Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Claude Hay Announces Massive Album Tour

He’s currently playing shows in the United Kingdom, but these are just a warm-up for local bluesman Claude Hay. Before long he’ll be back on home soil and playing gigs to support the release of album number three, I Love Hate You.

The album pays tribute to Claude’s influences, with parts recorded at the legendary Sun Studios and Claude’s own self-built Vader Studios in the Blue Mountains (so named because a massive back-lit Dark Vader oversees production). Claude’s a regular traveller, so it’s only fitting that many of the album’s songs were inspired by his experiences on the road.

“I do over one hundred thousand km per year for about 11 months of the year, a lot of it in a tour van I’ve personally customized to be my home away from home, so you get to see a lot of things,” Claude explained. “The last 12 months has seen me cover France, US, and so much of Oz, I never found I had not much to write about.There was always something somewhere that I loved or hated.”

The disc sees Claude experimenting with his traditional blues roots and exploring his passion for rock and funk. The signature slide guitar and four-on-the-floor rhythms should ensure it doesn’t alienate longtime fans too much though. It’s a concept album too, about the things Claude loves, hates, and hates to love. The concept album is rarely attempted these days, but it always makes an impression. Consider me intrigued!

I Love Hate You hit record stores across Australia today. You can see Claude and his pimped out tour bus at the following shows.

28 September 2012 – The Velvet Lounge, Mt Lawley
29 September 2012 – The Fly By Night, Flytrap, Fremantle
1 October 2012 – The Perth Concert Hall, Perth (supporting Joe Bonamassa)
5 October 2012 – The State Theatre, Sydney (supporting Joe Bonamassa)
6 October 2012 – The Northern Star, Newcastle
12-13 October 2012 – The Mission Evolve Festival, Mission Beach
19 October 2012 – Solbar, Maroochydore
20 October 2012 – The Byron Bay Brewery, Byron Bay (FREE @ 4 – 6 pm)
20 October 2012 – The Australian Hotel, Ballina (FREE @ 7:30 pm)
21 October 2012 – The Joynt, Brisbane
26-28 October 2012 – The Sydney Blues & Roots Festival, Windsor
27 October 2012 – Food ‘n’ Groove Festival, Bexley Park, Bexley
28 October 2012 – The Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland (FREE)
2 November 2012 – Baha Tacos, Rye
3 November 2012 – The Blues Train, Queenscliff
4 November 2012 – The Workers Club, Fitzroy
9 November 2012 – The Albion Hotel, Albury
10 November 2012 – The Bendigo Blues Fest, Bendigo
11 November 2012 – The Glenelg Surf Club, Glenelg (FREE)
15 November 2012 – The Heritage, Bulli
16 November 2012 – The Front, Canberra
17 November 2012 – Club Sapphire, Merimbula (FREE)
22 November 2012 – The Peachtree Hotel, Penrith (FREE)
23 November 2012 – The Oxford Arts Factory Gallery, Darlinghurst
24 November 2012 – The Katoomba RSL, Katoomba
29 November 2012 – The Odyssey Tavern and Brewery, Geelong
30 November 2012 – Harvester Moon, Bellarine
1 December 2012 – The Bluestrain, Queenscliff
2 December 2012 – The Westernport Hotel, San Remo (FREE)
6 December 2012 – The Port Macquarie Hotel, Port Macquarie (FREE)
7 December 2012 – The Cabarita Sports Club, Cabarita (FREE)
8 December 2012 – The Royal Mail Hotel, Goodna (FREE)
9 December 2012 – The Bucca Hotel, Bucca (FREE)
12 December 2012 – R-Bar, Hamilton Island (FREE)
13-15 December 2012 – Paddy Shenanigans, Airlie Beach (FREE)
16 December 2012 – Longboard Bar, Townsville (FREE)
19 December 2012 – The Rails, Byron Bay (FREE)
21 December 2012 – The Vanguard, Newtown
22 December 2012 – The Victoria Hotel, Orange

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gypsy & The Cat Announce Album Tour

It’s been a bit quiet on the Gypsy & The Cat front, but the Melbourne duo are almost ready to unleash the follow-up to their smash hit Gilgamesh.

The Late Blue promises to build on the unique soundscapes the band created on their debut. There are dreamy ballads, driving rock numbers, and synth-laden floor fillers. It’s also the first to be released through Gypsy & The Cat’s own label, Alsatian Music.

The Late Blue will hit record stores on October 19, which should give fans just enough time to become familiar with the songs before Gypsy & The Cat kicks off their national tour. These shows are the only opportunities to see this in demand band on Aussie soil this year. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, September 21, for the following dates.

26 October 2012 – The Palace Theatre, Melbourne
1 November 2012 – HQ, Adelaide
2 November 2012 – Capitol, Perth
8 November 2012 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
10 November 2012 – Hi-Fi Brisbane

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Maxi Gives EP Sneak Peek

After impressing with her debut single “In a Little While,” Melbourne songbird Maxi is preparing to inundate us with some new tunes. On September 28 she’ll release her self-titled debut EP and a brand new single “From the Start.”

You don’t have to wait that long to hear the single though. Maxi’s allowed me to give you all the first listen of the new track, which is every bit as powerful as the last. I love her old style blend of funk and soul, her powerful vocals, and those big brassy chords.

Hopefully this will get you all warmed up for the EP, which was the result of a summer spent locked away with fledgling producer and muso Joel Witenberg. They might have missed the sunshine, but there’s a real warmth to the songs I’ve heard that has me primed for more.

If you like what you hear make sure you grab Maxi and “From the Start” when they drop on September 28. Maxi will also launch the EP for her home town fans at The Workers Club on October 18.

Image used with permission from Maxi

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Saints Announce New Album and Tour

After six long years, The Saints are preparing to release a brand new album. King of the Sun will hit record stores around the country on September 24. It features 11 brand new Chris Bailey penned tunes a bonus disc of classic Saints material, dubbed Songs from the Stash.

The album’s been an awfully long time coming for fans. Chris Bailey and drummer Peter Wilkinson have been flexing their musical muscles in France of late, but they’ve now returned to the fold.

“The Saints have always been my main passion,” Chris Bailey admitted in a press release. “Despite my promiscuity and desire for musical experiment I feel that The Saints are an unfinished musical journey. This album is one step closer on this road.”

The Saints will play the following shows around the country to celebrate King of the Sun’s release.

23 November 2012 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
30 November 2012 – Fly by Night, Perth
8 December 2012 – Homebake, Sydney

Image used with permission from Premier Artists

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Regular John’s “Strange Flowers” In Stores

Regular John’s sophomore album Strange Flowers hit record stores today, and the Sydney four-piece is wasting little time bringing it to the masses. The band will kick off their album launch tour in Adelaide next week.

Strange Flowers is an intoxicating collection of psychedelic inspired tunes, including the radio favorite “Slume.” It’s also available in a range of formats to appeal to audiophiles and modern kids alike. You’ll find it on iTunes, on CD, and as a special gatefold double deep purple record.

You can expect to hear tracks from Regular John’s latest release at the following shows.

21 September 2012 – Enigma Bar, Adelaide
22 September 2012 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
28 September 2012 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
29 September 2012 – The Northern, Byron Bay
5 October 2012 – The Patch, Wollongong
6 October 2012 – Transit Bar, Canberra
12 October 2012 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
13 October 2012 – The Annandale, Sydney

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lincoln Le Fevre Knocks My Socks Off

I must admit, when I receive e-mails offering me private streaming of new music I hope the songs are unremarkable. I don’t want to hear music that gets me excited if I can’t share it with you all. I’d much prefer the music was so boring I couldn’t muster enough enthusiasm to get typing.

And so I’m almost disappointed that “On and On,” the featured track from Lincoln Le Fevre’s sophomore album Resonation is so bloody good. The Tassie troubadour has created a song that’s a little bit country, a little bit folk, and a little bit Aussie rock. Its lyrics and vocals are a bit rough around the edges, but that lack of polish just makes it all the more appealing. It’s genuinely exciting, and that only makes it all the more disappointing that I can’t share it.

So guys, you might just have to pick up a copy of Resonation when it hits stores on October 12. If that one song is any indication, it’s going to be a cracker. Or you could get yourself to one of the following shows.

15 September 2012 – The Old Bar, Fitzroy (Acoustic)
16 September 2012 – The Reverence Hotel, Footscray
21 September 2012 – Republic Bar, Hobart (with Mia Dyson)
27 September 2012 – Royal Oak, Launceston
24 October 2012 – Republic Bar, Hobart
26 October 2012 – Royal Oak Boatshed. Launceston
27 October 2012 – Red Hot Music, Devonport
10 November 2012 – The Reverence Hotel, Footscray
22 November 2012 – X&Y Bar, Brisbane
23 November 2012 – O’Dowds, Rockhampton
24 November 2012 – The Shed – Byron Bay
1 December 2012 – Lass O’Gowry, Newcastle
2 December 2012 – Blackwire Records, Sydney

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lisa Mitchell Announces New Album and Tour

It’s been three long years coming, but Lisa Mitchell is almost ready to release a new full-length album. Bless This Mess, her follow-up to the acclaimed debut Wonder, will hit stores on October 12.

Bless This Mess sees Lisa experimenting with some heavier rock sounds than her first album. However with her trademark whimsical lyrics and sweet melodies still at the fore, fans should lap up the evolution of this exciting singer-songwriter. The album contains the current single and title track “Bless This Mess” and “Spiritus,” the lead single from her recent EP.

Lisa will give us a little time to become acquainted with the new songs before she takes them on the road. Lisa will tour the major capitals and regional centres with a six-piece band and special guests Alpine and Danco (Evermore’s Dann Hume) in tow.

Tickets for the following shows go on sale tomorrow, September 13, at 10 am.

18 October 2012 – Bar on the Hill, Newcastle
19 October 2012 – The Metro, Sydney (All Ages Licensed)
20 October 2012 – Uni Bar, Wollongong
26 October 2012 – The Astor, Perth (All Ages Licensed)
27 October 2012 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
28 October 2012 – HQ, Adelaide
31 October 2012 – Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne (All Ages Licensed)
2 November 2012 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
3 November 2012 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
4 November 2012 – Woombye Pub, Woombye
5 November 2012 – Byron Bay Community Centre, Byron Bay (All Ages Licensed)

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gary Clark Jr Brings Blues to Oz

Budding Texas blues legend Gary Clark Jr is bringing his music to Australia for the first time.

Gary Clark Jr has achieved some amazing things in his 28 years. Austin paid attention way back in 2001, when the mayor named May 3 official Gary Clark Jr. Day. That’s no small honour for a 17 year old! A few years ago he took the stage at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival alongside Clapton, Buddy Guy, and Ronnie Wood. This year he performed in an all-star band with BB King, Mick Jagger, and Jeff Beck for Barack Obama at the White House. He’s also collaborated with The Roots, Nas, and Alicia Keys and played at key festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza.

Gary Clark Jr has been named as part of next year’s Big Day Out festival, but if I were you I’d check him out at his much more intimate warm-up shows later this month. To commemorate the dates, Warner Music Australia has released a tour edition of the acclaimed Bright Lights EP. This disc, which hits record stores today, features 20 minutes of extra live music.

See Gary Clark Jr at Melbourne’s The Tote on September 27 or Sydney’s Annandale Hotel on September 28.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Bamboos’ Kylie Auldist Enjoys Solo Success

Kylie Auldist first came to my attention as the sassy frontwoman of funk act The Bamboos. But apparently when she’s not strutting her stuff with the band, she makes her own solo music. Today she releases the single “Counting on You,” our first taste of her third album Still Life.

Due to drop on October 15, Still Life promises to be the album that sees Kylie truly make her mark as a solo album. It was co-written with her Bamboos bandmate Lance Ferguson, who helped her plum universally timeless themes like love and loss.

“Counting on You” is available now ahead of Still Life’s release.

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Voltaire Twins’ Controversial New Clip

Local indie pop act Voltaire Twins are known for pushing the envelope with their music videos. Their clip for “Anamalia” well and truly freaked me out last August, and now around a year later they’re making waves again with the video for their new single “Solaris.”

This isn’t the clip to go playing at work, or around your uptight parents. It’s full of artsy nudity, and that saw it yanked from YouTube after just six hours. Thankfully Vimeo’s down with exposing pink bits for the sake of your craft.

No doubt all the buzz around the clip will attract more people to Voltaire Twins third EP Apollo, and the national tour they’ve announced to celebrate its release. You can see the Voltaire Twins, who will likely be fully clothed, at the following shows.

8 September 2012 – Plus One @ Ed Castle, Adelaide
13 September 2012 – Big Sound @ Bakery Lane, Brisbane
14 September 2012 – The Grace Darling Hotel, Melbourne
15 September 2012 – Kittens @ Spectrum, Sydney