KITTEN JAM & BEHIND THE FRONT

Music publicists, writers, events management and consultants who joined forces in 2014 to help grow the soul music community and create platforms from which artists could gain exposure for their music in Australia and internationally.  We write, consult, curate and manage events catering to original music within the future soul, jazz, and hip hop genres.

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#GenerationNuSoul is proud to present The Rebirth Of Fresh, an exploration through iconic music.

The Rebirth Of Fresh is a new fortnightly event held at Ginger’s in Darlinghurst that sees Sydney’s freshest musicians and vocalists tap into their creative expression, pushing sonic boundaries as they interpret an iconic producer’s body of work.

With a new producer to deconstruct each month, a different guest vocalist each week alternating between two house bands, and a DJ to play music in the same vein as the feature producer,The Rebirth Of Fresh will take the audience on a unique trip each fortnight. 

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WHO ARE WE?

Kitten Jam and Behind The Front 

are

Kristie Nicolas and Krystel Diola

PR and Events Management

Two separate music sites, publicists and consultants who joined forces in 2014 to help grow the soul music community and create platforms from which artists could gain exposure for their music in Australia and internationally.

We focus on PR, event management and consultancy services catering to original music within the future soul, jazz, world music and hip hop genres.

We are addicted to music first and foremost, believing in the strength and talents of Australian soul music and the musicians that fight hard to achieve a level of music industry acknowledgement.

There’s a new movement happening all around Australia where hip hop, soul, and poetry are now being aired on radio. The people are ready. Are you?

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Behind The Front  was created by publicist/eventcoordinator/DJ Krystel Diola dabbling in publicity and events in 2012, developing into a PR and Events company in 2014.

Krystel Diola fell into music business as part of an online petition in 2009 that caught the momentum of 4,000 members nation-wide. Dabbling in bits and pieces in event management, it wasn't until February 2014 that Krystel decided to take on publicity and events management full time. Curating ideas to make people listen and feel something is what fuels her fire. In addition, original Australian soul music is a cause she is determined to fight for.

In the past, Behind The Front has teamed up and continues a long lasting collaborative relationship with one of Sydney's premiere niche Hip Hop promotions company Grindin,  and continues to work in events under the collaborative venture #generationnusoul with Kitten Jam. In addition to the curation of events, Krystel has done publicity work for the now iconic Soul Of Sydney Block Parties, Funkdafied,  L- Fresh The Lion, Billie McCarthy Music, Tall Black Guy (Sydney Show), Rosie and The Bees, Guilty Simpson and Katalyst (Sydney Show), HAU (Koolism/Triple J Hip Hop Show), and local Soulfest artist Michael Duchesne. 

She has worked exhaustively on Funkdafied's publicity campaigns for the Kashmere Stage Band and Georgia Anne Muldrow and Dudley Perkins events as part of Sydney Festival, where she currently remains as Funkdafied's key publicist.

in 2010 and 2011 Behind The Front got the opportunity to feature at Marrickville Festival on the Urchingbook Store Stage showcasing musicians within the hip hop, soul and world music genre to play their original music.

Krystel Diola has also worked at this years inaugural hip hop, soul, and jazz festival Soulfest.

Developing key contacts within the arts community, venues and non-for-profit organizations has come naturally to Krystel without any intention. She just happens to meet people of like-minds who are pushing for quality and culture.

Aside from working on events and publicity, she occasionally interviews artists, enjoys (de)constructing abstract ideas for her own campaigns, DJ's for HAU (Koolism/Triple J Hip Hop show) and spins 45 records on the side.

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Australia may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of soul music. Here to turn your preconceived notions about music in Australia upside down is Sydney based writer, publicist, singer and music lover Kristie Nicolas, aka Kitten Jam.

Growing up in family of creative folks, Kristie was thrown into music from a young age as a singer, establishing a strong connection and affinity with soul, funk & reggae. Over the years, discovering soul music artists, new and old, became somewhat of an intense love affair. Not one to be content keeping all the musical treasures she discovered to herself, the love affair with music led to Kristie writing about soul music and eventually studying public relations. This was in part to deal with the frustration of seeing so many talented artists struggling to get exposure for their music and to open people’s eyes (and ears) to the quality music that was being over looked by the masses.

Kristie has been instrumental in highlighting Australian soul artists locally and internationally through her writing for many local music websites such as The Brag,Music Feeds and most prolifically for the internationally acclaimed official R&B blog for the GRAMMY Awards, SoulBounce.com. Her work at SoulBounce.com has helped Australian artists such as Hiatus Kaiyote, Jordan Rakei and Electric Empire gain momentum internationally.

As a freelance publicist Kristie’s work has varied from working on successful pr campaigns for artists such as Empire Of The Sun and The Dead Daisies to indie artists such as Electric Empire and Sarsha Simone, as well as writing bios and press releases for artists such as Daniel March and ALPHAMAMA. Kristie also works as a freelance events publicist. This has included previously working on high profile red carpet such as the ARIA Awards (2012) and AACTA Awards (2013, 2014) in Sydney.

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Kitten Jam and Behind The Front were the publicity team behind local singer/songwriter Billie McCarthy's sold out album launch at Venue 505 on the 21st of May, 2014.

It was an incredible experience to watch this lady grow from strength to strength. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Billie-McCarthy-Music Twitter: https://twitter.com/Billiearious Souncloud: https://soundcloud.com/billiemccarthymusic

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#GenerationNuSoul

We're a pop up event. Anyplace. Anytime. 

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#GenerationNuSoul

We have a pop up event called Generation Nu Soul.

Generation Nu Soul is a special pop-up event that highlights unique creatives with a flair for individuality, substance, raw musicality, delivering a powerful message that can only be created by the energy that occurs in that one space.

You never know where we’ll be and who we’ll showcase. "Generation Nu Soul is a generation that defines new boundaries. A generation that knows the power of music is to move. To Feel. To Inspire"

Our first Generation Nu Soul event was held at PLAY BAR featuring two incredible local talents - Sarsha Simone and The Septembers.

THE SEPTEMBERS

The Septembers developed with the merging of a vibrant South African indie folk singer, and an Australian producer of electrified soul music. Their music is chocolate flavoured and smooth, as they infuse their respective musical influences to create a unique 'soul infused', lounge bar sound.

Inspired by the legacy of Donna's great aunt, South African anti-apartheid political activist Dulcie September, the name originates from Donna's grandmothers' maiden name, September.

Official Website:http://theseptembersmusic.tumblr.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theseptember... Twitter:http://twitter.com/TheSeptembers_ Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/theseptembers Triple J Unearthed: http://www.triplejunearthed.com.au/Th...

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#GenerationNuSoul 

We have a pop up event called Generation Nu Soul.

Generation Nu Soul is a special pop-up event that highlights unique creatives with a flair for individuality, substance, raw musicality, delivering a powerful message that can only be created by the energy that occurs in that one space.

You never know where we'll be and who we'll showcase. "Generation Nu Soul is a generation that defines new boundaries. A generation that knows the power of music is to move. To Feel. To Inspire"

Our first Generation Nu Soul event was held at PLAY BAR featuring two incredible local talents - Sarsha Simone and The Septembers.

SARSHA SIMONE Using the elements of music and fashion as a means of self expression, Sarsha has produced something fresh and new. From Vaughn to Wonder, Sarsha is touched by many vintage classics drawing from tradition and ignoring trend. With the raspy tones of soul and the attitude of hip hop, Sarsha's sound will touch audiences far and wide. 

When asked what is important to Sarsha she simply replies "The mind is everything. What you think you become." Official Website: www.sarshasimone.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/sarshasimone Twitter: www.twitter.com/sarshasimone Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/sarshasimonemusic Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/sarshasimonemusic Bandcamp: www.sarshasimone.bandcamp.com

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Innersoul Live Promo Reel

Innersoul Entertainment, Behind the Front and Kitten Jam teamed up with one of the freshest venues in Sydney, PLAY BAR, to present Innersoul LIVE. Innersoul LIVE is a showcase of music artists in Sydney. Held fortnightly, Innersoul LIVE provides a platform for the next generation of artists in the Australian soul movement to have their music heard. Set in the inner city creative hub of Surry Hills, Innersoul LIVE at PLAY BAR sees two – four carefully selected artists present an acoustic set of their original music in an intimate setting.

With the Australian soul movement out in full force, thanks to the international success of artists like the GRAMMY nominated Hiatus Kaiyote, Innersoul LIVE is here to keep that momentum going locally and beyond. Defying genre boundaries and stereotypes to cover everything from nu-soul, raw and real hip hop and reggae to soulful Rhythm & Blues, Innersoul LIVE is your mid-week dose of soul that will have you transfixed by the talent on display. Artists that have previously showcased at Innersoul LIVE include ARIA nominated singer/songwriter Jeremy Gregory, Billie McCarthy, Ron E Jones, Tabitha Ojeah, Michael Duchesne and Chantae Cann (featured vocalist with GRAMMY winning Snarky Puppy and GRAMMY nominated The Foreign Exchange) Come down, kick back, and let yourself be moved by the musicality of our local artists at Innersoul LIVE.

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Kitten Jam and Behind The Front have worked as publicists and events management on Innersoul Live - a fortnightly event which serves as a platform for emerging and established artists to play original music at Play Bar in Surry Hills.

Kristie Nicolas from Kitten Jam conducted live interviews with specific artists at the Innersoul Live events, which you can find at the Kitten Jam TV YouTube page. 

Since its inception in February 2014, Innersoul Live has developed a strong cult following, with familiar faces attending alongside newcomers.

This led to each fortnightly event growing in size and presence.

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Kitten Jam and Behind The Front have worked as publicists and events management on Innersoul Live - a fortnightly event which serves as a platform for emerging and established artists to play original music at Play Bar in Surry Hills.

The video above is of local Sydney artist Josue Viches performing at Innersoul Live in May 2014. It was filmed by Open Door Films.

Since its inception in February 2014, Innersoul Live has developed a strong cult following, with familiar faces attending alongside newcomers.

This led to each fortnightly event growing in size and presence.