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!

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

Hughster’s Gig Guide

Wednesday 19^th October: RUFUS – Beach Road Hotel Bondi – Free

I first saw RUFUS supporting a friend’s band in February this year. I was blown away by their upbeat and original style, obvious talent and their love of performing, and immediately started raving about them to anyone who’d listen. Since then, I have seen them another three times, and each time they’ve added another element to their arsenal. They’re also getting a lot of local recognition, having just showcased their energetic live show at Parklife Sydney. This week, I’ll be heading down again to the maze which is Bondi to check out one of my favourite local acts. You should get along too, make sure to pack travel snacks!

Thursday 20^th October: ASTRAL Feat. Guerre, Nagakin, Thomas William, Rainbow Chan + More –Oxford Art Factory – $5

Can you still buy a Macshite meal for $5 anymore? Get along to Oxford Art Factory for a showcase of some of Sydney’s freshest and finest beat producers. Guerre has just been added to the star studded Musica Festival (see below), while Rainbow Chan will be fresh off the plane from Iceland(one of the winners of the recent FBi Northern Lights competition. Save a couple of gold coins and pop on over to OAF for a much healthier alternative to a happy meal.

Saturday 22^nd October: Musica Festival –Tumbalong Park – $89

Any line-up which features the super masked producer SBTRKT is worth the entrance fee alone. He’ll be joined by an eclectic group of artists including Ghostpoet, Lunice, Simon Caldwell, Mitzi and New Navy in Darling Harbour’s Tumbalong Park. By far the biggest pull is the appearance of SBTRKT, his self-titled album being one of this year’s biggest revelations. He’s just been announced to appear at the 2012 Laneway Festival (see below…again) but he’ll be testing out Australian crowds some months in advance at the end of the week.

For the diary:

Sunday 5^th February 2012: Laneway Festival –Sydney College of Arts, Rozelle – $140

The highly anticipated line-up for the 2012 edition of St Jerome’s Laneway Festival (which also visits five other major Australian cities as well as Singapore) was announced last week. And what a line-up it is. Sydney’s hipster population will be treated to sets from a more ambient line-up than in previous years, with the likes of the aforementioned SBTRKT, M83, Active Child, Toro Y Moi and Washed Out venturing out to Australia. They will be joined by Feist, the Drums, Girls, Twin Shadow and Laura Marling. I apologise, I realise I’ve just listed the bands playing, but with a collection this incredible words just seems trivial don’t they? Tickets on sale 19th October, get saving!

Hughster’s Gig Guide

Wednesday 6^th October: Triple J Unearthed Launch Party – Metro Theatre – Free

Triple J is launching a brand new radio station, Unearthed. To help mark this most bodacious occasion, they’re throwing a party for their listeners. Unearthed will be a station that promotes local unsigned and independent talent, and the Sydney launch party will feature a number of bands already “found” by the Unearthed programme – New Navy, Nantes and Rufus w/ Elizabeth Rose

Thursday 7^th October: Sealion – Annandale Hotel – $10

Sealion are a band to watch out for. Not too dissimilar in sound to bands like Foals and Bloc Party, Sealion feature weighty percussion, delicious vocal melodies and a poppy, upbeat vibe. To help them launch their new single they’ve invited along their pals, Sleepyhands, We are Volcanoes and Them Dreamers.

Friday 8^th September: Slow Down Honey – Upstairs at the Beresford – Free

Slow Down Honey are one of those bands who seem to have been around for a while without really taking off. This may be remedied with the upcoming release of their new EP, “In the Red”. The four lads from Central Coast are bound to get your weekend started perfectly with their summary pop music. The line-up also includes the Ruminaters (sounds like old, not-shit Kings of Leon) and exciting pop duo Toucan.

For the diary:

Friday 21^st October: Jonathan Boulet – The Standard – $15.10

Music magician Jonathan Boulet will be gracing Sydney’s newest music venue, the Standard, with his presence in a few short weeks. Aside from his work alongside a plethora of bands (including Parades, Little Scout and Sleepyhands), Jonathan is currently putting the finishing touches on his second solo LP, scheduled for release early next year. Expect to hear a bunch of new tracks from the busiest man in music.