Posted on by Lauren Katulka

LabelState.com Opens Pop-Up Store in Sydney

Sydneysiders can get a headstart on their Christmas shopping with online band T-shirt website LabelState.com opening a pop-up store on Oxford Street today.

The shop will feature hundreds of T-shirts from more than 400 local bands, artists, labels, and venues. It will also host a series of live events, including a performance by Velociraptor’s Jeremy Neale at 2 pm this Saturday, June 6.

LabelState.com is a special Australian music start-up company, because it provides a no-cost solution for bands wanting to sell their merchandise. It handles all production and shipping costs, and pays a $5 royalty to the artists for every one sold.

You can shop for LabelState.com’s tees in the flesh at 118 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst until August 4.

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Skyways Are Highways Release Single for Marriage Equality

Eli J Hood and Angie Rose Brown of Skyways Are Highways are adding their voices to the marriage equality debate with their debut single “Let’s Run Away”.

The track, which was not so coincidentally released last month on International Day Against Homophobia, reminds us that we should all have the right to run away and marry the one we love, no matter what their gender. And what better way to do that than with a ridiculously catchy melody and a video featuring some hot snogging?

With parliament preparing to take a conscious vote on the issue in a couple of days, let’s hope some of the country’s politicians are listening.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fat Freddy’s Drop Announce Splendour Sideshows

It seems Fat Freddy’s Drop can’t get enough of Australia. After wowing local crowds as part of the Graphic festival at the Sydney Opera House last year, the band will be back to promote their new album Blackbird, which hits stores on June 21. We already knew they were playing Splendour, but they’ll also treat fans to headlining shows in the major capitals.

This album is nothing if not diverse, with elements of Ethio-Jazz, Detroit techno, blues, soul, and so much more. It features the oh-so-sexy and soulful single “Clean the House”, which is also backed up by a killer film clip. If gangster marionettes are your thing, this music video’s for you!

If you missed out on tickets to Splendour, make sure you don’t miss out on the chance to see this stellar live act while they’re Down Under.

29 August 2013 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
30 August 2013 – Tivoli, Brisbane
31 August2013 – The Forum, Melbourne
5 September 2013 – Astor Theatre, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Refugee Talent Showcased at Emerge Fitzroy

Victoria will kick off Refugee Week with the 10th annual Emerge Fitzroy event. The day will showcase the cultural contributions of Australia’s refugees with musical acts and entertainment across three stages.

Ten-piece Ethio-jazz act JAzmaris will headline the event, which also includes sets from Sudanese urban pop and reggae outfit Sudan Azza, Hazara pop act Taqi Khan, Persian hip-hoppers Ahmed 3 Pas, and Tongan electronic act Elephant Mouse. You can’t say the line-up isn’t diverse! The performances will be complemented by cultural workshops, storytelling, and delicious foods from all corners of the globe.

It all happens at Fitzroy Town Hall from noon to 5 pm on June 16. And best of all, entry to the festival and all performances and workshops is free!

Image source: Multicultural Arts Victoria

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“To The Motel” – William Street Strikers

After treating us to a full album last year, Adelaide’s William Street Strikers have gone back to the short EP format for their latest release To the Motel. It’s an interesting tactic which allows them to focus their sound and produce a more crowd-pleasing release than their previous effort.

I enjoyed their full-length album Keep Left, but wondered whether it was too eclectic to appeal to the masses. To the Motel doesn’t take as many risks, which is both a blessing and a curse. After appreciating the daring of the album, this feels radio-friendly but a little safe. However the conviction of the band shines through.

This EP is all energy, but that’s not to say that it’s a frenetic EP. William Street Strikers know when to ease off the intensity, but driving drum beats and chunky guitar chords dominate. The title track starts the EP with a bang, leading us easily into the bluesy rebellion of “So Fukn Restless”. “Sure Baby” sees William Street Strikers taking the foot off the throttle a little bit, but there’s no losing the emotional intensity. The band makes sure their EP ends on a high with the rocking “Blind Fred E”.

To the Motel is an EP that’s accessible, with an energy that’s infectious. It shows a band that’s discovering their sound. Hopefully next time we’ll see William Street Strikers exploring it more completely on another album.

Image source: Music SA

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ella Hooper & Texture Like Sun Take Up Residency at The Toff

Texture Like Sun and Ella Hooper hope to lure us out midweek when they take up residency at The Toff in Town this month.

Both acts will use the opportunity to showcase their forthcoming material. Ella’s solo album In Tongues will hit stores on June 28, while Texture Like Sun are currently writing and recording their next release. Music lovers will enjoy a sneak peek at new songs from both Ella and Texture Like Sun.

You can see both these talented acts at The Toff in Town every Tuesday in June.

Image source: Eva Rinaldi @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gomez’s Ben Ottewell (Finally) Tours Solo Album

Ben Ottewell will leave his Gomez bandmates behind next month when he embarks on an Australian solo tour. Ben will treat fans to tracks from his 2011 solo album Shapes and Shadows and favourites from the Gomez back catalogue.

As if Ben’s spine-tingling voice wasn’t enough to sucker you in, the venues are stellar. Each one is intimate, all the better for showcasing Ben’s incredible songwriting talent. As an extra drawcard, Melbourne bluesy multi-instrumentalist Matt Walker will serve as the support on all but the Western Australian show.

This video of Ben performing his album’s title track acoustically on Billboard Live Studio Sessions should get you in the mood for the following shows!

26 June 2013 – Mojo’s, Freemantle
27 June 2013 – Grace Emily, Adelaide
28 June 2013 – The Substation, Newport
29 & 30 June 2013 – The Workers Club, Fitzroy
4 July 2013 – The Barwon Club, Geelong
5 July 2013 – Theatre Royal Castlemaine
7 July 2013 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
10 July 2013 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
11 July 2013 – The Basement, Sydney
12 July 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
13 July 2013 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
14 July 2013 – Old Museum, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Blanche Dubois Tour North America

Perth sister act Blanche Dubois are spreading their wings and taking on North America. The Perth girls will showcase their stirring pop-folk tunes with shows in the United States and Canada next month.

Blanche Dubois are celebrating the release of their most recent recording Young Heart, which features the gorgeous single “The War in Me”.

If you like what you hear America, make sure you catch them on their rare trip to your part of the world.

5 June 2013 – Hotel Café, Los Angeles
13 June 2013 – NXNE Showcase @ Tranzac, Toronto
14 June 2013 – NXNE Showcase @ Czehoski, Toronto
20 June 2013 – Pianos, New York

Image used with permission from The Planetary Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lenka Does Lullabies

You might remember Lenka from the early noughties outfit Decoder Ring, or that irresistibly catchy pop song from 2008, “The Show”. Either way, you’re likely to be surprised by the sweet tunes she’s showcasing on her third solo album Shadows.

This album is sure to answer the prayers of parents across the nation. It’s a collection of lullabies that don’t suck! Penned while Lenka was pregnant with her first child, the disc includes the hand-clapping new single “Heart to the Party.” The film clip with footage of a childhood birthday party sets the scene. Lenka’s bound to find a brand new audience with Shadows, which hits stores on June 7.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Smith Street Band Tour Australia, and Then the World!

The Smith Street Band seem hell-bent on world domination. They’ll barely stop to draw breath in the next few months as they promote their Sunshine & Technology album, featuring the infectiously boisterous single “Young Drunk”, all around the world.

Australian audiences will get a chance to see the band before tour fatigue sets in with festival gigs and headliner shows all around the country. After warming up for local fans, The Smith Street Band will be off to Europe and the United States.

There’s certainly no shortage of opportunities to see Australia’s newest pub rock sensations in the coming months!

1 June 2013 – The Reverence Hotel, Melbourne
22 August 2013 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
23 August 2013 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
24 August 2013 – Adelaide Unibar, Adelaide
25 August 2013 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
28 August 2013 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
29 August 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
30 August 2013 – Hotel Great Northern, Newcastle
31 August 2013 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney
4 September 2013 – Transit Bar, Canberra
7 September 2013 – Poison City Weekender @ Corner Hotel, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
11 September 2013 – Birthdays, London
12 September 2013 – Jh JoeNiz, Zoersel
13 September 2013 – Riddim, Venray
14 September 2013 – Tower, Bremen
15 September 2013 – AJZ, Bielefeld
17 September 2013 – Juha West, Stuttgart
18 September 2013 – Circus Maximus, Koblenz
19 September 2013 – Stummsche Reithalle, Neunkirchen
29 October 2013 – Official Pre-Fest, Tampa
1 November 2013 – The Fest 12, Gainesville

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR