Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy and Bear Top ARIA Charts with Harlequin Dream

Boy and Bear’s Harlequin Dream has become the tenth local title to hit the top of the ARIA Charts this year. The Sydney folksters have gone one better with their sophomore album; Moonfire hit second spot two years ago.

Last week’s number one, Atlas, dropped down to number four this week, with Rufus unable to compete with international giants P!nk and Fleetwood Mac. Dead Letter Circus, last week’s number two act, have also fallen this week. Their newie The Catalyst Fire sits at number nine.

Adam Harvey and Troy Cassar-Daley have no doubt enjoyed a boost from Father’s Day sales. Their Great Country Songbook has risen to number six this week, and impressive 10 weeks after its release.

Sadly there are no local singles in the ARIA top 10 after Vance Joy’s Riptide fell to number 12.

Click below for this week’s top 10s.

Continue reading “Boy and Bear Top ARIA Charts with Harlequin Dream” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Barnesy Leads All-Star Lineup for Cambodian Children’s Trust

Some of Australia’s finest entertainers will come together at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on Monday September 30 to raise funds for the Cambodian Children’s Trust.

Arj Barker will host the event which features performances from Jimmy Barnes, Lior, Diesel, David Campbell, Mahalia Barnes, Prinnie Stevens, Mitchell Anderson, Darren Percival, iOTA, and The Party People Collective.

Money raised will help the local charity Cambodian Children’s Trust improve the quality of life for Cambodia’s orphans and needy children. You can learn more about the charity and their vital work in this video.

Tickets are available now from the Enmore Theatre.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Corby Announces Resolution Tour

Matt Corby will thank fans for his recent chart success when he takes his platinum-selling Resolution EP on the road in October. The EP hasn’t just been a big hit at home. It also hit the iTunes top ten in the United Kingdom, Sweden, and New Zealand.

The tour will see Matt playing some of his biggest shows to date at iconic venues like the Hordern Pavilion and Festival Hall. It’ll also give him an opportunity to roadtest some of the material he’s been recording for his debut album.

Make sure you arrive early to catch international support act Bear’s Den. The London trio have been compared to the likes of Wilco and Ryan Adams, so they’re sure to hit the right notes before Matt takes to the stage.

9 October 2013 – Wollongong University, Wollongong (18+)
10 October 2013 – ANU Bar, Canberra (18+)
11 October 2013 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (Licensed All Ages)
15 October 2013 – Convention Centre, Brisbane (Licensed All Ages)
17 October 2013 – City Hall, Hobart (Licensed All Ages)
18 October 2013 – Festival Hall, Melbourne (Licensed All Ages)
23 October 2013 – GPAC Playhouse, Geelong (Licensed All Ages)
24 October 2013 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide (Licensed All Ages)
27 October 2013 – Arts Centre, Fremantle (18+)

Image used with permission from Pod Artist Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amy Shark Are Your Saturday Soundtrack

It’s Saturday! If that’s not enough to put a smile on your face, this charming folk number from Amy Shark should do it. The back and forth vocals and big brassy instrumentation of “Weight of the World” are just delightful!

Amy Shark will play their first ever show to launch their EP at The Loft Chevron Island on September 13. If you’re in the area, make sure you get on down to support this feel-good band!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Island Vibe Heading Back to Stradbroke Island for 8th Year

Island Vibe is coming back to Stradbroke Island for more reggae, dub, soul music, and good times from October 25 to 27.

Rather than serving up the same old line-up, the Island Vibe crew has looked further afield to bring out many international artists who’ve never graced our shoes. They include New York’s dancehall phenomenon Electric Punanny, British reggae queen MC Soom T, New Zealand’s Dub Terminator, Jamaican soul diva Silva MC, and Chile’s own Jah Red Lion.

Promoters haven’t forgotten about our homegrown talent though. Kingfisha, Dubmarine, Bobby Alu, Darky Roots, and Die Rude are just some of the local acts who’ll grace the Island Vibe stage.

Talk about a great excuse for an island holiday. Tickets are on sale now through the Island Vibe website.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Good Oak Impress at Sofar Sounds

I think you can only tell how good a band is when you see them perform live and acoustic. Without studio trickery or even loud instruments to hide behind, you can hear that pure talent. And that’s why Good Oak, and this performance of their track “The Stumble Inn” blows me away. Shot during a secret show, part of the Sofar Sounds initiative, it really is something special.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stonefield Tour New Single Head of Album Release

When the fresh-faced sisters Stonefield burst onto the music scene I thought they possessed maturity beyond their tender years.

However, after a year out of the spotlight they’ve grown even more to create their long awaited self-titled debut album. That won’t hit stores until October 11, but we get a taste of it with the debut single “Put Your Curse on Me”.

The track’s got all the guts we remember from the girls, but more layers than their earlier efforts. It can’t all be down to the appearance of the Melbourne Mass Gospel Choir, but their harmonious voices certainly give this number a lift.

Fans can hear this track and more from Stonefield’s debut album when the sisters kick off their national tour in Newcastle tonight. Tickets are still available, so make sure you get yourself to one of these shows.

23 August 2013 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
24 August 2013 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
29 August 2013 – The Prince of Wales, Bunbury
30 August 2013 – Players Bar, Mandurah
31 August 2013 – Amplifier, Perth
1 September 2013 – Indi Bar, Scarborough
5 September 2013 – Jive, Adelaide
6 September 2013 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
7 September 2013 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
11 September 2013 – Big Sound, Brisbane

Image used with permission from 123 Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ngaiire Guests on The Strides’ Single

Sydney urban act The Strides have joined forces with up and coming soul superstar Ngaiire for their brand new single “One for One”.

The track showcases how easily this band blends classic reggae with contemporary hip hop. I love the way the big brassy horns and infectious base line marry with Ngaiire’s honey-rich voice.

“One for One” gives us our first taste of The Strides’ third album, which is scheduled to hit stores early next year. Fans can get a taste of what’s to come when the band launches the single at the following shows.

29 August 2013 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour (FREE)
30 August 2013 – SolBar, Maroochydore
31 August 2013 – Mandala Arts Café, Gold Coast
1 September 2013 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (FREE)
3 September 2013 – The Platinum Lounge @ Lismore Workers Club, Lismore (FREE)
8 September 2013 – Barrenjoey Music Room @ Barrenjoey High School, Avalon
11 September 2013 – The Ellington, Perth
12 September 2013 – Mojo’s, Fremantle
13 September 2013 – Ya Ya’s, Perth
14 September 2013 – Prince Of Wales Hotel, Bunbury (FREE)
15 September 2013 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough
26 September 2013 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
27 September 2013 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
28 September 2013 – Murrah Hall, Bermagui
29 September 2013 – Honky Tonks, Canberra
5 October 2013 – The Basement, Sydney
25 – 27 October 2013 – Island Vibe Festival, Stradbroke Island

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Dames” – Molly Contogeorge

Sydney songstress Molly Contogeorge serves up another slice of girl power with her aptly titled new EP Dames.

You always hope an EP will open with a bang; this one opens with two. The first track “Bang Bang” drips sass. The horns give it a delightfully retro vibe that transports the listener to a retro speakeasy.

The next track “Bad Boy” is another girl power anthem that calls out all those men we find so alluring. Molly’s trademark piano anchors the upbeat number beautifully.

Molly shows us her softer, more vulnerable side with the stunning “Brother”. It’s jazzy, but it’s got a heartbreaking rawness to it that so many numbers of the genre lack. We’re not held at a distance here. Molly invites us in.

The title and final track “Dames” is a great bookend for this EP, as it takes us back to the big brassy sound and vintage feel of “Bang Bang”. After feeling emotionally sapped by “Brother”, I was looked for something to put a smile back on my face. “Dames” delivered in spades.

I had high hopes for this EP after enjoying Molly’s previous effort Glasshouse Living. This local dame definitely didn’t disappoint.

Image used with permission from Molly Contogeorge