Feel like getting fired up? Then wrap your ears around the aptly named “Fire!”, the explosive new single from Riki and the Rants.
This is so much fun with its spandex and feathers and blue-faced men. It’s old school rock and roll, dynamic and theatrical with a spirit that Freddie Mercury would be proud of.
And best of all, it’s just been released digitally today. If you’re in Melbourne I suggest you get to The Toff on March 19 for what’s sure to be an entertaining launch show!
So having The Hoff endorse your music probably means as little as having him rubber stamp your acting ability. However I’m still a little impressed by the nice things David Hasselhoff says about our own Jacob Butler in this video promoting his new album Reason.
If you’re not as excited about The Hoff’s presence as I am, this vid’s still worth watching for the sneak peek of Jacob’s latest single “Kites”. The track sounds great, but it can’t hold a candle to the star power of The Hoff. Perhaps these guys should record a duet for the next album!
Our very own Guy Sebastian has lent his voice to “Bed of Clouds,” the debut solo single from Montreal rapper Swift K.I.D.
“Bed of Clouds” is the follow-up to “Hey Hey Hey”, a triple-platinum collaboration between Swift K.I.D., Laurent Wery, and Dev. Guy said he “really loved that track,” so he jumped at the chance to be involved with Swift K.I.D.’s next musical venture.
“He is a cool cat and got some good things coming,” Guy said.
I really love the way Guy’s soulful voice works with Swift K.I.D.’s rapping. There’s also great potential here. “Hey Hey Hey” chalked up more than eight million views online. Can you imagine what it’d do for Guy’s career abroad if this song got similar attention?
“Bed of Clouds” is available for digital download now.
Melbourne double act Colour Bomb blew me away with their debut single “On the Run,” and I’m just as impressed by their follow-up effort “Beautiful Parade.”
This track isn’t quite so epic, but it’s incredible likable. It’s unashamedly pop, but with a classic bent that helps set it apart from the throwaway tunes flooding commercial radio. The film clip’s also every bit as colourful as the band’s name.
It seems I’m not the only one who approves either. The video is currently Rage’s Indie Clip of the Week!
You might just want to wait until you’re out of the office before you tune in. There’s a little bit of nudity towards the end that the boss may frown upon!
For the third week in a row we have a new Australian album sitting on the top of the ARIA Charts. This week the honour goes to Birds of Tokyo, who’ve earned their first number one with March Fires.
Last week’s number one, Hillsong United’s Zion has taken a big tumble. It’s now sitting at number nine. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ Push the Sky Away, the album that was number one before that, is proving much steadier. It’s only slipped one position to land at number six.
Nick and co stand a step ahead of fellow Aussies The Bee Gees’ Mythology, which is at number seven, and Flume’s self-titled work, which is at number eight.
For the first time in a long time we don’t have any Aussie singles in the top ten. Hopefully we see that change next week!
Click below to see all the top tens!
Continue reading “Birds of Tokyo Become Third Aussie Act to Top ARIA Albums Chart in Three Weeks!”
So many modern tracks suffer from being oversung, overproduced, and just plain overdone. So it’s refreshing to hear a track like “Warned” by Melbourne act Alex Watts & the Foreign Tongue.
This is really raw stuff, with dirty vocals and gritty instrumentation. There’s a little too much reverb in the guitars, but that only adds to the appeal. Rather than studio trickery, I’m hearing something that could have been produced in any garage. Or at least a garage that had a visit from the horn section of The Australian Ska Orchestra!
Love it? Well get yourself a copy for free! Alex Watts & the Foreign Tongue are giving it away via their website!
I’ve always found the music of Abbe May a bit hit and miss. When she was on, she floored me with her raw, feminine power. But when her musical experiments didn’t work, they left me cold. Thankfully she’s back to her best with her kickass new single “T.R.O.U.B.L.E”.
I love the way the electronic tones work with Abbe’s haunting falsetto. It’s all so very sexy and raw. There’s so much swagger about it. I love it. If this is the kind of music we can look forward to when Abbe releases her new album Kiss My Apocalypse in May, sign me up.
There could be some confusion when Hey Geronimo begin supporting The Presidents of the United States of America on their Aussie tour tonight. The local support act have attempted to record a homage to the retro American act, but it seems they’re not so familiar with the lyrics. Oh dear.
Hopefully all that will be worked out when Hey Geronimo and The Presidents of the United States join forces at the following shows!
8 March 2013 – HiFi, Brisbane
9 March 2013 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
10 March 2013 – Palace, Melbourne
14 March 2013 – HQ, Adelaide
15 March 2013 – Roundhouse, Sydney
16 March 2013 – Metropolis, Fremantle
Few of us remember the talent show contestants that fail to make the finals. But for me, Ngaiire was the exception to the rule. So many years since she was snubbed for the Australian Idol finals, I still remember her time on the show. So I’m thrilled to see she’s back in the spotlight with a new single and an album on the way in June.
That single is “Dirty Hercules,” the first song lifted from her debut album Lamentations. It’s a sultry, smouldering number that showcases Ngaiire’s voice beautifully. It reminded me a lot of something Sade might have released in her heyday. I expected a bit more spice from Ngaiire, but perhaps she’s saving that for future singles.
If you’re as excited as I am to hear more of Ngaiire’s music, make sure you catch her when she tours “Dirty Hercules” this month.
9 March 2013 – Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
10 March 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
16 & 17 March 2013 – Blue Mountains Music Festival, Katoomba
23 March 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
29 March 2013 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
30 March 2013 – FBi Social Club, King’s Cross
12 April 2013 – The Joynt, Brisbane
13 April 2013 – Full Moon Party, Noosa
14 April 2013 – Buddha Bar, Byron Bay
Image used with permission from Heapsaflash
Darren Cross has put his days in Gerling behind him to forge a brand new alt-country duo with Jessica Cassar. Together they’re Jep and Dep, the talents behind this gorgeous new song “Ain’t Coming Back.”
I adore the way this number breathes new life into the tired old love song genre. There’s none of the whining and pining. Instead Jep and Dep sing about getting out at the right time and moving forward. Its lyrics are also as poetic as any I’ve heard of late. The track gives us a taste of what’s in store when the double act launches their debut EP, Through the Night, on March 13.
If you love what you hear, get your skates on. Jep and Dep will give music lovers a sneak peek at the EP when they headline a show at the Oxford Arts Factory tonight. If you’ve missed it don’t worry; they’ll formally launch their EP at the following shows.
17 March 2013 – Green Room, Enmore
23 March 2013 – Earth Hour @ Midnight Special, Newtown
7 April 2013 – Gasometer Hotel, Melbourne
12 April 2013 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart