Month: August 2012

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Emmy Bryce’s Offspring Song Released

Emmy Bryce charmed me when I heard her song “Hit the Ground” while watching Offspring, so I was thrilled to hear it’s got an official release.

“Hit the Ground” comes from Emmy Bryce’s debut EP Seven Days. Emmy will pack her bags and play shows around some of the capitals over the coming months to support its release. I recommend seeing her in these intimate venues while you can; something tells me it’s only a matter of time before Emmy’s music earns mainstream attention!

29 August 2012 – The Workers Club, Fitzroy
5 September 2012 – The Vanguard, Newtown
22 September 2012 – The Abbey, Nicholls
23 September 2012 – The Front Gallery/Cafe, Lyneham
29 September 2012 – La Boheme Bar, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Alpha Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sound of Seasons Tours “Make Believe”

Sydney rock act Sound of Seasons are celebrating the release of their debut EP Make Believe next month with a big headlining tour.

The EP offers a bit more than most, with six electric tracks and one acoustic number. It’s emotional and heavy hitting, with retro synths layered on top of wailing electric guitars.

Here are all the places you can catch Sound of Seasons up close and personal on their Make Believe Tour:

1 September 2012 – UC Refectory, Canberra
20 September 2012 – Yours and Owls, Wollongong
22 September 2012 – The Basement, Canberra
23 September 2012 – The Lair, Sydney
26  September 2012 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
27 September 2012 – Port Macquarie Hotel, Port Macquarie
29 September 2012 – X&Y Bar, Brisbane
5 October 2012 – Newmarket Hotel, Bendigo
6 October 2012 – Fist 2 Face, Ringwood
6 October 2012 – BANG! Royal Melbourne Hotel, Melbourne
7 October 2012 – National Hotel, Geelong
12 October 2012 – C5, Freemantle
13 October 2012 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
14 October 2012 – YMCA HQ, Leederville

Image used with permission from RAWR Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Temper Trap, Missy Higgins, and Bluejuice Play Soundscape

The fifth annual Soundscape Festival is shaping up to be the best yet, with The Temper Trap, Missy Higgins, and Bluejuice all taking their place on the bill.

Soundscape will settle into its new home at Prices Wharf Shed No. 1, on Castray Esplanade in Hobart on November 16 and 17. The location isn’t the only change this year. The festival’s moved from January to November to avoid stifling heat, and downsized the available tickets. That means fewer queues and more intimate performances.

Tickets are on sale now from the Soundscape Festival website.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Regular John Serves Up Slume

A band called Regular John seems like it’s doing its best to go unnoticed. However if the right people hear their unique sound, they might just face that spotlight whether they like it or not!

The lads have managed to shake off the “grunge revival” tag that plagued them a couple of years ago. They gained a new guitarist and honed their songwriting to emerge with something less derivative. That dirtiness is still there, but it’s married beautifully with a heavier, psychedelic feel.

The single “Slume” gives a taste of what will come when the band’s album Strange Flowers hits stores on September 14. What do you think of it?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Bart Thrupp

Bart Thrupp’s natural storytelling ability and Aussie charm is showcased beautifully in his brand new single “Girl in the Fishbowl.” Bart took time out from the single tour to tell me about the song, the shows, and what makes his hometown of Toowoomba so special.

Your current single “Girl in the Fishbowl” really struck a chord with me, as I think we’ve all been in those impossible relationships where it was the right person (at least in our minds) and wrong time. Did it come from personal experience?
I used to work at Coles. There was a florist just outside Coles which had glass on all four sides, so it looked like a giant fishbowl. That’s what everyone called it. I wrote the song on the back of a receipt while I was working on the checkout.

I was also struck by how Australian your voice sounds. It seems like so many Aussies tone down their accent to create this generic, globally marketable sound. Was there a conscious decision for you to avoid this?
I’m very proud of my home nation and our identity. I really love it, and I try to celebrate it. But to be honest I never thought too much about it. I just sing with my heart and that’s what’s happens.

The video for “Girl in the Fishbowl” also had that really honest, Australian charm to it. There’s no pretension or Hollywood flash to it. Did you have much creative input there?
I did have a lot to do with the video, and I was very lucky to have some talented people around to help me as well. It was a very honest story. We were also lucky enough to shoot the video inside the Coles where I used to work at Highfields Plaza in Toowoomba. It is the location of where the song was written, so it was great that we could use that space.

I see you’re touring the single around the country. How are those shows going?
Terrific! I’m having an amazing time. I’ve driven from Brisbane to Adelaide in three weeks with a whole bunch of towns and shows in between. I love my job. I’ve caught up with so many beautiful friends along the way, and met heaps of new faces. Between my skateboard and my car I’ve travelled thousands of kilometres through this beautiful country. I don’t know how I got so lucky.
Continue reading “Q & A with Bart Thrupp” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian and The Sapphires Top ARIA Charts

There’s some local joy on the ARIA charts this week, with two local releases topping the singles and ARIA charts.

The Justice Crew’s “Boom Boom” vacated the number one spot on the singles chart, but Guy Sebastian was only too happy to take their place with his new one, “Battle Scars.” Justice Crew are still respectable at the number two spot.

Meanwhile The Sapphires soundtrack has jumped up to push Ed Sheeran off the top spot on the albums charts. It’s keeping company in the top ten with fellow Aussies Adam Brand, Missy Higgins, and Karise Eden. There Will Be Love sits at number four, The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle is at number six, and My Journey’s at number seven.

Click below for this week’s complete top ten.
Continue reading “Guy Sebastian and The Sapphires Top ARIA Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Thundamentals Announce Only 2012 Headliner Tour

Take note Thundamentals fans. The Sydney hip hop act are preparing to embark on their first and only headline tour for the year.

Given that they’re only giving us the one run of dates in 2012, it seems a little ironic to call it the Get Busy tour. To be fair though, they haven’t exactly been idle. The tour sees them taking time out from writing their follow-up to Foreverlution. MC Tuka’s also just released his second solo album Feedback Loop, and that’s keeping him pretty busy!

The lads are doing their best to get punters through the door. They’ll travel with a complete horns section and special guest vocalists, including Ev Jones. You might remember hearing Ev on their Triple J Like a Version cover of Matt Corby’s “Brother.” Thundamentals will also bundle a free MP3 of an exclusive new track with every ticket sold for the Sydney, Melbourne, and Blue Mountains shows. The trio’s also carefully chosen the venues to offer a “festival in your loungeroom feel.” Consider me intrigued!

It might seem a little early to bring you the dates, but with Thundamental’s last tour selling out and tickets being so limited plenty of notice is probably preferential! Tickets are available now from Moshtix and the venues.

27 October 2012 – Gearins Hotel Katoomba
2 November 2012 – The Basement 159, Geelong
3 November 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
9 November 2012 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
10 November 2012 – Sprung Festival, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matchbox Twenty Kicking Off North Tour Down Under

Matchbox Twenty have made no secret of their love for Australia, so perhaps it’s unsurprising that they’ll kick off their world tour here in October. However it’s still enough to send a long-time fan like me into a tailspin.

The band will play songs from their new album North, which will hit local record stores on August 31, as well as the rest of their back catalogue. They’ll also have our own INXS in tow.

Tickets go on sale on August 31 through LiveNation, which should make that day pretty special for the rest of the Matchbox lovers out there!

20 October 2012 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
25 October 2012 – AIS Arena, Canberra
27 October 2012 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
30 October 2012 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney
3 November 2012 – Hope Estate, Hunter Valley
6 November 2012 – Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
8 November 2012 – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
11 November 2012 – Perth Arena, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Phil Hancock Releases Single for “Reach Out”

Brisbane singer-songwriter Phil Hancock is putting his talents to good use with the release of his new single “Who We Fall For.”

Proceeds from the song’s iTunes sales will benefit Reach Out, a local charity that supports teens struggling with bullying, grief, drug and alcohol problems, mental health issues, and a host of other concerns.

“Who We Fall For” is a beautiful piano-driven track that shows Phil’s softer side. His soaring vocals are superb, and his words about the out-of-control nature of love resonate.

Beautiful stuff!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Butler Takes Tin Shed Tales to Queensland

John Butler will take his acclaimed solo and acoustic Tin Shed Tales to North Queensland through September and October.

The new dates follow on from the Tin Shed Tales shows John Butler played around Australia earlier this year. They saw John recreating his own tin shed in intimate venues, complete with vintage skateboards and guitars and other sources of inspiration. In this personal setting, John shared personal anecdotes and songs from his vast back catalogue.

Queensland fans can look forward to the same special treatment at their long awaited shows.

“Unfortunately I couldn’t bring the Tin Shed to Queensland on the last run,” John explained. “It felt weird like we had forgotten to invite dear friends to a party. So I am stoked to be bringing the solo show over and completing the circle. Queensland family have always held a special place in my heart. They’re always so passionate and giving as an audience. I can’t wait.”

And as an extra special treat, Mia Dyson will serve as support act. These shows will act as a warm-up for some summer festival slots, which are also printed below. Tickets for the solo Queensland gigs go on sale tomorrow.

30 September 2012 – Mackay Entertainment Centre, Mackay
1 October 2012 – Townsville Civic Theatre, Townsville
3 October 2012 – Moncrieff Entertainment Centre, Bundaberg
28 October 2012 – Rock It Festival, Perth
31 December 2012 – Peats Ridge Festival, Peats Ridge NSW

Image used with permission from Jones PR, credit: Leon Morris