Colin Hay to embark on Summer 2021 tour of U.S. highlighting new album of covers, 'I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself'

Colin Hay will be on the move this summer! 

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — This past year was a long year for all of us. No restaurants, movie theaters, parties or concerts. The lockdown came just as Colin Hay was preparing to leave for what he considered his most comprehensive North American tour ever. A few dates were played before venues were sealed shut. Now, as the world slowly and surely resumes some semblance of normalcy, Hay is heading out on the road for real.

 

The tour commences August 4 in Hyannis, Mass., and works its way through the East Coast, South, Midwest and West, ending September 11 in Redondo Beach, Calif.

 

Colin Hay and Ringo Starr at the Greek Theatre in
Los Angeles, CA on Sept. 29, 2018.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

Renowned globally as frontman in the Australian band Men at Work, Hay has since proven himself as a solo artist, touring with his own L.A.-based band and as part of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band. But his love for music was born in his native Scotland, where, working at his parents record store, he heard all the hits of the day, from the Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset” to Faces’ “Ooh La La” to Dusty Springfield’s “I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself.” At home during quarantine in early 2021, he read that Gerry Marsden had died and found himself strumming the Gerry and the Pacemakers’ Merseybeat hit, “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying.” He decided to turn on the tape machines and share with his frequent collaborator/producer, Chad Fischer, who asked for more of the same. 

 

Thus followed the recording of I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself, a new studio album set for August 6 release featuring ten versions of some of Colin’s particular favorites — songs tied to memories and eras in his life. These lushly arranged versions showcase Hay’s ability to interpret a song and remind one just how instantly recognizable his voice is. While most of the songs are from the ’60s, Hay does a moving version of Scottish group Del Amitri’s heartbreaking “Driving With the Brakes On,” which he calls “simply one of the best songs ever written.”

 

In addition to I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself, Hay is at work on a collection of originals. Those who attend his summer shows may get a preview of those songs, as well as a retrospective of his Men at Work and solo years.

 

According to Hay, "I recorded an album of songs written by other people that have meant a lot to me ever since I was a young fellow. I can’t wait to play them for you on this upcoming jaunt across the land. Old songs, new songs, and everything in between. It will be good to again make a good noise after so long, and transport you to a place of beauty, hope and wonder.”

Summer 2021 tour dates:

Wed., Aug. 4  HYANNIS, MA Cape Cod Melody Tent

Thu., Aug. 5  COHASSET, MA South Shore Music Circus

Fri., Aug. 6  SALISBURY, MA Blue Ocean Music Hall

Sat., Aug. 7  LOWELL, MA  Boarding House Park

Sun., Aug. 8  HAMMONDSPORT, NY  Point of the Bluff Vineyards

Tues., Aug. 10  OCEAN CITY, NJ  Ocean City Music Pier

Wed., Aug. 11  BETHLEHEM, PA Wind Creek Steel Stage at PNC Plaza

Fri., Aug. 13  RIDGEFIELD, CT  Ridgefield Playhouse

Sat.-Sun., Aug. 14-15 NEW YORK, NY  City Winery New York

Tues.-Wed., Aug. 17-18  ALEXANDRIA, VA  Birchmere

Thurs., Aug. 19 CHARLOTTE, NC  McGlohan Theater

Fri., Aug. 20  ATLANTA, GA  City Winery Atlanta

Sat., Aug. 21  PELHAM, TN  The Caverns

Thurs., Aug. 26  GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Sat., Aug. 28  WASHBURN, WI  Big Top Chautauqua

Sun., Aug. 29  CHICAGO, IL  Park West

Wed., Sept. 1  ARVADA, CO  Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities

Thu., Sept. 2  SALT LAKE CITY, UT  Red Butte Garden

Sat., Sept. 11 REDONDO BEACH, CA  BeachLife Festival 2021

Visit www.ColinHay.com/Tour for all the details!

 

Colin Hay covers the Kinks, Faces, Dusty Springfield and more on new album

The perfect post-pandemic title is coming courtesy of Colin Hay. Make sure to listen to his fantastic advance track "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself"...Robert Kinsler

COLIN HAY COVERS BEATLES, KINKS, FACES AND MORE ON I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF LISTEN TO THE TITLE TRACK HERE RELEASE DATE AUGUST 6, 2021 USA/AUGUST 20, 2021 OTHER TERRITORIES FULL-BAND US TOUR ANNOUNCED FOR AUGUST — CHECK DATES HERE

JUNE 17, 2021; LOS ANGELES, CA — Renowned globally as the songwriter/lead vocalist/guitarist for Australian chart toppers Men at Work, Colin Hay has since proven himself as a solo artist, touring with his own group of L.A.-based musicians and as part of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band. But his love for music was born in his native Scotland, working at his parents' record store where he heard all the hits of the day, from The Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset” to Faces’ “Ooh La La” to Dusty Springfield’s “I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself.” At home during quarantine in early 2021, he read that Gerry Marsden had died and found himself strumming the Gerry and the Pacemakers' Merseybeat hit, “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying.” He decided to turn on the tape machines and share with his frequent collaborator/producer, Chad Fischer, who asked for more of the same. Thus followed the recording of I JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF, a new studio album featuring 10 versions of some of Colin's particular favorites — songs tied to memories and eras in his life. These lushly arranged versions showcase Hay’s ability to interpret a song and remind one just how instantly recognizable his voice is. While most of the songs are from the ‘60s, Hay does a moving version of Scottish group Del Amitri’s heartbreaking “Driving With The Brakes On,” which he calls “simply one of the best songs ever written.” Ultimate Classic Rock is premiering the title track, a 1964 UK hit for Dusty Springfield that was written by Burt Bacharch and Hal David and produced by Johnny Franz. "I Don't Know What To Do With Myself" will be available on all digital service providers tomorrow. June 18.  PRE-ORDER/PRE-SAVE HERE. LISTEN TO "I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF" HERE FROM THE LINER NOTES  — COLIN HAY, 2021 I wasn’t particularly planning a covers album. Gerry Marsden had just died, and I was sitting around in the basement, playing major 7th chords, as you do, and I started singing “Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying” to myself. So I switched on the machines with the pretty lights and recorded it. Just vocals and guitar. I sent it to my best man, Chad Fischer, and said, “See what you can do with this”, and he did. It sounded more than delightful to both of us. He said, “Send me another”. And so it went, until we had ten. Quite enough for the moment. The song choices were simple. “Waterloo Sunset” was playing through the sound system at Southampton Docks in June 1967, when I was boarding the Fairstar with my family, heading for the New World. What a sendoff. “Wichita Lineman” has fascinated me for many reasons. It was a hit for Glen Campbell, yet written by Jimmy Webb, a master songwriter. This was intriguing in and of itself. It contains one of the greatest lines in modern music. (You know which one I’m talking about.) I worked in my parents record store in the 60’s in Saltcoats, Scotland, and it seemed Dusty Springfield always had a hit on the charts. “I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself” was produced by Johnny Franz, whose team created the closest thing Britain had to the Phil Spector ”wall of sound”. Dusty Springfield’s voice is divine. There are so many Beatles songs one could choose to try and do justice to it’s ridiculous. “Norwegian Wood” contains a classic, simple and elegant melody, and I would occasionally perform it live in a DADGAD tuning, so that one sprang to mind. Chad suggested “Ooh La La”, the Faces song, written by Ronnie Lane and Ronnie Wood and sung by Ronnie Wood. I loved Rod Stewart and the Faces, and was considering a few others. However, Brooke Fischer, Chad’s wife, fancied “Ooh La La”. I’m a big fan of Brooke, so on it went. “Driving With The Brakes On” is simply one of the best songs ever written. I love Del Amitri, and Justin Currie’s songwriting. When I first came over to live in California in the early 90’s I would listen to this song driving home late at night. “Across The Universe”... well what can you say? A staggering lyric, and equally beautiful music and melody. That one BLIND FAITH album had a big impact on me in 1969. And “Can’t Find My Way Home” is one of those songs you could attempt on acoustic guitar. So that’s what I did. And lastly, we all became obsessed with The Harder They Come in the early 70’s, when it was shown in the cinemas in Melbourne. The music and sound of Jimmy Cliff transcends time. Many people have sung “Many Rivers To Cross”; indeed dare I say, it is a singer’s song. My brief to myself was to simply deliver it and not get in the way of the brilliance of the song itself I hope you enjoy these versions of these songs half as much as we enjoyed creating them. —COLIN HAY Follow Colin online: Official Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube TRACK LISTING 1. I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself (Burt Bacharach/Hal David) 2. Waterloo Sunset (Ray Davies) 3. Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb) 4. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (John Lennon/Paul McCartney) 5. Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying (Gerard Marsden/Fred Marsden, Les Chadwick, Leo Mcguire) 6. Ooh La La (Ronnie Lane/Ron Wood) 7. Driving With The Brakes On (Justin Currie) 8. Across the Universe  (John Lennon/Paul McCartney) 9. Can’t Find My Way Home (Stevie Winwood) 10. Many Rivers to Cross (Jimmy Cliff) TOUR DATES Wed, 8/04 Cape Cod Melody Tent - Hyannis, MA Thu, 8/05 South Shore Music Circus - Cohasset, MA Fri, 8/06 Blue Ocean Music Hall - Salisbury, MA Sat, 8/07 Boarding House Park - Lowell, MA Sun, 8/08 Point of the Bluff Vineyards - Hammondsport, NY Tue, 8/10 Ocean City Music Pier - Ocean City, NJ Wed, 8/11 Wind Creek Steel Stage at PNC Plaza - Bethlehem, PA Fri, 8/13 Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT Sat, 8/14 City Winery - New York, NY Sun, 8/15 City Winery - New York, NY Tue, 8/17 Birchmere - Alexandria, VA Wed, 8/18 Birchmere - Alexandria, VA Thu, 8/19 Mcglohan Theater - Charlotte, NC Fri, 8/20 City Winery - Atlanta, GA Sat, 8/21 The Caverns - Pelham, TN Thu, 8/26 Frederik Meijer Gardens - Grand Rapids, MI Sat, 8/28 Big Top Chautauqua - Washburn, WI Sun, 8/29 Park West - Chicago, IL Wed, 9/01 Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities-  Arvada, CO Thu, 9/02 Red Butte Garden - Salt Lake City, UT Sat, 9/11 BeachLife Festival 2021  - Redondo Beach, CA

ABOUT COLIN HAY: Colin Hay is beloved both for being Men At Work’s celebrated frontman, and for the solo, more intimate, potent live shows he has performed extensively over the last quarter century. The range of artists who cite him as a muse or who have found themselves on stage with him in the past year spans the genre landscape from heavy metal to Americana to Cuban masters of rhythm and beyond. His inclusion as a playlist favorite for acts as disparate as Metallica and the Lumineers reflects his continuing relevance and broad appeal. It is, however, his growing legion of fans throughout the world, to whom Hay feels the strongest allegiance. “They have kept me going all these years, and may they long continue to.”  Hay has also made his mark as a thespian over the years. He made his debut with the Melbourne Theatre Company playing Feste in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. It was his second stint in theater, the first time being part of the cast of the musical Ned Kelly, just prior to the formation of Men At Work. He has also appeared in the much beloved TV show Scrubs, played Barry in the Irish/Australian comedy film The Craic, appeared as Zac in the Australian comedy Cosi, and most recently played a role in the American TV show The Resident. He is the subject of the 2015 documentary film, Waiting for My Real Life.

BeachLife Festival's 2021 lineup is here!

So exciting to see live music events - including high-profile music festivals - returning in 2021! Robert Kinsler...

Get ticket information HERE!

MUSIC WORTH BUYING: Colin Hay, Son Volt

On the new episode of MUSIC WORTH BUYING we share our love of singer-songwriter Colin Hay's new masterwork Fierce Mercy, and alt-country rockers Son Volt's latest release Notes of Blue:

New music: Colin Hay, Laurence Juber, Old 97's, Livingston Taylor

Discerning listeners who love top-tier songwriting performed by engaging artists will want to get a listen to the latest album releases from singer-songwriter Colin Hay, fingerstyle guitarist Laurence Juber, alt-country rockers Old 97's and tunesmith Livingston Taylor.

Artist: Colin Hay
Title: Fierce Mercy (Compass Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Colin Hay, Bruce Cockburn, 
Tell me more: Colin Hay has an innate ability to write and perform songs that entice musically while effortlessly forcing the listener to think. On his latest masterwork Fierce Mercy, the acclaimed singer-songwriter uses a batch of original songs (several co-written with Michael Georgiades) that explore life from the insightful perspective that the majority of life's days are in the rear view mirror. But Hay's Fierce Mercy is no downbeat lament; there is a rich tapestry of both sonic and lyrical textures. The disc's soundscape blends folk-rock, jazz, Americana and more while the richly-drawn lyrics aim at the everyday triumphs and tragedies that define people's lives. "A Thousand Million Reasons" is a gorgeous and subtle song that taps into the powerful genesis of love. "She Was the Love of Mine" finds the singer celebrating the life of his late mother. "Frozen Fields of Snow" is a deeply-affecting song written by Hay that looks at the life of a military veteran outside the narrow confines of a battlefield tale. The deluxe edition of Fierce Mercy includes three outstanding bonus tracks providing even more great reasons to get a wonderful album. Hay is currently on tour and has a number of upcoming dates in the U.S. before he travels to the United Kingdom and Australia. Information: ColinHay.com.

Artist: Laurence Juber
Title: LJ Can't Stop Playing The Beatles! (HoLoGram Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: The Beatles, Muriel Anderson, Pete Huttlinger
Tell me more: On the aptly-titled LJ Can't Stop Playing The Beatles! two-time Grammy winning guitarist Laurence Juber thankfully delivers on the promise of the disc's title with 14 articulate and fully-realized acoustic arrangements of Fab Four compositions (including two by George Harrison). There are uptempo takes ("She Loves You," "Ticket to Ride"), elegiac sorties ("And Your Bird Can Sing," "Day Tripper," "And I Love Her") and beautiful arrangements that dazzle ("Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds," "I'll Follow the Sun"). Several of the more interesting renderings on the collection include the ambitious "Hey Bulldog" and playful "Honey Pie." The groundbreaking fingerstyle guitarist will perform as part of the Lord of the Strings concert series with dates at the Dana Point Community House in Dana Point, CA, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 10, and at the Mission Viejo Civic Center at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 11. Tickets for either concert are $30. Juber will be selling and autographing copies of his new album at the concerts. Information: HologramRecordings.com or LaurenceJuber.com.

Artist: Old 97's
Title: Graveyard Whistling (ATO Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Rhett Miller, Wilco, Supersuckers
Tell me more: On their newly-released album Graveyard Whistling, the Old 97's unleash a batch of potent songs that mine well-traveled trails celebrating romance, life in small towns, the thrill of playing music and the joys of having a good drink. Since emerging in Dallas, Texas in 1993, the quartet has recorded a slew of great albums filled with memorable songs that stand the test of time; that formula is firmly intact on the 11-track Graveyard Whistling. There are rollicking alt-country rockers such as the confessional "Good With God" and the raucous "Drinkin' Song." The Old 97's can disarm with the most lovely of songs, as evidenced by the beautiful "Bad Luck Charm" with singer Rhett Miller's reflective delivery and the band's nuanced performance; on "All Who Wander" the band explores similar sonic territory with equal melodic prowess. The group also makes a joyful detour on the Celtic-flavored "Irish Whiskey Pretty Girls." The Old 97's are currently on tour in support of Graveyard Whistling, and will be performing a string of shows in Southern California later this month, including at Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach on March 29 and at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood on March 30. Information: old97s.com.

Artist: Livingston Taylor
Title: Safe Home (Chesky Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Randy Newman, James Taylor
Tell me more: It's impressive that singer-songwriter Livingston Taylor's new album Safe Home was recorded as part of the Chesky Binaural + Series, a cutting-edge process that finds albums recorded with a single microphone while ultimately providing listeners with an expansive and multi-dimensional recording. The jazz-styled original "I Must Be Doing Something Right" has the wonderful feel of a timeless American Standard, and Taylor's warm baritone delivers the song with authentic warmth. Taylor is surrounded by a top-flight group of musicians on the album, including Shelly Berg (piano), David Finck (bass), Bashiri Johnson (percussion) and Chelsea Berry (vocals). There are also a number of great reworkings of cover material on the disc; a completely novel take on the Beatles' "Penny Lane" is among the memorable songs covered. And although there have been countless versions of composer Harold Arlen and lyricist E.Y. Harburg's "Over the Rainbow," the version here (sung by Chelsea Berry and Taylor as a duet) is eloquently and artistically introduced by a reworked version of "Merry Old Land Of Oz" (another great song introduced in the enduring 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz"). Information: chesky.com.

Robert Kinsler

Colin Hay follows banner year with definitive new release, 'Fierce Mercy'

One of the most interesting and talented singer-songwriters of the modern era, Colin Hay has just announced another new album is coming soon (in March 2017). Here is the official media release:

FIERCE MERCY is an epic, cinematic step forward from singer-songwriter Colin Hay, most beloved for his intimate, confessional live shows but most widely known for being an influential and celebrated frontman. The range of artists who have chosen to cite him as a muse or who have found themselves on stage with him in the past year spans the genre landscape from heavy metal, to Americana, to Cuban rhythms and beyond. His inclusion as a playlist favorite from the likes of Metallica to The Lumineers reflects his continuing relevance and broad appeal. Recorded in both Los Angeles and Nashville and mixed by Vance Powell (Chris Stapleton, Jack White) and Gordon Hammond (Buddy Miller, Don Williams), FIERCE MERCY explores themes of love and loss, mortality, and even the odd UFO sighting, but always with the singular perspective and insightful wit that define Hay’s work. He has created a new classic in his impressive repertoire (this is his 13th solo release), using a palette of pop songcraft, Americana flourishes, and soundtrack-ready strings.  FIERCE MERCY is animated by its pensive, honest, and impassioned lyrics, and, Hay adds, by a sense of urgency felt deeply in the song “The Last to Know,” which introduces the album’s title concept of “fierce mercy.” “When you’re in your 20s, you think you’ve got all the time in the world,” Hay said. “You get older, and you go through a quickening. Everything seems to get faster.” Using his gift for expressing struggle in a way that resonates with a wide variety of people, he compares this to the messages mankind is getting on a global level: “With the changing weather patterns, or the polar ice caps melting, we’re getting all of these warnings, and a lot of them are incredibly fierce. But they still feel somewhat merciful — they’re not destroying us totally. We’re all being told, ‘Listen, you can still maybe address this, and it won’t get to the point where I have to take you all out. You’ve still got a shot.’” Ten of the album’s 13 stellar compositions were collaborations with Michael Georgiades, who contributed to Hay’s previous sets Gathering Mercury (2011) and American Sunshine (2009). The pair co-wrote two of the album’s clear stand-outs, the pop vocal ballad “A Thousand Million Reasons” and the Americana leaning “Come Tumblin’ Down.”  "Michael Georgiades is my secret weapon but I guess now with this album it’s not a secret anymore,” Hay jokes. Some of the songs are deeply personal: “She Was the Love of Mine,” is an elegy for the singer’s mother, who died three years ago. Some are novelistic: “Frozen Fields of Snow” recounts the story of a war veteran returning to his childhood home after outliving the other members of his unhappy family.  “Sometimes lyrical ideas will come into your head, so you follow them and see where they go,” Hay says. Largely recorded in Topanga with Hay’s wife, Cecilia Noël and Hay’s regular accompanists — bassist Yosmel Montejo, drummer Charlie Paxson, keyboardists Fred Kron and Jeff Babko, and guitarist/tres player San Miguel Perez — FIERCE MERCY was completed in sessions at Compass Sound Studio in Nashville with Compass Records principal Garry West at the helm, who also contributed bass on a few cuts. Hay says, “Garry is always trying to get me to Nashville to do some recording, to get me out of the comfort zone of my own studio — get me out of my lair!  So I went to Nashville and we recorded the strings with a nine-piece section, and he introduced me to some players that he loves, who added another fantastic layer to the album.” The Nashville players include guitarists Audley Freed (Sheryl Crow, the Black Crowes, the Dixie Chicks) and Doug Lancio (John Hiatt), pedal steel guitarist and organist Jim Hoke (Iris Dement, Don Henley, Darius Rucker) and Compass co-founder Alison Brown (banjo). Though many music fans will be glad to see the end of 2016, it was something of a breakout year for this career artist that included a three-week run at the Edinburgh Fringe; performances on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and ABC’s Greatest Hits; sharing the stage with Of Monsters and Men, Milk Carton Kids, Choir Choir Choir!, Kings of Leon; being publicly cited as an influence by artists as distinct as James Hetfield of Metallica, Jeremiah Fraites of The Lumineers, Troy Sanders of Mastodon, and The Infamous Stringdusters; as well as the completion of a documentary film about his career entitled Waiting for My Real Life, named for one of his best known solo recordings. Now finding himself in the unprecedented place of having both ’80s fame and indie credibility, it's possible that Hay has delivered the defining album of his solo career. The album will be released March 3rd, 2017 on Compass Records. 2017 Colin Hay TOUR DATES: Fri., Jan. 13  BOULDER, CO  eTown Sun., Jan. 15  MORGANTOWN, WV WVU Creative Arts Center Tue., Jan. 17  ANN ARBOR, MI  Leon Loft Wed., Jan. 18  FRANKLIN, TN  Music City Roots at The Factory at Franklin Thu., Jan. 19  ENGLEWOOD, NJ  Bergen Pac Fri, Jan. 20  HOMER, NY Centers for the Arts of Homer Sat., Jan. 21  NIAGARA FALLS, CANADA  Fallsview Casino Resort Sun., Jan. 22  STATE COLLEGE, PA  State Theatre Sat., Jan. 28  SAN JOSE, CA  Sap Center Sat., Feb. 11  KEY WEST, FL Key West Theater Sun., Feb. 12  BOCA RATON, FL  Boca Raton Resort & Club Wed., Feb. 15  FORT LAUDERDALE, FL  The ’80s Cruise Sat., Feb. 18  FORT LAUDERDALE, FL  Amaturo Theater, Broward Center for the Performing Arts Sun., Feb. 19  CLEARWATER, FL  Capitol Theatre Mon., Feb. 20  ORLANDO, FL  The Plaza Live Wed., Feb. 22  ST. AUGUSTINE, FL  The Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Thu.-Sat., Feb. 23-25  ATLANTA, GA  City Winery Wed.-Thu., Mar. 1-2  LOS ANGELES, CA  Largo at the Coronet Sun., Mar. 5  SAN FRANCISCO, CA  Palace of Fine Arts Tue.-Wed., Mar. 7-8  NASHVILLE, TN  City Winery Fri., Mar. 10  CHICAGO, IL  Thalia Hall Sun.-Mon., Mar. 12-13  ALEXANDRIA, VA  The Birchmere Wed., Mar. 15  GLENSIDE, PA   Keswick Theatre Fri., Mar. 17 BOSTON, MA  Wilbur Theatre Sat., Mar. 18  NEW YORK, NY  Concert Hall at NY Society for Ethical Culture Thu., Mar. 30  THE ACADEMY  Dublin, Ireland  Sun., Apr. 2  BELFAST, UK  The Limelight Mon., Apr. 3  GLASGOW, UK  Old Fruit Market Tue., Apr. 4 LONDON, UK  Union Chapel Thu., Apr. 6  MANCHESTER, UK  The Dancehouse Theatre Fri., Apr. 7  EDINBURGH, UK  Queen’s Hall Sat., Apr. 8  ABERDEEN, UK  Lemon Tree Mon., Apr. 10  GATESHEAD, UK The Sage

2014 off to strong start via new releases

Peter Gabriel's songcraft is featured on 'And I'll Scratch Yours' 

An interesting and unique tribute to Peter Gabriel as well as a fantastic new EP from Atlanta-based indie folk group von Grey prove to be among the first noteworthy releases of 2014, while a recent DVD title celebrating a legendary music festival staged back in 1983 that paved the way for Coachella and other modern-day events also demands music fans' undivided attention before closing the door on last year's wealth of outstanding titles.

Various artists: Bon Iver, Randy Newman, Arcade Fire and more
Title: And I'll Scratch Yours (Real World Productions)
You might like if you enjoy: Peter Gabriel, Elbow, Arcade Fire, Lou Reed
Tell me more: It has taken more than three years, but the companion disc to Peter Gabriel's 2010 covers collection Scratch My Back (where he covered material by the likes of Radiohead, David Bowie and Arcade Fire) is being released this week. And I'll Scratch Yours (out Jan. 7, 2014) finds the majority of artists covered by Gabriel on Scratch My Back now reciprocating and covering some of his songs. Highlights abound; what's not to love about Elbow's tender "Mercy Street," Arcade Fire's artful "Games Without Frontiers" and the late Lou Reed's Neil Young & Crazy Horse-styled approach on "Solsbury Hill." Information: PeterGabriel.com. 
Get And I'll Scratch Yours now

Artist: von Grey
Album: Awakening (VG Publishing)
You might like if you enjoy: First Aid Kit, The Corrs, Clannad
Tell me more: Blending the Celtic stylings of Ireland's Corrs with the Americana strains of the Civil Wars and First Aid Kit, von Grey is something special. The group, which features four real-life von Frey sisters Annika (lead vocals, violin, banjo, guitar, keyboards), Fiona (lead vocals, guitar, violin, percussion), Petra (keys, lap steel guitar, backing vocals) and Kathryn (cello, bass, mandolin, keys, background vocals), shines on Awakening. The six-song collection (set for release on Jan. 21, 2014) boasts material ranging from textured harmonies-rich song craft ("Keep It Cool," "Upset Me") to modern pop-mining uptempo songs ("Come On," "Ashes"). Information: vonGreymusic.com.
Pre-order Awakening now

DVD title: '83 US Festival (MVD Visual)
You might like if you enjoy: U2, Men At Work, The Stray Cats, INXS
Tell me more: Long before Coachellafest began its yearly run in Indio, the groundbreaking US Festival ("US" was an acronym for "Unite us in Song") was staged at Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernardino, California over the Memorial Day weekend in May 1983. Now comes the first official DVD release featuring highlights from the epic event, with a documentary and performances capturing the excitement of the three-day festival. Highlights include a young INXS tearing through "The One Thing," rockabilly trio the Stray Cats' one-two sonic punch "Double Talkin' Baby" and "Rock This Town," and Men At Work's infectious "Who Can It Be Now" and reggae-charged "It's A Mistake." One of the decade's most illustrious performances is revealed via U2's rousing "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "Electric Co." Information: mvdvisual.com. 
Get US Festival 1983: Days 1-3 now

US Festival 1983: Days 1 - 3 coming to iTunes, DVD

It was just more than 30 years ago that I attended my first-ever outdoor music festival. I attended the third and final day of the May 1983 US Festival held at Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernardino. It was the day I first caught U2 and was immediately blown away, becoming a big fan of the Irish rockers. It was a true warm-up for my future Coachellafest experiences, especially because of the intense heat and endurance skills to stand all day (and night).

Amazing, but now highlights of the sets I caught from U2, Missing Persons, Stevie Nicks and even Quarterflash are all finally coming to iTunes and DVD. Read on...

US Festival 1983: Days 1 - 3

 on iTunes November 19th 

and on DVD December 3rd

Featuring U2, the Clash, Judas Priest, Stevie Nicks, Scorpions, INXS, Men at Work, Stray Cats, Triumph, Missing Persons and more 

 

Exclusive clip of U2 "Sunday Bloody Sunday" at RollingStone.com

The US Festival (US is an acronym for "Unite Us In Song") held on Memorial Day of 1983 was a massive three-day celebration of music and culture sponsored by Steve Wozniak, formerly of Apple Computer. Wozniak financed the entire thing himself (approx. 10 million dollars), and his motivation quoted as "to throw a big party in the middle of nowhere" is quite an understatement. This festival was a follow up to 1982 Labor Day inaugural Us Festival events. The festivals were intended to be the celebration of evolving technologies; a marriage of music, computers, television and people.

Us Festival 1983: Days 1 - 3 includes the 3 days of New Wave, Heavy Metal and Rock in 1983 with performances from U2, the Clash, Judas Priest, Stevie Nicks, Scorpions, INXS, Men at Work, Stray Cats, Triumph, Missing Persons and more. This includes the legendary U2 performance of Sunday Bloody Sunday, The Clash's final performance with Mick Jones, a seminal performance for INXS in the US, and many other landmark moments in music history. It is estimated that over 670,000 fans attended.

The festivals included large air-conditioned tents featuring the US Festival Technology Exposition a dazzling display of then-cutting edge computers, software, and electronic music devices. Also making a debut were installations of "out-door rain", perforated pvc nozzles that sprayed water to fight the fierce hundred-degree heat.

The US Festival interest remains strong 30 years later in pop culture with mentions in The Simpsons, Malcom In The Middle, Dharma & Greg and other popular TV shows. US Festival 1983 is produced by Icon Television Music, Inc. and Unuson Corporation with the cooperation of Steve Wozniak. This is the only Unuson sanctioned official release of US Festival 1983 at iTunes and on DVD. 

US Festival 1983 is directed by award winning filmmaker and music biographer Glenn Aveni and includes insight from Mark Goodman, one of the original VJ's that covered the Us Festival in 1983 for the newly launched MTV Channel.

US Festival 1983 Days 1 - 3 are available on iTunes for $9.99 each: itunes.com/USFestival1983    

Order DVD: http://www.seeofsound.com/p.php?s=MVD5946D

Track Listing:

INXS - The One Thing

Divinyls - Boys in Town

English Beat - Jeanette

Stray Cats - Rock This Town

Stray Cats - Please Make Up Your Mind

Men At Work - It's A Mistake

Men At Work - Who Can It Be Now

The Clash - Should I Stay or Should I Go

Judas Priest - Breaking The Law

Judas Priest - You've Got Another Thing Comin'

Triumph - Magic Power

Triumph - Fight The Good Fight

Triumph - Lay It On The Line

Triumph - A World Of Fantasy

Scorpions - The Zoo

Scorpions - Can't Get Enough

Berlin - Sex

Quarterflash - Find Another Fool

U2 - Sunday Bloody Sunday

U2 - The Electric Co.

Missing Persons - Words

Stevie Nicks - Stand Back

Stevie Nicks - Outside The Rain