Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Abraham’s “Speak” a Sign of Special Things to Come

Melbourne singer-songwriter Ben Abraham has found a new home for his music at Inertia Music. I must admit, I hadn’t heard of his stuff until the good folks there sent me a press release, but the moment I started to watch him performing “Speak” in a Mahogany session, I fell hard.

The Sydney Morning Herald recently declared he’s one of the best new male voices the country’s seen in ages, and I’m not inclined to disagree. But there’s more to Ben than just a voice. He’s a superb songwriter who can deliver a lyric like nobody’s business. There’s truth in the way he sings, and I really responded to that. “Speak” is just one of the tracks we’ll hear on Ben’s album Sirens, which will be released on March 4. The album’s seen him collaborating with everyone from Gossling to Gotye, so it should be something really special.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Archie Roach Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Charcoal Lane

Archie Roach is one of Australia’s most beloved artists, a veteran of the industry after 25 years in the business. Charcoal Lane is the album that kicked it all off, and a quarter of a century after its release Archie is celebrating with a reissued album and shows all around the country.

The new deluxe edition of Charcoal Lane features new versions of the songs with guest vocals from some of Archie’s best mates including Paul Kelly, Dan Sultan, Emma Donovan, Gurrumul, and Dewayne Everett-Smith. His 1990 Triple J Live at the Wireless records are also included, along with a booklet full of previously unseen images from the era and insightful liner notes. Isn’t it exciting to get a CD with decent liner notes these days? I think so.

The reissued version of Charcoal Lane is in stores now. Tickets are still available for the following shows.

21 November 2015 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
22 November 2015 – Homeground 2015 @ Sydney Opera House, Sydney (FREE)
3 December 2015 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
4 December 2015 – The Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury
6 December 2015 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
11 December 2015 – Fremantle Arts Centre Front Garden, Fremantle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Vernons Touring Single and Snappy EP

I’ve always had a soft spot for bluesy Gold Coast act The Vernons. So even though I didn’t get to the press release spruiking their new single “Keep On Dreaming” and EP Snap until the launch tour was well and truly underway, I couldn’t resist posting it. Because whether you wanted to get to the shows or not, this song is one of those songs that you should hear. It’s a break-up song the way it should be done, so raw that it bleeds.

And if you’re living in Melbourne or Sydney, you’re in luck, because they haven’t visited your town yet. Tickets are still available for the shows at The Grace Darling on November 13 and Brighton Up Bar on November 14.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Citizen Kay Tours New Album “With the People”

As I browsed through the list of ARIA nominees a couple of days ago, there wasn’t too much that got me really excited. The usual suspects were represented, and there were very few curveballs. However, when I spied Citizen Kay’s nomination for Demokracy, I broke into a wide smile. The best urban album category is incredibly competitive, but I’d love if this talented act came away with the win.

While ARIA is acknowledging his last body of work, Citizen Kay is looking forward with the release of With the People, his first long-player, which hits stores on October 16. The album features the killer new single “Wax On Wax Off.” You can hear this song and other choice cuts from the new album, as well as some old favourites, when Citizen Kay kicks off his national tour later this month.

22 October 2015 – Bar on the Hill, Newcastle
23 October 2015 – Shebeen, Melbourne
24 October 2015 – Republic Bar, Hobart
30 October 2015 – ANU Bar, Canberra
6 November 2015 – Cats, Adelaide
11 November 2015 – Sosueme @ Beach Road Hotel, Bondi (FREE)
13 November 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
14 November 2015 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
26 November 2015 – Goodgod Small Club, Sydney
5 December 2015 – Jack Rabbit Slims, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Short Stack Mounting Comeback

An awful lot of time has passed since Short Stack first burst onto our scene and made all the girls squeal as they’re doing over 5SOS right now. So you might not realise that these Central Coast lads are only getting better. Their new single “Gravity” shows a maturity that only comes with a few more years out in the world.

“Gravity” is the first cut from Short Stack’s new album Homecoming (currently in stores), which has a fitting title considering it coincides with their return to the Australian scene after they relocated to London in late 2014. That decision saw them connecting with legendary British producer Chris Kimsey [The Rolling Stones, Peter Frampton, The Cult].

“We wrote this for about three years, and it’s the record that we’ve always wanted to make,” Shaun Diviney said in a press release. “It’s really raw, it’s really live, there’s not much production, and that means that when we play it live, it comes to life, translates.”

Given the lack of flashy production, we can expect the songs to sound amazing in the live arena. We’ll get a chance to do just that when Short Stack play shows all around the country this summer.

11 December 2015 – Brothers Leagues Club, Cairns (ALL AGES)
12 December 2015 – The Venue, Townsville (ALL AGES)
13 December 2015 – Mackay Entertainment Centre Foyer, Mackay (ALL AGES)
13 January 2016 – Prince Bandroom, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
14 January 2016 – HQ, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
16 January 2016 – Astor Theatre, Perth (ALL AGES)
30 January 2016 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney (ALL AGES)
6 February 2016 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (ALL AGES)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Plastic Not So Plastic

I must admit that I got nervous when I received a single stream from a band called Plastic. That work suggests this Melbourne band is creating the worst of music, that which is disposable and lacking in substance. However thankfully, nothing could be further from the truth.

The lyrics of “So Numb” are what I’ve really sunk my teeth into. The melody’s lovely and the vocals solid, but it’s those words that have really gotten underneath my skin. Make sure you listen to them.

“So Numb” comes from Plastic’s EP Nightmares, which is available now as a pay-what-you-want download from their Bandcamp page. Plastic will launch the single at Melbourne’s Gasometer Hotel on September 18.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Little May Announce Global Tour Ahead of Album Release

Little May’s song “Home” has been one of those tracks that’s stuck with me this year. So I was thrilled to read a full-length album isn’t too far away. It seems like Little May’s been on the scene for such a long time that it’s amazing to realise For the Company is actually their debut LP.

The album saw the Sydney band working with acclaimed producer Aaron Brooking Dessner. Little May are big fans of his work with The National, so were excited that he wanted to work with them.

“It was a dream of ours to work with Aaron Dessner. We are so incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to make this album with him, and Jonathan Lowe, who engineered and mixed the album. Aaron captured the heart of what we are about, and we couldn’t be more thankful,” Little May said about the experience.

For the Company was recorded in the main hall of New York’s Future Past Studios, a converted 19th-century church. The unique setting helped Little May capture an intensity that’s now a key part of their sound.

For the Company will be released on October 9. Little May will celebrate its release with a tour taking in Europe, Australia, and the United States. No matter where in the world you are, here are all the places you can see them play.

28 August 2015 – Reading Festival, Reading
29 August 2015 – Leeds Festival, Wetherby
6 September 2015 – Electric Picnic, Stradbally
18 September 2015 – Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst
19 September 2015 – The Foundry, Brisbane
24 September 2015 – Corner Hotel, Richmond
26 September 2015 – Jack Rabbit Slims, Perth
5 October 2015 – Exchange, Bristol
6 October 2015 – Bush Hall, London
8 October 2015 – Gulliver’s, Manchester
10 October 2015 – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
11 October 2015 – King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
13 October 2015 – Paradiso Upstairs, Amsterdam
14 October 2015 – Pop Up du Label, Paris
15 October 2015 – Blue Shell, Cologne
16 October 2015 – Botanique @ Witloof Bar, Brussels
17 October 2015 – Molotow, Hamburg
18 October 2015 – Privatclub, Berlin
20 October 2015 – Mercury Lounge, New York
21 October 2015 – Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn
23 October 2015 – Milkboy, Philadelphia
24 October 2015 – DC9 Nightclub, Washington D.C.
26 October 2015 – Schubas, Chicago
27 October 2015 – 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis
29 October 2015 – Barboza, Seattle
30 October 2015 – Mississippi Studios, Portland
2 November 2015 – The Independent, San Francisco
3 November 2015 – The Echo, Los Angeles

Image used with permission from Secret Service PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darren Middleton Releases Double-A Side Single Ahead of Album Shows

I’ve always thought that if your album has just one great single, you’re doing alright. But when you have enough superb material to release a double-A side single, with two songs that are equally as compelling, well the album’s got to be pretty special. That’s the case with Splinters, out November 6. The latest effort from former Powderfinger guitarist Darren Middleton features the double-A side “The Lines” and “Our Road.” The album’s title comes from the concept of Darren shedding a splinter of his soul as he shares these stories.

It’s really hard to pick a favourite out of these songs, but if you had me at gunpoint I’d go for “The Lines,” just because of the big gospel sounds courtesy of the Monash Choral Society. Talei Wolfram and Guy Pearce also guest on the track. I really wish the Soundcloud links that were passed on to me were shareable, but you can get the single yourself from iTunes. You can also hear a bit more if you catch one of Darren’s upcoming album preview shows.


28 August 2015 – The Vanguard, Sydney
12 September 2015 – The Toff, Melbourne
18 September 2015 – The Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Beards Celebrate 10th Anniversary with Album & Tour

When The Beards formed back in 2005, they intended to play just one show. But now a decade on, the Adelaide quartet has released four albums, earned two ARIA nominations, played sold out shows in Australia, Europe, and North America, and spearheaded a beard revolution. They’re celebrating the milestone with the release of a special anniversary double album and an anniversary tour.

“When we started out, we didn’t anticipate just how much global demand there would be for songs about beards,” mused frontman Johann Beardraven. “It’s been really amazing to discover that so many other people around the world share our unwavering enthusiasm when it comes to beards.”

The ten-year retrospective album, which will be released soon, is a best of compilation including rarities packaged with a live album recorded at The Metro in Sydney earlier this year.

The Ten Long Years, One Long Beard tour will visit the following Aussie cities this October. Tickets are on sale now from The Beards’ website.

2 October 2015 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra
3 October 2015 – The Zoo, Brisbane
8 October 2015 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
9 October 2015 – The Pelly Bar, Frankston
10 October 2015 – The Village Green, Mulgrave
15 & 16 October 2015 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
17 October 2015 – Coopers Ale House, Wallaroo
23 October 2015 – Bondi Beach Rd Hotel, Sydney
24 October 2015 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
25 October 2015 – Rocks Brewery, Sydney

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gurrumul Gives Praise with “Jesu” From The Gospel Album

I don’t know what it is about the music of Gurrumul, but listening to him just makes me feel at peace. I don’t need to know what he’s singing about, because I can feel it on an emotional level. Checking out the film clip for “Jesu,” the lead single from Gurrumul’s third studio album The Gospel Album, is just what I needed on this Friday afternoon.

The clip for this song of praise was recorded on location at Brighton’s Trinity Uniting Church and Galiwinku on Elcho Island. It’s the ideal companion for this mellow gospel tune.

The Gospel Album sees Gurrumul delivering his take on the spiritual songs the Christian missionaries brought to Arnhem Land. It’s in stores on July 31, just a couple of days after Gurrumul kicks off the album tour.

29 July 2015 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
2 August 2015 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
5 August 2015 – Festival Theatre @ Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide
8 August 2015 – Supersense Festival, Melbourne
10 August 2015 – Canberra Theatre, Canberra
12 August 2015 – Perth Concert Hall, Perth