Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Georgia Fair Release “Blind”

Fresh from touring the country’s best churches with Lisa Mitchell, Georgia Fair are hitting the road again as the headlining act. The Sydney duo will play the major capitals to support the release of their new single “Blind.”

“Blind” has long been one of the highlights of the band’s set, so I’m thrilled to see it’ll hit a wider audience. I love the way the track builds to a dramatic crescendo. That’s helped in no small part by the appearance of Band of Horses’ Bill Reynolds on the recording.

“It’s once in a blue moon that I come across a group with such great harmonies and great songs,” he explained. “When my manager sent me the demos for the LP I knew I had to find a way to work with them.”

Georgia Fair will launch “Blind” with a hometown show on July 6 at The Standard before playing Melbourne’s Toff in Town on July 12.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Peep Tempel Releases Scary New Single

The Peep Tempel have gotten underneath my skin with their gritty new single “Mister Lester Moore.”

This is a really big song, frenetic, wailing, and delightfully dark. It’s a bit more chaotic than the tracks I usually go for, but there’s just something about it that’s charmed me in spite of myself.

What do you think of the song?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cyber Duo Collarbones Launch “Missing” Single

As someone who’s happily married to a man I met online, I know all too well the power of a cyber-connection. So I was thrilled to discover Collarbones, an electronic duo featuring online pals Travis Cook from Adelaide and Marcus Whale from Sydney. Though dividing by some 1150 kays the lads began to create beautiful music together.

Their latest offering is the haunting “Missing,” a track from their forthcoming second album scheduled for release later this year. This is a really powerful tune, with a heartbreaking falsetto, lush orchestration, and some of the most plaintively simple lyrics I’ve heard in some time.

Collarbones are bridging the distance and touring “Missing” this month. The run of dates kicks off tomorrow in Melbourne before taking in capital cities and regional towns along the East Coast.

16 June 2012 – The Gasometer, Melbourne
23 June 2012 – The Gate at Pablos, Epping (All Ages)
24 June 2012 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
28 June 2012 – Terrace Bar, Newcastle
29 June 2012 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
5 July 2012 – FBi Social, Sydney

Image used with permission from Remote Control Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Set Sail Put Deportation Dramas Behind Them

It’s exciting times in the lives of Sydney indie-pop folksters Set Sail. The trio will release their new attention-getting EP Hey! tomorrow, and set off on a big 18-date tour a couple of weeks later.

Fans have waited patiently for Hey!, which showcases Set Sail’s first new material since their debut release The Riley Moore EP hit their hands in 2011. It features six quirky tracks including the energetic lead track “Charleston.”

The release hasn’t come without its challenges though. Earlier this year Set Sail lead singer Brandon Hoogenboom was forced to do some sailing of his own when he breached his visa conditions. A Facebook petition protesting his deportation went viral, attracting more than 8500 in just 24 hours. That support helped Brandon return to his adopted home and awaiting bandmates.

And now Set Sail’s back together and keen to unleash their new tunes on the public.

“We’re excited to bring the new material live,” said Josiah Willows. “It’s been an incredible journey this past year and we’re very keen to get out of the studio and back on the road!”

30 June 2012 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (18+)
5 July 2012 – Blackbear Lodge, Brisbane (18+)
6 July 2012 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba (18+)
7 July 2012 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore (18+)
12 July 2012 – Jive Bar, Adelaide (18+)
13 July 2012 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth (18+)
14 July 2012 – Melville Youth Centre, Melville (Under 18s)
14 July 2012 – Mojo’s, Fremantle (18+)
15 July 2012 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough (18+ – Free)
20 July 2012 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (18+ –  Free)
21 July 2012 – Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle (18+)
22 July 2012 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla (18+)
26 July 2012 – Royal Oak Hotel, Launceston (18+ – Free)
27 July 2012 – Republic Bar, Hobart (18+)
2 August 2012 – Transit Bar, Canberra (18+)
3 August 2012 – The Patch, Wollongong (18+)
4 August 2012 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
9 August 2012 – Toff In Town, Melbourne (18+)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Deer Republic Give Us “The Score”

DeerRepublic have put a smile on my face with their anthemic new single “The Score.”

The infectiously catchy single gives us a taste of what’s to come from the band’s forthcoming debut EP The Sweet Resistance. Click here to listen to it on deerRepublic’s Facebook page!

It’s surprising to hear this is deerRepublic’s first single, as they’ve enjoyed plenty of airplay on FBi radio over the years with their demo tracks. They also generated plenty of buzz when they beat out thousands of other local acts to take out the uncharted National Band Competition.

If you like what you hear make sure you get down to Upstairs Beresford next month. The band has a residency that will see them making regular appearances at the Surry Hills club during July.

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Spicks & Specks’ Barry Morgan’s Debut Album in Stores

The finale of Spicks and Specks saw me shedding a few tears, but one of my favourite moments was the return of Barry Morgan. The retro throwback ended up being the quiz show’s surprise breakout star, so I’m thrilled to see he’s just released an album.

The Touch of You features Barry’s current single “Big Bossa” and other waltz, two-step, and rock and roll numbers all played with his distinctive style. I’m not sure whether the tunes will have quite the same charm without watching Barry in action. Surely we need a companion DVD! Until then, there’s this music video.

You can take a piece of Barry home today, as The Touch of You is in stores now.You can also catch him at the following shows around the country later this month.

22 June 2012 – Notes, Newtown, Sydney
30 June 2012 – Regal Ballroom, Northcote
5 July 2012 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Penny Hewson Comes Home

After spending the last decade soaking up the Los Angeles sun and thriving music scene, Melbourne singer-songwriter Penny Hewson has returned home.

She’s wasted no time since touching down. She signed a deal with Popboomerang Records, and released this sweet single “This One’s For You,” which gives us our first taste of her forthcoming album It’s An Endless Desire.

Don’t mistake Penny’s sweetness for saccharine. While she sings like an angel there’s a real truth and vulnerability to her lyrics that ensure she’s not just another pop princess. It’s catchy, but it’s not throw-away music.

Hometown fans can catch Penny playing at the Grace Darling in support of Kellie Lloyd’s album launch on June 15. She promises more shows will come as that disc drops this winter.

Image used with permission from Penny Hewson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Good Ship Announce Album Tour

A few months after they teased us with the lead single “Seven Seas,” The Good Ship are preparing to unleash their grandly titled second album O’ Exquisite Corpse.

The follow-up to 2010’s Avast! Wretched Sea features the dark beauty and debauched lyrics we’ve come to expect from Queensland’s pirate rockers.

The Good Ship will celebrate the album’s July release with an East Coast tour. Catch this quirky Aussie act at the following shows.

29 June 2012 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
6 July 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
14 July 2012 – The Zoo, Brisbane
3 August 2012 – Great Northern, Newcastle
4 August 2012 – Good God Small Club, Sydney
11 August 2012 – The Rails, Byron Bay (Free)
12 August 2012 – Nimbin Hotel, Nimbin (Free)

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Stanleys Rock the Globe, Retro Style

The Stanleys are set for world domination with their feel-good retro power pop anthem “Always.”

The irresistible single is the handiwork of Aussie’s Mark De Renzo and Jamie Horsburgh and their Norwegian buddy Norway. Fittingly the trio visited studios in Oslo, Paris, Perth, and Sydney to lay down the EP which features the title track.

The Stanleys laid a solid foundation last year with shows in Europe, North America, Japan, and Australia. This summer they’ll cement their reputation as a band to watch with shows in China, North America, and Australia.

Has this song put a smile on your dial?

Image credit: Lisa Businovski

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elephant Eyes Wow with “Mother Said” Single

I’m not sure what it is about Australian songstresses naming themselves after the peepers of our animal friends, but following Owl Eyes comes new Melbourne band Elephant Eyes.

The moniker’s a bit left of centre but you’ll soon forget all that on listening to the outfit’s dark new piano pop single “Mother Said.” The track comes from the Elephant Eye’s forthcoming debut album, which should be killer if this song’s any indication.

Elephant Eyes will celebrate the digital release of “Mother Said” with a hometown show at The Grace Darling on Friday, June 8. Be there or be square!