Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cupidfalls & Pulse Mavens Celebrate Spring Break

We don’t really do spring break the way the Americans do, but Perth’s pop-punk/hardcore act Cupidfalls and Sydney’s melodic hardcore band Pulse Mavens hope to get us into the spirit anyway with their double-header Spring Break tour.

These shows are sure to rock hard with twice the talent of your standard gigs. They’re also a great opportunity for fans of these bands and newcomers to their music to discover some brand new sounds. Cupidfalls are celebrating the recent release of their debut album Bay View and looking forward to giving East Coast music lovers a taste of their new sound. Pulse Mavens are fairly new to the music game, but the female-fronted outfit has been wowing fans with their debut EP Fight Back.

Catch these two exciting acts at the following shows.


28 August 2014 – Hot Damn, Sydney (18+)
30 August 2014 – Cage, Picton (All Ages – Cupidfalls only)
3 September 2014 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (18+)
4 September 2014 – The Bull and Bush, Baulkham Hills (18+)
5 September 2014 – Rad Bar, Wollongong (18+)
6 September 2014 – Hotel Gearin, Katoomba (18+)

Image used with permission from RAWR Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angus and Julia Stone on Top of ARIA Albums Charts

We’ve got two new number ones this week, and one of them is from our very own Angus and Julia Stone. The beloved brother-sister team have claimed the top spot with their self-titled album, their third LP and second number one album.

It’s an all-Aussie podium, with local acts also claiming the second and third slots. At number two we’ve got Sydney hip hop act One Day with their debut album Mainline. They’ve pipped Sticky Fingers, who’ve improved on the highest position of their debut album by a whopping 36 places with the follow-up, Land of Pleasure.

5 Seconds of Summer are also going great guns with their self-titled debut. It sits at number eight this week. Sheppard round out the top ten Bombs Away.

Sadly we don’t have any Aussie singles in the top ten this week. With 5 Seconds of Summer on the way up with “Amnesia,” hopefully that changes soon.

Click below for this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “Angus and Julia Stone on Top of ARIA Albums Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kingswood Ready New Album

Melbourne indie-rock gods Kingswood are preparing to unleash a brand new album on the masses. Microscopic Wars will hit stores on August 22.

The latest cut to whet our appetites is “I Can Feel That You Don’t Love Me,” a bluesy ballad that drips Southern cool. Perhaps that’s fitting as Kingswood recorded it at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. It also sees guitarist Alex Laska stepping up to the microphone for the first time.

Kingswood will celebrate the release of Microscopic Wars with shows just about everywhere.

20 August 2014 – Pirie & Co Social Club, Adelaide
21 August 2014 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
22 August 2014 – The Capital, Perth
23 August 2014 – North West Festival, Port Hedland
26 August 2014 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
29 August 2014 – Howler, Melbourne
3 September 2014 – Kooroora Hotel, Mt Buller
4 September 2014 – Swindlers Bar, Mt Hotham
5 September 2014 – The Union Club Hotel, Wagga Wagga
6 September 2014 – The Armidale Club, Armidale
12 September 2014 – Ric’s Big Backyard @ Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
13 September 2014 – Originals Music Festival, Noosa
17 September 2014 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
18 September 2014 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
19 September 2014 – Waves, Wollongong
20 September 2014 – Collector Hotel, Parramatta
25 September 2014 – ANU Bar, Canberra
26 September 2014 – Area Hotel, Griffith
17 October 2014 – The Karova Lounge, Ballarat
18 October 2014 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
23 October 2014 – The Loft, Warrnambool
24 October 2014 – Unibar, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Dew Process

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey Chambers Does Things Differently with Bittersweet

Kasey Chambers is doing things a little differently on her tenth album. Bittersweet is her first solo record in four years, and the first she’ll create without her long-time producer and manager, brother Nash Chambers, at the helm. Instead she worked with Nick DiDia, the man behind Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, and Powderfinger albums, at Studio 301 in Byron Bay.

“I wanted to have an experience making a record that I had never had before. I wanted to challenge myself and I wanted to be excited,” she explained.

If the first single “Wheelbarrow” is any indication, the gamble’s paid off. It’s so raw and ballsy. However, an album with the talent Kasey’s assembled couldn’t possibly sound bar. Her studio band features Powderfinger’s Bernard Fanning on acoustic guitar, Ashleigh Dallas on banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and backing vocals, and Dan Kelly on electric and acoustic guitars and backing vocals, to name just a few.

Bittersweet will hit stores on August 29. Kasey will play the following shows to celebrate its release.

30 August 2014 – Gympie Music Muster, Gympie
2 September 2014 – Lefties Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane
3 September 2014 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
4 September 2014 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Apes Cheer Me Up with “Pull the Trigger”

Like so many Aussies, I’m waging war with winter and the constant colds it brings. This weather is kicking me hard, and it feels like I no sooner get over one than another’s rearing its head. Thankfully there’s music to try to alleviate the funk. My ears are the only things that seem to be working right now, so if my stuffed up head and bleary eyes turn this post into gibberish I hope you understand.

Melbourne rockers Apes have released just the kind of thing I need to hear right now. “Pull the Trigger” upbeat and instantly accessible. You don’t have to work at all to get into it; it does all the heavy lifting. Songs like this are deceptively simple, but really, really clever.

Apes will spread their good vibes with two launch shows this week. See them at Sydney’s Brighton Up Bar on August 8 or Melbourne’s The Grace Darling on August 9.

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Owen Rabbit Turns Trash Into Treasure

I don’t know what Owen Rabbit’s dreamy, soulful single “Police Car” has to do with sirens and crims, but I like it. It’s so beautiful that I was shocked to hear that this electronic artist from Melbourne’s northern suburbs actually loves playing with rubbish. He uses old bottles, boxes, and anything he can make a sound from and pairs these organic tones with more traditional instruments. It’s just so clever.

It’ll be interesting to see whether Owen’s raiding the bins outside these venues for inspiration before the following single launch shows.

8 August 2014 – The Wesley Anne, Melbourne
9 August 2014 – Oxford Art Factory (Gallery Bar), Sydney
14 August 2014 – The Treehouse, Byron Bay
15 August 2014 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
16 August 2014 – The Lass, Newcastle
21 August 2014 – The Bird, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Taylor Henderson On Top of Albums Charts

Sure it’s a little late in the week to be talking charts, but with Aussie acts claiming the number one and two spots on the albums charts I figured it was better late than never. Taylor Henderson proved he’s got real post-reality show staying power, clocking up his second number one with his sophomore album Burnt Letters.

That’s no mean feat, but when you consider that he beat out Sheppard for the top spot it’s doubly impressive. After all, Sheppard’s Bombs Away album has already spawned a pair of number ones in “Geronimo” and “Let Me Down Easy.” Perhaps the band will be able to claim that coveted spot next week to coincide with their national tour.

These new kids on the block have pushed some previous number ones down the charts. Last week’s chart topper, Sia, has fallen to number five with 1000 Forms of Fear. 5 Seconds of Summer have also dropped a couple of spots to number six with their self-titled album.

No Other Name, Hillsong’s latest effort, rounds out the Aussie top ten.

Justice Crew seem to be on the downwards slide with “Que Sera,” which is at number five this week. It’s now been on the charts for 11 weeks, and gone three-times platinum.

Another stayer, “Geronimo,” is at number nine 17 weeks after its release. Sheppard’s smash has also reached triple platinum status.

Click below for this week’s top tens.
Continue reading “Taylor Henderson On Top of Albums Charts” →

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” →