A rollicking remix of the song ‘Alive’ by Empire Of The Sun has an edgy essence as it contains more bumps thumps and grooves, a product of the dub, trance-techno and house influences, scratching the spectrum of the music variety.
An amplified version of the song, the M4SONIC remix offers a wider range of sound that are manipulated and added to the track. This explosive variation would definitely be a hit at the common dwellings of heavy club goers where neon lights and smoked up dance floors (from smoke machines…) are the norm.
Nick Littlemore ‘s comment about ‘Alive’ having “an emotional intensity that everyone can relate to” is right on the money, the remix on the other hand is faster and louder, has more potency in passion and overwhelmingly vibrant sound.
The simplistic creativity of the synth-pop original is already a pleasing tune. However this remixed and rehashed techno-fied track certainly emphasizes the dynamic technology of the M4SONIC and the flavour that it presents.
Rating: 9/10
Nastasha Tupas – NSW Finalist, Miss World Australia fundraiser screening of World War Z (3D)
We are proud to announce that one of our valued contributors at Mosca Media Australia Nastasha Tupas is currently a NSW Finalist for Miss World Australia 2013. Nastasha has been with us since Mosca Media was established in 2011 providing us with her skills and expertise in journalism as well as interviewing some of the most renowned artists and public figures today including Obie Trice and humanitarian Somaly Mam, also supported by Not-for-Profit organisation fighting human trafficking and sexual exploitation, Project Futures.
Nastasha is a freelance reporter and video producer for numerous media outlets including a non-for-profit organisation Project Futures. In addition to her multimedia work, Nastasha is also a published writer and her work has been published in the:
Sydney Morning Herald
Daily Telegraph
Ninemsn
Parramatta Sun
Blacktown Sun
Hills News: North Rocks Author
Hills News: Romantic Menu
Human Capital Magazine
ABS-CBN Filipino News
PROJECT FUTURES Global Blogger
Mosca Media Australia
This Friday 21 June, Nastasha will be hosting a fundraiser movie night at the screening of World War Z 3D during its premiere week
This will be a special screening as all proceeds raised from ticket sales and funds donated on the night will go towards disadvantaged children and children with disabilities. Her chosen charities are Variety Australia – Children’s Charity, Children’s First Foundation and Lilla Foundation.
Not only will you be one of the first to see the highly anticipated movie starring the hunky Brad Pitt, but you will also be supporting the charities and their work with young disadvantaged children and their families.
The World War Z 3 D fundraiser event will be held this Friday 21 June 7pm at Event Cinemas Parramatta. WWZ #D Movie Combo Tickets (including popcorn, drink and icecream) are $50 each + bf, which is available for purchase via EventBrite: http://worldwarz-screening.eventbrite.com.au/#
Facebook Event Invitation for World War Z (3D) fundraiser night: https://www.facebook.com/events/581726878539427/
For those who can’t make it on the night but would still love to make a contribution, you are welcome to make a one-off donation which can be made via the EventBrite link above or below:
Electronic Funds Transfer
Account Name: Miss World Australia
BSB: 083 004
Account Number: 115 915 091
Description: BWPNastashaTupas
Cheque made payable to:
Miss World Australia
We hope to see you there this Friday! Thank you for your support.
From the team at Mosca Media Australia
(Sponsors for Nastasha Tupas – NSW Finalist, Miss World Australia 2013).
VIDEOS – Nastasha Tupas
Obie Trice interview (Mosca Media Australia)
St Vincent De Paul’s CEO Sleepout 2011 – http://youtu.be/gg1Nadw61A0
ABS-CBN (TFC) Coverage of the Sydney Typhoon Ondoy Relief Drive 2009 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjByCR5Xs74
For more information on Nastasha Tupas, please visit her Facebook like page http://www.facebook.com/NastashaTupas
Empire of the Sun – Ice On The Dune (LP 2013)
The flamboyant electro-pop duo Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore aka Empire Of The Sun, return with another set of compositions that are sure to excite the musical appetite of audiences from the synth-pop genre. Released on the 14th of June, the album Ice On The Dune certainly offers a lot of flavour to satiate one’s tuneful palate.
Whether it’s grooving on the dance floor or perhaps laying back in the living room enjoying a nice glass of red sauvignon, this album is sure to tickle all audiophiles to a stimulating state. It would not be a surprise if this album wins another ARIA, Following their first album, ‘Walking on A Dream’ in 2009.
The build-up introduction sets up on a subtle note, as it progresses to a crescendo, leaving listeners booming on the high with ‘DNA’. All throughout the album the formula for mashing up great music has been established. Each tune is a quality creation made for the listeners’ fancies.
The title-track ‘Ice on the Dune’ is chillingly upbeat. It is flawlessly synthesised, with vintage guitar licks, shoulder-shrugging loops and snappy bass accompaniment. A much more cultured taste that with experience, the Empire of the Sun showcases how each and every song was well crafted, as you listen to their new material.
This album was made in collaboration with an ensemble of distinct influences, including various musicians and studio producers from Sydney to L.A and New York. The ambiances that resonate from this riveting new record are indeed colourful. But of course, the identity of Empire of the Sun is well within the essence of each song.
After listening to this record, I was absolutely amazed, to the point where the neighbours complained to how loud I was pumping up the music, specifically the song ‘Celebrate’, at eleven o’clock at night. The melodies, the rhythm, the harmonies; were not only pleasing but also reached the depths of your core that ripples exhilaration. As I skimmed through the song list, it made me want to jump around… then I listened to them all for several times, and I did.
Rating: 9/10
For more information on Empire Of The Sun visit their:
Website: http://empireofthesun.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/empireofthesun
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empireofthesun
Snitch (2013)
Jason Matthews is about to embark on four years of college when he reluctantly agrees to help his friend Craig by accepting a package that contains thousands of MDMA. What Jason doesn’t realize he has been stitched up by his friend and is arrested and under mandatory sentencing laws, faces ten years in jail. His father, John Matthews (Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson) owns a successful transport company and has a good life with a new family in a big luxury home. When he learns of Jason’s arrest and sentence, he pleads for leniency from Congresswoman Joanne Keeghan (Susan Sarandon). Keeghan, looking for re-election, stands on a platform of keeping drug dealers off our streets. She agrees to reduce the sentence if John Matthews works a sting operation with federal police to capture drug cartel ring leader Juan Carlos “El Topo” Pintera.
The crime drama inspired by true events and for the first half of the film it sets the plot perfectly and does enough to engage the audience but then it feels like it runs out of time to deliver the story and its message and rushes through, what is essentially the main climax, leaving you a little underwhelmed and confused as to why it went the way it did. The performances by the cast are adequate. Sarandon doesn’t really push herself in her role which should have played a more pivotal role. The Rock looked a little out of his depth a bit. Action dramas are more his cup of tea but his effort was A+. Jon Bernthal as Daniel James, Matthews accomplice in the sting is the standout in this movie with a gritty supporting role.
The movies central message is the inflexibility of mandatory sentencing laws in some states of the U.S but the rushed finish cheapens the impact of the message. Probably more of a DVD night in movie that a cinematic experience.
Rating: 3/5
Julian Marley + Blue King Brown + The Strides – Metro Theatre, Sydney (10.05.13)
Julian Marley at Metro Theatre Sydney. Photo credits: Jackie TeAroha for Mosca Media.
The Metro Theatre is one of Sydney’s leading venues hosting an array of notable and emerging local and international artists across a wide variety of musical genres and more. But once you step foot into the venue, categories and stereotypes are no longer existent. People begin to embrace the music and one another. This was evident on Friday night at Julian Marley’s Sydney show (son of reggae legend Bob Marley). The Metro presented with a diverse range of individuals from the youthful to the old timers, cultures, from all walks of life and there was such a great sense of unison. After all, that is the essence of reggae music – ‘One Love’.
I must mention that the lady who stood next to me at the front row told me ‘this is the first time I’ve ever heard reggae music, I got dragged along to this show and I’m fucking loving it!’. Music is powerful, but reggae music can change your mentality!
Upon arrival, Sydney based 10 piece roots-reggae band The Strides took to stage with songs from their album Reclamation. Still rocking out since we last saw them perform almost two years ago at Notes Live in Newtown.
After The Strides it seemed like a prolonged set up time for Blue King Brown, however, it was well worth the wait. The audience was greeted by the ladies of Melbourne-based reggae-roots band Blue King Brown, with an acoustic set featuring lead singer Natalie Pa’apa’a and vocalists representing West Papua. With only three vocalists I predicted that this would be an intimate and engaging experience, and we were immersed in the rhythm of the music as well as the message that they wanted to share. Natalie illustrated a song about a couple that were separated due to the hindrance of bureaucratic red tape, however they were reunited again. At the end of BKB’s set I was left with a resonating message “Free West Papua” which was clearly stated on Natalie’s acoustic kickbox.
The crowd was anticipating Julian Marley and as he entered the stage, it was apparent that his father’s spirit continues to live on. Marley shared his Rastafarian faith, knowledge, music and of course his father’s life and spirit. There was a sense of nostalgia growing up to the Marley’s voices in my cassette player. No doubt Marley is acknowledged as an individual artist, but he is also an inclusive collaborator with his 12-piece Uprising Band, performing some original tunes as well as father Bob’s hits. Some memorable songs were ‘Boom Draw’, ‘Babylon Cookie Jar’ and Bob Marley’s ‘Kaya’.
It was refreshing to join some of the country’s most thriving reggae bands alongside Julian Marley, and no doubt they were aptly chosen to support him. With a combination of ‘Worldwize’ humanitarian reggae-roots acts, it became an insightful and memorable show. Although I could see that a larger venue could have easily accommodated a larger crowd.
Rating: 9/10
Click here to check out our photographs from Julian Marley’s Sydney show!
Live Review: Six60 – The Metro Theatre (26.04.13)
Photo: Six60 @ Metro Theatre, Sydney https://www.facebook.com/Six60
There’s something to be said of any band that can hop flawlessly from rock to reggae to drum and bass and back again and take a crowd of people along with them for the ride. And that is that they are undeniable rock stars. That’s just what I’d call New Zealand band Six60 who managed to effortlessly transition between genres this past Friday when they hit the stage at The Metro in Sydney to a sold out crowd.
Opening with their light hearted reggae anthem ‘Don’t Forget Your Roots’ the energetic 5 piece captivated the audience thanks to their boyish enthusiasm and playfulness on stage. Six60 made it clear that they love what they do. In return the crowd assured them that the feeling was mutual by singing (or screaming?) along to almost every note of every word of every song that they played throughout the show. It didn’t matter whether the guys were tackling honey-coated reggae or gutsy rock tinged tracks the crowd was with them every step of the way, and the atmosphere of the show felt a lot like one hell-of-a-party.
Lead singer Matiu Walters’ vocals remained flawless through out the show, despite the fact that he jumped around the stage with boundless energy for 90% of the show and the fact that he’s the only singer in the band – there’s no backing vocalists to help him out. I couldn’t help but ponder how much warmth extra vocals and harmonies would add to the bands sound, but Walters looked like he didn’t mind carrying all the vocal responsibilities at all. And I quickly forgot about my love of harmonies as Walters’ vocals gave more than most do; he was honest and subtle when required on the stripped back numbers but switched to bold and strong on command. All of this delivered with his cheeky devil-may-care attitude, which was perfectly in tune with the rest of the bands mood.
By the time the show got to its encore of ‘Someone To Be Around’, thanks to the crowds unusual chant choice of “Whoop there it is!”, Six60 had delivered a strong show that managed to have the dynamic energy of a stadium rock concert while maintaining the personable, down to earth vibe of your local pub gig. But as humble and carefree as Six60 may appear they are far more than just a pub band. Six60 make having the musical equivalent of split personality not only look easy, but very much like something that every band should take a stab at. After all why should we have to stick with one genre if we can enjoy a mash of them all in one show by one talented band? If Six60 keep dishing out their brand of rock-roots-reggae with a dash of dub then I’ll gladly keep making room on my plate for more of their treats.
Rating: 4/5
Single Review: Castlecomers – Rosie
Castlecomers latest single, ‘Rosie’ (directed and edited by Sean Dooley) expresses a fun and energetic foot tapping experience. Involving YouTube‘s famous comedian Superwog and a variety of different cultured people. This video will no doubt put a smile on anyone’s face and could potentially make you dance.
Starting the video with a question “how do you dance?” following through with some fun dance moves and psychedelic patterns to brighten up your day. To quote one viewer “it’s the kind of song I blast in my room while getting ready for uni, and dance stupidly on my bed!”.
This video clip definitely holds a sort of innocent and happy energy within it. This will definitely go viral quickly amongst the fans and fans-to-be of Castlecomers in the very near future. I can definitely see this clip spreading into the top 40 scene.
Rating: 8.5 / 10
Film Review: The Hunt (2013)
Director Thomas Vinterberg introduces the audience to a masterpiece of powerful drama, violence and corruption brought upon an innocent man in ‘The Hunt’.
Lucas, stunningly performed by Mads Mikkelsen, is introduced as a humble kindergarten teacher, recent divorcé and loving father, desperate to gain equal custody rights from his ex-wife to see his son Marcus (Lasse Fogelstrøm) more often.
Following an emotional journey of virtue and hardship, Lucas struggles to reclaim his life after he is wrongly accused of sexually abusing with one of his students. ‘The Hunt’ focuses on the fine line between truth and fiction and how easy it is to blur the boundaries when you do not understand the consequences.
Klara (Annika Wedderkopp) represents the epitome of innocence and beauty, always trying to seek attention and affection from her parents Theo (Thomas Bo Larsen) and Agnes (Anne Louise Hassing).
When Klara develops a crush on Lucas, she imparts her feelings by offering him a heart she made and kisses him during playtime at school. However, after Lucas explains that her actions were inappropriate and he cannot accept her gift, she falsely claims to the headteacher that Lucas made sexual advancements.
What I found to be the most intriguing aspect of the film was the focus on the child’s side of the story, presented as the truth. It was illogical and unfair for everyone, especially his best friend Theo, to immediately jump to conclusions without giving Lucas a chance to explain himself.
The small rural town in Denmark, where Lucas resides alone with his dog Fanny, becomes a dark and unforgiving place of brutality and hatred from his former close friends, work colleagues, acquaintances and the community. However, the arrival of Marcus and support from a close family friend gives hope to Lucas to surpass the judgement.
One of the most memorable and heartbreaking scenes of ‘The Hunt’ involved Lucas being repeatedly beaten and thrown out of the supermarket for wanting to purchase pork chops and other groceries.
The extent to which the community disowns and alienates him reinforces the fact that there is no justice once a white lie is spoken; it transforms into a chaotic overruling that blows out of proportion.
‘The Hunt’ is a must-see film that challenges your views on how significant one lie can be in affecting the life of another. Once the hunter becomes hunted . . . there’s no telling how far it will go.
The Blackwater Fever – The Depths (2013)
It could be easy to write this band off as another Black Keys rip off, but that sort of ignorance will make you miss the beauty of this record. Yes, it has plenty of swampy bluegrass riffs we’ve all come to love from The Black Keys, but the execution of these songs will leave them lingering in your mind. On their third album, The Blackwater Fever have crafted tracks that requires you to listen to them over again and with each listen, you will pick up something different. Intentional or not, its a great tool that great songwriters have.
The two piece from Brisbane have really welded in various styles into their dark blues filled rock. There’s LO-fi garage mixed in with a bit of Nick Cave broodiness, some rock n’ stomp from old White Stripes and plenty of Deep South, whiskey vibes. ’Won’t Cry Over You’ is a stand out track that rattles the speakers, as does the album’s opener ‘When The Night Comes’. These tracks are then contrasted with the more brooding tracking such as ‘Over Broken Bones’ and ‘End Of Time’.
Listening to this record and the instrumentation used makes you wonder how a two piece can pull this off live with the use of guitar and organ to create the harmonies and drums and bass to lay the platform for the tracks. Then add Shane Hicks vocals, that has a blues trademark minimalism on top of that. The Depths is a solid record and I think the songs will translate even better live.
Rating: 4/5
A smile a day can go a long way | St Marys-Mt Druitt Star
Liza Moscatelli was named Young Chifley Woman of the Year for her work in facilitating art workshops at Ted Noffs Foundation,
via A smile a day can go a long way | St Marys-Mt Druitt Star.