Carus Thompson Releases Amazing New Single “You Can’t Find Me”

I first heard Carus Thompson when he supported the wonderful Dave Matthews Band way back in 2005. So I’m thrilled to see that all these years later he’s still making great music. The latest taste is “You Can’t Find Me,” the infectious first single from his soon-to-be-released fourth album Caravan.

The song tells tales of Carus’ last year traveling around Europe, a journey which included encounters with psychos in London and mushrooms in Amsterdam! The song’s got such a spontaneous energy about it that by the end you just want to play it again.

When I first heard Carus I thought he was pretty good, but the years have been kind to him. His sound has really developed beautifully, so it’s no wonder he’s been well received in Europe. Hopefully we’ll see him playing some local shows when Caravan hits stores this April.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Boy in a Box Scores British India Support Ahead of Single Release

Boy in a Box is coming out all guns blazing with his debut single “Glitter, Gold, Ruin.” The song is littered with chunky riffs and classic hooks. It’s music the way they used to make it, with a singalong chorus and anthemic overtones.

The track doesn’t drop until March 18 but Boy in a Box is already impressing the right people. He’ll join British India on their March into the Ocean tour, and enjoy a residency with Dangerous at Northcote Social Club.

Here are all the places you can catch this bright young talent over the next couple of months!

8 March 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
15 March 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
22 March 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
24 March 2011 – The Saloon Bar, Traralgon (with British India)
25 March 2011 – The Bended Elbow, Geelong (with British India)
264 March 2011 – Corner Hotel, Richmond (with British India)
29 March 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
30 March 2011 – CSU The Crow Bar, Wagga Wagga (with British India)
31 March 2011 – The Area Hotel, Griffith (with British India)
1 April 2011 – Goulburn Workers Club, Goulburn (with British India)
2 April 2011 – The Maram, Canberra (with British India)
8 April 2011 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide (with British India)
14 April 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane (with British India)
15 April 2011 – The Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta (with British India)
16 April 2011 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney (with British India)
21 April 2011 – The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay (with British India)
22 April 2011 – Port Macquarie Panthers, Port Macquarie (with British India)
23 April 2011 – The Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour (with British India)
24 April 2011 – The Great Northern, Byron Bay (with British India)
25 April 2011 – Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra (with British India)
13 May 2011 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (with British India)
14 May 2011 – Hornsby RSL, Hornsby (with British India)
28 May 2011 – Rosemount Hotel, North Perth (with British India)

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Discover the Beauty of Owls of the Swamp

Every now and then I hear a musician, and I wonder why on earth I’ve never heard of them before. Melbourne’s Owls of the Swamp, or Pete Uhlenbruch as his mum calls him, is one of those special artists.

He’s just completed his fifth European tour, and he’s preparing to release his second album Go With River. The album includes the gorgeous single “So Far Away,” which has some of the most stunning acoustic guitar and cello work I’ve heard in some time, and exquisite backing vocals from Icelandic songbird Myrra Ros. You can download the track now exclusively through Triple J Unearthed. Do it; you won’t be disappointed.

And if you like what you hear get out and support Owls of the Swamp as he launches “So Far Away” at Melbourne’s Bar 303 on 18 March. The $10 tickets (available at the door) are a bit of a bargain as they include a free limited edition copy of the single, complete with B-side!

Image source: Lauren Bamford/Owls of the Swamp website

Lionel Richie and Guy Sebastian Duet for Flood Victims

Tour buddies Guy Sebastian and Lionel Richie have recorded a new version of Lionel’s dance-tastic 80s smash “All Night Long” to benefit Australian flood victims.

The soulful pair laid down the tune in Los Angeles this week, and have pledged all money raised will reach the Flood Relief program.

I love the concept, but as an old school Lionel fan I’m also a little nervous. Apparently the new version was produced by RedOne, the man behind Lady Gaga and that awful Richie-sampling Enrique Iglesias tune “I Like It.” Here’s hoping they ease up on the electronics and preserve the fun of the original!

I can’t wait to hear the song, and am also kicking myself for not getting tickets to this upcoming tour. No doubt Lionel and Guy will perform it for fans at their Day on the Green and theater shows!

Image source: Dwight McCann @ Wikimedia Commons

Israel Cannan Tours Single “Set Me Free”

Few artists invest as much in their creative vision as Israel Cannan. We saw him write, engineer, and play all the instruments on his sophomore album Walk. So now it’s out, you’d think the hard work would be over, right? Not a chance.

Israel’s just released a new single “Set Me Free” and to promote it he’s made this music video. For most artists that simply means time in front of the camera, but that’s too easy. Israel actually directed and edited the film clip too. Is there anything he can’t do?

Apparently not, because now we’ll see him setting off on his first national tour. It all kicks off this Friday in Adelaide. Tickets are available now from the venues for the following shows. If he puts as much work into those gigs as he does everything else, they’re going to be pretty spectacular.

25 February 2011 – Fringe Festival, Adelaide
26 February 2011 – The Exeter Hotel, Adelaide
27 February 2011 – La Mar Sundays, Adelaide
1 March 2011 – Mojo’s, Fremantle
3 March 2011 – The Raval, Sydney
18 March 2011 – The Front Gallery, Canberra
19 March 2011 – Bertha Brown, Melbourne
25 March 2011 – Gallery, Forster
26 March 2011 – The Loft, Gold Coast
15 April 2011 – The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay

Only The Sea Slugs Tour “Big Sky” Single

With an unlikely name and killer new single “Big Sky,” I predict Only The Sea Slugs are going to prove pretty unforgettable. Just to be sure the band will travel down the east coast to spruik their new tune next month.

This song’s arrangement is so simple, but its unique instrumentation and poignant lyrics about isolation in the urban jungle really speak to me. The song is the first single from Only The Sea Slugs’ debut EP Dreamstate.

If you dig it make sure you catch Only The Sea Slugs doing their thing at the following shows.

4 March 2011 – The Gallery Bar @ The Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
11 March 2011 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
12 March 2011 – The Gallery Bar @ The Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
16 March 2011 – The Workers Club, Fitzroy
19 March 2011 – The Gallery Bar @ The Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
24 March 2011 – Lambda Lambda Lambda @ Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
26 March 2011 – The Gallery Bar @ The Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Meet Sydney’s Strangers

Sydney quintet Strangers aren’t likely to be strangers for much longer. The band has spent the last three months recording their rocking debut album, and they’re getting ready to unleash it on the country.

Strangers will play their first ever headline show at Sydney’s Spectrum next Saturday, in amongst support slots with the mighty Shihad. The current crop of dates will support “Red Brick,” the first single released from the album. The first Shihad show is tonight, so music lovers in The Gong should get their skates on!

Strangers

3 February 2011 – Waves, Wollongong (with Shihad)
4 February 2011 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (with Shihad)
5 February 2011 – Beach Road Hotel, Bondi (with Shihad)
12 February 2011 – Spectrum, Darlinghurst (headline show)
18 February 2011 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne (with Shihad)
19 February 2011 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully (with Shihad)

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Young Revelry Rock with “Here Now”

Perth rock act Young Revelry are getting some mileage from their debut EP You and I. The lads have just released “Here Now,” the second cut from the disc.

It’s every bit as raw and powerful as the title track, with its epic sing-along chorus and grungy guitars. There’s a refreshing lack of polish about this band; I really hope time in the business doesn’t smooth their edges too much.

2010 was a big year for Young Revelry, who landed support slots with You Am I and Calling All Cars, played two sold-out EP launch shows, and a performance at the Southbound Festival. With tracks like “Here Now” under their belt, I’m expecting big things from these Perthies in 2011.

Image source: Premier Artists

Cullen’s Poppy New Single is “Crazy Enough”

This afternoon I’ve been seduced by the sweet synth pop of Cullen, and his new single “Crazy Enough.”

This track is so bright and shiny that I couldn’t help but smile on hearing it. It’s also very musically complex, so I was surprised to see this Melbourne artist was behind all the layers. Guitars, keys, synths, and drums; you name it and Cullen is playing it.

If the single version of “Crazy Enough” too sugary for you, make sure you check out the darker remix from US producer VIKING. The song is given a retro flavour with another remix from Sydney’s Diamond Cut. They’re all available to hear right now on Cullen’s MySpace page.

“Crazy Enough” is the second cut to come from Cullen’s forthcoming album. It’s nice to know there’s more of this on the way!

Image used with permission from Forum5

Timothy Nelson and The Infidels Tease with New Single

I flipped when I heard Timothy Nelson and The Infidels debut single “Nothing’s in Tune,” and commented that if it was a sign of things to come, I couldn’t wait for that album to drop.

The bad news is, I’m still waiting. The good news though is that the band have proven they’re no flash in the pan with the follow-up single “You Don’t Know What You’re Waiting For.” This is more music from the heart that instantly fits like a comfy pair of slippers. It’s not derivative, but there’s just something about it that’s so accessible. There’s such a maturity about it, I can barely believe that Timothy is just 20 years old!

For the record, the album is coming too. Look out for I Know This Now in stores this April. With so much talent, and final mastering at the legendary Abbey Road studios, the record is shaping up to be something really special.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash