Month: April 2012

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Prince Tour Finally Announced

The rumours have been flying for some time and now it’s confirmed: Prince is heading Down Under for only the third time in his career.

We’re promised this tour will be worth the wait. There’s no latest release album to plug, so instead we’ll hear hit after hit. Some three hours of them by all accounts, which is about the time we’ll need to hear most of our favourites! Prince also plays a different show each night, so I expect plenty of big fans to take in all three gigs. Tickets are quite reasonable with the most expensive topping $199, so it’s not such a big ask to take in the trio.

It’s all very sudden, with tickets going on sale next Monday and Prince touching down less than a month later. There isn’t enough time for a presale, so I’m crossing my fingers that Ticketek’s website doesn’t melt down under the demand of thousands of fans! At least not before I score my ticket anyway! Here are those all important dates!

11 May 2012 – Allphones Arena, Sydney
14 May 2012 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
18 May 2012 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane

Image source: Penner @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Strums Go Sailing

Brisbane rockers The Strums are taking their music on the road, and on the water, this month to support their new single “Gimme Some Hope,” the second cut from their debut EP Are You Picking Up What I’m Putting Down.

The shows should help convert music lovers to The Strums foot-stomping, hip-shaking brand of rock and roll. With three national tours in the last six months, The Strums are running like a well-oiled machine.

The run of dates kicks off in The Strums’ home town with a pretty unusual gig. How many bands can say they’ve played on a boat cruising around the Brisbane River? From there the band will take in the pubs and clubs on Australia’s major capitals and key regional centres.

13 April 2012 – Boatcruise ‘Southbank Wharf A,’ Brisbane
26 April 2012 – The National Hotel, Geelong
27 April 2012 – The Loft, Warrnambool
28 April 2012 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne
3 May 2012 – Gallery Bar @ Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
4 May 2012 – Yours and Owls, Wollongong
5 May 2012 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
11 May 2012 – The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
12 May 2012 – Enigma Bar, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Footstomp Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Secretive George Calls it a Day

After two years together and the release of a self-titled EP, Melbourne band Secretive George are calling it a day.

They came, they saw, they rocked with shows up and down the East Coast. And now they intend to go out in a blaze of glory with one final show for hometown fans. See Secretive George’s swan song at The Evelyn Hotel on April 26. With 11 of their closest band pals on the bill, it’s promising to be a very big night!

Image used with permission from Secretive George

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Owl Eyes Tours “Crystalised”

She’s been so busy touring the country it’s amazing to think Owl Eyes had any time to hit the studio. But she did, and the brand new single “Crystalised” is the result.

The track is the follow-up to Owl Eyes’ breakthrough single “Raiders.” It’s taken a whole year for a new song to hit the airwaves, but if the early reaction from fans and critics is any indication it was worth the wait.

Owl Eyes’ will take a well-deserved break from songwriting to take “Crystalised” to the masses. The shows will give fans a sneaky first listen to the songs from her forthcoming debut album, as well as some old favourites.

Tickets are on sale now through Moshtix.

18 May 2012 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
20 May 2012 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
24 May 2012 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
25 May 2012 – Oh Hello, Brisbane
26 May 2012 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Split Seconds Announce “Top Floor” Tour

After a big 2011, which saw them releasing a self-titled EP and taking three national tours, Split Seconds are ready for the next chapter. They’ll start that part of the story soon with the release of a new single “Top Floor” and an Aussie tour supporting it.

“Top Floor” is a handclapping, melodic pop gem, and our first taste of Split Seconds’ debut album. The song drops on April 18, which will give fans plenty of time to learn the words before the tour commences.

This is no ordinary run of dates either. With Sydney psychedelic popsters Underlights sharing top billing, the shows should be real parties! Tickets go on sale tomorrow from the venues and usual outlets.

10 May 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
12 May 2012 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
18 May 2012 – X&Y Bar, Fortitude Valley
19 May 2012 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
24 May 2012 – Good God Bar, Sydney
25 May 2012 – The Beresford, Surry Hills

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gossling Reveals EP Tracks on YouTube

Gossling’s new EP Intentional Living doesn’t drop until April 20, but she’s giving fans a sneak peek through her YouTube page. Every week she’ll record one of the disc’s tracks at Melbourne’s Bake House Studios before unleashing it on the public.

“We wanted to create something special for the release of Intentional Living,” Gossling explained. “So we decided to create our own space at Bake House Studios where we could film each track from the new EP live, giving fans a taste of what they can expect from not only the new release but also from the Intentional Living tour which will start days after the EP is released.”

The quirky space, seen in this live version of “Wild Love” was decorated with the help of Melbourne yarn bombers Yarn Corner. The project sounds like a great way to get more bums on seats as Gossling travels around this wide brown land, although with “Boys Like You” still enjoying chart success I can’t imagine that will be a concern.

If this live video’s got you in the Gossling mood make sure you check her out supporting 360, Josh Pyke, or fronting her own shows in the coming months.

26 April 2012 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
27 April 2012 – Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
28 April 2012 – The Basement, Sydney
29 April 2012 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
2 May 2012 – Little Creatures Loft, Fremantle
3 May 2012 – The Bird, Northbridge
4 May 2012 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide
5 May 2012 – Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury
11 May 2012 – The Forum Melbourne, Melbourne
12 May 2012 – Elder Hall @ University of Adelaide, Adelaide (supporting Josh Pyke – 18+)
18 May 2012 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (supporting Josh Pyke – 18+)
19 May 2012 – The York Theatre @ Seymour Centre, Sydney (supporting Josh Pyke – All Ages)
8 June 2012 – Waves, Wollongong (supporting 360 – 18+)
9 June 2012 – Come Together Festival, Sydney (supporting 360 – All Ages)
10 June 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane (supporting 360 – 18+)
11 June 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane (supporting 360 – Under 18s @ midday)
15 June 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (supporting 360 – 18+)
16 June 2012 – Pier Live, Frankston (supporting 360 – Under 18s @ 1 pm)
16 June 2012 – Pier Live, Frankston (supporting 360 – 18+)
17 June 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (supporting 360 – Under 18s @ midday)
20 June 2012 – The Gov, Adelaide (supporting 360 – All Ages)
22 June 2012 – Villa, Perth (supporting 360 – 18+)
23 June 2012 – Astor Theatre, Perth (supporting 360 – Under 18s @ 1 pm)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chance Waters Tours “Infinity”

Chance Waters is backing up the recent release of his gorgeous single “Infinity” with a run of shows along the Aussie east coast.

Chance has done plenty of touring under his old moniker Phatchance, including headlining dates and concerts supporting Method Man & Redman, De La Soul, Drapht, and Bliss N Eso. But these shows mark a new chapter for the urban performer who’s left his old stage name behind.

Catch up with this talented hip hop artist at the following shows.

27 April 2012 – Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour
28 April 2012 – Brewery, Byron Bay (Free)
11 May 2012 – Chatswood Club, Chatswood
18 May 2012 – Beaches Hotel, Newcastle (Free)
19 May 2012 – FBi Social, Sydney

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cold Chisel Go to the Movies

Most of us weren’t lucky enough to score tickets to Cold Chisel’s upcoming show at the Hordern Pavilion, but we don’t have to miss out. The show will be beamed to cinemas around Australia live on April 18.

Fans can see the performance as it unfolds in high definition with Dolby 5.1 sound. Given that the Hordern’s a bit of a shed, I wouldn’t be surprised if it sounds better at the movies! The band promises to play tracks from their brand new album No Plans as well as a healthy arsenal of their hits.

“We’re really proud of this new album and want as many people to hear it as possible”, explained Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes. “The idea of having this gig beamed out to Cinemas seemed like a great way of getting people to hear a few of the new songs live as well as all the ones they know. We’ve played a lot of gigs around Australia over the last 35 years but this will be the first time we’ve played in over 100 places on the same night!”

Tickets are on sale now through CinemaLive for $39.50. That’s a bit of a bargain as they come bundled with a copy of No Plans. Will you be tuning in?

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Blackchords Back with “Dance, Dance, Dance

They’ve been in hibernation for some time, but Melbourne’s Blackchords are finally ready to unleash some new music. The band has just wrapped up the recording of album number two, and they want you to hear it.

Blackchords laid down the long awaited disc in the picturesque Yarra Valley with the help of former The Frames guitarist turned producer David Odlum. No doubt fans are eager to have the disc in their hands, as it was their efforts through the website Pozible which funded its recording.

The album won’t hit stores until August, but Blackchords will tide fans over with the release of their new single “Dance, Dance, Dance.” The band will launch the new song at The Phoenix Public House in Brunswick on April 14. Tickets are a steal at just $10 from Moshtix.

Image used with permission from Chrissie Vincent Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Machinemachine Releases “Mysteries” Album

After a slow gestation Mysteries, Machinemachine’s sophomore album, has hit stores today.

The Sydney quintet was recorded in a sandstone bunker in mid-2010 and completed at an urban warehouse in 2011. Producer Tim Kevin (Youth Group, Peabody) worked closely with Machinemachine founder and frontman Joseph Leonard to ensure the disc sounds just right.

The result is a kind of blue-eyed soul with some alluring rough edges. The first single “Daughter (still) Don’t Dance” hints at the energy we’ll see in the band’s live shows, but the track offers just one side of this complex disc.

If you want to experience that energy in the flesh make sure you get to Sydney’s Red Rattler on April 13 for Machinemachine’s Mysteries launch show.

Image used with permission from Kym-Louise Barton