Tales in Space Release Formula Tomorrow

I thought “All Messed Up” was great fun, so I’m looking forward to hearing more from Tales in Space when they release their debut album Formula tomorrow.

The album should be just what we’d expect from the Sydney electro-pop duo. It’s bursting with imaginative, feel good gems which explore the ups and downs of love, life, and everything in between. Impressively, Formula was also recorded in Tales in Space’s own studio, although considering the lads met while studying audio engineering perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that they’ve taken the reins on this one.

Tales in Space will give Formula little time to grow on us before they support it with a national tour this July.

3 July 2014 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
11 July 2014 – Upstairs Beresford, Sydney (FREE)
17 July 2014 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
19 July 2014 – The Armidale Club, Armidale
2 August 2014 – Easy Tiger, Sydney

Image used with permission from 123 Agency

Kate Miller-Heidke Takes O Vertigo! On the Road

Now that we’ve all had time to get to know Kate Miller-Heidke’s most recent album O Vertigo!, she’s preparing to showcase its songs on stage with an extensive national tour.

This isn’t the first time she’s brought the songs to the stage, but it is the first chance that music lovers in regional centres will have the chance to enjoy Kate’s live show in some time. It’s also the first time she’ll play them with a full band, after launching the album with an acoustic tour earlier this year.

The upcoming shows will give Kate a chance to give back to her loyal fans that helped fund the album in just three days via PledgeMusic.

“I feel like live performance has always been at the heart of what I do,” Kate explained. “Often the test of a good song is if it works in a very stripped-back, acoustic mode. I love reinventing the songs in this way. I’m looking forward to bringing the new songs, as well as a mixture of older stuff, out far beyond the
capital cities, especially places I’ve never played before.”

After these shows Kate will head to the United Kingdom for her first headlining tour before travelling to America to perform in the New York Metropolitan Opera’s production of The Death of Klinghoffer, so who knows when you’ll get a chance to see her again! It’s definitely her last local tour of the year, so make sure you don’t miss it.

1 August 2014 – Astor Theatre, Perth (13-18 years olds can only attend with a parent or guardian)
2 August 2014 – Bird in Hand, Adelaide (18+)
7 August 2014 – Empire Church Theatre, Toowoomba (ALL AGES)
8 August 2014 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane (ALL AGES)
9 August 2014 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns (ALL AGES)
10 August 2014 – Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre, Mackay (ALL AGES)
12 August 2014 – Capitol Theatre, Tamworth (ALL AGES)
13 August 2014 – Dubbo Regional Theatre, Dubbo (ALL AGES)
14 August 2014 – Orange Civic Theatre, Orange (ALL AGES)
15 August 2014 – The Concourse Concert Hall, Chatswood (ALL AGES)
16 August 2014 – Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith (ALL AGES)
20 August 2014 – Sawtell RSL, Sawtell (18+)
21 August 2014 – The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie (ALL AGES)
22 August 2014 – Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle (ALL AGES)
23 August 2014 – Canberra Theatre, Canberra (ALL AGES)
26 August 2014 – IPAC-IMB Theatre, Wollongong (ALL AGES)
28 August 2014 – Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre, Wangaratta (ALL AGES)
29 August 2014 – Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
30 August 2014 – Princess Theatre, Launceston (ALL AGES)

Image used with permission from Jones PR

Kids in Glass Houses Say Goodbye to Aussie Fans with Farewell Tour

After 13 years together, Welsh rock band Kids in Glass Houses are calling it a day, but not before they give us one last Aussie tour.

Kids in Glass Houses were part of the massive South Welsh rock that also included Bullet for my Valentine and Funeral for a Friend. Like their peers they rose through the ranks quickly and were soon sharing the stage with global superstars Paramore and Fall Out Boy. They released four albums, including last year’s Peace, but in February 2014 decided to call it a day.

If you’re a fan, you’ll want to get to these shows to say goodbye to one of Wales’ great modern rock bands.

21 August 2014 – Jurassic! @ Villa Nightclub, Perth (18+)
22 August 2014 – BlackMarket @ Light Hotel, Adelaide18+)
23 August 2014 – Bang! @ Royal Melbourne Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
24 August 2014 – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne (All Ages)
27 August 2014 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (18+)
28 August 2014 – Factory Theatre, Sydney (Lic All Ages)
30 August 2014 – The Brightside, Brisbane (18+)
31 August 2014 – The Lab, Brisbane (All Ages)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Halfway Channel Classic Sounds with “Dulcify”

Brisbane rock act Halfway have me reminiscing about the golden days of Aussie music with their new single “Dulcify.”

The song’s brand new but it feels like it could have come from decades ago thanks to its simple, catchy melody, and its incredible story expressed so eloquently through its lyrics. Don’t you just love a song like this that takes you on a journey and really says something? “Dulcify” takes its name from the champion racehorse who was euthanized after being injured in the 1979 Melbourne Cup. The story of the horse helps set up a song that also deals with life’s highs and lows.

Dulcify is the latest to come from Halfway’s acclaimed album Any Old Love. To celebrate its release, Halfway will play the following shows in the East Coast capitals this month.

7 June 2014 – The Zoo, Brisbane
14 June 2014 – Lazy Bones, Sydney
20 June 2014 – Wesley Anne, Melbourne

Image used with permission from SCG Media

The Audreys Kick Off Tour This Week

The Audreys are about to kick off their national tour supporting their critically acclaimed fourth album Til My Tears Roll Away this week!

This is the first time The Audreys have toured Australia with a full band in more than three years, but it should be worth the wait. The Adelaide duo promises to play their new album in full, as well as plenty of fan favourites. To make sure you hear the songs you want, remember to send through your song requests to the band by leaving a comment on their Facebook page.

Expect the merch stand to be crowded as the band will be selling their limited edition Monsters EP exclusively at the gigs. It features all four versions of the track “Monster” plus the previously unreleased “Monster Part IV” and a gorgeous hand-pressed hand-drawn cover from multi-award winning illustrator Luke Jurevicious.

There are still tickets available for most of the following shows.

5 June 2014 – The Abbey, Canberra
6 June 2014 – The Heritage Hotel, Bulli
7 June 2014 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
8 June 2014 – The Factory, Sydney
12 June 2014 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
13 June 2014 – Kyneton Town Hall, Kyneton
14 June 2014 – Ormond Hall, Melbourne
15 June 2014 – Golden Vine Hotel, Bendigo
19 June 2014 – The Byron Theatre, Byron Bay
20 June 2014 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast
21 June 2014 – The Zoo, Brisbane
22 June 2014 – Sound Lounge, Gold Coast
26 June 2014 – Fresh, Launceston
27 June 2014 – Tapas Lounge Bar, Devonport
28 June 2014 – Republic Bar, Hobart
4 July 2014 – Fly By Night, Fremantle
5 July 2014 – Dunsborough Tavern, Dunsborough
11 July 2014 – The Gov, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute

Jackson McLaren Releases Long-Awaited Debut Album

I was blown away when I saw Jackson McLaren supporting Counting Crows last April. I said at the time that I was really looking forward to hearing more from this talented singer-songwriter. I waited patiently, and now he’s finally released his debut album Songs to Greet the Dawn with his band The Triple Threat.

The album includes the killer new single “Here’s a Memory,” a stirring song which celebrates living life to the fullest. Jackson McLaren & The Triple Threat will play this song and many other choice cuts from Songs to Greet the Dawn at the following shows.

4 June 2014 – The Melbourne Folk Club @ Bella Union, Melbourne
15 June 2014 – The Bearded Lady, Brisbane
22 June 2014 – The Exeter Hotel, Adelaide
28 June 2014 – Little Features @ Hibernian House, Sydney
29 June 2014 – Menagerie @ The Welcome Hotel, Rozelle

Cookin’ on 3 Burners Assemble Star-Studded Cast for “Blind Bet”

Funky Melbourne outfit Cookin’ on 3 Burners are giving us a tantalising taste of their sixth studio album with the release of the hot new single “Losing Streak.” The super-catchy track features homegrown soul superstar Daniel Merriweather on guest vocals. Flip the limited edition vinyl single over to soak up the similarly star-studded B-side “Mind Made Up,” featuring The Bamboo’s Kylie Auldist.

“Losing Streak” is the first song lifted from Blind Bet, which hits stores on July 4. It seems everyone that’s everyone wanted to be a part of it, as it also features guest appearances from Tex Perkins, the Cat Empire’s Harry James Angus, and Electric Empire’s Jason Heerah.

Those guys are going to join Cookin’ on 3 Burners at two very special album launch shows in the major capitals. You can bet these shows are going to be smoking.

4 July 2014 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (feat. Daniel Merriweather, Kylie Auldist, Jason Heerah, Mantra & 1/6 DJs Chris Gill, Manchild & Mz Rizk, Demilition B-Girl and her B-Boy crew)
11 July 2014 – The Basement, Sydney (feat. Tex Perkins, Kylie Auldist, DJs Huwston & JC)

Image used with permission from SCG Media

Little Earthquake Tour Cheerful “Brightside” Single

Central Coast brothers Mathew and Justin Hyland are Little Earthquake, the duo behind this optimistic slice of electronic pop-rock “Brightside.” The track comes from the EP of the same name, which will hit iTunes and other digital retailers on June 6.

The lads honed their craft as guest members of American indie rock act Lydia. While criss-crossing the United States they began working on the tracks which would help launch their own project, Little Earthquake. They developed the songs with superstar local producer Lachlan Mitchell (The Jezabels, Pnau) who helped take them to a brand new level.

Little Earthquake will launch the EP at the following East Coast shows.

2 June 2014 – Old Bar, Melbourne
3 June 2014 – Ruby Tuesdays @ Workers Club, Melbourne
5 June 2014 – Grace Darling, Melbourne
13 June 2014 – Corrimal Beach Hotel, Wollongong
15 June 2014 – Terrigal Surf Club, Terrigal
17 June 2014 – Armidale Club, Armidale,
19 & 21 June 2014 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
25 June 2014 – Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Newcastle
27 June 2014 – Armidale Club, Armidale
4 July 2014 – Beresford Hotel, Sydney
31 July 2014 – FBi Social, Sydney

Hands like Houses Release Amazing New Video

Anyone who’s ever tuned in to the Real Housewives of Melbourne knows there’s very little that’s real about its cashed up, perfectly manicured stars. If the creators wanted to cast real housewives, perhaps they should look to someone like the star of the new Hands like Houses video.

Sure she’s no glamourpuss, but there’s something very real about the woman who crumbles under the weight of domesticity in the “A Tale of Outer Suburbia” clip. It was filmed and directed by Joshua Aylett, who the Canberra band had on their wishlist for some time.

“He’s an amazing director that we grew up with in Canberra and someone that we knew we could create something a little outside of the box with,” explained Hands like Houses guitarist Matthew Cooper. “It’s always interesting approaching video clips with the intention of creating something unique and captivating, separate from the song though as well as complimentary. We absolutely love the final product and it’s definitely one of the coolest projects we’ve been part of.”

“A Tale of Outer Suburbia” is the latest song lifted from Hands like Houses album Unimagine. The band will celebrate its release with the following shows. Tickets are available at the door for all dates.

20 June 2014 – Bada Bing, Frankston
21 June 2014 – Bang, Melbourne
26 June 2014 – Hot Damn, Sydney
27 June 2014 – Riot! @ Enigma Bar, Adelaide
28 June 2014 – The Brightside, Brisbane
4 July 2014 – Tattersalls Hotel, Penrith

MC Munk Back with Renegades of Munk

Welcome back Munk, an Aussie hip-hop veteran who’s been rapping, breakdancing, mixing, and producing since the 80s. The five-time Deadly Award nominee, who’s enjoyed fame as a solo artist and part of South West Syndicate is back with a new outfit dubbed Renegades of Munk. They’ve just released their debut single which is fittingly titled “Welcome Back.”

It’s just a taste of what’s sure to be an eclectic self-titled debut album from Renegades of Munk. It’s got one of the best guest star line-ups you’re likely to see with Anne Kirkpatrick, the Slim Dusty Band, Wilma Reading, Charley Boyter, Kutcha Edwards, and Eric Grothe Jnr. all lending their talents to the album. The album culminates with a hip-hop jam featuring more than 30 Aussie MCs including Jimblah, Rival MC, Luka Lesson, and L-Fresh the Lion.

The nine-piece Renegades of Munk will celebrate the release of “Welcome Back” with two New South Wales shows. See them at the Roller Den in Erskinville on June 6 or the Small Ballroom in Newcastle on June 7.