Posted on by Lauren Katulka

KSSR Gets it Right with “Going Under”

KSSR has won me over with his second single “Going Under.”
After his debut “Passenger” didn’t rev me, I was prepared to feel equally unimpressed by the follow-up. But there’s a grandiose retro feel about this track that I’m finding hard to resist. I also love the feminine balance that Amrita Hepi’s guest vocals bring to the track. Admittedly it probably could have done with a bit of editing as it really does get repetitive towards the end, but most of it is fabulous and fierce.

“Going Under” is released digitally tomorrow, March 1.

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

7Bit Hero Marries Modern Technology with Old School Gaming

Humpdays are always hard. You’re tired of work already and the weekend seems so far away. So today’s the perfect day to introduce you to 7bit Hero and their ridiculously charming pop single “Come On. Stand Out.”

And stand out the Brisbane electronic band does. They actually call themselves a “bit-pop band” because they use old school video games and chiptune samples to create their unique sounds.

Seeing the band live takes the 7bit Hero concept to the next level. A multi-player game is projected behind the band and audience members can control characters using their smart phone as a joystick. Your opponents are your fellow music lovers and the band forms the soundtrack. Too cool!

You can experience 7bit Hero in all their glory when they launch their debut EP We Eat Loot at Brisbane’s State Library of Queensland on March 2. Make sure your phone is charged so you can join in all the fun!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Airbourne Announce Album Number Three

The last I heard of Airbourne they were slagging off local success stories like Wolfmother and Jet and insisting they’d treat Australia as nothing more than a tourist destination. They seemed confident that they would be the next big thing, but most of us forgot all about them.

They’re aiming to get back into the spotlight with the May 17 release of their third album Black Dog Barking.

“A lot of thought and effort has gone into this record not only by the band, but by the production crew who worked countless hours, seven days a week, even through Christmas and New Year’s Eve to achieve the best possible performances, backed by real undying tones,” the band said in a statement.

It remains to be seen whether this is the Airbourne album that lives up to the band’s (largely self-generated) hype.

Image source: URunlCon @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Snowdroppers Keep on Rocking

The Snowdroppers clearly enjoyed their time on the road recently. They only just wrapped up their sophomore album preview shows, and they’ve already announced another string of dates.

The Snowdroppers will celebrate the March 22 release of Moving Out of Eden with intimate shows and festival appearances. These gigs are especially enticing with the addition of Sydney’s Little Bastard to the bill. The seven-piece punk-string act is just quirky enough to appeal to The Snowdroppers’ fan base.

Strap yourself in for one hell of a show when it reaches the following cities.

18 March 2013 – Barrio @ Adelaide Festival, Adelaide
22 March 2013 – The Standard, Darlinghurst
22 & 29 March 2013 – Bluesfest, Byron Bay
5 April 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
6 April 2013 Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
12 April 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
13 April 2013 – Woombye Pub, Woombye

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eliza Hull Launches Echoes Ahead of New York Trip

Melbourne songstress Eliza Hull offers us an early taste of her sophomore EP with the release of the lead single “Echoes”.

This track is so beautifully haunting. I’ve always been a fan of Eliza’s unique tone, and she uses her voice to great effect here. The song’s a welcome return to the music scene, and a hint that her new EP is going to be something special.

We’ll need to wait a little while for that though. Eliza will travel to New York in April to workshop the final tracks with producer Pat Dillett (David Byrne, Sia). The finished product should be released this July.

Before the Big Apple beckons, Eliza will launch “Echoes” for hometown fans at The Workers Club on March 1.

Image used with permission from Eliza Hull

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Earn First Number One Album

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are sitting at the top of the ARIA albums chart this week with their brand new album Push the Sky Away. Remarkably their 15th studio album, their first in five years, is their first Aussie number one.

ARIA doesn’t recognise it as an Australian release, but I figure it’s worth claiming the Bee Gees’ Mythology album as one of our own. It sits at number five this week, no doubt buoyed by Barry Gibb’s current local tour.

There’s no debate about the achievements of Flume though. Australian born and bred, the Sydneysider’s self-titled album jumps one to number seven this week.

It’s a very quiet week for Aussies on the singles charts, with Birds of Tokyo our only representatives in the top ten. They’re only just hanging in there though; “Lanterns” sits at number ten, down from seven last week.

Click below for this week’s complete top ten charts.

Continue reading “Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Earn First Number One Album” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Roger Knox Covers Aboriginal Songs on “Stranger in My Land”

The Koori King of Country Roger Knox will celebrate his indigenous heritage with the release of his new album Stranger in My Land.

The album showcases songs penned by Roger’s Aboriginal peers and predecessors. Many of these songs have been difficult to find on other recordings, while others are folk songs handed down through the generations never recorded before.

Together the tracks create a moving picture of the alienation Aboriginal people often feel on their own soil, and their resilience and hope. Roger is joined on the album by special guest vocalists and musicians including Bonnie Prince Billy, Kelly Hogan, Dave Alvin, and the late Charlie Louvin.

Stranger in My Land hits music stores across the country on March 9.

Image source: Bloodshot Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Katie Noonan Plays Her Songbook With Strings

If you weren’t paying attention, you might have missed the release of Katie Noonan’s new album. There was little fanfare when Songbook hit record store shelves recently, but it’s an album which shouldn’t fly under the radar.

The disc sees Katie reinventing key songs from her career with the help of a lush strings section. This version of “Breathe In Now” from her George days made me melt. I’m desperate to wrap my ears around the rest of the album.

Songbook is available in limited numbers through Katie’s website and iTunes. It’s been launched in conjunction with a real songbook which features sheet music, rare photographs, and the stories behind the songs that made Katie a household name.

This is such a personal album that it’s only fitting that Katie wants to introduce it to her fans in a series of intimate shows. Making them extra special, Katie promises to share the stories behind the songs she plays with her audiences. She’ll also play her first ever shows in America this week as part of the Songbook tour before returning home for the Australian dates.

27 February 2013 – Tin Angel, Philadelphia
28 February 2013 – Rockwood Music Hall, New York
2 March 2013 – Room 5, Los Angeles
7 March 2013 – Garden Of Unearthly Delights, Adelaide Fringe Festival
6 April 2013 – Old Museum – Concert Hall, Brisbane (with string quartet)
11 April 2013 – Heritage Hotel , Bulli
12 April 2013 – The Abbey, Canberra
13 April 2013 – The Basement, Sydney (with string quartet)
14 April 2013 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
27 April 2013 – Flinders Performance Centre, Buderim
2 May 2013 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
3 May 2013 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
4 May 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
5 May 2013 – Lizotte’s, New Lambton

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ainslie Wills To Tour Debut Album

Ainslie Willis will celebrate the release of her highly anticipated debut album You Go Your Way, I’ll Go Mine with a national tour this April.

The 12-track collection is an eclectic mix taking us from the spiky pop of “Fighting Kind” to the epic swell of “Ocean,” and from the folkiness of new single “Weighing the Promises” to the soulful honesty of “Early Morning Light.” The songs were recorded in their rawest form in just ten days at a beach house on the Victorian Peninsula. Ainslie then added strings at the Northcote United Church, before giving the songs some extra polish in the converted studio of her best friend’s family home.

You Go Your Way, I’ll Go Mine will hit record stores everywhere on March 4. Ainslie will give fans a little time to become acquainted with the music before embarking on her biggest national tour to date. Here are all the places you can see her play!

13 April 2013 – The Golden Vine, Bendigo
17 April 2013 – The Front Bar, Canberra
18 April 2013 – FBi Social, Sydney
20 April 2013 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
24 April 2013 – The Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
26 April 2013 – The Grand Poobah, Hobart
3 May 2013 – The Hotel Metropolitan, Adelaide
11 May 2013 – Railway Friendly Bar, Byron Bay (FREE)
12 May 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordie Lane Tours Everywhere

Jordie Lane isn’t a performer that does anything by halves. On his return to Australia next month he’ll play plenty of shows all over the country, including a string of folk festivals, gigs supporting Ruthie Foster, and his own headlining dates. In short, he’s going to be one busy boy!

The Movement tour comes after Jordie’s spent time regrouping in the recording studios of Los Angeles.

“It’s really good to stop for once,” he said. “I’ve been touring straight for two years and this few months off has got me understanding where I’m headed next. I’m taking my time to work out what I’m saying and how I’m trying to say it on this next record. ”

Hopefully fans will get a sneak peek at some material from Jordie’s new album at the upcoming shows.

8 March 2013 – Harvester Moon, Bellarine (with The Yearlings)
9 March 2013 – Baby Black Café, Bacchus Marsh
11 March 2013 – Moomba Festival, Melbourne
13 March 2013 – The Gov, Adelaide (with Ruthie Foster)
15 March2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine (with Ruthie Foster)
16 March 2013 – Meeniyan Hall, Meeniyan (with Ruthie Foster)
17 March 2013 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne (with Ruthie Foster)
21 March 2013 – Factory Theatre, Sydney (with Ruthie Foster)
22-23 March 2013 – Yackandandah Folk Festival, Yackandandah
24 March 2013 – Hills Are Alive Festival, South Gippsland
26 March 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber (with Ruthie Foster)
27 March 2013 – Lizotte’s, New Lambton (with Ruthie Foster)
28 March 2013 – Memorial Hall, Bellingen (with Ruthie Foster)
29 March – 1 April 2013 – National Folk Festival, Canberra
13 April 2013 – The Four Leaf Sessions, Melbourne
14 April 2013 – Burke & Wills Winery, Mia Mia
18 April 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
19 April 2013 – Royal Oak Hotel, Launceston
20 April 2013 – A Band On Boat, Adelaide
21 April 2013 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide
25 April 2013 – Secret Show, Sydney
26 April 2013 – Gumball, Belford
27-28 April 2013 – Apollo Bay Music Festival, Apollo Bay
1 May 2013 – Jet Black Cat Music in-store, Brisbane
2 May 2013 – The End, Brisbane
3 May 2013 – Live Lounge Series (Private), Brisbane
4 May 2013 – Planting Festival, Woodfordia
5 May 2013 – Coorabell Hall, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Jordie Lane Music