 |
|||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
|
Listen to BBC Radio Scotland play John Harley Weston's Waltzing Matilda (2008). Presenter Iain Anderson talks about the song's connection to Scotland, John's Olympic Games connection and Amnesty International here. Listen to ABC612 radio Brisbane live telephone interview (Feb 2009). Presenter Warren Boland and John Harley Weston discuss John's version of 'Waltzing Matilda' and the American copyright issue with it's use in an Australian movie here. Listen to live radio telephone interview (2008)with Radio 2RDJ 88.1FM Sydney Australia - presenter Barry Mack (1st August 2008) here For press articles, radio information, competition wins and testimonials from top names in music click here. Join John's personal mailing list today - for monthly newsletter with latest news and gig guide (no spam). Click here. Meet John on myspace.com - click here. Winner of Australian National Songwriting Contest 2005 - rock category......story here.
|
Go back to main news page here 2005 news below....... OCTOBER 2005 JHW has just been voted one of the top 5 vocalists in the world at http://www.singeruniverse.com contest (Nov 2005) JHW is now receiving airplay at http://www.radiocrystalblue.com a hot internet radio station based in Brooklyn New York. More stations to follow. Watch out for article in the prestigious Australian Guitar Magazine - November or December issue. The big online distributors have come to the party. You can now download John's music - single songs or entire album from US$0.99c per song (BARGAIN!) from distributors such as Apple itunes - full list of online distributors click here CHANNEL 9 TELEVISION INTERVIEW NOW VIEWABLE ONLINE: I'm starting to write new songs for my second independent album. It may take some time....it may take some time as I have a 4 year old who wants to learn guitar and piano - at the same time as eating a peanut butter sandwich. More October news to follow.... SEPTEMBER 2005 My thoughts are with the people of New Orleans and surrounding areas. And with the good people who are helping those who have suffered greatly to begin the recovery process. Daily news coverage of such a catastrophe reminds us of all the people in this world who are desperate need of help in one way or another. From the comfort of our own armchairs we can make a difference to those less fortunate. AUGUST 2005I trust you are all well and living life to the full.It's been a few weeks since we spoke. I've been really busy over the past couple of months. Had my mum and dad here in Australia for 6 weeks which was brilliant. My little girl Mackenzie is almost 4 years old and it was great to have her gran and grandpa there every morning at 5am to let mum and dad sleep in. Grandpa is a bit peeved that he's now back in Scotland and has had to forego the hammock under the purple foliage of the Jacaranda tree for his old armchair in front of the telly back in Scotland. And Gran, who is now a master playdoh sculptor, only just managed to hold herself together at the airport on the way home. I'll definitely have to get back to Scotland over the next couple of years to catch up with some people or I'll be exiled forever. Talk about busy - I've also been working on a movie here in Australia currently titled 'Voodoo Lagoon'. It's by British writer/director Nick Cohen. I can't give you specifics about the movie due to contractual obligations but it's been a blast. One of the actors has co-written music with Robbie Williams, Hilary Duff, Rob Thomas. I sometimes work in the Film Industry as an Art Department Coordinator which is incredibly exciting but frantic. It's a great way to meet producers and film music supervisors and working in the Art Department allows some of the creative flair to burn off. We've had some great sets, flash cars, planes, boats, tall ships and an awesome cast of actors. The movie is just about to wrap and for the next few months I'll be concentrating on writing/recording a new album. I've got some great songs in the bag already. While I've been moonlighting in the Film Industry, my website gurus at www.citrusgreen.com have been giving my website a fresh new look. It's just finished and I've got to say I totally love the new look. (Thanks to Gordon Higgins and Alistair Higgins at Citrus Green). I've been gigging a fair bit too. I recently opened an art exhibition by award winning Gold Coast based Polish artist/photographer Marek Coowatch http://www.widervue.com/ The Gold Coast Mayor was there and I have to tell you, my mum, who I took along to the exhibition since she was here in Oz on holiday, was so impressed to be chatting to a real live mayor. Glass of wine in hand she was like a swan on a golden pond. Record sales are soaring thanks to you all. Getting radio play is another story though. If you have a spare minute let your fingers do the talking and phone/email your favourite radio station to tell them you want to hear a track from Hope Harbour by John Harley Weston. Same goes for music festivals in Australia and overseas. JULY 2005What? July already, you've got to be kidding me. I must be getting dementia. Wait a minute...that sounds familiar. I'm sure I've said that before. Alright, starting to work on getting more radio. It's a slog but you can help. Phone your favourite station and request a song off the album 'Hope Harbour' by John Harley Weston. (for some radio station numbers click here then scroll to the bottom of the page.) JUNE 2005What? June already, you've got to be kidding me. I must be getting dementia. My CH9 Brisbane 'Extra' TV interview which was a lot of fun was aired Mon 13/6in Brisbane and Thu 16/6 on the Gold Coast. Transcript avail at http://www.extraonline.com.au/shows/classics.asp The interview involved JHW having a hot little jam with John 'Swanee' Swan and acclaimed slide guitarist Kirk Lorange. Thanks to Channel 9 TV (presenter Doug Murray) and the rest of the 'Extra' team Brisbane and Gold Coast. ---------------------------------------------------------------- In the battle for radio play - thanks also to Renee Peterson at Sea FM (Fat 30 and Oz Made radio presenter). Played ‘Last Days Of Summer' Thu 9/6 and will feature the track for a week over then next couple of weeks. Big thanks to Coast FM for their continued support too. Also to 101.1 FM community station at Logan and Beau FM radio station too for continued support. ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Hope Island Marina Shopping Centre gig I did on 12/6 was a hoot. The Birdman Festival involved a huge platform set up that reached over the water in to the marina. (Beautiful white cruisers and luxury yachts, thousands of people milling around). Then a couple of dozen total fruitloops (some in flames) strapped on wings of various descriptions and took a flying leap as far as they could from the platform in to the water to see how far they could fly. 'Those magnificent men (and women) in their flying machines' didn't go 'uptodiupup' they just went 'downtiridowndown' but we all had a great laugh. It was all in aid of charity and the winners were less fortunate children. Fantastic day! ---------------------------------------------------------------- What else? I'm totally busting a gut trying to get 'playlist' rotation on commercial radio. With your help we really can get more radio play. If you like JHW's music why not call Click here for some Australian radio station telephone numbers ---------------------------------------------------------------- MAY 2005Check out the links below to see what the Scottish press are saying.......... http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5039352.html JHW GETS A VOTE FROM THE GOLD COAST MAYOR RON CLARKE It's official, the Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke MBE is a serious supporter of original music and the arts. During a recent private performance at the Gold Coast Arts Centre the Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke gave songwriter John Harley Weston the keys to the city. (see photo) After winning the Australian National Songwriting Contest (rock category) with his song ‘Last Days Of Summer' off his current independent album ‘Hope Harbour' JHW was asked to perform at a welcoming reception for a visiting delegation from Ft lauderdale, USA, led by the Ft Lauderdale Mayor. Guests included a select few of the Gold Coast's movers and shakers including representatives from Film and TV, Music, Property Developers, Council members etc. On Thursday 2/6 JHW will travel to Sydney to perform the winning song at Wests, Ashfield, in front of the who's who of the Australian Music Industry including none other than Molly Meldrum, ARIA and APRA representatives, music management companies, agents, promoters, record and publishing companies etc. ( see photos ) ---------------------------------------------------------------- After winning the Australian National Songwriting Contest 2005 (rock category encompassing rock/metal/indie) Rave Magazine Australia asked JHW to write a couple of hundred words on how to write a great song. The article is in Rave Magazine issue dated Tue 17/5. Anyway if you're interested get the mag or follow this link for some great songwriting advice: click here ---------------------------------------------------------------- John Harley Weston has just been officially notified that he is the winner of the prestigious 2005 Australian National Songwriting Contest - rock category. (Encompasses rock/metal/indie). The song is 'Last Days Of Summer' and is featured on John's independent album 'Hope Harbour'. (listen to soundbyte) ( buy now ). For the full story including some background info about the song and a quote from JHW after he found out he had won the comp click here Another song of JHW's 'Brothers And Sisters' is currently being featured on Triple J's Unearthed (serious Aussie rock radio station) online. Follow this link http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/unearthed/bands/7295.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------- APRIL 2005 NEWSSee what Christie Eliezer (one of the biggest voices in Australian Music journalism) says about JHW in his column - scroll down about half way once you get there - title of piece is 'Weston's Swan Song'. http://www.themusic.com.au/im_m/eliezer.php ---------------------------------------------------------------- John's album is now stocked by the huge American CD retailer cdbaby.com and the album will very soon go live to all the big digital download companies like Apple iTunes etc. If you already have the album and love it feel free to go to cdbaby.com's website link below and go to the bottom of that page where you can personally review the album. It will help to raise awareness worldwide. Click on http://www.cdbaby.com/jhweston ---------------------------------------------------------------- Wait til you hear this - John was talking to a friend of his in Wet Wet Wet's office in Glasgow (that's one of the biggest groups in Europe incase you've been sleeping for the last 20 years). He did a very big tour with the Wets in the 90's. Anyway his friend said that John's old band Frontier had been mentioned on the Wets forum so he posted a little message 'Frontier singer says hello'. WOW! You guessed it - John's been run off my feet answering emails, postings on the Wets forum and selling his album 'Hope Harbour' like hot cakes. They are such awesome fans. John now have a link on the Wets fan site and the fans think two of his songs 'How Does It Feel' and 'Can't Buy Love' should be covered by the Wets. ---------------------------------------------------------------- To see what the Wets fans are saying about John Harley Weston's songs go to http://www.wetwetwet.co.uk then click on 'forum' and then 'Wet Wet Wet Chat' and you'll see the posting 'Frontier singer says hello'. ---------------------------------------------------------------- The Wet Wet Wet fan websites (operated by a wonderful woman called Debbie) are located at http://www.thewets.com and http://www.pellowtalk.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- HOT OFF THE PRESS - the song 'Last Days Of Summer' off John's album 'Hope Harbour' has made it through to the 2nd round of the Australian National Songwriting Contest - Rock category. (Competition run by the Australian Songwriters Association) ---------------------------------------------------------------- I've done a terrible thing. When I sell CDs at gigs I usually always make a point of getting email addresses from people buying my CD. You get a wee piece of me to take home and I get a piece of you to take home. It's not that really, as an independent musician it's crucial to build up a list of CD buyers/fans so that you can bombard them with spam, sorry, I mean, so that you can keep in touch with them (not too often), let them know where your gigging, when you're on the radio or when you have a new release. If you haven't given me your email address please contact me on info@johnharleyweston.com or join the mailing list from the home page. I'm really interested to hear what you think of the album and who you are. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Here's a weird and wonderful music story for you - my neighbour came over the other day to say 'hey we finally sold the house, oh and by the way guess who your neighbour's gonna be? The singer, John Swann - Jimmy Barnes' half brother'. So I'm thinking to myself, oh that's good I'll go and say hello when they move in. Anyway, 2 days later I'm doing a gig at the Marina Shopping Village Hope Island Food and Wine Festival and I'm singing 'If I Were ACarpenter' (wish I was), written by Tim Hardin and a song that John Swann covered and had a hit with several years ago. Anyway, out of the corner of my eye as I'm giving it some soulful rock I can see this big bloke standing beside me on a mobile phone, looking a bit anxious. When I finish the song he hands me his phone and says - here, it's John Swann, wants to say hello. So I took the phone and said 'well you think that's weird Swannie.....wait to you hear this one.....you've just bought the house next door to me'. He said 'oh my god, I better come down and say hello then' and he did just that. The coincidences don't stop there - I'm pretty sure Swannie's from Glasgow too. I've never put any real credence in fate before but it seems our paths are definitely meant to cross. Maybe we'll do some co-writing or something.............................you just never know. ---------------------------------------------------------------- MARCH 2005 NEWSI've applied to play at Rapid Festival in Brisbane in June and I'm planning an original songs only Brisbane gig at the end of June. Would love to see you there. I'm hoping the gig will be at the Troubadour, Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley. Will let you know when dates are confirmed and where tickets can be purchased. Thanks for all your emails saying you enjoyed the ABC Coast FM acoustic session/interview I did on Mon 7th March. (Thanks to Martin Powley - ABC presenter). Yes and it is working - keep calling radio stations requesting a song from the album 'Hope Harbour'. The album launch for Beau FM's compilation album 'Our Backyard' showcasing Beaudesertshire artists was an awesome event. The album features a JHW track called Last Days Of Summer. The sound on the night was perfect, the audience was keen and the acts (14 of them) showed everyone that Beaudesert is alive and very well stocked with original talent. The album is now being distributed to over 300 community radio stations Australia-wide. You can see jpegs from this concert at FEBRUARY 2005 NEWSGetting ready for the Beau FM compilation CD launch Sat 26/2 at Beaudesert Community Sports Club. See gigs/events. 14 artists performing. I'm looking at putting on a gig in Brisbane soon and would like to know if you are interested in coming along. (Original material, acoustic, intimate). Please email me at info@johnharleyweston.com and I'll make sure you know about the gig and have tickets prior to the event. To the couple who travelled from Brisbane to see me perform last Sat 12/2 at Hope Island Marina Shopping Cnetre. Hope to catch you again soon at another gig in Brisbane or the coast. JANUARY 2005 NEWSTune in to ABC612 at 10am, Sat 29th January - JHW will be doing an interview and performing a track from Hope Harbour 'Beautiful Day In The City' live on air. (Warren Boland - ABC presenter). This is the second ABC session JHW's done. Also did session in 2004 for Coast FM. If you want to hear it call ABC radio. The Australia Day (26th January) Tsunami Benefit Concert at Vonda Youngman Community Centre on Tamborine Mountain organised by the vivacious Bronwyn Davis raise a whopping $11,000. It was a full day of activities starting with a cricket match then races, trivia comps, fashion show and wound up with a fabulous concert in the evening featuring musicians, singers, songwriters, dancers. The line up included JHW, Christian Zwaart, The Notties, Cud, The Wards, eagles Nest Singers, Aint Misbehaving, Barbed Wire, The Evolution Choir - all highlighting the diversity of artists on the mountain from rock to classical to jazz, to world music and theatre. The evening also catered for all religious faiths e.g. Buddhist, Bahai, Christian and the evening finished with a World Dance Party. On the same day (Australia Day) JHW played at St Bernards Hotel (currently being refurbished) on the mountain beginning what will become a longterm residency at the venue. JHW is in negotiations with a Singapore Record Company re a distribution deal for 'Hope Harbour' ......more info to follow. Unprecedented calls from the public after live performance and interview at Beau FM. Desperately trying to get radio to play tracks from the album Hope harbour - please call your radio station and request a song. If they don't have the album email me and I'll send them one. Most of the stations have it. Featuring a track (Last Days Of Summer) from JHW's album the 'Our Backyard' compilation album being distributed to over 350 radio stations nationwide this month featuring Beaudesertshire musicians is sure to create some awareness. Let me know if you hear it getting played............................................. |
