Kirsty Lee Akers continues to show plenty of sass with her latest single “Ain’t That Kinda Girl.” It’s a tongue-in-cheek song exploring the expectations placed on modern girls that Kirsty refuses to meet. It’s a spirited single that’s loads of fun.
The song was released while Kirsty is on a bit of a hot streak, hitting number one on the Country Music Channel (CMC) charts for her previous four successive singles. CMC named “Ain’t That Kinda Girl” its “country pick” on release, so no doubt it’s also destined for greatness!
It’s hard to believe The Ten Tenors have been making music for the last 20 years. To celebrate the milestone, the acclaimed Aussie group has just released its first album for Sony Masterworks, Wish You Were Here. The album pays tribute to some of our most loved, dearly departed performers of our time, including David Bowie, Amy Winehouse, Jon English, and Prince.
I must admit, listening to it, I thought I knew what to expect. I expected music to please the oldies, the big torch songs with operatic leanings. And this album certainly delivered that with epic performances of tracks like “Hallelujah” and “Six Ribbons.” But there’s also some really funky contemporary stuff, like stellar versions of “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” and the title track “Wish You Were Here.”
After recently completing yet another sold-out tour of the United States, the lads are in fine form and ready to wow Australian crowds at the following shows.
1 August 2017 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide
2 August 2017 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne
3 August 2017 – Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury
4 & 5 August 2017 – State Theatre, Sydney
6 August 2017 – Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
10 August 2017 – The Events Centre, Caloundra
11 August 2017 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane (Matinee & Evening Shows)
12 August 2017 – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
17, 18, & 19 August 2017 – Regal Theatre, Perth
It took just a matter of hours for the guys from Grinspoon to sell out multiple venues on their upcoming Guide to Better Living 20th Anniversary tour. I didn’t even have time to get a news announcement out before tickets were snapped up. So I’m getting in quickly this time and letting you know more shows have been announced to meet demand.
The Grinners promise to play Guide to Better Living in its entirety, start to finish, for their ardent fans. They’ll be ably supported by Hockey Dad at all shows except Darwin and the Gold Coast.
To coincide with the shows, Grinspoon will release a 20th Anniversary edition of Guide to Better Living, expanding the original 16-track album to a 49-track extravaganza with live tracks, unreleased recordings, and other rarities. You can also get a limited edition vinyl pressing for the first time. This comes packaged with a second disc recorded at New York City’s legendary venue, CBGB’s.
So there’s plenty for Grinspoon fans to get excited about, especially these shows!
23 June 2017 – Kay St Entertainment Complex, Traralgon (18+)
30 June 2017 – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne (Licensed All Ages)
1 July 2017 – Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave (18+ SOLD OUT)
6 July 2017 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (Licensed All Ages NEW SHOW)
7 July 2017 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (Licensed All Ages SOLD OUT)
8 July 2017 – The Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane (18+ SOLD OUT)
9 July 2017 – The Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane (18+ NEW SHOW)
29 July 2017 – One Tropical Day @ Darwin Ski Club, Darwin (Licensed All Ages)
3 August 2017 – The Wool Exchange, Geelong (18+)
4 August 2017 – Pier Bandroom, Frankston (18+)
5 August 2017 – Granada Tavern, Hobart (18+ SOLD OUT)
6 August 2017 – Granada Tavern, Hobart (18+ NEW SHOW)
10 August 2017 – The Jack, Cairns (18+)
11 August 2017 – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville (18+)
12 August 2017 – Magnums, Airlie Beach (18+)
17 August 2017 – Villa Noosa, Noosaville (18+)
18 August 2017 – Redland Bay Hotel, Redland Bay (18+ SOLD OUT)
19 August 2017 – Shaka Fest @ Miami Tavern, Gold Coast (18+)
24 August 2017 – Dunsborough Tavern, Dunsborough (18+ SOLD OUT)
25 August 2017 – Metro City, Perth (18+)
26 August 2017 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide (All Ages)
31 August 2017 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (18+ SOLD OUT)
1 September 2017 – Lismore City Hall, Lismore (18+)
2 September 2017 – Racecourse Hotel, Ipswich (18+ SOLD OUT)
14 September 2017 – The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay (18+ SOLD OUT)
15 September 2017 – Waves, Wollongong (18+ SOLD OUT)
16 September 2017 – UC Refectory, Canberra (18+)
20 September 2017 – CSU, Wagga Wagga (18+)
21 September 2017 – Barooga Sports Club, Barooga (18+ NEW SHOW)
22 September 2017 – Beer Deluxe, Albury (18+)
23 September 2017 – NEX Newcastle, Newcastle (18+ NEW SHOW)
With the album Head in the Trees, Heart on the Ground set to drop in just a few days’ time, I figured I should introduce you to The Singing Skies’ beautiful new single “Mountains.”
This is one of those songs that stopped me in my tracks. It’s achingly beautiful, with a haunting quality that draws you in and doesn’t let go. Take a moment to really listen, because it deserves way more than becoming background music for whatever it is you’re doing.
Head in the Trees, Heart on the Ground is released on April 21. The Singing Skies will play the Red Rattler in Marrickville on that night before hitting Golden Age Cinema in Surry Hills for Vivid Music on June 2.
Separately Dustin Tebbutt and Lisa Mitchell are creating some of the most beautiful music coming out of this country. So you just know that when they join forces, it’s going to be special. After both packing in crowds at venues across Europe, this talented twosome is coming home for the Distant Call National Tour.
Dustin and Lisa will share the same band and combine their collective energy for a truly unique 100-minute show each night. Dustin said he was inspired to perform with Lisa while touring Europe.
“Lisa and I have known each other for a few years, and we’d started looking at doing a tour together. I was in Amsterdam doing some shows and happened to be talking through it all with my keys player who also plays for Lisa. I think at one point we were joking that they could just stay on stage for both of our sets, and then the Idea to share a band started making more sense. It kind of grew from there,” he explained. “What we’re looking at now is a really collaborative show, where we share the stage, songs, and musicians; weaving our songs together. I’ll be playing some of Lisa’s music with her and she’ll be adding her magic to some of my songs. I think it’s going to be a really special run of shows.”
Tickets are available from the venues and through Dustin and Lisa’s websites.
10 June 2017 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney
11 June 2017 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
15 June 2017 – The Triffid, Brisbane (Early 5pm show)
16 June 2017 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
17 June 2017 – Solbar, Maroochydore
23 June 2017 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle
24 June 2017 – Badlands, Perth
30 June 2017 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
1 July 2017 – The Gov, Adelaide
I’ve been so impressed by everything I’ve heard from Melbourne soul outfit The Meltdown. So naturally when the band released its self-titled debut album, I couldn’t wait to wrap my ears around it. And I’ve been listening ever since.
The opening track “Darkness Into Light” sets the bar high with its epic gospel feel. It’s such a strong way to start an album, but the rest of the album certainly doesn’t feel like it lags. Every song feels like a hit, with big brassy notes and plenty of swagger. “Don’t Hesitate” feels like it could have come straight from an Otis Redding record. It’s got such a cool groove. The swampy “How Funny is Another Man’s Pain” is another real highlight.
I love it when The Meltdown is big and brassy, but the band is equally effective when things are pared back. The poignant “Forever and Always” and the striking closing number “Colours in the Sky” show just how effective restrained songs can be.
The Meltdown is just so cool, soulful, with a hint of funk and blues. The band is one of the tightest working in the country, with sublime vocals from Simon Burke and its self-titled record is one of those albums that you want to listen to again as soon as it’s done.
The Meltdown will launch its debut album with the following shows.
21 April 2017 – Gumball Festival, Hunter Valley
5 May 2017 – Venue 505, Sydney
19 May 2017 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
16 June 2017 – The Republic, Hobart 30 June 2017 – Caravan Music Club, Melbourne
Port Douglas muso Bobby Maguire has knocked my socks off with his new single “Breathe.”
The presser calls him an indie rocker, but there’s so much more going on here than that descriptor suggests. It’s as catchy as any pop song, but there’s a punky attitude in that heavy bassline that I really like. It’s that got that epic feel that a song by Kings of Leon or Naked and Famous might have, but it doesn’t feel derivative either.
I’m really looking forward to hearing more from this talented newcomer.
It’s been a long time since Australia had a girl group to call its own, but we just might have found one in Chasing Velvet. This fun act has just released their debut single “Vertigo.” Listen at your own risk, because you’re unlikely to get it out of your head for weeks.
These girls have the look, but we probably shouldn’t dump them into the same basket as Little Mix and Fifth Harmony. They’ve got a little more of a rock-edge than those British chartbusters, and they’re also much more than just voices. While all the ladies contribute their vocal talents to the single, Luci also plays guitar, Jaslyn is on bass, and Naomi has real chops behind a drum kit. Perhaps we should start thinking of them as the female equivalent of 5 Seconds of Summer rather than the next Girlfriend or Bardot.
They also weren’t put together by a money-hungry record exec or a TV talent show either. Instead they met through mutual friends; sharing their musical interests quickly led to jam sessions and Chasing Velvet was born.
With catchy tunes and real musical talent behind them, I predict we’re going to see a lot of Chasing Velvet this year.
Image used with permission from Spotlight Music Group
Even when winter seems to be prematurely setting in, I can always rely on San Cisco for summery vibes. The Fremantle band’s latest pop gem is “Hey, Did I Do You Wrong?” a new track lifted from LP number three, The Water.
Like everything San Cisco touches, this track is super infectious, in the best possible way. The lyrics, which explore the dissolution of a friendship, are also really relatable.
As I hear more from The Water, it’s clear it’s going to do great things when it’s released later this month.
When I first heard music from Sydney outfit Bad Pony in 2015, they quickly became one of my favourite Australian bands. They’ve been off my radar for a little while, but they’ve caught my attention with their latest single “Deficiency.”
Let me start by saying this isn’t the Bad Pony I remember. The song is a lot edgier, more aggressive and with more of an electronic influence, than the party tunes I’m used to from the band. At first I wasn’t sure about this new direction, but by the time I got to the chorus I was hooked. This is quality stuff that’s hooky enough to ensure it doesn’t alienate longtime fans like myself.
“Deficiency is about being absorbed by the greedy, selfish nature of Sydney,” front man Jarred Young explained in a press release. “We sat by my piano and arranged the tune from a bunch of voice memos recorded on Jarred’s phone,” adds guitarist and kick-drummer, Sam Thomlinson. “It started out as a bit of a mix and match, but came together in the end. We wrote the bridge in a rehearsal session, in one of our ‘let’s just play and see what happens’ moments. I produced the track at home, and recorded the drums with Jarred, then we sent it off to Cron (guitars and vocals) to be mixed and mastered.”
Bad Pony is currently touring the single in North America, but they’ll be back home to play for local crowds soon enough. Whether you’re in the U.S. or here in Australia, here are the dates you need.
15 April 2017 – Pianos, New York City
17 April 2017 – Sofar Sounds, Philadelphia
22 April 2017 – Canadian Music Week @ The Supermarket, Toronto
6 May 2017 – Republic Bar, Hobart
11 May 2017 – Grace Emily, Adelaide
12 May 2017 – Yah Yah’s, Melbourne
19 May 2017 – Beach Hotel, Byron
20 May 2017 – Night Quarter, Gold Coast
21 May 2017 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
25 May 2017 – Strawberry Boogie @ UOW, Wollongong
26 May 2017 – Moonshine, Manly
27 May 2017 – Chippendale Hotel, Sydney
I’ve been so impressed by everything I’ve heard from Melbourne soul outfit 
