Brisbane rockers The Strums are taking their music on the road, and on the water, this month to support their new single “Gimme Some Hope,” the second cut from their debut EP Are You Picking Up What I’m Putting Down.

The shows should help convert music lovers to The Strums foot-stomping, hip-shaking brand of rock and roll. With three national tours in the last six months, The Strums are running like a well-oiled machine.

The run of dates kicks off in The Strums’ home town with a pretty unusual gig. How many bands can say they’ve played on a boat cruising around the Brisbane River? From there the band will take in the pubs and clubs on Australia’s major capitals and key regional centres.

13 April 2012 – Boatcruise ‘Southbank Wharf A,’ Brisbane
26 April 2012 – The National Hotel, Geelong
27 April 2012 – The Loft, Warrnambool
28 April 2012 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne
3 May 2012 – Gallery Bar @ Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
4 May 2012 – Yours and Owls, Wollongong
5 May 2012 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
11 May 2012 – The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
12 May 2012 – Enigma Bar, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Footstomp Records

She’s been so busy touring the country it’s amazing to think Owl Eyes had any time to hit the studio. But she did, and the brand new single “Crystalised” is the result.

The track is the follow-up to Owl Eyes’ breakthrough single “Raiders.” It’s taken a whole year for a new song to hit the airwaves, but if the early reaction from fans and critics is any indication it was worth the wait.

Owl Eyes’ will take a well-deserved break from songwriting to take “Crystalised” to the masses. The shows will give fans a sneaky first listen to the songs from her forthcoming debut album, as well as some old favourites.

Tickets are on sale now through Moshtix.

18 May 2012 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
20 May 2012 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
24 May 2012 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
25 May 2012 – Oh Hello, Brisbane
26 May 2012 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore

After a big 2011, which saw them releasing a self-titled EP and taking three national tours, Split Seconds are ready for the next chapter. They’ll start that part of the story soon with the release of a new single “Top Floor” and an Aussie tour supporting it.

“Top Floor” is a handclapping, melodic pop gem, and our first taste of Split Seconds’ debut album. The song drops on April 18, which will give fans plenty of time to learn the words before the tour commences.

This is no ordinary run of dates either. With Sydney psychedelic popsters Underlights sharing top billing, the shows should be real parties! Tickets go on sale tomorrow from the venues and usual outlets.

10 May 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
12 May 2012 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
18 May 2012 – X&Y Bar, Fortitude Valley
19 May 2012 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
24 May 2012 – Good God Bar, Sydney
25 May 2012 – The Beresford, Surry Hills

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

They’ve been in hibernation for some time, but Melbourne’s Blackchords are finally ready to unleash some new music. The band has just wrapped up the recording of album number two, and they want you to hear it.

Blackchords laid down the long awaited disc in the picturesque Yarra Valley with the help of former The Frames guitarist turned producer David Odlum. No doubt fans are eager to have the disc in their hands, as it was their efforts through the website Pozible which funded its recording.

The album won’t hit stores until August, but Blackchords will tide fans over with the release of their new single “Dance, Dance, Dance.” The band will launch the new song at The Phoenix Public House in Brunswick on April 14. Tickets are a steal at just $10 from Moshtix.

Image used with permission from Chrissie Vincent Publicity

I was delighted to hear Delta Goodrem back on radio today with her new single “Sitting on Top of the World.” With a bit of a song drought and her relocation to the United States, she sort of dropped off my radar. It’s so great to have her back!

I’m also thrilled this song is so upbeat and optimistic. While I love Delta’s gut-wrenching ballads, we really were saturated with them. This song is a perfect slice of pop, with a positive message and killer vocals, naturally. It’s no surprise that it’s so good though, as Delta worked with Grammy Award winning producer John Shanks on the track. The single, which is officially released on April 13, is the first cut from Delta’s next album, which should hit stores later this year.

Its release is really well timed just a few days ahead of the premiere of The Voice. I’m reminded of the way Jennifer Lopez faded from view only to burn up the charts when she sat on the American Idol judging panel. Do you think we’ll see the same from Delta?

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

The Good Ship wowed me with the unique pirate rock of their debut album Avast! Wretched Sea. Now two years later they’re back with a brand new batch of music.

“Seven Seas” is the first single to come from the Brisbane’s band’s second album, which will finally hit stores in the middle of the year. It gets inside the head of a sea loving man serving time for murder and craving his beloved ocean.

To make amends for the extended delay in The Good Ship goodness, the band’s giving away the single, and a cover of Ween’s “Object,” through their website. And they’re also hitting the East Coast for a long awaited tour. Here are all the places you can catch them singing their modern sea shanties in the coming months.

13 April 2012 – The Vanguard, Sydney
14 April 2012 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne
20 April 2012 – Beetle Bar, Brisbane
28 April 2012 – Royal Mail Hotel, Goodna
3 May 2012 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore

Image source: The Good Ship Bandcamp page

N’Fa Jones has blown my mind with the video for his new single “March On.”

The clip sees the former 1200 Techniques frontman singing along some cute little cartoon critters. The Grizzly Brothers worked on the clip which was shot live using stop-motion animation techniques. There’s right, there was no post-production to clean it up. Impressive stuff indeed!

The cool clip is just what N’Fa needs to promote his new EP Babylon, which hits music stores everywhere on April 6. To celebrate its release N’Fa will play the following launch shows around the country. Tickets are on sale from Moshtix now.

30 March 2012 – The Manor, Leederville (with DJ Charlie Bucket)
12 April 2012 – The Factory Floor, Marrickville (with Tom Showtime)
13 April 2012 – The Cambridge Side Bar, Newcastle (with Tom Showtime)
19 April 2012 – The Grace Darling, Collingwood (with Remi Kolawole & Tom Showtime)

General Pants Co.’s innovative Major Label initiative is celebrating its second birthday with a brand new signing.

Melbourne electro-pop quartet Mildlife are the latest indie act to join the program with their new single “Milk & Wool.” Their sound is an interesting blend of retro influences and contemporary innovation. No wonder it caught the ears of the General Pants Co. crew.

You can head to the General Pants Co. website and click on Major Label to hear “Milk & Wool” for free. If you love it you can also purchase it from iTunes, secure in the knowledge that General Pants Co. returns all royalties to the acts it signs up.

And remember if you’ve got a band you might be Major Label’s next signing. Simple submit your track via General Pants Co.’s website or take your demo into your nearest General Pants Co. store.

Image used with permission from AVM Publicity

Australian expat Jo Schornikow has wowed me with her sweet pop-folk tune “Bird’s Nest,” the first cut from her debut solo record First Time, Long Time.

“Bird’s Nest” gives us a taste of what we can expect on this disc, which hits stores tomorrow. The track is really reflective of Jo’s nomadic lifestyle, as it was written in London and recorded in a Melbourne church. That setting might seem strange for the uninitiated, but Jo loves recording in churches and the bedrooms of her close friends.

Jo left our shores in 2008 for the bright lights of New York City. She joined The Shivers and spent the last few years touring the United States and United Kingdom with them. She’ll return home to launch First Time, Long Time at The Grace Darling on April 12.

Image used with permission from Blank Tape

The Messengers take us back to the swinging 60s with their retro inspired new single “We Can’t Get Along.”

The track is such a unique blend of classic sounds. I can hear some surf rock, some psychedelic sounds, and some pure pop harmonies. It’s so different, and completely irresistible.

Their last single launch sold out, so make sure you head out early to catch them launching single number two at The Toff on March 24. For readers playing along at home, yes that’s the same night as Brave Face’s single launch. These exciting Melbourne acts are sharing the bill!