Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kingswood Ready New Album

Melbourne indie-rock gods Kingswood are preparing to unleash a brand new album on the masses. Microscopic Wars will hit stores on August 22.

The latest cut to whet our appetites is “I Can Feel That You Don’t Love Me,” a bluesy ballad that drips Southern cool. Perhaps that’s fitting as Kingswood recorded it at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. It also sees guitarist Alex Laska stepping up to the microphone for the first time.

Kingswood will celebrate the release of Microscopic Wars with shows just about everywhere.

20 August 2014 – Pirie & Co Social Club, Adelaide
21 August 2014 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
22 August 2014 – The Capital, Perth
23 August 2014 – North West Festival, Port Hedland
26 August 2014 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
29 August 2014 – Howler, Melbourne
3 September 2014 – Kooroora Hotel, Mt Buller
4 September 2014 – Swindlers Bar, Mt Hotham
5 September 2014 – The Union Club Hotel, Wagga Wagga
6 September 2014 – The Armidale Club, Armidale
12 September 2014 – Ric’s Big Backyard @ Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
13 September 2014 – Originals Music Festival, Noosa
17 September 2014 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
18 September 2014 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
19 September 2014 – Waves, Wollongong
20 September 2014 – Collector Hotel, Parramatta
25 September 2014 – ANU Bar, Canberra
26 September 2014 – Area Hotel, Griffith
17 October 2014 – The Karova Lounge, Ballarat
18 October 2014 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
23 October 2014 – The Loft, Warrnambool
24 October 2014 – Unibar, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Dew Process

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey Chambers Does Things Differently with Bittersweet

Kasey Chambers is doing things a little differently on her tenth album. Bittersweet is her first solo record in four years, and the first she’ll create without her long-time producer and manager, brother Nash Chambers, at the helm. Instead she worked with Nick DiDia, the man behind Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, and Powderfinger albums, at Studio 301 in Byron Bay.

“I wanted to have an experience making a record that I had never had before. I wanted to challenge myself and I wanted to be excited,” she explained.

If the first single “Wheelbarrow” is any indication, the gamble’s paid off. It’s so raw and ballsy. However, an album with the talent Kasey’s assembled couldn’t possibly sound bar. Her studio band features Powderfinger’s Bernard Fanning on acoustic guitar, Ashleigh Dallas on banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and backing vocals, and Dan Kelly on electric and acoustic guitars and backing vocals, to name just a few.

Bittersweet will hit stores on August 29. Kasey will play the following shows to celebrate its release.

30 August 2014 – Gympie Music Muster, Gympie
2 September 2014 – Lefties Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane
3 September 2014 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
4 September 2014 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Griswolds Provide Your Saturday Soundtrack

I’m not sure whether it’s the unseasonally sunny weather outside, or The Griswolds’ new single “Beware the Dog,” but I’m feeling pretty good as I type this. The track is the ideal Saturday soundtrack, an upbeat slice of indie pop perfection.

It sounds so cheerful, but the song’s actually about the way the band members lost a good friend to heavy drug use. Make sure you listen to the lyrics to really appreciate the delicate balance of light and shade here.

“Beware the Dog” is our first taste of The Griswolds’ debut album Be Impressive, which gets a global release on August 22.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sheppard’s Bombs Away in Stores

Today is the day Sheppard fans have been waiting for. The band’s long-awaited debut album Bombs Away is in stores now. It features the number one smash single “Geronimo,” “Let Me Down Easy,” and the band’s newest cut “Something’s Missing.”

To celebrate the release, the Brisbane band will play a series of all-ages album launch shows in the East Coast capitals later this month.

“This year has been such a whirlwind and it was important to us that we take the time to get out there on the road and celebrate our album with the fans,” explained George Sheppard. “The release of a first album is an important milestone for any band and we’re just so happy that we can celebrate it with the people who have made it all happen for us.”

Sheppard should be in fine form after supporting Keith Urban around the country last month. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

25 July 2014 – Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane
26 July 2014 – Big Top Luna Park, Sydney
1 August 2014 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (Two shows: 4:30 pm under 18s; 8:30 pm over 18s)

Image used with permission from SCG Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Williamson Readies Album Number 50

Can you believe John Williamson is preparing to release his 50th album? Believe it or not, Honest People will hit stores on July 25, and it shouldn’t disappoint his legion of fans.

It’s a collection of tales inspired by John’s hometown of Quambatook, a tight-knit community full of “honest people.” The album recalls the innocence and spirit of small towns while lamenting the loss of community that comes with progress in many regional areas. Hear John talking about it in this album teaser video.

John fans are in for a big week at the end of the month. His biography Hey True Blue will hit shelves on July 23, two days before the release of Honest People on July 25.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hear Exciting New Indigenous Music on Song Nation Vol 1

In case you missed it, it’s NAIDOC week, a week which celebrates the culture, history, and achievements of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. So it’s only fitting that Friday sees the release of a new Indigenous hip hop compilation dubbed Song Nation Vol 1.

The album was created by Desert Pea Media, who helped oversee the creation of these songs through their unique dialogue-driven songwriting workshops held in remote communities around the country. Through the development of great music, Desert Pea Media aims to be a catalyst for change.

The songs on Song Nation Vol 1 were recorded by the exciting groups Desert Pea Media’ unearthed. They include the Cairns Murri Crew, the band behind the album’s lead single “Built to Last.” The group features students from Cairns High School, who wrote the song is collaboration with Desert Pea Media facilitators.

Support Desert Pea Media’s vital work and do your ears a favour when Song Nation Vol 1 hits stores on Friday July 11.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Clockwise Back on my Radar with “Dancing World”

I remember when Clockwise went by the name Andy Clockwise and played countless shows around New South Wales in the early noughties. He disappeared from my radar, but it seems he’s been living in Los Angeles since 2007 and playing some pretty high-profile shows supporting the likes of Julian Casablancas, The Black Keys, Wolfmother, The Wailers, and INXS.

And on July 15, he’ll release a new EP Dancing World. If the title track’s any indication, it’s going to be something pretty special. The song’s got such a gorgeous pop sensibility but it’s also something really unique. Listening to it just feels good. The film clip is also stunning.

What a great set up for this EP, which is actually the first part of a two-part “ode to conflict, both internal and external.” To celebrate the release, Clockwise will be back on our shores for some shows later this year. Until then, we can enjoy this fabulous piece of music.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Scott Spark Releases Monday Anthem “Two Alarms”

It’s Monday at there’s no beating around the bush: it sucks. It’s the worst. There’s no cure for Mondayitis, but you can at least feel like you’re not alone when you listen to Scott Spark’s brilliant new single “Two Alarms.” The Brisbane singer-songwriter has crafted one of the catchiest melodies and some of the wittiest lyrics about the soul-sucking nature of the corporate world that I’ve ever heard.

It also comes with an awesome filmclip, animated by local cartoonist Oslo Davis, which stars Lenny, the most adorable alarm clock you’re ever likely to see. And there’s a free app too which allows you to turn your iPhone into a Scott Spark alarm clock.

And if that wasn’t enough goodness, Scott Spark will also release his sophomore album Muscle Memory, featuring “Two Alarms,” this Friday, June 13.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Sinking Teeth Rock with “You Can’t Build a Bike Out of Muffins”

The Sinking Teeth offer some sage advice with the release of their rocking new single “You Can’t Build a Bike Out of Muffins.”

The song doesn’t seem to have a lot to do with baked goods, but it’s a brilliantly intense number with an infectious melodic core. It’s also the first single from The Sinking Teeth’s second EP Salt & Stitches, which hits stores on July 26. The Melbourne band will build up to that release date with a string of shows which culminate with a big gig for hometown fans to launch the EP.

19 June 2014 – Surfers Paradise Beer Garden, Surfers Paradise (FREE)
20 June 2014 – The New Tattersalls Hotel, Lismore
21 June 2014 – Crowbar, Brisbane
27 June 2014 – Tattersalls Hotel, Penrith (FREE)
28 June 2014 – Blackwire Records, Sydney
4 July 2014 – The Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
5 July 2014 – The Pav, Launceston
18 July 2014 – The Jade Monkey, Adelaide
25 July 2014 – The Barwon Club, Geelong
26 July 2014 – The Workers Club, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Davidson Brothers Reveal Wanderlust

Australia’s hottest bluegrass act the Davidson Brothers are preparing to unleash their seventh studio album, Wanderlust. It’s an appropriate name considering the duo’s spent the greater part of the last few years gigging around Australia, Europe, and the United States.

The album sees Hamish and Lachlan exploring their desire to travel and new sounds which build on their love of contemporary bluegrass.

To coincide with Wanderlust’s June 20 release, the Davidson Brothers are taking us behind the scenes with the short film The Making of Wanderlust.

The Davidson Brothers will celebrate the album’s release early with a launch show at Melbourne’s Corner Hotel on June 19. Tickets are on sale from the venue now.