News

At U.K. Care Home, Residents Brilliantly Re-Create Iconic Album Covers On Twitter 0

Residents at the Sydmar Lodge Care Home in Edgeware, England, have been in lockdown for four months.

As activities manager at the home, Robert Speker wanted to keep spirits up while visitors and outside entertainment aren't permitted.

Thus, a brilliant project was born: re-creating classic album covers with residents cast as the rock stars.

Speker tweeted side-by-side photos of the original covers and the Sydmar Lodge residents' new takes, and the tweets quickly took off.

Instead of British singer Adele, meet 93-year-old Vera.

Riffing on Springsteen's famous Born In The U.S.A., there's a blue-jeaned Martin Steinberg in front of the English flag.

Could anyone improve upon David Bowie's iconic lightning-bolt painted face? Roma Cohen appears to be an icon herself with the lightning bolt highlighted by her white hair.

There's Toba David as Michael Jackson, tough in a leather jacket.

And Sheila Solomon as a Sydmar Lodge punk, reinventing The Clash's guitar-smashing with a walking cane ready to come crashing down.

Staffers got in on the project, too, with four carers lit from below looking every bit as moody as Queen.

"I made the suggestions of which albums and which resident best suited the look, or had a vague similarity to the artist," Speker explained on Twitter. "Then I proposed the idea to each resident. Gladly all of them were enthused and perhaps a bit bemused by the idea, but happy to participate."

He says he did the residents' makeup, drew their tattoos, and did the photography and editing. A care home manager helped with hair and makeup touch-ups.

Speker, who began working at Sydmar Lodge in 2015, has won accolades for his inventiveness before. "Robert continues to astound us with his creative, and somewhat 'out of the box' ideas," Sydmar Lodge Manager Julie Davey testifies on the home's website.

Noting that Speker had won an activities coordinator award, Sydmar Lodge notes that he "performs his activities with creativeness, ingenuity, individuality and originality" and recently took a resident swimming for the first time in 20 years.

These have been bleak times at some care homes in the U.K. Among residents at nursing homes in England and Wales from Dec. 28, 2019, to June 12, 2020, there were nearly 30,000 more deaths than during the same period last year.

"As this situation is on-going it could be months before the situation changes for them and the need to keep them happy entertained and full of spirit has never been more crucial," Speker wrote on a GoFundMe page he created to support the care home.

"Elderly people will remain in lockdown for a long time," he wrote, "and I want to make their time as happy and full of enjoyment and interest as possible."

Dream Theater Guitarist John Petrucci’s New Solo Project Features Ex-Bandmate Mike Portnoy 0

John Petrucci, guitarist for progressive rock band Dream Theater, will release his first solo album in 15 years, Terminal Velocity, later this summer — and his former bandmate, Mike Portnoy, performed all of the drums.

Terminal Velocity (Sound Mind Music/The Orchard) follows Petrucci’s debut solo effort, 2005’s Suspended Animation. It marks the first time he and Portnoy recorded together in over a decade, as well as the first since Portnoy departed Dream Theater.

“Having Mike play drums on this record was really special for me, and he did an absolutely incredible job navigating the various styles and technical challenges my music presented in the way that only he can do,” says Petrucci. “It was very cathartic for the both of us, I think, to be playing music together again after all these years, and it really felt great. Mike’s spirited, intuitive and energetic playing truly helped to elevate these new songs to a level that I couldn’t be happier with.”

Petrucci, Portnoy and Dream Theater bassist John Myung cofounded the band in 1985 while studying at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. After building a worldwide following over two decades that has made the group one of the most popular acts in the genre and resulting in such accolades as two Grammy Award nominations, fans were shocked when Portnoy announced in 2010 that he was leaving Dream Theater. He has played in multiple bands since, such as Sons of Apollo and Morse, Portnoy, George. After documenting its search for a new drummer in the web series The Spirit Carries On, Dream Theater announced in 2011 that former Berklee instructor Mike Mangini had been selected.

Like he did for its predecessor, Petrucci wrote and produced the all-instrumental Terminal Velocity and had Dave LaRue (Flying Colors, Dixie Dregs) rejoin him for bass duties. James “Jimmy T” Meslin handled recording, with Andy Sneap overseeing mixing and mastering. Although he had planned to start working on the album in the spring, the March stay-at-home directive that was issued in New York due to the outbreak of COVID-19 resulted in an unexpected boon of time for Petrucci: He created over half of Terminal Velocity’s nine songs while he was self-isolating.

READ MORE

Dream Theater Announces Scholarship Fund at Boston's Berklee College of Music: Exclusive

“I believe that making this record when I did really helped me to maintain a sense of stability and normalcy during such a crazy time in our history,” he observes. “It was encouraging for me and my family to embrace something so hopeful and positive as we faced a very uncertain future in the music industry and in the world, and for that, I am truly grateful for having music be such a big part of my life.”

Terminal Velocity will be available on all digital and streaming platforms and as a limited double-vinyl set.

PETE MURRAY FINDS HIS PLACE ON HIS COLE CLARK FAT LADY 2 0

One of Australia’s most loved singer songwriters, Pete Murray has recently shared his driving new single Found My Place, a commanding song about offering wisdom to your kids. The contemplative track is accompanied by a video shot in isolation in Pete’s hometown of Byron Bay that fittingly features his wife and daughter, a gallant move for the habitually guarded artist.
“Know who you are, just know who you are, trust that your compass won’t lead you astray. Just know that home is your heart and your heart’s where I’ve found my place,” Pete croons in that smooth, soulful and familiar voice.

Using his trusty Cole Clark acoustic, Found My Place was co-written with Gavin Slate in Nashville and recorded with Canadian-born Byron local, Garrett Kato in Byron Bay. Pete Murray’s Cole Clark Fat Lady 2 has been his songwriting and performing guitar since 2004.

“Found my place is about passing on the wisdom of life to someone you love. If you trust your own instinct and stay true to yourself, then life will be fine. It was actually inspired by my own journey in life that I’m passing on to my kids now,” says Murray of the new single.

Filmed and edited by fellow Byron locals, Mos & Co, the video features Pete and his young family on a local beach as the sun sets, perfectly complementing the heartfelt song with the typically private artist offering fans a glimpse into his private life. Pete explains, “This was a last minute decision to get my wife Mira and daughter Saachi in for the shoot. I’m very protective of my family and keep my family life very private. We thought of just using Mira and Saachi as background silhouette shots but when we we filmed on the day, Saachi came in to shot out of nowhere and did this cute little dance. Once we saw this we knew it had to be in the final edit. The song is about giving wisdom to your kids, so this was perfect in the end.”

The quiet achiever of Australian music is committed to constantly growing and evolving as an artist and gets a thrill from offering fans new and exciting material with each release. One of few artists with over 1 million album sales under his belt, Pete isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. With an impressive haul of robust singles and two EP’s set for release over the next 12 months, this is an artist who is in it for his fans and the music and not necessarily the accolades, jesting, “I hold the record at the ARIA’s for the most nominations never to win.  17 nominations with 0 wins. This effectively makes me the biggest loser in the history of the ARIA’s! Funnily enough it’s actually something I’m really proud.”

Found My Place is out now via Sony Music Entertainment Australia.
For more info, head to www.petemurray.com

http://coleclarkguitars.com/

Check out Pete Murray and his Cole Clark Fat Lady 2 on the tune ‘Opportunity’ from his regular new YouTube series Byron Sunday Session

MISSED OUR ISO MELBOURNE GUITAR SHOW? WATCH IT HERE! 0

On Make Music Day (June 21) this year, Australian Musician magazine online presented a very special virtual version of the Melbourne Guitar Show featuring some of Australia’s finest exponents of the guitar and other fretted instruments. The two hour show is now viewable on the Australian Musician Youtube Channel and Facebook page

… and right here as well

Here’s the running order:
Jeremy Barnes
Lucas Michailidis
Nick Charles
Joshua Batten
The Thin White Ukes
Phil Manning
Dennis Jones (USA)
Anna Scionti
Mike Elrington
Fiona Boyes
Lloyd Spiegel
Chris Bieniek
King Canyon
Geoff Achison & Roger McLachlan
Simon Gardner
Opal Ocean

The Melbourne Guitar Show has a rich history of entertaining punters with live performances, demos and offering a huge array of guitar gear for the last five years at Caulfield Racecourse. While covid-19 has put a stop to this year’s physical presentation, we hope that this isolation version on June 21 as part of Make Music Day will at least bring a smile to your face and encourage you to continue to enjoy the guitar. All going well, we hope to present a full scale Melbourne Guitar Show in March 2021.

See Queen + Adam Lambert’s ‘Tour Watch Party’ Livestream 0

Hour-long special features performances of hits and rarities from gigs around the world

AUSTRALIANS GETTING INTO THE MAKE MUSIC DAY SPIRIT FOR JUNE 21 0

Make Music Day, the worldwide music celebration held each June 21, is going virtual this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, organizers announced this year. Typically featuring thousands of free outdoor concerts, performances, music lessons, jam sessions and other musical events on streets, sidewalks, parks and other public spaces across the globe, this year’s celebration will take a virtual approach to encourage all people, of all musical abilities, to celebrate the joy of making music. More than 1000 cities will take part in Make Music Day 2020, further demonstrating the power of music to unite and uplift people, spread joy and build community amid this challenging and unprecedented time.

Unlike traditional music festivals, Make Music Day celebrates and promotes the natural music maker in all of us, regardless of age, background or skill level. Make Music Day is an open invitation for everyone to make, enjoy, perform, teach and learn music on the longest day of the year and the launch of summer. Across the world, in cities large and small, musicians and organizers heeded the call and have created fun, engaging, new ways for anyone to join in the celebration on Sunday, June 21 while also practicing social distancing.

Launched in France in 1982 as the Fête de la Musique, Make Music Day has become a global phenomenon. Make Music Day is presented in Australia by the Australian Music Association in partnership with APRA AMCOS, and coordinated by the Live Music Office. The NAMM Foundation presents the global event and makes it all possible.

“After much pre-planning and the pandemic road block, the Association’s Rob Walker said Make Music Day will be more than ever a chance to stay connected through music. “Our Alliance agreed to go virtual, which presents heaps of opportunities for people to make music on June 21”

Australian Musician will participate in Make Music Day by broadcasting a virtual Melbourne Guitar Show, featuring at home performances from some of your Melbourne Guitar Show favourites

Roland Australia is celebrating Make Music Day with a series of live performances on the Roland Australia Facebook and Instagram pages. In light of the current climate, these performances will be from the artists’ homes and shared with the world on social media. Expect to see a range of musical styles from metal to electronic to pop to jazz with a wide range of musicians. https://www.facebook.com/RolandAUS/

Canberra is getting into Make Music day spirit too. ACT’s peak music industry body, MusicACT is calling on musicians and singers to “play on their patio”, “do a banger on their balcony”, “sing on their sidewalk” or “rock out on their driveway” for just 20 minutes on June 21 for International Make Music Day. Just stand outside your home and perform on Sunday, June 21 from 2pm to 2.20pm to take part in the international event. Hundreds of musicians across the Canberra region are expected to participate in their neighbourhoods.

Tune in to Waverley Council’s (NSW) Facebook feed on Sunday 21 June, 2pm-3pm and watch as they celebrate Make Music Day by presenting to the current crop of Bondi WAVE bands. Captured on Soundtrap and broadcast live, you have a chance to vote for your favourite; live, Eurovision style. Dress up, dress down, organise a (virtual) listening party (appropriately socially distanced of course) and support your friends (and our local talent) as we celebrate the important role music plays as the soundtrack to our lives. https://www.facebook.com/WhatsOnWaverley/

To celebrate Make Music Australia Day, Kingston Arts (Victoria) is putting together a short video highlighting the fantastic buskers who spread music throughout the City of Kingston every day.  Featuring a short introduction and a song, get to know some of our colourful characters so the next time you see them belting out a tune in public, you can say hi!  Keep an eye out on Kingston Arts Facebook page on the 21st of June to meet the legends who live Make Music Australia day, everyday. https://www.facebook.com/KingstonArtsAU/

Other highlights of Make Music Day 2020 in Australia will include:

• Global Livestream – As a “Main Stage” for Make Music Day, the Make Music Alliance will organize an all-day video stream on June 21 showcasing the rich diversity of being made around the world.

• Bash the Trash – Bash the Trash Environmental Arts offers unique designs for wind, percussion and string instruments that people can build from everyday refuse. Participants are invited to create instruments, and then use them to play Beethoven’s “Ode To Joy” and “Baby Shark” on Make Music Day. On June 21, Bash The Trash experts will lead a video call where everyone can share their creations.

• Live From Home – People will be invited to post a musical performance from home on June 21, and tag three friends to challenge them to do the same. The initiative is in partnership with Make Music Australia and Make Music China, the latter using Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. Live From Home will feature an Ella Fitzgerald song challenge, in cooperation with the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation.

• World’s Smallest Marching Band – Since 2011, “Sousapaloozas” bringing hundreds of brass, wind, and percussion players together to sight-read John Philip Sousa marches have been a Make Music Day favorite. This year, in lieu of those large gatherings, brass and wind players will explore the other end of the scale by parading solo through cities and playing band repertoire to people listening from their homes or workplace.

All Make Music Day events are free and open to the public. Participants who wish to perform, or to host musical events, may register at https://makemusicaustralia.org.au/

Official hashtags: #MakeMusicDay #MakeMusicOz