by Modular you are missing out.

They are extremely proud to have collaborated with the likes of Severed Heads, John Cale, The Reels and Stephen Mallinder (Cabaret Voltaire) who have all curated issues, showcasing their favourite tracks and videos. The second issue has been put together by Mitch Jones and Michael Tee, founders of cult Australian post-punk label M Squared. Michael Tee will be a panelist during the free Signal to Noise sessions on Saturday 16th January at The Seymour Centre as part of Sydney Festival 2010 .

Modular Recordings was established a few hours before the first release was due to go to press in the fortuitous summer of 1998. In the years since the label has gone on to achieve just about every level of success imaginable with acts like The Avalanches, Wolfmother, Cut Copy, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jack Johnson, Ben Lee, The Presets, Ladyhawke and Chromeo, just to cherry pick a few. The label celebrated a decade in the game in 2008 and sights are now firmly set on the next 10.

Article by Dancing Kiera.

Ash Grunwald is a soulful bluesman in the most pure sense. Raised in outer Melbourne, he first picked up a guitar at the sprightly age of ten. Grunwald grew up listening to classic bluesmen like Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson and then later BB King, James Brown and Jimi Hendrix. This melting pot of blues and soul provided inspiration for what would become his signature eclectic style.

Mucking around busking in his teens, Grunwald formed group The Blue Grunwalds and released the album Groove Cafe . Once he’d found his feet a little more firmly in the music scene he started the trio Groove Catalysts in 2001. While both these groups brought success Grunwald was drawn to the solo acoustic side of things.

In 2002 Grunwald released his first solo album Introducing Ash Grunwald and took out that year’s Melbourne Blues Performer of the Year. This prompted the follow up record I Don’t Believe (2004). Then came Live at the Corner (2005) and this met with wide acclaim, taking out Album of the Year at the Australian Blues Awards.

Grunwald continues to tour widely, showcasing his unique one man band style of the blues. His latest album Fish Out Of Water is a thrilling hybrid of styles and sounds.

Where did you grow up & where do you hang your hat?

I grew up in the burbs of Melbourne and half in the country when I was in my teens.  At the the moment i’m living on the road with my girl and baby.  We plan to move up around Byron Bay at some stage but its pretty fun living on the road.

In your own words, what do you do?

I’m a one man band that plays groove based modern blues music.   My sounds and themes have a pretty Australian feel.

Where did you learn your craft?

In the inner suburbs of Melbourne.  I used to go to a lot of gigs around town on my nights off and learned a lot about blues from some of the great players there.  I found my own sound out on the road by just gigging as much as I could in as many dfferent places as possible.

Who and what inspires you?

My lyrics are very reflective of my life experiences and the basic human condition so I would have to say, life.  How to live it, whats the best way forward, whats the point of it. These are the kind of questions that inform my music.

Childhood Memories:

TV Show –  The Goodies
Hobby – Surfing
Food – Vego curriesm Morrocanm Thai Indian
Fear – Day job
People – I believe that our love of other people is one of the innate things that allows us to overcome adversity without big teeth, strong muscles or being nimble.
Defining moment – The birth of my daughter.

Schooling memories, chore or cherished?

Chore,  I had a pretty good childhood, but being an adult is heaps more fun.  I play more now than I ever did as a kid.

Tell us about your new album “Fish out of Water”?

I had a great time collaborating with Countbounce who co-wrote many of the songs, created all of the beats and produced the album.  Its got a pretty fresh modern sound, I reckon.  Its my favourite by far.

Who does Ash Grunwald listen too?

I almost never lsten to blues any more, funny enough.  At the moment its mainly groove based stuff.  Fat Freddy Drops latest has been getting a spin while I’ve been touring England.

Where is the most beautiful place in Australia you have visited?

In truth it’s hard to name one.  I love the Australian coast so much and have had good times almost everywhere,  I think around Margaret River and Byron Bay I get the best feeling.

From the hours of 9am to 5pm, what do you get up too?

Usually travel.  If its a day off, and I’m lucky, a surf,  But almost everyday I’ll be hanging out with my girlfriend and our 9 month year old little miracle.

Where can people see you perform?

Australia, England and Canada mainly, but I’ve played in many other places.

For love or money?

If I did it only for the love then I’d have to do a day job for money, and that wouldn’t be nearly as good as doing what I love for the money.

What future endeavors are in the pipeline?

More collaborations and a few more holidays hopefully.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I really don’t know.  Hopefully doing exactly the same thing but at a higher level in the places that I’m developing like England and Canada.  I’d like to somehow create a couple of clones of myself so one could just gig his arse off, one could be living in Byron being the perfect family, and one could be surfing remote point breaks for months on end.

If you could invite 3 people to chat over coffee, who would they be & why?

Tom Waits would be the most interesting dude I could think of to talk to – he’s an amazingly inventive songwriter and character.  In the same boat I’d put Hendrix and Biggie Smalls.

Coffee or Tea?

I’m definitely a coffee dude, basically because I’m always tired.

Since 2005, Sydney artist Raymond Wassef, a.k.a. Ray Mann, has been making music and art with soul band The Ray Mann Three . His debut into the art world is a retrospective of the gig posters, eflyers, motion graphics and music videos he has produced, presented by Somedays.

Inspired by 1950s music and film, and characterised by the same minimalist, low-fi aesthetic as his band’s music, Ray’s sketches, photography and design retain their original hand-generated warmth right through to the digital finish.

Until now, Ray’s band-related art has only ever been viewed on computer or TV screens, or when projected during the band’s live shows. This exhibition at Somedays marks the first occasion that the physical works will be presented as a collection in its own right.

What: Ray Mann Art Exhibition
When: Up until 12th October 2009
Where: Somedays Gallery
Address: 72 B Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills.

To follow up on last weeks bumper mix GLOVES handed us, BangGang 12inches continues their weekly podcast series leading up to the release of their very first BangGang 12inches Compilation this October. This week, baby faced killer Cassian delivers a mind-melting mix that delves deep into the freshest of the fresh, the deepest of the deep and the technoist of the techno. Cassian is the latest Bang Gang 12s signing and makes the synth-heavy feelgood party jammers that have been banned in over 5 countries and counting. After remixing the likes of Bag Raiders, Damn Arms and Empire of the Sun, this bad-boy will drop a single (along with jaws) later in the year.

For the unschooled, Bang Gang 12s is the who’s who of rave caves from across Australia and around the globe, with KIM, Bag Raiders, ZZZ, Shazam, Hey Today, The Lowbrows and Like Woah! All fronting up with the goods time after time, simultaneously setting dance floors and hearts on fire with their own brand of digi-intelligence and tech-yes. What better way to honor the glamour of Bang Gang 12s than to name and shame them with their very own compilation?

The second episode in the BangGang 12s presents mini mix series comes from Sydney wunderkid, Cassian . Not only is a fine keyboard dude, daggerer and all round nightclub cavilier but he has put together a fine lil mix for you…for free! One coming every week until the release of the CD in early October!

Described as “like a young version of Augie March crossed with The Shins” (Faster Louder), Oh Mercy’s style is consistently difficult to pin down. What is certain is that, while they cite classic rock’n’roll and folk influences, the songwriting partnership of Alexander Gow and Thomas Savage creates music unmistakably of their own style. Gow and Savage, the duo at the heart of Melbourne four-piece Oh Mercy, blend evocative and intelligent lyricism with a strong pop sensibility on their debut album Privileged Woes, showcasing the depth of the young songwriters’ polished pop brilliance.

Following on from their successful debut EP In The Nude For Love , Privileged Woes was recorded in the spare room; the size of a single bed, by Myles Wootton – the band literally had to put the mattress against the wall to record. After touring continuously for 12 months supporting many other great Australian musicians, Oh Mercy is currently on their own National tour in support of their new album. The group is made up of Alexander Gow on guitar and vocals, Thomas Savage playing guitar and piano, Eliza Lam is on bass and Angus Tarnawsky percussion.

Privileged Woes features the current radio singles Seemed Like A Good Idea and Lay Everything On Me ; with the third single to be announced, Get You Back . Privileged Woes is out now. So what are you waiting for, get your copy and check out tour dates right here !

Our competition for the Urban Chill album giveaway has now closed. Thank you to everyone that entered we had an overwhelming response. The winners are listed below and your prizes will be sent this week. Thanks again to Universal Music Australia for your generous support!

M. Munroe – Fremantle, WA
B.Simpson – Bathurst, NSW
K.Sullivan – East St Kilda, VIC
J.Koury – Stanmore, NSW
S.Olden – Windsor, QLD