WHEN Gareth Hudson began recording 12 years ago he never realised he was kick-starting his own musical community.
In the ensuing years his Hazy Cosmic Jive Studio at Adamstown Heights has become more professional and productive as Newcastle artists of all genres and tastes have sat before his sound desk and microphones.
A sample of that community will come together on Friday night when Hudson presents the Hazy Cosmic Jive Showcase as part of the New Annual festival at the Civic Playhouse.
Hudson and singer-songwriter Amy Vee, who will perform on the night, curated the line-up of country-pop artist Katie Jayne, bluesman Buddy Knox, indie-pop band Glovers Lane, rocker Daniel March and indie-folk singer-songwriter Nick Saxon.
Hudson has produced multiple albums and singles with all the artists showcased.
"On this one I picked artists that I've been working with the longest," Hudson said. "I've got a little community on Facebook of people I work with and everyone put their hand up, so it was hard to pick who was going to play on the first showcase, but we're hoping to do one every three months to promote artists we're working with."
Hazy Cosmic Jive Studio closed initially during COVID-19, but the past six months have been a busy time for Hudson. He's recorded albums for March, James Bennett, Daryl Aberhart and Piper Butcher and a new single from Lili Crane, due for release next week.
Saxon's new single Great Migration, which was produced by Hudson, will be released on Friday and the Hazy Cosmic Jive Showcase will be the track's first public performance.
SPACEY JANE BOOST
IF you were disappointed by the news last week that red-hot Perth band Spacey Jane had seemingly overlooked Newcastle on their album tour, you can now rejoice.
The Booster Seat indie hit-makers have announced two shows at Newcastle's Civic Theatre on April 14 with support from rising songwriter Carla Geneve.
Heavy triple j support over the past year has resulted in Spacey Jane rocketing up the venue chain. Less than a year ago they were preparing to play minor venues like the Small Ballroom, but after Booster Seat finished No.2 in the Hottest 100 they're stepping up for two shows at Newcastle's most prestigious venue.
STICKY TRIBUTE
OUTSIDE the argument of who's better, Mick Jagger or Keith Richards, one of the most polarising debates among Rolling Stones fans is what is their greatest album; Exile On Main Street (1972) or Sticky Fingers (1971)?
Personally, I'm all the way with Exile, but it's Sticky Fingers that is getting unzipped by four of Australia's leading rock musicians.
Adalita (Magic Dirt), Phil Jamieson (Grinspoon), Tim Rogers (You Am I) and Tex Perkins (Beasts Of Bourbon, Cruel Sea) are teaming up to perform the Stones' iconic album in full, which includes cuts like Brown Sugar, Wild Horses, Bitch and Dead Flowers.
Jamieson and Rogers are no strangers to the classic rock tribute show, having previously teamed up to perform The Beatles White Album show twice. Perkins has also enjoyed success performing his Johnny Cash show.
The Sticky Fingers tribute show visits the Civic Theatre on July 27. Tickets are on sale Monday at 10am.
ILLY ADDED TO MIX
ARIA award-winning rapper Illy will perform at This That when the music festival finally returns to Wickham Park on November 6.
This That was scheduled to make its post-COVID comeback on February 20 but the coronavirus outbreak on Sydney's northern beaches before Christmas scuttled those plans.
The Papercuts star joins Hayden James, Dune Rats, Mallrat, San Cisco, The Chats, Crooked Colours, Jack River and more on the line-up. Due to the rescheduled dates, ChillinIt and Enschway will no longer perform at This That.
KATIE OPENS HEART
NEWCASTLE-bred Americana singer-songwriter Katie Brianna is preparing to release her most emotionally honest song of her career. Wedding Ring, out on Friday, explores Brianna's marriage and unfulfilled dreams of becoming a mother.
The Golden Guitar nominee called on a stellar backing band, featuring members of The Cruel Sea, The Clouds, The Re-Mains, Spurs For Jesus and Caitlin Harnett, for the single. It is the first taste from her forthcoming third album This Way or Some Other.
The album will be released on March 26 and is her first since 2016's Victim Or The Heroine which earned Brianna a Golden Guitar nomination for best alternative country record.
ODETTE TOUR
LAST Friday Sydney art-pop singer-songwriter Odette released her stunning second album Herald, where she openly explores her battle with mental health.
Odette is taking her new tunes, piano theatrics and soaring vocals on the road in May and June to support Herald. You can catch Odette at the Cambridge Hotel on June 5.
