Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joel Sarakula Serves Up Sexy Single

Australian expat Joel Sarakula’s got my blood pumping with his sexy new single “I Will Deliver.”

This track has such a great groove which marries beautifully with Joel’s dirty vocals. The clip’s also a little on the dirty side, so you’d be best served waiting until you’re home from work to watch it. Some feminists might rail against it, but in the wake of Magic Mike’s release I’m all for equal opportunity perving!

Joel’s now based in London where he’ll launch at the single at the Alley Cat on August 16.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jacob Butler’s New UKOK? Clip Helps the Salvos

With Jacob Butler’s single “UKOK?” getting a rerelease in Germany, the Australian Idol graduate figured it was time to revisit the music video.

Gone is the now outdated footage of the London riots, replaced with more recent vision of Jacob in Britain’s capital. It’s so new that it’s got the Olympic Rings on the Tower Bridge!

Jacob wants as many people to see this video as possible, and he’s offering fans a pretty compelling incentive to share it. Just head to Jacob’s Facebook page and share the post he made about the clip with your friends. For every person who does so, Jacob will donate a dollar to the Salvation Army. He hopes to donate around $1000, so help him get there by spreading the word!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Texas Tea Go Retro with New Single

Indie folk act Texas Tea are taking us back to the fun days of the fifties with their new single “Heart Says Yes (Head Says No).” It sounds like it was made by a slick girl group from Motown rather than a band from Brisbane, but I love it.

The song’s available digitally today, but if you can hold out I suggest buying the cassingle released on August 13. I’m sure my fellow children of the ’80s are rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect! This retro throwback features an exclusive B-side which won’t appear on any other release, just like the old days!

“Heart Says Yes (Head Says No)” is our latest taste of Texas Tea’s third album Sad Summer Hits, which is scheduled to hit stores in October. Texas Tea will launch the single with two free hometown shows on August 17. Catch them playing as a duo at Jet Black Cat Records at 6:30 pm, or in full band mode at the Black Bear Lodge from 8 pm.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Veronicas Tease with “Lolita”

The Veronicas are back with their brand new single “Lolita.” The track is currently streaming with a lyrics video on the Queensland twins’ website.

It’s been around five years since the sisters delivered “Hook Me Up,” but they still seem to be in the same musical state of mind. The lyrics are a bit darker than the fare from that album, but that industrial electronic sound married with the girls’ natural harmonies feels very familiar.

It might be just me, but honestly that really electronic, manufactured feel is wearing a bit thin for me. I miss the really organic pop rock sound the girls showed in their breakthrough debut album. We expect a bit of polish as any band matures, but I feel their musical approach is a bit distancing. I’d love to hear this track stripped right back, wouldn’t you? It’s a good song, but with less production I think we could hear it as something much greater.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Richard Clapton’s New Album Out Now

Richard Clapton shows he’s still got it with his new single “Dancing with the Vampires,” the first lifted from his album Harlequin Nights.

The album, which hits stores today, is Richard’s first in eight years. It’s a fitting way to ring in his fifth decade in the business, with exceptional lyrics and that laconic twang we’ve all come to know. His recent marriage breakdown has added fuel to his fire, and resulted in some fantastic songs. I’m a real fan of the single, which sees the reformed party boy reflecting on his wild days and giving a nod to fellow wild man Charlie Sheen. Rest assured, I’ll be sinking my teeth into the album soon.

I’ve been a long-time fan of Richard’s work, especially in the live arena where he manages to balance the new songs with the old favourites like few others. Here are all the places you can see him doing his thing over the coming months.

18 August 2012 – State Theatre, Sydney
31 August 2012 – Country Club Show Room, Launceston
1 September 2012 – Wrestpoint Casino, Hobart
8 September 2012 – 16 Footers, Belmont
14 September 2012 – Atrium Resort, Mandurah
15 September 2012 – Astor Theatre, Perth
28 September 2012 – Nambour Civic Centre, Sunshine Coast
29 September 2012 – QPAC Theatre, Brisbane
5 October 2012 – Palms at Crown Casino, Melbourne
19 October 2012 – Thoroughbred Park, Lyneham
27 October 2012 – Twin Towns, Gold Coast
10 November 2012 – Waves, Wollongong
11 November 2012 – Day on the Green, Bowral
16 November 2012 – Campbelltown RSL, Campbelltown
17 November 2012 Dee Why RSL, Dee Why

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Heavy Beach Have “Good Intentions”

Heavy Beach channels the dirty sound of 90s grunge with their new single “Good Intentions.”

I couldn’t help thinking of Veruca Salt while listening to the song’s sweet vocals and gritty distorted guitars. The band cites acts like Dinosaur Jr and Sonic Youth amongst their influences, which goes some way towards explaining that retro sound.

“Good Intentions” is available now to download through Heavy Beach’s Bandcamp page. The band will launch the single with a free show at Yah Yah’s in Fitzroy this Friday August 10.

Image used with permission from Tall Sky Press

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lo Five Remembers Amy Winehouse

Sydney soul outfit Lo Five have commemorated the recent first anniversary of Amy Winehouse’s passing with the release of a tribute single “Heavenly Ho.”

The band penned the track as a cautionary letter to the soul singer way back in 2010. Just six months later she was gone. The song aims to keep Amy’s memory alive.

“We always wanted to get our song “Heavenly Ho” out there,” the band explained. “But with the tragedy of her passing and wanting to be respectful of her memory, the only way we felt comfortable sharing the song with the world was by giving it away for free as a memorial and tribute to her on the first anniversary of her death.”

The recording’s got a few rough edges, but there’s an honesty to it that makes it a fitting tribute to the fallen soul singer. What do you think about it?

Image used with permission from Henry Compton

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Edward Deer Drops “Washed Ashore”

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.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nathan Cavaleri & Screaming Jets Drummer are Nat Col & The Kings

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Minibikes’ Charming Pop Ditty

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?