Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Twelve Foot Ninja Launch “Shuriken” with Aussie Shows

Twelve Foot Ninja might be preparing to conquer the world, but they’ve got time to rock Australia before they go. They’ll play a string of local shows to support the release of their epic genre-bending new single “Shuriken”.

The accompanying music video shows Twelve Foot Ninja doing what they do best. It acts as a kind of tour postcard, documenting their life on the road over the last twelve months.

Capital city shows sold out last time Twelve Foot Ninja headlined a local tour, so don’t wait too long to get your tickets. North American dates will be announced shortly.

30 August 2013 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
5 September 2013 – Coffs Hotel, Coffs Harbour
6 September 2013 – Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
7 September 2013 – Parkwood Tavern, Gold Coast
12 September 2013 – Zierholz UC, Canberra
13 September 2013 – Waves, Wollongong
14 September 2013 – Manning Bar, Sydney
19 September 2013 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
20 September 2013 – Entrance Leagues, The Entrance
21 September 2013 – Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale
26 September 2013 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
27 September 2013 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
4 October 2013 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
5 October 2013 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide
9 October 2013 – K17, Berlin
10 October 2013 – Headcrash, Hamburg
11 October 2013 – Camden Barfly, London
12 October 2013 – Euroblast, Cologne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boogie Celebrates ’70s Country-Rock with Silver Roads

They brought us blues, R&B, and heavy rock last time around, and now the Boogie! team promises to treat us to the other side of the return-to-roots coin. Their latest compilation, BOOGIE! Presents Silver Roads: Australian Country-Rock and Singer-Songwriters of the ‘70s, hits stores tomorrow.

The two CD set features big names like Axiom, Russell Morris, Richard Clapton, and Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs alongside more obscure numbers from acts like Autodrifters, Tymepiece, and Hot Knives.

Its release means I don’t have to wrack my brains for a Father’s Day gift for dear old dad. I have a sneaking feeling I’ll want him to burn me a copy too!

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy Outside Plays Redfern Shows for EP Release

British-born, Sydney-based singer-songwriter Boy Outside will release his self-titled debut EP tomorrow, August 9.

The EP features the gorgeous folky single “River Runs to the Sea” and five more stellar songs recorded at Linear Studios late last year.

Boy Outside will celebrate the EP’s release with launch shows every Thursday in August at Redfern’s Arcadia Liquors. The first show’s tonight, so make sure you don’t miss it!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Little Scout Prepare to Release Second Album

Little Scout were one of my favourite acts of 2011. So I’m thrilled to hear they’re back this year with their second album Are You Life, which will hit stores on September 6.

Are You Life was self-produced and recorded at several spots around their hometown of Brisbane. It reflects the band’s evolution, with the stronger, more distorted sounds Little Scout have been playing with in their live shows. Happily though Are You Life still features those gorgeous vocal melodies I first fell for. It also features the lead single “Go Quietly”, which has scored plenty of airplay on commercial radio and JJJ.

You can enjoy a sneak peek of the Are You Life when Little Scout support fellow Brisbanites Hungry Kids of Hungary at the following shows.

23 August 2013 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
24 August 2013 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
30 August 2013 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
31 August 2013 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
5 September 2013 – The Barwon Club, Geelong
6 September 2013 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
7 September 2013 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dead Letter Circus Treat Fans to New Single, Album, & Tour

Dead Letter Circus’ sophomore album The Catalyst Fire doesn’t drop until Friday, but you can enjoy a sneak peek with the video for the lead single “Lodestar”. This is an epic rock song that gives us a great taste of what’s to come from the Brisbane quintet.

Of course a song like this is only going to sound better in the flesh, so fans will be excited to hear that Dead Letter Circus will tour the album around the country this August and September.

29 August 2013 – HQ, Adelaide
30 August 2013 – The Wool Exchange, Geelong
31 August 2013 – The HiFi, Melbourne
4 September 2013 – Zierholz @ UC, Canberra
5 September 2013 – The Metro, Sydney
6 September 2013 – Waves, Wollongong
7 September 2013 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
12 September 2013 – Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra
13 September 2013 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
14 September 2013 – The Hifi, Brisbane
19 September 2013 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
20 September 2013 – Metropolis, Fremantle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom West Launches Debut Album with Aussie Shows

I became enamoured with Tom West when I heard his first single “Jonathan’s Farm” in May. Back then I said his album was sure to be something special. We get to find out when Tom tours his first-long player A Spark in the Dark around the country.

That song, and the follow-up “Malecón” unfold slowly, taking their time to draw us in. Perhaps that’s not surprising, as the album took some time to come together too. Tom spent a year travelling and writing songs before heading in to the studio with fellow Adelaide musicians Alister Douglas and Todd Sibbin. I use the term studio loosely, but really the trio worked together in a shed equipped with two microphones and a laptop. That gives these tracks a really raw, organic quality which is so appealing.

Tom’s been playing solo shows locally and around North America for the first half of the year, but he thought it only fitting that he take Alister and Todd on the road with him for the A Spark in the Dark shows.

21 August 2013 – Folk Club @ The Soda Factory, Sydney
22 August 2013 –The Great Northern, Newcastle
23 August 2013 –The Aztec, Forster
24 August 2013 –The Hideaway, Brisbane
25 August 2013 –The Evelyn, Melbourne
30 August 2013 –The Hotel Metro, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sheppard Delight Music Lovers with “Let Me Down Easy”

I just love Brisbane pop six-piece Sheppard’s debut single “Let Me Down Easy”, and it seems I’m not alone. The track’s cracked the ARIA top 20 and been certified platinum. It’s also become the only independent Aussie track to appear in the Music Network’s top 100 airplay chart this year.

They’re not just enjoying success on the home front though. After the track became the most requested song on Portland’s KNRK 94.7, the band sold out the city’s Crystal Ballroom. They’ve played shows throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, The Philippines, South Africa, and India.

“Let Me Down Easy” has such a positive party vibe, and sublime harmonies from siblings Amy, George, and Emma Sheppard. Jay Bovino, Michael Butler, and Dean Gordon round out the group.

“Having a platinum record with our very first release is like a dream come true,” said George, “We’ve not only had great support from radio, but it’s been amazing over the last few months taking our show to the fans and getting such a great reaction live. It’s been such a great ride, sometimes we need to remind ourselves that it’s real!”

Are you in love with “Let Me Down Easy” too?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eagle and the Worm Commence Worker’s Club Residency

Eagle and the Worm will begin a month-long residency at Fitzroy’s Worker’s Club tonight.

Every Tuesday night in August, Eagle and the Worm will play the iconic music venue with special guests. They promise to take fans on a musical journey from their acclaimed debut Good Times to their 2012 EP Strangelove, which featured the ridiculously catchy single “Angela’s Lonely Heart”. They’re also planning to play some new tunes, so the shows promise to be well worth Melbourne residents venturing out on school nights.

Tickets cost $10 at the door, which opens at 7:30 pm each night.

6 August 2013 – with Flyying Colours
13 August 2013 – with The Bluebottles
20 August 2013 – with Hollow Everdaze
27 August 2013 – with Sagamore

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pigeon Cover Daft Punk

Local electronic band Pigeon have celebrated the recent release of Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories with a video capturing a medley of the French act’s biggest hits. In just nine minutes Pigeon takes us on a trip down memory lane with some of dance music’s most enduring classics. Clever stuff!

I can’t promise they’ll play any Daft Punk, but you will hear some great electronic music when Pigeon launch their new single “Curtain Call” with the following shows.

21 August 2013 – The Jack, Cairns (FREE)
22 August 2013 – Paddy’s Shenanigans, Arlie Beach (FREE)
23 August 2013 – CBD Hotel, Mackay (FREE)
30 August 2013 – Oh Hello, Brisbane
4 September 2013 – Beach Road Hotel, Sydney (FREE)
5 September 2013 – Transit Bar, Canberra
6 September 2013 – Mum @ World Bar, Sydney
13 September 2013 – Can’t Say, Melbourne
14 September 2013 – Rhino Room, Adelaide
19 September 2013 – Alpha Beta, Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast (FREE)
20 September 2013 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (FREE)
21 September 2013 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Andy Bull Releases Another Pop Gem

Andy Bull delivers another stunning track with his new single “Baby I Am Nobody Now”.

Seriously, this guy can do no wrong. This number is every bit as catchy as “Keep On Running”, which became a top 5 global sensation on Hype Machine and was played more than 160,000 times on Soundcloud.

Andy has such an interesting tone and a really smart pop sensibility. I’m sure this one will come close to getting just as many Soundcloud listens. I know I’ve definitely played my part there!

Image used with permission from Universal Music Australia