Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lan Party Launch New “Personal Low” Album

If you ask my husband what LAN party is he’d wax lyrical about the good old days of computer gaming, where he’d gather with his pals, play video games, and drink too much Mountain Dew to make it through the night. You’d probably be bored hearing about it; I’m sure you’d much rather know about the Melbourne four-piece also called Lan Party.

“Lan Party is a state of mind, something we’ve built on over the years with various members and eclectic collaborative efforts,” the band explained. “Lan Party is a musical mutt, the amalgam of a lot of different colours, moods and styles. The band has a raw accessible rock side with sporadic outbursts of rhythmic flair and technicality. It’s anti-derivative music with a dynamic and energetic air to it.”

Lan Party have just released their sophomore album Personal Low, which ironically enough marks a bit of a personal high for the band! It features the new single “French Investors,” which is all about partying your way out of a tricky situation. That’s a method I have to try sometime!

Lan Party will take the album on the road next month with launch shows in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. And according to lead vocalist and guitarist Trent Menassa, we should expect the unexpected.

“Anything can happen at a Lan Party show,” said Trent. “The energy is a high pressure cooker, the banter is ridiculous, the costumes are raw but lavish, and I think by the time the band leaves the stage you’ll feel like you’ve listened to a lot of good music.”

You can join in the fun at the following shows.

7 November 2010 – Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills
20 November 2010 – Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy
27 November 2010 – Jetty Bar, Glenelg

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Glenn Richards Releases “Torpor & Spleen” Video

Last month I was waxing lyrical about “Torpor & Spleen,” the first single from Glenn Richards’ first Augie Marchless-album Glimjack. Now with the release of the official music video, you all get a chance to hear it.

The video’s every bit as organic as the song, with live footage shot in a Melbourne warehouse. It’s not very flashy, but music this good doesn’t need bells and whistles.

This is a nice little taster of what’s to come when Glimjack hits record stores on October 29.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Katherine Jenkins’ “Believe” Album Gets New Songs for Aussie Tour

Katherine Jenkins fans are in for a special treat when the Welsh songstress begins her Aussie tour tonight. To coincide with her visit Down Under, Warner has released a special tour edition of her album Believe.

Called the Platinum Edition, it features seven new tracks including “Love Never Dies” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera sequel, a duet with Michael Bolton on the Christmas classic “O Holy Night,” and surprisingly a cover of Coldplay’s “Gravity.”

The Platinum Edition of Believe is in store now. Katherine will play the following Aussie shows with Mark Vincent.

23 October 2010 – State Theatre, Sydney
26 October 2010 – Entertainment Center, Adelaide
28 October 2010 – Regent Theatre, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Georgia Fair Tour Times Fly

Georgia Fair wowed us all last year with their cruisy tune “Picture Frames.” Now Jordan Wilson and Ben Riley are set to do it all over again with their new EP Times Fly.

“When we did that first EP we were pretty green to the whole industry,” explained Jordan. “We just wanted to get it out there. For this we focused on the value of the song and the shape of our sound. It’s a bit more up, I guess you could say, and it’s a sample of what’s to come from the album.”

The lads spent time in North Carolina recording the EP under the guidance of Bill Reynolds of Band of Horses before returning home to complete it with old friends Boy & Bear. Reynolds’ expertise helped the Sydney boys step up their game and really showcase their acoustic folk strengths.

You can hear all that acoustic goodness in the flesh when Georgia Fair plays the following shows to support the release of Times Fly.

30 & 31 October 2010 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (with Basics)
5 November 2010 – Clubhouse, Brisbane (with Basics)
6 November 2010 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney (with Basics)
10-12 November 2010 – The Quarry, Perth (with Lisa Mitchell)
20 November 2010 – Hope Estate, Hunter Valley (with Crowded House)
14 & 15 December 2010 – The Vanguard, Sydney (with Gossling)
16 December 2010 – East Brunswick, Melbourne (with Gossling)
29 December 2010 – Peats Ridge Festival, Peats Ridge

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Enter the Theatrical Mind of Emma Dean

Emma Dean is one of those special artists that brings a sense of theatre to her music. She calls to mind such strong female performers as Kate Bush and Amanda Palmer with her sophomore album Dr Dream and The Imaginary Pop-Cabaret.

“Essentially, I think of my original music as being piano- based cabaret-tinged pop which is presented with a theatrical flair. In short, I call it pop-cabaret”, she explained in a statement.

“This particular body of work explores themes such as imagination, insanity, fear, obsession and dreams. Dr Dream is one of the characters from my Imaginary Friends tour and this album is all about me sitting in his office, on his big black chair and rambling on about the inner-most workings of my mind. It’s about letting go of all the things I’m normally too afraid and ashamed to speak of and unashamedly airing them in song. It’s been scary but therapeutic.”

This video for “Sincerely Fearful” gives you some idea of what you’re in for when you take a journey through Emma Dean’s mind. She brings this same sense of theatricality to her live performances, which also feature her corseted, dancing “Imaginary Friends.” If this sounds like something you want to experience, make sure you get to one of the upcoming album launch shows.

20 November 2010 – The Raval @ The Macquarie Hotel, Sydney (18+)
26 November 2010 – The Old Museum @ Studio One, Brisbane (All Ages)
27 November 2010 – The Toff In Town, Melbourne (18+)

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

More Magic from That 1 Guy

Have you heard of That 1 Guy? Otherwise known as Mike Silverman, That 1 Guy takes the concept of a one-man band to the next level with his incredible Magic Pipe.

It sounds like a piece of drug paraphernalia, but in reality it’s a seven-foot tall collection of swiveling pipes, metal gears, bass strings, and buttons all connected by a rainbow of coloured wires. If you’re having trouble picturing that just check out this video!

That 1 Guy’s coming at you with a brand new album Packs a Wallop, which does just what it says. It was recorded in Atlanta, Georgia with Billy Hume, who’s worked with the likes of Nelly and Ludacris. It was an interesting creative process for That 1 Guy, as for the first time he went into the studio with ideas rather than fully fledged tracks.

“I went in there with zero – nothing finished – and I lived there for a month,” he explained. “It was really hard work, really long days, and I forced myself to craft some stuff.”

The new approach worked, as Packs a Wallop is perhaps That 1 Guy’s most spontaneous and creative work.

“Human beings do our best work when we’re challenged and pushed up against the wall,” he said. “By nature, we’re hunters and gathers, spending each day looking for the next meal. It’s easy to be lazy when you don’t have to come up with something creative right away.”

That 1 Guy is bringing the new songs, and a brand new pipe, to the people at the following shows. Make sure you arrive early to catch the amazing Mr. Percival at all but the Port Macquarie and regional Victoria shows.

18 November 2010 – The Transit Bar, Canberra
19 November 2010 – AWME Festival @ The Edge, Federation Square, Melbourne
20 November 2010 – Republic Bar, Hobart
21 November 2010 – Republic Bar, Hobart
24 November 2010 – Fly By Night, Fremantle
25 November 2010 – Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
26 November 2010 – Pier Hotel, Frankston
27 November 2010 – Shine On Festival, Ballarat
28 November 2010 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
29 November 2010 – The Brewery, Byron Bay
1 December 2010 – Villa Noosa, Noosa
2 December 2010 – Miami Sharks, Gold Coast
3 December 2010 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
4 December 2010 – Globe Theatre, Brisbane
5 December 2010 – Cambridge Tavern, Newcastle
8 December 2010 – Gearin Hotel, Katoomba
9 December 2010 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
10 December 2010 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
11 December 2010 – Festival Of The Sun, Port Macquarie
27 December 2010 – 1 January 2011 – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Glenn Esmond’s Bit on the Side

The Butterfly Effect’s Glenn Esmond has a brand new band. He’s currently broadening his horizons with the new act A Family of Strangers.

The outfit came to be when Glenn found himself coming up with new songs that didn’t quite fit with TBE. The solution was obvious; he needed to create a new one.

“A Family of Strangers has been a fantastic opportunity for me to go back to basics and create something from the ground up. I wrote and recorded the songs, I’m promoting the music and I’m managing myself,” Glenn explained. “The satisfaction of heading back to the beginning, trying some new ideas and building it up from a grassroots level is pretty immense. The idea of these songs being heard and resonating with an audience is exciting to me and so, more than anything, this debut EP is about paying dues and getting out there to people one on one and connecting.”

Side projects can be a bit hit and miss, but I love this song “Don’t Forget,” from A Family of Strangers’ forthcoming EP New Techniques for Beginners and Champions. It’s got such an epic, melodic rock sound. It’s a bit more commercial than a lot of The Butterfly Effect stuff, but that only makes it that more accessible. If this is a taste of what’s to come when the EP hits stores on November 12, we’re all in for a treat.

If you like what you hear, you can check out the rest of the tunes when the band plays live in Queensland and Victoria next month.

5 November 2010 – Hard Rock Cafe, Surfer’s Paradise
6 November 2010 – X&Y Bar, Brisbane
11 November 2010 – Bended Elbow, Geelong
12 November 2010 – Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne
13 November 2010 – Pelly Bar, Frankston

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Corby Tours New EP “Transition to Colour”

Matt Corby is heading out on the road to support the release of his brand new EP, Transition to Colour.

Transition to Colour hits stores on October 22, which should give fans just enough time to learn all the lyrics before the shows in November and December. The EP is the first Aussie release for Communion, the indie label helmed by Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons and Kev Jones of Cherbourg. It is a haunting and ethereal collection of songs which show a musical maturity beyond Matt’s 19 years. He recorded it in London with Ian Grimble (The Libertines, Seasick Steve), a process which has been described as a “magical time” for all involved.

And there’s more where this came from. Matt’s just returned home from his most recent trip to the United Kingdom, which saw him record his debut album. We should see that in stores here and in the UK next year. Until then, we’ve got the following gigs to look forward to! And don’t worry Queensland, you haven’t been forgotten. Look out for your shows next year!
13 October 2010 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (with Passenger UK)
14 October 2010 – Melt Bar, Sydney (with Daniel Lee Kendall)
11 November 2010 – Fly By Nightclub, Freemantle
12 November 2010 – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
3 December 2010 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide
4 December 2010 – Thornbury Hotel, Melbourne
5 December 2010 – National Hotel, Geelong
7 December 2010 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
8 December 2010 – Otis Bar, Wollongong
9 December 2010 – The Independent Theatre, North Sydney
10 December 2010 – View Factory, Newcastle

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Israel Cannan’s Epic Aussie Journey Inspires Amazing Album

Israel CannanI love discovering new music that really revs me. The latest act to get me excited is Israel Cannan, a young singer-songwriter who’s taken a long literal and metaphorical journey to reach the place he’s at today.

Israel released his debut EP at the tender age of 18, but after a few successful tours and radio attention he soon became disillusioned by the corporate machine. And so earlier this year he decided to leave his home in coastal New South Wales and travel around the country.

With little more than a guitar, a beat up old van, and a great friend by his side Israel travelled to some of Australia’s most remote towns, using the money he made from busking to get from one spot to the next. He offered free singles to the people who came to hear him play, and learned a lot about Australia and himself.

From this epic journey came Walk, Israel’s debut album. It’s an impressive piece, especially considering that he wrote all the tracks, engineered them, and played all the instruments.

Israel documented his travels through a series of 22 video blogs, which you can now see on his YouTube page, along with this film clip for the incredible song “Letting Go.” If you love gentle indie folk in the vein of Iron & Wine and Ben Harper, you need to check this out.

Walk is currently available through Israel Cannan’s website and digitally from iTunes. Check it out!


Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Hoodoo Gurus Tour Purity of Essence, Release Limited Edition CD

The Hoodoo Gurus’ ninth studio album Purity of Essence will get a rerelease next month to coincide with the band’s national tour.

If you haven’t picked it up already, or you’re a hard-core fan, make sure you visit your local record store on November 12 to grab the special edition CD and DVD. It will feature the six-part Must Travel On Wheels mockumentary, which you might have caught online earlier this year.

The Hoodoo Gurus toured this album earlier the year, but after taking the show to Europe, the UK, and America in recent months the end of year shows are sure to be pretty tight. They’ll be ably supported on most nights by surf rockers The Break, featuring Midnight Oils’ Rob Hirst, Martin Rotsey, and Jim Moginie alongside The Violent Femmes’ Brian Ritche.

Expect to hear all the classics and new songs too at the upcoming Hoodoo Gurus shows!

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Australian band Hoodoo Gurus arrive at the ARIA Hall of Fame at the Regent Theatre on July 18, 2007 in Melbourne, Australia. This year's event inducts Radio Birdman, Brian Cadd, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons, the Hoodoo Gurus, Marcia Hines and Frank Ifield into the Australian Recording Industry Association's Hall of Fame, reflecting the rich tapestry of Australian music. (Photo by Simon Fergusson/Getty Images)


17 November 2010 – Settlers Tavern, Mildura
19 November 2010 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
24 November 2010 – Fisho’s, Manly
26 November 2010 – Revesby Workers
27 November 2010 – The Forum, Sydney
28 November 2010 – Sharkies, Cronulla
1 December 2010 – York on Lilydale, Mt Evelyn
3 December 2010 – Hotel Shoppingtown, Doncaster
4 December 2010 – Chelsea Heights Hotel
5 December 2010 – Macs Hotel, Melton
8 December 2010 – Queensland show TBA
10 December 2010 – Twin Towns Ex Services Club, Tweed Heads
11 December 2010 – HiFi Bar, Brisbane
12 December 2010 – Redlands Multi Sports Club, Birkdale
17 December 2010 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
18 December 2010 – Ferntree Gully Hotel