Month: August 2012

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joe McKee Tours Solo Album

Ex-Snowman founding member Joe McKee’s hitting the road this week to promote his exquisite solo album Burning Boy.

Joe will make pit stops in capital cities around the country, including what’s sure to be an interesting performance at the Uniting Church in the Sydney suburb of Paddington. It’s likely to beat any pub with drunk punters and a sticky floor!

Tickets are available now from the venues and Oztix for the following shows:

10 August 2012 – Estonian Club, North Adelaide
11 August 2012 – Grace Darling, Collingwood, Melbourne
16 August 2012 – Paddington Uniting Church, Sydney
24 August 2012 – Rosemount, Perth

Image used with permission from Remote Control Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Veronicas Tease with “Lolita”

The Veronicas are back with their brand new single “Lolita.” The track is currently streaming with a lyrics video on the Queensland twins’ website.

It’s been around five years since the sisters delivered “Hook Me Up,” but they still seem to be in the same musical state of mind. The lyrics are a bit darker than the fare from that album, but that industrial electronic sound married with the girls’ natural harmonies feels very familiar.

It might be just me, but honestly that really electronic, manufactured feel is wearing a bit thin for me. I miss the really organic pop rock sound the girls showed in their breakthrough debut album. We expect a bit of polish as any band matures, but I feel their musical approach is a bit distancing. I’d love to hear this track stripped right back, wouldn’t you? It’s a good song, but with less production I think we could hear it as something much greater.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Richard Clapton’s New Album Out Now

Richard Clapton shows he’s still got it with his new single “Dancing with the Vampires,” the first lifted from his album Harlequin Nights.

The album, which hits stores today, is Richard’s first in eight years. It’s a fitting way to ring in his fifth decade in the business, with exceptional lyrics and that laconic twang we’ve all come to know. His recent marriage breakdown has added fuel to his fire, and resulted in some fantastic songs. I’m a real fan of the single, which sees the reformed party boy reflecting on his wild days and giving a nod to fellow wild man Charlie Sheen. Rest assured, I’ll be sinking my teeth into the album soon.

I’ve been a long-time fan of Richard’s work, especially in the live arena where he manages to balance the new songs with the old favourites like few others. Here are all the places you can see him doing his thing over the coming months.

18 August 2012 – State Theatre, Sydney
31 August 2012 – Country Club Show Room, Launceston
1 September 2012 – Wrestpoint Casino, Hobart
8 September 2012 – 16 Footers, Belmont
14 September 2012 – Atrium Resort, Mandurah
15 September 2012 – Astor Theatre, Perth
28 September 2012 – Nambour Civic Centre, Sunshine Coast
29 September 2012 – QPAC Theatre, Brisbane
5 October 2012 – Palms at Crown Casino, Melbourne
19 October 2012 – Thoroughbred Park, Lyneham
27 October 2012 – Twin Towns, Gold Coast
10 November 2012 – Waves, Wollongong
11 November 2012 – Day on the Green, Bowral
16 November 2012 – Campbelltown RSL, Campbelltown
17 November 2012 Dee Why RSL, Dee Why

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Heavy Beach Have “Good Intentions”

Heavy Beach channels the dirty sound of 90s grunge with their new single “Good Intentions.”

I couldn’t help thinking of Veruca Salt while listening to the song’s sweet vocals and gritty distorted guitars. The band cites acts like Dinosaur Jr and Sonic Youth amongst their influences, which goes some way towards explaining that retro sound.

“Good Intentions” is available now to download through Heavy Beach’s Bandcamp page. The band will launch the single with a free show at Yah Yah’s in Fitzroy this Friday August 10.

Image used with permission from Tall Sky Press

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Falls Tour Hollywood EP

They’ve just birthed their debut EP Hollywood, and now The Falls are hitting the road. With the record landing in stores today, it seems like the perfect time for the band to circle the country.

Some of the dates see The Falls headlining, while others see them supporting the UK’s Passenger. Either way punters will be treated to some lush folk harmonies from this gorgeous twosome.

4 August 2012 – The Empress Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
5 August 2012 – Pure Pop Records, Melbourne (All Ages @ 4 pm)
11 August 2012 – Hellen Rose Schauersberger Laboratorium, Sydney (18+)
16 August 2012 – The Hi- Fi, Brisbane (with Passenger, 18+)
17 August 2012 – The Hi- Fi, Sydney (with Passenger, All Ages)
22 August 2012 – The Rosemount, Perth (with Passenger, 18+)
23 August 2012 – Fowlers, Adelaide (with Passenger, All Ages)
24 August 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (with Passenger, 18+)
25 August 2012 – The Waratah Hotel, Hobart (with Passenger, 18+)

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Angels & More Join Sydney Blues & Roots Lineup

The second announcement of acts for the 2012 Sydney Blues & Roots Festival sees Aussie rock legends The Angels, guitar prodigy Joe Robinson, and American songstress Barbara Blue added to the bill.

These acts and many more join already announced artists including Ian Moss, Charlie Musselwhite, Mia Dyson, and Lanie Lane.

This year’s Sydney Blues & Roots Festival will take over the Windsorfrom October 25 to 28. Discounted first release tickets are available from the Sydney Blues & Roots Festival website until August 31.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fairchild Republic Tour Wish Upon a Paper Crane

It’s been a long time coming, but Fairchild Republic’s debut album Wish Upon a Paper Crane is almost here. The epic album, which includes the single “Villages” and the new track “Acardia,” will hit stores on August 24.

Wish Upon a Paper Crane shows a band that’s not afraid to take risks. Their sound is big and ambitious. They’re making music like an act with more years under their belt, but they see no need to wait to create an impact.

Fairchild Republic will take their album on the road with launch shows along the East Coast next month. You can catch them at the following venues.

23 August 2012 – Alhambra, Brisbane
24 August 2012 – Elsewhere, Gold Coast
31 August 2012 – The Northern Star Hotel, Newcastle
1 September 2012 – Kittens @ The Spectrum, Sydney
6 September 2012 – Revolver Upstairs, Melbourne
7 September 2012 – John Curtain Hotel, Melbourne
16 September 2012 – Sunday Safari, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lo Five Remembers Amy Winehouse

Sydney soul outfit Lo Five have commemorated the recent first anniversary of Amy Winehouse’s passing with the release of a tribute single “Heavenly Ho.”

The band penned the track as a cautionary letter to the soul singer way back in 2010. Just six months later she was gone. The song aims to keep Amy’s memory alive.

“We always wanted to get our song “Heavenly Ho” out there,” the band explained. “But with the tragedy of her passing and wanting to be respectful of her memory, the only way we felt comfortable sharing the song with the world was by giving it away for free as a memorial and tribute to her on the first anniversary of her death.”

The recording’s got a few rough edges, but there’s an honesty to it that makes it a fitting tribute to the fallen soul singer. What do you think about it?

Image used with permission from Henry Compton

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shihad Play Greatest Hits Shows

Fresh from their slot at Splendour in the Grass, Shihad are returning to Australia to play their greatest hits.

This tour has been some time coming for fans. Shihad released their double greatest hits album The Meanest Hits in New Zealand last year and played shows to support it around the country. Now finally it’s Australia’s turn. The Meanest Hits will hit Australian stores later this month, with the new single “Right Outta Nowhere” added as a sweetener.

The Meanest shows will see Shihad presenting two sides of their personality over 90 minutes. In the first half they’ll embrace their pub roots and in the second they’ll celebrate the stadium rock act they’ve become.

See Shihad this September at the following shows:

6 September 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne
7 September 2012 – The Metro, Sydney
8 September 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
27 September 2012 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide

Image source: Robyn Gallagher @ Flickr