Month: May 2011

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sneaky Sound System on the Comeback Trail

It’s been a bit quiet on the Sneaky Sound System front for a while, but the dance duo is hitting back with a vengeance. They’re currently finishing up their third album From Here to Nowhere, their first released through their new label Modular.

The album won’t drop until August 29, but we’ll get a sneak peek when Miss Connie and Black Angus release the single “We Love” on May 27.

They’ll promote the single and get us all salivating for the album when they tour the major capitals in June and July.

Sneaky Sound System29 June 2011 – Rocket Bar, Adelaide
1 July 2011 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
2 July 2011 – Metro, Sydney
6 July 2011 – The Bakery, Perth
9 July 2011 – Family Nightclub, Brisbane

Image source: Michael Spencer @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Georgia Fair and Daniel Lee Kendall Announce Another Double Header Tour

Georgia Fair and Daniel Lee Kendall clearly loved touring around the country together in March, because this June and July they’re doing it all again.

If you missed the chance to see these exciting pop-folk acts last time, don’t make the same mistake this time around. They’re playing their own brand of acoustic music in some of the East Coast’s most intimate venues, so the shows are sure to be special.

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

15 June 2011 – Otis Bar, Wollongong
16 June 2011 – Notes, Sydney
17 June 2011 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
18 June 2011 – The Loft, Newcastle (All Ages)
30 June 2011 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane (Free Entry)
2 July 2011 – The Loft, Gold Coast
3 July 2011 – Railway Friendly Bar, Byron Bay (Free Entry)
6 July 2011 – Front Gallery & Cafe, Canberra
13 July 2011 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Crucial Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Steve Parkin’s Gorgeous Film Clip for “Sun Stealer”

Mighty Big Light was one of the first albums I really connected with this year, so I’m thrilled to see Steve Parkin’s released a music video for one of its stand-out tracks, “Sun Stealer.”

It’s a gorgeous looking thing, which is little wonder considering Steve enlisted the help of AFI Award winning filmmaker Nick Matthews for the project. Funnily enough it wasn’t Nick’s resume that impressed Steve, but his work on a film clip for a little Adelaide indie band.

Steve was confident Nick could interpret his vision, and I think he was right. There’s such a gorgeous warmth and color about this video, and a really great story. What a fitting accompaniment to a great song!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Little Scout One to Watch

Brisbane’s Little Scout are the latest band to capture my ear, thanks to the sublimely sweet vocals of Melissa Tickle and lush soundscapes. The single “We Are Walking Out” has made me prick up my ears, and the good news is there’s more to come.

The band is set to release their debut album soon off the back of some major support slots. Already this year Little Scout have toured with Holly Throsby and warmed up their hometown for Belle & Sebastian. And no doubt once the album pops there’ll be more shows to come.

Head to Little Scout’s Facebook page to hear the new single, and keep an eye out for this exciting band!

Image used with permission from Footstomp Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Wings” – The Bloodpoets

The Bloodpoets WingsThe Bloodpoets impressed me with their album Polarity last year, so I was excited to see what they’d serve up with their latest effort, the EP Wings.

The Queensland outfit has always been eclectic, playing with light and shade, standing somewhere between indie rock and commercial pop. The gulf between these two extremes seems more pronounced on Wings, a disc that starts with sweetness and ends with real grit.

When I first slipped it in I mused that this didn’t sound like The Bloodpoets I’d first met. They weren’t rocking quite as hard, and instead were focusing on the melodies and pop hooks. That could easily sound like a criticism, but the band still wasn’t bowing to the demands of top 40 radio. They hadn’t lost any of their individuality; they were just taking a lighter touch. “Sunny Day” really excited me with its playful bass groove and irresistible brass strains. I also loved its follow up track “Next Year,” which I can imagine sounding right at home on radio. It feels familiar from the first listen, not predictable but warm. I adored the depth that the ringing bells gave this pop gem.

“She Feels It” marks a shift in the EP, a move away from the sunshine and into darker territory. It felt more like The Bloodpoets of old to me, although it has an epic quality that I haven’t heard from the band before. The remaining tracks also show the band’s grittier side, almost as if they want to remind us that they’re never going to completely lose their edge.

Wings feels like The Bloodpoets are checking in with us, showing the directions they’re taking and giving us a teaser before the next full length recording. It’s exciting to see them stretching out every which way and evolving as a band. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Image source: The Bloodpoets Facebook page

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Owls Deliver Something Sweet with “Sugarcane” Single and Tour

Newcastle band The Owls are celebrating their brand new single “Sugarcane” with a tour of New South Wales and Queensland. The song gets a digital release on May 27, and they’ll launch it with their first show in Sydney on the same night.

You might not know their name just yet, but The Owls have been rocking out since 2008 with a sound that melds southern influences, garage rock, and straight up and dirty blues. Think Queens of the Stone Age meets Radiohead meets Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. They took out The JD Set last year and later spent time touring around the country with The Basics, The Jezabels, and Cloud Control.

The Owls are known for their electric live shows, so make sure you head out to one of the following gigs to see what the hype is all about.

27 May 2011 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
11 June 2011 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
29 July 2011 – Neverland, Gold Coast
30 July 2011 – Beetle Bar, Brisbane
6 August 2011 – Gaelic Club, Sydney

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tumbleweed and You Am I Headline Reclink Community Cup

The 2011 Reclink Community Cup is shaping up to be more than just a game of football. Tumbleweed and You Am I will both play at Elsternwick Park in Brighton on June 26.

These big names will be joined by Mercy Kills, The Rebelles, and the sensational Barry Morgan on his organ. Spicks and Specks fans are probably the only ones who know what I’m talking about, but I’m sure they’ll be there with bells on!

As if this year’s event wasn’t cool enough, organisers have given it the theme “Do You Love Me?” No, it’s not about the whining of insecure, lovestruck teens; it’s actually a tribute to Nick Cave. To celebrate, all bands on the bill will include a Nick Cave song as part of their set.

Check out the Community Cup website for more information about this year’s event.

Image used with permission from Chrissie Vincent Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Panda Band Give “The Fix” For Free

It’s been a long time between drinks for The Panda Band. The playfully named Perth indie rockers haven’t been heard around these parts since releasing “Sleeping Little Death Toll Town” way back in 2005.

But rest assured, The Pandas haven’t parted ways. They’ve toured around America, built a home studio, and put it to good use with the recording of Charisma Weapon, the first release on their own label Bam*Boo.

The album won’t hit stores until July 15, but The Panda Band are giving us a little taste now. Head to their Bandcamp page for a free download of “The Fix,” a swirling psychedelic inspired number that sounds better with each listen.

If you like what you hear make sure you catch the band touring around the country ahead of their album release.

19 May 2011 – Endeavour Tavern, Lancelin
20 May 2011 – Jurien Bay Bowls Club, Jurien Bay
21 May 2011 – Discovery Centre Ampitheatre, Dalwalinu
22 May 2011 – Civic Centre, Wongan Hills
28 May 2011 – Northbridge, Perth WAMI Festival
3 June 2011 – Beetle Bar, Brisbane
4 June 2011 – Lily Lounge, Sydney
5 June 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Remedy Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Neil Finn Tours New Pajama Club

Neil Finn’s latest musical venture is a family affair. He’s teamed up with his wife of 29 years Sharon to create Pajama Club. The idea was born over many nights spent jamming in PJs with a few good wines. Of course only brilliance can come from such laid back beginnings!

Neil and Sharon are joined in the band by Kiwi singer-songwriter Sean Donnelly and Alana Skyring, who you might remember from The Grates. They’ve laid down an album, which will be released digitally, on CD, and on vinyl in August.

Before that though, you can have a little taste with “From A Friend To a Friend,” which is available for free download from the Pajama Club website. If you like what you hear make sure you get out and see the band on their very first tour in June.

11 June 2011 – The Northern, Byron Bay
12 June 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
13 June 2011 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
15 June 2011 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey Chambers Wins International Songwriting Competition

Way to go Kasey Chambers! Her song “Beautiful Mess” has taken out the top prize in the International Songwriting Competition.

The song speaks of the “beautiful mess” of parenting, and was inspired by her two boys Talon and Arlo. Kasey beat out around 15, 000 songwriters from 115 countries, and impressed an all-star judging panel which featured Peter Gabriel, Ben Harper, and Tom Waits to take out the grand prize.

“I honestly can’t believe it,” Kasey told The Daily Telegraph. “When I entered the competition, I didn’t think I even had a chance being up against songwriters from all over the world but I thought it’d be a fun to enter anyway. Winning with the song ‘Beautiful Mess’ makes it even more special as it’s a song I wrote for my two boys, Talon and Arlo. Guess I’d better buy them an ice-cream!”

Here’s the video for the song so you can see just what wowed the judges!