Jake Shimabukuro

January 31, 2013 Interviews

Search Ukulele in Google and on the first page of millions you’ll find Jake Shimabukuro’s Ukulele cover of George Harrison’s ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’, the YouTube video that went viral around seven years ago and allowed Hawaiian Ukulele virtuoso Jake to take his passion for playing to stages around the world, including performances for Queen Elizabeth in England and duets with American songstress (and one of Jake’s favourite singers), Bette Midler. Jake Shimabukuro will be making his way to our shores in March/April for the third time to play Bluesfest 2013 as well as a collection of solo shows around the country. I spoke with Jake from his home in Hawaii about his upcoming shows down under, and the perks of being one of the greatest Ukulele players of our time.

Sick Of It All

January 28, 2013 Interviews

Hardcore punk’s band of brothers Sick of it All, are another gem in the crown of this year’s Soundwave Festival line-up. I spoke to Lou Koller, one of the two founding members of the band. Formed in Queens, New York in 1986 the band consists of Lou on vocals, his brother Pete on lead guitar, Rich Cipriano on bass and Armand Majidi on drums.

Cypress Hill

January 24, 2013 Interviews

One of the principal drawcards on this year’s superstar Soundwave line up is the legendary hip hop outfit Cypress Hill. Since exploding onto the scene and propelling themselves head first into platinum album territory with their 1991 self-titled debut, Cypress Hill - B-Real, DJ Muggs, Eric Bobo and Sen Dog - have been among hip-hop's most consistently successful, imitated and censored acts.

Ash Grunwald

January 24, 2013 Interviews

It’s the return of the prodigal son - an old phrase but quite a fitting one for Ash Grunwald on his return to Geelong for the first time since the release of his sixth studio album Trouble’s Door (2012) “Geelong is my old hood”, Ash jokes.

Aston Shuffle

January 16, 2013 Interviews

The scope of potential influences that can contribute, directly or indirectly, to a musician’s sound is virtually limitless. The experience of being transported into previously inconceivable sonic realms by listening to a brilliant album for the first time could just as easily find its way into a producer’s own creation...

Dropkick Murphys

January 10, 2013 Interviews

There’s something about Dropkick Murphys that makes other bands want to share a stage with them. And given that one of the groups that have brought this desire to fruition is Aerosmith and another is Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, you get the sense that whatever it is about them, it’s something special. While ...