Industrial Strength: June 14

14 June 2010

by Christie Eliezer

NEW SIGNINGS

Elefant Traks makes Kinection

Sydney hip hop label Elefant Traks has signed Newcastle-based indigenous hip hop trio The Last Kinection. Weno, Nay and DJ Jaytee, who draw from their Kabi Kabi heritage, release their second album The Next of Kin later this year.

Sandcastle takes on Abbe May

Sydney-based Sandcastle Music inked Perth blues singer Abbe May for recording and publishing. May, who this year split up her band The Rockin’ Pneumonia, won the female and blues and roots categories at the recent WAMi awards. She’s working on an album with producer Sam Ford. Sandcastle’s Managing Director Rob Scott says, “She’s such a great live performer and her songwriting channels the spirit of some of the greatest artists of the last century.”

Difrnt gets the Flick

Difrnt Music/Spitfire Music - home to COG, The Angels and Regular John - has added Brisbane pop/punk/electronic four-piece Flicks to its roster. The band’s new single Hayley is an ode to Paramore front-woman, Hayley Williams.

More charms for Speak’n’Spell

Speak’n’Spell added more names to their roster. They include Death In Venice aka Craig and Camilla Jackson who’re about to play live, New York’s Bear In Heaven, and New Zealand’s Dear Times Waste who might tour here this year.

INSIDE TRACK

Faker are currently working on their third album, which promises to have a greater injection of electronica to past releases.

A buzz is already growing on rapper 360’s new sessions for Soulmate, in the way he’s melding different styles of hip hop.

After their songwriter and guitarist Steve Iorio finished a six month stint in rehab in Austria, Melbourne’s The Vagrants are heading to the studio in late June with engineer and producer Drew Parsons.

Radiohead drummer Phil Selway's solo debut album Familial include guest appearances from singer/songwriter Lisa Germano, Wilco's Glenn Kotche and Patrick Sansone and former Soul Coughing bassist Sebastian Steinberg.

The new collaboration between David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, Here Lies Love, is based on the life of former Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos.

Sydney-based DJ/producer Mobin Master’s debut album Get Lucky will be a mix of recent house tracks and early cool jazz cuts.

THINGS WE HEAR

Daniel Johns’ bent humour led to short-lived rumours that Silverchair were splitting. At Darwin’s Bassinthgrass festival, he introduced Freak by saying "This is our last song ... ever."

Smashing Pumpkins twittered they’re heading here most likely in August.

Soundwave promoter AJ Maddah wasn’t hiding his exasperation when he revealed that he failed to secure Rancid for the festival — for the sixth time.

Will Soundwave announce a new venue for its Sydney show? Stay tuned.

Tamworth radio 2TM changed its name to 2JW on the weekend to officially acknowledge the 40th anniversary of the beginning of John Williamson’s career.

Is Shannon Noll about to announce a new record deal after parting from Sony in January?

Which country singer accidentally wheeled off with the wrong baby at the local supermarket?