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.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hands like Houses Release Amazing New Video

Anyone who’s ever tuned in to the Real Housewives of Melbourne knows there’s very little that’s real about its cashed up, perfectly manicured stars. If the creators wanted to cast real housewives, perhaps they should look to someone like the star of the new Hands like Houses video.

Sure she’s no glamourpuss, but there’s something very real about the woman who crumbles under the weight of domesticity in the “A Tale of Outer Suburbia” clip. It was filmed and directed by Joshua Aylett, who the Canberra band had on their wishlist for some time.

“He’s an amazing director that we grew up with in Canberra and someone that we knew we could create something a little outside of the box with,” explained Hands like Houses guitarist Matthew Cooper. “It’s always interesting approaching video clips with the intention of creating something unique and captivating, separate from the song though as well as complimentary. We absolutely love the final product and it’s definitely one of the coolest projects we’ve been part of.”

“A Tale of Outer Suburbia” is the latest song lifted from Hands like Houses album Unimagine. The band will celebrate its release with the following shows. Tickets are available at the door for all dates.

20 June 2014 – Bada Bing, Frankston
21 June 2014 – Bang, Melbourne
26 June 2014 – Hot Damn, Sydney
27 June 2014 – Riot! @ Enigma Bar, Adelaide
28 June 2014 – The Brightside, Brisbane
4 July 2014 – Tattersalls Hotel, Penrith

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MC Munk Back with Renegades of Munk

Welcome back Munk, an Aussie hip-hop veteran who’s been rapping, breakdancing, mixing, and producing since the 80s. The five-time Deadly Award nominee, who’s enjoyed fame as a solo artist and part of South West Syndicate is back with a new outfit dubbed Renegades of Munk. They’ve just released their debut single which is fittingly titled “Welcome Back.”

It’s just a taste of what’s sure to be an eclectic self-titled debut album from Renegades of Munk. It’s got one of the best guest star line-ups you’re likely to see with Anne Kirkpatrick, the Slim Dusty Band, Wilma Reading, Charley Boyter, Kutcha Edwards, and Eric Grothe Jnr. all lending their talents to the album. The album culminates with a hip-hop jam featuring more than 30 Aussie MCs including Jimblah, Rival MC, Luka Lesson, and L-Fresh the Lion.

The nine-piece Renegades of Munk will celebrate the release of “Welcome Back” with two New South Wales shows. See them at the Roller Den in Erskinville on June 6 or the Small Ballroom in Newcastle on June 7.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy & Bear Want You to Get Up & Dance

It’s hard to keep the winter chills away at this time of year, but Boy & Bear have the perfect solution with their Get Up & Dance theatre tour.

Most artists wrap up one tour before announcing another, but not Boy & Bear. Clearly they’re enjoying playing the songs from Harlequin Dream live.

“We’ve been on the road since February and it’s been amazing getting to play for people on the other side of the world as well as doing shows in parts of Australia that we’ve never even been before,” explained keyboardist Jon Hart. “It feels like the right time to come home and play some theatre shows in venues that we’ve only ever dreamed of playing at … we can’t wait!”

The Get Up & Dance dates will be the last supporting that album’s release as well as their last local shows for 2014. Tickets are on sale now from the Boy & Bear website.

3 September 2014 – The Palais, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
5 September 2014 – The Palais, Melbourne (ALL AGES – SOLD OUT)
6 September 2014 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
12 September 2014 –The Arts Centre, Gold Coast (ALL AGES)
13 September 2014 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (ALL AGES matinee & 18+ evening show)
21 September 2014 – Opera House, Sydney (ALL AGES)
22 September 2014 – Opera House, Sydney (ALL AGES – SOLD OUT)
25 September 2014 – Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany (ALL AGES)
26 September 2014 – Bunbury Entertainment Centre, Bunbury (ALL AGES)
28 September 2014 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle (Under 18s permitted with parent/guardian)

Image used with permission from On the Map PR