Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hype Escalates Over Eskimo Joe Inshalla Release

There are just eight days to go until Eskimo Joe release their brand new album Inshalla. To celebrate the release, the band has given their website a hot new makeover.

But that’s just the start of the Inshalla excitement. If you’re in Sydney on Tuesday May 26 make sure you get down to the Apple Store on George Street, where the band will perform as part of the iTunes Live from Sydney series. The free show kicks off at 9 pm, but as access is limited fans are encouraged to arrive early. If you can’t make it to the show, or if you just want to relive it, you can buy an EP of the performance through iTunes.

The band isn’t forgetting their fans home in Western Australia, with a very special preview concert coinciding with the album launch on May 29. Tickets to the show can be won through Nova937 or the Eskimo Joe e-mail list.

But that’s not the only perk for Western Australians. The band will also release a special WA-only edition of Inshalla, featuring a live disc with tracks recorded on the band’s last album tour. Copies are strictly limited, so make sure you reserve your copy at your local WA record store!

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pez Gives "These Days" Another Spin

Melbourne hip-hopper Pez is following up his smash hit “The Festival Song,” with another surefire chart-topper “These Days 2009.”

The song is a remixed, rerecorded version of fan favourite “These Days.” It sees Pez reunite with Blue King Brown’s Hailey Cramer and some of Melbourne’s finest session musos.

Pez said he was inspired to revamp the song to give back to his loyal fan base.

“I was so amazed by the level of support people gave to the ‘The Festival Song’ when it hit radio late last year – and I’m still amazed at the response it continues to get at shows, online and on the radio,” Pez said.

“At the same time, I wanted to show people who only knew me from ‘The Festival Song’ that there’s not just one side to me, that I’m a diverse artist with a lot more to offer than just that one track. And of course, I wanted to give the loyal supporters – those who’ve copped the album and keep telling me that they want to hear new material – something really special to tide them over until I drop another full-length.

“I think with ‘These Days 2009,’ we’ve achieved all of that. We’ve improved on the original track tenfold and I can’t wait for people to hear it for themselves.”

The release of ‘These Days 2009’ coincides with Pez’s support slot on Bliss N Eso’s national tour. Check out this amazing urban lineup at the following venues!

6 June 2009 – ANU Bar, Canberra (18+)
12 & 13 June 2009 – Festival Hall, Melbourne (All ages)
19 June 2009 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (18+)
26 June 2009 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide (All ages)
27 June 2009 – Metro City, Perth (18+)

Image used with permission from Soulmate Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Starting Sunday Single For Free

Melbourne outfit Starting Sunday are preparing to wow Australia with the release of their brand new EP tomorrow and a national tour kicking off later this month.

As Front Counter, the band quickly established a loyal following in Melbourne and even appeared on Neighbours! Now they’re back with a new name and a new grown-up sound.

“Originally we were going to keep the name, then we started writing more music for this EP and we started to realise that not only had our sound drastically changed and matured, but we as a group had grown and moved on. We didn’t feel like we were Front Counter anymore, so a name change became very important,” singer and guitarist Rhys Thompson said.

“We wanted to portray the idea of a new beginning. It was on a Sunday after a few shows in Brisbane that everything changed. The new band started on a Sunday, so after a while it became pretty obvious what we should call the band.”

You can check out Starting Sunday before your friends with their free download offer. Just head to their website, leave your e-mail address, and you’ll get their first single “When You’re Around” for free. How cool is that?

The track is instantly accessible, with a sing-along chorus and the perfect blend of rock and pop. If you’re into Starting Sunday, make sure you catch them on their national tour. Most of the shows are over 18s, but there are a few all ages gigs for the kids too!

28 May 2009 – “Snitch” @ Rosie’s Nightclub, Brisbane (18+)
30 May 2009 – The Hive, Fortitude Valley PCYC, Brisbane (All Ages)
4 June 2009 – “Hot Damn” @ Spectrum, Sydney (18+)
12 June 2009 – Barwon Club, Geelong (18+)
19 June 2009 – Mischief @ Mynt Lounge, Werribee (18+)
20 June 2009 – Fist 2 Face In Store, Melbourne (All Ages – 1pm)
20 June 2009 – “Bang” @ Royal Melbourne Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
21 June 2009 – Coburg Festival, Coburg (All Ages)
26 June 2009 – Syke @ Electric Light Hotel, Adelaide (18+)
27 June 2009 – We Are Godzilla, Adelaide (All Ages – 1pm)
3 July 2009 – Rubys Lounge, Belgrave, VIC (18+)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Australian Music Stores Sell Eminem Early

Embargo? What embargo?

That’s the word from Australian music retailers which have put Eminem’s new album Relapse on sale ahead of the official worldwide release on Monday.

The album is now readily available from many of the big name stores around the country, including Sanity, JB Hi-Fi, and Leading Edge.

Universal had kept the album under cloak and dagger, but Eminem himself hasn’t been quite so secretive. He “leaked” several tracks on his official website, YouTube, and various social networking sites.

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: "Suitcase" by Shea Fisher

OK, this isn’t exactly my new song obsession. It’s my husband’s. He’s besotted with Shea Fisher, and it’s not hard to see why. She’s a stunner. But she’s more than just a pretty face. This song may not set the world on fire, but it’s a really easy-to-listen to slice of pop. It might just be what she needs to successfully make the move from country singer to mainstream star.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Free Hashbang SpaceStar MP3 Download

Give your MP3 collection a shot in the arm with some free new music from Hashbang SpaceStar. The Sydney band is offering a download of their debut single “Buy Now and Borrow” for nix.

The song comes from their forthcoming EP Let It Be Known, which was recorded in India earlier this year. It’s a frenetic synth driven track unlike anything I’ve heard this year. If you’re looking for something truly original, this song might just fit the bill.

The EP is scheduled to hit stores in July, but you can get a taste of what’s to come by downloading the single here. Enjoy!

Image source: Hashbang SpaceStar website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Free Andy Bull MP3 Download

Andy Bull first caught my eye when he made this year’s list of Cleo Eligible Bachelors. But this Sydney muso is much more than just a pretty face.

I love his latest single “Young Man.” This piano-driven slice of pop is accessible yet quirky, separating itself from the current crop of commercial music without alienating listeners. His publicity team is offering free downloads of the track from this website.

If you’re hooked like me, you’ll be happy to hear there’s more where that came from. Andy’s debut album is currently in production so we should see it later this year. In the meantime you can catch him supporting Lisa Mitchell on the last of her shows, or headlining his own gigs at Spectrum. Here are the dates.

6 May 2009 – Mojo’s Bar, Fremantle
7 May 2009 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
8 May 2009 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
20 & 27 May, 3 June 2009 – Spectrum, Sydney

Image used with permission from Delinquents

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vanessa Amorosi and Hoobastank Hook Up

Vanessa Amorosi has teamed up with American rockers Hoobastank for their latest single, “The Letter.”

“I loved the song, from the first time I heard it,” she says. “To be asked to sing on it by Hoobastank was amazing, they are a great bunch of guys.”

It’s a bit of a mutual admiration society, with Hoobastank singer Doug Robb gushing about Vanessa’s involvement with the project.

“She brought a haunting yet powerful quality to the song that we think sounds great. The video was a blast to make as well. She rounded out the story perfectly and I finally got to trash a room. This is one of my favourite videos of ours so far. It looks amazing.”

Vanessa’s achieved chart success in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and here in Australia but she’s never taken a crack at the US market. It sounds like that may be about to change! Industry insiders say the pairing may be a sign that Vanessa’s preparing to release her last album Somewhere In The Real World in the United States.

We’ll get to hear the song on May 4, when it’s released to radio and TV outlets.

Image source: Pacific Coast News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eskimo Joe Announces Aussie Inshalla Tour

The wait is finally over for Eskimo Joe fans. The Western Australian trio has just announced dates for their Inshalla tour to promote their highly-anticipated fourth album.

Eskimo Joe just returned home from a European tour to the news their latest single “Foreign Land” was the most added song to local radio. After two weeks, it’s still sitting pretty in the top 20 Aussie airplay charts. While travelling Europe was exciting, the band can’t wait to get back in front of their local fans.

“Having played shows abroad we are really excited to be getting in front of our home audiences with a new record and new songs to play,” said Joel Quartermain. “We’ve put a lot of thought into this show hoping everyone will have a unique experience.”

This will be Eskimo Joe’s only local tour this year, so expect the shows to sell out first. Make sure you don’t miss out by grabbing your tickets when they go on sale on May 4 from the Eskimo Joe website and the usual outlets. Here are all the dates!

29 July 2009 – Wollongong University
30 July 2009 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (All ages)
31 July 2009 – Newcastle Panthers
1 August 2009 – ANU, Canberra
7 August 2009 – The Palace, Melbourne
13 August 2009 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
15 August 2009 – Fremantle Arts Centre
22 Saturday August 2009 – Riverstage, Brisbane
24 August 2009 – Moncrief Theatre, Bundaberg (All ages)
25 August 2009 – Gladstone PCYC (All ages)
26 Aug 2009 – Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton (All ages)
27 August 2009 – Mackay Entertainment Centre (All ages)
28 August 2009 – Brothers Leagues Club, Cairns  (15+)
29 August 2009    – Townsville Entertainment Centre (All ages)
2 September 2009 – Hobart City Hall (All ages)
3 September 2009 – Albert Hall, Launceston (All ages)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

After The Fire Charity CD for Victorian Bushfire Victims

So you picked up Bushfire Aid, saw Sound Relief, but still want to do more to help the victims of Victoria’s horrific bushfires? A new compilation CD can help you do just that.

After the Fire features acoustic performances by some of Australia’s most amazing musicians. Each artist had just an hour to record their track, adding to the CD’s spontaneous and honest feel. Most were captured after just the first or second take.

Many of the songs were penned exclusively for the recording. Others, like Renee Geyer’s “Dedicated (To the One I Love)” are old favourites.

This is an album full of stories. Brian Mannix wrote his song “All I Know” just moments before laying it down. Chocolate Starfish reformed for just one hour to take part. And little known singer-songwriter Ross Buchanan, a survivor of the Kinglake bushfire, contributed “Salty Tears,” a song written just after his ordeal.

All money raised from the sale of After the Fire will go to the St Vincent De Paul Society of Victoria’s Bushfire survivor’s relief fund. You can get your copy from the After the Fire MySpace page.