Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Astrid & The Asteroids Launch EP with Hometown Show

Brisbanenites, your Sunday entertainment is sorted. Astrid & The Asteroids will launch their self-titled EP at the Kerbside Bar from 6:30 pm, a totally respectable time for an evening out before a workday. Best of all, the event’s completely free!

The band’s second EP showcases their refusal to adhere to genres. Instead they like to dabble in pop, jazz, and soul, as we hear on their latest single “Autopsy.” The likeable number tells the not so likable story of Charles Whitman, a sniper whose undiagnosed brain tumour might have had something to do with his suicidal killing spree.

The EP came about when Astrid & The Asteroids won the 2012 Billy Thorpe Scholarship, and they acknowledge that it might never have come to fruition without that support.

“The financial support it gave us allowed us to focus on putting our heart and soul into our music, without the mind-numbing worry of money,” frontwoman Astrid Jorgenson explained. “For entrusting us with this honour, we are eternally grateful.”

If you’re not in Brisbane, don’t worry. Astrid & The Asteroids promises to announce a string of EP launch shows soon!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Damien Leith Prepares to Launch “Chapter Seven”

Damien Leith won the Australian Idol title in 2006, but his career since has been overshadowed by the year’s runner-up Jessica Mauboy. Damien’s refused to just fade away though. Instead he’s worked consistently, releasing album after album and playing small venues to promote them. On November 1 he’ll release his seventh, appropriately titled Chapter Seven.

Chapter Seven is a collection of gentle acoustic pop and folk numbers that are clearly close to Damien’s heart. He wrote every one of the 12 tracks, including lead single “Without a Fight,” and recorded most of them in the Sydney studio he built with his own two hands. Damien also produced the album which is his first release as an independent artist.

“In the album I cover a lot of different themes, love, loss and everything in between. But I’ve tried to approach them from a positive outlook,” Damien explained. “It’s true to the style people know me for.”

Damien will introduce audiences around the country to his new songs, and reacquaint them with old favourites, at the following shows.

31 October 2013 – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
1 November 2013 – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
2 November 2013 – The BLVD Tavern, Perth
3 November 2013 – Mandurah Bowling and Recreation Club, Mandurah
7 November 2013 – The Sound Lounge, Gold Coast
8 November 2013 – Mon Komo Hotel, Brisbane
9 November 2013 – Broncos Leagues Club, Brisbane
10 November 2013 – Victoria Point Sharks Club, Brisbane
13 November 2013 – Roth’s Wine Bar, Mudgee
14 November 2013 – Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
15 November 2013 – The Brass Monkey, Sydney
16 November 2013 – The Heritage Hotel, Wollongong
22 November 2013 – Launceston Country Club, Launceston
23 November 2013 – Wrest Point Showroom, Hobart
29 November 2013 – The Abbey, Canberra
30 November 2013 –  Velvet Room @ Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne
6 December 2013 – Dural Country Club, Dural
7 December 2013 – Studio @ Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra
8 December 2013 – Speers Point Carols @ Speers Point Park, Newcastle
12 December 2013 – Bean Bar and Café, Taree
13 December 2013 – Pier One @ Panthers, Port Macquarie
14 December 2013 – The Basement, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Convaire Get Toes Tapping with “Talk in Technicolour”

My days of clubbing are far behind me, but if I were heading out tonight to celebrate the arrival of the weekend I’d want the DJ to spin something like Convaire’s new single “Talk in Technicolour.”

The Sydney four-piece has built on the sound they showcased on their 2011 debut. The synthesizers are still front and centre, but they’re much slicker this time around. “Talk in Technicolour” takes all the fun of disco and brings it into the 21st century.

More of this please!

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Kill Devil Hills Celebrate Live Album with Capital City Shows

After a decade sweating it out in the country’s pubs and clubs, Perth act The Kill Devil Hills are set to release their first live album Past and Future Ghosts. The disc was recorded on a steamy March night at a Fremantle arts centre that once served as an asylum.

Past and Future Ghosts features tracks from The Kill Devil Hills’ three studio albums and two previously unreleased songs. This live version of “Words from Robin to Batman,” an emotional number originally featured on Man, You Should Explode, gives you a taste of what to expect from the album.

Those hard-working lads from the Kill Devil Hills are about the hit the studio again to record another album, but it wouldn’t be right if they didn’t play some shows to launch Past and Future Ghosts, which will be available on CD at the gigs as well as digitally via Bandcamp.

6 November 2013 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
7 November 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
8 November 2013 – The Factory Floor, Sydney
9 November 2013 – The John Curtin Hotel, Melbourne
10 November 2013 – The Republic Bar, Hobart

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordie Lane Releases Video Ahead of Aussie Tour

Jordie Lane kicks off his national homecoming tour tomorrow! To celebrate Jordie’s return to our shores, and the recent release of his EP Not Built to Last, Jordie’s released the video for his killer new single “Here She Comes.” The clip gets us up close and personal with this incredible alt-country talent. If you dig it, make sure you get to one of the following shows.

25 & 26 October 2013 – Fleurieu Folk Festival, Willunga
27 October 2013 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle (afternoon show)
27 October 2013 – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
31 October 2013 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
1 November 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane (early evening show)
2 November 2013 – Red Hot Music, Devonport
3 November 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart (afternoon show)
7 November 2013 – Beav’s Bar, Geelong
8 November 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
9 November 2013 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne (with full band)
10 November 2013 – Caravan Club, Oakleigh (afternoon show)
13 November 2013 – Street Theatre, Canberra
14 November 2013 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
15 November 2013 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
16 November 2013 – The Basement, Sydney (with full band)
17 November 2013 – Grand Junction, Maitland
18 November 2013 – Music Lounge, Manly
20 November 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
21 November 2013 – Lizotte’s, New Lambton
22 November 2013 – Mullumbimby Music Festival, Mullumbimby

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Audego Get it Right with “Fight”

I must admit, I wasn’t really feeling Audego when they released their last single “Sleepy”, but with their follow-up “Fight” they’ve really turned my head.

I think the difference here is the strong emotional core. More than just an intriguing electronic number, it’s a powerful snapshot of a marriage gone wrong. Producer Paso Bionic plays the role of an abusive husband while vocalist Big Fella takes on the part of his victimised trophy wife. The surrealistic clip, created by the talented team at Round 3 Creative, charts the deterioration of the toxic union. The song comes from Audego’s sophomore album Beneath the Static and the Low.

Audego will launch the album with a show at Sydney’s FBi Social on October 26 and another at The Hideaway in Brisbane on November 9.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Siren Tower Tour “King River” Single

Rootsy Perth rockers The Siren Tower are hitting the road this week to support the recent release of their epic new single “King River.”

Isn’t it refreshing to hear an Australian song sung with a truly Australian voice? That accent and those rough edges give it a real honesty that’s so compelling. The Siren Tower’s frontman Grant McCulloch says the song “is about returning to familiar places to seek refuge. It’s about discovering that these places, these ports, they weary with time just as we do. They offer respite, but often their power lies in association with a memory, and sooner or later the world comes knocking.”

“King River” comes from the band’s 2012 album A History of Houses, but it still sounds fresh as a daisy. It comes with a gorgeous film clip directed by Tim Brade and pieced together by the band’s multitalented lead singer.

The Siren Tower will promote the single release, and remind us why we fell in love with them in the first place, at the following shows.

24 October 2013 – The Republic Bar, Hobart
25 October 2013 – The Espy Front Bar, Melbourne (FREE)
31 October 2013 – The Great Northern, Newcastle
1 November 2013 – The Beresford, Sydney (FREE)
2 November 2013 – Tempo, Brisbane (FREE)
9 November 2013 – Amplifier Bar, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Beautiful Fools Tour Beautiful Single

Matt Harris, Shawn Whittaker, and Leigh Wilson might call themselves the Beautiful Fools, but there’s nothing silly about the music they make.

The strength of their early demos enticed American producer Matt Malpass, who previously worked with Train, to help them record and produce their debut self-titled EP. This recording features the lush single “Small Town,” which speaks so eloquently of wanting to escape from a frustrating situation.

“It could be a job, a relationship or for me it was the small town I lived in with no way of fulfilling what I wanted to do,” explained songwriter and frontman Matt Harris. “You know it can be done and you will get there and if you stay where you are your dreams will fade and you will end up someone you didn’t want to be.”

Beautiful Fools will launch “Small Town” this week at the following shows.

23 October 2013 – World’s End Hotel, Adelaide
24 October 2013 – Bull & Bush, Baulkham Hills
25 October 2013 – Music Makers Club @ Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney

Image used with permission from The A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Bamboos Announce “Fever in the Road” Shows

With their sixth album Fever in the Road scheduled to hit stores on November 8, The Bamboos just couldn’t wait to start planning the launch tour. Australia’s premier funk outfit will start playing shows to promote it just a couple of weeks after the release.

Fever in the Road saw The Bamboos’ reuniting with ARIA-nominated producer John Castle (Washington, Josh Pyke, Kate Miller-Heidke) and exploring lush new sounds. The Bamboos have such a stellar live reputation that the tracks are sure to sound even better on the stage.

The Bamboos promise to treat fans to new tunes as well as choice cuts from their entire back catalogue at the following shows.


29 November 2013 – The HiFi, Brisbane
30 November 2013 – The Factory, Sydney
5 December 2013 – Capitol, Perth
6 December 2013 – The Gov, Adelaide
7 December 2013 – The Forum, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Niche Productions

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan Webb Wows with October Track

After the stress of moving house it’s so nice to sit down at my computer and chill out to some tunes. Of course the moving stress has now been replaced with where’s my spatula/nailpolish remover/bath towels kind of stress, but music has a way of dissolving that too.

My latest tune of choice is the latest offering from Dan Webb’s 12 Songs, 12 Months initiative. “Coming Up Roses” has a Beatlesque vibe that’s dreamy enough to calm my current mood. The project might be coming to a close in a couple of months, but don’t think we’ve heard the last of Dan. He raised enough money through his recent Pozible campaign to release his debut album next year. He should release it through his own record label Misdemeanor Records around May 2014.