Speaking In Tongues Tour

After the release of their number 1 Platinum album, Drinking from the Sun the Hilltop Hoods are heading out on the road for their only headline tour for 2012 and there bringing a few friends along for the ride. 

Holding down the main support for the tour is Solo on the Mic and Adit on the fader from Sydney's Horrorshow crew. With Horrorshow one of the country's most promising Hip Hop acts with an ARIA nomination, multiple sold out national tours, festivals and international spots under their belt all before they hit the age of 23. Not to mention that all of this has been achieved without the help of a hit single. Horrorshow have built a huge support base as well as gaining critical acclaim for their sharp lyricism and hard hitting production. 

Along for the ride is none other that none other than the fat controller from the GE Crew, that is Briggs. Hailing from country Victoria he joins this high calibre line up after dropping his debut album, The Blacklist. BRIGGS has been a staple on the local Hip Hop touring circuit. While supporting countless local and international artists BRIGGS has been hard at work on his highly anticipated sophomore album, which is scheduled for release later this year.

It wouldn't be a Hilltop Hoods gig without going all out and when we caught up with Pressure he had this to say.

I remember seeing you guys at the Horden in Sydney when you toured State of the Art on the Still Standing Tour and you came out with the Hilla-Toppa jackets on in the encore, which just blew us all away and I remember going to my mates going what the fuck is going on here. Can we expect anything as big or as mind-blowing on the national tour later this year?

Hahaha Yes defiantly, of course we have always gotta do something new and crazy, something no one else is doing. Thats always been our thing, we always try and do something different. If its something as cheesy as coming out in some jackets that light up then you know. Something that people can take away and have a laugh about or say that was funny or clever or dope you know. We will always try and work something into it. And thats the beauty of doing your own shows in compared to festivals, you get longer on stage you get to crazy things like that and have control of the whole show. Very much looking forward to coming back touring the new album later this year and doing some crazy shit with it.

The Dates

Thursday 28th June – Plantation Hotel – 18+ - COFFS HARBOUR

Friday 29th June – Eatons Hill Hotel – Lic/AA – BRISBANE (All persons under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adults

Friday 27th July – Adelaide Entertainment Centre – Lic/AA - ADELAIDE T

Saturday 28th July – Splendour in The Grass – Lic/AA – BYRON BAY

Saturday 4th August – Hordern Pavilion – Lic/AA - SYDNEY

Thursday 9th August – Ballarat Uni – 18+ - BALLARAT

Friday 10th August – Kay St Entertainment Complex – 18+ - TRARALGON 

Saturday 11th August – City Hall – Lic/AA - HOBART 

Wednesday 15th August – Station Resort – 18+ - JINDABYNE

Friday 17th August – Challenge Stadium – Lic/AA - PERTH 

Saturday 18th August – North West Festival– Lic/AA – PORT HEDLAND (Tickets will go on sale at 9AM on Thursday 10th May) 

Friday 24th August – Setts – 18+ - MILDURA

Happy Daze for the Big Village Crew

So the Daily Meds seem to have remembered to take their meds as its Happy Daze for the DM crew and family at Big Village after the release of their first album. Its been w while since they have dropped anything, their last ep was dropped way back in three years. However as everyone knows theres no such thing as a holiday for a hip hop act. Since the release of their debut ep the Meds have been busy traveling round the country, building up their fan base and working on collaborations with the rest of the Big Village Crew. 

Since the release of their first ep its safe to say that this crew has one hell of a reputation as Sydney's underground party crew. Happy Daze sees yet more soulful hooks, poignant rhymes and beats that are diverse and take it to a whole new level.

Without saying too much about the actual album, leaving you to for your own opinion on the album check out their new video clip for their lead single, Dance from Happy Daze and head down to your local record store to pick up your copy of the album which rightfully deserves a spot on the classics shelf of your album library. 

Chance Waters Approaching Infinity

So Chance Waters is heading out on his first headline tour and is taking it to Infinity and beyond. The Approaching Infinity Tour kicks off on the 27th of April in Coffs Harbour and works its way along the east coast of Australia. Supported by Forbes at all stops on the tour this is sure to be one massive party so make sure you get down to your local gig. Get in and grab your tickets early. If you havnt taken the time check out Chance's new award winning video clip for the track Infinity make sure you do it is not only an amazing song but an amazing video clip. For tour dates and details see below.

Friday 27th of April - The Plantation Hotel - Coffs Harbour - Free

Saturday 28th of April - The Byron Bay Brewery - Byron Bay - Free

Saturday 5th of May - First Floor - Melbourne - Tickets Here

Friday the 11h of May - Chatswood Club - Chatswood - Tickets On The Door

Friday 18th of May - Beaches Hotel - Newcastel - Free

Saturday 19th of May - FBI Social - Sydney - Tickets Here

Satuday 26th of May - X&Y Bar - Brisbane - Tickets Here

Feature Artist Of The Month, April - Pressure Emcee, Hilltop Hoods

After the release of yet another successful record from the Hilltop Hoods, Pressure took some time out to catch up with us and speak all things Drinking from the Sun and Hilltop. Check out part 1 of the interview below and stay tuned for the following parts out later this month.

The three part musical adventure that is, The Thirst is something that you guys haven't really done before, that is a series of short tracks throughout an album. Part one focus's on the past three years or so and what you have achieved since the release of State of the Art. What do you think was your biggest achievement or most memorable moment since the release of State of the Art?

Most memorable moment from State of the art would have to be touring and playing at Glastonbury in England which was a huge highlight for all of us. To play at the biggest and most prestigious music festival in the world. That was an amazing experience we managed to get a crowd of somewhere between 8000 - 10 000 people under a small tent when we actually thought we might be playing to a crowd of 80-100 was amazing.

That must have been an awesome feeling to travel to the other side of the world when you come from a culture that 5-10 years ago didn't have much recognition in its own country never mind world wide.

Yeh its like relating to what you were just saying about The Thirst. I open the album by talking about touring in various parts of the world and how amazing it is to go to a shore where we thought we had no accolades and no one knew us to getting a reception like that it's amazing. Sometimes you have no idea that you are even know in these countries and people come to your shows and know the lyrics to your songs, its a bit of a you gotta step back and pinch yourself kind of thing.

Part two of The Thirst explains what Drinking from the Sun is and how Australian Hip Hop is an underground culture and is drinking from the mainstream above. Do you guys still see yourself as an underground act or a mainstream act that belongs to an underground culture?

I mean the album just went Gold in the first week, I couldn't claim to be an underground act or an underground rapper but i think were true to our roots and make underground music and thats the music we've connected with people for so long and are still prolific in the Australian music scene ten years later.

For sure its evident that through out Drinking from the Sun you can still feel the connection between the tracks and the audience can relate to the tracks.

Yeah well that's it I just think that the matter of making music for yourself and making honest music and i think that it will always connect with people.

Part three of The Thirst is really interesting and most exciting part of the album for myself. The outake at the end of the track says, "from day one we were writing two albums". Firstly when is the part two going to drop? and secondly why did you you decide to write two albums at one time instead of focusing all your efforts on one album?

Basically we wanted to do a double album, I can't give you an exact due date on the next album as I don't know the due date just yet, but its kinda like a to be continued … but i can say that the next album will be out much sooner than the three year gap between State of the Art and Drinking from the Sun.

Was there a reason that there was a three year gap between releases, was it that you wanted to take some time to get away from the music or that we were just going to take our time to perfect this next one?

Nar its funny people are like its been three years since the last album where the hell you been and I'm like were been touring our arses off for a year and a half and then worked rock solidly in some respect weather Suffa was out digging or debris was looking for cuts or practicing scratching. But we were working on that album for a year and a half. A lot happened in that year and a half as well where we went physically away on tour. We did a tour with Eminem, the Big Day Out tour and a tour in Canada we made a DVD and so many other day to day things that unfortunalty is a business element that comes into it when you run your own label and taking care of everything else. We took one month off each in that three year period and after that we worked our arses off cause people don't hear from you in a while the just think that your sitting on a beach somewhere having a holiday but your not.

How was the tour with Eminem I'm sure that it would have been an amazing experience to play with someone of that calibre, I read the interview with Rolling Stone and it seemed as though you sort of got pushed to the side but I'm sure that it would have been an amazing feeling.

Yeh I've actually been an Eminem fan since my ruckas days and i really dig a lot of his music, not all of it but i do dig a lot of it. So to be able to play support for him and who is actually the biggest entertainer in the world at the moment period was just an amazing experience. Its defiantly one of those once in a life time experiences that will be with us for ever.

Hauie TV Ep VII

Need I say More?

Groovin The Moo

In the words of PEZ "its that time of year that we've been waiting for, for months now". Thats right Groovin the Moo is about to hit your town! and with Maitland and Bendigo already sold out those on the east coast have no excuse to to hit this one up with tickets to Canberra and Townsville still available so "Go and pack up all your shit 'cause you're going on a trip". Tickets are also still available for Bunbury as well so jump on that all those over in the west.

With over 25 acts over 11 hours including three of Australian Hip Hops biggest names with the likes of Hilltop Hoods, Hermitude and 360.

The official 2012 GTM tour diary:

Saturday 5 May 2012 – Bendigo VIC – SOLD OUT

Bendigo’s Prince of Wales Showground

42 – 72 Holmes Rd, Bendigo VIC 3550

Sunday 6 May 2012 – Townsville QLD – tickets on sale now and selling fast!

Murray Sports Complex - Townsville Cricket Grounds

Mervyn Crossman Dr & Murray Lyons Cres Idalia QLD 4811

Saturday 12 May 2012 – Maitland NSW – SOLD OUT

Maitland Showground

Blomfield St, Maitland NSW 2320

Sunday 13 May 2012 – Canberra ACT – tickets on sale now and selling fast!

The Meadows, University of Canberra

Kirinari St Bruce ACT 2617

Saturday 19 May 2012 – Bunbury WA– tickets on sale now and selling fast!

Hay Park

(off) Parade Rd Bunbury WA 6230

TICKETS

Tickets are on sale now for Townsville, Canberra and Bunbury Events

PRICE: $99.90+ B/F

GTM is a licensed all ages (16 + recommended) event. GTM recommends parents should consider whether the event is appropriate for their child and recommends that any children under 16 years of age who attend the event are accompanied by their parent or guardian. Persons who are 18 years of age or older and wish to purchase alcohol MUST have photographic ID. No pass outs will be issued at any of the five GTM events.

TICKETS AVAILABLE:

By logging onto gtm.net.au or moshtix.com.au | By calling 1300 438 849 (GET TIX)

By visiting selected moshtix outlets – check gtm.net.au for an outlet in your local area

TRANSPORT AND ACCOMMODATION

For all of your local transport and accommodation needs, log onto the Getting There page at GTM gtm.net.au. Alternatively, for accommodation only, please visit your local tourism organisation:

The Kings are Back

After the release of State of the Art in 2009 the Hilltop hoods certainly set themselves a challenge. It was filled with tracks that were beyond ace and crowned them not only royalty in the Aussie Hip Hop community but Kings. The question left to ask is how could the Hoods step up to the plate and take things up yet another level to top State of the Art. 

Drinking from the Sun is the sixth studio album from the Hoods and is by far the deepest, darkest and most diverse yet. The sounds of the first single off the album, I Love it ft. Sia follow that much of the first single from State of the Art, Chase That Feeling. It has to be the most radio friendly track on the album, however its almost certain that several other tracks on the album will get high rotation across the airwaves, starting with the track that immediately follows I Love It, Lights Out. Lights Out is a clear choice for a future single with huge potential for the second film clip for the album. 

It is clear that on several tracks on the album the Hoods explored new grounds to prove how deserving they are of the title, Kings of Aussie Hip Hop. The track The underground takes it back to the early days with a beat and lyrics that are very much underground, proving that even the best of the game can take a simple old school beat and turn it into a classic. On the opposite end of the scale sees the track Speaking In Tongues which is filled with a jazzy, bass heavy beat. The contrast between these two tracks just goes to show exactly why the Hoods are not only holding all the keys to the kingdom but Rattling The Keys To The Kingdom.

The track Shedding The Balloon is filled with extensive reverberation and solid rhymes from Suffa. Pressure however kills it on the track Good For Nothing which is fuelled by a strong guitar beat which has huge potential with their live performance and guaranteed to be a crowd favourite. Personally I wanna see the hoods take a full band on tour with them or at least Plutonic Lab.

The list of other artist's who contributed to the album do nothing but enhance to the fullest the tracks in which they feature on throughout. The list includes the amazing vocal talents of local Adelaide artist Sia who features on the lead single I Love It. The likes of Lotek, Black Though, Chali 2na, Classified and Solo, One Above and a K21 remix of the track Good for Nothing yet agin show the how the Hoods have raised the bar with their latest release.

Something which we at The Bottom Of The Atlas noticed very quickly when the track listing for the album came out was the three part musical adventure that is The Thirst. Each of the three parts of The Thirst exhibit short rhymes accompanied by samples that are nothing short of an challenge. This narrative which runs throughout the album finishes with the line " from day 1, we're making two albums" which poses the question, do the Hoods already have their next project in the works? Perhaps the reason why they took three years between releases was because they were working on two projects from day one. Who knows though only time will tell. However lets enjoy what we have now rather than speculate on what will come next. 

There is no question that Drinking From The Sun is some of the Hoods finest work to date. There is no reason why this album could not sit on the shelf in your local record show next to global heavyweights in Hip Hop. It is unlike any other Australian Hip Hop album that you have herd before. Go grab your copy of Drinking From The Sun from your local Oz Hip Hop store, Soul Clap Records and sit back and enjoy the tunes. 

Referance: musicfeeds.com.au

Hauie TV Episode 1 - Hilltop Hoods

Check out Hau's latest project Hauie TV. Its an online show that celebrates and focus's on all things hip hop in the Australian scene and overseas. With exclusive behind the seance's footage, interviews and rhymes. To kick it all off Hau catches up with Australia's biggest outfit none other than the Hilltop Hoods who will drop their sixth studio album, Drinking form the Sun this friday. Not much more to say other than check it out and stay tuned for episode two.

Funkoars Vincent D'Onofrio Tour!

With nothing less than the force of a moving freight train the almighty Funkoars hit back onto the scene last year after a 12 month hiatus and delivered their new album, The Quickening. Their album launch saw them leave a trail of hangovers right across the country in no less than 18 cities. It is no surprise that the Funkoars are hitting the road agin after standout shows in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Fat As Butter (Newcastle) and Sprung. However this time there stepping it up a notch with the sprit of Law & Orders Vincent D'Onofrio and bringing him along for the ride!

Check out tour dates and ticket info below. 

Sun 11th March TAS Breath of Life Festival • Launceston

Fri 30th March ACT The Tradies Club • Canberra

Sat 31st March NSW Entrance Leagues Club • Bateau Bay

Tue 24th April VIC Esplanade Hotel • Melbourne

Fri 27th April WA Bar120 Hillarys • Sorrento

Sat 28th April WA Rosemount Hotel • Perth

Fri 4th May SA The Gov • Adelaide

        

Sat 5th May NSW Annandale Hotel • Sydney

Thu 10th May VIC Wheelers Hill Hotel • Wheelers Hill

Fri 11th May VIC Pier Live • Frankston

                                    

Fri 1st June NSW Great Northern • Byron Bay

Sat 2nd June QLD The Zoo • Brisbane

The Herd - A Thousand Lives Blog

So if you have been following what the crew over at Elefant Traks have been doing over the past couple of weeks  you would know that in a build up to The Herd's, A Thousand Lives Tour They have started a new "A Thousand Lives Blog" which sees each of the members of The Herd give an insight into their story as a member of the group. 

So far we have herd from Ozi Batla on X-Continental, Toe Fu on LG, Urthboy on States Of Transit, Unkle Ho on Hell, Rok Poshtya on The King is Dead and Jane Tyrrell on Under Pressure. Its well worth a read so stay tuned for further post from the group at http://www.elefanttraks.com/athousandlives/