Elixir Ready For Rare National Tour

Katie Noonan has fronted so many outfits that it can be tough keeping track of her current project. These days she’s back with her jazz trio Elixir, who after 14 years together have finally released their second album First Seed Ripening.

The disc has been enthusiastically received by fans, who put it at the number one spot on the ARIA jazz charts for nine weeks, and critics who voted it the best jazz album at the 2011 ARIA awards.

After so long together it’s amazing that this year marks only their second national tour. If you’re a jazz fan make sure you get to one of these rare shows in the coming months!

2 February 2012 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
3 February 2012 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
4 February 2012 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
19 February 2012 – Spiegeltent “Garden of Unearthly Delights, Adelaide
24 February 2012 – The Famous Spiegeltent, Melbourne
29 February 2012 – Glasshouse Theatre, Port Macquarie
1 March 2012 – Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith
2 March 2012 – Goulburn Workers Club, Goulburn
3 March 2012 – Roths Wine Bar, Mudgee
6 – 9 April 2012 – National Folk Festival, Exhibition Park, Canberra
19 April 2012 – Ravensthorpe Guesthouse & Restaurant, Wollongong
21 April 2012 – The Basement, Sydney
27 April 2012 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
28 April 2012 – Civic Theatre, Townsville

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Antiskeptic Are “Back in the Game”

Antiskeptic are back in action and ready to take music to the masses.

The band enjoyed chart success for a decade before deciding to call it quits three years ago. But you can’t keep a good band down, and with this latest tour Antiskeptic are declaring they’re “Back in the Game.”

You can expect to hear plenty of old favorites and some new material at the following shows. Tickets are on sale now from the venues.

11 February 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
18 February 2012 – Enigma Bar, Adelaide
25 February 2012 – The Lair @ Metro Theatre, Sydney

Image used with permission from Long Live PR

Farewell Jordie Lane & East Brunswick Club

There’ll be a few goodbyes on Jordie Lane’s upcoming blink-and-you’ll-miss it tour. We’ll bid a fond farewell to Jordie, who’s heading abroad to perform at South by Southwest and the Canadian Music Week and work on new material with Grammy Award-winning producer Tom Biller. And we’ll also say goodbye to the East Brunswick Club, which will be demolished to make way for an apartment block.

The East Brunswick Club is one of Victoria’s most enduring venues so it’s a real shame to see it go the way of the dinosaurs. Jordie’s show on February 10 will be one of the last held at the club, so it’s sure to be an emotionally charged night. Ben Salter and Luke Legs will support him on the night.

After that Jordie’s off to Oakleigh’s Caravan Club to play on the same stage as Sweet Jean and Luke Brennan. This gig on February 11 will be the last we’ll see of Jordie for some time, so make sure you don’t miss out!

Image used with permission from Riot House

All Ages Fun at Push Over

Melbourne’s longest running all ages festival Push Over will take over the city’s The Abbotsford Convent on the Labour Day holiday, March 12.

The event will see a killer lineup playing across four stages, including Eagle and the Worm, Parkway Drive, Tonight Alive, Yacht Club DJs, Mantra, Boris the Blade, and more. Nine of the hottest young acts will also battle it out in the FReeZA Push Start grand final.

The day is completely supervised and drug, alcohol, and smoke free to ensure everyone has a good time. Tickets are on sale now for $40 plus the booking fee from Ticketek, Oztix, and Moshtix.

Image used with permission from Remedy Music

David Myles Finally Tours Australia

Canadian singer-songwriter David Myles is bringing his acoustic folk music to Australia for the first time later this month. He’ll play sets at the Woodford Folk Festival and sideshows in Victoria and New South Wales to promote the release of his new album, Into the Sun.

The disc is actually David’s sixth record, which makes me wonder why it’s taken him so long to get to our shores. And it seems he shares the sentiment!

“I’ve always wanted to tour Australia, and this new album has given me the perfect opportunity,” he said in a press release. “I understand Australian audiences are broad in their tastes, knowledgeable and appreciative of different styles and influences, and I can’t wait to play these songs live – and enjoy a hot Aussie Christmas!”

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

27 December 2011 – 1st January 2012 – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford
5 January 2012 – The Wesley Anne, Melbourne
6 January 2012 – The Basement, Sydney
7 January 2012 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
8 January 2012 – The Vault, Windsor

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Joe Robinson Comes Home

Joe Robinson hasn’t let the grass grow under him since winning the Australia’s Got Talent title in 2008. The guitar virtuoso left Australia for America’s musical heartland, Nashville, and toured throughout the United States and Europe.

While Stateside, Joe recorded his new album which will hit stores early next year. The release sees Joe showcasing his guitar, vocal, and songwriting skills with a full band for the first time. We’ll get a taste of the tracks on the new recording when Joe comes home this month. He’ll play shows at the Woodford Folk and Thredbo Blues Festivals, along with a handful of sideshows along the East Coast.

Tickets are available from the venues for the following shows.

27 December 2011 – 1 January 2012 – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford
3 January 2012 – Gold Coast Arts Centre, Surfers Paradise
4 January 2012 – Glasshouse, Port Macquarie
5 January 2012 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
6 January 2012 – The Vault, Windsor
7 January 2012 – The Basement, Sydney
8 January 2012 – Lizotte’s, Central Coast
9 January 2012 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
11 January 2012 – Bennett’s Lane, Melbourne
12 January 2012 – Albion Hotel, Albury
13-15 January 2012 – Thredbo Blues Festival, Thredbo

Image used with permission from AUM

Kid Cudi Headlines Heatwave Festival

After its launch in Adelaide last year, the Heatwave Festival is going national. The event will bring leading local and international hip hop artists together for shows in the major capitals.

Kid Cudi, Tech N9ne, D12, Obie Trice, CrazyTown, and Chamillionaire are all part of the revolving line-up, and there’ll be more local artists added to the bill. I know there are so many festivals encouraging us to spend up big over summer, but with tickets started from just $49 this one represents better value than most. Just make sure you check the website, as not every artist will perform at every show. Tickets for the following gigs are available now from Moshtix.

12-15 January 2012 – Airport Rd, Middleton
17 January 2012 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
18 & 19 January 2012 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
20 January 2012 – Perth venue to be confirmed
21 January 2012 – Epic Arena, Canberra
22 January 2012 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Busby Marou & Georgia Fair Tour Together

Fans of acoustic folk pop are in for a real treat next year as Busby Marou will tour the East Coast with Georgia Fair. Busby Marou were probably my favourite find of 2011, and I’ve been a Georgia Fair fan even longer than that. Needless to say, I’ve already snapped up my tickets.

Busby Marou are still riding high on the success of their self-titled debut album, while Georgia Fair are out to promote their own first record, All Through Winter. These acts both have so much natural talent, and the intimate venues should suit them down to the ground. Double bills like this don’t come along every day, so make sure you don’t miss out.

5 January 2012 – Milton Theatre, Milton
7 January 2012 – Club Sapphire, Merimbula
8 January 2012 – Bomaderry Hotel, Bomaderry
12 January 2012 – Westernport Hotel, San Remo
13 January 2012 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
15 January 2012 – The Loft, Warrnambool
19 January 2012 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
20 January 2012 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
27 January 2012 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
28 January 2012 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
29 January 2012 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle

Image used with permission from Frogstomp Music

Justin Townes Earle Announces Blues and Roots Sideshows

Steve isn’t the only Earle heading to Oz next April. Justin Townes Earle, the son of the “Copperhead Road” singer, will also play intimate shows around the country next year.

He’s far from a household name but Justin has earned a loyal following here. In fact, this will be his fifth visit to our shoes since he first touched down in 2008.

“It’s my favourite place to tour on earth without question,” he recently said in an interview. “It’s very intriguing, and the women are very beautiful, tall and sensual. It’s awesome. It reminds me of Dr Seuss and I like that.”

I have no clue what he’s on about either, but I am impressed by his bluesy take on country and folk music. If you are too you can catch him at the following venues.

4 April 2012 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney
5 April 2012 – Menniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan
6 April 2012 – Boogie Festival, Tallarook
7-9April 2012 – Blues and Roots Festival, Byron Bay
11 April 2012 – The Regal Ballroom, Melbourne
12 April 2012 – The Prince, Melbourne
13 April 2012 – Estonian House, Adelaide
14 April 2012 – Fly by Night Club, Fremantle
15 April 2012 – The Rosemount Hotel, Perth

Image source: RS @ Wikimedia Commons

Sublime Reform With Rome for Australian Tour

When I was in high school Sublime were one of the biggest ska bands in the world. Then in 1996 their lead singer Bradley Nowell tragically died of a heroin overdose, and it all came to an abrupt end. The band members went their separate ways, and it seemed the Sublime story was told. Not quite.

Original Sublime members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh met California’s Rome in 2008. The trio began to jam together, and suddenly Sublime were back in business. Now with the new moniker Sublime in Rome, the ska-punk act is bringing their reformed lineup to Australia next year.

“Sublime has so many fans and attracts new fans every year who were never able to see Sublime perform live after Bradley passed away,” explained Bradley Nowells’ widow, Troy Nowell-Holmes. “One of the inspirations for forming ‘Sublime with Rome’ was to bring Brad’s spirit in his music back to the fans and to give the new fans a glimpse of what it was like to see Sublime live.”

Make sure you arrive early because Mat McHugh from The Beautiful Girls will be warming up the crowds. Tickets go on sale tomorrow for the following shows.

4 April 2012 – Cooly Hotel, Gold Coast
5 April 2012 – HiFi, Brisbane
7 April 2012 – UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney
9 April 2012 – Palace Theatre, Melbourne
10 April 2012 – HQ Complex, Adelaide
11 April 2012 – Metropolis, Fremantle

Image used with permission from Riothouse Publicity