Former Hungry Kids of Hungary frontman Ben Dalton teased us with new music from his latest endeavour Born Joy Dead with last year’s release of the single “Upside Down Inside Out.” Now with the official release of the EP Stones in My Shoe I’ve had the chance to hear a little more.
The single sets up the EP nicely. The music is upbeat and light-hearted, with a grungy fuzziness that roughens up its pop core. Born Joy Dead will showcase their new material at the following launch shows.
8 May 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
16 May 2015 – Little and Oliver, Melbourne
7 June 2015 – Livespark @ Powerhouse, Brisbane (FREE)
19 June 2015 – Mum @ The World Bar, Kings Cross
There’s not a lot of fanfare surrounding the release of Queensland chanteuse Ayla’s new single “Waiting”. Her PR company didn’t organise an online premiere, and there aren’t any launch shows. Instead it’s going to be one of those songs that gets out there because of word of mouth, because it’s just that good.
It’s such a powerful song with a Jezabels meets Florence and the Machine kind of vibe. I also love that those searing lyrics match up to the driving drums. It’s staggering to think that Ayla already sounds so seasoned at just 19 years old.
“Waiting” is lifted from Ayla’s new EP, which will be released later this year.
I think my work is trying to tell me something. I’ve been typing away for hours and putting off breakfast, but after listening to “Eat!,” the debut single from Melbourne eight-piece LAMA I think it might be time to fry up some eggs.
It might be making me hungry, but I think I’d love it just as much with a belly full of food. “Eat!” has such a great positive vibe which demands repeat listens. I love those horns too! It’s not officially released until May 22, but LAMA is getting a jumpstart on promotions with shows in their home state starting this Friday.
The following shows should give music lovers a chance to hear tracks from LAMA’s new album, which is due out later this year.
8 May 2015 – Music Man Megastore, Bendigo
15 May 2015 – The Royal Theatre, Castlemaine
22 May 2015 –24 Moons, Northcote
23 May 2015 – God’s Kitchen, Mornington
11 June 2015 – Farmer’s Place, Anglesea
Why on earth don’t more bands use harmonicas? That’s the big question I’m taking from my multiple listens of “I Will Love You Till I Don’t Love You Anymore,” the folky Australiana track from Melbourne outfit Marianne Digs.
The song’s got such visceral lyrics about love and heartache and a real singalong appeal. You’ll want to bust this out next karaoke night with the few bevvies under your belt.
“I Will Love You Till I Don’t Love You Anymore” is one of five tracks set to form Marianne Digs EP when it launches in July. If the other numbers are half this good, it’s going to be worth a listen.
Brisbane’s Fox & Fowl are doing their best to cure your Mondayitis with their feelgood single “Eliza.”
The track is the result of a collaboration with Stephen Schram, who’s produced music for Paul Kelly and San Cisco. It’s got such a great indie pop feel that demands repeat listens. Who could curse Monday when you’ve got this to listen to? Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado
Brisbane duo Holy Holy have knocked my fluffy winter-ready socks off with their latest single “You Cannot Call for Love Like a Dog.” It’s got much more than just an impressive name on its side. It’s got an epic feel and driving beat that will get under your skin from the first listen.
It’s got a dark undertone though. Listen to the lyrics and you’ll soon remember love’s not all chocolates and roses.
“We try in our lives to do all kinds of things to control it and manage it and bend it to our wills, but sometimes you just wake up one day and it’s gone…and that’s that. Like ice melted,” explained lead vocalist Tim Carroll. “And the point of that is, if you do find yourself in the enviable position of being ‘in love’ and feeling love – fucking enjoy it. Treat it like a good scotch. Breathe it in deep and wash it round your mouth and take in the bath and get drunk.”
Holy Holy are set for big things, after being named on the recent Splendour in the Grass line-up and locking in dates across Europe and the United Kingdom. No doubt the music lovers abroad are going to be just as taken with this Aussie act.
14 May 2015 – The Great Escape, Brighton
17 May 2015 – London Calling Festival, Amsterdam
18 May 2015 – MTC Club, Cologne
19 May 2015 – Cafe Video, Ghent
20 May 2015 – Comet Club, Berlin
22 May 2015 – Dot to Dot Festival, Manchester
23 May 2015 – Liverpool Sound City, Liverpool (DAY SHOW)
23 May 2015 – Dot to Dot Festival, Bristol (NIGHT SHOW)
24 May 2015 – Dot to Dot Festival, Nottingham
26 May 2015 – Old Blue Last, London
29 May 2015 – Primavera Pro, Barcelona
30 May 2015 – Primavera Sound, Barcelona
Never one to shy away from change, Melbourne’s Mojo Juju is experimenting again with the release of her latest album Seeing Red/Feeling Blue.
It sees Mojo playing with longtime friend and producer Ptero Stylus on songs that are a bit more electronic than her earlier efforts, although they’ve still got an accessible pop core. The funky new single “They Come & They Go” is a prime example of the attitude Mojo Juju showcases on her latest release.
Mojo will take the new music to the masses with a national tour kicking off at Sydney’s Vivid festival later this month. Tickets are available now for the following shows.
30 May 2015 – Vivid Live 2015 @ Sydney Opera House, Sydney
5 June 2015 – Solbar, Maroochydore
6 June 2015 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
18 June 2015 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
19 June 2015 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
20 June 2015 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
21 June 2015 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
26 June 2015 – Pirie & Co. Social Club, Adelaide
27 June 2015 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
3 July 2015 – Spirit Bar, Traralgon
4 July 2015 – Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh
8 August 2015 – Darwin Festival, Darwin
Brisbane trio Avaberée have created an incredible soundscape with their new single “Can’t Get You Off My Mind.” Their harmonies are sublime and chemistry superb. The way their angelic voices combine with electronic beats is truly special. No wonder that they’ve just inked a deal with US label Other People Records.
“When my partner at the label, Jesse Barnett, showed me Avaberée, I was instantly moved,” explained Tom Williams of Other People Records. “Gen, Irena and Aimee have such a profound chemistry with each other, and with In Your Arms I Found my Secrets they were able to harness an energy that is so infrequently tapped into. To be this good, this early on in their career, it is truly exciting.”
“Can’t Get You Off My Mind” is our first taste of that forthcoming EP. If this single’s any indication, it’s going to be awesome.
New Northcote Alma Kalorama are bringing back the grungy sounds of garage rock with their new single “Now and Then.”
OK, technically the song was recorded in the lads’ home rather than their garage, but its rough and ready appeal takes me back to those days before every song was overproduced and soulless.
I really dig it, especially since you know that without a lot of technical wizardry Alma Kalorama are going to be able to produce live. They’re playing Adelaide tomorrow night before returning to their home state for shows in the middle of the month.
2 May 2015 – The Metro, Adelaide
15 May 2015 – The Workers Club, Geelong
16 May 2015 – Grace Darling, Melbourne
Melbourne singer-songwriter Shelley Segal speaks for women everywhere that don’t measure up to society’s aesthetic standards with her gorgeous new single “Sidelined.” The track is lifted from her fourth studio album Strange Feeling, which hits stores on May 8. I loved “Morocco,” the last of Shelley’s tracks that crossed my path, and this is every bit as good.
“The song is my understanding of the nature of our aesthetics while questioning whether we can overcome them,” Shelley explained. The clip is the perfect accompaniment, a video which sees Shelley morphing from a bed-heady natural girl to a more immaculately groomed version of herself. “Subscribing to the visual expectations of others can vastly improve our outcomes, but those that don’t fit will often pay a price or be sidelined,” Shelley admits.
Shelley will promote the single and Strange Feeling album at the following shows.
1 May 2015 – Collins Square, Docklands (FREE)
22 May 2015 – Collins Square, Docklands (FREE)
24 May 2015 – The Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh (Doors open 3 pm)
30 May 2015 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
27 June 2015 – Paris Cat, Melbourne
3 July 2015 – Wesley Anne, Northcote
