Month: October 2010

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Ready for Summer with The Rooftops

Are you all getting excited about summer? It’s so close that I can feel it. I put on one of my favourite sun dresses last week, and was so thrilled to be able to step out with bare legs! If you’re not in a summery mood yet, Brisbane band The Rooftops should get you there with their new single “Something So Familiar.”

If you want to give it a listen just head to their website to download it for free from the main page. I love it when a band is so generous, particularly when they’re this good. That infectious groove and rich brassy sound are music to my ears, so to speak!

“Something So Familiar” comes from the band’s forthcoming third album, which only makes me wonder where they’ve been all my life! If you dig them, you can catch them doing their thing live at the following shows.

22 October 2010 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
23 October 2010 – The Armidale Club, Armidale
29 October 2010 –The Renaissance Festival, Melbourne
30 October 2010 – The Brunswick Hotel, Melbourne
5 November 2010 – The Queens Arms, Adelaide
6 November 2010 – The Jetty Bar, Glenelg
12 November 2010 – Front Gallery, Canberra
13 November 2010 – The Mac, Sydney
14 November 2010 – The Junkyard, Maitland
19 November 2010 – The Loft, Gold Coast
20 November 2010 – The Club House, Brisbane
4 December 2010 – Bump Nights, Noosa

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Glenn Esmond’s Bit on the Side

The Butterfly Effect’s Glenn Esmond has a brand new band. He’s currently broadening his horizons with the new act A Family of Strangers.

The outfit came to be when Glenn found himself coming up with new songs that didn’t quite fit with TBE. The solution was obvious; he needed to create a new one.

“A Family of Strangers has been a fantastic opportunity for me to go back to basics and create something from the ground up. I wrote and recorded the songs, I’m promoting the music and I’m managing myself,” Glenn explained. “The satisfaction of heading back to the beginning, trying some new ideas and building it up from a grassroots level is pretty immense. The idea of these songs being heard and resonating with an audience is exciting to me and so, more than anything, this debut EP is about paying dues and getting out there to people one on one and connecting.”

Side projects can be a bit hit and miss, but I love this song “Don’t Forget,” from A Family of Strangers’ forthcoming EP New Techniques for Beginners and Champions. It’s got such an epic, melodic rock sound. It’s a bit more commercial than a lot of The Butterfly Effect stuff, but that only makes it that more accessible. If this is a taste of what’s to come when the EP hits stores on November 12, we’re all in for a treat.

If you like what you hear, you can check out the rest of the tunes when the band plays live in Queensland and Victoria next month.

5 November 2010 – Hard Rock Cafe, Surfer’s Paradise
6 November 2010 – X&Y Bar, Brisbane
11 November 2010 – Bended Elbow, Geelong
12 November 2010 – Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne
13 November 2010 – Pelly Bar, Frankston

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Paper Scissors Tour “Lung Sum” Single

Sydney indie rockers The Paper Scissors are busy travelling about the country in support of “Lung Sum,” the first single from their sophomore album In Loving Memory. This is great stuff; really original and melodic and quirky. Take a listen!

The lads will showcase tracks from their forthcoming album release, and of course a few old favourites, at the following shows. If you like what you hear make sure you get out there and support them!

15 October 2010 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
21 October 2010 – Lambda Lambda Lambda, Brisbane
22 October 2010 – Great Northern, Byron Bay
23 October 2010 – Clubhouse, Toowoomba
29 October 2010 – Hermann’s, Sydney
5 November 2010 – Curtin University, Perth

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Doves and Kool & The Gang Announced for Playground Weekender

Doves and Kool & The Gang will head up the 2011 line up for Playground Weekender.

Next year’s festival has a really interesting bill, with international acts De La Soul, Kate Nash, Caribou, and Roy Ayers joining local acts Hungry Kids of Hungary, Danimals, and Strange Talk. More bands will be added to the line-up in the coming months.

It’s all happening in a picturesque spot near the Hawkesbury River from February 17 to 20. Tickets go on sale on October 18, and are strictly limited to keep things feeling chill. I’d get in early if I were you, as there are big savings on the three and four-day first release tickets.

Image used with permission from Light Parade

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

One Last Brittle Tour for 2010

Alternative rock act Brittle will take to the road one more time this year to promote their current EP, The Owls, which is still available for free digital download through the band’s website.

I figured after the massive 22-date run they did earlier this year they’d be exhausted, but I guess not! It seems these lads live to be on the stage, with lead vocalist Ben “Tokyo” Whiting commenting, “We are a band that is driven by playing live. If you like our band you MUST see us live!!”

You’ve been told! Make sure you arrive early to the following shows to check out the support acts Ikarii and Click on Colour too!

19 November 2010 – The Barn, Bayswater (18+)
21 November 2010 – Fist2Face, Ringwood (All Ages)
24 November 2010 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle (18+)
26 November 2010 – St James Hotel, Sydney (18+)
27 November 2010 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne (Under 18s)
27 November 2010 – Revellers, Melbourne (18+)
11 December 2010 – The National Hotel, Geelong (18+)

Image used with permission with AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Corby Tours New EP “Transition to Colour”

Matt Corby is heading out on the road to support the release of his brand new EP, Transition to Colour.

Transition to Colour hits stores on October 22, which should give fans just enough time to learn all the lyrics before the shows in November and December. The EP is the first Aussie release for Communion, the indie label helmed by Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons and Kev Jones of Cherbourg. It is a haunting and ethereal collection of songs which show a musical maturity beyond Matt’s 19 years. He recorded it in London with Ian Grimble (The Libertines, Seasick Steve), a process which has been described as a “magical time” for all involved.

And there’s more where this came from. Matt’s just returned home from his most recent trip to the United Kingdom, which saw him record his debut album. We should see that in stores here and in the UK next year. Until then, we’ve got the following gigs to look forward to! And don’t worry Queensland, you haven’t been forgotten. Look out for your shows next year!
13 October 2010 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (with Passenger UK)
14 October 2010 – Melt Bar, Sydney (with Daniel Lee Kendall)
11 November 2010 – Fly By Nightclub, Freemantle
12 November 2010 – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
3 December 2010 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide
4 December 2010 – Thornbury Hotel, Melbourne
5 December 2010 – National Hotel, Geelong
7 December 2010 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
8 December 2010 – Otis Bar, Wollongong
9 December 2010 – The Independent Theatre, North Sydney
10 December 2010 – View Factory, Newcastle

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Flicks Not Broken Up, But On a Break

Brisbane punk-popsters Flicks have decided to take a breather, although fans will get a chance to say goodbye before their extended hiatus.

“Earlier this week for the first time in a month Flicks sat down as a full band and discussed our future together,” the band said in a statement. “The final decision we have come to is a hard one but we feel it is also the right one. We have come to the decision that we will be going on an extended break from playing shows. We are all going to go our separate ways for a little while to try and write some truly exciting new music for you all. It is important to understand that we are all good friends still and that Flicks is not dead. We have been playing the same songs and basically the same set for so long we need to breathe new life into the band and reinvent ourselves to some extent with new music.”

Flicks will still appear at Brisbane’s On the Pulse festival on October 23 as scheduled before playing a charity show in Sydney later this month. It was important for the band to get one last chance to connect with their very loyal fan base.

“You guys have always been so supportive of us,” they said. “We have some of the most enthusiastic, supportive and amazing fans ever and we truly appreciate everything you do for us to help spread word about the band. We will be back we just don’t know when … but it will be with new music and better than ever. This is not goodbye … we’ll see you again.”

Let’s hope so!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amanda Grafanakis Gets X Factor Axe

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Cast member of 'The X Factor' Ronan Keating poses during a media call on July 30, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mike Flokis/Getty Images)

Tonight’s X Factor saw India-Rose Madderom and Amanda Grafanakis face off in the bottom two. And Mitchell Smith again miraculously escape the public vote, but the less said about that the better.

I felt that India’s performance on the Sunday show was much stronger, but her lackluster rendition of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” left much to be desired. Amanda may never compare to the great Bette Midler, but she did a really credible job of her iconic ballad “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

It seems her efforts weren’t enough though, and Amanda got the boot. Poor Ronan’s hanging on to this competition by a thread. Surely pinning all of your hopes on Altiyan is a scary proposition!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Roof Raisers” – Keith!Party

I mentioned when I reviewed Class A’s album Me, Me, Me & Him: The Secret Life of a Receptionist last month that I don’t listen to a lot of rap. Since then more music of this genre has been passing my desk and changing the way I think about rap. The latest is Roof Raisers, the sophomore album of Melbourne’s Keith!Party.

The name is pretty appropriate. This is the kind of album that you’d put on at your next bash to make sure everyone’s dancing and having a good time. It works as a cohesive unit rather than a collection of disparate songs, taking you from crazy floor fillers to songs that are a bit smoother and sexier.

Adding to the party atmosphere is a host of special guest artists. This is nothing new for a rap album, but here it seems less about proving who you know than creating that celebratory vibe.

I love the old school naughtiness of “Sexy is What People Call HD” and the chilled out ambience of “Miracle Flow.” At more than six minutes the closer “The K-Team” drags a bit, but considering the group claims to be the last ones to leave the party perhaps that’s appropriate!

Roof Raisers has a fun, positive vibe with clever lyrics that are definitely worth listening out for. It’s available now through the band’s MySpace page, but will officially launch in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane soon, so keep reading Sounds of Oz for all those details.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Top 9 Do Party Anthems

I’m back home and back to The X Factor blogging with the Top 9 taking on party anthems.

India Rose Madderom kicked off the night with “Jai Ho.” It was a left of centre song choice, but I think the risk paid off. This is a tough song to sing, but she nailed it. The choreography was also great; it created a real sense of occasion without compromising her vocals. And she looked stunning. What a great start to the night!

My love of The Eagles might be swaying my opinion of Andrew Lawson’s performance of “Heartache Tonight,” but I didn’t like this. It felt a bit cheesy and contrived, like a Broadway number from a musical flop. He did look a lot more comfortable on stage than he has in the past, but I also felt that he didn’t really connect with the lyrics or song. It’s about more than performance after all. Maybe he can put it all together next week?

Amanda Grafanakis took on The Black Eyed Peas “I’ve Got a Feeling,” and delivered a fairly lackluster performance. I just didn’t feel it. She sang it well, except for a few shaky high notes, but there wasn’t enough conviction behind it. I also found all of the background movement a bit distracting, especially those flipping shirtless men!

Luke and Joel got the party started with Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” For me this was the best performance to that point, simply because it was so much fun. Yes it had vocal flaws, but it was so enjoyable that it just didn’t matter. There was not a person in their seats while they were on stage, and that’s a party.
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