Malaria: The Lost Album media release
Current mood: excited
Category: Music
July 2008 will see the limited release of Malaria: The Lost Album in music stores and on Itunes; finally unveiling Robyn Loau's unreleased major record company debut featuring the cult classics Sick With Love and Love Addiction. In an Australian first, independent label GoSet Music, who has resurrected the album, will also release Malaria: The Lost Album on USB wristband through international innovation company All Access Today (Beyoncé, Mary J Blige, Matchbox Twenty, Rolling Stones).
Chris Guggenheim, CEO of All Access Today explains, "We had an amazing reaction to our LiveFlash™ – live recording USB wristband program – during Matchbox Twenty's Australian tour. We were looking for an Australian artist to launch our USB wristbands and Robyn Loau's voice, personality and music are great and we are thrilled to work with Robyn on the USB release. We are very excited to see the release of a 'lost' album that was clearly before its time and look forward to seeing the release of Robyn's new studio album on USB format also."
By plugging-in the Robyn Loau pre-loaded USB (Universal Serial Bus) wristband to their computer (or newer model car and mobile phone/handset with USB port) the user gets Malaria: The Lost Album in mp3 format, a Josh G Abrahams remix, a PopRepublic.tv interview, bonus music videos and 2 short documentaries. To play, the wristband is simply unfastened and inserted into the USB port where the files can be played or transferred to an mp3 player.
Loau says:- 'It's very exciting to see Malaria released in stores and online in many different ways. When I listen to Malaria now, I hear a young lady with a fiery, 'take on the world' attitude, desperate to make her opinion heard. Much has changed since then but one thing that remains is my innate love of music & how it can transport you from despair to exhilaration in 3.30mins..'
Malaria: The Lost Album combines the sounds of major cities Sydney and London with traditional instruments from the Pacific Islands. Many of the writing sessions for the album took place in the islands during the recording of world music project Siva Pacifica. Lush, epic and infectious, Malaria was named after many of the recording crew were struck by the tropical disease.
Very few people know the true story behind the disappearance of Malaria. At the time, Robyn Loau was on the verge of releasing her major label debut album off the back of an internationally acclaimed world music project Siva Pacifica, top 20 single Sick With Love and a starring role in a top 10 Australian movie Idiot Box. Malaria was the solo project Robyn believed would establish her as a credible Australian artist after achieving incredible exposure throughout Australia, Europe and Asia as the lead singer of pop phenomenon Girlfriend. Rare promotional copies of Malaria leaked to publications such as Rolling Stone Magazine (who in a 4 star review proclaimed Loau 'a serious diva in waiting' and Malaria a 'wickedly classy solo debut') and Marie Claire ('a remarkably assured debut album, showcasing a sultry, soulful and downright sexy voice'). Mysteriously, just weeks from release, in the midst of a record company merger Malaria disappeared from release schedules.
Upon learning of the album's demise Loau remembers- 'I was in total shock. I couldn't believe what had happened. As optimistic & positive as I looked, inside my heart had broken and the album was out of my hands.'
Robyn is currently in the studio co-producing a new album with an all-star cast slated for release later this year. Robyn's Itunes-only release Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime, was the theme for the cinema, radio and television campaign for the 2008 season of The Biggest Loser.
Malaria: The Lost Album will be available on Itunes July 1 with the CD and USB in music stores mid July 2008.
Check out this event: Robyn live at Slide
Current mood: determined
Category: Parties and Nightlife
Hosted By: Robyn Loau When: Wednesday May 28, 2008 at 7:30 PM Where: Slide Bar 41 Oxford St Darlinghurst/Sydney, New South Wales|76 2010 Australia Description: Robyn Loau
A while back Josh Abrahams (Puretone/Addicted To Bass) & I had toyed with the idea of working together. He gave me a track & asked me to write the lyrics & melody and gave me a rough idea of maybe using a lyrical idea about a hard core hip hop chick but for some reason this topic didn't really resonate with me.
That evening I had been watching a documentary on the horrific Columbine Shootings & I was quite emotionally affected by the details of the event.
It seemed to me an important talking point and I felt compelled to draw attention to one of the obvious problems (which also affected my childhood) - bullying & being outcast.
The unfortunate outcome of the students at Columbine was a product of neglect & having firearms & bullets readily available.
Do we as a society need to address the effects of childhood bullying as a growing problem? Could we possibly implement a counselling facility in schools? Can we educate students about anger management?
The sad fact is that all these things are in place in schools, yet with the ever increasing speed of day to day living, learning these necessary life skills seems to fall by the wayside and it all becomes too hard.
Many of us have experienced childhood or school incidents where we were bullied or teased- I'm interested to know what helped you get through the tough times?
Most of the time people rattle off their stats like it's etched or tattooed on their inside forearm, but apart from vocation, location & marital status what can one truly say about themselves without appearing self-indulgent or like an auditionee?
The track's finished, I'm really happy with it and hopefully youll get to hear it soon
Now for the marketing part... oh yeah, I forgot for a second that not only am I a singer/songwriter, I am also expected to be a product (sigh).
"So tell me about yourself?"
I really hate that question haha, hate it hate it hate it!!!
After spending last weekend in numerous meetings regarding video treatments, A&R, distribution, marketing angles, styling, potential television opportunities... Y'know what the highlight was? Discussing a bass line with a fellow musician!
Don't get me wrong-all that stuff is highly important. Which is why we hire people for their marketing expertise.
I guess its just that question that troubles me
"So Robyn, tell me about YOU! Where do you see yourself fitting into the market place now? Who is your target audience? Who will want to aspire to be like you? What are you saying with your music? What does your music say about who you are?..."
AAARRGGGHHH!
As a child, most of the girls I knew that would big themselves up by telling anyone who'd listen that they were 'all that' were usually the worst singer/ dancer/ actress' with no talent, just big mouths & all front!
So I learnt young to be understated but over deliver. Humble. Polynesian. I find it uncomfortable to meet someone & do the sell job (in 15 minutes).
I once remember someone at a record company questioned whether I was more like Dannii (Minogue) or Deni (Hines)! What kind of question is that??? Dude, just listen to my music & work it out for yourself...lazy!
Still, I guess thats what it boils down to. Some people don't want to work it out for themselves, they want it all delivered in a little digestible box. It saves them time & energy. And as a result the quality of music moves further & further down the priority list.
Hmmmm, some days I wish I could be as carefree & naive to this side of the business as Jeff Buckley!
But it doesn't quite work that way for us females unfortunately. For most female artists there's that little issue of "Shelf Life" ticking away like a time bomb, yes, it really sucks doesn't it. Its almost like the minute your tits start sagging some corporate clown comes in from side stage, brings out one of those canes with a large hook on the end & drags you off the stage by the neck! "Sorry lady, your times up. And now for the next PYT"...Oh, the glamour!
Everyone has a story to tell.
Ive always loved to sing.
I hope you can listen to the music & enjoy my stories.
excited
determined
thoughtful
chipper
