Sydney folk-pop duo The Rescue Ships have well and truly charmed me with their new single “City Life.”
The track speaks of the ironic isolation so many city dwellers feel. They’re surrounded by crowds, yet they’re still searching for real connection. Despite the dark subject matter the song is a so catchy and sweet that you can’t help but smile in spite of it!
“City Life” comes from The Rescue Ships forthcoming debut album, which they’re currently recording with friends in their Newtown studio. They’ll treat fans to the single and other new tunes at the following “City Life” launch shows:
5 July 2012 – Beavs Bar, Geelong (Free)
6 July 2012 – The Grace Darling, Collingwood
13 July 2012 – The Red Rattler, Marrickville
18 July 2012 – The Lass O’Gowrie, Wickham
20 July 2012 – 5 Church Street, Bellingen
26 July 2012 – The Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley
3 August 2012 – The Front Bar, Lyneham
11 August 2012 – The Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
With a name like Fun Machine, I knew the Canberra trio behind the new single “Ready for the Fight” would serve up good vibes. But I wasn’t quite prepared for how much I’d love the song.
This cheerful ditty is the perfect remedy for the winter blues. It’s got delicious harmonies and the sort of sparse instrumentation that really allows the song to sing. I love a band that understands that often less is more. The resourceful act created beats using car hubcaps and metal handles, and laid down the piano track after sneaking their recording equipment into their local university’s concert hall! “Ready for the Fight” has pop leanings, but it’s much more unique than anything they’re playing on commercial radio.
Fun Machine will spread some sunshine along the East Coast this winter at the following shows:
29 June 2012 –Burdekin Bar, Darlinghurst (Free)
6 July 2012 –The Polish White Eagle Club, Canberra
7 July 2012 – SYDNEY: De Ja Vu, Marrickville (Free)
13 July 2012 – Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle (Free)
14 July 2012 – Good Jelly, Wollongong
20 July 2012 – Bar Open, Melbourne (Free)
“Blind” has long been one of the highlights of the band’s set, so I’m thrilled to see it’ll hit a wider audience. I love the way the track builds to a dramatic crescendo. That’s helped in no small part by the appearance of Band of Horses’ Bill Reynolds on the recording.
“It’s once in a blue moon that I come across a group with such great harmonies and great songs,” he explained. “When my manager sent me the demos for the LP I knew I had to find a way to work with them.”
Georgia Fair will launch “Blind” with a hometown show on July 6 at The Standard before playing Melbourne’s Toff in Town on July 12.
Acclaimed New Zealand reggae act House of Shem are hoping to spread a little sunshine next month with their first Australian shows.
It seems kind of strange for a reggae act to tour during winter, but perhaps they can make us forget that chill in the air! House of Shem are set to play tracks from their albums Keep Rising and Island Vibration, which have both achieved gold status in their native New Zealand. As they’re recording a new album on their return to the Land of the Long White Cloud, perhaps we’ll even hear some new tracks!
Tickets are on sale now from the usual outlets.
12 July 2012 – Wanneroo Tavern, Wanneroo
13 July 2012 – Eliot St Bar, Bunbury
14 July 2012 – Rosemount Hotel, North Perth
15 July 2012 – Leisure Inn, Rockingham
19 July 2012 – Kings Beach Tavern, Sunshine Coast
20 July 2012 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
21 July 2012 – The Zoo, Brisbane
22 July 2012 – Byron Bay Brewery, Byron Bay
26 July 2012 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
27 July 2012 – The Standard, Sydney
28 July 2012 – Deep Roots @ The Espy, Melbourne
It seems a back injury isn’t the only thing Shannon Noll’s nursing. It sounds like he’s caught the touring bug! Shannon hasn’t even wrapped up the shows to support his last single, but he’s just announced dates to support the the album A Million Suns. And there’s not even a week to rest in between!
Shannon’s promising to be match fit after that Dancing with the Stars injury. And he’d better be, because travelling to New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tassie sounds pretty daunting!
He’s getting fans in the mood with the live music video for his latest single “Living in Stereo.” If it’s got you fired up making sure you take in one of the following shows:
6 July 2012 – Revesby Heights Ex-Serviceman’s Club, Revesby
7 July 2012 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
13 July 2012 – Country Club Showroom, Launceston
14 July 2012 – Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart
20 July 2012 – Mounties, Mt Prichard
21 July 2012 – Canberra Southern Cross Club Events Centre, Canberra
27 July 2012 – Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill
28 July 2012 – Wentworthville Leagues Club, Wentworthville
3 August 2012 – Dapto Leagues, Dapto
4 August 2012 – The Cube at Campbelltown Catholic Club, Campbelltown
10 August 2012 – Mingara Recreation Club, Tumbi Umbi
11 August 2012 – Penrith Panthers, Penrith
17 August 2012 – Marlin Hotel, Ulladulla
18 August 2012 – Belmont 16FT Sailing Club, Belmont
23 August 2012 – Gympie Music Muster
25 August 2012 – Outback Quarry, Alice Springs (with band Squid Munchies)
31 August 2012 – Wagga Wagga Civic Centre, Wagga Wagga
1 September 2012 – Annual Moama On Murray Resort Concert, Moama
6 September 2012 – Nautilus Theatre, Port Lincoln
7 September 2012 – Middleback Theatre, Whyalla
8 September 2012 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
9 September 2012 – Sir Robert Helpman Theatre, Mt Gambier
21 September 2012 – Taren Point Hotel, Taren Point
25 September 2012 – BHP Esso Wellington Centre, Sale
26 September 2012 – Capital Theatre, Bendigo
27 September 2012 – Wangaratta PAC, Wangaratta
5 October 2012 – Dubbo RSL, Dubbo
6 October 2012 – Bathurst Panthers, Bathurst
7 October 2012 – Club Mudgee, Mudgee
11 October 2012 – West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul
12 October 2012 – Ballarat Regent Multiplex, Ballarat
13 October 2012 – Eastbank Centre, Shepparton
14 October 2012 – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool
18 October 2012 – Keith Michell Theatre, Port Pirie
19 October 2012 – Chaffey Theatre, Renmark
26 October 2012 – Goulburn Soldiers Club, Goulburn
27 October 2012 – Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury
28 October 2012 – Australian Children’s Music Foundation fundraising event @ Hillston Showgrounds, Hillston (Free – acoustic set)
1 November 2012 – Port Macquarie Panthers, Port Macquarie
2 November 2012 – Yamba Bowling Club, Yamba
3 November 2012 – Sawtell RSL, Sawtell
As someone who’s happily married to a man I met online, I know all too well the power of a cyber-connection. So I was thrilled to discover Collarbones, an electronic duo featuring online pals Travis Cook from Adelaide and Marcus Whale from Sydney. Though dividing by some 1150 kays the lads began to create beautiful music together.
Their latest offering is the haunting “Missing,” a track from their forthcoming second album scheduled for release later this year. This is a really powerful tune, with a heartbreaking falsetto, lush orchestration, and some of the most plaintively simple lyrics I’ve heard in some time.
Collarbones are bridging the distance and touring “Missing” this month. The run of dates kicks off tomorrow in Melbourne before taking in capital cities and regional towns along the East Coast.
16 June 2012 – The Gasometer, Melbourne
23 June 2012 – The Gate at Pablos, Epping (All Ages)
24 June 2012 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
28 June 2012 – Terrace Bar, Newcastle
29 June 2012 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
5 July 2012 – FBi Social, Sydney
Image used with permission from Remote Control Records
Jordie Lane is returning home for a short run of dates this month and the next.
Jordie’s enjoyed a busy few months in the United States, showcasing his songs at Canadian Music week, recording with Grammy Award-winning producer Tom Biller (Kayne West, Beck, Fiona Apple) and acclaimed drummer Matt Chamberlain (Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel), and travelling around the country in a caravan.
After such a hectic time it must be nice to be back home. Not that Jordie will have a lot of time for relaxation, with five shows in as many days scheduled! These gigs should be a real treat for fans, who’ll enjoy intimate venues and songs from Jordie’s first two albums, as well as new tracks from the third.
27 June 2012 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
28 June 2012 – 5 Church Street, Bellingen
29 June 2012 – Royal Exchange, Newcastle
30 June 2012 – Camelot Lounge, Sydney
1 July 2012 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide
Image used with permission from Riothouse Publicity
Aussie music stalwarts Even andThe Fauves are joining forces for one big tour later this month.
With both bands traveling around the country for the last twenty odd years, it’s surprising that this is the first time they’ve toured together. No wonder the forthcoming dates have been dubbed the Together at Last tour! With both acts spruiking new album, the time was right to rectifying that touring oversight. Even has just released In Another Time, while The Fauves are promoting their newie German Engines.
Get ready to rock at the following shows:
16 June 2012 – Annandale Hotel, Annandale
29 June 2012 – Regal Ballroom, Northcote
7 July 2012 – The Zoo, Fortitude Valley
9 August 2012 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
10 August 2012 – Rosemount Hotel, North Perth
11 August 2012 – Mojo’s, Fremantle
12 August 2012 – Indi Bar, Scarborough
Image used with permission from Show Off Recordings
It’s exciting times in the lives of Sydney indie-pop folksters Set Sail. The trio will release their new attention-getting EP Hey! tomorrow, and set off on a big 18-date tour a couple of weeks later.
Fans have waited patiently for Hey!, which showcases Set Sail’s first new material since their debut release The Riley Moore EP hit their hands in 2011. It features six quirky tracks including the energetic lead track “Charleston.”
The release hasn’t come without its challenges though. Earlier this year Set Sail lead singer Brandon Hoogenboom was forced to do some sailing of his own when he breached his visa conditions. A Facebook petition protesting his deportation went viral, attracting more than 8500 in just 24 hours. That support helped Brandon return to his adopted home and awaiting bandmates.
And now Set Sail’s back together and keen to unleash their new tunes on the public.
“We’re excited to bring the new material live,” said Josiah Willows. “It’s been an incredible journey this past year and we’re very keen to get out of the studio and back on the road!”
30 June 2012 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (18+)
5 July 2012 – Blackbear Lodge, Brisbane (18+)
6 July 2012 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba (18+)
7 July 2012 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore (18+)
12 July 2012 – Jive Bar, Adelaide (18+)
13 July 2012 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth (18+)
14 July 2012 – Melville Youth Centre, Melville (Under 18s)
14 July 2012 – Mojo’s, Fremantle (18+)
15 July 2012 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough (18+ – Free)
20 July 2012 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (18+ – Free)
21 July 2012 – Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle (18+)
22 July 2012 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla (18+)
26 July 2012 – Royal Oak Hotel, Launceston (18+ – Free)
27 July 2012 – Republic Bar, Hobart (18+)
2 August 2012 – Transit Bar, Canberra (18+)
3 August 2012 – The Patch, Wollongong (18+)
4 August 2012 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
9 August 2012 – Toff In Town, Melbourne (18+)
If you missed out on tickets for Julia Stone’s solo show in Sydney tonight, you’re in luck. The songbird is planning a more extensive tour this September to support the release of her debut solo album By the Horns.
Tonight’s Sydney show is part of a whirlwind world tour, which has seen her selling out shows in Paris, London, Berlin, New York, Los Angeles, and the Harbour City. In contrast, the September tour will see Julia playing small venues in Australia’s major capitals and regional centres.
Members of Julia’s fan clubs get first dibs with a pre-sale tomorrow before the general sale on Thursday, June 15.
6 September 2012 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
7 September 2012 – Forum Theatre, Melbourne
8 September 2012 – Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan
12 September 2012 – The Abbey, Canberra
13 September 2012 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
15 September 2012 – The Metro, Sydney
19 & 20 September 2012 – The Courier Mail Spiegeltent, Brisbane Festival
21 September 2012 – Community Centre, Byron Bay
22 September 2012 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
28 September 2012 – Astor Theatre, Perth
5 July 2012 – Beavs Bar, Geelong (Free)
12 July 2012 – Wanneroo Tavern, Wanneroo
16 June 2012 – The Gasometer, Melbourne
It’s exciting times in the lives of Sydney indie-pop folksters