Reeling in the Years - ConnectFM 100.9 Artists chat - Sydney NSW Australia- Podcast

Brett Clarke Joined John as his bonus Artist on the Phone , Brett spoke about his wonderful songs and the many people who have helped record his Music in Australia and Nashville.

Country singer-songwriter Brett Clarke, from Tamworth NSW, started his music career in early 2003. Through the years Brett entered many competitions including Telstra Road to Tamworth and Australian Idol, but the biggest was the TV series, The Voice Australia. Brett auditioned with a brave song choice, 'Making Memories Of Us', with high hopes that Keith Urban would turn his chair. Within seconds Keith turned to welcome Brett into Team Keith, making the 'Top 24 Australia' and going on to achieve over 90,000 downloads of his first single recorded at 301 Studios and released by Universal Music Australia.

Brett's current album, 'Standing Back' is available on Spotify, Apple Music and Google Play. Brett is currently recording his second album in Nashville, USA. Filled with more emotion than ever before, and featuring songs like 'Circus' a haunting tale of overcoming depression and having to let the love of his life go. 'I Don't Like The Rain' citing the tears he cried seeming to be more than the rain had to offer and a hurricane of dark emotions that ripped through his life, ruined his relationship, and whenever it rains, reminding him how badly it all ended.

Sean and Chris Joined John over Zoom, to discuss the New EP and play each track.

Fireglow was formed in the spring of 2018. The band came together through a mutual desire to make great music in a fun and creative environment. Their approach to music is to serve the song. Each member of Fireglow adds their own unique flavour to every song they perform which creates a uniquely blended mix of upbeat, honest and real (back to the 60s and 70s) rock and roll music.

A live performance by the band is high-energy, good-times, leave-nothing-on-stage passion! Fireglow is part 60s pop, part 70s rock but 100% honest music. What you hear is what you get. Nothing fake. No gimmicks. A return to a time when real musicians played real songs on real instruments

Ben Joined John to chat about his Music , Including his latest track " Night After Night"

"Powerful vocals and infectious melodies, BEN RANSOM has all the hallmarks of a classic artist and performer"

"He is a powerhouse of entertainment with wild stage antics and immensely enjoyable songs that transcend the Country genre...he continuously delivers a smoking hot and energetic live show!"

From the back streets of Toongabbie to the world stage, Sydney based Artist Ben Ransom has travelled, toured and performed all over the globe including a two and a half year stint in Europe with a style that is a blend of country, blues and pub-rock. Since 2001, he has worked with and supported top Australian & International recording artists, along with appearances at just about every major music festival around the country!

After an upbringing that was littered with as many hard knocks as it was musical staples, Ben first picked up the guitar and started singing at age 15, which proved to be the catalyst for this outstanding Artists' musical journey. From playing in various bands, to holding down three jobs at once to travel and put himself through University, Ben's musical odyssey has been as diverse as it has been defining.

Working full time, after completing his Uni degree, became a creatively stifling black hole and with his life slowly spiralling in to suburban oblivion, he packed up and moved to Europe. This proved to be a musical renaissance and, within a couple of short months in the UK, he had secured a residency performing in the heart of London's West end (where it was said constantly, that he brought the spirit of a B&S Ball to the heart of London!). This is where Ben credits himself 'cutting his teeth'.

After two and a half years, he returned to Australia with stints between Melbourne and Sydney. He trod the pub circuit, regularly playing five nights a week until a chance meeting with Matt O'Connor (former A&R Warner) which led to him going in to the studio to record some of the songs he had been working on over the years.

Ben's first commercial success came in 2010 with the runaway hit 'Bourbon & Sunsets' which preceded his debut album 'SLOW BURN' in 2013 (produced by industry heavyweight Matt Fell). He soon became a radio favourite with songs like 'Truck Stop Honey' and 'Big Country Sky'.

The following year, he was picked up by international hit maker Rob EG (Robbie Porter, Wizard Records - Rick Springfield, Air Supply, Daddy Cool, Hush, Tommy Emmanuel) after he was suitably impressed with his live stage show. They joined for a collaboration which was released through Wizard Records and began work on his sophomore album '101', the latter of which was adopted by the start up label 'Country Rocks Records'. During this time, Ben continued to release several singles from a 'live' recording which cemented his name in the country industry. Crowd favourites like 'One More Beer' and 'Dry Town' made him a hit at Festivals and the like.

The '101' album was a long time in the making which saw Ben expanding and developing his song writing skills. Incorporating modern influences while honouring his country and rock sensibilities, the recording was also an opportunity to work alongside national icons Sharon O'Neill and the late Phil Emmanuel. The album was a success, receiving national commercial radio airplay and producing a string of hits.

Over 2 studio albums and one 'live' recording, Ben has notched up three National #1's and multiple Top 10 charting singles along with a swag of award nominations. This is testament to his broad appeal, talent and down to Earth personality.

2020 will mark the release of his third studio album 'ALL IN ALL'. Recorded between Nashville and Sydney, it features all new self penned songs and finest...

Ellery Joined John on the Phone , discussing his music and his latest Single " Change like that"

alt-pop singer-songwriter Ellery Cohen has been on the rise for the past year, delivering emotionally raw melodies and incredible live performances. The kind of songwriter who touches on the depths of love, family, heartbreak and everything in between, Cohen writes with his heart very much open and on his sleeve.

Ellery's latest single "change like that", is served up as an important mental health message to everyone who has, and is struggling with depression and anxiety.

His third single "Read Your Mind" was written both before and after a breakup, pre-empting the emotions of heartbreak that were soon followed by the event itself. Continuing the theme of his first single "Us" released late 2018, Ellery speaks about the memories of a previous love, and the pain of watching that person move on.

Building on the momentum from 2019, Ellery Cohen is planning on making 2020 his most successful year he has to date.

Henry Alexander is a 19 year Old Musician , he Joined John on the Phone to chat about his second Single Trouble maker , and talked about his 1st Single and a demo

A gritty Collingwood recording studio, golden threads and catchy hooks make 19 year old Henry Alexander's second release, Trouble Maker stand out.

Trouble Maker describes something everyone goes through. Ambition, two steps forward one step back, envy, feeling controlled. When really, just do whatever you want, live however you choose. Just don't hurt anybody. That's how it feels, that's what he believes.

"I'm on my feet, but I'm not moving, the whole world is across the street with you" a line from the track; So cross that street, it's up to you. Never give up.

Henry Alexander's Trouble Maker was written and produced late 2019. It was recorded at Sing Sing and Sunset Pig studios with Sam Swain at the helm. Sam is a talented instrumentalist and sound engineer who is also currently playing bass guitar with Kilns and Josh Cashman. Trouble Maker was mixed by Tony Espie (Tuff Tones Music), four =mes ARIA awards nominee and has worked with artists such as Missy Higgins, The Avalanches and the late great Robert Palmer. Tony is now playing a hand with Henry's studio recordings.

Trouble Maker's provocatively retro and positive sensibilities aren't born out of ironic tribute but is born of joyful desire to dance and express freely. "I'm not a Trouble Maker, there's nothing I need to prove and I don't need your validation" - Henry Alexander likes love songs, he has writen some but Trouble Maker is not one of them.

Leea Joined john on the Phone to talk her music , in cluding the latest Track " Bad Girl"

Bad Girlis the electrifying new release from the multi-talented Australian singer-songwriter Leea Nanos. After winning a slew of awards including the UK Songwriting Competition, the Eurovision Australia Decides 2019 finalist has followed up last year's two breakthrough tracks, Set Me Freeand Don't Call Mewith this scorching contemporary RnB ode to empowerment and self-affirmation. From Leea's signature smouldering vocal to the bruising beats of the chilled groove, Bad Girl sets Leea onto a new path to maturity, with the song's melodic finesse, audacious self-asserting statement of identity wielded with authority and compelling abandon. Alluring yet brimming with candid, unpretentious passion, Bad Girlis another high-water mark track for Leea, firmly establishing the enormous potential for this extraordinary artist

James Joined John on the Phone to discuss his new Album " Kid"

James Franklin grew up with influences ranging from James Taylor to Sam Cooke To Led Zeppelin, acknowledging early on that music could only be defined by it's truth, not by genre. He acknowledged that music was better if it connected with listeners.

Now after playing shows alongside 5 Seconds Of Summer, Daryl Braithwaite and Joan Osborne, playing headline shows around Australia and the U.S.A, and releasing two EP's (Pumpkin Pie, The Laundry Room Mixtape)... James Franklin is connecting with people from around the globe and doing his duty as a songwriter.

"I aim to do to others what music has always done for me, pull me out of the deepest, darkest valley of my mind and into the light" - James Franklin

After nearly 7 years of writing and performing, In late 2018, James Franklin began recording his debut album. Franklin states that "this album is exactly what the fans have been asking for. A whole bunch of fresh songs, produced by myself with brilliant musicians adding their own flavour". The album was recorded at Furstock Studios with sound-engineer Doug Brady (John Farnham, Keith Urban, David Bowie)

Dylan joined join to talk his project Katanak , plus we spoke about 2 released tracks - Astronomy / Life

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'Life' is not always so black and white. The world has grown smaller and it's only natural that people from other countries will come into contact with each other and want to have a life together. This song is about a French girl who is now my fiancée, she happened to stumble into a bar I was playing at one night and then didn't leave. C'est la vie. We all know about the VISA situation, well it's real and it makes life challenging. She's over here with me now and we're about to go through the Visa process soon. This song was written when she was back in France and I was here and we were trying to work out how we could be together. It's about the hoops that you have to jump through to be with someone and it's not just a straight forward 'boy meets girl' scenario.

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Astronomy' started out life as a song that was about to get swept under the rug because I couldn't figure out lyrics or a melody. I'd written the music, played all the instruments and produced this song in my home studio. While recording 'Life', my mix engineer Ben McCarthy, was listening to my work, including what is now 'Astronomy'. He instantly forwarded the beds to Keir Nuttall (Australian composer) so that we could collab. Kier was so excited with the song that within 24 hours he had the lyrics and melody completed and we had a finished product.

Maxo joined John on the phone and spoke about his amazing tracks , we heard 3 of his songs - Never ever , light it up and his Current song "All My love "

MAXO an artist continuing to carve out a name for himself on the Australian folk scene, is diving straight into 2020 with no constraint - merely a guitar in-hand & doing what he does best; crafting folk-laden, feel-good artistry. After an exceptional Christmas release of Coldplay's "Christmas Lights", MAXO's upcoming release "All My Love" is a flaming bullet, jumping the gun as his first release of the new decade.

"All My Love" is about 'the compromise that comes with life and love. You can be working hard chasing your dreams (one of the massive loves in my life) but, in turn, may find yourself missing out on other loves, such as family & friends'.

This triumphant amalgamation of emotion and musical flare doubles up as a hearty combination of acoustic, bass & electric guitars, with brassy notes of trumpets and horns, all underpinned by punchy drums. It's as though Kodaline's uplifting indie folk-rock has met with Mumford & Sons heartfelt vigour, to find a happy medium that's bright, airy and optimistic - staying true to MAXO's signature artistic style. Thanks MAXO

Michael Burrows Joined John on the Phone , we spoke about Michael as a Musician , and His Music , Including his latest " Please Don't Cry with Neil Finn backing Vocals .

when Australian singer, songwriter Michael Burrows saw the opportunity of working with his songwriting hero Neil Finn, he did everything in his power to make it happen.

Burrows explains; "A few years ago, after a tip off from a friend, I donated some money to the wonderful charity Medicine Mondiale"

Along with its main ambassador Neil Finn, they offered the chance to the biggest donor to record at Neil's world class Roundhead Studios in Auckland New Zealand.

"When I received the phone call to inform me I had won, the experience that followed changed my life forever!

"I had saved some money especially for my music career, so investing in this opportunity to work with Neil and his charity, seemed like the best step I could make for my music".

Burrows soon began to communicate with Finn via email and sent him demos of his songs. Neil instantly connected to a couple of them, especially "Please Don't Cry", which he felt was ready to bring to life.

Burrows further comments; "I would have been happy just chatting with Neil about music and the art of songwriting".

"But what happened next was beyond my wildest expectations".

" Towards the end of the second night, Neil jumped into the vocal booth, and when he laid down the harmonies to my song, I was ready to die right there in that New Zealand chair!"

"I remember sitting next to the engineer Jordan Stone, and asked him if Neil does this all the time? He shook is head and mouthed the word 'no'. This was really happening!"

Finn arranged for a local band of players to add some colour, including members of New Zealand band Pluto - a band Burrows admired from a way back. Michael and the band immediately gelled together and the songs quickly took shape. "Neil was so generous with his time and advice and was involved with every aspect of the project. Including contributing vocal harmonies, playing the Wurlitzer piano, coming up with arrangement ideas and producing the rhythm tracks" says Burrows.

He recalls; "A surreal moment for me was hearing Neil in my headphones, giving directions and doodling along trying new sounds on his guitar while we were tracking. As a producer, Neil was patient and encouraged us to take risks"

They tried "Please Don't Cry" in different forms, from punk to Johnny Cash.

Neil instinctively kept returning to the slower, late night, almost drunken apologetic feel as the best version.

"I knew in my heart that he was completely right. It was also in a place that felt more age appropriate. It was a great lesson in honouring the song and doing what was right for the song"

Michael Burrows left New Zealand with two songs that had drums, bass, Wurlitzer, main vocals and harmonies with all the confidence and validation needed to finish the tracks.

When Burrows returned to Melbourne, he enlisted old friends Gideon and Daniel Frankle who run Dare Studios in Melbourne and finished the additional production elements including extra key parts, electric guitar and lap steel. Tony Buchen (Tim Finn, Bob Evans) mixed the tracks and Steve Smart from Studios 301 Sydney mastered them to completion.

Burrows sat on the tracks for a while as a few other amazing opportunities occurred; including recording an EP in Nashville (which included a re-recording of "Please Don't Cry" for US release) while subsequent promotion and release of this EP spanned a further year. Burrows was always looking for the right time to release the original recording of "Please Don't Cry".

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"I have played this track to death over the past couple of years and feel privileged that I have heard an unreleased version of my song featuring my favourite...