Category: Film Clips

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sheppard Release Fab Follow-Up Single

Pop songs are deceptively simple, but it takes real talent to craft a gem. Brisbane band Sheppard did it earlier this year with “Let Me Down Easy”, and they’ve proved that was no fluke with their latest single “Hold My Tongue”.

This is another slice of upbeat positivity from the band, so it’s unsurprising that it’s already become a fan favourite and a top 10 hit in Thailand.

“This is the track that’s the most fun to play live,” said George Sheppard. “It’s the one our fans love dancing to most at our shows. We asked Australia to sing along with us on Let Me Down Easy, and now it’s time to invite everyone up to shake it a little!”

“Hold My Tongue” is another stellar track that convinces me Sheppard’s debut album, which should hit stores in early 2014, will be something special.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy & Bear Release Second Album Single “Three Headed Woman”

Boy & Bear’s latest album Harlequin Dream is still doing great business in the charts. Perhaps that’s because this Aussie act is just so consistent. There’s no second–single syndrome going on with the latest cut “Three Headed Woman”. Perhaps it’s just because it’s new and shiny, but I think I like this track better than the first single “Under a Southern Sun”.

It was always going to take something to top that icy first film clip too, but this slow motion masterpiece might have just done it. Why does everything look so much cooler in slow mo? I don’t know, but this is one polished piece of video.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Toot Toot Toots are Twin Beasts

The Melbourne rockers formerly known as The Toot Toot Toots are back with a brand new name and a great new single. They’ve released their latest track “Badlove” under their new moniker Twin Beasts.

It’s a bit rough around the edges, but I think that’s one of the things I love most about it. It wears its heart on its sleeve, warts and all.

The song is the title track from the band’s follow-up to their debut album Outlaws. Its creation saw Twin Beasts in lockdown for a month with ARIA-nominated producer Burke Reid (The Drones, Oh Mercy, Gerling), focusing on their craft and the themes of love, lust, and infatuation. The album won’t hit stores until early 2014, but this song should help tide fans over.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

EMPRA Tour “Strange Condition”

After taking out a global LiveNation band competition and opening for Fall Out Boy abroad, EMPRA are stepping things up as headliners. The Melbourne band has just released their second EP Strange Condition, which features this killer title track “Strange Condition”.

The number sounds like it’s ready for the radio. It’s got a great rock feel with enough of a pop sensibility to make it instantly accessible. It might just be the thing to put EMPRA in the spotlight, which is a good thing for the band’s founder Sanny Veloo.

Sanny originally came from Singapore, where he was a member of the band Boredphucks. The conservative Singapore people didn’t take to the band’s on-stage swearing, and when it caused a riot at a local music festival Sanny and his bandmates were banned from performing anywhere in the country.

Determined to live out his musical dreams, Sanny packed his bags for the home of AC/DC, Melbourne. There he found Matt Agius, Mat Gault, and Matt Cattanach on an internet forum and EMPRA was born.

Strange Condition showcases a band that’s matured significantly since the release of their debut self-titled EP. It sees them breaking free of their influences and finding their own sound.

You can see how far EMPRA’s come when they take their live show around the country later this month.

21 & 22 September 2013 – The Workers Club, Fitzroy
29 September 2013 – The Rosemount Hotel, Perth
4 October 2013 – Newmarket Hotel, Bendigo
5 October 2013 – Crown and Anchor, Adelaide
10 October 2013 – The Annandale Hotel, Annandale

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

RubyIce Show Aussies Can Make J-Pop Too

I’d always assumed that being Japanese was a prerequisite for creating J-Pop. I mean, that’s the J part, right? But the press releases are insisting differently, hailing the identical twin sisters of RubyIce as pioneers of the genre Down Under. They’re stepping out of the Asian Pop underground scene and heading into the mainstream with the release of their new single “Can’t Nobody”.

All that energy was a bit jarring as first, but as the track unfolded I found it infectious. It’s little wonder really, as the song was penned by legendary K-Pop producer Teddy Park. The flame-haired Canberra sisters Courtney and Brittany definitely do their part to make the number come alive too.

“Recording ‘Can’t Nobody’ was the absolute experience of a lifetime for us,” they said in a press statement. “This song is about not giving up, and not allowing people’s false ideas to destroy your dreams. It’s all about standing tall, holding your head high and living your dream”.

“Can’t Nobody” is officially released on September 6. RubyIce will launch the single at the free KWave Festival at Melbourne’s Federation Square on September 7.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Little Stevies Give Away Single Ahead of Album Release

Sibylla and Beth Stephen, better known as The Little Stevies, are back with a brand new single and an album to come. The joyous “Diamonds for Your Tea” is the title track for their third album, which is scheduled to hit stores on October 3.

If you love the song, make sure you head to The Little Stevies’ website. These lovely ladies are giving a free digital copy of the song to anyone who signs up to their e-mail list.

As they’re being so generous, you might want to give something back. The Little Stevies are encouraging anyone who loves their sound to pre-order their new album through their Pozzible campaign. With seven days to go, the sisters are less than a thousand dollars shy of their target. This money will help them promote the heck out of this release and ensure it ends up in as many music lovers’ hands as possible.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Castlecomer Get Animated

Castlecomer have captivated me with the music video for their brand new single “Danny’s Dan”. The whimsical stop-animation clip was shot over ten full days, which were ten days well spent if you ask me. This stunning video should appeal to the kid in all of us.

The Sydney band has created a beautiful track in “Danny’s Den” too. It comes from the band’s EP Lone Survivor, which they’re currently touring around the country. They’ll hit Wollongong tonight before wrapping up their tour in Adelaide next week.

Tickets cost $10 on the presale or $15 on the door. Alternatively you can bundle your ticket with a signed EP for just $18. Bargain!

6 September 2013 – Ya-Ya’s, Perth
8 September 2013 – Grace Emily, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Dempsey Does Karaoke

I’m a real fan of a great cover version, and Paul Dempsey recorded plenty of them during Something for Kate’s recent national tour. He did it without the adulation of the crowd, preferring instead to record his performances backstage and post them on YouTube. This take on Talking Heads’ “This Must Be the Place”, recorded in The Corner Hotel’s male toilets, is one of my favourites.

Hopefully it made the cut for the Shotgun Karaoke EP, a recording which brings together the best of these spontaneous cover versions. Paul will celebrate its October 5 release with a rare solo national tour. Fans can look forward to those special cover versions, tracks from Paul’s solo album Everything is True, as well as some favorite Something for Kate numbers.

See Paul getting his karaoke on at the following venues.

5 October 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
9 October 2013 – Lizotte’s Dee Why
10 October 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
11 October 2013 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
12 October 2013 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
19 October 2013 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide
20 October 2013 – Fly By Night Club, Fremantle
25 October 2013 – Hi Fi, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Villainy Plans Trip Across the Ditch

“Alligator Skin” is one of the most stellar rock songs I’ve heard in some time. It’s not exactly setting the charts on fire, but hopefully that will all change when the band behind the song, New Zealand’s Villainy, hit our shores next month.

Villainy will get in front of plenty of Aussies during their stay with shows for Big Sound and support slots with Kingswood and Jackson Firebird. Fans can expect something pretty special when these guys hit the stage. It took them just a couple of months on the live circuit to land the support slot for Incubus. They’ve also supported the likes of The Offspring and Billy Talent back home. They enjoyed rave reviews for their recent headline national tour of New Zealand.

Villainy will play the lead single and other tracks from their forthcoming album Mode. Set. Clear. at the following shows.

11 September 2013 – Big Sound New Zealand Party @ Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
12 September 2013 – Big Sound Showcase @ The Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
13 September 2013 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast (supporting Kingswood)
14 September 2013 – Great Northern, Byron Bay (supporting Kingswood)
18 September 2013 – Cherry Bar, Melbourne (supporting Jackson Firebird)
19 September 2013 – The Espy Front Bar, Melbourne
20 September 2013 – Spectrum, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan Sultan Guests on Way of the Eagle Single

When ARIA-nominated producer Jan Skubisewski recruited Dan Sultan to provide guest vocals for his debut single as solo act Way of the Eagle, the result was always bound to be musical magic.

The song that came out of their work together is “Rattlesnake”, a Triple J favorite that takes us right to the cantinas of Nevada. It’s sultry and bluesy, with a dash of mariachi thrown in.

Way of the Eagle will launch this sexy single with the following shows in the major capitals.

12 September 2013 — The Zoo, Brisbane
20 September 2013 — Upstairs Beresford, Sydney (FREE)
27 September 2013 — Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne