Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lester the Fierce Offers Delicious Taste of Self-Titled EP

Melbourne alt-pop artist Lester the Fierce serves up a serious slice of girl power with “Howl”, the first single lifted from her self-titled EP.

There’s such feminine strength in this number, which is anchored by such relatable lyrics. I’m sure most women out there will understand this song which tells of Lester the Fierce’s refusal to go quietly, despite the people around her hoping for a sweeter, calmer version of femininity.

“It’s about my family and the boy I love,” she explained. “It’s about the frustration you sometimes feel at the people closest to you.”

The song is complemented beautifully be the abstract film clip crafted by Melbourne’s Superteam Studios and Yoav Lester.

Lester the Fierce’s EP drops on September 13, but she’ll start promoting it tomorrow when she hits the road with Ngaiire. With two such strong female voices on the one bill, this tour should be something really special.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordie Lane Comes Home for EP Release

After enjoying critical acclaim and chart success with his 2011 album Blood Thinner, Jordie Lane has opted to return to the short EP format for his next release. Not Built to Last, which hits stores on October 18, was the result of an intense time co-writing and recording in his new adopted home of Los Angeles.

He’s also spent plenty of time on the stage recently, with slots at the Winnipeg and Calgary Folk Festivals and headlining gigs across North America. With all that experience under his belt, Jordie will return home to launch the single with festival appearances and solo shows around the country this October and November.

25 & 26 October 2013 – Fleurieu Folk Festival, Willunga
27 October 2013 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle (afternoon show)
27 October 2013 – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
31 October 2013 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
1 November 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane (early evening show)
2 November 2013 – Red Hot Music, Devonport
3 November 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart (afternoon show)
7 November 2013 – Beav’s Bar, Geelong
8 November 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
9 November 2013 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne (with full band)
10 November 2013 – Caravan Club, Oakleigh (afternoon show)
13 November 2013 – Street Theatre, Canberra
14 November 2013 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
15 November 2013 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
16 November 2013 – The Basement, Sydney (with full band)
17 November 2013 – Grand Junction, Maitland
18 November 2013 – Music Lounge, Manly
20 November 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
21 November 2013 – Lizotte’s, New Lambton
22 November 2013 – Mullumbimby Music Festival, Mullumbimby

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

EMPRA Tour “Strange Condition”

After taking out a global LiveNation band competition and opening for Fall Out Boy abroad, EMPRA are stepping things up as headliners. The Melbourne band has just released their second EP Strange Condition, which features this killer title track “Strange Condition”.

The number sounds like it’s ready for the radio. It’s got a great rock feel with enough of a pop sensibility to make it instantly accessible. It might just be the thing to put EMPRA in the spotlight, which is a good thing for the band’s founder Sanny Veloo.

Sanny originally came from Singapore, where he was a member of the band Boredphucks. The conservative Singapore people didn’t take to the band’s on-stage swearing, and when it caused a riot at a local music festival Sanny and his bandmates were banned from performing anywhere in the country.

Determined to live out his musical dreams, Sanny packed his bags for the home of AC/DC, Melbourne. There he found Matt Agius, Mat Gault, and Matt Cattanach on an internet forum and EMPRA was born.

Strange Condition showcases a band that’s matured significantly since the release of their debut self-titled EP. It sees them breaking free of their influences and finding their own sound.

You can see how far EMPRA’s come when they take their live show around the country later this month.

21 & 22 September 2013 – The Workers Club, Fitzroy
29 September 2013 – The Rosemount Hotel, Perth
4 October 2013 – Newmarket Hotel, Bendigo
5 October 2013 – Crown and Anchor, Adelaide
10 October 2013 – The Annandale Hotel, Annandale

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Busby Marou Back with Album Number Two

After enjoying some time making music with his housemates as part of Good Oak, Tom Busby is back to the duo that made him famous. Busby Marou will tour the country next month to celebrate the release of their second album Farewell Fitzroy, due out on October 4.

Personally I’m thankful for the release just because it gives my parents something new to play. I’m pretty sure Busby Marou’s stellar debut has found its way onto their stereo on every family get together in the last two years. Not just one spin either. I love that album as much as the rest of my clan, but it’s going to be awesome to hear something fresh!

We should expect a bigger sound this time around, as Busby Marou were joined in a Nashville studio by their touring buddies Damon DJ Syme, Vincenso Russo, and Vaughan Jones.

Busby Marou are so proud of their new songs that they’re wasting no time taking them to the people. They’ll kick off a national tour in Byron Bay on the same day as Farewell Fitzroy’s release.

4 October 2013 – Boomerang Festival, Byron Bay
5 October 2013 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra
12 October 2013 – Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton
24 October 2013 – The SoundLounge, Gold Coast
25 October 2013 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
26 October 2013 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
7 November 2013 – Zierholz @ University of Canberra, Canberra
8 November 2013 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
9 November 2013 – The Standard, Sydney
10 November 2013 – The Heritage Hotel, Bulli
13 November 2013 – Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre, Mackay (All Ages)
15 November 2013 – Flinders Social, Townsville
16 November 2013 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns (15+)
22 November 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
23 November 2013 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
29 November 2013 – Fowlers, Adelaide (All Ages)
30 November 2013 – Fly by Night, Fremantle

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eskimo Joe “Got What You Need” With New Single

Eskimo Joe smashed records when they appealed to their fans to fund their new album Wastelands through a crowd-funding campaign. Now those fans get a chance to see what their money’s bought with the release of the first single “Got What You Need”.

This synth-laden number is a real departure from the rock sound we’re used to. However Kav Temperley’s awesome vocals and the catchy melody should be enough to help fans embrace this new direction. Honestly I’m still making up my mind about “Got What You Need”, but I think it might be a bit of a grower.

When Eskimo Joe fans pre-order the Wastelands album, which hits stores on September 20, they’ll receive a free copy of “Got What You Need”. Alternatively the single is available as a standalone track.

Image used with permission from Alpha Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Little Stevies Give Away Single Ahead of Album Release

Sibylla and Beth Stephen, better known as The Little Stevies, are back with a brand new single and an album to come. The joyous “Diamonds for Your Tea” is the title track for their third album, which is scheduled to hit stores on October 3.

If you love the song, make sure you head to The Little Stevies’ website. These lovely ladies are giving a free digital copy of the song to anyone who signs up to their e-mail list.

As they’re being so generous, you might want to give something back. The Little Stevies are encouraging anyone who loves their sound to pre-order their new album through their Pozzible campaign. With seven days to go, the sisters are less than a thousand dollars shy of their target. This money will help them promote the heck out of this release and ensure it ends up in as many music lovers’ hands as possible.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Dempsey Does Karaoke

I’m a real fan of a great cover version, and Paul Dempsey recorded plenty of them during Something for Kate’s recent national tour. He did it without the adulation of the crowd, preferring instead to record his performances backstage and post them on YouTube. This take on Talking Heads’ “This Must Be the Place”, recorded in The Corner Hotel’s male toilets, is one of my favourites.

Hopefully it made the cut for the Shotgun Karaoke EP, a recording which brings together the best of these spontaneous cover versions. Paul will celebrate its October 5 release with a rare solo national tour. Fans can look forward to those special cover versions, tracks from Paul’s solo album Everything is True, as well as some favorite Something for Kate numbers.

See Paul getting his karaoke on at the following venues.

5 October 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
9 October 2013 – Lizotte’s Dee Why
10 October 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
11 October 2013 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
12 October 2013 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
19 October 2013 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide
20 October 2013 – Fly By Night Club, Fremantle
25 October 2013 – Hi Fi, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Evermore Release “One Love” for Global Citizen Festival

Last year 60, 000 people joined big-name musicians Neil Young, The Black Keys, and Foo Fighters in New York’s Central Park to promote the Global Citizen Festival. This year Australia will get to be part of it, with a live stream from the New York event hitting the Palais Theatre alongside homegrown performances from Evermore and other local acts. Visit the Global Citizen Festival website to earn the points you need to score tickets.

Evermore’s song “One Love” has been doing the rounds for a while, but they’re launching it officially to promote the Global Citizen Festival. All profits raised from the single’s sales will benefit the Gloval Poverty Project and the Cotton On Foundation, which works hard to spearhead education projects in Uganda. Even if you’re not in Melbourne and unable to attend the event, you can support the initiative by picking up a copy of Evermore’s charity EP at your local Cotton On store.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stonefield Tour New Single Head of Album Release

When the fresh-faced sisters Stonefield burst onto the music scene I thought they possessed maturity beyond their tender years.

However, after a year out of the spotlight they’ve grown even more to create their long awaited self-titled debut album. That won’t hit stores until October 11, but we get a taste of it with the debut single “Put Your Curse on Me”.

The track’s got all the guts we remember from the girls, but more layers than their earlier efforts. It can’t all be down to the appearance of the Melbourne Mass Gospel Choir, but their harmonious voices certainly give this number a lift.

Fans can hear this track and more from Stonefield’s debut album when the sisters kick off their national tour in Newcastle tonight. Tickets are still available, so make sure you get yourself to one of these shows.

23 August 2013 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
24 August 2013 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
29 August 2013 – The Prince of Wales, Bunbury
30 August 2013 – Players Bar, Mandurah
31 August 2013 – Amplifier, Perth
1 September 2013 – Indi Bar, Scarborough
5 September 2013 – Jive, Adelaide
6 September 2013 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
7 September 2013 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
11 September 2013 – Big Sound, Brisbane

Image used with permission from 123 Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jacob Butler’s “Reason” in Stores Today!

It’s the day that Jacob Butler fans across the country have been waiting for. His long awaited debut album Reason will hit music stores across Australia today.

The latest single “Kites” is just one of many reasons to pick this album up. It’s a soaring pop-rock number accompanied by a stunning video. The clip, which was shot in Switzerland, features some of the most gorgeous scenery I’ve seen!