Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gin Wigmore Tours New Album

When I heard Gin Wigmore’s “Black Sheep” used on the promos for My Kitchen Rules earlier this year, I was reminded just how much I loved this Aussie-based Kiwi singer-songwriter.

Other than the ad it’s been a bit quiet on the Gin front, but it seems there’s been good reason for that. She’s been stateside working with acclaimed producer Butch Walker on album number two. And now she’s just about ready to unleash Gravel & Wine on the Aussie public.

Gin will treat the east coast capitals to the following intimate theatre shows next month to promote the album’s launch.

3 April 2012 – The Vanguard, Sydney
4 April 2012 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
5 April 2012 – Workers Club, Melbourne

Image source: -Fuze- @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lowlakes Releases Dreamy New EP

When I think of the music of Alice Springs I imagine earthy blues or roots or patriotic country numbers. I certainly don’t think of the sounds of Lowlakes, a cruisy ambient act that surprisingly comes from the Red Centre.

Lowlakes release their self-titled debut EP today, a recording which features this single “Song for Motion.” It’s a gorgeous slow-burning song with Tom Snowdon’s distinctive vocals and a dreamlike, epic quality. I wasn’t quite sure about it when it started but by the end I was completely won over. It’s just so different and beautiful.

The Lowlakes EP is in stores now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Never Ever Tour Times Two

The Never Ever will circle Australia a few times in the coming months to support the release of their highly anticipated EP Breathe, which hits stores today.

Sydney’s electro power pop quintet will give fans some time to become acquainted with the EP’s five songs, including the single “Love’s Got Me Tipsy,” before they hit the road on their Remember To Breathe Tour. Once the headlining shows wraps up there’ll be just a little breathing room before they join Simple Plan on their upcoming Aussie dates.

Here are all the places you can see The Never Ever in the coming months.

7 April 2012 – Expressive Grounds, Gold Coast (All Ages)
12 April 2012 – Leederville YMCA HQ, Leederville (All Ages)
12 April 2012 – Oh Snap! @ Villa Nightclub, Perth (18+)
20 April 2012 – EV Youth Centre, Croyden Melbourne (All Ages)
29 April 2012 – The Lair, Metro Theatre, Sydney (All Ages)
5 May 2012 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide (All Ages)
1 June 2012 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (with Simple Plan)
2 June 2012 – Festival Hall, Melbourne (with Simple Plan)
3 June 2012 – Panthers, Newcastle (with Simple Plan)
6 June 2012 – University Hall, Wollongong (with Simple Plan)
8 June 2012 – Southport RSL, Gold Coast (with Simple Plan)
9 June 2012 – Eatons Hills Hotel, Brisbane (with Simple Plan)
10 June 2012 – Caloundra RSL, Sunshine Coast (with Simple Plan)

Image used with permission from RAWR Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nick Cave & Tex Perkins Play on Jeffrey Lee Pierce Tribute Album

Australian and international musicmakers have joined forces for a second tribute album honouring the music of Jeffrey Lee Pierce and his Gun Club.

Local acts Nick Cave, Mick Harvey, Tex Perkins, and Hugo Race cover Pierce’s tunes on The Journey is Long. Leading international acts Debbie Harry, Lydia Lunch, and Mark Lanegan have also leant their talents to the project.

The Gun Club’s music blended punk and American roots in a way that no one had ever heard before. Their albums influenced many modern day artists including Jack White, Jon Spencer, Hoodoo Gurus, and the acts that appear on the disc. After living hard with drugs and drink, the world lost Jeffrey Lee to a brain haemorrhage in 1996.

The Journey is Long will his stores on April 6. It follows 2009’s We Are Only Riders. A third and final volume, entitled The Task Has Overwhelmed Us, should be released later this year.

Image used with permission from Fuse Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Butterfly Effect Tour Greatest Hits Album

With singer Clint Boge spreading his wings, The Butterfly Effect are closing their current chapter with the release of a retrospective album, called Effected, on April 23. The 18-track disc spans The Butterfly Effect’s entire history, from their self-titled debut EP to their 2007 album Final Conversation of Kings.

The classic Butterfly Effect will take these beloved songs on the road one last time for the Effected tour. The tour dates offer fans a final chance to see the line-up that’s rocked Australia for the last ten years.

Tickets for the Effected shows are selling fast, and The Butterfly Effect are thanking fans for that support with the release of a free acoustic version of “Gone.” It’s available exclusively to members of The Butterfly Effect’s mailing list. You can sign up through the band’s Facebook page.

The enthusiastic response for tickets means they won’t last too much longer. Get your from the venues for the following shows.

27 April 2012 – Andergrove Tavern, Mackay
28 April 2012 – The Venue, Townsville
29 April 2012 – Brothers Leagues Club, Cairns
2 May 2012 – The Great Northern, Byron Bay
3 May 2012 – The Arena, Brisbane
4 May 2012 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
5 May 2012 – Kings Beach Tavern, Sun Coast
9 May 2012 – The Plantation, Coffs Harbour
10 May 2012 – Panthers Leagues, Newcastle
11 May 2012 – UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney (Licensed All Ages)
12 May 2012 – Waves, Wollongong
16 May 2012 – UCU Bar, Canberra
18 May 2012 – Bended Elbow, Geelong
19 May 2012 – Inferno, Traralgon
20 May 2012 – Pier Live, Frankston
22 May 2012 – Hotel New York, Launceston
23 May 2012 – Wrest Point Casino, Hobart
25 May 2012 – Palace Theatre, Melbourne
26 May 2012 – The Bridgeway Hotel, Adelaide
27 May 2012 – HQ, Adelaide (Licensed All Ages)
2 June 2012 – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury
3 June 2012 – Metro City, Perth

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Justin Hunter’s Pretty Piano Single

Justin Hunter’s served up a music video that also serves as a travelogue for his new single “Courage.”

The video for the piano driven instrumental piece is made up of photographs Justin snapped while visiting The Netherlands recently. The combination of holiday snaps and soothing piano sounds is unusual, but no one who combines instrumental music with marathon running was going to play by the rules.

You might not have heard of Justin, but this Melbourne based pianist has sold tens of thousands of albums without a record label or a publicity team. Without the tools of the trade to rely upon, Justin’s music simply had to speak for itself. Now that he’s just inked a deal with Sydney’s Source Music, the sky’s the limit.

“Courage” comes from Justin’s third album Mountains to Masses, which hits stores and iTunes today.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Re:Enactment Release “Sport” Album Digitally

Brisbane electro act Re:Enactment are so excited to release their first album Sport, they’re giving it away.

“If you’re an impoverished music fan in a place where the only way to afford buying music is to either sell off your pet goat or sister, then I’m genuinely excited at the prospect of you not having to do that in order to own our music,” said the band’s vocalist and guitarist Jacob Hicks. He’s even prepared to give it away to yuppies, or indeed anyone who just expects a handout.

However, if you love the music and want to help Re:Enactment make more of it you can make a $10 donation to the band.

Either way, you can now download Sport from Re:Enactment’s Bandcamp page.

Image used with permission from Paper Street Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cold Chisel Launch “No Plans” with Intimate Shows

Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you probably know that Cold Chisel have been hard at work preparing their first new studio album in 14 years. However you might not know that the band got the touring bug during last year’s massive Light the Nitro run, and are planning shows to launch No Plans.

No Plans features 13 songs, including last year’s single “All For You” and “I Got Things to Do” penned by the band’s late drummer Steve Prestwich. The album also features Steve’s last recorded performances. Its title comes from the important lesson the band has learned in the wake of Steve’s untimely death.

“In late 2009 the five of us made plans to record together again and do a tour,” said frontman Jimmy Barnes. “After lots of twists and turns that’s exactly what we’ve ended up doing but due to Steve’s passing those plans changed a lot along the way. The last two years have reminded all of us that sometimes life deals up things you don’t expect. You can’t take anything or anyone for granted. Sometimes it’s best to have no plans.”

Cold Chisel will launch No Plans at Bluesfest on April 5 before is hits stores the next day. Following that, Chisel will play some very special “one night only” album launch shows. After last year’s big arenas, the smaller venues will allow the band to better connect with the fans that have supported them through the years. Tickets for these shows go on sale on March 19, but if you want to get a jump on the competition sign up to the Cold Chisel mailing list for pre-sale information.

See Cold Chisel supporting the release of No Plans at the following shows

5 April 2012 – Bluesfest @ Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay
7 April 2012 – Sandalford Estate, Swan Valley
12 April 2012 – Festival Hall, Melbourne
18 April 2012 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dirty Three Launch Comeback Tour

After an extended hiatus, Dirty Three are back with a brand new album and tour.

Toward the Low Sun is Dirty Three’s first album since 2005, and the fruit of one of the band’s most creative periods. It’s no cosy return to a musical comfort zone. There’s an electrifying energy in the melding of punk, jazz, and avant-garde sounds that shows Jim White, Mick Turner, and Warren Ellis are excited to be back together.

“Dirty Three has always been about the way we play together and feed off each other,” explained Warren Ellis. “We wanted this one to be a return to the more improvised and instinctive approach of the earlier recordings.”

Dirty Three will take Toward the Low Sun on the road this month, starting with a show this Friday in Perth. Tickets are available from the usual outlets for the following gigs.

9 March 2012 – Astor Theatre, Perth
10 March 2012 – WOMADelaide, Adelaide
12 March 2012 – The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie
14 March 2012 – Powerstation, Auckland
16 March 2012 – The Palace, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
17 March 2012 – One Perfect Day Festival, Gippsland
18 March 2012 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine (SOLD OUT)
21 March 2012 – Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Sydney
22 March 2012 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
23 March 2012 – Starcourt Theatre, Lismore

Image used with permission from Remote Control Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Adam Eaton Launches EP Tonight in Melbourne

Melbournites without evening plans should consider ditching the television and checking out Adam Eaton’s set at The Toff in Town.

After spending the last two years in Norway, Adam’s returned home with a few Norwegian musicians in tow to support the release of his first EP, You and I and Us. I was particularly struck by this song “Not Alone,” a gentle, subdued folk tune that’s so beautifully measured. What a gorgeous number.

It’s one of the songs featured on the EP that came together in just three days. Whenever music comes so quickly I get excited. There’s a gorgeous free, unforced quality to tunes that come together so naturally and organically.

While Adam’s Melbourne hometown gets tonight launch, Sydney and other spots in his home state won’t miss out on this great talent. He’ll play the following shows before returning to Norway.

7 March 2012 – The Old Manly Boatshed, Manly (Free)
8 March 2012 – The Clovelly Hotel, Sydney (Free)
9 March 2012 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
10 & 11 March 2012 – Tastes of Rutherglen Festival @ Bullers Winery, Rutherglen, Australia
17 March 2012 – Pure Pop Records, Saint Kilda (3 pm)
22 March 2012 – The Empress, Fitzroy

Image source: Adam Eaton website