Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lowtide Impresses with Debut 7″, “Underneath Tonight”

Melbourne band Lowtide are taking me back to my youth with their debut 7”, “Underneath Tonight.”

The track reminds me of something The Cure might have released, with its spontaneous energy and reverb drenched guitars. But the sweet vocals of Lucy Buckeridge take away the edge, softening the tune just a little without making it too saccharine. There are so many layers to this tune; I like it instantly but I feel it’s going to take some time for me to appreciate its true beauty.

The B-side “Memory No. 7” takes things down a notch, but it’s no less compelling. This atmospheric ballad assures us that Lowtide are no one-trick ponies.

The band will play shows along the east coast in April and May before cloistering themselves away to write and record their debut album which is scheduled for a 2012 release. Make sure you see Lowtide while you can!

29th April 2011 – Petersham Bowls Club, Sydney
30th April 2011 – Blackwire Records, Sydney
7th May 2011 – The Hangar, Brisbane
8th May 2011 – NSC, Melbourne (matinee show with Baptism of Uzi)

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Musos Cover Nick Cave with “Dig Cave Dig”

Some of Melbourne’s most exciting musicians have paid their respects to one of the city’s most influential artists, Nick Cave, with a new compilation album. Dig Cave Dig is a homage to Nick’s diverse body of work.

A handful of the contributing musicians will be familiar to you, including Little Red, the Vasco Era, and The Fumes, but the CD’s also likely to introduce anyone outside Victoria to a few new up-and-comers.

The selection of songs is stellar if somewhat predictable. That’s disappointing considering Nick Cave’s innovative output. I would have loved to see some new takes on earlier material, especially “Shivers.”  Thankfully though, we do get “Red Right Hand,” “Into My Arms,” and “Do You Love Me?” There was certainly potential to make this a double album, extending it beyond the existing 11 tracks. Still, with great songs and exciting new bands you really can’t go wrong.

Dig Cave Dig is in stores now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nathan Leigh Jones Launches Sooner or Later Around the World

You might not recognise his name, but chances are that you know Nathan Leigh Jones’ voice. The Adelaide born singer, songwriter, and pianist does voiceovers for MTV, Nickelodeon, and Eleven, but music is his real passion. He’s preparing to release his sophomore album Sooner or Later on April 6.

Sooner or Later is one of those truly independent releases, which has all the polish of a major label recording despite being arranged and edited in Nathan’s home studio. It features appearances from Grammy award winning guitarist Dan Warner, drummer Lee Levin, the Sydney Philharmonia Choir, and members of vocal group The Idea of North.

Fans will get a taste of what’s to come when Nathan plays Joe’s Pub in his adopted second home, New York City, on April 3. And just so that no one need miss out, the show will be streamed in real time through the Livestream website.

Thankfully local fans will get the chance to see Nathan in the flesh soon enough. He’ll launch Sooner and Later for Aussie audiences at an intimate dinner show in Sydney on April 14, and play the following Australian dates in June.

3 April 2011 – Joe’s Pub, New York
14 April 2011 – Slide, Darlinghurst
1 June 2011 – The Vanguard, Newtown
7 June 2011 – The Toff, Melbourne
8 June 2011 – The Promethean, Adelaide

Image source: Nathan Leigh Jones website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bachelor Girl Reform for Greatest Hits Tour

90s pop sensations Bachelor Girl are celebrating the release of their best of album with one last tour.

Loved & Lost: The Best of Bachelor Girl remembers the hits of Tania Doko and James Roche, including “Permission to Shine,” “Buses and Trains,” and “I’m Just a Girl.” The album, which will hit stores on April 15, also features four unreleased tracks recorded between 2002 and 2003.

The Australian tour sees Bachelor Girl back on home soil after a lengthy overseas stint. Tania’s been living in Los Angeles and Stockholm, while James has been based in London. It seems they’re thrilled to come home, and to come back together.

“It’s amazing to think it’s been almost 20 years since James and I met and started working together” Tania sad in a statement. “It’s also been several years since we’ve both lived in Australia for more than a few months at a time. 2011 has never been a more perfect year to celebrate our career ‘gems,’ tour a new release for our fans, and expose some of our favourite lost tracks. We really can’t wait to get out there and play!”

Get your tickets from the venues for the following shows.

28 May 2011 – Forum II, Melbourne
3 June 2011 – The Basement, Sydney
4 June 2011 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Revolutions

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Damien Leith Covers Roy Orbison

After Remember June, his last fabulous album of originals tanked, Damien Leith is going back to what sells with the release of Roy. The disc is filled with covers of the music of the late, great Roy Orbison.

Roy will feature Damien’s gorgeous cover of “Crying,” which was one of the highlights of his Australian Idol journey, as well as other hits like “Pretty Woman,” “Dream Baby,” and “Only the Lonely.” The album must be something special as it’s got the seal of approval from Orbison’s estate. Roy’s widow Barbara has even served as the executive producer!

“Roy Orbison, his soulful voice and dignified artistry, has touched millions of people across all generations becoming the soul of rock n roll,” Damien said in a statement. “Today, I am very proud to pay tribute to a man whose work has had a direct and lasting influence on both my songwriting and my singing. Mercy!”

Roy will hit stores on April 15. It’s disappointing that Damien’s stunning original albums never sell as well as they should, but releasing this one so close to Mother’s Day is a very smart move. I’m predicting that Roy will give Damien the chart success he so richly deserves.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

David Guetta Works with Aussie Girl Indigo

David Guetta tends to work with big name acts like Rihanna and Kelly Rowland. So when he handpicks an Aussie girl for his next project, it’s pretty big news.

The lucky lady is Indigo, a Western Australian lass who’s just signed up with French indie dance label Summit. The deal will see her debut album The Colour of Dreams released through France, Spain, Switzerland, Australia, Belgium, and Italy later this year.

And then there’s the David Guetta connection. He’s remixed her song “She Knows Love,” and plans to release the tune later this year. We all know how everything Guetta touches turns to gold, so something tells me big things are in store for Indigo.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Carus Thompson Releases Amazing New Single “You Can’t Find Me”

I first heard Carus Thompson when he supported the wonderful Dave Matthews Band way back in 2005. So I’m thrilled to see that all these years later he’s still making great music. The latest taste is “You Can’t Find Me,” the infectious first single from his soon-to-be-released fourth album Caravan.

The song tells tales of Carus’ last year traveling around Europe, a journey which included encounters with psychos in London and mushrooms in Amsterdam! The song’s got such a spontaneous energy about it that by the end you just want to play it again.

When I first heard Carus I thought he was pretty good, but the years have been kind to him. His sound has really developed beautifully, so it’s no wonder he’s been well received in Europe. Hopefully we’ll see him playing some local shows when Caravan hits stores this April.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy in a Box Scores British India Support Ahead of Single Release

Boy in a Box is coming out all guns blazing with his debut single “Glitter, Gold, Ruin.” The song is littered with chunky riffs and classic hooks. It’s music the way they used to make it, with a singalong chorus and anthemic overtones.

The track doesn’t drop until March 18 but Boy in a Box is already impressing the right people. He’ll join British India on their March into the Ocean tour, and enjoy a residency with Dangerous at Northcote Social Club.

Here are all the places you can catch this bright young talent over the next couple of months!

8 March 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
15 March 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
22 March 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
24 March 2011 – The Saloon Bar, Traralgon (with British India)
25 March 2011 – The Bended Elbow, Geelong (with British India)
264 March 2011 – Corner Hotel, Richmond (with British India)
29 March 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
30 March 2011 – CSU The Crow Bar, Wagga Wagga (with British India)
31 March 2011 – The Area Hotel, Griffith (with British India)
1 April 2011 – Goulburn Workers Club, Goulburn (with British India)
2 April 2011 – The Maram, Canberra (with British India)
8 April 2011 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide (with British India)
14 April 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane (with British India)
15 April 2011 – The Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta (with British India)
16 April 2011 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney (with British India)
21 April 2011 – The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay (with British India)
22 April 2011 – Port Macquarie Panthers, Port Macquarie (with British India)
23 April 2011 – The Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour (with British India)
24 April 2011 – The Great Northern, Byron Bay (with British India)
25 April 2011 – Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra (with British India)
13 May 2011 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (with British India)
14 May 2011 – Hornsby RSL, Hornsby (with British India)
28 May 2011 – Rosemount Hotel, North Perth (with British India)

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Discover the Beauty of Owls of the Swamp

Every now and then I hear a musician, and I wonder why on earth I’ve never heard of them before. Melbourne’s Owls of the Swamp, or Pete Uhlenbruch as his mum calls him, is one of those special artists.

He’s just completed his fifth European tour, and he’s preparing to release his second album Go With River. The album includes the gorgeous single “So Far Away,” which has some of the most stunning acoustic guitar and cello work I’ve heard in some time, and exquisite backing vocals from Icelandic songbird Myrra Ros. You can download the track now exclusively through Triple J Unearthed. Do it; you won’t be disappointed.

And if you like what you hear get out and support Owls of the Swamp as he launches “So Far Away” at Melbourne’s Bar 303 on 18 March. The $10 tickets (available at the door) are a bit of a bargain as they include a free limited edition copy of the single, complete with B-side!

Image source: Lauren Bamford/Owls of the Swamp website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alex Lloyd and the Pigram Brothers Unite for Mad Bastards Soundtrack

Award winning singer-songwriter Alex Lloyd has teamed up with indigenous outfit the Pigram Brothers for the soundtrack to local drama flick, Mad Bastards.

The album has a rootsy feel with nods to country, blues, and even a dash of calypso. It’s so great to see our local artists scoring our films with such exciting, original music. The Mad Bastards soundtrack hits record stores on April 8, ahead of the film’s release on May 5.

The newly formed Mad Bastards Trio will showcase their new tunes around the country in April and May. This is such a rare collaboration and the concerts are in such intimate venues that they’re sure to be something special. Tickets go on sale from the venues on March 10.

25 & 26 April 2011 – Byron Bay Bluesfest, Byron Bay
19 May 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
20 & 21 May 2011 – Notes Live, Newtown
25 May 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
26 May 2011 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
27 & 28 May 2011 – Mojos Bar, North Fremantle

Image used with permission from AUM PR