Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jack Carty and Jordan Millar Unite For Aussie Tour

Jack Carty and Jordan Millar, two of Australia’s hottest singer-songwriters, are teaming up for one big tour this autumn.

I’ve admired Jack’s music for the last few years, while Jordan has only crossed my radar. Needless to say, the pairing of these two lyrical talents is genius. Hopefully it will help raise the profile of both of these exciting musicians.

The pair are certainly doing their best to raise awareness by making pit stops in plenty of capitals and regional areas in Australia’s east. I just can’t believe there’s no Central Coast show! If you are lucky enough to get a local concert, I suggest checking it out. Tickets are dirt cheap and the talent’s extraordinary. Some gigs are even free!

16 & 17 March 2013 – Blue Mountains Folk Festival, Blue Mountains (Jordan Millar only)
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

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Something for Kate Announce Long-Awaited Tour

The patience of Something for Kate fans has been rewarded, with the band announcing their first extensive Australian tour in more than six years. In May and June they’ll play larger venues in the capitals than they have in ages, and make their long-awaited return to key regional destinations.

The Star-Crossed Cities tour will see Something for Kate showcasing material from their most recent album Leave Your Soul to Science and playing plenty of old favourites.

Something for Kate tours are known for selling out, so I wouldn’t hesitate too long before snapping up tickets to one of the following shows.

10 May 2013 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
11 May 2013 – Pier Live, Frankston
16 May 2013 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
17 May 2013 – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi
18 May 2013 – Hi Fi Bar, Brisbane
24 May 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
25 May 2013 – The Gov, Adelaide
29 May 2013 – Wollongong Uni, Wollongong
30 May 2013 – Bar on the Hill, Newcastle University
31 May 2013 – University of Canberra, Canberra
1 June 2013 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
7 June 2013 – Astor Theatre, Perth

Image used with permission from IMC Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Davey Lane Channels the 60s with First Solo Single

You Am I’s Davey Lane wears his classic rock influences on his sleeve with his debut solo single “You’re The Cops. I’m the Crime.”

The song’s distinctive guitar driven rhythm and psychedelic undertones could have come straight from the 1960s. Its retro feel makes it instantly accessible. I wonder whether we’ll find more vintage pop-rock gems on Davey’s forthcoming debut solo endeavour The Good Borne of Bad Tymes.

There’s no release date for the album yet, but if this song’s any indication it’ll be worth listening out for.

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

KSSR Gets it Right with “Going Under”

KSSR has won me over with his second single “Going Under.”
After his debut “Passenger” didn’t rev me, I was prepared to feel equally unimpressed by the follow-up. But there’s a grandiose retro feel about this track that I’m finding hard to resist. I also love the feminine balance that Amrita Hepi’s guest vocals bring to the track. Admittedly it probably could have done with a bit of editing as it really does get repetitive towards the end, but most of it is fabulous and fierce.

“Going Under” is released digitally tomorrow, March 1.

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

7Bit Hero Marries Modern Technology with Old School Gaming

Humpdays are always hard. You’re tired of work already and the weekend seems so far away. So today’s the perfect day to introduce you to 7bit Hero and their ridiculously charming pop single “Come On. Stand Out.”

And stand out the Brisbane electronic band does. They actually call themselves a “bit-pop band” because they use old school video games and chiptune samples to create their unique sounds.

Seeing the band live takes the 7bit Hero concept to the next level. A multi-player game is projected behind the band and audience members can control characters using their smart phone as a joystick. Your opponents are your fellow music lovers and the band forms the soundtrack. Too cool!

You can experience 7bit Hero in all their glory when they launch their debut EP We Eat Loot at Brisbane’s State Library of Queensland on March 2. Make sure your phone is charged so you can join in all the fun!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Airbourne Announce Album Number Three

The last I heard of Airbourne they were slagging off local success stories like Wolfmother and Jet and insisting they’d treat Australia as nothing more than a tourist destination. They seemed confident that they would be the next big thing, but most of us forgot all about them.

They’re aiming to get back into the spotlight with the May 17 release of their third album Black Dog Barking.

“A lot of thought and effort has gone into this record not only by the band, but by the production crew who worked countless hours, seven days a week, even through Christmas and New Year’s Eve to achieve the best possible performances, backed by real undying tones,” the band said in a statement.

It remains to be seen whether this is the Airbourne album that lives up to the band’s (largely self-generated) hype.

Image source: URunlCon @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Snowdroppers Keep on Rocking

The Snowdroppers clearly enjoyed their time on the road recently. They only just wrapped up their sophomore album preview shows, and they’ve already announced another string of dates.

The Snowdroppers will celebrate the March 22 release of Moving Out of Eden with intimate shows and festival appearances. These gigs are especially enticing with the addition of Sydney’s Little Bastard to the bill. The seven-piece punk-string act is just quirky enough to appeal to The Snowdroppers’ fan base.

Strap yourself in for one hell of a show when it reaches the following cities.

18 March 2013 – Barrio @ Adelaide Festival, Adelaide
22 March 2013 – The Standard, Darlinghurst
22 & 29 March 2013 – Bluesfest, Byron Bay
5 April 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
6 April 2013 Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
12 April 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
13 April 2013 – Woombye Pub, Woombye

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eliza Hull Launches Echoes Ahead of New York Trip

Melbourne songstress Eliza Hull offers us an early taste of her sophomore EP with the release of the lead single “Echoes”.

This track is so beautifully haunting. I’ve always been a fan of Eliza’s unique tone, and she uses her voice to great effect here. The song’s a welcome return to the music scene, and a hint that her new EP is going to be something special.

We’ll need to wait a little while for that though. Eliza will travel to New York in April to workshop the final tracks with producer Pat Dillett (David Byrne, Sia). The finished product should be released this July.

Before the Big Apple beckons, Eliza will launch “Echoes” for hometown fans at The Workers Club on March 1.

Image used with permission from Eliza Hull

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Earn First Number One Album

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are sitting at the top of the ARIA albums chart this week with their brand new album Push the Sky Away. Remarkably their 15th studio album, their first in five years, is their first Aussie number one.

ARIA doesn’t recognise it as an Australian release, but I figure it’s worth claiming the Bee Gees’ Mythology album as one of our own. It sits at number five this week, no doubt buoyed by Barry Gibb’s current local tour.

There’s no debate about the achievements of Flume though. Australian born and bred, the Sydneysider’s self-titled album jumps one to number seven this week.

It’s a very quiet week for Aussies on the singles charts, with Birds of Tokyo our only representatives in the top ten. They’re only just hanging in there though; “Lanterns” sits at number ten, down from seven last week.

Click below for this week’s complete top ten charts.

Continue reading “Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Earn First Number One Album” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Roger Knox Covers Aboriginal Songs on “Stranger in My Land”

The Koori King of Country Roger Knox will celebrate his indigenous heritage with the release of his new album Stranger in My Land.

The album showcases songs penned by Roger’s Aboriginal peers and predecessors. Many of these songs have been difficult to find on other recordings, while others are folk songs handed down through the generations never recorded before.

Together the tracks create a moving picture of the alienation Aboriginal people often feel on their own soil, and their resilience and hope. Roger is joined on the album by special guest vocalists and musicians including Bonnie Prince Billy, Kelly Hogan, Dave Alvin, and the late Charlie Louvin.

Stranger in My Land hits music stores across the country on March 9.

Image source: Bloodshot Records