I’ve fallen hard for the raw confessional lyrics and sweet ethereal voice of Brisbane singer-songwriter Diefenbach. He sent me his song “Loser” this week, a cut from his sophomore album Missing Person, and I just can’t stop playing it.

It seems I should have discovered this Queensland talent some time ago. He’s won a bunch of cabaret awards and performed alongside Kate Miller-Heidke, Paul Capsis, and The Dresden Dolls. There’s a gorgeous sense of theatre to his music, but it doesn’t feel as dated and affected as some showtunes do.

I’m really keen to hear more, so I’ll make sure to post a review of Missing Person up here when I get my hands on the disc. But before then I wanted to make sure you all know about Diefenbach’s album tour. He’ll play a string of acoustic shows in Melbourne bookended by full band sets in Sydney and Brisbane. On the strength of this one incredible song I have no hesitation urging you all to get out and hear Diefenbach’s amazing music at the following shows!

9 February 2012 – El Rocco, Potts Point
10-12 February 2012 – The Butterfly Club, South Melbourne
16 February 2012 – The Zoo, Fortitude Valley

Image used with permission from Jake Diefenbach

Did you enjoy last night’s broadcast of Straight To You – Triple J’s Tribute to Nick Cave? Well if so you’re in luck, because the ABC is about to release the double CD and DVD.

The show was a fitting homage to Nick’s career, from his early outfits Boys Next Door and The Birthday Party to his celebrated work with The Bad Seeds and newish outfit Grinderman. He’s the most continually played artist on Triple J, an incredible feat that’s a testimony to his longevity.

Triple J assembled an amazing collection of artists who showed a clear appreciation for the material they tackled. I particularly loved Bertie Blackman and Muscles take on “Do You Love Me?,” Lisa Mitchell’s gorgeous version of “The Ship Song,” and Kram, Dan Sultan, and Lisa getting together on “There is a Kingdom.”

I can relive all those moments and more when the double CD hits stores on February 10. The DVD will follow on March 2.

Image used with permission from Universal Music Australia

With Australia Day celebrations in full swing it seems an appropriate time to mention that one of our most dinky-di performers, John Williamson, will release his new album The Big Red tomorrow.

The Big Red is actually John’s 48th studio recording, which is a fair effort by anyone’s summation. It features songs penned by John over the past three years about our country and its people. You know what you’re getting here; John’s always reliable and that’s exactly why we love him.

The album features the first single “Hang My Hat in Queensland,” which is an autobiographical tale of John’s life in the Sunshine State.

“At last The Big Red is out of the box. I think those who know my music will think ‘Yes! This is what we’ve been waiting for from Willo.’ For those who don’t know; clear the mind of American influences. This is purely Australian. I hope it makes you as proud as I am of the place,” he said in a statement.

John will see plenty of his beloved country over the coming months when he embarks on The Big Red tour. Tickets are available from the venues for the following shows.

27 January 2011 -  Tamworth Town Hall, Tamworth
16 February 2011 -  Wellington Entertainment Centre, Sale
17 February 2011 -  Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre, Wonthaggi
18 February 2011 -  Frankston Cultural Centre, Frankston
19 February 2011 -  West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul
22 February 2011 -  ’99 on York’, Sydney
24 February 2011 -  Swan Yacht Club, East Fremantle
1 March 2011 -  Redlands Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland
2 March 2011 -  Logan Entertainment Centre, Logan Central
3 March 2011 – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
4 March 2011 -  Caloundra RSL, Caloundra
21 March 2011 -  ’99 on York’, Sydney
29 March 2011 -  Shepparton Eastbank Centre, Shepparton
30 March 2011 -  Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat
31 March 2011 -  Hamilton Performing Arts Centre, Hamilton
1 April 2011 -  Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong
11 April 2011 -  Brolga Theatre, Maryborough
12 April 2011 -  Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton
13 April 2011 -  Mackay Entertainment Centre, Mackay
14 April 2011 -  Townsville Civic Theatre, South Townsville
18 April 2011 -  ’99 on York’, Sydney
19 April 2011 -  Cessnock Performing Arts Centre, Cessnock
20 April 2011 -  Newcastle West Leagues Club, New Lambton
21 April 2011 -  Nelsons Bay Diggers, Nelson Bay
22 April 2011 -  Toronto Workers Club, Toronto
4 May 2011 -  Campbelltown RSL Club, Campbelltown
5 May 2011 -  North Sydney Leagues Club, Cammeray
6 May 2011 -  Castle Hill RSL Club, Castle Hill
16 May 2011 -  Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany
17 May 2011 -  Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury
18 May 2011 -  Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah
19 May 2011 -  Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton
23 May 2011 -  ’99 on York’, Sydney
24 May 2011 -  Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, Bathurst
25 May 2011 -  Orange Ex-Services Club, Orange
26 May 2011 -  Dubbo Regional Theatre, Dubbo
27 May 2011 -  Condobolin RSL Club, Condobolin

Image source: John Williamson media room

We’ve all heard of those new age restaurants that ask diners to pay what they think their meal is worth. Now Brisbane electronica act Arundel is encouraging us to do the same with his music.

Arundel is so excited to release his second EP Olive Caves, he wants as many people to hear it as possible. So he’s inviting us to download it from his Bandcamp website. Consequently we can enjoy the music for free or choose to donate some money to fund additional projects if we’re so moved.

“Essentially, the collaborators and I make music for people like you to hear, and we don’t want anything to get in the way of that,” Arundel explained.

I particularly like the lead track “A Deep Freeze,” but there’s a lot to appreciate about this EP. It redefines what I think of as electronica with its rock influences and lyrical content, and that alone makes it worth a listen.

Blanche DuBois’ third album Young Heart has just hit stores, so the Melbourne twosome is celebrating with a string of new shows, and a free download.

“We’re both really proud of this record,” explained one half of the dynamic duo, Nadija Begovich. “It’s been a long time in the making as we had a break between this and our last, but I think the break served us well as we’re writing from a much better place.”

Music lovers can get a taste of Young Heart by downloading the new single “The War in Me” for free from Blanche Dubois’ Facebook page. If you like what you hear make sure you catch the band at The Toff in Melbourne on February 11, or The Ellington Jazz Club in Perth on March 11.

This is just the start of some major touring over the next few months. Blanche Dubois will announce more shows around the country in the coming weeks.

Image used with permission from Alpha Entertainment

Hoodoo Gurus will celebrate 30 years in the business with some musical friends and their fans on their Dig It Up! The Hoodoo Gurus Invitational tour.

Since they released their debut 7-incher Leilani the Hoodoo Gurus has become one of the most beloved in Australia, thanks to big hits like “What’s My Scene?” “The Right Time,” and “Miss Free Love ‘69.”

These shows are bound to be something special as the band have promised they’ll play their landmark debut LP Stoneage Romeos in its entirety, plus a swag of other hits. Add in an enviable supporting bill including Died Pretty, The Sonics, The Lovetones, and Hard-Ons and you’ve got the kind of gigs that don’t come along every day. Sadly not every band performs at every show, but I’ve got the details outlined below.

And as if all that wasn’t enough, Sony will mark Hoodoo Gurus 3oth anniversary with the release of a new greatest hits collection, Gold Watch: 20 Golden Greats. Look out for the hit-filled album, featuring a new single “Use-By Date,” in store on March 16.

Tickets for the following star-filled Hoodoo Gurus shows go on sale from the usual outlets on Monday January 30.

20 April 2012 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (supported by The Sonics & The 5.6.7.8’s)
22 April 2012 – Enmore Theatre, Notes Live, and The Green Room, Sydney (supported by The Sonics, Died Pretty, Redd Kross, The 5.6.7.8′s, Tek & Younger, The Fleshtones, Hard-Ons, Belles Will Ring, Royal Headache, The Lovetones, The Straight Arrows; plus alternative comedy, spoken word, guest DJ’s with more TBA)
24 April 2012 – HQ, Adelaide (supported by The Sonics)
25 April 2012 – The Palace, Melbourne (supported by The Sonics, Died Pretty, Redd Kross, The 5.6.7.8′s, The Fleshtones, Hard-Ons, The Lovetones and more TBA)
28 April 2012 – The Astor Theatre, Perth (supported by Redd Kross and The Fleshtones)

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

The Tiger and Me blew me away with their last double A-side single “So Let It Go/The Little and Lost,” so I was thrilled to see what they’d serve up next. “The Smoke” is the latest helping from the band, an exquisite folky number that’s perhaps even better than their last offering.

The song comes from The Silent City, the second in a trilogy of recordings produced by Tasmanian composer Myles Mumford. The song builds so beautifully, from its stripped back twin harmonies to a lush sound featuring piano and horns. There’s a lot going on, but that intricacy never gets overwhelming.

Needless to say, I’m floored. That third EP can’t come soon enough; I need to hear more from The Tiger and Me. The Silent City hits the shelves of good record stores today.

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Faker are getting into the Christmas spirit, announcing that they’ll give their new album Get Loved to fans for free.

In an open letter the band’s frontman Nathan Hudson said that “The point and excitement in writing and releasing Get Loved is in danger of being missed.” He continued that the band recorded the album a year ago expecting to unleash it straight away. However changes in management and lineup combined with a bunch of red tape to see that release date pushed back time and time again.

In the meantime their most recent tour was “less than well-attended” and the band realised music lovers were “unsure or who or what the band is.” And so Faker rejected the latest January 2012 release date and, with the help of EMI, moved things forward on their terms.

“For those of you that have been incredibly patient and have made the effort to discover and listen to our new music, we thank you and want you to know that we’re doing this for you,” he wrote. “If we hold this record back any longer, it’ll just feel like we’re taking the piss.”

And so Get Loved will be available to download for free from midday tomorrow through Faker’s website. It sees the band close this chapter as they head into the studio to get started on their next album, and the next phase of their career. Hopefully it won’t take so long for the next disc to drop!

Image source: Safetypinheart @ Flickr

Lester The Fierce isn’t quite as scary as her name suggests, but there’s still something dramatic and dangerous about this Melbourne chanteuse. I’m so taken with her breathtaking single “Holland,” which comes from her debut EP The Summer Deluge. Get ready for some enchantingly ethereal vocals and a whole lot of feathers.

Lester The First will launch the EP tomorrow night in front of her home town fans at the Phoenix Public House. Make sure you turn up early for support slots from Clue To Kalo and Mouth Tooth.

Jack on Fire recently released Sermons from the Eastern Seaboard, their dark follow-up to their 2009 debut album Stranger Cain.

These two tracks showcase the eclecticism of the release. “Less Than Ordinary” is devilish bluegrass, while “New Moon” feels more modern and haunting. Jack on Fire sounds so unique, and by all reports they’re just as gripping live.

Music lovers in their adopted hometown of Melbourne can see the band doing their thing at the EP launch. Jack on Fire will play the Phoenix Public House in Brunswick on December 2 ahead of a national tour in the New Year.

Image used with permission from Hooked Up Records