Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Griswolds Provide Your Saturday Soundtrack

I’m not sure whether it’s the unseasonally sunny weather outside, or The Griswolds’ new single “Beware the Dog,” but I’m feeling pretty good as I type this. The track is the ideal Saturday soundtrack, an upbeat slice of indie pop perfection.

It sounds so cheerful, but the song’s actually about the way the band members lost a good friend to heavy drug use. Make sure you listen to the lyrics to really appreciate the delicate balance of light and shade here.

“Beware the Dog” is our first taste of The Griswolds’ debut album Be Impressive, which gets a global release on August 22.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kate Ceberano Headlines Royal Flying Doctors Fundraiser

Enjoy a night of great music for a good cause at Altitude. Kate Ceberano, jazz chanteuse Ali Bodycoat, soulful Stratosfunk, and rock-pop string quartet ISQ will provide the entertainment at the swanky event to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service of WA.

Altitude 2014 promises to be the highlight of Perth’s social calendar, with an innovative audio visual display, a recreated airport runway stage, and custom Altitude bar. VIP tables of 10 will also receive premium seating luxury accommodation at Crown Metropol, valet parket, CIP gift bags, priority check-in, and access to pre=show drinks at La Vie Champagne Lounge and the after-party at NOBU.

This glamorous even has a serious purpose though. Your support will ensure every person living, working, or travelling in Western Australia can stay connected to first-class health services at all times.

Altitude will hit the Grand Ballroom at Crown Perth in August 23.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sia Tops ARIA Albums Chart

The Madden Brothers might have brought Justice Crew’s record-breaking run to an end, but Sia’s given us a reason to smile this week. Her sixth studio album 1000 Forms of Fear has hit number one on debut. This album’s gone one better than her last, We Are Born, which peaked at number two. Her smash single “Chandelier” is also still selling well. It’s at number five.

Sia’s one of four Aussie acts sitting in the ARIA top five this week. Last week’s number one and two, 5 Seconds of Summer and Hillsong’s No Other Name, are at four and five respectively, edged out by the debut of Adelaide-born rapper Allday’s debut LP Startup Cult.

The McClymonts’ fourth album Here’s To You & I is their third to hit the top ten. It’s debuted at number eight this week, just ahead of Chet Faker’s Built on Glass which slipped two to land at number nine.

Click below for this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “Sia Tops ARIA Albums Chart” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sheppard’s Bombs Away in Stores

Today is the day Sheppard fans have been waiting for. The band’s long-awaited debut album Bombs Away is in stores now. It features the number one smash single “Geronimo,” “Let Me Down Easy,” and the band’s newest cut “Something’s Missing.”

To celebrate the release, the Brisbane band will play a series of all-ages album launch shows in the East Coast capitals later this month.

“This year has been such a whirlwind and it was important to us that we take the time to get out there on the road and celebrate our album with the fans,” explained George Sheppard. “The release of a first album is an important milestone for any band and we’re just so happy that we can celebrate it with the people who have made it all happen for us.”

Sheppard should be in fine form after supporting Keith Urban around the country last month. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

25 July 2014 – Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane
26 July 2014 – Big Top Luna Park, Sydney
1 August 2014 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (Two shows: 4:30 pm under 18s; 8:30 pm over 18s)

Image used with permission from SCG Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Williamson Readies Album Number 50

Can you believe John Williamson is preparing to release his 50th album? Believe it or not, Honest People will hit stores on July 25, and it shouldn’t disappoint his legion of fans.

It’s a collection of tales inspired by John’s hometown of Quambatook, a tight-knit community full of “honest people.” The album recalls the innocence and spirit of small towns while lamenting the loss of community that comes with progress in many regional areas. Hear John talking about it in this album teaser video.

John fans are in for a big week at the end of the month. His biography Hey True Blue will hit shelves on July 23, two days before the release of Honest People on July 25.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hear Exciting New Indigenous Music on Song Nation Vol 1

In case you missed it, it’s NAIDOC week, a week which celebrates the culture, history, and achievements of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. So it’s only fitting that Friday sees the release of a new Indigenous hip hop compilation dubbed Song Nation Vol 1.

The album was created by Desert Pea Media, who helped oversee the creation of these songs through their unique dialogue-driven songwriting workshops held in remote communities around the country. Through the development of great music, Desert Pea Media aims to be a catalyst for change.

The songs on Song Nation Vol 1 were recorded by the exciting groups Desert Pea Media’ unearthed. They include the Cairns Murri Crew, the band behind the album’s lead single “Built to Last.” The group features students from Cairns High School, who wrote the song is collaboration with Desert Pea Media facilitators.

Support Desert Pea Media’s vital work and do your ears a favour when Song Nation Vol 1 hits stores on Friday July 11.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dance to Ella Hooper’s “The Red Shoes”

Ella Hooper doesn’t seem to be letting the news of her rebooted Spicks & Specks’ axing get her down. She’s just released one of her most upbeat songs in recent years, “The Red Shoes.” The melodic song has a darker edge with its fairytale inspired themes of obsession and possession.

“You can sometimes lose yourself in the pursuit of chasing a dream or ideal or person, becoming psychically bound to desire and perhaps risk being destroyed by it.” Ella explained. “But there’s also a weird alluring freedom in going 110% at something, knowing that you’ve probably lost perspective and control and just not caring. Dancing til your feet bleed, for example! When you’re lost in the moment, nothing else matters.”

To celebrate the release, Ella will play two intimate launch shows. Head to Newtown Social Club in Sydney on July 17 or Shebeen in Melbourne on July 18 to hear “The Red Shoes” and songs from Ella’s forthcoming album In Tongues.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Clockwise Back on my Radar with “Dancing World”

I remember when Clockwise went by the name Andy Clockwise and played countless shows around New South Wales in the early noughties. He disappeared from my radar, but it seems he’s been living in Los Angeles since 2007 and playing some pretty high-profile shows supporting the likes of Julian Casablancas, The Black Keys, Wolfmother, The Wailers, and INXS.

And on July 15, he’ll release a new EP Dancing World. If the title track’s any indication, it’s going to be something pretty special. The song’s got such a gorgeous pop sensibility but it’s also something really unique. Listening to it just feels good. The film clip is also stunning.

What a great set up for this EP, which is actually the first part of a two-part “ode to conflict, both internal and external.” To celebrate the release, Clockwise will be back on our shores for some shows later this year. Until then, we can enjoy this fabulous piece of music.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Justice Crew Make Chart History

I ordinarily try to write about the ARIA charts whenever an Aussie act’s on top. However, other work commitments have seen me missing a few of the weeks during Justice Crew’s impressive reign. It’d be remiss of me to not publish an article now though, as their song “Que Sera” has broken the record for the most number of weeks an Aussie act’s spent at the top of the ARIA Singles Chart. With nine weeks, they’ve gone one better than Austen Tayshus’ “Australiana,” Savage Garden’s “Truly, Madly, Deeply,” and Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know.” They’re still a few weeks away from equalling the overall record 13 weeks that Coolio spent on top with “Gangsta’s Paradise,” but very close to eclipsing the pre-ARIA record of 10 weeks that Daddy Cool’s “Eagle Rock” spent at number one in 1971.

Justice Crew have got some stiff competition in the form of fellow Aussie Sia, who’s having a comeback with “Chandelier.” After it appeared to be on the downslide, the song’s jumped six spots to land at number two.

Aussies are also seeing joy on the album charts, with 5 Seconds of Summer landing the number one spot with their self-titled album on debut. This album’s already spawned six top 20 hits, including the number one “She Looks so Perfect,” so its dominance was probably inevitable, but it’s still a real victory for the boys. They managed to head off the might of the Hillsong Church, who sit at number two in their first week with No Other Name.

Like Sia, Chet Faker’s also back on the upswing. His former number one album Built on Glass is back in the top ten for the first time since May. Clearly his current national tour is paying dividends!

And as if that wasn’t enough local love in the charts, 360’s also making his presence felt with his album Utopia. It sits at number eight this week.

Click below for all this week’s top 10s.

Continue reading “Justice Crew Make Chart History” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Josh Pyke @ Cessnock Performing Arts Centre, Cessnock – 28 June 2014

The first time I saw Josh Pyke live was an outdoor blues festival. The rain started up just before his set, and I remember shivering with a plastic bag over my head as I tried to wipe the water from my glasses and watch him in action. What a difference a few years makes. Last Saturday I was seeing him again, but tucked up warm and dry in the wonderfully intimate Cessnock Performing Arts Centre.

I must admit, before this tour I didn’t realise Cessnock had a performing arts centre. What an underutilised space it is, with excellent acoustics, comfy seats, and wine in the foyer. It was the ideal setting for such a show like this, where well-crafted songs were at the fore.

The first came from Jack Carty, a performer I’ve always loved but until this point had never seen live before. What a talent he is. Most of the audience probably had no clue who he was, but they were hushed. Such is the power of this captivating singer-songwriter. With just an acoustic guitar, an incredible voice, and songs written with such poetic lyrics, he captivated us all. His set seemed to fly by.

Josh was there to promote his latest album, The Beginning and the End of Everything, an intimate recording which suited this setting perfectly. Apparently last time he had the full band in tow, but this time it was just Josh, an acoustic guitar, and looping machines to add some extra depth. This is an added dimension I’d never seen from Josh, and it was fascinated watching him at work. He treated us to choice cuts from his new album, but carefully balanced them with old favourites. It was wonderful to have Jack back on stage for a fabulously fun rendition of “Make You Happy.” Josh’s beautiful version of “Blackbird” made me wish I’d invested in tickets to that White Album concert.

I’ve seen Josh perform a few times now, and he never fails to disappoint. In fact, I think he might be getting even better.

Image source: Stephen Katulka