Month: March 2012

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Never Ever Tour Times Two

The Never Ever will circle Australia a few times in the coming months to support the release of their highly anticipated EP Breathe, which hits stores today.

Sydney’s electro power pop quintet will give fans some time to become acquainted with the EP’s five songs, including the single “Love’s Got Me Tipsy,” before they hit the road on their Remember To Breathe Tour. Once the headlining shows wraps up there’ll be just a little breathing room before they join Simple Plan on their upcoming Aussie dates.

Here are all the places you can see The Never Ever in the coming months.

7 April 2012 – Expressive Grounds, Gold Coast (All Ages)
12 April 2012 – Leederville YMCA HQ, Leederville (All Ages)
12 April 2012 – Oh Snap! @ Villa Nightclub, Perth (18+)
20 April 2012 – EV Youth Centre, Croyden Melbourne (All Ages)
29 April 2012 – The Lair, Metro Theatre, Sydney (All Ages)
5 May 2012 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide (All Ages)
1 June 2012 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (with Simple Plan)
2 June 2012 – Festival Hall, Melbourne (with Simple Plan)
3 June 2012 – Panthers, Newcastle (with Simple Plan)
6 June 2012 – University Hall, Wollongong (with Simple Plan)
8 June 2012 – Southport RSL, Gold Coast (with Simple Plan)
9 June 2012 – Eatons Hills Hotel, Brisbane (with Simple Plan)
10 June 2012 – Caloundra RSL, Sunshine Coast (with Simple Plan)

Image used with permission from RAWR Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Sins of the Blessed” – Transvaal Diamond Syndicate

Brisbane based blues act Transvaal Diamond Syndicate grab us by the throat and don’t let go with their new album Sins of the Blessed.

It opens with the explosive “Devil on my Shoulder,” a foot stomping opening gem driven by its big slide guitar, and never really takes its foot from the throttle. The following track “I’m Your Ticket” is similarly compelling with its snarling sexiness. The third song “Blackwater” shows a different, softer side of the band. While its gentle groove takes things down a notch, it’s every bit as powerful as the high energy numbers that came before. It gives the album some real balance, allowing us a moment to catch our breath. More great numbers followed it, particularly the Charlie Daniels-esque “Pistols at Dawn” and the closing number “Cold-Hearted Killer.” This upbeat number with its throbbing bass line has a sinister underbelly which is so delicious.

At just seven tracks Sins of the Blessed is very short for an album. It’s too long for an EP, but very brief by modern album standards. However I think Transvaal Diamond Syndicate has done the right thing here. By choosing fewer tracks of real quality the Brisbane act has avoided the dreaded fillers that plague so many recordings. What’s included is swampy, gutsy, down and dirty, with a much bigger, ballsier sound than you’d expect a two-piece to deliver.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rainman Shows Off His Record Collection

Respected Queensland hip hop artist Rainman is currently traveling around the east coast to promote his brilliant new single “Darlin’.”

I love the way Rainman’s rapping works with Calski’s soulful vocals, but I think I love the accompanying clip even more. Rainman assures us it’s no music video, but when a piece of footage is backed by a single it’s hard to resist calling it one! Whatever it is, it introduces us to Rainman’s impressive vinyl collection. Colour me jealous!

The track, which is digitally released on March 23, comes from Rainman’s second album Bigger Pictures, which drops on May 4. Both release dates are a little while off yet, but Rainman is already building buzz on his single launch tour. Here are the remaining dates.

17 March 2012 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
12 April 2012 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (Free)
13 April 2012 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
14 April 2012 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
27 April 2012 – The Annandale, Sydney (Supporting Dialectrix)
28 April 2012 – Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle (Supporting Dialectrix)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nick Cave & Tex Perkins Play on Jeffrey Lee Pierce Tribute Album

Australian and international musicmakers have joined forces for a second tribute album honouring the music of Jeffrey Lee Pierce and his Gun Club.

Local acts Nick Cave, Mick Harvey, Tex Perkins, and Hugo Race cover Pierce’s tunes on The Journey is Long. Leading international acts Debbie Harry, Lydia Lunch, and Mark Lanegan have also leant their talents to the project.

The Gun Club’s music blended punk and American roots in a way that no one had ever heard before. Their albums influenced many modern day artists including Jack White, Jon Spencer, Hoodoo Gurus, and the acts that appear on the disc. After living hard with drugs and drink, the world lost Jeffrey Lee to a brain haemorrhage in 1996.

The Journey is Long will his stores on April 6. It follows 2009’s We Are Only Riders. A third and final volume, entitled The Task Has Overwhelmed Us, should be released later this year.

Image used with permission from Fuse Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

International Acts for Jazz in the Vines Festival

I expected Jazz in the Vines would be bigger than ever on its 20th anniversary, but I’m blown away at the talent assembled for 2012.

For the first time international acts will grace the stage at the Hunter Valley’s Tyrell Vineyards including New Orleans jazz legend Henry Butler and the United Kingdom’s Dixie Ticklers. They’ll join local heroes including Grace Knight, Tom Burlinson, and festival favourite Lisa Hunt.

More acts will be announced in the coming months, but that’s probably enough to get fans excited about the October 29 festival. Promoters will reward that loyalty by offering discounted early bird tickets Gets yours from the Jazz in the Vines website from March 19.

Image source: Grace Knight website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jack Colwell & His Owlchestra Launch “Captain’s Melody”

Where has Sydney’s Jack Colwell been all my life? The classically-trained composer come alt-pop musician has wowed me with his new single “Captain’s Melody.”

The track gets an official release on March 30, but you can have a sneaky early listen here. It’s such a rich track, with Cat Stevens’ like vocals and a stunning orchestral backing. That gorgeous sound comes from the band Jack’s dubbed his Owlchestra.

“Captain’s Melody” is the second single to come from Jack Colwell’s debut album Picture Window, which hits stores in May. To celebrate the new single’s release Jack and his Owlchestra will play a very special show at Sydney’s Conservatorium of Music on March 30. Tickets at the door cost just $20 for adults over 30, and $15 for folks under 30 and concession holders, and that includes complimentary drinks. That sounds like a bargain to me!

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Crooked Saint ‘s the Man in Waiting

Crooked Saint turns up the charm with this new single “Man in Waiting,” the second to come from his Sweating Bullets EP.

The Melbourne troubadour has created a gorgeous folk rock tune driven by his jangly banjo and warm harmonica. The song is about having too much fun, and the inevitable repercussions of living with such wild abandon. It was never intended to be a single, but it’s had such positive feedback that Crooked Saint couldn’t resist giving it a digital release.

After relocating to Sydney and Los Angeles for months at a time last year, Crooked Saint has turned his attentions back to his home state. He’s currently playing shows in his native Victoria, along with a very special Live in Your Lounge gig. Want him to play in your lounge? Then just head to ToneDeaf to enter!

15 March 2012 – Baha Tapas & Taco, Rye
16 March 2012 – The Torquay Hotel, Torquay
17 March 2012 – The Espy Basement, St Kilda
24 March 2012 – Live In Your Lounge

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Oceanics’ Jackson Haswell

This week Oceanics wowed me with their new single “Chinatown (Is Not Newtown),” so when I got the opportunity to chat to the band’s guitarist Jackson Haswell I jumped at the chance. Read on to find all about the song that’s stuck in my head, the band’s forthcoming EP, and life on the road.

You’re releasing your second EP at the end of the month. What can you tell me about it?
We’d like to think that it’s a solid step in a more mature direction. Wayne Connolly really helped us develop as a collective, and better understand the principles of songwriting.

What do you think you learned between the recording of your first EP and this one?
Once again, I attribute a lot of the learning process to Wayne Connolly here. Our approach to writing songs, especially at the guitar platform, has been influenced. Elliot and I began working on newer material even during the recording process of this EP, and are excited to keep trucking with our new approach.

What was it like stepping into the studio the second time around?
Considering it was a larger studio, miles from home, it was different to say the least. We borrowed Wayne’s excellent amp collection and really had a chance to mess around with sounds and make forward strides in our journey to finding our sound.

The EP features the single “Chinatown (Is Not Newtown),” which is one of the catchiest songs I’ve heard lately. Why did you choose to share it with the public?
Thank you very much! It was a decision influenced by radio pluggers and PR types from Melbourne to Brisbane. Next time I’d be very interested to see how a decision would fare, based purely upon the band’s collective instinct.

Your press release credits your friendship as one of the keys to the band’s success. How did you all meet?
That sounds cute. I would say we’re as friendly with each other as any other young band. We all have our own friendship circles outside Oceanics. Elliot and I were friends in high school, and met Andy and Tom later when we decided to take our Simon and Garfunkel guitar duo to the live stage.

You’re about to start touring the East Coast to support the EP’s release. How do you feel about that?
We’re flying to Melbourne on Thursday night to begin the first of the shows. We’re excited to be playing that far south once again. It’s been a while.

What do you love most about playing live?
Playing electric guitar is where I find my personality extended to its fullest. Being applauded by a large group of people for purely doing what I love is the best thing I’ve encountered in my 20 years on this planet.

Will the rest of Australia get the chance to see you any time soon?
At this stage, places like Adelaide, Perth and Tasmania aren’t a feasible option. It’s certainly something I’ll be pushing for as soon as possible though. This country is huge and I want to do laps of it.

Do you have anything else in the pipeline?
Writing as many songs as possible for the foreseeable future. We want an extensive song bank to choose from for our next studio production, whenever that may be.

You can catch Oceanics doing their thing at the following venues this month and the next.

15 March 2012 – Laundry, Melbourne
16 March 2012 – FBi Social, Sydney
22 March 2012 – Cobra Kai, Brisbane (EP Launch)
23 March 2012 – Elsewhere, Gold Coast (EP Launch)
12 April 2012 – Landsdowne Hotel, Sydney
13 April 2012 – Mum, Sydney
14 April 2012 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Butterfly Effect Tour Greatest Hits Album

With singer Clint Boge spreading his wings, The Butterfly Effect are closing their current chapter with the release of a retrospective album, called Effected, on April 23. The 18-track disc spans The Butterfly Effect’s entire history, from their self-titled debut EP to their 2007 album Final Conversation of Kings.

The classic Butterfly Effect will take these beloved songs on the road one last time for the Effected tour. The tour dates offer fans a final chance to see the line-up that’s rocked Australia for the last ten years.

Tickets for the Effected shows are selling fast, and The Butterfly Effect are thanking fans for that support with the release of a free acoustic version of “Gone.” It’s available exclusively to members of The Butterfly Effect’s mailing list. You can sign up through the band’s Facebook page.

The enthusiastic response for tickets means they won’t last too much longer. Get your from the venues for the following shows.

27 April 2012 – Andergrove Tavern, Mackay
28 April 2012 – The Venue, Townsville
29 April 2012 – Brothers Leagues Club, Cairns
2 May 2012 – The Great Northern, Byron Bay
3 May 2012 – The Arena, Brisbane
4 May 2012 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
5 May 2012 – Kings Beach Tavern, Sun Coast
9 May 2012 – The Plantation, Coffs Harbour
10 May 2012 – Panthers Leagues, Newcastle
11 May 2012 – UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney (Licensed All Ages)
12 May 2012 – Waves, Wollongong
16 May 2012 – UCU Bar, Canberra
18 May 2012 – Bended Elbow, Geelong
19 May 2012 – Inferno, Traralgon
20 May 2012 – Pier Live, Frankston
22 May 2012 – Hotel New York, Launceston
23 May 2012 – Wrest Point Casino, Hobart
25 May 2012 – Palace Theatre, Melbourne
26 May 2012 – The Bridgeway Hotel, Adelaide
27 May 2012 – HQ, Adelaide (Licensed All Ages)
2 June 2012 – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury
3 June 2012 – Metro City, Perth

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Justin Hunter’s Pretty Piano Single

Justin Hunter’s served up a music video that also serves as a travelogue for his new single “Courage.”

The video for the piano driven instrumental piece is made up of photographs Justin snapped while visiting The Netherlands recently. The combination of holiday snaps and soothing piano sounds is unusual, but no one who combines instrumental music with marathon running was going to play by the rules.

You might not have heard of Justin, but this Melbourne based pianist has sold tens of thousands of albums without a record label or a publicity team. Without the tools of the trade to rely upon, Justin’s music simply had to speak for itself. Now that he’s just inked a deal with Sydney’s Source Music, the sky’s the limit.

“Courage” comes from Justin’s third album Mountains to Masses, which hits stores and iTunes today.