Genre Wander: Gramps The Vamp - Tullara - Gitta de Ridder - Mondo Cozmo - Tameca Jones

Gramps The Vamp - Bats!

Background -  Chicago’s Gramps the Vamp mashes up psych, jazz, Afro-funk and horror film soundtracks on their new record, The Cave of 10,000 Eyes.

Arising from a sweat-drenched Halloween house party debut in 2011, the Chicago 7 (sometimes 8 or 9) piece has become equally known for it’s “tight-as-a-rope funk” [My Spilt Milk] as for its dedication to break the funk mold and carve out its own genre. In 2014, a year after being named Best New Band by Chicago Reader, Gramps The Vamp released its first official album produced by Sergio Rios of Orgone. 

The self titled album’s vintage-noir style, which the band half-jokingly calls “Doom Funk,” drew the interest of filmmaker Alaric Rocha, who used over half of the songs as the soundtrack for his 70s inspired horror film “Demonoid (1971)”. In October 2016 the band released its sophomore effort, “The Cave of 10,000 Eyes”, which brings together afrobeat, deep funk, soul, ethio-jazz, and exotica for a further exploration into the dark, wild, and strange side of the funk. Website here. Facebook here.

'Bats!' typifies the wonderfully creative sound Gramps For Vamp create. New album 'The Cave of 10,000 Eyes' has ten gorgeous tracks, that take you on a journey through exotic genres, and if you close your eyes the journey extends as far as your imagination is inspired to take you!

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Tullara - Better Hold On.

Background - 'Better Hold On' is a searing continuation of what Tullara first put in motion with debut single, 'Too Many’. Both a plea for forgiveness, and a stark warning, 'Better Hold On' is a deep and urgent track, and although Tullara's celebrated guitar and earthy vocals are again at the forefront, it also showcases her band at their dark and complex best.

Tullara sings about the mazes of life – the ones we build ourselves, and the ones that trap us unaware. “I didn't want to let you down, I didn't want to steal your fire,” she sings, her voice full of remorse, and we can't help but follow her deeper into the labyrinth.

'Better Hold On' is Tullara’s lead single from her debut EP recorded at Sunshine Recorder Studios, Port Melbourne, with premier female producer and international touring artist Aurora Jane.

“'Better Hold On' for me is a song about making choices and dealing with the consequences. It's the ultimatums we face everyday that form who we are,” says Tullara on the creation of the track. Title Track ”Better Hold On” by Tullara is available in Digital Stores. The debut EP Better Hold On will be released 25th of November 2016. Facebook here.

Better Hold On Release Tour:
16 Nov - Byron, The Rails
18-20 Nov - Mullumbimby Music Festival
25 Nov - Melbourne, The Wesley Anne
26-27 Nov - Queenscliff Music Festival
30 Nov - Canberra, Smiths Alternative
1 Dec - Sydney, Leadbelly
8 Dec - Brisbane, The Milk Factory
9 Dec - Yamba, Leche Cafe
10 Dec - Sawtell, 63 First Ave
11 Dec - Newcastle, Stag & Hunter
Dec 26 - Jan 1st - Woodford Folk Festival.

'Better Hold On' mixes intricate acoustic guitar playing and the distinct and captivating vocals of Tullara. Melodic and rhythmic this is one very notable indie folk song.

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Gitta de Ridder - Wanderer.

Background - Singer-songwriter Gitta De Ridder has just released her brand new video for Wanderer taken from her recently released album Feathers. The video features footage shot by Gitta over the time she made the album travelling between Devon, London and the Dutch countryside and depicts the of journeys Gitta's life creating the album.

Originally growing up in the Netherlands, Gitta taught herself to write and play songs on the guitar from a young age, and cites modern folk artists such as Anais Mitchell as her inspiration. Gitta's folkpop songs, with beautifully poetic but also conversational lyrics, go straight to the heart and are performed on a bed of warm fingerpicked guitar.

Feathers is an album which follows a true creative vision, focused on the words that make stories come to life, it explores relationships, romance, family and cities, and all that makes us human. Recorded mostly in Gitta's London home-studio with one-take vocals and guitar recordings layered with children's toy instruments, cello's and other sounds; Feathers was created intuitively, realising the treasures are in that what comes naturally. Website here, Facebook here.

We featured the song 'Even If' back in early September and said of the new album at the time, "Melodic through out, each song has an individual feel to it, with Gitta's vocals just right for the piece. This is one very fine album". The new video for the track 'Wanderer' is equally delightful, and why not, it's from a consistently splendid album.

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Mondo Cozmo - Shine.

Background - After receiving rave reviews from his first official LA show Mondo Cozmo has announced a handful of new dates including his first ever shows in New York & Philadelphia in January of 2017 where he’ll be performing with the backing band, Illinois.

Earlier this month at his first official LA show for acclaimed weekly showcase, It's A School Night, Dan Wilson (who's written songs for Adele, Dixie Chicks, etc) was in attendance and tweeted a photo of Mondo's performance saying “…we were there and one day everyone will say they were there. An amazing show.”

In these times of change, fans have been finding solace in the hopeful chorus that “everything will be alright if you let it go.” Radio stations have latching on to the hopeful and uplifting song, as it’s becoming an immediate hit at AAA – shooting instantly into the Top 20, while key Alternative stations across the country have started to play the song, including Live 105, Sirius “Alt Nation,” WEQX, WWCD and more

Mondo Cozmo is…..Dylan fronting Oasis with Beck making the beats. Mondo Cozmo has the attitude of the Manchester bands of the 90s… Working class, honest, inspirational, cautiously hopeful, and socially observational.  It is a bold statement demanding attention. Coachella headliners the crowd is singing with while the sun is going down. A scene-changing alternative band that has the ability to cross over to many formats. Facebook here.

Mondo Cozmo Upcoming Shows:
November 30th - Hotel Café Los Angeles, CA          
January 30th - Baby’s All Right (School Night) Brooklyn, NY           
January 31st - Mercury Lounge New York, NY             
February 1st - Boot & Saddle Philadelphia, PA.

Mondo Cozmo has been getting considerable attention in the USA both on radio and on-line. The song 'Shine' I guess explains that very clearly. It's a stunning piece, if you heard him first through Beehive Candy, then tell your friends to get over here and listen... (it'll give us some street cred)...

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Tameca Jones - Sandman.

Background - When local Austin, TX native Tameca Jones opens her mouth and sings, jaws hit ground. Her honeyed and powerful vocals have been captivating her hometown for a little over ten years. She began melting faces in 2005 when she joined Austin based band 8 Million Stories as the group’s lead singer and songwriter. The band made a name for itself playing in and around Austin and got a publishing deal with Riptide Publishing. Tameca was a part of the band for 2 1/2 years before the band called it quits. This left her without someone to help her create original music. So, she turned to covers to continue playing, grow her audience, and pay the bills.

Tameca spent years skillfully and tastefully breathing new life into the music of others. She made a name for herself as the “Queen of Austin Soul,” blowing minds with her tasteful and vibrant interpretations of a diverse list of artists that include Tina Turner, Nirvana, Elton John, Jimi Hendrix, and more. The Austin Chronicle called her interpretations “sonic pretzels” that “juxtapose(s) crunchy jaggedness with her infectious, honeyed voice.” Her WTF ability to go from soulful wailing to silky coos has won her devoted fans, accolades, and some high profile situations opening for Austin super stars Gary Clark Jr., Max Frost, Bob Schneider and other big touring acts. She received major love from Billboard Magazine for her white hot performance at the 2015 Austin Music Awards, where she paid tribute to late beloved musician Ian McLagan alongside legends like Steven Van Zandt, Charlie Sexton, Alejandro Escovedo, and Patty Griffin. Billboard said she “raised the roof,” while The Austin Chronicle called her performance “showstopping.”

Guitar deity and fellow Austinite Gary Clark Jr., who faithfully attended Tameca’s shows whenever he was in town, asked her to sing on the song “Wings” for his latest album, The Story of Sonny Boy Slim. Rolling Stone called the song a “slinky duet,” while Andy Langer for Esquire Magazine called the song one of the best songs in the month of September and noted that “the tweaky processing of Austin soul starlet Tameca Jones’ voice adds an early-Parliament-like trippiness.” Facebook here.

From the debut 'Naked' EP, I have chosen to feature 'Sandman' simply because it's my favourite track. I just love the beautiful soulful music and of course Tameca's phenomenal vocals. She can do powerful full throttle songs alongside slower pieces, and give each track some very real edge. Highly recommend.

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