RÜFÜS Get American Name Change

RÜFÜS fans in North America take note. In order to avoid a copyright lawsuit, the Aussie band will change their name for North American audiences to RÜFÜS DU SOL. They’ll still be known as RÜFÜS in Oz, but the North American name change will allow them to tour the US and release their album ATLAS there without infringing an existing copyright.

RÜFÜS DU SOL have also recently been signed up to Columbia Records, making them just the third Aussie act to join the legendary label after Men at Work and The Temper Trap. To celebrate, RÜFÜS DU SOL will play a string of shows including appearances at SXSW this March. Note the name change so you don’t miss their US and Canadian gigs!

7 March 2014 – Popscene @ Rickshaw, San Francisco
8 March 2014 – CYP2 @ Echoplex, Los Angeles
11 March 2014 – Bang Bang, San Diego
12-15 March 2014 – SXSW Austin
19 March 2014 – Commonwealth Bar, Calgary
20 March 2014 – Fortune Sound Club, Vancouver
21 March 2014 – Neumo’s, Seattle
22 March 2014 – Holocene, Portland
26 March 2014 – Highline Ballroom, New York
27 March 2014 – U Street Music Hall, Washington
28 March 2014 – Winter Music Conference, Miami
4 April 2014 – Bottom Lounge, Chicago
6 April 2014 – Venue TBA, Denver

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Stonefield Finally Play WA

Western Australia, your patience has been rewarded. Sister act Stonefield will finally bring their album tour to your part of the country next week.

Expect plenty of energy and big heavy guitar riffs when the girls from Victoria touch down next week! Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

13 February 2014 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
14 February 2014 – Clancy’s, Dunsborough
15 February 2014 – The Capitol, Perth

Image used with permission from the 123 Agency

The Dead Daisies Release New Single & Album

The self-titled debut album from The Dead Daisies, fronted by our own Jon Stevens (we can claim him at this point, can’t we Australia?), hits stores tomorrow!

The album’s already generated buzz with the release of its first two singles, “Lock ‘N’ Load” and “Washington,” and now there’s a third to remind people why this album needs to be part of their collection. Just like the others, “It’s Gonna Take Time” celebrates classic rock music without the frills and bullshit.

“It’s a personal view on the world we live in today,” explained Jon. “We’re all running around on this planet consuming everything in our path. There are so many distractions, that the simple things in life, we don’t seem to have time for anymore. Is it just me? Everyone seems to be in a rush nowadays. This song is about stopping for a minute and identifying what is really important in your life! Simple really, but hard to do in this day and age!”

So shut out the rest of the world and wrap your ears around this. Then get excited because The Dead Daisies tour kicks off tonight. Where else can you see musicians from Noiseworks, Guns N’ Roses, Psychedelic Furs, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, and The Cult all on one stage? Nowhere, that’s where!

6 February 2014 – The Gov, Adelaide
7 February 2014 – The Old Mill, Hahndorf
8 February 2014 – Annie’s Lane Day On The Green, Clare Valley
15 February 2014 – Rochford Wines Day On The Green, Yarra Valley
16 February 2014 – Esplanade Hotel, Melbourne
21 February 2014 – Taronga Zoo, Sydney (with Jimmy Barnes)
22 February 2014 – Bateau Bay Hotel – Bateau Bay (with Jimmy Barnes)
23 February 2014 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
25 February 2014 – Country Club Casino, Launceston
26 February 2014 – Wrestpoint Casino Showroom, Hobart
28 February 2014 – Mulwala Water Ski Club, Mulwala
1 March 2014 – Albury SS&A Club, Albury

Image used with permission from Jaden Social

Pokey LaFarge Announces First Australian Shows

They don’t make musicians like Pokey LaFarge anymore. This American musician, songwriter, bandleader, and all-round entertainer takes us back to a time when swing, bluegrass, country, and jazz were all over the radio. And with a self-titled, full-length album now in stores, he’s making his first visit to Australia.

It might be a little old-timey for modern tastes, but listen to it with an open mind and you’ll discover a performer that really knows his stuff.

He’s also got one of the best bands that I’ve ever seen. Check out this video of them performing “Sadie Green” at the recent Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion for proof.

If you like what you see, make sure you grab a ticket for one of Pokey’s upcoming Aussie shows.

7 & 8 March 2014 – Port Fairy Folk Music Festival, Port Fairy
9 & 10 March 2014 – WOMADelaide, Botanic Park, Adelaide
12 March 2014 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
13 March 2014 – The Basement, Sydney

Elizabeth Rose Announces EP Tour

Elizabeth Rose is wasting no time promoting the release of her self-titled sophomore EP. She’s already announced a string of intimate shows all around the country.

Elizabeth has already started the year with a bang by taking out the FBi Radio SMAC Award for Next Big Thing. See why she won that coveted trophy at the following shows.

28 February 2014 – Manning Bar, Sydney
1 March 2014 – Secret Garden Festival, Camden
7 March 2014 – Bleach Festival, Gold Coast
8 March 2014 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
13 March 2014 – Wollongong Uni, Wollongong
15 March 2014 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
22 March 2014 – Pirie Social Club, Adelaide
4 April 2014 – King Street Hotel Supperclub, Newcastle
11 April 2014 – Amplifier, Perth
12 April 2014 – Mojo’s, Fremantle

Image used with permission from Recon Music

Spanish Surf Band Los Coronas Return to Australia

Is Tuesday too early in the week to reach for sangria? Because I definitely feel like a nice cold jug as I listen to “Adios Sancho,” the title track from Los Coronas’ new album.

This Spanish band is returning to our shores after their successful 2012/2013 run of Aussie dates. If you like your music a little left of centre, make sure you don’t miss their unusual blend of traditional Spanish melodies and sun-drenched surf sounds.

2 March 2014 – Clancy’s Red Room, Dunsborough
4 March 2014 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
5 & 6 March 2014 – Basement, Sydney
7 March 2014 – WOMADelaide, Adelaide
8 March 2014 – Enlighten, Canberra
9 March 2014 – Golden Plains Festival, Victoria
13 March 2014 – Republic Bar, Hobart
14 March 2014 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Washington and The Rubens Headline Lost Picnic

If you’re tired of all of those crowded, sweaty summer festivals, then you should definitely check out the much more elegant Lost Picnic. With its talented local musicians, gourmet food, and lush backdrop of Sydney’s Centennial Park, this is a festival with a difference.

The first year is set to be something special with entertainment from Megan Washington, The Rubens, Emma Louise, Dustin Tebbutt, and Sons of the East. Picnic hampers will also be available from the talented chefs behind some of Sydney’s best restaurants including Rushcutters and Icebergs Dining Room and Bar.

“We’ve grown up organising successful dance events in Sydney and although this will always be a passion of ours, we have evolved and we want our events to evolve with us,” explained Simon Beckingham, who’s organising the event along with his partner in crime, Wade Cawood. “Growing up in the UK festival scene, we know Sydney is looking for the next generation in music events. Lost Picnic is exactly that, a boutique-style event that not only supports local musical talent but local restaurants, to offer a completely different experience to the Sydney entertainment calendar.”

Lost Picnic hit Centennial Park on 23 March 2014. Tickets and picnic hampers are available to pre-order now from the Lost Picnic website.

Image used with permission from Lost Picnic

Michael Paynter Tours Long Awaited Debut Album

Michael Paynter has long been one of the hardest working singer-songwriters in the country, but it took his stint on The Voice for him to really hit the big time. It took that exposure for Michael to finally release his debut album Weary Stars a couple of days ago.

He wrote the album shortly after parting ways with Sony Music, and he said he’s thrilled for the public to finally hear it. It comes with a clip recorded in just one day in Avalon, Victoria, with the health of Pete Seamons from EPIK Films.

“I’ve loved his work with The Paper Kites, New Empire and Simple Plan, so I was incredibility excited to work with Pete,” Michael said. “ We went down to scope out the location with one idea and as soon as we stepped out of the car, all these new concepts started floating to our heads … the location kinda told us what it wanted to say.”

Michael will promote the album with some solo shows, as well as a couple of gigs with his old buddies from Icehouse.

12 February 2014 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
13 February 2014 – The Toff In Town, Melbourne
14 February 2014 – The Basement, Sydney
20 February 2014 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
21 February 2014 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
22 February 2014 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
23 February 2014 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
7 March 2014 – Forest Edge Music Festival, Neerim East
19 March 2014 – Belmont Sailing Club, Belmont (with Icehouse)
20 March 2014 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill (with Icehouse)
22 March 2014 – The Astor Theatre, Perth
27 March 2014 – Jive, Adelaide

The Growlers Announce First Aussie Tour

Cool Californian act The Growlers have played venues everywhere from London to Brazil, and the stages of Coachella and Lollapalooza. Now they’re preparing to add Australia to the list with their first ever Aussie tour this March.

The band will be here to promote their EP Gilded Pleasures, which features the surf-drench, psychedelic-influenced rootsy grooves of “Humdrum Blues.” If you love it, you can hear more at the following shows.

5 March 2014 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
6 March 2014 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
7 March 2014 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
8 March 2014 – The Tote, Melbourne

Image used with permission from SCG Media

Boy & Bear Announce Regional Dates

So many bands focus on the capitals, so it’s refreshing to see Boy & Bear heading out to regional centres for their next tour. After conquering Europe and America, the lads will return home to play regional towns in almost every state and territory in the country.

“This will be the most extensive regional tour the band has done and we are very much looking forward to it,” gushed the band’s singer-songwriter Dave Hosking.  “We love the idea of playing to new people in new and exciting parts of the country.”

The 30-date regional run will celebrate the recent release of “Harlequin Dream,” the title track from their most recent album. I love the clip, which reminds us of the beauty of the Philippines. It was shot in Palawan just two weeks before Typhoon Haiyan hit. YouTube assures us that the people and locations we see in the clips are safe, as they were sheltered by the surrounding mountains, but it does offer links to Unicef, Oxfam, Australian Red Cross, and Save the Children Australia to make it easier to give to the cause.

Boy & Bear will play the following regional shows between April and May.

13 April 2014 – West Coast Blues ‘n’ Roots @ Fremantle Park, Perth
16 April 2014 – Mackay Entertainment Centre, Mackay (ALL AGES)
17 April 2014 – Magnums, Airlie Beach
19 April 2014 – Brothers, Cairns (15+ must be accompanied by adult)
20 April 2014 – The Venue, Townsville
22 April 2014 – Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton (ALL AGES)
23 April 2014 – Harvey Road Tavern, Gladstone
24 April 2014 – Sugarland Tavern, Bundaberg
26 April 2014 – Sunshine Coast Function Centre, Caloundra
27 April 2014 – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba (ALL AGES)
30 April 2014 – Divers Tavern, Broome
2 May 2014 – Discovery, Darwin
8 May 2014 – Black Swan Hotel, Bendigo
9 May 2014 – Regent Cinema, Ballarat (ALL AGES)
10 May 2014 – Deakin’s Costa Hall, Geelong (ALL AGES)
11 May 2014 – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool (ALL AGES)
14 May 2014 – Lismore Workers Club, Lismore
15 May 2014 – C.ex Club, Coffs Harbour
16 May – Panthers, Port Macquarie
17 May – Panthers, Newcastle (ALL AGES)
18 May 2014 – Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
21 May 2014 – The Crow Bar @ CSU, Wagga (STUDENT ONLY EVENT)
22 May 2014 – Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra (ALL AGES)
23 May 2014 – ANU Bar, Canberra
24 May 2014 – Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury (ALL AGES)
25 May 2014 – Eastbank Centre, Shepparton (ALL AGES)
28 May 2014 – West Tamworth Leagues Club, Tamworth
29 May 2014 – Charles Sturt University, Bathurst
30 May 2014 – Orange Ex Services Club, Orange
31 May 2014 – Dubbo Ex Services Club, Dubbo