Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Villainy Plans Trip Across the Ditch

“Alligator Skin” is one of the most stellar rock songs I’ve heard in some time. It’s not exactly setting the charts on fire, but hopefully that will all change when the band behind the song, New Zealand’s Villainy, hit our shores next month.

Villainy will get in front of plenty of Aussies during their stay with shows for Big Sound and support slots with Kingswood and Jackson Firebird. Fans can expect something pretty special when these guys hit the stage. It took them just a couple of months on the live circuit to land the support slot for Incubus. They’ve also supported the likes of The Offspring and Billy Talent back home. They enjoyed rave reviews for their recent headline national tour of New Zealand.

Villainy will play the lead single and other tracks from their forthcoming album Mode. Set. Clear. at the following shows.

11 September 2013 – Big Sound New Zealand Party @ Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
12 September 2013 – Big Sound Showcase @ The Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
13 September 2013 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast (supporting Kingswood)
14 September 2013 – Great Northern, Byron Bay (supporting Kingswood)
18 September 2013 – Cherry Bar, Melbourne (supporting Jackson Firebird)
19 September 2013 – The Espy Front Bar, Melbourne
20 September 2013 – Spectrum, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan Sultan Guests on Way of the Eagle Single

When ARIA-nominated producer Jan Skubisewski recruited Dan Sultan to provide guest vocals for his debut single as solo act Way of the Eagle, the result was always bound to be musical magic.

The song that came out of their work together is “Rattlesnake”, a Triple J favorite that takes us right to the cantinas of Nevada. It’s sultry and bluesy, with a dash of mariachi thrown in.

Way of the Eagle will launch this sexy single with the following shows in the major capitals.

12 September 2013 — The Zoo, Brisbane
20 September 2013 — Upstairs Beresford, Sydney (FREE)
27 September 2013 — Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rainy Day Women Tour “Ain’t It Time?”

Perth five-piece Rainy Day Women are hitting the road to celebrate the recent release of their second single “Ain’t It Time?”

This is a perfect slice of indie pop that should soon see you forgetting your workday blues. Who would have thought such an upbeat number could come from songwriter Dylan Ollivierre venting his frustration over an argument with a friend? It was recorded on a farm in south-west Western Australia, and I think that organic setting has seeped into this recording. It’s a little rough around the edges, but that spontaneity is infectious.

Rainy Day Women will kick off their “Ain’t It Time?” single launch tour with showcases at Big Sound before criss-crossing the country and back home again.

11 September 2013 – Big Sound @ Coniston Lane, Brisbane
12 September 2013 – Big Sound @ Alhambra Lounge WAM Showcase, Brisbane
13 September 2013 – X&Y Bar, Brisbane
14 September 2013 – Transit Bar, Canberra
18 September 2013 – Beach Road Hotel, Sydney
19 September 2013 – The Bucket List, Sydney (Acoustic)
20 September 2013 – Upstairs at The Beresford, Sydney
21 September 2013 – Hibernian House, Sydney (Acoustic)
26 September 2013 – The Espy, Melbourne
27 September 2013 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne
28 September 2013 – Ed’s Castle, Adelaide
5 October 2013 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
6 October 2013 – The Newport, Fremantle
11 October 2013 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
19 October 2013 – Electric Vines, Swan Valley

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Belle and the Bone People Bring us The Boy

Sydney’s Belle and the Bone People present themselves as Australia’s answer to Mumford and Sons with their new single “The Boy”. The track is our first taste of the band’s self-titled six-track EP, and it’s absolutely killer.

I’ve been assured this isn’t a band that should be pigeonholed though. While they do that toe-tapping folk thing so well, the EP happily bounces around from genre to genre. With such a strong lead single, I’m pretty intrigued about this new Aussie act.

Image used with permission from Firestarter Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amy Shark Are Your Saturday Soundtrack

It’s Saturday! If that’s not enough to put a smile on your face, this charming folk number from Amy Shark should do it. The back and forth vocals and big brassy instrumentation of “Weight of the World” are just delightful!

Amy Shark will play their first ever show to launch their EP at The Loft Chevron Island on September 13. If you’re in the area, make sure you get on down to support this feel-good band!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stonefield Tour New Single Head of Album Release

When the fresh-faced sisters Stonefield burst onto the music scene I thought they possessed maturity beyond their tender years.

However, after a year out of the spotlight they’ve grown even more to create their long awaited self-titled debut album. That won’t hit stores until October 11, but we get a taste of it with the debut single “Put Your Curse on Me”.

The track’s got all the guts we remember from the girls, but more layers than their earlier efforts. It can’t all be down to the appearance of the Melbourne Mass Gospel Choir, but their harmonious voices certainly give this number a lift.

Fans can hear this track and more from Stonefield’s debut album when the sisters kick off their national tour in Newcastle tonight. Tickets are still available, so make sure you get yourself to one of these shows.

23 August 2013 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
24 August 2013 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
29 August 2013 – The Prince of Wales, Bunbury
30 August 2013 – Players Bar, Mandurah
31 August 2013 – Amplifier, Perth
1 September 2013 – Indi Bar, Scarborough
5 September 2013 – Jive, Adelaide
6 September 2013 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
7 September 2013 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
11 September 2013 – Big Sound, Brisbane

Image used with permission from 123 Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ngaiire Guests on The Strides’ Single

Sydney urban act The Strides have joined forces with up and coming soul superstar Ngaiire for their brand new single “One for One”.

The track showcases how easily this band blends classic reggae with contemporary hip hop. I love the way the big brassy horns and infectious base line marry with Ngaiire’s honey-rich voice.

“One for One” gives us our first taste of The Strides’ third album, which is scheduled to hit stores early next year. Fans can get a taste of what’s to come when the band launches the single at the following shows.

29 August 2013 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour (FREE)
30 August 2013 – SolBar, Maroochydore
31 August 2013 – Mandala Arts Café, Gold Coast
1 September 2013 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (FREE)
3 September 2013 – The Platinum Lounge @ Lismore Workers Club, Lismore (FREE)
8 September 2013 – Barrenjoey Music Room @ Barrenjoey High School, Avalon
11 September 2013 – The Ellington, Perth
12 September 2013 – Mojo’s, Fremantle
13 September 2013 – Ya Ya’s, Perth
14 September 2013 – Prince Of Wales Hotel, Bunbury (FREE)
15 September 2013 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough
26 September 2013 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
27 September 2013 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
28 September 2013 – Murrah Hall, Bermagui
29 September 2013 – Honky Tonks, Canberra
5 October 2013 – The Basement, Sydney
25 – 27 October 2013 – Island Vibe Festival, Stradbroke Island

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gyton Grantley Stars in New Electric Empire Video

I was initially going to dismiss the press release about Electric Empire’s new single “Changin’” as old news, as the EP came out last year. But then I revisited the track and watched the excellent music video, starring my favourite House Husband Gyton Grantley, and I changed my mind.

Because many of you might not have heard this gorgeous soulful song, and you really should. And if you’re one of the folks who bought the Changin’ EP last year, maybe you need a reminder to get it out of your CD rack and have another listen.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Make Valar Your Sunday Soundtrack

Sydney trio Valar offers a great chill-out Sunday soundtrack with their latest single “Anoesis”.

It sounds so slick, I was doubly impressed to hear the band self-produced this number. The subdued electronic track is accompanied beautifully by this stunning music video, directed by Jon Key. “Anoesis” comes from Valar’s new EP Chocolate Cake, which is available now.