Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

After the Fall’s Bittersweet Return

The Central Coast’s After the Fall are on the comeback trail with a brand new album Bittersweet.

It’s been three long years since the band delivered [In Exile]. Since then the pop-rockers have injected some new blood in drummer Adrian and honed their songwriting skills. They recorded the bulk of their new record in the houses guitarist Mark Warner was housesitting, taking their time and enjoying the free electricity! If the title track is any indication, this album’s been worth the wait for the band’s dedicated fanbase.

Bittersweet will hit stores on November 23. After the Fall will no doubt relish the chance to play for fans again at the following launch shows.

29 November 2012 – The Wall @ The Bald Faced Stag, Sydney
1 December 2012 – The Great Northern, Newcastle
7 December 2012 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
8 December 2012 – Uni Bar, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hunting Grounds Release “Star Shards”

Hunting Grounds’ debut album In Hindsight just won’t quit. The band has released another single, “Star Shards.”

“Star Shards” is the third song lifted from In Hindsight, and it’s set to be another radio favourite. I love its anthemic quality and dreamy reverb drench guitars. The video, directed by Ballarat’s own Vegadeet Films, is also pretty brilliant. Who would have thought a scrap metal yard would be the perfect venue for an epic hockey match?

Hunting Grounds will support the release of “Star Shards” at a handful of shows before joining the Big Day Out tour this summer.

3 November 2012 – Bradbury Oval, Campbelltown (FREE)
5 November 2012 – Vault 8 @ Banana Alley, Melbourne
18 January 2012 – Big Day Out @ Sydney Showgrounds, Sydney
20 January 2012 – Big Day Out @ Gold Coast Parklands, Gold Coast
25 January 2012 – Big Day Out @ Adelaide Showgrounds, Adelaide
26 January 2012 – Big Day Out @ Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
28 January 2012 – Big Day Out @ Claremont Showgrounds, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gotye Raves About Colour Bomb’s Debut

Melbourne double act Colour Bomb makes a big impression with the debut single “On the Run.”

This is masterful stuff, a fantastical epic executed perfectly. It reminds me of some of the music Silverchair produced on the Diorama album. The key difference though is that it took years for Silverchair to show such bravery. No wonder Gotye has been quoted as saying “On the Run” is a “beguiling track in its entirety.” Colour Bomb’s frontman James Saunders does play in Gotye’s band, but I’m sure he wasn’t just being nice!

We’ll hear more from Colour Bomb when they release their debut album early next year. Until then, sit back and enjoy this incredible tune. Singles like this aren’t released every day after all!

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aluka Keep Their Cool

The release of Aluka’s debut single “Keep My Cool” shows these girls are a force to be reckoned with.

The song is a sparse, cheeky pop gem with some of the most devastating, stripped back vocals I’ve ever heard. Talk about making a first impression! The track is the first lifted from Aluka’s debut album, which will hit stores next March.

That album promises to be pretty interesting, with tracks recorded at unconventional Melbourne locations including swimming pools and war bunkers. Who needs a studio, right?

You don’t have to wait until March to hear more from this dynamic trio though. Aluka will launch the single with two very special shows next month. Catch them at The Toff in Melbourne on November 7 or The Newsagency in Sydney on November 9.

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Singhala Music Parties with Free Melbourne Shows

Singhala Music is celebrating its second birthday with four big shows. And best of all for music lovers, entry to each one is completely free!

Four of Melbourne’s premium music venues will host the performances on Singhala’s anniversary, November 22. Each event will feature ten bands from Singhala’s bulging booking roster. At £1000 Pound Bend you can see King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and guests. Cherry will host The Frowning Clouds, The Bluebottles, and Sam Cooper & Band. John Curtin Bandroom has one of Singhala’s biggest success stories, Eagle and the Worm, as well as some special guest artists. Head to Pony to catch Barbariön, Baptism Of Uzi, The Murlocs, Fraser A Gorman & Laura Imbruglia, and a solo set from Stu Mackenzie.

Will you join the party?

Image used with permission from Shows in Space Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Legends Play Regional Red Hot Summer Shows

Some of Australia’s most beloved artists will perform for regional audiences this summer. Dubbed the Red Hot Summer Tour, the travelling concert series features a bumper line-up including Cold Chisel comrades Jimmy Barnes and Ian Moss, Baby Animals, Dragon, Ross Wilson, and Chocolate Starfish.

Unfortunately not every act will perform at every show, but fans will still see value with tickets starting from just $79.90. The line-up for each event is also posted on the Red Hot Summer Tour website, so you can make sure your favourites are playing near you.

Line-ups like this don’t come along every day, especially in some of these country towns! Tickets go on sale this Thursday, October 25.

5 January 2012 – Tumut Showgrounds, Tumut
6 January 2012 – Harry Sawkin Park, Nowra
10 January 2012 – Centenary Oval, Port Lincoln
12 January 2012 – Mary Ann Reserve, Mannum
13 January 2012 – Nowingi Place Soundshell, Mildura
19 January 2012 – Mulwala Waterski Club, Mulwala
20 January 2012 – Morning Star Estate, Mt Eliza
26 January 2012 – Parklands Resort, Mudgee
27 January 2012 – Crossing Theatre Lawns, Narrabri
2 February 2012 – Kryal Castle, Ballarat
3 February 2012 – Victory Park Soundshell, Traralgon
9 February 2012 – Country Club Lawns, Launceston
10 February 2012 – On the Point – Wrestpoint, Hobart
30 March 2012 – Warrnambool Racecourse, Warrnambool
31 March 2012 – Mansfield Showgrounds, Mansfield

Image source: Ticketmaster

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Texture Like Sun Tours EP with Patrick James

After more than 12 months in the studio, Melbourne’s Texture Like Sun are itching to release their debut EP to the masses. The recording features the new single “Bottle,” a cruisy number with jangling guitars and hushed vocals.

Texture Like Sun will launch their self-titled recording with three shows in the major capitals next month. They’ll take indie-folk up and comer Patrick James along for the ride. I was so impressed by Patrick’s set at Howie Day’s Sydney show earlier this year, so I recommend music lovers get to the venues early to catch his performances.

8 November 2012 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
9 November 2012 – FBi Social Club, Sydney
15 November 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kick Back with The Kite String Tangle

Brisbane based electronic artist and producer Danny Harley has impressed me with his latest experimental solo project, The Kite String Tangle.

The name doesn’t give a lot away, so why don’t you just wrap your ears around his single “Commotion”? It’s got a gorgeous chilled out vibe without ever becoming wallpaper, and a great mix of melody and simple, rich vocals. It’s so different from anything I ordinarily listen to, but it’s hit the right note for me.

This track could definitely go toe to toe with any of the international releases of the genre. Something tells me we’ll hear a lot more from The Kite String Tangle.

Image used with permission from The Kite String Tangle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Owls Tour “Swamp Love”

With the release of their latest EP Swamp Love imminent, The Owls are preparing to soak up the sunshine of the East Coast on a launch tour.

The disc celebrates The Owls unmistakable blend of dirty blues and Southern rock music. It features the single and fan favourite “Better Off Deaf,” as well as two more tracks destined to become live hits.

The Swamp Love EP tour will kick off in The Owls hometown of Newcastle on November 9, which is not so coincidentally the day the EP hits stores. It will then take in other key locations in New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory. Tickets are on sale from the venues now.

9 November 2012 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
14 November 2012 – The Patch, Wollongong
22 November 2012 – Transit Bar, Canberra
30 November 2012 – Goodgod Small Club, Sydney
19 December 2012 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Guy Comes Home for New Album

He might be a Melbourne boy, but after spending time living in New Zealand and touring the United Kingdom and Europe, Tim Guy can be regarded as a true citizen of the world.

Tim’s penned albums in New Zealand and Spain, but when it came time to create album number four Tim knew he had to return home. The result is Dreaming of a Night Mango, an album which is more organic than previous releases.

The album doesn’t drop until early next year, but we get an early taste of it with “Armour Weight,” the album’s first official single. The track’s really understated, which allows its rolling rhythms and heartfelt vocals to shine through.

Tim will launch the single and preview tracks from Dreaming of a Night Mango with a special show at Fitzroy’s Workers Club on November 7.

Image used with permission from Shows in Space