Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fairchild Republic Tour Wish Upon a Paper Crane

It’s been a long time coming, but Fairchild Republic’s debut album Wish Upon a Paper Crane is almost here. The epic album, which includes the single “Villages” and the new track “Acardia,” will hit stores on August 24.

Wish Upon a Paper Crane shows a band that’s not afraid to take risks. Their sound is big and ambitious. They’re making music like an act with more years under their belt, but they see no need to wait to create an impact.

Fairchild Republic will take their album on the road with launch shows along the East Coast next month. You can catch them at the following venues.

23 August 2012 – Alhambra, Brisbane
24 August 2012 – Elsewhere, Gold Coast
31 August 2012 – The Northern Star Hotel, Newcastle
1 September 2012 – Kittens @ The Spectrum, Sydney
6 September 2012 – Revolver Upstairs, Melbourne
7 September 2012 – John Curtain Hotel, Melbourne
16 September 2012 – Sunday Safari, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lo Five Remembers Amy Winehouse

Sydney soul outfit Lo Five have commemorated the recent first anniversary of Amy Winehouse’s passing with the release of a tribute single “Heavenly Ho.”

The band penned the track as a cautionary letter to the soul singer way back in 2010. Just six months later she was gone. The song aims to keep Amy’s memory alive.

“We always wanted to get our song “Heavenly Ho” out there,” the band explained. “But with the tragedy of her passing and wanting to be respectful of her memory, the only way we felt comfortable sharing the song with the world was by giving it away for free as a memorial and tribute to her on the first anniversary of her death.”

The recording’s got a few rough edges, but there’s an honesty to it that makes it a fitting tribute to the fallen soul singer. What do you think about it?

Image used with permission from Henry Compton

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Edward Deer Drops “Washed Ashore”

Sydney singer-songwriter Edward Deer is giving us our first taste of his debut album About Monsters with the new single “Washed Ashore.”

This is a really gentle piece of music that builds beautifully. It doesn’t scream loudly or have the sort of hooks that pull you in, but somehow it managed to get underneath my skin.

If you love it, just remember there’s more to come. Edward Deer’s album About Monsters will hit stores in September.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nathan Cavaleri & Screaming Jets Drummer are Nat Col & The Kings

Nathan Cavaleri is all grown up and fronting a brand new band Nat Col & The Kings. The guitar prodigy’s latest outfit is introducing us to their sound with a wicked new single “Coming Home” and a national tour to support its release.

We haven’t heard a lot from Nathan in recent years. He actually gave up the guitar for a while and worked as a brickie’s labourer until Steve Morse gave him a call in 2010 and encouraged him to join Deep Purple on their Aussie tour. No one’s going to say no to that sort of invitation! The tour reignited Nathan’s love of music, and after a chance meeting with former Screaming Jets drummer Col Hatchman the brand new outfit was formed.

Nat Col & The Kings marks the start of a new chapter of both artists’ journeys. So far the band has played slots at Byron Bay’s Bluesfest, the Indy V8 Supercars, and the Caxton Street Music Festival. They released a couple of EPs, and have another in the pipeline. The new single “Coming Home” is our first taste of this forthcoming release. If you like what you hear, make sure you head to one of the following shows:

16 August 2012 – Port Macquarie Hotel, Port Macquarie (Free)
17 August 2012 – Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
18 August 2012 – Racehorse Hotel, Ipswich
19 August August 2012 – Mansfield Tavern, Mansfield
30 August 2012 – The Evelyn, Fitzroy
31 August 2012 – Ruby’s, Belgrave
1 September 2012 – Bended Elbow, Geelong
7 September 2012 – The Vanguard, Sydney
8 September 2012 – Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor (Free)
14 September 2012 – Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland (Free)
15 September 2012 – The Heritage, Bulli

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Roland K Smith & The Sinners Announce Sydney Residency to Launch Album

Roland K Smith & The Sinners are launching their long awaited album Breaking Hearts and Saving Souls with a five-week residency at Newtown’s hallowed Sandringham Hotel.

The album documents a tumultuous 18 months in the band’s history. Loved ones were lost, relationships broke down, and much wisdom was gained along the way. The universal themes are set to an intriguing soundtrack of rock and roll, bluegrass, and punk.

Roland K Smith & The Sinners will play The Sandringham Hotel every Wednesday in August, culminating with a special acoustic show on the 29th. Tickets cost just $10 for a night’s entertainment, which should leave plenty of loose change for a few schooners.

Image used with permission from Paulette Kay

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Minibikes’ Charming Pop Ditty

Melbourne quintet Minibikes have put a big smile on my face with “Oh Japan,” the second track lifted from their forthcoming debut album For Woods or Trails.

I’m hearing a little Elvis Costello in this quirky pop gem, which can only be a good thing. The single should tide fans over until that album drops on September 14. Has it give your Friday a lift?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Does Dune Look Familiar To You?

Melbourne singer-songwriter Dune is making a big impression with her debut single “Shoestring.”

Or at least, this is Dune’s first release as Dune. If she sounds seasoned, it’s because she is. Underneath all those bandages it’s the artist formerly known as Jade McRae. Remember her pop music fans?

Jade’s reinvention is about more than just a new name. “Shoestring” is a world away from the mainstream R’n’B I remember her for. It’s got a catchy pop sound, but it’s paired with some compelling tribal beats. She hasn’t relied on outside knowhow to make the song either; the whole thing’s entirely self produced.

Something tells me Dune’s going to be one of those artists we just can’t ignore. Get in on the ground up when she launches the single at two very special launch shows. She’ll play for her hometown at The Workers Club on August 30 before heading to Sydney’s Upstairs Beresford Hotel the following night.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Maxi Steps Out with Debut Single

Melbourne songstress Maxi’s giving us a taste of her musical skills with the soulful sounds of “In a Little While” her debut single and the first track lifted from her self-titled EP.

Maxi’s shaken off her musical theatre background to reveal a sound that’s incredibly sultry and sensuous. The song settles into an easy groove and doesn’t let go. It sounds more seasoned than any debut probably should, but Maxi’s no musical newcomer. While this is her first solo endeavour she’s been laying down backing vocals and collaborating with local DJs and musos for some time. She’s even played Good Vibrations and Parklife. Surely she’s due her time in the sun!

We’ll no doubt hear more of Maxi when her EP drops this September.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Red Ink Tour Euphoria

Red Ink are preparing to tour their catchy new single “Euphoria,” our first taste of their forthcoming new single The Colour Age. They’ll play the major capitals in support of the song.

It’s such a great track, carefully crafted with a killer pop sensibility. It’s amazing to think it was originally conceived in Red Ink’s early days, and only dug out of the archives recently. Thank goodness it was! I also love the film clip, which is a moving look at the polarities of life.

If you dig the song make sure you head to iTunes or Spotify as it’s currently available as a free download. And of course get to the following shows!

3 August 2012 – CATS @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide
17 August 2012 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
6 September 2012 – Cobra Kai @ Oh Hello, Brisbane
8 September 2012 – Upstairs Beresford Hotel, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chet Faker Comes Home

Chet Faker’s been quite the jetsetter over the last couple of months. He toured Europe with The Temper Trap and played big international festivals South by Southwest and The Great Escape. But these were just the warm up shows for his forthcoming Australian tour to celebrate the release of his new single “Love and Feeling.”

The track is the latest to come from Chet’s album Thinking in Textures, which has earned critical acclaim in the UK, the US, and his native Australia.

Chet will kick off his Australian tour with a slot at Byron Bay’s Splendour in the Grass before hitting the country’s best clubs.

27-29 July 2012 – Splendour in the Grass Festival, Byron Bay
3 August 2012 – The Bakery, Perth
4 August 2012 – Mojos, Fremantle
16 August 2012 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
17 August 2012 – Trinity Bar, Canberra
24 August 2012 – Cats @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide
7 September 2012 – Revolt, Melbourne
14 September 2012 – Up Late @ GOMA, Brisbane