August 22nd, 2010 - Diana Anaid & Monique Brumby

Diana Anaid is a 5 x ARIA nominated artist and has earned a reputation for being a voice for the tongue-tied & disenchanted members of society gaining a loyal following through her honest, heartfelt songs and energetic live shows. She returns from her album-making hiatus having taken time out to look after her dying father emerging with a fire in her spirit that permeates through both the sounds & themes of her newly released album. Anaid s 4th studio album Diana Anaid is self-titled & self-produced as was her debut album Diana Ah Naid from 97 when she used a different spelling of her stage name. That fiery spirit that pervaded I Go Off & Perfect Family both included in JJJ Hottest 100 compilation CDs struck a chord with a whole generation of pissed-off girls guys and is still as strong on the new record. Recorded in early 09 at legendary Albert Studios in Sydney the new album is a raw emotion fuelled tour de force as compelling as it is disturbing brimming with frank & surprising observations & confessions from her most personal moments. Beautiful Obscene 04 achieved iTunes Top 10 Best Pop Music CD and Indie CD of 04 and its single Last Thing came in at 7 for iTunes Best Pop Single 04 giving Anaid her first US top 30 hit. After performances at the International Folk Alliance in Memphis earlier this year & with her LA based band Rockmonster ready for release Diana will be returning to perform at legendary LA clubs The Viper Room & House Of Blues later in 10 but will first be touring the country in intimate solo and acoustic mode to coincide with the release of her next single, the crowd favourite Black Rainbow.Diana Anaid has written a fantastic selection of emotive and biographical tracks. Returning to a sound reminiscent of her 1997 debut album, Dianas return marks the re-appearance of a truly talented singer songwriter. The Music Network, April 2010. I love my wife but for the past ten years she hasnt known my name is the opening line from They’re Still Alive, the 1st single from Monique Brumby s Skeletons Polka album. The song is about people coping with dementia. Many experiences fuelled the fire for Brumby to make this album, including the death of a close friend and former lover, the exploration of her ancestry and the constant questioning of the human condition and our emotional attachment to things. Brumby co-produced Skeletons Polka with renowned producer Mark Opitz who has worked with artists as diverse as Kiss, Cold Chisel and INXS. Brumby, an enigma according to her grade 10 art teacher was signed to a major label at the age of 20 made her debut breakthrough album Thylacine and at the age of just 24 asked to be released from her contract. I wanted to write and record original music says Brumby but I couldnt do that on the major I was signed to they wanted covers and in reality I was lucky I got out of it. Now an accomplished producer Brumby has produced records for several Australian bands as well as her own albums and mentors emerging artists passing on the knowledge that she has gained. Brumby has won 2 ARIA Awards and had her original composition The Change In Me nominated for ARIA Song Of The Year. Having recently toured Australia with her full band Brumby is now hitting the road again to play a string of intimate acoustic shows to promote her 2nd and latest single Beautiful Heart from Skeletons’ Polka. Beautiful Heart is an alt country pop rock belter and is fast becoming a favourite among Brumbys faithful Monique Brumby has dug deep to deliver a brilliant album that inspires and leaves you seeing the world, and yourself anew. Francesca Sciacca Cherrie Mag April 2010.