Month: March 2010

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Georgia Fair Record Album Abroad

It’s been a little while coming, but the debut album from Georgia Fair shouldn’t be too far away.

The Sydney duo, famous for their catchy folk-pop tune “Picture Frames,” are currently recording the album in North Carolina with producer Bill Reynolds of Band of Horses fame.

But Ben Riley and Jordan Wilson be back soon enough, as they’re scheduled to join Lisa Mitchell on her Oh Hark! National Theatre tour next month. These should be fantastic shows with gorgeous intimate venues and fellow folksters Boy and Bear also on the bill.

Tickets for all shows are on sale on March 19 from the venues.

29 April 2010 – Warrnambool Entertainment Centre, Warrnambool
30 April 2010 – Bended Elbow, Geelong
4 May 2010 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
5 May 2010 – Surfers Paradise Beer Garden
6 May 2010 – Villa Noosa Hotel, Noosa
7 May 2010 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
12 May 2010 – Wollongong Uni
13 May 2010 – Penrith RSL
14 May 2010 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
16 May 2010 – Astor Theatre, Perth
20 May 2010 – HQ, Adelaide
21 May 2010 – Sir Robert Helpman Theatre, Mt Gambier
26 May 2010 – Bluestone, Ballarat
28 May 2010 – The Forum, Melbourne
29 May 2010 – Launceston Country Club
30 May 2010 – Wrestpoint Showroom, Hobart

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Violent Soho Tour America

You might not have heard of neo-grunge outfit Violent Soho yet, but the boys from Brisbane are already making waves in America.

The band have the backing of Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore, who signed the lads up to his record label Ecstatic Peace last year. Their debut single “Jesus Stole My Girlfriend” is all over American alternative radio. It comes from their self-titled debut album, which was released in America last week. We can expect to see it in local stores later this month.

The band has a busy tour schedule across North America over the next few months, including a pit stop at SXSW. If you’re Stateside, make sure you catch this new Aussie success at one of the following shows.

18 March 2010 – Rusty Spurs, Austin
19 March 2010 – Emos, Austin
19 March 2010 – Molotov Lounge, Austin
19 March 2010 – Red 7 Patio, Austin
20 March 2010 – Maggie Maes, Austin
22 March 2010 – Riot Room, Kansas City
24 March 2010 – Triple Rock, Minneapolis
25 March 2010 – Subterranean, Chicago
26 March 2010 – Frankie’s, Toledo
27 March 2010 – Eagle Theatre, Detroit
28 March 2010 – Call The Office, London (Ontario)
29 March 2010 – Mod Club, Toronto
30 March 2010 – Petit Campus, Montreal
31 March 2010 – Jerky’s, Providence
1 April 2010 – Maxwell’s, Hoboken
2 April 2010 – Williamsburg Music Hall, Brooklyn
3 April 2010 – North Star, Philadelphia
5 April 2010 – Paradise Rock Club, Boston
6 April 2010 – Bowery Ballroom, New York
7 April 2010 – Sonar Lounge, Baltimore
8 April 2010 – Rock N Roll Hotel, Washington
9 April 2010 – Chameleon Club, Lancaster
10 April 2010 – The LC, Columbus
11 April 2010 – Southgate House, Newport
12 April 2010 – Pops, St Louis
14 April 2010 – Black Sheep, Colorado Springs
16 April 2010 – Bluebird Theatre, Denver
17 April 2010 – Urban Lounge, Salt Lake City
20 April 2010 – El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles
21 April 2010 – The Independent, San Francisco
22 April 2010 – House of Blues, Anaheim
23 April 2010 – City of Palms Park, Fort Myers
24 April 2010 – Jacksonville Fairgrounds
29 April 2010 – Emo’s, Austin
30 April 2010 – Scout Bar, San Antonio
1 May 2010 – Pizza Hut Park Edgefest, Frisco
10 May 2010 – Monarch, London
13 May 2010 – Gaymors @ Hectors, Great Escape Festival, Brighton
16 May 2010 – KAZR Lazerfest, Des Moines
22 May 2010 – Rock on the Range @ Crew Stadium, Columbus

Image source: Matt Kleinschmidt @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hoodoo Gurus Announce “Purity of Essence” Tour

Aussie rock veterans the Hoodoo Gurus are heading out on the road to support their latest album, Purity of Essence.

The disc is set to drop on Friday, which will give everyone plenty of time to become familiar with the tracks before the tour kicks off in Fremantle in late April.

If they haven’t announced a show near you don’t be too disappointed. The Gurus promise to add more dates to this 12-show run really soon!

22 April 2010 – Metropolis, Fremantle
23 April 2010 – Dunsborough Hotel
24 April 2010 – Players, Mandurah
25 April 2010 – Hotel Rottnest, Rottnest Island
29 April 2010 – HiFi Bar, Brisbane
30 April 2010 – Twin Towns, Tweed Heads
1 May 2010 – Yamba Bowling Club
7 May 2010 – Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
8 May 2010 – HiFi Bar, Melbourne
13 May 2010 – Level One @ Newcastle Leagues
20 & 21 May 2010 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Image source: Premier Artists

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Danimals Release “Fox” From The Lab Recording Sessions

I’ve been waiting with bated breath to see what would come of Danimals’ dream recording sessions in New York courtesy of The Lab, and now I can hear for myself.

“Fox” is the result of a week spent writing in the Dap Kings’ Dunham Studios in Brooklyn and another week recording at the legendary Electric Lady Studios. Mark Ronson and TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek added the finishing touches on the tune. If you want to learn more about the process, check out the behind-the-scenes videos at TEDthelab.com.

You can have a listen to the track below and if you love it, download it. If you’re one of the first 5000 to download the song, you’ll go in the draw to win one of 20 Numark PT01 Portable Turntables and an autographed 7 inch Danimals single. Free music and the chance to win some great prizes sounds like awesome incentive to me!

Fox by TEDTheLab.com

Image source: TED The Lab

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Oh! Hark! It’s a New Lisa Mitchell Video!

After my musings about whether Lisa Mitchell and other female singer-songwriters sang like little girls, many readers might have thought I was being a bit mean. I’m determined to make amends, so I wanted to share with you Lisa’s latest film clip.

“Oh! Hark!” was one of my favourite cuts from Wonder. It felt like it had stepped out of a vintage album with its jangling instrumentation and rollicking chorus. This music video doesn’t exactly fit the song’s retro vibe, but I’ve learned by now that Lisa is never predictable. Case in point; here we get to see Lisa bust a move! This is a lot kookier than any choreographed routine I’ve seen of late, which is exactly why I love it!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Do Our Singer Songwriters Sound Like Little Girls?

On reading my review of Angus & Julia Stone’s latest disc Down the Way a friend asked me whether I could write an article on the phenomenon of young Australian women who sing like little girls.

My immediate response was to come to the defence of the women he mentioned. They’ve created some of my favourite albums in recent years. But the more I thought about it, the more I had to admit that he was on to something.

There are definite similarities between the voices of many of our local female singer-songwriters, Julia Stone, Lisa Mitchell, Sarah Blasko et al. There’s a certain breathiness about their delivery, an almost squeakiness about their sound. I think it’s more flattering to compare them to classic artists like Melanie Safka than little girls, but the fact remains that we have a lot of women who seem to sound the same.

I wonder, do record companies see they’re onto a good thing and decide to strike while the iron’s hot, signing up as many sound-alikes as they can? Does it come from local artists influencing others in their niche? Or is it all simply a coincidence?

Image source: Dazza17 @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Williamson Recruits Stars for Greatest Hits Album

Kasey Chambers, Shannon Noll, and Russell Crowe are amongst the stars who’ve lent their voices to Absolute Greatest – 40 Years True Blue, a John Williamson greatest hits album set to hit stores next weekend.

The first disc features John’s most iconic songs including his first chart topper “Old Man Emu,” “Rip Rip Woodchip,” and “Home Among the Gumtrees.” Disc two sees other notable Aussies reinterpreting John Williamson classics, including James Reyne taking on “Chandelier of Stars,” Wendy Matthews singing “Flower on the Water,” and John’s daughter Ami playing “Truckie’s Wife.”

“Organising all those people was a bit like trying to get the horses lined up at the barrier,” John told The Sunday Telegraph.

I think it’s probably worth the effort though. Greatest hits collections are never much of a drawcard for enthusiasts who’ve probably got all the big tracks at home already. The covers should attract those country diehards, while those who’ve never bought a John Williamson album can now get all the hits in one place.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Julian Casablancas Takes World Tour to Australia

Julian Casablancas is preparing to make his first solo journey Down Under. The lead singer of The Strokes will visit Oz for an East Coast tour this May.

The tour comes on the back of Julian’s acclaimed solo album Phrazes for the Young. He’s taken this album tour to England, Europe, North America, and Japan, so we should expect a pretty polished show!

You can expect these tickets to sell like proverbial hotcakes, so make sure you get yours from Ticketek early. Frontier Touring Members can get theirs at noon AEDT on March 17 ahead of the general sale at 9 am on March 23.

Julian Casablancas performs at Le Bataclan club, Paris

6 May 2010 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
7 May 2010 – Palace Theatre, Melbourne
9 May 2010 – Metro Theatre, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Would You Raise Your Hands for the Rogue Traders?

“Would You Raise Your Hands?”, the new single from the new look Rogue Traders hit radio this morning. The glam-inspired electro tune is the second track the band has released with new lead singer Mindi Jackson.

I must admit, I wasn’t sure how the Rogue Traders would replace Natalie Bassingthwaighte. But after watching the band perform on breakfast TV recently I’ve changed my tune. Mindi put her own stamp on the band’s back catalogue, performing with plenty of energy and flair. She’s more than simply a great performer though, as she co-wrote many of the tracks on the band’s upcoming release Night of the Living Drums. The album will hit record stores this June.

To celebrate the new single the Rogue Trader’s will play a very special one-off launch show at Star City’s Lyric Theatre on April 10.  You can expect to get a sneak peek of the album, plus hear all your old favourites. Tickets are available for the all-ages show through Ticketmaster now.

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Down the Way – Angus & Julia Stone

One of the best things about writing this blog is the music I have access to. Angus & Julia Stone’s sophomore effort Down the Way hits stores tomorrow, but I’ve already had a week or so to let this beautiful music wash over me.

Beautiful is the word that I keep coming back to with this album. It truly is a thing of beauty, whether the tracks are delicate and unadorned or lush tapestries of sound. Down the Way has both kinds of songs and they help to support one another, taking us on a journey that’s been two years in the making.

It’s an easy journey, relaxed and comforting. The songs are gentle but passionate, obviously crafted with love. They sneak up on you too, easing underneath your skin with every listen. There are no obvious singles, although the gorgeous “And The Boys” has been selected as the album’s first. That’s a strength though; rather than an album mixed with show ponies and fillers we have a record that’s a truly cohesive body of work. That’s surprising considering songs were recorded everywhere from Cornwall to Coolangatta, but it’s a credit to the band.

“For You” is my favourite song at the moment, although with an album like this that’s always subject to change. Right now though, the understated piano and deeply emotive lyrics are striking a chord. “Black Crow” feels like it could have been written thirty years earlier, with Angus’ easy folk voice and its mellow grooves. “Draw Your Swords” is an epic number, and I can’t imagine a more perfect conclusion than the gorgeous “The Devil’s Tears.”

Down The Way is the ideal soundtrack for lazy Sundays and quiet nights in. It will hit Australian record stores tomorrow ahead of the UK and European release on March 15 and the North American release on March 30.