Sydney indie popsters Circle have chased away my winter blues with their cheerful retro single “Fashion Me a Drum.”
The song recalls The Pet Shop Boys with its wave of synths and deceptive simplicity. The track gives us a taste of Circle’s highly anticipated new album The Middle. While the band has released plenty of discs before, this one is the first recorded in a real studio rather than a bedroom!
Enjoy this slice of perfect pop before The Middle drops on August 1.
Australian audiences will be treated to a special edition of Josh Ritter’s new album So Runs the World Away to coincide with his upcoming East Coast tour.
So Runs the World Away will be packaged with his new six-track EP Bringing in the Darlings for the tour edition, which hits stores on June 15. The EP features Josh’s dreamy new single “Love is Making Its Way Back Home.” I just love the music video, which was painstakingly created using more than 12, 000 individual pieces of paper. There are no special effects at work here people; just old fashioned animated genius!
The Idaho native is the son of two neuroscientists, but he decided an academic career wasn’t for him when he discovered the music of Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. And so he forged his own career in the arts and became a celebrated musician and novelist.
He first toured Australia as Martha Wainwright’s support act in 2005. He gained a legion of fans on that journey, and many of them will no doubt return to see Josh play with fellow author-come-musician Simone Felice next month.
Tickets are on sale now through Love Police for the following shows.
5 July 2012 – The Old Museum, Brisbane
6 July 2012 – Notes, Sydney
8 July 2012 – The Basement, Sydney
11 July 2012 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
England born Sweden raised brothers Mrs Bishop are now fully fledged Aussies preparing to unleash their first EP.
As you listen to their first single “Broken Wing” it’s not hard to believe these lads were once royal choristers at Windsor Castle. They’ve got such heavenly voices which come together in exquisite harmonies. The track’s very dreamlike, with a classical base and pop sensibilities.
If you’re digging how different these boys are, make sure you head out to show your support at the EP launch at Sydney’s GoodGod Small Club on June 9.
Children Collide are set to take their third album Monument to the masses next month.
This is an important tour for the band, as it’s their first with new drummer and good friend Mitch McGregor. It’s also a homecoming of sorts for Johnny Mackay, who recently relocated to New York City. Fans needn’t fear as Johnny promises he’ll return to Australia for other band engagements, but those tours may start to get a bit few and far between.
If you want to get in the live music mood make sure you check out the dynamic video for Children Collide’s new single “Cherries.” It was put together using fan photos captured on the band’s recent Sword to a Gunfight tour.
If that’s got you in the spirit make sure you snag some tickets for the following shows.
2 August 2012 – Prince of Wales Hotel, Bunbury
3 August 2012 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
8 August 2012 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide
10 August 2012 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
16 August 2012 – The Republic Bar, Hobart
17 August 2012 – The Standard, Sydney
22 August 2012 – Lismore University Bar, Lismore
23 August 2012 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
24 August 2012 – The Zoo, Brisbane
26 August 2012 – The Hotel Great Northern, Byron Bay
29 August 2012 – The Stro (UNE Armidale Uni), Armidale
30 August 2012 – The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
31 August 2012 – The Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor
1 September 2012 – Wollongong Uni Bar, Wollongong
2 September 2012 – Zierholz, Canberra
5 September 2012 – The Crow Bar, Wagga Wagga
6 September 2012 – The G (CSU Uni), Albury
7 September 2012 – Yahoo Bar, Shepparton
8 September 2012 – The Bended Elbow, Geelong
Image used with permission from Crucial Music
The Trouble with Templeton’s always impressed me with his artistic music videos which are consistently the perfect match to his songs. But he’s taken things to another level with his latest clip for “Someday Soon.”
I’ll warn you up front, this video isn’t for the faint hearted or squeamish. There’s an awful lot of blood, so much that I had trouble stomaching it. But it’s the sort of clip we might expect from a big international act rather than an independent Aussie artist. It makes one hell of an impact.
Again the clip sees The Trouble with Templeton collaborating with his brother Josh Calder.
“We always come from a place where our sole aim is to do justice to the music, rather than trying to create something that looks ‘cool’,” Josh explained. “We always strive to create something that really reflects the songs mood, character and style. We’re both story tellers at heart and with each music video we try to up the ante.”
Is your mind blown?
After garnering a loyal following in their hometown, Brisbane’s Cub Scouts are taking their music to the masses. The indie act will embark on their first national headlining tour next week to promote their impossibly catchy new single “Do You Hear.”
The band is in fine form after circling the national twice recently supporting Pluto Jonze, then Ball Park Music. You’d think they’d be ready for a rest, but I suppose they’re keen to build on the momentum!
“Do You Hear” is doing great business at the moment. It hit the top spot on the AIRit community radio charts, and has been well supported by Triple J. Hopefully we can also see the clip on Rage soon. I think the country deserves to see those orange jumpsuits, don’t you?
Whether they’ll take their questionable fashion on the road is anyone’s guess. Find out when the Cub Scouts tour bus hits your town!
26 May 2012 – The Loft, Gold Coast
1 June 2012 – FBI Social “FBI Winter Prom”, Sydney
2 June 2012 – Ed Castle ‘Plus One’, Adelaide
9 June 2012 – The Grace Darling Hotel, Melbourne
Lowlakes have created one of the most beautiful videos I’ve seen in some time for “Buffalo,” one of the four tracks featured on their self-titled debut EP.
Lacey Whelan is behind the fairy-tale style animation, which brings this haunting tune to life. “Buffalo” was one of my favourite tracks from the EP, and I’m thrilled to see it realised so beautifully with this video.
Briscoe are showing us they’re certainly not on-trick ponies with the release of their new single “Day Job.”
Their first single “Animal” was so mellow that this poppy number really took me by surprise. It’s an infectious ditty which should help getting through Friday a little easier.
If you like what you hear make sure you check out Briscoe at the following shows. Every gig is free, so you’ve got new excuse!
12 May 2012 – The Phoenix, Canberra
18 May 2012 – The Patch, Wollongong
24 May 2012 – The Landsdowne, Sydney
9 June 2012 – The Great Northern, Newcastle
I’ve always enjoyed embracing all genres of the Australian music scene on this blog. So perhaps it’s fitting that now, through writing it, I’m discovering a brand new genre. This week I received the video for “Spring Step,” Batterie’s new instrumental track classed as glitch pop electronica.
After spending some time on Google I’ve got to admit that I still don’t really know what glitch pop electronica is. Anyone care to enlighten me? But I do know that this is really interesting. It’s catchy but unpredictable, and only helped along by that colourful clip starring dancer Lo-arna Evangeline Okan.
It’s not surprising to hear Batterie’s doing great things though, because it’s the solo project of award winning local musician and producer Jared Underwood. Jared won the best original score award at Tropfest last year, and has worked with everyone from Daniel Johns and Luke Steele to The Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
What do you think of Batterie’s new single?
One of New Zealand’s most beloved bands, The Thomas Oliver Band, are crossing the ditch for their first Australian shows.
The Kiwis love TOB’s gutsy, rootsy brand of soulful rock. Their debut album Baby I’ll Play became an instant classic, and their live shows earned rave reviews. Now it’s Australia’s turn to discover what all the fuss is about.
I’m really digging the brassy bass line of their single “Goin’ Home,” which received the beast blues video away at last year’s Australian Independent Music Video Awards. Not bad for a band who hadn’t even visited our shores!
The Thomas Oliver Band will make a fleeting visit to Oz, with a show at Sydney’s Annandale Hotel on May 31 and a second at The Evelyn in Melbourne on June 1.