Month: March 2013

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Texas Tea Releases Adults’ Only Alphabet Song

Brisbane alt-country outfit Texas Tea treats us to “The Alphabet Song”, the third single from last year’s album “Sad Summer Hits”.

This is a long way from the alphabet song we were all taught as kids. There might be cute puppets in the clip, but you’ll want to cover your own children’s ears if they’re around. It’s a delightfully bitter break-up song that links the letters to some fairly choice words.

With an east coast tour in the works and a European leg not too far behind that, it seems we’ll be seeing a lot more of Texas Tea in the coming months.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Since the River Impress with “Ithaca”

Victorian duo Since the River are behind the haunting new song “Ithaca.”

This beautifully dark track took me back to the time I spent devouring Tori Amos music in my late teens. It’s so moody and brooding and mournful, but there’s something quite romantic amongst all that tragedy. It’s only enhanced by the gorgeous video, which was directed and produced by the talented band. They transformed Victoria’s Half Moon Bay and South Gippsland region into a place I didn’t even recognise. Wow.

Since the River are a band that’s definitely piqued my interest. How about you, dear readers?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kate Miller-Heidke Plays Churches & Regional Theatres

Kate Miller-Heidke is preparing to travel around Australia in her most extensive tour since 2009. The shows will see Kate playing tracks from her most recent album Nightflight as well as everyone’s old favourites.

Music lovers in the capital cities are in for a real treat as Kate will play churches and cathedrals as part of the Heavenly Sounds initiative. These intimate venues lend themselves to stripped back performances, so it’s exciting to hear Kate’s ditching a full band for shows with her long-time collaborator Keir Nuttall.

“I’m very much looking forward to being a part of Heavenly Sounds. It’s such a beautiful concept,” said Kate. “I haven’t sung in a church since high school, but they do tend to have very gorgeous voice-friendly acoustics.”

Fans in the regional centres aren’t missing out too much though. The venues aren’t quite as cool, but they’re still small and intimate. Kate is also visiting many towns she hasn’t played in for years.

“Of course I love playing in the capital cities, but there is something very special about the audiences in regional areas. It has been more than three years since my last big regional tour, so this one is long overdue,” Kate said. “These fans are hugely important to me, and I can’t wait to see them!”

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

26 May 2013 – Star Court Theatre, Lismore
28 May 2013 – St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane
30 May 2013 – Empire Church Theathre, Toowoomba
31 May 2013 – Gold Coast Arts Centre Theatre, Gold Coast
1 June 2013 – Caloundra RSL, Caloundra
5 June 2013 – St Joseph’s Subiaco, Perth
6 June 2013 – Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah
7 June 2013 – Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany
8 June 2013 – Margaret River Cultural Centre, Margaret River
11 June 2013 – Mildura Arts Centre, Mildura
12 June 2013 – Chaffey Theatre, Renmark
14 June 2013 – Flinders Street Baptist Church, Adelaide
15 June 2013 – Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Mt Gambier
16 June 2013 – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool
18 June 2013 – GPAC Drama Theatre, Geelong
21 June 2013 – St Michael’s Church, Melbourne
22 June 2013 – The Capital, Bendigo
23 June 2013 – Westside Performing Arts Centre, Shepparton
25 & 26 June 2013 – Street Theatre, Canberra
27 June 2013 – St Stephen’s Uniting Church, Sydney
28 June 2013 – Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle
29 June 2013 – Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree

Image source Dan Gray, Graynoise / Used with permission from Jones PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aluka Tours Debut Album

They charmed me with their single “Keep My Cool” and their recent work with Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides. And now finally, Aluka have announced that their new album, Space, will hit stores soon.

Space sees Aluka three-piece experimenting with genre. There’s some jazz, some hip hop, some hymns, and even some good old fashioned pop music. The a capella three-piece shunned a traditional studio for far more interesting surrounds. What other act can say they’ve recorded at a swimming pool, a barn, and a World War II bunker? You can be the judge whether the girls’ daring has paid off when Space drops on April 5.

Aluka will support the album’s release with the following headline shows.

11 April 2013 – Camelot Lounge, Sydney
12 April 2013 – Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart
17 April 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
19 April 2013 – Nexus Arts Centre, Adelaide
3 May 2013 – Northcote Uniting Church, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordie Lane Signs with Canadian Booking Agent

Congratulations to Jordie Lane, who’s just signed a deal with Canadian booking agent Paquin Entertainment. Paquin is home to many credible Canucks including Tegan and Sara, Josh Ritter, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Buffy Sainte-Marie.

Jordie’s currently in the thick of his local Movement tour, which will serve as a warm-up for his some forthcoming Canadian shows. Dates haven’t been announced yet, but Canadian music lovers can expect to see him playing headlining shows and several major festivals during July and August.

Image used with permission from Jordie Lane Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Tim Guy Album About to Drop

I was so impressed last year when I heard “Armour Weight”, the first single from Tim Guy’s fourth album Dreaming of a Night Mango. It was laid back, free of pretention, and just beautiful. We get more of the same with Tim’s latest single “Many People I Know” You know what they say about not fixing what ain’t broke!

The song is a gentle number which Tim penned way back in 2011. He’d just moved back to Melbourne after living in Auckland, and he felt somewhat displaced in this town he once called home. It’s a slow burner, but a stunner nonetheless.

If you love these songs you’ll want to grab the album and see the shows. Dreaming of a Night Mango hits stores on April 5, which is not so coincidentally around the same time he’s setting off for a national tour. Here are all the places you can see him play!

4 April 2013 – Lock n Load Bistro, Brisbane (FREE)
5 April 2013 – Sol Bar, Maroochydoore (FREE)
6 April 2013 – Gov’s Espressso, Gold Coast
11 April 2013 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
12 April 2013 – The Green Room Lounge, Sydney
13 April 2013 – The Front Gallery & Cafe, Canberra
14 April 2013 – Albion Hotel, Albury
18 April 2013 – The Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
19 April 2013 – The Old Mt Gambier Gaol, Mt Gambier
24 April 2013 – Grace Darling, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Maitland Gaol Rocks for Youth Charity

Enjoy some great music and a healthy dose of karma at Maitland Gaol today. The Hunter Valley prison will host Gaolbreak for the Future, a live music event raising funds for The Centre for Hope.

The Centre for Hope works with “at risk” students, those young Australians who are skipping classes, having difficulties interacting with the other students, and seeing their marks slip. The charity looks to empower these kids, teach them to respect themselves, and help them find a place they belong in their community through its mentorship program.

You can help raise funds for this vital work by heading down to Maitland Goal today. Tickets to the show cost just $15, or $30 for a family of four. Local musicians will warm up the crowds before headliners The Last Kinection take to the stage.

It all kicks off at 1 pm, so get your skates on Novacastrians. You don’t want to miss this!

Image source: The Last Kinection website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Loon Lake’s On Fire

It’s Saturday, time to celebrate. Loon Lake provide the perfect soundtrack with their feelgood new single “On Fire”.

The track’s spiky guitars and whirling synthesizers combine with a sing-along chorus to create a perfect pop number. You just see if you don’t have a smile on your face by the time its three minutes are up.

Loon Lake’s songwriter and lead singer Sam Nolan says the track marks a return to the band’s “rocky side”. When it sounds this good, I hope we see this act revisiting their rock roots more often!

“On Fire” indeed!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan Webb Does It Again

There’s still time to grab a free download of “Riot”, the latest free digital song released as part of Dan Webb’s 12 Songs, 12 Months project.

This month we’re treated to a sultry, keyboard driven number that might sound like the kind of riots that occur in smoky jazz clubs. Dan’s ably supported on this number by drummer Peter Marin (Passenger, Bertie Blackman) and bassist Joshua Jones (Dan Sultan, Gossling).

Dan continues to impress with these monthly releases. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for April!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordan Millar Does it Again with “Maps”

Jordan Millar really impressed me with his debut single “Walking On Me”. After hearing his follow-up, Maps, I’m even more in love.

This is music people. It’s got all the right ingredients: a warm, welcoming voice, honest lyrics, great melodic hooks, all pulled together with the gentle strum of an acoustic guitar. It’s perfectly complemented by the retro-style clip, which takes us on a journey around the world through the lens of a Super 8 camera.

I have to get my hands on Jordan’s album Cold Lights On Curious Minds. If those singles are any indication, it’s shaping up to be one of 2013’s breakthrough albums. And remember, Jordan’s kicking off his tour with Jack Carty tonight. Here are all the places you can see these hot young talents playing!

22 March 2013 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
23 March 2013 – The Loft, Warnambool
24 March 2013 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
28 March 2013 – Manhattans Wine Bar, Launceston
30 March 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
3 April 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
4 April 2013 – Cafe Le Monde, Noosa Heads
5 April 2013 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba (FREE)
6 April 2013 – The Loft, Gold Coast
11 April 2013 – The Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (FREE)
12 April 2013 – Lennox Hotel, Lennox Head (FREE)
13 April 2013 – 5 Church St, Bellingen
14 April 2013 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour (FREE)
18 April 2013 – Lizotte’s Restaurant, Newcastle
20 April 2013 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
26 April 2013 – The Aztec, Forster (FREE)
27 April 2013 – The Pier, Port Macquarie (FREE)
28 April 2013 – The Fig, Port Macquarie (FREE)
3 May 2013 – Yours and Owls, Wollongong
4 & 5 May 2013 – Front Gallery, Canberra