Select Music’s 7th Birthday

Sydney-based Select Music is a multi-functional music company.  Even if the name doesn’t ring a bell, you’re bound to have had plenty of contact with them if you enjoy Aussie music. Their reach covers artist management, touring, venue consultancy and event promotion. With a seemingly never-ending roster (including Boy and Bear, Midnight Juggernauts, Tim Finn and Bluejuice), they are proud to have helped to unearth some of Australia’s top talent in recent years.

Having commenced proceedings back in 2005, they’re turning seven this year. To celebrate their birthday, they’re throwing a rather large party on Thursday 21^st June. A charity fundraiser for beyondblue, the shindig will be held at four of the Oxford St precinct’s hottest venues, with a tantalising smorgasbord of Australia’s best musicians showing their wares over the evening.

Featuring Select Music artists playing across UPSTAIRS BERESFORD, THE STANDARD, OXFORD ART FACTORY (Main Room + Gallery) & PHOENIX BAR

Andy Bull, Argentina, Ball Park Music, Bluejuice, Bob Evans, Elizabeth Rose, Emma Louise, Hungry Kids of Hungary, The John Steel Singers, Josh Pyke, The Jungle Giants,  Lior, Midnight Juggernauts DJs, Millions, The Mission In Motion, Nantes, The Paper Scissors DJs, Pluto Jonze, The Preachers, Purple Sneakers DJs, RÜFÜS, Spit Syndicate, Step-Panther, Strangers, Tokyo Denmark Sweden, Toucan, The Walking Who

Tickets can be purchased here for just $20!

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Hughster’s Gig Guide

Thursday 10^th November: Made in Japan – GoodGod – $13.30

One of my favourite things is to tell people about a band just before they blow up. If you want to do the same thing, get along to GoodGod on Thursday to catch Sydney four-piece, Made in Japan. They will be launching their single, Sights and Sounds, the title track to their upcoming debut album release. If you like bands like New Navy, these guys should be a band on your radar.

Friday 11^th November: Jinja Safari – The Metro – $20

A Jinja Safari show is an adventure which includes exuberant dancing, fascinating instruments and a stage set up like a forest. The indie-folk favourites have experienced a hectic year and a half since their conception, including appearances at major festivals and supporting some of Australian music’s biggest names. They also sold out their own headline tour earlier in the year. The guys are back to celebrate the release their compilation “Locked by Land” which includes songs from their first two EPs as well as remixes. They’ll be joined by perhaps the most incredible supporting line-up I’ve ever seen, with Megastick Fanfare, Elizabeth Rose and Pluto Jonze all scheduled to perform. Here’s a clip of Jinja Safari’s performance at this year’s Secret Garden Festival…you get the picture.

Friday 11^th November: Gold Fields (+Millions) – Oxford Art Factory – $14.80

Oh Dear. Sydney music lovers have a difficult decision on their hands. Ballarat firecrackers Gold Fields will be bringing their debut National Tour to Sydney on the same night. If you like up-tempo indie-pop with heavy percussion, opaque basslines and plenty of cowbell, you might decide to give Jinja Safari a miss and head down to OAF. Over to you Sydney.

For the diary:

Saturday/Sunday 17^th/18^th March 2012: Secret Garden Festival – It’s a secret – $TBA

I nearly cried after hearing about how good this year’s Secret Garden Festival was. With the location hidden until the day before, attendees can expect an incredible weekend of frivolity. With the line-up and ticket prices unannounced thus far, I’ll just have to vouch for this one and keep you posted on future updates. Shhhhhh…

Who is Hughster? Check out his and other r&h guest bloggers profiles here.

Hughster’s Gig Guide

Wednesday 26th October: Ball Park Music – Beach Road Hotel Bondi – Free 

Brisbane’s Ball Park Music create tunes to make you smile. You just can’t but help liking the six cheerful, indie kids who have been on the cusp of blowing up. They have played alongside the likes of Cloud Control, Boy and Bear and Hungry Kids of Hungary, as well as appearing at the Big Day Out, Falls and Good Vibes festivals. There time has now arrived with the recent release of their debut LP “Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs”. As part of their album tour, they will be dropping in on the Beach Road Hotel in Bondi this Wednesday to set the fun-dial to 10 (whatever that means). A nice support line-up includes Northeast Party House and The Jungle Giants.

Thursday 27th October: Pluto Jonze – Oxford Art Factory – $10 

Pluto Jonze has developed his own, unique brand of pop music which he’s been showcasing since he won the 2009 Tropfest Music Award at just 22. Since then, he’s been busy writing and producing which culminated in the release of his debut EP in May this year. He’ll be joined by his 3-piece backing band in line with the release of his single “Plastic Bag in a Hurricane”. Speaking of up and coming performers, his supports Toucan and Tim Fitz are both dynamic acts in their own right, both flying the flag for the future of pop music. They both have fresh EPs in the pipeline, so expect a night full of brand spanking new tunes.

Saturday 29th October: Jamie Hutchings/Wintercoats/Oliver Tank – The Gate Presents (secret location in Pymble) – Donation

The Gate is a concept designed to bring great music to the suburbs of Sydney (where so much talent is hidden away). Aside from their regular events at Pablo & Rusty’s in Epping, they also put on pop-up gigs in various suburband backyards. This particular event will showcase the considerable talents of three talented troubadours. Sydney song-writer veteran Jamie Hutchings, Melbourne’s dream-pop wiz Wintercoats, and recent winner of the FBi Northern Lights competition, Oliver Tank, will be providing a smorgasbord of experimental music bound to delight.

For the diary:

Thursday 24th November: Matt Corby – Oxford Art Factory – $15.30 

Don’t do what I did and judge Matt Corby just because he was on Australian Idol. He’s better than that. Much better. A friend of mine made me listen to some of his stuff a little while ago and I was instantly hooked. Matt could be Australia’s answer to Jeff Buckley, so strong are his vocals. Get along to the OAF next month, you might be able tell people “I told you so”.

Who is Hughster? Check out his and other r&h guest bloggers profiles at our ‘Fair Weather Friends’ page.