Hoodoo Gurus Digging It Up Again

The Hoodoo Gurus took Australia by storm last April with their Dig It Up! tour. Music lovers were treated to one of Australia’s most enduring talents and a who’s who of their musical friends including Died Pretty, The Sonics, The Lovetones, and Hard-Ons. They knew that if they were going to do it again, they’d have to at least match the 2012 shows. And it seems they might have done it with the 2013 line-up.

This time around the Hoodoo Gurus will be joined by Blue Oyster Cult, Buzzcocks, The Stems, Flamin’ Groovies, and former The Nerves and The Plimsouls member Peter Case. The Hoodoo Gurus promise to perform their second album Mars Needs Guitars in its entirety and a selection of other smash singles at all shows. Tickets are on sale now from the Dig It Up! website.

18 April 2013 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (with Blue Oyster Cult and Flamin’ Groovies)
19 April 2013 – Twin Towns, Tweed Heads (with Blue Oyster Cult and mystery guests)
21 April 2013 – Enmore Theatre & surrounds, Sydney (20+ acts handpicked by the Hoodoo Gurus)
25 April 2013 – The Palace Theatre and surrounds, Melbourne (20+ acts handpicked by the Hoodoo Gurus)
26 April 2013 – HQ, Adelaide (with Flamin’ Groovies and Peter Case Band)
28 April 2013 – Astor Theatre, Perth (with Flamin’ Groovies and Peter Case Band)

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Julia and the Deep Sea Sirens Release Single Ahead of Album Launch

Canberra’s alt-folk darlings Julia and the Deep Sea Sirens are giving us one more sneak peek at their self-produced sophomore album Family Pets before it drops on February 22. It comes in the form of new single “Adeleine,” a warm, organic number which should put a smile on your face.

Julia and her seven Deep Sea Sirens have supported the likes of Tim Rigers, Lanie Lane, and Kate Miller-Heidke in the past, but they’ll be the headliners at a string of album launch shows this autumn. See Julia and the Deep Sea Sirens up close and personal at the following shows.

22 February 2013 – The Newsagency, Sydney
3 March 2013 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
28 March-1 April 2013 – The National Folk Festival, Canberra
5 April 2013 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
7 April 2013 – Lass O’ Gowrie, Newcastle
21 April 2013 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane (FREE)

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

PVT Announce Long Awaited National Tour

After working tirelessly supporting the likes of Bloc Party and Gotye around the globe, PVT are returning home for their first headlining tour in more than two years. The occasion is the release of Homosapien, the band’s highly anticipated fourth studio album which hit stores today.

I must admit, the name of this band didn’t ring a bell until I realised they used to perform as Pivot. Whatever you know them as, you’re sure to appreciate the band’s new focus on vocals and intimate lyrics. Before you rush out and snap up a copy of the album it’s worth noting that you can bundle a discounted copy on CD, LP, or digital format with your PVT concert ticket.

PVT will make their way through the major capitals this March with long-distance duo Collarbones. You can get your tickets for this impressive double header from the PVT website.


22 March 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
23 March 2013 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
28 March 2013 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
30 March 2013 – The Bakery, Perth
31 March 2013 – Ed Castle Hotel, Adelaide

Image used with permission from IMC Music

Blues’ Best Come to the Capitals

Some of America’s most revered bluesman will be bringing their music to Australia this March thanks to the Music Maker Foundation. The non-profit organisation looks to keep blues and southern roots alive by introducing music lovers to the greats of the genre. This year the Music Maker Blues Revue will feature appearances by a who’s who of blues.

There’s Ironing Board Sam, a boogie woogie great who was a house musician on the first televised African-American music revue, Night Train. Dr G.B. Burt feels that at the age of 72, doors are just beginning to open for his uniquely tuned 12-string guitar driven music. Then there’s Pat Wilder, who is regarded as one of the most exciting blues guitarists and singers to ever come out of the San Francisco Bay Area. For four decades, Major Handy has delighted music lovers with his accordion and guitar skills. Albert White, Nashid Abdul Khaaliq, and Ardie Dean round out the team.

Of course, appearances at Byron Bay’s Bluesfest are a given. But thankfully the Music Maker Blues Revue will also come to the major capitals. Melbourne can see the show on March 27 at Northcote Social Club. Sydney gets its turn at Blue Beat on March 28. Tickets cost just $40 plus booking fee from the Bluesfest Touring website.

Image used with permission from Shows in Space Publicity

Rainy Day Women Celebrate Summer with Friends

Their name might be a bit gloomy, but the music from Fremantle four-piece Rainy Day Women is all about summer’s good vibes. Think The Beach Boys with a splash of Fleetwood Mac.

They showcase their positive garage pop tunes on their sophomore EP Friends, a six-track release which shows a more mature Rainy Day Women.

The EP won’t hit stores until February 21, but Rainy Day Women will give fans an early taste of the new tunes at Perth’s St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival next week. They’ll then launch the EP good and proper with the following shows in the major capitals.

9 February 2013 – St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Perth
8 March 2013 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
14 March 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
15 March 2013 – FBi Social, Sydney
16 March 2013 – The Workers Club, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Panama Play Long Awaited EP Shows

They’ve taken their own sweet time about it, but Panama will finally tour their debut EP It’s Not Over.

I suppose we can’t really blame Panama. After the record dropped in November there was Christmas madness to contend with, and then the New Year festivities. Now that everyone’s lives have calmed down, it’s now the perfect time for the Sydney quintet to play for the masses.

They’ll kick off their national tour with a hometown show tomorrow night before looping around the country. If that’s not enough notice for you Sydney, don’t worry about it. You’ll get another chance to see Panama when they complete the tour where it began late next month.

30 January 2013 – Beach Road Hotel, Bondi
14 February 2013 – The Ripe 1st Birthday @ Workers Club, Melbourne
15 February 2013 – Cats @ Rocker Bar, Adelaide
16 February 2013 – Perth Festival, Perth
22 February 2013 – O-Fest @ UTS, Sydney

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Mama Kin Announces The Magician’s Daughter Tour

If you loved Mama Kin’s new single “Was It Worth It” as much as I did, you’ll be excited to hear the Fremantle songstress will hit the road this spring to support the release of her new album The Magician’s Daughter.

The album will drop on February 22 and Mama will hit the road just a week later with special guest, Melbourne multi-instrumentalist Spender. I saw Mama supporting The Waifs a while ago and she threatened to overshadow the support act. Music lovers are in for a very special night at the following shows. Tickets are on sale now from the venues.


1-4 March 2013 – Nannup Music Festival, Nannup
7 March 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
13 March 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
14 March 2013 – The Basement, Sydney
15 March 2013 – Blue Mountains Music Festival, Katoomba
23 March 2013 – West Coast Blues N Roots, Fremantle
11 April 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
12 April 2013 – The Loft, Warrnambool
17 April 2013 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
19 April 2013 – Mullum Civic Hall, Mullumbimby
20 April 2013 – No. 5 Church Street, Bellingen
21 April 2013 – The Pelican Playhouse, Grafton
26-28 April 2013 – Fairbridge Folk Festival, Fairbridge
30 May 2013 – Fly By Night, Fremantle
31 May 2013 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Pete Murray Rerecords “Blue Sky Blue”

Pete Murray is back with The Byron Sessions, a reimagining of his last album Blue Sky Blue.

It might seem a bit superfluous to rerecord the album that only hit stores in 2011, but I think there’s method in the madness. While the album got to number six on the Aussie charts, it certainly didn’t make the impact of Feeler or even See the Sun. Whatever he did the first time didn’t resonate, but this new recording might thanks to some well selected special guests.

The lead single “Blue Sky Blue” features a great rap bridge from up and coming urban act Fantine. I love the edge it brings to Pete Murray’s gentle song. Other tracks on the album feature Ash Grunwald, Busby Marou, Bernard Fanning, and Katie Noonan. Rather than feeling like he’s relying on big names to sell the songs, the rerecordings feel like spontaneous jam sessions, so much richer than the originals.

The Byron Sessions is about community, from the original idea jamming at home with mates, right through to its realization as an album, so it makes sense to get out there and see the people that have really supported me over the years, no matter what corner of Australia they’re from,” Pete explained. “It’s about celebrating the last decade coming full circle and sharing it with a community of people around the country who have all had their own journeys and life experiences at the same time.”

He’s clearly proud of The Byron Sessions, which hits stores on February 1, because he’s taking it just about everywhere starting with a show in Byron tonight. Seriously, can you believe how many gigs he’s doing? Here are all the places you can see Pete Murray play over the coming months.

24 January 2013 – The Brewery, Byron Bay
14 February 2013 – The Spirit Bar & Lounge, Traralgon
15 February 2013 – The Forge Theatre, Bairnsdale
16 February 2013 – The Wool Exchange, Geelong
17 February 2013 – Riverboats Music Festival, Echuca
20 February 2013 – Yamba Bowls Club, Yamba
21 February 2013 – Lismore Workers Club, Lismore
22 February 2013 – Armidale Ex Services Club, Armidale
23 February 2013 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
27 February 2013 – Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany
28 February 2013 – Esperance Civic Centre, Esperance
1 March 2013 – Goldfields Arts Centre, Kalgoorlie
2 March 2013 – Capitol, Perth
3 & 4 March 2013 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle
7 March 2013 – Commercial Hotel, South Morang
8 March 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
9 March 2013 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
10 March 2013 – Pier Hotel, Frankston
14 March 2013 – Regent Multiplex, Ballarat
15 March 2013 – Corner Hotel, Richmond
16 March 2013 – The Depot, Adelaide
17 March 2013 – Nautilus Theatre, Port Lincoln
21 March 2013 – Port Macquarie Panthers, Port Macquarie
22 March 2013 – Club Forster, Forster
23 March 2013 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
24 March 2013 – West Tamworth Leagues Club, Tamworth
4 April 2013 – Orange Ex Services Club, Orange
5 April 2013 – Dubbo RSL, Dubbo
6 April 2013 – Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
7 April 2013 – Hornsby RSL, Hornsby
9 & 10 April 2013 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
11 April 2013 – The Abbey, Canberra
12 April 2013 – The York Theatre, Sydney
13 April 2013 – Waves, Wollongong
14 April 2013 – Batemans Bay Soldiers Club, Batemans Bay
18 April 2013 – Harvey Road Tavern, Gladstone
19 April 2013 – Magnums Hotel, Airlie Beach
20 April 2013 – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville
21 April 2013 – Brothers Leagues Club, Cairns
23 April 2013 – Racehorse Hotel, Ipswich
24 April 2013 – Hi-Fi, Brisbane
26 April 2013 – Villa Noosa, Noosaville
27 April 2013 – The Northern, Byron Bay
28 April 2013 – Twin Towns, Tweed Heads

Happy Mondays Happy to Visit Oz

Madchester legends Happy Mondays are finally making their first visit to Australia.

It should be worth the wait for fans, as we’re getting the original line-up and the promise of plenty of classic tracks. While nostalgia is sure to abound we’re also likely to hear some new songs too, as the band have been in the studio recording an album which should hit stores later this year.

The highly anticipated tour will take in the East Coast capitals and Perth in May. Ticketek will sell tickets for the East Coast shows while Oztix will take over in The West. Get them from 9 am on January 23.

3 May 2013 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
4 May 2013 – UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney
5 May 2013 – Palace Theatre, Melbourne
8 May 2013 – Capitol, Perth

Image used with permission from RiotHouse Publicity

Beat the Heat with Sun City’s Chilly Music Video

I’m hot. Really hot. The news tells me it was 46 degrees in Sydney, and it can’t be too far off on the Central Coast. My air-conditioning unit and fans are feeling pretty ineffectual at the moment.

And that may be why Sun City’s latest film clip looks extra inviting. The band’s name is pretty summery, but for the clip accompanying “High” the Perth outfit headed to Alberta, Canada. Icy, icy Alberta. All those frozen creek beds and thick snowy surfaces look like heaven right now. I’m sure the crew might have complained about the -20 degree temps, but I think they sound perfect.

I’m sure the band’s longing for them as they’ll start braving our sweltering local conditions on a national tour tonight. You can show them some love at the following venues.

18 January 2013 – The Rocket Bar, Adelaide
19 January 2013 – Slam Festival, St Kilda
20 January 2013 – Slam Festival, Scarborough
25 January 2013 – Can’t Say @ Vault 8, Melbourne
26 January 2013 Falcona Saturdays @Beach Road Hotel, Bondi (FREE)