Brisbane quintet Call the Shots have served up a feel-good slice of power pop-punk with their brand new single “Alexis Texas.”
This fun track which takes a light-hearted look at unrequited love is our first taste of the band’s sophomore EP When Everything Goes Wrong. It sounds like everything is going right for these guys though. They recently made the top 10 of Dolly magazine’s hottest 100 bands and they scored the support slots for Nine Sons of Dan’s Brisbane gig at The Zoo on March 14.
If you like what you hear, it’s worth noting that Call the Shots are offering it as a free digital download via their Triple J Unearthed page.
It’ll be a double-dose of Aussie talent when Perth’s The Growl joins fellow statesmen Tame Impala on their North American tour next week.
The bands are no strangers to one another after The Growl joined Tame Impala on their Aussie tour to launch Lonerism. They won plenty of new fans on that tour for their raw brand of bluesy rock, and they’re sure to do the same when they get in front of American audiences. The US shows are the perfect warm-up for the band, who will return home in April for the release of their debut LP What Would Christ Do?? I’m told that a national headlining tour isn’t too far away.
Until then it’s time for North America to discover these rocking Aussie acts. Here are all the places my US and Canadian readers can see them play!
19 February 2013 – Terminal 5, New York City
20 February 2013 – 9:30 Club, Washington D.C.
21 February 2013 – Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro
22 February 2013 – The Orange Peel, Asheville
23 February 2013 – The Georgia Theater, Athens
25 February 2013 – Fitzgerald’s, Houston
26 February 2013 – Stubb’s, Austin
27 February 2013 – Granada Theater, Dallas
28 February 2013 – Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa
2 March 2013 – Headliner’s Music Hall, Louisville
3 March 2013 – Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaulkee
4 March 2013 – First Avenue, Minneapolis
6 March 2013 – Vic Theater, Chicago
7 March 2013 – St. Andrews Hall, Detroit
8 March 2013 – Newport Music Hall, Columbus
9 March 2013 – Kool Haus, Toronto
11 March 2013 – Metropolis, Montreal
12 March 2013 – House of Blues, Boston
Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water
Canberra’s alt-folk darlings Julia and the Deep Sea Sirens are giving us one more sneak peek at their self-produced sophomore album Family Pets before it drops on February 22. It comes in the form of new single “Adeleine,” a warm, organic number which should put a smile on your face.
Julia and her seven Deep Sea Sirens have supported the likes of Tim Rigers, Lanie Lane, and Kate Miller-Heidke in the past, but they’ll be the headliners at a string of album launch shows this autumn. See Julia and the Deep Sea Sirens up close and personal at the following shows.
22 February 2013 – The Newsagency, Sydney
3 March 2013 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
28 March-1 April 2013 – The National Folk Festival, Canberra
5 April 2013 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
7 April 2013 – Lass O’ Gowrie, Newcastle
21 April 2013 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane (FREE)
After working tirelessly supporting the likes of Bloc Party and Gotye around the globe, PVT are returning home for their first headlining tour in more than two years. The occasion is the release of Homosapien, the band’s highly anticipated fourth studio album which hit stores today.
I must admit, the name of this band didn’t ring a bell until I realised they used to perform as Pivot. Whatever you know them as, you’re sure to appreciate the band’s new focus on vocals and intimate lyrics. Before you rush out and snap up a copy of the album it’s worth noting that you can bundle a discounted copy on CD, LP, or digital format with your PVT concert ticket.
PVT will make their way through the major capitals this March with long-distance duo Collarbones. You can get your tickets for this impressive double header from the PVT website.
22 March 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
23 March 2013 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
28 March 2013 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
30 March 2013 – The Bakery, Perth
31 March 2013 – Ed Castle Hotel, Adelaide
I hear a lot of new artists writing this blog, so it takes a lot for one to stick into my mind for any period of mind. Yet Amanda Merdzan is one of those acts I’ve thought of on and off over the years. I heard this Western Australian songstress’ debut album Into the Gallery way back in 2010, and wondered what she was doing. So I was thrilled to see she has a new single, and an EP on the way.
That EP The Map Has Been Redrawn will be released in March, but until then we’ve got the lead single “Afraid” to tide us over. It’s everything I loved about Amanda’s first release, but with a bit more refinement. The sound is larger, but it doesn’t overwhelm the song’s strong emotional core. Once again her lyrics are right on point. Put simply, I’m in love.
Amanda will launch the EP for her home state at North Fremantle’s Mojo’s Bar on March 2. After that she’s flying off to play Canadian Music Week. No doubt the Canucks will see something just as special in this exciting singer-songwriter. Expect to hear big things from this real talent.
Their name might be a bit gloomy, but the music from Fremantle four-piece Rainy Day Women is all about summer’s good vibes. Think The Beach Boys with a splash of Fleetwood Mac.
They showcase their positive garage pop tunes on their sophomore EP Friends, a six-track release which shows a more mature Rainy Day Women.
The EP won’t hit stores until February 21, but Rainy Day Women will give fans an early taste of the new tunes at Perth’s St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival next week. They’ll then launch the EP good and proper with the following shows in the major capitals.
9 February 2013 – St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Perth
8 March 2013 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
14 March 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
15 March 2013 – FBi Social, Sydney
16 March 2013 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
If you loved Mama Kin’s new single “Was It Worth It” as much as I did, you’ll be excited to hear the Fremantle songstress will hit the road this spring to support the release of her new album The Magician’s Daughter.
The album will drop on February 22 and Mama will hit the road just a week later with special guest, Melbourne multi-instrumentalist Spender. I saw Mama supporting The Waifs a while ago and she threatened to overshadow the support act. Music lovers are in for a very special night at the following shows. Tickets are on sale now from the venues.
1-4 March 2013 – Nannup Music Festival, Nannup
7 March 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
13 March 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
14 March 2013 – The Basement, Sydney
15 March 2013 – Blue Mountains Music Festival, Katoomba
23 March 2013 – West Coast Blues N Roots, Fremantle
11 April 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
12 April 2013 – The Loft, Warrnambool
17 April 2013 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
19 April 2013 – Mullum Civic Hall, Mullumbimby
20 April 2013 – No. 5 Church Street, Bellingen
21 April 2013 – The Pelican Playhouse, Grafton
26-28 April 2013 – Fairbridge Folk Festival, Fairbridge
30 May 2013 – Fly By Night, Fremantle
31 May 2013 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough
Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water
If the lead single “Walking on Me” is any indication, music lovers are in for a real treat when Jordan Millar releases his album Cold Lights on Curious Minds next month.
This is such a feel-good song, with a great marriage of pop, folk, and blues. I love the acoustic guitar that anchors the easy vocals. This is really great stuff that takes me back to some of John Mayer’s early material. And as anyone who knows me knows, that’s a very good thing.
Jordan Millar’s Cold Lights on Curious Minds hits stores on February 15.
Pete Murray is back with The Byron Sessions, a reimagining of his last album Blue Sky Blue.
It might seem a bit superfluous to rerecord the album that only hit stores in 2011, but I think there’s method in the madness. While the album got to number six on the Aussie charts, it certainly didn’t make the impact of Feeler or even See the Sun. Whatever he did the first time didn’t resonate, but this new recording might thanks to some well selected special guests.
The lead single “Blue Sky Blue” features a great rap bridge from up and coming urban act Fantine. I love the edge it brings to Pete Murray’s gentle song. Other tracks on the album feature Ash Grunwald, Busby Marou, Bernard Fanning, and Katie Noonan. Rather than feeling like he’s relying on big names to sell the songs, the rerecordings feel like spontaneous jam sessions, so much richer than the originals.
“The Byron Sessions is about community, from the original idea jamming at home with mates, right through to its realization as an album, so it makes sense to get out there and see the people that have really supported me over the years, no matter what corner of Australia they’re from,” Pete explained. “It’s about celebrating the last decade coming full circle and sharing it with a community of people around the country who have all had their own journeys and life experiences at the same time.”
He’s clearly proud of The Byron Sessions, which hits stores on February 1, because he’s taking it just about everywhere starting with a show in Byron tonight. Seriously, can you believe how many gigs he’s doing? Here are all the places you can see Pete Murray play over the coming months.
24 January 2013 – The Brewery, Byron Bay
14 February 2013 – The Spirit Bar & Lounge, Traralgon
15 February 2013 – The Forge Theatre, Bairnsdale
16 February 2013 – The Wool Exchange, Geelong
17 February 2013 – Riverboats Music Festival, Echuca
20 February 2013 – Yamba Bowls Club, Yamba
21 February 2013 – Lismore Workers Club, Lismore
22 February 2013 – Armidale Ex Services Club, Armidale
23 February 2013 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
27 February 2013 – Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany
28 February 2013 – Esperance Civic Centre, Esperance
1 March 2013 – Goldfields Arts Centre, Kalgoorlie
2 March 2013 – Capitol, Perth
3 & 4 March 2013 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle
7 March 2013 – Commercial Hotel, South Morang
8 March 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
9 March 2013 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
10 March 2013 – Pier Hotel, Frankston
14 March 2013 – Regent Multiplex, Ballarat
15 March 2013 – Corner Hotel, Richmond
16 March 2013 – The Depot, Adelaide
17 March 2013 – Nautilus Theatre, Port Lincoln
21 March 2013 – Port Macquarie Panthers, Port Macquarie
22 March 2013 – Club Forster, Forster
23 March 2013 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
24 March 2013 – West Tamworth Leagues Club, Tamworth
4 April 2013 – Orange Ex Services Club, Orange
5 April 2013 – Dubbo RSL, Dubbo
6 April 2013 – Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
7 April 2013 – Hornsby RSL, Hornsby
9 & 10 April 2013 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
11 April 2013 – The Abbey, Canberra
12 April 2013 – The York Theatre, Sydney
13 April 2013 – Waves, Wollongong
14 April 2013 – Batemans Bay Soldiers Club, Batemans Bay
18 April 2013 – Harvey Road Tavern, Gladstone
19 April 2013 – Magnums Hotel, Airlie Beach
20 April 2013 – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville
21 April 2013 – Brothers Leagues Club, Cairns
23 April 2013 – Racehorse Hotel, Ipswich
24 April 2013 – Hi-Fi, Brisbane
26 April 2013 – Villa Noosa, Noosaville
27 April 2013 – The Northern, Byron Bay
28 April 2013 – Twin Towns, Tweed Heads
The Snowdroppers are celebrating summer with a string of dates along the East Coast.
The bluesy punk act promises to play plenty of old favourites and offer a sneak peek of their forthcoming album Moving Out of Eden, which hits stores on March 22.
All the fun kicks off tomorrow in Katoomba and winds up a month later in Cronulla. Tickets are available from the following pubs and clubs.
18 January 2013 – Lady Luck Festival, Katoomba
19 January 2013 – The Esplande Hotel, St Kilda
20 January 2013 – The Old Bar, Fitzroy
24 January 2013 – Moonshine Bar @ The Steyne Hotel, Manly
25 January 2013 – Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour
26 & 27 January 2013 – The Joynt, South Brisbane
3 February 2013 – The Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland
14 February 2013 – The Vanguard, Newtown
15 February 2013 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment
19 February 2013 – Terminal 5, New York City
Canberra’s alt-folk darlings 
9 February 2013 – St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Perth
