Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Basics Serve Up Leftovers

Before he was Gotye winning Grammys, Wally de Backer was one of The Basics. Along with his good mates Tim and Kris, Wally made a big impression with his stellar original songs. Now ten years on the Melbourne band is looking back at their legacy.

Late last year we saw the release of Ingredients, a “best of” if you will featuring songs from each album and tracks that fell in between. Today we get the final piece of the puzzle with the release of Leftovers. As its name suggests, these are the bits that didn’t make the albums. Available in digital and limited edition vinyl formats, the release features B-sides, demos, and alternate versions of the songs fans know and love. You might think that if they ended up on the cutting room floor the tracks are below par, but if the rocking raw lead single “So Hard for You” is any indication that’s far from the truth.

With Gotye impressing music lovers around the world and the other members busy with other musical endeavours, it’s nice to take a look back at where their musical journey began.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Percussion Book Raises Funds for Musical Charity

Birds of Tokyo, Django Django, Deftones, Cloud Control, My Morning Jacket, Amy Meredith, and a host of other local and international musicians have contributed to Percussion, a coffee table book which looks to raise awareness and funds for SoundSchool.

The artists told the book’s creators what their favourite percussion instrument is, and why. Their answers are accompanied by artworks from acclaimed illustrators, graphic artists, and photographers. They come together in this beautiful coffee table tome.

$5 from the sale of each book will benefit SoundSchool, an Australian-based charity which purchases musical instruments, teaching aids, and tuition for children in underprivileged areas around the world.

Percussion will be released around the world in hardcover and softcover formats this April, but you can secure your copy early through a limited pre-sale this week. To coincide with SLAM Day, you can buy one from midday tomorrow 23 February to midday on 26 February via Heath Media.

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fletcher Goes Solo with Upon Ayr

Fletcher, a founding member of Bluebottle Kiss and The Devoted Few, is striking out on his own with the release of his debut solo album Upon Ayr.

This album is a return to the storytelling so often forgotten in the modern day craft of music making. Its songs pay tribute to the literary legacy of Jack Kerouac, recall Polynesian whale myths, and recreate a 1920s synchronised swimming mermaid’s dream. In short, this isn’t a run of the mill, middle of the road record.

It was clearly a labour of love for Fletcher, who wrote Upon Ayr over two years on tour as part of Sarah Blasko’s band. She returns the favour contributes backing vocals on the album.

Upon Ayr will hit Australian record stores in March and those in the United Kingdom in April. Fletcher will support the local release with the following shows.

17 March 2013- The Workers Club, Melbourne
27 March 2013 – The Vanguard, Sydney

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Last Dinosaurs Play Unis

The Last Dinosaurs are ushering in the new academic year with The First Degree Tour. The tour will take in universities across Australia through February and March.

The Brisbane party band will play local acts in each destination including Messrs, Yacht Club DJs, Drapht, Naysayer, and Rainy Day Women.

The First Degree tour kicks off in Perth tomorrow night, and takes in the following university campuses.

22 February 2013 – University of Western Australia, Perth (with special guests)
27 February 2013 – Curtin University, Perth (with Rainy Day Women)
6 March 2013 – Adelaide University, Adelaide (with Messrs)
7 March 2013 – Monash University, Melbourne (with Yacht Club DJ’s, Naysayer and Gilsun, and Twinsy)
13 March 2013 – University of New South Wales, Sydney (with The Griswolds and Castlecomer)
14 March 2013 – Wollongong University (with Drapht, Strange Talk, and The Griswolds)

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nas Brings Movement Down Under

Nas is bringing his acclaimed Movement festival to Australia this April. He created the festival to look to the future of his beloved hip hop genre while celebrating its roots.

Nas will co-headline the event with one of his favourite Aussie bands, Bliss N Eso. The acts actually plan to record together, so music lovers might be treated to some special collaborations at these shows. Exciting new talent 2 Chainz, radio favourite Chiddy Bang, mixtape king and queen Joey Bada$$ and Angel Haze, and our own Spit Syndicate and Thundamentals are also on the bill. It’s a shame though that Thundamentals will only appear in Sydney, while Spit Syndicate will miss out on that show. The lineup’s dominated by international names, so it’s unfortunate that everyone won’t see all the Australian acts.

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

26 April 2013 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
27 April 2013 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
28 April 2013 – Riverstage, Brisbane
30 April 2013- Red Hill Auditorium, Perth

Image used with permission from Niche Productions

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sally Seltmann Previewing New Songs at Intimate Shows

Sally Seltmann will give fans an exclusive preview of her latest material at a string of shows next month. These special concerts are the first Sally has performed in more than 12 months.

Her album won’t drop until later this year, but Sally plans to road test some of her new material at these intimate shows. She’ll also perform stripped back versions of tracks from her last album Heart That’s Pounding. With just a piano or acoustic guitar to keep her voice company, these intimate renditions are sure to be amazing.

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.


5 March 2013 – Doveman’s Burgundy Stain Sessions @ Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide
20 March 2013 – The Famous Spiegeltent, Melbourne
21 March 2013 – The Vanguard, Sydney

Image used with permission from Bird Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Emma Dean Signs American Record Deal

Emma Dean seems on the path to international stardom after signing a record deal with American indie label Candyrat Records. The label is best known for its stable of instrumental guitarists, but more recently it’s begun to champion exceptional singer-songwriters.

The US label will release Emma’s forthcoming EP White, which should hit the market in March or April of this year. It will be one of three colourful digital EPs Emma will release this year. White will feature intimate ballads about new beginnings performed on a Wurlitzer. The following release, Red, will showcase theatrical and passionate songs focused around the heart. Finally there’s Black, the darkest of the bunch, sexy and jazz-inspired.

Emma and her long-time musical collaborator and co-producer Ben Stewart will move to New York next month to support the upcoming releases.

Image used with permission from Emma Dean

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Lake” – The Evening Cast

The Evening Cast might be a fledgling act, but their stellar debut EP Lake proves the Victorian band is a force to be reckoned.

This is a lush recording, with exquisite layered harmonies and rich orchestration. It takes some talent to ensure a big sound doesn’t become a mess of noise, but The Evening Cast are up to the challenge. No doubt they’ve been guided well by the production team of Joe Laporta (Bjork, Foo Fighters) and Marty Brown (Clare Bowditch, Art of Fighting). The skills of these supporting players make this disc seem more polished than most debuts.

I love the poetic lyrics and quirky romantic of the EP opener “Knots and Bows”. The poppy “Surprise” and “Heartbeat” are pure joy. Not that it’s all sweetness and light though. “No Stopping” shows a darker determination with its pounding pianos and earnest vocals. I really felt this one.

At seven tracks, Lake is much longer than most EPs. It feels more like a mini album than an EP. It’s a bit risky for a new act to take on such an ambitious release, but The Evening Cast are up to the challenge. There are no filler tracks here. Lake is an excellent debut that shows the promise of this exciting Aussie act.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Warner Music Australia Makes Virtual Lego House for The Big Issue

Warner Music Australia has created a virtual Lego House to celebrate Ed Sheeran’s Australian tour, which kicks off this Saturday.

This is more than a mere marketing stunt though. The Lego House looks to raise funds and awareness of The Big Issue. This independent charity organisation creates job opportunities for homeless, marginalised, and disadvantaged people around the country.

When you “like” The Big Issue on Facebook you can add a virtual brick to the Lego House. Warner Music Australia will donate $1 to The Big Issue for every brick added to the house. Of course contributing will make you feel all warm and fuzzy, but you might also win a big Ed Sheeran prize. Warner will give one lucky virtual builder return flights to Sydney, tickets to Ed’s sold out Sydney show, accommodation, and a meet and greet when Ed performs on Sunrise next Tuesday.

Many of the Ed Sheeran shows around the country are sold out, but there are still limited tickets available for some of the following dates.

23 February 2013 – Challenge Stadium, Perth (SOLD OUT)
26 February 2013 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
28 February 2013 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
1 March 2013 – Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney (SOLD OUT)
2 March 2013 – Riverstage, Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
4 March 2013 – Festival Hall, Melbourne
5 March 2013 – Festival Hall, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
6 March 2013 – Festival Hall, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)

Image source: Atlantic Records UK @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Lee Comes Home for Album Release

Ben Lee will return home this April so celebrate the launch of his brand new album Ayahuasca: Welcome to the Work.

As its unusual name suggests, this album is being touted as Ben’s most creative and honest yet. Ayahuasca is a South American vine known as the death vine. South America’s indigenous people used the vine to create the tea they drink as part of a ceremonial ritual. The tea is said to help the drinker see their soul’s contents clearly. And so with Ayahuasca: Welcome to the Work, Ben is exploring his soul and shining a light on the things he’s buried deep inside.

“It’s more devotional music than anything else, but not easy listening,” Ben explained. “It’s demanding, experimental music, just as ‘the work’ itself is demanding.”

Given that the album’s creation is all about healing and discovering a higher consciousness, Ben didn’t feel it was right that he benefit from his profits. And so he’ll donate half of the album’s artist royalties to the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies and the other half to the Amazon conservation team.

Ben will play the following shows to support Ayahuasca: Welcome to the Work’s April 23 release. Tickets go on sale tomorrow.

5 & 6 April 2013 – Byron Bay Community Centre, Byron Bay
11 April 2013 – Paddington United Church, Sydney

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback