Category: Tour Announcements

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission Covers Cold Chisel For Christmas

I love Christmas. While I don’t believe in decorating your tree before December 1, you also won’t catch me playing Whamageddon either, because I can’t imagine spending this month trying to avoid this and other glorious Christmas songs. So now that it’s December, I’m probably going to bring you plenty of new Christmas music. Deal with it. The first is Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission’s delightful cover of Cold Chisel’s “Home and Broken Hearted”. Lifted from Chisel’s debut album, it’s a track that many Aussies are unfamiliar with, so I’m thrilled that Mick and his crew are bringing it to audiences.

“Brooke [Taylor, who takes lead vocals on the song] wanted a Christmas song she could sing and I thought this is one people constantly overlook and one I was eager to have a crack at. And what a song it is. The first Cold Chisel album is one that had a major effect on me and one I think still stands up after all this time. So many good songs,” Mick enthused. “We toyed with the idea of changing the protagonist’s gender, or even name (‘Dear Jimmy it’s over, goodbye’), but there’s something timeless about the way the words cascade and people know it as it is, so we thought better of it. I guess the mandolin could never really replace Don Walker’s frantic piano in the chorus but you can’t say I haven’t given it my best shot.”

This song comes from Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission’s latest EP Back in the Day, which features some originals and other choice covers. They’re supporting its release with plenty of shows all around the country.

4 December 2022 – Leftys, Meeajin/Brisbane (with Full Power Happy Hour)
11 December 2022 – Longley International, Muwinina Country/Longley (with Teresa Dixon)
13 December 2022 – Grace Emily, Kaurna/Adelaide (with Cookie Baker)
14 December 2022 – Grace Emily, Kaurna/Adelaide (with Tom Redwood)
15 December 2022 – Grace Emily, Kaurna/Adelaide (with Mark Curtis and the Flannelettes)
16 December 2022 – River Hotel, Kaartdijin Noongar/Margaret River (with Carla Geneve)
17 December 2022 – Navy Club, Waylyup/Fremantle (with Carla Geneve)
18 December 2022 – The Oxford Hotel, Boorloo/Leederville (with Carla Geneve)
21 December 2022 – Shotkickers, Wurundjeri Country/Thornbury (with Skyscraper Stan)
22 December 2022 – Shotkickers, Wurundjeri Country/Thornbury (with Alana Jagt and the Monotremes)
23 December 2022 – Shotkickers, Wurundjeri Country/Thornbury (with Maggie Alley Band)
1 January 2023 – Archies Creek Hotel, Gunai Country/Archies Creek (with Sherry Rich and the Grievous Angels)

Image used with permission from Dave Laing Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out to The Velvet Club’s “Thinking Straight”

Naarm/Melbourne rock outfit The Velvet Club have got my toes tapping with their latest single “Thinking Straight.” This is a straight-up banger with totally relatable lyrics about escaping chaotic thoughts. Hot tip, turning a track like this up and just enjoying the music is the perfect way to get your head right!

“Lyrically, ‘Thinking Straight’ is about getting stuck in your own head and doubting yourself but at the same time recognising that you’re in your head and taking five to relax and reset,” explained lead singer AJ. “It’s just about recognising that at times things get overwhelming and to accept that and find ways to relax and get back on track when it happens instead of dwelling in it and trying to avoid it.”

The Velvet Club have been impressing crowds recently opening up for Ra Ra Viper. They’ve got just three shows for that tour left, plus some other gigs in the coming months. Here are all the places you can see them:

1 December 2022 – Liberty Alive, Boorloo/Perth (supporting South Summit)
3 December 2022 – Mojos, Waylyup/Fremantle (ALL AGES supporting Ra Ra Viper)
3 December 2022 – Mojos, Waylyup/Fremantle (18+ supporting Ra Ra Viper)
4 December 2022 – Mojos, Waylyup/Fremantle (18+ supporting Ra Ra Viper)
18 February 2023 – Now & Again Festival @ Werribee Park, Wirribi-yaluk/Werribee

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co; credit: Tim Lambert

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Yorke Drops Poptastic Single “when the honeymoon is over” Ahead of EP Release

Yorke has dropped another taste of her new EP which has me even more excited about its launch later this week. With the release of new single “when the honeymoon is over,” we’ve now heard three stellar pop gems from this five-track EP. While I’m really looking forward to hearing the final pieces of the puzzle, I’m also relishing this song for a little while.

I also love the video, the second Yorke’s created with her director and partner Kyle Caulfield. I hear it took a month of long days and nights, including countless trips to Bunnings, but it’s come together beautifully.

“Love can sort of just sneak up on you at the least expected of times, these heart balloons are the visual metaphor for those feelings of love starting to introduce themselves into life, in a way that can’t be ignored,” Kyle explained.

Yorke’s new EP ten feet tall drops on December 2. Fresh from supporting Peach PRC, she’ll play the following headlining shows along the East Coast in the New Year to support its release.

3 February 2022 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne
9 February 2022 – The Lansdowne, Eora/Sydney
10 February 2022 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“For Wise People Who Appreciate Quality” – Sick Visor

As if they understood just how challenging Thursdays can be, Naarm/Melbourne indie-punk duo Sick Visor have dropped their debut EP For Wise People Who Appreciate Quality, and yes, it’s every bit as fabulous as its title. In fact, it’s an absolute joy.

Indie-punk and joy don’t often go hand in hand, but this isn’t your average collection of punk songs. There’s the energy, driving drums, and big chords we associate with the genre, but these songs are more about celebrating life than complaining about what’s wrong with it. I’m not sure I’ve ever related more to a punk song than the opening track, “Happy Pessimistic People Person Introvert”. “My Legs Feel Good In My Pants” reminds us all to appreciate the now and all its little wins. Want more positivity? “Love is Free” brings it in spades. Not that Sick Visor view the world totally through rose-coloured glasses. “Shit for Brains” is a self-deprecating anthem for musos all too aware of their shortcomings. “Sticky Tape” rounds out the EP. If ever a song was the equivalent of a big warm hug, this is it. Again, it embraces the flaws, reminding us that while we might be holding ourselves together with sticky tape, we’re far from the only ones.

After supporting the likes of Bugs and TOWNS in Melbourne, Sick Visor have announced some headlining gigs to support today’s release of For Wise People Who Appreciate Quality. Catch them at one of the following shows:

25 November 2022 – Greaser Bar, Brisbane (FREE)
2 December 2022 – Penny’s, Naarm/Melbourne (FREE)
3 December 2022 – Simple Cider, Nipaluna/Hobart (supporting the Sleepyheads)
5 December 2022 – MONA Lawns, Nipaluna/Hobart


Images used with permission from Habit Music Co; main image credit: Nick Manuell

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Seb Szabo Releases Fantastic New Track, “Leading on You (Wrecking Ball)”

Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Seb Szabo has just dropped his funky new single “Leading on You (Wrecking Ball)”. If you know Seb’s material, I think this one might surprise you. It’s a world away from his folky singles, but I absolutely love its bold attitude.

“The song has had a long journey, but it’s evolved into something super polished without losing any of the teeth or groove it’s had since its raw beginning,” said Seb.

Seb is currently on the road supporting this single’s release. You can still catch him at one of the following venues:

12 November 2022 – O’Skulligan’s, Meeanjin/Brisbane
25-27 November 2022 – Queenscliff Music Festival, Wadawurrung Country/Queenscliff
3 December 2022 – The Toff In Town, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from Habit Music; credit: Lucinda Goodwin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

LOSER Drops First Taste of New EP, “Heaven Can Wait”

Before you hit play on LOSER’s new single “Heaven Can Wait,” hit that volume. Crank it. Trust me. This is one of those killer rock cuts that deserves to be played loud.

“This song was written back in 2019 and was intended to make it on our first album Mindless Joy. It felt like too much of a leap forward for the sound at the time but now it’s making its debut finally!” enthused the band’s frontman Tim Maxwell. “The song’s lyrics portray my feelings towards the fear of death and anxiety, back then I was an anxious wreck and always thought of the worst-case scenario in my head.”

“Heaven Can Wait” is the first track lifted from LOSER’s EP Stadium Dreams on a Bedroom Budget. Rather than dropping it all at once, LOSER is releasing each song individually right through until May 19 next year.

“The whole idea with this EP was to switch up how we’ve released music in the past,” the band explained. “We’ve always been a traditional album band, but this new EP felt like a fresh direction for us musically, so we thought it could be fun to try something a little different in the way we presented it. It’s not a collection of singles, it’s more like a Netflix TV series, where the entire body of work is designed to flow as a whole, but is presented piece by piece.”

Give LOSER follow on Spotify to make sure you don’t miss one! In addition to the songs, LOSER will also drop limited edition merc, exclusive live performance vids, and a special Golden Backstage Pass. Just like Willy Wonka’s golden tickets, this pass will be randomly inserted into one lucky merch buyer’s parcel. The lucky winner will get free tickets to any show LOSER headlines for life. Unless you’ve got the golden ticket, you’ll need to click the links to get tickets for the following shows:

12 November 2022 – Unibar, Tarntanya/Adelaide
17 November 2022 – Crowbar, Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Ian Laidlaw

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ella Hooper Releases Fantastic New Single “Words Like These”

Ella Hooper has taken plenty of musical twists and turns through her career. I love that she keeps us guessing, but I kind of hope she stays in her current space for a little while. The country-rock vibes of her latest track “Words Like These” is right up my alley.

‘“Words Like These’ celebrates but also pokes fun at my lifelong obsession with language, poetry and communication, the world of words,” Ella admits. “A high-level communicator by day, sometimes in love and woo-ing is where the writer gets stuck, mixed messages, misunderstandings, promises are made and broken!”

“Words Like These” is the latest track lifted from Ella’s forthcoming album Small Town Template, which will be released on January 20. She’s currently playing songs from that record and some old favourites at shows all over the country. Here are the remaining dates:

11 November 2022 – Trinity Sessions, Tarntanya/Adelaide
12 November 2022 – Trinity Sessions, Tarntanya/Adelaide
17 November 2022 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
18 November 2022 – The Zoo, Meeanjin/Brisbane
19 November 2022 – Miami Marketta, Ngarangwal/Gold Coast
20 November 2022 – Brunswick Picture House, Durring/Brunswick Heads
25 November 2022 – Marys Underground, Eora/Sydney
26 November 2022 – Centro, Woolyungah/Wollongong

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jacob Fitzgerald Continues His Winning Ways With “Long Way Home”

It’s starting to feel like Naarm/Melbourne-based indie-rock artist Jacob Fitzgerald can do no wrong. After wowing me with his previous singles “Muse” and “Shame on You,” he’s back with the earnest pop-rock gem, “Long Way Home.”

“It covers my own heartbreak and tells a story of loss. Basically, ‘Long Way Home’ is the song I wish I never had to write,”Jacoe admitted. “Essentially, LWH is about savouring the moment before the final goodbye. It follows the shock of heartbreak and captures the emotions of knowing that no matter what is said, the choice won’t be yours … they’ve made up their mind. It was a goal of the band and me to capture the intimacy and intensity of this track both lyrically and sonically. Overall, ‘Long Way Home’ was written to mend a broken heart, and with the help of my closest friends, we built a track that we just fricken love! I’m so proud of it as it captures a moment in time, I never knew I wanted to keep. It’s my silver lining and I can only hope it makes people feel something too!”

Jacob will play a string of shows to celebrate the single’s release. Catch him at the following venues:

25 November 2022 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane
26 November 2022 – Hiway Live, Eora/Sydney
16 December 2022 – Crown & Anchor, Tandanya/Adelaide
17 December 2022 – The Workers Club, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Austin Mackay Impresses With “Dancing Through the Fire”

Austin Mackay is one of those artists who is so good, it’s hard to stop at just one song. I intended to give his latest single “Dancing Through the Fire” a listen to decide whether to write about it or not. That was about three hours ago, because I found myself listening to the entire Dancing Through the Fire EP. Multiple times. It’s honest folk-rock with just a sprinkling of pop to make it extra irresistible. As for the single, I can imagine cranking it up on my next road trip. The synths and sax make it sound so good, but this track came from a fairly difficult chapter of Austin’s life.

“’Dancing Through The Fire’ is a song that I wrote about the realisation of a relationship that was falling apart right in front of me,” he explained. “That initial moment when clarity kicked in and I finally saw the warning signs that had been there all along … I noticed the string of bad habits and unhealthy compromise that caused me to become so far removed from myself. But for some unknown reason I tried to hold the damn thing together.”

At least he got a great song out of it, right? Austin is currently touring all over the country. Catch him at one of his remaining shows:

28 October 2022 – The Workers Club, Naarm/Melbourne
29 October 2022 – Commonfolk, Boonwurrung Country/Mornington
31 October 2022 – Westernport Hotel, Yallock Bulluk Beek Country/San Remo (FREE)
4 November 2022 – The Chippo Hotel, Eora/Sydney
5 November 2022 – Bitter & Twisted Festival, Minderibba/Maitland
17 November 2022 – Beach Hotel, Cavanbah/Byron Bay (FREE)
18 November 2022 – Felons Barrel Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane (FREE)
19 November 2022 – Solbar, Kabi Kabi Country/Sunshine Coast
27 November 2022 – Summer Sesh Festival, Gumbaynggirr Country/Coffs Harbour

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.; credit: Kieran Tunbridge

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Loretta Start Your Week Right With “dad’s mercedes”

Eora/Sydney indie-pop act Loretta are back with a new single “dad’s mercedes”. I fell pretty hard for these guys with the release of “Late Night” last year, and I’m so glad they’re back on my radar. Its optimistic energy is just what you need to feel better about your Monday morning.

“Lyrically, this one came from a time in our lives when we felt like love had lower stakes,” the band explained. “Exploring the narrative of two young lovers chasing after one another, in a place where you may be ready for love and relationships and all that comes with it; but one of you can’t quite commit, both being fully aware of each other’s feelings. It comes from a happy place where nothing feels like it needs to be too serious. We made sure to capture that feeling sonically; it needed to feel youthful.”

Loretta are currently playing shows around the eastern states to support the release of “dad’s mercedes”. They’re at it again this weekend with shows in New South Wales. Catch them at the following venues in the coming weeks.

4 November 2022 – Cambridge Hotel, Awabakal/Newcastle
5 November 2022 – La La La’s, Tharawal/Wollongong
10 November 2022 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane
11 November 2022 – Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney
2 December 2022 – Vanfest, Wiradjuri/Bathurst

Image used with permission from Good Intent