Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reece Mastin Releases Single Sneak Peek

When I heard that Reece Mastin had signed a deal with independent Social Family Records, I was pretty excited. I really enjoyed his musical instincts on The X Factor, but I felt like his individuality kind of got beaten out of him by people who wanted him to become the next pinup boy.

Judging by this snippet of his new single “Rebel and the Reason,” the title track from his new EP (released May 1), he’s now on the right track. This is by far the most substantial song he’s released. It’s got that rock edge that I always enjoyed about him, and a real honesty in the vocals.

Reece is going to bring his new music to the masses with a string of shows in capital cities and key regional centres this June.

“I know it seems like it’s been a long time coming but hopefully the fans will agree it was worth the wait,” he said in a press release. “I can definitely say that this is completely 100 percent me and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s turned out. I’m in a really good place and can’t wait to share the new songs with everyone.”

Reece promises fans will hear his new songs as well as their old favourites at the following gigs. All shows are all ages, although parents or guardians must accompany under 18s at the Wollongong gig.

12 June 2015 – Factory Theatre, Marrickville
13 June 2015 – Waves, Wollongong
14 June 2015 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
20 June 2015 – Prince Bandroom, St Kilda
21 June 2015 – Esso BHP Wellington Entertainment Centre, Sale
26 June 2015 – Old Museum Concert Hall, Brisbane
27 June 2015 – Sunshine Coast Function Centre, Caloundra
28 June 2015 – Church Theatre, Toowoomba

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Courtney Barnett Wins Me Over with “Depreston”

It’s taken a long time for me to “get” Courtney Barnett. I’d see her kicking goals in the U.S. and people raving about her here, but couldn’t quiet see what they saw. I appreciated her quirky songwriting and musicality, but I was missing the emotional connection I need to get really invested. However, I found it with her new single “Depreston,” an ode to a bargain-priced estate sale home and the memories it holds in Preston, Victoria.

“Depreston” is the follow up to “Pedestrian At Best,” and both tracks are lifted from her long-awaited debut album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, which hits stores tomorrow. Courtney’s playing SXSW, but she’ll be back on home soil to promote the album with a national tour in May. Teeth & Tongue will support Courtney at the following shows.

24 April 2015 – Wrestpoint, Hobart
1 May 2015 – The Gov, Adelaide
2 May 2015 – The Bakery, Perth
8 May 2015 – The Metro, Sydney
9 May 2015 – The HiFi, Brisbane
15 & 16 May 2015 – The Forum, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Isaiah B Brunt Brings Back Real Blues

With a name like Isaiah B Brunt, it’s not surprising that the Sydneysider is making blues the way it was supposed to be. He’s got this mellow Delta groove in his music that hearkens back to the greats. When he set about recording his debut album Just the Way That it Goes, he knew New Orleans was the only place to be. I haven’t been lucky enough to hear any of the album tracks, but his cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Hear My Train A Comin’” is pretty magical.

The album drops on March 26, when he’s launch it at Spring Street Social in Bondi Junction. The album launch is set to be a pretty special night with Isiah performing some acoustic songs along with tracks with a full band. Be there or be square!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

We Do This Do It Well

Indie pop act We Do This hail from Adelaide, but they’re a pretty international affair. Daniel Colagrossi is a local, but his John De Michele hails from the United States and J. Tortabu’s from Venezuela.

While such diverse influences you might expect the band to have a bit of a world music flavour, but their brand of indie pop reminds me a whole lot of The Cure.

The new single “I’m Not Going Anywhere” gives us our first taste of the band’s forthcoming EP Fault Lines, which gets an Australian and American release in May.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Super Best Friends Sound Off with “Dog Whistling”

Punk music has a rich tradition of challenging the status quo and criticising social injustices. So it’s great to see Super Best Friends taking up the baton with their latest single “Dog Whistling,” a scathing attack on xenophobia and the government’s “Stop the Boats” campaign. The vocals are more than a little rough, but the lyrics cut through.

“Dog Whistling” comes from Super Best Friends’ debut album Status Updates, which will hit stores on March 20. The band will support its release with the following local shows.

26 March 2015 – The Old Bar, Melbourne
27 March 2015 – The Bakery, Perth
28 March 2015 – 459 Bar, Perth
29 March 2015 – Hyperfest, Perth (ALL AGES)
9 April 2015 – Oxford Arts Factory Gallery Bar, Sydney N
10 April 2015 – Transit Bar, Canberra
11 April 2015 – Rad, Wollongong
15 April 2015 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
16 April 2015 – The Black Swan Hotel, Bendigo
17 April 2015 – Crown & Anchor, Adelaide
18 April 2015 – The Reverence Front Bar, Melbourne
23 April 2015 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
24 April 2015 – Byron Bay Brewery, Byron Bay
25 April 2015 – 4ZZZ Punk Party, Fortitude Valley (ALL AGES)
26 April 2015 – Sounds of Sunday, Broadbeach Tavern, Gold Coast

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alyx Dennison Rises from the Ashes of kyü

Sydney duo kyü were gone far too quickly, so I was thrilled to hear that one half of the pair, Alyx Dennison, is forging a career as a solo artist. She gives us a taste of what’s to come with her charming new single “Jewels are Just Lumps.” It’s got elements of traditional country and folk in it, but it feels so fresh. The lyrics are just heartbreaking. Wonderful stuff.

“Jewels are Just Lumps” comes from Alyx’s self-titled debut album, which will hit stores on March 27.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jerrico Say Thanks to Fans with New Album & Single

Melbourne rockers Jericco are preparing to release their brand new album Machine Made the Animal on March 13, thanks to their loyal fans. Supporters donated a massive $10,500 through Pozible to help fund the album’s release. Jerrico are offering a free download of their new single “Animal” via Soundcloud and Triple J Unearthed to thank them for their generosity.

No doubt those same fans will turn out in their droves when Jerrico kick off their national tour next month.

26 April 2015 – The Rosemount Hotel, Perth
14 May 2015 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
15 May 2015 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
16 May 2015 – The Bald Faced Stag, Sydney
23 May 2015 – Enigma Bar, Adelaide
29 May 2015 – Crowbar, Brisbane
5 Jun 2015 – The Prince Bandroom, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Brad Butcher to Tour “Jamestown”

Brad Butcher earned a place in the new songwriter category of the APRA awards with his single “Believer” late last year. Now he’s set to show everyone he’s no one-trick pony with the release of his sophomore album Jamestown.

Brad was a kid raised on classic music who spent his nights writing songs on a second-hand guitar. He loved music but listened to his head rather than his heart and pursued a career as a cabinetmaker. He later began working in the coal mines, which left plenty of time for him to focus on his true passion. Yet he kept his songs to himself for more than a decade, privately honing his craft until he released his self-titled debut album in 2012.

The recording of Jamestown took him to Shorefire Recording Studios in New Jersey. It was cut live over just seven days with musicians who’ve played with Paul McCartney, Ryan Adams, and Sheryl Crow. Most songs were recorded in the first or second take, creating that sort of spontaneous organic energy we rarely hear on studio albums any more.

That approach means that you know Brad’s going to be able to reproduce this stuff on stage. You can see for yourself when he tours the album through autumn. Jamestown will be release on March 27, the day the tour commences.

27 March 2015 – Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane
28 March 2015 – Currumbin Creek Tavern, Gold Coast
29 March 2015 – TAPS, Mooloolooba
9 April 2015 – 12 Bar Blue, Cairns
23 April 2015 – Frankies Pizza by the Slice, Sydney
24 April 2015 – Goulburn Club, Goulburn
25 April 2015 – Smiths Alternative, Canberra
7 May 2015 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne
8 May 2015 – Babushka Bar, Ballarat
21 May 2015 – Grace Emily, Adelaide
22 May 2015 – The Singing Gallery, McLaren Vale
23 May 2015 – Royal Oak Hotel, Launceston
24 May 2015 – The Homestead, Hobart

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Monarchy on my Radar with “Dancing in the Corner”

I had high hopes for Monarchy when I spotted the Wordsworth quote at the start of their music video for new single “Dancing in the Corner.” Thankfully this song lives up that very early promise.

Apparently Monarchy released their debut album way back in 2011 but they somehow slipped under my radar. Perhaps that’s because these Aussie expats were focusing their promotional efforts in the international market instead of here in Oz. Over the last five years they’ve headlined shows in the US, UK, Spain, Germany, France, and Russia and played massive festivals like Coachella, The Big Chill, and Melt.

Better late than never though, right? “Dancing in the Corner” comes from Monarchy’s brand new album ABNOCTO, which hits stores on March 13.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Miami Horror Release Single from Album Number 2

Miami Horror look set to prove that they’re no one-trick ponies with the release of their highly anticipated sophomore album All Possible Futures. They’ve just released the lead single “Love Like Mine” and it’s a wonderful feel-good slice on 80s-inspired electronica.

The album is the first the band recorded since relocating to Los Angeles, and if the single’s any indication it was the right musical move.

“We wanted to move to LA for inspiration and influence more than anything,” explained Miami Horror’s producer Ben Plant. “It helped us to experiment and find our own sound. If you look at a lot of the alternative electronica and dance music coming out of LA it definitely has a feel – we love the weirdness and sunshine. It has been a strong influence on many of our favourite records from the 60s-80s and we wanted to allow it to influence this record.”

All Possible Futures will be released on April 24 on CD and limited-edition vinyl, but you can get in early and pre-order it here.

Image used with permission from Remote Control Records