Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Civil Civic Announce Long-Awaited Aussie Tour

Aussie expats Civil Civic have been generating plenty of buzz in the UK press and blogosphere for their electric sets at key European festivals. And finally next month, they’ll bring the music to the place where it all began.

To celebrate the February 1 release of their album Rules, the European-based musos are planning one hell of a homecoming. They’ll bring their enigmatic ‘Box’ and gritty, experimental sound to hip venues along the East Coast.

7 February 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
8 February 2013 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
16 February 2013 – ATP: I’ll Be Your Mirror @ Westgate Entertainment Centre and Grand Star Receptions, Altona
19 February 2013 – The Tote, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mez Medallion Comes Home for Album Launch

Melbourne-born Berlin-based muso Mez Medallion serves up plenty of good vibes with his synth-heavy slice of electro-pop “Move Towards the Light”. The title track from his new album, it’s the perfect for keeping that smile on your dial as you face down the final hours of your working week.

Mez will return to Australia for one special show with fellow Australian-born Berliner Phia later this month. The pair will play The Grace Darling in Melbourne to launch the album before Mez heading to Japan. Here are all the places you can see him play over the Aussie summer.

23 December 2012 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne
18 January 2013 – Nanahari, Tokyo
19 January 2013 – Hasutobara, Tokyo
20 January 2013 – Streamer coffee, Tokyo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Warner Releases Three New Nuggets

If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the music buff in your life, Warner Music might have the answer. A trio of CDs has been released to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the influential compilation album Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From the Psychedelic Era: 1965-1968.

Now if you’re too young to remember Nuggets, let me give you a history lesson. This 1972 release brought together 27 of America’s first garage rock acts, and paved the way for the punk rock movement. That original album has now been remastered and repackaged to include new liner notes from Lenny Kaye, Patti Smith’s future guitarist and the man behind the compilation.

For some Australian flavour, Warner has also released Nuggets: Antipodean Interpolations of the First Psychedelic Era. Basically it’s the original songs covered by Australia’s new breed of garage rockers including The Frowning Clouds, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Eagle & the Worm, and Velociraptor.

You can complete the set with Down Under Nuggets: Original Australian Artyfacts 19650-67. This album showcases the best Australian garage rock bands of the 60s. It’s what Lenny Kaye might have put together if he lived in Oz. Think The Lost Souls, The Loved Ones, The Moods, The Black Diamonds, and even early recordings from The Bee Gees and The Easybeats.

The Nuggets trilogy is in good record stores now.

Image used with permission from Shows in Space Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Summer Vibes with Sun City

Sun City are helping us usher in summer with this playful brand of electro pop. The Perth duo have just released their sophomore EP Set Alight.

As a child of the 80s, I’m digging the synth heavy melodies and good vibes of the EP’s title track. The recording also features Shazam’s new remix of Sun City’s breakout single “High.”

Sun City have honed their act with slots at Parklife, Stereosonic, and Summadayze, and now they’re bringing their music to venues around the country. Here are all the places you can see them play this summer.

14 December 2012 – The Beresford Hotel, Sydney
15 December 2012 – Alhambra, Brisbane
1 January 2013 – Cuban Club, Perth
6 January 2013 – Summadayze, Perth
11 January 2013 – Discovery @ Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
12 January 2013 – The Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
25 January 2013 – Can’t Say @ Vault 8, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Texture Like Sun’s Moving Music Video

It might be a second single, but “One Great Prize” is the strongest track I’ve heard from Texture Like Sun’s self-titled EP. While I enjoyed “Bottle,” there’s such a beautiful melancholy feel to this new cut.

I must admit, I might be feeling swayed by the film clip. This black and white video is so simple, but incredibly moving. I was mesmerised by it.

Texture Like Sun’s debut EP is out now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Esther Holt Goes Solo

Esther Holt has stepped from the ashes of her former band Snowy Belfast to release her debut solo effort Countless Verse. This is the title track of that EP, a bittersweet folk ditty about dealing with the aftermath of a painful breakup.

I love the way the piano underpins this song and another of the EP’s tracks, “Testify.” She shows her lighter pop side with “Rock Me Through the Night” and “What You Know.” Esther’s angelic vocals and searing lyrics pack a real punch.

See Esther Holt when she launches her Countless Verse EP at Melbourne’s Ding Dong Lounge on December 15.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan & Hannah Acfield Back with “Lonely Robot”

Talented siblings Dan and Hannah Acfield are back with a brand new EP, Turning a Page.

The recording features the brand new single “Lonely Robot.” It’s another gorgeous cut with soaring vocals and a beautiful melody. I love Dan’s voice, but it’s even more beautiful when it joins with Hannah’s harmonies near the end of the tune.

Dan and Hannah are currently promoting Turning a Page with shows around the country. You can still catch them at The Newsagency in Sydney on November 30 and Barsoma in Brisbane on December 2.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wires Look for Short Term Pleasures

Friday’s winding down and we’re ready to kick up our heels and usher in the weekend. So it seems like the perfect time to introduce you to “Short Term Pleasures,” the fun new single from Sydney act Wires.

This song is so playfully self deprecating, I love it. If only most guys were so honest in bars, right girls? It might save us all a lot of heartache!

“Short Term Pleasures” comes from Wires’ debut EP Hold On To Me Now, which in the very best record stores now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Spazzys Finally Release Album Number Two

Does anyone else remember The Spazzys? This Melbourne power trio took the local charts by storm with “Hey Hey Baby” and their cover of “My Boyfriend’s Back” in 2004, but then seemed to disappear from view.

After almost a decade out of the charts, Melbourne sisters Kat and Lucy and their gal pal Ally are staging a comeback with the release of their long-awaited sophomore album Dumb is Forever.

I say long-awaited not just because it’s been eight years since we’ve heard some new music, but because the girls recorded this thing in Los Angeles way back in 2006. It was scheduled for release six months later, but sadly some legal red tape got in the way. After a lengthy court case, the album will finally see the light of day tomorrow!

The Spazzys are promising us they won’t fade away again, with some shows and brand new material all in the pipeline. Are you excited to see The Spazzys back in action?

Image used with permission from Fuse Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Soul of Melbourne Celebrates Victoria’s Soul Scene

If you prefer more soulful tunes than the fist-pumping rock Australia is famous for, then The Soul of Melbourne compilation is for you. The passion project of Chris Gill (Northside Records) and Lance Ferguson (The Bamboos) brings together the best soul, funk, R ’n’ B, and jazz acts working in the Victorian capital.

This kind of music is still pretty underground, but this compilation featuring The Bamboos, Chet Faker, Electric Empire, and Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes should help give it the attention it deserves.

Look for The Soul of Melbourne in stores tomorrow, November 9.

Image used with permission from Fuse Group Australia