Sydney singer-songwriter Edward Deer is giving us our first taste of his debut album About Monsters with the new single “Washed Ashore.”
This is a really gentle piece of music that builds beautifully. It doesn’t scream loudly or have the sort of hooks that pull you in, but somehow it managed to get underneath my skin.
If you love it, just remember there’s more to come. Edward Deer’s album About Monsters will hit stores in September.
Nathan Cavaleri is all grown up and fronting a brand new band Nat Col & The Kings. The guitar prodigy’s latest outfit is introducing us to their sound with a wicked new single “Coming Home” and a national tour to support its release.
We haven’t heard a lot from Nathan in recent years. He actually gave up the guitar for a while and worked as a brickie’s labourer until Steve Morse gave him a call in 2010 and encouraged him to join Deep Purple on their Aussie tour. No one’s going to say no to that sort of invitation! The tour reignited Nathan’s love of music, and after a chance meeting with former Screaming Jets drummer Col Hatchman the brand new outfit was formed.
Nat Col & The Kings marks the start of a new chapter of both artists’ journeys. So far the band has played slots at Byron Bay’s Bluesfest, the Indy V8 Supercars, and the Caxton Street Music Festival. They released a couple of EPs, and have another in the pipeline. The new single “Coming Home” is our first taste of this forthcoming release. If you like what you hear, make sure you head to one of the following shows:
16 August 2012 – Port Macquarie Hotel, Port Macquarie (Free)
17 August 2012 – Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
18 August 2012 – Racehorse Hotel, Ipswich
19 August August 2012 – Mansfield Tavern, Mansfield
30 August 2012 – The Evelyn, Fitzroy
31 August 2012 – Ruby’s, Belgrave
1 September 2012 – Bended Elbow, Geelong
7 September 2012 – The Vanguard, Sydney
8 September 2012 – Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor (Free)
14 September 2012 – Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland (Free)
15 September 2012 – The Heritage, Bulli
Melbourne quintet Minibikes have put a big smile on my face with “Oh Japan,” the second track lifted from their forthcoming debut album For Woods or Trails.
I’m hearing a little Elvis Costello in this quirky pop gem, which can only be a good thing. The single should tide fans over until that album drops on September 14. Has it give your Friday a lift?
Melbourne singer-songwriter Dune is making a big impression with her debut single “Shoestring.”
Or at least, this is Dune’s first release as Dune. If she sounds seasoned, it’s because she is. Underneath all those bandages it’s the artist formerly known as Jade McRae. Remember her pop music fans?
Jade’s reinvention is about more than just a new name. “Shoestring” is a world away from the mainstream R’n’B I remember her for. It’s got a catchy pop sound, but it’s paired with some compelling tribal beats. She hasn’t relied on outside knowhow to make the song either; the whole thing’s entirely self produced.
Something tells me Dune’s going to be one of those artists we just can’t ignore. Get in on the ground up when she launches the single at two very special launch shows. She’ll play for her hometown at The Workers Club on August 30 before heading to Sydney’s Upstairs Beresford Hotel the following night.
Melbourne songstress Maxi’s giving us a taste of her musical skills with the soulful sounds of “In a Little While” her debut single and the first track lifted from her self-titled EP.
Maxi’s shaken off her musical theatre background to reveal a sound that’s incredibly sultry and sensuous. The song settles into an easy groove and doesn’t let go. It sounds more seasoned than any debut probably should, but Maxi’s no musical newcomer. While this is her first solo endeavour she’s been laying down backing vocals and collaborating with local DJs and musos for some time. She’s even played Good Vibrations and Parklife. Surely she’s due her time in the sun!
We’ll no doubt hear more of Maxi when her EP drops this September.
Image used with permission from This Much Talent
Red Ink are preparing to tour their catchy new single “Euphoria,” our first taste of their forthcoming new single The Colour Age. They’ll play the major capitals in support of the song.
It’s such a great track, carefully crafted with a killer pop sensibility. It’s amazing to think it was originally conceived in Red Ink’s early days, and only dug out of the archives recently. Thank goodness it was! I also love the film clip, which is a moving look at the polarities of life.
If you dig the song make sure you head to iTunes or Spotify as it’s currently available as a free download. And of course get to the following shows!
3 August 2012 – CATS @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide
17 August 2012 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
6 September 2012 – Cobra Kai @ Oh Hello, Brisbane
8 September 2012 – Upstairs Beresford Hotel, Sydney
Chet Faker’s been quite the jetsetter over the last couple of months. He toured Europe with The Temper Trap and played big international festivals South by Southwest and The Great Escape. But these were just the warm up shows for his forthcoming Australian tour to celebrate the release of his new single “Love and Feeling.”
The track is the latest to come from Chet’s album Thinking in Textures, which has earned critical acclaim in the UK, the US, and his native Australia.
Chet will kick off his Australian tour with a slot at Byron Bay’s Splendour in the Grass before hitting the country’s best clubs.
27-29 July 2012 – Splendour in the Grass Festival, Byron Bay
3 August 2012 – The Bakery, Perth
4 August 2012 – Mojos, Fremantle
16 August 2012 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
17 August 2012 – Trinity Bar, Canberra
24 August 2012 – Cats @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide
7 September 2012 – Revolt, Melbourne
14 September 2012 – Up Late @ GOMA, Brisbane
I, a Man are celebrating the release of their dreamy new single “The Scenic Route” with an East Coast tour.
The song has such a lush quality, with jangly guitars, hypnotic drum beats, and Daniel Moss’ easy vocals. It’s definitely the kind of tune that can blast you out of a winter funk.
The accompanying tour will be your last chance to catch I, a Man for a while, as the band are heading into hibernation to write and record their debut album. We should see that in stores in the first half of next year.
I, a Man kick off their Scenic Route tour tonight in Geelong. Here are all the places you can catch them in the coming weeks:
19 July 2012 – Beavs Bar, Geelong
21 July 2012 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
26 July 2012 – Lambda, Alhambra
29 July 2012 – Dan & Ash Acoustic @ Pure Pop Records, St Kilda
2 August 2012 – The Front Gallery and Café, Canberra
4 August 2012 – Kittens @ The Spectrum, Sydney
I’ve fallen hard for the charms of Melbourne singer-songwriter Elle Skies, and I’m pretty sure you will too when you hear her new single “City.”
I must admit, I missed Elle when she released her debut EP Skyscraper back in 2006, but I won’t make the same mistake with this release. It earned the songstress rave reviews and first prize in a British song-writing competition. If City’s any indication of the calibre of songs she’s assembled for her new EP, she can expect plenty more praise.
“City” is such an endearingly upbeat number. It’s quirky but in such an honest way. Its hooks draw you in, and Elle’s sweet vocals keep on there. The vibrant time-lapse stop-motion animated video is a gorgeously colourful accompaniment.
Has “City” put a smile on your face?
“Wooden Chair” is the latest single lifted from Angus Stone’s solo outing Broken Brights.
It’s not going to blow anyone’s mind, but it’s a solid little piece of folk pop. The music video’s also really sweet, with footage of Angus hanging out in the country with his dog. Adorable. I can’t imagine this will be the track to attract new fans, but I’m sure anyone who adored Angus’ work with his sister Julia will be satisfied by it.
Broken Brights is in Australian stores today. It gets a UK and European release on the 16th, and hits American stores on the 17th.