Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Astrid & The Asteroids Launch EP with Hometown Show

Brisbanenites, your Sunday entertainment is sorted. Astrid & The Asteroids will launch their self-titled EP at the Kerbside Bar from 6:30 pm, a totally respectable time for an evening out before a workday. Best of all, the event’s completely free!

The band’s second EP showcases their refusal to adhere to genres. Instead they like to dabble in pop, jazz, and soul, as we hear on their latest single “Autopsy.” The likeable number tells the not so likable story of Charles Whitman, a sniper whose undiagnosed brain tumour might have had something to do with his suicidal killing spree.

The EP came about when Astrid & The Asteroids won the 2012 Billy Thorpe Scholarship, and they acknowledge that it might never have come to fruition without that support.

“The financial support it gave us allowed us to focus on putting our heart and soul into our music, without the mind-numbing worry of money,” frontwoman Astrid Jorgenson explained. “For entrusting us with this honour, we are eternally grateful.”

If you’re not in Brisbane, don’t worry. Astrid & The Asteroids promises to announce a string of EP launch shows soon!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Damien Leith Prepares to Launch “Chapter Seven”

Damien Leith won the Australian Idol title in 2006, but his career since has been overshadowed by the year’s runner-up Jessica Mauboy. Damien’s refused to just fade away though. Instead he’s worked consistently, releasing album after album and playing small venues to promote them. On November 1 he’ll release his seventh, appropriately titled Chapter Seven.

Chapter Seven is a collection of gentle acoustic pop and folk numbers that are clearly close to Damien’s heart. He wrote every one of the 12 tracks, including lead single “Without a Fight,” and recorded most of them in the Sydney studio he built with his own two hands. Damien also produced the album which is his first release as an independent artist.

“In the album I cover a lot of different themes, love, loss and everything in between. But I’ve tried to approach them from a positive outlook,” Damien explained. “It’s true to the style people know me for.”

Damien will introduce audiences around the country to his new songs, and reacquaint them with old favourites, at the following shows.

31 October 2013 – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
1 November 2013 – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
2 November 2013 – The BLVD Tavern, Perth
3 November 2013 – Mandurah Bowling and Recreation Club, Mandurah
7 November 2013 – The Sound Lounge, Gold Coast
8 November 2013 – Mon Komo Hotel, Brisbane
9 November 2013 – Broncos Leagues Club, Brisbane
10 November 2013 – Victoria Point Sharks Club, Brisbane
13 November 2013 – Roth’s Wine Bar, Mudgee
14 November 2013 – Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
15 November 2013 – The Brass Monkey, Sydney
16 November 2013 – The Heritage Hotel, Wollongong
22 November 2013 – Launceston Country Club, Launceston
23 November 2013 – Wrest Point Showroom, Hobart
29 November 2013 – The Abbey, Canberra
30 November 2013 –  Velvet Room @ Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne
6 December 2013 – Dural Country Club, Dural
7 December 2013 – Studio @ Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra
8 December 2013 – Speers Point Carols @ Speers Point Park, Newcastle
12 December 2013 – Bean Bar and Café, Taree
13 December 2013 – Pier One @ Panthers, Port Macquarie
14 December 2013 – The Basement, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Kill Devil Hills Celebrate Live Album with Capital City Shows

After a decade sweating it out in the country’s pubs and clubs, Perth act The Kill Devil Hills are set to release their first live album Past and Future Ghosts. The disc was recorded on a steamy March night at a Fremantle arts centre that once served as an asylum.

Past and Future Ghosts features tracks from The Kill Devil Hills’ three studio albums and two previously unreleased songs. This live version of “Words from Robin to Batman,” an emotional number originally featured on Man, You Should Explode, gives you a taste of what to expect from the album.

Those hard-working lads from the Kill Devil Hills are about the hit the studio again to record another album, but it wouldn’t be right if they didn’t play some shows to launch Past and Future Ghosts, which will be available on CD at the gigs as well as digitally via Bandcamp.

6 November 2013 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
7 November 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
8 November 2013 – The Factory Floor, Sydney
9 November 2013 – The John Curtin Hotel, Melbourne
10 November 2013 – The Republic Bar, Hobart

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Bamboos Announce “Fever in the Road” Shows

With their sixth album Fever in the Road scheduled to hit stores on November 8, The Bamboos just couldn’t wait to start planning the launch tour. Australia’s premier funk outfit will start playing shows to promote it just a couple of weeks after the release.

Fever in the Road saw The Bamboos’ reuniting with ARIA-nominated producer John Castle (Washington, Josh Pyke, Kate Miller-Heidke) and exploring lush new sounds. The Bamboos have such a stellar live reputation that the tracks are sure to sound even better on the stage.

The Bamboos promise to treat fans to new tunes as well as choice cuts from their entire back catalogue at the following shows.


29 November 2013 – The HiFi, Brisbane
30 November 2013 – The Factory, Sydney
5 December 2013 – Capitol, Perth
6 December 2013 – The Gov, Adelaide
7 December 2013 – The Forum, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Niche Productions

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rosie Catalano Tours New EP

Rosie Catalano bowled me over with her single “Hearts”, so I’m thrilled to hear she’s hitting the road to support the release of her second EP, Dreams are Just Movies.

Rosie will perform shows along the East Coast to support the EP’s October 1 release. The recording, which features collaborations with Jack Carty, Brendan Maclean, Brian Campeau, and Evan Mannel, is said to be Rosie’s most intricate and unique release to date.

The shows will see Rosie join forces with another Rose, Vanda & Young songwriting competition finalist Rose Wintergreen. You can see these two talented singer-songwriters at the following shows.

4 October 2013 – The Hideaway, Brisbane
10 October 2013 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (FREE)
12 October 2013 – The Front, Canberra
18 October 2013 – The Empress Hotel, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rising Country Star Ashleigh Dallas Readies Debut Album

As a Tamworth native and the granddaughter of country music legend Rex Dallas, a career in country music was always on the cards for Ashleigh Dallas. She began playing the fiddle at the tender age of six and is now an accomplished musician, playing fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar, and banjo.

She’s been on a fixture on the country music for some time, honing her craft playing the fiddle in Kasey Chambers’ band and supporting artists like Shane Nicholson and Troy Cassar-Daley. She’s channelled that experience into the creation of her debut album Dancing with a Ghost, which hits stores tomorrow. It features the fun fiddle-driven single “Me”.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darren Middleton Goes Solo

Bernard Fanning isn’t the only former member of Powderfinger eying solo success. Darren Middleton’s also having a crack with his new single “Let Go”.

I really love this track. It’s deceptively simple, with heartfelt delivery and an awesome philosophy. It’s clear that the time Darren’s taken to release his first solo number was well spent.

“It has been two and half years now since we parted ways and the final chords rang
out as our Powderfinger tour concluded,” Darren explained. 
”Initially I intended to get straight back on
the horse to write, record and perform … all
 the things I have loved so much over the 
years, but it wasn’t to be that way for quite 
some time. I knew that I loved writing and
 making music, I just didn’t feel it straight 
away … I didn’t feel I had anything to write
 about. As time moved on, I found myself
 dealing with a lot of emotions I hadn’t 
planned on and there were some bumpy
 seas for myself and those close to me.
 From that though, arose Translations, my 
first solo album.”

Translations is scheduled to hit stores on November 1. If this song’s any indication, it’s going to be pretty special.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wastelands in Store, Eskimo Joe to Tour

If you didn’t know it already, Eskimo Joe’s new Wastelands is in stores today. And if you also didn’t know it, Eskimo Joe will hit the road next month to promote their self-produced, crowd-funded release.

The tour will be fans’ first chance to see Eskimo Joe playing the best cuts from their new synth-laden release. So it’s a good thing that the Western Australian trio will play plenty of shows around the country this October and November. Tickets are on sale now from the venues for the following gigs.

17 October 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
18 October 2013 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
19 October 2013 – Forum Theatre, Melbourne
24 October 2013 – Newcastle Panthers, Newcastle
25 October 2013 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
26 October 2013 – Waves, Wollongong
1 November 2013 – Sugarland, Bundaberg
2 November 2013 – Tank Arts, Cairns
9 November 2013 – Astor Theatre, Perth
23 November 2013 – Gorgeous Festival, Adelaide Hills

Image used with permission from Alpha Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Karl Smith Woos Us with “I Want You”

Karl Smith gets romantic with the release of his new single “I Want You”. The track is the first released from Karl’s debut solo album Kites. If this song’s any indication, I should really get my hands on the LP.

There are so many love songs out there that it really takes something special to cut through. Karl does it with relatable, honest lyrics. The pictures he paints might not be the stuff of Hollywood blockbusters, but that’s what makes them so real. I love the way the music swells as this whimsical love story builds.

Karl will promote his album’s release with the following shows supporting fellow Perth dweller Jae Laffer from The Panics.

12 October 2013 – The Toff, Melbourne
18 October 2013 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
19 October 2013 – The Loft, Gold Coast
24 October 2013 – Mojo’s Bar, Fremantle
25 October 2013 – Astor Upstairs, Perth
26 October 2013 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
8 November 2013 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Image used with permission from Weapons of Mass Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nat Dunn Wows with “A Fool’s Fate” Acoustic

If you’re seeing Busby Marou this October or November, make sure you arrive early. Everyone’s sure to be talking about the support act Nat Dunn.

Nat signed with Mushroom when she was just 16 years old, but she was determined not to be just another disposable child star. She took a decade to hone her craft before releasing her debut EP A Fool’s Fate. For just a hint of how good it is, watch Nat stripping the title track back for this acoustic performance at Brisbane’s Sofar Sounds. It’s absolutely stunning.

It’s only a matter of time before this talented songbird graduates to her own headlining tour. The opportunity to see her at intimate venues with Busby Marou shouldn’t be missed.