Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Lamplights Wow Me with “You’ve Got a Friend”

Sometimes you hear a song and it just clicks with you instantly. “You’ve Got a Friend” by Gold Coast five-piece The Lamplights is one of those songs.

The song is such an irresistible fusion of pop, funk, folk, and blues. It feels easy and effortless without being lazy. Summer might be a few months away, but I think I’ve found my soundtrack already. “You’ve Got a Friend” comes from The Lamplights’ second album What Love Is.

The Lamplights will support Buffalo Tales at a trio of shows next month before gracing the stage at the Caloundra Music Festival.

3 October 2013 – Bangalow Bowls Club, Bangalow
4 October 2013 – The Soundlounge, Gold Coast
5 October 2013 – Greenslopes Bowls Club, Brisbane
7 October 2013 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Keith Urban Tops Aussie Charts

Keith Urban has scored his second consecutive number one Aussie album with the release of his eighth studio recording Fuse. It’s a great result for Keith on debut, as the singles from the album only made it to number 40 and number 50 respectively. I guess everyone was just waiting for the long-player!

Thank god for Keith, because he’s the only Aussie in the ARIA albums top 10. There’s also not a local song to be seen in the top 10 singles charts. Let’s hope for better fortune next week!

Continue reading “Keith Urban Tops Aussie Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darren Middleton Goes Solo

Bernard Fanning isn’t the only former member of Powderfinger eying solo success. Darren Middleton’s also having a crack with his new single “Let Go”.

I really love this track. It’s deceptively simple, with heartfelt delivery and an awesome philosophy. It’s clear that the time Darren’s taken to release his first solo number was well spent.

“It has been two and half years now since we parted ways and the final chords rang
out as our Powderfinger tour concluded,” Darren explained. 
”Initially I intended to get straight back on
the horse to write, record and perform … all
 the things I have loved so much over the 
years, but it wasn’t to be that way for quite 
some time. I knew that I loved writing and
 making music, I just didn’t feel it straight 
away … I didn’t feel I had anything to write
 about. As time moved on, I found myself
 dealing with a lot of emotions I hadn’t 
planned on and there were some bumpy
 seas for myself and those close to me.
 From that though, arose Translations, my 
first solo album.”

Translations is scheduled to hit stores on November 1. If this song’s any indication, it’s going to be pretty special.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wolf & Cub Tour Heavy Weight Album

With their third album Heavy Weight sitting comfortably on music store shelves, Wolf & Cub know the time is for hitting the road.

Their upcoming tour will see Wolf & Cub visiting capital cities and regional centres, including several they haven’t played in some time. The wait promises to be worthwhile, with critics claiming this collection of psychedelic tinged rock tracks is one of the band’s best.

You can catch Wolf & Cub showcasing their new songs and some old favorites at the following shows.

10 October 2013 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
12 October 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
17 October 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
19 October 2013 – Ed Castle, Adelaide
24 October 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
25 October 2013 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
26 October 2013 – Amplifier Hotel, Perth
27 October 2013 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle

Image used with permission from Bird Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wastelands in Store, Eskimo Joe to Tour

If you didn’t know it already, Eskimo Joe’s new Wastelands is in stores today. And if you also didn’t know it, Eskimo Joe will hit the road next month to promote their self-produced, crowd-funded release.

The tour will be fans’ first chance to see Eskimo Joe playing the best cuts from their new synth-laden release. So it’s a good thing that the Western Australian trio will play plenty of shows around the country this October and November. Tickets are on sale now from the venues for the following gigs.

17 October 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
18 October 2013 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
19 October 2013 – Forum Theatre, Melbourne
24 October 2013 – Newcastle Panthers, Newcastle
25 October 2013 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
26 October 2013 – Waves, Wollongong
1 November 2013 – Sugarland, Bundaberg
2 November 2013 – Tank Arts, Cairns
9 November 2013 – Astor Theatre, Perth
23 November 2013 – Gorgeous Festival, Adelaide Hills

Image used with permission from Alpha Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tokyo Denmark Sweden Impress with Turning Time

I must admit, I wasn’t the biggest Tokyo Denmark Sweden fan when they released their debut EP late last year. But I’m really impressed by the more mature sound they’re showcasing on their latest single “Turning Time”, which hits iTunes today.

The track has ethereal airy vocals, a thumping bass lines, and irresistible melodic hooks. They showed that solid dance foundation with their earlier efforts, but they’ve enjoyed a bit of polish from legendary British producer Mark Saunders. After working with The Cure, David Bowie, and Depeche Mode, this guy clearly knows his stuff.

Tokyo Denmark Sweden’s debut EP got some major buzz on American college radio. Could this be the track to earn them mainstream global success?

Image used with permission from Shake Appeal

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Karl Smith Woos Us with “I Want You”

Karl Smith gets romantic with the release of his new single “I Want You”. The track is the first released from Karl’s debut solo album Kites. If this song’s any indication, I should really get my hands on the LP.

There are so many love songs out there that it really takes something special to cut through. Karl does it with relatable, honest lyrics. The pictures he paints might not be the stuff of Hollywood blockbusters, but that’s what makes them so real. I love the way the music swells as this whimsical love story builds.

Karl will promote his album’s release with the following shows supporting fellow Perth dweller Jae Laffer from The Panics.

12 October 2013 – The Toff, Melbourne
18 October 2013 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
19 October 2013 – The Loft, Gold Coast
24 October 2013 – Mojo’s Bar, Fremantle
25 October 2013 – Astor Upstairs, Perth
26 October 2013 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
8 November 2013 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Image used with permission from Weapons of Mass Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nat Dunn Wows with “A Fool’s Fate” Acoustic

If you’re seeing Busby Marou this October or November, make sure you arrive early. Everyone’s sure to be talking about the support act Nat Dunn.

Nat signed with Mushroom when she was just 16 years old, but she was determined not to be just another disposable child star. She took a decade to hone her craft before releasing her debut EP A Fool’s Fate. For just a hint of how good it is, watch Nat stripping the title track back for this acoustic performance at Brisbane’s Sofar Sounds. It’s absolutely stunning.

It’s only a matter of time before this talented songbird graduates to her own headlining tour. The opportunity to see her at intimate venues with Busby Marou shouldn’t be missed.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Archie Roach Readies 4CD Creation Set

Archie Roach will look back on his career with a massive 4CD set called Creation. The set, which features remastered versions of Archie’s first four albums and more than a dozen unreleased bonus tracks, will hit stores on October 4.

Its deluxe packaging, with detailed liner notes and unearthed images from the archives, will also be a treat for collectors.

Archie will celebrate the release with live shows around the country. These very special concerts will see Archie playing with a ten-piece ensemble featuring a string quartet and the vocal talents of Lou Bennett, Emma Donovan, and Deline Briscoe.

15 November 2013 – Australasian Worldwide Music Expo @ Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne
30 December 2013 – Woodford Folk Festival @ The Amphitheatre, Woodford
25 January 2014 – Sydney Festival @ State Theatre, Sydney
26 January 2014 – Sydney Festival @ The Parade Ground, Parramatta (FREE)
10 February 2014 – Perth Festival @ Chevron Festival Gardens, Perth
15 March 2014 – Adelaide Festival @ Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mantra Tours “Telling Scenes”

Mantra is proving to be one of the hardest working urban acts on the Aussie scene right now. His new album Telling Scenes hits stores today, and he’s currently touring the country supporting Seth Sentry. But with a few days free on that tour, he figured he’d also set off on his own headlining run to support the album’s release.

Telling Scenes features the single “Break Tradition”, which is one of the most intelligent hip hop tracks I’ve heard in a while. Make sure you really listen to the lyrics on this one readers. They’re stunning. The album continues this tradition, telling emotional narratives that take listeners on a journey, informing and moving them rather than just entertaining.

Mantra will promote the album and single at the following headline shows.

19 September 2013 – Flyrite, Perth
20 September 2013 – Mojo’s, Fremantle
3 October 2013 – Great Northern, Newcastle
4 October 2013 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney
5 October 2013 – Beachcomber Hotel, Toukley
11 October 2013 – The Evelyn, Melbourne
17 October 2013 – Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
19 October 2013 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
26 October 2013 – Ed Castle, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Paris Patient