If you loved grungy ‘90s female rock bands like Hole and Veruca Salt, you’re going to adore Australia’s own Dark Fair. The ladies are preparing to release a new EP You Shouldn’t Be Mine at the end of the month. It features the lead single “Poison,” which boasts Magic Dirt’s Adalita on bass.
Dark Fair will launch You Shouldn’t Be Mine with the following East Coast shows.

24 May 2014 – Trainspotters, Brisbane
31 May 2014 – The Old Bar, Melbourne
21 June 2014 – Captain Cook, Sydney
Image used with permission from Amanda Virtatas
Category: Tour Announcements
New Empire Tours Top 30 Album
Sydney rock quartet New Empire are celebrating the recent top 30 debut of their sophomore album In a Breath with a national tour. The sort of MMM-friendly stadium rock you’ll hear on the album is showcased beautifully by the lead single “Say It Like You Mean It.”
The boys from Cronulla have supported the likes of Owl City, Neon Trees, Simple Plan, and Good Charlotte, but now it’s there time to shine. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows from New Empire’s tour website.
7 June 2014 – Old Museum, Brisbane (ALL AGES)
13 June 2014 – Factory Theatre, Sydney (ALL AGES)
19 June 2014 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (18+)
21 June 2014 – SUB, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
26 June 2014 – Transit Bar, Canberra (18+)
27 June 2014 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli (18+)
28 June 2014 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle (18+)
4 July 2014 – The Promethean, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
5 July 2014 – Venue TBC, Perth (ALL AGES)
East of Ely Tour Debut EP
Once upon a time East of Ely were just a group of young things from Sydney playing borrowed vintage instruments which they kept at Cavers Inn. However this year they’re a fully-fledged band with a killer new single “Easy Friend” and an EP on the way.
I can’t help but think of The Temper Trap and The Naked and Famous as I listen to this epic, hook-filled number. It just goes down so easily that I’m convinced we’re seeing the start of greatness.
East of Ely’s self-titled EP will hit stores on May 16, the same day that they’ll kick off an East Coast tour with a hometown show. Here are all the places you can see them play.

16 May 2014 – MUM @ The World Bar, Sydney (TICKETS AT THE DOOR)
17 May 2014 – Upstairs Beresford, Sydney (FREE)
22 May 2014 – The Espy Front Bar, Melbourne (FREE)
23 May 2014 – The Brightside, Brisbane (TICKETS AT THE DOOR)
Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado
The Evening Cast Do It Again with “Questions”
The Evening Cast are one of those awesome Aussie bands that never quite got the accolades they deserve. They plug away releasing incredible song after incredible song to very little fanfare. It’s a shame, because more people really deserve to hear their latest single “Questions.” Lucky for you, you can do just that here.
It’s got such a strong melodic centre. It all seems to effortless, and before you know it it’s over and you’re ready to play it again.
If you love “Questions” too, make sure you catch The Evening Cast when they tour the single all around the country. They’re playing some lovely intimate venues which are perfect for showcasing their special brand of music.
7 June 2014 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne
9 June 2014 – The Lass, Newcastle
20 June 2014 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
21 June 2014 – Oxford Art Factory – Gallery Bar, Sydney
27 June 2014 – The Brewery, Byron Bay
28 June 2014 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
12 July 2014 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
Todd Sibbin Wows me with Blame it on the Aeroplanes
Adelaide singer-songwriter is back with a brand new band and a killer new song. “Blame it on the Aeroplanes” sets the bar incredibly high for Todd Sibbin and the Acadian Driftwood and their new LP A Set of Knives, A Pair of Pens, which is scheduled for a midyear release.
I knew before even reading the press release that this was a song that came from deep personal experience. It’s just got that raw grit of emotion running through it. Todd penned the track when his nearest and dearest began to move away, and he was struggling with their leaving. It’s just so achingly good.
You can hear it and other songs from the album when Todd Sibbin and the Acadian Driftwood launch the single at the following shows.
10 May 2014 – Wesley Anne, Melbourne (Full Band)
23 May 2014 – The Newsagency, Sydney (Solo)
7 June 2014 – Wheatsheaf, Adelaide (Full Band)
13 June 2014 – Jade Monkey, Adelaide (Full Band)
Lorde Support SAFIA Announce Headline Shows
Canberra-based electro-pop act SAFIA show us how the genre should be done with their latest single “Paranoia, Ghosts & Other Sounds.” I’m not sure I’ve heard anything quite like this song. It’s got such a great groove and otherworldly vocals from frontman Benjamin Joseph.
SAFIA were all set to support Lorde until the Kiwi songstress postponed her tour. Happily though, fans can still see them in the flesh when they launch the single with the following headline shows. Tickets are available through their website for the following shows.
24 May 2014 – Transit Bar, Canberra
30 May 2014 – The Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (FREE)
31 May 2014 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
5 June 2014 – DK Pool Club @ CSU, Bathurst (INVITE ONLY)
6 June 2014 – Shebeen, Melbourne
14 June 2014 – Spectrum, Sydney
15 June 2014 – RAD, Wollongong
20 June 2014 – Mojo’s Bar, Fremantle
21 June 2014 – Pirie & Co Social Club, Adelaide
28 June 2014 – River Sessions, Mackay
Nine Sons of Dan Back with EP Number Three
It seems like only yesterday that Nine Sons of Dan were the new kids on the scene. However tomorrow they’re preparing to release their third EP Used Up. Where does the time go?
The six-track EP showcases a new edgier sound for the band. They were once a fun pop-punk act, but there’s a whole lot more attitude showcased on the lead single “Wrecking Ball.” Just listen to that scream!
“This EP was a chance for us to showcase the songs that we always wanted to have on our records,” explained singer Jay Bainbridge. “We took a lot of risks, we didn’t want to be safe and at the end of the day music is art and I think this EP will also allow us to meet some new people and the true NSOD fans to grow with us.”
They’ll start meeting those new fans and catching up with old ones soon. Nine Sons of Dan will play nine shows around the country this winter. No doubt they’re itching to perform after taking a hiatus of nearly ten months from the stage.
“We are all about high energy performances,” affirmed drummer Morgan “Flakey” Blake. “It was always in our mind to create an EP that would translate well live.”
You can see for yourself whether Nine Sons of Dan have delivered it when they play the following shows.
22 May 2014 – Hot Damn, Sydney, NSW (18+ Tickets at the door. Say “Nine Sons of Dan” at the door for discounted entry)
24 May 2014 – Tattersalls Hotel, Penrith (18+ FREE)
25 May 2014 – Bald Faced Stag, Sydney (ALL AGES)
6 June 2014 – POW, Werribee (18+)
7 June 2014 – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
21 June 2014 – Coffs Hotel, Coffs Harbour (18+)
3 July 2014 – Snitch, Brisbane (18+)
5 July 2014 – Racehorse Tavern, Ipswich (18+)
6 July 2014 – Swingin’ Safari, Gold Coast (18+)
Amaya Laucirica Tours “Sway”
Amaya Laucirica will take her beautiful voice on the road this month to promote the recent release of her album Sway. The album features the previously released singles “Prettier Than The Sound” and “On the Air” and the newie, “Running Out of Time.”
Amaya will play regional centres and capital cities with her full band over the next month. All the ticketing information is available on her website.
15 May 2014 – Beav’s Bar, Geelong
17 May 2014 – Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
23 May 2014 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide
24 May 2014 – Curtin Bandroom, Melbourne
31 May 2014 – Goodgod Small Club Sydney
8 June 2014 – MONA, Hobart (1pm)
8 June 2014 – The Republic, Hobart
13 June 2014 – Treehouse on Belongil, Byron Bay
14 June 2014 – The Bearded Lady, Brisbane
The Acfields Have “Grabbed Me By the Heart”
Brother-sister duo The Acfields are back with a beautiful new song “Grabbed Me By the Heart.” It’s such an apt title, because I’ve fallen head over heels for it. It’s everything I’ve always loved about The Acfields, simply but stunning with sublime vocals and emotive lyrics. It’s also our first taste of The Acfield’s new album which will hit stores later this year thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign.
Until then this talented duo will take “Grabbed Me By the Heart” around the country. Their new tour kicks off on May 15 in Melbourne, the day before the single gets its official release.

15 May 2014 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
23 May 2014 – Babushka Lounge, Ballarat
25 May 2014 – The Westernport Hotel, San Remo
29 May 2014 – Dowse Bar, Brisbane
31 May 2014 – Taps, Mooloolaba
1 June 2014 – Frankie Brown, Byron Bay
14 June 2014 – Mars Hill Café, Parramatta
Image used with permission from Pricewar Music
Citizen Kay Tours “Manage”
I tend to find hip hop a bit hit and miss, but Citizen Kay never seems to put a foot wrong. I love the way he combines clever lyrics with old school soul and funk sounds. His latest stunner is “Manage,” a groovy track about the fallout from a relationship breakdown.
Citizen Kay will join Adelaide’s Tkay Maidza for a big Aussie tour next month. It’s an excellent opportunity to see some of Australian hip hop’s brightest new stars.

3 May 2014 – Amplifier, Perth
4 May 2014 – Newport, Fremantle
9 May 2014 – Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour
10 May 2014 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
16 May 2014 – Shebeen, Melbourne
17 May 2014 – Pirie Social Club, Adelaide
28 May 2014 – Beach Road Hotel, Bondi (FREE)
29 May 2014 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
30 May 2014 – Transit Bar, Canberra
31 May 2014 – Newtown Social Club, Newtown
Image used with permission from Shake Appeal