Month: March 2011

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Kelly Scores Bob Dylan Support

Bob Dylan’s upcoming Aussie tour just got a lot cooler with Paul Kelly’s addition to the line-up.

Paul will warm up the crowds at Dylan’s shows in Melbourne, Sydney, and Wollongong. The support job in Adelaide will be left in the more than capable hands of BB King. If you’ve got tickets for shows in Victoria or New South Wales, make sure you turn up early to catch what’s sure to be a stellar set from our homegrown troubadour.

20 & 21 April 2011 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
23 April 2011 – Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
27 & 28 April 2011 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney

Image source: Andrew Braithwaite @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Congratulations Jenn and Alana!

Congratulations Alana McDonald and Jenn Rasmussen! You’re both about to be inundated with The Trews!

Keep an eye on your mailboxes for tickets to The Trews’ Aussie shows, a copy of the Canadian band’s album Friends and Total Strangers, and some extra Trews goodies.

Thanks to everyone that entered. Hopefully I’ll have another competition for you soon!

Image used with permission from Revolutions

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Blue King Brown Announce First Headline Tour

Blue King Brown have been a bright spot on the local music scene for several years, so it’s amazing to think they’ve never headlined a tour. They’re about to remedy the situation this May when they set off on their Worldwize national tour.

Blue King Brown should be in fine form as they’ve got shows scheduled at South by Southwest, Canadian Music Week, and Babel Med in France before they hit Oz. The band has enlisted some awesome supports for the local shows including Ash Grunwald, Zennith, and Diafrix. Tickets for the following gigs go on sale tomorrow.

12 May 2011 – ANU Bar, Canberra (with Diafrix)
13 May 2011 – Waves, Wollongong (with Diafrix)
14 May 2011 – Newcastle Panthers, Newcastle (with Diafrix)
15 May 2011 – Bellingen Memorial Hall, Bellingen (with Diafrix)
19 May 2011 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (with Diafrix)
20 May 2011 – The Forum, Melbourne (with Ash Grunwald and Diafrix)
21 May 2011 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta (with Diafrix)
22 May 2011 – Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra (with Diafrix)
26 May 2011 – Uni of Tasmania, Hobart (with Diafrix)
27 May 2011 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide (with Diafrix)
28 May 2011 – Tanks Art Centre, Cairns (with Zennith)
2 June 2011 – Metropolis, Fremantle (with Diafrix)
3 June 2011 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (with Diafrix)
4 June 2011 – The Metro, Sydney (with Diafrix)

Image source: Carlo Santone/AUM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Carus Thompson Releases Amazing New Single “You Can’t Find Me”

I first heard Carus Thompson when he supported the wonderful Dave Matthews Band way back in 2005. So I’m thrilled to see that all these years later he’s still making great music. The latest taste is “You Can’t Find Me,” the infectious first single from his soon-to-be-released fourth album Caravan.

The song tells tales of Carus’ last year traveling around Europe, a journey which included encounters with psychos in London and mushrooms in Amsterdam! The song’s got such a spontaneous energy about it that by the end you just want to play it again.

When I first heard Carus I thought he was pretty good, but the years have been kind to him. His sound has really developed beautifully, so it’s no wonder he’s been well received in Europe. Hopefully we’ll see him playing some local shows when Caravan hits stores this April.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Katie Noonan Leaves Sony for Independent Projects

Katie Noonan has parted ways with Sony Music Australia after three years and two albums.

Katie worked with Sony on her Beatles cover album Blackbird and Emperors Box, the album with her band The Captains. But now she’s spreading her wings as she looks to stretch herself artistically in a more creative, independent environment.

“My creative musings have always been fairly left of centre and we just felt that, moving forward, this may be better housed in an independent environment,” she said in a statement.

Katie will leave The Captains, at least temporarily, as she returns again to Elixir. The trio plans to record an album inspired by the poetry of Thomas Shapcott. It sounds intriguing, as most Katie Noonan projects do, so I can’t wait to give it a listen when it hits stores around August!

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with The Trews’ John-Angus MacDonald

Canadian rockers The Trews clearly love our country. They’re currently enjoying their second visit in 12 months with four solid weeks of local shows. I caught up with the band’s guitarist John-Angus MacDonald to chat about these gigs, The Trews’ new album Hope & Ruin, and why he loves Australia.

You’ve just kicked off a month-long stint in Australia. How are your shows going so far?
Good. We’ve had some great crowds so far and I feel like it can only get better from here. It took us a few days to get in the groove – we played our first show the day we flew in from Canada – but we feel like our internal clocks have now been reset and we’re ready to rock.

How do Australian audiences differ from the ones back home?
Not that different really, especially due to the huge number of Canadians turning out every night! I feel like our two countries have a lot in common which one of the reasons that I think we could have a good career here.

You were only just here last September. What encouraged you to come back so soon?
Back in the fall we feel like we caught a glimpse of what could be down here and wanted to get back soon to explore it further.

You’ve enjoyed real success in Canada, so it must be almost like starting over to come here where you don’t have that profile. What inspired you to try to crack the Australian market?
True, it’s a little like going back to our early club days in Canada but we feel that in order for the band to have longevity we have to break a few other markets. We can’t just have Canada or they’ll get sick of us!

Since you’re here for a month, are you planning on doing any sightseeing? What do you want to see?
Our drummer Sean and I have taken up surfing which has been great. I’d also like to tour the Opera House, climb the bridge, go to the zoo, swim with sharks … you know, the usual.
Continue reading “Q & A with The Trews’ John-Angus MacDonald” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy in a Box Scores British India Support Ahead of Single Release

Boy in a Box is coming out all guns blazing with his debut single “Glitter, Gold, Ruin.” The song is littered with chunky riffs and classic hooks. It’s music the way they used to make it, with a singalong chorus and anthemic overtones.

The track doesn’t drop until March 18 but Boy in a Box is already impressing the right people. He’ll join British India on their March into the Ocean tour, and enjoy a residency with Dangerous at Northcote Social Club.

Here are all the places you can catch this bright young talent over the next couple of months!

8 March 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
15 March 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
22 March 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
24 March 2011 – The Saloon Bar, Traralgon (with British India)
25 March 2011 – The Bended Elbow, Geelong (with British India)
264 March 2011 – Corner Hotel, Richmond (with British India)
29 March 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
30 March 2011 – CSU The Crow Bar, Wagga Wagga (with British India)
31 March 2011 – The Area Hotel, Griffith (with British India)
1 April 2011 – Goulburn Workers Club, Goulburn (with British India)
2 April 2011 – The Maram, Canberra (with British India)
8 April 2011 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide (with British India)
14 April 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane (with British India)
15 April 2011 – The Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta (with British India)
16 April 2011 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney (with British India)
21 April 2011 – The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay (with British India)
22 April 2011 – Port Macquarie Panthers, Port Macquarie (with British India)
23 April 2011 – The Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour (with British India)
24 April 2011 – The Great Northern, Byron Bay (with British India)
25 April 2011 – Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra (with British India)
13 May 2011 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (with British India)
14 May 2011 – Hornsby RSL, Hornsby (with British India)
28 May 2011 – Rosemount Hotel, North Perth (with British India)

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan Sultan & Archie Roach Play Bilyana

Two of Australia’s leading indigenous performers, Dan Sultan and Archie Roach, will come together for one special show on April 9.

These two talents will play at Bilyana, a natural amphitheatre nestled in Mount Pilot National Park, just outside the small Victorian town of Eldorado. It’s a beautiful spot, where families can come together to appreciate music. So it seems fitting that in Dan and Archie we see two generations coming together to entertain the masses.

Show tickets are available from the Try Booking website for $55 for adults, $38 for children, and $165 for families. This price includes use of a camp site at Bilyana, so it’s a great deal for music lovers looking for a show that’s a bit different.

Image used with permission from AUM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kylie Minogue Brings Aphrodite Tour to Oz

Kylie Minogue is winging her way back home from a national tour this June. Kylie’s Aphrodite Les Foiles tour will take in the major capitals, starting with Brisbane on June 3.

Expect a grand spectacle when Kylie touches down. The show apparently features multiple sets, a big golden horse, and water features. Then there is the set list, which combines newies from Aphrodite with plenty of old favourites.

Melbourne ex-pats Gypsy & The Cat are the unlikely support act. Pop princess meets indie darlings? Interesting!

Tickets for the following shows go on sale from March 15.

3 June 2011 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
7 & 8 June 2011 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney
14 & 15 June 2011 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
18 June 2011 – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
22 June 2011 – Burswood Dome,  Perth

Image source: Georges Biard @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Oh Sleeper’s Micah Kinard

Texan metal gods Oh Sleeper are planning a return visit to our shores as part of the massive No Surrender tour. I recently caught up with the band’s lead vocalist Micah Kinard to chat about his love for Australia, his relationship with touring buddies The Chariot, and Oh Sleeper’s plans for world domination.

You were only just here in September. What made you want to return to Australia so soon?
Have you seen your country? We had an awesome time there. It was so much fun, and everyone we met and worked with down there was a total delight, so we definitely wanted to get back as soon as we could. The first offer that popped up we took, so we’re excited about it.

This tour’s traveling from the west to east of Australia. Are you looking forward to seeing a bit more of the countryside than you did last time?
I am! It was actually pretty surprising, when we went there last time, it was our first time ever and the shows were all great, we had an awesome time at them. But also Taperjean, the company that brought us over, they received a bunch of e-mails from other places that wanted us to come through there also. So that was a nice surprise. I think this time we’re trying to hit all those places that we got e-mails from and, like you said, see more of the countryside which I’m really excited about.

And it’s all happening in the space of just eight days. Does that fast and furious pace suit you, or would you prefer to do things a bit more leisurely?
You kind of just get used to it. We’ve been doing this for the past five, five and a half years and that’s just kind of the pace it’s set at, you know? I’m pretty sure anyone in a touring band, especially internationally, can relate. It’s just a lifestyle you’ve got to get used to. You start to realise that vacations for you are more just staying at your real house, sitting in your back yard in a lawn chair. That’s a vacation; not really getting up and going somewhere.

How do audiences in Australia differ from those back home?
Really they were super welcoming. The States are great. When you have a good show in the States, it’s definitely crazy and off the wall. But the thing that was really nice about going to Australia is that everyone had a genuine appreciation for you being there. Even if they didn’t come to see you, they still gave you the respect of watching and applauding and everything like that. The shows that we had over there, the vast majority of them got pretty crazy. And as far as the fans, they were stage diving and crowd surfing and everything like that. The crowds were good enough to get us thirsty to come back, so we’re excited.

You’re touring Australia with fellow countrymen The Chariot. Now you go way back with these guys and have toured America with them. Are you looking forward to having them on the road with you?
Oh definitely. The Chariot’s one of our favourite bands to tour with. We’ve done a number of tours with them over here in the States. It’s kind of a situation where everyone in the bands clicks with each another, with the respective members of the other bands and everything, we all mesh well and the second we get together it’s always a fun time, so thinking of touring the world with your some of your best friends is always a recipe for a good time.

Continue reading “Q & A with Oh Sleeper’s Micah Kinard” →