Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Watussi Are 1000% Back, and 1000% Handsome

Watussi are back, and just a little bit full of themselves. The fun loving Aussie lads are gearing up for an East Coast tour to promote their new EP, 1000% Handsome.

Acclaimed producer Joel Hamilton (BlakRoc, Tom Waits, Talib Kweli) has injected Watussi’s new EP with some old school Latin rock flavour and an infectious energy. 1000% Handsome hits record stores on March 11.

Watussi are a real party band, so the best way to experience them is on the stage. Prepare to have a ball at the following shows.

10 March 2011 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
11 March 2011 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (EP Launch)
19 March 2011 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
20 March 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
23 March 2011 – UNE Bistro, Armidale
24 March 2011 – The Step Inn, Brisbane
25 March 2011 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
30 March 2011 – ANU Bar, Canberra
31 March 2011 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
1 April 2011 – Baroque Bar @ Carrington Hotel, Katoomba
2 April 2011 – Beach Rd Hotel, Bondi Beach
3 April 2011 – Queen’s Wharf Brewery, Newcastle

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lionel Richie and Guy Sebastian Duet for Flood Victims

Tour buddies Guy Sebastian and Lionel Richie have recorded a new version of Lionel’s dance-tastic 80s smash “All Night Long” to benefit Australian flood victims.

The soulful pair laid down the tune in Los Angeles this week, and have pledged all money raised will reach the Flood Relief program.

I love the concept, but as an old school Lionel fan I’m also a little nervous. Apparently the new version was produced by RedOne, the man behind Lady Gaga and that awful Richie-sampling Enrique Iglesias tune “I Like It.” Here’s hoping they ease up on the electronics and preserve the fun of the original!

I can’t wait to hear the song, and am also kicking myself for not getting tickets to this upcoming tour. No doubt Lionel and Guy will perform it for fans at their Day on the Green and theater shows!

Image source: Dwight McCann @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Something Different from Topology

With elements of jazz, classical, and modern electronica, Brisbane quintet Topology truly serve up something original with their seventh studio album, Difference Engine.

The band’s illustrious resume has seen them work with Katie and Tyrone Noonan, Savage Garden, Kate Miller-Heidke, and even Geoffrey Rush. But this adventurous ensemble deserves to step into the spotlight. Expect big things from Topology this year as they tour Singapore and Europe. Shows in India next year are also on the agenda.

I love the way this band takes the stuffiness out of classical music and plays with genre to create something timeless but exciting. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you have an appreciation for instrumental music, Topology’s stuff is definitely worth a listen.

Topology will launch their album Difference Engine at The Visy Theatre at Brisbane Powerhouse this Sunday. Tickets are available from the venue.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Israel Cannan Tours Single “Set Me Free”

Few artists invest as much in their creative vision as Israel Cannan. We saw him write, engineer, and play all the instruments on his sophomore album Walk. So now it’s out, you’d think the hard work would be over, right? Not a chance.

Israel’s just released a new single “Set Me Free” and to promote it he’s made this music video. For most artists that simply means time in front of the camera, but that’s too easy. Israel actually directed and edited the film clip too. Is there anything he can’t do?

Apparently not, because now we’ll see him setting off on his first national tour. It all kicks off this Friday in Adelaide. Tickets are available now from the venues for the following shows. If he puts as much work into those gigs as he does everything else, they’re going to be pretty spectacular.

25 February 2011 – Fringe Festival, Adelaide
26 February 2011 – The Exeter Hotel, Adelaide
27 February 2011 – La Mar Sundays, Adelaide
1 March 2011 – Mojo’s, Fremantle
3 March 2011 – The Raval, Sydney
18 March 2011 – The Front Gallery, Canberra
19 March 2011 – Bertha Brown, Melbourne
25 March 2011 – Gallery, Forster
26 March 2011 – The Loft, Gold Coast
15 April 2011 – The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Triple J Hottest 100 Double Album Released Next Month

You tuned in on Australia Day, and soon you can own the best songs from the countdown with the release of Triple J Hottest 100 Volume 18.

Angus & Julia Stone’s winning single “Big Jet Plane” sits comfortably alongside other local hits from Little Red, Sia, Washington, Bliss N Eso, and heaps more. In fact, reflecting the make-up of this year’s countdown roughly half of the album is local music. With all of the hits on here, it’s no wonder they needed to make the collection a double CD!

Triple J Hottest 100 Volume 18 hits record stores on March 4.

Image source: ABC Shop

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Drones Drummer Mike Noga Releases Second Solo Album

The Drones drummer Mike Noga will follow up his 2006 solo album Folk Songs this April with the release of The Balladeer Hunter.

The album came about through Mike’s despair with the current state of radio playlists.

“Upon flicking through the FM dial with careless abandon one day, it occurred to me that no matter how hard I looked, I could not, for the life of me, find any true SOUL in the songs that were being handed back to me on a static plate,” he said in a statement.

And so he set about righting the situation, gathering his Gentlemen of Fortune bandmates Pat Bourke of Dallas Crane and Gus Agars of The Gin Club to lay some tracks down. It took them just two days to record the album, which is testimony to the professionalism of these musos. It delivers that soul that’s so lacking on the popular charts with its mix of folk ballads and rock tunes.

The Balladeer Hunter hits record stores around the country on April 1.

Image used with permission from Other Tongues

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Only The Sea Slugs Tour “Big Sky” Single

With an unlikely name and killer new single “Big Sky,” I predict Only The Sea Slugs are going to prove pretty unforgettable. Just to be sure the band will travel down the east coast to spruik their new tune next month.

This song’s arrangement is so simple, but its unique instrumentation and poignant lyrics about isolation in the urban jungle really speak to me. The song is the first single from Only The Sea Slugs’ debut EP Dreamstate.

If you dig it make sure you catch Only The Sea Slugs doing their thing at the following shows.

4 March 2011 – The Gallery Bar @ The Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
11 March 2011 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
12 March 2011 – The Gallery Bar @ The Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
16 March 2011 – The Workers Club, Fitzroy
19 March 2011 – The Gallery Bar @ The Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
24 March 2011 – Lambda Lambda Lambda @ Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
26 March 2011 – The Gallery Bar @ The Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

San Cisco One to Watch

From the fertile musical soils of Western Australia comes San Cisco, an indie act already making waves around the world.

Australia hasn’t cottoned on to these local lads yet, but they’ve just been invited to play the UK’s Great Escape festival in May. Not bad for some teenagers fresh out of high school, is it?

They’re certainly not letting youth hold them back. They’re already produced their first EP, Golden Revolver, which is currently enjoying rotation on Triple J and community radio stations.

The disc mixes indie pop, folk, and synth into a sound which has been compared to Vampire Weekend and Tame Impala. I don’t think the band would mind the comparisons much either, as they’ve actually covered Tame Impala’s “Solitude is Bliss” for the EP.

Expect to hear plenty more about this San Cisco in 2011.

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Waifs Tempting Aussie Tour

It’s been four long years since The Waifs released their last album Sun Dirt Water, so I’m thrilled to hear some new material from this Western Australian folk act. Below I’ve posted “Angela” a stunning song from the band’s new album Temptation.

I am completely in love with this tune. It’s just so pretty and soulful and gorgeous, the kind of thing you want to play to all your friends. Thank goodness for this blog that allows me to do just that! If this is an indication of what we can expect from Temptation, the album’s going to be a stunner.

Temptation apparently sees The Waifs returning to their roots, with stripped back performances and songs contributed by all band members. The band laid it down while living together above Minneapolis’ Underwood Studios, playing, cooking, and reminiscing over a period of two weeks.

“You just went downstairs when it was your turn to do a take,” explained guitarist Josh Cunningham. “It was a great atmosphere to make an album in and I think you can hear that on the recordings.”

Temptation hits record stores on March 4, by which point The Waifs will already be winging their way around the country. You can see them live at the following venues around the country.

22 February 2011 – Moruya Memorial Hall, Moruya
23 February 2011 – Anita’s Theatre, Wollongong
24th February 2011 – Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
26 February 2011 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
27 February 2011 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
1 March 2011 – The Northern, Byron Bay
2 March 2011 – Nambour Civic Centre, Nambour
3 March 2011 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
5 March 2011 – Old Broadwater Farm, Busselton
6 March 2011 – Castelli Estate, Denmark
8 March 2011 – Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah
9 March 2011 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle
10 March 2011 – Astor Theatre, Perth
12 & 13 March 2011 – Port Fairy Folk Festival, Port Fairy
15 March 2011 – The Gov, Adelaide
16 March 2011 – The Forum, Melbourne
17 March 2011 – The Forum, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
19 & 20 March 2011 – Blue Mountains Folk Festival, Katoomba
21 March 2011 – Moncrieff Theatre, Bundaberg
23 March 2011 – James Cook University Uni Club, Townsville
24 March 2011 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
26 March 2011 – Darwin Ski Club, Darwin
27 March 2011 – Mangrove Resort Hotel, Broome

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Patrizio Buanne Releases Special Aussie CD

Italian charmer Patrizio Buanne is preparing to release a new repackaged version of his self-titled album just for his Aussie fans. The disc will feature four new songs, including the forthcoming single “This Kiss Tonight.”

“The success of my first release in the UK in 2005 enabled me to follow my dream and travel the world” Patrizio said in a statement. “Australia was the first territory in the world where I achieved double-platinum sales, and the respect, support and friendship I have found in your country is very special to me.”

Awww, well we love you too handsome man! The Australian special edition of Patrizio hits stores on April 1.

Image source: Sry85 @ Wikimedia Commons