The Sweet Apes Rock with “Police Cops”

Sydney’s The Sweet Apes are impressing all the right people, and they’re not even out of high school.

The band’s new single “Police Cops” is on high rotation on Triple J, and its video has received more than 13, 000  views. It scored two thousand of those in its first week of release.

It always seems a bit condescending to bring up the age of a band, but I’m completely impressed that these kids sound this good at 16. Ray has got one of the gutsiest voices I’ve heard in some time, and the instrumentalists backing her create a sound that’s so powerful. This isn’t about being good for their age. It’s about being good. Their potential is downright scary.

“Police Cops” comes from The Sweet Apes debut EP, which will hit stores on February 2012. Sydneysiders can catch them in the flesh at The Metro Theatre’s Lair on November 27.

Image source: The Sweet Apes Facebook page

Leek & The War Wick Tragedy Tour “Beg & Plead”

A whole lot of time in the recording studio is making Leek & The War Wick Tragedy stir crazy. And so the Melbourne band are busting out and traveling around the east coast next month.

This isn’t simply an excuse to get up on stage though. The band have a new single, “Beg & Plead” to promote, the first from that album they’ve been working so hard on.

Fans probably won’t get another opportunity to see Leek & The War Wick Tragedy live this year as they’ll be jumping back in the studio once this tour is out. So catch them while you can at the following shows.

17 November 2011 – Port Macquarie Hotel, Port Macquarie (Free 18+ Show)
18 November 2011 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla (18+)
19 November 2011 – The Patch, Wollongong (Free 18+ Show)
20 November 2011 – Mars Hill Café, Parramatta (All Ages)

Image used with permission from Rawr Music

Fushia Celebrate Brunswick St with New Single

They might hail from Brisbane, but it seems that Melbourne has made a big impression on Fushia. The colorfully named pop rock quartet are about to release their brand new single called “Brunswick St.”

The pop-punk song is an ode to the Fitzroy street’s club and café culture, and all the hijinks that typically accompany an evening out in Melbourne’s inner northern suburbs.

To celebrate “Brunswick St’s” November 4 release, Fushia will play launch shows in Queensland and Sydney starting with a hometown gig.

4 November 2011 – Alhambra, Brisbane
12 November 2011 – The Loft, Gold Coast
17 November 2011 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
25 November 2011 – Oxford Arts, Sydney

Image source: Starving Kids website

Snowy Belfast’s Stony Single

Melbourne band Snowy Belfast have really impressed me with their latest single, ”Stones.” It’s a country-infused slice of folk music driven by banjos and sublime harmonies.

The track builds on the sounds they showcased on their debut EP Odds and Ends, but also offers a new intensity. We should see more of that when Snowy Belfast release their debut album early next year.

You don’t need to wait that long to see Snowy Belfast in the flesh though. They’ll launch “Stones” at The Espy on November 11, playing alongside Tessa & The Typecast, The Tiger & Me, and Howlin’ Steam Train. Tickets are absolutely free, so you’ve got no excuses Melbourne!

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Slow Chase Sizzles with “Algernon”


Slow Chase deliver a tune with enough swagger to impress The Stones with their new single “Algernon.” It’s a sexy, dirty rock number that raises my expectations for the band’s forthcoming EP Blind Spot. I love the way it channels 70s rock sounds with its sing-along hooks and bluesy groove.

If you love the song make sure you head to Slow Chase’s website for your free download.

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Re:Enactment Get it Right with “Higher Duties”

Brisbane electro-punk act Re:Enactment seem to be finding their feet with the release of their second single “Higher Duties.”

The band’s vocalist and guitarist Jacob Hicks says the song is the first the act’s recorded and been unanimously happy with.

“I think it shows off the landscape of styles we like to play around with while not turning it into a disjointed mess. The feeling that the second half of the song provides is something that I think we’ve all been trying to write together since the start.”

I’ve got to agree. I’ve seen potential in Re:Enactment before, but with “Higher Duties” it seems they’re realising it. The track comes from the band’s debut album Sport, which is scheduled to hit stores next March. If you like it make sure you head to Re:Enactment’s Bandcamp page for a free download.

Image used with permission from Paper Street Records

Tales in Space Cover Adele

We’ve all heard Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” more times than we want to this year, but Sydney electro pop act Tales in Space have put a new spin on the hit with this cover. On one hand, you’ve got to wonder why a band is tackling a song that’s already made such an impact in 2011. However, perhaps that’s where the challenge lay.

This take is missing the emotional grit of the original, but it does bring out the tune’s great melody. If you were looking for a version you could groove to, this is it. It’s already making waves in the dance scene after being featured on the latest Ministry of Sound Uncovered disc.

What do you think of Tales in Space’s Adele cover?

Howl at the Moon Launch New “Sword Fighting” Single


When the weather is dark and gloomy, as it is on my side of the country, I love music that matches. I found it today with Howl at the Moon’s newie “Sword Fighting.” Is it any wonder they’re from Melbourne?

While the track is certainly dark and moody, its melodic core and sublime vocals from Katie Scott ensure it doesn’t ever feel too gloomy. The song is the first track to come from the band’s as yet untitled debut album, which is scheduled to hit stores early next year. We thankfully won’t have to wait that long to see Howl at the Moon doing their thing live; the band will launch the single “Sword Fighting” at Melbourne’s Old Bar on November 4.

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Download New Meem Single for Free

Meem, or Michael Moebus as his mum calls him, is bringing old school hip hop sounds back with his fifth album Monsters Don’t Sleep OK! And to celebrate the album’s release, he’s giving fans a free download of the single “Get Down Party.” Just right-click and save to wrap your ears around this fun tune.

The track is the first from the very limited edition album, which features guest appearances from Mr Scruff, Raashan, Roots Manuva, and Ahmad & The Boom Band Krewe. Just 200 copies of the independently released album were pressed, so you’ll need to get yours quick when it goes on sale on November 11.

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Adam Cousens Gives Me a Musical Pick-Me-Up

I’m battling a cold at the moment. My head is pounding, my muscles are achy, and frankly I just want to sleep until it goes away. But Adam Cousens managed to cut through my malady with the good vibes of his new single “This Road Ahead.” It got a lovely folk-country sweetness to it that is infectious in the best possible way. Even though I’m feeling poorly, I couldn’t help but smile on hearing it.

The song comes from Adam’s debut album Free Flowin’ Footsteps, which apparently hit stores last October. So why is this the first I’m hearing of it? This is definitely the kind of music that deserves a bit of fanfare.

“This Road Ahead” is officially released on Friday, but you can hear it early here. If you dig it make sure you check out Adam travelling around the country with his band through October and November.

8 October 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
10 October 2011 – The Phoenix, Canberra
12 October 2011 – Low 302, Sydney
13 October 2011 – The Phoenix Theatre, Wollongong
15 October 2011 – The Empress Hotel, Melbourne (Afternoon show 4 pm)
20 October 2011 – The Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide
21 October 2011 – Cafe Komodo, Adelaide
5 November 2011 – The Corner Venue, Bendigo
11 November 2011 – Republic Bar & Café, Hobart
13 November 2011 – Longley International, Longley (Afternoon show from 3 pm)

Image used with permission from Dario Phillips Management