Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy & Bear Return to Aussie Stages

With their sophomore album Harlequin Dream slated to hit stores on August 16, Boy & Bear are giving fans another reason to celebrate. After eight months off the road, this esteemed Aussie act will make a welcome return to local stages to support the album’s release.

Following the success of their debut Moonfire, Boy & Bear made a conscious decision to return to their roots and record the follow-up where it all began, in Sydney. The act took a hands-on approach to the album, and earned a co-producing credit along with Wayne Connolly. Seattle’s Phil Ek, who’s worked with Band of Horses and Fleet Foxes, took care of the mix.

Harlequin Dream is available to preorder through iTunes, JB HiFi, Sanity, and other music retailers. But if you’re a hardcore fan you’ll want to visit the band’s website, where you can get the collector’s edition. This includes a deluxe set with vinyl and CD copies, a lyrics booklet, an artwork print, and one-of-a-kind Polaroid photo snapped by the band.

Boy & Bear will bring the music from Harlequin Dream and some old favorites to the following intimate venues later this year.

24 October 2013 – ANU Bar, Canberra
25 October 2013 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
1 November 2013 – Wool Exchange, Geelong
2 November 2013 – The Forum, Melbourne
7 November 2013 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
8 November 2013 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
9 November 2013 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
15 November 2013 – Waves Nightclub, Wollongong
16 November 2013 – Wrestpoint Showroom, Hobart
21 November 2013 – HQ, Adelaide
22 November 2013 – Metropolis, Fremantle
23 November 2013 – The Astor Theatre, Perth

Image source: Rene Pot @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paper City Thief Rock Out with “TV and Liars”

Western Sydney outfit Paper City Thief serve up good honest rock with their new single “TV and Liars” It’s such a powerful number, with a solid melodic core that makes it accessible from the first listen.

Paper City Thief’s come out of the ashes of A Broken Silence, who you might remember doing great things, including collaborating with Tim Freedman and Ozi Batla back in 2008. Following that band’s breakup, Daniel Bartulovich and Nathan Tuffin continued to work on new material. With a swag of new songs under their belt, they approached Andrew Haszard from Self is a Seed to fill the bass guitarist’s shoes. Paul Petrone, the former guitarist of The Initiation, rounds out the quartet.

“TV and Liars” comes from Paper City Thief’s debut album, which is scheduled to hit stores late this year.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Parklife Crew Brings Us Listen Out

The organisers of Parklife have decided to put their famous dance festival on hold to concentrate on a smaller party dubbed Listen Out. The creators have gone to great pains to stress this isn’t a festival; it’s an “intelligent dance music party”.

The 2013 line-up looks good, with Disclosure, Azealia Banks, and TNGHT – a collaboration between Hudson Mohawke and Lunice – all heading up the bill. The philosophy’s even better though. Listen Out’s been created as an antidote to the big music festivals, with a handpicked of lineup that’s the best rather than the biggest. You can also say goodbye to those timetable clashes, long hikes to stages, and the crowds you can’t relate to.

Get your tickets from the Listen Out website for the following shows. They’ll get more expensive as the date nears, so go procrastinating!

28 September 2013 – Centennial Park, Sydney
29 September 2013 – Ozone Reserve, Perth
5 October 2013 – Observatory Precinct @ Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
6 October 2013 – Cultural Forecourt @ South Bank, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sam Buckingham Charms with New Album & Single

Sydney folk songstress Sam Buckingham is back with a brand new album I’m a Bird. It’s a collection of songs about travel, love, and life’s other adventures. The album is the follow-up to her EP Fragile Heart, which debuted at number three on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts.

The album features the single “Follow You”, which might just be one of the sweetest and most romantic tracks I’ve heard in months. There’s nothing grandiose about it, but it’s impossible not to get swept away by Sam’s angelic voice and heartfelt lyrics.

Sam’s been spending time in Nashville and New York City, but she’s back on home soil to launch I’m a Bird with the following intimate shows.

21 July 2013 – The Bird, Northbridge
28 July 2013 – The Workers Club, Fitzroy
1 August 2013 – The Front, Lyneham (Entry by donation at the door)
3 August 2013 – Hibernian House, Surry Hills
7 August 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
10 August 2013 – Royal Exchange Theatre, Newcastle
11 August 2013 – The Powerhouse, Brisbane (FREE)
28 August 2013 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
30 August 2013 – The Wheatsheaf, Thebarton (FREE)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Middle Names Celebrates TV’s Past with New Music Video

Hobart five-piece The Middle Names appeals to our inner couch potatoes with the video for their latest single “Full Friends”. The clip splices together scenes from some of the best TV programs of the past, including The Drew Carey Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Seinfeld. The track’s not bad either!

It comes from The Middle Names forthcoming debut album “I Need Space”, a record which almost didn’t happen. Five days before the band planned to head to Brisbane to record it, a fire ripped through their rehearsal space. All that survived was the band and their guitars. To add insult to injury, the band was stranded on the way to Applewood Lane Studios after their tyre was punctured. You know what they say about bad luck happening in threes though. Their producer Magoo suffered the last blow of bad luck when his house was burgled.

If they were a superstitious lot they might have abandoned the project altogether. But then we wouldn’t have this fun single, the album to come, and the tour which kicks off in their hometown tonight. Here are all the places you can catch The Middle Names over the next month.

20 July 2013 –Waratah Hotel, Hobart (supporting Gold Fields)
1 August 2013 – AFTR DARK @ Curtin Hotel, Melbourne
10 August 2013 – KITTENS @ Spectrum, Sydney
23 August 2013 – The Butter Factory, Burnie
30 August 2013 – The Ironhorse, Launceston
31 August 2013 – The Waratah Hotel, Hobart

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Win Big When You Preorder Jacob Butler’s Debut Album

It’s been an awfully long wait for Aussie fans, but Jacob Butler’s debut album Reason will finally get a local release on August 16. The album from this Australian Idol graduate features the singles “Kites”, “Come My Way”, and “UKOK?”

It pays to preorder, as doing so will put you in the running to win some great prizes including a Sony Bravia 42” LCD TV, one of ten Sony Xperia Go Billabong edition smartphones, and one of ten pairs of Von Zipper sunglasses.

To enter simply forward your iTunes or JBHiFi.com.au receipt, or the docket from your favorite e-tailer, to jbcomp@redrebelmusic.com.au, along with the reason you love Reason in 25 words or less!

Image used with permission from Linda Sarah

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Carmichael Does the Monster Mash

Brisbane electro-popster Carmichael has created something truly special with his latest musical effort, “Monster Lovesong”.

Carmichael’s mashed up Adele’s take on The Cure’s “Lovesong” and Lady Gaga’s “Monster” to make something truly original and all his own. It’s eerie yet romantic, and complemented beautifully by the music video directed by Kasia Fryckowska.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

360, Drapht, and Seth Sentry Headline Sprung Hip Hop Festival

After delighting hip hop fans in Brisbane for the past two years, the Sprung Festival is travelling down south. After playing Brisbane’s Victoria Park Cricket Ovals on September 21, the festival will move to Melbourne’s Kevin Bartlett Sport and Rec Complex on October 19.

This year’s all-ages event is shaping up to be something special, with 360, Drapht, Seth Sentry, Urthboy, and Thundamentals all on the bill. Considering the level of talent, the tickets are a steal at just $79 plus booking fee. Get yours through Oztix or the Sprung website.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harrison Craig Back on Top of Albums Charts

Harrison Craig proves he’s a force to be reckoned with this week with his album More Than a Dream returning to the top of the ARIA albums charts.

It’s a massive feat for the reigning Voice champion, who kept Jay-Z from the top spot and bumped our own Bliss N Eso’s Circus in the Sky down to number three.

Hillsong Live have also fallen with Glorious Ruins slipping from number three to six.

Josh Pyke made plenty of noise on Facebook this week about stores failing to stock his newie The Beginning and the End of Everything, so it’s impressive to see it still managed to snag the number seven spot on debut.

Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey are also continuing to make an impact on the charts with The Great Country Songbook. It sits at number nine this week.

We’re back to the usual suspects in the singles charts, with stayers Timomatic and Matt Corby sitting at number seven and ten respectively.

Click below for this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “Harrison Craig Back on Top of Albums Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Basics Announce Reunion Shows

If you thought the rise of Gotye spelled the end of The Basics, you’re in luck. Gotye’s back working with Tim and Kris, and the Melbourne trio are preparing to play a string of shows to celebrate.

The tour will promote the best of album Ingredients and the rarities disc Leftovers, both released earlier this year. But really we all know it’s just an excuse to have a good time with a Melbourne act we all thought we’d seen the last of.

“I think of this tour and every possibility that might come out of it as a sign from on high,” explained Kris Basic. “The break has been very healthy for us (aside from the actual near-death experiences) – a good bit of time to focus on ourselves, build on our strengths and see this band of ours from the outside. Talking to Tim and Wally lately, it’s evident how this new perspective has got us all excited about where we might go next.”

But before that next chapter, it’s time to reminisce about the music that was at the following shows.

12 September 2013 – The Spiegeltent, Brisbane
21 September 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
26 September 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
27 & Saturday 28 September – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
3 October 2013 – Transit Bar, Canberra
4 October 2013 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
6 October 2013 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra

Image used with permission from SGC Media