Milan Ring
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Emma Donovan
Emma Donovan (born 1981) is an Aboriginal Australian singer and songwriter. She is a member of the renowned musical Donovan family. She started her singing career at age seven with her uncle's band, the Donovans. In 2000, she became a founding member of Stiff Gins, leaving the band three years later to release the solo album Changes in 2004. She performs with the Black Arm Band and released a solo EP, Ngaaraanga, in 2009.
She has been nominated for multiple Deadly Awards including Female Artist of the Year, and performed at the opening of the 2004 Olympic Torch Relay. She won Best Female Artist at the 2009 BUMP Awards. Donovan appeared in the ABC series Dynasties in 2004,and was the subject of the 2005 SBS TV documentary Emma Donovan: Gumbainggir Lady.
Donovan has sung with and performed with Indigenous Australian musicians such as Frank Yamma, her cousin Casey Donovan, Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter, Kerriane Cox, Christine Anu, Tiddas, Yothu Yindi and Jimmy Little.She has also performed with Paul Kelly, Ursula Yovich, and Shellie Morris.
The Hornstars
There are many words that could be used to describe Melbourne band The Hornstars. Funky. Danceable. Loud. Quirky (have you seen that video?). But above all else, the Hornstars are all about fun, and their primary mission is to show their audience a funky good time.
The Hornstars sound is big, brassy and hard to pigeonhole. The lineup featuring Clancy Cullen (vocals), Daniel Bardan (trumpet), Bruce Cousins (trombone), Russell B Myers (tenor sax), Joey Mount (drums), Mike Holloway (bass), Peter Bonett (keys), Gareth Durant (guitar) and Eric Morand (alto sax and percussion) bring a wide range of influences to the mix. Jazz, soul reggae - it may not all be funk as we know it, but it is definitely funky.
The Hornstars formed in 2016, legend has it, after founding members were kicked out of their ska band for allegedly being “too funky”. What came next was inevitable. The band quickly recruited their 9-piece lineup and confected a set of catchy and danceable songs, which they took to the pubs and bars of Melbourne and beyond, and eventually released as their debut album in March 2020.
During the COVID-enforced hiatus, band members continued to write, getting together when restrictions allowed. The band’s song writing continued to evolve, sometimes reflecting what was going on in the world outside (witness the hard funk grooves of "No Gigs" and "Half Way There"), and at others expressing aspirations for brighter post-pandemic future ("Touch", "Say Goodbye"). Occasionally emerging between lockdowns in 2021, the Hornstars were greeted with an enthusiastic reception and sold out shows.
With their second album Half Way There released in August this year, the Hornstars are looking forward to playing more live shows in 2022 and beyond. And while we are still living in uncertain times, here is one thing to be sure of - The Hornstars are still having fun in 2022, and so should you.
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Maeta
On her new EP Habits, rising R&B songstress Maeta (20) sounds more comfortable and self-assured than ever. It is a reflection of her personal growth over the past year. She’s gone through and conquered a lot of issues, like toxic relationships, her own confidence, and has made a home for herself in Los Angeles. Channeling that life experience into her art, the result is a cohesive body of work about the emotional trials and tribulations of young adulthood. On lead single “Teen Scene,” produced by Kaytranada (Rihanna, Anderson .Paak, Alicia Keys, Kendrick Lamar), featuring rapper Buddy, Maeta says goodbye to a juvenile relationship, both with a sense of closure and curiosity. And on “Doesn’t Mean A Thing,” produced by Teddy Walton (Kendrick Lamar, Bryson Tiller, Kehlani), featuring singer-songwriter Leven Kali, she uses her sultry voice to contemplate the uncertainties of being in love. The EP is rounded out by productions from Mustard (Tinahse, Demi Lovato, Mariah Carey) and The Orphanage (Bebe Rexha, Alessia Cara, Tori Kelly).
Maeta first stole the hearts of fans through SoundCloud releases and Instagram cover clips. Her debut EP, Do Not Disturb, was released in November 2019 and encapsulated Maeta's many moods and emotions since moving from Indianapolis to Los Angeles earlier that year to focus on her career. It received critical acclaim, with Refinery29 saying of the first single “Babygirl,” “Honest to god, a song hasn't soothed my nerves as much as this one in a WHILE. I needed it.” Showcasing the breadth of her artistic vision, Maeta released striking visuals for each song on the EP, along with various covers for her #MaetaMondays social media series, during which she puts her own spin on an eclectic group of hit songs from the likes of Drake and Kehlani.
Maeta’s artistic parents - her mom is a visual artist, her dad plays the drums - nurtured and encouraged their daughter’s creativity and pushed her to freely explore her expressive passions including visual arts and even the art of make-up. And like many parents, the music they played around the house, including the Eagles and John Mayer, became the building blocks of her sound. At the same time, like most young people, she gravitated towards the music of her teen years including Kid Cudi, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé and SZA and their ability to use music to speak truth to their feelings. These influences, her natural singing ability and the fact that she is a self-proclaimed “daydreamer” who “falls in love too fast” and is drawn to sad songs, brought her to the sound you hear today - blending pop and soul with lyrics that allow Maeta to be a voice for those who struggle to express their emotions. Her goal: to be a positive light. She also has a passion for performing live, despite her stage fright, and her big dream is to play in front of thousands of people at large festivals around the world because she sees that as a place of “ultimate freedom.”
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Kutcha Edwards
Proud Mutti Mutti songman Kutcha Edwards brings focus back to his significant and wonderfully acclaimed album ‘Circling Time’ TODAY with the release of Mrs Edwards and a new music video for the track
Says Kutcha, “Imagine as a 6-year-old meeting your mother after being forcefully removed from her loving arms as a baby. ‘Mrs Edwards’ is about that moment when you’re told the person standing before you is in fact your Mother.
Imagine for that child when their immediate response is -“who is this stranger”
Imagine for that mother when she’s told - “It’s time for you to go”
The single release will coincide with a tour to northern parts of NSW and Sydney, followed by shows in WA and Melbourne.
Multi award winning artist Kutcha certainly has a way of connecting with audiences. As a respected elder, his performance experience takes you on a journey with stories from his life, the highs and the lows that segue so eloquently into each song choice lifting your spirit and inducing goose bump moments.
Kutcha will play at the following celebrated venues in October. They have been lovingly selected to highlight Kutcha’s inspirational vocals in each location.
A number of these beautiful theatres are steeped in history including The Star Court Theatre, Lismore, which was the first major venue for musical and theatrical events in Northern NSW, opening with much fanfare on 18th July 1921.
The Bowraville Theatre was opened in 1940 and operated as a racially segregated business, according to the Mackay Argus. Aborigines had to buy their tickets separately, enter the theatre by a separate side entrance, occupy inferior wooden seats below an interior wooden partition, but to do so after the program had begun and leave before the end."
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Sugar Fed Leopards
Sugar Fed Leopards (SFL) are a blazing septet conceived at the nexus of classic pop and disco. With smoking hot costumes, sweet harmonies, tight dance routines and a cranking rhythm section, SFL have been breaking hearts and starting dance floor fires since 2013.
Described as "...Saturday Night Fever meets Kath & Kim on acid", the band has toured in Europe and across Australia, including festival spots at Boogie, Woodford and Falls.
In January 2015, SFL launched their debut album ‘Sweet Spots’ followed up by 'Take You Out Tonight' (April 2017) which was selected as 'Album of the Week' on both PBS FM and 3RRR FM.
The release of Double A-Side single ‘Rose’ and ‘Sugar In Her Pocket’ in February 2018 signalled a short break for the band as they took some time off to recoup and regroup following a hectic few years of peak fitness.
During the pandemic, the band recorded and released single and film clip ode to spring, 'Flowers in the Falling Rain' (September 2021).
SFL are currently working hard on their core strength to emerge early in 2023 with new moves, new fashions and a new full length album.
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Sugar Breath (Steph Brett) – lead vox
Lemona Squeeze (Louise Terry) – back-up vox
Coco Caramelle (Carrie Webster) – back-up vox
Chocolate Marshmallow (Justin Marshall) – drums
Davide Dolce (David Bramble) – guitar
Kitty Katerini (Kat Karvess) – bass
Candy Lion (Dandelion Jackson) – saxophone
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The Badloves
One of Australia’s most cherished bands, The Badloves, are getting ready to hit the road for their vinyl release tour. The local lads will be performing at venues across the country and at one of Melbourne’s much loved live music institutions.
The Badloves became a household name in the 90’s with their debut album Get On Board. It spent a massive 69 weeks in the charts, peaked at No. 5 and went on to achieved double platinum sales. The critically acclaimed album delivered four hit singles: Lost, Memphis, I Remember and Green Limousine. The band then went on to be nominated for five ARIA Awards – Album of The Year, Single of The Year (Lost), Breakthrough Artist – Album, Breakthrough Artist – Single (Lost) and Best New Talent. The band secured two awards for Breakthrough Artist – Album and Breakthrough Artist – Single.
After extensive tours in Australia and Europe, they released their second album in 1995, Holy Roadside. It was a Top 15 chart debut, received further ARIA nominations, and another string of hit singles in Slave, Barefoot Bride, Living Thing and Caroline, establishing them as one of this country’s premier acts.
Whilst The Badloves wagon has rarely left the road in 30 long years, their recording output has been sparse. The drought finally broke in late 2019 when the band released the superb soulbrothertruckinsong – their first new single in 17 years. The Badloves continue to build on their legacy with the arrival of their recent single, Tribal, which has already received strong support from Australian radio. The song was inspired by one of Michael Spiby’s recurring dreams. Spiby explains “I don’t usually remember dreams, they’re so hard to catch. But often enough I wake up disturbed by this one recurring theme…how will I keep my little tribe together in tough times, am I up to the task? ‘Tribal’ is my recurring dream, caught in the light of day.”
In April 2021, for the first time, Warner Music released Get On Board on vinyl and as a digital deluxe including unreleased tracks from their 1993 Triple J Live At The Wireless session. The band’s videos have also been digitised for the first time, with the videos from Get On Board to be staggered from November 30. To celebrate the re-issue of Get On Board the band will be embarking on a national Australian tour.
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Stylus
Stylus were an Australian blue-eyed soul group formed in 1975. They were the only Australian act to be released by Motown Records in the USA. Stylus toured supporting George Benson, Average White Band, Ike & Tina Turner, and Little River Band. According to rock music historian, Ian McFarlane, Stylus "scored a number of hit singles and became very popular on the Australian pub and concert circuit". The group disbanded in 1979 and subsequently had various reunions. In 1998-99 Japan's Toshiba-EMI re-issued three Stylus albums on CDs (For the Love of Music, Best Kept Secret and Part of It All). Their reunions have resulted in a live album, Still Alive (2003); and a new studio album, Across Time (2010).
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Tijuana Surf
Straight out of the dusty hell of some forgotten border town, Tijuana Surf, the R&B Surf Soul combo that exceeds the sound barrier of groove and swing.
Listen, but don’t be afraid - side effects may be compulsive moving of the hips and gyrations.
Lead by vocalist and twin lead guitarist Jason Goody Goodman straight from New Orleans, combined with Italian brothers Paul Vanzella on Bass & Frank Vanzella on drums from Melbourne as the rhythm section, with Pete Pistola Andrews on lead and rhythm guitar, watch out for this combo of sound and enigmatic appeal.
Playing since 2014, this intriguing group of seasoned musicians, mix up styles with great musical influences, such as Link Wray, Dick Dale, Sir Douglas Quintet, Jimmy Smith & John Barry, which have helped influence Tijuana surfs combination of surf instrumentals along with 1950`s & 1960`s rhythm & blues & rock`n`roll.
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Sonam Wangchen
Sonam Wangchen is one of Bhutan’s youngest and most popular singers. Born in February 2002, he is currently studying in 11th grade. He sings mostly in Dzongkha, Bhutan’s national language. His 2015 song, "choe thom da", was a super-hit, propelling him into the limelight. Since then, Sonam has written numerous hits, performed at national events and charitable concerts, and worked on original soundtracks for movies.
Sonam is beloved by Bhutan’s younger population. He takes every opportunity to encourage children and teens to study, believe in themselves and follow their dreams. In his role as UNICEF Youth Ambassador, Sonam will use his singing, his popularity, and his large social media following to engage with young people and empower them to speak about the issues they face.
World Children’s Day – celebrated on 20th November – is a global day of action ‘for children, by children’ to raise awareness and funds for the millions of children that are unschooled, unprotected and uprooted. UNICEF is inviting the public to go online and sign a global petition asking leaders to commit to fulfilling the rights of every child now and for future generations, so that every child is in school, safe from harm and can fulfil their potential.
As part of the day, UNICEF is asking supporters to raise their voices in solidarity with the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children by helping ‘turn the world blue’ – by doing or wearing something blue at school, on the streets, on social media, in boardrooms and on sports fields on 20 November.
More than 50 organizations globally will turn over roles to children or show their support for every child, including FC Barcelona, Beko, All Blacks, Qantas and Amadeus. Johnson & Johnson Headquarters will also be taken over by children as they announce a US$10 million commitment to support UNICEF’s health programmes. The LEGO Group and LEGO Foundation will host a number of `Build the Change’ events around the world where children are invited to share their views on what their dream school looks like.
Alongside Sonam Wangchen in Bhutan, Emmy-nominated actress Millie Bobby Brown has been announced as UNICEF’s newest and youngest ever Goodwill Ambassador. In addition, countries around the world will appoint UNICEF Youth Ambassadors including:
Wang Yuan (Roy Wang), 18, singer, UNICEF China Ambassador.
Hima Das, 18, athlete, UNICEF India Ambassador.
Hinna Asefi Wardak, 15, television presenter, UNICEF Afghanistan Ambassador.
El Sistema, The National Children's Orchestra of Venezuela, renewed as UNICEF Venezuela Ambassadors.
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