Month: March 2011

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Quiet Riot, Warrant, & LA Guns, Oh My!

Grab your acid wash jeans; glam metal acts Quiet Riot, Warrant, and LA Guns are teaming up for an unexpected Australian tour in April and May.

I think you’d have to be a real fan to check these shows out though. Quiet Riot’s touring with a new singer Mark Huff following the 2007 death of Kevin DuBrow. Warrant are also touring with a new singer, Robert Mason. Perhaps Jani Lane realised “Cherry Pie” wasn’t revisiting!

Those line-up changes could explain the small venues. These guys just aren’t up to selling out entertainment centers, are they? If you’re keen you can catch this triple-shot of glam metal at the following shows.

29 April 2011 – The Palace, Melbourne
30 April 2011 – Anu Bar, Canberra
5 May 2011 – HQ Complex, Adelaide
6 May 2011 – Metro City, Perth
7 May 2011 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
8 May 2011 – The Metro, Sydney

Image source: The Howling Wolf/Wikimedia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Georgia Fair and Daniel Lee Kendall Team Up for Acoustic Tour

Fans of gentle folky music and incredible lyrics are in for a treat as two of my favorite new acts, Georgia Fair and Daniel Lee Kendall, team up for one big tour.

Both acts will play in intimate acoustic mode, so these nights are sure to be something really special. Daniel Lee Kendall’s just coming off his tour with Old Man River and Passenger, while Ben and Jordan from Georgia Fair have been busy laying down some new tunes. I recently heard their upcoming single “Marianne,” which features guest vocals from Lisa Mitchell and Boy & Bear. As you can imagine when you get that much talent in one room, it’s absolutely sublime. Watch this space because I’ll definitely post the video once it’s done!

The Georgia Fair and Daniel Lee Kendall double-header tour kicks off tonight at The Empress in Melbourne. Check it out; I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!

24 March 2011 – The Empress, Melbourne
25 March 2011 – Longboard Surf Café, Dromana
26 March 2011 – Baby Black Café, Bacchus Marsh
30 March 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney
31 March 2011 – CBD Hotel, Newcastle
1 April 2011 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Musicians in the Running for Cleo Bachelor of the Year

Allow me to be a bit superficial for a moment. I think there are few things sexier than a musician, so I’m not surprised to see quite a few local musical men making Cleo’s Bachelor of the Year shortlist.

Celebrity spawn seems to be the order of the day, as Don Lane’s son PJ Lane and James Reyne’s son Jamie Robbie Reyne have both made the cut.

Singing reality TV stars have also got a look in. From Australia’s Got Talent, there’s the all-singing all-dancing Justice Crew member Emmanuel Javier Rodriguez. And then there’s another Channel Seven discovery, Joel O’Dea, who you may know better as one half of X Factor’s Luke and Joel.

There are also the chart toppers. Cameron Laing, the guitarist for Amy Meredith and singer-songwriter Mark Sholtez are also in the top 50.

And for all the mums out there, there’s Stevie Nicholson from Hi 5. Who knew children’s entertainers could be so cute?

Who’s your pick to take out the top spot this year? And who would you have liked to see on the Top 50?

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Carus Thompson Announces Caravan Tour

As the release of his new album Caravan gets ever closer, Carus Thompson has announced he’ll travel around the country this April to promote it.

Travels are nothing new from this awesome singer-songwriter. He recorded this disc at studios in England, Germany, and Australia, and the tunes were inspired by his time traveling around Europe and Oz.

This tour will be something special for fans, as it sees Carus playing with a full band for the first time in three and a half years. He’ll head back to Europe once these dates wrap up, so make sure you see him while you can!

Caravan hits record stores on April 1.

6 April 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
8 April 2011 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
9 April 2011 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
10 April 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney
14 April 2011 – Drouin Bowling Club, Drouin
15 April 2011 – The Pelican Bar (Pier Live), Frankston
16 April 2011 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
24 April 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart
27 April 2011 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
6 May 2011 – Settler’s Tavern, Margaret River
7 May 2011 – Fly By Night Club, Fremantle

Image used with permission from Heapsflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Birds of Tokyo Lose Bass Guitarist

Birds of Tokyo might be one of the hottest bands in the country, but that hasn’t been enough to convince bassist Anthony Jackson to stick around.

No tangible reason has been given for the split, but it seems the members of the band are still on good terms.

“[Birds Of Tokyo] wish to announce that we have come to the end of a journey [the band’s Canadian tour] with one of our own. Our mate Anthony will no longer be playing with Birds,” a statement on the band’s Facebook page read. “We have always believed in organic movement and following the heart and gut. We love our friend and sincerely wish all the best for him. We are very positive about the future and look forward to walking down some amazing new avenues shortly. Stay tuned. ;)”

Word on the streets is that Anthony actually left the band a month ago, and Sugar Army’s bassist Ian Berney has been filling in. It’ll be interesting to see who’s holding the bass when Birds of Tokyo play their upcoming shows, including the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix and Groovin the Moo dates.

Image source: Birds of Tokyo website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“When the Lights are Low” – Earl Cole

Mothers Day mustn’t be too far away, as we’re starting to be bombarded with the kind of mellow music designed to make mums everywhere swoon. Adding his voice to the mix is Perth crooner Earl Cole with his third album When the Lights are Low.

The album follows the tried and true formula followed by so many artists these days; take a collection of time honored classics and remind your listeners why these songs are so special. Michael Buble, David Campbell, and Rod Stewart have all done it many times, so why should we listen to Earl?

Happily there are a few reasons to give this local version a spin. The collection of tracks here is something special, with a few well known classics sitting alongside those that may be unfamiliar to modern audiences. It’s not the same old thing that we’ve heard on every disc of this ilk, and that variety is refreshing. Clearly Earl is a man who really knows this music, rather than one who chooses to sing what has become popular.

He’s also someone who has a real passion for the material. He’s performed these songs for years, and the confidence that comes from that intimate knowledge of the music really shines through. He sings with a real reverence for the originals, never pushing the envelope or attempting to make them hip. Some may argue that you shouldn’t cover a song if you can’t bring something new to it, but I’m not so sure.

Ballads are clearly Earl’s strength, but so many of them strung together makes the album a bit sleepy in places. I wish there were more upbeat numbers like the standouts, “Orange Colored Sky” and “I’ve Got the World on a String,” to bring a bit more lightness to the disc.

If you’ve never warmed to the music celebrated by Michael Buble, David Campbell, and performers of their ilk, there’s probably little on When the Lights are Low to change your mind. But then again, I don’t think Earl made the album for you. He knows his market, and he knows the mums of Australia are going to love this.

You can listen to samples of the album and order it through Earl Cole’s website.

Image source: Earl Cole website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bachelor Girl Reform for Greatest Hits Tour

90s pop sensations Bachelor Girl are celebrating the release of their best of album with one last tour.

Loved & Lost: The Best of Bachelor Girl remembers the hits of Tania Doko and James Roche, including “Permission to Shine,” “Buses and Trains,” and “I’m Just a Girl.” The album, which will hit stores on April 15, also features four unreleased tracks recorded between 2002 and 2003.

The Australian tour sees Bachelor Girl back on home soil after a lengthy overseas stint. Tania’s been living in Los Angeles and Stockholm, while James has been based in London. It seems they’re thrilled to come home, and to come back together.

“It’s amazing to think it’s been almost 20 years since James and I met and started working together” Tania sad in a statement. “It’s also been several years since we’ve both lived in Australia for more than a few months at a time. 2011 has never been a more perfect year to celebrate our career ‘gems,’ tour a new release for our fans, and expose some of our favourite lost tracks. We really can’t wait to get out there and play!”

Get your tickets from the venues for the following shows.

28 May 2011 – Forum II, Melbourne
3 June 2011 – The Basement, Sydney
4 June 2011 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Revolutions

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Circus Girl” – Susanna Carman

After listening to Susanna Carman’s new album Circus Girl several times, I’m thrilled the New Yorker decided to settle here in Australia. She creates folk music that is truly stunning, with touches of Joni Mitchell and Shawn Colvin, along with her own sweet, unique voice.

The album is beautiful in its simplicity. Most tracks only need an acoustic guitar to propel them, and even when a few more instruments are added to the mix they never overpower the tunes. There’s a time and place for a wall of sound, but these songs don’t need the extra embellishment.

With such organic presentation we can really focus on the lyrics and the stories Susanna Carman tells. “Half Of You” may be the most profound song I’ve heard about the love that flows between a woman, her partner, and her new child. The imagery of songs like “Magdalena’s Lover” and the title track is also gorgeous. As someone who gets revved by beautiful lyrics, this album really excited me.

Circus Girl is the kind of album you could easily put on as a dinner party wears down. It has just the right mellow feel, and could so easily slip into the background if you weren’t paying attention. However the more I listen to it the more I appreciate its layers and depth. Susanna Carman has created something truly special here. Look for it in stores on April 2 or preorder your copy from her website.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jimmy Barnes Headlines Bands Across the Water Thai Charity Event

Jimmy Barnes will lead a lineup of Aussie rock legends performing for charity in Thailand this June. Angry Anderson, Jon Stevens, Swanee, and Kevin Borich will also play at Khao Lak’s Mukdara Resort from June 7 to 13 under the banner of Bands Across the Water.

Funds raised will benefit Hands Across the Water, a charity group which helps children orphaned by 2004’s Boxing Day tsunami. The cause is particularly dear to Jimmy’s heart as his wife Jane is Thai. While her family survived the disaster, they were all too aware of the devastation around them.

If you’ve got the cash to spare this will be a holiday to remember. The resort has four stars, the musical line-up is superb, and you’ll earn some serious good karma at the same time. Package deals are available through the Bands Across the Water website.

Image source: Bands Across the Water website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kid Mac Music Video Goes Viral

Rapper Kid Mac has become an unlikely YouTube star with the release of his new music video for the single “Hear You Calling.” The song, which effortlessly blends urban influences and straight up rock, sees Kid Mac working with Mat McHugh from the Beautiful Girls.

The video has clocked up more than 200, 000 views over the last couple of days, something which is virtually unheard of for an independent artist. Then again, most indie acts don’t have Taj Burrows, Mick Fanning, and Russell Crowe singing their praises!

Now if only I had a pair of old school 3D glasses around!