There are a couple of ways to judge a compilation album: firstly, by consistency and overall flavour or secondly, by the sheer breadth and quality of the song selection that the album covers. The Best of Blues and Roots 2012 album is indeed a ‘Best of’ album. The compilation has brought together some of the best of the genre for the year with a star studded crop of artists over two discs. There’s the token foot-stomping filth (the good kind) from Ash Grunwald , the infections and timeless hit “I need a dollar” by Aloe Blacc , the fun and funky ...

She's toured worldwide with renowned Australian roots reggae band Brown">Blue King Brown (as their former backing singer) but this year Jess Harlen has decided to focus on her own music, cooking up some fresh new tracks. Park Yard Slang is the second album by the Melbourne based artist which was released on March 30, 2012 through Obese Records. It is evident that there has been a significant shift of events in Harlen’s music since the release of Neon Heartache, 2011 LP (through Plethora Records). Both albums were produced by renowned award-winning producer, Plutonic Lab . Therefore with the ...

Greetings music lovers! After weeks of speculation, the time has finally come. In 2012 SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS embarks on a new chapter in the life of Australia’s favourite winter festival. Back home at Byron Bay, from July 27 to 29 Splendour will once again transform Belongil Fields into the ultimate playground for music and arts enthusiasts. Splendour returns to Byron Bay with 3 full days of knockout talent from around the globe! And while the site will feel familiar to many, it will also include all the bells and whistles from 2011. “The show has grown over the ...

Let's cut to the chase, as let's face it, you've been waiting long enough! Hitting Belongil Fields in Byron Bay this July 27, 28 and 29 for the 2012 Splendour in the Grass festival will be... Jack White, Bloc Party (ONLY AUSTRALIAN SHOW), Smashing Pumpkins, At The Drive-In (ONLY AUSTRALIAN SHOW), Lana Del Rey, Azealia Banks, The Shins, Hoods">Hilltop Hoods, The Kooks (ONLY AUSTRALIAN SHOW), Gossip, Miike Snow, Dirty Three, 360, Tame Impala, Explosions In The Sky (ONLY AUSTRALIAN SHOW), Ladyhawke, The Afghan Whigs, Missy Higgins, Wolfmother, Metric, Kimbra, Mudhoney, Band Of Skulls, Spiderbait, Django Django ...

This year’s Splendour In The Grass line-up has been revealed in full. It includes Lana Del Rey, Jack White, Smashing Pumpkins, a reformed Afghan Whigs, as well as Bloc Party and At The Drive-In in their only Australian appearances. The Dirty Three, who recently played a round of theatre shows in support of new album Towards The Low Sun (read a review of two of them here ), are also confirmed, while Tame Impala, Kimbra, Hoods">Hilltop Hoods, Lanie Lane, Wolfmother, Seekae, Bleeding Knees Club, Big Scary and DZ Deathrays round out a sizeable local contingent. Full line-up below. In ...

Photographer: Chris Dornan Photography Photographer: Chris Dornan Photography Artists: John Butler Trio, Brown">Blue King Brown, The Pogues, Josh Pyke, The Audreys, Angelique Kidjo, Round Mountain Girls, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Seasick Steve, Maceo Parker, Eagle and The Worm, Watussi, Busby Marou, Mama Kin Event: Bluesfest Byron Bay Date: 8th April 2012 CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL GALLERY * Search for all articles [...]

Our Day 4 began with Mama Kin , whose set mixed sassy keyboard progressions with big soul vocals and the odd ballad thrown in. Her inter-song stand-up routine engaged her very relaxed audience, as did an awkward-looking but gutsy-sounding drum solo. In an unexpected change of pace, Yann Tiersen et al gave the crowd a progressive/shoegaze escape. Although the occasional vocals were muffled in the mix, there was an undeniable cinema about it all (fitting for the artist that did the Amelie soundtrack amongst others), and Tiersen's violin virtuosity was raw, inventive and stirring. The next stop was Busby ...

Sunday’s Womadelaide line up was slightly less packed out than last night’s, but with freshly washed pre-festival feet and better sun protection, I headed back to Botanic Park to soak up my last day at the festival. Entering the Speakers Corner area, The Master Drummers of Burundi was conducting the first of many workshops which were to take place over the course of the day. The drumming ensemble, formerly the royal drummers of Burundi, ran a successful workshop and it was surprising how well they taught the public within the short amount of time they had to teach ...

As BLUE KING BROWN ’s NATALIE PA’APA’A gears up for a performance at the Gold Coast’s Bleach* Festival, she tells TIM PRICE about writing a new album and drawing attention to the plight of the West Papuan people.

The Dirty Three have added three new dates to their upcoming national tour. The band – Warren Ellis, Turner">Mick Turner and Jim White – will now perform at the WOMADelaide festival in Adelaide on March 10, alongside the likes of Gurrumul, First Aid Kit, Chic, Pajama Club and Brown">Blue King Brown. They’ll also be playing two shows in regional NSW: March 12 at The Glasshouse in Port Macquarie and March 23 at Starcourt Theatre in Lismore (aka the birthplace of Grinspoon). In other news, the band’s March 18 headline show at Theatre Royal in Castlemaine is now sold ...

Brown">Blue King Brown are no strangers on the international world music scene and are one of Australia's well-loved roots collectives. Coming back to Adelaide for WOMAD this year, I speak with BKB's front woman Natalie Pa'apa'a about what we can expect. read more

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO LOGISTICS & WEATHER CONTINGENCY THIS WILL NOW BE AN INDOOR EVENT AT THE SOUNDLOUNGE Bleach* , Currumbin RSL & The SoundLounge Co-present … Brown">Blue King Brown Supporting the fight for freedom in West Papua. Breaking the silence on 50 years of Genocide of the West Papuan people. “This is not the struggle of West Papuans alone, but for all those who believe in respect for other human beings and reverence for this beautiful planet on which we all depend for life.” John Rumbiak, West Papuan human rights leader. Hailed by Santana as “The voice of the street and the band of the future!” Brown">Blue King Brown, 2011 ARIA nominated artist, is Australia’s premier 8 piece live urban roots crew. Lead by the multi talented, relentless energy of Natalie Pa’apa’a; Powerful vocal & lyrical delivery’s meet a dancehall, roots, rock & afro groove mash-up built on an irrepressible percussive foundation. Their power packed live show is second to none & now world renowned, they’ve played across the planet, through EUROPE, UK, CANADA, USA, & JAPAN rocking crowds from Tokyo to Texas and everywhere in between, Having shared stage and opened for the likes of SANTANA, DAMIAN MARLEY, JULIEN MARLEY, SPEARHEAD, JOHN BUTLER, THE CAT EMPIRE, LAURYN HILL to name a few. Once again pushing genre boundaries and breaking new sonic grounds their new album saw them ...

The WOMAD team has announced the first acts of the 2012 main event, including Brown">Blue King Brown, First Aid Kit and Tinariwen.

Island Vibe Festival returns to Minjerribah’s (North Stradbroke’s) Point Lookout for its sixth year. Once again aiming to host the very best reggae, soul and dub acts, the line-up includes Electric Wire Hustle, Nicky Bomba (& The Island Vibe All Skas), Rudekat Sound & The Senors, The Rusty Datsun’s, Chali 2na and Brown">Blue King Brown (pictured). There’s a bunch more, so head to OzTix for tickets! ...

Australia’s premiere afro-roots & reggae outfit BLUE KING BROWN are finally headed to the Island Vibe Festival. Their energetic leader NATALIE PA’APA’A fills JAMES STAFFORD in on the details.