Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Snowdroppers Tour “So Much Better”

The Snowdroppers are ready to close the door on their sophomore album Moving Out of Eden with the release of its third and final single, “So Much Better”.

“So Much Better” is a cheeky, danceable ditty about the ease with which we can hurt the ones we love. It’s kind of depressing subject matter really, but when it’s wrapped in such an upbeat package it’s much easier to swallow. You can hear a little of the track live in this video.

The Snowdroppers are getting ready to hibernate and record album number three, but before they do they’ll play a string of shows with their best pals Gay Paris and some other like-minded musical guests.

6 September 2013 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
7 September 2013 – Jive Bar Adelaide
13 September 2013 – John Curtin Band Room, Carlton
20 & 21 September 2013 – Annandale Hotel, Annandale

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Okenyo Wows Me with “Broken Chest”

It wasn’t too long ago that I was lamenting a lack of really strong female voices in the music industry. I remembered looking up to artists like Cyndi Lauper, Pat Benatar, and The Bangles as a kid, and I didn’t feel anyone was really occupying those spaces. Katy Perry might count if her music wasn’t so vapid, and perhaps I’d give Lady Gaga a pass if she wasn’t so derivative. Sure there are some examples in the alternative world, but their music doesn’t have the commercial hooks to touch the next generation of girls. P!nk’s probably the only mainstream female artist that fits the bill, but once upon a time ballsy chicks like her were everywhere. In light of those thoughts, I’m pretty excited to learn of a sassy songstress living in our own backyard. Let me introduce you to Okenyo.

With her first single “Broken Chest”, Okenyo delivers an enticing blend of female sensuality and ferocity. This electronic number has got a smart pop sensibility with a fierceness more associated with the rock genre. I’m intrigued by this bright new talent. If you are too, you can catch Okenya supporting Jinja Safari at the following shows.

11 September 2013 – Woombye Pub, Sunshine Coast
12 September 2013 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
13 Sept 2013 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
14 September 2013 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
18 September 2013 – ANU, Canberra
19 September 2013 – Uni Bar, Wollongong
20 September 2013 – Cambridge, Newcastle
21 September 2013 – The Metro, Sydney (ALL AGES)
25 September 2013 – Loft, Warrnambool
26 September 2013 – Barwon Club, Geelong
27 September 2013 – Forum, Melbourne
28 September 2013 – Karova, Ballarat
3 October 2013 – Adelaide Uni Bar, Adelaide
4 October 2013 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
5 October 2013 – The Astor, Perth (ALL AGES)
6 October 2013 – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury

Image used with permission from Original Matters

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Spit Syndicate Tour “Amazing” New Single

Spit Syndicate are continuing to ride the wave following the release of their third album Sunday Gentlemen earlier this year. The Sydney hip hop lads have just released the album’s third single, “Amazing”.

The track is a postcard from a tour which pays tribute to the intensity of the live shows and the special connection between performers and their fans.

So it’s only fitting that Spit Syndicate will celebrate the single’s release with a massive tour. This hard-working hip hop act will play plenty of shows in capital cities and regional centres, including a few under 18s and all-ages gigs. Make sure you arrive early to see a set from support act from singer-songwriter-producer Joyride, Spit Syndicate’s DJ and life coach.

13 September 2013 – Flinders Social, Townsville
14 September 2013 – Union Jack Hotel, Cairns
20 September 2013 – Barwon Club, Geelong
21 September 2013 – The Evelyn, Melbourne
22 September 2013 – Phoenix Youth Club, Footscray (Under 18s)
26 September 2013 – The Armidale Club, Armidale
27 September 2013 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
28 September 2013 – Sol Bar Maroochydore
4 October 2013 – Waves, Wollongong
5 October 2013 – Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale
10 October 2013 – The Loft, Gold Coast
11 October 2013 – Woodys Surf Shack Byron Bay, NSW
12 October 2013 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane (Under 18s)
17 October 2013 – Newport, Fremantle
18 October 2013 – Amplifier, Perth
19 October 2013 – Enigma, Adelaide (All Ages)
25 October 2013 – Baroque, Katoomba, NSW
2 November 2013 – Hi-Fi, Sydney (All Ages)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Butterfly Effect Lay it All Bare with DVD Release

The Butterfly Effect are taking us behind the scenes with the release of their brutally honest documentary and live DVD set.

The Effected DVD caps off an epic twelve year career, which has seen the band play more than 500 shows and sell around 200, 000 albums. It also closes the door on the first chapter of the band following the departure of lead singer Clint Boge last year.

“If nothing else, our fans know that we’re always honest and we went into this DVD wanting to really lay it out on the table and tell the whole story. If we’re going to open a new chapter of The Butterfly Effect story, it’s important there are no secrets and this is a real opportunity for fans to see what the pressures of being in a touring band can do,” said drummer Ben Hall.

The Butterfly Effect’s Effected DVD hits stores today.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Twelve Foot Ninja Launch “Shuriken” with Aussie Shows

Twelve Foot Ninja might be preparing to conquer the world, but they’ve got time to rock Australia before they go. They’ll play a string of local shows to support the release of their epic genre-bending new single “Shuriken”.

The accompanying music video shows Twelve Foot Ninja doing what they do best. It acts as a kind of tour postcard, documenting their life on the road over the last twelve months.

Capital city shows sold out last time Twelve Foot Ninja headlined a local tour, so don’t wait too long to get your tickets. North American dates will be announced shortly.

30 August 2013 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
5 September 2013 – Coffs Hotel, Coffs Harbour
6 September 2013 – Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
7 September 2013 – Parkwood Tavern, Gold Coast
12 September 2013 – Zierholz UC, Canberra
13 September 2013 – Waves, Wollongong
14 September 2013 – Manning Bar, Sydney
19 September 2013 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
20 September 2013 – Entrance Leagues, The Entrance
21 September 2013 – Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale
26 September 2013 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
27 September 2013 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
4 October 2013 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
5 October 2013 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide
9 October 2013 – K17, Berlin
10 October 2013 – Headcrash, Hamburg
11 October 2013 – Camden Barfly, London
12 October 2013 – Euroblast, Cologne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boogie Celebrates ’70s Country-Rock with Silver Roads

They brought us blues, R&B, and heavy rock last time around, and now the Boogie! team promises to treat us to the other side of the return-to-roots coin. Their latest compilation, BOOGIE! Presents Silver Roads: Australian Country-Rock and Singer-Songwriters of the ‘70s, hits stores tomorrow.

The two CD set features big names like Axiom, Russell Morris, Richard Clapton, and Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs alongside more obscure numbers from acts like Autodrifters, Tymepiece, and Hot Knives.

Its release means I don’t have to wrack my brains for a Father’s Day gift for dear old dad. I have a sneaking feeling I’ll want him to burn me a copy too!

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy Outside Plays Redfern Shows for EP Release

British-born, Sydney-based singer-songwriter Boy Outside will release his self-titled debut EP tomorrow, August 9.

The EP features the gorgeous folky single “River Runs to the Sea” and five more stellar songs recorded at Linear Studios late last year.

Boy Outside will celebrate the EP’s release with launch shows every Thursday in August at Redfern’s Arcadia Liquors. The first show’s tonight, so make sure you don’t miss it!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Little Scout Prepare to Release Second Album

Little Scout were one of my favourite acts of 2011. So I’m thrilled to hear they’re back this year with their second album Are You Life, which will hit stores on September 6.

Are You Life was self-produced and recorded at several spots around their hometown of Brisbane. It reflects the band’s evolution, with the stronger, more distorted sounds Little Scout have been playing with in their live shows. Happily though Are You Life still features those gorgeous vocal melodies I first fell for. It also features the lead single “Go Quietly”, which has scored plenty of airplay on commercial radio and JJJ.

You can enjoy a sneak peek of the Are You Life when Little Scout support fellow Brisbanites Hungry Kids of Hungary at the following shows.

23 August 2013 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
24 August 2013 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
30 August 2013 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
31 August 2013 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
5 September 2013 – The Barwon Club, Geelong
6 September 2013 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
7 September 2013 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dead Letter Circus Treat Fans to New Single, Album, & Tour

Dead Letter Circus’ sophomore album The Catalyst Fire doesn’t drop until Friday, but you can enjoy a sneak peek with the video for the lead single “Lodestar”. This is an epic rock song that gives us a great taste of what’s to come from the Brisbane quintet.

Of course a song like this is only going to sound better in the flesh, so fans will be excited to hear that Dead Letter Circus will tour the album around the country this August and September.

29 August 2013 – HQ, Adelaide
30 August 2013 – The Wool Exchange, Geelong
31 August 2013 – The HiFi, Melbourne
4 September 2013 – Zierholz @ UC, Canberra
5 September 2013 – The Metro, Sydney
6 September 2013 – Waves, Wollongong
7 September 2013 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
12 September 2013 – Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra
13 September 2013 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
14 September 2013 – The Hifi, Brisbane
19 September 2013 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
20 September 2013 – Metropolis, Fremantle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom West Launches Debut Album with Aussie Shows

I became enamoured with Tom West when I heard his first single “Jonathan’s Farm” in May. Back then I said his album was sure to be something special. We get to find out when Tom tours his first-long player A Spark in the Dark around the country.

That song, and the follow-up “Malecón” unfold slowly, taking their time to draw us in. Perhaps that’s not surprising, as the album took some time to come together too. Tom spent a year travelling and writing songs before heading in to the studio with fellow Adelaide musicians Alister Douglas and Todd Sibbin. I use the term studio loosely, but really the trio worked together in a shed equipped with two microphones and a laptop. That gives these tracks a really raw, organic quality which is so appealing.

Tom’s been playing solo shows locally and around North America for the first half of the year, but he thought it only fitting that he take Alister and Todd on the road with him for the A Spark in the Dark shows.

21 August 2013 – Folk Club @ The Soda Factory, Sydney
22 August 2013 –The Great Northern, Newcastle
23 August 2013 –The Aztec, Forster
24 August 2013 –The Hideaway, Brisbane
25 August 2013 –The Evelyn, Melbourne
30 August 2013 –The Hotel Metro, Adelaide