Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

LHA Release Impressive Hip Hop Debut

Sydney-based hip hoppers LHA have just released their debut album Split Decision. The disc was a real labour of love for the duo made up of Aussie MC Adikkal and Korean born producer LeeHahn. They wrote and produced the entire thing, so you know it’s got their stamp all over it.

The twosome takes their hip hop back to basics. They believe that a song should move your heart and your feet, and their sound has a real soulful bent that is so appealing. The new single “This Is Your Life,” the second to be lifted from the disc, gives you a great idea what LHA are all about. This is really polished and powerful stuff. Look for Split Decision in good music stores now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ernest Ellis & The Panamas Release Sophomore Album

Ernest Ellis & The Panamas will release their second album, Kings Canyon, tomorrow.

Like all the best recordings this one was born out of the worst circumstances. Drummer and vocalist Mathew Gardner was struggling with the serious illness of his mother, and the band were butting heads with a record company that didn’t share their creative vision.

But out of troubling times often comes great music, and that’s definitely the case here. Ernest Ellis & The Panamas was committed to creating a complete album, rather than the handful of singles surrounded by fillers we so often get. The recording obviously means a lot to the band, but frontman Ernest Ellis is philosophical about its reception.

“We just hope you take something from this record that gives you that thing that only music can. We hope you dance naked to it, and forget the other shit for a little while,” he said.

Look out for Kings Canyon in good music stores tomorrow.

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Skipping Girl Vinegar Tours “Chase the Sun”

Skipping Girl Vinegar are celebrating the release of their summery new single “Chase the Sun” with an Aussie tour this October and November.

“Chase the Sun” is the second single from Keep Calm, Carry the Monkey, an irresistibly hooky song about winding the car windows down, cranking up the stereo, and leaving the big smoke behind.

“Chase the Sun” is officially released on October 14, the same day that Skipping Girl Vinegar’s tour kicks off in Melbourne.

14 October 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
21 October 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney
3 November 2011  – The Basement @ Gold Coast Arts Centre, Gold Coast
4 November 2011  – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi
5 November 2011  – Beetle Bar, Brisbane
11 November 2011  – Fresh, Launceston
12 November 2011  – Republic Bar, Hobart

Image used with permission from AUM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Faker Show Oz Touring Love

Faker fans have been waiting three long years, but the band is finally ready to head back on the road for a headlining tour. They’ll travel around the country through October and November, introducing fans to some new music and treating them to a swag of hits.

This is the first time fans will meet Faker’s new line up, which features newbies Chris Stabback and Liam O’Brien alongside founding members Nathan Hudson and Nichols Munnings.

You can get yourself in a Faker frame of mind by heading to the band’s website and grabbing a free download of their new track “Back When Solvents.” The tune comes from the band’s forthcoming EP How Did We Not Get Loved?, a five-tracker which acts as a prequel to the new album Get Loved. The EP hits stores on October 7, while the album is slated for a January 27 release.

If you’re intending on attending one of the following the shows it’s also worth stopping by the Faker website, as you can order your tickets complete with the EP.

20 October 2011 – The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
21 October 2011 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
22 October 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
23 October 2011 – Joe’s Waterhole, Sunshine Coast
26 October 2011 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
27 October 2011 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
28 October 2011 – The Amplifier, Perth
29 October 2011 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
2 November 2011 – Bended Elbow, Geelong
3 November 2011 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
4 November 2011 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
5 November 2011 – Patch, Wollongong
10 November 2011 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
11 November 2011 – The Standard, Sydney

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

A Friday Pick Me Up from Kate Vigo

It’s been one hell of a week for me. While earlier I was looking for music that soothes, as I sat alone in my empty house this afternoon, with my husband en route to America, I was after a pick-me-up. I found it in “Wanna Run” a deliciously playful slice of indie pop from Melbourne’s Kate Vigo.

There’s a lovely retro Cure-esque quality to this tune that had me dancing around my lounge room in my PJs. Hey, I’m here with only the cat watching, so why not? While the good vibes of this tune hit the spot, it’s the lyrical depth behind the melody that makes things really interesting. This song speaks of the struggle of finding your own path in life so eloquently. I’m impressed.

“Wanna Run” is the second single from Kate Vigo’s forthcoming album Blue to Gold, which hits stores in March. That’s an awfully long time to wait, but her hometown fans can get an early fix with her “Wanna Run” launch show. Kate will play The Toff in Town on October 6.

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harry James Angus Goes Solo

The Cat Empire’s Harry James Angus is taking advantage of his band’s hiatus and releasing a solo album.

Little Stories will be released digitally on September 16 and in stores on October 10. It’s been a bit of a labour of love, with Harry spending the last three years penning the tracks.

“These little stories have provided me with hours of entertainment, just me in the lounge
room. Sometimes my long-suffering wife will patiently listen as I stumble through an idea, but usually it’s just me – laughing at my own jokes, lip trembling at my own tragedies, watching the characters come alive – and the whole story just unfurls, eventually, like a patchwork sail,” Harry said.

Harry James Angus will celebrate Little Stories’ release with a tour of the major capitals later this month.

8 September 2011 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
17 September 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney
25 September 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne

Image source: Elvina Mae

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Empire Tour New Album

Sydney quartet New Empire seem to have a taste for touring. They’re preparing to head out on the road to support Simple Plan, and they’ve just announced they’ll embark on a headline tour once that wraps up.

The band are working hard to support the release of their new album Symmetry, which will hit stores on September 16. Their frontman Jeremy Fowler promises a tour like no other they’ve undertaken.

“For us, it feels like the live showcase of everything we’ve been working towards for the past two years,” he explained. “We’ll be pulling out everything we’ve got for this tour, it’ll be full of surprises, it will be … epic!”

You can see New Empire giving everything they’ve got at the following shows.

30 September 2011 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (with Simple Plan)
1 October 2011 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (with Simple Plan)
4 October 2011 – Palace Theatre, Melbourne (with Simple Plan)
14 October 2011 – Powerhouse Theatre, Brisbane
15 October 2011 – Centenary Lakes Festival, Caboolture
22 October 2011 – Prince Bandroom, St Kilda (Afternoon)
22 October 2011 – Royal Melbourne Hotel, Melbourne (Evening)
28 October 2011 – The Maram Hotel, Canberra
29 October 2011 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
4 November 2011 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide
5 November 2011 – Cockburn Youth Centre, Cockburn (Afternoon)
5 November 2011 – Norfolk Basement, Fremantle (Evening)

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Electrik Dynamite Deliver Hair. Denim. Sex. Metal.

Melbourne five-piece Electrik Dynamite are bringing retro rock back with their debut album Hair. Denim. Sex. Metal.

That title really tells you all you need to know! This is a band that takes its cues from the likes of Van Halen, Iron Maiden, and Def Leppard, creating the kind of music we rarely hear in the contemporary music scene.

The album hits stores today, and the band are packing their bags for a big East Coast tour to celebrate. You can catch Electrik Dynamite rocking the following venues soon. Until then enjoy the band’s first single “Midnight Rider” and its keytar action!

27 August 2011 – House Of Rock, The Palace, Melbourne (18+)
3 September 2011 – Black Market, Adelaide (18+)
9 September 2011 – Geelong West Town Hall, Geelong (All Ages)
10 September 2011 – Bang, Melbourne (18+)
14 September 2011 – Hamilton Station, Newcastle (18+)
15 September 2011 – Hot Damn, Sydney (18+)
16 September 2011 – Elsewhere Bar, Gold Coast (18+)
17 September 2011 – Thriller, Brisbane (18+)
21 September 2011 – Musicman Megastore, Bendigo (All Ages)
23 September 2011 – Pow, Werribee (18+)
24 September 2011 – Urban Life Cafe, Ringwood (All Ages)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Introducing the Lush Pop Stylings of Buckley Ward

I can’t help admiring musicians who do things without the backing of a major label, or in fact any label at all. When they make amazing music, it’s so much the better! Buckley Ward are the latest act to turn my head with their self-funded, self-recorded, and self-produced album So Pretend.

The title track has such a lush sound. Its melodies are really strong, but the sound doesn’t have that tired commercial feel of so much pop music. What a breath of fresh air. The album is their second, which makes me wonder why I haven’t heard of them before. Better late than never, right?

If you like what you hear you can catch Buckley Ward touring the East Coast next month.

9 September 2011 – Lightspace, Brisbane
10 September 2011 – FBi Social, Sydney
24 September 2011 – Yah Yahs, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jasmine Rae Faked It, & She’s Not the Only One!

And here I was thinking that country girls were made of sugar and spice, and all things nice. Jasmine Rae’s proving they can be just as bitchy as their big city counterparts with her naughty new single “I Faked It.” And according to some recent research, she’s not alone!

Jasmine’s single sees her fighting back after a nasty break-up with some frank home truths. It seems it’s a tale that could have been told by many country girls, as research commissioned to coincide with the single’s release says rural ladies are 10% more likely to fake it than city slickers! Two-thirds of country lasses say they’ve faked it in the past, and one in three say they do on a regular basis. What does that say about all the country men?

The single’s probably not going to win fans amongst the blokes, but I predict it could become a bit of a girl power anthem!