Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Download New Meem Single for Free

Meem, or Michael Moebus as his mum calls him, is bringing old school hip hop sounds back with his fifth album Monsters Don’t Sleep OK! And to celebrate the album’s release, he’s giving fans a free download of the single “Get Down Party.” Just right-click and save to wrap your ears around this fun tune.

The track is the first from the very limited edition album, which features guest appearances from Mr Scruff, Raashan, Roots Manuva, and Ahmad & The Boom Band Krewe. Just 200 copies of the independently released album were pressed, so you’ll need to get yours quick when it goes on sale on November 11.

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Box Rockets Launch EP in Victoria & NSW

Melbourne band Box Rockets are about to release No Control, the follow-up to their acclaimed 2009 EP Throwing Stones. To celebrate the October release the band will play a handful of launch shows next month.

Box Rockets plan to play a couple of shows for their hometown audience, and two more for the music-loving folks in Sydney. The band will be selling a limited edition copy of the EP at the shows which features innovative origami-inspired packaging. That sounds a whole lot more exciting than what you’ll get on iTunes!

You can grab the far superior version of the No Control EP at Box Rockets’ following shows.

7 October 2011 – Mum @ World Bar, Sydney
8 October 2011 – Beresford Upstairs, Sydney
21 October 2011 – The Prince Bandroom, Melbourne (with Phrase)
27 October 2011 – The Northcote Social Club, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

LHA Release Impressive Hip Hop Debut

Sydney-based hip hoppers LHA have just released their debut album Split Decision. The disc was a real labour of love for the duo made up of Aussie MC Adikkal and Korean born producer LeeHahn. They wrote and produced the entire thing, so you know it’s got their stamp all over it.

The twosome takes their hip hop back to basics. They believe that a song should move your heart and your feet, and their sound has a real soulful bent that is so appealing. The new single “This Is Your Life,” the second to be lifted from the disc, gives you a great idea what LHA are all about. This is really polished and powerful stuff. Look for Split Decision in good music stores now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ernest Ellis & The Panamas Release Sophomore Album

Ernest Ellis & The Panamas will release their second album, Kings Canyon, tomorrow.

Like all the best recordings this one was born out of the worst circumstances. Drummer and vocalist Mathew Gardner was struggling with the serious illness of his mother, and the band were butting heads with a record company that didn’t share their creative vision.

But out of troubling times often comes great music, and that’s definitely the case here. Ernest Ellis & The Panamas was committed to creating a complete album, rather than the handful of singles surrounded by fillers we so often get. The recording obviously means a lot to the band, but frontman Ernest Ellis is philosophical about its reception.

“We just hope you take something from this record that gives you that thing that only music can. We hope you dance naked to it, and forget the other shit for a little while,” he said.

Look out for Kings Canyon in good music stores tomorrow.

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Faker Show Oz Touring Love

Faker fans have been waiting three long years, but the band is finally ready to head back on the road for a headlining tour. They’ll travel around the country through October and November, introducing fans to some new music and treating them to a swag of hits.

This is the first time fans will meet Faker’s new line up, which features newbies Chris Stabback and Liam O’Brien alongside founding members Nathan Hudson and Nichols Munnings.

You can get yourself in a Faker frame of mind by heading to the band’s website and grabbing a free download of their new track “Back When Solvents.” The tune comes from the band’s forthcoming EP How Did We Not Get Loved?, a five-tracker which acts as a prequel to the new album Get Loved. The EP hits stores on October 7, while the album is slated for a January 27 release.

If you’re intending on attending one of the following the shows it’s also worth stopping by the Faker website, as you can order your tickets complete with the EP.

20 October 2011 – The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
21 October 2011 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
22 October 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
23 October 2011 – Joe’s Waterhole, Sunshine Coast
26 October 2011 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
27 October 2011 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
28 October 2011 – The Amplifier, Perth
29 October 2011 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
2 November 2011 – Bended Elbow, Geelong
3 November 2011 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
4 November 2011 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
5 November 2011 – Patch, Wollongong
10 November 2011 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
11 November 2011 – The Standard, Sydney

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harry James Angus Goes Solo

The Cat Empire’s Harry James Angus is taking advantage of his band’s hiatus and releasing a solo album.

Little Stories will be released digitally on September 16 and in stores on October 10. It’s been a bit of a labour of love, with Harry spending the last three years penning the tracks.

“These little stories have provided me with hours of entertainment, just me in the lounge
room. Sometimes my long-suffering wife will patiently listen as I stumble through an idea, but usually it’s just me – laughing at my own jokes, lip trembling at my own tragedies, watching the characters come alive – and the whole story just unfurls, eventually, like a patchwork sail,” Harry said.

Harry James Angus will celebrate Little Stories’ release with a tour of the major capitals later this month.

8 September 2011 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
17 September 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney
25 September 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne

Image source: Elvina Mae

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Empire Tour New Album

Sydney quartet New Empire seem to have a taste for touring. They’re preparing to head out on the road to support Simple Plan, and they’ve just announced they’ll embark on a headline tour once that wraps up.

The band are working hard to support the release of their new album Symmetry, which will hit stores on September 16. Their frontman Jeremy Fowler promises a tour like no other they’ve undertaken.

“For us, it feels like the live showcase of everything we’ve been working towards for the past two years,” he explained. “We’ll be pulling out everything we’ve got for this tour, it’ll be full of surprises, it will be … epic!”

You can see New Empire giving everything they’ve got at the following shows.

30 September 2011 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (with Simple Plan)
1 October 2011 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (with Simple Plan)
4 October 2011 – Palace Theatre, Melbourne (with Simple Plan)
14 October 2011 – Powerhouse Theatre, Brisbane
15 October 2011 – Centenary Lakes Festival, Caboolture
22 October 2011 – Prince Bandroom, St Kilda (Afternoon)
22 October 2011 – Royal Melbourne Hotel, Melbourne (Evening)
28 October 2011 – The Maram Hotel, Canberra
29 October 2011 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
4 November 2011 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide
5 November 2011 – Cockburn Youth Centre, Cockburn (Afternoon)
5 November 2011 – Norfolk Basement, Fremantle (Evening)

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Electrik Dynamite Deliver Hair. Denim. Sex. Metal.

Melbourne five-piece Electrik Dynamite are bringing retro rock back with their debut album Hair. Denim. Sex. Metal.

That title really tells you all you need to know! This is a band that takes its cues from the likes of Van Halen, Iron Maiden, and Def Leppard, creating the kind of music we rarely hear in the contemporary music scene.

The album hits stores today, and the band are packing their bags for a big East Coast tour to celebrate. You can catch Electrik Dynamite rocking the following venues soon. Until then enjoy the band’s first single “Midnight Rider” and its keytar action!

27 August 2011 – House Of Rock, The Palace, Melbourne (18+)
3 September 2011 – Black Market, Adelaide (18+)
9 September 2011 – Geelong West Town Hall, Geelong (All Ages)
10 September 2011 – Bang, Melbourne (18+)
14 September 2011 – Hamilton Station, Newcastle (18+)
15 September 2011 – Hot Damn, Sydney (18+)
16 September 2011 – Elsewhere Bar, Gold Coast (18+)
17 September 2011 – Thriller, Brisbane (18+)
21 September 2011 – Musicman Megastore, Bendigo (All Ages)
23 September 2011 – Pow, Werribee (18+)
24 September 2011 – Urban Life Cafe, Ringwood (All Ages)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Introducing the Lush Pop Stylings of Buckley Ward

I can’t help admiring musicians who do things without the backing of a major label, or in fact any label at all. When they make amazing music, it’s so much the better! Buckley Ward are the latest act to turn my head with their self-funded, self-recorded, and self-produced album So Pretend.

The title track has such a lush sound. Its melodies are really strong, but the sound doesn’t have that tired commercial feel of so much pop music. What a breath of fresh air. The album is their second, which makes me wonder why I haven’t heard of them before. Better late than never, right?

If you like what you hear you can catch Buckley Ward touring the East Coast next month.

9 September 2011 – Lightspace, Brisbane
10 September 2011 – FBi Social, Sydney
24 September 2011 – Yah Yahs, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ellesquire Ready to Rap

Ellesquire is stepping out from his group Loose Change for his first solo endeavour, Ready. After hearing the title track, I’ve got to say that I’m impressed.

I’m not always a fan of urban music, but Ellesquire’s old school approach has won me over. It recalls the hip hop acts of the 90s with its sampling and personal lyrics. He’s also got a really global sound, which I find interesting. So often Australian urban artists obviously sound like they’ve come from our streets with their slightly twangy accents, but Ellesquire could easily have hailed from anywhere. That universality might just be the key to him finding success on an international stage.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. For now we’ve got this tune, and the album to come on August 5.

Image used with permission from Other Tongues