Not so Awkward San Cisco

Their latest song might be called “Awkward,” but I’d never use the adjective to describe Fremantle indie rockers San Cisco. This unsigned act sounds much slicker than anyone without the backing of a major label probably should, particularly considering all the members are under 18.

The song is so infectious with its retro pop feel. While its sound takes me back to the early 60s, its themes of teen awkwardness and text communication should speak to today’s youth.

Such talented youngsters scare me a bit. If they’re this good now, how mindblowing will they be once they’ve had the chance to marinate?

Dolly Parton @ Allphones Arena, Sydney – 29 November 2011

Where has the time gone? A week has passed, yet it seems like only yesterday I was settling myself in at Allphones Arena to catch living legend Dolly Parton.

It’s impossible to underestimate the presence of this woman. She steps on stage all big blonde hair and glittering rhinestones and grabs you, captivating you with her presence for the hours she spends on stage. Not bad for a woman of 65, is it?

As she burst on to the stage with her version of ’80s smash “Walking on Sunshine” we knew we were in for a special night. Dolly seems to delight in delivering the unexpected, whether it’s 80s pop, rap, or even bluegrass versions of Collective Soul’s “Shine” and “Stairway to Heaven.” I honestly could have done without the latter, but she gets major props for trying!

Of course with several hours to play with the hits were represented too. I was thrilled to see “Jolene” trotted out only a few songs in, and ecstatic to hear her end with the Holy Trinity of “Islands in the Stream,” “Nine to Five,” and “I Will Always Love You.” Her backup singer is no Kenny Rogers, but we were so thrilled to hear the duet that it mattered not. I also relished a few songs that I didn’t know before, especially “Coat of Many Colours” and her stunning a capella version of “Little Sparrow.”

I enjoyed those songs that were new to me mostly because of the stories Dolly weaved around them. She’s such a generous performer, one who stops to take the time to share herself with her audience. She showed us all her facets, including the playful side concerned with aging and flashy clothes and the dedicated daughter thinking fondly of her formative years. Those more heartfelt moments where she spoke of her large family, poor but happy and full of love, were so poignant and made her songs that much sweeter.

She told us that she hasn’t visited us for 25 years, and that she hopes that if it’s another 25 years before her return we still think she looks good for her age. I’m sure she will, but I really hope she doesn’t leave us waiting that long!

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Reece Mastin Still on Top

Reece Mastin has made it two from two, taking out the top spot on the ARIA singles chart with “Good Night” for the second week running. All too often we see songs bursting from reality TV shows starting strong, but I think this result in the second week is more telling. Suddenly this isn’t just about the die-hard X Factor fans rushing out to grab the single; Reece is grabbing the attention of new fans through the subsequent airplay.

Guy Sebastian’s bettered last week’s chart position, nudging up one spot to claim number six with “Don’t Worry Be Happy.” And it seems the ARIAs have reminded everyone how awesome Gotye and Kimbra’s collaborative effort was, because “Somebody That I Used to Know” has zoomed back into the charts to hold the seventh spot.

Sadly the ARIAs haven’t been so kind to the albums charts, as for the first time in a long time there isn’t a local release in the top 10. Perhaps we should start supporting our local industry while we’re doing our Christmas shopping!

Click below for this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “Reece Mastin Still on Top”

Easy Star All-Stars Bring Dub Side Down Under

Easy Star All-Stars are bringing their unique take on Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon to our shores. The innovative reggae act will play their most celebrated work, Dub Side of the Moon, in its entirety.

Dub Side is one of the most successful reggae albums of this century. It’s seen the Jamaican-American act play more than 30 countries over the last six years, including a Glastonbury set nominated in 2009 as the best festival show by the Festy Awards.

Easy Star All-Stars are planning to record their next tribute album in 2012, but before that they’ll play our major capitals and both Falls Festival dates. With Falls sold out, here are the places you can catch their sideshows.

30 December 2011 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
4 January 2012 – The Factory, Sydney
5 January 2012 – The Zoo, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Colin Hay Comes Home

Colin Hay will return to our shores next year with his one-man show.

The Men at Work frontman is still riding high on the success of his critically acclaimed recent release, Gathering Mercury. He’s been playing sell out shows in North America on the back of that album, so it’s exciting to him returning home for his biggest solo tour in recent years.

While that album will be represented, you’ll also get to hear plenty of Men at Work favourites and songs from Colin’s other solo releases. He’s one of those rare artists that seems to get better as the years march on. If you’ve never caught him before, or you’re ready for another serve, you can catch Colin at the following venues. Tickets are on sale now.

2 February 2011 – Boathouse, Launceston
3 February 2011 – Devonport Entertainment Centre, Devonport TAS
4 February 2011 – Theatre Royal, Hobart
7 February 2011 – Lizottes, Kincumber
8 February 2011 – Lizottes, Newcastle
9 February 2011 – Lizottes, Dee Why
10 February 2011 – Canberra Southern Cross Club
11 February 2011 – Caloundra Events Centre, Caloundra
12 February 2011 – Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane
15  February 2011 – The Basement, Sydney
16  February 2011 – The Basement, Sydney
17 February 2011 – Regent Theatre, Ballarat
18 February 2011 – Wangaratta PAC, Wangaratta
19 February 2011 – Riverboats Music Festival, Echuca
22 February 2011 – Wellington Ent. Centre, Sale
23 February 2011 – West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul
24 February 2011 – Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong
25 February 2011 – Playhouse Vic Arts Centre, Melbourne

Image source: Premier Artists

Faker Give Away “Get Loved” Album

Faker are getting into the Christmas spirit, announcing that they’ll give their new album Get Loved to fans for free.

In an open letter the band’s frontman Nathan Hudson said that “The point and excitement in writing and releasing Get Loved is in danger of being missed.” He continued that the band recorded the album a year ago expecting to unleash it straight away. However changes in management and lineup combined with a bunch of red tape to see that release date pushed back time and time again.

In the meantime their most recent tour was “less than well-attended” and the band realised music lovers were “unsure or who or what the band is.” And so Faker rejected the latest January 2012 release date and, with the help of EMI, moved things forward on their terms.

“For those of you that have been incredibly patient and have made the effort to discover and listen to our new music, we thank you and want you to know that we’re doing this for you,” he wrote. “If we hold this record back any longer, it’ll just feel like we’re taking the piss.”

And so Get Loved will be available to download for free from midday tomorrow through Faker’s website. It sees the band close this chapter as they head into the studio to get started on their next album, and the next phase of their career. Hopefully it won’t take so long for the next disc to drop!

Image source: Safetypinheart @ Flickr

Eliza Hull Goes Solo with “Five”

Describe Eliza frontwoman Eliza Hull is stepping out on her own with the release of her debut solo single “Five.” It’s a chilled out electronic-pop number with lush instrumentation and gorgeous vocals.

The track comes from Eliza’s forthcoming album Hourglass, which has seen her working with Gypsy & The Cat producers Jonathan Steer and Leigh Fisher, The Cat Empire’s Ollie McGill, and Mark Pearl from Texture Like Sun.

It’s a bit of a slow burner, but as soon as I heard it the first time I needed to hit play again. If this single is any indication, we can expect some really exciting stuff from Eliza Hull.