Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nick Barker Does Bon Scott at Corner Hotel

Nick Barker will lead a stellar lineup of local musicians celebrating the life of late AC/DC frontman Bon Scott in Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be – The Story of Bon Scott.

Melbourne’s Corner Hotel will host the event on Tuesday February 19, the 33rd anniversary of Bon’s passing. Something tells me Bon would approve of the pub venue. The show will tell the story of Bon’s life, from his childhood in Scotland to his time living the rock and roll dream with the rest of Acca Dacca. And yes, there will be plenty of music.

Celebrate Bon’s life with Nick Barker, Tommy Boyce, Justin Garner, Alex Raunjak, and Steve Brown at the Corner Hotel on February 19. Tickets are $27 plus booking fee from the Corner Hotel box office.

Image used with permission from Shows in Space Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Harper, Charlie Musselwhite, and More Join Bluesfest

Thought the Byron Bay Bluesfest lineup couldn’t get any bigger? Think again. The organisers have just announced a fresh crop of incredible international and local artists.

The most exciting for me is the coming together of Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite. These blues icons have just recorded a new album together called Get Up which they’ll showcase with their set. It seems meant to be as they actually met Bluesfest way back in 1996.

After Zac Brown Band were announced as Jason Mraz’s support act, I suspected they’d soon announce a Bluesfest show. It seems my hunch was correct; they’ll play on Easter Monday.

It’ll also be great to see the oldies from The Music Maker Blues Revue, including Ironing Board Sam and Major Handy, showing the young things how it’s done.

Music lovers will also enjoy sets from Leonardo’s Bride, Skipping Girl Vinegar, and Kim Churchill. And that’s along with everyone else we already knew about, including Robert Plant, Santana, Paul Simon, and Bonnie Raitt!

Bluesfest hits Byron Bay on the Easter long weekend, from March 28 to April 1. There are still some tickets left but I wouldn’t wait too long to get yours. This announcement should encourage a few more folks to indulge!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nick Pes Releases Summery Solo Single

Since the disintegration of Sydney pop-rock act Leechwife, founding member Nick Pes has been finding his feet as a solo artist. A couple of years later it seems the singer has well and truly found his own sound.

Gone are the rock stylings, replaced with heavy synths and summery electro-pop melodies. Nick’s first single “I Remember” is just what I needed to get through this unreasonably hot January.

“I Remember” hits iTunes tomorrow.

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Happy Mondays Happy to Visit Oz

Madchester legends Happy Mondays are finally making their first visit to Australia.

It should be worth the wait for fans, as we’re getting the original line-up and the promise of plenty of classic tracks. While nostalgia is sure to abound we’re also likely to hear some new songs too, as the band have been in the studio recording an album which should hit stores later this year.

The highly anticipated tour will take in the East Coast capitals and Perth in May. Ticketek will sell tickets for the East Coast shows while Oztix will take over in The West. Get them from 9 am on January 23.

3 May 2013 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
4 May 2013 – UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney
5 May 2013 – Palace Theatre, Melbourne
8 May 2013 – Capitol, Perth

Image used with permission from RiotHouse Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Beat the Heat with Sun City’s Chilly Music Video

I’m hot. Really hot. The news tells me it was 46 degrees in Sydney, and it can’t be too far off on the Central Coast. My air-conditioning unit and fans are feeling pretty ineffectual at the moment.

And that may be why Sun City’s latest film clip looks extra inviting. The band’s name is pretty summery, but for the clip accompanying “High” the Perth outfit headed to Alberta, Canada. Icy, icy Alberta. All those frozen creek beds and thick snowy surfaces look like heaven right now. I’m sure the crew might have complained about the -20 degree temps, but I think they sound perfect.

I’m sure the band’s longing for them as they’ll start braving our sweltering local conditions on a national tour tonight. You can show them some love at the following venues.

18 January 2013 – The Rocket Bar, Adelaide
19 January 2013 – Slam Festival, St Kilda
20 January 2013 – Slam Festival, Scarborough
25 January 2013 – Can’t Say @ Vault 8, Melbourne
26 January 2013 Falcona Saturdays @Beach Road Hotel, Bondi (FREE)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Something with Numbers Kill the Weekend

The Central Coast’s Something with Numbers are helping us close out the working week with their rocking new single “We Kill the Weekend.” The track, which appropriately gets an official release today, comes from Something with Numbers forthcoming album Eleven Eleven.

The track ushers in a new chapter for the band, which has lost a few members and gained replacements since their last album release in 2008. Five years away from the business seems to have done Something with Numbers good; this track has a real ferocity to it that shows the band’s enjoying making music together.

They haven’t completely forgotten their roots though. The new album saw Something with Numbers reuniting with Lachlan Mitchell, the man who produced their 2004 debut Etiquette.

“I really wanted to work with someone who we already had a relationship with, because we didn’t want anything set in stone,” explained the band’s vocalist Jake Grigg.

That reunion gave them Eleven Eleven, an album which the band says is their most personal to date.

“A few years ago no one’s heart was in it,” Jake admitted. “But with this record, I really took the reins. I got to express myself completely.”

Eleven Eleven doesn’t have a release date at this point, but we can hear a sneak peek when the band plays shows soon. They’ll warm up with slots at the Big Day Out festivals before embarking on their first headlining dates in five years.

14 February 2013 – Crowbar, Brisbane
15 February 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
22 February 2013 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sleepy Dreamers Impress with “Winter Make Way”

Folky Melbourne quartet Sleepy Dreamers have won me over with their gorgeous debut single “Winter Make Way.”

There’s a touch of Mumford & Sons in the way this song builds. I love the way the four-part harmonies work with those organic guitars. It’s really quite epic without being overblown.

If you’re fallen for “Winter Make Way” too, then keep your eyes out for the Sleepy Dreamers’ first EP Creatures, which will hit stores in March.

Image used with permission from Maths and Magic

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Snowdroppers Play Album Preview Shows

The Snowdroppers are celebrating summer with a string of dates along the East Coast.

The bluesy punk act promises to play plenty of old favourites and offer a sneak peek of their forthcoming album Moving Out of Eden, which hits stores on March 22.

All the fun kicks off tomorrow in Katoomba and winds up a month later in Cronulla. Tickets are available from the following pubs and clubs.

18 January 2013 – Lady Luck Festival, Katoomba
19 January 2013 – The Esplande Hotel, St Kilda
20 January 2013 – The Old Bar, Fitzroy
24 January 2013 – Moonshine Bar @ The Steyne Hotel, Manly
25 January 2013 – Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour
26 & 27 January 2013 – The Joynt, South Brisbane
3 February 2013 – The Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland
14 February 2013 – The Vanguard, Newtown
15 February 2013 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Civil Civic Announce Long-Awaited Aussie Tour

Aussie expats Civil Civic have been generating plenty of buzz in the UK press and blogosphere for their electric sets at key European festivals. And finally next month, they’ll bring the music to the place where it all began.

To celebrate the February 1 release of their album Rules, the European-based musos are planning one hell of a homecoming. They’ll bring their enigmatic ‘Box’ and gritty, experimental sound to hip venues along the East Coast.

7 February 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
8 February 2013 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
16 February 2013 – ATP: I’ll Be Your Mirror @ Westgate Entertainment Centre and Grand Star Receptions, Altona
19 February 2013 – The Tote, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Falls Festival Raises Funds for Tassie Bushfire Relief

As fire-ravaged Tasmania does its best to recover, the folks from the Falls Music & Arts Festival are doing their bit with a fundraising drive.

Thankfully the Falls farm at Marion Bay survived the blazes, but that doesn’t mean the Falls crew are untouched by the tragedy. They’re doing their part by turning the farm into a temporary refuge for homeless locals and community workers.

They’re also calling on all fans to help Tasmania rebuild by donating what they can to the Red Cross. The Falls Festival team has done the same by generously giving $10, 000 to the charity. You can also contribute to the Falls Festival’s fundraising efforts by clicking this secure link.

Keep an eye on the Fall Festival website to read details of more fundraising initiatives in the coming weeks.

Image source: ToniFish @ Flickr