I do a few things
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Thomas Bleach
UK Fintech News Roundup: The Latest Stories 22/06
Every Wednesday, we delve into the latest fintech updates from across the UK. This week sees a wide range of product launches and company offerings to help combat the cost-of-living crisis. Students receive financial education Schools in the Aberdeenshire region have begun educating students about good financial practices after teaming up with financial planning company.
UK Fintech News Roundup: The Latest Stories 08/06
Every Wednesday, we delve into the latest fintech updates from across the UK. This week we explore the foundation of two British banks; and the continuing growth and support of wearable tech. Oversubscribed funding success to create new British bank Banking services provider, LHV UK, announced that it has raised £30million to fund the establishment of a completely new bank in the UK.
'How is the Payments Industry helping SMEs?' With Sonovate, Tranch, Zimpler and More
It is very easy for many who are new to the fintech space to think that financial technology is an exclusive term for payments technology, and while there is some truth to this, it does not tell the entire story about fintech. However, in June, The Fintech Times is looking to indulge this belief as we look to discuss hot topics surrounding both sending and receiving payments, like buy now pay later (BNPL), early paydays and much more.
‘What Is the Future of the Payments Industry?’ With Token.io, Fime, Tribe Payments and More
It is very easy for many who are new to the fintech space to think that financial technology is an exclusive term for payments technology, and while there is some truth to this, it does not tell the entire story about fintech. However, in June, The Fintech Times is looking to indulge this belief as we look to discuss hot topics surrounding both sending and receiving payments, like buy now pay later (BNPL), early paydays and much more.
UK Fintech News Roundup: The Latest Stories 01/06
Every Wednesday, we delve into the latest fintech updates from across the UK. This week sees the first VRP offered for ‘non-sweeping’ cases; while a UK fintechs aim to incentivise early payment. First VRP offered for ‘non-sweeping’ use-cases NatWest Group has become the first of all UK banks to offer Variable Recurring Payments (VRP) for ‘non-sweeping’ use-cases. Currently, the requirement for banks in the UK is that they must offer VRP for sweeping.
UK Fintech News Roundup: The Latest Stories 25/05
Every Wednesday, we delve into the latest fintech updates from across the UK. This week we look into the impact of Eastern European conflict on UK business plans; while debt collection takes a digital approach. Ukrainian conflict affects UK business expansion Proactis, which offers software solutions for digital trade, has released research that highlights the impact the Russo-Ukrainian war has had on UK business plans.
UK Fintech News Roundup: The Latest Stories 18/05
Every Wednesday, we delve into the latest fintech updates from across the UK. This week sees Starling Bank sign up three Lionesses; while Chase bank launches its refer-a-friend scheme throughout the UK. Lionesses join forces with Starling Bank As part of Starling Bank’s sponsorship of UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, one former and two current England players have signed deals to be the faces of this campaign.
UK Fintech News Roundup: The Latest Stories 04/05
Every Wednesday, we delve into the latest fintech updates from across the UK. This week sees Airwallex partner with Visa to create its first mass marketing campaign; while Telegram allows its first cryptocurrency to be sent directly through its app. Airwallex launch first ‘above the line’ campaign in London Airwallex, the global payments platform, has launched its first mass-marketing campaign in London to showcase its Borderless Cards.
Jack Daniel's brings San Cisco, Wafia, and merci, mercy to Live at Last in Brisbane
San Cisco have finally hit the road for their long awaited Between You And Me national tour, and thanks to the Jack Daniel’s Live At Last tour series they were able to roll into Brisbane for their biggest celebration yet. With a sold out crowd filing into the Fortitude Music Hall on Anzac Day eve, the energy was ecstatic with the overdue fantasy of screaming lyrics out in a sweaty mosh-pit finally coming true for so many punters.
Eliza & the Delusionals Prove the Power of Live Music with An Epic Wrap-Up of The Road to Rolling Stone Awards Series
When you combine Sailor Jerry and Rolling Stone Australia together for an exclusive run of free intimate gigs, the floors are bound to be sticky, and the mosh pits are promised to get rowdy. And that is exactly what happened on their three-date East Coast partnership that felt like a perfect rock-n-roll fever dream.
Rolling Stone’s 200 Greatest Australian Albums of All Time
The recording for The Teskey Brothers’ second album kicked off with what can only be described as a snakebitten situation. Holed up in Sam Teskey’s home studio, the band had a singer who couldn’t sing (Josh Teskey had temporarily lost his voice to a cold), a producer (Paul Butler) undergoing a divorce, and an analogue format tape machine that broke down on the first day. None of these hiccups are present on Run Home Slow.
Melbourne artist Bec Sykes collects this year's Josh Pyke Partnership
The annual Josh Pyke Partnership has awarded Bec Sykes with a $7,500 grant. Sykes’ entry included a well-considered and realistic business plan, and laid out exactly how she plans to use the funds to kickstart her career in the music business. Pyke said it was her song ‘Edithvale’ that set her entry apart: “Something about this song resonated with me in a similar way that Julia Jacklin’s or Phoebe Bridgers’ work does.
Sydney live music venues get over $200k in recovery grants
Golden Age Cinema and Bar / Supplied / Photographer: Rudi Towiro The City of Sydney is supporting restaurants, bars and venues to get back into gear. In its latest round of business support grants, the City has awarded funds to 20 night-time and live music businesses, worth a total of $222,334. Sydney’s night-time economy is critical to the city’s future – it generates more than $4.2 billion each year, with just under 5,000 businesses employing more than 35,500 people.
Sony Music Australia grows team with three new hires
Alexander Franco, Annette Gevert & Jessica Barlow. Following a swag of new artist signings and label partnerships over recent months, Sony Music Australia has expanded its local team with three new recruits. The new hires, announced today in a memo from label chief Denis Handlin to all staffers, and obtained by TMN, includes appointments to its A&R, licensing and promotions departments. Joining the major label’s Sydney office is Alexander Franco, Annette Gevert and Jessica Barlow.
The Voice Australia: Thomas Bleach recaps The Semi Final
With the season nearly over, it’s time for Australia to vote for The Voice Australia winner. Following the powerhouse performances from the top eight in The Semi-Final on Tuesday night, Johnny Manuel, Chris Sebastian, Siala and Stellar Perry were chosen by their coaches to represent their team in the Grand Finale. Each artist delivered a show-stopping performance worthy of a spot in the Grand Finale, while also showcasing a different side of their artistry as they overcame their inner demons.
DMA'S aim for UK Top 5, Lime Cordiale chasing #1 Aussie album
DMA'S, Lime Cordiale / Facebook Sydney outfit DMA’S are aiming for a big debut week for their new album The Glow, with the record on track to be their highest charting to date both in Australia and the UK. The trio previously reached the #8 position on the ARIA Albums Chart with their 2016 debut record Hills End, while 2018 release For Now went one spot better, going as high as #7.
BIGSOUND to host 2020 NLMAs with live streams to be recognised
NLMAs / by Lachlan Douglas The 5th annual National Live Music Awards will take place as part of BIGSOUND 2020, with organisers also announcing two new award categories for this year. The 2020 NLMAs will take place as a sole ceremony, as opposed to the usual eight separate events, taking advantage as the industry gathers in Brisbane for BIGSOUND this October to celebrate the resilience of the sector during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mushroom Vision & ABC team up for new live music show 'The Sound'
The team behind recent Mushroom Vision TV projects Music From The Home Front and The State Of Music have announced a new weekly ABC television show. The Sound lands this Sunday, July 19th with a 5.30pm premiere on ABC and iview, set to feature 60 minutes of live performances by some of Australia’s most talented artists.
The Voice Australia: Thomas Bleach recaps The Showdowns
The Voice Australia is officially in the Grand Final week of its explosive ninth season. With a recording contract with EMI Australia up for grabs, and a winner to be crowned on Wednesday night, the contestants are desperately trying to prove why they deserve to win. Over Sunday and Monday night, all remaining 20 contestants battled it out in The Showdowns in a bid to win one of the two coveted spots in their coaches team for The Semi-Finals.
BIGSOUND 2020 pushes forward with COVID-safe edition in October
Organisers behind the annual BIGSOUND music industry conference in Brisbane have confirmed plans to proceed with this year’s event, despite the threat of further lockdowns. Due to social distancing measures, BIGSOUND 2020 will look slightly different this year. The conference and festival will run over two days and two nights from October 21.
MTV reveals programmers behind Foxtel’s new music channels
Foxtel recently launched its new suite of Australia music channels, as MTV Hits, Club MTV, MTV Classic and CMT (Country Music Television) replaced the outgoing MAX, [V], and CMC. The new 24-hour a day channels are being programmed locally out of Sydney, as part of a new partnership between Foxtel and ViacomCBS. At the helm are a passionate team of music lovers, some of whom have moved over from the old music channels, while some are fresh faces.
Nine to air iconic 1964 Beatles Festival Hall concert
Facebook / Apple Corps Ltd. 56 years ago The Beatles performed at Melbourne’s Festival Hall during their first visit to Australia, and Channel 9 captured the historic concert on film. Now Nine will take viewers back to 1964 with a special airing of One Night Only – The Beatles In Oz in remastered form and with never-before-seen footage included.
Government announces $2m in First Nations music program funding
The Australia Council, APRA AMCOS, ARIA and MusicNT have received funding in the first round of the Morrison Government’s $2 million Indigenous Contemporary Music Program. The program is aimed at increasing development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians, $500,000 to be provided each year.
'The Masked Singer' is returning to Ten without Lindsay Lohan
Ten has confirmed that hit music television show The Masked Singer will return for a second season in 2020. The show, which originally emerged in Korea and has since been sold to markets all over the globe, will once again see masked celebrities sing in costume as audiences and judges try to guess their identities. 12 new celebrities will take to the stage this year, vying to take home the ultimate crown after Cody Simpson won series one.
The Voice Australia: Thomas Bleach recaps The Play-Offs
The Voice Australia / YouTube The Voice Australia is blitzing through its ninth season with a whole lot of memorable performances, competition firsts and classic reality TV drama. Over Sunday, Monday and Tuesday night, they went into The Play-Offs which saw contestants going head to head competing for a spot in The Finals. With COVID-19 travel restrictions limiting Boy George and Kelly Rowland’s involvement with this season, The Veronicas and Marcia Hines stepped in to help coach the artists.
Peter Noble on Bluesfest: “The industry needs us to come back”
While festival promoters are emboldened by the Government’s promises of loans and a roadmap to when their events can be held again, Bluesfest Byron Bay takes a major step today. It’s put early bird tickets on sale for a week, with plans for a first artist announce on July 8. “Bluesfest is fully committed to presenting an outstanding event in accordance with government regulations,” organisers said in a statement.
Music Daily: Foxtel’s Danny Keenan on the iconic CMC, MAX & [V]
News June 30, 2020 Listen: Stories: Channel [V], MAX & CMC: 25 years of unforgettable TV moments Over 1.4m Aussie viewers got their music kicks on TV last night The Veronicas’ MTV reality show ‘Blood Is For Life’ to air on 10 play Nickelodeon launches new music channel for kids on Foxtel The Voice Australia: Thomas Bleach recaps week two of the Battles About: Music Daily is a companion podcast to The Music Network’s daily newsletter, with the day’s top music business headlines, hosted by...
Over 1.4m Aussie viewers got their music kicks on TV last night
It was a strong evening for music on television last night (June 29), with over 1.4 million metro viewers tuning in to watch three shows. Nine Network’s The Voice Australia drew 777,000, the third-highest non-news and current affairs show, and down from 866,000 on Sunday night. Guy Sebastian: The Man The Music followed, with 378,000 viewers, a profile of the singer-songwriter who has proven the most successful and of those who found kudos on reality TV.
The Voice Australia: Thomas Bleach recaps week two of the Battles
Throughout the unexpected Blind Auditions and the electrifying Battles, season nine of The Voice Australia has delivered one of its most unmissable seasons yet. Over Sunday and Monday night, they wrapped up the Battles with powerhouse performances, controversial decisions and unique interpretations of classic songs. Heading into The Playoffs this weekend, the show welcomes Marcia Hines and The Veronicas as guest mentors due to travel restrictions for Kelly Rowland and Boy George.
Aussie government backs new women in music mentor program
The Australian Independent Labels Association (AIR) has announced the inaugural Women in Music Mentor Program back by the Australian government. The new initiative is a four-year mentoring and training program aimed at empowering women in the Australian music industry to develop new skills across a board cross-section.
Victorian music venues call for govt support with 17K-strong petition
Victorian MP Fiona Patten has presented a petition in Parliament calling on the state government to work with Music Victoria on a support package amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The Save Our Scene petition includes an open letter from Victorian venues, with almost 18,000 signatures urging for action as the music scene teeters on the brink of collapse amid the pandemic.
Channel Nine to screen Global Citizen's star-studded concert
Nine Network will screen the star-studded and globally-televised Global Goal: Unite for the Future Concert from 10am AEST on Sunday, June 28. Australians can also stream the two-hour event through global platforms including Apple, Twitch, Twitter, TIDAL. Yahoo!, and YouTube. Hosted by Dwayne Johnson, it features performances from Chloe x Halle, Christine and the Queens, Coldplay, J Balvin, Jennifer Hudson, Justin Bieber and Quavo, Miley Cyrus, Shakira, Usher and Yemi Alade.
The Voice Australia: Thomas Bleach recaps week one of The Battles
Season nine of The Voice Australia is in full swing, and it’s already proving to be a year of huge performances and heightened drama. Following the electric Blind Auditions, The Battles began on Sunday with more performances taking place the next night as contestants went head to head to earn a place in the Knockouts. Sunday pulled 872,000 metro overnight viewers and 861,000 on Monday across the five metros.
HRVY On Lessons From Touring & How A Fan Comment On Instagram Helped Write His Latest Single
Features Written by Thomas Bleach on April 2, 2020 Harvey Cantwell has been setting the foundations for a very promising career over the past couple of years. Through the release of his debut EP’s ‘Holiday’ and ‘Talk To Ya’, he joined artists like Little Mix, The Vamps, Lawson and Jessie J on tour in the UK and started building a passionate local fanbase.
Radio Ready: the biggest pop release week of 2020 is here
In recent years the record biz has placed greater emphasis on big Friday drops. With priorities around release schedules increasingly geared towards landing on Spotify’s New Music Friday or Apple’s New Music Daily, it’s all about making a big impression. As usual, releases tend to quieten down over Christmas, save for a few big tracks from Justin Bieber, Khalid and Sam Smith, the last two months have been soft at best.
Bhad Bhabie Still Doesn't Give A F*ck What You Think
Features Written by Thomas Bleach on February 24, 2020 Bhad Bhabie is a perfect example of the new-age viral star. Rising to fame from her infamous Dr Phil interview where she threatened to fight the audience, she has used the platform she’s been given to launch a very successful music career. Her debut mixtape 15 was released in 2018 and set the foundations for Danielle Bregoli to transform into the fierce rapper that is Bhad Bhabie.
Marina Matiss releases space-themed debut single 'Phoboslight'
Barcelona-based singer-songwriter Marina Matiss has been singing and performing her whole life, and finally releases her debut single ‘Phoboslight’. Multi-lingual Matiss wrote the track as a hymn to the next Amelia Earhart, but one that may take humanity into space, and ultimately, to Mars. Matiss says the inspiration for the song came from Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
Rising Aussie producer VNCCII taps Paces & Godlands for remix EP
After a massive 2019, Australian producer VNCCII is ending the decade on a high with the release of a new remix EP. The EP release comes off the back of her breakout 2019 single ‘Astro Life’, and sees fellow local artists Paces and Godlands contribute their own takes on the single. The Astro Life Remix EP also sees VNCCII further push the potential of the original track with new original cut ‘Astro Life Pt. II [History On My Side]’, adding a rap verse among other new elements.
The story behind a 30th anniversary re-imagining of 1927’s debut ‘…ISH’
Sydney-based Origin Music’s …ISH REIMAGINED project – a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the chart-topping success of rock band 1927’s debut album …ISH – has become a bigger project than planned. Origin co-founder and creative director Philip Mortlock tells TMN that the original idea was to give just a few songs the re-imagining treatment.
Music & arts sectors prepare for war over national arts department axing
For the second time in four years, the music and arts sectors are mobilising against the Federal Government. The last time was in May 2015 when arts minister George Brandis set up an alternate funding system called Catalyst with $100 million pulled from the Arts Council. The sectors saw this as a way of a minister setting up funding for court favourites at the expensive of small to medium art groups. The resulting unified campaign from various sectors was loud and remarkable.
NLMAs founder Larry Heath on 'exciting' state of Aussie live music
The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) have announced the latest lineups and details for the December 4 celebrations. They are held in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Launceston, Canberra (for the first time), Alice Springs and Fremantle. The Sydney show, for which The Music Network is the media partner, includes Georgia Mooney’s Open Mic Night.
Chasing Faim: Drummer turned manager Rob Nassif on building a global story for The Faim
cover story Features December 2, 2019 Building a career for a developing act is a difficult and time-consuming mission. There are many different avenues you need to consider when deciding how to break into a market and where to focus the majority of efforts. And as Rob Nassif has discovered, having a pre-existing insight into the industry has helped him guide an international success story for Perth band The Faim. “This is the story of artist development.
Beck returns with 14th studio album 'Hyperspace'
Beck has been a fixture on the global music scene for two and a half decades – something of a living boundary and genre-pushing kaleidoscope. His latest record Hyperspace is his 14th album, and in that time the US act has won seven Grammys. The record is released through Capital Records/EMI and could be his most collaborative and futuristic album to date.
Warner Music's Scott Cohen
Warner Music chief innovation officer Scott Cohen “There are 40,000 new tracks uploaded to Spotify, Amazon and Apple every single day,” Warner Music Group chief innovation officer, Scott Cohen, tells a captivated crowd at Sydney’s Electronic Music Conference. “If you are an emerging artist, the best way to ensure nobody ever hears your music is to release it. I guarantee you will be ignored.” Cohen, who hails from the US but lives in London, is a larger-than-life character.
Bragging Rights: The uncensored history of Rolling Stone Australia
cover story Features November 21, 2019 This week’s news revealing a return of Rolling Stone Australia through The Brag Media is the latest in the brand’s long history in Australia. The magazine was set up in San Francisco by 21-year-old college dropout Jann Wenner and jazz critic Ralph. J. Gleason. Its first edition, in the US, appeared on newsstands on November 9, 1967.
On track to book-end the decade's hottest music trend
It’s a slow dance to the top if you want to be a pop star. The current decade has launched a barrage of male solo artists, with managers and label executives searching for, and signing, the next big thing, as one after the other arrived to break streaming and radio playlists. Some of the bigger breakthroughs include Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Vance Joy, Shawn Mendes, Dean Lewis, James Bay, Conrad Sewell, Charlie Puth, Alec Benjamin, Troye Sivan, Lauv and Lewis Capaldi.
Tove Lo On Pushing Personal Boundaries With New Album 'Sunshine Kitty'
Features Written by Thomas Bleach on November 15, 2019 Tove Lo is an artist that has made a career out of being unapologetically honest and authentically herself through her poignant boldness and her forward-thinking songwriting. Her fourth studio album, Sunshine Kitty, hears the Swedish singer-songwriter stepping into a heavier electronic soundscape as she immerses herself into the sonic layering of dance music while also holding onto her emotional storytelling roots.
Why Spotify is shining a spotlight on Aussie hip hop
Reflecting on Australia’s involvement within hip hop culture, it’s clear that there’s been a cultural lag when compared with countries like America, Europe, the UK, and other nations progressively leading the way. In the international market, there are commercial radio stations dedicated to hip hop, an interpolation of hip hop tracks added to heavy rotation on pop radio, as well as annual award shows, festivals and events that honour the genre and the artists who are paving the way.
Vérité Fights Off Imposter Syndrome To Find A New Confidence Within Her Artistry On 'New Skin'
Features Written by Thomas Bleach on November 5, 2019 Oozing through moody aesthetics, bright synths, vulnerable confessions and a whole lot of heart, Vérité serves listeners a confidence on her sophomore record, New Skin, that took a little while for her to discover. Her debut album Somewhere In Between was released in 2017 and heard her coming from a dark place of hurt and confusion. But where she’s at now is completely different and she wanted her new record to reflect that.
Hot Seat: Spotify editor Peter Stevens on prioritising country music
With the emergence of artists like Seaforth, Morgan Evans, Rachael Fahim and Brad Cox, Australian country music is in rude health. The rise of emerging artists alongside stalwarts of the industry like Keith Urban and Lee Kernaghan has led to a new age of prosperity for the genre, and big streaming services like Spotify are taking notice.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Thomas
Contact Thomas, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack