Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Western Australia Celebrates its Music with State of the Art Festival

Western Australia punches well above its weight when it comes to musical talents. If most states put together an event celebrating local music, it’d be a pretty lacklustre affair. However in Western Australia, such a festival is worth travelling for.

Thirty of Western Australia’s established musical exports and up and comers will descend on Perth’s Concert Hall on June 2 for the State of the Art music festival, an event which coincides with WA Day. Artists including Bob Evans, Gyroscope, Kav Temperley, Sons of Rico, Emperors, and Grace Woodroofe will play on three outdoor stages. Blues legends Dave Hole and Chain, gutsy pop act Abbe May, and hard rock royalty Karnivool will also play special showcase sets inside the venue.

Tickets are on sale for a mere $13.95 for access to the outdoor stages, and $24.60 per concert hall showcase. These premium tickets also allow punters to enjoy the music outside. Get your tickets now through Ticketek.

Image used with permission from The West Australian Music Industry Association Inc. Image credit Kane Hibberd

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

You Am I’s Davey Lane Plays Free Sydney Shows

What’s the only thing better than great gigs? Great free gigs of course! Davey Lane will treat Sydneysiders to just that next week when he brings his Four Night One-Man Racket to the New South Wales’ capital.

The shows from the You Am I founding member celebrate the June release of “You’re the Cops, I’m the Crime”. We enjoyed the track when it was previewed online in February, so it’s great to see it’ll reach a wider audience soon. Music lovers can look forward to it and other tracks from Davey’s forthcoming solo album The Good Borne of Bad Tymes at these shows.

Now unfortunately, these gigs will see you venturing out on school nights, in this wintery weather no less. But Davey’s charisma, and the lure of free entertainment, should make it worth your while.

28 May 2013 – Corner House, Bondi
29 May 2013 – Midnight Special, Newtown
30 May 2013 – Soda Factory, Surry Hills
31 May 2013 – Low 302, Surry Hills

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Acts Unite for Hoodie Weather Shows

Some of Australia’s most exciting up and coming acts will join forces this July for the Hoodie Weather tour. The all ages shows will feature sets from The Never Ever, Nine Sons of Dan, A Sleepless Melody, Way with Words, and With Confidence.

After successful shows in New York City to support their new EP Ghosts and Ghouls, Sydney’s The Never Ever are keen to get back in front of local audiences.  No doubt Melbourne’s A Sleepless Melody will be just as keen, as they’ve spent a quiet few months writing new material. After supporting the likes of Yellowcard, Simple Plan, and Good Charlotte in the last 12 months, Gold Coast’s Nine Sons of Dan are in fine form. Way with Words and With Confidence are newer names on the scene, but they’re also bound to impressions with their indie pop sounds.

The fun kicks off in Sydney on July 5 before traveling to major capital cities around the country. Tickets are on sale now through Oztix.

5 July 2013 – The Brewhouse, Sydney,
7 July 2013 – Studio 454, Brisbane
11 July 2013 – HQ, Perth (Nine Sons Of Dan and With Confidence not appearing)
12 July 2013 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide
14 July 2013 – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Spirit Faces Bring Back Soft Rock with “Moose Mountain Medicine Wheel”

Sydney’s Spirit Faces takes us back to the seventies with their very mellow new single “Moose Mountain Medicine Wheel.” The trippy title’s only the start of this song’s retro vibe. Its sound reminds me of the soft folk-rock my dad used to play me. I can’t believe something so chilled out was recorded in the heart of Sydney!

If you still bust out James Taylor and Neil Young on vinyl, you’re going to love this. And if you do, make sure you catch Spirit Faces celebrating their single launch for hometown fans at Brighton Up Bar on May 30.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lucy Roleff Wows with “Volkshaus”

Lucy Roleff gives us a taste of her forthcoming debut EP Longbows with the release of her haunting first single “Volkshaus”.

Lucy’s an accomplished musician trained in opera, piano, and flute. She’s taken those classical influences and used them to inform something much more modern in her single. It’s simply stunning, unhurried wish exquisitely lush instrumentation.

“Volkshaus”, like the rest of the tracks on Longbows, was recorded in a dusty church in the Melbourne suburb of Parkdale. If you’re intrigued by that, make sure you look out for Longbows when it’s released in September.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Splendour Acts Come to Adelaide for Spin Off Festival

If you missed out on tickets for Splendour in the Grass, don’t stress. The good folks at Spin Off Festival are bringing many of the event’s big names to Adelaide on August 2.

The Spin Off Festival serves up a killer line-up of eclectic acts including Of Monsters and Men, Chet Faker, Passion Pit, and Dune Rats. Fans will enjoy their talents in the intimate surrounds of the Thebarton Theatre. Age is no barrier either. While it’s a licensed gig, music lovers of all ages are welcome.

Tickets are a whole lot cheaper than Splendour too at just $99. Get yours from Venuetix now.

Image source: Kennysun @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Falling For Bill Parton Trio Again

Bill Parton Trio have treated us to another piano-pop gem with their latest single “Falling for You Again”.

“‘Falling For You Again’ as the title suggests is all about rediscovering a dormant internal love that you might have had for a person at an earlier stage in life but disappeared for whatever reason and then came back later in life,” explains lead singer William Parton.

The track has a really epic feel that’s reminiscent of The Beatles meets Coldplay. It’s another really solid offering from this exciting new band.

“Falling For You Again,” the follow-up to “Going Away”, is also lifted from the South Australian act’s debut EP, which is available as a digital download.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Something with Numbers Turn it Up to Eleven

Central Coast rock act Something with Numbers will celebrate the recent release of their latest album Eleven Eleven with a national tour next month.

Eleven Eleven is the kind of album you want to hear live, with ambitious hooks, irresistible melodies, and plenty of energy. It wears its heart on its sleeve, with frontman Jake Griggs delivering some of the most empassioned vocals of his career. Something with Numbers have always prided themselves on their live shows, and seven years after their inception they’re performing better than ever.

See for yourself at the following shows.

14 June 2013 – Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale
15 June 2013 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
21 June 2013 – Residence @ Metropolis, Fremantle
22 June 2013 –Rosemount Hotel, Perth
28 June 2013 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
29 June 2013 – Fitzroy Hotel, Fitzroy
5 July 2013 – Fowlers, Adelaide
6 July 2013 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
12 July 2013 – Waves, Wollongong
13 July 2013 – Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Villagers Announces Splendour Sideshows

Irish folk act Villagers are heading to Australia to celebrate the recent release of their sophomore album {Awayland}. They were already announced as part of this year’s Splendour in the Grass bill, but if you missed out on tickets, or simply want another helping, you can catch Villagers at their sideshows.

And when they make music this good, why wouldn’t you? “Nothing Arrived {a day in the life of Terrence Bliss}” is just one of the stellar tracks from the follow-up to 2010’s Mercury Award nominated debut Becoming a Jackal. It builds on Villagers’ folk sound with frontman Conor O’Brien utilising the talents of other musicians. Without needing to take control of every instrument, Conor’s been able to focus on lyrics influenced by everyone from Kurt Vonnegut to Nick Drake to Curtis Mayfield.

Make sure you turn up early to catch the support slot from the very talented local “avant gardener” Courtney Barnett.

30 July 2013 – The Corner Hotel, Richmond
1 August 2013 – The Factory Theatre, Marrickville
2 August 2013 – Fly By Night, Fremantle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Abbe May Readies Kiss My Apocalypse Tour

Aussie pop-rock wild child Abbe May is celebrating the recent release of her Kiss My Apocalypse album with her national tour.

The follow-up to her critically acclaimed debut Design Desire, the follow-up sees Abbe moving from retro, reverb-drenched music to a more stripped back approach. The guitars are turned down and the vocals move to the fore. However happily the attitude that made us sit up and take notice remains.

“Pop is sexy when done well and it’s incredibly difficult to do it well if you try too hard,” says Abbe. “We wanted to get away from music that took itself too seriously. I’m so tired of this whole shoe gaze – it-cost-a-lot-of-money-to get-a-haircut-that-looks-like-I-haven’t-brushed-my-hair-in-months type shitt. “Artists” in denial that they are basically just entertainers. Being an entertainer is more meaningful if you ask me. It’s not such a selfish pursuit.”

Expect plenty of entertainment and sass when Abbe embarks on her Kiss My Apocalypse tour.

1 June 2013 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
2 June 2013 – State of the Art @ Perth Concert Hall, Perth
13 June 2013 – Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane
14 June 2013 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
15 June 2013 – The Gov, Adelaide
21 June 2013 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
22 June 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting