I’m really excited to share “Early Hours of Morning,” the latest single from Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Greg Steps with you.
The recording is one of those low-fi, home studio jobs, but the quality of the song shines through. You don’t need bells and whistles to make something so pure and special sound good. I love the way it captures a moment in time, the simple act of walking around the neighbourhood in the early hours of the morning, so vividly and eloquently. I am head over heels for this track.
Greg is planning to release an EP before the year’s end, which is good news because I need to hear more of his music.
Dead Letter Circus’ national tour is fast approaching, and tickets are still available. If you’ve been on the fence about catching them this time around, it’s worth noting the band will donate one dollar from every ticket sold to Sea Shepherd.
This money will help fund fuelling vessels for South Sea missions, feed the Sea Shepherd crew, and raise awareness about the importance of ocean conservation. If you’re passionate about the cause, you’ll also have the opportunity to match Dead Letter Circus’ donation when you purchase your ticket.
“It never ceases to amaze me the level of support Sea Shepherd receives from caring, compassionate people like Dead Letter Circus,” said Jeff Hansen, Sea Shepherd’s managing director. “Without this selfless support, our ships would remain idle at dock and not be able to defend our oceans. Sea Shepherd is delighted to have the support and on board partnership of Dead Letter Circus with a dollar from each ticket sold going straight to our fuel tanks, plus stalls at all their gigs that we encourage all to get along and see.”
And let’s not forget that your ticket also buys you a cracking night out. Dead Letter Circus is at the top of its game, with tracks like “The Burning Number” helping to propel the band’s most recent album Aesthesis to number two on the ARIA Charts. Add in Clint Boge, the former lead singer of The Butterfly Effect, appearing everywhere but WA and Melbourne band Rival Fire warming up the crowds every night and it’s an irresistible bill for hard rock fans.
18 August 2016 – The Gov, Adelaide
19 August 2016 – 170 Russell, Melbourne
20 August 2016 – The Metro, Sydney
21 August 2016 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
25 August 2016 – Brunswick Heads Hotel, Brunswick Heads
26 August 2016 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast
27 August 2016 – The Triffid, Brisbane
1 September 2016 – Players Bar, Mandurah
2 September 2016 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
3 September 2016 – Capitol, Perth
4 September 2016 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle
Melbourne rock act Residual has really impressed me with their latest single “All For You.”
It’s one of those songs that grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go. Sam Burtt’s vocals are so powerful and the driving music just hits you in the gut.
“All For You is about a relationship I was in,” Sam explained. “We had both recognised that the end was nigh, but loved each other too much to ever call it a day. However, that day came a day before we started tracking vocals. I remember sitting in the courtyard at the studio and giving the lyrics a pretty substantial re-write. This song is really about giving yourself to someone, despite the knowledge that it will soon end.”
The film clip is also killer, the perfect foil for the track’s angsty lyrics.
“All For You” comes from Residual’s EP Haunt, which is slated for release on August 26. The band will celebrate the release of the single and EP with a swag of shows in their home state, including a residency at The Workers Club, and a special Sydney gig.
“It’s been a while since we’ve been properly playing shows. We’ve done a lot of travelling whilst simultaneously preparing for this release, so there’s already a real sense of natural excitement for us – and if we do our job right, that will really rub off on the audience,” Sam said in a statement. “We just want to show everyone how much growing up we’ve done.”
Witness Residual’s evolution for yourself at the following shows. Tickets are available from the band’s website.
8 August 2016 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
12 August 2016 – Kubu Studio, Geelong
13 August 2016 – Tap House, Bendigo
15 August 2016 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
18 August 2016 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
20 August 2016 – The Loft, Warrnambool
22 August 2016 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
25 August 2016 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
29 August 2016 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
My Echo is getting nostalgic with the release of the new single “Old and Grey,” which gets an official release today. The track speaks of old friendships that have been through hardships and come out the other side stronger than ever.
To celebrate the release, My Echo will head out on a quick tour of select capital cities. Fans can look forward to hearing “Old and Grey” and other songs from the Melbourne band’s forthcoming debut album Brothers at the following shows.
30 July 2016 – The Crown and Anchor, Adelaide
5 August 2016 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
13 August 2016 – Botany View Hotel, Sydney
I’ve fallen hard for “Twenty Two,” the latest single by Sydney’s Lazy Colts.
This is one of those very introverted, special songs. The vocals aren’t big, the melody won’t get stuck in your head, but it’s a track with something to say. Take the time to really listen and I’m sure you’ll be captivated too. The gritty, honest video is just so striking too.
“Twenty Two” comes from Lazy Colts’ debut album Trojan, which will drop on August 5. The following day Lazy Colts will embark on a tour to promote its release.
6 August 2016 – Wesley Anne, Northcote (18+)
7 August 2016 – Labour in Vain, Fitzroy (18+)
13 August 2016 – Sancho’s Dirty Laundry, Canberra (18+)
20 August 2016 – The Bearded Lady, Brisbane (18+)
27 August 2016 – Franks Wild Years, Thirroul (ALL AGES)
28 August 2016 – The Oxford Circus, Sydney (18+)
4 September 2016 – Hotel Blue, Katoomba (ALL AGES)
“Wanaka,” the second single from Melbourne indie folksters The Peeks, reminds us all just how powerful a voice can be.
The single is an exercise in restraint. The gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar supports Fraser Henry’s voice beautifully. His vocals are so raw and powerful, reminding me a little of David Gray’s. It builds slowly, taking listeners along for the ride. I am completely in love with this song!
“Wanaka” comes from The Peeks’ debut album Grow Up/Grow Down, which has only just been released. The Peeks will launch it for a hometown crowd first before travelling around the country.
30 July 2016 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
5 August 2016 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane
6 August 2016 – The Treehouse on Belongil, Byron Bay
11 August 2016 – The Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
12 August 2016 – The Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Newcastle
27 August 2016 – The Loft, Warrnambool
Adelaide indie folk act The Winter Gypsy is generating plenty of buzz with their latest single “Took Me By.”
This is such a complex track, with delicate electric guitars and driving drums. It’s a little heavier than much of the folk music we’re used to hearing, but there’s a restraint about it too. It’s not like anything else I’ve heard, yet it feels totally cohesive and accessible.
I also love the video, which was shot in Mount Barker, South Australia. In a press release, The Winter Gypsy’s lead singer Tush Singh explained the meaning behind the song and its clip.
“I wrote this song about a period of time wherein my mum was battling cancer – I felt helpless because there was nothing I could do to make her better,” he said. “I wanted to portray that thought into having a visual of someone restrained and ‘crying out for help,’ but having everyone run past (me through the tunnel) because there’s nothing they can do to help me.”
“Took Me By” comes from The Winter’s Gypsy’s forthcoming EP Page I, which is released on August 5. To celebrate, the band will play the following East Coast shows. Tickets are available from the venues on the night of each show.
28 August 2016 – Bar Open, Fitzroy (18+)
4 September 2016 – The Jade, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
8 September 2016 – Playbar, Surry Hills (18+)
10 September 2016 – Smith’s Alternative, Canberra (ALL AGES)
17 September 2016 – The Exeter, Adelaide (18+)
JP Klipspringer took inspiration from the cult TV show True Detective and his own journeys backpacking around America’s south for his latest single “Can’t Be.” At its core it’s a pop song, but there’s a sinister edge to it that makes it a little more challenging than most mainstream fodder.
Personally I love the mix of sweetness and melancholy here. There’s that extra layer that many people won’t hear, but it makes the listening experience so much more compelling when it gels.
“Can’t Be” comes from JP’s first full-length album, which is expected to drop in September. JP promises to tour around the country on his album’s release.
If you’re having problems getting moving this Monday, crank up “A Fistful O’ Roses” by Sydney powerhouse The Rumjacks. Unless you’re at work, or you have sensitive ears, because there’s a little adult language involved!
Cursing aside, this is one of the most exciting, high energy songs I’ve heard in some time. It never takes its foot off the pedal as it takes aim at Sydney’s lock-out laws. I also love the way The Rumjacks intertwine their punk sensibilities with their Irish and Scottish roots.
The song comes from The Rumjacks’ upcoming album Sleepin’ Rough, which hits stores on August 5. The band is currently touring around Europe and the United Kingdom, but they’ll be back to promote the album later this year. If you’re abroad, here are the places you can catch them.
25 July 2016 – Le Local, Cambrai
26 July 2016 – Mondo Bizarro, Rennes
27 July 2016 – Le Molotov, Marseille
28 July 2016 –La Taniere, Saint-Etienne
29 July 2016 – L’Usine, Geneva
30 July 2016 – Le Blogg, Lyon
1 August 2016 – Le Gibus Club, Paris
2 August 2016 – El Diablo, Lille
3 August 2016 – Le Tigre, Selestat
4 August 2016 – Guinness Festival 2016, Sion
6 August 2016 – Los Almiros Festival 2016, Volos
9 August 2016 – The Shelter Club, Cluj-Napoca
11 August 2016 – PunkRock Holiday 2016, Tolmin
13 August 2016 – Open Flair Festival 2016, Eschwege
14 August 2016 – Taubertal Festival 2016, Rothenburg ob der Tauber
16 August 2016 – Wild at Heart, Berlin
17 August 2016 –Hafenklang, Hamburg
19 August 2016 – Umsonst und Draussen Festival 2016, Minden
19 & 20 August 2016 – Stemweder Open Air Festival 2016, Rahden
20 August 2016 – Crossnight 2016, Gutersloh
21 August 2016 – Lowlands Festival 2016, Biddinghuizen
23 August 2016 – Scruffy’s, Karlsruhe
24 August 2016 – Schwarzer Adler, Egelsee
26 August 2016 – Brintaal Festival 2016, Vicenza
27 August 2016 – Musigburg, Aarburg
30 August 2016 – Firlej, Wroclaw
31 August 2016 –Klub U Bazyla, Poznan
1 September 2016 – Ucho, Gdynia
2 September 2016 – Hydrozagadka, Warsaw
3 September 2016 – Rotunda, Krakow
4 September 2016 – Rudeboy, Bielsko-Biala
6 September 2016 – Vienna Arena, Vienna
7 September 2016 – Rock Café, Prague
8 September 2016 – Underground, Cologne
9 September 2016 – Melkweg, Amsterdam
10 September 2016 – Wild at Heart, Berlin
11 September 2016 – Abruzzo Irish Festival 2016, Notaresco
Good honest pop-rock is something we just don’t hear enough of at the moment, so I’m pretty excited to hear “Time,” a new single from the Yarra Valley’s Shaun Black.
There’s more than a hint of blues in this track, which is Shaun’s first single. He sings with a whole lot of soul and plays the guitar like nobody’s business. The song’s lyrics are also so relatable for many of us in this fast-paced modern world.
“This song is about something we all seem to not have enough of,” Shaun explained in a press release. “In today’s world full of smartphones and deadlines I think we all feel at some point in time that we need to get back in touch with ourselves and our own lives.”
