If you're looking for a track of some profound message then Motioner's Future Drunk probably isn't the song for you. Or if there is a hidden meaning in there somewhere I can't hear it at least. But if you need a tune to blast out on a roadtrip or as a beat in the background during your every day, then this is absolutely the one for you.
The indie/electro outfit's latest, remixed (by Klue) offering is the perfect mix of beat and melody that allows it to fit in to almost any setting. Something of a musical chameleon maybe. Or maybe I just like chameleons. But there is no doubting that this isn't a track you should skip if it came on shuffle.
It's always hard to write about electro - even with the softness of indie that this tune offers up - possibly because it's a lot of computer-y type sounds and things that I don't know how to word without ending up saying "I really like the bit with the buzzes and the dooo in the background". Or something like that. Having said that though, I am a massive fan of remixed music. There are many songs that I love as a remix but can't stand as the original. I enjoy the original Future Drunk, but there is no doubt that I would listen to the remix any day.
"I should go on The X Factor!" is the expected joke when anyone claims they can sing. No one takes it seriously. But for Sydnee Carter, The X Factor was a very serious deal. And now everyone else is taking her seriously, too.
Since her time on X Factor, where her stunning audition (a rendition of Youth's Daughter) received international recognition when it was retweeted by Ashton Kutcher, Sydnee has been finishing school, releasing an EP, and doing a whole lot of promo and gigging. Pretty impressive for anyone, especially for a 17-year-old.
She's stopped by Love'Em to talk about her time on The X Factor, tour dates, and what life will be like when high school is finished. It's been a while since you've graced my TV screen, what's been happening music-wise since your time on The X Factor?
Since the X Factor finished I've been finishing off some new songs. I then travelled to NSW to record with my producer, Ryan, to do an EP which I released at the end of February, 2015. I've also been doing quite a few radio interviews and finishing school! Speaking of X Factor, it seems like such a whirlwind, is what we see on TV accurate to how it all went down?
Hahaha. What you see on TV is legit only like 5 [to] 10 seconds of what the actual event was like! There's hours of filming that goes on and they can't put that all on [the show], so obviously it has to be edited and they'll take what they like and need to put it together. Which of the guest artists on X Factor would you most like to duet with?
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to duet with Ed Sheeran!! I remember you saying during your audition that you'd like to be like Ed Sheeran, an artist with a unique, recognizable style of music; do you think you've achieved this so far?
I believe I am on my journey to achieving that. I don't think I'm quite there yet but I will be soon hopefully!
How did you find Ronan as a mentor? Was he the judge you were hoping for?
Ronan was a really good mentor. He always made sure I was happy with everything, from my costume, set and songs. He was the judge I had hoped [I would get]. Completing high school is a big task in itself, how are you going juggling school with your music?
Juggling school with music is really hard, but I've taken a less time consuming pathway that will allow me to get into university [and] so I can pursue music orientated studies when I finish [high school], like producing. What are your plans post-Grade 12? Where are you hoping to take your music?
I am hoping to continue writing songs, recording and maybe set up my own recording studio and become a studio producer! Is there anything else exciting coming up for you?
I am taking each day as it comes. At the moment we are promoting my self-titled EP, so that involves a lot of radio interviews between school. I have a number of gigs booked, but hopefully when school is finished I might be able to do a small promo tour or be [the] support [act] for someone. That would be cool.
The synth-pop queen is back! And as is generally the case, with bigger and better things.
Her latest single My Heroin is just as much an addiction as its subject matter - being involved in a toxic relationship that you can't quite escape. With a single like this, I am seriously excited for her upcoming EP, due later this year. After a stunning 2014 debut EP, Nussy is continuing to break ground in the music industry and stun everyone who listens to her captivation sound. So first off, congrats on such a fab new track! How long has it been in the works?
Thank you! It's so great to hear people are enjoying what I'm putting out. I actually recorded it last year so I've had it in hiding for a little while!
After your debut EP was received so well did you feel any pressure to top it with your new material?
The pressure probably comes first and foremost from myself - I am SUCH a perfectionist and I'd never put out anything I wasn't overly proud of. I think after hearing how much people enjoyed my first EP, I really just wanted to give them something new and exciting!
Was My Heroin always going to be the latest single or had you planned on saving it?
I had a few tracks that we were toying with the idea of releasing but I think in the end I couldn't go past My Heroin. It's a bit darker and more provocative than my previous releases so I was pretty excited to be giving people something a little different.
How do you pick the single - is it your choice or someone else's?
Ultimately it's up to me but I always trust the input of my managers - the three of us work as a great team!
Do you have as much input into the video clip as you do into the song?
When it comes time to make the video, I get ideas pitched to me and then I can decide what direction I'd like to take it in. Again, it's something we really work on as a team, between myself, the directors and my managers. It's great to have so much creative input from so many different people and I think it's how we've been able to come up with something truly unique.
How do you feel being in front of the camera rather than behind a microphone?
Being in front of a camera is SCARY! But I've been really lucky that the guys who have directed both my music videos now (Jarred Osborn & Julian Lucas from Wildebeest) are so encouraging and make me feel incredibly comfortable - it's great.
What are your plans now music wise? What should we wait for?
I'm hoping to release an EP later this year so stay tuned..
Thanks so much for stopping by Love 'Em!
Thanks for having me!
People underestimate teenagers. It's just a fact of life really. But it isn't very hard to find guys and gals who are changing that stereotype. Eighteen-year-old Teischa is one of those girls. Insanely talented, fresh faced, and barely an adult, she's taking the world by storm.
After winning the 2014 Telstra Road to Discovery and releasing her single Trick of the Light, which debuted on Triple J at #4, Teischa is a force to be reckoned with. And you'd be crazy not to join the rollercoaster now. Girl, your voice is crazy! How did you start in the music business?
Thank you! I was first introduced to the music business when I was living in Phuket in Thailand. I met a South African couple who had just opened a recording studio on the island and did my first recordings with them. They opened the door to the world of music for me and I very quickly became hooked on songwriting.
Being so young, was it a tough decision to pursue a singing career rather than waiting until after school?
Not really! Pursuing a music career through school helped me develop a very clear focus and confidence with what I wanted to do in the future. For me music alleviated the pressure of Year 12 rather than adding any.
Who are you inspired by musically?
I find that I'm inspired by a lot of very different people for varying reasons. I'm inspired by some of our former legends of music, including Bill Withers, Stevie Nicks and Janis Joplin, but I'm also constantly inspired by current artists like Meg Mac, Lianna La Havas and Selah Sue. I get lots of inspiration from local artists and people around me by simply just going out to gigs and watching bands play when I have the chance.
What about in your everyday life; who do you aspire to be like?
I aspire to be the kind of musician, like those legends I mentioned before, who have written timeless music that's still appreciated today. I want to write music that will be listened to and appreciated for years to come.
Let's pretend that I've never heard your music before...why should I stop and listen to your latest single Couldn't Care Less? Couldn't Care Less is an honest and personal piece of songwriting that portrays a fuse of pop, soul, R'n'B and electronic genres. It's what I think is my best work yet and I'm very proud of how it's come together.
It sounds like you've been travelling a fair bit lately, how has that been? How's the homesickness?
Travelling is one of my favourite parts of playing music. Growing up in Thailand we were able to do a lot of travelling as kids so I think I might have caught the travel bug from a very young age! I love coming home as it gives me time out to write, relax and hove some home cooked meals, but nothing beats being on the road!
Why do you think you stand out from everyone else trying to break into music?
Haha umm that's a tricky one.. Maybe come along to one of my live shows and see for yourself.
What should we expect from Teischa in the future?
In the near future you can expect the release of my first EP followed by a lot more travelling and touring. So keep an eye out for when I'm in a city near you!
It took me longer than it should have to write my intro to this one. But I mean, seriously, just look at that insanely cool picture. I'm easily distracted at the best of times...
I'm pretty that the first Josh Pyke song I ever listened to was The Lighthouse Song. I was very young and I'd yet to have heard a song with swearing that wasn't beeped out. The whole thing was scandalous enough that I still remember it today, and I still love his music just as much. (Although the swearing isn't really an issue anymore.)
Josh has proved a good artist to listen to, recently releasing a fans-first video for his single There's A line (officially available July 31). His fan love is possibly only paralleled by his hate for Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.
Don't forget to preorder the upcoming albumBut For All These Shrinking Hearts. And read about his hate for Kimye below. What song best describes your work ethic?
I'm not entirely sure I understand this question [He does], BUT, if I do, then I would say the song Footloose is pretty accurate. As in, I work hard, but it's hard to really identify what I do day to day. Or maybe Wiz Khalifa Work Hard, Play Hard. I have two small kids, so after work, I'm generally playing pretty hard with some Lego or pretending pretty hard to be a cat.
If you could pick any two celebrities to be your parents, who would you choose and why?
I would hate to be the child of celebrity, it would be awful. So I'd probably choose the most awful of them all. Kanye [West] and Kim [Kardashian]. Then my hate would be justified.
What's your 1990s guilty pleasure song?
Maybe Semi Charmed Kinda Life by Third Eye Blind? Catchy song, but equally horrid. The singer made me want to punch myself in the throat. But there you go, you can't change what your brain likes.
No lying, who's your favourite Disney princess?
Probably Scar, from The Lion King. Watch it again and tell me I'm wrong.
What's your favourite song to sing in the shower? More Than A Feeling by Boston. [It's a] great shower song.
What's the biggest risk you've ever taken?
Climbing over a cliff to show off to some girls and then not able to (gracefully) get back up. It was a failure on all counts, and the risk was certain death.
Who's someone, outside of the music scene, that inspires you and why?
Honestly, I'm inspired by anyone who has intelligence and empathy and a genuine desire to not be an asshole. Those things are quite hard to come by, and I'm lucky enough to know a few of those sorts of people.
What's the best thing about being a musician?
Every day is an adventure. It's like you've entered a lottery and any day could be the day that you get the call saying you've won. Creativity is the most fun thing in the world, and it's like disappearing into unchartered waters every day when you're trying to write or produce, or just think about art. The uncertainty of it all is extremely stressful, but extremely attractive and addictive.
What's the worst?
The same uncertainty can be a real burden at times, and the fact that you are inherently asking to be judged by releasing music into the world. That can be tough, so you have to toughen up to do it, which is not always what you want to do or be.
What's your favourite book and why?
I love East of Eden by [John] Steinbeck. It tries to explore one of the questions that I doubt I'll ever be able to answer, which is why people do what they do. We all have a choice, so why do we make the ones we do? It's a beautiful book.
Which country is the next on your travel bucket list?
I'm lucky enough to have travelled a lot for work and for fun over the years, and now I want to start doing that with my family. I think we're going to hit Thailand in the next couple of months before the album cycle gets too crazy.
How do you think your grandma would describe you to me?
My Grandma has passed away, but I think she was pretty happy with the way I'd turned out before she died. I think she'd describe me as pretty cheeky, but generally quite respectful.
Madeline Stuart is the latest in teenage girls who dream of modelling. It's not something that people write stories about, but Maddy is different. This bubbly redhead also has Down's syndrome, but if anything, this has only spurred the eighteen-year-old on more. Just over a month ago, Maddy was a virtual unknown, but now, thanks to the wonder of social media she has nearly 400k on Facebook and an ever-growing Instagram presence too. Maddy Stuart is already making her mark on the world. Since then, with products to promote, places to travel, companies to talk to, Maddy's life is going top speed. With the aim of changing the face of beauty, and smiling as much as possible, Maddy is as inspiring as they come.
You'd notice me because ... I have been on the internet a lot lately as the first adult model with Down's syndrome in the world. I love modelling because ... it is a way to express myself when words don't always come easy. Plus I get to embrace society and hopefully make people feel more comfortable around people with disabilities. My favourite thing about fashion is ... I love the clothes, the camera and getting to smile a lot.
Maddy & her boyfriend, Robby
The best thing about being Madeline is ... just meeting so many amazing people and getting to see all the beautiful comments on social media. I love ... my mum more than anything in the world; she is my best friend and hero. My favourite food is ... grilled chicken wraps and sushi! I hope that I can ... change the world's views on beauty and help everyone to feel beautiful in themselves and [to feel] included.
I'm so happy about ... all the positive feedback and being a positive influence. I've always wanted to ... meet Ellen DeGeneres. This year has been amazing because ... I have had so many new experiences. I am going to travel overseas to model and I have been on television with my friends and family a number of times. I am inspired by ... my mum as she believes in love, inclusion and is very patient. I want to inspire ... young women and men to love their inner beauty and to realise with time that inner beauty and compassion is all that lasts and is what people really see us for. I want to inspire business professionals to employ people with disabilities as they will bring something so deep and beautiful to the work environment. I want to inspire families to have faith when they feel lost as everything can have a silver lining if you believe and never give up. I want to inspire people not to bully anyone to see worth in everyone as equals. When I'm not modelling I'm ... playing sport, a lot of sport, or going to the gym as I love being active, and hanging out with my friends. My favourite music is ... Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Psi, One Direction, Pink, Meghan Trainor, and Jessie J. I love Lady Gaga so much because ... I can sing and dance to her music. I dance because ... it makes me happy and it's so much fun. My favourite thing about travelling to America was ... the people, they were so warm and welcoming. I can't wait to go back in July this year. I would love to model for ... Myer, Gucci, and Vanity Fair magazine. Everyone should follow their dreams because ... our dreams are what truly matter, we only have one life and we should live it to the fullest.
There isn't anything more important than having mum's approval, just ask White Summer.
The Melbourne-based, rock quartet has recently released their latest single from their upcoming EP, set to drop in early 2016. But it was only chosen after a mothers' approval, of course.
After a massive twelve months of songs, shows, and writing music, the lads from White Summer have stopped by Love 'Em. Don't be shy! I hear you had to 'bunker down' to record your upcoming EP, how'd you all fair in such close proximity?
We just treat it like a holiday so vibes are high most of the time. The only time things get a bit tense is when the beers vanish in the night...mysteriously.
How's the music sounding? What sort of sound should we expect?
[The music is] something you can really sink your teeth into and won't be over before the car has even left the driveway.
Your newly released single I Know A Place We Can Love has a seriously cool mix of vocals and instrumentation; why'd you choose this as your release from the EP?
[It was] Mum's favourite.
I'm a big fan of bass and the opening hooked me right in, how important do you think the first few bars of a song?
We're prone to a wee boogie here and there, so it just made sense to kick it off with a solid groove.
How did White Summer come to be the ever talented lineup we're all now treated to?
We were just mates mucking around playing covers and making dodgy one day LP's and over time people joined and people left.
How'd you all meet?
Mike and I met in high school and started making original music pretty much straight away. Then we moved to Melbourne and met Anthony, I nearly killed myself on a Vespa, Alex jumped in and took over the pig skins.
Why White Summer? Is there a meaning or does it just sound ace?
It's a Led Zeppelin track that we fell in love [with] when we were younger. How are you all feeling coming up to your national tour? How are the nerves?
We've had some awesome shows leading up to this tour so we're feeling confident, just eager to get out there and bang it out.
What do you think is the most important thing we should all know about White Summer?
We're not white supremacists.
