Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Little Scout Prepare to Release Second Album

Little Scout were one of my favourite acts of 2011. So I’m thrilled to hear they’re back this year with their second album Are You Life, which will hit stores on September 6.

Are You Life was self-produced and recorded at several spots around their hometown of Brisbane. It reflects the band’s evolution, with the stronger, more distorted sounds Little Scout have been playing with in their live shows. Happily though Are You Life still features those gorgeous vocal melodies I first fell for. It also features the lead single “Go Quietly”, which has scored plenty of airplay on commercial radio and JJJ.

You can enjoy a sneak peek of the Are You Life when Little Scout support fellow Brisbanites Hungry Kids of Hungary at the following shows.

23 August 2013 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
24 August 2013 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
30 August 2013 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
31 August 2013 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
5 September 2013 – The Barwon Club, Geelong
6 September 2013 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
7 September 2013 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dead Letter Circus Treat Fans to New Single, Album, & Tour

Dead Letter Circus’ sophomore album The Catalyst Fire doesn’t drop until Friday, but you can enjoy a sneak peek with the video for the lead single “Lodestar”. This is an epic rock song that gives us a great taste of what’s to come from the Brisbane quintet.

Of course a song like this is only going to sound better in the flesh, so fans will be excited to hear that Dead Letter Circus will tour the album around the country this August and September.

29 August 2013 – HQ, Adelaide
30 August 2013 – The Wool Exchange, Geelong
31 August 2013 – The HiFi, Melbourne
4 September 2013 – Zierholz @ UC, Canberra
5 September 2013 – The Metro, Sydney
6 September 2013 – Waves, Wollongong
7 September 2013 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
12 September 2013 – Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra
13 September 2013 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
14 September 2013 – The Hifi, Brisbane
19 September 2013 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
20 September 2013 – Metropolis, Fremantle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom West Launches Debut Album with Aussie Shows

I became enamoured with Tom West when I heard his first single “Jonathan’s Farm” in May. Back then I said his album was sure to be something special. We get to find out when Tom tours his first-long player A Spark in the Dark around the country.

That song, and the follow-up “Malecón” unfold slowly, taking their time to draw us in. Perhaps that’s not surprising, as the album took some time to come together too. Tom spent a year travelling and writing songs before heading in to the studio with fellow Adelaide musicians Alister Douglas and Todd Sibbin. I use the term studio loosely, but really the trio worked together in a shed equipped with two microphones and a laptop. That gives these tracks a really raw, organic quality which is so appealing.

Tom’s been playing solo shows locally and around North America for the first half of the year, but he thought it only fitting that he take Alister and Todd on the road with him for the A Spark in the Dark shows.

21 August 2013 – Folk Club @ The Soda Factory, Sydney
22 August 2013 –The Great Northern, Newcastle
23 August 2013 –The Aztec, Forster
24 August 2013 –The Hideaway, Brisbane
25 August 2013 –The Evelyn, Melbourne
30 August 2013 –The Hotel Metro, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sheppard Delight Music Lovers with “Let Me Down Easy”

I just love Brisbane pop six-piece Sheppard’s debut single “Let Me Down Easy”, and it seems I’m not alone. The track’s cracked the ARIA top 20 and been certified platinum. It’s also become the only independent Aussie track to appear in the Music Network’s top 100 airplay chart this year.

They’re not just enjoying success on the home front though. After the track became the most requested song on Portland’s KNRK 94.7, the band sold out the city’s Crystal Ballroom. They’ve played shows throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, The Philippines, South Africa, and India.

“Let Me Down Easy” has such a positive party vibe, and sublime harmonies from siblings Amy, George, and Emma Sheppard. Jay Bovino, Michael Butler, and Dean Gordon round out the group.

“Having a platinum record with our very first release is like a dream come true,” said George, “We’ve not only had great support from radio, but it’s been amazing over the last few months taking our show to the fans and getting such a great reaction live. It’s been such a great ride, sometimes we need to remind ourselves that it’s real!”

Are you in love with “Let Me Down Easy” too?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eagle and the Worm Commence Worker’s Club Residency

Eagle and the Worm will begin a month-long residency at Fitzroy’s Worker’s Club tonight.

Every Tuesday night in August, Eagle and the Worm will play the iconic music venue with special guests. They promise to take fans on a musical journey from their acclaimed debut Good Times to their 2012 EP Strangelove, which featured the ridiculously catchy single “Angela’s Lonely Heart”. They’re also planning to play some new tunes, so the shows promise to be well worth Melbourne residents venturing out on school nights.

Tickets cost $10 at the door, which opens at 7:30 pm each night.

6 August 2013 – with Flyying Colours
13 August 2013 – with The Bluebottles
20 August 2013 – with Hollow Everdaze
27 August 2013 – with Sagamore

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pigeon Cover Daft Punk

Local electronic band Pigeon have celebrated the recent release of Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories with a video capturing a medley of the French act’s biggest hits. In just nine minutes Pigeon takes us on a trip down memory lane with some of dance music’s most enduring classics. Clever stuff!

I can’t promise they’ll play any Daft Punk, but you will hear some great electronic music when Pigeon launch their new single “Curtain Call” with the following shows.

21 August 2013 – The Jack, Cairns (FREE)
22 August 2013 – Paddy’s Shenanigans, Arlie Beach (FREE)
23 August 2013 – CBD Hotel, Mackay (FREE)
30 August 2013 – Oh Hello, Brisbane
4 September 2013 – Beach Road Hotel, Sydney (FREE)
5 September 2013 – Transit Bar, Canberra
6 September 2013 – Mum @ World Bar, Sydney
13 September 2013 – Can’t Say, Melbourne
14 September 2013 – Rhino Room, Adelaide
19 September 2013 – Alpha Beta, Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast (FREE)
20 September 2013 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (FREE)
21 September 2013 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Andy Bull Releases Another Pop Gem

Andy Bull delivers another stunning track with his new single “Baby I Am Nobody Now”.

Seriously, this guy can do no wrong. This number is every bit as catchy as “Keep On Running”, which became a top 5 global sensation on Hype Machine and was played more than 160,000 times on Soundcloud.

Andy has such an interesting tone and a really smart pop sensibility. I’m sure this one will come close to getting just as many Soundcloud listens. I know I’ve definitely played my part there!

Image used with permission from Universal Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jinja Safari Tour “Dozer”

Jinja Safari inject a little African flavour into your working week with their funky new single “Dozer”. The track comes from Jinja Safari’s self-titled debut album, which was released in May.

Jinja Safari are celebrating the release of this very funky single with their largest national tour to date. With so many shows, I’m sure they’re coming somewhere near you!

11 September 2013 – Woombye Pub, Sunshine Coast
12 September 2013 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
13 Sept 2013 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
14 September 2013 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
18 September 2013 – ANU, Canberra
19 September 2013 – Uni Bar, Wollongong
20 September 2013 – Cambridge, Newcastle
21 September 2013 – The Metro, Sydney (ALL AGES)
25 September 2013 – Loft, Warrnambool
26 September 2013 – Barwon Club, Geelong
27 September 2013 – Forum, Melbourne
28 September 2013 – Karova, Ballarat
3 October 2013 – Adelaide Uni Bar, Adelaide
4 October 2013 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
5 October 2013 – The Astor, Perth (ALL AGES)
6 October 2013 – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan Webb Launches August Single and Pozible campaign

Dan Webb is back with “Sandstorm”, the August track in his 12 Songs, 12 Months project. It’s a dreamy number which reminds me of what the Beatles may have come up with if they ever tried to write a waltz.

If you’ve been enjoying Dan Webb’s free monthly songs, perhaps it’s time you gave something back. While Dan’s been happy to share these tracks free of charge, it takes money to make an album. Dan hopes you’ll share some of yours and donate to his crowdfunding campaign. All proceeds will help Dan fund his full-length album.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Little May Release “Boardwalks”

It might be chilly outside, but you’ll feel all warm and fuzzy inside as you let Little May’s debut single “Boardwalks” wash over you.

This is such a great example of guitar-driven indie folk which takes its cues from the work of Julia Stone and Holly Throsby. Those harmonies give it an edge over the material of these trailblazers though. The natural connection between the friends Hannah Field, Liz Drummond and Annie Hamilton shines through as their vocals combine. They’re all self-taught musicians, and that lack of grooming gives this track a beautiful organic feel.

“Boardwalks” gives us our first taste of Little May’s EP, which will hit stores late this year. If you love it, make sure you get along to the official single launch at Sydney’s The Vanguard on August 8.