Month: December 2010

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jebediah Albums Finally Released Online

After a hiatus that stretched far too long, Jebediah are finally back together and in the studio preparing a brand new album for our listening pleasure. To celebrate, Sony Music has gone back in the vault to release a digital box set of the band’s first three studio albums.

Slightly Odway, Of Someday Shambles, and Jebediah will be available as a set called The Murmur Years 1997-2002, or individually. While you’re updating your MP3 collection you can also add the now out-of-print Gleesides and Sparities, and the indie release Braxton Hicks.

All that Jebediah goodness should get you in the mood for the newie, which will drop some time next year.

Image used with permission from Chrissie Vincent Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Resist The Thought and Buried in Verona Headline “I Wanna Give It” Tour

Resist the Thought and Buried in Verona are teaming up for one big Aussie metal tour this summer.

The Sydney bands will play just about everywhere over January and February. Resist the Thought have been called one of the “best young metal acts to ever grace an Australian stage,” while Buried in Verona are riding a wave following the release of their second album Saturday Night Sever.

It’s great to see plenty of all ages shows on the schedule. Rock on young things! Tickets for all gigs are on sale now.

13 January 2011 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide, SA (All Ages)
14 January 2011 – Old Gaol, Mt Gambier (All Ages)
15 January 2011 – The National Hotel, Geelong (All Ages)
16 January 2011 – Musicman Megastore, Bendigo (All Ages)
20 January 2011 – The Harp Hotel, Wollongong (18+)
27 January 2011 – Hot Damn, Spectrum, Sydney (18+)
28 January 2011 – Minto PCYC, Campbelltown (All Ages)
29 January 2011 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (18+)
30 January 2011 – The Wall, Sydney (All Ages)
2 February 2011 – Shed 5, Gold Coast (All Ages)
3 February 2011 – Boys Like Girls, X&Y Bar, Brisbane (18+)
4 February 2011 – The Fort, Brisbane (All Ages)
5 February 2011 – Black Box Theatre, Nambour (All Ages)
6 February 2011 – Youth Centre, Menai (All Ages)
12 February 2011 – Wesley Hall, Dubbo (All Ages)
18 February 2011 – Youth Centre, Tuggeranong (All Ages)
19 February 2011 – Masonic Hall, Blacktown (All Ages)
25 February 2011 – Amplifier Bar, Perth (18+)
26 February 2011 – YMCA HQ, Leederville (All Ages)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Profecy

Brisbane MC Profecy is making a name for himself with his exciting new hip hop sound, best showcased on his debut EP Let the Music Play. I caught up with Profecy to chat about the EP, his recent launch show, and what he brings to the hip hop genre.

You’ve recently released your debut EP, Let the Music Play. What can you tell me about it?
The EP is made up of five songs. I’ve got a couple upbeat tracks on there and a few emotional tracks. A lot of people complain about Aussie hip hop sounding all the same. My main focus was to create something that stands out from the rest and I think I’ve accomplished that.

A Belgian producer, Benno, produced the EP. What did he bring to your sound?
Benno is an extremely versatile and talented producer, the production behind the EP is a combination of old samples and live instrumentation.

You’ve also got American singer/producer DJ Corbett on one of the tracks. How did that collaboration come about, and what was he like to work with?
He was great to work with. I sent him the track and within a day he got back to me with the chorus and even added some DJ cuts. I think that song is one of the stand-out tracks of the EP. A lot of people say the beat has a Dr Dre feel to it.

I believe you set about creating an EP that differs from all the other Aussie hip hop around. How did you want to do that, and do you think you’ve succeeded?
Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot quality Aussie hip hop around but I think there is also a lot of poor quality as well. Aussie hip hop is strongly influenced by the 80s and 90s American hip hop, and a lot of Aussie emcees try to emulate this sound. I think it’s time for Aussie hip hop to evolve and that is what I’ve tried to accomplish in creating this EP.

Continue reading “Q & A with Profecy” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lamb Kick Off World Tour in Australia

Lamb will launch their world tour in Australia next year, with sideshows announced in addition to their appearance at Playground Weekender.

The tour comes ahead of the release of Lamb’s new album 5, their first in eight long years. That won’t drop until May 5, naturally, so it’s pretty exciting that we’ll get a sneak peek at the new material. I’m sure fans will also appreciate that energy that comes from seeing a band at the start of the tour, when they’re at their freshest.

“There’s something fresh and new about the music we’re writing,” explained Lou Rhodes. “It hasn’t been this way since the first album when we felt utterly unconcerned with what anyone felt about what we were doing. It was about the music and the journey that it took us on. We said we wouldn’t make another Lamb album until we had something new to say. That time has definitely come.”

If you want to hear them say it, make sure you pick up some tickets when they go on sale on December 17.

17 February 2011 – Prince of Wales, Melbourne
18 February 2011 – Hi Fi, Brisbane
20 February 2011 – Playground Weekender Festival, Wisemans Ferry

Image used with permission from Playground Weekender

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Musicians Go LIVE at Sydney Festival Art Installation

There are so many exciting musical acts winging their way to New South Wales’ capital for the annual Sydney Festival. Emmylou Harris, Sufjan Stevens, and Paul Kelly’s A to Z shows are grabbing all the headlines, but I think one of the most interesting events is LIVE: An Intimate Video Study of the Art of Performing.

It’s an installation which features some of Australia and the world’s most exciting musicians captured on film. Each artist has performed a song of their choosing against a simple white background. Visitors wear wireless headphones to choose the artists they want to hear, while they watch the visuals projected on one of four large screens.

The idea is that by stripping away the lighting, the screaming crowds, and the theatrics, we get closer to the heart of the song and the performer presenting it.  So many fantastic and fascinated artists are represented here, including Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Jarvis Cocker, Peaches, Juliette Lewis and our own Jimmy Little, Clare Bowditch, and as seen in this video snippet, Gareth Liddiard from The Drones.

Gareth will also perform on the LIVE opening night, along with Sarah Blasko, Kram, and Laura Jean. Tickets for the January 13 opening cost $45. If you can’t make it for that night you can see the LIVE installation from January 14 to 23 for $15, or $12 for concession holders. All tickets are available from the Sydney Festival website.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Caulfield’s Ned Jankovic

Sydney’s Caulfield are in the thick of a cross-country tour to promote their debut album Clarity In A Sea Of Confusion. Somewhere along the way the band’s guitarist Ned Jankovic found time to chat to me about life on the road, the album, and the band’s exciting live act.

I’ve heard your music described as punk, hardcore, and alternative whatever that term means these days. For the uninitiated, how would you describe your sound?
Heavy breakdowns, huge melodies, delays that can make the Edge from U2 cry … ha. It’s mainly a mix of different styles but if I had to “categorise” it, it’s post-hardcore which is a style that mixes hardcore but with a more melodic element to it.

You guys have all been in other relatively successful bands before. What does that experience bring to this new outfit?
It brings a lot of things, better ways to tour, other, newer methods of promoting the band to the songwriting itself. Having all that experience helps the band progress in the right direction

How did you all come together?
Myself, Mahan and Andrew had a band around five years ago. Sadly the band disbanded but about a year and a bit ago we just started to jam again and here we are! We found Brad and Colin from ads on the net, but funnily enough we all knew each other from the scene.

You’ve just released your debut album Clarity in a Sea of Confusion. What can you tell me about it?
This is a record we are all very proud of. So far we have had an amazing reaction, and this CD translates well to our live show, which is what we want. This CD represents us to a tee. The title itself means a lot to us. We were searching for so long and this band is our Clarity. It’s brought us together to write some kick ass music.

Continue reading “Q & A with Caulfield’s Ned Jankovic” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jimmy Buffet Makes Long Awaited Australian Return

www.margaritaville.com/I always knew that the strong performance of the Aussie dollar would convince plenty of international artists to frequent our shores, but I’m not sure I was quite prepared for all the tours announced of late. The most recent addition to the list is Jimmy Buffet, who’s returning to Australia after 23 long years.

I have fond memories of growing up with Buffet’s music. I remember cheerfully singing “Why don’t we get drunk and spew” with my sister. Of course I learned years later the lyric was “screw,” but it’s probably a good thing Dad never corrected us! Come to think of it, I don’t think I ever got the full gist of “Margaritaville” either.

It’s a bit of a shame that Buffet’s only visiting Sydney, but I have a feeling that Parrotheads all over the country will be prepared to make the pilgrimage to the Opera House. Tickets go on sale on December 17 for the shows on January 23 and 24.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Other Tongues Does Christmas at the Gaelic

Sydney based-independent music company Other Tongues will help you survive Humpday with their big Christmas Party this Wednesday, December 15.

The event at Sydney’s Gaelic Club will feature sets from Jinja Safari DJs, locally based Ethiopian soulster Dereb the Ambassador, ex-Special Patrol front man Myles Mayo, and Amaya Laucirica.

It doesn’t sound like there’s going to be a lot of carols, but it does sound like a great way to ring in the silly season and expose yourself to some great new Aussie music. Tickets are just $10 from Moshtix (and at the door if any are left on the night), so they won’t leave too much of a dent in your Christmas budget.

Image source: Vivek Chugh @ Stock.xchng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Owl Eyes Does Summer Festivals, Shout Out Louds Support

Our very own Owl Eyes will be rubbing shoulders with some major international talent over the coming months.

She’ll support Swedish indie rockers Shout Out Louds at the East Brunswick Club, before gracing the stage at the Hot BBQ Festival in Portsea. Hot BBQ Festival might not grab the headlines of the Big Day Outs of this world, but with Mos Def, Hoodoo Gurus, and Boy and Bear all on the bill it should be every bit as hot as its name promises.

If you’re heading to Pyramid Rock, don’t miss Owl Eyes joining Illy for their new single “It Can Wait.” Her cameo appearance is bound to be one of the talking points of this year’s festival.

If you love Owl Eyes, and her new EP Faces, these are the places you can see her over the silly season!

31 December 2010 – Pyramid Rock Festival, Phillip Island (with Illy)
3 January 2011 – East Brunswick Club (supporting shout Out Louds)
22 January 2011 – Hot BBQ Festival, Portsea

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Bride and In Hearts Wake Team Up for Split EP

Split EPThe Bride and In Hearts Wake have combined their powers for one mighty metal EP, appropriately called Split.

Like so many of the best ideas in music, the EP came about after a drunken chat while the bands were touring together.

“We have seen split EPs work well in the past for some of Australia’s best artists so we thought, ‘Why not?’ Plus it was a great way to come out with our new vocalist and sound gearing up for our album,” explained The Bride’s guitarist Matt Gravolin.

“We had been on tour with In Hearts Wake for about a month and the more it was talked about, the more everyone got excited about the idea.”

It’s a great concept which should help expose the bands’ enthusiasts to one another’s audience. New fans are sure to follow. The six-track Split EP is out now through New Justice Records.

Image source: JB Hi Fi