Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Miss Elm’s “Bitter Taste” is Oh So Good

Brisbane’s Miss Elm are giving us a sneak peek of their new EP, Hybrid, with the release of the sassy new single “Bitter Taste.” I love the blend of sugar meets sour in this tale of a jilted lover. It’s pop with a dark undercurrent that’s just so delicious.

Miss Elm will celebrate the release of “Bitter Taste” with an East Coast tour, which kicks off in the band’s hometown on October 2. Here are all the places you can catch them play.

2 October 2014 – The Globe Theatre, Brisbane
10 October 2014 – The Petersham Bowls Club, Sydney
24 October 2014 – The Gasometer, Melbourne
25 October 2014 – Currumbin Creek Tavern, Gold Coast

Image used with permission from Pricewar Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Secret City Release Eye-Popping Animated Clip

Sydney band The Secret City have outdone themselves with their incredible video for new single “Little Darling.” This animated clip is Dreamworks worthy stuff, which tells a timeless tale of a boy and girl thwarted in their quest for love. Sure, most love stories don’t take place inside clocks, but I’m sure you’ll be able to relate. Major props go to Big Cookie Studios for their work on this.

And the song itself is pretty fabulous too. It’s a beautiful marriage really, with gorgeous visuals matching a really unique blend of folk and pop.

I hear these guys are incredible live, with three dynamic performers out front of an ever-changing cast of bass players, drummers, keyboardists, and programmers. You can find out for yourself when The Secret City launch “Little Darling” at the following shows.

17 October 2014 – Lazy Bones, Marrickville, NSW
6 November 2014 – Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
8 November 2014 – Ric’s, Brisbane
30 November 2014 – Petersham Bowling Club, Petersham

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Safia Showcase “You Are The One” Single on National Tour

Safia are hitting the road to celebrate the release of their stunning new single “You Are The One.”

This is one of the most emotional electronic numbers I’ve heard in some time. I’m all for a song that gets you on the dance floor, but when you find a song that gets you grooving and really moves you it’s something special.

If you love it too, then make sure you check Safia out on the single launch tour, which kicks off in Queensland tonight!

19 September 2014 – The Factory, Maroochydore
20 September 2014 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
21 September 2014 – ‘Stranded’, Gold Coast
25 September 2014 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
26 September 2014 – Star Bar, Bendigo
27 September 2014 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
4 October 2014 – ‘Yours & Owls’ 4th Birthday, Wollongong
5 October 2014 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
31 October 2014 – ‘Halloween Party’ @ The Bakery, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

It’s a Small World in Marrickville

Sydneysiders looking for a way to spend their Saturday should head on down to Marrickville. Tickets are still available for Small World, a fantastic one-day festival which celebrates the fantastic music, food, and craft beer of Sydney’s inner-west.

The lineup is fantastic, with enduring rockers Tumbleweed, punk string band Little Bastard, bluesters The Snowdroppers, hip hop act True Vibenation, and heaps more entertaining crowds.

Top inner-west eateries Bloodwood, Cornersmith, Mary’s, and Porteno will keep the punters bellies full. Finally, local brewery Young Henrys, the team behind the entire event, will showcase their drops including the Newtowner, the Cloudy Cider, and their new Nobile Cut Hand Crafted Gin.

Small World will hit Jabez Street, Marrickville, this Saturday, September 20. Tickets are on sale now from the Small World Festival website.

Image used with permission from Spark and Opus

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Antiskeptic Release Retro Clip

The right music video can make any song so much more awesome. Melbourne’s Antiskeptic have certainly gotten it right with their Back to the Future-inspired clip for “Hey Dissident,” the lead single from their third album Stare Down the Ocean. It’s a fitting return for this band after a six-year hiatus.

Stare Down the Ocean hits stores on September 19. The album was crowdfunded by fans who raised more than $20,000 to support its release. That’s not bad for an act that’s been out of action for a while. Early reports insist that it’s Antiskeptic’s most cohesive and anthemic release to date, so it sounds like it’s been money well spent.

Antiskeptic will celebrate the release of Stare Down the Ocean with a string of shows later this month.

25 September 2014 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
26 September 2014 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
27 September 2014 – Enigma Bar, Adelaide
4 October 2014 – The Brightside, Brisbane
11 October 2014 – The Evelyn, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Augie March Offer Fans Extras with Album Pre-Order

We’ve been waiting for years, but Augie March are finally preparing to release their fifth studio album Havens Dumb. The album, which hits stores on October 3, will be released on vinyl, CD, and digital formats.

If you’re a fan you’ll want to pre-order it through the Augie March website. The vinyl comes with a free digital download, the CD comes with a signed lyric print, and if you go digital you’ll get the song “Definitive History” for free. I’m a bit old school when it comes to music, so I reckon you should go for the vinyl or CD versions and just listen to “Definitive History” here.

Augie March are celebrating the release with a string of hometown shows at Howler. The first three have already sold out, and the others are likely to follow. If you do want to see the band up close and personal, I suggest you get your tickets for the November 1 or 2 shows from Oztix soon.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mercians Give Me Flashbacks with “Your Words”

Mercians are taking me straight back to the 90s with their latest single “Your Words,” the title track from their recently released EP. I can’t help thinking of all of the rock stars of the era as I listen to the empassioned vocals.

The Melbourne five-piece have always felt more at home on the stage than in the studio, so the song’s bound to sound even better in the flesh. You can catch Mercians doing the live thing at the following East Coast shows.

12 September 2014 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
13 September 2014 – Trainspotters, Brisbane
14 September 2014 – FBi Social Club, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Steve Clisby Covers Paloma Faith

Steve Clisby wowed the nation when he appeared on The Voice, and he’s set to do it all again with his brand new album Leave Me Dreaming which hits stores today. It’s amazing to think that this is actually his 13th album, although it’s unlikely that this one will fly under the radar like many of his earlier releases.

Of course there’ll be the standard amount of interest that comes when anyone who made it big on reality TV releases, but there’s also bound to be a little hype when people realise one of the tracks is a cover of Paloma Faith’s “Only Love Can Hurt Like This.” Apparently he recorded it well before its local release, which initially occurred without a lot of fanfare. But then there was that Winners and Losers promo, which took the song to the top of the charts. Comparisons are inevitable, but Steve’s still not sure what to make of it.

“I really didn’t know whether this would be a good thing or a bad thing,” he explained in a press release. “I didn’t intend it to be compared, but I think in the end it’s great for the song for people to hear such different takes on what a great song can be.”

Unfortunately the link I received was a private one so I can’t share the song with you, but I can share my views. I honestly wasn’t sure about his take at first. It starts small, almost sleepy. But in the end I decided he’s built it beautifully. There’s a lot of heart in his rendition, as there should be, and that shines through.

Steve is currently touring the country to support the release of Leave Me Dreaming. There are still a few tickets left for the following shows.

5 & 6 September 2014 – Noosa Jazz Festival, Noosa
6 September 2014 – Byron Theatre, Byron Bay
8 September 2014 – New Globe Theatre, Brisbane
10 September 2014 – The Toff In Town, Melbourne
11 September 2014 – The Gov, Adelaide

Image used with permission from SCG Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bluejuice Announce Farewell Tour

After 13 fabulous years, it’s sad to realise that Bluejuice will kick off their final tour at the end of the month. Thankfully they’re leaving us with a tour and a greatest hits album, including the fun new single “I’ll Go Crazy,” before they depart, but it’s still a bit bittersweet.

The album Retrospectable will feature the best bits from Bluejuice’s three studio albums as well as some brand new songs. Get it on September 19, a couple of the days ahead of that farewell tour. Thankfully there are a couple of under 18s shows as well as some licensed events so everyone can bid the band adieu. Don’t expect a John Farnham style goodbye here. Once they’re gone, they’re gone!

25 September 2014 – Uni Bar, Adelaide (Licensed/All Ages)
26 September 2014 – Capitol, Perth
27 September 2014 – Red Earth Arts Festival, Karratha
2 October 2014 – Hi Fi, Brisbane
3 October 2014 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
4 October 2014 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
10 October 2014 – Hi Fi, Melbourne
11 October 2014 – Hi Fi, Melbourne (Under 18s matinee @ midday)
11 October 2014 – Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave
12 October 2014 – Barwon Club, Geelong
17 October 2014 – Waves, Wollongong
18 October 2014 – ANU Bar, Canberra
23 October 2014 – Bar on the Hill, Newcastle
24 October 2014 – Metro Theatre, Sydney (Licensed/All Ages)

Image used with permission from Dew Process

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tulane Impress with “But I Say”

Wrap your ears around “But I Say,” the stunning debut single from Sydney duo Tulane. The vocals are sublime and the folky acoustic music the perfect accompaniment. There’s no technical wizardry at play here. It’s honest and so striking. I definitely look forward to hearing more from this exciting duo.

“But I Say” gets an official released on September 22, but you can enjoy it early here.

Image used with permission from Grandpa Records