DJ James Kane

James Kane is one of Melbourne most talented DJ's who is not afraid to go it alone. He deserves our support. Check out the podcast to the right to hear him talk about what goes in in the life of a DJ.

Click teh link below to find out more about James Kane's own club night 'No Future'.

Click here to find out more!

Get down and check him out for yourself!

Planet Patinka.

One Sunday i awoke late, went outside for my reccomended 20 minutes of sunlight and came back inside to ponder the day ahead. As is the case every Sunday, I am faced with the prospect of another show looming the next day and I am filled also with the thrill of the search for new music. 

This sunday I am restless and discontent though, it was one of those days where putting itunes on shuffle doesn't satisfy me. With the Cut Copy inspired beats mashed with the Vampire Weekend -esque licks causing me a headache I cracked a miniature tantrum to a friend of mine who medicated me with a link to the myspace of a band she knew called Patinka Cha Cha. 

I must say it was pretty much the best thing that happened that day considering I had been idly duct taping my face and trying to pull it off again.

Thrilled even at a devaition from 4/4 time signature, I can honestly say I have never been as transfixed by a band than I was by Patinka Cha Cha. I had no idea where the songs were going and their songs said to me, "aha. who's so smart now". Clearly not me.

Naturally I had to get them into the studio and gush. And gush I did. (See podcast) Lucky for me they also brought with them a copy of their forthcoming EP Planets which had not even been mastered yet.  Where as most media outlets were probably pre-occupied with releasing recordings of Mel Gibson abusing his ex wife, I jumped at the chance to release the genius of Planets.  

The title track of the EP (Planets) is written about (her) girlfriend explains singer and guitarist Natasha. The song is amongst the best local music I have heard so Natasha's girlfriend - who sat loyally in the corner of the studio during the late night interview- is very lucky. 

Although Natasha admits to throwing an artistic tantrum over the last track 'Eyelash' because "it was too jazzy", I belive the jazz influence is a welcome addition to the album. 'Eyelash' definatly showcases the bands musical talent. 

Planets is planned to be released later this year according to the band, but until then if you are after a fanatstic live show you can go and see Patinka Cha Cha at The Empress on August 5th.

For a sneak preview of the forthcoming ep head to their myspace. 

http://www.myspace.com/patinkachacha 

A song after my own heart.

When i heard The Box Rockets were launching a AA side featuring new song Fishes i knew it would be a hit. I could feel it in my waters. Starring alongside the equally catchy crowd-pleaser Stay, the double A side release was sure to see The Box Rockets explode onto the music scene and, naturally, into the studios at JOY 94.9. 

Very happy to once again sit accross from the four-piece-orchestra-of-awesomeness that is The Box Rockets, I grilled them about all things important, from their looming launch date to that childhood fear that you're the only young boy with a willy.  To hear what they had to say download the podcast! (See right)

Of course i don't mean to make fun of that fear. I am to this day terrified i go to the toilet incorrectly. No really, when you don't pee as part of a line you have nothing to compare your technique to.

Launching the AA side at the Worker's Club on Brunsick street on Saturday the 26th June, the band headlined a fine line-up featuring Skye Harbour and Jimmy Hawk and the Endless Party. (Really who could turn down an endless party?)

Alas Jimmy Hawk's endless party did indeed end,  however DJ Michael Sabbadini, kept the party at the Worker's club going in between sets.

The headlining act also featured two honorary Box Rockets to the line up who were dubbed the Box Rockettes and sang very classy harmonies alongside lead singer Luke Sabbadini.

In conclusion friends, I heart The Box Rockets and at the very least i would recommend heading to their Myspace.

After all, to the untrained eye they may seem another group of hipsters parading the pub stage but I assure you this group aren't fringe-flicking scenesters, no sir, they are not even close. In fact, they are terrified of such people, they enjoy playing their music for people to hear but when driving down brunswick street, they lock their doors.


http://www.myspace.com/theboxrockets
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Box-Rockets/24288270372

Befriend them on Myspace, Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

The Box Rockets are taking a break for the month of July while Pam (the drummer) climbs a mountain in Africa. Overachievers much?

Our Beloved Tote.

The heart and soul of Melbourne's thriving live music scene is back. Thank you god of rock. On Thursday night The Tote was resurrected in a media event featuring performances by Eagle and the worm and Digger and the Pussycats, and a preview screening of the Tote documentary. The Tote's new foster family, Jon, Sam and Andy who also operate Bar Open, Yah Yah's and Pony offered a warm welcome back. Whilst a rumour was leaked that the venue would no longer go by The Tote, the venue will still keep it's iconic name.

Punters filled the ghostly band room and beer garden having a raucous time until they left the beer garden under a mist of cigarette smoke, the new carpet blessed by pint glasses and walked out the door with their ears ringing.

Many also left with tacos in hand. Yes, that's right. After a pint or two punters needn't stumble down to the Smith Street McDonald's for their fast food fix, they simply need to turn around to see the shiny new taco stand the new owners have put in place. That just hit me then. What a GENIUS idea!?

It may seem odd to drag Melbourne's media down to the Tote to show them some new carpet and a taco stand. After all, it is just the Tote. I wondered if another pub would get the same treatmet if it closed. Perhaps Pony with a 1am curfew or if the alleyway was empty outside Ding Dong, but then  i realised it's not just the venue. Its the scene of people that went there, go there, and will go there to hear their favourite music and it's the network of music lovers that support a new bands first gig on a sunday afternoon and that is what's worth fighting for.

The whole liquor liscencing debarkle is an importamt struggle for me as the Tote closing was the catalyst for me to start Little Fish, so on Monday's show listen out as I say from the JOY studios to the Tote, welcome back.

The Tote is set to officially reopen on June 17th

Some acts ready to grace the stage in the coming weeks are:
The Tote Relaunches:
  
Thursday 17th June – Official Opening feat. Bakelite Age + more TBA
Friday 18th June – Apocalypse Dudes
Saturday 20th June – Jackie And The Cedrics + The Spazzys
Thursday 24th June – Warped + Mat Sonic And The High Times
Friday 25th June – Black Cab
Saturday 26th June – Mike Noga And The Gentlemen Of Fortune + Bowers + Joel Silbershier
Friday 2nd July – The Casanovas

Mama Kin  aka Danielle Caruana is married to John Butler, has kids, is living in Brooklyn and plays ukulele. To hear more about her listen to the podcast (to the left) from Monday nights show. She is a complete babe but I don't tell her that in the interview.

She is touring with The Cat Empire which I'm sure will be horn blasting fun (did i type that).
Aug 19  - Palace Theatre - Melbourne, VIC
Aug 21 - The Station - Perisher, NSW
Aug 22 - ANU Bar - Canberra, ACT
Aug 28 - River Stage - Brisbane, QLD
Aug 29 - Hordern Pavilion - Sydney, NSW
Sept 1 - Thebarton Theatre - Adelaide, SA
Sept 2 - Astor Theatre - Perth, WA
Sept 10 - Reggaetown - Cairns, QLD

So get your tickets now because they are on sale. Now. From ticketmaster.
www.ticketmaster.com.au

 I'm looking forward to seeing her when she comes to Melbourne. It should be the best show out of the lot because The Palace is home for The Cat Empire. 

Mama Kin's first two singles are out now. To my table and Tore my heart out are available in stores and for download.

For More information on Mama Kin check out:


http://www.mamakinlive.com/

 http://www.myspace.com/mamakinmusic

Mama Kin and John Butler also run 'The Seed' a program for up and comers in the music industry. It's a fanatstic program and deserves our support. See below for more information.
http://www.thejbseed.com/

  

Tegan and Sara @ The Forum

Tegan and Sara @ The Forum
Last night i was lucky enough to catch up with Tegan and Sara in the green room before the first of their Melbourne shows. When talking to them you wouldn't know that they are "household names" rather you would think they were a friend-of-a-friend you were being introduced to at a bar.  They are the funniest and nicest people ever and I was so excited to see their amazing live set. Apart from the music the highlight for me was when Tegan inquired as to whether a crazed screaming fan had stepped into a bear trap. Second favourite highlight was Sara's on going tributes to 80s film star Elisabeth Shue. Like i said, funniest girls ever and i can now totally get why fans remove their underwear on sight of them, or get T&S added to their sleeve tattoos!

The Jezabels provided incredible support for the twins opening with their new single Easy to love and closing with the incredible and epic Hurt Me.

I chatted to Heather from The Jezabels on Mondays show about the tour and plenty of other things. Check out the podcast to hear the interview in full.


Astronauticalis Provided second support and was met with a strange response. His apparent mission was to counter Tegan and Sara's "nice music" with music that encourages concert goers to "cheat and steal".  His overall act reminded me of a Patrick Wolf from the Bronx. Certainly entertaining.

In other news, I am very short.

But so are Tegan and Sara.

Now linked to the JOY 94.9 website!

www.joy.org.au

Swan vs Raptor

Download Swan vs Raptor here.

Download the Swan vs Raptor compilation for free here.
SWAN VS RAPTOR is a free (FREE!) digital-download-only compilation featuring new and unreleased tracks from a whole bunch of amazing Australian independent artists, released by local Melbourne label Special Award Records.

Its amazing trust me. Check out awesome covers of R Kelly's 'Ignition' and Nikki Webster's 'Strawberry Kisses'. And Much more.

Interview with the box rockets!!!!

Subscribe to Joy 94.9 (Little Fish)