Ben Salter Tours “The Cat”

It seems Ben Salter has the touring bug. He’s about to hit the road to support Felix Reibl, and his just announced some solo shows once those dates wrap up. Ben’s will head out to support the release of his long-awaited debut album The Cat.

The disc doesn’t even hit stores until August 5, and critics are already calling it “an album to remember.” That shouldn’t come as a great surprise though; as a founding member of bands like The Gin Club, Giants of Science, and The Wilson Pickers Ben certainly knows his stuff.

You can see him doing his stuff supporting Felix Reibl next month, but if you’re looking for a longer set get yourself along to one of the following headliner shows.

1 September 2011 – The Bird, Perth
2 September 2011 – Norfolk Basement, Fremantle
3 September 2011 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide
7 September 2011 – Big Sound Showcase @ Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
9 September 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney
15 September 2011 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
16 September 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
17 September 2011 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
22 September 2011 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
23 September 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
24 September 2011 – The Spotted Cow, Toowomba

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Stonefield Finally Tour Australia

A good eight months have gone by since Stonefield turned my head with their rocking debut single “Through the Clover.” I waited for these young Aussie sisters to blow up, and waited, and waited. Patience is a virtue, as they say though, and it seems all that waiting is finally about to pay off.

After spending rocking Glastonbury, the girls are back with a brand new single “Black Water Rising” and a national tour in the works. It’s also been announced that after these shows wrap up they’ll warm up the stage for the legendary Cold Chisel.

It’s taken some time, but Stonefield are bound to hit those dizzy heights I predicted. If you want to see them before everyone else catches on make sure you head to one of the following shows.

25 August 2011 – Fowlers, Adelaide
26 August 2011 – The Villa ‘Speakeasy’ Perth
28 August 2011 – Hyperfest, Perth (All ages)
1 September 2011 – The Bended Elbow, Geelong
2 September 2011 – East Brunswick Club, Melbourne
3 September 2011 – The Karova Lounge, Ballarat
9 September 2011 – New York Hotel, Launceston
10 September 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart
10 September 2011 – The Grand Poobah, Hobart (Underage event)
15 September 2011 – The Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
16 September 2011 – Food & Wine Festival, Toowoomba
17 September 2011 – Powerhouse, Brisbane (All ages)
17 September 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
22 September 2011 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
23 September 2011 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle

Glenn Richards and Dan Luscombe Team Up for Aussie Tour

Two of Australia’s favorite frontmen are joining forces for a big double-header tour. Glenn Richards of Augie March and Dan Luscombe of The Drones will travel all around the country this August, September, and October, showcasing songs from their respective solo albums, Glimjack and Songs from Sunset Studies.

The lads have been good mates and sometime collaborators since meeting backstage at The Church’s famous Last Ever shows. They’ve toured together within their bands many times, so the chemistry is sure to be right when they leave those familiar outfits behind.

The rest of The Drones won’t be entirely forgotten though. Mike Noga, who’s riding high on the success of his own solo endeavour The Balladeer Hunter, will warm up the crowds at the following shows.

25 August 2011 – Toff in Town, Melbourne
26 August 2011 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
27 August 2011 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
2 September 2011 – Manhattan Wine Bar, Launceston
3 September 2011 – The Grand Poobah, Hobart
8 September 2011 – Mullum Civic Hall, Mullumbimby
9 September 2011 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
10 September 2011 – Old Museum @ Studio 3, Brisbane
15 September 2011 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
16 September 2011 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
17 September 2011 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
18 September 2011 – Transit Bar, Canberra
21 September 2011 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
23 September 2011 – Bended Elbow, Geelong
24 September 2011 – Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh
29 September 2011 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
30 September 2011 – Notes, Newtown
1 October 2011 – Hotel Gearin, Katoomba

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

“Blood Thinner” – Jordie Lane

I’ve been enjoying a lot of back-to-basics music lately, but few artists strip things back as much as Jordie Lane on his sophomore effort, Blood Thinner.

Jordie recorded the disc in hotel rooms and basements on a four-track machine, with whatever instruments he could get his hands upon. His acoustic guitar and harmonica drive these tracks, but they’re complemented by all manner of unusual music makers, including wine glasses and Tupperware containers. It sounds quirky in principle, but the result is an album that feels far from gimmicky.

With this release Jordie presents himself as a troubadour in the vein of the dearly departed Tim Buckley. There’s a similar emotional core to this music, but I also hear overtones of Neil Young and Bob Dylan in there. He’s an old soul, whether he’s writing music that feels wiser than his years or separating his CD into sides A and B.

The songs are an easy marriage of folk and blues, gentle and unadorned. The simple recording process captures a moment in time, and you really hear that immediacy in the tunes. “Thin My Blood” takes me to an open desert highway, a scene where the world whizzes by from a car window. The title of “On the Net Till Morn” seems very modern, but the track itself takes its sound right back to the birth of blues. I also loved “Not From Round Here,” a gorgeous tale of isolation exquisitely told with just a little finger-picking on the guitar and some plaintive lyrics.

There’s a real beauty to Blood Thinner that I think might only be realised after a few listens. But from that first spin there’s a truth and a talent to what Jordie Lane does. If you’re impressed by this disc, or just keen to discover what it’s all about, you can see Jordie in the flesh on his upcoming tour. It kicks off in Ararat on Thursday and travels all the way around the country.

21 July 2011 – Ararat Hotel Red Room, Ararat
22 July 2011 – Harvester Moon, Bellarine
23 July 2011 – Baby Black Café, Bacchus Marsh
24 July 2011 – Lot 19, Castlemaine
27 July 2011 – Front Gallery, Canberra
28 July 2011 – Wickham Park Hotel, Newcastle
29 July 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney
30 July 2011 – Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland
31 July 2011 – Lizottes, Kincumber
4 August 2011 – Beetle Bar, Brisbane
5 August 2011 – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi
6 August 2011 – Mullum Civic Hall, Mullumbimby
11 August 2011 – Westernport Hotel, San Remo
12 August 2011 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
13 August 2011 – Barwon Heads Bowling Club, Barwon Heads
14 August 2011 – Old Hepburn Hotel, Daylesford
17 August 2011 – The Loft, Warrnambool
18 August 2011 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide
19 August 2011 – Indi Bar, Scarborough
20 August 2011 – Norfolk Basement, Fremantle
21 August 2011 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
7 September 2011 – Deck Bar, Darwin
8 September 2011 – Mindle Beach Markets, Mindle Beach
9 September 2011 – Darwin Railway Club, Somerville Gardens
10 Setember 2011 – Jabiru Mahbilil Festival, Jabiru
11 September 2011 – Darwin Sailing Club, Darwin

Image source: JB Hi-Fi website

The Bedroom Philosopher’s Cheeky Winter Shows

The Bedroom Philosopher is looking to warm up your winter with his Head Sex and Bed Socks tour. Nothing beats those chills like a good belly laugh after all!

The Bedroom Philosopher will perform an intimate set featuring songs from his previous albums, including last year’s surprise smash Songs from the 86 Tram, as well as cuts from his forthcoming album Man. I’m pretty intrigued by this release which is set to feature “a series of manthems for the modern day retrosexual.”

You can get a good dose of The Bedroom Philosopher’s raw masculinity at the following shows.

18 August 2011 – Beavs Bar, Geelong
19 August 2011 – The Promethean, Adelaide
20 August 2011 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
25 August 2011 – Powerhouse, Brisbane
26 August 2011 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
27 August 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney
9 September 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Folk Uke: The Other Nelson and Guthrie

Few acts can boast the pedigree of Folk Uke. The band’s name gives nothing away, but the two-piece act is made up of Cathy Guthrie, the daughter of Arlo and granddaughter of Woody, and Amy Nelson, the spawn of Willie. They apparently resisted getting into the family business for as long as they could, but you just can’t waste such incredible musical genes.

While their parents were pals in the 70s, the girls didn’t find one another until fate saw them employed at the same restaurant in the 90s. They bonded over their shared childhood experiences sleeping in guitar cases and riding on tour buses, and became fast friends.

The next chapter of that friendship will see the pair conquering Australia with a string of shows this October and November. The girls will play songs from their self-titled debut and the current album Reincarnation, a disc which Snoop Dogg describes as “Off the motherfuckin’ chain … Dope as fuck.” High praise indeed.

You can see exactly what’s gotten Snoop so excited when these talented ladies take to the following local stages.

26 October 2011 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
27 October 2011 – Lizotte’s, Central Coast
28 October 2011 – Notes, Newtown
29 & 30 October 2011 – Sydney Blues & Roots Festival, Windsor
2 November 2011 – Civic Hall, Mullumbimby
3 November 2011 – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi
4 November 2011 – The Old Museum, Brisbane
5 November 2011 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
7 & 8 November 2011 – The Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
9 November 2011 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
10 November 2011 – Caravan Club, Oakleigh
11 November 2011 – East Brunswick Club, Brunswick
12 November 2011 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide
13 November 2011 – Currant Shed, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Folk Uke

Little Scout’s Beautiful Ballet Clip

After stealing my heart last month with “We Are Walking Out,” Brisbane’s Little Scout have released a film clip to accompany the single, and announced a string of East Coast shows.

This beautiful ballet-themed clip is the perfect accompaniment to this lush, uplifting single. And what a relief to see a dance-focused piece of art that’s nothing like Black Swan!

Little Scout’s upcoming gigs will support the release of their debut album Take Your Light, which hits stores on August 5. If this song worms its way into your heart as it’s done mine you won’t want to miss these concerts. Tickets are available from the venues and usual outlets.

26 August 2011 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
27 August 2011 – The Spotted Cow Hotel, Toowoomba
2 September 2011 – Workers Club, Fitzroy
10 September 2011 – Notes Live, Sydney

Eskimo Joe Ready to Rock with Album Tour

They wowed crowds with their acoustic shows in May, and now Eskimo Joe are preparing to plug in for a run of gigs in September and October. The lads will be out to celebrate the release of their fifth studio album Ghosts of the Past, which hits stores on August 12.

“We’re really looking forward to taking the intimate moments from our shows in May and presenting them on a larger stage,” said the band’s frontman Kav Temperley.

If you’re intending on taking in one of the shows it’s probably worth heading to the Eskimo Joe website. For a limited time fans can order their tour ticket, a ticket and album pre-order pack, or a VIP ticket which includes a show ticket with priority venue entry, a copy of the album, and attendance at an acoustic performance and meet and greet.

Eskimo Joe will warm up at Splendour in the Grass before heading to Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia. Never fear Tasmanians and South Australians; they’ll announce dates near you in the coming weeks.

Tickets for the following shows go on sale next Monday.

14 September 2011 – Andergrove Tavern, Mackay
15 September 2011 – Magnums, Airlie Beach
16 September 2011 – Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton
17 September 2011 – Sugarland Tavern, Bundaberg
21 September 2011 – Uni Bar Wollongong, Surry Hills
22 September 2011 – The Cube, Campbelltown
23 September 2011 – Newcastle University, Newcastle
24 September 2011 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
29 September 2011 – The Forum, Melbourne
30 September 2011 – Pier Live, Frankston
1 October 2011 – Deni Ute Muster, Deniliquin
5 October 2011 – Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour
6 October 2011 – Southern Cross University, Lismore
1 October 2011 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra
1 October 2011 – Full Noise Festival, Townsville
1 October 2011 – Tivoli, Brisbane
1 October 2011 – The Astor, Perth

Image source: Johan @ Wikimedia Commons

Thirsty Merc Keep on Rocking Around Oz

With their current single “Tommy & Krista” soaring into the iTunes top 5, Thirsty Merc have decided to extend their Rock Ya Socks Off tour.

Following a quick trip across the ditch, the Sydney band will rock its way around Oz through August, September, and October. It’s clear they’re not feeling any signs of fatigue as they’ve confirmed a massive 29 dates.

Tickets to the following shows go on sale tomorrow from the venues and usual outlets.

24 August 2011 – Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool
25 August 2011 – Ballarat Regent Multiplex, Ballarat
26 August 2011 – Gershwin Room, Esplanade Hotel, St Kilda
27 August 2011 – Live at Catalyst @ Bridgeway Hotel, Pooraka
28 August 2011 – Sandbar, Mildura
31 August 2011 – Sussex Inlet Tavern, Sussex Inlet
1 September 2011 – Marlin Hotel, Ulladulla
2 September 2011 – The Cube, Campbelltown
3 September 2011 – Wyong Leagues Club, Wyong
4 September 2011 – Panthers, Penrith
8 September 2011 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
9 September 2011 – Panthers, Port Macquarie
10 September 2011 – Club Forster, Forster
11 September 2011 – Caves Beachside, Caves Beach
14 September 2011 – High Road Hotel, Riverton
15 September 2011 – Grand Boulevard Tavern, Joondalop
16 September 2011 – Charles Hotel, North Perth
17 September 2011 – Latitude 28, Geraldton
18 September 2011 – The Ravenswood, Murray River
22 September 2011 – Sharkies, Cronulla
23 September 2011 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
24 September 2011 – SS&A, Albury
28 September 2011 – Surf Club, Noosa
29 September 2011 – Springfield Lake Hotel, Springfield Lakes
30 September 2011 – Beenleigh Tavern, Beenleigh
1 October 2011 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
28 October 2011 – Young Services Club, Young
29 October 2011 – Mulwala Ski Club, Mulwala
30 October 2011 – Club Barham, Barham

Image used with permission from Anouk Van Meeuwen Publicity

The Trews Tour Hope & Ruin Down Under

Regular tourists The Trews are heading back to Australia this September for a national tour.

It seems like only yesterday that the Canadian rock band were making their way along the East Coast. This time around though, fans in South Australia will also get a chance to see this dynamic act in the flesh. The run of dates also includes a few acoustic shows which should be a real treat.

The latest Australian tour comes on the back of last month’s release of Hope & Ruin, the band’s fourth studio album. And I suppose a brand new disc is as good a reason as any for another Aussie holiday!

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

14 September 2011 – The Great Northern, Newcastle
15 September 2011 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla (Acoustic)
16 September 2011 – Old Manly Boatshed, Manly
17 September 2011 – Sydney Fringe Festival @ Notes Live, Newtown
18 September 2011 – Beaches, Thirroul
22 September 2011 – Jive, Adelaide
23-25 September 2011 – Cherry Bar, Melbourne
28 September 2011 – The Great Northern, Newcastle
29 September 2011 – The Vault, Windsor (Acoustic)
30 September 2011 – Old Manly Boatshed, Manly
1 October 2011 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla (Acoustic)
6 October 2011 – Byron Bay Brewery, Byron Bay
7 October 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
8 October 2011 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
12 October 2011 – The Great Northern, Newcastle
13 October 2011 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla (Acoustic)
14 October 2011 – Old Manly Boatshed, Manly
15 October 2011 – The Gaelic Club, Sydney

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute