Boy and Bear Top ARIA Charts with Harlequin Dream

Boy and Bear’s Harlequin Dream has become the tenth local title to hit the top of the ARIA Charts this year. The Sydney folksters have gone one better with their sophomore album; Moonfire hit second spot two years ago.

Last week’s number one, Atlas, dropped down to number four this week, with Rufus unable to compete with international giants P!nk and Fleetwood Mac. Dead Letter Circus, last week’s number two act, have also fallen this week. Their newie The Catalyst Fire sits at number nine.

Adam Harvey and Troy Cassar-Daley have no doubt enjoyed a boost from Father’s Day sales. Their Great Country Songbook has risen to number six this week, and impressive 10 weeks after its release.

Sadly there are no local singles in the ARIA top 10 after Vance Joy’s Riptide fell to number 12.

Click below for this week’s top 10s.

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Barnesy Leads All-Star Lineup for Cambodian Children’s Trust

Some of Australia’s finest entertainers will come together at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on Monday September 30 to raise funds for the Cambodian Children’s Trust.

Arj Barker will host the event which features performances from Jimmy Barnes, Lior, Diesel, David Campbell, Mahalia Barnes, Prinnie Stevens, Mitchell Anderson, Darren Percival, iOTA, and The Party People Collective.

Money raised will help the local charity Cambodian Children’s Trust improve the quality of life for Cambodia’s orphans and needy children. You can learn more about the charity and their vital work in this video.

Tickets are available now from the Enmore Theatre.

Rufus Tops ARIA Charts

Sydney indie-dance trio Rufus have topped the ARIA albums chart this week on debut with Atlas. It’s the ninth Australian album to top the ARIA albums chart this year. The feat’s even more impressive when you consider their highest charting single was “Sundream” which only reached number 65.

Rufus edged out Dead Letter Circus, who debuted at number two with The Catalyst Fire. Their sophomore release is their second to debut at number two.

Cloud Control also cracked the top ten with their second album Dream Cave. It sits at number nine on debut.

Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey have also reentered the top 10 with their country tribute album, The Great Country Songbook.

Vance Joy is the lone Aussie act represented in the singles top 10. “Riptide” sits at number 10 this week.

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Alex Lloyd Launches Crowdfunding Campaign

After living in the United Kingdom for the last five years, Alex Lloyd is coming home. He’s hoping you’ll welcome his return, and perhaps fork over a little of your cold hard cash. You see, Alex is the latest muso to launch a crowdfunding campaign to finance a new album. Donating to Alex’s Pledge Music campaign will help him complete his sixth studio album Urban Wilderness.

It seems like a pretty worthwhile endeavour, as Alex is making some great music at the moment. His new single “Better The Less You Know” combines the pop sensibility he’s known for with a great bluesy vibe. You just wait and see if you’re not singing along by the end.

The clip’s also pretty cool, as it sees Alex shooting the reactions of people hearing the song for the first time. They loved it and you probably will too!

Alex also plans to take the album on the road, so watch this space for the dates when they’re announced!

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?

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

Dan Webb Launches August Single and Pozible campaign

Dan Webb is back with “Sandstorm”, the August track in his 12 Songs, 12 Months project. It’s a dreamy number which reminds me of what the Beatles may have come up with if they ever tried to write a waltz.

If you’ve been enjoying Dan Webb’s free monthly songs, perhaps it’s time you gave something back. While Dan’s been happy to share these tracks free of charge, it takes money to make an album. Dan hopes you’ll share some of yours and donate to his crowdfunding campaign. All proceeds will help Dan fund his full-length album.

Karnivool Scores Aussie Number One with “Asymmetry”

It seems the wait was worth it for fans, who’ve sent Karnivool’s long-awaited new album Asymmetry to the top of the albums charts. One week in and it’s already the fourth fastest selling album of the year. It’s also history making for lead singer Ian Kenny, who becomes the first singer to nab two number one albums in the same calendar year with two different bands. Of course he paved the way for this achievement when his other act, Birds of Tokyo, scored a number one with March Fires in March.

Bliss N Eso’s Circus in the Sky jumped a couple of positions to take number three this week. Harrison Craig shows he’s still a force, landing at number four five weeks after the release of More Than a Dream. His fellow Voice competitor Luke Kennedy rounds out the top ten with his debut album A Time for Us.

Vance Joy’s risen two spots to become the only Aussie act in the singles top ten with “Riptide”. It sits at number ten this week.

Click below to see this week’s complete top tens.

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Boy & Bear Return to Aussie Stages

With their sophomore album Harlequin Dream slated to hit stores on August 16, Boy & Bear are giving fans another reason to celebrate. After eight months off the road, this esteemed Aussie act will make a welcome return to local stages to support the album’s release.

Following the success of their debut Moonfire, Boy & Bear made a conscious decision to return to their roots and record the follow-up where it all began, in Sydney. The act took a hands-on approach to the album, and earned a co-producing credit along with Wayne Connolly. Seattle’s Phil Ek, who’s worked with Band of Horses and Fleet Foxes, took care of the mix.

Harlequin Dream is available to preorder through iTunes, JB HiFi, Sanity, and other music retailers. But if you’re a hardcore fan you’ll want to visit the band’s website, where you can get the collector’s edition. This includes a deluxe set with vinyl and CD copies, a lyrics booklet, an artwork print, and one-of-a-kind Polaroid photo snapped by the band.

Boy & Bear will bring the music from Harlequin Dream and some old favorites to the following intimate venues later this year.

24 October 2013 – ANU Bar, Canberra
25 October 2013 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
1 November 2013 – Wool Exchange, Geelong
2 November 2013 – The Forum, Melbourne
7 November 2013 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
8 November 2013 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
9 November 2013 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
15 November 2013 – Waves Nightclub, Wollongong
16 November 2013 – Wrestpoint Showroom, Hobart
21 November 2013 – HQ, Adelaide
22 November 2013 – Metropolis, Fremantle
23 November 2013 – The Astor Theatre, Perth

Image source: Rene Pot @ Flickr

Harrison Craig Back on Top of Albums Charts

Harrison Craig proves he’s a force to be reckoned with this week with his album More Than a Dream returning to the top of the ARIA albums charts.

It’s a massive feat for the reigning Voice champion, who kept Jay-Z from the top spot and bumped our own Bliss N Eso’s Circus in the Sky down to number three.

Hillsong Live have also fallen with Glorious Ruins slipping from number three to six.

Josh Pyke made plenty of noise on Facebook this week about stores failing to stock his newie The Beginning and the End of Everything, so it’s impressive to see it still managed to snag the number seven spot on debut.

Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey are also continuing to make an impact on the charts with The Great Country Songbook. It sits at number nine this week.

We’re back to the usual suspects in the singles charts, with stayers Timomatic and Matt Corby sitting at number seven and ten respectively.

Click below for this week’s top tens.

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