Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Dempsey Back with Brand New Solo Single “Morningless”

Paul Dempsey has given fans their first taste of his sophomore solo album with the release of its lead single “Morningless.” This is another solid bluesy rock effort from the Something for Kate frontman. And how fabulous is the retro-inspired music video?

Along with the other album tracks, “Morningless” was recorded in Wilco’s The Loft studio in Chicago while they were on tour together. To celebrate the single’s release, Paul will tour the East Coast later this month. Limited tickets are still available for many of these shows, but you’d better get in quick!

13 February 2016 – Taronga Zoo, Sydney (SOLD OUT)
17 February 2016 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne (supporting Missy Higgins
19 February 2016 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney
20 February 2016 – The Zoo, Brisbane
26 February 2016 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
19 March 2016 – West Kentish, Tasmania

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Arpier Make a Splash with Debut Single “Future”

I’m not sure I could have found you too more different singles today if I tried. But if Pro Vita was a little heavy for your taste, Arpier may be a bit more your speed. If like me you love a little of everything, do yourself a favour.

“Future” is the debut single from Arpier, a duo from Brisbane who met way back in year five. Liam Morton and Robert Hill were jamming together in the music rooms by year nine, and by year 12 Arpier was a reality.
I really love the blend of mellow jazz and alt-rock the band plays with here. Their music’s like nothing I’m hearing at the moment, and that’s a really good thing. It’s easy to get swept up in how good it is musically, but make sure you take a listen to those incredible lyrics too.

Liam said the track was“written during that weird phase where you’re happy and going out to parties, drinking etc, but it’s conflicted with the sadness that you’re actually about to finish school and leave the comfort of childhood behind. I guess it’s just the general sadness of growing up and having to start worrying about the future”.

Arpier will release their debut EP in the middle of the year. You can hear a feew tracks from it when Arpier launch the single tomorrow night, February 11, at Brisbane’s Black Bear Lodge.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pro Vita Release Rocking New Single “Find Me”

“Find You” is the fourth single from Sunshine Coast quartet Pro Vita, but if like me their earlier efforts passed you by it’s worth listening up now.

Apparently this track has a heavier sound than previous efforts. I really respond to that earnest raucous energy that forgoes vocal perfection for heart. It’s so endearing and honest, perfect for this track which captures the passion of a messy breakup beautifully.

My angsty teen days are far behind me, but Pro Vita has helped tap into that girl lurking deep within. This is a really solid effort from a band to watch.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Weeping Willows Announce Album Tour

I love individual artists and bands, but I think there’s something so special about a duo. When you find two people whose harmonies blend, who have a natural chemistry that draws listeners in, it’s like nothing else. Perhaps that’s why when I set out to listen to “River of Gold,” the lead single from The Weeping Willows’ forthcoming album Before Darkness Comes A-Callin’, I actually listened to their entire Soundcloud playlist.

It’s a tough call, but I think “River of Gold” could be the strongest track among them. I love its dark brooding nature, those sublime harmonies, and the frenetic pace of the banjo keeping time.

We’ll hear more from Before Darkness Comes A-Callin’ when it’s released on 4 March. The Melbourne duo will support its release with a run of shows from March to June.

4 March 2016 – Basement Discs, Melbourne
5 & 6 March 2016 – Snowy Mountains Country Music Festival, Thredbo
10 March 2016 – Royal Oak Hotel, Launceston (with Ange Boxall)
11 March 2016 – Spring Vale Wines, Cranbrook (with Ange Boxall)
12 March 2016 – Republic Bar & Café, Hobart (with Ange Boxall)
13 March 2016 – The Pizza and Wine Club, Kyneton (with Ange Boxall)
14 March 2016 – House Concert, Ferntree Gully (with Shane Nicholson)
18 March 2016 – Babushka Bar, Ballarat (with Mitch Power)
19 & 20 March 2016 – The Basin Music Festival, The Basin
25 March 2016 – Billyroy’s Blues Bar, Bendigo
27 March 2016 – T’Gallant Winery, Main Ridge
1 April 2016 – Harmonie German Club’s ‘Friday Night Live’, Canberra
2 April 2016 – Django Bar, Marrickville
4 April 2016 – Jane’s, Wollongong
17 April 2016 – Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh (with Bill Chambers)
24 April 2016 – T’Gallant Winery, Main Ridge
29 April & 1 May 2016 – Mount Beauty Music Festival, Mount Beauty
6 May 2016 – The Singing Gallery, McLaren Vale (with Andy & Marta)
8 May 2016 – The Wheatsheaf Hotel, Thebarton (with Andy & Marta)
20 May 2016 – Bendigo Folk Club, Bendigo
17 June 2016 – Berwick & District Folk Club, Berwick

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ocean Alley Back with “Holiday”

We might have just had the Christmas and New Year break, but now we’re in February most of us feel like we’re back to the daily grind, where holidays are too far away. We don’t even get another public holiday until late next month. For shame. Even if you can’t take a real life getaway any time soon, you can take an audio one with Ocean Alley’s cruisy new single “Holiday.”

I was really impressed by this band and the way they combined reggae with psychedelic sounds with the release of their EP In Purple last year. If anything I think this track might be a step above the material on that debut release. It feels a little more focused, although the band hasn’t lost any of their individuality.

“Holiday” is the first single lifted from Ocean Alley’s upcoming debut album Lost Tropics, which is scheduled for an April 2016 release. Before then we’ll see the band playing cool boutique festivals like Party in the Paddock and Mountain Sounds Festival and announcing some New Zealand tour dates.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Figures Rock Out with “Filter”

Melbourne rock act Figures are pulling no punches with their debut single “Filter.” It’s a gutsy track with all the intensity hard rock fans demand from their music.

“Filter” sounds a lot more polished than your average debut single, but the members of Figures actually played in a bunch of other local bands before coming together at the start of 2014. They’ve been honing their sound ever since until deciding they were ready to unleash this monster on to the music scene.

Unfortunately I didn’t get the presser about this one until after the band launched the single, but I’m assured there’ll be more local gigs to follow. They’re also set to return to the United States, where they spent much of 2015, so fans on both sides of the world should soon have opportunities to see Figures play.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Phia Releases First Music Video for “Do You Ever?”

Phia has been releasing music for around five years now, so it’s surprising that this video for her new single “Do You Ever?” is actually her first. It’s a thoroughly charming affair, with enough paint, tinsel, and glitter to appeal to any serious craft addicts.

“Do You Ever?” comes from Phia’s upcoming debut album The Ocean of Everything. She’ll promote the single’s release with the following shows, including a residency at Some Velvet Morning which starts tomorrow night.

3 February 2016 – Some Velvet Morning, Melbourne
10 February 2016 – Some Velvet Morning, Melbourne
17 February 2016 – Some Velvet Morning, Melbourne
20 February 2016 – Carpark Fest 2016, Bendigo
24 February 2016 – Some Velvet Morning, Melbourne
25 February 2016 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
2 March 2016 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
3 March 2016 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
6 March 2016 – Sydney Road Street Party, Brunswick

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Evol Walks Bring Back the Power Ballad with “Without Me”

Gold Coast band Evol Walks are taking me back to the glory days of real rock power ballads with their new single “Without Me.” It’s so refreshing to hear a track like this, with big vocals by the flame-haired Leah Martin-Brown and great big wailing guitars.

“‘Without Me’ isn’t your typical ballad,” Leah explained in the press release. “It’s a farewell song to someone whom you used to care about very much but have now fallen out of love with”.

They haven’t broken the big time yet, but Evol Walks seem destined for greatness. They’ve been spending most of their time in Los Angeles, where they’ve performed at legendary venues like House of Blues and the Viper Room. They also played on the mainstage at Przystanek Woodstock in Poland, which is Europe’s largest music festival.

If you’re in California next month, you can catch Evol Walks at the following shows.

3 February 2016 – The Other Door Bar, Los Angeles
7 February 2016 – The Mint, Los Angeles
27 February 2016 – Amplyfi, Hollywood

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Is Missy Lancaster the Next Taylor Swift?

I love T-Swift more than your average woman my age, but there’s a part of me that misses the wide-eyed guitar-playing, country-singing young thing that she used to be. Thankfully Australia has Missy Lancaster to fill the void.

Missy’s self-titled EP debuted at number nine on the ARIA country chart when it was released earlier this month. She also debuted at number three on the AIR albums chart. When only Courtney Barnett and Sia keep you from the top spots, you know you’re doing something right. Missy features the charming single “That’s What I’m Talking About.”

After completing a successful run of dates at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Missy will show the city slickers how it’s down at an instore tomorrow at St Mary’s Sound in St Mary’s. She’ll perform from 10:30 am before signing copies of her EP for fans.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Luke Daniel Peacock Impresses Ahead of Album Release

Luke Daniel Peacock has already made his mark on the music scene through his work with Brisbane band Halfway and development on the AIR nominated Vic Simms’ tribute The Painted Ladies Play Selections. But with his first solo effort We’ve Come a Long Way, Darling, he may just get the props that he deserves.

“We’ve Come a Long Way, Darling actually came together very quickly,” he explained. “Myself and some good friends (Rohin Power, Jhindu Lawrie, and Greg Cathcart) had a window of free time, so over a few days we got access to a studio, picked ten of my songs, and jammed them out. It was quick, spontaneous, and all in-house,” Luke says.

That spontaneity certainly comes through in the current single “Fruits of Our Labour.” I’m hearing a little Springsteen in its bluesy grittiness. The lyrics are also first class.

We’ve Come a Long Way, Darling gets a CD, digital, and vinyl release on 5 February.