Month: February 2011

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Laneous and the Family Yah Announce Scissors EP Tour

Goodness those folks from Laneous and the Family Yah work hard! Barely five months have passed since the release of their second album Found Things, but they’re already preparing to release a new EP called Scissors tomorrow.

The EP is the first from the Found Things Collection, a kind of companion series to the Found Things album. Yes, we can expect to see Paper and Rock join it on record store shelves in the coming months. Scissors features a melodic soulful sound, while we can expect some quirky indie pop from Paper and a bit of afro punk and hip hop from Rock.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Before all that the band will tour Scissors with a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it East Coast tour. Here are the places you can catch this inventive Queensland act.

24 March 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
25 March 2011 – The Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne
26 March 2011 – The Annandale Hotel, Sydney

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Patrizio Buanne Releases Special Aussie CD

Italian charmer Patrizio Buanne is preparing to release a new repackaged version of his self-titled album just for his Aussie fans. The disc will feature four new songs, including the forthcoming single “This Kiss Tonight.”

“The success of my first release in the UK in 2005 enabled me to follow my dream and travel the world” Patrizio said in a statement. “Australia was the first territory in the world where I achieved double-platinum sales, and the respect, support and friendship I have found in your country is very special to me.”

Awww, well we love you too handsome man! The Australian special edition of Patrizio hits stores on April 1.

Image source: Sry85 @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Glenn Richards Plays Victoria

Watching Augie March signer Glenn Richards doing his thing live is always something special. Performances have been rare since he released his solo album Glimjack last year, but he’s treating us to a few next month.

Glenn Richards will be joined by a stellar band featuring Dan Luscombe and Mike Noga of the Drones, You Am I’s Steve Hesketh, Ben Bourke of Ned Collette, and Chris Richards of The Beautiful Few.

Victorians are the lucky ones though, as all the announced gigs are in Glenn’s home state. Hopefully it won’t be too long before he treats the rest of Australia to some of those shows. Until then, here are the dates!

17 March 2011 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
18 March 2011 – Nortcote Social Club, Melbourne
19 March 2011 – Mossvale Music Festival, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Evil Eddie Announces East Coast Tour

After wooing crowds at the Peats Ridge and Woodford festivals late last year, Evil Eddie figures it’s about time to head out on his own. The proud Queenslander will play a string of headliner dates along the East Coast this February and March.

The quickie tour sees Evil Eddie share the stage with an all-star band, which features members of his former band Butterfingers, Laneous and the Family Yah, and Spitfireliar. You can catch him at the following venues.

25 February 2011 – X&Y Bar, Brisbane
26 February 2011 – Gaelic Club, Sydney
4 March 2011 – East Brunswick Club, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

House of Pain Jump Around Australia

Old school hip hop outfit House of Pain have announced a string of sideshows in addition to their Groovin the Moo appearances. The dates are part of the band’s 20th anniversary world tour.

This tour is pretty exciting for fans, as it’s the first time they’ve played on Aussie soil since getting back together in 2010. I’m impressed that they’re heading our way so soon after that reunion.

Prepare to do plenty of jumping around at the following shows. Tickets go on sale from the venues on February 21.

29 April 2011 – Prince of Wales, Melbourne
2 May 2011 – The Hi-Fi Bar, Brisbane
6 May 2011 – Manning Bar, Sydney

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Earl Cole and Chelsea J Gibson Do Disco Ahead of Earl’s Album Release

If you missed Earl Cole and Chelsea J Gibson shaking their groove things on New Years Eve, or you’re just keen for a second helping, make sure you get to Perth’s Bouchon Bistro on March 2.

The pair will perform the songs of Abba, Gloria Gaynor, The Village People at their fun Disco Inferno show. Tickets are a steal at $110 per person, as that price also includes a lavish three-course dinner. Earl and Chelsea always sell out venues, so make sure you reserve your table by calling the bistro on (08) 9387 3898.

March is going to be a busy month for Earl as he’ll also release his third studio album. When The Lights Are Low features some of Earl’s favorite songs, including “At Last,” “Orange Colored Sky” and “When I Fall in Love.” With classics like that, I predict those CDs will make great Mother’s Day gifts!

Image used with permission from Earl Cole

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Keith Urban Wins Fourth Grammy Award

Way to go Keith Urban! While I was reminiscing about using one of his older songs during my wedding, he was preparing to accept his fourth Grammy Award!

Keith was named best male country vocal performer over Toby Keith, David Nailand, Chris Young, and Jamey Johnson.

It hasn’t been a great year for Aussies getting noticed at the big music awards, so it’s awesome to see Keith flying the flag for us!

Image source: Jeaneeem @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Happy Valentine’s Day

It’s Valentine’s Day folks, that time of year where the world gets a little bit sappier. I must admit, I’m not immune to this Hallmark holiday. We reject the way restaurants jack up their prices, so I’m preparing to spend the afternoon whipping up a three-course meal. Yep, entrée, main, and even dessert. I have no sweet tooth, yet I’m getting set to create something sugary just for him. If that doesn’t say “I love you,” I don’t know what does.

Given that love is in the air I figured I’d post an Aussie song with a bit of personal meaning for me, “You’re My Better Half” by Keith Urban. We actually cut the cake at our wedding to this song nearly five years ago. We’ve all heard that phrase “better half,” but unless you’ve really been in a good relationship you can’t fully understand what it means. I don’t buy into that idea of a person completing you, but I do think the right one can bring out your very best qualities. People who know me say I’ve blossomed since meeting my husband; I’m more confident and outgoing and generally happier. I like to think I’ve been just as much of an asset to him!

So to my husband Steve, you are my better half. You know how much I love you, but on days like this I get a license to make the public declarations. Here’s to many more Valentine’s Day together!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Drawn From Bees Take on North America

Like many Aussies I wasn’t familiar with the music of Drawn from Bees, but this Brisbane band is making some real waves in North America with dates approaching at Canadian Music Week and South by Southwest.

Their EP Cautionary Tales for the Lionhearted will get an American release on March 1, which is sure to elevate their profile here and abroad. I gave the recording a few spins this afternoon and found it to be really mature, sophisticated stuff. The band harmonizes beautifully, and creates an amazing atmosphere which reminds me of Radiohead without the slit-your-wrists factor. While there’s certainly some darkness here, it never feels as gloomy and labored as the music the British band typically produced. The jangly guitars and rich melodies give these songs a warmth that elevates them out of the doldrums. I particularly loved “Stand Against the Storm,” which has shades of Talking Heads to it, and “Picture Show,” which builds so beautifully to a stirring crescendo.

Tunes from the EP and a few extras are available through Drawn From Bees’ MySpace page. If you like what you hear, make sure you check out what the band can do in the flesh at the following shows here and abroad!

18 February 2011 – 34B (above Spectrum), Sydney
5 March 2011 – The Manhattan Room, Philadelphia
6 March 2011 – Howlers, Pittsburgh
7 March 2011 – Euclid Tavern, Cleveland
8 March 2011 – Pearl St Grill, Buffalo
10 March 2011 – Canadian Music Week @ Bread & Circus, Toronto
12 March 2011 – Canadian Music Week @ Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto
13 March 2011 – Aussie BBQ @ Bowery Ballroom, New York
15 March 2011 – Cactus Instore, Houston
16 March 2011 – SXSW Party @ International Psych-Out, Austin
16 March 2011 – SXSW Party @ Aussie’s Bar & Grill, Austin
17 March 2011 – SXSW Party @ Dart International Music House, Austin
20 March 2011 – Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar, Houston
21 March 2011 – Reggie’s Music Joint, Chicago
22 March 2011 – Elbo Room, Chicago
24 March 2011 – Hennessey’s Hooley House, Boston
25 March 2011 – Hank’s Saloon, Brooklyn

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Living End Back in the Studio

The Living End’s last album White Noise was massive, so it’s exciting to hear that the lads are back in the studio some three years after its release.

Not that they’ve been resting on their laurels during that time. Chris Cheney recently wrote on The Living End website that the band spent most of last year writing, and they’ve now got a short list of 40 songs! Double CD, anyone? It seems the final votes will come down to public opinion though.

“As usual for TLE we did a week’s worth of gigs playing only new songs to see which ones would sink or swim,” he explained. “We also just wanted people to hear what we are up to. There are some really different ideas kicking around this time but the emphasis has been on creating a cohesive album that is heavy, melodic and overall very anthemic.”

The band are currently working with Nick Didia at a studio in Byron Bay ahead of an anticipated spring 2011 release. Do the band have another White Noise on their hand? With that many songs to choose from, surely this album is going to be quality stuff!

Image source: Yana Amur @ Wikimedia Commons