Get Ready for Summer with The Rooftops

Are you all getting excited about summer? It’s so close that I can feel it. I put on one of my favourite sun dresses last week, and was so thrilled to be able to step out with bare legs! If you’re not in a summery mood yet, Brisbane band The Rooftops should get you there with their new single “Something So Familiar.”

If you want to give it a listen just head to their website to download it for free from the main page. I love it when a band is so generous, particularly when they’re this good. That infectious groove and rich brassy sound are music to my ears, so to speak!

“Something So Familiar” comes from the band’s forthcoming third album, which only makes me wonder where they’ve been all my life! If you dig them, you can catch them doing their thing live at the following shows.

22 October 2010 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
23 October 2010 – The Armidale Club, Armidale
29 October 2010 –The Renaissance Festival, Melbourne
30 October 2010 – The Brunswick Hotel, Melbourne
5 November 2010 – The Queens Arms, Adelaide
6 November 2010 – The Jetty Bar, Glenelg
12 November 2010 – Front Gallery, Canberra
13 November 2010 – The Mac, Sydney
14 November 2010 – The Junkyard, Maitland
19 November 2010 – The Loft, Gold Coast
20 November 2010 – The Club House, Brisbane
4 December 2010 – Bump Nights, Noosa

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

The Paper Scissors Tour “Lung Sum” Single

Sydney indie rockers The Paper Scissors are busy travelling about the country in support of “Lung Sum,” the first single from their sophomore album In Loving Memory. This is great stuff; really original and melodic and quirky. Take a listen!

The lads will showcase tracks from their forthcoming album release, and of course a few old favourites, at the following shows. If you like what you hear make sure you get out there and support them!

15 October 2010 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
21 October 2010 – Lambda Lambda Lambda, Brisbane
22 October 2010 – Great Northern, Byron Bay
23 October 2010 – Clubhouse, Toowoomba
29 October 2010 – Hermann’s, Sydney
5 November 2010 – Curtin University, Perth

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting

Hear Galleon “In Stereo”

My affinity for all things Adelaide doesn’t appear to be waning. Today I’m fawning over “In Stereo,” the new single from the city’s four-piece rockers Galleon.

You might remember the song “Kamikaze” which these lads released a few months ago. I liked that but I love this; it starts gently but builds to a lovely epic crescendo. The band’s front man Nick Deegan says the song “questions the conventional 9-5 lifestyle and attempts to somewhat justify and even glorify the lesser travelled path of being an artist, and in particular a musician.”

And isn’t that what we all need on a weekend?

“In Stereo” comes from Galleon’s forthcoming album which was engineered and mixed by Jimi Maroudas (Eskimo Joe, The Living End) and produced by Patrick ‘Patch’ Robertson of Motorace.

If you’re digging the song make sure you catch Galleon at one of their upcoming shows!

9 Oct 2010 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
22 Oct – Melt Bar, Kings Cross
Date TBA – Ding Dong, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Meet Brisbane Electro-Rockers, The Moniters

Brisbane three-piece The Moniters have unleashed their debut single “Exit the System,” a cracking indie electro rock track that hints at exciting things to come.

Who would have thought music like this would come from a chance meeting at a Killers concert? Frontman Jimi Lucas and drummer Matt Schrader ran into bass player Barney Gickel, who’d met Matt as a session muso years before. They began to jam together, and The Moniters was born. The band sent their demos to Melbourne producer Forrester Savall, who couldn’t wait to record with them.

“With ‘Exit The System’ (and the EP in general), we were looking for that really slick, tight sound, as the song does have those electronic components,” explained Jimi Lucas.”I was listening to a lot of She Wants Revenge and wanted to go for that dirty, sexy, baritone vocal style. The drums, bass and guitars we focused on sharp energy, aiming to keep that driving, anxious, nervy feel at the core of the song. The choruses then really open up, which releases that on-edge vibe.”

We’ll hear more from The Moniters when they release their debut EP Sex City Lovers early next year. Until then you can catch them live at the following shows along the East Coast, including their single launch in front of their Brisbane home crowd.

20 October 2010 – X & Y Bar, Brisbane
19 November 2010 – Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
20 November 2010 – Open Arms Festival, Coffs Harbour
11 December 2010 – Cherry, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Get Familiar with Mutu

Aussie urban act Mutu has gained a steady following with support slots with Flo Rida, Jason Derulo, Akon, Pitbull, and Kelly Rowland. Now this promising young talent is stepping into the spotlight with his debut single “Familiar.”

The tracks been developed by some of the best in the business. Home grown producer Styalz Fuego (Snoop Dogg, Kelis, Sneaky Sound System) and American engineer Brent Kolatolo (Kanye West, Lenny Kravitz) have both put their stamps on the tune.

“Familiar” is at radio now ahead of its digital release on October 4. Mutu will announce his headline tour in the coming weeks, so keep your ears out for that!

Glenn Richards Releases Single Ahead of Solo Album

I’ve always been a fan of Glenn Richards work in Augie March, so I was keen to see what his solo music brought.

Solo projects are usually a bit of a departure, allowing musicians to explore genres and techniques they can’t within the constraints of their band, and it seems Glenn’s is no different. So far I’ve only listened to the single “Torpor & Spleen,” but it’s got a lovely organic quality to it which veers dangerously close to bluegrass. Don’t worry; that’s a good thing.

It’s definitely the kind of tune that makes me want to hear more of Glimjack, the solo album Glenn Richards has worked on with his friends Dan Luscombe, Mike Noga, Ben Bourke, and brother Chris. They’re a talented bunch, and no doubt this album, which will hit stores on November 5, is going to be critically acclaimed. That’s high praise indeed coming from just one single, but it’s just that good.

Image source: Jeanie Mackinder @ Wikimedia Commons

Blue King Brown Promise to “Never Fade Away”

The single keep coming from Blue King Brown. The band, who are currently touring the country with John Butler Trio, has just released a vibing new track called “Never Fade Away.”

“‘Never Fade Away’ speaks about finding strength from our families, the importance of family and also the importance of seeing all human beings as being connected and part of a global community,” the band said in a statement. “’Never Fade Away’, the music video, was all shot in our hometown of Melbourne, Australia. It features some of our region’s finest multicultural artists, dancers and musicians; it’s recognition and a celebration of the strong multicultural foundation that is modern Australia.”

The song is the third single from Blue King Brown’s new album Worldwize Part 1: North & South which is in stores now.

Skipping Girl Vinegar Get Wasted

Being as it’s a Saturday it seems only right to chat about Skipping Girl Vinegar and their new song “Wasted.”

Inspired by a big night out at Melbourne’s Corner Hotel, the track is deliciously organic with a drum kit found in a dumpster, rubbish bins, and roadside hard rubbish all providing percussion. It’s raucous and just the kind of song you want to play as you head out for your own Saturday evening.

The song is a sneak peek of what lies ahead for the band, a little taster of what to expect from the as-yet-untitled sophomore album which should hit stores early next year. Skipping Girl Vinegar can’t wait that long to get in front of their local fans though, so they’re heading out next month on their Drown It Out single tour.

3 September 2010 – Troubadour, Brisbane (with special guests Autumn Sun & The Lucky Wonders)
10 September 2010 – Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor
11 September 2010 – Funk N Grooves Festival, Hunter Valley
11 September 2010 – RAVAL, Sydney (with special guest Ruby for Lucy)
18 September 2010 – The Toff In Town, Melbourne (with special guests Hello Satellites & Young Werther)

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Re:enactment Spruik Single on East Coast Tour

Upbeat Brisbane electro rock act re:enactment are heading out on the road to promote their double A-side single “Talent for Retail,” which features the songs “Problematic” and “Nintendogs.” There’s even a bonus B-side “Don’t Even” and a live version of fan favourite “Steel Drums” to add value.

Honestly, with physical singles being on their last legs thanks to the introduction of digital downloads I’m thrilled to see a band offering so much in this format. If you are too, make sure you get out and show your support at re:enactment’s upcoming shows.

18 September 2010 – The Troubadour, Brisbane (with Hunz, Moon Jog and Toy Balloon)
23 September 2010 – The Old Bar, Melbourne (with Sleep Decade and Cast& Crew)
25 September 2010 – Pony, Melbourne (with Caught Ship, Tantrums and No Real Need)
30 September 2010 – Excelsior, Sydney (with World Champion, Lumiere and Solkyri)
1 October 2010 – World Bar, Sydney (with Paper Moon, Howl at the Moon, Convaire)

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Laneous and the Family Yah Release Wacky “I Am Dog” Video

Laneous and the Family Yah is a band that definitely doesn’t take itself too seriously.

That should be pretty evident on watching the film clip for their new single “I Am Dog,” which documents a day in the life of James Lane, the owner of the World’s First Dog, Cat and Pigeon Zoo. As you’ll soon find out though, these are no ordinary animals. The song might seem pretty silly at first, but focus in on those infectious hooks and the tight instrumentation and you’ll realise there’s more to this band than meets the eye.

“I Am Dog” is the first taste the Laneous and the Family Yah’s second album Found Things, which will hit record stores around the country in September. It’s a blend of soul, punk, and hip hop that’s like nothing you’ve ever heard. After watching that film clip, you know what I’m saying is true!

To coincide with the release of Found Things, Laneous and the Family Yah will join Regurgitator on their album launch tour. Make sure you turn up early at the following shows to check these guys out!

16 September 2010 – The Gov, Adelaide
17 September 2010 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne
18 September 2010 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
19 September 2010 – The Great Northern, Byron Bay
23 September 2010 – The Maram, Canberra
24 September 2010 – Uni Bar, Wollongong
25 September 2010 – Manning Bar, Sydney