r&b/soul | Musicosity

r&b/soul

Ruby Jackson

Described as “the little black dress in your wardrobe, an instant classic” (FBi Radio), Sydney-based songwriter, producer and performer Ruby Jackson has positioned herself at the heart of the Australian R&B scene.

During her high school years, Ruby fell in love with jazz music when she discovered the magic of Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole and Julie London. This sudden passion inspired her to study composition at The Sydney Conservatorium of Music where she honed in on her writing skills.

Since completing her studies, Ruby has been quickly flourishing into one of Sydney’s most authentic, world-class creators of music with songs that continuously strike a chord with her audience. This can be traced back to November 2022 when Jackson was selected as FBi Radio’s Independent Artist of the Week for her release ‘Get Around To It’, which quickly became a crowd pleaser for its smooth & classy alternative R&B touch.

In 2023, Ruby's singles 'Out Of Fashion', 'Guilty Pleasure', and 'You’ve Changed' dominated the airwaves, earning Double J rotation, triple j Unearthed rotation, alongside radio-play support from triple j, iHeartRadio and community radios nationwide.

Off the back of her impressive performances at BIGSOUND and SXSW Sydney in September 2023, Ruby released her much-anticipated debut EP Sweeter For Me in November, co-produced with one of Sydney’s renowned creators Finbar Stuart.

Fuelled by 2000s R&B Pop nostalgia, the timeless 5-track record tells a series of sincere stories with a beautiful, honest delivery - everything a debut should do. Sweeter For Me has recently been nominated for the 2024 AIR Awards (Australian Independent Record Labels Association) for Best Independent Soul/R&B Album or Ep.

Ruby has kicked off 2024 with a sold-out performance at Cockatoo Island’s Sunset Sessions, Hot Jazz Picnic, and has just recently sold out the Lansdowne with a headline show. February saw Ruby open for Ball Park Music as part of Sydney’s Twilight At Taronga, then up to Brisbane to warm the stage for International sensation Morcheeba (UK) at The Tivoli.

Following on from her standout shows at Blues On Broadbeach, Ruby will soon be announcing her much-anticipated East Coast tour. Don’t miss the chance to experience this soulful sophistication!

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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.

Yazmin Lacey

Yazmin Lacey (born in east London) is a British singer based in Nottingham.

Having written in her bedroom for her whole life, Lacey began to play acoustic shows in 2014. As her reputation grew locally in Nottingham, she came to meet the diverse group of musicians who would form her band The Running Circle. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.

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.

JALEN NGONDA

Truly life-enriching soul music is an indomitable force of nature. No matter what sub-genre our current crop of musicologists may cite in the very near future to describe Jalen Ngonda’s riveting approach, he’s unequivocally a gifted songwriter and artist, blending classic and contemporary soul influences to create a sound that’s all his own. The last year has seen the release of his critically acclaimed debut album “Come Around And Love Me ” he has even swiftly followed it early in 2024 with two brand new singles, as an artist who writes songs every day, its a natural thing to keep fresh music coming out. Jalen is already catching the attention of the likes of Snoop Dog, Jill Scott, Kehlani and Olivia Dean, as well as Elton John, who predicted last Summer that “he is going to be a huge star”. Despite being extremely busy these past months playing sold-out tours in the USA, UK and Europe and promoting the album, the good news is that he is already planning the next recording sessions. Signed to Daptone Records a funk and soul independent record label based in Brooklyn, New York and the perfect home for him, Jalen possesses a rich, nuanced voice that sets him miles apart from the crowd. His music is as fresh and contemporary as anyone’s gracing today’s scene. . Music that may instil a nostalgia for the golden era of soul but from a very special artist that is very much of his time, a real once in a generation experience.

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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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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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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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