Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Liz Martin Wants Us to Dance a Little, Live a Little

Sydney’s Liz Martin charms with her jaunty new single “So Long,” the latest cut from her brand new album Dance a Little, Live a Little.

I love the track’s playfulness and Liz’s husky vocals. It’s pop music with a hard attitude that’s so compelling. The album promises more of that alongside some moving ballads and whimsical instrumental numbers.

It’s a little strange that this song is so much fun, because Liz wrote the album while recovering from hip surgery. When you’re bedbound for five months, what else is a musician to do but create? It would have been easy to pour her pain into the record, but instead Liz opted to create songs filled with joy and good humor.

Now that she’s back on her feet, Liz is taking Dance a Little, Live a Little on the road with an all-star band featuring Elana Stone and Jacqueline Amidy. Catch Liz at the following shows:

10 May 2012 – Gold Coast Arts Centre, Gold Coast
11 May 2012 – The Waiting Room, Brisbane
18 May 2012 – The Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
19 May 2012 – Notes Live, Sydney
25 May 2012 – Cuda Bar, Lorne
27 May 2012 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne
31 May 2012 – Yours and Owls, Wollongong
1 June 2012 – Front Gallery, Canberra
8 June 2012 – Metro, Adelaide
16 June 2012 – The Waratah Bandroom, Hobart

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sophie Koh Releases Stunning “I Understand” Single

Sophie Koh has captivated me with “I Understand,” the second single lifted from her forthcoming album Oh My Garden.

So many songs have been written about break-ups, but few are quite as searing as this one. There are no hysterics or desperate pleas, simply a resignation and sadness for love lost. Ben Lee and Brad Wood helped Sophie pen the track that she calls “one of the most personal songs” she’s ever written.

I remember catching Sophie Koh supporting Howie Day a few years ago. Her name stuck with me, and I’m thrilled to see the way she’s maturing as an artist. This song is stellar. She’ll launch it for her hometown fans in Melbourne at The Toff in Town on May 31.

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

My City Screams Releases “Surroundings” EP

Sydney post hard-core outfit My City Screams released their long awaited new EP, Surroundings, to iTunes today.

The mini-album features six full throttle tracks including the first single “Counterparts.” The band says this sophomore EP is their biggest achievement to date. It shows a band that’s matured since recording their debut, No Mirrors, No Reflections, and notching up plenty of live experience. Their trademark energetic sound, with big guitar breaks and heavy hitting bass, is there, but it’s more seasoned this time around.

My City Screams will back up the EP release with a national tour in June. Watch this space for dates!

Image used with permission from RAWR Music!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sui Zhen Releases “Two Seas”

The nomadic Sui Zhen has used her travels as creative fodder for her debut album Two Seas.

It’s truly a global release, with tracks written, mixed, and recorded here, there, and everywhere. Songs written in the bustle of Sydney were laid down in the calmer surrounds of a Southern Highlands church before being arranged in Berlin and finally mixed in on the New South Wales South Coast. While visiting family in Bahrain, Sui Zhen knew the time was right to stop collecting songs and unleash them on the public.

The internationally influenced disc is best described as indie-folk, although the dashes of country, pop, and other genres mean it doesn’t neatly fit in any box. The single “Little Frog” gives you some indication of what’s in store.

Two Seas hits stores today, which gives fans a few weeks to familiarise themselves with the songs before Sui Zhen takes the album on the road. See this exciting singer-songwriter and her full band at the following launch shows:

30 May 2012 – The Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood
1 June 2012 – The Lass’O’Gowrie, Wickham
3 June 2012 – FBi Social, Kings Cross
6 June 2012 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
13 June 2012 – Yours and Owls, Wollongong (Free)
14 June 2012 – The Front Café & Gallery, Canberra

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nine Sons of Dan Tour Forthcoming EP

Nine Sons of Dan have introduced us to their forthcoming EP The New Kids with the rocking new single “Diamond Skin.”

The single shows us the way Nine Sons of Dan have matured since their last release, no doubt under the guidance of American producer J.R. McNeely (Amberlin, Paramore). It hits harder, but it’s got this strong melodic core that anchors it so well. While J.R. McNeely took the reins on “Diamond Skin” the remaining five tracks were overseen by Forrester Savell (Karnivool, The Butterfly Effect).

The New Kids should be a big release for the band who took out the rock category in last year’s New Artist to Radio Awards. It’ll hit record store shelves around the world on June 29, not long after the band wraps up their support slots for The Darkness.

Drummer Morgan “Flakey” Blake says the single captures the energy of Nine Sons of Dan’s live shows, so if you dig it you’ll probably want to see them in the flesh. Conveniently enough once their dates with The Darkness wrap up they’re taking the EP on the road. Catch the Gold Coast lads at the following shows this July:

12 July 2012 – Port Macquarie Hotel, Port Macquarie (18+)
13 July 2012 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (18+)
14 July 2012 – Youth Arts Warehouse @ Metrodome, Gosford (All Ages)
15 July 2012 – The Lair @ Metro Theatre, Sydney (All Ages)
19 July 2012 – The Zoo, Brisbane (18+)
21 July 2012 – The PA @ Jupiters Casino, Gold Coast (18+)
27 July 2012 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide (All Ages)
28 July 2012 – Revolver Upstairs, Melbourne (18+)
29 July 2012 – Spensers Live, Melbourne (Under 18s, 2 pm)
4 August 2012 – The Hive, Brisbane (All Ages)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Buckley Ward Tour Album Number 2

Buckley Ward will take their new album So Pretend to the masses this month.

The follow-up to Something in the Night is jampacked with perfect pop music with heart. The layered organic sounds and pitch perfect harmonies are what the genre should sound like. The singles “Into the Darkening Blue” and the title track sit amongst new favourites.

So Pretend hits stores on April 20, which gives fans at the first show in Adelaide a little more than a week to learn the words! Here are all the shows on Buckley Ward’s album tour.

28 April 2012 – Edinburgh Castle, Adelaide
11 May 2012 – X&Y, Brisbane
19 May 2012 – The Toff, Melbourne
27 May 2012 – Pure Pop Records, Melbourne
2 June 2012 – FBi Social, Sydney

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Royston Vasie Launch “You Want it Now” Single

Royston Vasie are riding the wave following their recent supporting slot on the Ben Kweller and Manchester Orchestra tour. If you enjoyed the band’s melodic sensibilities then, you’ll love their new single “You Want It Now.”

The song is our first taste of the band’s debut album Tanahmerah, which will hit stores in June. It features the irresistibly catchy guitar hooks and big singalong choruses the Melbourne quartet are famous for.

Royston Vasie will celebrate the single release with two big launch shows. They’ll play for hometown audiences at the Northcote Social Club on April 28 before taking the stage at Sydney’s Oxford Arts Factory on May 11.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Bloodpoets Take Aim with “War” Single & Tour

Brisbane rock act The Bloodpoets are assaulting our ears with a brand new single called “War.”

The track is our first taste of The Bloodpoets’ second album, a disc which ups the energy to replicate the band’s famous live shows. It’s much rawer than Polarity, which should impress their faithful fans. That back to basics approach should serve the band well when they take the songs on the road.

The Bloodpoets will kick off their War Against the World tour with a hometown show on April 27 before they head around the country. Tickets are on sale now for the following dates.

27 April 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
11 May 2012 – Pony, Melbourne
12 May 2012 – The Oak, Launceston
8 June 2012 – Andergrove Tavern, Mackay
15 June 2012 – The Burdekin Hotel, Sydney

Image used with permission from Red Mosquito Management

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eliza Hull Offers Delicious Taste of Debut EP

Eliza Hull has created a sultry slice of soulful pop with her new single “Without Words.” The empassioned track is the first lifted from her forthcoming EP Dawn.

Dawn is the culmination of three years of commitment to her craft. It shows that she’s put in the hard yards. The song is so hypnotic, with vocals that draw you in and one of the prettiest electronic melodies I’ve heard in some time.

“‘Without Words’ is about the pull and shift within a relationship and the questioning that can often happen,” Eliza explained in a press release. “It captures the beautiful confusion love can stir inside us.”

Eliza will celebrate her EP’s launch at Melbourne’s The Toff on May 31. The wonderful Sophie Koh is also on the bill, so it should be a pretty amazing night!

Image used with permission from Show Off Recordings

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Floors Tour Bluesy Debut Single

Down and dirty Perth blues rock trio The Floors are unleashing their music on the nation with the release of “You Got to Move.” It’s the first single from The Floors debut album, which will hit record stores in a couple of months.

There’s something so sexy about the snarling lyrics and gritty base line of this soulful track. It seems so spontaneous and free of studio trickery that I imagine it’d be even more explosive on the stage. And that’s a good thing too, because The Floors will tour the single next month.

You can catch The Floors at the following shows.

24 May 2012 – The Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide (Free)
25 May 2012 – X and Y Bar, Fortitude Valley
26 May 2012 – The Joynt, West End
27 May 2012 – The Spotted Cow Hotel, Toowoomba
31 May 2012 – The Vanguard, Newtown
1 June 2012 – The Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland (Free)
2 June 2012 – Revolver, Melbourne
3 June 2012 – Baha Tacos, Rye (Free)