After they knocked my socks off in May with “Tightrope”, I was keen to see what The Vanturas would come up with next. Thankfully I didn’t need to wait too long.
The Melbourne quartet have just released a killer follow-up called “Georgia Brown.” It’s so full of hooks, I found myself singing along to the chorus by the end of the first spin. Rock on!
Fresh from warming up the crowds at Pink’s Sydney shows, Aimee Francis will head out on our own to promote her new track “Losers’ Game”.
I really love this song. It’s a great tale of heartbreak with some genuine grit and angst behind it. I just wish it wasn’t so produced. That heavy-handed approach in the studio has diluted its impact a bit. I’d love to hear it stripped right back, perhaps with just an acoustic guitar and Aimee’s killer voice.
Aimee described it as a look “at the cynical side of love … I guess the wonderful experience of break up and all the levels of emotions that go with it – sadness, anger and maybe some sort of resentment and the questions”
It’s great to have this girl from Sydney’s inner west home, as she’s been enjoying an extended stay in the United States where she toured with Pat Benatar and Steel Panther and received endorsements from Gibson Guitars and Orange Amps.
“I am really excited to hit the road. My new band are all PHENOMENAL (and are eyecandy – crowd can thank me later),” she gushed. “I think this has been the most focused and ready that I’ve ever been and we are up to 20-odd dates on the tour which makes me reaaaaaaaally reaaaaaally giddy. Bring it.”
You can see Aimee and her sexy band at the following shows.
18 September 2013 – Newcastle University, Newcastle (midday)
18 September 2013 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
19 September 2013 – Port Macquarie Hotel, Port Macquarie
21 September 2013 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
27 September 2013 – Musicman, Bendigo
28 September 2013 – Jetty Bar, Glenelg
29 September 2013 – Grace Emily, Adelaide
4 October 2013 – Bahas, Rye
5 October 2013 – The Espy, Melbourne
6 October 2013 – Albion Hotel, Albury
13 October 2013 – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
17 October 2013 – The Court Hotel, Perth
18 October 2013 – The Elliot St Bar, Bunbury
19 October 2013 – Oktoberfest – Duckstein Winery, Margaret River
19 October 2013 – The Swan Basement, North Fremantle
24 October 2013 – Frankies, Sydney
Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment
Melbourne alt-pop artist Lester the Fierce serves up a serious slice of girl power with “Howl”, the first single lifted from her self-titled EP.
There’s such feminine strength in this number, which is anchored by such relatable lyrics. I’m sure most women out there will understand this song which tells of Lester the Fierce’s refusal to go quietly, despite the people around her hoping for a sweeter, calmer version of femininity.
“It’s about my family and the boy I love,” she explained. “It’s about the frustration you sometimes feel at the people closest to you.”
The song is complemented beautifully be the abstract film clip crafted by Melbourne’s Superteam Studios and Yoav Lester.
Lester the Fierce’s EP drops on September 13, but she’ll start promoting it tomorrow when she hits the road with Ngaiire. With two such strong female voices on the one bill, this tour should be something really special.
In the past few years or so, the game bingo has undergone a pop culture makeover. No longer it is reserved for your grandma and her wrinkly friends. Nowadays, you can find twentysomethings playing the game right alongside the older set. Most of the younger bingo players aren’t doing it ironically either. The controversy surrounding National Bingo Night notwithstanding, bingo has become a very popular pastime in Australia. Musical bingo, in particular, has steadily built a cult following. It’s even gotten to the point where it’s being advertised not just as a game but an experience.
That’s what Bogan Bingo is doing. Wholeheartedly embracing the bogan image, Bogan Bingo is “half game, half party” with judicious helpings of jokes, tributes and spontaneous air guitar competitions. This particular brand of bingo has a bingo caller shouting out the numbers while a DJ plays songs from the 80s and 90s that rhyme with those numbers. It’s far from your typical FoxyBingo night but judging by the fact that Bogan Bingo has been going strong for eight years, the formula seems to be working well.
A number of Australian outfits are also getting into the bingo craze. For example, in preparation for this year’s Splendour in the Grass festival, online mag The Music released a printable bingo card that features typical festival sights such as Instagrammers and fence jumpers on the run from security. While the card was released for Splendour, most of the things on it can be reused for any other festival with a little creative tweaking.
As you can see in the examples mentioned above, perhaps the best thing about bingo is that it can be tailored to suit pretty much anything. Whether you’re into movies, TV shows, or music, all you need is a card and a bit of creativity and you can make your own bingo game.
Image source: Bogan Bingo
I’m sitting here with goosebumps after listening to Jordan Rakei’s debut single “My Time” for the first time.
This track is seriously good. This boy plays the keys like nobody’s business, and his voice is smooth as silk. He’s got such a cool vibe. There’s an assurance to his sound that comes from being confident in doing your own thing. This song sounds like nothing I’ve heard, yet its off-kilter melody and new-style crooner charm are instantly accessible.
There’s more where this came from too. “My Time” is the first song lifted from Jordan’s debut EP Franklin’s Room. I’m definitely looking forward to listening to more. If you are too, you can see Jordan launching the single in Brisbane or supporting American singer-songwriter Raul Midon on his Aussie tour.
27 September 2013 – The Joynt, Brisbane
21 November 2013 – The Corner Hotel, Richmond (supporting Raul Midon)
22 November 2013 – Blue Beat Live Club, Double Bay (supporting Raul Midon)
Fresh from the release of his latest single “Baby I Am Nobody Now”, rising alt-pop star Andy Bull will tour the country next month.
Andy will play intimate shows along the East Coast to give fans a taste of his forthcoming album. Tickets are on sale now from the venues.
10 October 2013 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
11 October 2013 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
12 October 2013 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
19 October 2013 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
20 October 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (Early Show)
Sydney electronic songbird Elizabeth Rose has delivered her catchiest single to date with “The Good Life”.
Sure it’s got stunning, soulful vocals and a danceable beat, but I’m most impressed by the track’s lyrics. The song speaks so beautifully about that point in your life when you’re keen to leave your parents’ nest and find your own way in the world.
Elizabeth will launch “The Good Life” at the following shows in Australia and the United States.
11 September 2013 – X & Y Bar, Brisbane
12 September 203 – Bigsound Music Glue Party @ Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane (5:30 pm)
12 September 2013 – Bigsound Showcase @ Bakery Lane, Brisbane (8 pm)
21 & 22 September 2013 – OutsideIn Festival, Sydney
15-18 October 2013 – CMJ Music Marathon, New York
Image used with permission from Recon Music
The musical stylings of sweet Sydney songstress Sam Buckingham and Will Smith couldn’t be more different, yet for some reason this clip of Sam covering the theme from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air works. You’ve never heard it quite like this before!
Sam recorded this gorgeous take on the retro classic backstage in Brisbane recently. I think it deserves a place in her sets, don’t you?
Tasmania’s Christopher Coleman and Sydney’s Zoe Elliot, two of Australia’s most exciting young singer-songwriters, are joining forces for The Rambling Tour this month.
These shows are a great way for Christopher Coleman to celebrate his homecoming. He returns to our shores after playing 26 shows around the United Kingdom and completing his debut album in Sweden. No doubt he’ll give fans a sneak peek at the whimsical folk narratives that have made the cut, as well as some of the beloved tracks from his EP Burnt Black Wood.
Zoe is the ideal foil for Christopher. She’s polished her live performances with supporting Matt Corby’s Secret Garden gigs and playing her own sell-out shows in her hometown this year. She hits the road to promote her recently released EP Black Dog.
With two superb singer-songwriters playing such intimate venues, these nights are sure to be pretty special.
13 September 2013 – Wesley Anne, Melbourne
14 September 2013 – The Front Gallery, Canberra
20 September 2013 – House Concert, Newcastle
21 September 2013 – Smallest Gig sideshow, Sydney
Image used with permission from Dario Phillips Management
After enjoying critical acclaim and chart success with his 2011 album Blood Thinner, Jordie Lane has opted to return to the short EP format for his next release. Not Built to Last, which hits stores on October 18, was the result of an intense time co-writing and recording in his new adopted home of Los Angeles.
He’s also spent plenty of time on the stage recently, with slots at the Winnipeg and Calgary Folk Festivals and headlining gigs across North America. With all that experience under his belt, Jordie will return home to launch the single with festival appearances and solo shows around the country this October and November.
25 & 26 October 2013 – Fleurieu Folk Festival, Willunga
27 October 2013 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle (afternoon show)
27 October 2013 – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
31 October 2013 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
1 November 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane (early evening show)
2 November 2013 – Red Hot Music, Devonport
3 November 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart (afternoon show)
7 November 2013 – Beav’s Bar, Geelong
8 November 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
9 November 2013 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne (with full band)
10 November 2013 – Caravan Club, Oakleigh (afternoon show)
13 November 2013 – Street Theatre, Canberra
14 November 2013 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
15 November 2013 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
16 November 2013 – The Basement, Sydney (with full band)
17 November 2013 – Grand Junction, Maitland
18 November 2013 – Music Lounge, Manly
20 November 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
21 November 2013 – Lizotte’s, New Lambton
22 November 2013 – Mullumbimby Music Festival, Mullumbimby
Image used with permission from SGC Media