The Phoncurves Tug at “Heartstrings”

Sunday’s a funny day isn’t it? It’s still the weekend so you should be happy, but Monday’s looming like a raincloud bringing you down. What you need is some music to lighten your mood. Thankfully I have just the thing: “Heartstrings,” the latest single from Brisbane duo The Phoncurves.

This is the lead single from The Phoncurves second EP, and if it’s any indication the recording will be pretty enchanting. I love its angelic vocals and jazzy heart. The video, showing some happy music lovers growing away, is pretty fabulous too.

So, feel better about your Sunday? I thought so!

Spanish Surf Band Los Coronas Return to Australia

Is Tuesday too early in the week to reach for sangria? Because I definitely feel like a nice cold jug as I listen to “Adios Sancho,” the title track from Los Coronas’ new album.

This Spanish band is returning to our shores after their successful 2012/2013 run of Aussie dates. If you like your music a little left of centre, make sure you don’t miss their unusual blend of traditional Spanish melodies and sun-drenched surf sounds.

2 March 2014 – Clancy’s Red Room, Dunsborough
4 March 2014 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
5 & 6 March 2014 – Basement, Sydney
7 March 2014 – WOMADelaide, Adelaide
8 March 2014 – Enlighten, Canberra
9 March 2014 – Golden Plains Festival, Victoria
13 March 2014 – Republic Bar, Hobart
14 March 2014 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Michael Paynter Tours Long Awaited Debut Album

Michael Paynter has long been one of the hardest working singer-songwriters in the country, but it took his stint on The Voice for him to really hit the big time. It took that exposure for Michael to finally release his debut album Weary Stars a couple of days ago.

He wrote the album shortly after parting ways with Sony Music, and he said he’s thrilled for the public to finally hear it. It comes with a clip recorded in just one day in Avalon, Victoria, with the health of Pete Seamons from EPIK Films.

“I’ve loved his work with The Paper Kites, New Empire and Simple Plan, so I was incredibility excited to work with Pete,” Michael said. “ We went down to scope out the location with one idea and as soon as we stepped out of the car, all these new concepts started floating to our heads … the location kinda told us what it wanted to say.”

Michael will promote the album with some solo shows, as well as a couple of gigs with his old buddies from Icehouse.

12 February 2014 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
13 February 2014 – The Toff In Town, Melbourne
14 February 2014 – The Basement, Sydney
20 February 2014 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
21 February 2014 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
22 February 2014 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
23 February 2014 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
7 March 2014 – Forest Edge Music Festival, Neerim East
19 March 2014 – Belmont Sailing Club, Belmont (with Icehouse)
20 March 2014 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill (with Icehouse)
22 March 2014 – The Astor Theatre, Perth
27 March 2014 – Jive, Adelaide

Get Your Groove On with Joel Sarakula

He’s been living in the United Kingdom for the last few days, but Joel Sarakula showed he still calls Australia home when it came time to record his new album The Golden Age. He returned to his hometown of Sydney to record it at Skeet Music, and several local musicians also appear on the songs.

He also used the talents of Aussie artist Wons Phreely for the fabulous video which accompanies “Only One Still Dancing.” Anyone with a weak stomach might want to brace themselves for the conclusion, but for the most part this is an adorable clip with the cutest dancing star you’re likely to see. The song should have you tapping your toes too!

If you like this song make sure you check out The Golden Age, which is in stores now.

Pigeon’s Settle In Ready to Drop

Local electronic wunderkinds Pigeon will release their sophomore EP Settle In tomorrow. The second album from this acclaimed Brisbane band features the singles “Curtain Call” and “Two Moon Love,” which have been both been well received by local radio, fans, and the blogosphere.

The songs give us a taste of the unique electronic cocktail we can expect to sample on the short player. It’s a little European, with nods to Sebastien Tellier and Royskopp, but it’s got that distinctly Australian twist fans love. It’s also completely self-produced, mixed, mastered, and recorded too, so it definitely deserves to be celebrated! You can give them a pat on the back when Pigeon tours the EP around the major capitals next month.

6 February 2014 – The Transit Bar, Canberra
7 February 2014 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
8 February 2014 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
27 February 2014 – Boney, Melbourne
28 February 2014 – Cats @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide

Sydonia Releases “Reality Kicks” Ahead of Album Launch

Melbourne metal act Sydonia have offered us a taste of their long awaited new album with the release of the title track “Reality Kicks.” It’s a suitably epic number which gets us in the mood for the long-player, scheduled to hit stores on February 7.

The band’s rewarding fans for their patience, releasing the physical album as a CD/DVD combo. Digital versions of the album and DVD will also be available via iTunes.

“The album is the culmination of a bunch of years of hard work, sweating the small stuff and always with the loyal fans and friends we have made over the years in mind. This record is something we are intensely proud of,” said Dana Roskvist. “The DVD is our big thank you to our fans – there’s some pretty unique and once-only footage in there and it’s nice to share those unique experiences with everyone now.”

Sydonia will give us time to get acquainted with Reality Kicks before touring the country during May and June.

Dear Plastic Make Trip-Hop Splash with “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”

Lovers of Bjork and Portishead should take a listen to “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” the new single from homegrown trip-hop quintet Dear Plastic. They wear their influences on their sleeve, but this song is more than simply a ’90s throwback. Scarlette Baccini’s vocals are beautifully haunting, and there’s a real sense of theatre about the song that’s so compelling.

“Roses is about bitterness and grudges,” Scarlette explained. “It’s kind of a nasty song, but told from the perspective of the bad guy. Everyone in the musical has died and now it’s his turn to sing.”

There’s beauty in that darkness though, and it’s complemented by a gorgeous music video. Chiral Media made it using organic projections in a fish tank, which explains its ethereal, underwater vibe.

“Everything’s Coming Up Roses” is the first single from Dear Plastic’s debut album The Thieves are Babes, which is scheduled to hit stores early this year.

Boy & Bear Announce Regional Dates

So many bands focus on the capitals, so it’s refreshing to see Boy & Bear heading out to regional centres for their next tour. After conquering Europe and America, the lads will return home to play regional towns in almost every state and territory in the country.

“This will be the most extensive regional tour the band has done and we are very much looking forward to it,” gushed the band’s singer-songwriter Dave Hosking.  “We love the idea of playing to new people in new and exciting parts of the country.”

The 30-date regional run will celebrate the recent release of “Harlequin Dream,” the title track from their most recent album. I love the clip, which reminds us of the beauty of the Philippines. It was shot in Palawan just two weeks before Typhoon Haiyan hit. YouTube assures us that the people and locations we see in the clips are safe, as they were sheltered by the surrounding mountains, but it does offer links to Unicef, Oxfam, Australian Red Cross, and Save the Children Australia to make it easier to give to the cause.

Boy & Bear will play the following regional shows between April and May.

13 April 2014 – West Coast Blues ‘n’ Roots @ Fremantle Park, Perth
16 April 2014 – Mackay Entertainment Centre, Mackay (ALL AGES)
17 April 2014 – Magnums, Airlie Beach
19 April 2014 – Brothers, Cairns (15+ must be accompanied by adult)
20 April 2014 – The Venue, Townsville
22 April 2014 – Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton (ALL AGES)
23 April 2014 – Harvey Road Tavern, Gladstone
24 April 2014 – Sugarland Tavern, Bundaberg
26 April 2014 – Sunshine Coast Function Centre, Caloundra
27 April 2014 – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba (ALL AGES)
30 April 2014 – Divers Tavern, Broome
2 May 2014 – Discovery, Darwin
8 May 2014 – Black Swan Hotel, Bendigo
9 May 2014 – Regent Cinema, Ballarat (ALL AGES)
10 May 2014 – Deakin’s Costa Hall, Geelong (ALL AGES)
11 May 2014 – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool (ALL AGES)
14 May 2014 – Lismore Workers Club, Lismore
15 May 2014 – C.ex Club, Coffs Harbour
16 May – Panthers, Port Macquarie
17 May – Panthers, Newcastle (ALL AGES)
18 May 2014 – Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
21 May 2014 – The Crow Bar @ CSU, Wagga (STUDENT ONLY EVENT)
22 May 2014 – Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra (ALL AGES)
23 May 2014 – ANU Bar, Canberra
24 May 2014 – Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury (ALL AGES)
25 May 2014 – Eastbank Centre, Shepparton (ALL AGES)
28 May 2014 – West Tamworth Leagues Club, Tamworth
29 May 2014 – Charles Sturt University, Bathurst
30 May 2014 – Orange Ex Services Club, Orange
31 May 2014 – Dubbo Ex Services Club, Dubbo

The Bon Scotts’ Get Us Ready for the Weekend

With all the excitement of Christmas and New Year’s falling mid-week, weekends haven’t quite meant as much to me of late. I’ve been working sporadically across the break, but with my husband enjoying a couple of well-earned weeks off it’s felt like I’ve been enjoying one big weekend recently. However, the fact remains that the actual weekend is nearly upon us so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to introduce you to The Bon Scotts’ latest single “The Weekend Bends.”

I love its brassy horn and mellow summer vibe, but I might just love the film clip even more than the song itself. Its colourful cast of quirky characters makes it pretty irresistible!