Perth post-punk act Dave have one of the most unassuming names in the business, but they’ve caught my ear with their debut single “Red Eye.”
This song is just seriously good fun. It’s got a vaguely British feel to it, and hooks in all the right places. It doesn’t sound like anything I’ve heard of late either, which can only be a good thing. There’s no word on when an album will follow, but “Red Eye” has piqued my interest. Do you love it?
Image used with permission from Positive Feedback
Tex Perkins is back with regular collaborators The Dark Horses. To celebrate, the reunited band will release a brand new album, Everyone’s Alone, on November 2. The disc promises to be a poignant follow-up to the act’s self-titled debut.
Magic always happens when The Dark Horses come together, whether it’s in the studio or on the stage. With new songs in hand, it’s only fitting that Tex and his fellow Dark Horses will pack their bags and snake their way around the East Coast in October and November. To make the shows extra special, The Drones’ Mike Noga will serve as support.
Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.
19 October 2012 – Country Club, Launceston
20 October 2012 – Wrest Point, Hobart
1 November2012 – The Factory, Sydney
2 November 2012 – Milton Theatre, Milton
3 November 2012 – Street Theatre, Canberra
8 November 2012 – The Zoo, Brisbane
9 November 2012 – Star Court Theatre, Lismore
15 November 2012 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
16 November 2012 – SSA Club, Albury
23 November 2012 – The Venue, Townsville
24 November 2012 – Tanks Art Centre, Cairns
Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water
Central Coast husband and wife pairing Microwave Jenny refuse to play it coy with their fun new single “You, Me, Backseat.”
The track comes from the twosome’s latest EP Chasing You. However if you believe the frank single, these guys don’t believe in chasing or playing hard to get! Tessa Boney’s playful vocals work beautifully with the track’s clap-along melody. The band describes their sound as a blend of pop, folk, and love, and I honestly can’t think of anything more appropriate, can you?
See Microwave Jenny playing “You, Me, Backseat” and other fun tunes at the following shows.
3 October 2012 – Lizotte’s, Central Coast
4 October 2012 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
5 October 2012 – The Vanguard, Sydney
6 October 2012 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
10 October 2012 – The Front Gallery Canberra
11 October 2012 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
12 October 2012 – KHS Pavilion, Wagga Wagga
13 October 2012 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide (FREE)
19 October 2012 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane (FREE)
20 October 2012 – The Loft, Gold Coast
Image used with permission from Alpha Entertainment
After just wrapping up more than 30 shows, no one would blame Dallas Frasca for taking a breather. But that’s just not her style. She’s just announced the final launch dates for her Sound Painter album.
The announcement of the new shows comes with the release of a gutsy new single, “Anything Left to Wonder.” Can any other woman in Australia rock out like Dallas?
If you’re impressed by Dallas’ ball-tearing style make sure you see her live at one of the following festivals or headlining shows.
12 October 2012 – The Prince Of Wales, Melbourne
19 October 2012 – Backwater Blues Fest, Adelaide
26 October 2012 – Live at The Wall @ Bald Face Stag, Sydney
27 October 2012 – The Cambridge, Wollongong
2-3 November 2012 – Wangaratta Jazz Festival, Wangaratta
Another week gives us another Aussie number one album, but Guy Sebastian continues his reign on the singles charts. “Battle Scars” continues to perform, making it the equal best performing number one for the year with Flo Rida’s “Wild Ones.” Meanwhile Pink’s The Truth About Love is her fourth consecutive album to debut at number one. It bumped off The Amity Affliction’s Chasing Ghosts, which has fallen all the way down to number 15 this week.
We have seen some impressive album debuts by up and coming local acts though. The Rubens’ self-titled album has rocketed in to the charts at number three, while Aussie hip hopper Seth Sentry is sitting at number six on debut with This Was Tomorrow.
The Sapphires and The Presets round out the local talent in the top 10. The soundtrack from the Aussie flick is steady at number seven this week, while The Presets’ latest release Pacifica has fallen from number three to 10.
Again we see Justice Crew keeping Guy Sebastian company in the singles top 10. Their unstoppable song “Boom Boom” sits at number seven after a massive three months on the charts.
Click below for this week’s top 10s.
When I received a press release telling me Dave Dobbyn was returning to our shores for the first time in 20 years I was shocked. It seemed like just yesterday I saw him supporting Shawn Mullins at Newcastle Workers Club. However on consulting Shawn’s discography, it seems my tour was probably even longer than two decades ago! Way to make a girl feel old!
I must admit, on the night I heard Dave was on the Shawn Mullins’ bill I thought I’d enjoy “Slice of Heaven,” and that was about all. Yet I found there was much more to this Kiwi than that radio favourite. I thoroughly enjoyed his set, and I’m sure folks will feel the same when he returns to Australia in November. He’ll be playing a greatest hits set, which I’m assured compromises much more than “Slice of Heaven.”
Find out what else is in Dave’s repertoire when he plays the major capitals later this year. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, September 24, for the following shows.
14 November 2012 – The Corner, Melbourne
15 November 2012 – The Basement, Sydney
16 November 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
“Last Four Dollars” has been one of the highlights of Fraser A Gorman’s live shows. So it’s only fitting that Fraser recently recorded the song with his new band Big Harvest. Along with worthy A-side companion “Blossom,” the song’s become a worthy new single for the Melbourne country-folk outfit.
“Last Four Dollars/Blossom” is our first taste of Fraser A Gorman and Big Harvest’s highly anticipated debut album, which should hit stores early next years. This is the follow-up to the band’s acclaimed EP S/T, which launched with a sold-out show at The Toff a couple of months ago.
Fraser A Gorman and Big Harvest will launch “Last Four Dollars/Blossom” with a big hometown show at the Northcote Social Club on October 22. Tickets are $13 (including booking fee) from the venue.
Image used with permission from Shows in Space Publicity
There’ll be more than movies at the 2012 Cockatoo Island Film Festival. The event will see the historic Sydney island transformed into an entertainment hub, with cinema screens and live music stages, from October 25 to 27.
Arrested Development will grace the main stage on Thursday October 25 as part of their 20th anniversary tour. Bluejuice and Jinja Safari will follow the American hip hop act on October 26, and Matt Corby will close the festival with another licensed all ages show on October 27.
If you want to party on after those acts make sure you head to the Precinct Nightclub. Artists like Gossling, Saskwatch, the Future Classic DJs, and Halfway Crooks will be pumping out tunes from 10 pm to the early hours of the morning.
Tickets for all Cockatoo Island Film Festival shows are available now through Moshtix.
Image used with permission from Heapsaflash
American blues legend Kelly Joe Phelps will make a pit stop in Australia this spring to promote his latest album Brother Sinner & The Whale.
The album marks a return to form for Kelly Joe, who’s refocusing on the marriage of simple songwriting and his acclaimed slide guitar melodies. Kelly Joe calls Brother Sinner & The Whale a gospel album, but his blues and folk leanings bring something new to that genre. Incredibly it was recorded in just three days.
The Australian shows are nestled amongst more than 200 dates around the world, including shows in Europe, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, and even Iceland. The local dates are especially exciting for fans as Kelly Joe hasn’t performed here in around five years.
Kelly Joe Phelps will launch Brother Sinner & The Whale with the following Aussie shows.
30 October 2012 – Blue Beat, Double Bay
31 October 2012 – Camelot’s Lounge, Marrickville
1 November 2012 – Lizottes, Kincumber
2 November 2012 – Lizottes, Newcastle
3 November 2012 – The Substation, Melbourne
5 November 2012 – Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh
7 November 2012 – Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane
8 November 2012 – Solbar, Sunshine Coast
9 November 2012 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
10 November 2012 – Mullumbimby Civic Hall, Mullumbimby
Image used with permission from Heapsaflash
The incomparable Mama Kin will give us a taste of her forthcoming album The Magician’s Daughter with the new single “Was It Worth It.” The album won’t hit stores until early next year, but we can enjoy the single when it’s released on September 28.
The new album showcases an artist exploring new musical styles and the human condition.
“I got used to the idea that I have to be out of my comfort zone to make the kind of art I want to make, I have to feel pushed. I have to be on the edge to be able to jump in and get as deep as I want and need,” Mama Kin explained. “Magic for me is when there is a transformation inspired by subtle forces, and this is what we aim to bring to our audiences.”
Fans can enjoy “Was It Worth It” and a sneak peek of songs from the new album when Mama Kin tours around the country for the next few months. Tickets for her Talisman tour are on sale now.
27 & 28 September 2012 – Caloundra Music Festival,
6 October 2012 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
19 October 2012 – Town Hall, Nannup
20 October 2012 – Clancys Fish Pub, Dunsborough
21 October 2012 – Mojos, North Fremantle
25 October 2012 – Jive, Adelaide
26 October 2012 – The Railway Club, Darwin
28 October 2012 – Island Vibes Festival, North Stradbroke Island
30 October 2012 – Camelot, Marrickville
31 October 2012 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
1 November 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
24 & 25 November 2012 – Mullum Music Festival, Mullumbimby
Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water