Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Skipping Girl Vinegar Tours “Chase the Sun”

Skipping Girl Vinegar are celebrating the release of their summery new single “Chase the Sun” with an Aussie tour this October and November.

“Chase the Sun” is the second single from Keep Calm, Carry the Monkey, an irresistibly hooky song about winding the car windows down, cranking up the stereo, and leaving the big smoke behind.

“Chase the Sun” is officially released on October 14, the same day that Skipping Girl Vinegar’s tour kicks off in Melbourne.

14 October 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
21 October 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney
3 November 2011  – The Basement @ Gold Coast Arts Centre, Gold Coast
4 November 2011  – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi
5 November 2011  – Beetle Bar, Brisbane
11 November 2011  – Fresh, Launceston
12 November 2011  – Republic Bar, Hobart

Image used with permission from AUM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

A Friday Pick Me Up from Kate Vigo

It’s been one hell of a week for me. While earlier I was looking for music that soothes, as I sat alone in my empty house this afternoon, with my husband en route to America, I was after a pick-me-up. I found it in “Wanna Run” a deliciously playful slice of indie pop from Melbourne’s Kate Vigo.

There’s a lovely retro Cure-esque quality to this tune that had me dancing around my lounge room in my PJs. Hey, I’m here with only the cat watching, so why not? While the good vibes of this tune hit the spot, it’s the lyrical depth behind the melody that makes things really interesting. This song speaks of the struggle of finding your own path in life so eloquently. I’m impressed.

“Wanna Run” is the second single from Kate Vigo’s forthcoming album Blue to Gold, which hits stores in March. That’s an awfully long time to wait, but her hometown fans can get an early fix with her “Wanna Run” launch show. Kate will play The Toff in Town on October 6.

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Introducing the Lush Pop Stylings of Buckley Ward

I can’t help admiring musicians who do things without the backing of a major label, or in fact any label at all. When they make amazing music, it’s so much the better! Buckley Ward are the latest act to turn my head with their self-funded, self-recorded, and self-produced album So Pretend.

The title track has such a lush sound. Its melodies are really strong, but the sound doesn’t have that tired commercial feel of so much pop music. What a breath of fresh air. The album is their second, which makes me wonder why I haven’t heard of them before. Better late than never, right?

If you like what you hear you can catch Buckley Ward touring the East Coast next month.

9 September 2011 – Lightspace, Brisbane
10 September 2011 – FBi Social, Sydney
24 September 2011 – Yah Yahs, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jasmine Rae Faked It, & She’s Not the Only One!

And here I was thinking that country girls were made of sugar and spice, and all things nice. Jasmine Rae’s proving they can be just as bitchy as their big city counterparts with her naughty new single “I Faked It.” And according to some recent research, she’s not alone!

Jasmine’s single sees her fighting back after a nasty break-up with some frank home truths. It seems it’s a tale that could have been told by many country girls, as research commissioned to coincide with the single’s release says rural ladies are 10% more likely to fake it than city slickers! Two-thirds of country lasses say they’ve faked it in the past, and one in three say they do on a regular basis. What does that say about all the country men?

The single’s probably not going to win fans amongst the blokes, but I predict it could become a bit of a girl power anthem!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Major Label Releases New Singles Batch

Major Label, General Pants Co.’s singles record label, is chugging along with three new releases this month.

This time around the innovative program introduces us to Sydney garage rockers The Faults and their tune “Quarter,” Melbourne punks Ross de Chene Hurricanes and their not so sweet single “Sugar, Honey,” and my pick, the retro electro beats of Melbourne’s City Calm Down with “Sense of Self.” These songs, and the releases from previous months, are all currently streaming at the General Pants Co. website. It takes a bit of practice to navigate the site without the annoying band bio bubbles appearing, but it’s worth the perseverance.

If you want to see your band’s tune alongside them, just take your demo into any General Pants Co. store and cross your fingers. The initiative has helped bands secure national tours, festival slots, and some major supports, so who knows where it could take you!

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Go/No-Go Launch New Single at Landsdowne Hotel

Go/No-Go have spent the better part of 2011 writing and recording their follow-up to their debut album Autofocus, and they’re almost ready to unleash it. The album doesn’t drop until summer, but we’ve got our first taste with the single “Phase Out.” It’s currently available as a free download through their Bandcamp page.

To celebrate the big launch the band will play a free show for their hometown fans at Sydney’s Lansdowne Hotel on the August 13. This is the first chance for punters to see the brand new Go/No-Go line-up. Keyboardist Steve Allison has filled the shoes of departed drummer Nicholai Danko, although he hasn’t left the keys behind entirely. He now shares those duties with lead singer Steve Claxton. Going from a five-piece to a quartet is bound to shift the band’s dynamic, but I’m not entirely sure that’s a bad thing.

So clear your schedule – Go/No-Go are back in business!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gurrumul Releases “Gopuru”

Gurrumul Yunupingu has released “Gopuru,” the first single from his gold-selling sophomore album Rrakala.

Listening to a song like this just really brings home the power of music. I received a press release detailing what the song was about, but I almost felt like I didn’t need to read it. I usually focus on lyrics and rely on them to get to the heart of a song, but Gurrumul’s music transcends all that.

If you must know, this song describes the rhythms of a totemic fish as it makes its way through the sea. It feels a lot bigger than that simple explanation though, doesn’t it?

If you’re moved by Gurrumul’s music remember that he’ll embark on his first national tour next month. Tickets are selling fast though – they’ve even had to announce a second Sydney show – so I wouldn’t wait too long to get yours.

24 August 2011 – Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart
26 August 2011 – Riverside Theatre Perth Convention Centre, Perth
29 & 30 August 2011 – Sydney Opera House, Sydney
1 September 2011 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
3 September 2011 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
5 September 2011 – Royal Theatre @ Canberra Convention Centre, Canberra
7 September 2011 – The Palais, St Kilda

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ellesquire Ready to Rap

Ellesquire is stepping out from his group Loose Change for his first solo endeavour, Ready. After hearing the title track, I’ve got to say that I’m impressed.

I’m not always a fan of urban music, but Ellesquire’s old school approach has won me over. It recalls the hip hop acts of the 90s with its sampling and personal lyrics. He’s also got a really global sound, which I find interesting. So often Australian urban artists obviously sound like they’ve come from our streets with their slightly twangy accents, but Ellesquire could easily have hailed from anywhere. That universality might just be the key to him finding success on an international stage.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. For now we’ve got this tune, and the album to come on August 5.

Image used with permission from Other Tongues

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Mark of Cain on Comeback Trail

We’ve been waiting ten long, long years, but The Mark of Cain are almost ready to release album number five. Songs of The Third & Fifth will hit stores near the end of the year.

“It’s been a hard couple of years and I never expected the album to take so long to complete but we are now coming to its final moments before it is thrust into the world for better or worse,” explained the band’s front man John Scott. “Most musicians always think/say that their most recent recording is their best – I can understand that as it’s the most tangible piece of art they’ve been close to, but also, I know in my heart that this album is the best thing we have ever done.”

It seems cruel to leave those loyal fans waiting another few months to hear it, but there’ll be a single released digitally next month to tide us over. As if that wasn’t enough to excite the faithful, The Mark of Cain promise they’ll make their long awaited return to the stage early next year. You know what they say about good things coming to those who wait!

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harmless Wows with “Here’s The Girl”

I listen to so much music through writing this blog that sometimes it starts to blend together. I like a lot of it, but it’s rare that I come across anything that’s really different. And when I do, I take notice.

“Here’s the Girl,” the first single from Melbourne band Harmless’ debut album Water Feature is a really unique part of the current musical landscape. It’s got this incredible anthemic quality about it. It’s drum driven, but much more modern than anything you’d hear from an old school marching band. And then there are those beautiful harmonies, coming together to complete the hypnotic soundscape. The band’s sound feels a lot bigger than I’d have expected from a duo, and that too is a very good thing.

It sounds more professional than most debuts, but the members of Harmless are old hands. Cesar Rodrigues is a member of Blue King Brown, and we know Monty Mackenzie from his work with Cleverhorse. Together they’re creating something really special. I can only hope the album is as good as this amazing track.

Image used with permission from Show Off Services