When I think of the music of Alice Springs I imagine earthy blues or roots or patriotic country numbers. I certainly don’t think of the sounds of Lowlakes, a cruisy ambient act that surprisingly comes from the Red Centre.
Lowlakes release their self-titled debut EP today, a recording which features this single “Song for Motion.” It’s a gorgeous slow-burning song with Tom Snowdon’s distinctive vocals and a dreamlike, epic quality. I wasn’t quite sure about it when it started but by the end I was completely won over. It’s just so different and beautiful.
Respected Queensland hip hop artist Rainman is currently traveling around the east coast to promote his brilliant new single “Darlin’.”
I love the way Rainman’s rapping works with Calski’s soulful vocals, but I think I love the accompanying clip even more. Rainman assures us it’s no music video, but when a piece of footage is backed by a single it’s hard to resist calling it one! Whatever it is, it introduces us to Rainman’s impressive vinyl collection. Colour me jealous!
The track, which is digitally released on March 23, comes from Rainman’s second album Bigger Pictures, which drops on May 4. Both release dates are a little while off yet, but Rainman is already building buzz on his single launch tour. Here are the remaining dates.
17 March 2012 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
12 April 2012 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (Free)
13 April 2012 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
14 April 2012 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
27 April 2012 – The Annandale, Sydney (Supporting Dialectrix)
28 April 2012 – Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle (Supporting Dialectrix)
Crooked Saint turns up the charm with this new single “Man in Waiting,” the second to come from his Sweating Bullets EP.
The Melbourne troubadour has created a gorgeous folk rock tune driven by his jangly banjo and warm harmonica. The song is about having too much fun, and the inevitable repercussions of living with such wild abandon. It was never intended to be a single, but it’s had such positive feedback that Crooked Saint couldn’t resist giving it a digital release.
After relocating to Sydney and Los Angeles for months at a time last year, Crooked Saint has turned his attentions back to his home state. He’s currently playing shows in his native Victoria, along with a very special Live in Your Lounge gig. Want him to play in your lounge? Then just head to ToneDeaf to enter!
15 March 2012 – Baha Tapas & Taco, Rye
16 March 2012 – The Torquay Hotel, Torquay
17 March 2012 – The Espy Basement, St Kilda
24 March 2012 – Live In Your Lounge
This week Oceanics wowed me with their new single “Chinatown (Is Not Newtown),” so when I got the opportunity to chat to the band’s guitarist Jackson Haswell I jumped at the chance. Read on to find all about the song that’s stuck in my head, the band’s forthcoming EP, and life on the road.
You’re releasing your second EP at the end of the month. What can you tell me about it?
We’d like to think that it’s a solid step in a more mature direction. Wayne Connolly really helped us develop as a collective, and better understand the principles of songwriting.
What do you think you learned between the recording of your first EP and this one?
Once again, I attribute a lot of the learning process to Wayne Connolly here. Our approach to writing songs, especially at the guitar platform, has been influenced. Elliot and I began working on newer material even during the recording process of this EP, and are excited to keep trucking with our new approach.
What was it like stepping into the studio the second time around?
Considering it was a larger studio, miles from home, it was different to say the least. We borrowed Wayne’s excellent amp collection and really had a chance to mess around with sounds and make forward strides in our journey to finding our sound.
The EP features the single “Chinatown (Is Not Newtown),” which is one of the catchiest songs I’ve heard lately. Why did you choose to share it with the public?
Thank you very much! It was a decision influenced by radio pluggers and PR types from Melbourne to Brisbane. Next time I’d be very interested to see how a decision would fare, based purely upon the band’s collective instinct.
Your press release credits your friendship as one of the keys to the band’s success. How did you all meet?
That sounds cute. I would say we’re as friendly with each other as any other young band. We all have our own friendship circles outside Oceanics. Elliot and I were friends in high school, and met Andy and Tom later when we decided to take our Simon and Garfunkel guitar duo to the live stage.
You’re about to start touring the East Coast to support the EP’s release. How do you feel about that?
We’re flying to Melbourne on Thursday night to begin the first of the shows. We’re excited to be playing that far south once again. It’s been a while.
What do you love most about playing live?
Playing electric guitar is where I find my personality extended to its fullest. Being applauded by a large group of people for purely doing what I love is the best thing I’ve encountered in my 20 years on this planet.
Will the rest of Australia get the chance to see you any time soon?
At this stage, places like Adelaide, Perth and Tasmania aren’t a feasible option. It’s certainly something I’ll be pushing for as soon as possible though. This country is huge and I want to do laps of it.
Do you have anything else in the pipeline?
Writing as many songs as possible for the foreseeable future. We want an extensive song bank to choose from for our next studio production, whenever that may be.
You can catch Oceanics doing their thing at the following venues this month and the next.
15 March 2012 – Laundry, Melbourne
16 March 2012 – FBi Social, Sydney
22 March 2012 – Cobra Kai, Brisbane (EP Launch)
23 March 2012 – Elsewhere, Gold Coast (EP Launch)
12 April 2012 – Landsdowne Hotel, Sydney
13 April 2012 – Mum, Sydney
14 April 2012 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Justin Hunter’s served up a music video that also serves as a travelogue for his new single “Courage.”
The video for the piano driven instrumental piece is made up of photographs Justin snapped while visiting The Netherlands recently. The combination of holiday snaps and soothing piano sounds is unusual, but no one who combines instrumental music with marathon running was going to play by the rules.
You might not have heard of Justin, but this Melbourne based pianist has sold tens of thousands of albums without a record label or a publicity team. Without the tools of the trade to rely upon, Justin’s music simply had to speak for itself. Now that he’s just inked a deal with Sydney’s Source Music, the sky’s the limit.
“Courage” comes from Justin’s third album Mountains to Masses, which hits stores and iTunes today.
Barry Southgate is back with “You,” the latest release from his Epitome EP. This is another sweet slice of soul music from this exciting Aussie talent, and I’m sure girls who love Chris Brown and Jason Derulo are going to lap it up.
The single comes off the back of a bumper twelve months for Barry. He took out Radar Radio’s Unsigned Find competition, and was also named a NA2R finalist. He also scored support slots for some of his favorite soul acts including Brian McKnight, Joe, Eric Benet, and K-Ci & JoJo.
2012 doesn’t sound like it’ll slow down either. Barry will appear alongside Deb Mailman and Jessica Mauboy in The Sapphires movie, and a song he co-penned will feature on Stan Walker’s new album Let the Music Play. Hopefully his own full-length record won’t be too far away!
Barry Southgate first came onto my radar when he was an Australia Idol semi-finalist a few years ago, and I’m thrilled to see him continuing to make his mark on the local scene.
Sydney electro pop outfit Radio INK are living the high life.
They were recently flown to Los Angeles to perform at Qantas’ VIP Red Carpet Ambassador Party, one of the cornerstones of the G’Day USA celebrations. They’ve also been performing private parties for the likes of the Kardashian sisters, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Miranda Kerr. And after supporting The Potbelleez and Neon Trees, they’ve just landed the coveted support slot for everyone’s favourite Danes, Aqua.
Somewhere in amongst all that schmoozing they’ll find time to release a fun new single “Who We Are Tonight,” the first to be lifted from their forthcoming debut album. The song, which is officially released on Friday, has hit written all over it, which shouldn’t be surprising since it was penned by Shelly Peiken (Jessie J/Christina Aguilera/The Veronicas) and Kojak (Flo Rida/Ke$ha/Katy Perry).
“Spending time over in the City of Angels was way too much fun. We got invited to play a bunch of crazy celebrity house parties in the Hollywood Hills, signed a worldwide publishing deal, played G’DAY LA, and hit Studio City with the creative team behind the new single,” said the band’s voice Miss S.
With Radio INK and Aqua on the same bill, we can expect some serious partying at the following shows.
7 March 2012 – Hi Fi, Brisbane
8 March 2012 – HiFi, Brisbane
9 March 2012 – Cooly Hotel, Coolangatta
11 March 2012 – HQ, Adelaide
13 & 15 March 2012 – The Palace, Melbourne
16 March 2012 – HiFi, Sydney
17 March 2012 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (all ages)
18 & 20 March 2012 – Metropolis, Fremantle
21 March 2012 – The Palace, Melbourne
Melbourne rock-pop act Celadore bring the good vibes with their new single “Bakery.”
The energetic and deliciously titled track comes from Celadore’s sophomore EP The Bright And Blue, which hit stores to widespread acclaimed last October. This fun new song should put that disc back on everyone’s radar.
Celadore has just kicked off an Aussie tour to support the single’s release. Here are the all the places you can catch them rocking out this month and the next.
8 March 2012 – The Phoenix, Canberra
9 March 2012 – The Gaelic, Sydney
10 March 2012 – Hotel Great Northern, Byron Bay
15 March 2012 – NEXT, Melbourne
16 March 2012 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
17 March 2012 – Elephant & Wheelbarrow, Launceston
23 March 2012 – Rocket Bar, Adelaide
24 March 2012 – Commercial Hotel, Mt Gambier
30 March 2012 – The Bended Elbow, Ballarat
1 April 2012 – The Tote, Melbourne (supporting Timothy Nelson & The Infidels)
12 April 2012 – Cobra Kai, Brisbane
13 April 2012 – Pacific Hotel, Yamba
14 April 2012 – Chino’s Bar, Newcastle
20 April 2012 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
Western Sydney’s A Broken Silence have just released the video for the new single “Hope” the latest track from their self-titled debut album.
I was initially confronted by the blend of hip-hop and hard rock, but as I listened to the track and its powerful lyrics I began to realise how clever it was. The mix of these abrasive genres makes a massive impact, forcing us to listen in to the band’s message of optimism about a better world. I urge you to listen to the lyrics; they’re amazing. If you can’t quite catch them all they’re available at the A Broken Silence website.
“Hope” and A Broken Silence’s debut album are in stores now.
It’s another anthemic slice of rock from the Brisbane band, but there’s more to it than simply a great sound. I love the intelligence of Skypilot’s approach to music making, the lyrics that talk about really meaty topics. In this case the band is reflecting on the dichotomy between loneliness and connection in the modern world.
“Despite the advent of the internet and social networking, today’s world can still be a lonely place,” explained the band’s bassist and keyboard player, Dan Lane. “All of us may be lost but we’re not alone. As long as one other person in the world knows our name, we’re not anonymous.”