Month: March 2013

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

James Teague Prepares for National Tour

With his hometown of Perth busting with talent, James Teague had to be work hard to make his mark. But he’s put in the hard yards and impressed locals with his unique blend of folk, country, and blues. Now he’s taking that unusual sound to the rest of the nation with a national headlining tour.

James will play shows to support “Where Sorrow Is Forgotten (in the Great Divine)”, the cracker new single from his debut album Lavender Prayers. It’s such an incredible number that reminds me of The Charlie Daniel’s Band, The Doors, and Tim Buckley all rolled in to one. I can only imagine how well it’d translate to the stage. We can all find out when James Teague plays the following shows.

24 March 2013 – The Old Mt Gambier Gaol, Mt Gambier
27 March 2013 – The Old Bar, Fitzroy
28 March 2013 – The Spotted Mallard, Brunswick
29 March 2013 – Grace Darling, Collingwood
31 March 2013 – Curtin Band Room, Carlton
4 April 2013 – FBi Social, Kings Cross
5 April 2013 – Sabotage Club, Sydney
8 April 2013 – 505, Surry Hills
10 April 2013 – The Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
12 April 2013 – Mandala Organic Arts Cafe, Gold Coast
13 April 2013 – South Side Tea Room, Brisbane
14 April 2013 – The Joynt, South Brisbane
19 April 2013 – White Star Hotel, Albany
21 April 2013 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough

Image used with permission from Shows in Space Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Beards Tour First World Nations

After winning Australia over with their love of facial hair, The Beards are taking on the world.

The hirsute ones are currently spending time in North America, warming up for a return to home soil for a handful of holiday festivals. Then it’s back on a plane to dazzle European audiences before they arrive home triumphant for the world tour finale. It’s an ambitious schedule, but one that’s been carefully thought out by the band who decided to concentrate on the world’s most developed nations.

“People living in developed countries are more susceptible to shaving.” explained the band’s frontman, Johann Beardraven. “They are a high risk group, so it’s important for our message to reach them before it’s too late.”

Indeed. You can hear The Beards’ message at the following shows.

23 March 2013 – Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto (daytime show)
23 March 2013 – Bovine Sex Club, Toronto
24 March 2013 – Sons Of Essex, New York (daytime show)
28 March-1 April 2013 – Byron Bay Bluesfest, Byron Bay
25 April 2013 – The Gum Ball Festival, Hunter Valley
11 May 2013 – 4AD, Diksmuide
12 May 2013 – Paradiso, Amsterdam
13 May 2013 – Molotow, Hamburg
14 May 2013 – Fraanz Club, Berlin
16 May 2013 – Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
17 May 2013 – Nice N Sleazy, Glasgow
19 May 2013 – Bearded Theory Festival, Derby
20 May 2013 – Hoxton Square Bar, London
21 May 2013 – Hare and Hounds, Birmingham
22 May 2013 – Deaf Institute, Manchester
23 May 2013 – The Louisianna, Bristol
24 May 2013 – Leadmill, Sheffield
26 May 2013 – Scrumpstock Festival, Somerset
31 May 2013 – Jive, Adelaide
7 June 2013 – Amplifier Capitol, Perth
8 June 2013 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
13 June 2013 – Pelly Bar @ Pier Live, Frankston
14 June 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
15 June 2013 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne
21 June 2013 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
22 June 2013 – The Northern, Byron Bay
27 June 2013 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
28 June 2013 – Waves, Wollongong
29 June 2013 – The Metro, Sydney

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Creo Impress with “Monday Mourning”

Creo offer us an enticing taste of The Memo with the release of “Monday Mourning”.

I love the song’s so-raw-it-bleeds vocal and strong focus on melody. It’s definitely rooted in rock, but that melodic core makes it incredibly accessible. It’s lacking in polish, but I don’t necessarily see that as a negative. Instead I’m attracted by its raw realness. The Sydney lads have created an anthem here which sets the bar very high.

After hearing the single, I’m very keen to check out Creo’s The Memo. The band will launch that EP at the following shows around the country.

22 March 2013 – The Factory, Sydney
29 March 2013 – The Brewery, Byron Bay
30 March 2013 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
12 April 2013 – The Espy Basement, Melbourne
20 April 2013 – Goodgod Small Club, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“In Rico Glaciers” – Sons of Rico

The sophomore effort from Perth’s Sons of Rico was always guaranteed to put fun first. The band’s moniker was inspired by cult comedy classic Napoleon Dynamite, and their latest record playfully pays tribute to a cheesy Latin crooner. The good vibes are in abundance, but by the end I was left scratching my head.

Perhaps that confusion isn’t a bad thing. I admire Sons of Rico’s ambition. The album opener “Against the Grain” is a big bold start, and while the second track “I’m Not Thinking About You” gets a bit shouty at times, it makes its point. “In My Eyes” was a real highlight for me, with angelic harmonies combining with raw rock riffs.

And then the album takes a sharp left turn, abandoning its modern rock feel for something much more retro. “Just My Type” and “Adjustable Value” call to mind Electric Light Orchestra and Supertramp. Referencing such classic rock pioneers isn’t a bad thing at all. It just doesn’t gel with what came before.

I’m still not sure whether that’s a problem though. Sons of Rico might be a band still trying to work out what they want to be, or they could be an outfit that enjoys making music genre constraints. In any case what they do is damn good fun, with a bubbling energy that’s infectious. Perhaps that’s what matters most.

In Rico Glaciers hits stores on March 29. Sons of Rico will launch it at the following shows:

5 April 2013 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
6 April 2013 – Settler’s Tavern, Margaret River
11 April 2013 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
12 April 2013 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
13 April 2013 – Alhambra, Brisbane
26 April 2013 – Revolution, Geelong
27 April 2013 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
2 May 2013 – Good God, Sydney
3 May 2013 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
4 May 2013 – Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle

Image source: JB Hi Fi

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aluka Joins Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides for “Broken Road”

Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides have enlisted singing goddesses Aluka for their brand new single, “Broken Road.”

I love the way that the angelic voices of the Melbourne a capella trio complement Tomas’ rawer, more masculine tone. The melding of these very distinctive sounds adds an extra rich layer to the exquisite lyrics and pretty melody of this new single. It’s not a song that screams the loudest, but it’s really something special.

If you like what you hear, make sure you head to Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides’ Bandcamp page. This generous band is giving the track away for free! If you’d prefer an old fashioned, physical copy, make sure you get to the band’s single launch at Melbourne’s Workers Club on March 27. All tickets come with a complimentary copy of “Broken Road.”

Image used with permission from Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pretty City Prove They’re One to Watch

Melbourne act Pretty City are encouraging us to sit up and take notice with their double A-side debut single “Part Of Your Crowd/Ignoring My Friends.”

In the absence of big label backing, Pretty City are making music the best way they know how. “Part Of Your Crowd” was recording entirely on a iPhone rather than sophisticated studio equipment. It’s not fancy, but raw talent shines through here.

Often music videos must wait until a band’s established, but they’ve created one of those too thanks to up and coming young filmmaker Pete Schand. It’s nothing that we haven’t really seen before, but it does give us some insight into the band’s work on their forthcoming EP, which should hit stores mid-year.

Pretty City will take time out of the studio to promote their new single at Fitzroy’s Gasometer on March 24.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bobby Alu Shares Wise New Single

Bobby Alu is bringing good vibes to your Sunday with his brand new single “You Know.”

This laidback slice of rootsy soul-pop is the first track to come from Bobby’s highly anticipated sophomore album, Take It Slow. Given the leisurely pace of this number, that might be a pretty apt title.

Bobby wrote the tune while reconnecting with his heritage in sunny Samoa. It sounds very mellow, but it also has a pretty important message about accepting the truth, no matter how much it hurts.

If you love what you hear, make sure you get out and see Bobby when he launches “You Know” at the following shows.

17 March 2013 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough (4 pm – FREE)
5 April 2013 – Nayri Niara Festival, Bruny Island
14 April 2013 – Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick Heads (FREE)
19 April 2013 -The Joynt, West End
20 April 2013 – Big Pineapple Festival, Woombye
26-28 April 2013 – Apollo Bay Music Festival, Apollo Bay
4 May 2013 – Mandala Arts Café, Mermaid Waters

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amity Affliction, Pez Headline Brisbane Youth Music Festival

Brisbane’s youth will be living it up this Easter at the inaugural Live it Up musical festival. A stellar local line-up featuring The Amity Affliction, Chance Waters, Pez, and The Getaway Plan will entertain under-aged music lovers on April 13.

But why just watch from the ground when you could be a part of the action? Live It Up organisers are inviting young bands and DJs to open the festival. Just head to the Live It Up festival website to see how you can get involved.

“Brisbane is full of talent, particularly young people and it’s a rare opportunity for them to get a gig and show fans what they can do,” explained festival organiser Zanda Strofield. “We’re committed not only to giving the best music event of the year for Brisbane’s 18 and unders, but also to support them and shine a light on what we have here in our backyard.”

Mums and dads can rest easy, as the event will be completely drug and alcohol free. Tickets are on sale now through the Live It Up website.

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Drones Tour I See Seaweed

With their new album I See Seaweed firmly entrenched in the ARIA top 20, The Drones are preparing to play some of Australia’s hottest venues.

The I See Seaweed tour will see the band playing everywhere from beloved pubs to intimate theatres including the granddaddy of them all, the Sydney Opera House’s Concert Hall. It’s a fitting return for the band that has been absent from the national touring scene for the last two years.

Melbourne’s King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard will join The Drones for the journey, playing all shows except for Cairns where local supports will step in. Tickets are on sale now from the venues.

11 April 2013 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
12 April 2013 – Tivoli, Brisbane
13 April 2013 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
19 April 2013 – The Astor Theatre, Perth
20 April 2013 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
26 April 2013 – The Forum Theatre, Melbourne
27 April 2013 – Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Sydney

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jen Cloher Plans Fan-Funded Album

Do you like this song? Then you’ll want to keep reading.

That’s “Mount Beauty,” the first single from Jen Cloher’s third album. However if her fans don’t pitch in and support her, that album might not ever be made.

Jen’s the latest Australian artist to ditch studio control to create an independent album, with the kindness of strangers. The idea makes sense for Jen, as she says her fans have allowed her to enjoy life as an indie act.

“My success rests entirely upon the interest you have shown in my work, that support has enabled me to continue to create, release and tour my music in Australia.”

Through the Pozible platform Jen hopes to raise $15,000 to get her latest record made. She’s currently about five grand shy of her target, but you can help her get there.

So what’s in it for you? Well aside from the good karma and great music to follow, you could star in Jen’s next film clip, hear the album on vinyl while her band cooks you a Mexican meal, or have Jen write a song especially for you.

Sound good? Well dig deep and support Jen’s Pozible campaign!