Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Hots Do It Old School With “Before You”

Sydney band The Hots are giving me retro vibes with their scorching new single “Before You,” lifted from their recently released self-titled EP.

This is the kind of straight-up rock you don’t hear anymore, delivered with power and a lack of pretension. Frontwoman Foxie Kelly is a real force, a singer in the tradition of Chrissy Amphlett or Ann Wilson. She’s aided beautifully by Ronnie Simmons on guitar, a demon with an axe who’s playing with Rose Tattoo, The Screaming Jets, and Richie Ramone of The Ramones.

If you love you rock old school, you’ll love The Hots.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan Cribb Recruits Famous Friends For Pop-Punk Simpsons Tribute

The Worst Tribute Ever is the tribute album I didn’t know I needed: a pop-punk tribute to the music of The Simpsons. Conceived by Dan Cribb, the star-studded album sees WA’s punk prince working with a who’s who of Aussie artists including Guy Sebastian, Montaigne, Kram, and countless others.

“This project has evolved into more than I could have imagined,” Dan said. “Not only have I had the opportunity to work alongside some of my musical heroes, I’ve also made a stack of new friends and learnt a lot about songwriting, performance and collaboration. I can’t thank everyone involved enough, especially Troy Nababan, who played about half the record’s instrumentation and mixed and mastered each song to perfection.”

Honestly, The Worst Tribute Ever just needs to be heard to be believed. You can stream it here. It’s far from the worst tribute. In fact, the world is probably a better place simply because this exists.

Image used with permission from Write Timing

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Have/Hold Ready to Tour Epic New Album

When you Google Melbourne band Have/Hold, their genre is listed as alternative/indie. I’ve quickly learned that these are the kid of vague descriptors bands get when they can’t be put in neat boxes. The best way to figure out what these acts are all about is to listen. With Have/Hold just releasing their new album We Are a Ghost Now, You & I there’s no better time.

The album conveniently kicks off with the single “Keepsake,” perhaps my favourite song on this release. It’s a perfect snapshot of their epic sound, at parts tender, at parts anthemic. It’s quality stuff.

“This song actually began from an ableton loop our drummer Matt had created. Drawn to the lead synth riff you hear at the start of the song, we started to construct a song around it,” the band explained. “What was resulted from that is one our most collaborative songwriting effort to date, and our first exploration into electronic music. ‘Won’t Be’ became a kind of anthem for the whole EP, theming topics of lost love, animosity and clarity.”

Ivey have supported acts like Ocean Alley and Cub Sport, but they’re ready to step into the spotlight with shows celebrating their recent EP release. Hear “Won’t Be” and other tracks from Gorgeous at the following shows.

26 October 2018 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
2 November 2018 – West Thebarton Hotel, Adelaide (FREE)
3 November 2018 – Gasometer (Upstairs), Melbourne
8 December 2018 – Waywards, Sydney
9 December 2018 – North Gong Hotel, Wollongong (FREE)
22 December 2018 – End of Year Party Vol. 2, Gold Coast

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Spectoral Puts Heart and Soul into New EP Release

Melbourne producer Spectoral has just released his debut EP An Incorruptible Dream, so there’s no better time to introduce you to everything he’s about. He has a knack for creating complex, interesting sounds, but for me the most interesting thing about Spectoral is the emotive, poetic lyrics he writes. Sometimes electronic artists neglect that, but the strong emotional core helps anchor every song on Spectoral’s release.

Take my favourite track from the EP, the single “Movin’ On,” an honest exploration of unrequited love. While Spectoral was inspired by a friend’s plight, the song has such heart that it’s easy to imagine he experienced all of the torturous yearning first-hand.

“We’d catch up and she’d always tell me news about this guy she was in love with. Things never really worked in her favour with him because he was already taken – it was this kinda Love Actually moment for her I guess, just in reverse,” recounted Spectoral. “So anyway, we’d chat about it, and she just found it so hard to give up the dream of one day him being hers. So this song’s about that. It’s about accepting the loss and letting it go.”

An Incorruptible Dream, featuring “Movin’ On,” is out now.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Midnight Oil Releases Live Sydney Domain CD & DVD

In February 2017, Midnight Oil announced what would be their first tour in more than 15 years. The Great Circle World Tour would start in Sydney’s pubs, just as the band did in the early days, before circumnavigating the globe. Over the next six months The Oils played shows in 16 countries across five continents, spreading their message of the importance of a healthy planet and fair treatment for all its citizens. Then eventually they came home to Sydney.

They played the Domain, a place steeped in history: a ceremonial site for the Gadigal people, a site for political rallies against the Great Depression and Vietnam War. If you were there, you’re probably still talking about it. And if you weren’t, you’ll finally get the chance to experience it with the release of Armistice Day: Live at the Domain, Sydney on November 9.

The concert will be released on DVD and CD, and available to download or stream digitally. It’s got all the hits on it and some special moments too, like this fantastic version of Yothu Yindi’s classic, “Treaty.” It features Yirrmal Marika, the grandson of Yothu Yindi’s original lead singer. You’ll also hear a few bonus tracks captured at the Melbourne show at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl a few days earlier. If you’re a real fan, you’ll want the special deluxe CD/DVD bundle. It features a bonus 75-minute film, Oils at the Reef. Featuring interviews with the band and footage from a stripped back benefit gig at Cairns’ Tanks Arts Centre, which raised money for Great Barrier Reef Legacy and the Australian Marine Conservation Society, it’s destined to be a real collector’s item. It’s available for pre-order now ahead of its November 9 release.

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shorelines Drop Stellar New Single Ahead of New EP Release

Brisbane band Shorelines haven’t released new music since December last year, but they’re rewarding the patience of their fans with a brand new track, “Worry About Yourself,” the first track lifted from their sophomore EP, Blank Pages & Broken Records.

“Worry About Yourself” sounds like an instant pop-punk classic, with its big chunky riffs and singalong chorus. The band describes it as “our rock anthem from our side of negative and unnecessary conflict, explaining that we will keep creating our own path the way we feel is right for us, and that others should just focus on themselves.”

Shorelines generated major buzz for their debut EP New Heights, scoring a support slot with Real Friends, more than a million Spotify streams, and a declaration from Alternative Press that they would “soon be rising to the top of this generation’s pop-punk offerings.” Not bad for a self-managed, self-released act from Brissie! Surely even bigger things are in store once the new EP reaches our ears.

We don’t have too long to wait, with Blank Pages & Broken Records slated for an October 5 release. Hopefully a tour announcement won’t be too far behind!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Pierce Brothers Announce Headlining Shows for Debut Album

The Pierce Brothers are giving their loyal fans plenty of opportunities to see them live this summer. Not content with supporting Rodriguez at his Day on the Green Shows, the Melbourne folk-pop duo have announced a string of headlining shows to support their upcoming debut album, Atlas Shoulders.

The Pierce Brothers created the songs that would form Atlas Shoulders while traveling Australia, South Africa, America, and Europe over the last year. It touches on the experiences they’ve had on the road and pressing social issues, including the impact of depression and anxiety.

Atlas Shoulders is set for release on October 26. Order early to receive a special limited edition 7-inch vinyl copy of the current single “Back End Roads” and the dreamy album track B-side “Juno.”

These guys are in demand, so you won’t want to miss The Pierce Brothers while they’re back home for the following shows.

9 November 2018 – The Forum, Melbourne
16 November 2018 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
17 November 2018 – The Zoo, Brisbane
9 February 2019 – Sirromet Wines, Mt Cotton (with Rodriguez, Xavier Rudd, Busby Marou, and Alice Skye)
16 February 2019 – Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley (with Rodriguez, Xavier Rudd, Busby Marou, and Alice Skye)
23 February 2019 – Peter Lehmann Wines, Barossa Valley (with Rodriguez, Xavier Rudd, Busby Marou, and Alice Skye)

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

As A Rival Release Rocking New Single Ahead of Album Number 2

Melbourne punk rockers As A Rival release their sophomore album Griefers on November 2, but they’re whetting our appetites with the release of the first single “What We Got.”

This is just the thing to wake you up on a sleepy Saturday, with big fuzzy guitars and a hard-hitting chorus that will soon have you singing along.

“There are times when we are tested – things that we love, that we live for are put to the sword and we’re left to question ‘is it all worth it’? It’s hard not to focus on the negative. It’s hard enough when it’s your own fight, but watching it happen to someone close to you can be debilitating and make you feel helpless. What We Got addresses the internal struggle that comes with failed attempts to try and comfort those in need,” explained As A Rival’s frontman, Pete Cerni.

If you’re getting a little Shihad vibe from this track, it’s little wonder. Tom Larkin recorded and produced the whole album, which came about after he challenged the band to write 50 songs in two months. Griefers is the best that came from that prolific creative period. Put in your pre-orders now at As A Rival’s website.

Image used with permission from Collision Course

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sam Carmody Continues Winning Ways With “Shadow in the Dream”

Darwin-based singer-songwriter Sam Carmody has just dropped his new EP Shadow in the Dream and its title track. And if you love classic Aussie acts like Crowded House and The Go-Betweens, it’ll be right up your alley.

I’ve already waxed lyrical about the previous two singles: “The Sea Has Risen” and “Sharks.” The newie is every bit their equal, with jangly guitars and haunting vocals from Sam. There’s a dreamy quality about this ode to lost love that’s really gotten underneath my skin.

With his EP out now, hopefully it’s not too long before Sam packs his bags and plays some shows around the country.

Image used with permission from Firestarter Music