Category: Tours

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Impossible Odds Release Hip Hop Debut

After gaining a big following in their home state, Brisbane urban act Impossible Odds are taking their music to the masses with the release of their debut album Against All Odds.

The band easily blends hip hop and soul sounds to create something which flies in the face of the negative, misogynistic music created by some sectors of the urban community. The album’s lead single “Beautiful World” gives you some idea what this band is all about, both musically and philosophically.

The words of Impossible Odds frontman Rival MC give voice not just the issues facing contemporary Aboriginal Australians, but those facing all Australians, and in fact all citizens of the world. However he’s careful to do this without pointing fingers and demeaning others. That social consciousness gives the music of Impossible Odds real intelligence that’s worth listening to, even if you don’t usually consider yourself an urban music fan.

Impossible Odds will play a warm-up show on the Gold Coast before launching their new album in front of their hometown fans on October 22. After that the band will play shows down the east coast. South Australia, you haven’t been forgotten either. A launch show in Adelaide will be announced soon.

21 October 2011 – The Loft, Gold Coast
22 October 2011 – The Globe, Brisbane
5 November 2011 – The Laundry, Melbourne
3 December 2011 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Corby Plays Gardens

A brand new Matt Corby song “Brother” will hit radio next week. It’s the first track from the Australian Idol graduate’s new EP, Into the Flame. Or if you don’t want to sit patiently by your radio, you could just listen to it here!

I haven’t always enjoyed Matt’s music, but this track feels like his most mature work to date. While many of his tunes have seemed to meander without purpose, this one’s really compelling. If this is a sign of what’s to come this time around perhaps I’d better give him another listen.

To celebrate the EP’s November 11 launch, Matt headed out on the road this week for one of his most extensive tours to date. Called the Secret Garden tour, the shows see Matt playing in some of the country’s most beautiful gardens. These tranquil settings sound a lot more inviting than sweaty pubs with sticky floors!

Tickets are allocated on a first come, first served basis; fans just need to e-mail mattcorbysg@gmail.com with details of the shows they want to go and the friends they want to take (there’s a maximum of four names per e-mail to keep things fair). Tickets cost $20 per person and will be collected upon entry to the event. That money will help Matt continue to do what he does, and help the hosts cover their costs.

It all sounds like such a great concept, the sort of thing we don’t often see in the modern music world. The remaining dates are below if you want to get to one of the gardens, or Matt’s EP launch shows.

15 October 2011 – Salisbury, QLD (18+ BYO)
16 October 2011 – Forest Lake, QLD (All Ages)
18 October 2011 – Palm Beach, NSW (All Ages)
19 October 2011 – Ingleside, NSW (All Ages)
20 October 2011 – Pennant Hills, NSW (All Ages)
21 October 2011 – Kings Langley, NSW (18+ BYO)
22 October 2011 – Ashfield, NSW (18+ BYO)
23 October 2011 – Leumeah, NSW (15+)
26 October 2011 – Hopetoun, VIC (All Ages)
27 October 2011 – Kyabram, VIC (All Ages)
28 October 2011 – Niddrie, VIC (18+ BYO)
29 October 2011 – Donvale, VIC (All Ages)
30 October 2011 – Ringwood North, VIC (All Ages)
3 November 2011 – Crawley, WA (All Ages)
4 November 2011 – Como, WA (18+ BYO)
5 November 2011 – North Perth, WA (All Ages)
6 November 2011 – Carramar, WA (All Ages Morning Show)
6 November 2011 – Carabooda, WA (18+ BYO Night Show)
11 November 2011 – Campbelltown, NSW (All Ages)
24 November 2011 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
30 November 2011 – The Toff In Town, Melbourne
2 December 2011 – Blakeview, SA (18+ BYO)
3 December 2011 – Stirling, SA (All Ages)
4 December 2011 – Evanston Park, SA (18+ BYO)

Image used with permission from Pod Artist Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Starlight Theatre Tours “Castles, Clocks & Cathedrals”

Brisbane pop rockers Starlight Theatre are hitting the road this week to support their brand new EP Castles, Clocks & Cathedrals.

The band recorded the four-tracker in an old Queensland church earlier this year. It sounds like the spiritual location rubbed off on the lads as drummer Paul Bradshaw said the cording process was “such a positive experience. Everyone was so at ease.”

The EP showcases a sound that’s much closer to Starlight Theatre’s live show than they’ve committed to record before. The band has been working hard on that live act, with more experimentation and a greater emphasis on flow. You can see the fruits of their labour at the following shows.

14 October 2011 – The Uni Bar, Lismore (18+)
15 October 2011 – The Globe Theatre, Brisbane (18+)
21 October 2011 – Neverland, Coolangatta (18+)
22 October 2011 – On The Pulse Festival @ Fortitude Valley PCYC, Brisbane (All Ages)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordie Lane Plays Live for “Annabelle Marie” Music Video

All too often film clips seem so fake. The vocals are lip-synched, and the footage so staged that it really undermines the heart of the music. So I was thrilled to see Jordie Lane take a very different tact with his new music video for “Annabelle Marie.”

The film clip sees Jordie perched atop a Byron Bay hill, playing the song live. It captures a moment in time, and a moment in music that’s completely real.

If you’re as moved by this video as I am you can catch Jordie at the following shows over the coming months.

9 October 2011 – Indi Bar, Scarborough (with Jeff Lang)
13 October 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart (with Jeff Lang)
14 October 2011 – Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh (with Jeff Lang)
15 October 2011 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne (with Jeff Lang)
16 October 2011 – Way Out West Blues Club, Williamstown (with Jeff Lang)
21 October 2011 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast (with Jeff Lang)
22 October 2011 – Judith Wright Centre, Brisbane (with Jeff Lang)
23 October 2011 – Mullumbimby Civic Hall, Mullumbimby (with Jeff Lang)
24 October 2011 – Chapel Theatre Live, Glen Innes (with Jeff Lang)
28 October 2011 – Waves, Wollongong (with Jeff Lang)
29 October 2011 – The Clarendon, Katoomba (with Jeff Lang)
30 October 2011 – Sydney Blues Festival, Windsor
4 November 2011 – Meeniyan Hall, Meeniyan (with Henry Wagons and Joe Pug)
5 November 2011 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne (with Henry Wagons and Joe Pug)
24-27 November 2011 – Mullumbimby Music Festival, Mullumbimby

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dragon Chase the Sun Down the East Coast

Classic ‘80s pub bands seem to be everywhere. Cold Chisel are back on the road, Icehouse are enjoying chart success with their latest greatest hits record, and now Dragon are preparing for a comeback.

Their brand new EP Chase the Sun, which has just hit stores, heralds a new start for the band. Its first single “21 (Heart of Gold)” sees the outfit back to its best, and there’s more where that came from.

They haven’t completely forgotten their past though. Next month Jeff Apter will release Chasing the Dragon, a biography which remembers the band’s late lead singer Marc Hunter.

Dragon will promote both the book and the EP when they play the following east coast shows over the coming months.

20 October 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney
21 October 2011 – Canberra Casino, Canberra
22 October 2011 – Manly Boatshed, Sydney
10 November 2011 – Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
12 November 2011 – Lone Star Tavern, Gold Coast
19 November 2011 – Beaches, Wollongong
25 November 2011 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
2 December 2011 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
3 December 2011 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
4 December 2011 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why

Image used with permission from SCG Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Celadore Tours “The Bright and Blue” EP

Melbourne indie rockers Celadore will kick off their most extensive tour to date in Albury later this month. The three-month celebration will support the release of their The Bright and Blue EP, which hits stores and iTunes today.

The Bright and Blue is Celadore’s follow up to last year’s Distance is a Gun, and their second release through Popboomerang Records. It’s also the first produced by The Living End’s Chris Cheney, who has nothing but good things to say about the band. He commented that “they possess a sense of melody and a depth to their songwriting that’s beyond their years.”

Albury seems like a pretty strange place to start rocking, but it’s fitting for the string of dates which takes in regional centres and capital cities alike. Catch them before they make it big at the following shows.

21 October 2011 – Albion Hotel, Albury
22 October 2011 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
27 October 2011 – Ed Castle, Adelaide
28 October 2011 – EV’s Youth Centre, Croydon (All Ages)
29 October 2011 – The Sandbar, Mildura
4 November 2011 – Hotel Orient, Brisbane
5 November 2011 – The Hive, Brisbane (All Ages)
11 November 2011 – The Loxton Club, Loxton
12 November 2011 – National Hotel, Geelong
16 November 2011 – Rock Lily, Sydney
17 November 2011 – Phoenix Bar, Canberra
18 November 2011 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
19 November 2011 – Pacific Hotel, Yamba
26 November 2011 – Revolver, Melbourne
3 December 2011 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
10 December 2011 – The Rails, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Footstomp Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Adam Cousens Gives Me a Musical Pick-Me-Up

I’m battling a cold at the moment. My head is pounding, my muscles are achy, and frankly I just want to sleep until it goes away. But Adam Cousens managed to cut through my malady with the good vibes of his new single “This Road Ahead.” It got a lovely folk-country sweetness to it that is infectious in the best possible way. Even though I’m feeling poorly, I couldn’t help but smile on hearing it.

The song comes from Adam’s debut album Free Flowin’ Footsteps, which apparently hit stores last October. So why is this the first I’m hearing of it? This is definitely the kind of music that deserves a bit of fanfare.

“This Road Ahead” is officially released on Friday, but you can hear it early here. If you dig it make sure you check out Adam travelling around the country with his band through October and November.

8 October 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
10 October 2011 – The Phoenix, Canberra
12 October 2011 – Low 302, Sydney
13 October 2011 – The Phoenix Theatre, Wollongong
15 October 2011 – The Empress Hotel, Melbourne (Afternoon show 4 pm)
20 October 2011 – The Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide
21 October 2011 – Cafe Komodo, Adelaide
5 November 2011 – The Corner Venue, Bendigo
11 November 2011 – Republic Bar & Café, Hobart
13 November 2011 – Longley International, Longley (Afternoon show from 3 pm)

Image used with permission from Dario Phillips Management

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Inland Sea, The Rescue Ships, and Jackson McLaren Tour Together

Three of Australia’s most exciting new acts – Inland Sea, The Rescue Ships, and Jackson McLaren – are teaming up for one massive tour. The One, Two Ten Tri-Headline dates will see the up and coming bands introducing audiences to their music.

The Inland Sea wowed me with their debut EP Traitor, so I expect big things from the ten-piece’s new EP which will drop while they’re on the road. The Rescue Ships is the latest project for Sydney jazz chanteuse Elana Stone and Canadian born virtuoso Brian Campeau. Their sound is an interesting melding of folk, rock, and pop; think Sufjan Stevens meets the Wainwrights. Jackson Mclaren rounds out the bill, a cute young thing from Warnambool who’s more interested in the classic sounds of Bob Dylan and Tom Waits than contemporary musical movements.

The bands might not be big names, but they’re making such quality music that these shows are sure to be something special.

7 October 2011 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
8 October 2011 – The Globe, Fortitude Valley
14 October 2011 – The National Hotel, Geelong
15 October 2011 – The Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood
20 October 2011 – Steyne Hotel, Manly (free show)
21 October 2011 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
22 October 2011 – FBi Social @ Kings Cross Hotel, Kings Cross

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Zealand’s Shapeshifter Travelling to Oz

After impressing at this year’s Glastonbury and Big Chill Festivals, New Zealand’s dub-soul outfit Shapeshifter are turning their attentions to our shores.

They’re largely unknown here, but you might have seen them on our shores as part of the Parklife and Big Day Out festivals in years gone by. The Kiwis have released four albums, and the three most recent shot to number one on New Zealand’s indie album charts. Their Aussie tour will celebrate the release of the new single “Twin Galaxies,” which has one of the most incredible music videos I’ve seen in some time.

After producing so much well-received music and playing such high profile shows in their native New Zealand and abroad, you can expect Shapeshifter to perform like a well-oiled machine when they touch down in October.

28 October –Heavyweight Soundz @ Metro City, Perth
29 October – Forum, Melbourne
4 November – The Hi Fi, Brisbane
5 November – Metro, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Danielle Spencer and Steve Balbi Play Alone and Together

Ethereal singer songwriter Danielle Spencer and former Noiseworks bass player Steve Balbi seem like an unlikely match, but the talented twosome are teaming up for a string of intimate shows next month.

As the name of the tour suggests, the Alone & Together shows will see them performing solo and as a duo. Danielle is continuing to promote her brilliant sophomore album Calling All Magicians. She’ll also undoubtedly look back to stunning debut White Monkey. She recently reworked the disc in acoustic mode for a new album co-produced with none other than Steve Balbi. The pair seem to have enjoyed their time together in the studio recently, as they also laid down a cover of David Bowie’s “Ashes to Ashes.” You can download it for nix on Danielle Spencer’s Facebook page.

If you like what you hear you can catch the unusual but brilliant pair playing the following venues in October and November.

15 October 2011 – Lizotte’s Dee Why
22 October 2011 – Lizotte’s Central Coast
10 November 2011 – The Vanguard Sydney
27 November 2011 – The Toff In Town Melbourne

Image used with permission from Pod Artist Services