Author: Lauren Katulka

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!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Riki and the Rants All Fired Up

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!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Hoff Loves Jacob Butler

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!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Joins Swift K.I.D. For “Bed of Clouds”

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.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Colour Bomb Release Naughty New Video

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!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Birds of Tokyo Become Third Aussie Act to Top ARIA Albums Chart in Three Weeks!

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!” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Be Warned, Alex Watts & The Foreign Tongue Are Awesome

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!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Abbe May is T.R.O.U.B.L.E.

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.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hey Geronimo Cover “Peaches” … Sort Of

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