Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Townhouses Impress with Asylum Seekers Ode, Diaspora

I’m floored by “Diaspora,” the stunning new single from The Townhouses. Fellow Sydney act Guerre lends his talents to this beautiful haunting track.

“Diaspora is made up of questions – it’s an open letter to refugees coming to, and currently living in, Australia,” the musicians explained. “The victimisation of asylum seekers by the Australian media and political institutions is a deplorable smudge in an already tainted history of ‘tolerance’ in our country. I want my people to ensure the pain of leaving what refugees devastatingly left behind is not amplified due to our own reluctance and ignorance, to provide an inclusive supportive community, and to learn from our past mistakes. I hope this song helps, even just a little, in looking forward from here.”

“Diaspora” is the second single and title track from The Townhouses forthcoming album, which will hit stores on November 20. What do you think of it?

Image used with permission from Yes Please Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sleep Decade Back with “Mexico”

With their debut album Into Spinning Lights now in stores, we can see the dreamy romanticism Sleep Decade showcased on their debut single “Bicycle” was no flash in the pan.

There’s that same gentle vibe and poetic lyrics in the current single “Mexico.” Some music lovers might demand more light and shade, but I was so impressed with the first offering that I don’t mind the consistency. Perhaps we should just say this Melbourne band knows itself and its creative vision!

Needless to say, I can’t wait to wrap my ears around the rest of Into Spinning Lights. I’m also a bit jealous that Melbourne gets an afternoon launch show at the Northcote Social Club on November 18. Hopefully we see them playing around the rest of the country soon!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Mark of Cain Announce Long Awaited Tour

The Mark of Cain are making good on their promise to see their loyal fans with news they’ll tour their latest album Songs of the Third and Fifth next March.

The upcoming shows will reward the patience of the band’s loyal local fans. After all, they haven’t toured Australia in six years!

Considering The Mark of Cain’s long absence from the stage, these shows are sure to sell quickly. Make sure you get your tickets when they go on sale on Monday November 12.

8 March 2012 – HQ, Adelaide
10 March 2012 – Golden Plains, Meredith
15 March 2012 – Hi Fi, Melbourne
17 March 2012 – Capitol, Perth
21 March 2012 – Hi Fi, Brisbane
22 March 2012 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
23 March 2012 – The Metro, Sydney

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ray Mann Three Brings Sketches Home

After a year in Berlin, Ray Mann is returning home to celebrate the recent release of his Sketches project.

This innovative musical project saw Ray recording and releasing a new album one track at a time online, with some help from his loyal social media fans. These achingly personal songs were written in response to Ray’s questions about change, something this Aussie expat knows about all too well! The 12 tracks were released online with an accompanying video, and now they all come together on the Sketches album.

Understandably the album represents a shift in Ray Mann Three’s sound. The trio’s played with synthesisers, percussion, and vocals, so the songs have a much fuller sound than their early material.

Discover the way this exciting musical project is evolving when the Ray Mann Three set off on their Sketches launch tour next week.

14 November 2012 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
17 November 2012 – The Pelican Playhouse, Grafton
22 November 2012 – The Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
24 November 2012 – The Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
5 December 2012 – The Toff In Town, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

X Factor on Tour

The folks behind The X Factor are set to capitalise on the popularity of its 2012 season with a tour next year. The top six acts – The Collective, Bella Ferraro, Samatha Jade, Jason Owen, Shiane Hawke, and Nathaniel Willemse will hit stages around the country next January.

Normally we see the winning act touring the country, but this is the first time a selection of the top acts will play shows together. The gigs promise to bring all the production values the show’s famous for to audiences around the country. The biggest fans can also buy tickets to the X-Pit, a standing area that should be a wee bit tamer than the mosh pits of old.

Tickets are on sale now for the following X Factor shows.

8 January 2013 – Jupiters Theatre, Gold Coast
11 January 2013 – Festival Hall, Melbourne
13 January 2013 – Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart
15 January 2013 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena, Adelaide
16 January 2013 – Challenge Arena Stadium, Perth
18 January 2013 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Soul of Melbourne Celebrates Victoria’s Soul Scene

If you prefer more soulful tunes than the fist-pumping rock Australia is famous for, then The Soul of Melbourne compilation is for you. The passion project of Chris Gill (Northside Records) and Lance Ferguson (The Bamboos) brings together the best soul, funk, R ’n’ B, and jazz acts working in the Victorian capital.

This kind of music is still pretty underground, but this compilation featuring The Bamboos, Chet Faker, Electric Empire, and Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes should help give it the attention it deserves.

Look for The Soul of Melbourne in stores tomorrow, November 9.

Image used with permission from Fuse Group Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hear Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides Single First!

Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides blew me away with their EP The Cat & The Fiddle. When I reviewed it way back in May, I remarked that I couldn’t wait to hear what comes next from the band.

Happily they’ve listened and offered me a sneak peek of their debut album Graceful Mistake. The single “The Sword” doesn’t hit iTunes until November 16, but you can hear it first here!

Needless to say, I’m just as in love with “The Sword” and the B-side “Cavalry Train” as I was with the EP tunes. Despite just recording their first album, Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides is a band that seems really comfortable in its sound. I’m definitely digging this. How about you?

Image used with permission from Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jacob Butler Impresses in Europe

Jacob Butler is swanning around Europe at the moment, but fans back home don’t need to miss him too much. Some videos of his recent appearances how found their way to YouTube!

This video shows Jacob bringing some music to the streets of Cologne, Germany with a great performance of “Come My Way.”

And if you just can’t get enough of the single, you can see him performing it again on Polish television!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Funk Legend Fred Wesley Announces Aussie Tour

Fred Wesley, the man behind James Brown’s legendary funk sound, will return to Australia next March with his brand new outfit, The New JB’s.

It’s probably a bit presumptuous to suggest this new band could ever make a mark on the music scene like James Brown’s original backing band did. They don’t have Bootsy Collins and Bobby Byrd after all. However, with Fred Wesley up front, they should entertain old school soul lovers!

The prospect of seeing such a living legend in some of Australia’s most intimate venues is pretty tempting. Tickets are available from the venues for the following shows.

24 March 2013 – The Corner, Melbourne
27 March 2013 – Upstairs Beresford, Sydney

Image used with permission from Niche Productions

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eagle and the Worm Go Retro

Melbourne’s Eagle and The Worm have released a killer new clip to promote their latest single “Give Me Time,” the first lifted from their brand new EP Strangelove.

I’ve got to admit, the song feels a little bland in comparison to the brassy party tunes we heard on their debut album GoodTimes. However the video is so strong that it makes up for the fairly mediocre tune.

The clip was filmed on location at Melbourne’s Caribbean Rollerama. It stars former Neighbours actor Matthew Werkmeister as a roller-skating sex symbol, although he’s not doing all the fancy footwork. That’s the genius of Jayson Sutcliffe, 2004 artistic inline world champion. It seems he’s kept his skills up!

What do you think of the clip?