Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Audreys Kick Off Tour This Week

The Audreys are about to kick off their national tour supporting their critically acclaimed fourth album Til My Tears Roll Away this week!

This is the first time The Audreys have toured Australia with a full band in more than three years, but it should be worth the wait. The Adelaide duo promises to play their new album in full, as well as plenty of fan favourites. To make sure you hear the songs you want, remember to send through your song requests to the band by leaving a comment on their Facebook page.

Expect the merch stand to be crowded as the band will be selling their limited edition Monsters EP exclusively at the gigs. It features all four versions of the track “Monster” plus the previously unreleased “Monster Part IV” and a gorgeous hand-pressed hand-drawn cover from multi-award winning illustrator Luke Jurevicious.

There are still tickets available for most of the following shows.

5 June 2014 – The Abbey, Canberra
6 June 2014 – The Heritage Hotel, Bulli
7 June 2014 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
8 June 2014 – The Factory, Sydney
12 June 2014 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
13 June 2014 – Kyneton Town Hall, Kyneton
14 June 2014 – Ormond Hall, Melbourne
15 June 2014 – Golden Vine Hotel, Bendigo
19 June 2014 – The Byron Theatre, Byron Bay
20 June 2014 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast
21 June 2014 – The Zoo, Brisbane
22 June 2014 – Sound Lounge, Gold Coast
26 June 2014 – Fresh, Launceston
27 June 2014 – Tapas Lounge Bar, Devonport
28 June 2014 – Republic Bar, Hobart
4 July 2014 – Fly By Night, Fremantle
5 July 2014 – Dunsborough Tavern, Dunsborough
11 July 2014 – The Gov, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Divide & Conquer Rock Out with “Superheroboy”

Sydney band Divide & Conquer show that they love to do things a little differently with their new single “Superheroboy.” It starts out like so many fun pop-punk numbers, but listen a little longer and you’ll hear its dark side. I’ve heard them described as popcore and popmosh, but you can make up your own mind.

“Superheroboy” is the lead single from Divide & Conquer’s recently released EP Long Story Short. It comes with an awesome music video which follows one man looking to solve the world’s problems by taking out one bad guy at a time.

“It was loads of fun filming ‘Superheroboy’” affirmed guitarist Lorenzo La Cava. “The organisation and process of the project was quite complex and many times we questioned our vision for the clip.”

“We came round to thinking the project was possibly too ambitious, but the end result was totally worth it” added lead vocalist Pat Thatcher.

Do you agree?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jackson McLaren Releases Long-Awaited Debut Album

I was blown away when I saw Jackson McLaren supporting Counting Crows last April. I said at the time that I was really looking forward to hearing more from this talented singer-songwriter. I waited patiently, and now he’s finally released his debut album Songs to Greet the Dawn with his band The Triple Threat.

The album includes the killer new single “Here’s a Memory,” a stirring song which celebrates living life to the fullest. Jackson McLaren & The Triple Threat will play this song and many other choice cuts from Songs to Greet the Dawn at the following shows.

4 June 2014 – The Melbourne Folk Club @ Bella Union, Melbourne
15 June 2014 – The Bearded Lady, Brisbane
22 June 2014 – The Exeter Hotel, Adelaide
28 June 2014 – Little Features @ Hibernian House, Sydney
29 June 2014 – Menagerie @ The Welcome Hotel, Rozelle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

I Am Apollo Get the “Summertime Blues”

The trackydacks I seem to find myself in these days are a good reminder that summer is well and truly behind us, but Sydney’s I Am Apollo is giving the season a proper farewell with their new single “Summertime Blues.”

The song is a laidback, acoustic ode to leaving behind days on the beach and other summer delights. It was originally recorded as a B-side, but the band loved it so much that they couldn’t bear to leave it languishing in the shadows. So instead they added the lap slide and some extra vocal flourishes to make it the gem that it is today.

It’s a great taste of what we’re in for when I Am Apollo release their second LP later this year.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cookin’ on 3 Burners Assemble Star-Studded Cast for “Blind Bet”

Funky Melbourne outfit Cookin’ on 3 Burners are giving us a tantalising taste of their sixth studio album with the release of the hot new single “Losing Streak.” The super-catchy track features homegrown soul superstar Daniel Merriweather on guest vocals. Flip the limited edition vinyl single over to soak up the similarly star-studded B-side “Mind Made Up,” featuring The Bamboo’s Kylie Auldist.

“Losing Streak” is the first song lifted from Blind Bet, which hits stores on July 4. It seems everyone that’s everyone wanted to be a part of it, as it also features guest appearances from Tex Perkins, the Cat Empire’s Harry James Angus, and Electric Empire’s Jason Heerah.

Those guys are going to join Cookin’ on 3 Burners at two very special album launch shows in the major capitals. You can bet these shows are going to be smoking.

4 July 2014 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (feat. Daniel Merriweather, Kylie Auldist, Jason Heerah, Mantra & 1/6 DJs Chris Gill, Manchild & Mz Rizk, Demilition B-Girl and her B-Boy crew)
11 July 2014 – The Basement, Sydney (feat. Tex Perkins, Kylie Auldist, DJs Huwston & JC)

Image used with permission from SCG Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Justice Crew Break 2014 Records with “Que Sera”

Way to go Justice Crew! Their smash single “Que Sera” notches up its fourth consecutive week at number one this week. That’s not just their best chart performance; it also overtakes Sheppard’s “Geronimo” as the longest run at the top by a local artist this year.

Speaking of Sheppard, that song’s still hanging around in the top ten. It’s at number ten this week, ten weeks after its release.

Other Aussie tracks in the top ten are on the way up. Sia’s jumped one spot to land at number four with “Chandelier,” while Iggy Azalea’s jumped three spots. “Fancy” sits at number six.

For the first time in the long time, there are more Aussies on the singles charts than the albums charts. Iggy Azalea claims a spot on both this week. Her album The New Classic is at number seven, just edging out the ever-enduring The Very Best by INXS.

Click below for all this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “Justice Crew Break 2014 Records with “Que Sera”” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Luke Peacock and The Painted Ladies Cover Vic Simms

In 1973, Indigenous singer-songwriter Vic Simms recorded the pivotal album The Loner from his Bathurst gaol cell. In 2014 his music will get a new lease on life thanks to Brisbane singer-songwriter Luke Peacock. Luke’s assembled a talented bunch of musos, dubbed The Painted Ladies, to reimagine those songs.

“Get Back to the Shadows” is our first taste of that ambitious project. It’s a poignant commentary on discrimination and race relationships wrapped up in a soulful, rockabilly package.

“The thing about Vic Simms’ songs is that they work on so many levels,” Luke explained. “To me as a First Nations man, they give me an instant sense of identity. The characters are people I know, or have known. The stories and the observations seem so familiar to me. They probably would to most people in one way or another. This is not a man who is marching in the streets and preaching politics—he just speaks the truth about his feelings and his life and does it to a groove and a great melody. That’ll move people more than a history book ever could.”

The Painted Ladies Play Selections from “The Loner” hits stores on June 6.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Little Earthquake Tour Cheerful “Brightside” Single

Central Coast brothers Mathew and Justin Hyland are Little Earthquake, the duo behind this optimistic slice of electronic pop-rock “Brightside.” The track comes from the EP of the same name, which will hit iTunes and other digital retailers on June 6.

The lads honed their craft as guest members of American indie rock act Lydia. While criss-crossing the United States they began working on the tracks which would help launch their own project, Little Earthquake. They developed the songs with superstar local producer Lachlan Mitchell (The Jezabels, Pnau) who helped take them to a brand new level.

Little Earthquake will launch the EP at the following East Coast shows.

2 June 2014 – Old Bar, Melbourne
3 June 2014 – Ruby Tuesdays @ Workers Club, Melbourne
5 June 2014 – Grace Darling, Melbourne
13 June 2014 – Corrimal Beach Hotel, Wollongong
15 June 2014 – Terrigal Surf Club, Terrigal
17 June 2014 – Armidale Club, Armidale,
19 & 21 June 2014 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
25 June 2014 – Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Newcastle
27 June 2014 – Armidale Club, Armidale
4 July 2014 – Beresford Hotel, Sydney
31 July 2014 – FBi Social, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kait Hudson Rocks with Pulse Mavens

The punk scene is so male-dominated that I’m excited to see Kait Hudson turning the tide with her band Pulse Mavens. Don’t go thinking she’s a token female though. Her voice is angelic, but it’s got a ferocious intensity which is showcased beautifully on the Sydney band’s new single “Fight Back.”

The song also happens to be the title track of the band’s debut EP, which is available via iTunes now. But if you like what you hear, don’t just settle for listening to the digital download at home. The band’s playing a couple of shows in front of Sydney audiences in the coming weeks, and something tells me that they’ll sound even better in the flesh.

Get your skates on and see them tonight at SFX Sydney, or catch them at the Bald Faced Stag on June 22.