Sam Clark Follows Up Broken with New Single

Sam Clark is preparing to release “Send Me a Sign,” the second single from his debut album.

“Send Me a Sign” follows the release of “Broken,” which went all the way to number one on the ARIA Physical Charts and cracked the top 40 singles charts.

“Send Me a Sign” will be released on April 22. Make sure you tune in to Neighbours that night as Sam will be back in Ramsey Street and performing the song. That should help tide us over until Sam’s album, which is nearing completion, hits stores later this year.

Image used with permission from Repertoire Publicity

Damien Leith Releases New Book and Digital Single

It’s an exciting time for Damien Leith fans. Remember June, the lovable Irishman’s second novel, hits stores today. The novel is the follow-up to Damien’s first book, One More Time. The tale tells the story of a family who escaped a turbulent life in Northern Ireland ten years earlier, but are haunted by their past.

Then tomorrow Damien’s latest single “Forgive, Forget” will be available for digital download. The new single ise available as a digital bundle with “Hallelujah,” one of Damien’s signature tunes from his Australian Idol stint.

“Hallelujah is my all time favourite song,” Damien said in a statement. “The lyrics and the melody are both haunting and magical and I am thrilled to release the track recorded in full for the first time ever.”

Damien will perform his cover of this Leonard Cohen classic at the Good Friday Appeal at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium tomorrow. The charity event will be broadcast on the Seven Network, so Damien fans should make sure they tune in!

As if that wasn’t enough Damien news, remember that he’s still travelling around the country on his Keys and Strings tour. The tour sees Damien play songs from his acclaimed Remember June album alongside covers of Irish tunes that have inspired him musically. If you haven’t seen the show yet, make sure you get to one of the following venues!

1 Apr 2010 – Cafe Coast Restaurant, Perth
2 Apr 2010 – Friends Restaurant, East Perth
3 Apr 2010 – Charles Hotel, North Perth
9 April 2010 – Kingsford, Souths Juniors
10 April 2010 – Dee Why RSL
14 April 2010 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
15 & 16 April 2010 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
17 April 2010 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
23 April 2010 – Coffs Ex Services, Coffs Harbour
24 April 2010 – Ballina RSL
30 April 2010 – Brothers Leagues Club, Cairns
1 May 2010 – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville
2 May 2010 – Magpies Sporting Club, Mackay
4 May 2010 – Proserpine Cultural Centre
5 May 2010 – Rockhampton Leagues Club
6 May 2010 – Gladstone Entertainment Centre
7 May 2010 – Hervey Bay Boat Club
8 May 2010 – Gympie RSL
9 May 2010 – Tewantin Noosa RSL

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

The Bedroom Philosopher Sets Out on Single Tour

Melbourne comic The Bedroom Philosopher has just released “Northcote (So Hungover)”, the first single from his upcoming album Songs from the 86 Tram. You can listen to the song here.

The Bedroom Philosopher has quickly become a Triple J favourite with his witty satire and shoe-gazing rock stylings. I also like that he’s an equal opportunist comedian, similarly at home taking pot shots at hip hop wannabes, bogans, backpackers, and the elderly.

If you were looking for musical comedy that’s a bit edgier than Tripod and Scared Weird Little Guys, The Bedroom Philosopher may just be your cup of chai. You can catch him at the upcoming Melbourne and Sydney Comedy Festivals and a few other cities over the next few months. Check him out at the following venues!

25 March -18 April 2010 – Victoria Hotel, Melbourne
28 April 2010 – The Front Café, Canberra
29 April 2010 – The Vanguard, Sydney
5 May 2010 – Grace Emily, Adelaide
6 May 2010 – Alley Cat, Hobart
7 Friday May 2010 – Royal Oak, Launceston
9 Sunday May 2010 – Powerhouse, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Would You Raise Your Hands for the Rogue Traders?

“Would You Raise Your Hands?”, the new single from the new look Rogue Traders hit radio this morning. The glam-inspired electro tune is the second track the band has released with new lead singer Mindi Jackson.

I must admit, I wasn’t sure how the Rogue Traders would replace Natalie Bassingthwaighte. But after watching the band perform on breakfast TV recently I’ve changed my tune. Mindi put her own stamp on the band’s back catalogue, performing with plenty of energy and flair. She’s more than simply a great performer though, as she co-wrote many of the tracks on the band’s upcoming release Night of the Living Drums. The album will hit record stores this June.

To celebrate the new single the Rogue Trader’s will play a very special one-off launch show at Star City’s Lyric Theatre on April 10.  You can expect to get a sneak peek of the album, plus hear all your old favourites. Tickets are available for the all-ages show through Ticketmaster now.

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Discover The Delta Riggs

You may not have heard of The Delta Riggs yet, but you need to. With their frills free, back to basics approach to music, they’re like a breath of fresh air on the contemporary landscape.

The Blue Mountains based rockers are about release their debut EP, simply titled The Delta Riggs EP, and a companion 7 inch single “Soul Train.” Oh how refreshing to find an act releasing a 7 inch! To save dusting off your record player though, you can actually get “Soul Train” for free in modern MP3 format by right-clicking this link.

Trust me, you want to click this link. The intro reminded me of The Spencer Davis Group, the vocals are like Gavin Degraw with stacks more grit, but no comparisons really do these guys justice. You just need to hear them! And if you like what you hear, you need to see them live. Catch The Delta Riggs at the following shows.

11 March 2010 – Old Manly Boat Shed, Sydney
13 March 2010 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
14 March 2010 – Secret Garden Festival, Camden
20 March 2010 – Oxford Tavern, Wollongong
1 April 2010 – Hotel Gearin, Blue Mountains (Residency)
3 April 2010 – Park Hotel, Bathurst
15 April 2010 – Hotel Gearin, Blue Mountains (Residency)
16 April 2010 – World Bar, Sydney
22 April 2010 – Hotel Gearin, Blue Mountains (Residency)
29 April 2010 – Hotel Gearin, Blue Mountains (Residency)

Both The Delta Riggs EP and “Soul Train” 7” vinyl will be released on March 26. The EP will be available through iTunes and independent record stores, with the vinyl is available through the Delta Riggs website. Both EP and vinyl will be sold at the shows too, which is even more incentive to catch the gigs!

Image used with permission from Andy Kent & Associates

Finabah Want You to Jump!

With their new single “Everyone Jump (When They Tell You How High)” enjoying solid air play, NA2R rock winners Finabah are shaping up as an Aussie act to watch in 2010.

The song showcases the band’s trademark rock-pop sound and catchy melodies. Underneath that radio-friendly sound, the band said there’s a real message.

“The track was heavily inspired by the modern fashion industry, and everyone’s struggle to be different,” explained bassist Brendan Langfield. “It seems a lot of the time people are so concerned with being ‘trendy’ and ‘unique’ that they forget about who they really are”.

Following an east coast tour in February and March, the band will take their tunes to the kids as part of the 2010 Rock the Schools tour. The government initiative sees the band performing more than 25 shows to more than 15, 000 students, and giving them a hands-on lesson about rock and roll. They certainly weren’t teaching that when I was at school!

Before that, make sure you get out and support this exciting unsigned act on their Everybody Jump tour!

finibah

12 February 2010 – Syke, The Producer Bar @ Electric Light Hotel, Adelaide, SA (18+)
13 February 2010 – The Underground, Adelaide (All Ages)
19 February 2010 – Mynt Lounge, Werribee (18+)
20 February 2010 – Bang @ Royal Melbourne Hotel (18+)
21 February 2010 – Fist 2 Face, Melbourne (All Ages)
5 March 2010 – X&Y Bar, Brisbane (18+ Unplugged set)
6 March 2010 – The Hive, Brisbane (All Ages)
6 March 2010 – Thriller, Brisbane (All Ages)
7 March 2010 – Gladstone Hotel, Gladstone (18+)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

The Black Ryder Release New Video, Aimee Scores New Moon Soundtrack Slot

The Black Ryder has released a stunning video for “Sweet Come Down.” The haunting song comes from the band’s highly anticipated debut, Buy The Ticket, Take the Ride, which hits stores on November 6.

The song is a fan favourite, with Aimee Nash and Scott Ryper sharing vocal duties and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s Peter Hayes on harmonica.

The accompanying clip is more short film than traditional music video, with acclaimed director Michael Spiccia and cinematographer Stefan Duscio at the helm. The wilds of south west New South Wales become a beautiful and foreboding landscape for the scene, which takes place after a mysterious tragedy.

The Black Ryder fans should look out for Aimee moonlighting on the new Black Rebel Motorcycle track, “Done All Wrong.” The song, which features Aimee’s ethereal vocals, is featured on the recently released Twilight – New Moon soundtrack.

The Black Ryder will celebrate the release of Buy The Ticket, Take the Ride with a show at The Tote Bar in Melbourne on November 19. The band will play alongside Killed Two Birds, Slight of Build, and Dreaming of Ghosts. It’s their very last show this year, so make sure you don’t miss it!

Guy Sebastian Duets with Jordin Sparks on New Single

Guy Sebastian will follow up the success of his latest single “Like It Like That” with a duet with American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks. Guy recorded the track “Art of Love” recently in the United States. The song is the second to be released from Guy’s fifth studio album Like It Like That, which hits stores on Friday.

It won’t just be Guy’s CDs that fans will see in the stores though. Guy’s just announced a run of in-store appearances ahead of his tour next February. Guy will sign autographs and perform for his loyal fans at the shopping centre appearances. Here are all the places you can catch Guy in the coming months. Make sure to mark them in your calendars!

23 October 2009 – Virgin Megastore, 343 George St, Sydney @ 1pm
24 October 2009 – Westfield Tea Tree Plaza, Adelaide @ 12.30pm
29 October 2009 – Westfield, Liverpool @ 6pm.
12 Feb 2010 – Riverside Theatre, Perth Convention Centre
13 Feb 2010 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre
14 Feb 2010 – State Theatre, Sydney
19 Feb 2010 – QPAC, Concert Hall, Brisbane
20 Feb 2010 – Arts Centre, Hamer Hall, Melbourne

Image source: Renee Anquetil @ Wikimedia Commons

Shannon Noll and Street Warriors Cover "Solid Rock"

Shannon Noll has teamed up with indigenous hip hoppers Street Warriors to revamp an Australian classic, the Goanna hit “Solid Rock.”

The combination of hip hop beats and rock guitars breathes new life into the 1982 anthem which sang of the displacement of Aboriginal tribes during Australia’s white settlement. The themes made the song particularly poignant for the Street Warriors.

“If everyone practices respect – for land, for country, for each other, most of our problems would disappear,” said one half of the group, Abie Wright.

The video saw Shannon and the band headed to the Gommeroi Land around Gunnedah. The song pays homage to the Street Warriors’ ancestor, Red Chief Kangaroo, and they shot part of the video in the Red Chief Cave in his honour. Check it out below!

The Versus Sign to Warner, Offer Free Single Download

theversus

Killing Heidi duo Ella and Jesse Hooper have just been signed up to Warner Music Australia. The brother-sister team’s latest incarnation, The Verses, showcases their incredible talent and knack for crafting an unforgettable song.

“The Verses are all about old-fashioned quality: beautifully crafted songs, great musicianship and unforgettable vocal melodies,” explained Warner president and CEO, Ed St John. “They take all the things that are good about ‘classic rock’ and combine them with a totally contemporary sensibility. So many people know and admire Jesse and Ella Hooper and all that they stand for, but I still think people will be blown away by this band.”

Meanwhile Ella and Jesse Hooper are hopeful about the opportunities their partnership with Warner will present.

“We are very excited to be working with the people at Warners for our new project The Verses as we really respect their nurturing of local talent,” the pair said in a statement. “The Verses has been something we have been creating with a lot of love and are looking forward to sharing our music again. We are thrilled to be debuting our new band on the Fleetwood Mac tour in December, who are one of our favourite groups!“

The band’s first single “Forever More” will hit radio on October 26, but you can get it for free now at The Versus website. The song comes from the band’s debut EP, which is scheduled to drop on November 13. That gives fans just enough time to learn all the songs ahead of the Fleetwood Mac tour. Here are all the dates!

1 & 2 December 2009 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
5 December 2009 – Hope Estate Winery, Hunter Valley
7 December 2009 – Acer Arena, Sydney
11 & 12 December 2009 – Members Equity, Perth
15 & 16 December 2009 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia