Love Like Hate Ready for English Summer Tour

Brisbane’s dark pop duo Love Like Hate released their EP Unnoticed late last year, but I’ve only just gotten around to listening to it. I’m so glad that I did. I already knew I loved the singles – “Electric Ships” and “Unnoticed – but I didn’t expect the other three songs to make up this release to be just as strong.

Its second song “Bright Eyes” is my new favourite I think. Its lyrics are exceptional and its driving beat compelling. I’m not sure whether it was written about a school shooting, but I couldn’t help but imagine a student struggling to fit in and striking back as I listened to it. The closer “Ride This Down,” which shows a softer side of the band, is so poignant and haunting. What a beautiful way to end an exceptional release.

Apparently Love Like Hate have been kicking goals overseas, but we’ve got them back for their English Summer tour this week. They’ll fit in the following local shows before heading to the United Kingdom for a headline tour (dates to be announced).

17 May 2015 – Fox Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
29 May 2015 – Captain Cook Hotel, Sydney (18+)
6 June 2015 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart (18+)
21 June 2015 – Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm (ALL AGES – FREE AFTERNOON SHOW)

Patrick James Soothes us with “California Song”

Hump Day’s a bitch. The stresses of the week are starting to pile up and the weekend seems too far away. What we all need is some relaxing music to take the edge off. That makes Patrick James’ new single “California Song” the perfect soundtrack if you ask me.

It’s got a mellow vibe without being sleepy, as it has me dreaming of road trips abroad. It seems plenty of people like what they hear, because Patrick’s single launch shows are selling fast. Don’t dilly-dally if you want tickets to his gig at Melbourne’s Northcote Social Club on June 13 or the Sydney show at Newtown Social Club on June 27.

Image used with permission from Title Track

Born Joy Dead Announce EP Launch Shows

Former Hungry Kids of Hungary frontman Ben Dalton teased us with new music from his latest endeavour Born Joy Dead with last year’s release of the single “Upside Down Inside Out.” Now with the official release of the EP Stones in My Shoe I’ve had the chance to hear a little more.

The single sets up the EP nicely. The music is upbeat and light-hearted, with a grungy fuzziness that roughens up its pop core. Born Joy Dead will showcase their new material at the following launch shows.

8 May 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
16 May 2015 – Little and Oliver, Melbourne
7 June 2015 – Livespark @ Powerhouse, Brisbane (FREE)
19 June 2015 – Mum @ The World Bar, Kings Cross

Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado

LAMA Make Me Smile with “Eat!”

I think my work is trying to tell me something. I’ve been typing away for hours and putting off breakfast, but after listening to “Eat!,” the debut single from Melbourne eight-piece LAMA I think it might be time to fry up some eggs.

It might be making me hungry, but I think I’d love it just as much with a belly full of food. “Eat!” has such a great positive vibe which demands repeat listens. I love those horns too! It’s not officially released until May 22, but LAMA is getting a jumpstart on promotions with shows in their home state starting this Friday.

The following shows should give music lovers a chance to hear tracks from LAMA’s new album, which is due out later this year.

8 May 2015 – Music Man Megastore, Bendigo
15 May 2015 – The Royal Theatre, Castlemaine
22 May 2015 –24 Moons, Northcote
23 May 2015 – God’s Kitchen, Mornington
11 June 2015 – Farmer’s Place, Anglesea

Mojo Juju Gets Electronic with New Release

Never one to shy away from change, Melbourne’s Mojo Juju is experimenting again with the release of her latest album Seeing Red/Feeling Blue.

It sees Mojo playing with longtime friend and producer Ptero Stylus on songs that are a bit more electronic than her earlier efforts, although they’ve still got an accessible pop core. The funky new single “They Come & They Go” is a prime example of the attitude Mojo Juju showcases on her latest release.

Mojo will take the new music to the masses with a national tour kicking off at Sydney’s Vivid festival later this month. Tickets are available now for the following shows.

30 May 2015 – Vivid Live 2015 @ Sydney Opera House, Sydney
5 June 2015 – Solbar, Maroochydore
6 June 2015 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
18 June 2015 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
19 June 2015 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
20 June 2015 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
21 June 2015 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
26 June 2015 – Pirie & Co. Social Club, Adelaide
27 June 2015 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
3 July 2015 – Spirit Bar, Traralgon
4 July 2015 – Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh
8 August 2015 – Darwin Festival, Darwin

Back to Basics with Alma Kalorama

New Northcote Alma Kalorama are bringing back the grungy sounds of garage rock with their new single “Now and Then.”

OK, technically the song was recorded in the lads’ home rather than their garage, but its rough and ready appeal takes me back to those days before every song was overproduced and soulless.

I really dig it, especially since you know that without a lot of technical wizardry Alma Kalorama are going to be able to produce live. They’re playing Adelaide tomorrow night before returning to their home state for shows in the middle of the month.

2 May 2015 – The Metro, Adelaide
15 May 2015 – The Workers Club, Geelong
16 May 2015 – Grace Darling, Melbourne

Betty & Oswald Wow Me with “King of Bohemia”

I hear a lot of music, but I can’t remember hearing anything quite like “King of Bohemia,” the new single from Sydney duo Betty & Oswald.

It’s retro and jazzy, but also so much grungier and dirtier than anything you’d hear at a smoky speakeasy. That grittiness makes it feel completely fresh, while its classic influences make it instantly accessible.

In short, I want to hear more. If you do too, make sure you catch Betty & Oswald as they travel around the country next month in support of “King of Bohemia.”

10 April 2015 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
11 April 2015 – The Brewery, Wollongong (FREE)
17 April 2015 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave (FREE)
18 April 2015 – The Espy, Melbourne (FREE)
22 April 2015 – Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle (FREE)
23 April 2015 – No. 5 Church St, Bellingen NSW
25 April 2015 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast (FREE)
26 April 2015 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane (FREE)

Art of Sleeping Tour “Voodoo”

After wowing crowds with their Crazy tour earlier this year, Art of Sleeping are set to do it all again with a tour to celebrate their awesome new single “Voodoo.”

Perhaps fittingly considering its title, there’s a really dark, tribal feel to this track. It perfectly captures that angst and out-of-control longing that comes with a love gone wrong.

Fans will get a sneak peek at Art of Sleeping’s forthcoming debut album at the following Voodoo shows. Tickets are on sale now.

5 June 2015 – Transit Bar, Canberra
6 June 2015 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
12 June 2015 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
13 June 2015 – Jive, Adelaide
18 June 2015 – Mojos, Fremantle
19 June 2015 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
20 June 2015 – Aplifier, Perth
26 June 2015 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
27 June 2015 – Triffid Hanger, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Dew Process

Jebediah Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Album & Tour

Karnivool aren’t the only ones celebrating a milestone. Jebediah have clocked up 20 years in the business, and they’re ringing in the anniversary with a retrospective album and tour.

The Twenty album features 20 tracks handpicked by the band and spanning their entire career. It’s a great chance of reminiscing, or the perfect introduction for music lovers who’ve only just discovered the band’s music. Twenty will be available in digital, double CD, or double vinyl and double CD formats tomorrow.

Jebediah will tour the country with special supports from some of their best friends in the business, including many who are reforming just for the occasion. Each show will see Jebediah performing some of their biggest hits before playing their debut album Slightly Odway in its entirety. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows from Jebediah’s website.

5 June 2015 – Metro Theatre, Sydney (with Front End Loader)
12 June 2015 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (with Screamfeeder)
19 June 2015 – The Corner Hotel, Richmond (with Fur)
25 June 2015 – HQ, Adelaide (with Red Jezebel)
26 June 2015 – Astor Theatre, Perth (with Turnstyle)

Image used with permission from Jones PR

Karnivool Celebrate Themata’s Release with 10 Year Anniversary Tour

A decade ago a band from Perth put together whatever cash they could find to fund their debut album. That album became Themata, a labour of blood, sweat, and tears for Karnivool. A lot has changed since that time. They don’t have to scrounge for cash to record. They’re known throughout the world, and they can sell out shows in London as easily as they can here in Oz.

Usually Karnivool focus on looking forward, but this autumn they’re treating local fans to a special retrospective tour. They’ll play all the tracks from Themata, and some special surprises to reward the loyal people who helped them get here.

Tickets are on sale now for Karnivool’s Themata Decade shows.

30 April 2015 – University, Wollongong
1 May 2015 – Panthers, Newcastle
2 May 2015 – Metro, Sydney
7 May 2015 – The Northern, Byron Bay
8 May 2015 – The Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
9 May 2015 – The Triffid, Brisbane
12 May 2015 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
15 May 2015 – Kay Street, Traralgon
16 May 2015 – Wool Exchange, Geelong
19 May 2015 – The Gov, Adelaide
21 May 2015 – Discovery, Darwin
22 May 2015 – Metro City, Perth