Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Claude Hay Announces Massive Album Tour

He’s currently playing shows in the United Kingdom, but these are just a warm-up for local bluesman Claude Hay. Before long he’ll be back on home soil and playing gigs to support the release of album number three, I Love Hate You.

The album pays tribute to Claude’s influences, with parts recorded at the legendary Sun Studios and Claude’s own self-built Vader Studios in the Blue Mountains (so named because a massive back-lit Dark Vader oversees production). Claude’s a regular traveller, so it’s only fitting that many of the album’s songs were inspired by his experiences on the road.

“I do over one hundred thousand km per year for about 11 months of the year, a lot of it in a tour van I’ve personally customized to be my home away from home, so you get to see a lot of things,” Claude explained. “The last 12 months has seen me cover France, US, and so much of Oz, I never found I had not much to write about.There was always something somewhere that I loved or hated.”

The disc sees Claude experimenting with his traditional blues roots and exploring his passion for rock and funk. The signature slide guitar and four-on-the-floor rhythms should ensure it doesn’t alienate longtime fans too much though. It’s a concept album too, about the things Claude loves, hates, and hates to love. The concept album is rarely attempted these days, but it always makes an impression. Consider me intrigued!

I Love Hate You hit record stores across Australia today. You can see Claude and his pimped out tour bus at the following shows.

28 September 2012 – The Velvet Lounge, Mt Lawley
29 September 2012 – The Fly By Night, Flytrap, Fremantle
1 October 2012 – The Perth Concert Hall, Perth (supporting Joe Bonamassa)
5 October 2012 – The State Theatre, Sydney (supporting Joe Bonamassa)
6 October 2012 – The Northern Star, Newcastle
12-13 October 2012 – The Mission Evolve Festival, Mission Beach
19 October 2012 – Solbar, Maroochydore
20 October 2012 – The Byron Bay Brewery, Byron Bay (FREE @ 4 – 6 pm)
20 October 2012 – The Australian Hotel, Ballina (FREE @ 7:30 pm)
21 October 2012 – The Joynt, Brisbane
26-28 October 2012 – The Sydney Blues & Roots Festival, Windsor
27 October 2012 – Food ‘n’ Groove Festival, Bexley Park, Bexley
28 October 2012 – The Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland (FREE)
2 November 2012 – Baha Tacos, Rye
3 November 2012 – The Blues Train, Queenscliff
4 November 2012 – The Workers Club, Fitzroy
9 November 2012 – The Albion Hotel, Albury
10 November 2012 – The Bendigo Blues Fest, Bendigo
11 November 2012 – The Glenelg Surf Club, Glenelg (FREE)
15 November 2012 – The Heritage, Bulli
16 November 2012 – The Front, Canberra
17 November 2012 – Club Sapphire, Merimbula (FREE)
22 November 2012 – The Peachtree Hotel, Penrith (FREE)
23 November 2012 – The Oxford Arts Factory Gallery, Darlinghurst
24 November 2012 – The Katoomba RSL, Katoomba
29 November 2012 – The Odyssey Tavern and Brewery, Geelong
30 November 2012 – Harvester Moon, Bellarine
1 December 2012 – The Bluestrain, Queenscliff
2 December 2012 – The Westernport Hotel, San Remo (FREE)
6 December 2012 – The Port Macquarie Hotel, Port Macquarie (FREE)
7 December 2012 – The Cabarita Sports Club, Cabarita (FREE)
8 December 2012 – The Royal Mail Hotel, Goodna (FREE)
9 December 2012 – The Bucca Hotel, Bucca (FREE)
12 December 2012 – R-Bar, Hamilton Island (FREE)
13-15 December 2012 – Paddy Shenanigans, Airlie Beach (FREE)
16 December 2012 – Longboard Bar, Townsville (FREE)
19 December 2012 – The Rails, Byron Bay (FREE)
21 December 2012 – The Vanguard, Newtown
22 December 2012 – The Victoria Hotel, Orange

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Voice’s Brittany Cairns Joins Jake Nauta on New Single

Blue Mountains boy Jake Nauta has teamed up with The Voice contestant Brittany Cairns for the cruisy new single “Grandpa Song.”

The clip takes us into Jake’s Blue Mountains studio, and captures the spontaneous magic that happens when these two beautiful voices combine. The gentle sweetness of both artists works so perfectly with this upbeat, summery tune.

“Grandpa Song” is the second single from Jake’s debut album Here With You. He’ll play it and more of his pop-folk numbers at Sydney’s Hybernian House on September 22.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gypsy & The Cat Announce Album Tour

It’s been a bit quiet on the Gypsy & The Cat front, but the Melbourne duo are almost ready to unleash the follow-up to their smash hit Gilgamesh.

The Late Blue promises to build on the unique soundscapes the band created on their debut. There are dreamy ballads, driving rock numbers, and synth-laden floor fillers. It’s also the first to be released through Gypsy & The Cat’s own label, Alsatian Music.

The Late Blue will hit record stores on October 19, which should give fans just enough time to become familiar with the songs before Gypsy & The Cat kicks off their national tour. These shows are the only opportunities to see this in demand band on Aussie soil this year. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, September 21, for the following dates.

26 October 2012 – The Palace Theatre, Melbourne
1 November 2012 – HQ, Adelaide
2 November 2012 – Capitol, Perth
8 November 2012 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
10 November 2012 – Hi-Fi Brisbane

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Never Ever Rock Out with “Breathe”

Supporting Simple Plan didn’t just put The Never Ever in front of some of the biggest crowds of their career. It also led to a chance meeting with Pete from Epik Films, the man the band enlisted to direct and produce the music video for their new single “Breathe.”

The clip is a sophisticated and darkly dramatic accompaniment for the title track from The Never Ever’s most recent album. The band worked closely with Pete to see their vision, realised during a Melbourne traffic jam, come to life. Are you impressed with what you see?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Maxi Gives EP Sneak Peek

After impressing with her debut single “In a Little While,” Melbourne songbird Maxi is preparing to inundate us with some new tunes. On September 28 she’ll release her self-titled debut EP and a brand new single “From the Start.”

You don’t have to wait that long to hear the single though. Maxi’s allowed me to give you all the first listen of the new track, which is every bit as powerful as the last. I love her old style blend of funk and soul, her powerful vocals, and those big brassy chords.

Hopefully this will get you all warmed up for the EP, which was the result of a summer spent locked away with fledgling producer and muso Joel Witenberg. They might have missed the sunshine, but there’s a real warmth to the songs I’ve heard that has me primed for more.

If you like what you hear make sure you grab Maxi and “From the Start” when they drop on September 28. Maxi will also launch the EP for her home town fans at The Workers Club on October 18.

Image used with permission from Maxi

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bec Laughton Releases “Holy Love 2”

Sassy Brisbanite Bec Laughton is giving us a taste of her forthcoming EP By the Fire with a hot new single “Holy Love 2.”

The soulful track, which features guest vocals from Ni.Na, delivers an easy jam and plenty of good vibes. It’s just one of the tracks from By the Fire, which gets a digital release on September 21.

To celebrate the single and EP releases Bec will hit the road, starting with a hometown show to launch By the Fire. Expect to hear some new songs and old favourites at the following gigs.

21 September 2012 – Icecream Factory, Brisbane
28 September 2012 – Solbar, Sunshine Coast
5 October 2012 – El Rocco, Sydney
7 October 2012 – Lizotte’s, Lambton
12 October 2012 – Higher Ground, Adelaide
14 October 2012 – Worker’s Club, Melbourne
18 October 2012 – Woodys, Byron Bay
20 October 2012 – Sheoak Shack, Fingal Head
21 October 2012 – Queen Street Mall, Brisbane
26 October 2012 – Island Vibes, Stradbroke Island
10 November 2012 – Powerhouse, Brisbane
16 November 2012 – The Loft, Gold Coast
17 November 2012 – Bon Amici, Toowoomba

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Saints Announce New Album and Tour

After six long years, The Saints are preparing to release a brand new album. King of the Sun will hit record stores around the country on September 24. It features 11 brand new Chris Bailey penned tunes a bonus disc of classic Saints material, dubbed Songs from the Stash.

The album’s been an awfully long time coming for fans. Chris Bailey and drummer Peter Wilkinson have been flexing their musical muscles in France of late, but they’ve now returned to the fold.

“The Saints have always been my main passion,” Chris Bailey admitted in a press release. “Despite my promiscuity and desire for musical experiment I feel that The Saints are an unfinished musical journey. This album is one step closer on this road.”

The Saints will play the following shows around the country to celebrate King of the Sun’s release.

23 November 2012 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
30 November 2012 – Fly by Night, Perth
8 December 2012 – Homebake, Sydney

Image used with permission from Premier Artists

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Step Into Georgia Potter’s Web

Queensland born songstress Georgia Potter has penned some of the best lyrics I’ve heard in some time with her new single “XO.” On the surface you can appreciate its cool beats, but dig a little deeper and you’ll discover the extended metaphor inspired by the romantic entanglement of a friend falling for the wrong person.

“The title, a double entendre, is a play on the word exoskeleton (which is of course the porous shell of a spider’s body through which it breathes) and the ‘Kiss Hug’ that ‘xo’ has come to mean,” Georgia explained in a press release. “Thinking of an exoskeleton as an analogy for a love that is flimsy and transparent, the narrative of the spider and the fly was born.”

The song is a truly international affair. Georgia wrote it during a stint in America and London, and recorded it in studios in London and Berlin. The work of Australian beat-guru Yukon Snakes, who Georgia collaborated with online, put the finishing touches on the song.

As for the video, it was shot in Berlin by Georgia’s dear pal, an Aus-Brit filmmaker called Bryn Chainey. I initially thought the effects were created on the computer, but they were actually made by manipulating crystals and glass prisms in front of the camera lens. Very cool!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fearless Vampire Killers Take Us to “Mexico”

The Fearless Vampire Killers transport us to North America with their hot new single, “Mexico.” It’s become a fan favourite at their recent live shows, so it seemed the natural single choice.

“It’s an upbeat western-rock ditty documenting the neglected desire of a fading man to travel to his childhood dreamland of Mexico,” explained the band’s guitarist, Al Marx.

“Mexico” is the first song to be lifted from the Melbourne band’s sophomore album, which should hit stores next year. The Fearless Vampire Killers are hard at work putting the finishing touches on the release, but they’ll take a little time out to launch the single at the following shows.

5 October 2012 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
6 October 2012 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
12 October 2012 – FBi Social, Sydney

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Regular John’s “Strange Flowers” In Stores

Regular John’s sophomore album Strange Flowers hit record stores today, and the Sydney four-piece is wasting little time bringing it to the masses. The band will kick off their album launch tour in Adelaide next week.

Strange Flowers is an intoxicating collection of psychedelic inspired tunes, including the radio favorite “Slume.” It’s also available in a range of formats to appeal to audiophiles and modern kids alike. You’ll find it on iTunes, on CD, and as a special gatefold double deep purple record.

You can expect to hear tracks from Regular John’s latest release at the following shows.

21 September 2012 – Enigma Bar, Adelaide
22 September 2012 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
28 September 2012 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
29 September 2012 – The Northern, Byron Bay
5 October 2012 – The Patch, Wollongong
6 October 2012 – Transit Bar, Canberra
12 October 2012 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
13 October 2012 – The Annandale, Sydney

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment