Tim Guy Comes Home for New Album

He might be a Melbourne boy, but after spending time living in New Zealand and touring the United Kingdom and Europe, Tim Guy can be regarded as a true citizen of the world.

Tim’s penned albums in New Zealand and Spain, but when it came time to create album number four Tim knew he had to return home. The result is Dreaming of a Night Mango, an album which is more organic than previous releases.

The album doesn’t drop until early next year, but we get an early taste of it with “Armour Weight,” the album’s first official single. The track’s really understated, which allows its rolling rhythms and heartfelt vocals to shine through.

Tim will launch the single and preview tracks from Dreaming of a Night Mango with a special show at Fitzroy’s Workers Club on November 7.

Image used with permission from Shows in Space

Fun Machine Back with Alchemist

Today Fun Machine have unleashed their latest pop ditty, “Alchemist.” The track proves the Canberra band that brought us “Ready for the Fight” are no one-trick ponies.

“Alchemist” is the most recent track lifted from Fun Machine’s forthcoming debut album, which should hit stores early next year. It reminds us that everyone is capable of creating something precious under pressure. It’s something Fun Machine understand all too well, as they manage to make music despite living in different continents!

If you love it, make sure you head to Fun Machine’s Bandcamp page. The generous Canberrans are giving the single away for free!

Jordie Lane Tours Gospel Tinged New Single

Jordie Lane is back with a brand new single “Fool for Love,” the first to come from his eagerly awaited third album.

I’ve always been a Jordie fan, but I think this might be his best work yet. The Eagle Rock Gospel Choir gives the track a nostalgic, soulful feel that’s so accessible. While I love some of Jordie’s more mellow folk songs, I think this more raucous number has what it takes to catch a few more ears.

Jordie’s new album won’t hit stores until early next year, but he’ll give fans a sneak peek with some local shows in November and December. Here are all the places you can hear this incredible talent play.

4 November 2012 – YaYa’s, Perth (Solo)
9 November 2012 – Barwon Heads Bowling Club, Barwon Heads
16 November 2012 – Trinity Sessions, Adelaide
17 November 2012 – The Loft, Warrnambool
22 November 2012 – Smiths Alternative Bookstore, Canberra (Solo)
24 & 25 November 2012 – Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff,
29 & 30 November 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
1 December 2012 – Baby Black Café, Bacchus Marsh (Solo)
2 December 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (Matinee)
12 December 2012 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
13 December 2012 – Drill Hall, Mullumbimby
14 December 2012 – Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
15 December 2012 – Notes Live, Sydney
16 December 2012 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba

Image source: Jordie Lane EPK

Ben Wells and the Middle Names Usher in Summer with Single Shows

Ben Wells and the Middle Names speak for a nation of frustrated workers with their new single “Bear in a Birdcage.”

We can’t all take time off to go surfing, as Ben Wells and his bandmates wish, but we can take an evening off for one of their forthcoming single launch shows. The gigs will see the Tassie band circling the country, and hopefully finding time to catch a few waves along the way!

7 November 2012 –Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
8 November 2012 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
10 November 2012 – AmplifiedHobart
24 November 2012 –Tasmanian International Beer Fest, Hobart
30 November 2012 – The Grand Poobah, Hobart
1 December 2012 – Royal Oak, Launceston
5 December 2012 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
6 December 2012 – Beav’s Bar, Geelong
7 December 2012 – The Front, Canberra
8 December 2012 – Kittens @ Spectrum, Sydney

Simone Macarounas is LittleFox

“Blood and Dust” is our first taste of the work of LittleFox, the alter ego of Sydney singer-songwriter Simone Macarounas.

I’m in two minds about this one. I appreciate the creativity of the voice effects, but I wonder whether they take away from the heart of this song. The lyrics are so strong and the musical arrangement so lush that I wonder whether we truly need another distraction. Simone’s definitely a talent, but I have a sneaking suspicion she’d make a bigger impact if she stripped back a layer or two.

“Blood and Dust” is the first single to come from the EP LittleFox is currently hard at work on. She’ll also announce a string of unique shows in the near future. Like her or not, it seems we’ll be hearing a lot more of LittleFox.

Image used with permission from Tiny Monster

Saritah Comes Home for “Dig Deep” Launch Shows

Saritah spreads good vibes with “Tears of Joy,” the lead single from her soon to be released debut album Dig Deep.

This is just the kind of song we all need to get out of the funk that’s come with this extended winter. It’s a gorgeous blend of reggae, pop, and soul that’s instantly accessible without being lightweight.

There’s much more of that to come on Dig Deep, an album which brings together tracks Saritah penned in a Mozambique beach shack, a caravan in Canada, and her hometown of Melbourne. With such global influences it’s only fitting that Saritah recorded it in California, her home away from home for the last two years.

Saritah’s been creating a real buzz in North America, and now it’s our chance to see what this homegrown talent’s all about. Saritah will return home to launch Dig Deep, which hits record stores on November 9.

1 November 2012 – The Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (FREE)
2 November 2012 – Mandala Organic Arts, Mermaid Beach
3 November 2012 – FullMoon Dance, Verrierdale Hall, Sunshine Coast
4 November 2012 – Call Out Collaboration Festival @ Greenslopes Bowls Club, Brisbane
9 November 2012 – The Fly By Night Club, Fremantle
10 November 2012 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River (FREE)
15 November 2012 – Eclipse Festival, Far North QLD
22 November 2012 – Manly Boatshed, Manly
23 November 2012 – Rock Lily @ The Star, Sydney (FREE)
30 November 2012 – The Brunswick East, Melbourne

The Harlots Disgust & Amuse with “Got No Soul” Video

Feel like seeing something that’s hilariously wrong? Well feast your eyes on the music video for “Got No Soul,” the latest single from The Harlots. In it we see one man’s search for Miss Right thwarted by his affections for a children’s rocking horse. Just your average love story, isn’t it?

The clip’s more than a little bizarre, but that only makes this song that much sweeter. I love the gritty vocals and swaggering bass line. Make sure you catch those offbeat lyrics too!

Red Ink Back with “Empty Town”

After taking some time out from the biz, Red Ink are back with gusto with their brand new single “Empty Town,” the first lifted from their new album The Colour Age.

It seems like the self-imposed hiatus was a smart move for the Melbourne band. They appear to have rediscovered their love of making music. There’s definitely passion and joy in this tune, one of many the band penned on reuniting in a secluded beach house. I appreciated Red Ink before, but this song really takes things up a notch.

It’s great to have you back lads!

Charles Baby Releases Impressive New Single

Melbourne singer-songwriter Charles Baby has well and truly charmed me with “A Happy Affair (With a Terrible Consequence),” the first cut from his debut album The End of the Terror Lights.

The record is the follow-up to Charles’ acclaimed 2010 EP Has Quiet Choruses, and the result of a year holed up in abandoned school halls in the Victorian countryside. These aren’t the most conventional places to record an album, but Charles Baby isn’t a guy who likes to follow the crowd!

If you’re digging the quirky lyrics and banjo melodies of “A Happy Affair” as much as me, make sure you see Charles Baby launching the single at Carlton’s The John Curtin Bandroom on October 27.