Month: July 2012

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kenny Rogers Headlines Bigger & Better Darwin Festival

Darwin’s often neglected by touring acts, so it’s exciting to see some of entertainment’s big names heading to the territory’s capital for this year’s Darwin Festival.

This year’s eclectic line-up includes an unforgettable show featuring Washington and Kate Miller-Heidke, hip hop act Hermitude, rockabilly songbird Lanie Lane, hot young things San Cisco, drag sensation Pam Ann, and the one and only Kenny Rogers.

“Darwin shines most brilliantly in August and we can’t wait to share a program that will keep you sizzling for the Hot August Nights,” the festival’s artistic director Edwina Lunn said in a press release. “We encourage everyone to load up their August and maximise the dry season good times because after all, we can sleep through September!”

This year there’s so much entertainment that Darwin needed to add another festival hub. George’s Green will see bars, eateries, and entertainment taking over the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens and The Amphitheatre. Also new this year is the Idolize Spiegeltent, an old fashioned hall of mirrors with musical and cabaret shows.

A free shuttle bus will operate every night of the festival to take party goers between the regular Festival Park and the new George’s Green. The Darwin Festival runs from August 9 to 26. Head to the website for the complete program.

Image used with permission from AUM Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Wailers Headline Island Vibe

Island Vibe is heading back to Stradbroke Island this October for its seventh big year.

The 2012 line-up includes some stellar international reggae, soul, and dub acts including The Original Wailers, fellow countryman Prince Alla, Canada’s JPod, and Gaudi from Italy. Aussie performers including Kooii, The Upsteppers, and Chant Down Sound also have a place on the bill. And there’s more to come, with a second artist announcement planned just before the festival.

I think it all sounds like the perfect opportunity for a beach holiday, don’t you? Tickets are now on sale through the Island Vibe website.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melissa Etheridge @ Opera House, Sydney – 11 July 2012

We’ve all got those albums that nurse us through hard times. You move on from those moments, but they always occupy a special place in your heart. Melissa Etheridge’s self-titled album was one of those discs for me. It was on my periphery on its release, but eight years later when I was a teenager pining over a relationship that never was it all clicked. Melissa’s raw emotion and the lyrics she wrote echoed the heartbreak I felt like nothing else could.

It was that connection I felt so many years ago that took me to the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday night. We’ve bought gotten older, but it was wonderful to cross paths again.

The Melissa of today is much more optimistic than the one that delivered that painful debut. That spirit was encapsulated in her opening number “Fearless Love.” She soars in those strong powerful numbers, but I was thrilled to see she can still tap into that hurt from years gone by. I was floored by a stripped back version of “Precious Pain,” one of the little known numbers from that first disc. The desperation of “I Want to Come Over” was palpable, and the anger of “Somebody Bring Me Some Water” filled the room. Newer positive songs like “Falling Up” can’t quite match the intensity of those earlier tracks, but they bring some necessary balance to her set. So too does her easy banter with the crowd. Her joy at performing in Australia after so long, at a venue she holds in such high regard, was evident.

Melissa closed the night with “Like I Do,” a number that’s everything I love about her. She rocked hard and left her heart on the stage. This tour was a long time coming for her fans, but she gave us everything we could have wished for. Hopefully we won’t be waiting so long for the next go round.

Image source: Angela George @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elle Skies Charms with “City”

I’ve fallen hard for the charms of Melbourne singer-songwriter Elle Skies, and I’m pretty sure you will too when you hear her new single “City.”

I must admit, I missed Elle when she released her debut EP Skyscraper back in 2006, but I won’t make the same mistake with this release. It earned the songstress rave reviews and first prize in a British song-writing competition. If City’s any indication of the calibre of songs she’s assembled for her new EP, she can expect plenty more praise.

“City” is such an endearingly upbeat number. It’s quirky but in such an honest way. Its hooks draw you in, and Elle’s sweet vocals keep on there. The vibrant time-lapse stop-motion animated video is a gorgeously colourful accompaniment.

Has “City” put a smile on your face?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angus Stone Releases Album, New Music Video

“Wooden Chair” is the latest single lifted from Angus Stone’s solo outing Broken Brights.

It’s not going to blow anyone’s mind, but it’s a solid little piece of folk pop. The music video’s also really sweet, with footage of Angus hanging out in the country with his dog. Adorable. I can’t imagine this will be the track to attract new fans, but I’m sure anyone who adored Angus’ work with his sister Julia will be satisfied by it.

Broken Brights is in Australian stores today. It gets a UK and European release on the 16th, and hits American stores on the 17th.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vulpes Vulpes Rock with Mirrorvine

Vulpes Vulpes burst out of the gate with their first single “Mirrorvine.”

“Mirrorvine” is a bit rough around the edges, but I think this is a really exciting debut. There’s a touch of Nick Cave about the resonant vocals in the verses, and an intensity that’s hypnotic. The balance isn’t quite right in places, where the instrumentation starts to overwhelm the lyrics, but it’s early days.

And for a band that’s still green, Vulpes Vulpes are impressing all the right people. They’ve only been together for a year, but they’ve already played Canberra’s Foreshore festival and earned some great reviews for their debut EP Vol-pez Vol-pez.

Vulpes Vulpes are the kind of band that’s bound to do their best work on the stage, so if you like what you’ve seen make sure you catch them at their forthcoming Sydney shows. They’ll play the FBi Social Club on July 14, and Oxford Arts Factory on August 17.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stonefield & Owl Eyes Team Up for The Line

It’ll be a serious case of girl power when sisters Stonefield join forces with fellow Victorian Owl Eyes for one big national tour next month. Casually dubbed Winter Road Trip 2012, the tour hopes to raise awareness of the national government’s The Line initiative.

The Line is all about promoting respective relationships amongst young Australians. It touches on a range of issues including physical violence, cyber bullying, abusive texting, and sexting. Both Owl Eyes and Stonefield’s Findlay sisters are program ambassadors, and they’re keen to take its message to regional locations.

“I feel like out in the regional places they don’t  always get a lot of live  music or get an opportunity to get out to a lot of venues or anything like that so it will be nice to take our music and The Line’s  message there and spread it around a bit.  It will be quite special.” Owl Eyes said in a statement.

“Playing in a country town makes a big impact,” Amy Findlay added. “It seems like everyone knows what  it is going on and they are so appreciative  of it. So I feel like the message will make a big impact.”

Catch Stonefield and Owl Eyes on their Winter Road Trip at the following pit stops:

1 August 2012 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
2 August 2012 – Kay St, Traralgon
3 August 2012 – Macgillivray Hall, Bendigo (Strictly Under 18s)
4 August 2012 – Westernport Hotel, San Remo
8 August 2012 – Station Resort, Jindabyne
9 August 2012 – Zierholz @ University of Canberra, Canberra
10 August 2012 – Orange Ex Services Club, Orange
11 August 2012 – Southern Cross University, Lismore
12 August 2012 – Hotel Great Northern, Byron Bay
16 August 2012 – Art Gallery of WA, Perth (Owl Eyes only)
16 August 2012 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle (Stonefield only)
17 August 2012 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
18 August 2012 – Studio 146, Albany
23 August 2012 – Monash University, Clayton
25 August 2012 – Townsville Uni Bar, Townsville
31 August – Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool
1 September – South Eastern Hotel, Mt Gambier

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mia Dyson Drops New Single, Announces Album Tour

Mia Dyson’s offered us our first taste of her forthcoming album The Moment in the form of her brand new single, “When the Moment Comes.”

The song sees Mia in fine form, with her trademark rasp bleeding all over the lyrics of her first official single release in four years. It seems she’s relished the chance to record in her new American home base. If this killer cut is any indication of what we can expect when The Moment hits stores on August 17, we’re in for a real treat.

Mia will enjoy a homecoming later this year with local shows to promote The Moment. If you’ve missed her, make sure you show your support at one of the following gigs:

24 Aug 2012 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
7 September 2012 – Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn Springs
12 September 2012 – Brisbane Festival @ Spiegeltent, Brisbane
14 September 2012 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
15 September 2012 – Notes Live, Sydney
16 September 2012 – The Abbey, Canberra
21 September 2012 – Republic Bar, Hobart
22 September 2012 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
6 October 2012 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber NSW
27 October 2012 – Sydney Blues Festival, Sydney
8 November 2012 – Mojos, Fremantle
9 November 2012 – Bridgetown Blues, Bridgetown

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Punch Brothers Announce First Australian Tour

Former Nickel Creek singer and mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile is bringing his newish band Punch Brothers to Australia next month for a quickie tour.

Nickel Creek never really broke here, but my American husband introduced me to the bluegrassy folk outfit several years ago. It turns out since that time Chris has been making music with acclaimed fiddler Gabe Witcher, banjo player Baom Pkelny, bass player Paul Kowert, and lead guitarist Chris Eldridge. The result is a genre defying outfit that T-Bone Burnett calls “one of the most incredible bands (America) has ever produced.” And we all know T-Bone knows his stuff.

Punch Brothers are out here to celebrate the release of their third album Who’s Feeling Young Now, the follow-up to 2010’s Grammy Award nominated Antifogmatic. Discover the band before the rest of the country does at the following intimate shows.

Punch Brothers6 August 2012 – Recital Centre, Melbourne
8 August 2012 – The Basement, Sydney
10 August 2012 – Festival Theatre, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Charlie Musselwhite, Ian Moss, and & Lanie Lane Headline Sydney Blues & Roots Festival

We haven’t even seen the full line-up yet, but the Sydney Blues & Roots Festival is already looking like a tempting proposition. Acclaimed American harmonica guru Charlie Musselwhite is making the trip to share top billing with local acts Ian Moss and Lanie Lane.

Other notable musicians on the bill include Canadian rockers The Trews, internationally acclaimed local songstress Mia Dyson, blues legends The Backsliders, and legendary guitarist Ray Beadle. And we’re expecting another announcement with more bands later this month.

Festival creative directors Geoff Trio and Steve Griffiths knew it would take some effort to top 2011’s line-up, but they’ve given it a red hot go.

“The blend of established and new ‘discovery’ acts is sensational and we expect crowds to flock to Windsor like never before,” they said in a statement.

The Sydney Blues & Roots Festival will hit various venues in the Hawkesbury region from October 25 to 28. First-release tickets are available now from Oztix from $79 for a one-day adult pass.

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute