Category: Video

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Williamson Readies Album Number 50

Can you believe John Williamson is preparing to release his 50th album? Believe it or not, Honest People will hit stores on July 25, and it shouldn’t disappoint his legion of fans.

It’s a collection of tales inspired by John’s hometown of Quambatook, a tight-knit community full of “honest people.” The album recalls the innocence and spirit of small towns while lamenting the loss of community that comes with progress in many regional areas. Hear John talking about it in this album teaser video.

John fans are in for a big week at the end of the month. His biography Hey True Blue will hit shelves on July 23, two days before the release of Honest People on July 25.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dance to Ella Hooper’s “The Red Shoes”

Ella Hooper doesn’t seem to be letting the news of her rebooted Spicks & Specks’ axing get her down. She’s just released one of her most upbeat songs in recent years, “The Red Shoes.” The melodic song has a darker edge with its fairytale inspired themes of obsession and possession.

“You can sometimes lose yourself in the pursuit of chasing a dream or ideal or person, becoming psychically bound to desire and perhaps risk being destroyed by it.” Ella explained. “But there’s also a weird alluring freedom in going 110% at something, knowing that you’ve probably lost perspective and control and just not caring. Dancing til your feet bleed, for example! When you’re lost in the moment, nothing else matters.”

To celebrate the release, Ella will play two intimate launch shows. Head to Newtown Social Club in Sydney on July 17 or Shebeen in Melbourne on July 18 to hear “The Red Shoes” and songs from Ella’s forthcoming album In Tongues.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Clockwise Back on my Radar with “Dancing World”

I remember when Clockwise went by the name Andy Clockwise and played countless shows around New South Wales in the early noughties. He disappeared from my radar, but it seems he’s been living in Los Angeles since 2007 and playing some pretty high-profile shows supporting the likes of Julian Casablancas, The Black Keys, Wolfmother, The Wailers, and INXS.

And on July 15, he’ll release a new EP Dancing World. If the title track’s any indication, it’s going to be something pretty special. The song’s got such a gorgeous pop sensibility but it’s also something really unique. Listening to it just feels good. The film clip is also stunning.

What a great set up for this EP, which is actually the first part of a two-part “ode to conflict, both internal and external.” To celebrate the release, Clockwise will be back on our shores for some shows later this year. Until then, we can enjoy this fabulous piece of music.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Justice Crew Make Chart History

I ordinarily try to write about the ARIA charts whenever an Aussie act’s on top. However, other work commitments have seen me missing a few of the weeks during Justice Crew’s impressive reign. It’d be remiss of me to not publish an article now though, as their song “Que Sera” has broken the record for the most number of weeks an Aussie act’s spent at the top of the ARIA Singles Chart. With nine weeks, they’ve gone one better than Austen Tayshus’ “Australiana,” Savage Garden’s “Truly, Madly, Deeply,” and Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know.” They’re still a few weeks away from equalling the overall record 13 weeks that Coolio spent on top with “Gangsta’s Paradise,” but very close to eclipsing the pre-ARIA record of 10 weeks that Daddy Cool’s “Eagle Rock” spent at number one in 1971.

Justice Crew have got some stiff competition in the form of fellow Aussie Sia, who’s having a comeback with “Chandelier.” After it appeared to be on the downslide, the song’s jumped six spots to land at number two.

Aussies are also seeing joy on the album charts, with 5 Seconds of Summer landing the number one spot with their self-titled album on debut. This album’s already spawned six top 20 hits, including the number one “She Looks so Perfect,” so its dominance was probably inevitable, but it’s still a real victory for the boys. They managed to head off the might of the Hillsong Church, who sit at number two in their first week with No Other Name.

Like Sia, Chet Faker’s also back on the upswing. His former number one album Built on Glass is back in the top ten for the first time since May. Clearly his current national tour is paying dividends!

And as if that wasn’t enough local love in the charts, 360’s also making his presence felt with his album Utopia. It sits at number eight this week.

Click below for all this week’s top 10s.

Continue reading “Justice Crew Make Chart History” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Scott Spark Releases Monday Anthem “Two Alarms”

It’s Monday at there’s no beating around the bush: it sucks. It’s the worst. There’s no cure for Mondayitis, but you can at least feel like you’re not alone when you listen to Scott Spark’s brilliant new single “Two Alarms.” The Brisbane singer-songwriter has crafted one of the catchiest melodies and some of the wittiest lyrics about the soul-sucking nature of the corporate world that I’ve ever heard.

It also comes with an awesome filmclip, animated by local cartoonist Oslo Davis, which stars Lenny, the most adorable alarm clock you’re ever likely to see. And there’s a free app too which allows you to turn your iPhone into a Scott Spark alarm clock.

And if that wasn’t enough goodness, Scott Spark will also release his sophomore album Muscle Memory, featuring “Two Alarms,” this Friday, June 13.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Ska Orchestra Ready for World Tour

I was so sad to hear of the recent axing of the ABC’s rebooted Spicks and Specks. Sure it took a little while for Josh, Ella, and Adam to settle in to the chairs. However, I felt that the essence of the show remained that same, and for that reason it’s a shame more people didn’t tune in.

Watching the show I was delighted at so many of those quirky acts that chose to transform hits for “Look What They’ve Done to My Song Ma.” The Melbourne Ska Orchestra was one of those bands that blew my mind, so I’m thrilled to see they’re moving on to bigger and better things.

The 25-piece have played shows all over Australia supporting the release of their debut album, and now they’re preparing to take it to the world. Their originals and surprising ska covers of classics like the Get Smart theme are sure to win over music lovers at high-profile events like Glastonbury and the Montreal Jazz Festival. Rest assured readers in other parts of the world, you don’t want to miss this truly original act.

26 June 2014 – The Forge, Camden, London
27 & 28 June 2014 – Glastonbury Festival
30 June & 1 & 2 July 2014 – Montreal Jazz Festival, Montreal
3 July 2014 – Festival D’ete, Quebec City
4 July 2014 – Yonge, Dundas Square, Toronto
5 July 2014 – Northern Lights Festival Boreal, Ontario

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Davidson Brothers Reveal Wanderlust

Australia’s hottest bluegrass act the Davidson Brothers are preparing to unleash their seventh studio album, Wanderlust. It’s an appropriate name considering the duo’s spent the greater part of the last few years gigging around Australia, Europe, and the United States.

The album sees Hamish and Lachlan exploring their desire to travel and new sounds which build on their love of contemporary bluegrass.

To coincide with Wanderlust’s June 20 release, the Davidson Brothers are taking us behind the scenes with the short film The Making of Wanderlust.

The Davidson Brothers will celebrate the album’s release early with a launch show at Melbourne’s Corner Hotel on June 19. Tickets are on sale from the venue now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Things of Stone and Wood Play “Happy Birthday Helen” with Babaganouj

Frankly I’m happy for any excuse to post “Happy Birthday Helen,” one of the most awesome songs to come out of the 90s, on this blog. So when I heard that Brisbane band Babaganouj had recorded a cover with their childhood idols and the original artists Things of Stone and Wood, it seemed as good a reason as any!

Apparently all this came about because people starting raving about the cover which formed part of Babaganouj’s set on a monthly 90s night. Things of Stone and Wood got wind of it so decided to pay the young band a visit while they were in Brisbane.

“We were thrilled to hear that not only was a bunch of groovy youngsters like Babaganouj listening to our song, they were playing it as well!” said Things of Stone and Wood frontman Greg Arnold. “It was a great start to our tour to smash out this version with a new generation of rock road warriors – thanks for having us!”

If this has made you all nostalgic, there’s two more shows on Things of Stone and Wood’s 25th anniversary tour. Check them out at The Flying Saucer Club at Caulfield RSL tomorrow night, or The Republic Bar in North Hobart on June 8.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vale Doc Neeson

I didn’t intend to touch my blog today. I’d queued up enough posts on the weekend to allow me to focus on the frantic pace of my other freelance work at the moment. But sometimes things happen that force you to reevaluate your plans and make time that you’re not sure that you have. Sometimes you just have to stop and reflect for a moment. So here I am, writing when I didn’t intend to write because Doc Neeson’s lost his battle with cancer.

Doc was diagnosed with a brain tumour 17 months ago, and he’s been fighting ever since. The end was forecast time and time again and Doc got back up. I remember marvelling at his performance at the RocKwiz Vanda and Young show over the Christmas break, which was televised earlier this year, being so impressed that he still had more fight in him. He wasn’t looking good, but he was still standing. I guess a man can only do that for so long.

And so we take a moment and remember his contributions to the music industry. He split with the Brewster Brothers in 1999, but continued to defiantly sing The Angels hits like “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again,” “Take a Long Line,” and “No Secrets” with his new outfit. When my American husband arrived in this country around a decade ago, he declared The Angels his favourite Aussie act. Even international artists Pearl Jam and Nirvana cited his music as major influences.

He might have been born in Northern Ireland, but he was one of us, and he will be missed. Whatever you’re doing, however busy you are I urge you to stop, take a moment, watch this video, and remember him.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Divide & Conquer Rock Out with “Superheroboy”

Sydney band Divide & Conquer show that they love to do things a little differently with their new single “Superheroboy.” It starts out like so many fun pop-punk numbers, but listen a little longer and you’ll hear its dark side. I’ve heard them described as popcore and popmosh, but you can make up your own mind.

“Superheroboy” is the lead single from Divide & Conquer’s recently released EP Long Story Short. It comes with an awesome music video which follows one man looking to solve the world’s problems by taking out one bad guy at a time.

“It was loads of fun filming ‘Superheroboy’” affirmed guitarist Lorenzo La Cava. “The organisation and process of the project was quite complex and many times we questioned our vision for the clip.”

“We came round to thinking the project was possibly too ambitious, but the end result was totally worth it” added lead vocalist Pat Thatcher.

Do you agree?