Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Free Kisschasy Track, Album and Tour on the Way

Kisschasy have matured like a fine wine with the release of their third album, Seizures. The disc saw the Western Australian outfit jet to Los Angeles to work with legendary producer Rob Schnaf (Elliott Smith, Beck, Powderfinger, The Vines). The result has been touted the band’s best recording to date.

Frontman Darren Cordeux wrote the title track as a letter to a friend he says was “not living life to the fullest because they were too afraid of the consequences.” You can download the song online for free by clicking here.

If you like what you hear, make sure you check out the album when it drops on August 21 and see Kisschasy when they make their way around the country in September. They’ll be joined by Regular John for all but the first three shows.

25 September 2009 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
26 September 2009 – Coolangatta Hotel
27 September 2009 – The Lake @ Kawana Waters, Sunshine Coast (All ages)
29 September 2009 – Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour
30 September 2009 – Strobe Uni, Armidale
1 October 2009 – Bar On The Hill, Newcastle
2 October 2009 – Wollongong Uni, Wollongong
3 October 2009 – UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney (All ages)
4 October 2009 – ANU, Canberra
7 October 2009 – The Palace Theatre, Melbourne
8 October 2009 – Inferno, Traralgon
9 October 2009 – Ferntree Gully Hotel
10 October 2009 – Pier Hotel, Frankston
11 October 2009 – HiFi BAR, Melbourne (Under 18’s)
13 October 2009 – HQ, Adelaide
15 October 2009 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
16 October 2009 – Prince Of Wales Hotel, Bunbury
17 October 2009 – The Capitol, Perth

Image used with permission from Delinquents

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cassie Davis Does New Album Differently

Cassie Davis is continuing to show us she does things differently with her debut album titled, funnily enough, Differently.

“In my music, my life, fashion – I do everything a little differently,” she explained. “I don’t do things just because other people think that’s the way it should be done. That wouldn’t be staying true to who I am. I’ve always been like this. I like being a bit odd and the odd one out.”

The disc showcases those differences, drawing from Cassie’s eclectic influences. The natural marriage of pop and rock becomes something new with a dash of ska, a smattering of urban sounds, and a little gospel.

It includes her three big hits, “Differently,” “Like it Loud,” and the latest smash, “Do It Again.” But there’s plenty more besides, including the big ballad “Amazing,” the African beats of “Hero,” and the dark and deeply personal “Mess of Mine.”

With the input of a world-class team, including Rodney Jerkins (Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Beyonce), Printz Board (Black Eyed Peas musical director) and Wayne Wilkins (Beyonce, Kylie, Natasha Bedingfield, Pink), Differently promises to be one of this year’s big hits.

Differently hits stores on August 14.

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jimmy Barnes Goes Back to the Blues

He might be 53 years old, but Jimmy Barnes shows no signs of slowing down. The Aussie music veteran recorded not one, but two new albums in a recent trip to the United States.

The first is a prequel to his famous Soul Deep album, titled The Rhythm & the Blues. As the name suggests, the covers disc will feature bluesy numbers from the 50s and 60s.

Jimmy assembled an all-star band for the disc, including guitarist Johnny Lee Schell (Lucinda Williams, BB King), pianist Mike Thompson (Eagles), bassist Reggie McBride (Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Stevie Wonder) and drummer James Gadson (Quincy Jones, Bill Withers). Being the consummate professionals that they are, the album was recorded in just three days. We’ll hear a taste of it next month when the first single is released.

While stateside Jimmy also teamed up with Jonathan Cain, the co-writer of “Working Class Man” for another original rock album. Who knows whether another single so strong will grace this disc, but I can’t help crossing my fingers.

We can expect both albums to hit record stores soon.

Image source: DianeSunshineCoast @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Scare Reborn with Oozevoodoo

The Scare are back with a brand new album, curiously titled oozevoodoo.

“oozevoodoo is about cleansing and rebirth,” explained Scare frontman Kiss Reid. “It represents the rebirth of this band’s hunger.”

It’s a natural progression from Chivalry, with a heavier attack, back-to-basics rhythms, and more complex vocal melodies. We get a taste of these elements in the disc’s first single, “Could Be Bad,” which is now streaming online.

Oozevoodoo will hit record stores on August 7. To support the release The Scare will join old mates Children Collide on the Chosen Armies tour. You can also catch them at the Triple J Party at The Gov in Adelaide on Thursday, and the Coaster Festival in September.

Image used with permission from Delinquents

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Holy Smoke! Gin Wigmore Readies Debut Album

Honorary Aussie Gin Wigmore is preparing to release her debut album Holy Smoke, hot on the heels of her breakout EP Extended Play.

While the EP was a local production, Gin’s spread her wings for her first long player. It was recorded in Los Angeles with a dream team including Ryan Adam’s backing band The Cardinals, producer Mike Elizondo (Fiona Apple, Eminem, Maroon 5), and Joe Chiccarelli (White Stripes, The Shins, Beck).

And it seems she’s impressed those heavy hitters.

“Gin Wigmore is unquestionably one of the most exciting new artists to emerge in many years,” said The Cardinals’ Neal Casal. “Her songwriting is at once diverse, intelligent, melodic, and soulful. Her voice is raw and emotional, with phrasing far beyond her years. Her debut record is a fully realized statement of intent, promising a great career ahead.”

Holy Smoke will hit record stores in Australia and the States on September 25. Local audiences will get a sneak peek of the new songs are the following shows around the country.

27 August 2009 – Notes, Sydney
2 September 2009 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
3 September 2009 – Troubadour, Brisbane
12 Sep 2009 – Coaster Festival, Gosford Showgrounds

Image used with permission from The White Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Black Ryder Prepare Debut Release

Australian rockers The Black Ryder burst onto the scene last year supporting Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Since then they’ve shared the stage with The Raveonettes, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, and The Charlatans. They’ve generated plenty of buzz, so it’s probably about time they released an album!

Well they’ve been locked away in their home studio for the last few months, and we’re almost ready to hear the fruits of their labour. The Black Ryder will release their debut disc The Anti-Machine Machine on their own label, in conjunction with EMI Music Australia and Original Matters, this October.

The unique release deal allows the band to develop independently and maintain creative control while enjoying the benefits of a major label’s support.

“Since the inception of this project we’ve felt very passionately about allowing the music and everything that surrounds it to evolve in it’s most natural (and for the most part unconventional) form,” explained The Black Ryder’s singer, Aimee Nash.

“This new initiative with Original Matters and EMI Music will allow us to release the album we always wanted to release on our own (newly created) label. To have their support in releasing our album in such a unique way is the best possible outcome we could have hoped for. To say we’re pleased or excited by this outcome would be an understatement. We’re very proud to be a part of this new initiative & direction.”

For a sneak peek at the album, head to the band’s MySpace page where they’re showcasing the track “Burn and Fade.” The song features guest appearances from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s Peter Hayes and Leah Shapiro and The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s Mr. Ricky Maymi.

If that whets your appetite you can catch the band playing at Spectrum in Sydney on July 24, or the Cherry Bar in Melbourne on July 31.

Image used with permission from Original Matters

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mark Vincent Realises His Dream

15-year-old Mark Vincent wowed the country as this year’s winner of Australia’s Got Talent. And today the talented young opera star is set to do it all again with the release of his debut album, My Dream – Mio Visione.

There are no real surprises here, which is likely to be a good thing for his adoring fans. After all, they’re going to be much happier hearing Mark belt out opera classics “Ava Maria” and “Nessun Dorma” and modern classics “Unchained Melody” and “Hallelujah” than more traditional teen hits.

If you’re a fan of Paul Potts and Il Divo, make sure you check out this kid. If he can sing this well at 15, he’s bound to have a big future ahead of him. If you missed him before, here’s Mark’s first performance on Australia’s Got Talent.

 

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Southern Sons Gets a Rerelease

In news that’s a little out of left field, Sony Music has decided Southern Sons‘ debut self-titled disc is worthy of a re-release!

The 1990 album launched the band, which consisted of Jack Jones (aka Irwin Thomas), Virgil Donati, Phil Buckle, Geoff Cain, and Peter Bowman. It featured the hits “Heart in Danger,” “Always and Ever,” and the tearjerker “Hold Me In Your Arms.”

The band released two more albums before breaking up in 1995. They seem to have well and truly moved on, with Irwin Thomas now playing in the rock outfit Electric Mary. They’ll support Alice Cooper on his August tour, a gig that couldn’t be more different than the Southern Sons shows of the 90s.

If, like me, you preferred the big haired heart-throb to the edgy new image, you can pick up the Southern Sons CD from June 22. Just thinking about it I had to fire up YouTube and see what I could see. I unearthed this old performance of “Hold Me In Your Arms” on Steve Vizard’s show. I think I just fell in love all over again!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sarah Blasko Gets Musical

Just 1000 Sarah Blasko fans will get their hands on a special limited edition of her new album As Day Follows Night. But lucky fans they will be. They’ll receive a special bonus disc featuring Sarah’s reinterpretations of her favorite songs from musicals.

Cinema Blasko includes “Seems Like Old Times” from Annie Hall, “Something Good” from The Sound of Music, “Maybe This Time” from Cabaret, “Out Here On My Own” from Fame, and “Xanadu” from Xanadu. It sounds completely worthwhile for “Xanadu’s” presence alone!

Sarah will sign all the special edition boxes, which will also include four magic ink reveal cards and a paintbrush for you to reveal the artwork.

Sarah fans will need to get to their local record store bright and early on July 10 to snap up the limited edition As Day Follows Night CDs.

Image source: Boboroshi @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Galvatrons Studio Diary Dishes Dirt on "Laser Graffiti"

Retro rock fans everywhere are getting excited about the release of Laser Graffiti, the debut album from The Galvatrons next month. Today I received the band’s studio diary from Warner Music and was told I could share it with you all. It’s definitely whetted my appetite for the long-play!

Studio Diary for the making of Laser Graffiti Or When Keyboards try to be Guitars
Chapter 1 – Pre- Production, or how the bloody hell are we gonna do this?
The first week of December 2008 we spent doing pre‐ production for the album at Deluxe Studios in South Melbourne. During this time we met with great anticipation and trepidation our producer, Scott Horscroft. Scott previously worked with The Presets, The Panics, and silverchair, and we were keen to see what would come of our collaboration with this eccentric man (which for all descriptions he is …)

Scott flew down from Sydney for the week to get a vibe for what we wanted to do for the record, telling us his vibe, just a lot of vibing really in South Melbourne, which really has no vibe at all. Most of what we worked at was re‐ jigging structures for the songs, and where the extra bits would come into it. It was a fairly relaxed week, jamming in the studio live and getting the structure right for tracking. Notable was the writing of “Molotov Cocktail” during this time (the albums “party” track … maybe the chorus lyrics have something to do with that … moving on …)

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