Colour Bomb Release Naughty New Video

Melbourne double act Colour Bomb blew me away with their debut single “On the Run,” and I’m just as impressed by their follow-up effort “Beautiful Parade.”

This track isn’t quite so epic, but it’s incredible likable. It’s unashamedly pop, but with a classic bent that helps set it apart from the throwaway tunes flooding commercial radio. The film clip’s also every bit as colourful as the band’s name.

It seems I’m not the only one who approves either. The video is currently Rage’s Indie Clip of the Week!

You might just want to wait until you’re out of the office before you tune in. There’s a little bit of nudity towards the end that the boss may frown upon!

Be Warned, Alex Watts & The Foreign Tongue Are Awesome

So many modern tracks suffer from being oversung, overproduced, and just plain overdone. So it’s refreshing to hear a track like “Warned” by Melbourne act Alex Watts & the Foreign Tongue.

This is really raw stuff, with dirty vocals and gritty instrumentation. There’s a little too much reverb in the guitars, but that only adds to the appeal. Rather than studio trickery, I’m hearing something that could have been produced in any garage. Or at least a garage that had a visit from the horn section of The Australian Ska Orchestra!

Love it? Well get yourself a copy for free! Alex Watts & the Foreign Tongue are giving it away via their website!

Abbe May is T.R.O.U.B.L.E.

I’ve always found the music of Abbe May a bit hit and miss. When she was on, she floored me with her raw, feminine power. But when her musical experiments didn’t work, they left me cold. Thankfully she’s back to her best with her kickass new single “T.R.O.U.B.L.E”.

I love the way the electronic tones work with Abbe’s haunting falsetto. It’s all so very sexy and raw. There’s so much swagger about it. I love it. If this is the kind of music we can look forward to when Abbe releases her new album Kiss My Apocalypse in May, sign me up.

Ngaiire Smoulders with “Dirty Hercules”

Few of us remember the talent show contestants that fail to make the finals. But for me, Ngaiire was the exception to the rule. So many years since she was snubbed for the Australian Idol finals, I still remember her time on the show. So I’m thrilled to see she’s back in the spotlight with a new single and an album on the way in June.

That single is “Dirty Hercules,” the first song lifted from her debut album Lamentations. It’s a sultry, smouldering number that showcases Ngaiire’s voice beautifully. It reminded me a lot of something Sade might have released in her heyday. I expected a bit more spice from Ngaiire, but perhaps she’s saving that for future singles.

If you’re as excited as I am to hear more of Ngaiire’s music, make sure you catch her when she tours “Dirty Hercules” this month.

9 March 2013 – Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
10 March 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
16 & 17 March 2013 – Blue Mountains Music Festival, Katoomba
23 March 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
29 March 2013 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
30 March 2013 – FBi Social Club, King’s Cross
12 April 2013 – The Joynt, Brisbane
13 April 2013 – Full Moon Party, Noosa
14 April 2013 – Buddha Bar, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Gerling Singer Goes Country with Jep and Dep

Darren Cross has put his days in Gerling behind him to forge a brand new alt-country duo with Jessica Cassar. Together they’re Jep and Dep, the talents behind this gorgeous new song “Ain’t Coming Back.”

I adore the way this number breathes new life into the tired old love song genre. There’s none of the whining and pining. Instead Jep and Dep sing about getting out at the right time and moving forward. Its lyrics are also as poetic as any I’ve heard of late. The track gives us a taste of what’s in store when the double act launches their debut EP, Through the Night, on March 13.

If you love what you hear, get your skates on. Jep and Dep will give music lovers a sneak peek at the EP when they headline a show at the Oxford Arts Factory tonight. If you’ve missed it don’t worry; they’ll formally launch their EP at the following shows.

17 March 2013 – Green Room, Enmore
23 March 2013 – Earth Hour @ Midnight Special, Newtown
7 April 2013 – Gasometer Hotel, Melbourne
12 April 2013 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart

Sticky Fingers Get Patriotic with “Australia Street” & National Tour

It seems I’m a little late to jump on to the Sticky Fingers bandwagon. When radio listeners voted their song “Caress Your Soul” into the number 61 spot on the last Hottest 100, I was still clueless. But now that I’ve heard their third single “Australia Street”, I’m hooked.

It’s not just the patriotism that’s won me over. The song has such an intriguing mix of hip hop, ska, and rock. I also love the band’s story. Drummer beaker and bass player Paddy Fingers met their lead singer Dylan Frost when he was busking outside Newtown’s Coopers Arms hotel. Now that’s rock and roll.

Surely the hype will amp up once Sticky Fingers release their debut album, also called Caress Your Soul, tomorrow. They’re also doing things the right way and taking the music to as many people as they can. You can get in on the ground floor when Sticky Fingers visit a town near you soon!

22 March 2013 – Manning Bar, Sydney
23 March 2013 – Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale
27 March 2013 –  Rosemount Hotel, Northbridge
28 March 2013 – The Prince Hotel, Bunbury
30 March 2013 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
5 April 2013 – The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
12 April 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
13 April 2013 – Royal Oaks, Launceston
18 April 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
19 April 2013 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
20 April 2013 – The Big Pineapple Festival, Sunshine Coast
20 April 2013 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
10 May 2013 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide

Boom! Bap! Pow! Want to Wear You Like a Suit!

Boom! Bap! Pow! delivers one of the most memorable lyrics in recent years in the chorus of their infectious new pop gem “Suit”. I’m not sure whether the object of lead singer Novac Bull’s affection should be flattered or scared!

Either way, the song’s a sassy little number. It’s unashamedly pop, but there’s an unusual dark edge to it. I also love the big band feel the retro brass instrumentation brings. If this song’s any indication, we’re in for great things when Boom! Bap! Pow! Release their album So Heavy in the middle of 2013.

Rock Out With The Arachnids Brilliant Break-Up Track

The Arachnids have created one of the best breakup songs I’ve heard in some time in their latest single “Daydreaming.”

This is straight up, good, honest rock and roll. There’s no wallowing or yearning. Instead it’s a big powerful goodbye to all of the hurt and drama that being wrapped up in the relationship brought. I’ve just listened to the track three times in a row, and I’m still just as enamoured.

If you love it too, you’ll want to catch The Arachnids as they make their way around the East Coast this month.

14 March 2013 – The Phoenix, Canberra
15 March 2013 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
16 March 2013 – The Retreat, Melbourne
23 March 2013 – Trainspotters, Brisbane

Citizen Kay’s Brotherly Rap Single

Ghana born, Australian based rapper Citizen Kay has joined forces with his real life little brother Genesis Owusu for his new single “Ansah Brothers”. The track comes from Citizen Kay’s forthcoming debut EP, which is slated to hit shelves in April.

This little taste of Citizen Kay makes me pretty excited about his music. I love the way his easy rapping combines with the big brassy swing undertones. He’s made something really different here, which is only enhanced by the cheeky clip.

If this song’s any indication, we’ll be hearing a lot more about Citizen Kay.

Seth Sentry Serves Up Fun Science Single

Science has brought us medical breakthroughs, bountiful crops, and high-tech materials, but where’s the really good stuff? Where are our hoverboards?

Seth Sentry asks these questions and more in his open letter to the field of study, “Dear Science.” It’s the third track lifted from Seth’s debut album This Was Tomorrow.

To celebrate the single’s release, Seth will embark on his biggest national tour to date this May. Tickets are available now through Seth’s website.

9 May 2013 – Breakers Bar, Geraldton WA (18+)
10 May 2013 – Villa, Perth WA (18+)
12 May  2013 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle WA (18+)
16 May 2013 – The Gov, Adelaide SA (All Ages)
17 May 2013 – The Forum, Melbourne VIC (18+)
18 May 2013 – Ding Dong, Melbourne (U18)
24 May 2013 – Metro Theatre, Sydney NSW (All Ages)
25 May 2013 – The HiFi, Brisbane (18+)