Win Big When You Preorder Jacob Butler’s Debut Album

It’s been an awfully long wait for Aussie fans, but Jacob Butler’s debut album Reason will finally get a local release on August 16. The album from this Australian Idol graduate features the singles “Kites”, “Come My Way”, and “UKOK?”

It pays to preorder, as doing so will put you in the running to win some great prizes including a Sony Bravia 42” LCD TV, one of ten Sony Xperia Go Billabong edition smartphones, and one of ten pairs of Von Zipper sunglasses.

To enter simply forward your iTunes or JBHiFi.com.au receipt, or the docket from your favorite e-tailer, to jbcomp@redrebelmusic.com.au, along with the reason you love Reason in 25 words or less!

Image used with permission from Linda Sarah

Carmichael Does the Monster Mash

Brisbane electro-popster Carmichael has created something truly special with his latest musical effort, “Monster Lovesong”.

Carmichael’s mashed up Adele’s take on The Cure’s “Lovesong” and Lady Gaga’s “Monster” to make something truly original and all his own. It’s eerie yet romantic, and complemented beautifully by the music video directed by Kasia Fryckowska.

360, Drapht, and Seth Sentry Headline Sprung Hip Hop Festival

After delighting hip hop fans in Brisbane for the past two years, the Sprung Festival is travelling down south. After playing Brisbane’s Victoria Park Cricket Ovals on September 21, the festival will move to Melbourne’s Kevin Bartlett Sport and Rec Complex on October 19.

This year’s all-ages event is shaping up to be something special, with 360, Drapht, Seth Sentry, Urthboy, and Thundamentals all on the bill. Considering the level of talent, the tickets are a steal at just $79 plus booking fee. Get yours through Oztix or the Sprung website.

Harrison Craig Back on Top of Albums Charts

Harrison Craig proves he’s a force to be reckoned with this week with his album More Than a Dream returning to the top of the ARIA albums charts.

It’s a massive feat for the reigning Voice champion, who kept Jay-Z from the top spot and bumped our own Bliss N Eso’s Circus in the Sky down to number three.

Hillsong Live have also fallen with Glorious Ruins slipping from number three to six.

Josh Pyke made plenty of noise on Facebook this week about stores failing to stock his newie The Beginning and the End of Everything, so it’s impressive to see it still managed to snag the number seven spot on debut.

Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey are also continuing to make an impact on the charts with The Great Country Songbook. It sits at number nine this week.

We’re back to the usual suspects in the singles charts, with stayers Timomatic and Matt Corby sitting at number seven and ten respectively.

Click below for this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “Harrison Craig Back on Top of Albums Charts”

The Basics Announce Reunion Shows

If you thought the rise of Gotye spelled the end of The Basics, you’re in luck. Gotye’s back working with Tim and Kris, and the Melbourne trio are preparing to play a string of shows to celebrate.

The tour will promote the best of album Ingredients and the rarities disc Leftovers, both released earlier this year. But really we all know it’s just an excuse to have a good time with a Melbourne act we all thought we’d seen the last of.

“I think of this tour and every possibility that might come out of it as a sign from on high,” explained Kris Basic. “The break has been very healthy for us (aside from the actual near-death experiences) – a good bit of time to focus on ourselves, build on our strengths and see this band of ours from the outside. Talking to Tim and Wally lately, it’s evident how this new perspective has got us all excited about where we might go next.”

But before that next chapter, it’s time to reminisce about the music that was at the following shows.

12 September 2013 – The Spiegeltent, Brisbane
21 September 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
26 September 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
27 & Saturday 28 September – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
3 October 2013 – Transit Bar, Canberra
4 October 2013 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
6 October 2013 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Lenka Returns Home for Shadows Shows

With her third album Shadows now on record store shelves, Lenka’s preparing to take her new music to the masses with launch shows in the major capitals.

Lenka’s been spending much of her time in New York these days, so these shows are a bit of a home-coming for the former frontwoman of Decoder Ring. See her while she’s in town at the following shows.

24 October 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
25 October 2013 – The Vanguard, Sydney
26 October 2013 – Workers Club, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Remedy PR

Illy Impresses with “On & On”

Melbourne hip hop act Illy is giving us a tempting taste of his forthcoming album with the irresistible new single “On & On”.

I love this track. How could anyone dislike anything that combines such wisdom and good vibes? It’s got a much greater pop sensibility than most hip-hop tracks, and that makes it accessible from the first spin.

It’s already a firm favorite amongst fans, who launched a Twitter campaign for a digital release ahead of its official release. They won, and saw #onandon and @illyal trending nationwide.

“On & On” comes from Illy’s fourth album, which is scheduled to hit stores in late 2013. Illy will play the following shows to support the single with special guests Tuka, Allday and Elemont.

13 September 2013 – Oh Hello, Brisbane (18+)
14 September 2013 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney (Licensed All Ages)
20 September 2013 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
27 September 2013 – The Gov, Adelaide (Licensed All Ages)
28 September 2013 – The Villa, Perth (18+)
29 September 2013 – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury (18+)

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

David Bridie Floors Me with “Delegate” Video

David Bridie’s released one of the most powerful music videos I can remember watching for his new single “Delegate”. This is the kind of thing that speaks for itself, so I really shouldn’t waffle on. Just take five minutes out of your day to see this.

“Delegate” comes from David’s new album Wake, which he’s touring all around the country at the moment. Here are the remaining dates:

13 July 2013 – Visy Theatre @ The Powerhouse, Brisbane
18 July 2013 – The Loft, Warrnambool
19 July 2013 – The Ararat Hotel Red Room, Ararat
20 July 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
25 July 2013 – Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
26 July 2013 – The Basement, Sydney
27 July 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
28 July 2013 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
2 August 2013 – The Memo, Healesville
3 August 2013 – Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh
4 August 2013 – Montrose Town Centre, Montrose
17 August 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
18 August 2013 – Brookfield Margate, Margate

Bliss N Eso Top Aussie Charts

Bliss N Eso have scored their second consecutive number one album this week with their newie, Circus in the Sky. They also hit the top spot with Running on Air in 2010.

With that, Harrison Craig’s debut More Than a Dream was always going to slip, but I’m impressed that his album hasn’t fallen by much. He’s at number two this week, a feat that’s made even more impressive when you consider he’s fended off competition from Hillsong Live. Their albums always sell truckloads, but their latest Glorious Ruins could only manage a number three debut. When was the last time we saw three Aussie albums holding down the top three chart positions? Awesome stuff.

Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey continue to do great business with The Great Country Songbook. It’s slipped a little, but it’s still finished a respectable number six.

Timomatic and Matt Corby are also still hanging around the singles charts. Timomatic’s “Parachute” has dropped one spot to number four, while Matt’s holding steady with “Resolution” at ten. Samantha Jade’s enjoyed a respectable debut considering how long ago she won The X Factor. Her latest single “Fire Starter” sits at number nine.

Click below for the rest of this week’s top tens.
Continue reading “Bliss N Eso Top Aussie Charts”

For Our Hero Makes Girls Swoon with “Young Wolves”

For Our Hero are sure to set hearts fluttering with their new single “Young Wolves”, the album of the same name, and its launch tour.

Honestly as I started to listen to the lyrics, which are so poetically sensual that they’re cheesy, I cringed. But as I listened further, my deeply buried inner teenager came out, and I couldn’t help getting sucked in by it all. This is just the sort of thing that would have got me screaming as a teen, and I’m sure it’ll have exactly that effect on Australia’s younger generation.

“Young Wolves” is the title track from For Our Heros latest EP, and the result of a collaboration with Alex DeLeon of The Cab. Alex met up with the lads while in Australia supporting Maroon 5, and his stamp is all over this irresistible track.

In a very smart move, For Our Hero will play mostly all ages shows in August to support their latest album. Bassist Geoffrey Taylor says fans can look forward to “a stadium show squeezed into a sweaty room.” If you want to share a little of this hot band’s sweat, make sure you get yourself to one of these shows.

11 August 2013 – The Old Museum, Brisbane (All Ages)
17 August 2013 – HQ, Leederville (All Ages)
22 August 2013 – Next @ Colonial Hotel, Melbourne
24 August 2013 – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne (All Ages)
25 August 2013 – The Prom, Adelaide (All Ages)
31 August 2013 – The Lair @ Metro Theatre, Sydney (All Ages)