Blackbirds
Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia | SELF
Music
Press
Popular local group Blackbirds will launch their debut independant album on Saturday February 26 at 8pm at the Hotel Great Northern. The album, titled 'Blackbirds", is a realisation of the band's dream to produce a fully independant CD Says chanteuse Dannii Minogue: 'I'm the first in line to buy the album'. - Byron Shire Echo
Blackbirds ‘crowd funded’ to success
By The Byron Shire Echo
in Blackbirds ‘Crowd funding’
Photo Dane Beesley.
Local musical group Blackbirds say they received ‘skyrocketing demand’ for an album from fans following their appearances on TV’s Australia’s Got Talent.
‘$10,000 was generated in just 48 days’, member Renee Simone told The Echo, ‘and was achieved through online donations from fans via the fundbreak website and our facebook page.’
Ms Simone says the money will be used to complete and tour their first independent album.
‘We recorded locally at Panoramix Studios and mixed it at Rocking Horse.’ She added the album also features percussionist Daniel Gonzalez from Tijuana Cartel and is expected to be released around Christmas.
‘Crowd funding’ is a platform to present artistic ideas and ask for funding via the internet. For more visit www.fundbreak.com.au and www.blackbirds.com.au. - The Byron Shire Echo
Blackbirds on Australia's Got Talent
Digby Hildreth | 20th May 2010
TALENTED TRIO: Heading off to Melbourne for the filming of their semi-finals appearance on Channel Seven’s Australia’s Got Talent are Blackbirds members (from left) Benhur, Renee Simone and Adi Noersadi.
A MUSICAL trio formed on the streets of Byron Bay is poised to hit the big time.
The Blackbirds go down to Melbourne this weekend to be filmed for Tuesday night’s semi-finals of Australia’s Got Talent.
Their cruisy, island style of music, which they call ‘world pop’, has been a hit with the judges so far, and the Blackbirds are hoping their Northern Rivers fans will vote them through into the finals.
They’re not allowed to say what they will be performing, according to Benhur – the group’s vocalist and ukulele player, who is already well known enough to have just one name.
But it was the Beats International song Just Be Good To Me that got them this far, he said.
Benhur said the band’s name came about because he and female vocalist Renee Simone sang like birds – and ‘because we are all black’.
He was born in Indonesia, as was guitarist/percussionist Adi Noersadi. Renee was born in Jamaica.
The three have been living inByron Shire for some time – from Bangalow to South Golden Beach – carving out individual reputations.
Renee sings on Xavier Rudd’s new album, Koonyum Sun, with South African duo Izintaba. She is also backing vocalist on Afro Dizzy Act’s recent Peace Love and Unity.
The group’s musical heroes include Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Massive Attack, Morcheeba, Stevie Wonder and Peter Tosh.
Benhur used to work as a clown doctor at the Lismore Base Hospital, but now earns his living as a full-time musician.
Renee has quit her job at Byron Youth Services and Adi has been a session musician for some big bands in the area.
“We’re hoping to go through to the final – and the $250,000 prize would be a bonus,” Benhur said.
But just becoming finalists would be pretty good – they have been offered a contract with Sony if they get that far. - Norther Star
Blackbirds on Australia's Got Talent
Digby Hildreth | 20th May 2010
TALENTED TRIO: Heading off to Melbourne for the filming of their semi-finals appearance on Channel Seven’s Australia’s Got Talent are Blackbirds members (from left) Benhur, Renee Simone and Adi Noersadi.
A MUSICAL trio formed on the streets of Byron Bay is poised to hit the big time.
The Blackbirds go down to Melbourne this weekend to be filmed for Tuesday night’s semi-finals of Australia’s Got Talent.
Their cruisy, island style of music, which they call ‘world pop’, has been a hit with the judges so far, and the Blackbirds are hoping their Northern Rivers fans will vote them through into the finals.
They’re not allowed to say what they will be performing, according to Benhur – the group’s vocalist and ukulele player, who is already well known enough to have just one name.
But it was the Beats International song Just Be Good To Me that got them this far, he said.
Benhur said the band’s name came about because he and female vocalist Renee Simone sang like birds – and ‘because we are all black’.
He was born in Indonesia, as was guitarist/percussionist Adi Noersadi. Renee was born in Jamaica.
The three have been living inByron Shire for some time – from Bangalow to South Golden Beach – carving out individual reputations.
Renee sings on Xavier Rudd’s new album, Koonyum Sun, with South African duo Izintaba. She is also backing vocalist on Afro Dizzy Act’s recent Peace Love and Unity.
The group’s musical heroes include Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Massive Attack, Morcheeba, Stevie Wonder and Peter Tosh.
Benhur used to work as a clown doctor at the Lismore Base Hospital, but now earns his living as a full-time musician.
Renee has quit her job at Byron Youth Services and Adi has been a session musician for some big bands in the area.
“We’re hoping to go through to the final – and the $250,000 prize would be a bonus,” Benhur said.
But just becoming finalists would be pretty good – they have been offered a contract with Sony if they get that far.
- Byron Shire News
Discography
"Blackbirds" Debut Album
Photos
Bio
From the colourful streets of Byron Bay, Blackbirds brings an eloquence and simple elegance to sound which is most likened to a harmonic bath of honey. Guitar, ukulele, male and female vocal harmonies and percussion all combine to create a beautiful Blackbirds sound which we call "Cruisy World Pop".
Blackbirds guitarist Adi grew up in Lombok, Indonesia, playing pots and pans and anything that would make a sound. Playing the nylon string guitar like it's 3 instruments, he lays down thick and juicy baselines beneath his guitar lines, and incorporates a percussive element.
Benhur, born in Darwin to Indonesian parents, has a passion for ukulele that lines the music with twinkles of magic and has a vocal range comfortably harmonising in his falsetto and crooning with his lower range.
The stunning Mama Renee is of Jamaican (African) descent and has a thick warm tone that soothes the soul and resonates in perfect harmony with her 'brotha to anotha motha' Benhur. Renee is currently featured as a backing vocalist on the latest albums of Xavier Rudd, Raz Bin Sam and Afro Dizzy Act.
Blackbirds music is about making an intimate connection with everyone in their company.
Our Story
Following our appearance as semi finalists on Australia's Got Talent 2010 people around the world started to see our music via You Tube and Facebook. An international Blackbirds community evolved. Blackbirds fans across the globe offered to put up the money to enable us to independently record our first album. These fans are listed on the album cover as 'Premium Fans' and it is thanks to them that we can now announce the release of our debut album titled "Blackbirds".
Whilst busking on the streets of Byron Bay Blackbirds were picked up by Eric Bibbs tour manager to be the opening act for his national tour. As a result we shall be touring Australia in April and May 2011.
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