Month: September 2012

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Beards Tour Before World’s End

I don’t mean to bring you down, but if you believe the Mayans the Incas, the Egyptians, or Nostradamus, we don’t have a lot of time left. It’s all wrapping up in 2012. One theory you might not have heard is that held by The Beards, that on December 21 the world will end for the beardless!

If indeed their prophecies do hold true, The Beards have nothing to worry about. But the hairy rockers want to send any clean shaven fans out with a bang on The 2012 End of the World (for beardless people) tour. Say that three times fast!

The tour is their most extensive to date, which is only fitting as The Beards want to convince as many music lovers as possible to put their razors down. It’s for their own good after all!

28 September 2012 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
29 & 30 September 2012 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra
4 October 2012 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
5 October 2012 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
6 October 2012 – The HiFi, Brisbane
10 October 2012 – The Club, Bundaberg
11 October 2012 – Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton
12 October 2012 – Magnums, Airlie Beach
13 October 2012 – JCU Unibar, Townsville
14 October 2012 – The Jack, Cairns
24 October 2012 – Bar On The Hill, Newcastle
25 October 2012 – Wollongong UniBar, Wollongong + The Snowdroppers & Kim Churchill.
26 October 2012 – Baroque Bar, Katoomba
27 October 2012 – Beachcomber Hotel, Toukley
1 November 2012 – ANU, Canberra
2 November 2012 – The Metro, Sydney
3 November 2012 – The HiFi, Melbourne
15 November 2012 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
16 November 2012 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
17 November 2012 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
18 November 2012 – Indi Bar, Scarborough Beach
22 November 2012 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
23 & 24 November 2012 – Queenscliff Festival
29 November 2012 – Royal Oak, Launceston
30 November 2012 – Republic Bar, Hobart
1 & 2 December 2012 – Jive, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Trouble with Templeton Grows with Single Release

The Trouble with Templeton are ushering in a new chapter with the release of the single “Six Months in a Cast.”

What started as a solo act became a duo, then a trio. Now as a five-piece, The Trouble with Templeton are forging forward with a much bolder sound. It’s still as melodic and focused on lyrics, but there’s something much more compelling about this new lush, multi-instrumental act.

“Six Months in a Cast” is available as a digital download today, and The Trouble with Templeton are taking every opportunity to promote it. The Trouble with Templeton frontman Thomas Calder will play solo gigs and shows with his quintet, including a few festivals, some headlining gigs, and dates with Julia Stone, in the coming months. With the I Wrote a Novel EP hitting stores across North America on September 4, The Trouble with Templeton will also do a bit of spruiking stateside.

Here are all the places you can catch this exciting act at home and abroad!

6 September 2012 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine (with Julia Stone – Thomas Calder solo)
7 September 2012 – Forum Theatre, Melbourne (with Julia Stone – full band)
8 September 2012 – Meenlyan Town Hall, Meeniyan (with Julia Stone – Thomas Calder solo)
12 September 2012 – Big Sound Showcase @ Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane (full band)
13 September 2012 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle (with Julia Stone – full band)
14 September 2012 – Dream Festival, Dubbo (full band)
15 September 2012 – The Metro, Sydney (with Julia Stone – full band)
21 September 2012 – Community Centre, Byron Bay (with Julia Stone – Thomas Calder solo)
4-7 October 2012 – 3 showcases at Filter’s Culture Collide, LA (Thomas Calder solo)
16-20 October 2012 – 6 showcases at CMJ Music Marathon, NY (Thomas Calder solo)
26 October 2012 – GOMA Up Late @ Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane (Thomas Calder solo)

Image used with permission from Tiny Monster

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gary Clark Jr Brings Blues to Oz

Budding Texas blues legend Gary Clark Jr is bringing his music to Australia for the first time.

Gary Clark Jr has achieved some amazing things in his 28 years. Austin paid attention way back in 2001, when the mayor named May 3 official Gary Clark Jr. Day. That’s no small honour for a 17 year old! A few years ago he took the stage at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival alongside Clapton, Buddy Guy, and Ronnie Wood. This year he performed in an all-star band with BB King, Mick Jagger, and Jeff Beck for Barack Obama at the White House. He’s also collaborated with The Roots, Nas, and Alicia Keys and played at key festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza.

Gary Clark Jr has been named as part of next year’s Big Day Out festival, but if I were you I’d check him out at his much more intimate warm-up shows later this month. To commemorate the dates, Warner Music Australia has released a tour edition of the acclaimed Bright Lights EP. This disc, which hits record stores today, features 20 minutes of extra live music.

See Gary Clark Jr at Melbourne’s The Tote on September 27 or Sydney’s Annandale Hotel on September 28.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Medics Release Stomach Turning Single Clip

The Medics have me rocking out again with their latest single “Slow Burn.” Despite its name, the song is instantly accessible with big chords and a scorching bass line. I’m not so keen on the music video though. I’m pretty sure it’ll turn even the strongest of stomachs. If you don’t mind images of ants crawling over skin and cuticles being pulled, the video might just be for you. Don’t say you weren’t warned!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Arrested Development Bring Anniversary Shows Down Under

It’s hard to believe that 20 years ago Arrested Development released their seminal album 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of … To celebrate the milestone, the American eight-piece will bring their anniversary tour to Australia in October.

The dual Grammy award winners will take their positive brand of hip hop music to major cities around the country. Expect to hear the album’s big singles “Mr. Wendal,” “Tennessee,” “People Everyday” and heaps more at the following shows.

Tickets go on sale at midday on September 10.

25 October 2012 – Cockatoo Island, Sydney (18+)
26 October 2012 – Magnetic Island, Townsville (18+)
27 October 2012 – Valley Fiesta, Brisbane (FREE All Ages)
2 November 2012 – Prince Band Room, Melbourne (18+)
3 November 2012 – Metro City, Perth (18+)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Greenthief Set Off on First National Headline Tour

Fresh from touring around the country with The Butterfly Effect, Greenthief are preparing to go it alone with their first national headlining dates.

The time is right for Greenthief to stand in the spotlight, as the Brisbane act has just released a brand new single “Mr Number 1.” The big rocking song gives an indication of the kind of tunes we’ll hear when Greenthief release their debut album next year. The band haven’t messed with the winning formula they found on their EP Retribution. ARIA-award winning producer Steve James (Sex Pistols, The Jam) has reunited with the band to give their long-player a bit of spit and polish.

Greenthief kicks off their national tour in Newcastle tonight.

5 September 2012 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
6 September 2012 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
7 September 2012 – Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney
8 September 2012 – Bald Faced Stag, Sydney
21 September 2012 – Ed Castle, Adelaide
22 September 2012 – Pony Bar, Melbourne
28 September 2012 – Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
29 September 2012 – Irish Club, Toowoomba
26 October 2012 – The Rocketroom, Perth
27 October 2012 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
28th October 2012 – The Newport, Fremantle

Image used with permission from Starving Kids Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jacob Butler Wins Songwriting Comp with “Mind Waltz”

Jacob Butler’s new song “Mind Waltz” has just hit radio. It’s great timing too, as the track’s just taken out the Adult Album Alternative Category of the International Songwriting Competition’s Unsigned Only comp. The title sees Jacob recognized as one of the best independent songwriters on the planet. Way to go Jacob!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Good China’s Fun New Music Video

Melbourne eight-piece The Good China have outdone themselves with the fun music video for their new single “We Knew That We Had to Leave.”

In a world where so many acts don’t seem to care about their music videos, it’s so much fun to see the band creating a lyrical landscape to accompany their song.

The song’s pretty fabulous too. It sounds so upbeat and optimistic, but if you listen to it, it’s really a lament about the torture of watching your favourite hangout becoming far too popular with the wrong people. It’s a final goodbye to one chapter, a begrudging acceptance that it’s all over.

What do you think of the clip?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Primal Scream Return to Australia

Primal Scream are encouraging us to get our rocks off when they return to Australia this December.

The British lads clearly love Australia, as they were only here in 2011. If two years felt too long you’ll enjoy this chance to catch the band playing all the hits they’ve recorded over three decades in the biz. With a new album almost in the can, Aussie fans might also be lucky enough to hear some new tunes.

Of course fans will note that it’s not quite the same Primal Scream this time around, as long-time bassist Mani’s left the band. However with My Bloody Valentine’s Debbie Googe stepping up, music lovers are in good hands.

Tickets go on sale on Friday, September 7, for the following shows.

3 December 2012 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
5 December 2012 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
7 December 2012 – The Palace Theatre, Melbourne
9 December 2012 – HQ, Adelaide
11 December 2012 – Astor Theatre, Perth

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Equals Chart Record

Guy Sebastian has retained the top spot on the ARIA singles chart for the third consecutive week with “Battle Scars.” That equals his best chart performance, as “Angels Brought Me Here” also stayed at number one for three weeks way back in 2003. Do you think “Battle Scars” can eclipse its success?

The news isn’t quite as good for the cast of The Sapphires, as the soundtrack’s been bumped from the number one spot by Birdy. However it’s still at number two, which is no small feat.

Birdy’s doing great things on the singles charts too. She’s pushed Justice Crew out of the number two spot, but their track “Boom Boom” is still going gangbusters with a number three finish this week.

Timomatic’s enjoyed a big chart debut. His self-titled album has clinched the third spot on the albums chart. It’s sitting ahead of longstanding chart favourites The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle by Missy Higgins (4) and My Journey by Karise Eden (6).

Click below for this week’s Aussie top tens.

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