Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Owls of the Swamp Releases Beautiful B-side

I’m old enough to remember the days when single releases mattered. It wasn’t just a case of the song you already owned on the album getting some airplay. You’d head on down to Brashs to pick up the cassingle, or the CD single in later years, and race home to play the B-sides.

It seems I’m not the only one who remembers these days fondly, as Aussie expat Owls of the Swamp has just released a track he’s calling a B-side, “Happiness is a Sad Song.” Like the very best B-sides it’s a little gem tailor-made for fans. I can’t imagine this charming little folk song enjoying airplay, but its insightful lyrics and sweet strummed melody are just gorgeous.

The good news is, there’s more to come. Owls of the Swamp will be releasing more B-sides throughout the year while he records his third studio album in Iceland. Those tracks should tide us over until the album hits stores next year.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Little Stevies Give Away Single Ahead of Album Release

Sibylla and Beth Stephen, better known as The Little Stevies, are back with a brand new single and an album to come. The joyous “Diamonds for Your Tea” is the title track for their third album, which is scheduled to hit stores on October 3.

If you love the song, make sure you head to The Little Stevies’ website. These lovely ladies are giving a free digital copy of the song to anyone who signs up to their e-mail list.

As they’re being so generous, you might want to give something back. The Little Stevies are encouraging anyone who loves their sound to pre-order their new album through their Pozzible campaign. With seven days to go, the sisters are less than a thousand dollars shy of their target. This money will help them promote the heck out of this release and ensure it ends up in as many music lovers’ hands as possible.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Castlecomer Get Animated

Castlecomer have captivated me with the music video for their brand new single “Danny’s Dan”. The whimsical stop-animation clip was shot over ten full days, which were ten days well spent if you ask me. This stunning video should appeal to the kid in all of us.

The Sydney band has created a beautiful track in “Danny’s Den” too. It comes from the band’s EP Lone Survivor, which they’re currently touring around the country. They’ll hit Wollongong tonight before wrapping up their tour in Adelaide next week.

Tickets cost $10 on the presale or $15 on the door. Alternatively you can bundle your ticket with a signed EP for just $18. Bargain!

6 September 2013 – Ya-Ya’s, Perth
8 September 2013 – Grace Emily, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ngaiire Tours Lamentations Album

If you felt short-changed that Ngaiire launched her most recent single “Around” in just two cities, then you’re in luck. The up-and-coming soul goddess has announced a much more extensive tour to celebrate the July release of her debut album Lamentations.

Ngaiire’s fast earning a reputation as a must-see live act, with her stunning costuming and evocative delivery acting as the perfect foil to her soulful tunes.

She won’t be playing such intimate venues for ever, so make sure you see her there while you can.

12 September 2013 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
14 September 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
19 September 2013 – Transit Bar, Canberra
20 September 2013 – Baha Tacos, Rye
21 September 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
27 September 2013 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
28 September 2013 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
3 October 2013 – Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre, Brisbane
4 October 2013 – Solbar, Sunshine Coast
5 October 2013 – The Northern Hotel, Byron Bay (FREE)
12 October 2013 – Jive, Adelaide

Image used with permission from 123 Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Dempsey Does Karaoke

I’m a real fan of a great cover version, and Paul Dempsey recorded plenty of them during Something for Kate’s recent national tour. He did it without the adulation of the crowd, preferring instead to record his performances backstage and post them on YouTube. This take on Talking Heads’ “This Must Be the Place”, recorded in The Corner Hotel’s male toilets, is one of my favourites.

Hopefully it made the cut for the Shotgun Karaoke EP, a recording which brings together the best of these spontaneous cover versions. Paul will celebrate its October 5 release with a rare solo national tour. Fans can look forward to those special cover versions, tracks from Paul’s solo album Everything is True, as well as some favorite Something for Kate numbers.

See Paul getting his karaoke on at the following venues.

5 October 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
9 October 2013 – Lizotte’s Dee Why
10 October 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
11 October 2013 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
12 October 2013 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
19 October 2013 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide
20 October 2013 – Fly By Night Club, Fremantle
25 October 2013 – Hi Fi, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Villainy Plans Trip Across the Ditch

“Alligator Skin” is one of the most stellar rock songs I’ve heard in some time. It’s not exactly setting the charts on fire, but hopefully that will all change when the band behind the song, New Zealand’s Villainy, hit our shores next month.

Villainy will get in front of plenty of Aussies during their stay with shows for Big Sound and support slots with Kingswood and Jackson Firebird. Fans can expect something pretty special when these guys hit the stage. It took them just a couple of months on the live circuit to land the support slot for Incubus. They’ve also supported the likes of The Offspring and Billy Talent back home. They enjoyed rave reviews for their recent headline national tour of New Zealand.

Villainy will play the lead single and other tracks from their forthcoming album Mode. Set. Clear. at the following shows.

11 September 2013 – Big Sound New Zealand Party @ Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
12 September 2013 – Big Sound Showcase @ The Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
13 September 2013 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast (supporting Kingswood)
14 September 2013 – Great Northern, Byron Bay (supporting Kingswood)
18 September 2013 – Cherry Bar, Melbourne (supporting Jackson Firebird)
19 September 2013 – The Espy Front Bar, Melbourne
20 September 2013 – Spectrum, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan Sultan Guests on Way of the Eagle Single

When ARIA-nominated producer Jan Skubisewski recruited Dan Sultan to provide guest vocals for his debut single as solo act Way of the Eagle, the result was always bound to be musical magic.

The song that came out of their work together is “Rattlesnake”, a Triple J favorite that takes us right to the cantinas of Nevada. It’s sultry and bluesy, with a dash of mariachi thrown in.

Way of the Eagle will launch this sexy single with the following shows in the major capitals.

12 September 2013 — The Zoo, Brisbane
20 September 2013 — Upstairs Beresford, Sydney (FREE)
27 September 2013 — Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rainy Day Women Tour “Ain’t It Time?”

Perth five-piece Rainy Day Women are hitting the road to celebrate the recent release of their second single “Ain’t It Time?”

This is a perfect slice of indie pop that should soon see you forgetting your workday blues. Who would have thought such an upbeat number could come from songwriter Dylan Ollivierre venting his frustration over an argument with a friend? It was recorded on a farm in south-west Western Australia, and I think that organic setting has seeped into this recording. It’s a little rough around the edges, but that spontaneity is infectious.

Rainy Day Women will kick off their “Ain’t It Time?” single launch tour with showcases at Big Sound before criss-crossing the country and back home again.

11 September 2013 – Big Sound @ Coniston Lane, Brisbane
12 September 2013 – Big Sound @ Alhambra Lounge WAM Showcase, Brisbane
13 September 2013 – X&Y Bar, Brisbane
14 September 2013 – Transit Bar, Canberra
18 September 2013 – Beach Road Hotel, Sydney
19 September 2013 – The Bucket List, Sydney (Acoustic)
20 September 2013 – Upstairs at The Beresford, Sydney
21 September 2013 – Hibernian House, Sydney (Acoustic)
26 September 2013 – The Espy, Melbourne
27 September 2013 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne
28 September 2013 – Ed’s Castle, Adelaide
5 October 2013 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
6 October 2013 – The Newport, Fremantle
11 October 2013 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
19 October 2013 – Electric Vines, Swan Valley

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Evermore Release “One Love” for Global Citizen Festival

Last year 60, 000 people joined big-name musicians Neil Young, The Black Keys, and Foo Fighters in New York’s Central Park to promote the Global Citizen Festival. This year Australia will get to be part of it, with a live stream from the New York event hitting the Palais Theatre alongside homegrown performances from Evermore and other local acts. Visit the Global Citizen Festival website to earn the points you need to score tickets.

Evermore’s song “One Love” has been doing the rounds for a while, but they’re launching it officially to promote the Global Citizen Festival. All profits raised from the single’s sales will benefit the Gloval Poverty Project and the Cotton On Foundation, which works hard to spearhead education projects in Uganda. Even if you’re not in Melbourne and unable to attend the event, you can support the initiative by picking up a copy of Evermore’s charity EP at your local Cotton On store.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Belle and the Bone People Bring us The Boy

Sydney’s Belle and the Bone People present themselves as Australia’s answer to Mumford and Sons with their new single “The Boy”. The track is our first taste of the band’s self-titled six-track EP, and it’s absolutely killer.

I’ve been assured this isn’t a band that should be pigeonholed though. While they do that toe-tapping folk thing so well, the EP happily bounces around from genre to genre. With such a strong lead single, I’m pretty intrigued about this new Aussie act.

Image used with permission from Firestarter Music