Category: Tour Announcements

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordie Lane Comes Home for National Tour

It’s been 18 long months since Jordie Lane toured this fair country, but he’s about to reward fans for their patience. Jordie’s certainly not skimping, with a 27-date run of shows including appearances at leading festivals including the Port Fairy Folk Festival and Nannup Music Festival.

These shows will see Jordie performing alongside Clare Reynolds, who has become a regular part of his shows after the past couple of years. You can get a little taste of the magic they create watching this performance of “Feet Fall” recorded at the Melbourne Folk Club.

Expect more of that magic at the following shows.

27 February 2015 – Mojo’s, Fremantle
28 February – 2 March 2015 – Nannup Music Festival, Nannup
6-9 March 6th 2015 – Port Fairy Folk Festival, Port Fairy
10 March 2015 – Ten Days On The Island Festival, Hobart
11 March 2015 – The Melbourne Folk Club, Melbourne (In Conversation with James Fahy)
13–15 March 2015 – Blue Mountains Music Festival, Katoomba
26 March 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
27 March 2015 – Django Bar, Sydney
28 March 2015 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide
10-12 April 2015 – Fairbridge Folk Festival, Fairbridge
17 April 2015 – The Street Theatre, Canberra
18 & 19 April 2015 – The Toff In Town, Melbourne
22 April 2015 – Ararat Live, Ararat
23 April 2015 – Beav’s Bar, Geelong
24-26 April 2015 – Mt Beauty Music Festival, Mt Beauty

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Wonderful Lake Street Dive Play Festivals & Headlining Gigs

Welcome back to Sounds of Oz! I didn’t intend to have a break from posting this year. I’d actually queued up a bunch of posts that went over the Christmas period so I thought I could sneak a few days off without anyone noticing. Sadly I underestimated the way that I’d get hit with other work the moment that I got back to the desk. Thankfully I did enjoy a little time away from the computer and having fun in the real world. And now I’m back, ready to launch myself into all that is good and right with the local music scene.

This seems to be a year where Australians with their ear to the ground are going to be treated to some performances by super talented international who’ve yet to hit the mainstream here. I wrote about upcoming shows from Conor Oberst and Sharon van Etten last year, and now I can add gigs from Lake Street Dive to my wishlist. These Bostonions were playing tiny gigs just 12 months ago but after appearances on The Colbert Report, David Letterman, Ellen, and Conan they’ve hit the big time. Australia still hasn’t cottoned on to their brilliance, but that means people in the know are in for some super intimate shows along with some choice appearances and some of our more left-of-centre festivals.

See them at the following shows or wish that you did!

21 February 2015 – SummerSalt Festival, Melbourne
24 & 25 February 2015 – Opera Bar, Sydney (FREE)
27 February 2015 – Enlighten Festival, Canberra
28 February 2015 – Secret Garden Festival, Sydney
3 March 2015 – Perth Festival, Perth
4 March 2014 – Perth Festival, Albany
6 March 2015 – Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan
7 & 8 March 2015 – Port Fairy Folk Festival, Port Fairy
9 March 2015 – WOMADelaide, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bec Laughton Says Goodbye to Australia

With killer tunes like “Heartbreak (Number One)” in her repertoire and Grammy Award winner Michael League (Snarky Puppy) in her corner, it was probably just a matter of time before we lost Brisbane girl Bec Laughton to the bright lights of the United States. Bec has offers on the table from producers in New York and Los Angeles, so she’s packing up her stuff and relocating to pursue R & B on the big stage.

Before she does though, Bec will say au revoir with a national tour all around the country. There’s no telling when she’ll be back, so make sure you don’t miss these farewell gigs.

29 January 2015 – Hugs & Kisses, Melbourne
31 January 2015 – The Motor Room, Brisbane
6 February 2015 – Price of Wales, Bunbury
7 February 2015 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
8 February 2015 – Four5Nine, Perth
12 February 2015 – Brighton Up, Sydney

Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Husband Unleashes Awesome Second Single “The Money”

Perth singer-songwriter Husband has released the title track from his debut album The Money and it’s a cracker. It’s got such wonderful dark, brooding lyrics but a great melody that really soars for balance.

“’The Money’ expresses my frustration about how money and happiness are so closely linked for so many people,” Husband explained. “One night I found myself walking through Perth’s financial district. It felt so dead … its sole purpose is to make money 9-5. The emptiness I felt inspired this song.”

Husband’s debut album The Money will hit stores on January 23. He’ll play the following shows in his home state to support its release.

23 January 2015 – Mojos Bar, Fremantle
30 January 2015 – The Prince of Wales Hotel, Bunbury (FREE)
28 February & 1 March 2015 – Nannup Music Festival, Nannup

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Vanns Announce Plenty of Free Gigs to “Support Scattered by Sundown” EP

The Vanns haven’t long wrapped up a national tour, but they’re wasting no time in getting back out there. The Kiama boys are preparing to hit the road in February to celebrate the upcoming release of their new EP Scattered by Sundown. It’s set to feature the awesome new single “Operator.”

Scattered by Sundown will get a digital release on February 13. It will also be available on CD from the band’s website with five bonus tracks from The Vanns’ archives, including “Guilty Love,” “Belmore Street,” and “How it Used to Be.”

The Vanns have spent 2014 touring with the likes of Sticky Fingers, The Griswolds, Jinja Safari, Dappled Cities and heaps more, so they’re bound to be in fine form at the following shows. And so many of them are free that it doesn’t even matter if Christmas has done a number on your finances!

5 February 2015 – Sandbar, Mildura (FREE)
6 February 2015 – Rocket Bar, Adelaide
7 February 2015 – Gordon Hotel, Portland (FREE)
8 February 2015 – Hotel Warnambool, Warnambool (FREE)
12 February 2015 – Front Bar @ Esplanade Hotel, St Kilda (FREE)
13 February 2015 – The Otis Room, Brunie (FREE)
14 February 2015 – Republic Bar, Hobart
26 February 2015 – Royal Oak Hotel, Lanceston
27 February 2015 – Saloon Bar, Traralgon (FREE)
28 February 2015 – Transit Bar, Canberra (FREE)
5 March 2015 – The Marlborough Hotel, Newtown (FREE)
6 March 2015 – Tattersalls Hotel, Penrith (FREE)
11 March 2015 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (FREE)
12 March 2015 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (FREE)
13 March 2015 – Lennox Hotel, Lennox (FREE)
14 March 2015 – Trainspotters, Brisbane
15 March 2015 – Broadbeach Tavern, Broadbeach (FREE)
20 March 2015 – Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads

Image used with permission from 123 Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shameem Sends Important Message with “Under One Sun”

I haven’t written in here about the Sydney siege. At the time it was all unfolding, I was a bit conflicted actually. This is a music blog, not a political or news outlet. Was it my place? And if I should write about it, what should I write?

I spent the day terrified for the people involved, while thanking my lucky stars that my husband no longer worked in the centre of the city. I remember hearing something about how Americans should keep a low profile during the ordeal, and begging him to stay in his office and come straight home when he was finished. I shed tears watching the terror on the faces of the escapees, and again the next day hearing the stories of those who lost their lives. When something happens so close to home, getting emotional is inevitable.

Still I stayed silent here, deciding this blog wasn’t the place to open up about it, until I heard “Under One Sun” from Perth soul songbird Shameem. It’s a beautiful song about seeing the similarities between us all rather than the differences. It’s so appropriate for this time when Australians from all backgrounds are coming together trying to make sense of it all.

“Under One Sun” comes from Shameem’s new album The Second City, which will hit stores on January 16. She’ll promote it with a national tour next year. I probably won’t get to the shows, but I’m so grateful that I stumbled on this song at a point in time when I really needed to hear it.

17 January 2015 – Subiaco Arts Centre, Subiaco (ALL AGES)
19 February 2015 – Paris Cat, Melbourne (18+)
20 February 2015 – The Basement, Canberra (18+)
21 February 2015 – Gingers, Sydney (18+)
22 February 2015 – Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle (FREE 2PM SHOW; KIDS WELCOME)
23 February 2015 – Bar on the Hill @ University of Newcastle, Newcastle (FREE 12:30 PM SHOW; ALL AGES)
27 February 2015 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane (FREE; 18+)
28 February 2015 – Treehouse, Byron Bay (FREE; ALL AGES)
1 March 2015 – Ukiyo @ The Royal Croquet Club, Adelaide (ALL AGES)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Colour Code Wow Me With “Alibi”

Melbourne quartet The Colour Code have bound out of the gate with their debut single “Alibi,” a killer combination of fuzzy guitars, tribal beats, and powerhouse vocals.

And then there are those lyrics which speak of being displaced in your world, going through the motions as you struggle with those feelings of isolation and disconnect. It’s so relatable and so so good.

The Colour Code are doing a quick tour to promote the single kicking off tomorrow night. Be There or be square!

19 December 2014 – Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy
2 January 2015 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
12 February 2015 – The Espy, St Kilda

Image used with permission from 123 Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Art of Sleeping Tour Crazy

Art of Sleeping impressed me with their single “Crazy” recently, so I was happy to hear that they’re taking it on the road. The Brisbane band will use upcoming performances at the Falls Festival as a warm-up for an east coast tour which takes in the capitals over summer.

Art of Sleeping will offer a sneak peek at their forthcoming debut album, which hits stores in mid-2015, as well as taking us back to where it all began with gems from the 2012 EP Like a Thief. Sydney’s phenomenal The Lulu Raes will serve as support for the following shows.

23 January 2015 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
24 January 2015 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
6 February 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Dew Process

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Smith Street Band Tour New Album

I just love the honesty of The Smith Street Band. Every time I hear one of their songs I’m struck by its raw power. “I Don’t Wanna Die Anymore” is another one of those tracks that just floors me with its gutsiness. It’s just one of the many songs on the band’s newly released album Throw Me in the River.

There’s no smoke and mirrors here, so you know they’ve got to have a killer live show. And they’re aiming to bring it to as many people as possible in the New Year. Not people on the oft-neglected Central Coast mind you, but most Aussies will have a chance to see The Smith Street Band play classic cuts like this and so much more at the following gigs.

24 January 2015 – Railway Hotel, Darwin
28 January 2015 – Musicman, Bendigo
29 January 2015 – Barwon Club, Geelong
30 January 2015 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
31 January 2015 – The Hi Fi, Melbourne
1 February 2015 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (Under 18s)
4 February 2015 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
5 February 2015 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
6 February 2015 – The Hi Fi, Brisbane
7 February 2015 – Crowbar, Brisbane (UNDER 18s)
8 February 2015 – The Northern, Byron Bay
11 February 2015 – Coffs Hotel, Coffs Harbour
12 February 2015 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
13 February 2015 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
14 February 2015 – Factory Theatre, Sydney (ALL AGES)
15 February 2015 – Magpies, Canberra (ALL AGES)
17 February 2015 – Mariners, Batemans Bay
18 February 2015 – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
20 February 2015 – Party in the Paddock, Burns Creek
21 February 2015 – Railway Hotel, Fremantle
26 February 2015 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
27 February 2015 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
28 February 2015 – The Gov, Adelaide
1 March 2015 – The Gov, Adelaide (ALL AGES)

Image used with permission from Remedy PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Strips Back “Linger”

I always think it’s a bit weird when I get press releases about songs without links to videos or at least the audio. What’s the point in telling me there’s a song unless I can experience it? I don’t really want to tell you about it if it’s terrible. So I tend to do my own research, which is what led me to this cool acoustic version of Guy Sebastian’s new single “Linger.”

Now I haven’t caught the song on radio, although I’m told it’s there, but I have a hunch this sounds dramatically different to the version Guy recorded with Lupe Fiasco. Anything with Lupe Fiasco probably doesn’t sound this mellow and cool. But I like it, so that’s what I’m going to post.

Guy will promote “Linger” and the album it comes from, Madness, when he tours all around the country next year. Tickets are on sale now.

12 February 2015 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
14 February 2015 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
18 February 2015 – Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney
21 February 2015 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
25 February 2015 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
28 February 2015 – Perth Arena, Perth