Tight Forty Five

Rowena Rasmussen is a super talented director, dancer, actor and singer. Working with the likes of Hugh Jackman, Queen, Kelly Rowland, Ricky Martin and even yours truly. We take a trip down memory lane, from her roles in West Side Story, Fame, We Will Rock You, Miss Siagon… and laugh at the fact we were high school sweet hearts playing in a Christian Band many many years ago.

Cisco Tavares is an absolute staple in the Melbourne R&B, Funk and Soul scene. In the way of gigs he's punched his ticket more than any other singer I know.  Cisco always brings the disco!! We talk about his latest project with Retro-Electro-Pop-Funk Band Mondo Freaks. 

People if you’re into David Bowie and Timothée Chalamet’s talent, look and vibe, you’re going to love my next guest Adam Noviello. This is exactly what Australia needs right now; a progressive, androgynous, authentic, unapologetic diva who has the goods to back it.

Actor, Singer, Dancer - Phoenix Mendoza (interesting last name) is taking Australia by storm. She's gone from back to back musicals such as American Idiot, The Boy From Oz, Bring It On, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and is currently killing it in Six the musical. She stars in the T.V series Dive Club on Netflix and Stories From Oz on ABC. But what's most impressive is she is related to yours truly... so please join me this week with my one and only niece, Phoenix Jackson Mendoza for a very special episode of Tight Forty Five. 

Dakota East grew up in a log cabin, on a small Island, in Ontario Canada. So Yeah, you can’t grow up in a log cabin and not pick up that old guitar. East’s debut single “Runaway” is a bop with a country pop and she absolutely nails that sound. So pass me that whisky and let’s get to it Nashville style this week on Tight Forty Five.

I am lost for words when it comes to Aria award winner Mia Dyson.  So I’ll quote Pink, “This girl is blowing my mind apart”. She’s opened for the likes of Stevie Nicks, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt & Joe Cocker and has  more accolades than Adelaide Adams.There is nothing more devastating and satisfying than being shot down by a song . Mia shot me down multiple times. 

Elaura has that soulful, sensual, satisfying sound that is now synonymous with the Melbourne Neo-Soul movement. This young-gun is showing us how it’s done Down Under. If you dig Erykah Badu your gonna dig this Gembrook Chilean Goddess Elaura.  

Koolz  hails all the way from the Bling Coast of Queensland.  With the help of her cohort, Koolz  knows how to R&B-Pop in that 90's carefree way. Rhythm, rhyme and tasty melodies is what makes her the coolest on the Coast. 

Adam Newling's voice is what we at Tight Forty-Five have coined "nuts on a Choc-Top".The salty and gravelly texture of his pipes gives his original works even more meaning and character. Newling talks candidly of what it means to be half Greek in Australia and what it takes to be an original singer-songwriter in this contemporary world.  

Tight Forty Five’s very first guest from the Netherlands! Pianist-virtuoso and old mate Hue Blanes joins us from The Hague as we take a figurative walk down the streets of Europe and Melbourne's memory lane. 

Samuel Gaskin - Singer, Dancer, Actor, Activist and Change Maker. We get into his origin story, what it was like growing up in Australia as a curvaceous, black gay man and what it means for him now. Gaskin is a doer and his work with the indigenous people of Australia and New Zealand is both humbling and admirable. 

Shaun Kirk brings the Blues, the beat and that old school Rock'n'Roll to Tight Forty Five. Kirk's gritty rhythmic sound will have you tapping your toes and missing the days you could dance with a stranger.

Sidney Rose is a contemporary Melbourne pop artist. Her ability to ask questions, learn from her peers and push her ego aside has served her well. Sidney opens up about her streaming success and shares with us how to get your music out into the world where it belongs. 

Are you looking for an artist to be part of the Australian soundtrack of your youthful love. Kaitlin Keegan is a great companion when you're driving in your first-secondhand car, punching out cigarettes and regrets. Her songs are sweet yet filled with sorry. 

Lamalo; aka Yossi Cascun & Michiya Nagai are classically trained musicians that specialise  in creating and producing Electronica & Indie-Pop. With knowledge, talent, passion and youth on their side... these boys have it all. 

Timothy Wolf... wowsers, what a voice! Throwing back to the old Soul and Folk singers from yesteryear whilst pushing forward with his own unique vocal stylings and sounds. If you dig Leon Bridges, Jamie Lidell and Smokey Robinson you are going to dig my man Timothy Wolf. 

During these Covid times, I think it's appropriate to pop a bottle of bubbly and bring the party and good vibes to lounge room and just freak out.  Everybody needs a little Hip Hop, Pop, Raps, Rhymes and Dancey Disco Delights. There is no better person than my next guest to make this all happen.  So let yourself go with the multitalented Hugo Bladel.

At 21 years of age Little Green can do the groove thing, the indie thing, the latin thing, the jazz thing and she plays everything. Have a listen to super talented Amy Nelson blow my mind this week on Tight Forty Five. 

Wee is where Folk meets Pop, but in that cool vagabond way.  Glenn has been streamed by the hundreds and thousands cause he's the coolest, catchiest, hippest, hippy-Singaporean you'll ever meet. Listen to us talk of the nights we spent in Singapore and of course Glen Wee's undeniable sound. 

Velvet Bloom. Yes it’s Neo Soul, but it still gives you something to hold onto other than a tasty groove. Yes it’s Jazz-Rock - a dangerous game to play and hard to pull off but these cats do more than just pull it off, they are off the hook cool!So please welcome my next guest with the velvet voice Maddy Herbert.