Butterfly Boucher Comes Home

Nashville based singer-songwriter Butterfly Boucher has returned home to launch her impressive new single “5678!”

The track was recently named the single of the week on iTunes Australia, and it was also on the soundtrack of a recent Private Practice episode. And don’t you just love a single with an exclamation mark? It comes from her new album Butterfly Boucher, which hits stores on April 13. While it’s not her first release the self-titled moniker is appropriate, as it’s her first as an independent artist.

Butterfly Boucher’s tour kicks off tomorrow night in Melbourne before traveling through New South Wales and the ACT. Local appearances from this Adelaide born artist are rare, so see her at home while you can!

21 March 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
22 March 2012 – The Front Gallery Café, Canberra
24 March 2012 – The Vanguard, Sydney
25 March 2012 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla

Brave Face Serves Up Something Old, Something New

Melbourne’s Brave Face channel Elvis Costello with their brand new single “Something Old Something New,” the first cut from their self-titled debut album.

While the band might have stolen a few moves from the American songwriter, that’s far from a bad thing. We’ve all got our influences, and when they help you create music so irresistible it’s hard to be too critical. Can’t you just imagine slow-dancing to this one at a high school dance?

Brave Face will launch the single in front of their hometown fans at Melbourne’s Toff in Town on March 24. Their self-titled album will hit stores in May.

Image used with permission from First Love Publicity

Rainman Shows Off His Record Collection

Respected Queensland hip hop artist Rainman is currently traveling around the east coast to promote his brilliant new single “Darlin’.”

I love the way Rainman’s rapping works with Calski’s soulful vocals, but I think I love the accompanying clip even more. Rainman assures us it’s no music video, but when a piece of footage is backed by a single it’s hard to resist calling it one! Whatever it is, it introduces us to Rainman’s impressive vinyl collection. Colour me jealous!

The track, which is digitally released on March 23, comes from Rainman’s second album Bigger Pictures, which drops on May 4. Both release dates are a little while off yet, but Rainman is already building buzz on his single launch tour. Here are the remaining dates.

17 March 2012 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
12 April 2012 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (Free)
13 April 2012 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
14 April 2012 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
27 April 2012 – The Annandale, Sydney (Supporting Dialectrix)
28 April 2012 – Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle (Supporting Dialectrix)

Jack Colwell & His Owlchestra Launch “Captain’s Melody”

Where has Sydney’s Jack Colwell been all my life? The classically-trained composer come alt-pop musician has wowed me with his new single “Captain’s Melody.”

The track gets an official release on March 30, but you can have a sneaky early listen here. It’s such a rich track, with Cat Stevens’ like vocals and a stunning orchestral backing. That gorgeous sound comes from the band Jack’s dubbed his Owlchestra.

“Captain’s Melody” is the second single to come from Jack Colwell’s debut album Picture Window, which hits stores in May. To celebrate the new single’s release Jack and his Owlchestra will play a very special show at Sydney’s Conservatorium of Music on March 30. Tickets at the door cost just $20 for adults over 30, and $15 for folks under 30 and concession holders, and that includes complimentary drinks. That sounds like a bargain to me!

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Crooked Saint ‘s the Man in Waiting

Crooked Saint turns up the charm with this new single “Man in Waiting,” the second to come from his Sweating Bullets EP.

The Melbourne troubadour has created a gorgeous folk rock tune driven by his jangly banjo and warm harmonica. The song is about having too much fun, and the inevitable repercussions of living with such wild abandon. It was never intended to be a single, but it’s had such positive feedback that Crooked Saint couldn’t resist giving it a digital release.

After relocating to Sydney and Los Angeles for months at a time last year, Crooked Saint has turned his attentions back to his home state. He’s currently playing shows in his native Victoria, along with a very special Live in Your Lounge gig. Want him to play in your lounge? Then just head to ToneDeaf to enter!

15 March 2012 – Baha Tapas & Taco, Rye
16 March 2012 – The Torquay Hotel, Torquay
17 March 2012 – The Espy Basement, St Kilda
24 March 2012 – Live In Your Lounge

Barry Southgate Releases New EP Cut

Barry Southgate is back with “You,” the latest release from his Epitome EP. This is another sweet slice of soul music from this exciting Aussie talent, and I’m sure girls who love Chris Brown and Jason Derulo are going to lap it up.

The single comes off the back of a bumper twelve months for Barry. He took out Radar Radio’s Unsigned Find competition, and was also named a NA2R finalist. He also scored support slots for some of his favorite soul acts including Brian McKnight, Joe, Eric Benet, and K-Ci & JoJo.

2012 doesn’t sound like it’ll slow down either. Barry will appear alongside Deb Mailman and Jessica Mauboy in The Sapphires movie, and a song he co-penned will feature on Stan Walker’s new album Let the Music Play. Hopefully his own full-length record won’t be too far away!

Barry Southgate first came onto my radar when he was an Australia Idol semi-finalist a few years ago, and I’m thrilled to see him continuing to make his mark on the local scene.

Radio INK Release Single & Score Aqua Support Slot

Sydney electro pop outfit Radio INK are living the high life.

They were recently flown to Los Angeles to perform at Qantas’ VIP Red Carpet Ambassador Party, one of the cornerstones of the G’Day USA celebrations. They’ve also been performing private parties for the likes of the Kardashian sisters, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Miranda Kerr. And after supporting The Potbelleez and Neon Trees, they’ve just landed the coveted support slot for everyone’s favourite Danes, Aqua.

Somewhere in amongst all that schmoozing they’ll find time to release a fun new single “Who We Are Tonight,” the first to be lifted from their forthcoming debut album. The song, which is officially released on Friday, has hit written all over it, which shouldn’t be surprising since it was penned by Shelly Peiken (Jessie J/Christina Aguilera/The Veronicas) and Kojak (Flo Rida/Ke$ha/Katy Perry).

“Spending time over in the City of Angels was way too much fun. We got invited to play a bunch of crazy celebrity house parties in the Hollywood Hills, signed a worldwide publishing deal, played G’DAY LA, and hit Studio City with the creative team behind the new single,” said the band’s voice Miss S.

With Radio INK and Aqua on the same bill, we can expect some serious partying at the following shows.

7 March 2012 – Hi Fi, Brisbane
8 March 2012 – HiFi, Brisbane
9 March 2012 – Cooly Hotel, Coolangatta
11 March 2012 – HQ, Adelaide
13 & 15 March 2012 – The Palace, Melbourne
16 March 2012 – HiFi, Sydney
17 March 2012 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (all ages)
18 & 20 March 2012 – Metropolis, Fremantle
21 March 2012 – The Palace, Melbourne

Celadore Tours “Bakery”

Melbourne rock-pop act Celadore bring the good vibes with their new single “Bakery.”

The energetic and deliciously titled track comes from Celadore’s sophomore EP The Bright And Blue, which hit stores to widespread acclaimed last October. This fun new song should put that disc back on everyone’s radar.

Celadore has just kicked off an Aussie tour to support the single’s release. Here are the all the places you can catch them rocking out this month and the next.

8 March 2012 – The Phoenix, Canberra
9 March 2012 – The Gaelic, Sydney
10 March 2012 – Hotel Great Northern, Byron Bay
15 March 2012 – NEXT, Melbourne
16 March 2012 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
17 March 2012 – Elephant & Wheelbarrow, Launceston
23 March 2012 – Rocket Bar, Adelaide
24 March 2012 – Commercial Hotel, Mt Gambier
30 March 2012 – The Bended Elbow, Ballarat
1 April 2012 – The Tote, Melbourne (supporting Timothy Nelson & The Infidels)
12 April 2012 – Cobra Kai, Brisbane
13 April 2012 – Pacific Hotel, Yamba
14 April 2012 – Chino’s Bar, Newcastle
20 April 2012 – The Workers Club, Melbourne

A Broken Silence Offer “Hope”

Western Sydney’s A Broken Silence have just released the video for the new single “Hope” the latest track from their self-titled debut album.

I was initially confronted by the blend of hip-hop and hard rock, but as I listened to the track and its powerful lyrics I began to realise how clever it was. The mix of these abrasive genres makes a massive impact, forcing us to listen in to the band’s message of optimism about a better world. I urge you to listen to the lyrics; they’re amazing. If you can’t quite catch them all they’re available at the A Broken Silence website.

“Hope” and A Broken Silence’s debut album are in stores now.

Skypilot Rock with “Anonymous”

Skypilot have impressed me again with their second single “Anonymous,” the follow-up to “Harold (You Sold Your Brother Down).

It’s another anthemic slice of rock from the Brisbane band, but there’s more to it than simply a great sound. I love the intelligence of Skypilot’s approach to music making, the lyrics that talk about really meaty topics. In this case the band is reflecting on the dichotomy between loneliness and connection in the modern world.

“Despite the advent of the internet and social networking, today’s world can still be a lonely place,” explained the band’s bassist and keyboard player, Dan Lane. “All of us may be lost but we’re not alone. As long as one other person in the world knows our name, we’re not anonymous.”

I love everything I’m hearing from this band, and I can’t wait to hear more when Skypilot’s debut EP drops in March.Until then we can all enjoy a free download of “Anonymous” at Skypilot’s Bandcamp page.