Blog Action Day 2012: Paul Kelly, Lanie Lane & More Lend Talents to The Key of Sea Volume 2

Today is Blog Action Day, a day when bloggers all around the world join forces to spread the word about social activism and global initiatves. As this year’s theme is The Power of We, I figured it was the perfect time to chat about the latest Key of Sea album. In 2010 we saw the release of the first Key of Sea album, a project which saw established Aussie artists paired with lesser known musicians that come from diverse cultural backgrounds but proudly call Australia home. This Friday, October 19, we’ll finally hear the second installment.

In The Key of Sea Volume 2 we see acts like Paul Kelly, Lanie Lane, Chet Faker, and David Bridie joining the just discovered talents. The lead single “Silence of the Guns”, which sees Jinja Safari collaborating with East African asylum seeker Kinfe and members of the Sudanese Australian Integrated Learning Program,  gives you an idea what’s in store.

This is an album of great music, but it’s about much more than that. So it’s only fitting that it’s not simply a money-making exercise. All profits from The Key of Sea Volume 2 will be distributed amongst the Asylum Seeker Resource Center, Human Rights Arts and Film Festival, and Sudanese Australian Integrated Learning. Talk about the power of we! With the might of some great performers and the music-loving public, we can truly make a difference!

The Harlots Disgust & Amuse with “Got No Soul” Video

Feel like seeing something that’s hilariously wrong? Well feast your eyes on the music video for “Got No Soul,” the latest single from The Harlots. In it we see one man’s search for Miss Right thwarted by his affections for a children’s rocking horse. Just your average love story, isn’t it?

The clip’s more than a little bizarre, but that only makes this song that much sweeter. I love the gritty vocals and swaggering bass line. Make sure you catch those offbeat lyrics too!

Red Ink Back with “Empty Town”

After taking some time out from the biz, Red Ink are back with gusto with their brand new single “Empty Town,” the first lifted from their new album The Colour Age.

It seems like the self-imposed hiatus was a smart move for the Melbourne band. They appear to have rediscovered their love of making music. There’s definitely passion and joy in this tune, one of many the band penned on reuniting in a secluded beach house. I appreciated Red Ink before, but this song really takes things up a notch.

It’s great to have you back lads!

The Tiger & Me Serve Up Album Teaser

Genre-bending Melbourne act The Tiger & Me are building anticipation for the release of their sophomore album The Drifter’s Dawn with this nifty video. It offers an insight into the way the album came together and a sneak peek of some of its tracks. If you’re desperate to get your hands on it, don’t worry. There’s only one week to go! The Drifter’s Dawn hits music stores on October 19. The Tiger & Me will play the following shows to support its release.

27 October 2012 – Revolt, Melbourne
1 November 2012 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
2 November 2012 – The Barwon Club, Geelong
9 November 2012 – Braidwood Hotel, Braidwood
10 November 2012 – The Red Rattler, Sydney
11 November 2012 – Majors Creek Pub, Majors Creek
15 November 2012 – High Tea, Sydney (Acoustic)
25 November 2012 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
1 December 2-12 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide

Charles Baby Releases Impressive New Single

Melbourne singer-songwriter Charles Baby has well and truly charmed me with “A Happy Affair (With a Terrible Consequence),” the first cut from his debut album The End of the Terror Lights.

The record is the follow-up to Charles’ acclaimed 2010 EP Has Quiet Choruses, and the result of a year holed up in abandoned school halls in the Victorian countryside. These aren’t the most conventional places to record an album, but Charles Baby isn’t a guy who likes to follow the crowd!

If you’re digging the quirky lyrics and banjo melodies of “A Happy Affair” as much as me, make sure you see Charles Baby launching the single at Carlton’s The John Curtin Bandroom on October 27.

Lowlakes Take on America

Melbourne band Lowlakes are giving us a taste of their forthcoming debut album with the release of their new single “Cold Company.” The band hasn’t reinvented the wheel here, but when do what they do so well, why go changing?

It seems their haunting songs have hit the right note for American audiences too, as the band has been invited to play New York’s acclaimed CMJ Music Festival and some showcases. But before they spread their wings, Lowlakes will launch the single for their hometown fans at the Ding Dong Lounge.

Here are all the places Aussie and American music lovers can see Lowlakes play this month.

13 October 2012 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
17 October 2012 – Parkside Lounge, New York City
20 October 2012 – The Delancey, New York City
22 October 2012 – Pianos, New York City
25 October 2012 – Silverlake Lounge, Los Angeles

Cogel Impress with “Felusine” Film Clip

Humpdays can be pretty hard to handle, but they’re made better with intriguing music videos. And so for your viewing pleasure I bring you the clip for “Felusine,” the latest single from Sydney group Cogel’s forthcoming EP Nowhere Near.

If you like heads on sticks and awesome imagery, this is the clip for you! The epic song’s far from bad either! Hometown fans can see Cogel launching the EP on November 2 at the Beresford. You haven’t been forgotten either Melbournians and Brisbanites. Cogel promise to announce some launch dates in your parts soon!

Lisa Mitchell Offers New Single

We’ll need to wait until October 12 to hear Lisa Mitchell’s brand new album Bless This Mess, but the release of the title track should tide fans over. Lisa’s voice is as delicate as ever, but there’s real strength about the way she wields her guitar in this clip. Vocally they couldn’t be more different, but there’s something about Lisa’s sassier side that’s reminiscent of Melissa Etheridge. Either way, this gutsier song has me anticipating the album even more!

KOOII Releasing “Call Out” EP

They’re far from household names, but Beautiful Girls frontman Matt McHugh calls KOOII his “favourite band.” The genre-bending Brisbane septet hope to show Australia what caught Matt’s ear when they release their brand new EP Call Out.

The reggae-funk outfit have released two critically acclaimed albums over 10 years in the business, but Call Out is a much smaller endeavour. It has just four songs, including the catchy single “Kick It.”

Call Out will hit stores on October 8. KOOII will celebrate its release with a tour around the country, including sets at the Island Vibe and Eclipse festivals. See one of Queensland’s best kept secrets at the following venues.

13 October 2012 – Blue Beat, Sydney
14 October 2012 – Honky Tonks, Canberra (FREE)
27 October 2012 – Island Vibe Festival, Stradbroke Island.
2 November 2012 – Mandala Café, Gold Coast
3 November 2012 – Full Moon Dance Party @ Verrierdale Hall, Sunshine Coast
4 November 2012 – Greenslopes Bowls Club, Brisbane
10 November 2012 – Memorial Hall, Bellingen
10 November 2012 – Byron Bay Brewery, Byron Bay
13–15 November 2012 – The Eclipse Festival, Atherton Tablelands

Dewayne Everettsmith’s Tourism Song Gets Official Release

Ever since I heard the latest Australian Tourism commercial, I was determined to track down the man behind the song “It’s Like Love.” My Google skills failed me, but I recently learned it’s the debut single from Hobart-based singer-songwriter and sometimes Aboriginal health worker Dewayne Everettsmith.

Dewayne isn’t just a talented musician; he’s also a passionate ambassador for the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal. So it’s only fitting that Dewayne was recently presented with a custom-made Maton Guitar, dubbed The Australian Devil, to celebrate the single’s release.

Songs used in commercials have a bit of a stigma, but this track is so good that hopefully it can be appreciated on its own merits. It gets a digital release this week, and Dewayne has hit the publicity track running with photo shoots and television appearances.

“The connection people are making with ‘It’s Like Love’ is so exciting for me as a songwriter and the ability to now tour my new songs and meet a whole new group of fans who are appreciating what I do is really a privilege,” he said in a statement.

“It’s Like Love” comes from Dewayne’s debut album, which should hit stores early next year.