Does anyone remember Supergroove? Honestly, I wasn’t sure that I did but after queuing up funky tunes like “Sitting Inside My Head” and “You Gotta Know,” it all came flooding back. It’d been 20 long years since this Kiwi powerhouse graced our shores, but the original 1995 lineup is heading to Queensland for some shows this May.
“It’s exciting to have the opportunity bring this very special tour across the ditch,” enthused frontman Karl Steven. “It’s also wonderful to play in Australia again; especially because the last time was behind chicken wire at Penrith Panthers’ club in 1995!”
Supergroove will be joined on stage by Troy Kingi, Rubi Du, and DJ King Kapsis. That sounds like some party! If you agree, catch Supergroove at the following local shows this May.
It’s a controversial take, but I honestly think The Superjesus are making some of the best music of their careers. If you don’t believe me, take a listen to their gorgeous new single “Diamonds.” This beautiful ballad is the latest cut from The Superjesus’ new self-titled album, which drops on March 21.
The Superjesus will take the new songs and plenty of old favourites on the road with a national tour this June and July. The shows will open with some up-and-coming acts handpicked by the band. If you want to join the bill, click this link to submit your details and demos.
The album is still a few weeks away, but you can pre-order your vinyl copy now. The Superjesus will press just 200 copies, so make sure you don’t miss out. Then you’ve got a few months to learn all the new songs for the band’s upcoming shows.
Maybe it’s the stormy weather making me angsty, but I’m finding plenty of rock music to get me excited this week. My latest discovery is Cardboard Cutouts, a Toowoom/Toowoomba-raised act who’ve just dropped their powerful new single “My Best Friend.” Hit that volume button, because this one sounds best loud.
“‘My Best Friend’ is about a friend who was involved in a toxic relationship with someone and had substance abuse issues,” the band revealed. “They lost sight of who they were and what their purpose was. This song tells the story of that battle from an observer who is struggling to cope with what is happening, but has lost any bit of leverage to help and support the person.”
After sharing stages with Phil Jamieson, Greta Stanley, and Vera Blue, Cardboard Cutouts are stepping up as headliners with a quick tour celebrating the single release later this month. Check them out at these intimate venues before they inevitably graduate to the big gigs.
One of One, a not-for profit organisation that supports and empowers female and gender non-conforming (GNC) people in the music industry, is celebrating 10 years with a series of breakfast events this month.
“We cannot believe it’s been 10 years of One of One!” said a One of One spokesperson. “We’ve grown from our humble beginnings with the help and support of our community, and the music industry. We still love what we do, and it’s as important now as it ever was. We have a team of incredible women and GNC people across the country who work with us, and we are so proud of being here for a decade and all of the people we’ve spotlighted through our events and interviews (over 400!). So many memories! And so much more to come.”
One of One’s 10th-anniversary events will feature keynote speeches, performances, and networking opportunities with some of Australia’s leading names in music. Keynote speakers include manager and promoter Kelsie Miller, former Albert Music head Fifa Riccobono AM, Indigenous musician and storyteller Dr Shellie Morris AO, and the one and only Tina Arena. One of One will also name the recipients of awards, grants, and scholarships worth $24,000 at every event.
Limited tickets are available for all the One of One 10th-anniversary events:
Following two sold out tours in the last two years, Canadian bluegrass quartet The Dead South are heading back to our shores for their biggest tour to date.
“Starting a couple years back, every time we’d post tour dates we’d see dozens of comments asking when we’re coming to Australia and New Zealand. A couple years ago we toured there for the first time and it immediately became one of our favourite places,” The Dead South said. “Let’s make it an annual thing, shall we? We can’t wait to see you all again in November and December! We’re even hitting the South Island this time. See you all soon!”
The Dead South will play the following Australian shows before heading across the ditch. Since tickets sold out last time, make sure you don’t procrastinate because you just might miss out.
For someone who doesn’t consider themselves a country music fan, I’m sure enjoying a lot of it lately. Or maybe there’s just a glut of outstanding country music coming out of this country. The latest track to delight my ears is Andrew Swift’s new feelgood single, “Nothing Better.” Andrew drew from his own experiences of a life that couldn’t be panning out any better!
“It feels like not long ago I was mentally preparing to be fixing caravans and living life as a single man until the end of my days,” he admitted. “I didn’t think that being a full-time musician, homeowner, having a loving partner and a baby on the way would be on the cards, but here we are. Sometimes life blindsides you in the best way possible.”
Recording “Nothing Better” saw Andrew reunite with his long-time collaborator, the multi-award-winning Matt Fell.
“Having previously worked together on the last three albums, I feel like we’re on the same page now more than ever,” Andrew said. I love being able to get down to his new studio, Wilder Studios, in remote Tasmania. It feels like you’re a million miles away from the real world and you can really focus on the recording process.”
You can hear Andrew’s authenticity in his lyrics and vocals, so it’s only right that the music video features the real people and places that shaped him rather than actors and fancy locations. Jeremy Minnett of Eyes and Ears Creative captured footage of Andrew’s childhood home and real-life partner Simone.
Country artists are some of the hardest working musicians in the nation, and Andrew is no exception. Even though he’s got a baby on the way, it’s on the road and playing shows all over this wide brown land. Make sure you catch him anywhere you can.
I’m buzzing today with the news that Mayday Parade are celebrating 20 years in the business with an Aussie tour, and they’re bringing The Home Team and one of my favourite acts of all time – Jack’s Mannequin – along for the ride.
Just a couple of weeks ago I was cursing that Jack’s Mannequin were playing shows in Japan while I was cruising around the country, meaning I’d be stuck in the middle of ocean while they were entertaining the masses. Thankfully they’ve been considerate enough to schedule the Eora/Sydney show for the day after I return. Jetlag cannot get in the way of what promises to be a good time!
“Mayday Parade is so excited to return to Australia to headline in celebrating 20 years as a band and our current releases,” the band’s guitarist Alex Garcia said. “Throughout all this time some of our best shows have been in Australia and that’s because our fans there are so incredibly special. We can’t wait to celebrate this band with you guys!”
The Three Cheers for 20 Years tour travels to the major capitals this September. The early bird presale begins this Friday before the general sale on Tuesday February 25, so get on it!
Hailing from Washington, D.C., emo rock duo Origami Angel are making their way to Australia for the first time this April. I must admit, these guys weren’t on my radar, but after spending the afternoon with their music I understand why they’ve clocked up tens of millions of Spotify streams! They’re so good!
Emo rock doesn’t quite describe what they do. It’s definitely scene adjacent, but there’s also a little metalcore, electronic, and even jazz in their music. I appreciate that they do things differently and I have no doubt these shows will be amazing.
Origami Angel are currently headlining shows in Europe and the UK, so they should be in fine form when they arrive on our shores. If there’s any justice these guys will be much bigger when they visit Australia again so don’t miss your chance to see them in tiny local venues this April. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows:
After topping the Australian Album ARIA charts and nabbing a fourth place on the overall ARIA charts, Dear Seattle have announced they’re hitting the road to celebrate their latest album TOY. I’m still listening to this album regularly weeks after its release.
“We’ve been putting in the hard yards to ensure this tour is the absolute best you’ve ever seen [from] DS,” the band said. “We always put in everything, but this time we wanna push the boundaries of what we’ve done in the past and make this album tour the most memorable one yet. We can’t wait to see you there!”
I only wish the shows didn’t come during an already busy May, as I have a sneaky suspicion that these songs will sound ever better in a sweaty pub. They’re also bringing Cleveland punk rockers Heart Attack, Tarntanya/Adelaide pop-punk act TOWNS, and Naarm/Melbourne indie-rock act LUCKY along for the ride. If your schedule isn’t as hectic as mine, make sure you grab some tickets while you can!
Australia’s still basking in that Luke Combs’ tour glow, but many locals don’t realise our country talent is every bit as good as the American artists. Aussie singer-songwriter Brad Cox reminds me a lot of Luke with his authenticity and vulnerability. And he’s touring the Eastern states really soon.
If you’re sitting on the fence, take a listen to the Hot Lettuce Sessions recorded in Nipaluna/Hobart last year. When someone sounds this good on a live recording, you know they’re the real deal.
Brad Cox will play a few festivals before he kicks off his Coxy’s Regional Road Show. With the fabulous Piper Butcher warming up the crowds, country fans won’t want to miss these gigs.
