Ngaiire Smoulders with “Dirty Hercules”

Few of us remember the talent show contestants that fail to make the finals. But for me, Ngaiire was the exception to the rule. So many years since she was snubbed for the Australian Idol finals, I still remember her time on the show. So I’m thrilled to see she’s back in the spotlight with a new single and an album on the way in June.

That single is “Dirty Hercules,” the first song lifted from her debut album Lamentations. It’s a sultry, smouldering number that showcases Ngaiire’s voice beautifully. It reminded me a lot of something Sade might have released in her heyday. I expected a bit more spice from Ngaiire, but perhaps she’s saving that for future singles.

If you’re as excited as I am to hear more of Ngaiire’s music, make sure you catch her when she tours “Dirty Hercules” this month.

9 March 2013 – Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
10 March 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
16 & 17 March 2013 – Blue Mountains Music Festival, Katoomba
23 March 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
29 March 2013 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
30 March 2013 – FBi Social Club, King’s Cross
12 April 2013 – The Joynt, Brisbane
13 April 2013 – Full Moon Party, Noosa
14 April 2013 – Buddha Bar, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

sonicanimation Announce New Album Tour

Australia’s quirky electronica pioneers sonicanimation are heading out on the road this month for a long-awaited national tour.

It’s been some time since sonicanimation have toured the country, but they’ve got good reason to get back in front of fans. Tomorrow they’ll release Once More From the Bottom, their first full length album since 2006. I’ve heard we can expect big breaks, fat synths, and a whole lot of fun.

Get in on the action when sonicanimation hits Australia’s pubs and clubs in March and April.

21 March 2013 – Oxford Art Factory Sydney
22 March 2013 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
23 March 2013 – Clubhouse, Krave Nightclub, Canberra
28 March 2013 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
29 March 2013 – Good Revolution Friday, Yarra Hotel, Geelong
30 March 2013 – The Toff, Melbourne
4 April 2013 – The Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
5 April 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
6 April 2013 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast

Image used with permission from Remedy Music

Sticky Fingers Get Patriotic with “Australia Street” & National Tour

It seems I’m a little late to jump on to the Sticky Fingers bandwagon. When radio listeners voted their song “Caress Your Soul” into the number 61 spot on the last Hottest 100, I was still clueless. But now that I’ve heard their third single “Australia Street”, I’m hooked.

It’s not just the patriotism that’s won me over. The song has such an intriguing mix of hip hop, ska, and rock. I also love the band’s story. Drummer beaker and bass player Paddy Fingers met their lead singer Dylan Frost when he was busking outside Newtown’s Coopers Arms hotel. Now that’s rock and roll.

Surely the hype will amp up once Sticky Fingers release their debut album, also called Caress Your Soul, tomorrow. They’re also doing things the right way and taking the music to as many people as they can. You can get in on the ground floor when Sticky Fingers visit a town near you soon!

22 March 2013 – Manning Bar, Sydney
23 March 2013 – Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale
27 March 2013 –  Rosemount Hotel, Northbridge
28 March 2013 – The Prince Hotel, Bunbury
30 March 2013 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
5 April 2013 – The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
12 April 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
13 April 2013 – Royal Oaks, Launceston
18 April 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
19 April 2013 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
20 April 2013 – The Big Pineapple Festival, Sunshine Coast
20 April 2013 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
10 May 2013 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide

Rock Out With The Arachnids Brilliant Break-Up Track

The Arachnids have created one of the best breakup songs I’ve heard in some time in their latest single “Daydreaming.”

This is straight up, good, honest rock and roll. There’s no wallowing or yearning. Instead it’s a big powerful goodbye to all of the hurt and drama that being wrapped up in the relationship brought. I’ve just listened to the track three times in a row, and I’m still just as enamoured.

If you love it too, you’ll want to catch The Arachnids as they make their way around the East Coast this month.

14 March 2013 – The Phoenix, Canberra
15 March 2013 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
16 March 2013 – The Retreat, Melbourne
23 March 2013 – Trainspotters, Brisbane

Evermore Announce Long-Awaited Headlining Tour

After warming up with gigs supporting Matchbox Twenty last year, Evermore are ready to headline their own national tour. It’s no small endeavour either, with the band planning to take in more than 30 locations across Australia during April, May, and June.

The Kiwi-expats will be taking songs from their new album Follow the Sun to fans around their adopted homeland. They’ll start the tour in their home base of Victoria before travelling around to music halls, band rooms, and iconic concert venues around the country.

“It’s the first time in nearly four years that Evermore has toured Australia to this extent; it’s long overdue!” exclaimed Jon Hume. “Peter and I are looking forward to playing this album live, along with the old favourites such as ‘Running’ and ‘Light Surrounding You’, to audiences all over the country.  We’re visiting places on this tour that we’ve never been before!”

With Evermore booked in to play American shows in July, this tour will be your last chance to see Evermore for a little while. Don’t miss out!

17 April 2013 – Star Bar, Bendigo
18 April 2013 – Trak Live,  Melbourne
19 April 2013 – Mac’s Hotel, Melton
20 April 2013 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
21 April 2013 – Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury
24 April 2013 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
25 April 2013 – Yarra Hotel, Geelong
26 April 2013 – SSA Club, Albury
27 April 2013 – Mulwala Waterski Club, Mulwala
2 May 2013 – Harvey Road Tavern, Gladstone
3 May 2013 – Magnums Hotel, Airlie Beach
4 May 2013 – The Dalrymple, Townsville
5 May 2013 – The Jack,  Cairns
8 May 2013 – Noosa Surf Club, Noosa
9 May 2013 – Hamilton Hotel, Hamilton
10 May 2013 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
11 May 2013 – Spring Lakes Hotel, Brisbane
15 May 2013 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
16 May 2013 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle
17 May 2013 – Players Bar, Mandurah
18 May 2013 – The Charles, North Perth
23 May 2013 – The Basement, Sydney
24 May 2013 – Revesby Workers Club, Revesby
25 May 2013 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
26 May 2013 – Hornsby RSL, Hornsby
29 May 2013 – ANU Bar, Canberra
30 May 2013 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
31 May 2013 – Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
1 June 2013 – Waves, Wollongong

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Seth Sentry Serves Up Fun Science Single

Science has brought us medical breakthroughs, bountiful crops, and high-tech materials, but where’s the really good stuff? Where are our hoverboards?

Seth Sentry asks these questions and more in his open letter to the field of study, “Dear Science.” It’s the third track lifted from Seth’s debut album This Was Tomorrow.

To celebrate the single’s release, Seth will embark on his biggest national tour to date this May. Tickets are available now through Seth’s website.

9 May 2013 – Breakers Bar, Geraldton WA (18+)
10 May 2013 – Villa, Perth WA (18+)
12 May  2013 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle WA (18+)
16 May 2013 – The Gov, Adelaide SA (All Ages)
17 May 2013 – The Forum, Melbourne VIC (18+)
18 May 2013 – Ding Dong, Melbourne (U18)
24 May 2013 – Metro Theatre, Sydney NSW (All Ages)
25 May 2013 – The HiFi, Brisbane (18+)

Jack Carty and Jordan Millar Unite For Aussie Tour

Jack Carty and Jordan Millar, two of Australia’s hottest singer-songwriters, are teaming up for one big tour this autumn.

I’ve admired Jack’s music for the last few years, while Jordan has only crossed my radar. Needless to say, the pairing of these two lyrical talents is genius. Hopefully it will help raise the profile of both of these exciting musicians.

The pair are certainly doing their best to raise awareness by making pit stops in plenty of capitals and regional areas in Australia’s east. I just can’t believe there’s no Central Coast show! If you are lucky enough to get a local concert, I suggest checking it out. Tickets are dirt cheap and the talent’s extraordinary. Some gigs are even free!

16 & 17 March 2013 – Blue Mountains Folk Festival, Blue Mountains (Jordan Millar only)
22 March 2013 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
23 March 2013 – The Loft, Warnambool
24 March 2013 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
28 March 2013 – Manhattans Wine Bar, Launceston
30 March 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
3 April 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
4 April 2013 – Cafe Le Monde, Noosa Heads
5 April 2013 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba (FREE)
6 April 2013 – The Loft, Gold Coast
11 April 2013 – The Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (FREE)
12 April 2013 – Lennox Hotel, Lennox Head (FREE)
13 April 2013 – 5 Church St, Bellingen
14 April 2013 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour (FREE)
18 April 2013 – Lizotte’s Restaurant, Newcastle
20 April 2013 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
26 April 2013 – The Aztec, Forster (FREE)
27 April 2013 – The Pier, Port Macquarie (FREE)
28 April 2013 – The Fig, Port Macquarie (FREE)
3 May 2013 – Yours and Owls, Wollongong
4 & 5 May 2013 – Front Gallery, Canberra

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Something for Kate Announce Long-Awaited Tour

The patience of Something for Kate fans has been rewarded, with the band announcing their first extensive Australian tour in more than six years. In May and June they’ll play larger venues in the capitals than they have in ages, and make their long-awaited return to key regional destinations.

The Star-Crossed Cities tour will see Something for Kate showcasing material from their most recent album Leave Your Soul to Science and playing plenty of old favourites.

Something for Kate tours are known for selling out, so I wouldn’t hesitate too long before snapping up tickets to one of the following shows.

10 May 2013 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
11 May 2013 – Pier Live, Frankston
16 May 2013 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
17 May 2013 – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi
18 May 2013 – Hi Fi Bar, Brisbane
24 May 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
25 May 2013 – The Gov, Adelaide
29 May 2013 – Wollongong Uni, Wollongong
30 May 2013 – Bar on the Hill, Newcastle University
31 May 2013 – University of Canberra, Canberra
1 June 2013 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
7 June 2013 – Astor Theatre, Perth

Image used with permission from IMC Music

The Snowdroppers Keep on Rocking

The Snowdroppers clearly enjoyed their time on the road recently. They only just wrapped up their sophomore album preview shows, and they’ve already announced another string of dates.

The Snowdroppers will celebrate the March 22 release of Moving Out of Eden with intimate shows and festival appearances. These gigs are especially enticing with the addition of Sydney’s Little Bastard to the bill. The seven-piece punk-string act is just quirky enough to appeal to The Snowdroppers’ fan base.

Strap yourself in for one hell of a show when it reaches the following cities.

18 March 2013 – Barrio @ Adelaide Festival, Adelaide
22 March 2013 – The Standard, Darlinghurst
22 & 29 March 2013 – Bluesfest, Byron Bay
5 April 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
6 April 2013 Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
12 April 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
13 April 2013 – Woombye Pub, Woombye

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Katie Noonan Plays Her Songbook With Strings

If you weren’t paying attention, you might have missed the release of Katie Noonan’s new album. There was little fanfare when Songbook hit record store shelves recently, but it’s an album which shouldn’t fly under the radar.

The disc sees Katie reinventing key songs from her career with the help of a lush strings section. This version of “Breathe In Now” from her George days made me melt. I’m desperate to wrap my ears around the rest of the album.

Songbook is available in limited numbers through Katie’s website and iTunes. It’s been launched in conjunction with a real songbook which features sheet music, rare photographs, and the stories behind the songs that made Katie a household name.

This is such a personal album that it’s only fitting that Katie wants to introduce it to her fans in a series of intimate shows. Making them extra special, Katie promises to share the stories behind the songs she plays with her audiences. She’ll also play her first ever shows in America this week as part of the Songbook tour before returning home for the Australian dates.

27 February 2013 – Tin Angel, Philadelphia
28 February 2013 – Rockwood Music Hall, New York
2 March 2013 – Room 5, Los Angeles
7 March 2013 – Garden Of Unearthly Delights, Adelaide Fringe Festival
6 April 2013 – Old Museum – Concert Hall, Brisbane (with string quartet)
11 April 2013 – Heritage Hotel , Bulli
12 April 2013 – The Abbey, Canberra
13 April 2013 – The Basement, Sydney (with string quartet)
14 April 2013 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
27 April 2013 – Flinders Performance Centre, Buderim
2 May 2013 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
3 May 2013 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
4 May 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
5 May 2013 – Lizotte’s, New Lambton

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash