AUM partnered with Blue King Brown ahead of their national tour to officially launch WORLDWIZE during May – June 2011. WORLDWIZE was launched in late 2010 and yet throughout the tour it re-entered the Top 20 AIR Charts. As part of the campaign, AUM launched the Gurrumul Yunupingu and Blue King Brown collaboration Gathu Mawula. The track reached number 1 on the AMRAP Charts and entered the iTunes Top 50 after an exclusive performance on Adam Hills In Gordon Street Tonight. Before heading overseas for the summer festival circuit, Natalie Pa’apa’a appeared on ABC TV Q & A and went head to head with the Minister for Education, Peter Garrett and MP for Kennedy, Bob Katter.

In August 2011, Blue King Brown came home with award wins at the NIMAs for their collaboration with  Gurrumul [Song of the Year & NT Film Clip of the Year] as well as nominations with AIR for Best Blues & Roots Album.

The start of 2012 sees the band headlining the St Kilda Festival, Bleach Surfing Festival as well as performances at WOMADelaide & Byron Bay Bluesfest.

Upcoming shows:
St Kilda Festival, February 12
Bleach Surfing Festival, Currumbin QLD, February 26
WOMADelaide, March 9 – 12, 2012
Blues Fest Byron Bay, April 5 – 9, 2012

www.bluekingbrown.com

Purchase Blue King Brown music

Blue King Brown highlights:

Gurrumul & Blue King Brown on Adam Hills in Gordon Street Tonight

Dan Sultan and band have come a long way since releasing their album Get Out While You Can in 2009. In 2010 dynamic front man Dan Sultan won “ARIA Male Artist of the Year”  whilst the album picked up an ARIA gong for “Best Blues & Roots Album”. Notably Dan Sultan and his musical partner Scott Wilson were nominated for the highly prestigious and coveted APRA Breakthrough Songwriters of the Year 2011.

www.dansultan.com
Purchase music by Dan Sultan

Dan Sultan highlights:

Up-and-coming indie darlings, Skipping Girl Vinegar, are one of Australia’s most talked about bands. Childhood friends and celebrated songwriters, they have released two critically acclaimed albums, ‘Sift the Noise’ (2008) and ‘Keep Calm, Carry the Monkey’ (2011) that made many ‘Album of the year’ lists. Both albums have received extensive radio play on Triple J, ABC and community radio across the country.

Where hi-fi swagger meets low-fi sway, Skipping Girl Vinegar have carved out their own heart-warming, hobo-pop sound that is testament to the band’s old-world authenticity and song craft.  “Album of the Year… SGV deliver an edgy, pop masterpiece – 4.5 Stars”, Jeff Jenkins- Inpress; “An indie force of nature, ‘Album of the Year’ Finalist”- The Age; “A wonderful exhibition of the group’s ability to paint masterpieces with each stroke” - The Dwarf; “An absolute gem of an album chock full of timeless tunes… Beautiful stuff delivered with true style – 5 Stars” – Baby Sue (USA); “Skipping Girl Vinegar are right on the money with their sophomore album. Subtle and adventurous… This is clever and original which is what good songwriting should be”, Sunday Mail.

Launched in 2008, their debut album ‘Sift the Noise’ brought the band widespread critical acclaim from senior music writers across the nation. Their debut single, ‘One Chance’, was the Australian iTunes ‘Single of the Week’, added to high-rotation on Triple J and championed by major alternative and ABC radio nationwide. The accompanying animated clip for ‘One Chance’ also received critical praise, with Rage featuring it as their first ever ‘Indie Clip of the Week’ and JTV featuring it as their ‘New Clip of the Week’ before it then charted in their Top 20. They were also highlighted in Triple J’s Oz Music month as a ‘Next Crop’ artist.

Following the success of ‘One Chance’ and with the release of their debut album pending, Skipping Girl Vinegar were offered some serious major label & indie offers to release the album in Australia. They made the decision to maintain their independent route at home and release via their own label Secret Fox & license the album in Australia to indie label Popboomerang and MGM. Released in Australia during September 2008, SGV’s debut album ‘Sift the Noise’ is testament to the band’s obsession with melody, pop-hooks and the search to stretch their song craft. A dark, warm, organic record that reflects the environments and journey of the band, ‘Sift the Noise’ was received ecstatically by public and media alike. Reviews across Australia were rapturous. Rip It Up Magazine in Adelaide and Rave Magazine in Brisbane both made the title track their respective ‘Single of the Week’, and press in Sydney, Melbourne and all other capitals were no less receptive. Drum Media called it “a classic pop sense that doesn’t get bogged in its own vision of itself”, but Rip It Up Magazine were straight to the point: “In an age of downloads and ringtones, Skipping Girl Vinegar stand out from the pack”. JMAG and the Music Australia Guide (MAG) both gave the album 4.5 stars. The title track was added to high rotation on JJJ and ABC local radio nationwide in February 2009. The accompanying animated clip for ‘Sift the Noise’ also received critical acclaim, with Rage featuring it as SGV’s second ‘Indie Clip of the Week’.

And so it has continued. SGV has played many of Australia’s premier festivals including a packed tent at Splendour In The Grass, The Falls Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Sunset Sounds, Pyramid Rock, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Newtown Festival, Northbridge Festival, Apollo Bay Music Festival and Queenscliff Music Festival. SGV have also supported the likes of The Lemonheads (USA), Something for Kate, Shout Out Louds (Sweden), Little Birdy, Missy Higgins, Angus & Julia Stone, Kate Miller-Heidke, Weddings Parties Anything (reunion tour) and many more.

Fast forward to 2011, and the band has proudly released their highly anticipated follow up album ‘Keep Calm, Carry the Monkey’ [7 May 2011]. ‘Keep Calm, Carry the Monkey’ was written across two continents and recorded on the Victorian coast. It was mixed in Nashville by legendary indie engineer Brad Jones and produced by SGV’s Mark Lang , indie-wiz Nick Huggins [Kid Sam, Whitley], Caleb James [Yves Klein Blue] and Greg Arnold [Stonefield]. The album is rich with sonic landscapes, melodies and lyrical turns, and was received across the country to critical acclaim and made many ‘Album of the Year’ lists. ‘Keep Calm, Carry the Monkey’ showcases the band’s songwriting prowess with a darker sonic experience to the band’s debut. Their sophomore album is a layered and deeply intricate piece of work with its moods linked by soundscape textures, giving the album and its stories a strong visual, filmic quality. SGV unravel the human connection of love and loss, delivering a contemporary classic album that will be held close by many for years to come.

‘Keep Calm, Carry The Monkey’ proudly closes with a hauntingly special guest performance from legendary singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith (Canada]. If you take the time to explore the cover art on this new album, you will see that SGV are not your average collective. Pushing the boundaries of how music is delivered in the physical form, the band are deeply invested in a holistic approach to making work. Demonstrated by their award winning art-based animation film clips and physical CD art, the roots of the band are deep and intrinsically entwined. Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Skipping Girl Vinegar are childhood friends Chris Helm, Mark Lang, Sare Lang, Amanthi Lynch & Kelly Lane.

“At a time when pop is becoming more disposable, Skipping Girl Vinegar are the real deal”- Music Australia Guide
“Most impressive DIY band in OZ” - Sydney Telegraph
“In an age of downloads and ringtones, Skipping Girl Vinegar stand out from the pack”- Rip It Up
“Album of the year? It’s going to be hard to top. Deep & dark and it will haunt you.” - JB MAG

skippinggirlvinegar.com
Buy Keep Calm, Carry the Monkey

Skipping Girl Vinegar highlights:

Be prepared to be blown away!
Sydney & Melbourne – April 2012

His name is synonymous with funky music, his pedigree impeccable; his band – the tightest little funk orchestra on earth are heading back to Australia after his celebrated tour of 2008.

Everyone knows by now that Maceo has played with each and every leader of funk: his start with James Brown, which Maceo describes as “like being at University” ; jumping aboard the mothership with George Clinton and those various and colourful incarnations of Parliament and Funkadelic; stretching out with Bootsy’s Rubber Band. He’s the living, breathing pulse that connects the history of funk in one golden thread: the cipher that unravels dance music down to its core.

In fact, ever since JB coined that phrase: “Maceo – I want you to blow!!” Maceo Parker has been enjoying a blistering solo career, blowing that famous sax funk sound across the globe. He’s building a new funk empire, fresh and stylistically diverse as he navigates deftly between James Brown’s 1960’s soul and George Clinton’s 1970’s freaky funk while exploring mellower jazz and the grooves of hip-hop.

His collaborations over the years performing or recording or both have included Ray Charles, Ani DiFranco, James Taylor, De La Soul, Dave Matthews Band and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. His timeless sound has brought him a new, fresh, young fan base.

It’s almost impossible to tell which came first, Maceo or The Funk!!!

Maceo Parker Tour Details – Bluesfest Sideshows 2012
Wednesday 11 April 2012, Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Thursday 12 April 2012, Corner Hotel Melbourne
Tickets: www.cornerhotel.com

Friday 13 April 2012, The Basement, Sydney
Saturday 14 April 2012. The Basement, Sydney
Tickets: www.thebasement.com.au // 02 9251 2797

www.maceo.com  //   www.bluesfesttouring.com

“Yunyu is music anime for genuine pop futurists. Edgy, taut and clever. “
Nui Te Koha, Sunday Herald Sun

Yunyu is a musician specialising in reality contorting music. A triple J Unearthed winner, she makes music that sounds like the musical extract of Kate Bush, Isaac Asimov and Edgar Allan Poe — if they plonked their DNA in the Hadron Collider and it all got mashed up on a sub-atomic level. Her music has been blogged about by award winning Sci fi/ Fantasy writers like Warren Ellis and Neil Gaiman.
For an idea of her musc, view her video of Lenore’s Song that was made with the crew from LOTR and Superman returns. See the chilling video clip here.

Yunyu will release her second album Twisted Tales in early 2012.

www.yunyu.com.au

Ziggy Marley

Wild and Free
 [Album out now]
Australian Tour Dates – April 2012

This is Roots – This is Rock – This is Reggae!!  – THIS IS ZIGGY MARLEY.

The five-time Grammy Award-winning musician, actor, artist, activist and humanitarian, ZIGGY MARLEY returns to Australia  after a five year absence. He’ll be featuring songs from his latest album, Wild and Free as well as all the favourites from his 3 other solo albums and those of the Melody Makers.

ZIGGY MARLEY, the son of the legendary Bob Marley is, to many, the embodiment of his father. It is almost eerie to see the similarity, and with his Roots-Rock-Reggae style, Ziggy is the keeper of the flame. A native of Kingston, Jamaica, ZIGGY MARLEY joined with his sisters Sharon and Cedella and brother Stephen to become Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers, allowing him to craft his own soulful sound which blends blues, R&B, hip-hop and roots reggae.

After two decades as the driving creative force behind The Melody Makers, ZIGGY MARLEY’s first solo tour came in Summer 2002. The following year saw the release of his debut solo album, Dragonfly, followed by 2006’s Grammy Award-winning  Love Is My Religion, Recently, ZIGGY MARLEY won his fifth Grammy Award, in the category “Best Musical Album for Children,” for Family Time, a 2009 collection of reggae-inflected, family-oriented songs, featuring family and friends including; Rita Marley, Cedella Marley, Judah Marley, Jack Johnson, Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, Laurie Berkner, Elizabeth Mitchell and Jamie Lee Curtis.

ZIGGY MARLEY also continues to head Tuff Gong Worldwide, in honour of his father’s own music label Tuff Gong Records, and is Involved with a breadth of charities. ZIGGY MARLEY leads his own charity, URGE (Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment), a non-profit organisation that benefits efforts in Jamaica, Ethiopia and other developing nations.  The charity’s missions range from building new schools to operating health clinics to supporting charities like Mary’s Child, a centre for abused and neglected girls.

“It’s great to see the Marley crew returning to Australia. Ziggy is an excellent performer with a great live show, a tight band and beautiful songs that carry an important message.” Natalie Pa’apa’a, Ambassador, House of Marley.

Feel the love Australia!!


Ziggy Marley Tour Details

Sunday 8 April 2012, Metro Theatre, Sydney 

Tickets: www.metrotheatre.com.au //  02 9550 3666

Monday 9 April 2012,  Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Tickets: www.cornerhotel.com // 03 9427 9198



www.ziggymarley.com //   www.bluesfesttouring.com

In a year that was known for social and environmental protests, one voice rang out for the people of Chile, Nano Stern. A superstar in his home country, Nano performed to over 180,000 protestors whilst his new single La Puta Esperanza became the theme for their dissent. 

Returning to Australia this March, Nano Stern & The Sindicato will take to the stage at WOMADelaide, Brunswick Festival [Melbourne], Burke & Wills Folk Festival [Victoria] and for his own show at the Camelot Lounge [Sydney].

Named “One of the most in-demand international artists on the domestic festival scene” by Tony Hillier [Rhythms 2011] Nano Stern has brought Australian audiences to their feet from his first visit as a solo artist in 2008. He is a confirmed favourite at folk and world music festivals across the country as well as his own sold out shows.

Credited as being a creator of the new Chilean sound, Nano Stern sings predominately in his native Spanish, effortlessly weaving compelling messages between each song during his live sets and leaving audiences captivated with his English storytelling. 
 
Nano Stern has gathered a faithful following by developing his career through talent, sheer determination and the unwavering belief in himself and the power of music.

As his star continues to rise in Australia, now is the time to see this talented musician – one destined to be a major influence in the ever-evolving and growing realm of world music, worldwide.

[In May 2011, the Chilean government approved a plan to dam two rivers in Patagonia for hydroelectricity, sparking widespread protests across the country. The first single from Stern’s fifth album Las Torres del Sal was adopted as the song of the ongoing environmental protest movement and Nano performed in front of a crowd of 180,000. He is much loved by the people of Chile.]

Nano Stern & the Sindicato Australian Tour Dates

March 8 - Camelot Lounge, Sydney
March 9 – 11 – WOMADelaide, Adelaide
March 12 – Burke & Wills Folk Festival, Victoria
March 13 – Burswood Theatre, Perth – Johnny Clegg (Nano Stern solo support)
March 15 – Brunswick Music Festival, Melbourne



Las Torres del Sal [The Towers of Salt] will be released in Australia by Vitamin Records in February 2012.



“But for all the politics, it is Stern’s voice and his sublime guitar-playing that make him such a special talent. This is just a man and a guitar.” Bruce Elder, SMH (Review of Nano Stern, Live in Concert)



“A Festival Director’s dream”, Bill Hauritz, Woodford Folk Festival



”Thus Nano Stern has won the people, with songs that balance great arrangements, vivid poetry and epic melodies, delivered with an honest and volcanic attitude worth admiring.” El Mercurio (Chile’s largest circulating paper)

www.myspace.com/nanostern

Nano Stern highlights:
ABC The Music Show, March 19 2011

Born blind, Gurrumul grew up as a member of the Gumatj clan on Elcho Island, off the coast of tropical North East Arnhem Land. This enigmatic musician first came to attention when he released his eponymous debut to international claim. His angelic voice connected with listeners worldwide including Elton John, will.i.am and Sting who are big fans.  The album has sold half a million copies worldwide and his music has become an international sensation transcending cultural boundaries.

2011 has seen Gurrumul perform for US President Barack Obama, the Queen and Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederick. He also took home Best World Music Album at the 2011 ARIA Awards, view his stand out performance with Missy Higgins here:

www.gurrumul.com
Purchase music by Gurrumul

Gurrumul Yunupingu highlights:

From his significant win at the age of 16 on “Australia’s Got Talent” and more recently hailed as Best New Talent  by Guitar Player Magazine USA Reader’s Poll, this young gun has been knocking people out with his guitar skills for almost half his life. His new album (recorded in Nashville & Detroit) due early 2012 will feature his vocals, songwriting, electric guitar and a full band for the first time.

This new release will be one to look out for in the coming year, in the meantime you can catch Joe with his new line up live as he tours Australia from 27 December 2011 – 15 January 2012.

Joe returns home from the States with his two musicians (a young R&B rhythm section from Memphis) and a seductive swag of new songs, which feature – for the first time – his vocal prowess. Mainly known as a solo virtuoso instrumentalist, Robinson and band will debut these new vocal offerings on tour starting with five [5] shows at Woodford Folk Festival from 27 December – 01 January. They will then tour the Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and regional NSW finishing up with three shows at the Thredbo Blues Festival on January 13, 14 & 15. Tour supports to be announced.

Joe Robinson Tour Dates Dec 2011 – Jan 2012
Dec 27 – Jan 01, Woodford Folk Festival
Tues Jan 3, Gold Coast Arts Centre
Wed Jan 4, Glasshouse Port Macquarie
Thurs Jan 5, Lizotte’s Newcastle
Fri Jan 6 The Vault, Windsor
Sat Jan 7, The Basement, Sydney
Sunday Jan 8, Lizotte’s Central Coast
Mon Jan 9, Brass Monkey, Cronulla
Wed Jan 11, Bennett’s Lane, Melbourne
Thursday Jan 12, Albion Hotel, Paramatta
13, 14, 15 Jan, Thredbo Blues Festival

For the full tour list and booking details, and to check out his official website:
www.joerobinson.com

Darwin Festival has become the premier Top End arts event with a program that is distinctly flavoured with Indigenous, Asian and multicultural events. Held over 18 days in August during the dry season, the Festival boasts an eclectic and colourful program encompassing theatre, music, dance, visual arts, comedy, film, workshops, and free events in tropical, outdoor venues.

AUM PR has been the publicity team behind Darwin Festival since 2006 with the aim to promote the event to the Darwin community as well as to travellers and interstate visitors alike.

Darwin Festival 2011 highlights:

darwinfestival.org.au