New Single from Meeanjin (Brisbane)-based Paddy McHugh.

Paddy has released two albums: ‘City Bound Trains’ in 2017 and ‘Trials & Cape Tribulation’ in 2014.

A contemporary of Australian artists such as Paul Kelly and Mark Seymour and, to an international extent, artists like Billy Bragg and Damien Dempsey, McHugh’s music shares a common thread.

27 Weeks is the story of a bloke from Wollongong. Like his dad and most of the men In the Gong, he works at the Port Kembla steelworks. Well at least he did. Due to circumstances well beyond his control he loses his job and must figure out how to make ends meet. So, he gets creative. After all he has mouths to feed. It’s dodgy, but it works. He wants to find employment again and he is looking. But it’s been 27 weeks. And he ain’t found nothing yet.

But this song isn’t just about this one man and the town of Wollongong. It is song about many men and women from towns all over Australia. It is a story that is being played out again and again. It is the assembly worker from Geelong, the hardware store owner from Gympie, the teller from Moonee Ponds. As greedy companies chase ever higher profits and cut every corner in the process, people find themselves squeezed out, down on their luck and out of options.

They do what they must to survive. Can you blame them?

Stemming from a previous project called The Revenants, The Gilded Gutter is the musical partnership of Johnny Gibson and Steve Milligan in primary collaboration with Carmen O’Brien (violin) and Andy Papadopoulos (bass). Other collaborators are Anton Ruddick (guitar), Rowan Blackmore (accordion), Sam Davies (uillean pipes and tin whistle), Melanie Carroll (vocals) and Duncan Graham (studio production).

Their music draws on a mix of traditional Irish instrumentation like mandolin, fiddle, accordion and the uilleann pipes laid under heavier rock’n roll and punk drumbeats with bass, acoustic and electric guitars, creating a sometimes-raucous fusion of folk and punk but one that steers away from the more predictable chants of similar genres.

Primarily a studio project, they are influenced by a disparate mix of music from The Pogues, Planxty, The Waterboys, The Mescaleros and Lankum through to a vast range of punk rock like The Clash, Buzzcocks, Stiff Little Fingers, Gang of Four and Fugazi.

Hailing originally from Tasmania, Johnny Gibson is a drummer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who has played in several Melbourne bands including alt-country stalwarts Raised by Eagles, rock’n rollers Swedish Magazines and folk-punk larrikins The Currency.

Dublin born Steve Milligan grew up mainly in Melbourne and now lives back in Ireland in rural Limerick. He is a singer, guitarist and songwriter. Milligan scorched his vocal cords screaming in 90’s punk bands One Inch Punch, Mid Youth Crisis and later Coue Method and Black is the Colour.

DEBUT ALBUM OUT AUGUST 25
PRE-ORDER HERE: https://snd.click/TheGildedGutter

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FIRST SINGLE – New Wave

Stream first single out now!
https://snd.click/TheGildedGutter 

The song explores desire, insatiability and suicide ideation.

It proposes the paradoxical notion that we are inherently insatiable and that this uncontrollable desire eventually leads to a will to die – to embrace the ‘flirtatious’ reaper in some vain hope of satiating the ‘runaway desire’ for conclusive ‘satisfaction’.

MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA
CELEBRATE 20 YEARS WITH SPECIAL ‘BEST OF’ VINYL RELEASE –  OUT NOW

NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO ‘SOMETHING STRONG’ – VIEW HERE

And just like that the Melbourne Ska Orchestra turns 20 Years Young, celebrating with a Best Of vinyl release, a brand new single and video, and a national tour!

From the fun loving humble beginnings in St. Kilda to the international stages of Glastonbury, Istanbul, Montreal, Edinburgh, New York and beyond, the band has steered their ramshackle train into the hearts of many.

“It’s been a pretty amazing adventure with the Melbourne Ska Orchestra. Born out of love for the genre back in 2003, the energy that all the musicians have invested has translated into a fun filled mission in the name of Ska. The music by its nature is a community event when performed and we’re lucky to have created a family vibe that has propelled this special thing we’ve created into a double decade story of Joy,” says Nicky Bomba.

To coincide with the limited edition Best Of vinyl release the band has also dropped a brand new single and video, ‘Something Strong’ – view here.

Nicky enthuses, “We are totally excited to share our new single ’Something Strong’. This band has been nothing short of a sweet circus adventure and the lyrics reflect the journey we’ve had. I also love how we’ve captured the joyous spirit of the orchestra once again and can’t wait to play this live. Bless!”

He continues, “20 years young is a valid description of where we’re at as the excitement and creativity within the band is still burning strong. With our World Tours and Awards we know we’re doing something unique and positive in the music world. This single is a snapshot so far….so much more to come….. Long Live Melbourne Ska Orchestra! Long Live Ska!”

Initially formed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the birth of Ska (1963-2003), their infectious energy soon earned them a coveted slot at Bluesfest and WOMADelaide, a recording contract and accolades from all over the world. Two ARIA award wins cemented their reputation as one of Australia’s best live acts, while three of their songs were chosen for a UK feature film about Ska.

The band have matched the appreciation with a work ethic that is second to none. To date they have released 7 albums, including a nigh impossible mission of recording a song a week for a whole year, the ARIA award winning 52 Fridays – One Year of Ska.

This record celebrates the first 20-year chapter of a journey that is still going strong.

Nicky Bomba hits the road with a fresh vibe playing songs from his new album ‘Food & Shelter’.

Sharing the stage with a new line up it will be a Bombafied interpretation of the new sounds on the album.

“It’s been a strange world for live performers recently so I’m buzzed to get back on stage and connect with audiences again. The ancient ritual of playing music and feeling the connection is a vital part of my lifeblood. This tour is going to be a sweet celebration. I’ve put a new line up together and we’re ready to party. Boomshakalaka!”  Nicky Bomba.

Debuting in October and holding strong in the Top 20 of the AIR charts, ‘Food & Shelter’ presents a fresh side to one of Australia’s creative blazing sparks. The album is Nicky’s second solo release but the 24^th long player of his career. His work with the Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Bustamento, John Butler Trio, Joe Camilleri, Ross Hannaford and more has earnt him 4 x ARIAs, Age Music Awards, APRA award, Music Vic Award and a respect within the industry that can only be earned.

As a multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Nicky was able to utilise his skills to play and produce a new chapter of songs celebrating all the musical influences from around the world. On stage he will be featuring up front on the drumkit, exploring rhythms and tapping into syncopations that can only come from a lifetime of drumming. He started playing at the age of six and hasn’t stopped. Even when mum asked him to…

“ It was so great to have time to explore the sounds I’d heard on my travels and weave them into bubbles of goodness. I also wanted to have a clean difference between the music I make with my other bands so each can stand on their own right. Playing these songs with my new line up, I’m jumping at the challenge of lifting the vibrations of audiences and taking them on a journey. I’m also encouraging budding drummers to learn some of the grooves so I can get them up to join me. Could be fun…could also be dangerous!

In any event, we’re ready to get jiggy with the grooves- making sure that there is some serious body shaking going on. Skip the gym that week. Bless up!”

There is something on this album for everyone. Stream it, buy it, and get your ticket to the live show to experience ‘Food & Shelter’ performed live. All merch will be available at shows including Nicky’s new book.

‘Food & Shelter’ is out now.  Watch video for ‘Home’ here.

FOOD & SHELTER ALBUM TOUR

For tickets please see www.nickybomba.com

Melbourne: Night Cat – Friday March 18^th
Tickets: HERE

Hobart: Republic Bar & Café – Saturday March 19^th
Tickets: HERE

Byron Bay: Mullumbimby Ex-service Club – Friday March 25^th
Tickets: HERE

Gold Coast: Miami Marketta – Saturday March 26^th
Tickets: HERE

Brisbane: The Triffid – Friday April 1^st
Tickets: HERE

Sunshine Coast: solbar – Saturday April 2^nd
Tickets: HERE

Cronulla: The Brass Monkey – Friday April 8^th
Tickets: HERE

Sydney: Lazybones – Saturday April 9^th
Tickets: HERE

Adelaide: The Gov –  Friday April 22^nd
Tickets: HERE

Cairns: TANKS – Saturday April 30^th
Tickets: HERE

Margaret River: The River – Friday May 6^th
Tickets: HERE

Perth: Mojos Fremantle  – Saturday May 7^th
Tickets: HERE