Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Vanns Announce Plenty of Free Gigs to “Support Scattered by Sundown” EP

The Vanns haven’t long wrapped up a national tour, but they’re wasting no time in getting back out there. The Kiama boys are preparing to hit the road in February to celebrate the upcoming release of their new EP Scattered by Sundown. It’s set to feature the awesome new single “Operator.”

Scattered by Sundown will get a digital release on February 13. It will also be available on CD from the band’s website with five bonus tracks from The Vanns’ archives, including “Guilty Love,” “Belmore Street,” and “How it Used to Be.”

The Vanns have spent 2014 touring with the likes of Sticky Fingers, The Griswolds, Jinja Safari, Dappled Cities and heaps more, so they’re bound to be in fine form at the following shows. And so many of them are free that it doesn’t even matter if Christmas has done a number on your finances!

5 February 2015 – Sandbar, Mildura (FREE)
6 February 2015 – Rocket Bar, Adelaide
7 February 2015 – Gordon Hotel, Portland (FREE)
8 February 2015 – Hotel Warnambool, Warnambool (FREE)
12 February 2015 – Front Bar @ Esplanade Hotel, St Kilda (FREE)
13 February 2015 – The Otis Room, Brunie (FREE)
14 February 2015 – Republic Bar, Hobart
26 February 2015 – Royal Oak Hotel, Lanceston
27 February 2015 – Saloon Bar, Traralgon (FREE)
28 February 2015 – Transit Bar, Canberra (FREE)
5 March 2015 – The Marlborough Hotel, Newtown (FREE)
6 March 2015 – Tattersalls Hotel, Penrith (FREE)
11 March 2015 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (FREE)
12 March 2015 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (FREE)
13 March 2015 – Lennox Hotel, Lennox (FREE)
14 March 2015 – Trainspotters, Brisbane
15 March 2015 – Broadbeach Tavern, Broadbeach (FREE)
20 March 2015 – Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads

Image used with permission from 123 Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Martin Bradstreet Switches Focus To Music with Alexei Martov

While the band may be based out of Montreal, blues/psych-rock outfit Alexei Martov is undeniably Australian thanks to the talents of frontman Martin Bradstreet. The gifted vocalist and guitarist (he also plays piano) is joined in the group by two brothers, Matthew and Jonah Dorfman, who hold things down as the band’s rhythm section.


They have been kicking around for several years with releases such as Scent of a Wolf and Way of the Crow, but it feels like they’re due for a breakthrough soon with the recent release of their self-titled EP. And there’s a good reason for that, beyond the fact that the music on the eight-track project is some of their best to date. Bradstreet seems to be focusing more on the band than he had in the past, something that’s become evident through digging into his history.

The Australian native’s background doesn’t only include playing music since his teenage years; it turns out the guy has been pretty involved in online poker too. Bradstreet claims that he took on the pseudonym for musical reasons, according to the band’s Facebook. But it turns out that he also frequently used it as his online poker handle, along with the name MagicNinja, since sometime in 2007.

Instead of playing the wildly popular Texas Hold’em—the poker variant that led to the game’s online boom in the early aughts—Bradstreet sticks to the somewhat-lesser-known Pot Limit Omaha. As it turns out, though, it’s apparently a lot like its much more popular cousin. As pointed out by Betfair Poker, “Pot Limit Omaha is structured exactly the same as Texas Hold’em–but players are dealt four cards instead of two.” And if you’re wondering just how he’s faired in playing the game, it looks pretty good for Bradstreet. Although he lost several hundred thousand playing under the MagicNinja name, he looks to be doing just fine as Alexei Martov (per his profile on HighStakesDB).

As for that aforementioned focus shifting solely to music, the proof is all on the web. According to the aforementioned HighStakesDB page, he hasn’t played online since the summer of 2013. Although, to be fair, it’s hard to say if he’s completely kicked poker to the curb. Chances are he’s introduced his bandmates to the game and the three are enjoying some Pot Limit Omaha in their downtime between shows and recording sessions.

You can listen to Alexei Martov’s new self-titled EP below and buy it on iTunes.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sleepy Dreams Launch Local Football

Melburnians, your Saturday night plans are sorted. Local indie-folk quartet Sleepy Dreamers will be officially launching their sophomore EP Local Football at The Penny Black in Brunswick on November 29, and they’d love to see you there.

The five-track recording features the stellar singles “Bike Song” and “Hunk.” Empty wallets are no excuse, as entry is free. The music kicks off at 9:30, so be there or be square!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Kelly Gets Soulful

If you’re stuck for Christmas gift ideas, either for your nearest and dearest or for yourself as a reward for all that time spent shopping, then consider some Paul Kelly swag. He’s about to release The Merri Soul Sessions, a soul and gospel album which sees Paul performing with some of his best friends in the business including Dan Sultan, Vika and Linda Bull, Kira Puru, and Clairy Browne. It’s something new for Paul, who’s better known for his folkier leanings, but with such talent on board you can’t go wrong.

The Merri Soul Sessions, Paul’s 20th studio release, is currently available for pre-order through his website, ahead of its December 12 release. However, if you really want to get something special I suggest heading to the PledgeMusic site where you can secure a 7” vinyl box set or 12” vinyl deluxe box set.

If you feel like buying a good night out, then why not grab some tickets for Paul’s national tour, happening this January? They’re on sale now.

9 January 2015 – Opening Party of Sydney Festival, Parramatta
10 January 2015 – Summer of Soul Festival, Mossvale
16 January 2015 – MONA FOMA @ Princes Wharf, Hobart
17 January 2015 – Sundown Sessions @ Scarborough Park, Scarborough
21 January 2015 – Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre, Tamworth
22 January 2015 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (seated)
23 January 2015 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (standing)
31 January 2015 – Norwood Concert Hall, Adelaide
6 February 2015 – Taronga Zoo, Sydney NSW
7 February 2015 – Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne VIC
10 & 11 February 2015 – Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Pearce Flexes His Creative Muscles with “Broken Bones”

Most of us know Guy Pearce as Aussie acting royalty, but he’s actually a pretty decent musician. This Jack of all Trades has just released his debut album Broken Bones. It features a brand new single “Taste,” which showcases his husky vocals and knack for catchy melodies beautifully.

“‘Taste’ digs into that illusive thing we call “identity”, and who we think we are, versus who we actually are – whatever that even means,” he explained in a press release. “We’re so malleable and contradictory at times, it’s often hard to be objective.”

Guy will play two launch shows to promote the release of Broken Bones. Wednesday’s show at The Toff is all sold out, but there are a handful of general admission tickets for The Basement on Wednesday, November 19, still available.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Christine Anu Celebrates Festive Season with “Island Christmas”

I love Christmas. It’s only November but I’ve already started my Christmas shopping. I’ll be dragging out my decorations and Christmas CDs once my husband breaks down and decides it’s no longer too early. But I must admit, I feel about silly singing about winter wonderlands and sleigh bells in the snow when the mercury’s soaring. So I was thrilled to learn that Christine Anu is releasing her much more Aussie-friendly festive album Island Christmas tomorrow.

The album features duets with Steve Clisby and Jay Laga’aia, and even a cameo from her own kids Kuiam and Zipporah on the title track.

“I wrote the title track when my kids and their friends and cousins were quite young – we love singing – and I’d always get them to sing along with me. So even though they’re now a lot older, the inclusion of their voices on the album is incredibly nostalgic for me – it’s what Christmas is all about, in creating and recalling special memories each year,” said Christine in a press release.

“The song is a little tongue-in-cheek, with Aussie slang sound bites from Australian poetry and prose, conjuring up images of a unique summer Christmas spent at the beach, with family and friends, meeting up again for that one special time of the year.”

Look out for Island Christmas in stores tomorrow.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

DXHeaven Goes Old School with “All The Time”

I’m an unashamed child of the 80s. Modern music might have generally moved on, but when I hear some synths and some earnest pop vocals I get weak at the knees. DXHeaven has delivered all that and more with his new single “All The Time.” The track is lifted from the Melbourne muso’s debut EP Aftertouch, which drops tomorrow.

I love its lush layers and the way DXHeaven’s smoother than chocolate vocals anchors it so beautifully. If you like what you hear too, get out and support DXHeaven when he launches the EP for his hometown fans at Hugs & Kisses on November 20.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hamish Anderson Returns Home

It takes a special someone to score the support slot for a legend like BB King. Someone like Melbourne born guitarist and songwriter Hamish Anderson.

Before he warms up the stage for BB, Hamish will be back on home soil to support the release of his swampy, sexy new single “Burn” and his new EP Restless, which hits stores on November 7. Hamish said he “wanted the recording to capture the sound, to be like a Polaroid. Imperfections and all.” And isn’t that refreshing in this day of autotune?

Hamish is basing himself in the U.S. now, so this is a rare chance to see this Australian-born talent performing. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

13 November 2014 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
20 November 2014 – Side Bar @ Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
21 November 2014 – Oaf Sydney, Sydney
26 November 2014 – The Bearded Lady, Brisbane (FREE)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Riptides Finally Release Debut Album, 30 Years After Recording It

If ever there was a story about perseverance, it’s the story of The Riptides. The Brisbane-born band are preparing to release their debut album Tombs of Gold this week, 30 years after it was recorded.

That’s no typo. The band finally got the financing they needed to take their music to the masses after a successful PledgeMusic campaign. It’s stories like this that make me love the capabilities of the internet.

For those of you who don’t know, The Riptides quickly became darlings of the Sydney music scene when they relocated in 1980. They drew big crowds and gained a reputation as one of the nation’s best live music acts. They did it old school, funding time in the studio, booking and running their live shows, and even building their own PA system in their own truck. Then they signed a record deal and the metaphorical wheels fell off. Mark Callaghan moved on to GANGgajang and The Riptides became a distant memory.

Thankfully now it’s 2014, and the internet has helped musicians and their fans forge connections outside of the industry. Mark reacquired the rights to that album and set about finally getting it into the hands of those loyal fans. The PledgeMusic campaign helped not just to distribute the album, but to transfer those analogue tapes to a digital format for remixing.

“The album is finally finished and sounds just like I always wanted it to,” Mark explained. “It was recorded in our prime but thanks to these great mixes, it also sounds like it could have been recorded this year”.

The release of Tombs of Gold on October 31 should appeal to fans new and old, with digital, CD, and limited edition gold vinyl LP versions available. You can preorder your preferred version on the PledgeMusic campaign page.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Citizen Kay Makes Powerful Statement with “Freedoom”

I was really impressed with Citizen Kay when he burst onto the scene a couple of years ago. Rap isn’t usually my genre of choice, but I loved the way he blended it with big funky brass and created tracks brimming with positivity. He’s gone a bit darker with his latest song “Freedoom,” but I really appreciate the message behind it. I don’t normally post big slabs of quotes but I think Citizen Kay explains how the song came about better than anything I could write.

“’Freedoom’ is a song I’d actually written around the same time as Manage but it was so, so different to anything else I’d ever written around that time because it was inspired so differently to any other track I’d written,” Citizen Kay explained in a press release. “I was searching the net pointlessly one day, watching news reports around the world and random videos etc. when I clicked on a news story from America about some gang on gang/black on black shootings that had happened in a local area and how they’d escalated to the point where innocent people were being shot and killed simply because they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Now being someone that’s lived in Australia for most of my life, I’ve always found these things almost unbelievable. As I was watching this news documentary there was one guy in particular being interviewed about his thoughts on everything and how the community could better itself and absolutely everything he talked about he used the word ‘we.’ After a bit the reporter picked up on it and asked why he kept saying ‘we’ and if it implied that he had any part of it and he responded with something along the lines of ‘Yeah, I have a part in it … you have a part in it and everyone on the planet has a part in it.’ He went on to explain that these things will never stop until ‘we’ make the true and conscious effort to strive for peace.

“There were more specifics about black people killing fellow ‘brothers’ as well for the most part of the video and from that I began writing lyrics but doing so from their perspective (particularly the one guy in the interview). I thought about what he might say if he was the one writing the song and ‘Freedoom’ is what came from it. It’s heart-breaking to see any sort of unnecessary violence anywhere or to anyone so although the song really had nothing to specifically do with me, it actually meant a lot more to me that a lot of other songs I’d written and that’s simply because it’s probably one of the only songs I’ve written completely from someone else’s shoes but still somehow, at the same time felt like it could have been me.”

“Freedoom” comes from Demokracy, a mini-album set for digital and CD release on November 7. Citizen Kay will celebrate its release with his own shows ahead of supporting Ice Cube on his sold-out shows around the country.

1 November 2014 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
7 November 2014 – Cats @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide
8 November 2014 – Laundry Bar, Melbourne
21 November 2014 – Academy, Canberra
28 November 2014 – The Roller Den, Sydney
29 November 2014 – CoLAB Festival @ Oak Lawn, UWA, Nedlands