There I was at home and just about to drop off to sleep, when my co-host and sound engineer (Matt Owen) called me to say you MUST listen to this band and you MUST arrange for them to be interviewed on Uncut and Unsigned. (A radio program based at 3mdr 97.1 FM in Upwey, Victoria).
So I reached for my tablet and found S.O.S. being covered by this family based band. It was a revelation to see such musicianship being displayed by this band and to see them take control of the song.
I’ve seen ABBA cover bands and many YouTube videos but have never heard such timing, harmonies and clever instrumentation. Abbey, Jaymi, Mia, Alex and Jordan are like a young Mozart; slightly rebellious and musically inventive.
Their age does not come into this at all and nor should it as when one writes about The Foo Fighters there is no mention of age/s, so why should the Quirks be ‘aged’?
The self penned songs are so mature, descriptive and what is more, inventive. To put this band into any musical category is wrong, as they draw on so many different influences and genres.
The use of the mandolin by Jaymi is pure genious as it gives a totally different dimension to the overall sound and when she takes Lead Vocals, watch the change come over her and the control she has of any song she puts her voice to.
Abbey, with her, at times, Bowiesque make up and clothing, is there to have fun and share it with all present. She takes over the stage and states firmly, this stage belongs to us. Her guitar playing is without exception, her vocals are so different and engaging whilst her musical technique is outstanding.
I have watched Mia mature as a singer and drummer over these past months and talent abounds; I reckon she could take on anyone and the way she forms the rhythm section with Alex on bass cannot be overlooked as between them they are a driving powerhouse.
Lead guitarists bind a band together and Jordan certainly knows his craft and exactly when and how to intervene with his solo work.
This band is almost too good to be true and as far as airplay goes, they have a definite radio friendly presence that many bands could learn from.
Take a listen to CRIMSON AND CLOVER; what a version, but unfortunately, as far as I know, this is only available on YouTube and not CD yet.
SOMEONE TO HOLD has such depth to it and the different vocalisations on it set it apart from anything any other band might try; Little Quirks are unique and depend on nobody but themselves. On top of this they are so musically daring. Who would dare go To THE Sun Studios and record an Elvis Presley song and do it justice, but once again it is their interpretation and this does not do disservice to the original.
I have heard them being compared to THE CRANBERRIES, but that comparison does neither band any justice as they are both their own masters.
THE RAIN has had something like 12K hits on YouTube whereas their live show at Gosford has had 20K and well deserved too; it is an amazing tune and beautifully performed by the band.
I could continue writing about this band, but I would prefer it if you would discover them for yourselves, no matter what your age is.
You can find them on all the socials but start off with their website and enjoy your journey from there. https://www.littlequirksband.com/

Tony Bates
Uncut and Unsigned
www.3mdr.com

I can recall one instance in my life when I heard a song on the car radio, and I had to pull off the road to listen to it properly and called the radio station to find out who was singing that song. (It was G.C. in case you are wondering-you will have to work out who that is!)

I now find myself in the embarrassing situation of having come across an artist I had never heard of before, even though she has released some great songs previously.

The next hard bit was that as I sat down to review this album, I found it extremely hard to go past the first track; I just kept reverting to it as soon as it had finished. I felt ashamed I had not sought HANNAH ACFIELD out earlier.

The track in question is : Like Lovers Do. The whole mix of this song with its strings, other instrumentation and THAT piano all put together with Hannah’s voice and lyrics should have seen the track hit the charts. What a silly thing to say, as this is an independent artist and how many of those get a fair go these days? Very few.

It is such a beautiful song and Hannah’s vocal projection exceeds that of many chart toppers and when THAT piano comes in it adds that little bit of retro that cannot be emulated by others. Follow the lyrics through and pay especial attention to them when THAT piano comes in and she sings: ‘Friends don’t touch like lovers do…….’ Absolutely brilliant.

See what I mean about my difficulty in getting past this opening track!
Moving on, with great difficulty, to: ‘Never Let You Go’ is a fine piece of white soul and Hannah’s ability to change from one genre to another is outstanding. This is one of those songs that many a soul artist could reinterpret meaning that Hannah is not only a great vocalist but a fantastic wordsmith, musician and lyricist too.

WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE NOTICE THIS ARTIST?

There is not a single ‘filler’ on this album and that is an achievement in itself.

If it’s a touch of the late 80s you are after, with some incredible bass playing (ok, I’m biased as I am a bass freak) go no further than ‘ON MY OWN – Thief in the night). It is so hard, with Hannah, to believe this is the same singer rather than a collections album of different vocalists.

How can one believe that Hannah so effortlessly, well apparently so, is able to sing of life as it really is with words of wisdom, beauty and hurt all on the one album? Many a singer would love to grab hold of Hannah’s material and make it their own, but it would not work. These lyrics, this music belong to Hannah and she has given us the ability to share them with her and listen and think back and forwards to times good, bad, beautiful and indifferent. I have never come across an artist who could do this.

Hopefully, you will have noticed, that I have made no reference to any other artist who might have been an inspiration for Hannah as this is a personal album, almost diary like in its formation.

More I shall not write, as it is up to you to purchase ‘No Light Without Shade’ and I do not want to give more away about the content of this album.

Mention should, of course, be made to all those who made this project possible; the engineers/producers, back up musicians and everyone else involved in the creation of this masterpiece.
​
Tony Bates
www.3MDR.com
https://www.facebook.com/uncutandunsigned

Here we go again, I thought, another wannabe rock star who no doubt is emulating Bon Jovi and all the others. I was wrong, however, as this album by David Turpie reminds me a lot of The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal way back in the late 70s but is a work very much of his own making.

Let me start off by saying there is not a single filler on this album, but there is the necessary rock ballad.

Freight Train has a great melting pot of instrumental introduction and then in comes David’s voice singing as though he was in one of those NWOBHM bands and reliving those days without actually reverting to them. His act is very much of this day and age, whilst paying homage to those who have preceded him. I have a lot of time for bands/musos who have a strong rhythm section and these tracks do have that. The pounding of the drums working alongside and with the bass guitar really add distinction to the tracks on this album.

The intro to Mind Theft sets the scenario for what is to follow, including some excellent lead guitar playing and the lyrics have a fine foundation in the music. It is a relatively short number (more please!) but it is carefully and powerfully packed with music that’ll make you move, unless you have the proverbial concrete boots on.

Albums need to draw people in and keep them there; if you get that formula wrong, punters are going to drop out and give in. David has that knack of carefully placing the tracks in the right order to maintain interest and You’ll Never Walk Alone comes in bang on time and gives one the rest from the rock to something lighter-I suppose one could call it aluminium rock as compared to the heaviness of other tracks!

If you want an album that exudes sheer energy, tight playing and emulates nobody else, then do not miss out by not buying this. A great album for these ‘tight’ times.
 
Tony Bates
Uncut and Unsigned
www.3MDR.com

Looking back at my gig/interview diary, I think I have known about Josh Orange since 2012 – and what is amazing is that they are still together!
Their previous albums have had that folk/pop feel to them whereas Midnight Lights shines above those other albums, as good as they are.
Starting off with Little Miss America (already a hit single) is like listening to a vocal blend of Dire Straits/Dylan with Byrdsian jangling guitar filling out the background. It is an amazing track and so different to the band’s previous work. Listening to the album, I had trouble moving on past this track! This is very much an international song and I hope the band get their well-deserved exposure.
The title track, Midnight Lights, has that almost dream pop backing with Gordon Burke’s vocals directing where every instrument should fit in and with Andy, Alex and Gav being as tight as ever and giving the band their unique sound.
We’re All On The Run is one of the more ballad like numbers on this album and it relates to all our frailties as we ARE all on the run from something/someone. This should carry a warning as it could be a real tearjerker for many people, both male and female. Gordon’s ability to write in so many styles is amazing and the band’s interpretation of them is outstanding. This band has musically matured so much over the years and we need to hold onto them before they gain fame and fortune overseas.
Gordon’s songs are not far behind Paul Kelly’s, yet they are different and very much of Gordon and the band’s making. The tightness of the rhythm section is something more bands should listen to, with the guitars at just the right level and not overwhelming the songs. The lead guitar is spot on-no seventies solos here!
The gentle use of brushes in the percussion and the heights Gordon’s vocals soar to with the rest of the band carefully and quietly following is something I have not heard on other recent tracks.
Who is JOSH ORANGE? If this intro to them has not interested you go to Soundcloud and listen to the real thing and if you disagree with my overall perception of this band, I will only be able to think you were listening to the wrong band!
Too many bands head overseas for good as they do not gain the recognition due to them and hence base themselves in Europe or The States; let us not let this band slip the net as it would be a loss to our Australian music scene.
What more can I say about JOSH ORANGE and MIDNIGHT LIGHTS? A lot, but I would prefer it if you would purchase their work and help support and retain one of our most talented bands.
 
Tony Bates
Uncut and Unsigned – 3MDR.com

From wannabe weatherman to Country singer extraordinaire, CLINT WILSON has found his niche in what is now an incredibly competitive field.
There is no holding back with Clint, he sings it as he sees it and his tales are outstanding; Country is often mistaken for being all about a dog called Bluey but times have changed and Clint gives us his version of Americana.
High School Sweethearts (with Gretta Ziller) is the nearest to Country you can expect on this album and is beautifully performed and a very visual song, taking one back to those school days and first love. Gretta’s harmonies are tailor made for Clint.
‘The windscreen wipers sing’; now, who could come up with a phrase like that? But one can imagine that journey on The Road To Grantville as it is so explicit and can be related to so easily. Clint’s lyrics are not simple, but they are meaningful and with every song the story goes on.
There are two versions of ‘Couldn’t promise you rain’ on the album with very subtle differences, so take your choice! I promised you love but couldn’t promise you rain; what a great line in a song full of the hardships of outback living. Do not mention the mortgage man! A real tearjerker for those who know anything about outback life.
This is an album to listen to and not to be used as background music; Clint’s musical journey to date has given us some great songs and he continues to do so.
Grab a drink, sit in front of that winter fire and enjoy!
 
Tony Bates
Uncut and Unsigned
www.3MDR.com

Coincidences occur and sometimes they are good and at other times not so good.
SUNFLOWER was, according to their agent, travelling down the East Coast on tour and would like to drop into the 3MDR studios and have a chat/play, could we accommodate them?
All of this was literally just prior to the discovery of Covid 19 and the lockdown. On the day they were available Uncut and Unsigned (the program that would feature SUNFLOWER) already had a band booked, but with a bit of gentle diplomacy we were able to make alternative arrangements for the pre-booked band to change dates.
To date, Matt, the sound engineer and myself (Tony) the presenter, still feel that this is one of the tightest bands we have had on U and U for quite some time.
SUNFLOWER is a 5 piece band lead by Kahlia on vox, guitar and keys ably assisted by, Dan on lead, Lawson on vox/guitar, Willow on bass and Sean on drums. This combination makes for a real powerhouse or a gentle quintet and I have not seen their likes before.
Kahlia’s voice is so versatile and her compositions are stories of everyday life or powerful feelings and when harmonising with Lawson it takes on a whole different dynamic. No bubble-gum pop here!
The rest of the band play along like the pros they are, and that rhythm section is inseparable musically, an amazing feat.
One might say, yes, but these guys have had plenty of experience in other bands and hence have a head over others. This is true to an extent, but plenty of other bands are made up of people from diverse bands and it just does not work. SUNFLOWER works and to watch them is not only a pleasure but an experience too. One becomes immersed in their work which is quite mesmerising.
Their work is definitely power pop but not of the usual variety, as it is stronger and more meaningful and very SUNFLOWER centric. This band borrows from nobody and is its own master.
Better with Me, Better Days have similarities but are then in direct contrast to
Weak, both musically and vocally.
This band should be going places, well it is, but somebody, somewhere will
grab this band and we will here far more of them then.
A sheer musical delight.
Tony Bates
Uncut and Unsigned
3MDR 97.1 FM

​Every opening on all the tracks is straight into the song-there’s no procrastinating here and what’s more, no fill ins.
To be able to write tracks like these, shows how some musos have well and truly followed life’s path and taken everything thrown at them until that certain stage when it is time to shout ‘enough’!
Misha’s electronic style owes some of her style to the 80s, but this is very much 2020 and if only the 80s had been like this, I would have been one very happy person.
Take ‘Toy Boy’ for example, there’s even a partial waltz in there that is not out of keeping with the rest of the track.
To totally review this album, I would need Freud and Jung sat next to me and that is no bad thing, as it shows how mature an album this really is. Within HEART GALLERY are many stories of a life well, and at times, harshly led; not many writers would be that willing to put so much coded truth into their work, but Misha goes straight for it.
Her voice soars and swoops eagle like and can take you by surprise. She has no equal (perhaps I should say currently) and I doubt she will. Lyrics and music such as this need to be out there hitting you in the face, or more preferably ears.
How many modern artists would start off an album and a song with the words ‘pretty in pink’? Not exactly 2020 is it, but it works and that is where Misha differs from other artists, she is not afraid to take that leap and give us the music we need. There’s no moon/June on this album (thankfully) but there are plenty of tales of caution, woe, betrayal and love found.
You will have noticed that there is no breakdown of the individual tracks, although mention is made of some and the reason behind that is to let you the reader and prospective purchaser try and get into the ‘Misha Mood’ for only then will you have understood and be able to truly follow this outstanding artist.
I will forego a bit of what I have said above and that is I am hooked on SUGAR COATED and feel it should be a single-radio land would love it.
Misha has given of her best in this album, with exemplary production, a different type of vocal and lyric and, yes, you’ll love it.
 
Tony Bates
Uncut and Unsigned

I have listened to Scotty’s work over the years and have watched his musical maturity bloom in front of my eyes/ears.
Scotty writes simple, but not simplistic, pop of the type one would have heard during the Merseybeat time but a very much up to date version.
He originally submitted a song that I could not put to air because of its production, content and construction; now I am asking for songs from him as he has taken the appropriate advice/lessons and learnt how to supply radio friendly tracks and I admire him for this.
He has within him, a lot of songs that I await with due anticipation.
He does not write ‘fillers’ for his songs are of a far higher standard now and he deserves to have his work heard everywhere.
FIERCE has just that write musical approach that many others might well wish they had written.
Tony Bates
3MDR 97.1FM

“Peace raise us up”
Seraya’s single gives us something that is currently lacking in our time of real danger and despair – PEACE.
She has a way of gently introducing us to her songs and then drawing us in fully until subconsciously that tune is part of the self. How Seraya does it I do not know.
The single is hard to define genre wise, but I’d like to call it electro new folk; It has a message to send (as per folk songs) and yet is right up to date with the use of electronic music neatly arranged almost symphonically.
I cannot and will not compare Seraya to any other singer/songwriter (dead or alive) as it would do her a disservice. Instead let us just follow Seraya on her musical journey as she progresses through each new song and accompany her too.
Seraya has this uncanny way of writing lyrics that can be interpreted personally and universally and at times she lets the two run side by side
The song emanates positivity from a topic of possible despair; where is peace as we need it now worldwide and personally too. “PEACE LIFT US OUT OF THE DARK”.
 
Tony Bates
Uncut and Unsigned

The latest EP by Glenn and other assisting musos has some great backing, almost as though the band has been together for many years. Artists such as these should be world touring showing what Australian musos have to offer.
The genre is hard to define as it has Alt Country and what I call Australiana (the equivalent to Americana) and the song topics are typical of this genre. There are some great lyrics interspersed with just the right amount of beautifully played musical breaks.
Where do these guys get their inspiration from to form such good songs?
Horoscope Girl is the typical search for answers and understanding which is really already a repeat of what is known by the singer; this makes it harder in life to find these things. The lead guitar interludes are very neatly played and placed-not often found these days.
Be Mine is a male’s promise to his partner about ongoing fidelity, love and nurturing one another; although this is a ‘love’ song with Glenn well and truly wearing his heart on his sleeve with one tattooed on his forehead as well (!). the song is not the usual soporific sounds that emanate from certain artists.
The musical backing on the next track, Something You Are Not, is raw rock at its very best and gives an insight into how, if one is twice bitten, then one is definitely not going to be three times bitten or taken in again; a sad song, but not sombre just purely open and honest. If this does not make you move, then you must be wearing clogs that are solidly welded to the floor.
The final track has just that right amount of balance so that the EP does not finish on a ‘slushy’ number but one that is very adult and insightful and ties the EP down.
 
Tony Bates
Uncut and Unsigned
www.3MDR.com