Category: Video

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MC Munk Back with Renegades of Munk

Welcome back Munk, an Aussie hip-hop veteran who’s been rapping, breakdancing, mixing, and producing since the 80s. The five-time Deadly Award nominee, who’s enjoyed fame as a solo artist and part of South West Syndicate is back with a new outfit dubbed Renegades of Munk. They’ve just released their debut single which is fittingly titled “Welcome Back.”

It’s just a taste of what’s sure to be an eclectic self-titled debut album from Renegades of Munk. It’s got one of the best guest star line-ups you’re likely to see with Anne Kirkpatrick, the Slim Dusty Band, Wilma Reading, Charley Boyter, Kutcha Edwards, and Eric Grothe Jnr. all lending their talents to the album. The album culminates with a hip-hop jam featuring more than 30 Aussie MCs including Jimblah, Rival MC, Luka Lesson, and L-Fresh the Lion.

The nine-piece Renegades of Munk will celebrate the release of “Welcome Back” with two New South Wales shows. See them at the Roller Den in Erskinville on June 6 or the Small Ballroom in Newcastle on June 7.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shelley Segal Wows me with “Morocco”

Where has Shelley Segal been all my life? This gorgeous Melbourne chanteuse is preparing to release her third studio album An Easy Escape on June 6, but this is first time I’ve heard her music. It certainly won’t be the last though, because after listening to the lead single “Morocco,” I’m a real fan.

Shelley was inspired to write the song after visiting Marrakech and Essaouira.

“I was completely blown away by the beauty of the country and the colourful, carefree, fun time that was available to me as a tourist,” she explained. “Slowly as the trip went on I began to see some of the darker sides of what it was like for many who lived there.”

The shooting of the video took Shelley back to Morocco where she got to experience “a whirlwind of people, bustling markets and beautiful seaside” all over again.

Shelley will celebrate the release of An Easy Escape with the following shows.

13 June 2014 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
26 June 2014 – The Vanguard, Sydney
28 June 2014 – Paynesville Wine Bar, Paynesville

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Busby Marou Announce My Second Mistake Tour

Busby Marou’s Farewell Fitzroy is one of those albums which has so many amazing songs that it’s hard to choose a favourite. But “My Second Mistake” is definitely amongst them. The playful song about fidelity, growing up, and a healthy dose of Catholic guilt now has an official release and an awesome Jim Henson-esque video to accompany it.

The Queenslanders are currently supporting James Blunt at the moment, but this is really just a warm-up for the headliner shows they’ll play on their My Second Mistake tour. It’ll be a real party with ex-Powderfinger guitarist Darren Middleton and banjo-wielding maestro Karl S Williams coming along for the ride.

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

25 July 2014 – Brolga Theatre & Convention Centre, Maryborough (ALL AGES)
26 July 2014 – Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre, Gladstone (ALL AGES)
27 July 2014 – Capella Cultural Centre, Capella (ALL AGES)
8 August 2014 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
9 August 2014 – Wrest Point Showroom, Hobart
10 August 2014 – The Gov, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
14 August 2014 – Baroque, Katoomba (18+)
15 August 2014 – ANU Bar, Canberra (18+)
16 August 2014 – Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale (18+)
21 August 2014 – Collector Hotel, Pararamatta (18+)
22 August 2014 – The Cambridge, Newcastle (18+)
23 August 2014 – The Basemen, Sydney (18+)
24 August 2014 – Waves, Wollongong (18+)
29 August 2014 – The Soundlounge, Gold Coast (18+)
30 August 2014 – Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane (ALL AGES)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Pierce Brothers Tour New EP, The Night Tree

I raved about The Pierce Brothers back in December when they released the soothing folk single “Tallest Teepee in Town.” Now I’m back, raving about them again ahead of the release of their highly anticipated EP The Night Tree. The recording features the epic acoustic folk single “It’s My Fault.”

The song is a worldly tale exploring forgiveness that builds into a footstomping crescendo reminiscent of Mumford & Sons. But the big difference here is that The Pierce Brothers are just two guys, not four, yet they can create a sound this stirring.

While these Melbourne brothers are homegrown, it seems we’ve been a little slow to cotton on to their brilliance. They’re far from household names here, yet “It’s My Fault” is enjoying chart success in The Netherlands where it’s on the daily playlist of commercial radio giant 3FM. They’ve also toured throughout the United Kingdom and Europe.

Hopefully more locals will start to see what The Pierce Brothers are all about when they kick off their Aussie tour on May 31, a day after the EP’s release.

31 May 2014 – The Armidale Club, Armidale
4 June 2014 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
5 June 2014 – Solbar, Maroochydore
8 June 2014 – Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads
14 June 2014 – Westernport Hotel, San Remo
20 June 2014 – Golden Vine Hotel, Bendigo
26 & 27 June 2014 – Shebeen, Melbourne
28 June 2014 – Spirit Bar, Traralgon
11 July 2014 – Hotel High Plains, Dinner Plain
12 July 2014 – The General, Mt Hotham

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ron Pope Ready for Return Aussie Visit

I must admit, I hadn’t heard of New York’s Ron Pope until I saw he was coming to Australia. However, after listening to his new single “Lick My Wounds” I figure it’s a case of better late than never. It’s got a real pop core with country and folk overtones and some clever poetic lyrics. Great stuff.

“Lick My Wounds” comes from Ron’s debut album Calling off the Dogs, which hits local stores on June 6, the same day he kicks off his Aussie tour. This is the first time he’s played here with a full band, and he’s making the most of it with some in some of Australia’s most beloved venues.

He’s no stranger to our shores though, and can’t wait to be back Down Under.

“The people, the culture, the food, the wildlife … I love everything about Australia and I’m so excited to come back and visit my fans down there,” he said in a press release for his upcoming tour.

Tickets are available now for the following shows.

6 June 2014 – Princess Theatre, Brisbane (ALL AGES)
7 June 2014 – Factory Theatre, Sydney (ALL AGES)
8 June 2014 – Workers Club, Melbourne (Under 18 afternoon show)
8 June 2014 – Workers Club, Melbourne (18+ evening show)
13 June 2014 – Astor Lounge, Perth (ALL AGES solo acoustic)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bec Laughton Tours M & R

In her new single “M & R”, Bec Laughton tells us about the abundance of music and rhythm inside of her. And that’s a good thing too, because she’s going to be gigging relentlessly over the next few months.

She’s got the obligatory promotion for the single and the EP of the same name to take care of, as well as high-profile appearances at Singapore’s Music Matters conference and Brisbane’s R’n’B festival Soulfest. No doubt she’ll have the crowds dancing as enthusiastically as the folks in her latest music video at the following shows.

21-24 May 2014 – Music Matters Live @ Clarke Quay, Singapore
31 May 2014 – Salt House, Cairns
7 June 2014 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
13 June 2014 – Armidale Club, Armidale
14 June 2014 – Upstairs Beresford, Sydney
19 June 2014 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
22 June 2014 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
27 June 2014 – The Odd Fellow, Fremantle
28 June 2014 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
29 June 2014 – The Aviary, Perth
3 July 2014 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
4 July 2014 – Golden Vine, Bendigo
25 October 2014 – Soulfest @ Riverstage, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boyeur Make Me Swoon with “Cupid”

Today Melbourne indie pop duo Boyeur have officially unleashed their brand new single “Cupid.” The release comes ahead of the band’s debut EP Gold Street, which is slated to hit stores on May 30. The lads will celebrate the releases with official launches all around the country.

It might have a romantic title, but the single is no cliché. Its lush strings are dreamy, but the song’s actually about those moments when the head gets in the way of the heart.

“Overthinking is toxic to any human relationship,” explained Tim Ischia, the band’s guitarist and vocalist, “and sometimes it prevents a relationship from even starting. All the emotions become magnified and you end up being too nervous to do anything.”

I love the way this duo marries classical elements with contemporary hip hop sounds. The song’s also so catchy, but it stays well away from the middle of the road. The two piece manages to play six instruments between them, so music lovers are in for a real treat when Boyeur play shows to support the single release next month.

“We’re really excited to play live with our string quartet,” Tim said. “We spent a lot of time perfecting our setup so that the two of us can play all of our instruments on stage and adding the string quartet to that creates something we’re really proud of!”

You can see just how good Boyeur are for yourself at the following gigs.

4 June 2014 – The Vanguard, Sydney
6 June 2014 – The Newsagency, Sydney
7 June 2014 – Rad, Wollongong
8 June 2014 – Smith’s Alternative Bookshop, Canberra (3-5pm)
26 June 2014 – The Workers Club, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Empire Tours Top 30 Album

Sydney rock quartet New Empire are celebrating the recent top 30 debut of their sophomore album In a Breath with a national tour. The sort of MMM-friendly stadium rock you’ll hear on the album is showcased beautifully by the lead single “Say It Like You Mean It.”

The boys from Cronulla have supported the likes of Owl City, Neon Trees, Simple Plan, and Good Charlotte, but now it’s there time to shine. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows from New Empire’s tour website.

7 June 2014 – Old Museum, Brisbane (ALL AGES)
13 June 2014 – Factory Theatre, Sydney (ALL AGES)
19 June 2014 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (18+)
21 June 2014 – SUB, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
26 June 2014 – Transit Bar, Canberra (18+)
27 June 2014 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli (18+)
28 June 2014 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle (18+)
4 July 2014 – The Promethean, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
5 July 2014 – Venue TBC, Perth (ALL AGES)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Evening Cast Do It Again with “Questions”

The Evening Cast are one of those awesome Aussie bands that never quite got the accolades they deserve. They plug away releasing incredible song after incredible song to very little fanfare. It’s a shame, because more people really deserve to hear their latest single “Questions.” Lucky for you, you can do just that here.

It’s got such a strong melodic centre. It all seems to effortless, and before you know it it’s over and you’re ready to play it again.

If you love “Questions” too, make sure you catch The Evening Cast when they tour the single all around the country. They’re playing some lovely intimate venues which are perfect for showcasing their special brand of music.

7 June 2014 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne
9 June 2014 – The Lass, Newcastle
20 June 2014 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
21 June 2014 – Oxford Art Factory – Gallery Bar, Sydney
27 June 2014 – The Brewery, Byron Bay
28 June 2014 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
12 July 2014 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mind Over Matter Collaborate with Bliss N Eso

After wowing listeners with their single “Real Life,” Mind Over Matter are back with a brand new track, “What They Say.” The lead single for the local hip hop duo’s album This Way to Elsewhere features special guest vocals from Bliss N Eso.

It’s such a soulful track with some really smart lyrics. What do you think of it?

Mind Over Matter’s new album This Way to Elsewhere hits stores on May 30.