Like many Aussies I wasn’t familiar with the music of Drawn from Bees, but this Brisbane band is making some real waves in North America with dates approaching at Canadian Music Week and South by Southwest.

Their EP Cautionary Tales for the Lionhearted will get an American release on March 1, which is sure to elevate their profile here and abroad. I gave the recording a few spins this afternoon and found it to be really mature, sophisticated stuff. The band harmonizes beautifully, and creates an amazing atmosphere which reminds me of Radiohead without the slit-your-wrists factor. While there’s certainly some darkness here, it never feels as gloomy and labored as the music the British band typically produced. The jangly guitars and rich melodies give these songs a warmth that elevates them out of the doldrums. I particularly loved “Stand Against the Storm,” which has shades of Talking Heads to it, and “Picture Show,” which builds so beautifully to a stirring crescendo.

Tunes from the EP and a few extras are available through Drawn From Bees’ MySpace page. If you like what you hear, make sure you check out what the band can do in the flesh at the following shows here and abroad!

18 February 2011 – 34B (above Spectrum), Sydney
5 March 2011 – The Manhattan Room, Philadelphia
6 March 2011 – Howlers, Pittsburgh
7 March 2011 – Euclid Tavern, Cleveland
8 March 2011 – Pearl St Grill, Buffalo
10 March 2011 – Canadian Music Week @ Bread & Circus, Toronto
12 March 2011 – Canadian Music Week @ Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto
13 March 2011 – Aussie BBQ @ Bowery Ballroom, New York
15 March 2011 – Cactus Instore, Houston
16 March 2011 – SXSW Party @ International Psych-Out, Austin
16 March 2011 – SXSW Party @ Aussie’s Bar & Grill, Austin
17 March 2011 – SXSW Party @ Dart International Music House, Austin
20 March 2011 – Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar, Houston
21 March 2011 – Reggie’s Music Joint, Chicago
22 March 2011 – Elbo Room, Chicago
24 March 2011 – Hennessey’s Hooley House, Boston
25 March 2011 – Hank’s Saloon, Brooklyn

Guy Sebastian’s awesome fifth album Like It Like That has finally scored a US release. The album is available exclusively in Barnes & Noble stores through their Red label.

The record has a few things that should help to endear it to US fans. There’s David Ryan Harris twiddling the knobs, and John Mayer lending his guitar skills to three tracks. Not to mention the star power of Jordin Sparks on the duet “Art of Love.”

And then there’s Guy, who should win the Americans over with his charm and exceptional talent.

To help things along, Guy will play a string of shows along the West Coast next week. If you’re around these venues, make sure you drop in and catch Guy at the following shows.

7 July 2010 – Dougfir Lounge, Portland
8 July 2010 – House of Blues, San Diego
9 July 2010 – Club Nokia, Los Angeles
10 July 2010 – Regency Ballroom, San Francisco
11 July 2010 – Hotel Utah, San Francisco
12 July 2010 – Triple Door Musicquarium, Seattle
13 July 2010 – Hotel Café, Los Angeles

Did you notice that Angus & Julia Stone are still sitting pretty at the top of the ARIA charts? Their latest album Down the Way has retained the number one position for the second week, and achieved gold status to boot. The album has already sold more than 40, 000 units, and counting!

The siblings will wrap up their current Australian tour at this weekend’s Bluesfest. From there it’s off to the United Kingdom, Europe, and North America for tours to support the album’s international release. Many shows have already sold out, so if you’re abroad I’d pick up your tickets soon!

10 April 2010 – Schouwburg Motel Mozaique, Rotterdam
12 April 2010 – Duke of York’s Picture House, Brighton (SOLD OUT)
14 April 2010 – Pavilion, Falmouth (SOLD OUT)
15 April 2010 – Cooler, Bristol (SOLD OUT)
16 April 2010 – Brudenell, Leeds
17 April 2010 – King Tuts, Glasgow
18 April 2010 – Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh
20 April 2010 – Glee Club, Birmingham
21 April 2010 – Ruby Lounge, Manchester
22 April 2010 – Shepherds Bush Empire, London
26 April 2010 – Gebäude 9, Cologne
27 April 2010 – Atomic Cafe, Munich (SOLD OUT)
28 April 2010 – Lido, Berlin
29 April 2010 – Molotow, Hamburg (SOLD OUT)
30 April 2010 – Vega, Copenhagen
2 May 2010 – Debaser, Stockholm
3 May 2010 – John Dee, Oslo
5 May 2010 – Paradiso, Amsterdam
6 May 2010 – Oosterpoort, Groningen
7 May 2010 – Café de la Danse, Paris
26 May 2010 – Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Hollywood
30 May 2010 – L’Astral, Montreal
2 June 2010 – Revival, Toronto
8 June 2010 – Union Hall, Brooklyn

You might not have heard of neo-grunge outfit Violent Soho yet, but the boys from Brisbane are already making waves in America.

The band have the backing of Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore, who signed the lads up to his record label Ecstatic Peace last year. Their debut single “Jesus Stole My Girlfriend” is all over American alternative radio. It comes from their self-titled debut album, which was released in America last week. We can expect to see it in local stores later this month.

The band has a busy tour schedule across North America over the next few months, including a pit stop at SXSW. If you’re Stateside, make sure you catch this new Aussie success at one of the following shows.

18 March 2010 – Rusty Spurs, Austin
19 March 2010 – Emos, Austin
19 March 2010 – Molotov Lounge, Austin
19 March 2010 – Red 7 Patio, Austin
20 March 2010 – Maggie Maes, Austin
22 March 2010 – Riot Room, Kansas City
24 March 2010 – Triple Rock, Minneapolis
25 March 2010 – Subterranean, Chicago
26 March 2010 – Frankie’s, Toledo
27 March 2010 – Eagle Theatre, Detroit
28 March 2010 – Call The Office, London (Ontario)
29 March 2010 – Mod Club, Toronto
30 March 2010 – Petit Campus, Montreal
31 March 2010 – Jerky’s, Providence
1 April 2010 – Maxwell’s, Hoboken
2 April 2010 – Williamsburg Music Hall, Brooklyn
3 April 2010 – North Star, Philadelphia
5 April 2010 – Paradise Rock Club, Boston
6 April 2010 – Bowery Ballroom, New York
7 April 2010 – Sonar Lounge, Baltimore
8 April 2010 – Rock N Roll Hotel, Washington
9 April 2010 – Chameleon Club, Lancaster
10 April 2010 – The LC, Columbus
11 April 2010 – Southgate House, Newport
12 April 2010 – Pops, St Louis
14 April 2010 – Black Sheep, Colorado Springs
16 April 2010 – Bluebird Theatre, Denver
17 April 2010 – Urban Lounge, Salt Lake City
20 April 2010 – El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles
21 April 2010 – The Independent, San Francisco
22 April 2010 – House of Blues, Anaheim
23 April 2010 – City of Palms Park, Fort Myers
24 April 2010 – Jacksonville Fairgrounds
29 April 2010 – Emo’s, Austin
30 April 2010 – Scout Bar, San Antonio
1 May 2010 – Pizza Hut Park Edgefest, Frisco
10 May 2010 – Monarch, London
13 May 2010 – Gaymors @ Hectors, Great Escape Festival, Brighton
16 May 2010 – KAZR Lazerfest, Des Moines
22 May 2010 – Rock on the Range @ Crew Stadium, Columbus

Image source: Matt Kleinschmidt @ Flickr