Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan & Hannah Acfield Back with “Lonely Robot”

Talented siblings Dan and Hannah Acfield are back with a brand new EP, Turning a Page.

The recording features the brand new single “Lonely Robot.” It’s another gorgeous cut with soaring vocals and a beautiful melody. I love Dan’s voice, but it’s even more beautiful when it joins with Hannah’s harmonies near the end of the tune.

Dan and Hannah are currently promoting Turning a Page with shows around the country. You can still catch them at The Newsagency in Sydney on November 30 and Barsoma in Brisbane on December 2.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wires Look for Short Term Pleasures

Friday’s winding down and we’re ready to kick up our heels and usher in the weekend. So it seems like the perfect time to introduce you to “Short Term Pleasures,” the fun new single from Sydney act Wires.

This song is so playfully self deprecating, I love it. If only most guys were so honest in bars, right girls? It might save us all a lot of heartache!

“Short Term Pleasures” comes from Wires’ debut EP Hold On To Me Now, which in the very best record stores now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Townhouses Impress with Asylum Seekers Ode, Diaspora

I’m floored by “Diaspora,” the stunning new single from The Townhouses. Fellow Sydney act Guerre lends his talents to this beautiful haunting track.

“Diaspora is made up of questions – it’s an open letter to refugees coming to, and currently living in, Australia,” the musicians explained. “The victimisation of asylum seekers by the Australian media and political institutions is a deplorable smudge in an already tainted history of ‘tolerance’ in our country. I want my people to ensure the pain of leaving what refugees devastatingly left behind is not amplified due to our own reluctance and ignorance, to provide an inclusive supportive community, and to learn from our past mistakes. I hope this song helps, even just a little, in looking forward from here.”

“Diaspora” is the second single and title track from The Townhouses forthcoming album, which will hit stores on November 20. What do you think of it?

Image used with permission from Yes Please Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sleep Decade Back with “Mexico”

With their debut album Into Spinning Lights now in stores, we can see the dreamy romanticism Sleep Decade showcased on their debut single “Bicycle” was no flash in the pan.

There’s that same gentle vibe and poetic lyrics in the current single “Mexico.” Some music lovers might demand more light and shade, but I was so impressed with the first offering that I don’t mind the consistency. Perhaps we should just say this Melbourne band knows itself and its creative vision!

Needless to say, I can’t wait to wrap my ears around the rest of Into Spinning Lights. I’m also a bit jealous that Melbourne gets an afternoon launch show at the Northcote Social Club on November 18. Hopefully we see them playing around the rest of the country soon!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hear Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides Single First!

Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides blew me away with their EP The Cat & The Fiddle. When I reviewed it way back in May, I remarked that I couldn’t wait to hear what comes next from the band.

Happily they’ve listened and offered me a sneak peek of their debut album Graceful Mistake. The single “The Sword” doesn’t hit iTunes until November 16, but you can hear it first here!

Needless to say, I’m just as in love with “The Sword” and the B-side “Cavalry Train” as I was with the EP tunes. Despite just recording their first album, Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides is a band that seems really comfortable in its sound. I’m definitely digging this. How about you?

Image used with permission from Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eagle and the Worm Go Retro

Melbourne’s Eagle and The Worm have released a killer new clip to promote their latest single “Give Me Time,” the first lifted from their brand new EP Strangelove.

I’ve got to admit, the song feels a little bland in comparison to the brassy party tunes we heard on their debut album GoodTimes. However the video is so strong that it makes up for the fairly mediocre tune.

The clip was filmed on location at Melbourne’s Caribbean Rollerama. It stars former Neighbours actor Matthew Werkmeister as a roller-skating sex symbol, although he’s not doing all the fancy footwork. That’s the genius of Jayson Sutcliffe, 2004 artistic inline world champion. It seems he’s kept his skills up!

What do you think of the clip?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hunting Grounds Release “Star Shards”

Hunting Grounds’ debut album In Hindsight just won’t quit. The band has released another single, “Star Shards.”

“Star Shards” is the third song lifted from In Hindsight, and it’s set to be another radio favourite. I love its anthemic quality and dreamy reverb drench guitars. The video, directed by Ballarat’s own Vegadeet Films, is also pretty brilliant. Who would have thought a scrap metal yard would be the perfect venue for an epic hockey match?

Hunting Grounds will support the release of “Star Shards” at a handful of shows before joining the Big Day Out tour this summer.

3 November 2012 – Bradbury Oval, Campbelltown (FREE)
5 November 2012 – Vault 8 @ Banana Alley, Melbourne
18 January 2012 – Big Day Out @ Sydney Showgrounds, Sydney
20 January 2012 – Big Day Out @ Gold Coast Parklands, Gold Coast
25 January 2012 – Big Day Out @ Adelaide Showgrounds, Adelaide
26 January 2012 – Big Day Out @ Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
28 January 2012 – Big Day Out @ Claremont Showgrounds, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gotye Raves About Colour Bomb’s Debut

Melbourne double act Colour Bomb makes a big impression with the debut single “On the Run.”

This is masterful stuff, a fantastical epic executed perfectly. It reminds me of some of the music Silverchair produced on the Diorama album. The key difference though is that it took years for Silverchair to show such bravery. No wonder Gotye has been quoted as saying “On the Run” is a “beguiling track in its entirety.” Colour Bomb’s frontman James Saunders does play in Gotye’s band, but I’m sure he wasn’t just being nice!

We’ll hear more from Colour Bomb when they release their debut album early next year. Until then, sit back and enjoy this incredible tune. Singles like this aren’t released every day after all!

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aluka Keep Their Cool

The release of Aluka’s debut single “Keep My Cool” shows these girls are a force to be reckoned with.

The song is a sparse, cheeky pop gem with some of the most devastating, stripped back vocals I’ve ever heard. Talk about making a first impression! The track is the first lifted from Aluka’s debut album, which will hit stores next March.

That album promises to be pretty interesting, with tracks recorded at unconventional Melbourne locations including swimming pools and war bunkers. Who needs a studio, right?

You don’t have to wait until March to hear more from this dynamic trio though. Aluka will launch the single with two very special shows next month. Catch them at The Toff in Melbourne on November 7 or The Newsagency in Sydney on November 9.

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kick Back with The Kite String Tangle

Brisbane based electronic artist and producer Danny Harley has impressed me with his latest experimental solo project, The Kite String Tangle.

The name doesn’t give a lot away, so why don’t you just wrap your ears around his single “Commotion”? It’s got a gorgeous chilled out vibe without ever becoming wallpaper, and a great mix of melody and simple, rich vocals. It’s so different from anything I ordinarily listen to, but it’s hit the right note for me.

This track could definitely go toe to toe with any of the international releases of the genre. Something tells me we’ll hear a lot more from The Kite String Tangle.

Image used with permission from The Kite String Tangle