BAND OF THE MONTH: WOODLOCK ♡

PLEASE EXCUSE MY LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM IN THIS POST BUT I SERIOUSLY CANNOT CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT! Woodlock was the first band I saw busking in Pitt St. and they're also my favorite. Their sound is a mix between Jack Johnson, Bon Iver, Native Roses (Synergy's band of the month for July), and Ed Sheeran - aka four of my favorite musicians. Put them together and you get Woodlock. I'm pretty convinced these boys were sent from Heaven; their harps replaced by guitars and whatnot. I'm also sure they can play anything. I mean, they're the only band I know that uses an ocarina.

Zech Walters

I remember the fight or flight feeling I got as I approached Eze to ask if we could feature them here. I was beyond nervous when I asked for their contact number (purely professional, mind you), but I'm thankful my awkwardness did not get in the way of things.

Like Everything After and JackManFriday, I had purchased Woodlock's EP and had them sign it. I was itching to listen to their songs as soon as they handed it to me. I can tell you one thing - they did not disappoint. Every single song was fantastic. My personal favorites are Heartbreak Kid, Lemons, and Stow Away (although it's not in their EP, I heard them play it live). You can listen to them below.

  I also did a bit of snooping around YouTube and found more of their original songs and covers. You have to listen to them. I know it's a lot, but it's worth it! You can read their answers while listening. :)

1. Tell us about your band.

We are just a group of friends who enjoy playing music, We wanted to travel and see whats out there and this is how we support ourselves. 

2. How did you start?

We started busking to raise for an orphanage that our church funds. We then went to Africa and played together there as part of a missions trip. About half a year after that we were all talking about a roadtrip, wondering how we were going to make our money we thought "Busk!" and thats how we started.

3. How did you come up with the name?

We were called "Woodlock Winds" after a song we wrote long before we were a band, but we couldn't help but relate the name to "flatulence in a forest" so we just shortened it to Woodlock.

4. How would you describe your sound?

Somewhere between indie, pop and acoustic alternative.

5. Who is/are your musical inspiration/s?

We all bring in our own inspirations, but major ones are Coldplay, Georgia Fair, John Mayer, The Beatles & The Paper Kites, just to name a few.

6. Why did you choose to go into the music industry?

We didn't really choose, we started off doing this just to support us having fun, and we enjoy it so much its hard not to give it a go, I guess you could say its our dream job.

7. What makes you different from all the other musicians?
Zech and Eze Are brothers they've been singing together their Whole lives and it shows when they sing together, I don't think its different but it does create something special.

8. Tips for aspiring musicians?

Give it everything.



9. Name at least one musician you'd like to work with in the future. 

Chris Martin, Bon Iver or Kanye West.

And that's it! :) If you liked Woodlock, please support them by liking their page, subscribing to them on YouTube, following them on Twitter, and sharing them to your friends. Thanks!

BAND OF THE MONTH: Native Roses ♡

L-R: James, Jessica, Moses, Jacob

Rising from the ashes that was Modern Fighting Vehicles, Native Roses has been one of my very few favorite bands since I first discovered them late last year, if I'm not mistaken. One of the very few ensembles equipped with not only raw and amazing talent, the band is also graced by four of the nicest musicians to walk this planet. They're quite witty too, judging by their answers in the short interview we conducted through e-mail, but more on that later.

Whenever my friends ask me for new songs/artists/bands they could have a listen to, the first thing that almost always escapes my lips are the following words: "Listen to Native Roses. You won't regret it." Regardless of whether these people listen to Mumford & Sons or Nicki Minaj, my answer is always the same.

Quoting their website, "Native Roses has swelled its ranks with such darlings as Jessica and Jasmine (aka Birdy), who has subsequently landed a great solo recording contract with Atlantic." Which is funny, really, because I discovered them through Birdy (Moses' younger sister who is also one of my favorite artists). I'll admit I was having second thoughts about giving them a listen at first, but they proved to be worth a listen.

Their sound could be described as a mixture of folk, pop, and rock, so it's hard not to want to sing along in your bedroom with a hairbrush for a microphone as their music plays at the highest volume. Don't deny it, because I know I would.  Here, have a sample of their EP and tell me - HOW CAN YOU NOT RESIST SINGING ALONG TO THAT?



The members, aka James (who I've likened to know as the fuzzy teddy bear with an unsurprisingly relaxing voice), Jessica, Moses, and Jacob plus the rabbit are definitely ones to watch. I'm excited to see how big they become this year and I'm definitely willing do whatever it takes to help get their name out there. They deserve all the attention they're getting and more. With all the combined talent they have, I'm convinced they're set to become something big. Native Roses is unique, and not a single one of their songs have been a let down so far. I can't wait to hear more of their future songs, but anyway, here's the short interview I was talking about earlier. My love for this band multiplied after I read their answers. They keep things short and sweet... and not to mention funny.

1.   Tell us about yourself/your band/group.

Native Roses are Jacob, James, Jessica and Moses and we are a blend of Brighton flavoured Folk, Pop and Rock.

2.   How did you start?

With some instruments, a Bird, a Pigeon and bucket load of noise that sounded like it could one day be an album.

3.   How would you describe your sound?

We spend so much time making it we find it very difficult to say. It's big, rhythmic and stuffed full of harmonies. If you tweet @NativeRosesUK on or after July 2nd we'll send you our latest single for free and you can decide for yourself.

4.   Who is/are your musical inspiration/s?

David Bowie, Dr Dre, JJ Cale, The Police and the top ten R&B songs from the 90's.

5.   Why did you choose to go into the music industry?

When we were kids it seemed like the best way to get chicks. Now we're older it's the only thing we're good at.

6.   What makes you different from all the other musicians?

There's a rabbit in our band.

7.   Tips for aspiring musicians?

Don't have a rabbit in your band.

8.  How did you come up with the name?

It's the name of a painting by Brett Whiteley. His paintings are completely wild, indescribable. It was like there was a hurricane in his imagination. We have a book in our house that's got some crazy stuff in it and it's called Native Rose.

9.   Anything else?

Thanks for having us! X X X X 

They were also nice enough to send us a photo that apparently no one else has (and it has the rabbit in it too). It's a really adorable photo. Have a look yourself!

And that's about it! If you liked them, please do at least one of the following to show your support for them! Thanks!

• Purchase their EP on iTunes
• Like them on Facebook
• Follow them on Twitter
• Add them on MySpace
• Subscribe to them on YouTube

Oh and before I go, here's a quick video of 'Colours' which is my favorite song of theirs. Birdy sings in this song as well. It was before she got signed to her label. :) Enjoy!