Month: May 2013

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Saskwatch Raise Funds for Glastonbury Jaunt

The very funky Melbourne nine-piece Saskwatch are heading to Glastonbury! The slot at arguably Europe’s most prestigious rock festival is a fitting follow-up to appearances at key local events including Bluesfest, Falls Festival, Meredith, and Golden Plains.

Getting such a massive band to the other side of the world isn’t going to be easy, so Saskwatch are raising funds to make it happen. You can donate to the band via the Pozible website in exchange for Sakwatch goodies including signed merchandise, personalised mix-tapes, and even one of Nkechi’s awesome stage dresses.

Alternatively you could see the band live at one of their farewell shows. And when they make music as good as their most recent single “I Get Lonely”, why wouldn’t you? Saskwatch will play Carlton’s Curtin Bandroom on June 1 and an all-ages show at Daylesford Town Hall on June 8.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Andrew Stockdale Rebrands Wolfmother

Wolfmother’s Andrew Stockdale is heading in a new direction with “Long Way to Go”, the first track from his forthcoming album Keep Moving. The album, which will hit stores on June 7, is the follow-up to Andrew’s album teaser, the Keep Moving EP.

I’ve honestly never been a Wolfmother fan. They always seemed too derivative for me, a bunch of Led Zeppelin wannabes. Andrew still wears his classic rock influences on his sleeve here, but this track’s easy groove at least feels a bit more original. There’s nothing wrong with delving into the past for inspiration, but it seems Andrew might finally have the balance right.

The new direction and Andrew Stockdale name out front makes this seem like a solo endeavour, but Andrew is actually still working with all his current Wolfmother bandmates on this new project.

They’re exploring new territory, but they’ll still play all the Wolfmother hits fans know and love at their upcoming album launch shows. This will be our last chance to see Andrew play for a while, as he’ll head to Southeast Asia, the United States, South America, and Europe to promote the album’s international release once this tour wraps.

6 June 2013 – Bar On The Hill, Newcastle University
7 June 2013 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney
8 June 2013 – Waves Nightclub, Wollongong
13 June 2013 – The Ferntree Gully Hotel, Melbourne
14 June 2013 – The Hi Fi, Melbourne
15 June 2013 – The Wool Exchange, Geelong
16 June 2013 – Pier Live, Frankston
19 June 2013 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
20 June 2013 – The Bakery, Perth
21 June 2013 – Fly By Nightclub, Fremantle
22 June 2013 – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury
27 June 2013 – The Hi Fi, Brisbane
28 June 2013 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
29 June 2013 – The Northern, Byron Bay

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sweet Jean Impress with “Tomorrow Morning”


Sime Nugent and Alice Keath are Sweet Jean, the duo behind the dreamy alt-country single “Tomorrow Morning”.

The follow-up to “Shiver and Shake” is a deceptively simple ditty with jangly guitars and warm vocal harmonies. What a great Sunday soundtrack!

Both tracks come from Dear Departure, Sweet Jean’s soon-to-be-released debut album. The disc is a collection of songs reflecting on life, longing, and mortality co-produced by the esteemed John Castle (Washington, The Bamboos). Look out for it in stores on July 4.

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Western Australia Celebrates its Music with State of the Art Festival

Western Australia punches well above its weight when it comes to musical talents. If most states put together an event celebrating local music, it’d be a pretty lacklustre affair. However in Western Australia, such a festival is worth travelling for.

Thirty of Western Australia’s established musical exports and up and comers will descend on Perth’s Concert Hall on June 2 for the State of the Art music festival, an event which coincides with WA Day. Artists including Bob Evans, Gyroscope, Kav Temperley, Sons of Rico, Emperors, and Grace Woodroofe will play on three outdoor stages. Blues legends Dave Hole and Chain, gutsy pop act Abbe May, and hard rock royalty Karnivool will also play special showcase sets inside the venue.

Tickets are on sale for a mere $13.95 for access to the outdoor stages, and $24.60 per concert hall showcase. These premium tickets also allow punters to enjoy the music outside. Get your tickets now through Ticketek.

Image used with permission from The West Australian Music Industry Association Inc. Image credit Kane Hibberd

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

You Am I’s Davey Lane Plays Free Sydney Shows

What’s the only thing better than great gigs? Great free gigs of course! Davey Lane will treat Sydneysiders to just that next week when he brings his Four Night One-Man Racket to the New South Wales’ capital.

The shows from the You Am I founding member celebrate the June release of “You’re the Cops, I’m the Crime”. We enjoyed the track when it was previewed online in February, so it’s great to see it’ll reach a wider audience soon. Music lovers can look forward to it and other tracks from Davey’s forthcoming solo album The Good Borne of Bad Tymes at these shows.

Now unfortunately, these gigs will see you venturing out on school nights, in this wintery weather no less. But Davey’s charisma, and the lure of free entertainment, should make it worth your while.

28 May 2013 – Corner House, Bondi
29 May 2013 – Midnight Special, Newtown
30 May 2013 – Soda Factory, Surry Hills
31 May 2013 – Low 302, Surry Hills

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Acts Unite for Hoodie Weather Shows

Some of Australia’s most exciting up and coming acts will join forces this July for the Hoodie Weather tour. The all ages shows will feature sets from The Never Ever, Nine Sons of Dan, A Sleepless Melody, Way with Words, and With Confidence.

After successful shows in New York City to support their new EP Ghosts and Ghouls, Sydney’s The Never Ever are keen to get back in front of local audiences.  No doubt Melbourne’s A Sleepless Melody will be just as keen, as they’ve spent a quiet few months writing new material. After supporting the likes of Yellowcard, Simple Plan, and Good Charlotte in the last 12 months, Gold Coast’s Nine Sons of Dan are in fine form. Way with Words and With Confidence are newer names on the scene, but they’re also bound to impressions with their indie pop sounds.

The fun kicks off in Sydney on July 5 before traveling to major capital cities around the country. Tickets are on sale now through Oztix.

5 July 2013 – The Brewhouse, Sydney,
7 July 2013 – Studio 454, Brisbane
11 July 2013 – HQ, Perth (Nine Sons Of Dan and With Confidence not appearing)
12 July 2013 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide
14 July 2013 – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Spirit Faces Bring Back Soft Rock with “Moose Mountain Medicine Wheel”

Sydney’s Spirit Faces takes us back to the seventies with their very mellow new single “Moose Mountain Medicine Wheel.” The trippy title’s only the start of this song’s retro vibe. Its sound reminds me of the soft folk-rock my dad used to play me. I can’t believe something so chilled out was recorded in the heart of Sydney!

If you still bust out James Taylor and Neil Young on vinyl, you’re going to love this. And if you do, make sure you catch Spirit Faces celebrating their single launch for hometown fans at Brighton Up Bar on May 30.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lucy Roleff Wows with “Volkshaus”

Lucy Roleff gives us a taste of her forthcoming debut EP Longbows with the release of her haunting first single “Volkshaus”.

Lucy’s an accomplished musician trained in opera, piano, and flute. She’s taken those classical influences and used them to inform something much more modern in her single. It’s simply stunning, unhurried wish exquisitely lush instrumentation.

“Volkshaus”, like the rest of the tracks on Longbows, was recorded in a dusty church in the Melbourne suburb of Parkdale. If you’re intrigued by that, make sure you look out for Longbows when it’s released in September.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Splendour Acts Come to Adelaide for Spin Off Festival

If you missed out on tickets for Splendour in the Grass, don’t stress. The good folks at Spin Off Festival are bringing many of the event’s big names to Adelaide on August 2.

The Spin Off Festival serves up a killer line-up of eclectic acts including Of Monsters and Men, Chet Faker, Passion Pit, and Dune Rats. Fans will enjoy their talents in the intimate surrounds of the Thebarton Theatre. Age is no barrier either. While it’s a licensed gig, music lovers of all ages are welcome.

Tickets are a whole lot cheaper than Splendour too at just $99. Get yours from Venuetix now.

Image source: Kennysun @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Falling For Bill Parton Trio Again

Bill Parton Trio have treated us to another piano-pop gem with their latest single “Falling for You Again”.

“‘Falling For You Again’ as the title suggests is all about rediscovering a dormant internal love that you might have had for a person at an earlier stage in life but disappeared for whatever reason and then came back later in life,” explains lead singer William Parton.

The track has a really epic feel that’s reminiscent of The Beatles meets Coldplay. It’s another really solid offering from this exciting new band.

“Falling For You Again,” the follow-up to “Going Away”, is also lifted from the South Australian act’s debut EP, which is available as a digital download.