Dan Sultan Rocks for Recognition & Constitutional Change

Dan Sultan will headline a series of shows in November to highlight the need for recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Australian Constitution.

Rock for Recognition will touch down in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Fremantle. At each show he’ll be joined by other indigenous acts. Yabu Band, Leah Flanagan, and Ken Eavel have been announced so far, but more artists are expected to join the events as the concert gains momentum.

As a proud Gurindji man, Dan Sultan promises to raise the roof at these shows. Changing the constitution is likely to prove much harder, as any amendments require a successful referendum, but these awareness raising concerts are a step in the right direction.

Learn more about constitutional change and see Dan Sultan Rock for Recognition at the following shows. Pre-booked tickets cost $30, or you can pay $35 at the door.

8 November 2012 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (Dan Sultan, Leah Flanagan, and DJ Ken Eavel)
9 November 2012 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney (Dan Sultan and Leah Flanagan)
10 November 2012 – Bakery Artrage, Perth (Dan Sultan, Leah Flanagan and Yabu Band)
11 November 2012 – Fly By Night, Fremantle (Dan Sultan and Leah Flanagan)

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Evermore Releasing Album Number Four

Evermore have been out of the spotlight for the last three years, but they’re promising to remind us why we loved them so much with the release of their fourth studio album Follow The Sun on October 12.

It’s not like the band has been sitting idly during that break. They toured the world with Pink, and circled it again to collect inspiration for this recording. Then then built a full-service studio on their farm on the outskirts of Melbourne, and set about writing, recording, and producing an array of musical projects. Follow The Sun was amongst them.

The album’s already been heralded as the band’s best, and while those comments might be a bit premature the title track does sound promising.  You can make up your own mind when Evermore give fans a sneak peek of the album at some intimate shows next month. If you miss out on those tickets, you can grab Follow the Sun when it hits stores on October 12.

13 September 2012 – Amplifier, Perth
14 September 2012 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
19 September 2012 – The Zoo, Brisbane
20 September 2012 – The Standard, Sydney
27 September 2012 – The Toff, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute

Ray Beadle & Jill Barber Come Out Swinging with Jazz Tour

They come from different sides of the planet, but a shared love of jazz will see Aussie blues guitarist Ray Beadle and Canadian chanteuse Jill Barber staring a stage this October and November. The artists will showcase their jazz chops and some of the genre’s most beloved classics on their Come Out Swinging tour.

Ray Beadle and his band The Hightones will pay tribute to the bluesy jazz stylings of America’s west coast. Think Hollywood Fats, Junior Watson, Kim Ramos, and Lynwood Slim. Jill Barber’s long been inspired by artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Edith Piaf, so don’t be surprised to hear songs from these great dames, as well as tunes from her own recent release Mischievous Moon.

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

18 October 2012 – Brisbane Jazz Club, Brisbane
19 October 2012 – Woombye Pub, Sunshine Coast
20 October 2012 – Burleigh Underground Drummers, Gold Coast
24 October 2012 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
25 October 2012 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
26 October 2012 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
27 & 28 October 2012 – Sydney Blues & Roots Festival
31 October 2012 – The Basement, Sydney
1 November 2012 – The Abbey, Canberra
2 November 2012 – Bennett’s Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne

Julia & The Deep Sea Sirens Woo With Sweet Folk Music

Canberra songstress Julia Johnson and her outfit the Deep Sea Sirens have been quietly plugging away in the music business since 2005. After honing their craft, the band’s decided to time is right to release their debut album Family Pets.

The album has equal parts sadness and joy, all anchored together by Julia’s sweet vocals and her ever faithful instruments, the 36-string autoharp and banjo. It showcases tracks you might have heard when the band recently supported Tim Rogers, Lanie Lane, and Kate Miller-Heidke, including the current single “Little Surprises.” These songs were all recorded using vintage recording technology to ensure they have that authentic, analogue vibe.

If you like what you hear make sure you see Julia and the Deep Sea Sirens at their upcoming shows.

30 August 2012 – The Standard, Sydney
10 September 2012 – The Phoenix, Canberra (FREE)
12 October 2012 – The Empress, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Tom Lark Bounces Back After Christchurch Quake with Aussie Tour

His practice space and studio might have been flattened in the Christchurch earthquake, but you can’t keep a musician like Tom Lark down.

He could have packed it in then and there but instead the Kiwi singer-songwriter went back to basics and sequestered himself in his bedroom. Rather than feeling hemmed in by the space’s restrictions, he became inspired by his new limitations. The not so originally titled Tom Lark EP is the result of this flurry of creativity. The disc features the new single “Give You All My Lovin’” and other songs which marry Tom’s innate sense of storytelling and folky guitar sounds.

Tom and his band will touch down in Australia for the first time next month to bring the EP to the masses. Catch them at the following venues, including dates supporting Sydney muso Feelings.

12 September 2012 – Bakery Lane, Brisbane
12 September 2012 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
19 September 2012 – Beach Road Hotel, Bondi (with Feelings)
20 September 2012 – Trinity Bar, Canberra (with Feelings)
21 September 2012 – Goodgod, Sydney (with Feelings)
22 September 2012 – Workers Club, Melbourne (with Feelings)

Elliot the Bull Tour EP This Spring

I’m always interested to hear stories of bands in my backyard blowing up. So I’ve been thrilled to see the buzz Central Coast act Elliot the Bull generated after last month’s “Paint the Sky” single tour.

People raved about the band’s easy on stage presence, their effortless harmonies, and the quality of their songs. If you missed out then, don’t make the same mistake when the band tours their self-titled EP this spring. The EP easily blends folk, rock, and indie-pop influences to create a quintessentially Aussie sound.

Fresh from shows in China, Elliot the Bull will take advantage of the warm weather approaching with the following gigs along Australia’s east coast.

31 August 2012 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why (supporting Abby Dobson)
1 September 2012 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber (supporting Abby Dobson)
8 Sept 2012 – Upstairs – The Beresford, Surry Hills
13 September 2012 – The Loft @ UTS, Sydney
15 September 2012 – Big Exo Day, Sydney
20 September 2012 – Ravesi’s, Bondi
21 September 2012 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
28 September 2012 – Revolver, Melbourne
29 September 2012 – The Empress, Melbourne
4 October 2012 – Beer Garden, Surfers Paradise
6 October 2012 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
19 October 2012 – Burdekin Upstairs, Sydney
26 October 2012 – The Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
27 October 2012 – The Patch, Wollongong
28 October 2012 – Old Manly Boat Shed, Manly
10 November 2012 – Phoenix Bar, Canberra
11 November 2012 – The Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Saskwatch Leave It All Behind for Album Tour

With their debut album Leave It all Behind finally sitting on record store shelves, the time is right for Melbourne funk-soul charmers Saskwatch to take their show on the road.

The tour will be something of a homecoming party, as Saskwatch have spent August abroad playing the acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Clearly they were just warming up to wow local music lovers.

If you love a foot stomping evening of sweet jams and soulful grooves, these shows are for you!

13 September 2012 – Bigsound, Brisbane
14 September 2012 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
15 September 2012 – Qpac, Brisbane (FREE)
16 September 2012 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (FREE)
20 September 2012 – Goodgod Small Club, Sydney
21 September 2012 – Stoke Factory, Wollongong
22 September 2012 – Transit Bar, Canberra
28 September 2012 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
29 September 2012 – Wave Rock Festival, Haden
5 October 2012 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
6 October 2012 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
7 October 2012 – The Palais, Hepburn Springs

Image used with permission from Show Off Recordings

Emmy Bryce’s Offspring Song Released

Emmy Bryce charmed me when I heard her song “Hit the Ground” while watching Offspring, so I was thrilled to hear it’s got an official release.

“Hit the Ground” comes from Emmy Bryce’s debut EP Seven Days. Emmy will pack her bags and play shows around some of the capitals over the coming months to support its release. I recommend seeing her in these intimate venues while you can; something tells me it’s only a matter of time before Emmy’s music earns mainstream attention!

29 August 2012 – The Workers Club, Fitzroy
5 September 2012 – The Vanguard, Newtown
22 September 2012 – The Abbey, Nicholls
23 September 2012 – The Front Gallery/Cafe, Lyneham
29 September 2012 – La Boheme Bar, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Alpha Entertainment

Sound of Seasons Tours “Make Believe”

Sydney rock act Sound of Seasons are celebrating the release of their debut EP Make Believe next month with a big headlining tour.

The EP offers a bit more than most, with six electric tracks and one acoustic number. It’s emotional and heavy hitting, with retro synths layered on top of wailing electric guitars.

Here are all the places you can catch Sound of Seasons up close and personal on their Make Believe Tour:

1 September 2012 – UC Refectory, Canberra
20 September 2012 – Yours and Owls, Wollongong
22 September 2012 – The Basement, Canberra
23 September 2012 – The Lair, Sydney
26  September 2012 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
27 September 2012 – Port Macquarie Hotel, Port Macquarie
29 September 2012 – X&Y Bar, Brisbane
5 October 2012 – Newmarket Hotel, Bendigo
6 October 2012 – Fist 2 Face, Ringwood
6 October 2012 – BANG! Royal Melbourne Hotel, Melbourne
7 October 2012 – National Hotel, Geelong
12 October 2012 – C5, Freemantle
13 October 2012 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
14 October 2012 – YMCA HQ, Leederville

Image used with permission from RAWR Music

Thundamentals Announce Only 2012 Headliner Tour

Take note Thundamentals fans. The Sydney hip hop act are preparing to embark on their first and only headline tour for the year.

Given that they’re only giving us the one run of dates in 2012, it seems a little ironic to call it the Get Busy tour. To be fair though, they haven’t exactly been idle. The tour sees them taking time out from writing their follow-up to Foreverlution. MC Tuka’s also just released his second solo album Feedback Loop, and that’s keeping him pretty busy!

The lads are doing their best to get punters through the door. They’ll travel with a complete horns section and special guest vocalists, including Ev Jones. You might remember hearing Ev on their Triple J Like a Version cover of Matt Corby’s “Brother.” Thundamentals will also bundle a free MP3 of an exclusive new track with every ticket sold for the Sydney, Melbourne, and Blue Mountains shows. The trio’s also carefully chosen the venues to offer a “festival in your loungeroom feel.” Consider me intrigued!

It might seem a little early to bring you the dates, but with Thundamental’s last tour selling out and tickets being so limited plenty of notice is probably preferential! Tickets are available now from Moshtix and the venues.

27 October 2012 – Gearins Hotel Katoomba
2 November 2012 – The Basement 159, Geelong
3 November 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
9 November 2012 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
10 November 2012 – Sprung Festival, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash