Brilliant Benjamin Booker Announces Bluesfest Sideshows

I must admit, I meant to write about Benjamin Booker’s Bluesfest sideshows yesterday but I fell down the Spotify rabbit hole with his music instead. Writing about him fell low down my priority list as I relished the opportunity to listen to his gritty blend of soul and blues.

If you want to know what Benjamin is all about, wrap your ears around this live version of Witness, the title track from his 2017 album. A socially charged anthem exploring the racial tensions facing the United States, it’s just one of many wonderful tracks I listened to yesterday.

Whether you’re a fan or, like me, you’ve just discovered his brilliance, you won’t want to miss these shows. See him at Sydney’s Factory Theatre on March 29 or Melbourne’s Corner Hotel on March 31.

Paddy McHugh Tackles Suicide In “Down to Sydney” Single

Paddy McHugh pulls no punches with his latest single “Down to Sydney.” From the first few lines you’re hooked, wondering where this hard-hitting country-rock track will take you.

“Suicide rates in Australia are high, too high, especially for young men in rural areas. ‘Down to Sydney’ is a story that has no doubt played out many times in every small town across the country,” Paddy explained. “In the song however, the protagonist finds another way out … I guess I want people to realise that there are alternatives and there is hope even in the most unlikely places.”

“Down to Sydney” comes from Paddy’s 2017 album City Bound Trains. His Down to Sydney tour kicks off tonight in Maitland and travels around New South Wales.

18 January 2018 – Junkyard Hotel, Maitland
19-21 January 2018 – Illawarra Folk Festival, Illawarra
21 January 2018 – Midnight Special Newtown
22 January 2018 – Americana in the Park, Tamworth
25 January 2018 – Cake & Cordial Sessions, Tamworth
26 January 2018 – DAG Sheepstation, Nundle

Image used with permission from Universal Music Australia

Camp Cope Bust Glass Ceiling With Opera House Video for “The Opener”

After selling out two shows as part of Vivid LIVE, Melbourne’s Camp Cope returned to the Sydney Opera House to film the music video for their searing new single “The Opener.” The track is a passionate critique of the band’s experiences of being women trying to make their mark on the music industry.

Camp Cope continues to break down barriers, not just for their social commentary but also for their achievements. In filming their new clip they became the first punk band and first band with only female members to film a music video at the Sydney Opera House.

Camp Cope are touring the country in March to support the March 2 release of their album How to Socialise & Make Friends. With America’s Chastity Belt in support, tickets are selling fast. Limited tickets are still available for most shows, so get yours from your closest venue soon.

14 March 2018 – Republic Bar, Hobart
15 March 2018 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne
16 March 2018 – – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
17 March 2018 – Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane
20 March 2018 – Jive, Adelaide (SOLD OUT)
21 March 2018 – Basement, Canberra
22 March 2018 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
23 March 2018 – The Metro, Sydney (All Ages)

Image used with permission from Super Duper

Thompson Springs Announces Australian Shows

Chicago band Thompson Springs are heading Down Under in the New Year to play a stack of shows in New South Wales, Victoria, and the ACT. That means there’s no better time than the present to get acquainted with their music.

On their recently released EP Fond Regards, the band explores the classic sounds of the ‘60s and ‘70s. There’s some trippy psychedelic stuff on here, but I prefer Thompson Springs best on folkier numbers like “Dandelion Queen.”

You can discover more when Thompson Springs touch down in Australia next month.
5 January 2018 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
6 January 2018 – The Phoenix, Canberra
10 January 2018 – Hamilton Station Hotel, Newcastle
18 January 2018 – The Old Bar, Fitzroy
24 January 2018 – Cafe Lounge, Surry Hills
25 January 2018 – Staves Brewery, Sydney
28 January 2018 – Upstairs at Fred’s @ Live n Lounging, Camden
3 February 2018 – Red Dog Sessions, Randwick
4 February 2018 – The Record Crate, Glebe
8 February 2018 – Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney
9 February 2018 – The Townie, Newtown

Kitty, Daisy & Lewis Drop Christmas Clip Ahead of Aussie Tour

British siblings Kitty, Daisy & Lewis are getting fans into the festive spirit and excited about their upcoming Aussie tour with the release of the new video for single “Just One Kiss.” The simple clip sees the trio playing live at their home studio, which is appropriately decorated for the holidays.

This is a stripped back version of the track that appears on Kitty, Daisy & Lewis’ Superscope album, and I think I love it even more. It’s closer to how the track was originally conceived, with just Kitty singing and her guitar, before Lewis suggesting adding the piano and strings.

“The song’s about how a magic kiss can change your life,” the band said. “Kitty wrote it one night sitting in front of the fire playing guitar – perfect for all the lovers out there at Christmas time!”

Their Aussie tour is one for all the lovers too. It kicks off in Sydney on Valentine’s Day.

14 February 2018 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
15 February 2018 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
16 February 2018 – Perth Festival, Perth

Image used with permission from Inertia Music

Shed Seven Finally Announce Australian Tour

While Britpop bands like Blur and Oasis enjoyed great chart success in Australia during the ‘90s, there was another band gaining a more underground following. Perhaps avoiding the glare of an international spotlight helped Shed Seven, because they’re still together and making fantastic music while the other bands have folded. As one of the last bastions of Britpop, they’re also set to make their long-awaited visit to Australia.

If you have already cottoned on to how great Shed Seven are, you probably snapped up tickets to the shows when they went on sale this morning. If not, you might want to take a listen to their new album Instant Pleasures. It’s the first album they’ve recorded together in 16 years, but it sounds like nothing has changed. Everything clicks here. The album has that classic Britpop feel, yet there’s nothing tired about these songs. Expect that same energy when the York lads touch down next year.

“Playing live in Australia has been right at the top of our bucket list for years” the band said in a statement. “It eluded us in the ‘90s so we are ridiculously excited to finally be coming over to play these shows. We get so many great messages from fans in Australia and can’t wait to finally bring our show over for you … bring your best singing voices! ”

Expect new tracks and plenty of the old hits when Shed Seven visit Australia in April.

17 April 2018 – Capitol, Perth
19 April 2018 – The Triffid, Brisbane
20 April 2018 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
22 April 2018 – Metro Theatre, Sydney

Image used with permission from SCG Media

Thundamentals Celebrate 10 Years With Decade of the Thundakat Tour

Thundamentals have carved out a reputation as one of Australia’s most exciting and beloved hip hop acts over the last decade. Now to celebrate their tenth anniversary, Thundamentals are looking to take their music to as many fans as they can through their epic regional tour, Decade of the Thundakat.

Thundamentals have made the most of their last ten years, earning ARIA and J Award nominations, headlining their own tours in Australia and Europe and supporting legends like A Tribe Called Quest, Big Boi, and Macklemore, as well as performing at virtually every festival in the country.

“It’s 10 years of releasing records and touring, sure, but it’s so much more than that,” Tuka explained. “It’s family, it’s a platform to contribute to our community, it’s connection to the broader community at large, it’s a wealth of life-changing experiences. To be fair, it’s a crazy thing to look back on. To listen back on…”

Party with Thundamentals at the following shows. Tickets are on sale now.

9 March 2018 – Discovery, Darwin
10 March 2018 – Gap View Hotel, Alice Springs
14 March 2018 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
15 March 2018 – Dunsborough Tavern, Dunsborough
16 March 2018 – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury
17 March 2018 – Metropolis, Fremantle
22 March 2018 – Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave
23 March 2018 – Tap House, Bendigo
24 March 2018 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
29 March 2018 – The Gov, Adelaide
6 April 2018 – The Jack, Cairns
7 April 2018 – Magnums, Airlie Beach
13 April 2018 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
14 April 2018 – The Basement, Port Macquarie
15 April 2018 – The Coffs Hotel, Coffs Harbour
19 April 2018 – The Northern, Byron Bay
20 April 2018 – Surfers Beergarden, Gold Coast
21 April 2018 – Villa Noosa, Sunshine Coast
26 April 2018 – Miranda Hotel, Miranda
27 April 2018 – Waves, Wollongong
28 April 2018 – Entrance Leagues, Bateau Bay
4 May 2018 – Home Tavern, Wagga Wagga
5 May 2018 – Kinross Woolshed, Albury
11 May 2018 – Gearins Hotel, Katoomba

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley: Partners in Life and Touring

Brooke MyClymont is taking a little time out from her family band to release music with the man in her life, Adam Eckersley. One of those songs is “Train Wreck,” a track which hopefully doesn’t describe their own relationship! It comes from their self-titled album Adam & Brooke, which will hit stores on February 9.

Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley performed a string of acoustic shows in June and July and they enjoyed it so much they’ll do it again next year. The Highway Sky Tour will play capital cities and plenty of regional centres. If they’re not coming to your town, don’t worry. This already extensive tour will get more dates soon! Expect to hear the couple’s collaborations and your favourite McClymonts and Adam Eckersley Band songs too at the following shows.

9 February 2018 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
10 February 2018 – Coast Hotel, Budgewoi
23 February 2018 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
24 February 2018 – Southern Cross Club, Canberra
2 March 2018 – Armidale Ex Serviceman’s Club, Armidale
3 March 2018 – Southwest Rocks Country Club, Southwest Rocks
8 March 2018 – Leftys Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane
9 March 2018 – Lone Star Tavern, Gold Coast
10 March 2018 – South Acacia Ridge Sports Club, Brisbane South
16 & 17 March 2018 – The Pelican Playhouse, Grafton
6 April 2018 – Young Services Club, Young
7 April 2018 – Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga
12 April 2018 – Toff in Town, Melbourne
13 April 2018 – York on Lilydale, Mt Evelyn
14 April 2018 – Gateway Hotel, Geelong
26 April 2018 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
27 April 2018 – Leadbelly, Newtown
29 April 2018 – Oaks Hotel, Albion Park Rail
11 May 2018 – Brothers Leagues, Cairns
12 May 2018 – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville
13 May 2018 – Mt Pleasant, Mackay
15 May 2018 – Glenmore Tavern, Rockhampton
16 May 2018 – Hervey Road Tavern, Gladstone
17 May 2018 – Melbourne Hotel, Bundaberg
18 May 2018 – Caloundra RSL, Caloundra
19 May 2018 – Highfields Tavern, Toowoomba

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit and Deer Tick Touring Australia Together

I like to consider my finger is on the pulse of music, so I’m always pleasantly surprised when I discover a musical act with a wealth of material that hasn’t before hit my radar. I hadn’t heard of Alabama’s Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit until the press release about their tour with Deer Tick hit my inbox, but since then I haven’t been able to stop listening to album number six, The Nashville Sound. Rest assured, when I tire of this one, and I can’t imagine when that will be, I’m delving into the back catalogue.

This is actually Jason Isbell’s fifth time Down Under and Deer Tick’s second, but if like me you were slow to the party you won’t want to miss these shows. Listen to the albums and discover them before you wish that you did!

24 March 2018 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
25 March 2018 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Image used with permission from Thrillhill Music

West Thebarton Drop Bible Camp After Signing Record Deal

Adelaide rockers West Thebarton are the first act signed by Domestic La La, a brand new record label helmed by Violent Soho’s James Tidswell. To celebrate the brand new partnership, West Thebarton have just released their brand new single “Bible Camp.”

This is an absolute corker, with a wild, spontaneous energy and husky, soulful vocals from Reverend Ray.

It sounds fun, but there’s a serious message behind the song recounting the homophobia’s Ray’s mum witnessed spending her uni days in Manila.

“Two of the blokes used the camp as a retreat to meet up, as their extremely Catholic families wouldn’t ever accept them being with each other. Apparently one of their dads wasn’t too happy when he was made aware and had come down there after finding out … My mum, Dora, saw the dad kicking in the head of his son’s lover.”

Thankfully this song has a happier ending!

After wowing crowds with their off-the-hook sets at BigSound, West Thebarton have teamed up with Polish Club for their big Christmas tour. Make sure you arrive early, because you won’t want to miss their set.

1 December 2017 – The Zoo, Brisbane (with Polish Club)
2 December 2017 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney (with Polish Club)
8 December 2017 – The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne (with Polish Club)
15 December 2017 – Adelaide UniBar, Adelaide (with Polish Club)
16 December 2017 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth (with Polish Club)
31 December 2017 – NYE on the Hill, South Gippsland
2 January 2018 – Falls Festival, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR