Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pete Murray Rerecords “Blue Sky Blue”

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Snowdroppers Play Album Preview Shows

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

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.