Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sleep Decade Back with “Mexico”

With their debut album Into Spinning Lights now in stores, we can see the dreamy romanticism Sleep Decade showcased on their debut single “Bicycle” was no flash in the pan.

There’s that same gentle vibe and poetic lyrics in the current single “Mexico.” Some music lovers might demand more light and shade, but I was so impressed with the first offering that I don’t mind the consistency. Perhaps we should just say this Melbourne band knows itself and its creative vision!

Needless to say, I can’t wait to wrap my ears around the rest of Into Spinning Lights. I’m also a bit jealous that Melbourne gets an afternoon launch show at the Northcote Social Club on November 18. Hopefully we see them playing around the rest of the country soon!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Soul of Melbourne Celebrates Victoria’s Soul Scene

If you prefer more soulful tunes than the fist-pumping rock Australia is famous for, then The Soul of Melbourne compilation is for you. The passion project of Chris Gill (Northside Records) and Lance Ferguson (The Bamboos) brings together the best soul, funk, R ’n’ B, and jazz acts working in the Victorian capital.

This kind of music is still pretty underground, but this compilation featuring The Bamboos, Chet Faker, Electric Empire, and Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes should help give it the attention it deserves.

Look for The Soul of Melbourne in stores tomorrow, November 9.

Image used with permission from Fuse Group Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hear Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides Single First!

Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides blew me away with their EP The Cat & The Fiddle. When I reviewed it way back in May, I remarked that I couldn’t wait to hear what comes next from the band.

Happily they’ve listened and offered me a sneak peek of their debut album Graceful Mistake. The single “The Sword” doesn’t hit iTunes until November 16, but you can hear it first here!

Needless to say, I’m just as in love with “The Sword” and the B-side “Cavalry Train” as I was with the EP tunes. Despite just recording their first album, Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides is a band that seems really comfortable in its sound. I’m definitely digging this. How about you?

Image used with permission from Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eagle and the Worm Go Retro

Melbourne’s Eagle and The Worm have released a killer new clip to promote their latest single “Give Me Time,” the first lifted from their brand new EP Strangelove.

I’ve got to admit, the song feels a little bland in comparison to the brassy party tunes we heard on their debut album GoodTimes. However the video is so strong that it makes up for the fairly mediocre tune.

The clip was filmed on location at Melbourne’s Caribbean Rollerama. It stars former Neighbours actor Matthew Werkmeister as a roller-skating sex symbol, although he’s not doing all the fancy footwork. That’s the genius of Jayson Sutcliffe, 2004 artistic inline world champion. It seems he’s kept his skills up!

What do you think of the clip?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alex & The Missing Pieces Announce EP Launches

Acclaimed roots singer Alexis Nicole and her outfit Alexis & The Missing Pieces will launch their new EP Paper Cut Outs later this month.

The Melbourne native travelled to Brisbane to record the EP with Yanto Browning of Kate Miller Heidke and The Medics fame. Members of The Gin Club, The Wilson Pickers, and Good Oak also lent their talents to the project. You can see Alexis talking about the EP in this video.

Given Alexis has two adopted hometowns, it’s only fitting that Alexis & The Missing Pieces will launch Paper Cut Outs in both Brisbane and Melbourne. See them play the Black Bear Lodge on November 21 and The Toff in Town on November 28.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New The Mark of Cain Album in Stores Tomorrow

Way back in July I teased fans that after a decade long wait, they’d soon have a new The Mark of Cain album in their hands. Well rest assured folks, that patience will be rewarded tomorrow when Songs of the Third and Fifth hits stores.

This album has been a long time in the making. The band members commenced work on it way back in 2006, and have taken their time to craft something truly special. With drummer John Stanier now based in America it was never going to be a quick process, but that’s allowed the band to ruminate on their new material and make sure it’s top notch. The Scott brothers stole time with their band made when John’s acts Battles and Tomahawk were in town, and eventually it came all came together. With a track featuring a spoken word section from Henry Rollins no less!

The Mark of Cain will let fans sit with the new material for a few months before embarking on a national tour next year.

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

It’s Not Over for Panama

The title track’s been floating around the internet for some time, but tomorrow Sydney band Panama will finally release their brand new EP It’s Not Over.

The band flew to Los Angeles to record the EP with acclaimed producer Eric Broucek. The result is a disc which puts a modern spin on ’80s traditions. The single is a fitting introduction to the disc which is as nostalgic as it is innovative.

Look for It’s Not Over in good record stores tomorrow.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pigeon Share Fortunes

With their debut EP Fortunes proudly sitting on music store shelves, Pigeon are gearing up for a launch tour.

The EP’s just days old, but it should do well if the success of the latest single “All That Bad” is any indication. Triple J has embraced the track, sending it to number two on debut on their Unearthed charts and ensuring the song gets a film clip thanks to NIDA. With a killer sax line, what’s not to love?

Pigeon have barely been off the road this year, but they’re determined that fatigue won’t set in. They’ll play the following shows next month to celebrate Fortune’s release.

22 November 2012 – Port Macquarie Hotel, Port Macquarie
23 November 2012 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
24 November 2012 – Barcode, Wollongong
29 November 2012 – Alpha Beta @ Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
30 November 2012 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
1 December 2012 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
13 December 2012 – Rocket Bar, Adelaide
14 December 2012 – Can’t Say @ Platform One, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lisa Miller Goes Back Into the Vault for “Meet the Misses”

When Lisa Miller struggled to obtain the rights for her long-unavailable first albums, Quiet Girl with a Credit Card and As Far As a Life Goes, she took matters into her own hands. The result is Meet the Misses, a new album which sees Lisa’s rerecording some of the best cuts from those early releases.

This isn’t an attempt to recreate the magic of the ’90s, but rather an opportunity to look at these songs in a new way. It’s almost like her Car Tape covers album mark two, except this time the songs being “covered” are ones Lisa originally created.

Lisa said she hesitated to make the album, as she was sure no one else would understand why she needed to rerecord those early songs. But in the end, she had to follow her heart.

“These songs represent an important chunk of my creative life, and I felt there was always going to be this blip or empty spot. I got tired of being angry and wanting to explain this frustration, this old nagging elephant in the corner. So instead I had a good look at these songs, played around with them and kept the ones that still felt real or right or just worked,” she explained. “And when the recording was finished, I realised that the old elephant had left the building, and I wasn’t angry anymore. This is a recording that I had to make. It’s not meant to change anyone else’s life but mine.”

Lisa will reintroduce music lovers to her early material when Meet the Misses hits stores on November 9, not so coincidentally the day she commences the Meet the Misses tour.

9 November 2012 – Basement Discs, Melbourne
30 November 2012 – Camelot Lounge, Sydney
1 December 2012 – Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
7 December 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
8 December 2012 – Flying Saucer Club, Melbourne
14 December 2012 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Thrillhill Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

After the Fall’s Bittersweet Return

The Central Coast’s After the Fall are on the comeback trail with a brand new album Bittersweet.

It’s been three long years since the band delivered [In Exile]. Since then the pop-rockers have injected some new blood in drummer Adrian and honed their songwriting skills. They recorded the bulk of their new record in the houses guitarist Mark Warner was housesitting, taking their time and enjoying the free electricity! If the title track is any indication, this album’s been worth the wait for the band’s dedicated fanbase.

Bittersweet will hit stores on November 23. After the Fall will no doubt relish the chance to play for fans again at the following launch shows.

29 November 2012 – The Wall @ The Bald Faced Stag, Sydney
1 December 2012 – The Great Northern, Newcastle
7 December 2012 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
8 December 2012 – Uni Bar, Adelaide