BARRY CONRAD

The wait is over people.  Hillsong United’s Aftermath is finally here.

If you don’t know, Hillsong is actually my home church, so I’m especially proud of these boys.  You’ve gotta get this record guys, it won’t disappoint.

Click on the pic to get your copy ;)…

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“We need to take it back in time, when music made us all unite.”

Digging that a lot.

I love how artists like Bruno Mars, Adele & Jessie J have not only emerged on the scene, but are totally smashing it with the best of them.  Signifies that change is happening & that excites me.

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It’s funny.  All day I’ve been thinking over the state of our music industry.  Recently, I was made aware of free download links to my new single online, which just kinda made me go, “Wow…”.

I mean, sure, it’s really nothing new.  I see free download links to songs of my favorite artists online all the time.  The game’s just different now & these days it’s kinda inevitable.  But you never really think it will happen to you & when it does…  Well, I wouldn’t say it’s the greatest feeling of all time :).  Anyways, next thing I log on to Facebook tonight to find that my friend, Tania Doko, posted something along the same lines as a status update:

“I’m amazed that people won’t spend $1.69 to buy a song off itunes. I mean it’s not like I’m surprised, but I’ve just found a squillion youtube videos of Joyride(our new single) with free download links to the song. What does the future hold for artists and making a living from what we create? Lucky we have many strings to our bow, and we won’t be beaten :).”

Usually, I keep things fairly middle-of-the-road, but in this case I can only echo what she said.  And it’s not about going on a finger-pointing spree or anything crazy, I just want to encourage anyone reading:

Please support the artists you enjoy by buying their music.

It not only shows respect to the artist for all the hard work invested into those 3 or 4 minutes of what’s now that ace tune you’ve got on repeat 24/7.  It’s actually what keeps our industry alive & healthy.  On a very practical level, it just enables artists to keep (freely) creating.  The harsh reality is that piracy – of all kinds, not just in music – kills many dreams.

Please don’t steal music guys.  If you like what you hear, go ahead & buy that record ;).

Much love…

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Cool shot taken in Calcutta (India) late last year.  Photography by Jared McGhie.

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I recently got word about a new local joint that apparently did “huge, massive burgers!”.  I soon found out just how much of an understatement that was when one of my housemates brought one home last week.  It’s ridiculously huge.  I’m talking about the 1kg King Jedi Burger from KoKosh Cafe.

Now keep in mind, my friend can really throw down, but only actually got 3/4 of the way through the thing.  Since that night, I vowed to take up the challenge & attempt to smash it in its entirety.  And yesterday, that’s just what I did.

I’m not gonna lie, it was a stretch…

A little more than halfway through, my stomach already hit maximum capacity.  I was so done man (haha…).  But mentally I just kept pushing through.  Michael, the owner of KoKosh, told me afterwards that what I’d just demolished (especially seeing as we asked for added egg – three of them, to be exact – as well as pineapple) was actually the equivalent of eating almost nine quarter pounder burgers from McDonald’s.  Yeah, you read right.  Wow…

I’m so stoked though, felt like I’d just won a marathon or something (haha…).  Michael snapped a couple pics & said I’ll soon be joining his wall of fame, as only the fourth person to conquer the Jedi!  If you think you’ve got what it takes, head over to Beaumont Hills Shopping Centre in Sydney & give it your best shot.

The 1kg King Jedi Burger in all its glory.

After the victory (haha…)!

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Stumbled on this just before.  I love it.  All my music-makers out there, check it out.

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Source: Who Is Tytewriter?

Hey everybody, here’s a pic from the Don’t You Think? single artwork shoot.  Photography was by John Fick & styling by Chip.

You can check out extra pics in the Gallery section, with more to come soon ;).

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So cool…

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2010 exceeded my every expectation.

Man… I’m so incredibly grateful for every opportunity & blessing.

To say that I’m excited about 2011 couldn’t be more of an understatement!

Big love, all the best & God bless ;)…

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Me smaaashing Christmas lunch just before. Must have had about 10 plates! Haha… Was sooo good man .

Ooooh & here’s dessert. Christmas cake w/ custard, Pavlova cake, warm fruit & ice cream. Mmmmmmm…

Haha. Got my work cut out for me after this holiday season. But I’m cool with that!

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