Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Daniel Lee Kendall Weaves a Spell

Don’t be alarmed by the title of Daniel Lee Kendall’s debut album Daniel Lee Kendall is Dead. The Central Coast singer-songwriter is very much alive and making me fall in love with his music all over again.

“Under a Spell” is the first single lifted from the album, a romantic number which is a bit more layered and atmospheric than his previous releases. Perhaps it’s a result of Daniel changing up his approach to songwriting. He normally writes with his message in mind, but this time it was all about creating lyrics to suit a melody he couldn’t shake. The single shows real growth, although it’s not so dramatically different that it risks alienating fans.

Daniel Lee Kendall is Dead hits stores on September 12.

Image used with permission from Create/Control

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kingswood Ready New Album

Melbourne indie-rock gods Kingswood are preparing to unleash a brand new album on the masses. Microscopic Wars will hit stores on August 22.

The latest cut to whet our appetites is “I Can Feel That You Don’t Love Me,” a bluesy ballad that drips Southern cool. Perhaps that’s fitting as Kingswood recorded it at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. It also sees guitarist Alex Laska stepping up to the microphone for the first time.

Kingswood will celebrate the release of Microscopic Wars with shows just about everywhere.

20 August 2014 – Pirie & Co Social Club, Adelaide
21 August 2014 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
22 August 2014 – The Capital, Perth
23 August 2014 – North West Festival, Port Hedland
26 August 2014 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
29 August 2014 – Howler, Melbourne
3 September 2014 – Kooroora Hotel, Mt Buller
4 September 2014 – Swindlers Bar, Mt Hotham
5 September 2014 – The Union Club Hotel, Wagga Wagga
6 September 2014 – The Armidale Club, Armidale
12 September 2014 – Ric’s Big Backyard @ Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
13 September 2014 – Originals Music Festival, Noosa
17 September 2014 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
18 September 2014 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
19 September 2014 – Waves, Wollongong
20 September 2014 – Collector Hotel, Parramatta
25 September 2014 – ANU Bar, Canberra
26 September 2014 – Area Hotel, Griffith
17 October 2014 – The Karova Lounge, Ballarat
18 October 2014 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
23 October 2014 – The Loft, Warrnambool
24 October 2014 – Unibar, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Dew Process

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey Chambers Does Things Differently with Bittersweet

Kasey Chambers is doing things a little differently on her tenth album. Bittersweet is her first solo record in four years, and the first she’ll create without her long-time producer and manager, brother Nash Chambers, at the helm. Instead she worked with Nick DiDia, the man behind Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, and Powderfinger albums, at Studio 301 in Byron Bay.

“I wanted to have an experience making a record that I had never had before. I wanted to challenge myself and I wanted to be excited,” she explained.

If the first single “Wheelbarrow” is any indication, the gamble’s paid off. It’s so raw and ballsy. However, an album with the talent Kasey’s assembled couldn’t possibly sound bar. Her studio band features Powderfinger’s Bernard Fanning on acoustic guitar, Ashleigh Dallas on banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and backing vocals, and Dan Kelly on electric and acoustic guitars and backing vocals, to name just a few.

Bittersweet will hit stores on August 29. Kasey will play the following shows to celebrate its release.

30 August 2014 – Gympie Music Muster, Gympie
2 September 2014 – Lefties Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane
3 September 2014 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
4 September 2014 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Apes Cheer Me Up with “Pull the Trigger”

Like so many Aussies, I’m waging war with winter and the constant colds it brings. This weather is kicking me hard, and it feels like I no sooner get over one than another’s rearing its head. Thankfully there’s music to try to alleviate the funk. My ears are the only things that seem to be working right now, so if my stuffed up head and bleary eyes turn this post into gibberish I hope you understand.

Melbourne rockers Apes have released just the kind of thing I need to hear right now. “Pull the Trigger” upbeat and instantly accessible. You don’t have to work at all to get into it; it does all the heavy lifting. Songs like this are deceptively simple, but really, really clever.

Apes will spread their good vibes with two launch shows this week. See them at Sydney’s Brighton Up Bar on August 8 or Melbourne’s The Grace Darling on August 9.

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Owen Rabbit Turns Trash Into Treasure

I don’t know what Owen Rabbit’s dreamy, soulful single “Police Car” has to do with sirens and crims, but I like it. It’s so beautiful that I was shocked to hear that this electronic artist from Melbourne’s northern suburbs actually loves playing with rubbish. He uses old bottles, boxes, and anything he can make a sound from and pairs these organic tones with more traditional instruments. It’s just so clever.

It’ll be interesting to see whether Owen’s raiding the bins outside these venues for inspiration before the following single launch shows.

8 August 2014 – The Wesley Anne, Melbourne
9 August 2014 – Oxford Art Factory (Gallery Bar), Sydney
14 August 2014 – The Treehouse, Byron Bay
15 August 2014 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
16 August 2014 – The Lass, Newcastle
21 August 2014 – The Bird, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Griswolds Provide Your Saturday Soundtrack

I’m not sure whether it’s the unseasonally sunny weather outside, or The Griswolds’ new single “Beware the Dog,” but I’m feeling pretty good as I type this. The track is the ideal Saturday soundtrack, an upbeat slice of indie pop perfection.

It sounds so cheerful, but the song’s actually about the way the band members lost a good friend to heavy drug use. Make sure you listen to the lyrics to really appreciate the delicate balance of light and shade here.

“Beware the Dog” is our first taste of The Griswolds’ debut album Be Impressive, which gets a global release on August 22.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sheppard’s Bombs Away in Stores

Today is the day Sheppard fans have been waiting for. The band’s long-awaited debut album Bombs Away is in stores now. It features the number one smash single “Geronimo,” “Let Me Down Easy,” and the band’s newest cut “Something’s Missing.”

To celebrate the release, the Brisbane band will play a series of all-ages album launch shows in the East Coast capitals later this month.

“This year has been such a whirlwind and it was important to us that we take the time to get out there on the road and celebrate our album with the fans,” explained George Sheppard. “The release of a first album is an important milestone for any band and we’re just so happy that we can celebrate it with the people who have made it all happen for us.”

Sheppard should be in fine form after supporting Keith Urban around the country last month. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

25 July 2014 – Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane
26 July 2014 – Big Top Luna Park, Sydney
1 August 2014 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (Two shows: 4:30 pm under 18s; 8:30 pm over 18s)

Image used with permission from SCG Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Williamson Readies Album Number 50

Can you believe John Williamson is preparing to release his 50th album? Believe it or not, Honest People will hit stores on July 25, and it shouldn’t disappoint his legion of fans.

It’s a collection of tales inspired by John’s hometown of Quambatook, a tight-knit community full of “honest people.” The album recalls the innocence and spirit of small towns while lamenting the loss of community that comes with progress in many regional areas. Hear John talking about it in this album teaser video.

John fans are in for a big week at the end of the month. His biography Hey True Blue will hit shelves on July 23, two days before the release of Honest People on July 25.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hear Exciting New Indigenous Music on Song Nation Vol 1

In case you missed it, it’s NAIDOC week, a week which celebrates the culture, history, and achievements of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. So it’s only fitting that Friday sees the release of a new Indigenous hip hop compilation dubbed Song Nation Vol 1.

The album was created by Desert Pea Media, who helped oversee the creation of these songs through their unique dialogue-driven songwriting workshops held in remote communities around the country. Through the development of great music, Desert Pea Media aims to be a catalyst for change.

The songs on Song Nation Vol 1 were recorded by the exciting groups Desert Pea Media’ unearthed. They include the Cairns Murri Crew, the band behind the album’s lead single “Built to Last.” The group features students from Cairns High School, who wrote the song is collaboration with Desert Pea Media facilitators.

Support Desert Pea Media’s vital work and do your ears a favour when Song Nation Vol 1 hits stores on Friday July 11.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dance to Ella Hooper’s “The Red Shoes”

Ella Hooper doesn’t seem to be letting the news of her rebooted Spicks & Specks’ axing get her down. She’s just released one of her most upbeat songs in recent years, “The Red Shoes.” The melodic song has a darker edge with its fairytale inspired themes of obsession and possession.

“You can sometimes lose yourself in the pursuit of chasing a dream or ideal or person, becoming psychically bound to desire and perhaps risk being destroyed by it.” Ella explained. “But there’s also a weird alluring freedom in going 110% at something, knowing that you’ve probably lost perspective and control and just not caring. Dancing til your feet bleed, for example! When you’re lost in the moment, nothing else matters.”

To celebrate the release, Ella will play two intimate launch shows. Head to Newtown Social Club in Sydney on July 17 or Shebeen in Melbourne on July 18 to hear “The Red Shoes” and songs from Ella’s forthcoming album In Tongues.