Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boom Crash Opera Dancing in the Storm Again

Boom Crash Opera is the latest band to give their hits the acoustic treatment with a Liberation Blue album.

The stripped-bare Dancing in the Storm will feature the title track, “Onion Skin,” “The Best Thing” and plenty more smash hits from the 80s and 90s. It comes 12 years after the release of their last studio album, Gizmo Mantra.

Dancing in the Storm is due for release on May 1. There’s also playing some acoustic shows with Taxiride and Sean Kelly to celebrate the album’s launch. Here are all the dates!

14 May 2009 – Conrad Treasury Casino “Live Wire Bar,” Brisbane
15 May 2009 – Victoria Point Sharks Club, Brisbane
16 May 2009 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
21 May 2009 – The Basement, Sydney
22 May 2009 – Towradgi Beach Hotel, Wollongong
29 May 2009 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
30 May 2009 – Barwon Heads Hotel
7 June 2009 – Rutherglen Winery, Victoria
12 Jun 2009 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eskimo Joe Ready to Release Album Number 4

This is our first look at the artwork for Inshalla, the much-anticipated fourth album from Eskimo Joe.

The first single “Foreign Land” is all over radio at the moment, coming in as the most added song for the week. And it’s little wonder why. Everything this Western Australian trio touches turns to gold, and this album’s likely to be no different.

But don’t expect more of the same. The group has embraced a fresh new sound for the curiously titled album. Guitarist Joel Quartermain explained the meaning behind the mystical moniker.

“In the very early stage of writing the album, our singer [Kav Temperley] spent five days in Egypt and he heard everyone saying this word ‘inshalla’, which literally translates to ‘god willing’ but can be interpreted a number of ways,” he said.

“For us, it is more about being resigned to fate and accepting what will be will be. It was a turning point for the band when we decided to ease off control and let fate take over. And, of course, it’s a beautiful word which is another reason why we chose it.”

Inshalla hits stores on May 29.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Corby Releases Debut EP

Matt Corby sent hearts a-fluttering when he stepped onto the Australian Idol stage in 2007. Now two years on he’s ready to release his debut EP.The disc will be released in May through Scorpio Music, the same label which manages Evermore, Operator Please, and Lisa Mitchell.

“I think people will be kind of surprised by what they hear,” Matt told The Sunday Telegraph.”I’m still developing as an artist, and I want to keep doing this. I guess my music is a reflection of the music I love to listen to: blues and folk.”

It’s thrilling to see this talented teen, who was clearly uncomfortable with the attention he attracted on Idol, coming into his own. He’s done it by stepping away from the spotlight and just being a regular 16-year-old.

“Playing to that many people on a weekly basis is kind of overwhelming. It was really important for me to take the time out to be a regular teenager, hang out with my friends, and keep working on my music,” he explained.

In that downtime he preferred to play intimate gigs at small Sydney venues, and enjoyed travelling to London and New York to write songs.

Matt will return to London in May to work on a full-length album, but for now he’s happy to focus on the EP.

“I just hope a few people buy it and enjoy what they hear,” he said. If his work on Idol was any indication, I’m sure it’s going to be brilliant.

Image source: Timothy Neilen/Wikimedia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angus Stone Prepares to Release Lady of the Sunshine Album

Angus Stone, under the moniker Lady of the Sunshine, is poised to release his debut solo effort Smoking Gun.

“I’ve been skipping off in between tours for about a year now to shake my head of these songs” Angus explained in a statement.   “Last year the old man gave me his old telecaster which gave me the chance to move into a heavier sound. I guess the idea of this album was that there would be no idea of how it would come together as a whole. I wanted these songs to have their own style and I enjoyed watching how the songs took on their own ride, most from the simplest of ideas.”

The album sees Angus as a jack of all trades, taking care of writing duties, the vocals, and electric and acoustic guitar. He also co-produced the disc with drummer and bassist, Finn (Govinda Doyle).

The disc was recorded in an old water tank of all places in the hills of North Queensland. It offers a very different sound to the sweet folk music of Angus and Julia Stone, one which embraces the dirty sounds of blues and rock.

Smoking Gun will be released through Angus’ label Desert Harvest Records in Australia, the United States, and United Kingdom on April 3.

Image used with permission from Original Matters

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shelley Harland Releases Wonder-Ful EP

Singer-songwriter Shelley Harland is definitely one to watch. The well travelled London-born musician spent the last few years in New York, and recently moved to Sydney. Lucky us! She’s wasted no time introducing herself to Aussie audiences, recently earning the support slot on The Fray’s national tour.

“Wonder” is the title track from her new EP, a cool breezy track that sits nicely with the sound she’s discovered here in Oz.

“The music I made changed when I moved to Australia,” Shelley said in a statement. “I wasn’t listening to anything different. My tastes have always been about The Beatles, Motown, The Carpenters, Bjork, Portishead and Fleetwood Mac. But while New York made me feel electric, Sydney was so laid back and beautiful that my music took on that flavour.”

If you love it you’ll be happy to know that there’s more where that came from. Shelley’s debut album Red Leaf is scheduled for release later this year through Albert Music.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Breast Cancer Charity CD is All Woman

Warner Music Australia will think pink in April, releasing a compilation album to support breast cancer research. All Woman will hit shelves on Friday April 17 in partnership with the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

It’s a double-CD packed with girl power anthems from our own Delta Goodrem, Jenny Morris, Natalie Bassingthwaite, Katie Noonan, Tina Arena, Gabriella Cilmi, Olivia Newton-John, and Marcia Hines. Their tracks sit comfortably alongside international feminist icons including Tori Amos, Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick, and k.d. lang.

“We are very pleased to be partnering with the National Breast Cancer Foundation this Mother’s Day, with the launch of All Woman, a fabulous compilation featuring the very best female artists from around the world. More than 13,600 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed this year in Australia. We hope that by partnering with the NBCF we can raise more money to help fund essential research.” Sarah Rouhan, Vice President Commercial Marketing at Warner said today.

$1 from every CD will benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Warner Music Australia has pledged at least $25, 000 to the cause, regardless of how many CDs are sold. Let’s help them top that! This sounds like a fantastic mother’s day gift, or a present for yourself!

Here’s the complete track listing!

CD 1

  1. Whitney Houston – I’m Every Woman
  2. All Saints – Pure Shores
  3. Joss Stone – Super Duper Love
  4. En Vogue – Don’t Let Go
  5. Delta – In This Life
  6. Estelle – Pretty Please
  7. Alicia Keys – No One
  8. Faith Hill – Breathe
  9. Corrine Bailey Rae – Girls Put Your Records On
  10. Natalie Merchant – Carnival
  11. Colbie Caillat – Bubbly
  12. Des’ree – Feel So High
  13. Dionne Warwick – I Say A Little Prayer For You
  14. Lorraine Ellison – Stay With Me
  15. Rickie Lee Jones – Chuck E’s in Love
  16. k.d. lang – Constant Craving
  17. Jenny Morris – She Has to Be Loved
  18. Randy Crawford – One Day I’ll Fly Away
  19. Laura Branigan – Gloria

CD 2

  1. Gabriella Cilmi – Sweet About Me
  2. Christina Aguilera – Beautiful
  3. Natalie Bassingthwaighte – Alive
  4. Katie Noonan – Time to Begin
  5. Jewel – You Were Meant for Me
  6. Tina Arena – Sorrento Moon
  7. Brandy – Have You Ever
  8. Donna Lewis – I Love You Always Forever
  9. Tori Amos – Cornflake Girl
  10. Sixpence None The Richer – Kiss Me
  11. Alannah Myles – Love Is
  12. Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive
  13. Aretha Franklin – You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman
  14. Marcia Hines – You
  15. Olivia Newton John – Let Me Be There
  16. Candi Stanton – Young Hearts Run Free
  17. Linda Ronstadt (featuring Aaron Neville) – Don’t Know Much
  18. Sister Sledge – We Are Family
  19. Maria Muldaur – Midnight at the Oasis

Image source: Alice Wycklendt @ Stock.xchng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: "Feels Like Woah" – Wes Carr

It wasn’t that long ago that my husband I were lamenting the lack of “Woahs” in songs. Yes, we have such conversations. So I’m thrilled to see Australia’s reigning Idol Wes Carr bringing the “Woahs” back with his new single “Feelss like Woah.” This feels like an instant classic, channeling old 1980s rock in the vein of Bruce Springsteen or Bryan Adams. And you can sing along immediately, even if it’s just to the “Woahs”!

The single is in stores today with the album The Way the World Looks set to follow on March 20. If the songs we’ve heard are any indication, the CD should be sensational.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Basics Strip Off for a Song

The Basics are revealing a little more of themselves in the music video for their new single “With This Ship.” This clever clip features the boys in the buff! It’s apparently an experience they enjoyed, because they’ve also stripped off for their latest publicity shots! Ooo-er!

I can’t promise nudity when the lads hit the road next month, but there will be good music. The indie popstars will visit the following East Coast venues.

18 April 2009 – St Martins, Randall Theatre, Melbourne
23 April 2009 – Transit Bar, Canberra
24 April 2009 – The Globe, Brisbane
25 & 26 April 2009 – The Vanguard, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angus Stone is Lady of the Sunshine

Angus Stone is temporarily leaving his sister Julia behind to embark on an edgier solo side project. Known as Lady of the Sunshine, Angus will unleash his first solo album Smoking Gun on April 3. This truly independent endeavour will be released through Angus’ own label Desert Harvest Records, in conjunction with EMI.

But before that, you can hear the first single “White Rose Parade.” Head on over to the Lady of the Sunshine MySpace page to hear this rocking new track!

Image used with permission from Original Matters

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Billy Chugg’s Final Album Tangier Nears Release

Tomorrow marks two years since the death of Australian music legend Billy Thorpe. When we lost this music icon he was working on his most ambitious project to date, an album called Tangier. Close friends Michael Chugg and Amanda Pelman took over the project on Billy’s death, and soon they’ll deliver this important work.

“We have lived with Billy’s gestation of this remarkable work for so many years now, upon his passing it just seemed ‘normal’ to proceed with its completion,” they said in a statement.

“More than simply a duty of care, it became an imperative that his fans should hear this extraordinary tapestry of song. We were lucky to find in producer Daniel Denholm someone as ‘in tune’ with Billy, without ever having known him, that the project is about to have its realisation. Stay tuned.”

Billy’s wife Lynn is also excited that fans will soon hear the final chapter of Billy’s legacy.

“Billy’s magnificent Tangier reflects the many aspects of ‘Thorpie’ that not many knew – the deep thinker, the marveller at the wonders of the universe and the nature of love and the fleetingness of life, and the ever curious and enthusiastic musical traveller and adventurer,” she said.

“He never stopped trying to break the boundaries. Come on the journey that has been our life since the turn of the century. It will blow you away.”

Shortly before he died, Billy said, “From my experiences in a 40-year international music and recording career, I know instinctively when something really special comes along. I feel it in my joints and it won’t let go. I wake and sleep in its rhythm and cadence. It consumes me and simply demands to be brought to life. And that’s Tangier.”

Tomorrow will be a sad day for Australian music fans as we all pause to remember what a talent we lost. But it’s wonderful to know that there’s a little more to come.

Image source: Australian Paralympic Committee @ Wikimedia Commons