Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Teeth & Tongue Wow Me with “Good Man”

New Zealand born, Melbourne-based muso Teeth & Tongue, or Jess Cornelius as she’s known to her mum, has turned my head with her impressive new single “Good Man.” It reminds me a bit of something a younger Tori Amos might have created with its lush sonic layers, ethereal yet gutsy vocals, and dangerous edges.

“I started humming the tune in my head while lurking around Northcote train station last year,” Jess explained. “At the time I was working on a solo show for the US, using only a drum machine and a synth, so I went home and tried to make it into a song that would stand alone without any other instruments. I ended up sampling layers of my voice for the rhythmic part, and then triggering the vocals using a foot switch while playing it live.
This set-up kind of became a prototype for a lot of the songs I have written recently.”

“Good Man” comes from Teeth & Tongue’s forthcoming album, which is slated for an early 2014 release. Luckily we don’t have to wait that long to hear more from this talent, as Teeth & Tongue will play a couple of shows next month. Tasmanians can catch her at the Hobart + Music = Yeah Festival on November 2, before she officially launches the single at Boney in Melbourne on November 23.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

DJ Minx Loves Adelaide

When Adelaide was named amongst the top ten cities of the world by Lonely Planet a couple of days ago, the rest of Australia was … shall we say … incredulous. Personally though, I felt the honour was well-deserved. I remember being pleasantly surprised when I visited Adelaide for a wedding a few years ago. My husband and I spent a week and ate some of the best food we’ve ever tasted, drank some amazing wine, and never found ourselves bored.

Another one of the city’s advocates is DJ Minx, the 2011 winner of the She Can DJ competition. In this slick short video she shares her views on Adelaide, the city that gave her her start in the male-dominated DJ industry.

Watching this video, it’s not too hard to see why Lonely Planet recognised Adelaide, is it?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vaudeville Smash Gets into Halloween Spirit with V-Grade Horror


We might not really do Halloween in this country, but I still have to applaud Vaudeville Smash for embracing the holiday with its latest EP V-Grade Horror. The disc is an ode to the schlocky horror flicks that terrified the band members as youngsters.

It features the lead single “Become the Night,” an epic vamp-disco number which features Tiaryn Griggs on guest vocals. She takes the part of a woman tempted to join the ranks of the undead! Other highlights include “Zombies Ate My Neighbours” and “Ghouls.”

You can get your fright on with Vaudeville Smash when they launch V-Grade Horror at Melbourne’s Northcote Social Club on November 1.

Image used with permission from Alpha Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Creases Make Music Video for Next to Nothing!

The Creases won’t let a lack of cash put an end to their rock and roll dreams. The Brisbane band recorded this video for their new single “I Won’t Wait” for just $5.50. Now that’s some frugal filmmaking!

The song has a suitably lo-fi feel to it, but it’s got a great melodic centre that will have you humming along by the end. It seems I’m not the only one that’s taken notice. The Creases recently inked deals with UK-based label Rough Trade and Byron Bay-based booking agency Village Sounds.

The Creases will release “I Won’t Wait” in a sexy 7-inch vinyl format tomorrow. You can snare your copy at one of the following shows.

31 October 2013 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
28 November 2013 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
29 November 2013 – JIVE, Adelaide
30 November 2013 – Waratah, Hobart
5 December 2013 – The Rev, Brisbane
6 December 2013 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
7 December 2013 – The Standard, Sydney
4 February 2014 – GoodGod, Sydney
5 February 2014 – The Tote, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Katie Noonan, Abby Dobson, Angie Hart, and Martha Marlow Perform Together

Katie Noonan, Abby Dobson, Angie Hart, and Martha Marlow are teaming up for a star-studded series of shows which pay tribute to their greatest musical influences. Dubbed Songs that Made Me, the concerts will see these leading Australian vocalists putting their own stamp on songs from Carole King, Jeff Buckley, Joni Mitchell, Kylie Minogue, Fiona Apple, and more.

The ladies previewed the shows at Sydney’s Camelot last month, and got such a response that they couldn’t resist taking the concerts on the road.

“There is nothing I love more than sitting around with my girlfriends, talking and sharing stories. But as a musician, I find we don’t get to share the stage with other artists very often – especially female artists,” explained Katie. “I thought this would be a wonderful and unique opportunity to share the stage through story and song and hang out with cool chicks at the same time! I am very excited to share the space with these gorgeous
women whom I admire and respect, and think it will be a very special night
for the audience and us!”

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

28 November 2013 – Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
30 November 2013 – Thornbury Theatre, Northcote
5 December 2013 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
14 December 2013 – Old Museum Concert Hall, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Covers Releases Debut Single, “The Automation”

Melbourne trio Covers show they’re not afraid to try something different with their debut single “The Automation.”

I must admit, I wasn’t sure what to make of this track when I first heard it. The unusual instrumentation reminded me a bit of being stuck on an amusement park ride and unable to get off. However by the end of it I was actually enjoying the aural assault. Irresistible hooks and soaring vocals make this interesting song something pretty fabulous.

Do you dig it?

Image used with permission from Higher Plains

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Jezabels Release “The End”


The time The Jezabels have spent in London seems to be time well spent, because the band are back with the single that I think is the best of their career. “The End” is the first track lifted from The Jezabels’ as yet untitled sophomore effort, and it shows a band with a newly discovered pop sensibility that hasn’t strayed too far from its roots.

Hayley Mary says the song is “about a time that I think we all reach at some point in our lives, where you are not sure you can go on, not sure that you have anything left to give. When you’re on your knees asking yourself, Is this the end? If you don’t ultimately want to say ‘yes’ to that question then you know you still have something to give, and you just have to get on with living.”

The Jezabels are now based in the United Kingdom, where they’ve just landed the plum role of support act for Depeche Mode’s arena shows in November. They haven’t forgotten us altogether though. The Jezabels will be back on homesoil to play St Jerome’s Laneway Festival next year.

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

We The People Charm with “Sweetheart”

If the single “Sweetheart” is anything to go by, Melbourne indie act We The People are a band to watch. It seems the public agrees with me, as the song racked up more than 2000 YouTube views in its first week. The infectiously upbeat number is our first taste of their EP The Truth About Fables, which will hit stores on November 8.

The band had me from the first perfectly harmonized notes. This song has such a great energy, and a great mix of electronic layers and classic guitar riffs.

With such vitality on the recording, you can be sure We The People will rock on stage. See them do just that when they launch The Truth About Fables at the following shows.

7 November 2013 – The Worker’s Club, Melbourne
9 November 2013 – The Loft, Warrnambool
21 November 2013 – The Loft, Gold Coast
22 November 2013 – The Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
28 November 2013 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
29 November 2013 – The Lansdowne, Sydney
30 November 2013 – Spin Cycle @ The Wool Exchange, Geelong
6 December 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
7 December 2013 – The Iron Horse, Launceston
13 December 2013 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Triple J Like a Version 9 Nabs Number One

Local compilation album Triple J Like a Version 9 has beaten out strong competition from James Blunt and Lorde to claim the spot at the top of the ARIA albums chart this week. This is the best result for a Like a Version compilation, beating out volume 6 which made it to number two in November 2010. The latest edition features local acts San Cisco, Tame Impala, Vance Joy, Chance Waters, and the fabulous Bonjah.

Tina Arena’s recent appearance on X Factor seems to have done her some good. Her new album Reset debuted at number four. Last week we saw Jessica Mauboy sitting there, but this week her latest album Beautiful has dropped down to number eight.

On the singles chart it’s another X Factor success story. Taylor Henderson’s sitting at number two with his awesome cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” What a shame this show doesn’t work like The Voice and offer voting credits in exchange for downloads! Last year’s finalist Nathaniel is also making his presence felt. His new single “You” slipped to number six this week, down two spots from last week.

Click below to see the rest of this week’s top tens.

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