The first music video to catch my attention this year is the quirkily cool “Take It Out,” the debut single from The Level Spirits. There’s an alt country vibe to this track, which features gorgeous vocals from Molly-Jean Morrison. I also love the film clip, which takes a fun look at the perfect nuclear family, with the addition of a handy voodoo doll. The Melbourne band has currently taken up residence at The Cherry Bar, so if you like this tune make sure you venture out on Wednesdays to see what they’re all about!
Month: January 2011
Heartbreak Club Sign with Centrifuge
Heartbreak Club’s 2011 is off to a great start after signing with Centrifuge Music Publishing Group.
Centrifuge isn’t one of the big names in the Australian industry, but it boasts an impressive roster featuring Noiseworks, Sierra Fin, Artisan Guns, and The Never Ever. Surely joining a relatively small label will see Heartbreak Club’s talent nurtured on a really personal level.
Heartbreak Club say they plan to release one more single from their debut album Our Horse is Dead early this year before knuckling down to write their next disc. Watch this space for more details on that!
Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment
Guy Sebastian Reclaims ARIA Number One
After being ousted from the top spot last week, Guy Sebastian has returned to the number one position on the ARIA Singles Charts this week with “Who’s That Girl.”
Again he’s keeping company with Jessica Mauboy, who’s holding on to the top 10 by her fingernails with “Saturday Night.”
There doesn’t seem to be any stopping Altiyan Childs, who is again holding down the number three spot on the album charts with his self-titled debut. Guy Sebastian is nipping at his heels though, with Twenty Ten moving up two places to sit at number six.
Click below to see the entire ARIA top 10!
Leo Sayer, Ian Moss, & James Reyne Headline Melbourne Zoo Concerts
Melbourne Zoo has announced a cracker line-up for its annual Zoo Twilights summer concert series.
Leo Sayer, Ian Moss, and James Reyne are amongst the big names scheduled to play between January 15 and March 13.
Gates will open at 5:30 pm, allowing punters to visit a few animals before the shows start at 7 pm.
Book your tickets through the Melbourne Zoo for the following shows.
15 January 2011 – Wendy Matthews and The Hello Morning
16 January 2011 – The Pink Show
22 January 2011 – James Reyne & Band and Nick Barker
23 January 2011 – Briefcase Full Of Blues: The Blues Bros Tribute And The Australian Van Morrison Show
29 January 2011 – Babba
30 January 2011 – Ross Wilson and the Peacenicks
5 February 2011 – Diesel & Band and Ryan Meeking
6 February 2011 – The Australian Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show
12 February 2011 – Dragon and Ronit
13 February 2011 – Pure Blondie: The Tribute Show
19 February 2011 – Ian Moss and Matt Walker & Ashley Davies
20 February 2011 – The Australian Queen Tribute Show
26 February 2011 – Babba
27 February 2011 – Neil Diamond Super Hits Show
5 March 2011 – Pseudo Echo and Brittle
6 March 2011 – The U2 Show: Achtung Baby
12 March 2011 – Leo Sayer and Taneille
13 March 2011 – Daryl Braithwaite & Band and Michael Paynter
Image source: Rachel Hofton @ Flickr
Aussies Impress in Aria Annual Top 100 Charts
ARIA has revealed its annual top 100 lists, and as it turns out we were a pretty patriotic lot this year.
There were 30 Aussie records in the albums charts, our best showing since 2007. Angus & Julia Stone’s Down the Way was the best charting local disc, landing the number seven possie. Considering its relatively late release, I was also impressed to see Altiyan Childs’ self titled debut sitting at number 19. He just edged out John Butler Trio’s April Uprising, which sat at number 20, and Birds of Tokyo’s self titled debut, which charted at number 24.
It was a less impressive year for Aussie singles, but we still managed to see 14 tracks in the top 100. Guy Sebastian did his bit with both “Who’s That Girl” (42) and “Art of Love” (90), while Yolanda Be Cool and DCup was the standout with “We Speak No Americano” at number 34.
You can see the full results at the ARIA website, but if you’re just interested to see how the Aussies fared click below!
Continue reading “Aussies Impress in Aria Annual Top 100 Charts”
Keith! Party Announce Album Tour
Feelgood Melbourne hip-hop outfit Keith! Party will hit the east coast capitals later this month to support their sophomore album Roof Raisers.
When I reviewed this disc last year I mentioned its party atmosphere, and I don’t expect anything but a major celebration when the band does it live. There can be up to 20 people in the posse at any one time, including dancers, DJs, performance artists, and even a contortionist. I imagine they have a pretty mad tour bus!
If you want to join in the fun, make sure you catch Keith! Party at the following venues.
8 January 2011 – The Decline of Modern Civilisation @ Step Inn, Fortitude Valley
15 January 2011 – Death Rave @ Dirty Shirlows, Marrickville
25 January 2011 – Official Album Launch @ Newtown Workers Club, Fitzroy
Icecream Hands Reunite for Sweeter Than the Radio
Melbourne’s Icecream Hands will play for their home town one more time later this month. The indie band hasn’t played together since their 2007 album, The Good China.
The one-off show will see Icecream Hands going back in the vault to play their 2000 release, Sweeter Than The Radio, in its entirety. The acclaimed disc was nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album at that year’s ARIA Awards.
To mark this very special reunion, Dust Devil Music will sell the band’s rare live acoustic album Live at Manchester Lane at the show. If you want a copy, and to relive a bit of Australian music history, make sure you get down to the Northcote Social Club on January 29. And until then, check out this awesome video filmed at that Manchester Lane show!
Emmure Postpones Aussie Tour
New York metalcore act Emmure have postponed their Australian tour, which was scheduled to kick off next Wednesday in Brisbane.
No reason was given for the change, except for the standard “due to circumstances beyond the band’s control” line. That sort of thing is always hard for fans to hear, but at least there is happy news in the announcement that they’ll instead play here in May/June.
Dates and venues for the new Emmure run are yet to be confirmed, so the band is offering refunds to all current ticket holders. Simply take your tickets to your point of purchase for to get your money back.
Image source: Gunmetal Angel @ Wikimedia Commons
The Waifs Tempting Tour
The Waifs have left us waiting two years for a tour, so they’re making amends in a big way with a monster run of dates through February and March.
The Western Australian born outfit, who now spend much of their time Stateside, will play shows to support their brand new album Temptation. With their sixth disc set to drop in early March, these shows will give some fans a little sneak peek at what’s to come.
Tickets are available from many of the venues now, and if they’re not already they will be soon!
22 February 2011 – Moruya Memorial Hall, Moruya
23 February 2011 – Anita’s Theatre, Wollongong
24 February 2011 – Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
26 February 2011 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
27 February 2011 – Civic Theatre Newcastle, Newcastle
1 March 2011 – The Northern, Byron Bay
2 March 2011 – Nambour Civic Centre, Nambour
3 March 2011 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
5 March 2011 – Old Broadwater Farm, Busselton
6 March 2011 – Castelli Estate, Denmark
8 March 2011 – Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah
9 March 2011 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle
10 March 2011 – Astor Theatre, Perth
12 & 13 March 2011 – Port Fairy Folk Festival, Port Fairy
15 March 2011 – The Gov, Adelaide
17 March 2011 – The Forum, Melbourne
19 & 20 March 2011 – Blue Mountains Folk Festival, Katoomba
21 March 2011 – Moncrieff Theatre, Bundaberg
23 March 2011 – James Cook University Uni Club, Townsville
24 March 2011 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
26 March 2011 – TBA, Darwin
27 March 2011 – Mangrove Resort, Broome
Image source: The Waifs website