Palace of the King Release Rocking Debut Album

Melbourne rock act Palace of the King take me back to the 70s with their new track “Another Thing Coming.” It’s got a great classic rock feel, with chunky guitars and a chorus that just begs you to sing along.

The song comes from the band’s debut album White Bird/Burn the Sky, which was released today. They’re currently touring it around the country before they head to Europe for shows in October. Those international dates are yet to be finalised, so keep your ear to the ground if you’re living abroad!

19 June 2015 – Crown and Anchor, Adelaide
4 July 2015 – Cherry Bar, Melbourne
12 July 2015 – Frankies Pizza, Sydney

“Absence” – Alanna Eileen

Every now and again you encounter a voice that stops you in your tracks and songs that tug at your heart. You listen to them and instantly you want to tell everyone you know that they have to hear them too. I’m lucky, because I have a blog and I can share not just with the people I know, but a whole bunch of strangers. Because I don’t care if I know you or not; I need to tell you about Alanna Eileen and her stunning EP Absence.

The first thing that struck me about this Melbourne folk singer was her voice. It’s so gorgeous, ethereal and delicate, almost fragile but with a quiet strength too. I could listen to it all day and not tire of it. It’s paired beautifully with simple instruments like a strumming acoustic guitar and a gentle piano. The instrumentation gives the EP its fullness, but it never threatens to steal focus. That’s a good thing too because the lyrics need to be heard. Alanna has such a gift. Her words are poetic without being flowery. They get to the heart of things and leave such an impression.

I especially loved the longing of “Absence Tonight,” a heartbreaking ode to a soured relationship. “The Mirror and the Mime” is another standout, a song of self-reflection that’s so eloquently realised. “Stranded” is such a tender, poignant way to close this exquisite EP.

Absence is such a special collection of songs. It’s intimate and personal, with lyrics that show Alanna’s heart and draw you in. The songs have such a magical quality to them. They certainly cast a spell on me, because the moment Bandcamp prompted me that maybe I should buy it rather than simply hearing it for free, I coughed up my Paypal details.

Alanna is preparing to record her first full-length album. It’s a good thing too, because I need to hear more music from her.

Save the Date: Melbourne Guitar Show

If you love guitars (and who doesn’t?) get yourself to this year’s Melbourne Guitar Show.

It’s set to be the country’s largest pop-up guitar shop with all the biggest brands on sale, collector’s items, workshops, and performances from local guitar gods like Jeff Lang, Lloyd Spiegel, Davidson Brothers, James Ryan, and heaps more. Along with acoustic and electric guitars, you’ll also find ukuleles, amps, traditional stringed instruments, and heaps more.

“We are excited to showcase our industry’s products and the wealth of local talent that Melbourne and Australia has to offer,” said Australian Music Association CEO Rob Walker. “We seek to grow our guitar community, educate and entertain.”

Thousands are expected to attend the show at Melbourne’s Caulfield Racecourse on August 8 and 9. Will you be one of them? Adult tickets are $20 at the gate or $17 if you pre-order.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Japanese Wallpaper Releases Debut EP

Local electronic prodigy Japanese Wallpaper will release his self-titled debut EP tomorrow. It’s a celebration of the incredible music he’s produced over the last 18 months, including the dreamy recent single “Forces ft. Airling.”

Japanese Wallpaper will mark the EP’s release with a string of shows to warm up for his big Splendour in the Grass slot. These will be his last shows for the year as he hits the books and prepares for his final exams.

2 July 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
4 July 2015 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney (18+)
5 July 2015 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney (ALL AGES)
11 July 2015 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (18+)
12 July 2015 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
24 July 2015 – Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Inertia

The Ultimate Neighbours Guide to Melbourne

Much more than a soapie, Neighbours is a national institution, as important to music fans as it is to TV addicts. What music lover could resist seeing the place where talents like Kylie Minogue, Delta Goodrem, and Natalie Imbruglia got their start? If thoughts of Erinsborough have you dreaming of a Melbourne holiday, here’s how to make the most of your stay.

Book a Neighbours Tour

A Neighbours tour is the best way for you to really discover what Neighbours is all about. Bunyip Tours operates the original official Neighbours tour. It will take you to Global Television film studio in Nunawading. There you’ll see the Lassiter’s Complex, Fitzgerald Motors, Harold’s Store, and of course Charlie’s Bar where so many great acts like Ben Lee and The Wombats have played over the years. You’ll also get a Neighbours postcard to take home as a souvenir.

Visit Ramsay Street

Image via Flickr by snoozeuk

The exterior shots of Ramsay Street aren’t created in a studio though. All the houses you’re familiar with are actually in a place called Pin Oak Court in the Melbourne suburb of Vermont South. Remember that these are real residences, so you should be respectful of the people who own these homes. They’re used to tourists though, so they won’t mind you snapping a photo or three.

Head to Erinsborough High

There have actually been a couple of Erinsborough High Schools over the years. Blackburn English Language School and Coburg Senior High School have both been used for exterior shots. Since they’re real schools you won’t be allowed on the grounds, but you can admire them from the street.

Put Your Neighbours Trivia Knowledge to the Test

Image via Flickr by timparkinson

Discover whether you’re a true Neighbours buff at the Neighbours trivia nights held most Mondays from 7 at St Kilda’s Elephant & Wheelbarrow. Neighbours stars mingle with fans during the trivia questions, so it’s a great opportunity to get a photo with your favourite actor. Don’t get too distracted by the stars though; there are big prizes on offer like trips to The Whitsundays and New Zealand, so it pays to have your wits about you.

After three rounds of trivia, Alan Fletcher (Dr Karl Kennedy) entertains the masses with his band The Waiting Room. Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson) often jams with the band too. Tickets for the Neighbours trivia nights are available at the Elephant & Wheelbarrow door on the night for $40.

Stay in the City

You might think you need to head to the suburbs to get closer to fictional Erinsborough, but it’s actually smarter to stay in the centre of Melbourne. Bunyip Tours’ Neighbours tours leave from Flinders Street, so you can walk to the meeting point if you stay at Holiday Inn Melbourne on Flinders or the Great Southern Hotel. The trivia night also runs a courtesy bus which will pick you up from inner-city accommodation. These hotels aren’t just well located, they’re also very affordable unlike so many Melbourne accommodation options!

This post was written as part of the #HipmunkCityLove project. What Neighbours musical moment did you love most?

Sex on Toast Go Vintage with “Oh Loretta!”

Sex on Toast take us way back to the days of pastel dinner jackets and warm vintage keys with their latest single “Oh Loretta!”

It feels like it’s come from a cheesy lounge club, but I can’t imagine the lyrics going down to well in that kind of environment! This single’s just so much fun, I can’t help wondering whether there’s more like this on the band’s Ready EP, which will hit stores later this year.

Sex on Toast will launch the single with a show at Sydney’s Good God Small Club on 19 June and another at Melbourne’s The Toff the following night.

Image used with permission from Wondercore Island

Eves the Behavior Releases Electric New Single


Local chanteuse Eves the Behavior has blown me away with her gorgeous new single “Electrical.”

It’s a powerful slice of indie pop, and the latest lifted from her debut EP, which will be released later this year. Eves’ impassioned vocals are sublime, the perfect foil for her poetic lyrics and the lush instrumentation.

“I feel like it’s commenting on the friction between the organic / analogue and the synthetic / digital and the quest to find a meaningful connection between the two. The song is triumphant but it’s also bittersweet. I stumbled out of a sort of numbness into both beauty and gloom. And the simple fact of feeling something made me woozy and victorious at the same time,” Eves explained.

Eves the Behavior hasn’t announced any shows to support the single, but if you’re heading to Splendour you won’t want to miss her set.

Image used with permission from Dew Process

Stonefield Release Dreamy New Single

Stonefield have always been influenced by the music of the 60s, but their latest single “Golden Dream” is much more psychedelic than their previous efforts. There’s still the rock edge that first endeared the Findlay sisters to us, but its trippiness is brand new.

“The song has a real sense of female strength. It thrives on the energy of a man longing for her to come back to him,” explained Amy Findlay. “It’s a woman’s perspective of the classic masculine band-on-the-road story – reassuring their partner back home that they’ll come back to them. I love that the strength of the female presence is contrasted by the more delicate vocal.”

Stonefield are hitting the road this month to support the release of “Golden Dream” and give fans a taste of the new material they’ll hear on album number two, due out later this year.

26 June 2015 – Shadow Electric, Melbourne
2 July 2015 – The Brightside, Brisbane
3 July 2015 – GoodGod Small Club, Sydney
4 July 2015 – SS&A, Albury (FREE SHOW)
5 July 2015 – Home Tavern, Wagga Wagga
10 July 2015 – CATS @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide
11 July 2015 – Four5Nine @ Rosemount Hotel, Perth
12 July 2015 – Mojo’s, Fremantle

Image used with permission from 123 Agency

The Lulu Raes Tour Sunny Single

Sunshine is in short supply at the moment, but The Lulu Raes are spreading it with their summery new single “Swing Me on a Vine of Sunshine.” This is such simple, feel good stuff. I ended up listening to it three times in a row with a big smile plastered on my face.

The Brisbane band will take the single to the East Coast capitals this winter. Catch The Lulu Raes at the following venues.

26 June 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
3 July 2015 – Shebeen, Melbourne
4 July 2015 – Goodgod Small Club, Sydney

“Love is the Great Rebellion” – Ben Lee

Ben Lee is one of those artists that doesn’t like to stay in one musical place for too long. He’s often been angry and experimental, but my favourite Ben Lee is folky, loved-up Ben Lee. He’s the guy who makes very accessible light poppy songs that just make you feel good. That’s the Ben Lee we have showcased on Love is the Great Rebellion, my favourite Ben album since 2007’s Ripe.

It charts some of the same territory as Ripe, but with the wisdom that a happy marriage and fatherhood brings. That wisdom is captured beautifully in the opening number “Giving Up on Miracles,” a song which says goodbye to the romantic fantasies and embraces the reality of a fantastic life. The overabundance of joy in songs like “Happiness” and might be a bit cloying if you’re not in the right frame of mind, but I find such cheer endearing. The mellow, assured knowledge of “The Body of Love” really struck a chord with me. On an album like this even a song called “Everybody Dies” reeks of positivity.

I started listening to Love is the Great Rebellion on a pretty good day which quickly went south. When I was up, it echoed my sentiments. When I was down, stressing about my cat who was admitted to the vets for the second time in a week, it buoyed me. It’s not an album for the cynical, but for the rest of us it’s a wonderful pick-me-up.

Love is the Great Rebellion hits stores on June 2. It’s available for pre-order now with a free download of the single “Big Love.”