Month: June 2012

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Set Sail Put Deportation Dramas Behind Them

It’s exciting times in the lives of Sydney indie-pop folksters Set Sail. The trio will release their new attention-getting EP Hey! tomorrow, and set off on a big 18-date tour a couple of weeks later.

Fans have waited patiently for Hey!, which showcases Set Sail’s first new material since their debut release The Riley Moore EP hit their hands in 2011. It features six quirky tracks including the energetic lead track “Charleston.”

The release hasn’t come without its challenges though. Earlier this year Set Sail lead singer Brandon Hoogenboom was forced to do some sailing of his own when he breached his visa conditions. A Facebook petition protesting his deportation went viral, attracting more than 8500 in just 24 hours. That support helped Brandon return to his adopted home and awaiting bandmates.

And now Set Sail’s back together and keen to unleash their new tunes on the public.

“We’re excited to bring the new material live,” said Josiah Willows. “It’s been an incredible journey this past year and we’re very keen to get out of the studio and back on the road!”

30 June 2012 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (18+)
5 July 2012 – Blackbear Lodge, Brisbane (18+)
6 July 2012 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba (18+)
7 July 2012 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore (18+)
12 July 2012 – Jive Bar, Adelaide (18+)
13 July 2012 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth (18+)
14 July 2012 – Melville Youth Centre, Melville (Under 18s)
14 July 2012 – Mojo’s, Fremantle (18+)
15 July 2012 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough (18+ – Free)
20 July 2012 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (18+ –  Free)
21 July 2012 – Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle (18+)
22 July 2012 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla (18+)
26 July 2012 – Royal Oak Hotel, Launceston (18+ – Free)
27 July 2012 – Republic Bar, Hobart (18+)
2 August 2012 – Transit Bar, Canberra (18+)
3 August 2012 – The Patch, Wollongong (18+)
4 August 2012 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
9 August 2012 – Toff In Town, Melbourne (18+)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Deer Republic Give Us “The Score”

DeerRepublic have put a smile on my face with their anthemic new single “The Score.”

The infectiously catchy single gives us a taste of what’s to come from the band’s forthcoming debut EP The Sweet Resistance. Click here to listen to it on deerRepublic’s Facebook page!

It’s surprising to hear this is deerRepublic’s first single, as they’ve enjoyed plenty of airplay on FBi radio over the years with their demo tracks. They also generated plenty of buzz when they beat out thousands of other local acts to take out the uncharted National Band Competition.

If you like what you hear make sure you get down to Upstairs Beresford next month. The band has a residency that will see them making regular appearances at the Surry Hills club during July.

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Julia Stone Announces Solo Aussie Tour

If you missed out on tickets for Julia Stone’s solo show in Sydney tonight, you’re in luck. The songbird is planning a more extensive tour this September to support the release of her debut solo album By the Horns.

Tonight’s Sydney show is part of a whirlwind world tour, which has seen her selling out shows in Paris, London, Berlin, New York, Los Angeles, and the Harbour City. In contrast, the September tour will see Julia playing small venues in Australia’s major capitals and regional centres.

Members of Julia’s fan clubs get first dibs with a pre-sale tomorrow before the general sale on Thursday, June 15.

6 September 2012 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
7 September 2012 – Forum Theatre, Melbourne
8 September 2012 – Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan
12 September 2012 – The Abbey, Canberra
13 September 2012 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
15 September 2012 – The Metro, Sydney
19 & 20 September 2012 – The Courier Mail Spiegeltent, Brisbane Festival
21 September 2012 – Community Centre, Byron Bay
22 September 2012 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
28 September 2012 – Astor Theatre, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Holland Impresses with “No Control”

Sometimes the simple things in life are often the best. Brisbane band Holland proves that old chestnut with their new single “No Control.”

Jarryd Klapper’s voice is hypnotically beautiful, and he’s ably supported by lead guitarist Shane Graham, bassist James Taylor, and Javed Sterritt. The song gives us a taste of Holland’s forthcoming album, which they recorded in Atlanta with acclaimed producer Nick DiDia (Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Powderfinger).

If you like what you hear make sure you see Holland as they tour the single around the country in the coming months. I’m pretty sure this band won’t be playing such small venues for too long!

16 June 2012 – The Loft, Gold Coast
17 June 2012 – Hoey Moey Beergarden, Coffs Harbour
6 July 2012 – Upstairs @ Beresford, Darlinghurst
7 July 2012 – Old Manly Boatshed, Manly
8 July 2012 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
20 July 2012 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
21 July 2012 – The Loft, Gold Coast
22 July 2012 – Blackbear Lodge, Brisbane
3 August 2012 – FBi Social Club, Sydney
4 August 2012 – Old Manly Boatshed, Manly
5 August 2012 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Everclear on the Comeback Trail with Aussie Tour

The nostalgia tours just keep on coming. Some 17 years after they released their breakthrough album Sparkle and Fade, Everclear are heading to Australia.

If that statistic is making you feel old too, chances are you’ll love seeing the band belting out some of the big smash singles like “Santa Monica” and “Wonderful.”

The shows won’t just be about reminiscing though. Everclear are releasing a brand new album, dubbed Invisible Stars, later this year, and no doubt Aussie audiences will get a taste of that.

“When I look back at what Everclear has done, I see a lot of things that have changed and a lot of things that have stayed consistent,” explained the band’s frontman Art Alexakis. “But at the end of the day, I’m still doing the same thing I’ve always done. It’s still guitar-based rock ‘n’ roll, and I’m still just telling stories, which is all I’ve ever wanted to do. I’m proud of what we’ve done, and I still enjoy it. And I feel blessed that other people like it too.”

Tickets are now on sale for the following Everclear shows:

10 October 2012 – Cooly Hotel, Coolangatta
11 October 2012 – HiFi, Brisbane
12 October 2012 HiFi, Sydney
13 October 2012 HiFi, Melbourne
14 October 2012 Capitol, Perth

Image used with permission from Riothouse Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Missy Higgins’s New Album Number One

It’s been a case of musical chairs at the top of the ARIA Albums Charts for some time now. This week we see another Aussie artist sitting on top. Missy Higgins has landed another number one with her long-awaited newie The OI’ Razzle Dazzle.

Keith Urban shows his greatest hits have some staying power. His disc The Story So Far is sitting at number two. The Temper Trap have fallen a bit since they enjoyed their stay at the top, but their new self-titled album is still performing well at number five.

The singles charts are a bit sparse on local talent, but The Voice’s Darren Percival is holding the fort. His version of Stevie Wonder’s “I Believe” is sitting at number five, so I guess we can probably assume he’s safe for another week of the competition!

Click below to see this week’s ARIA top 10s.

Continue reading “Missy Higgins’s New Album Number One” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Circle Serves up Retro Pop

Sydney indie popsters Circle have chased away my winter blues with their cheerful retro single “Fashion Me a Drum.”

The song recalls The Pet Shop Boys with its wave of synths and deceptive simplicity. The track gives us a taste of Circle’s highly anticipated new album The Middle. While the band has released plenty of discs before, this one is the first recorded in a real studio rather than a bedroom!

Enjoy this slice of perfect pop before The Middle drops on August 1.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Spicks & Specks’ Barry Morgan’s Debut Album in Stores

The finale of Spicks and Specks saw me shedding a few tears, but one of my favourite moments was the return of Barry Morgan. The retro throwback ended up being the quiz show’s surprise breakout star, so I’m thrilled to see he’s just released an album.

The Touch of You features Barry’s current single “Big Bossa” and other waltz, two-step, and rock and roll numbers all played with his distinctive style. I’m not sure whether the tunes will have quite the same charm without watching Barry in action. Surely we need a companion DVD! Until then, there’s this music video.

You can take a piece of Barry home today, as The Touch of You is in stores now.You can also catch him at the following shows around the country later this month.

22 June 2012 – Notes, Newtown, Sydney
30 June 2012 – Regal Ballroom, Northcote
5 July 2012 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Penny Hewson Comes Home

After spending the last decade soaking up the Los Angeles sun and thriving music scene, Melbourne singer-songwriter Penny Hewson has returned home.

She’s wasted no time since touching down. She signed a deal with Popboomerang Records, and released this sweet single “This One’s For You,” which gives us our first taste of her forthcoming album It’s An Endless Desire.

Don’t mistake Penny’s sweetness for saccharine. While she sings like an angel there’s a real truth and vulnerability to her lyrics that ensure she’s not just another pop princess. It’s catchy, but it’s not throw-away music.

Hometown fans can catch Penny playing at the Grace Darling in support of Kellie Lloyd’s album launch on June 15. She promises more shows will come as that disc drops this winter.

Image used with permission from Penny Hewson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Good Ship Announce Album Tour

A few months after they teased us with the lead single “Seven Seas,” The Good Ship are preparing to unleash their grandly titled second album O’ Exquisite Corpse.

The follow-up to 2010’s Avast! Wretched Sea features the dark beauty and debauched lyrics we’ve come to expect from Queensland’s pirate rockers.

The Good Ship will celebrate the album’s July release with an East Coast tour. Catch this quirky Aussie act at the following shows.

29 June 2012 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
6 July 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
14 July 2012 – The Zoo, Brisbane
3 August 2012 – Great Northern, Newcastle
4 August 2012 – Good God Small Club, Sydney
11 August 2012 – The Rails, Byron Bay (Free)
12 August 2012 – Nimbin Hotel, Nimbin (Free)

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music