The Bedroom Philosopher Sets Out on Single Tour

Melbourne comic The Bedroom Philosopher has just released “Northcote (So Hungover)”, the first single from his upcoming album Songs from the 86 Tram. You can listen to the song here.

The Bedroom Philosopher has quickly become a Triple J favourite with his witty satire and shoe-gazing rock stylings. I also like that he’s an equal opportunist comedian, similarly at home taking pot shots at hip hop wannabes, bogans, backpackers, and the elderly.

If you were looking for musical comedy that’s a bit edgier than Tripod and Scared Weird Little Guys, The Bedroom Philosopher may just be your cup of chai. You can catch him at the upcoming Melbourne and Sydney Comedy Festivals and a few other cities over the next few months. Check him out at the following venues!

25 March -18 April 2010 – Victoria Hotel, Melbourne
28 April 2010 – The Front Café, Canberra
29 April 2010 – The Vanguard, Sydney
5 May 2010 – Grace Emily, Adelaide
6 May 2010 – Alley Cat, Hobart
7 Friday May 2010 – Royal Oak, Launceston
9 Sunday May 2010 – Powerhouse, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Dead Letter Circus Sends Debut Album Warning

After two successful EPs and several sell-out tours, Dead Letter Circus are ready to unleash their debut album on the Aussie public.

The band recorded This is the Warning at Melbourne’s Sing Sing Studios with producer Forrester Savell, famous for his work with other local rock acts including Karnivool and The Butterfly Effect.

If you haven’t checked out DLC’s website, now’s a great time. The band just launched an online initiative which offers members access to exclusive behind-the-scenes videos and photos from the recording of the album, snippets of unfinished songs, pre-release MP3 downloads, live recordings, presale concert tickets, and heaps more.

To celebrate the album’s release on May 14, Dead Letter Circus will wind their way around the country on the This is the Warning tour. Tickets for the following shows go on sale on April 1 from the usual outlets.

28 May 2010 – Hi Fi Bar, Melbourne
29 May 2010 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide (licensed all ages)
4 June 2010 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney (licensed all ages)
5 June 2010 – Hi Fi Bar, Brisbane
11 June 2010 – POW, Bunbury
12 June 2010 – Capitol, Perth

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Georgia Fair Record Album Abroad

It’s been a little while coming, but the debut album from Georgia Fair shouldn’t be too far away.

The Sydney duo, famous for their catchy folk-pop tune “Picture Frames,” are currently recording the album in North Carolina with producer Bill Reynolds of Band of Horses fame.

But Ben Riley and Jordan Wilson be back soon enough, as they’re scheduled to join Lisa Mitchell on her Oh Hark! National Theatre tour next month. These should be fantastic shows with gorgeous intimate venues and fellow folksters Boy and Bear also on the bill.

Tickets for all shows are on sale on March 19 from the venues.

29 April 2010 – Warrnambool Entertainment Centre, Warrnambool
30 April 2010 – Bended Elbow, Geelong
4 May 2010 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
5 May 2010 – Surfers Paradise Beer Garden
6 May 2010 – Villa Noosa Hotel, Noosa
7 May 2010 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
12 May 2010 – Wollongong Uni
13 May 2010 – Penrith RSL
14 May 2010 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
16 May 2010 – Astor Theatre, Perth
20 May 2010 – HQ, Adelaide
21 May 2010 – Sir Robert Helpman Theatre, Mt Gambier
26 May 2010 – Bluestone, Ballarat
28 May 2010 – The Forum, Melbourne
29 May 2010 – Launceston Country Club
30 May 2010 – Wrestpoint Showroom, Hobart

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Hoodoo Gurus Announce “Purity of Essence” Tour

Aussie rock veterans the Hoodoo Gurus are heading out on the road to support their latest album, Purity of Essence.

The disc is set to drop on Friday, which will give everyone plenty of time to become familiar with the tracks before the tour kicks off in Fremantle in late April.

If they haven’t announced a show near you don’t be too disappointed. The Gurus promise to add more dates to this 12-show run really soon!

22 April 2010 – Metropolis, Fremantle
23 April 2010 – Dunsborough Hotel
24 April 2010 – Players, Mandurah
25 April 2010 – Hotel Rottnest, Rottnest Island
29 April 2010 – HiFi Bar, Brisbane
30 April 2010 – Twin Towns, Tweed Heads
1 May 2010 – Yamba Bowling Club
7 May 2010 – Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
8 May 2010 – HiFi Bar, Melbourne
13 May 2010 – Level One @ Newcastle Leagues
20 & 21 May 2010 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Image source: Premier Artists

Julian Casablancas Takes World Tour to Australia

Julian Casablancas is preparing to make his first solo journey Down Under. The lead singer of The Strokes will visit Oz for an East Coast tour this May.

The tour comes on the back of Julian’s acclaimed solo album Phrazes for the Young. He’s taken this album tour to England, Europe, North America, and Japan, so we should expect a pretty polished show!

You can expect these tickets to sell like proverbial hotcakes, so make sure you get yours from Ticketek early. Frontier Touring Members can get theirs at noon AEDT on March 17 ahead of the general sale at 9 am on March 23.

Julian Casablancas performs at Le Bataclan club, Paris

6 May 2010 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
7 May 2010 – Palace Theatre, Melbourne
9 May 2010 – Metro Theatre, Sydney

Ke$ha Announces Free Sydney Show for Australian Promo Tour

Australia seems to be Ke$ha crazy at the moment. Music fans took her debut single “Tik Tok” to the top of the singles chart, and her new single “Blah Blah Blah” is comfortably sitting in the top 10.

Ke$sha wants to thank her local fans with a free live performance during her upcoming promo tour. If you love Ke$ha, make sure you get down to Moore Park’s Entertainment Quarter on March 23. Ke$ha will take to the stage to perform the big singles and other tracks from her debut album Animal.

She’ll be joined on the day by a very special support act, who is yet to be announced. Are you as curious as I am? You’ll need to be there when the show kicks off at 6:30 pm to see who’ll make a surprise appearance!

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

MGMT Plays The Metro and More on Aussie Congratulations Promo Tour

MGMT promise to be very busy on their upcoming tour. The New Yorkers will perform six pop-up concerts in secret locations around the country.

Once fans register at this website they’ll receive clues about the band’s surprise concert locations. The first ten people who arrive at the venue will be part of a special MGMT event.

If that all sounds a bit like pot luck, don’t worry. The band will also perform one very special show at Sydney’s Metro Theatre on April 6. The band will play old favourites and new cuts from their sophomore effort Congratulations, which hits stores on April 9.

This show is bound to be popular, so fans will only be able to buy two tickets each to give everyone a chance. They’ll be on sale from 9 am on Thursday March 11, but don’t delay. I’m expecting this one to sell out in no time.

Image source: DaigoOliva @ Flickr

The Dynamites Bring Funked Up Soul to Bluesfest and Sideshows

One of the things I love most about festivals season is the chance to discover bands that might ordinarily pass us by. One such example is The Dynamites, a hot 10-piece soul outfit from Nashville preparing to play Byron Bay’s Bluesfest and a couple of sideshows.

With a healthy dose of James Brown and a dash of Motown and Memphis sounds, this great big band featuring industry veteran Charles Walker is set to wow us. They’re here in support of their first local release Burn It Down, which will hit stores on April 2.

While that album manages to catch some of the band’s energy, seeing them live with the horns blazing and rhythm section throbbing takes things to a whole new level.

“You can only do so much on a record,” explained Charles Walker. “The performance is a lot different. I can’t stand doing songs exactly the same. I have to stretch out a little bit. That’s part of my thing.”

You can catch the band at the following shows and see what the fuss is all about!

1 April 2010 – The Esplanade Hotel, Melbourne
2 April 2010 –Bluesfest, Byron Bay
3 April 2010 – Step Inn, Brisbane
5 April 2010 – Bluesfest, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Huey Lewis & The News Concert Postponed, But Was It Ever Happening?

Andrew McManus Presents has announced the postponement of Huey Lewis & The News upcoming Australian tour.
The official reason given is that “due to recording commitments the band is unable to leave the US at this time.”

But hang on. Shouldn’t the band have known they were recording at the time they were due Down Under? This is where the plot thickens. According to administrators on the Huey Lewis & The News forum, the tour was never confirmed with the band’s offices.

Now I don’t know a lot about organising concerts, but I would have assumed that should be the first step. Tickets probably shouldn’t have gone on sale months ago, and we definitely shouldn’t have heard of this two weeks out from the shows.

I’m lucky. I was attending a relatively local show, so all I’m dealing with is a little disappointment and money tied up until Andrew McManus Presents can reschedule the shows. That is, providing they can. But there are many folks out of pocket several hundred, even thousands of dollars, for travel and accommodation costs.

Frankly it shouldn’t happen, and I have to wonder how it has.

Image source: ZUMA Press

Spandau Ballet and Tears for Fears Bring 80s Double Act to Oz

It’s time to break out the spandex and leg warmers; Spandau Ballet are bringing their Reformation tour to Australia, and 80s megastars Tears for Fears are coming along for the ride.

Reformation is more than just the name of the tour, with both bands celebrating relatively recent reunions. After a fairly nasty split in 1990, Spandau Ballet members Tony Hadley, John Keeble, Gary Kemp, Martin Kemp, and Steve Norman mended their relationship last year. This tour marks their first Australian tour since 1985, although Tony Hadley visited our shores with Paul Young in 2008.

Meanwhile Tears for Fears members Roland Orzabel and Curt Smith parted ways in 1991, only to reunite in 2003.
I’m personally thrilled to see all the bands back together and gracing us with a visit. Jack Jones, who made his name with Aussie outfit Southern Sons, will also no doubt elicit squeals as the support act.

Tickets for the shows go on sale on February 1. Here are all the dates!

17 April 2010 – Sandalford Winery, Perth
19 April 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
21 April 2010 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
23 April 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney
27 April 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane

Image source: ZUMA Press