Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Grates Annouce Splendour Sideshows

If you missed out on Splendour tickets to see The Grates, don’t worry. The Brisbane band will play a few sideshows under the banner of the Team Work Makes the Dream Work tour.

The Grates have developed an enviable reputation for their live show over more than a decade in the business. They’re set to play songs that span that career, including new single “Call Me” and others from the Dream Team album.

“It’s been ages since we’ve hit the road & performed live, and we’re stoked to be returning with rad legends Straight Arrows, and cold wave creepers Pleasure Symbols,” lead singer Patience Hodgson said in a press release. “Touring with people that you not only love watching on stage, but love hanging out with off stage, is as good as it gets.”

Tickets for the following shows are available from the venues.

8 August 2015 – The Triffid, Brisbane
14 August 2015 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
15 August 2015 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Secret Service Public Relations

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Callum Chynoweth Band Wows Me with “Hope You Know”

You know that feeling that you get when you hear a new song from a new artist and you instantly get them. That’s the way I felt listening to Callum Chynoweth Band’s new single “Hope You Know” for the first time. Incidentally as I write this I think I’m up to my sixth spin.

It makes sense that I’ve connected with it on such an emotional level, because Callum says it’s incredibly personal. “Writing it helped me to get over my own nerves and show someone very special to me how I felt,” he explained.

If you’re feeling it too, make sure you don’t miss Callum and his band playing hometown shows at Sydney’s The Townie tomorrow night (June 3) and Oxford Art Factory on July 17.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wesley Fuller Releases Retro Sounding Single

Wesley Fuller has taken me back to the 80s with his New Wave inspired single “Shock Me.” It’s bound to be the catchiest thing you’ve heard all day. I was singing along to the chorus before the end. As a child of the 80s, I was won over the moment I heard the first synth chord.

Hats off to Wesley, who wrote, performed, recorded and mixed the track in his Fitzroy North home studio. It’s actually his fourth single release this year, so no doubt we’ll hear more this prolific talent soon!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jinja Safari Mount Comeback with “Find My Way”

After delighting crowds as a solo artist, Pepa Knight is back making beautiful music with his Jinja Safari buddies. The band have just released their latest single “Find My Way” and it’s superb.

This is indie pop at its finest. It’s got a great African tribal feel mixed with a pop accessibility that’s so refreshing. It may just be the ultimate cure for Mondayitis. Seriously, I reckon it’s impossible to listen to this without a smile on your face. Vocalist Marcus Azon put together the nostalgic clip made up of footage collected during the band’s five years together.

Are you excited to have Jinja Safari back?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Telescopes Release Great New Single “Grow Lonely”

Victorian band Telescopes have released a stunning new single “Grow Lonely,” lifted from their brand new release 001 EP.

This song’s a bit of a slow burner but it really grew on me. It’s got a great ‘90s grunge influence but its vocals are more haunting than most of the acts that decade produced. It builds to a killer crescendo, so make sure you stick with it.

Not one to sit still for long, Telescopes are already in the studio working on a follow-up to 001 EP. It’s due out later this year.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Metanarratives” – Interim

Brisbane-bred and soon to be Sydney-based rock act Interim have put it all out there with their new EP Metanarratives. It’s a bold collection of five songs which the band call “narratives about narratives.” As someone who really responds to lyrics, I appreciate that they’re a band telling stories.

The press release calls Interim a “hard-out rock quintet” but that doesn’t quite convey the whole essence of this band. Honestly, the five tracks we’re treated to probably still only skim the surface, but it’s an amazing start.

The opening track “Jack” grabs you from the first notes. It feels like it could score a modern Western film. There’s a lovely grittiness to it while still being accessible.

I love the simple combination of vocals and sparse acoustic guitar opening the follow-up track, “She’s the Devil.” It feels like you might hear it around a campfire or something in the Wild West until the electric guitars break in and roughen it up. As the intensity lifts it becomes something so much more epic than it began.

“Play Your Game” feels like a throwback to classic rock acts like Led Zep and Deep Purple in the best possible way. It’s all power and passion and sheer grunt.

After such a ball-tearing number it was a relief to slow things down with the bluesy, sensual “For Your Love.” This song is the one which really shows that Interim are much more than just a “hard-out rock” act.

“Way Down” is a big song to end on, but it’s not my favourite. It seemed a little screechy, without the restraint I saw in some of their other big numbers. Sometimes less really is more. It’s epic, but don’t quite pack the emotional punch that I think it should. I can’t fault the band’s ambition though. Sometimes you’ve got to take risks, and they’re not always going to pay off. In the case of Metanarratives, mostly they do.

Metanarratives will be released via MGM Distribution on Friday June 12.

Image via Collision Course

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Expat Penelope Austin Impresses with “Trigger”

The bright lights of New York City are in stark contrast with the streets of the Southern Highlands, but it’s where locally-born songstress Penelope Austin has found her “spiritual home.” She’s been in the United States for nearly a decade learning her craft and rubbing shoulders with big name artists like the Rolling Stones. And now she’s almost ready to unleash her debut album.

The latest single “Trigger” definitely has my attention. It’s got some polish from famed UK mix engineer Cenzo Townshend (Florence & The Machine, Florence & The Machine), but he’s been careful not to smooth out Penelope’s edges. There’s real heart and desperation in this dark electro-pop song. The clip showcasing New York City looks brilliant, even though it was reportedly shot on a shoestring.

Let’s wait and see whether Penelope Austin becomes our next big breakout star.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The Haze” – We All Want To

We All Want To is one of those bands that nearly passed me by. I remember being directed to the Soundcloud of the single “Road to Ruin” a few months ago and being a bit nonplussed. It wasn’t a bad track, but it didn’t inspire me enough to earn a review. However, now that I can hear the track amongst the others on We All Want To’s album The Haze, I’ve changed my tune.

From the opening track, “Eileen Afternoon” I knew I’d judged We All Want To too quickly. I has such great spirit, like a cross between The Whitlams and REM. It put a smile on my face, and by the time “Road to Ruin” rolled around a couple of songs later I could hear it with new ears. Sure, it’s not going to change the world but it’s damn good fun. Not that We All Want To are all about having a good time. “Remove the Arrow” is so touching. Tracks like this give The Haze the light and shade it needs. I also loved “Like Buildings Collapse,” with its dramatic crashing drums and soaring trumpets.

There’s a great energy about We All Want To. Reality TV judges would say the vocals are pitchy, and the fuzzy guitars aren’t going to be to everyone’s taste, but the songs are catchy as hell. They’ve got more hooks than my dad’s tackle box. I even kind of like their imperfections.

The Haze is light and summery, with fuzzy chords and easy harmonies. It’s a lovely antidote to the autumn chills we’re having, and when warmer weather rolls around it’ll make the perfect barbeque soundtrack.

We All Want To kick off their album tour tonight, so if you’re in Melbourne get your skates on! Here are all the dates.

29 May 2015 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
30 May 2015 – The Metro, Adelaide
5 June 2015 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
6 June 2015 – The Phoenix, Canberra
7 June 2015 – The Vanguard, Sydney
13 June 2015 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
14 June 2015 – Bison Bar, Nambour
19 June 2015 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jack Carty and Jordan Miller Reunite for National Tour

Jack Carty and Jordan Millar enjoyed playing shows together in March so much that they’re set to do it all again with an acoustic tour this August.

Jack should be in fine form because he’s currently touring his latest album Esk across the United Kingdom and Europe. Meanwhile, Jordan will be taking a break from recording his next album for this tour. After time spent in the studio, he’s probably itching to get back out on stage!

If you’re on the fence about the shows, take a look at this video capturing one of their performances together in March. Do you really want to miss two singer-songwriters of this calibre playing together? I think not!

It’s also worth pre-ordering your tickets, as every one bought on presale comes with an 11-track digital live album Jack Carty & Jordan Millar – Live @ The Front Gallery. Tickets are available from Jack Carty’s website.

1 August 2015 – The Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
6 August 2015 – The Commons, Newcastle
7 August 2015 – The Street Theatre, Canberra
8 August 2015 – Venue 505, Sydney
14 August 2015 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane
15 August 2015 – Rous Mill Hall, Rous Mill
20 August 2015 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
21 August 2015 – Grace Darling Hotel, Melbourne
22 August 2015 – The Grand Poobah, Hobart

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lime Cordiale Will Make You Feel Alright

I’ve had one of those weeks. You know the ones, when there’s too much to do, not enough time to do it in, and far too many interruptions. But thankfully it’s Friday, there’s a weekend just around the corner and I have awesome tracks like Sydney duo Lime Cordiale’s new single “Feel Alright” to listen to.

“Feel Alright” has got such an easy groove and those horns are killer. If you’re digging it too, you can catch Lime Cordiale promoting the tour with an all ages show at Sydney’s Metro Lair on July 11 and an over 18s gig at Melbourne’s Shebeen on July 16. They’ve earned rave reviews for shows here and abroad, including gigs with The Griswolds, Ball Park Music, and sold out American dates with The Delta Riggs, so they’re sure to be in fine form.

Image used with permission from Rare Finds