ABBA – Voyage

ABBA, one of the most successful pop groups of all time, will release their new studio album Voyage on Friday 5th November, their first album in nearly 40 years with more tickets for their concert ABBA Voyage on sale now.

Details of Voyage were announced early September, along with ABBA Voyage, the revolutionary new concert that will see Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid performing digitally with a live 10-piece band, in a purpose-built ‘ABBA arena’ at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London from 27th May 2022.

Following the announcement of the brand-new album, ABBA broke Universal’s record making it the fastest ever pre-order of all time in the UK in just three days with over 80K copies. The concert sold over 250K tickets in the first three days of going on sale and will see the digital versions of ABBA perform a set jam-packed with some of their greatest hits and much-loved songs, along with new tracks ‘I Still Have Faith in You’ and ‘Don’t Shut Me Down’.

The band commented at the time: “It’s been a while since we made music together. Almost 40 years, actually. We took a break in the spring of 1982 and now we’ve decided it’s time to end it. They say it’s foolhardy to wait more than 40 years between albums, so we’ve recorded a follow-up to “The Visitors”. To tell the truth, the main inspiration to record again comes from our involvement in creating the strangest and most spectacular concert you could ever dream of. We’re going to be able to sit back in an audience and watch our digital selves perform our songs on a stage in a custom-built arena in London next spring. Weird and wonderful!”

Voyage will be ABBA’s first studio album since The Visitors, which was released 30th November 1981, hitting the #1 spot in the UK, Sweden and five other countries. The album was one of the earliest albums in history to be pressed on CD format. Voyage also comes nearly five decades after the band’s debut album Ring Ring, released in 1973.

As with all previous ABBA studio albums, Voyage was written and produced by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, their arrangements and lyrics complemented through the unmistakable and timeless vocals of Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Much of the programming and mixing was undertaken by Benny, with the album also featuring the Stockholm Concert Orchestra.

The new album saw the four members of ABBA head back into Benny’s studio Riksmixningsverket in Stockholm over a four-year period to record the ten songs that feature on the album. These include ‘I Still Have Faith In You’, and ‘Don’t Shut Me Down’, the first two songs to be recorded in these new sessions.

About the album release, Benny Andersson says: “We knew if there was a show, we would need a couple of new songs to go with it…When we got into the studio after 39 years it was like no time had passed…we had a great time. I speak to Frida and Agnetha, and know they’re extremely happy having done this.”

Anni-Frid Lyngstad continues: “Those first sessions back in 2018 were such fun and when Benny called and asked if I’d consider singing some more, I jumped at it! And what songs!! My respect and love go out to these exceptionally talented, truly genius songwriters! Such joy it was to work with the group again. I am so happy with what we have made, and I dearly hope our fans feel the same.”

Agnetha Fältskog adds: “When we got back together in the studio, I had no idea what to expect…But Benny’s recording studio is such a friendly and safe environment, and before I knew it I was really enjoying myself! I can hardly believe that finally, the moment has come to share this with the world!”

Björn Ulvaeus ends: “…So now we have ten songs – a whole album, called Voyage – because it’s been a voyage, into uncharted territory…There must be something with the combination of Frida and Agnetha that makes that unique sound – when they started singing, it was ABBA.”

Steve Williams – Shelter Me

Steve Williams came to prominence as the lead guitarist in the 80’s pop group Wa Wa Nee, who had top 5 hits and ARIA Nominations in Australia and chart action in Europe and the USA. Following Wa Wa Nee’s breakup Steve worked with prominent local artists, James Freud and Richard Clapton, before relocating to Europe.

In London, Steve built a successful career as a session guitarist working with Jon Lord from Deep Purple, Ray Parker Jr, Real Life and many more. He returned to Australia in 2005 and continued session and production work including musical theatre and television appearances playing with The Choir Boys, Matt Finish and others.

The Surry Road album was recorded in Steve’s Melbourne studio. Steve co-wrote all the tracks with musicians that he has worked with over his many years of touring and recording. Tracks feature guest vocals from Pat Powell (Melbourne Ska Orchestra and many more) and other well-known vocalists such as: John Kenny (Rockmelons), Tim Watson (Taxiride), Vince Contarino, Terry Slesser (UK) Louise Person as well up-coming Melbourne singer Nic MC.

The songs were co written with a host of writers including Mark Gable (Choriboys), Scott Smith and many of the singers above.

With the worldwide release of Surrey Road marking off this long span of writing and recording, Steve’s new album for 2022 is already underway with a much more personalized and singular approach.

The Rolling Stones – Tattoo You (40th Anniversary Edition)

The Rolling Stones today release 40th anniversary, expanded deluxe editions of their chart-topping, multi-platinum 1981 album Tattoo You via Universal Music.

The newly remastered set is accompanied by no fewer than nine previously unreleased tracks from the era, including the unheard ‘Come To The Ball’. It follows the unveiling of the irresistible rocker ‘Living In The Heart Of Love’ on August 19 and the never before released ‘Troubles A’ Comin’, an infectious and multi-faceted cover of the Chi-Lites original, on September 30.

The release comes 40 years after the celebrated album was first released on August 24, 1981, and as the rock ‘n’ roll legends have returned to the road on the critically-acclaimed No Filter tour in the US, which kicked off on September 26 in St. Louis and extends into November.

Anticipation for the new editions of Tattoo You has been high among Stones devotees and new admirers alike. The 40th anniversary remaster of the original 11-track album includes such enduring favourites as ‘Hang Fire’, ‘Waiting On A Friend’ (showcasing jazz saxophone giant Sonny Rollins) and of course the opening track that’s been a band signature ever since, ‘Start Me Up’. The deluxe formats also include Lost & Found: Rarities and Still Life: Wembley Stadium 1982.

The Lost & Found disc contains no fewer than nine songs from the period of the album’s original release, newly completed and enhanced with additional vocals and guitar by the band. Among these, ‘Living In The Heart Of Love’ is a quintessential Stones rock workout, complete with urgent guitar licks and fine piano detail.

Other highlights of Lost & Found include a killer version of ‘Shame, Shame, Shame’, first recorded in 1963 by one of the band’s blues heroes, Jimmy Reed; their reading of Dobie Gray’s soul gem ‘Drift Away’; and a fascinating reggae-tinged version of ‘Start Me Up’.

Still Life: Wembley Stadium 1982 is an unmissable memento of the band’s London show in June of that year on the Tattoo You tour. The mighty 26-track set is packed with Stones mega-hits, including an opening ‘Under My Thumb’ and all-time greats such as ‘Let’s Spend The Night Together’, ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ and ‘Honky Tonk Women’.

The Wembley show has covers of the Temptations’ ‘Just My Imagination,’ Eddie Cochran’s ‘Twenty Flight Rock,’ the Miracles’ ‘Going To A Go Go’ and early rock ‘n’ roller the Big Bopper’s ‘Chantilly Lace.’ It also features early live workouts for tracks from the then-new Tattoo You such as ‘Start Me Up’, ‘Neighbours’, ‘Little T&A’ and ‘Hang Fire’.

Universal Music’s Tattoo You (40th Anniversary Edition) follows the 2020 reissue of the Stones’ 1973 landmark Goats Head Soup, which took the album back to No. 1 in the UK. Remarkably, this marked the second time their peerless catalogue had produced a UK chart-topper twice over, after 2010’s deluxe edition of their 1972 staple Exile On Main St.

On first release, Tattoo You, produced by the Glimmer Twins with associate producer Chris Kimsey, topped the charts in the US (where it went quadruple platinum), Canada, Australia and across much of Europe, with gold and platinum awards around the world.

ABBA – Just A Notion

Following what was one of the biggest and most anticipated comebacks in history last month, ABBA relase the new single ‘Just A Notion’, out today.

‘Just A Notion’ is the third single from ABBA’s new studio album Voyage, which is out Friday 5th November on Universal Music Group. The album, recorded at Benny’s studio Riksmixningsverket in Stockholm, includes the previously released singles ‘I Still Have Faith In You’ and ‘Don’t Shut Me Down’.

On ‘Just A Notion’, Björn Ulvaeus says: “Wikipedia says this track was recorded in September 1978, which sounds about right. That puts it in between ABBA the Album and Voulez-Vous, and it would have been included in the latter had we not decided against it. Why did we decide against it? In hindsight, I don’t have a clue. It’s a good song with great vocals. I know that we played it to a publisher in France and a couple of other people we trusted and as far as I can remember they liked it very much. So it’s a mystery and will remain a mystery.”

“Now Benny has recorded a new backing track to which we’ve added drums and guitars, but all vocals are from the original 1978 tracks. In a way, it demonstrates what we plan to do with ABBA Voyage in 2022. There, we will have a live band playing, but all vocals will be from the old recordings.”

“‘Just a Notion’ is a ridiculously happy song and hopefully it will cheer you up in these dark times!”

Last month, the four band members – Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid – confirmed to the delight of fans all over the world that they were back, after nearly 40 years, with a new album and with a revolutionary concert that will see them perform as digital avatars at their very own purpose-built ‘ABBA Arena’ at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. Today they announce that more tickets for their concert ABBA Voyage will go on sale Wednesday 3rd November.

ABBA Voyage opens 27th May 2022 and will see the digital versions of ABBA perform a set jam-packed with some of their greatest hits and much-loved songs, along with the new tracks ‘I Still Have Faith in You’ and ‘Don’t Shut Me Down’ – alongside a ten-piece live band, which was put together by musician and former Klaxons keyboardist James Righton, and features the acclaimed BRIT-nominated singer Little Boots.

The additional tickets for ABBA Voyage, which will take bookings to 4th December 2022, will be on sale from 10am Wednesday 3rd November from abbavoyage.com, with a priority booking window for ABBA Voyage database subscribers from 10am Tuesday 2nd November.

ABBA Voyage is directed by Baillie Walsh (Flashbacks of a Fool, Being James Bond, Springsteen and I), and produced by Svana Gisla (David Bowie Blackstar/Lazarus, Beyoncé and Jay Z for HBO, Springsteen and I) and Ludvig Andersson (And Then We Danced, Yung Lean – “In My Head”, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again).

ABBA’s studio album Voyage will be released 5th November on Universal Music Group

Spiderbait – Ivy and the big apples

The legendary third album by Australian rockers Spiderbait, Ivy and the big apples, turns 25 this year. A masterpiece of mid-90s rock, the band found their stride with this record, their major label debut. The record features Buy Me A Pony, the first Australian track to reach #1 on the triple j hottest 100 and hit single Calypso, featured in the film 10 Things I Hate About You.

To mark the 25th. anniversary of the album, the band are releasing a super-limited edition repress of it on red vinyl to match the cover art. Available to buy now.

On winning the triple j Hottest 100 with ‘Buy Me A Pony’, singer and bassist Janet said the band “found out about it at Hobart town hall playing with Silverchair. Looking back now, I realise it (an Australian band winning for the first time) was a big deal”. Guitarist Whitt added that, at the time, he “felt not only happy for the band, but happy for Australian music lovers who regarded their own as highly as an band from overseas. It’s an achievement any band would be proud of and I’m so grateful that it happened to us”.

“It’s pretty interesting to listen back to the songs, it’s like a little photo album of the memories and experiences of the time”, said Janet, looking back on the album. “Pretty chuffed to have that time capsule now. Friends tell me how much it meant to them which is pretty humbling… We were just three friends hanging out, making music, and trying to make each other laugh!”

The narrative of the Spiderbait story is so fantastical it could only be based in truth: three friends from a small country Australian town taking on the music scene on their own terms and emerging triumphant 30 years later, the friendships unscathed but their band one of the biggest and best.

As brash and confident as they are strange and uncompromising, the three founding members of Spiderbait – Janet, Whitt and Kram – started humbly in the rural NSW township of Finley, fervent music lovers taking inspiration from everything from Slayer to The Bangles and meshing into one intoxicating and unique brew.

Having learned their trade bashing out their idiosyncratic thrash-pop tunes in the shed on Janet’s family’s farm, they soon relocated down to Melbourne and immersed themselves in that rich and fertile scene. From there, they quickly consolidated their status as national treasures, their popularity spanning three decades and showing no signs of abating. They’ve released seven acclaimed albums, which have all racked up gold, platinum or double platinum status and have combined Australian sales of over one million units.

Spiderbait have also racked up pretty much every accolade there is to achieve on the Australian scene, having taken home numerous ARIA Awards, chalked up a number one single (their 2004 cover of Leadbelly’s Black Betty) and even topped the prestigious triple j Hottest 100.

Bryan Adams – So Happy It Hurts

Known the world over for his signature brand of feel-good rock music, acclaimed singer/songwriter Bryan Adams releases the title track from his forthcoming studio album, So Happy It Hurts via BMG.

“The pandemic and lockdown really brought home the truth that spontaneity can be taken away. Suddenly all touring stopped, no one could jump in the car and go,” says Adams. “The title song ‘So Happy It Hurts’ is about freedom, autonomy, spontaneity, and the thrill of the open road. The album of the same name, touches on many of the ephemeral things in life that are really the secret to happiness, most importantly, human connection.”

The album So Happy it Hurts, scheduled for release March 11, 2022, marks Bryan Adams’ 15th release and features 12 new songs co-written by him. The album will be available on all digital platforms, as well as in a variety of physical formats including standard CD, deluxe CD with a lenticular cover and hardbound book and vinyl. Exclusive color vinyl and a limited edition box set which includes the deluxe CD, vinyl, hardbound book and signed photo are also available for pre-order HERE.

Adams, whose live concerts have established him as one of the world’s best rock singers of our time, will be performing in Las Vegas, NV with a residency at the Wynn beginning November 10, 2021. For a full list of dates and ticket info, visit: https://www.bryanadams.com/tours/

Bryan Adams’ music has achieved #1 status in over 40 countries. He is a Companion of the Order of Canada and has garnered many awards and accolades including 3 Academy Award nominations, 5 Golden Globe nominations, a Grammy award, an American Music Award, ASCAP Film and Television Music Award as well as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Aydan – Grow up

Australian singer-songwriter AYDAN returns today with his brand-new single “GROW UP!”, a song representing a defining moment in his life as he steps into adulthood. AYDAN has left his teenage years behind with a newfound maturity that he is learning to embrace. But one thing the 20-year-old wants to hold on to from his youth is the carefree energy he has always been drawn to. It is the perfect track for AYDAN to hold onto that playful spark and deliver richly with his impressive signature vocals.

AYDAN explains, “I think I’m quite a carefree kind of guy and I try not to let things affect me too much. I’m loving moving into this next phase of my life and music career, but I want to make sure I hold on to my sense of fun. This song really captures this, and I hope that others will relate to the vibe and the freedom of this song.”

With over 30 x Million Streams, 400,000+ social following and Sold Out shows AYDAN says he is still on his self-discovery journey adding, “I am finding my feet with who I want to be in the world, and who I want to be as an artist. I feel like I’m starting my career and learning who I am along the way.”

“GROW UP!” was written by Jack Gray, Austin Zudeck, Justin Thunstrom, Zev Troxler and produced by PARKWILD. It’s a song that’s been a little while coming since his last solo release but worth the wait as he honed his craft and artistic vision. While working on music AYDAN starred in the musical “Fangirls”, playing the lead role Harry to rave reviews which wrapped up a national Australian Tour in May 2021.

As AYDAN steers his way into this new chapter with the release of ‘Grow Up’, his feet are firmly grounded on the floor with a growing maturity that perfectly contrasts his playful youthfulness that his dedicated large fanbase have fallen for over the years.

Jack Vidgen – Goodbye

Jack Vidgen, the boy we fell in love with at 14 when he won Australia’s Got Talent, is now 10 years older, 10 years wiser with an incredible story to share.

Jack dances to the beat of his own drum and continues to push limits with his honest and raw lyrics, supported by his incredible vocal talent.

Over recent years Jack has featured in music and reality ‘TV shows including The Voice 2019’, ‘America’s Got Talent – The Champions 2020’ and ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me out of Here 2021’. During this time Jack has also been on the road with his band headlining shows in capital cities.

On Jack’s recent appearance on ‘I’m A celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’ he discussed his journey as a proud member of the LGTBIQA+ Community. He was celebrated on the show for creating great mate-ships with the likes of footy player Dipper, who loved Jack and all he stood for. Jack has grown a fan base of like minded people in Australia who are absolutely real, and love to call out the bullshit.

Jack featured as part of the 2021 Sydney Mardi Gras, and has been confirmed to headline and feature on various other festivals and LGTBIQA+ events over the coming year.

Jack has recently re launched his music career as an independent artist. His recent single “Pray” debuted at No. 1 on the Independent ARIA Charts in Australia. The following single “Lonely” was a lockdown banger in Australia.

Jack’s latest single “Goodbye” is a very personal song, a heartbreaking reflection of his recent relationship with drug abuse and how he feels looking back at what has been an incredibly hard time.

Jack’s full story is being told through his music, and “Goodbye” captures the emotion Jack experiences as he journeys down a road less travelled.

“Goodbye” is written by Jack Vidgen, Matt Riley and Justin Martins and Produced by Matt Riley and Justin Martins. “Goodbye” is released on 10 September 2021.

CLAPTONE and SEAL – JUST A GHOST

TAKEN FROM FORTHCOMING THIRD ALBUM CLOSER OUT NOVEMBER 12 VIA DIFFERENT RECORDINGS

“The deep sensuality in Seal’s voice has always kept me under its spell, and of course the mystique around his persona. No doubt the stars aligned when Seal and I were working on ‘Just A Ghost’ – his first original material in 6 years. By introducing him to the deep, emotive and powerful sound of Claptone my aim was to lead him back to his very own roots, to an electronic club infused but soulful sound. And I needed to do that without sacrificing the strong musical identity he built for himself over the past decades” – Claptone

Closer, is Claptone’s third album, co-produced by Stuart Price (Dua Lipa, The Killers, Madonna), a body of brand-new and innovative work showcasing the next chapter in the masked man’s exploration of House with a pop music flavour.

He has now released the lead single from the album ‘Just A Ghost’ feat the iconic Seal out now via Different Recordings / [PIAS].

Claptone continues his mission to embrace and share his musical vision with a plethora of rising and iconic musical talents. He now works alongside one of the most successful and instantly recognisable singer / songwriters of our generation.

‘Just a Ghost’ is a fluid and dreamy production layered with the classic, instantly identifiable velvet vocal which hooks you in and has you sing along before you know it. Building to a crescendo but maintaining the emotion throughout, ‘Just A Ghost’ is a big song fitting perfectly for late summer festivals and your favourite playlist at the same time.

Seal needs little introduction, he is the internationally respected singer-songwriter and record producer, best known for his songs ‘Killer’, ‘Crazy’ and ‘Kiss From A Rose’ which featured on the blockbuster movie ‘Batman Returns’. Having won multiple awards, including three Brits, four Grammy’s, two Ivor Novello’s and an MTV Video Music Award he is one of the leading artists of our time.

“Even though I know you are a little curious about how Seal is in the studio’ as a person and how I look without a mask and what slippers we have been wearing in our spare time during sessions. There’s not gonna be any gossip from either of us. NDAs have been signed. I speak no more. Just listen to the single, let the music speak.” – Claptone

‘Just A Ghost’ is released alongside an official music video directed by Alexander Brown, inspired by the mythical world that surrounds Claptone, dark in essence and feel.

The announcement of ‘Just A Ghost’ follows the release of album singles ‘Zero’, ‘My Night’ feat. APRE and ‘Wake Up’ feat. James Vincent McMorrow which were all unveiled earlier this year.

Away from the studio, Claptone continues to build upon his already momentous global appeal, performing over 50+ live-streamed sets across 2020/21, with a staggering total of 63 million combined views on YouTube. There are also plans to return to the most famous club in the world, Pacha Ibiza, with his now internationally respected and much-loved event series, The Masquerade.