Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“King of the Sun” – Jamie Hay

With the year drawing to a close, I expected I had heard all of the albums destined to make an impression on me in 2012. And then I started up King of the Sun by Jamie Hay.

It’s an album of pure heart, a collection of songs that’s raw and organic and poignantly stripped bare. With little more than an acoustic or slide guitar, sometimes a banjo, to keep time, Jamie’s vocals take center stage. There’s so much passion and soul in his roughened voice, it grabs you and forces you to listen until the last note.

King of the Sun is quintessentially Australian in many respects. Jamie’s songs reference local towns and use the word “mate” casually. They take place in pubs, not bars. But your average Aussie bloke wouldn’t share as much of himself as Jamie does here.

It’s hard to name standout tracks, because every one is so bloody good. I was still moved by “Rabbit Hole,” the single I heard months before. “The Gift of Years” also compels, an a capella track that is so striking and brave. It’s fitting though for an album that dares to be exposed.

I feel like I can’t say enough good things about King of the Sun, so perhaps I should just say this. I haven’t gone through my recent reviews and decided what album is my favourite of the year, but I’m not sure I need to. I’m pretty sure this is it.

Image source: Hobblehoy Bandcamp

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Los Coronas Announce First Aussie Tour

Celebrate summer with the brassy sounds of acclaimed Spanish surf rock band Los Coronas.

Formed in Madrid in 1991, this exciting band blends traditional Spanish melodies with retro Californian surf music. Their distinctive sound is showcased on their incredible 2010 release “Big Wave Riders.”

It’s taken Los Coronas more than two decades to reach Australia, and they’re not wasting their time on our shores. They’ll play the following sets at some of Australia’s best summer festivals as well as headlining shows around the country.

29 & 30 December 2012 – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford
31 December 2012 – Pyramid Rock Festival, Phillip Island
1 January 2013 – New Year’s Day Concert @ Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle
2 January 2013 – Clancys, Dunsborough
3 January 2013 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
5 January 2013 – Space Theatre @ Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide
6 January 2013 – Summer of Soul @ Mossvale Park, South Gippsland
8 January 2013 – Toff in Town, Melbourne
10 January 2013 – Westernport Hotel, Westernport
11 & 12 January 2013 – Sydney Festival @ The Famous Spiegeltent, Sydney
15 January 2013 – Toff in Town, Melbourne
16 January 2013 – Mona Foma, Hobart

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Justin Townes Earle Announces Another Aussie Tour

Justin Townes Earle has made so many trips to our fair shores that he’s virtually an honorary Aussie. So it’s unsurprising, yet still exciting, to hear he’s planning to play a string of dates along the East Coast next February.

It’s hard to work out exactly why Justin’s making his way here. He hasn’t released another album since he toured Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now last April. There’s no big blues festival in February to entice him. Perhaps it’s just a good excuse to introduce us to Robert Ellis, a Houston-based singer-songwriter who’ll make his Australian debut as Justin’s support act. Or perhaps Justin just loves Australia so much that he doesn’t need any reason to play for us.

You can see him doing just that at the following shows. Tickets are on sale now from Love Police.

2 February 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
3 February 2013 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (afternoon show @ 1:30 pm)
5 February 2013 – The Basement, Sydney
6 February 2013 – Coogee Diggers, Coogee
8 February 2013 – Heritage Hotel, Thirroul
9 February 2013 – Milton Theatre, Milton
10 February 2013 – The Annandale Hotel, Sydney
13 February 2013 – Lizottes, Newcastle
15 February 2013 – Capitol Theatre, Tamworth
16 February 2013 – Star Court Theatre, Lismore
17 February 2013 – Byron Community Centre, Byron Bay
19 February 2013 – The Old Museum, Brisbane

Image source: Skot Nelson @ Wikimedia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Von Stache Charms with “Sandbox Love”

Victorian act Von Stache has wooed me with the video for her latest song “Sandbox Love.” The vintage clip was actually created using old footage of her parents. Doesn’t that just make this love story even sweeter? It’s not overly polished, as we’d expect from something recorded independently in a home studio, but there’s something so delicious about this slice of retro electro-pop!

If you love Von Stache’s sweet homegrown sound, you’ll be happy to know there’s more where it came from. Von Stache is preparing to release her debut four-track EP We Don’t Sleep In the Night in the coming weeks.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mama Kin Releases Magical New Video

Mama Kin has given us our first taste of her forthcoming sophomore album The Magician’s Daughter. That record won’t hit stores until early next year, but until then we’ve got this hypnotic video for new single “Was It Worth It” to tide us over.

It’s a hint at what’s to come, a lusher sound with bold production and a more polished edge.

“I got used to the idea that I have to be out of my comfort zone to make the kind of art I want to make, I have to feel pushed. I have to be on the edge to be able to jump in and get as deep as I want and need. Magic for me is when there is a transformation inspired by subtle forces, and this is what we aim to bring to our audiences,” Mama Kin explained.

What do you think of Mama Kin’s new single?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pnau Ushers in New Year at Sydney Harbour

If you’re still contemplating your New Year’s Eve plans, a night on Sydney Harbour may be just what you’re looking for. Pnau will headline the festivities at Cargo Bar which also features appearances from Ajax, Yesyou, Elizabeth Rose, and more.

Final release tickets cost $115, or you could party in style with a VIP ticket for $170. That includes a red carpet pre-cocktail party, which will see you securing tickets near the stage before the rest of the crowds show, as well as complimentary canapés and drinks for three hours.

Get yours from the Cargo NYE website now!

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mez Medallion Comes Home for Album Launch

Melbourne-born Berlin-based muso Mez Medallion serves up plenty of good vibes with his synth-heavy slice of electro-pop “Move Towards the Light”. The title track from his new album, it’s the perfect for keeping that smile on your dial as you face down the final hours of your working week.

Mez will return to Australia for one special show with fellow Australian-born Berliner Phia later this month. The pair will play The Grace Darling in Melbourne to launch the album before Mez heading to Japan. Here are all the places you can see him play over the Aussie summer.

23 December 2012 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne
18 January 2013 – Nanahari, Tokyo
19 January 2013 – Hasutobara, Tokyo
20 January 2013 – Streamer coffee, Tokyo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hey Geronimo Release Awesome “Dreamboat Jack” Video

They might not have Sam Mendes’ budget, but the lads from Brisbane band Hey Geronimo have managed to stage a Skyfall-worthy chase sequence in the music video for their latest single “Dreamboat Jack.” Who knew watching the antics of some stuffed animals could be so much fun?

The video release is well timed as Hey Geronimo have just been announced as the support act for the President of the USA’s Aussie shows in 2013. That’s a match made in musical heaven if you ask me! If you can’t wait that long though, you can see Hey Geronimo at the following summer gigs.

22 December 2012 – The Zoo, Brisbane
28 December 2012 – The Beresford Hotel, Sydney
29 December 2012 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
31 December 2012 – Peats Ridge Festival, Glenworth Valley

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Warner Releases Three New Nuggets

If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the music buff in your life, Warner Music might have the answer. A trio of CDs has been released to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the influential compilation album Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From the Psychedelic Era: 1965-1968.

Now if you’re too young to remember Nuggets, let me give you a history lesson. This 1972 release brought together 27 of America’s first garage rock acts, and paved the way for the punk rock movement. That original album has now been remastered and repackaged to include new liner notes from Lenny Kaye, Patti Smith’s future guitarist and the man behind the compilation.

For some Australian flavour, Warner has also released Nuggets: Antipodean Interpolations of the First Psychedelic Era. Basically it’s the original songs covered by Australia’s new breed of garage rockers including The Frowning Clouds, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Eagle & the Worm, and Velociraptor.

You can complete the set with Down Under Nuggets: Original Australian Artyfacts 19650-67. This album showcases the best Australian garage rock bands of the 60s. It’s what Lenny Kaye might have put together if he lived in Oz. Think The Lost Souls, The Loved Ones, The Moods, The Black Diamonds, and even early recordings from The Bee Gees and The Easybeats.

The Nuggets trilogy is in good record stores now.

Image used with permission from Shows in Space Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Red” – TV Snow

Perth pop-rock act TV Snow have overcome adversity to release their debut album Red.

The album was recorded at a time of great excitement for the band. They were travelling around the country and keen to build on the promise they’d shown on their debut EP. But just a day after recording wrapped, tragedy struck when their bassist Ben Linden was fatally attacked by a shark off Wedge Island.

It’s a harrowing story which makes listening to the album all the more poignant. A lesser band might never have released it, but I’m glad they did. The tracks show us a group that’s so cohesive, with tight vocal harmonies and a true understanding of how their instruments work together.

I’d be lying if I said it was perfect. The songs are fun to listen to, but they’re not really as dynamic as they might have been. Few cut through as the kind of tracks you want to hear again and again. I did love the optimism of “Boy Wonder,” and I appreciate the way the strings make “I Will Dance” come alive. However I’d be hard pressed to recall the melodies of most of the other songs. Rather than being a truly impressive collection of songs, Red is the kind of album you could slip on at your next barbeque without complaints.

It’s not perfect, but Red is a fun listen. It has none of the sadness that defines TV Snow’s career right now, and it’s a fitting celebration of Ben’s contribution to the band.

Red is available digitally now and in stores from January 4.

Image source: TV Snow website