Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Musos Cover Nick Cave with “Dig Cave Dig”

Some of Melbourne’s most exciting musicians have paid their respects to one of the city’s most influential artists, Nick Cave, with a new compilation album. Dig Cave Dig is a homage to Nick’s diverse body of work.

A handful of the contributing musicians will be familiar to you, including Little Red, the Vasco Era, and The Fumes, but the CD’s also likely to introduce anyone outside Victoria to a few new up-and-comers.

The selection of songs is stellar if somewhat predictable. That’s disappointing considering Nick Cave’s innovative output. I would have loved to see some new takes on earlier material, especially “Shivers.”  Thankfully though, we do get “Red Right Hand,” “Into My Arms,” and “Do You Love Me?” There was certainly potential to make this a double album, extending it beyond the existing 11 tracks. Still, with great songs and exciting new bands you really can’t go wrong.

Dig Cave Dig is in stores now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nathan Leigh Jones Launches Sooner or Later Around the World

You might not recognise his name, but chances are that you know Nathan Leigh Jones’ voice. The Adelaide born singer, songwriter, and pianist does voiceovers for MTV, Nickelodeon, and Eleven, but music is his real passion. He’s preparing to release his sophomore album Sooner or Later on April 6.

Sooner or Later is one of those truly independent releases, which has all the polish of a major label recording despite being arranged and edited in Nathan’s home studio. It features appearances from Grammy award winning guitarist Dan Warner, drummer Lee Levin, the Sydney Philharmonia Choir, and members of vocal group The Idea of North.

Fans will get a taste of what’s to come when Nathan plays Joe’s Pub in his adopted second home, New York City, on April 3. And just so that no one need miss out, the show will be streamed in real time through the Livestream website.

Thankfully local fans will get the chance to see Nathan in the flesh soon enough. He’ll launch Sooner and Later for Aussie audiences at an intimate dinner show in Sydney on April 14, and play the following Australian dates in June.

3 April 2011 – Joe’s Pub, New York
14 April 2011 – Slide, Darlinghurst
1 June 2011 – The Vanguard, Newtown
7 June 2011 – The Toff, Melbourne
8 June 2011 – The Promethean, Adelaide

Image source: Nathan Leigh Jones website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bachelor Girl Reform for Greatest Hits Tour

90s pop sensations Bachelor Girl are celebrating the release of their best of album with one last tour.

Loved & Lost: The Best of Bachelor Girl remembers the hits of Tania Doko and James Roche, including “Permission to Shine,” “Buses and Trains,” and “I’m Just a Girl.” The album, which will hit stores on April 15, also features four unreleased tracks recorded between 2002 and 2003.

The Australian tour sees Bachelor Girl back on home soil after a lengthy overseas stint. Tania’s been living in Los Angeles and Stockholm, while James has been based in London. It seems they’re thrilled to come home, and to come back together.

“It’s amazing to think it’s been almost 20 years since James and I met and started working together” Tania sad in a statement. “It’s also been several years since we’ve both lived in Australia for more than a few months at a time. 2011 has never been a more perfect year to celebrate our career ‘gems,’ tour a new release for our fans, and expose some of our favourite lost tracks. We really can’t wait to get out there and play!”

Get your tickets from the venues for the following shows.

28 May 2011 – Forum II, Melbourne
3 June 2011 – The Basement, Sydney
4 June 2011 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Revolutions

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Damien Leith Covers Roy Orbison

After Remember June, his last fabulous album of originals tanked, Damien Leith is going back to what sells with the release of Roy. The disc is filled with covers of the music of the late, great Roy Orbison.

Roy will feature Damien’s gorgeous cover of “Crying,” which was one of the highlights of his Australian Idol journey, as well as other hits like “Pretty Woman,” “Dream Baby,” and “Only the Lonely.” The album must be something special as it’s got the seal of approval from Orbison’s estate. Roy’s widow Barbara has even served as the executive producer!

“Roy Orbison, his soulful voice and dignified artistry, has touched millions of people across all generations becoming the soul of rock n roll,” Damien said in a statement. “Today, I am very proud to pay tribute to a man whose work has had a direct and lasting influence on both my songwriting and my singing. Mercy!”

Roy will hit stores on April 15. It’s disappointing that Damien’s stunning original albums never sell as well as they should, but releasing this one so close to Mother’s Day is a very smart move. I’m predicting that Roy will give Damien the chart success he so richly deserves.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

David Guetta Works with Aussie Girl Indigo

David Guetta tends to work with big name acts like Rihanna and Kelly Rowland. So when he handpicks an Aussie girl for his next project, it’s pretty big news.

The lucky lady is Indigo, a Western Australian lass who’s just signed up with French indie dance label Summit. The deal will see her debut album The Colour of Dreams released through France, Spain, Switzerland, Australia, Belgium, and Italy later this year.

And then there’s the David Guetta connection. He’s remixed her song “She Knows Love,” and plans to release the tune later this year. We all know how everything Guetta touches turns to gold, so something tells me big things are in store for Indigo.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alex Lloyd and the Pigram Brothers Unite for Mad Bastards Soundtrack

Award winning singer-songwriter Alex Lloyd has teamed up with indigenous outfit the Pigram Brothers for the soundtrack to local drama flick, Mad Bastards.

The album has a rootsy feel with nods to country, blues, and even a dash of calypso. It’s so great to see our local artists scoring our films with such exciting, original music. The Mad Bastards soundtrack hits record stores on April 8, ahead of the film’s release on May 5.

The newly formed Mad Bastards Trio will showcase their new tunes around the country in April and May. This is such a rare collaboration and the concerts are in such intimate venues that they’re sure to be something special. Tickets go on sale from the venues on March 10.

25 & 26 April 2011 – Byron Bay Bluesfest, Byron Bay
19 May 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
20 & 21 May 2011 – Notes Live, Newtown
25 May 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
26 May 2011 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
27 & 28 May 2011 – Mojos Bar, North Fremantle

Image used with permission from AUM PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Watussi Are 1000% Back, and 1000% Handsome

Watussi are back, and just a little bit full of themselves. The fun loving Aussie lads are gearing up for an East Coast tour to promote their new EP, 1000% Handsome.

Acclaimed producer Joel Hamilton (BlakRoc, Tom Waits, Talib Kweli) has injected Watussi’s new EP with some old school Latin rock flavour and an infectious energy. 1000% Handsome hits record stores on March 11.

Watussi are a real party band, so the best way to experience them is on the stage. Prepare to have a ball at the following shows.

10 March 2011 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
11 March 2011 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (EP Launch)
19 March 2011 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
20 March 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
23 March 2011 – UNE Bistro, Armidale
24 March 2011 – The Step Inn, Brisbane
25 March 2011 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
30 March 2011 – ANU Bar, Canberra
31 March 2011 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
1 April 2011 – Baroque Bar @ Carrington Hotel, Katoomba
2 April 2011 – Beach Rd Hotel, Bondi Beach
3 April 2011 – Queen’s Wharf Brewery, Newcastle

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Something Different from Topology

With elements of jazz, classical, and modern electronica, Brisbane quintet Topology truly serve up something original with their seventh studio album, Difference Engine.

The band’s illustrious resume has seen them work with Katie and Tyrone Noonan, Savage Garden, Kate Miller-Heidke, and even Geoffrey Rush. But this adventurous ensemble deserves to step into the spotlight. Expect big things from Topology this year as they tour Singapore and Europe. Shows in India next year are also on the agenda.

I love the way this band takes the stuffiness out of classical music and plays with genre to create something timeless but exciting. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you have an appreciation for instrumental music, Topology’s stuff is definitely worth a listen.

Topology will launch their album Difference Engine at The Visy Theatre at Brisbane Powerhouse this Sunday. Tickets are available from the venue.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Triple J Hottest 100 Double Album Released Next Month

You tuned in on Australia Day, and soon you can own the best songs from the countdown with the release of Triple J Hottest 100 Volume 18.

Angus & Julia Stone’s winning single “Big Jet Plane” sits comfortably alongside other local hits from Little Red, Sia, Washington, Bliss N Eso, and heaps more. In fact, reflecting the make-up of this year’s countdown roughly half of the album is local music. With all of the hits on here, it’s no wonder they needed to make the collection a double CD!

Triple J Hottest 100 Volume 18 hits record stores on March 4.

Image source: ABC Shop

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Drones Drummer Mike Noga Releases Second Solo Album

The Drones drummer Mike Noga will follow up his 2006 solo album Folk Songs this April with the release of The Balladeer Hunter.

The album came about through Mike’s despair with the current state of radio playlists.

“Upon flicking through the FM dial with careless abandon one day, it occurred to me that no matter how hard I looked, I could not, for the life of me, find any true SOUL in the songs that were being handed back to me on a static plate,” he said in a statement.

And so he set about righting the situation, gathering his Gentlemen of Fortune bandmates Pat Bourke of Dallas Crane and Gus Agars of The Gin Club to lay some tracks down. It took them just two days to record the album, which is testimony to the professionalism of these musos. It delivers that soul that’s so lacking on the popular charts with its mix of folk ballads and rock tunes.

The Balladeer Hunter hits record stores around the country on April 1.

Image used with permission from Other Tongues