Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Broadwing Blows My Mind with “Anodyne”

Broadwing has knocked my socks off with his debut single “Anodyne.” It’s just so raw and real.

But perhaps that’s to be expected from an artist that comes from the Aussie outback town of Alice Springs. Just like the place he hails from, there’s no bullshit in his music. The instrumentation of this track might be a little electronic, but it’s balanced with some honest lyrics and emotive vocals. In the age of autotune, that’s so refreshing to hear.

“Anodyne” is our first taste of Broadwing’s debut EP Pinhole Camera, which will be released later this year.

Image used with permission from SCG Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gossling and Vance Joy Unite for Double-Header Tour

Two of the hottest names in Aussie music, Gossling and Vance Joy, are teaming up for one big tour this autumn.

Gossling has been busy wowing crowds in the United Kingdom and United States this month, but she’s ready to return to Oz to promote her latest single “Harvest Gold.” As a special bonus for fans, they can buy a limited edition 7” gold vinyl version of the single, which includes the B-Side “Never Expire (Oliver Tank Remix), exclusively at the gigs. There’s another reason to get to the merch desk too. Gossling will sell her very special Glossling, a shimmery lip gloss created by Gossling and Melbourne cosmetics label Shanghai Suzy.

As far as I know Vance Joy doesn’t have any fabulous merchandise, but he does have that “Riptide” song which should be enough to get people through the door. See him and Gossling at the following shows through April and May.

24 April 2014 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
6 May 2014 – The Hi Fi, Brisbane (18+)
8 May 2014 – The Bakery, Perth (18+)
15 & 16 May 2014 – The Metro, Sydney
22 & 23 May 2014 – The Forum Theatre, Melbourne (18+)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chet Faker Readies First Album

The incomparable Chet Faker is preparing to release Built on Glass, his first full-length album and the follow-up to his gold-selling and critically acclaimed EP Thinking in Textures.

The lead single “Talk is Cheap,” sets the tone, an ambient number with a soulful core which effortlessly melds soul, house, and electro influences.

Built on Glass will be released by Future Classic & Opulent on April 11. Preorder it and you’ll instantly receive “Talk is Cheap” and “Melt,” featuring Kilo Kish, to tide you over until the album’s release.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harmony Tours Carpetboming

With their sophomore album Carpetboming sitting pretty in stores, Melbourne sextet Harmony are preparing to play some of Australia’s best pubs and clubs.

I must admit, I wasn’t sure what to make of the lead single “Water Runs Cold” at first. But slowly but surely, I got it. What initially seemed like a bit of a novelty song suddenly made so much sense. The raw lead vocals matched with angelic harmonies are flawless. It’s a great indication of what music lovers can expect from the album which has already earned plenty of critical acclaim. Carpetboming became PBS Radio’s feature album, and FBi Radio’s album of the week. Blunt Magazine also gave it a perfect five-star rating.

Harmony wowed fans when they supported The Drones last year. See them step into the spotlight and earn their rightful place as headliners at the following shows.

3 April 2014 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
4 April 2014 – GoodGod Small Club, Sydney
5 April 2014 – The Phoenix, Canberra
12 April 2014 – The Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
26 April 2014 – Howler, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chance Waters Teams Up with The Griswolds for “Bonnie”


Chance Waters proves he’s not going to be pigeonholed with the release of his brand new single “Bonnie.”

“Bonnie” sees him collaborating with Sydney indie-pop act The Griswolds, and their influence is evident. The song’s still got a hip hop core, but it’s something complete new from this MC.

This is our first taste of Chance Waters’ third album. There’s not a lot of details about this release yet, but if this song’s any indication it’s sure to surprise!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Yacht Club DJs Tour Mixtape

After wowing crowds in the United Kingdom alongside Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes, and HAIM, Yacht Club DJs are back on home soil and settling in to tour their latest mixtape, Oddity Number 5.

That mixtape, available for free download soon, is as eclectic as they come with sounds from 60s blues, 90s pop, death metal, and Disney movie soundtracks.

The Yacht Club DJs will tour the mixtape and, if fans are lucky, offer a sneak peek of their very first original EP, which is set for release later this year.

11 April 2014 – Elsewhere, Gold Coast
12 April 2014 – Oh Hello, Brisbane (FREE before 10 pm)
13 April 2014 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
17 April 2014 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
18 April 2014 – Prince Bandroom, Melbourne
24 April 2014 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Image used with permission from Secret Service Public Relations

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amaya Laucirica Releases Pair of Singles Ahead of Sway Release

Melbourne singer-songwriter Amaya Laucirica is giving music lovers a sneak peek at her upcoming third album Sway with the release of a double A-side single. “Prettier Than The Sound” and “On the Air” are both featured on the album, which hits stores on April 18.

I must admit, Amaya’s earlier releases passed me by, but I’m really digging this. With her sweet voice and gift for songwriting, she reminds me a little of Julianna Hatfield. She’s also surrounding herself with the right people. Sway was recorded by Dave McCluney (Nick Cave/Mick Harvey/Robert Forster), mixed by Victor Van Vugt (PJ Harvey/Beth Orton) and mastered by Ray Staff (Spiritualised/David Bowie). With such an amazing team on her side, Sway’s sure to be something special.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Supergroup Holidays on Ice Back with The Luxury of Wasted Space

Angie Hart from Frente!, Dean Manning from Leonardo’s Bride, and Stella Mozgawa from Warpaint are back with a brand new Holidays on Ice album. This Aussie supergroup will release The Luxury of Wasted Space on March 31.

The album’s title cheekily references the modern aversion to emptiness, and if the lead single’s anything to go by it’s fitting. The song is very subtle and minimalist, but Angie’s heavenly vocals and their collective musical sensibility shines through. It’s definitely a slow burner, but patient listeners will be rewarded. I also love that, like the album’s other songs, it was recorded in a living room to eight track reel to reel. How old school!

The video for new single “Broken” also shuns modern animation techniques for a more traditional approach. Dean actually made all the puppets in the clip from clay and wood. He even sewed their clothes and made the sets, then painstakingly put the clip together frame by frame.

Holidays on Ice will celebrate the release of The Luxury of Wasted Space with a national tour through April.

18 April 2014 – Smith’s Alternative, Canberra
20 April 2014 – Open Studio, Northcote
25 April 2014 – Glebe Café Church Hall, Glebe
27 April 2014 – Dowse Bar, Paddington

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ella Hooper On Tour Ahead of Solo Album Release

She might be setting the small screen alight as part of the rebooted Spicks and Specks, but that doesn’t mean Ella Hooper’s abandoned music making. In fact, she’s preparing to release her first solo album, In Tongues.

There’s no official release date as yet, but the album will feature the lead single “Low High,” a groovy number with smouldering vocals and an old Western feel. Can’t you just imagine Ella singing this song in a smoky bar for a bunch of cowboys?

Fans will hear this song and more from the forthcoming album when Ella plays the following shows through autumn.

29 March 2014 – The Vanguard, Sydney
4 April 2014 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
8 May 2014 – Artbar, Perth
9 May 2014 – Jive, Adelaide
15 May 2014 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
16 May 2014 – SoundLounge, Gold Coast
17 May 2014 – Star Court Theatre, Lismore

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Caitlin Park Compelling with “Hold Your Gaze”

Caitlin Park gives us a preview of what her sophomore LP holds with the release of its lead single “Hold Your Gaze.”

I really love the gorgeous layered sound Caitlin’s created here, and the way her quietly confident vocals and the driving drum beats anchor it. The earnest lyrics are also sublime.

“Hold your Gaze is about fighting for someone, turning your lover into a partner,” she explained in a press release. “Sometimes you have to try and convince a person to be brave. It describes a soldier of love, with a strong heart, with patience and persistence. With big drums and a big chorus it’s a call to battle.”

“Hold Your Gaze” comes from Caitlin’s forthcoming album The Sleeper, which hits stores on May 2. Before that she’ll launch the single at the following shows.

21 March 2014 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
27 March 2014 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
3 April 2014 – The Toff In Town, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Create Control