Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Midnight Juggernauts Release Catty Clip

I can’t say I’ve ever really gotten Midnight Juggernauts. Maybe I never will. But I’ve come close watching the video for their new single “Systematic.” I actually don’t mind the song, and the clip is a stroke of genius. It really does prove that everything online is better with cats!

“They had an idea to throw dozens of cats around and we were curious to see how they could do that without offending animal cruelty groups,” explained Vincent Vendetta. “My initial reaction to the video was to laugh throughout—and obviously no animals were harmed.”

“Systematic” comes from the EP of the same name, which is in stores now. Midnight Juggernauts will promote it as the headliners at Siberia Presents: A New Year’s Eve Party at Melbourne’s Prince of Wales on December 31.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Meet The Night

In the tradition of hot indie acts like Arcade Fire and Bright Eyes comes The Night, a Sydney band that makes music that’s epic and really interesting.

The act began as one songwriter’s attempt to pen tunes that “would bridge the gap between good music and good storytelling, by allowing one to complement the other.” The band formed in mid-2011, and they’ve been working slowly and steadily on music that’s worth hearing. “Like This” is out first taste of The Night’s EP I Am and Say, which is scheduled for a December 23 release.

This soaring single proves The Night are a band with a lot of potential.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Thom Lion Impresses with “Folk Divorce”

I was a bit slow to get around to checking out the video for Thom Lion’s new song “Folk Divorce”, but I figure sometimes it’s a case of better late than never. Happily this is one of those times.

This ticks all the boxes for me. The music is stellar. I find Thom’s voice so compelling, a little rough around the edges and oozing honest emotion. The music’s organic and perfect in its simplicity. And then we’ve got this clip which is colourful, quirky, and so much fun.

Adelaide’s Thom Lion’s definitely one to watch.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Thyrsday Peels Back the Layers with “Skin”

Thyrsday don’t officially release their debut single “Skin” until Monday, but since their band name is so similar to today’s, and since it’s just so good, I couldn’t resist getting in early.

This is beautiful stuff, with standout vocals and hard-hitting, honest lyrics. I wasn’t surprised to hear the song was written in just minutes after an emotional confrontation. It feels like a real outpouring, although it’s a lot more poetic than most of us could muster under the circumstances!

“In many ways, writing Skin was a breakthrough for me,” explained the songwriter and Thyrsday’s lead vocalist Nikki Malvar. “It was a cathartic experience and it just wrote itself. I think there’s beauty in remaining cryptic about the actual story behind it, but I’ll say as much that I think the sentiment of disappointment and redemption is relatable to a lot of people.”

I certainly connected. How about you?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Sinking Teeth Rock Out with “Temporary Living”

Sometimes you fall for a song despite all logic. I know the vocals of “Temporary Living” are a bit rough to say the least, but there’s something about this track by The Sinking Teeth that makes me smile.

It’s got a great energy about it. It’s incredibly catchy. There’s something perfect about its imperfections. It comes from the Victorian band’s debut EP White Water, which they’ll launch on December 6 at Ding Dong Lounge.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Sunnyboys Release Best Of, and Announce Album Tour

The Sunnyboys are celebrating the songs that made them famous with a greatest hits album, dubbed Our Best Of, and the announcement of their first shows since 1991.

The greatest hits album features 16 of the Sunnyboys most iconic tracks, all remastered and handpicked by the band. There are the hit singles like “Alone With You” of course, but also some fan favourites and previously unreleased material. Our Best Of will be released on CD and digitally on December 6. I might be biased, but I’d opt for the CD which includes a 14-page booklet charting the band’s history and the meanings behind their songs.

The Sunnyboys will recruit fellow 80s icons including The Stems, The Frowning Clouds, and ex-Died Pretty frontman Ron S. Peno for the following reunion shows. Tickets are on sale now.

14 & 15 March 2014 – The Northern, Byron Bay
21 March 2014 – The Forum, Melbourne
23 March 2014 – The Gov, Adelaide
28 March 2014 – Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane
29 March 2014 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Image credit: Lucinda Bilson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hayden Calnin Wins Me Over with “Coward”


I normally get a sense of whether I’ll like a song or not from the first 10 seconds or so. I promise myself that I’ll listen to a whole track before I decide whether to write about it or not, but it’s not often that I change my mind. However, Hayden Calnin managed to do just that with his new single “Coward.”

It started off a very minimalist electronic number which frankly bored me a bit. But it’s a slow burner that rewards any listener that sticks with it. It builds beautifully. It’s so clever the way Hayden’s melded electronic and folk influences. It’s got such a raw emotional core that I couldn’t help but be won over.

“Coward” is our first taste of Hayden’s forthcoming sophomore EP. He’ll launch it with a pair of shows in the major capitals. See him play The Workers Club in Melbourne on December 6 or FBi Social in Sydney on December 13.

Image used with permission from Create Control

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jimi Beavis Unleashes “Gentleman Giant”

Brisbane bluesman Jimi Beavis takes the road less travelled with the quirky new album Gentleman Giant.

The lead single “You’re Much too Young for Me” gives us a taste of what we can expect from this unusual artist. The track has a gorgeous old-timey blues feel, but it’s imbued with a thoroughly modern sense of humour. Jimi says the track came about when he returned to university as a mature age student and found himself surrounded by so many much younger, incredibly attractive women.

Jimi says Gentleman Giant has been in the makings since he was a teen listening to the music of Bob Dylan and his contemporaries, and later the music that inspired their sound. Through this period of keen musical discovery he amassed an insane knowledge of roots music as well as some serious harmonica skills. It comes on the back of Jimi’s two EPs, which gave him the studio experience he needed to tackle this ambitious long-player.

To celebrate Gentleman Giant’s release, Jimi will play a trio of launch shows in the East Coast capitals later this month.

Jimi Beavis will release Gentleman Giant independently on November 29. It’ll be available online from Jimi’s Bandcamp site, at selected Brisbane music stores, and at the following shows.

28 November 2013 – The Public Bar, Melbourne
1 December 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
8 December 2013 – Coogee Diggers, Sydney

Image used with permission from Pricewar Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Homes Helps Us Usher in the Weekend

The weekend is nearly upon us. Woohoo! What better way to celebrate than with a sneaky peek at Homes’ charming new single “Best Disguise.” Homes is the brainchild of longterm musical collaborators Fin Bradley and Henry Badgery. Their latest project celebrates their mutual love of disco, soul, and good old fashioned rock and roll.

“Best Disguise” is their latest incarnation’s first release, and it’s so damned catchy. Its bold brassy horns and punchy riffs move it along nicely. The much maligned kazoo even makes an appearance. Just see if you’re not “woohooing” along with the twosome by the track’s end.

“Best Disguise” is officially released on November 25.