For pure unbridled passion, it’s hard to beat the tunes from Hobart’s Lincoln le Fevre & The Insiders. With driving drum beats and gritty melodies, every track on the band’s new LP Come Undone is a winner, including lead single “Undone.” You just see if you’re not punching your fist in the air in time to the beat of this one.
With Come Undone in stores now, there’s no better time for Lincoln and his pals to travel around Australia. This is the kind of music that sounds even richer in a pub with a cold beer in your hand. Soak it all up in the following venues.
4 August 2017 – Crowbar, Brisbane
18 August 2017 – The Gasometer, Melbourne
25 August 2017 – Republic Bar, Hobart
26 August 2017 – Royal Oak, Launceston
8 September 2017 – Transit Bar, Canberra
9 September 2017 – Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
Amy Shark continues to prove she can’t put a foot wrong with the release of her new single “Drive You Mad.” This is yet another stellar cut from Amy’s debut EP Night Thinker.
The searingly honest lyrics, penned by Amy, really cut through. Dann Hume’s production helps realise Amy’s vision, taking this song to the next sonic level.
Amy has just completed her first North American tour and played Splendour in the Grass. Next stop, her own tour. If you can find some tickets, which are getting rare as hen’s teeth, you can catch her in major cities on the following dates before she supports Sia later this year.
17, 18. 19, 20 & 21 August 2017 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
24 August 2017 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
25, 26 & 28 August 2017 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
31 August, 1 & 3 September 2017 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
8 September 2017 – The Gov, Adelaide
9 September 2017 – The Capitol, Perth
I’ve had one of those days where the little things don’t go right and molehills seem like mountains. What’s the best way to deal with a day like that? Experts might advocate meditation or slow breathing, but I find grabbing a hairbrush and bouncing around my bedroom singing out a track like “Bedside Dictionary,” the latest track from Melbourne indie-poppers Self Talk, so much more therapeutic.
This music sounds so fresh but it also reminds me of some of the angry girl music I was listening to in the ‘90s like Juliana Hatfield, Letters to Cleo, and The Breeders. This nostalgic track is about “relationships that don’t really get past the beginning, not because they don’t work or the people involved don’t like each other, but it just doesn’t go any further,” the band explained. “It’s about the various things that come with that, how it might feel, the frustration or disconnection, or even just acceptance really.”
“Bedside Dictionary” comes from Self Talk’s EP Almost Everything, which drops on August 11. Preorder the EP and you’ll get instant downloads of “Bedside Dictionary” and “Old Habits.” Self Talk will support its release with shows all around the country next month.
12 August 2017 – The Old Bar, Melbourne
18 August 2017 – The Phoenix, Canberra
19 August 2017 – The Record Crate, Sydney
25 August 2017 – Crown and Anchor, Adelaide
26 August 2017 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane
Daggy Man creates low-key, intimate folk songs that speak to your heart. He’s the kind of performer that can be appreciated best in the kind of places where people are there to really hear music rather than just sink back a few drinks. So it’s exciting to see Daggy Man will play tiny little venues in the East Coast capitals to support the release of his debut album A Lazy Kind of Pain.
See Daggy Man in acoustic mode at the following shows.
11 August 2017 – Some Velvet Morning, Melbourne
12 August 2017 – Leadbelly, Sydney
24 August 2017 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
Kim Churchill is preparing to release his long-awaited new album Weight Falls, but there’s a good reason fans have been left waiting.
Kim spent 18 months working on the album, his follow-up to Silence/Win. While the end result was polished and accessible, for Kim it just didn’t feel quite right. So he scrapped it and started anew.
“I worked really hard on the follow-up record for a long time,” he explained, “and it sounded good. But some very subtle layer of my consciousness was saying to me, ‘It’s not all that inspiring.’”
He picked up his guitar and created a new batch of songs in just one week. It took another two months piecing the new songs together with his producer Ian Pritchett in a Western Sydney garage. I’m a big believer that the best things happen when you’re not overthinking them, so I’m really excited by this album.
Kim’s new single “Second Hand Car” is one of the new songs that’s passed muster. It’s got a great easy vibe that feels perfect for long road trips.
Weight Falls is finally released on August 25. If you preorder it, you’ll get an instantly download of “Second Hand Car.” Once the album drops, you’ve got a few weeks to learn the lyrics before Kim sets off on a massive tour around the country. Tickets are on sale now through his website.
14 September 2017 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
15 September 2017 – Unibar, Wollongong
16 September 2017 – Street Theatre, Canberra
21 September 2017 – The Jack, Cairns
22 September 2017 – The Office, Townsville
23 September 2017 – Timberfest, Mackay
29 September 2017 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
30 September 2017 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
1 October 2017 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
5 October 2017 – Fat Controller, Adelaide
6 October 2017 – Waratah Hotel, Hobart
7 October 2017 – Royal Oak, Launceston
13 October 2017 – Fremantle Arts Centre Front Lawn, Fremantle
14 October 2017 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
15 October 2017 – Red Room @ Clancys Fish Pub, Dunsborough
20 October 2017 – The Factory, Sydney
26 October 2017 – Solbar, Sunshine Coast
27 October 2017 – Soundlounge, Gold Coast
28 October 2017 – The Triffid, Brisbane
Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia
Mondays are never kind at the best of times. But I’m having one of those Mondays that has me staring at my list of deadlines and thinking “Yeah, this cannot possibly get done.” If Monday is kicking your butt too, you’ll want to crank the Pierce Brothers‘ latest single.
“Take Me Out” is one of my favourite songs from The Pierce Brothers’ newie The Records Were Ours, a swampy, bluesy, foot-stomping track that has all the right ingredients to fire you up on this winter workday.
“We’ve been wanting to write a riff based blues track for a long time,” the Pierce Brothers said, “and ‘Take Me Out’ started with the riff first. We both got excited when we started it and we’re really happy with where we got it.”
The Pierce Brothers are just about the kick off their European tour. They’ll then head home for some shows before jetting off to the States. Where will you see them?
8 July 2017 – Cornbury Music Festival, Oxfordshire
9 July 2017 – Linton Music Festival, Ross-on-Wye
10 July 2017 – Thekla, Bristol
11 July 2017 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
13 July 2017 – Studio 2, Liverpool
14 July 2017 – The Deaf Institute, Manchester
15 July 2017 – Zwarte Cross 2017, Lichtenvoorde
16 July 2017 – 4 Daagse, Nijmegen
22 July 2017 – Colours of Ostrava 2017, Ostrava
27 July 2017 – Dr Koncerthuset, Copenhagen
29 July 2019 – Stonerock Festival 2017, Bad Bentheim
6 August 2017 – Festival Esperanzah! 2017, Floreffe
11 August 2017 – Fairports Cropready Convention 2017, Banbury
25 August 2017 – Mojos, Fremantle
26 August 2017 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
31 August 2017 – Rocket Bar, Adelaide
1 September 2017 – Uno Bandroom, Geelong
2 September 2017 – Studio Theatre, Darwin
7 September 2017 – The Northern, Byron Bay
8 September 2017 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
9 September 2017 – Solbar, Maroochydore
13 September 2017 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
14 September 2017 – The Grans, Mornington
15 September 2017 – 170 Russel, Melbourne
16 September 2017 – The Westernport Hotel, San Remo
22 September 2017 – The Warehouse, Newcastle
28 September 2017 – Danforth Music Hall, Toronto
29 September 2017 – Metropolis, Montreal
30 September 2017 – Paradise Rock Club, Boston
2 October 2017 – The Bowery Ballroom, New York
3 October 2017 – Brooklyn Steel, Brooklyn
5 October 2017 – Union Transfer, Philadelphia
6 October 2017 – 9:30 Club, Washington
7 October 2017 – Newport Music Hall, Columbus
9 October 2017 – Thalia Hall, Chicago
10 October 2017 – Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis
11 October 2017 – The recordBar, Kansas City
16 October 2017 – Ogden Theater, Denver
18 October 2017 – The Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix
20 October 2017 – Fonda Theater, Hollywood
21 October 2017 – The Fillmore, San Francisco
23 October 2017 – Wonder Ballroom, Portland
24 October 2017 – Neptune Theater, Seattle
25 October 2017 – Commodore Theater, Vancouver
“At First Sight” is one of my favourite songs from the ‘80s. So I’m thrilled to see The Stems, the Perth band who brought it to you, are set to make a long-awaited return to the live scene this November.
The shows will celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Stems’ breakthrough debut First Sight Violets Are Blue, one of the best-selling albums of 1987 despite a lack of commercial airplay. Rediscover what made The Stems such an iconic Aussie act at the following shows.
9 November 2017 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
10 November 2017 – Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne
11 November 2017 – The Gov, Adelaide
17 November 2017 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
18 November 2017 – The Triffid, Brisbane
Kate Ceberano, Lior, Steve Kilbey, and David Hobson are just some of the big names playing the Queensland Music Festival this year. In her first year as the artistic director, Katie Noonan has put together an incredible line-up for the Sunshine State.
“I want the talented and passionate people of Queensland to be empowered to join the 2017 festival and help create performances that truly reflect the life of our diverse and vibrant state,” she said.
In all there’ll be 100 performances in 45 locations over the three-week event. Here are just some of the highlights:
You’re The Voice – Saturday 29 July @ South Bank Piazza
Kate Ceberano, Isaiah, Katie Noonan and thousands of other singers shine a light on the domestic violence crisis through the power of song at.
Songs That Made Me – Sunday 16 July @ The Tivoli
Deborah Conway, Clare Bowditch, and Hannah Macklin perform together to celebrate women in music after mentoring the next generation.
Silver Memories – Aged-care centers in Brisbane, Toowoomba, and the Sunshine Coast
Intimate concerts of classical and jazz music, performed by Queensland Conservatorium ensembles, to show the power of healing music has for elderly Australians.
The Bach to Bush tour – Thursday 13 to Sunday 23 July in remote Western Queensland towns
Joint performances, workshops, and masterclasses with percussionist John Morrison and virtuoso cellist Louise King.
Hang with QYO – Saturday 29 July
A world premiere concerto written by emerging Queensland composer Dr Thomas Green honouring the father of Australia’s youth orchestra movement, John Curro. The show will feature acclaimed composer and Bjork drummer Manu Delago.
16 Lovers Lane – Friday 14 July @ QPAC
A special concert paying tribute to one of Australia’s greatest albums, featuring the Go-Betweens’ Lindy Morrison, Amanda Brown and John Willsteed, with Dan Kelly, Danny Widdicombe, Luke Daniel Peacock, and a guest line-up including Steve Kilbey (The Church), Mark Callaghan (GANGgajang), Ron S Peno (Died Pretty), Katie and Tyrone Noonan (george), Montaigne, Sam Cromack and Jen Boyce (Ball Park Music), Tim Nelson and Zoe Davis (Cub Sport), Sahara Beck, and Kirin J Callinan.
Joh for PM – Friday 7 to Sunday 16 July @ Brisbane Powerhouse
Colin Lane stars in this satirical musical created by playwright Stephen Carleton and composer Paul Hodge.
And that’s just for starters. Visit the Queensland Music Festival website for the full schedule.
The Queensland Music Festival runs from July 7 to 30. If you’re local, make sure you get out there and experience some of the great talent on show.
We often hear of the importance of making music accessible to young people who can’t visit the country’s pubs and clubs. But what about people on the other end of the age spectrum? Our senior population is often ignored by concert organisers, so I’m thrilled to see the good folks behind the Leaps and Bounds Music Festival is doing something about it with “I’ve Been Everywhere,” a free concert for residents of aged care homes, their friends, families, and carers.
The show features music from The Band Who Knew Too Much, who promise to play all the seniors’ favourites with accordions, washboards, and other classic instruments.
“I’ve Been Everywhere” hits the Melba Spiegeltent in Collingwood on Friday July 21. It runs from noon to 3 pm, the perfect time for Victoria’s elderly residents. Register your seats for free at the Leaps and Bounds Music Festival website.
If the singles she keeps releasing are any indication, Meg Mac’s forthcoming album Low Blows is going to be really something. The latest single is “Maybe It’s My First Time,” a soulful number with a charming vintage feel.
Meg recorded the track in Fort Worth, Texas at Niles City Sound, set up by the producers and players behind the music of Leon Bridges. Mixing at Electric Lady in New York completed this slick soul song.
“’Maybe it’s My First Time’ is about trying to get through a bad time. When you’re hurt, you can keep going over and over the pain in your head and drive yourself crazy,” Meg explained. “I wanted to stop all that and only look back once and be done with it. To cruise past my pain instead of living in it”.
Low Blows drops on July 14. Meg will tour the album, but tickets are selling fast so don’t delay if you want some!
23 July 2017 – Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay
8 September 2017 – The Forum, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
9 September 2017 – The Forum, Melbourne
22 September 2017 – The Enmore, Sydney
