Lewis Watson Returns to Oz For Midnight Shows

After performing a free guerrilla gig in Sydney’s Hyde Park last month, British singer-songwriter Lewis Watson is preparing to treat the rest of the country to his romantic pop-folk sounds.

Lewis will tour the country to promote his second album midnight, which drops on March 24 and features the dreamy single “Forever.”

Tickets are available now for the following shows.

15 June 2017 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney (ALL AGES)
16 June 2017 – The Triffid, Brisbane (ALL AGES)
17 June 2017 – The Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
18 June 2017 – The Evelyn Hotel Melbourne (ALL AGES 2 pm matinee)
21 June 2017 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
22 June 2017 – Astor Theatre Lounge, Perth (ALL AGES)

Rock Out With The Glory Days of Aussie Pub Rock Volume 2

There was arguably no better time to be a music fan in Australia than the late 70s, the 80s, and the early 90s. Pub rock was at its peak, with bands like Cold Chisel, The Angels, Men at Work, Australian Crawl, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons, Mental as Anything, Rose Tattoo, and stacks more playing around the traps. That heady period is celebrated in the upcoming album The Glory Days of Aussie Pub Rock, Volume 2.

Despite this being the second Glory Days of Aussie Pub Rock release, the series has lost no steam. There are 4 CDs here all jam-packed with killer cuts from the period. In addition to the songs you get new cover artwork by Ian McCausland, detailed liner notes (remember when you read through liner notes?), and some great images.

Travel back to a time when our pubs hosted some of the finest acts you’d find anywhere with The Glory Days of Aussie Pub Rock, which will hit all good music stores on February 24.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

The Clouds Back with Zaffre

The Clouds were such a force in the ‘90s, fronted by the vocal talents of Jodi Phillis and Patricia Young. But they went their separate ways after releasing just three top 50 albums.

When they reformed in 2014 to tour the nation, fans all wondered whether it was about nostalgia or the desire to create something new. Now we have the answer.

On February 14, The Clouds will release the EP Zaffre, the first new material from the band in 20 years. The awesome lead single “Mabel’s Bookshop” gives you a tiny taste of what’s in store.


The Clouds will launch the EP at Newtown Social Club on 31 March 2017. If you’ve had withdrawals Sydney, it’s time to get your fix.

Asha Impresses With “Drowning”

You know those voices that you just stop you in your tracks because they are so beautiful? You’re about to hear one.

This is Asha, a Central Coast songbird with skills beyond her 18 years. She’s been playing shows in Newcastle and Sydney and even scored supporting gigs with Alex Lloyd and Diesel. Now with the release of her debut single “Drowning,” she sure to step out of the shadows.

Her voice is divine, but she backs it up with some fierce songwriting skills. Asha wrote “Drowning” about a toxic relationship and then worked with producer Rod McCormack to create a sound which fused Asha’s love of acoustic music with modern electronica.

“This is the music that I want to keep creating. I’d love to keep evolving within this genre. But at the same time I’m not going to limit myself to anything,” Asha states. “Drowning was a song that I wrote and then forgot about. It wasn’t even going to make the EP. One day I was reminded of the song, and we ended up recording it and it even superseded the title track of the EP Illusions, as we chose it to be my debut single.”

You can hear more from Asha when Illusions drops on February 3.

Jeff Lang Touring New Album Almost Everywhere

One of this country’s finest blues singers, Jeff Lang, is ready to unleash a brand new album and he’s going to tour the country to celebrate it. Alone in Bad Company drops on February 24, roughly a month before this extensive tour kicks off.

This video for the lead single “Burnside” gives you a good indication of what you’re in for on this album and the tour. It really shows off his unparalleled guitar prowess and the album’s very organic, rootsy sound.

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows. There’s so many, there’s bound to be one near you!

17 March 2017 – Geelong Workers Club, Geelong
18 March 2017 – Brunswick Music Festival, Brunswick
24 March 2017 – Golden Vine, Bendigo
25 March 2017 – Suttons, Ballarat
31 March 2017 – Trinity Sessions, Adelaide
1 April 2017 – Lefties, Whyalla
6 April 2017 – Royal Oak, Launceston
7 April 2017 – Republic Bar, Hobart
15 & 17 April 2017 – Bluesfest, Byron Bay
5 May 2017 – Imperial Hotel, Eumundi
6 May 2017 – Music By The Sea, Sandgate
11 May 2017 – The Oxley, Cowra
12 May 2017 – The Agrestic, Orange
13 May 2017 – The Gearin, Katoomba
18 May 2017 – Lizottes, Newcastle
19 May 2017 – Hardy’s Bay Club, Hardy’s Bay
20 May 2017 – Wauchope Community Arts Hall, Wauchope
21 May 2017 – 5 Church St, Bellingen
26 May 2017 – Bowral Bowling Club, Bowral
27 May 2017 – The Basement, Sydney
28 May 2017 – Thirroul Village Hall, Thirroul
9 June 2017 – Ravenswood Hotel, Ravenswood
10 June 2017 – Fly By Night, Fremantle
16 June 2017 – Street Theatre, Canberra
17 June 2017 – Murrah Hall, Murrah

My Echo Defy the Odds For Album Tour

After touring the country with Kingswood this month, My Echo are ready to do it all again as the headliners. The Melbourne rockers will hit the road later this month to support the release of their long awaited debut album Brothers, which drops on March 3. It features the raucous new single “Meet You There.”

The name Brothers resonates with this band of surrogate siblings who showed their mateship when they rallied around lead singer Brenton Perry during a critical illness.

“We banded together and put everything with music on hold and focused our energy to supporting Brenton and letting him deal with his illness,” explained drummer Henry Hollingsworth. “I’m relieved beyond belief to say that he got back to full health.’”

The album is a tribute to My Echo’s bond and resilience. See them in all their glory at the following venues.

24 Feb 2017 – Ed Castle, Adelaide
3 March 2017 – Yah Yahs, Melbourne
4 March 2017 – Workers Club, Geelong
11 & 12 March 2017 – Sydney Tattoo Expo, Sydney
16 March 2017 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
17 March 2017 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
18 March 2017 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
23 March 2017 – Trainspotters @ Woolly Mammoth Front Bar, Brisbane
24 March 2017 – Currumbin Creek Tavern, Gold Coast

Icehouse Commemorates 40 Years

Listen up Icehouse fans! This one’s for you.

In honour of the band’s 40-year anniversary, a brand new box set called Icehouse – The Complete Collection, drops on February 17. The 10-album set features every Icehouse album ever release, from Flowers to Icehouse – In Concert. You can get a digital copy but any real fan is going to want the digipack CDs in the deluxe slipcase. You can pre-order them now from the Icehouse online store.

In addition, Flowers will be reissued on vinyl for the first time since its 1980 release. This landmark debut features amazing tracks like “Can’t Help Myself,” “We Can Get Together,” and “Walls.” It’s pressed on 180-gram vinyl and replicates the original layout and uncoated sleeve of the original. It’s also available for pre-order.

If you prefer streaming, you’re in lucky. Icehouse have now released their entire back catalogue to leading streaming services.

And if that’s not enough Icehouse news for you, remember the band is currently on tour! If you haven’t already organised tickets, make sure you snap some up.

28 January 2017 – Taupo Amphitheatre, Taupo
29 January 2017 – Whitianga Open Air Venue, Whitianga
1 & 2 February 2017 – Crown Theatre, Perth
9 February 2017 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
11 February 2017 – Red Hot Summer Tour @ Old Mount Gambier Gaol, Mt Gambier
18 February 2017 – Red Hot Summer Tour @ Country Club, Launceston
24 February 2017 – Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane
25 February 2017- Tamworth Regional Entertainment & Conference Centre, Tamworth
11 March 2017 – Red Hot Summer Tour @ Mackay Park, Bateman’s Bay
12 March 2017 – A Weekend in the Gardens, Melbourne (with James Reyne and Clare Bowditch)
17 & 18 March 2017 – Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart
25 March 2017 – Red Hot Summer Tour @ Roche Estate, Hunter Valley
1 April 2017 – Red Hot Summer Tour @ Harrigan’s Drift Inn, Jacob’s Well
22 April 2017 – Red Hot Summer Tour @ Bendigo Jockey Club, Bendigo
23 & 24 June 2017 – Enmore Theatre, Enmore

Image used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM
Image used with permission from Ferris Dav

James Reyne Celebrates 30 Solo Years with Capital City Shows

In 2017, James Reyne celebrates a 30-year solo career. To mark the milestone, he’ll re-release his solo album on vinyl and play two very special live shows.

That self-titled album built upon his artistry developed with Australian Crawl. Even if you don’t own it, you’ll know the songs, tracks like “Fall of Rome,” “Motor’s Too Fast,” “Rip It Up,” and one of my favourites, “Hammerhead,” performed so beautifully here.

James will play with a full band at Memo Music Hall in St Kilda on April 28 and The Basement in Sydney on May 5. Tickets are on sale from the venues now.

Busby Marou Announces Queensland Tour for Forthcoming Album

I have a lot of love for Busby Marou. They’re one of Australia’s most unassuming musical acts, but they’re stellar songwriters with harmonies that are second to none. I can’t wait to hear more of their music when their third studio album, Postcards from the Shell House, drops on February 17.

Until then we’ll just have to be content with the release of the lead single “Getaway Car.” Busby Marou isn’t a band that needs studio trickery, so it’s only fitting to bring you a stripped back version of this song recorded on Great Keppel Island, where the duo wrote and recorded much of the album. It’s an idyllic setting which is perfectly suited to Busby Marou’s laidback style of music.

You can hear more of it when Busby Marou take their new album around Queensland next year. Hopefully it won’t be too long before they announce shows around the rest of the country.

18 February 2017 – The Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton
23-25 February 2017 – The Reef Casino, Cairns
2 March 2017 – Mt Pleasant, Mackay
3 March 2017 – Magnums, Airlie Beach
4 March 2017 – Dalrymples, Townsville
9 March 2017 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
10 March 2017 – Wharf Tavern, Mooloolaba
11 March 2017 – Bay Central Hotel, Hervey Bay

Carus Thompson Tackles Big Issues on Island

It’s been five long years since Carus Thompson has released any new music, but he’s making a real statement with his comeback single “Beach Fires.” The track explores the ice epidemic and way this terrible drug erodes friendships and communities.

“Beach Fires” comes from Carus’ forthcoming album Island, which is slated for release in early 2017. Expect more big themes on the record, with songs exploring isolation, refugees, apathy, and other issued affecting our social climate.

Carus will take these songs on the road with local shows in February and March.

12 February 2017 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide (Matinee)
17 February 2017 – Mojos, Fremantle
25 February 2017 – Piping Hot Chicken Shop, Ocean Grove
26 February 2017 – Grampians Festival, Halls Gap
3 March 2017 – Republic Bar, Hobart
4 March 2017 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
5 March 2017 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
10 March 2017 – The Quarry Ampitheatre, City Beach

Image used with permission from SGC Media