Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cocoa Jackson Lane Release Your Sunday Soundtrack

I don’t know about you, but I love my Sunday music smooth. “Search of Souls,” the debut album from Sydney-raised, American-based duo Cocoa Jackson Lane definitely fits the bill.

This song just oozes cool, with its angelic vocals and easy groove. It comes from their forthcoming debut EP, which was written on the road and recorded in their Boston apartment. Nothing recorded in an apartment should sound so polished, but the fact that it does is testimony to the talent of this duo. The anime-style video is the perfect accompaniment to this beautiful number.

Do you dig it?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reality Graduates Remake “I Am Australian”

Australia Day might have been and gone, but you can continue feeling patriotic when you check out this star-studded remake of “I Am Australian.”

The song features a host of reality show graduates, including Jessica Mauboy, Samantha Jade, Justice Crew, Dami Im, Taylor Henderson, and Nathaniel. And together they sound pretty fabulous! This recording isn’t the best, but it gives you a taste of what this new crop of Aussie pop talent can do! And is there any backdrop better than Sydney Harbour?

Thanks to Anna Benson for bringing the track to my attention!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Your Groove On with Joel Sarakula

He’s been living in the United Kingdom for the last few days, but Joel Sarakula showed he still calls Australia home when it came time to record his new album The Golden Age. He returned to his hometown of Sydney to record it at Skeet Music, and several local musicians also appear on the songs.

He also used the talents of Aussie artist Wons Phreely for the fabulous video which accompanies “Only One Still Dancing.” Anyone with a weak stomach might want to brace themselves for the conclusion, but for the most part this is an adorable clip with the cutest dancing star you’re likely to see. The song should have you tapping your toes too!

If you like this song make sure you check out The Golden Age, which is in stores now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

I, A Man Announce Garden Party for Single Launch

How you’re feeling this morning will probably depend on how hard you celebrated Australia Day. If you need something to ease you into your public holiday Monday, then I might have found the perfect track for you. Wrap your ears around “In Time,” our second taste of I, A Man’s forthcoming sophomore release. We’ll have to wait until March to hear it in its entirety, but this hypnotic, mellow number, which gets an official release on February 7, should tide you over until then.

If you like what you hear, make sure you see the band launching it in Brunswick’s beautiful Luscombe Street Community Gardens on February 8. It promises to be a very civilised affair with its 5 pm start time. There’s also be a licensed bar and BBQ dinner available, including vego options. Flyying Colours, Sunbeam Sound Machine, and DJ Skinny G will offer support on this special outdoor launch. Tickets are just $8 now from OzTix.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pigeon’s Settle In Ready to Drop

Local electronic wunderkinds Pigeon will release their sophomore EP Settle In tomorrow. The second album from this acclaimed Brisbane band features the singles “Curtain Call” and “Two Moon Love,” which have been both been well received by local radio, fans, and the blogosphere.

The songs give us a taste of the unique electronic cocktail we can expect to sample on the short player. It’s a little European, with nods to Sebastien Tellier and Royskopp, but it’s got that distinctly Australian twist fans love. It’s also completely self-produced, mixed, mastered, and recorded too, so it definitely deserves to be celebrated! You can give them a pat on the back when Pigeon tours the EP around the major capitals next month.

6 February 2014 – The Transit Bar, Canberra
7 February 2014 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
8 February 2014 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
27 February 2014 – Boney, Melbourne
28 February 2014 – Cats @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sydonia Releases “Reality Kicks” Ahead of Album Launch

Melbourne metal act Sydonia have offered us a taste of their long awaited new album with the release of the title track “Reality Kicks.” It’s a suitably epic number which gets us in the mood for the long-player, scheduled to hit stores on February 7.

The band’s rewarding fans for their patience, releasing the physical album as a CD/DVD combo. Digital versions of the album and DVD will also be available via iTunes.

“The album is the culmination of a bunch of years of hard work, sweating the small stuff and always with the loyal fans and friends we have made over the years in mind. This record is something we are intensely proud of,” said Dana Roskvist. “The DVD is our big thank you to our fans – there’s some pretty unique and once-only footage in there and it’s nice to share those unique experiences with everyone now.”

Sydonia will give us time to get acquainted with Reality Kicks before touring the country during May and June.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Solicitors Offer Album Tease with “Help Me Forget”

An Englishman, a Kiwi, an American, and an Aussie sound like the recipe for a good joke, but it’s also the makeup of Melbourne-based new wave act The Solicitors. They wear suits in their press release, but these guys are a lot more fun than your parents’ lawyers. They were formed last year and have already found time to cut a debut EP and sign up with indie label Popboomerang.

Their latest offering is “Help Me Forget,” our first taste of their debut album which should hit stores in May. This energetic number is a bit of a departure from the edgier, punk sounding tracks we’ve heard to date, but I think that makes it much more fun. Just see if you can resist tapping your toes when you listen to this!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dear Plastic Make Trip-Hop Splash with “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”

Lovers of Bjork and Portishead should take a listen to “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” the new single from homegrown trip-hop quintet Dear Plastic. They wear their influences on their sleeve, but this song is more than simply a ’90s throwback. Scarlette Baccini’s vocals are beautifully haunting, and there’s a real sense of theatre about the song that’s so compelling.

“Roses is about bitterness and grudges,” Scarlette explained. “It’s kind of a nasty song, but told from the perspective of the bad guy. Everyone in the musical has died and now it’s his turn to sing.”

There’s beauty in that darkness though, and it’s complemented by a gorgeous music video. Chiral Media made it using organic projections in a fish tank, which explains its ethereal, underwater vibe.

“Everything’s Coming Up Roses” is the first single from Dear Plastic’s debut album The Thieves are Babes, which is scheduled to hit stores early this year.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy & Bear Announce Regional Dates

So many bands focus on the capitals, so it’s refreshing to see Boy & Bear heading out to regional centres for their next tour. After conquering Europe and America, the lads will return home to play regional towns in almost every state and territory in the country.

“This will be the most extensive regional tour the band has done and we are very much looking forward to it,” gushed the band’s singer-songwriter Dave Hosking.  “We love the idea of playing to new people in new and exciting parts of the country.”

The 30-date regional run will celebrate the recent release of “Harlequin Dream,” the title track from their most recent album. I love the clip, which reminds us of the beauty of the Philippines. It was shot in Palawan just two weeks before Typhoon Haiyan hit. YouTube assures us that the people and locations we see in the clips are safe, as they were sheltered by the surrounding mountains, but it does offer links to Unicef, Oxfam, Australian Red Cross, and Save the Children Australia to make it easier to give to the cause.

Boy & Bear will play the following regional shows between April and May.

13 April 2014 – West Coast Blues ‘n’ Roots @ Fremantle Park, Perth
16 April 2014 – Mackay Entertainment Centre, Mackay (ALL AGES)
17 April 2014 – Magnums, Airlie Beach
19 April 2014 – Brothers, Cairns (15+ must be accompanied by adult)
20 April 2014 – The Venue, Townsville
22 April 2014 – Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton (ALL AGES)
23 April 2014 – Harvey Road Tavern, Gladstone
24 April 2014 – Sugarland Tavern, Bundaberg
26 April 2014 – Sunshine Coast Function Centre, Caloundra
27 April 2014 – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba (ALL AGES)
30 April 2014 – Divers Tavern, Broome
2 May 2014 – Discovery, Darwin
8 May 2014 – Black Swan Hotel, Bendigo
9 May 2014 – Regent Cinema, Ballarat (ALL AGES)
10 May 2014 – Deakin’s Costa Hall, Geelong (ALL AGES)
11 May 2014 – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool (ALL AGES)
14 May 2014 – Lismore Workers Club, Lismore
15 May 2014 – C.ex Club, Coffs Harbour
16 May – Panthers, Port Macquarie
17 May – Panthers, Newcastle (ALL AGES)
18 May 2014 – Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
21 May 2014 – The Crow Bar @ CSU, Wagga (STUDENT ONLY EVENT)
22 May 2014 – Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra (ALL AGES)
23 May 2014 – ANU Bar, Canberra
24 May 2014 – Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury (ALL AGES)
25 May 2014 – Eastbank Centre, Shepparton (ALL AGES)
28 May 2014 – West Tamworth Leagues Club, Tamworth
29 May 2014 – Charles Sturt University, Bathurst
30 May 2014 – Orange Ex Services Club, Orange
31 May 2014 – Dubbo Ex Services Club, Dubbo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dirty Jeans Celebrates Aussie Alternative Rock Music

Australia’s rich rock history is celebrated with the release of Dirty Jeans: The Rise of Australian Alternative Rock.

The compilation concentrates on the years between 1988 and 2002, an iconic period which brought us the likes of The Vines, The Living End, Spiderbait, Magic Dirt, Grinspoon, Frenzal Rhomb, You Am I, and heaps more. They’re all represented in this stellar album, which features liner notes Adalita and Au-go-go Records founder Bruce Milne.

If you feel you need a post-Christmas gift, you can find Dirty Jeans: The Rise of Australian Alternative Rock in stores on January 17.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia