Batterie’s gotten underneath my skin again with “Jump Start,” the follow up to the first single “Spring Step.”
I must admit, I didn’t know what to make of this one at first. This really isn’t the music I’m used to, and so I wasn’t sure what to cling on to. It’s like some sort of strange cross between Kraftwerk’s “Popcorn” and the Tetris theme music. I’m not sure whether I like it or not, but I know I can’t stop thinking about it so perhaps it’s done its job.
What do you think dear readers?
The Snowdroppers are back with a brand new single, a shiny new contract, and an album on the way.
The Sydney based blues rockers just signed up to ABC Music’s hot new label FOUR | FOUR. This home of left-of-centre acts proved the perfect launchpad for The Snowdroppers’ new single “White Dress.”
The song shows the way the band’s sound has evolved since they released their debut album Too Late to Pray in 2009. Their Americana and swamp leanings have been tempered somewhat, but it’s got all the swagger and blues sensibility we loved the first time around.
“White Dress” is our first taste of The Snowdropper’s sophomore album Moving Out of Eden, which will hit stores in early 2013. In the meantime you can catch The Snowdroppers supporting Kiwi rock stalwarts Shihad at the following shows.
6 September 2012 – The Hi Fi, Melbourne
7 September 2012 – The Metro, Sydney
8 September 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
Image source: Premier Artists
The Demon Parade clearly figures that if it’s broke, it ain’t worth fixing. The new single “She’s Gonna Be a Star” sees them sticking to their retro roots. It’s a jangly slice of psychedelic pop that definitely put a smile on my face.
The track’s our second teaser of The Demon Parade’s new EP, which will hit stores later this year. The band will launch the track at Melbourne’s Worker’s Club on September 1.
Image used with permission from Show Off Services
Genre defying Kiwi urban act Sola Rosa will return to Australia next month to support the recent release of their fifth album Low and Behold, High and Beyond.
The album sees a host of guest performers joining founding member Andrew Spraggon and his regular collaborators for songs that fuse soul, funk, jazz, hip hop, and other musical styles.
Sola Rosa started as Andrew’s one man band, but in time Spikey Tee, Ben White, and Matt Short have become key members of the project. This core group will be joined on the Aussie tour by guest singers Cherie Mathieson and L.A. Mitchell, who appears on the album’s cruisy first single “Spinning Top.”
Sola Rosa will play the following Aussie venues next month. Tickets are on sale now.
13 September 2012 – The Standard, Sydney
14 September 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
26 September 2012 – Indi Bar, Scarborough
28 September 2012 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough
29 September 2012 – Amplifier, Perth
30 September 2012 – Wave Rock Weekender, Wave Rock Beach
Melbourne songstress Penny Hewson charmed me with her single “This One’s For You,” so I was excited to see what she’d do with a longer format. With her album It’s an Endless Desire hitting stores today, we’ve all got the chance to find out.
The single opens the disc and proves to be one of its standout tracks. Its pop sensibility easily draws us in, hinting at more melodic gems to come.
If you were expecting an album full of those catchy whimsy-pop numbers from Penny, you’d probably be disappointed. Many of the songs are low-key, even a little sleepy, until you make an effort to really listen to them. It takes catching the lyrics of these well-crafted tunes to truly appreciate this album’s depth.
“This One’s for You” might be the album’s most accessible number, but there are plenty of other jewels to be found through it. I thought “My Apology” was achingly beautiful, and I loved the equal measures of sweetness and sorrow in “Most of All.” “Higher” is a glorious way to close out the album. This song’s my favourite, a restrained and beautifully crafted number that really hits the heart.
There are probably two ways to listen to It’s an Endless Desire. You could slip it on as a party’s winding down, or you’re nursing a hangover the next day. People that do will let the gentle tunes wash over and soothe them, never moving from the background. Or you could choose to look deeper, engage with the lyrics, and appreciate the way Penny’s sweet and pure voice swells against a piano, a trumpet, or a flute.
It’s an Endless Desire is a bit of a slow-burner, but it’s a beautiful album that becomes richer with every listen.
See Penny Hewson launching It’s an Endless Desire at The Empress Hotel in Fitzroy on August 31.
The epic track “Ocean” has long been a highlight of any John Butler set. The acclaimed Aussie singer-songwriter has actually been performing the epic guitar instrumental since 1998 when he’d busk at Fremantle markets to earn a living. John Butler is giving back to all the fans he’s made since those early days by releasing the first studio recording of “Ocean” in 12 years as a free download.
“’Ocean’ is a very interesting aspect of my life. It is part of my DNA. It conveys all things I can’t put into words. Life, loss, love, spirit. As I evolve so too does ‘Ocean’,” John explained. “I’d like to thank you for your continued support over all these years; it means so much to me. I would like to thank you by offering this first studio recording of “Ocean” in over a decade as a free download.”
The track was captured at John Butler’s own studio, dubbed The Compound in February. You can grab the MP3 that accompanies this YouTube video by visiting the John Butler Trio website.
After five years, Zoophyte are finally ready to release their sophomore album. Somewhere Elsewhere will hit music stores on September 21.
It’s unusual for an act to wait so long to release a new record, but the last five years have been a tumultuous time for the band. Their line-up’s changed, their sound’s evolved. Needless to say, this won’t simply be Another Point of View Part II.
“The old format of the band was a five-piece and we were all into different styles and types of music,” explained Zoophyte front man Cam Lee. “But now, everyone is on the same track and it feels like a new band. It’s a much bigger, larger sound; we use a lot of delayed guitars and everyone sings – there’s definitely a stronger, rockier edge to our sound.”
Zoophyte will take Somewhere Elsewhere on the road next month. Don’t worry if they’re not visiting your town, as more dates will be announced soon.
1 September 2012 – The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, Adelaide
2 September 2012 – Wheelers Hill Hotel, Melbourne
6 September 2012 – Racehorse Hotel, Ipswich
7 September 2012 – Miami Tavern, Gold Coast
8 September 2012 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
9 September 2012 – Wheelers Hill Hotel, Melbourne
16 September 2012 – Wheelers Hill Hotel, Melbourne
23 September 2012 – Wheelers Hill Hotel, Melbourne
30 September 2012 – Wheelers Hill Hotel, Melbourne
Image used with permission from Alpha Entertainment
Owen Campbell made a splash on this year’s Australia’s Got Talent competition for all the wrong reasons. He was clearly a talented singer songwriter, but taking pot shots at one of the judges is never a smart move.
Owen might not have won a lot of friends on the reality TV show, but he’s hoping to capitalise on his notoriety with the release of his album Sunshine Road. It seems to be working, as the independently recorded long player’s peaked at number one on both the national iTunes charts and the AIR Independent Music chart.
Owen will also take those songs and his six-piece band on the road for a launch tour which kicks off tonight in Melbourne:
15 August 2012 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
17 August 2012 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne
23 August 2012 – The Basement, Sydney
25 August 2012 – The Abbey, Canberra
Image used with permission from Heapsflash
All the Young hail from Stoke on Trent, a small town where its residents are expected to earn money in the warehouse and spend it in the pub. The locals don’t expect anyone to break out of this monotony, least of all some motley lads who spend more time daydreaming about music than applying themselves.
But All the Young did, and now they’re heading to Australia. If their friends could only see them now.
The Aussie tour is well timed, as All the Young’s debut album Welcome Home will hit local stores on August 31. It will feature the current single “Another Miracle,” which is one of the most irresistible songs I’ve heard in some time.
See these old school rockers with Australia’s own King Cannons at the following shows:
29 August 2012 – The Loft, Warrnambool
30 August 2012 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
31 August 2012 – The Bended Elbow, Geelong
1 September 2012 – The Corner, Melbourne
5 September 2012 – The Patch, Wollongong
6 September 2012 – Transit Bar, Canberra
7 September 2012 – The Annandale, Sydney
8 September 2012 – Hotel Great Northern, Newcastle
13 September 2012, Big Sound, Brisbane
14 September 2012 – Miami Shark Bar, Gold Coast
15 September – The Northern, Byron Bay
The Sundance Kids earned rave reviews for their catchy brand of pop rock back in 2009, but didn’t quite crack the big time. So they’ve reinvented themselves with the shorter moniker Sundance.
While the Adelaide trio has changed their name the Sundance philosophy remains the same. They’re still putting the emphasis on melodies and hooks with new songs like the single “Where She Wants Me.” The track should strike a chord with Sundance’s faithful fans and hit the hearts of a few new ones.
What do you think of this pop rock gem?