Katie Noonan, Abby Dobson, Angie Hart, and Martha Marlow Perform Together

Katie Noonan, Abby Dobson, Angie Hart, and Martha Marlow are teaming up for a star-studded series of shows which pay tribute to their greatest musical influences. Dubbed Songs that Made Me, the concerts will see these leading Australian vocalists putting their own stamp on songs from Carole King, Jeff Buckley, Joni Mitchell, Kylie Minogue, Fiona Apple, and more.

The ladies previewed the shows at Sydney’s Camelot last month, and got such a response that they couldn’t resist taking the concerts on the road.

“There is nothing I love more than sitting around with my girlfriends, talking and sharing stories. But as a musician, I find we don’t get to share the stage with other artists very often – especially female artists,” explained Katie. “I thought this would be a wonderful and unique opportunity to share the stage through story and song and hang out with cool chicks at the same time! I am very excited to share the space with these gorgeous
women whom I admire and respect, and think it will be a very special night
for the audience and us!”

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

28 November 2013 – Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
30 November 2013 – Thornbury Theatre, Northcote
5 December 2013 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
14 December 2013 – Old Museum Concert Hall, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

We The People Charm with “Sweetheart”

If the single “Sweetheart” is anything to go by, Melbourne indie act We The People are a band to watch. It seems the public agrees with me, as the song racked up more than 2000 YouTube views in its first week. The infectiously upbeat number is our first taste of their EP The Truth About Fables, which will hit stores on November 8.

The band had me from the first perfectly harmonized notes. This song has such a great energy, and a great mix of electronic layers and classic guitar riffs.

With such vitality on the recording, you can be sure We The People will rock on stage. See them do just that when they launch The Truth About Fables at the following shows.

7 November 2013 – The Worker’s Club, Melbourne
9 November 2013 – The Loft, Warrnambool
21 November 2013 – The Loft, Gold Coast
22 November 2013 – The Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
28 November 2013 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
29 November 2013 – The Lansdowne, Sydney
30 November 2013 – Spin Cycle @ The Wool Exchange, Geelong
6 December 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
7 December 2013 – The Iron Horse, Launceston
13 December 2013 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide

The Good Ship Plays Shows to Support The Seven Seas

With Kat Cooke swapping her trumpet for a microphone, The Good Ship are preparing to launch their recently released third studio album, The Seven Seas.

What I love most about this Brisbane band is that they do it their way. No one else is singing sea shanties like the lead single “World Spin Round,” a dark number which tells of a boy looking to exact revenge upon the sea for taking his father and brother. More than just a gimmick, the eight-piece’s unique musical outlook is backed up by plenty of talent.

The Seven Seas was inspired by their sell-out hybrid musical theatre show, so it’s going to be best experienced on the stage. Fans can do just that when The Good Ship play the following shows along Australia’s East Coast.

15 November 2013 – The Powerhouse Theatre, Brisbane (All Ages)
7 December 2013 – Spectrum, Sydney
8 December 2013 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
13 December – Festival of the Sun, Port Macquarie

Saskwatch Delight with “Hands”

Seriously, how good are Saskwatch? Just when I think I can’t love this energetic soul outfit any more than I already do, they release a song like “Hands.” If you’re feeling down, press play and dance around your lounge room. I guarantee you’ll feel better.

The feelgood track is accompanied by a cute clip starring travelling rabbits Larry and Alphy. Director Jason Galea spliced image of the rabbits with old VHS tapes and other vintage footage to create the “feel-good rabbit road trip film of the year.” As a final vintage touch, Saskwatch will release “Hands” as a 7” vinyl single on November 1.

Saskwatch will launch “Hands” with an extensive Aussie tour next month. Here are all the places you can see this exciting local act play!

1 November 2013 – Transit Bar, Canberra
2 November 2013 – Eden Whale Festival, Eden (FREE)
8 November 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
9 November 2013 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
15 November 2013 – The Republic Bar, Hobart
16 November 2013 – JIVE, Adelaide
22 November 2013 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
23 November 2013 – Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff
27 November 2013 – Sosueme @ Beach Road Hotel, Bondi (FREE)
28 November 2013 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
29 November 2013 – GoodGod Small Club, Sydney
7 December 2013 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Kate Miller-Heidke Announces Tour to Celebrate Crowdfunding Success

When Kate Miller-Heidke decided to release her first independent album with the help of her fans, she couldn’t have anticipated the response. She reached the target for recording and promoting O Vertigo! in just three days. That makes Kate’s Pledge Music campaign the fastest and most successfully direct-to-fan crowdfunding campaign by an Australian artist ever.

You might think that means you shouldn’t give, but there are still plenty of reasons to part with your cash. Everyone who pledges will receive a free download of an 11-track live album recorded on Kate’s Heavenly Sounds tour last year, and a download of O Vertigo! on release day, which is expected to be March 14. You can also score some amazing goodies including a spot on Kate’s guestlist for life, Kate’s own Wurlitzer piano, and Kate playing at your wedding. Five percent of all money raised will also help the World Wildlife Fund for Nature in their efforts to save the Great Barrier Reef.

It seems a bit early to start making plans for next March-April, but Kate wants us to lock her O Vertigo! album tour dates into our calendars. Which show will you see?

12 March 2014 – York Theatre @ Seymour Centre, Sydney
14 & 15 March 2014 – Paradiso Spiegeltent @ Garden of Unearthly Delights, Adelaide
18 March 2014 – Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne
21 & 22 March 2014 – Quarry Ampitheatre, Perth
5 April 2014 – The Tivoli, Brisbane

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Damien Leith Prepares to Launch “Chapter Seven”

Damien Leith won the Australian Idol title in 2006, but his career since has been overshadowed by the year’s runner-up Jessica Mauboy. Damien’s refused to just fade away though. Instead he’s worked consistently, releasing album after album and playing small venues to promote them. On November 1 he’ll release his seventh, appropriately titled Chapter Seven.

Chapter Seven is a collection of gentle acoustic pop and folk numbers that are clearly close to Damien’s heart. He wrote every one of the 12 tracks, including lead single “Without a Fight,” and recorded most of them in the Sydney studio he built with his own two hands. Damien also produced the album which is his first release as an independent artist.

“In the album I cover a lot of different themes, love, loss and everything in between. But I’ve tried to approach them from a positive outlook,” Damien explained. “It’s true to the style people know me for.”

Damien will introduce audiences around the country to his new songs, and reacquaint them with old favourites, at the following shows.

31 October 2013 – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
1 November 2013 – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
2 November 2013 – The BLVD Tavern, Perth
3 November 2013 – Mandurah Bowling and Recreation Club, Mandurah
7 November 2013 – The Sound Lounge, Gold Coast
8 November 2013 – Mon Komo Hotel, Brisbane
9 November 2013 – Broncos Leagues Club, Brisbane
10 November 2013 – Victoria Point Sharks Club, Brisbane
13 November 2013 – Roth’s Wine Bar, Mudgee
14 November 2013 – Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
15 November 2013 – The Brass Monkey, Sydney
16 November 2013 – The Heritage Hotel, Wollongong
22 November 2013 – Launceston Country Club, Launceston
23 November 2013 – Wrest Point Showroom, Hobart
29 November 2013 – The Abbey, Canberra
30 November 2013 –  Velvet Room @ Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne
6 December 2013 – Dural Country Club, Dural
7 December 2013 – Studio @ Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra
8 December 2013 – Speers Point Carols @ Speers Point Park, Newcastle
12 December 2013 – Bean Bar and Café, Taree
13 December 2013 – Pier One @ Panthers, Port Macquarie
14 December 2013 – The Basement, Sydney

The Kill Devil Hills Celebrate Live Album with Capital City Shows

After a decade sweating it out in the country’s pubs and clubs, Perth act The Kill Devil Hills are set to release their first live album Past and Future Ghosts. The disc was recorded on a steamy March night at a Fremantle arts centre that once served as an asylum.

Past and Future Ghosts features tracks from The Kill Devil Hills’ three studio albums and two previously unreleased songs. This live version of “Words from Robin to Batman,” an emotional number originally featured on Man, You Should Explode, gives you a taste of what to expect from the album.

Those hard-working lads from the Kill Devil Hills are about the hit the studio again to record another album, but it wouldn’t be right if they didn’t play some shows to launch Past and Future Ghosts, which will be available on CD at the gigs as well as digitally via Bandcamp.

6 November 2013 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
7 November 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
8 November 2013 – The Factory Floor, Sydney
9 November 2013 – The John Curtin Hotel, Melbourne
10 November 2013 – The Republic Bar, Hobart

Jordie Lane Releases Video Ahead of Aussie Tour

Jordie Lane kicks off his national homecoming tour tomorrow! To celebrate Jordie’s return to our shores, and the recent release of his EP Not Built to Last, Jordie’s released the video for his killer new single “Here She Comes.” The clip gets us up close and personal with this incredible alt-country talent. If you dig it, make sure you get to one of the following shows.

25 & 26 October 2013 – Fleurieu Folk Festival, Willunga
27 October 2013 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle (afternoon show)
27 October 2013 – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
31 October 2013 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
1 November 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane (early evening show)
2 November 2013 – Red Hot Music, Devonport
3 November 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart (afternoon show)
7 November 2013 – Beav’s Bar, Geelong
8 November 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
9 November 2013 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne (with full band)
10 November 2013 – Caravan Club, Oakleigh (afternoon show)
13 November 2013 – Street Theatre, Canberra
14 November 2013 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
15 November 2013 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
16 November 2013 – The Basement, Sydney (with full band)
17 November 2013 – Grand Junction, Maitland
18 November 2013 – Music Lounge, Manly
20 November 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
21 November 2013 – Lizotte’s, New Lambton
22 November 2013 – Mullumbimby Music Festival, Mullumbimby

The Siren Tower Tour “King River” Single

Rootsy Perth rockers The Siren Tower are hitting the road this week to support the recent release of their epic new single “King River.”

Isn’t it refreshing to hear an Australian song sung with a truly Australian voice? That accent and those rough edges give it a real honesty that’s so compelling. The Siren Tower’s frontman Grant McCulloch says the song “is about returning to familiar places to seek refuge. It’s about discovering that these places, these ports, they weary with time just as we do. They offer respite, but often their power lies in association with a memory, and sooner or later the world comes knocking.”

“King River” comes from the band’s 2012 album A History of Houses, but it still sounds fresh as a daisy. It comes with a gorgeous film clip directed by Tim Brade and pieced together by the band’s multitalented lead singer.

The Siren Tower will promote the single release, and remind us why we fell in love with them in the first place, at the following shows.

24 October 2013 – The Republic Bar, Hobart
25 October 2013 – The Espy Front Bar, Melbourne (FREE)
31 October 2013 – The Great Northern, Newcastle
1 November 2013 – The Beresford, Sydney (FREE)
2 November 2013 – Tempo, Brisbane (FREE)
9 November 2013 – Amplifier Bar, Perth

Beautiful Fools Tour Beautiful Single

Matt Harris, Shawn Whittaker, and Leigh Wilson might call themselves the Beautiful Fools, but there’s nothing silly about the music they make.

The strength of their early demos enticed American producer Matt Malpass, who previously worked with Train, to help them record and produce their debut self-titled EP. This recording features the lush single “Small Town,” which speaks so eloquently of wanting to escape from a frustrating situation.

“It could be a job, a relationship or for me it was the small town I lived in with no way of fulfilling what I wanted to do,” explained songwriter and frontman Matt Harris. “You know it can be done and you will get there and if you stay where you are your dreams will fade and you will end up someone you didn’t want to be.”

Beautiful Fools will launch “Small Town” this week at the following shows.

23 October 2013 – World’s End Hotel, Adelaide
24 October 2013 – Bull & Bush, Baulkham Hills
25 October 2013 – Music Makers Club @ Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney

Image used with permission from The A&R Department