Paul Kelly Gets Poetic with Conversations with Ghosts

Paul Kelly will deliver a very different kind of show with the upcoming Conversations with Ghosts concerts.

Paul will join recorder wiz Genevieve Lacey and musicians from the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) for performances based on poetry. Pieces from Les Murray, W.B. Yeats, Lord Alfred Tennyson, Emily Dickinson, Kenneth Slessor, Norman MacCaig, and even Paul Kelly will receive brave new treatments. Paul worked on the project with  ANAM’s 2011 composer James Ledger.

Conversations with Ghosts will play Sydney’s Capitol Theatre on October 10 before moving to the Melbourne Recital Centre on October 12 and 13. These don’t sound like shows for every Paul Kelly fan, but they should offer something different to people with an appreciation for poetry and music.

Image used with permission from Jones PR

Split Seconds Tour Debut Album

Split Seconds have been steadily building buzz over the last couple of years. No doubt those fans they’ve collected along the way will be ecstatic that their debut album You’ll Turn Into Me will finally hit stores tomorrow.

The album release comes at a busy time for Split Seconds. They recently made the big move from their native Perth to the musical hub of inner city Melbourne. They also just released a new single “Top Floor,” which is already enjoying plenty of airplay.

So why not add more chaos to the mix? Split Seconds will stay busy with a quickie tour this month and the next. See them launching You’ll Turn Into Me at the following shows:

25 August 2012 – Amplifier, Perth
31 August 2012 – The Standard, Sydney
8 September 2012 – Ding Dong, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Breaking Orbit Tour The Time Traveller

Sydney alt-prog act Breaking Orbit is taking its recently released debut album, The Time Traveller, on the road.

The long-awaited album features diverse soundscapes, driving rhythms, and heavy grooves. It’s such an ambitious recording, so it’ll be interesting to see how it translates to a live setting. However keep in mind this band has been playing together for years, so they know how to put on a show. You’ll see the energy they’re famous for at the following gigs:

17 August 2012 – The Annandale, Sydney
18 August 2012 – The Basement, Canberra
31 August 2012 – The Enigma, Adelaide
1 September 2012 – The Jetty Bar, Glenelg
7 September 2012 – Basement 243, Brisbane
8 September 2012 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
14 September 2012 – Espy Front Bar, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Breaking Orbit

Dance, Dance, Dance on The Blackchords Tour

The Blackchords want to see you on your feet this winter when they tour their current single “Dance Dance Dance.”

The feelgood tune comes from The Blackchords’ sophomore album, which is scheduled to hit stores next month. We get an insight into the band’s recording process with the “Dance Dance Dance” film clip, which takes us into The Shed where the band laid down their album.

Tickets are available from the venues for the following shows:

22 August 2012 – Republic Bar, Hobart
23 August 2012 – Tapas Bar, Devonport
24 August 2012 – New York Hotel, Launceston
1 September 2012 – FBI Social Club, Sydney
8 September 2012 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
14 September 2012 – The Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne
15 September 2012 – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
20 September 2012 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat (with The Medics)
22 September 2012 – Westernport Hotel, San Remo (with The Medics)
29 September 2012 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane

Billy Bragg Plays Woody Guthrie & Originals in Oz

Billy Bragg is bringing his Ain’t Nobody That Can Sing Like Me tour to Australia.

These shows are pretty special, as they’re performed in two distinct halves. The first pays homage to the music of folk legend Woody Guthrie while the second will see Billy playing his own acclaimed originals. The exception to the rule is in Melbourne, where Billy will play two shows: the first of Woody Guthrie material and the second featuring Billy Bragg tracks.

These shows are timely, as 2010 makes the 100th anniversary of Woody Guthrie’s birth. Billy Bragg has a special bond with Woody, as he worked with Wood’y daughter Nora and Wilco on setting found lyrics to music. That project led to the revered Mermaid Avenue albums.

The Melbourne Festival shows have already gone on sale, and the Recital Hall show has sold out! Tickets for the rest of the country go on sale tomorrow:

19 October 2012 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne
20 October 2012 – Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
21 October 2012 – Federation Hall, Hobart
23 October 2012 – Canberra Theatre, Canberra
25 October 2012 – QPAC, Brisbane
27 October 2012 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
31 October 2012 – Town Hall, Adelaide
2 November 2012 – Astor Theatre, Perth

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Joe McKee Tours Solo Album

Ex-Snowman founding member Joe McKee’s hitting the road this week to promote his exquisite solo album Burning Boy.

Joe will make pit stops in capital cities around the country, including what’s sure to be an interesting performance at the Uniting Church in the Sydney suburb of Paddington. It’s likely to beat any pub with drunk punters and a sticky floor!

Tickets are available now from the venues and Oztix for the following shows:

10 August 2012 – Estonian Club, North Adelaide
11 August 2012 – Grace Darling, Collingwood, Melbourne
16 August 2012 – Paddington Uniting Church, Sydney
24 August 2012 – Rosemount, Perth

Image used with permission from Remote Control Records

Richard Clapton’s New Album Out Now

Richard Clapton shows he’s still got it with his new single “Dancing with the Vampires,” the first lifted from his album Harlequin Nights.

The album, which hits stores today, is Richard’s first in eight years. It’s a fitting way to ring in his fifth decade in the business, with exceptional lyrics and that laconic twang we’ve all come to know. His recent marriage breakdown has added fuel to his fire, and resulted in some fantastic songs. I’m a real fan of the single, which sees the reformed party boy reflecting on his wild days and giving a nod to fellow wild man Charlie Sheen. Rest assured, I’ll be sinking my teeth into the album soon.

I’ve been a long-time fan of Richard’s work, especially in the live arena where he manages to balance the new songs with the old favourites like few others. Here are all the places you can see him doing his thing over the coming months.

18 August 2012 – State Theatre, Sydney
31 August 2012 – Country Club Show Room, Launceston
1 September 2012 – Wrestpoint Casino, Hobart
8 September 2012 – 16 Footers, Belmont
14 September 2012 – Atrium Resort, Mandurah
15 September 2012 – Astor Theatre, Perth
28 September 2012 – Nambour Civic Centre, Sunshine Coast
29 September 2012 – QPAC Theatre, Brisbane
5 October 2012 – Palms at Crown Casino, Melbourne
19 October 2012 – Thoroughbred Park, Lyneham
27 October 2012 – Twin Towns, Gold Coast
10 November 2012 – Waves, Wollongong
11 November 2012 – Day on the Green, Bowral
16 November 2012 – Campbelltown RSL, Campbelltown
17 November 2012 Dee Why RSL, Dee Why

Image used with permission from SGC Media

The Falls Tour Hollywood EP

They’ve just birthed their debut EP Hollywood, and now The Falls are hitting the road. With the record landing in stores today, it seems like the perfect time for the band to circle the country.

Some of the dates see The Falls headlining, while others see them supporting the UK’s Passenger. Either way punters will be treated to some lush folk harmonies from this gorgeous twosome.

4 August 2012 – The Empress Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
5 August 2012 – Pure Pop Records, Melbourne (All Ages @ 4 pm)
11 August 2012 – Hellen Rose Schauersberger Laboratorium, Sydney (18+)
16 August 2012 – The Hi- Fi, Brisbane (with Passenger, 18+)
17 August 2012 – The Hi- Fi, Sydney (with Passenger, All Ages)
22 August 2012 – The Rosemount, Perth (with Passenger, 18+)
23 August 2012 – Fowlers, Adelaide (with Passenger, All Ages)
24 August 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (with Passenger, 18+)
25 August 2012 – The Waratah Hotel, Hobart (with Passenger, 18+)

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

The Angels & More Join Sydney Blues & Roots Lineup

The second announcement of acts for the 2012 Sydney Blues & Roots Festival sees Aussie rock legends The Angels, guitar prodigy Joe Robinson, and American songstress Barbara Blue added to the bill.

These acts and many more join already announced artists including Ian Moss, Charlie Musselwhite, Mia Dyson, and Lanie Lane.

This year’s Sydney Blues & Roots Festival will take over the Windsorfrom October 25 to 28. Discounted first release tickets are available from the Sydney Blues & Roots Festival website until August 31.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Fairchild Republic Tour Wish Upon a Paper Crane

It’s been a long time coming, but Fairchild Republic’s debut album Wish Upon a Paper Crane is almost here. The epic album, which includes the single “Villages” and the new track “Acardia,” will hit stores on August 24.

Wish Upon a Paper Crane shows a band that’s not afraid to take risks. Their sound is big and ambitious. They’re making music like an act with more years under their belt, but they see no need to wait to create an impact.

Fairchild Republic will take their album on the road with launch shows along the East Coast next month. You can catch them at the following venues.

23 August 2012 – Alhambra, Brisbane
24 August 2012 – Elsewhere, Gold Coast
31 August 2012 – The Northern Star Hotel, Newcastle
1 September 2012 – Kittens @ The Spectrum, Sydney
6 September 2012 – Revolver Upstairs, Melbourne
7 September 2012 – John Curtain Hotel, Melbourne
16 September 2012 – Sunday Safari, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music