Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elliott Wheeler Captivates with “Baker Man”

Elliott Wheeler has mesmerised me with his debut single “Baker Man”, the first cut from his debut album The Long Time. The long-player hits stores on August 16, but this beautiful song and accompanying clip should help generate some buzz before the official release.

All I have to say about this song is, give it time. It’s very gentle and understated. It certainly doesn’t smack you in the face. But it builds so beautifully that about three-quarters in I was utterly captivated. That gorgeous music video, featuring the talents of animator Marieka Walsh, doesn’t do it any harm either.

Just like the single, The Long Time is no rush job. It’s been six years in the making, and that attention to detail shows. Elliott worked as composer and engineer on the record which has clearly been a real labour of love.

He’s also the bloke behind the music of Baz Lurhmann’s The Great Gatsby, a project which saw him collaborating with the likes of Jay Z, Jack White, and Lana Del Ray as well as adding his own original contributions. Elliott’s impressive resume also features George Miller’s new Mad Max movie and The Chaser TV series. He was also behind that incredible Ship Song Project for the Sydney Opera House back in 2011. How exciting that the musical talents of such a gifted artist can now come to the fore with this release.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy & Bear Take Us to New Zealand with Awesome New Video

Boy & Bear have outdone themselves with the video for their new single “Under a Southern Sun”. The icy clip was filmed in New Zealand, and it contains so much breathtaking footage that I’m tempted to head across the ditch.

The film clip’s release is a timely reminder that Boy & Bear’s sophomore album Harlequin Dream will hit stores on August 16 ahead of the band’s national tour in October.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Darling Downs Reunite for Album Number Three

It’s been many years coming, but superstar duo The Darling Downs has finally graced us with another album, In the Days When the World was Wide.

Now the name The Darling Downs might not mean very much to you, but you’ll certainly know the names of the talent that makes up this very special double act. Kim Salmon was a key member of Scientists, Beasts of Bourbon, The Surrealists, and heaps more. Ron S. Peno made his name with Died Pretty. They’ve been friends for more than three decades, and have been making music for a decade. However, this is their first album together in six years. For the record, they never broke up. “We just had a break”, Ron says.

In the Days When the World was Wide takes its name from a collection of Henry Lawson’s works that Ron loved as a child. The album is striking in its simplicity, with songs that easily blend folk, bluegrass, and indie rock.

“It’s a songwriting cliché to say ‘the songs come from somewhere else’,” Kim says, “and I normally refute that idea. But I cannot explain why writing with Ron works; it’s mysterious. And because it’s mysterious, it seems quite magical.”

In the Days When the World Was Wide hits record stores today.

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paper City Thief Rock Out with “TV and Liars”

Western Sydney outfit Paper City Thief serve up good honest rock with their new single “TV and Liars” It’s such a powerful number, with a solid melodic core that makes it accessible from the first listen.

Paper City Thief’s come out of the ashes of A Broken Silence, who you might remember doing great things, including collaborating with Tim Freedman and Ozi Batla back in 2008. Following that band’s breakup, Daniel Bartulovich and Nathan Tuffin continued to work on new material. With a swag of new songs under their belt, they approached Andrew Haszard from Self is a Seed to fill the bass guitarist’s shoes. Paul Petrone, the former guitarist of The Initiation, rounds out the quartet.

“TV and Liars” comes from Paper City Thief’s debut album, which is scheduled to hit stores late this year.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sam Buckingham Charms with New Album & Single

Sydney folk songstress Sam Buckingham is back with a brand new album I’m a Bird. It’s a collection of songs about travel, love, and life’s other adventures. The album is the follow-up to her EP Fragile Heart, which debuted at number three on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts.

The album features the single “Follow You”, which might just be one of the sweetest and most romantic tracks I’ve heard in months. There’s nothing grandiose about it, but it’s impossible not to get swept away by Sam’s angelic voice and heartfelt lyrics.

Sam’s been spending time in Nashville and New York City, but she’s back on home soil to launch I’m a Bird with the following intimate shows.

21 July 2013 – The Bird, Northbridge
28 July 2013 – The Workers Club, Fitzroy
1 August 2013 – The Front, Lyneham (Entry by donation at the door)
3 August 2013 – Hibernian House, Surry Hills
7 August 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
10 August 2013 – Royal Exchange Theatre, Newcastle
11 August 2013 – The Powerhouse, Brisbane (FREE)
28 August 2013 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
30 August 2013 – The Wheatsheaf, Thebarton (FREE)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Middle Names Celebrates TV’s Past with New Music Video

Hobart five-piece The Middle Names appeals to our inner couch potatoes with the video for their latest single “Full Friends”. The clip splices together scenes from some of the best TV programs of the past, including The Drew Carey Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Seinfeld. The track’s not bad either!

It comes from The Middle Names forthcoming debut album “I Need Space”, a record which almost didn’t happen. Five days before the band planned to head to Brisbane to record it, a fire ripped through their rehearsal space. All that survived was the band and their guitars. To add insult to injury, the band was stranded on the way to Applewood Lane Studios after their tyre was punctured. You know what they say about bad luck happening in threes though. Their producer Magoo suffered the last blow of bad luck when his house was burgled.

If they were a superstitious lot they might have abandoned the project altogether. But then we wouldn’t have this fun single, the album to come, and the tour which kicks off in their hometown tonight. Here are all the places you can catch The Middle Names over the next month.

20 July 2013 –Waratah Hotel, Hobart (supporting Gold Fields)
1 August 2013 – AFTR DARK @ Curtin Hotel, Melbourne
10 August 2013 – KITTENS @ Spectrum, Sydney
23 August 2013 – The Butter Factory, Burnie
30 August 2013 – The Ironhorse, Launceston
31 August 2013 – The Waratah Hotel, Hobart

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Win Big When You Preorder Jacob Butler’s Debut Album

It’s been an awfully long wait for Aussie fans, but Jacob Butler’s debut album Reason will finally get a local release on August 16. The album from this Australian Idol graduate features the singles “Kites”, “Come My Way”, and “UKOK?”

It pays to preorder, as doing so will put you in the running to win some great prizes including a Sony Bravia 42” LCD TV, one of ten Sony Xperia Go Billabong edition smartphones, and one of ten pairs of Von Zipper sunglasses.

To enter simply forward your iTunes or JBHiFi.com.au receipt, or the docket from your favorite e-tailer, to jbcomp@redrebelmusic.com.au, along with the reason you love Reason in 25 words or less!

Image used with permission from Linda Sarah

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Illy Impresses with “On & On”

Melbourne hip hop act Illy is giving us a tempting taste of his forthcoming album with the irresistible new single “On & On”.

I love this track. How could anyone dislike anything that combines such wisdom and good vibes? It’s got a much greater pop sensibility than most hip-hop tracks, and that makes it accessible from the first spin.

It’s already a firm favorite amongst fans, who launched a Twitter campaign for a digital release ahead of its official release. They won, and saw #onandon and @illyal trending nationwide.

“On & On” comes from Illy’s fourth album, which is scheduled to hit stores in late 2013. Illy will play the following shows to support the single with special guests Tuka, Allday and Elemont.

13 September 2013 – Oh Hello, Brisbane (18+)
14 September 2013 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney (Licensed All Ages)
20 September 2013 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
27 September 2013 – The Gov, Adelaide (Licensed All Ages)
28 September 2013 – The Villa, Perth (18+)
29 September 2013 – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury (18+)

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Andy Szikla Wows with Dark Valley

Creating music videos is something of a dying art these days, so it’s exciting to see an artist like Melbourne’s Andy Szikla arriving on the scene. He hasn’t just treated us to a film clip for a single; he’s created music videos for each and every song from his new album Dark Valley, which hits stores tomorrow.

Above you’ll find the clip for “Blood Brothers”, the album’s opening track and one of my personal favourites. I love a story song. That’s something else we don’t see a lot of people crafting, a true folk ballad. It’s got such an old world feel to it and a darkness to the lyrics that’s not apparent unless you’re really tuning in. You can see all the music videos on this website.

Dark Valley is Andy’s first solo album, but he’s far from a musical newbie. He’s actually been in the business for twenty years with stints in bands like Ides of March, 87 Fat Girls, and Mr Fish. The experience that time in the industry and just living life really shines through this accomplished album. If only every debut could be this good.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sweet Jean Tours Dear Departure

If you loved “Tomorrow Morning” as much as I did, you’ll be happy to hear that Sweet Jean are taking their sweet alt-country sounds on the road. The musical marriage of Sime Nugent and Alice Keath will hit the road next month to celebrate the July 4 release of their album Dear Departure.

Dear Departure’s been described as a collection of songs reflecting on life, longing, mortality, and misadventure. The duo will take those very personal tracks to the following intimate venues around the country.

12 July 2013 – Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh
13 July 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
18 July 2013 – The Newsagency, Marrickville
19 July 2013 – Singing Gallery, McLaren
20 July 2013 – Barossa Regional Gallery, Tanunda
21 July 2013 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Thebarton

Image used with permission from Show Off Services