Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Alexis Nicole

With a new EP Paper Cut Outs in the can, Alexis Nicole is preparing to take her Missing Pieces on the road to promote it. I caught up with this Melbourne-based singer-songwriter to chat about her later recording, the shows ahead, and her love for Tracy Chapman.

You’ve just released your EP Paper Cut Outs. What can you tell me about it?
Paper Cut Outs is recordings of songs I have written that are cut outs and experiences from my life. Whether it was a break up, a love story, grieving, highs and lows of life, travelling and so much more.

The name of the EP is fabulous. What’s its significance?
Thank you! The meaning behind it is about the songs being paper cut outs of my life and the journey I have been on thus far through the highs and lows, love and hurt and many other curveballs that life has thrown me.

You’re Sydney-born but Melbourne-based, yet you recorded this new EP in Brisbane. What did the change of scene bring to the recording?
That is right! The change of scene brought a fresh new perspective to the whole recording experience. It made me definitely grow as an artist and musician and was an organic and humbling experience all in one.

Given the significance of Melbourne and Brisbane in the making of this EP, it’s only fitting that those cities get the launch shows. But will the rest of Australia get the opportunity to see you play soon?
YES! Next year I am planning much much more regarding shows around Australia and possibly a tour so stay tuned for all that.

You worked with some amazing artists on Paper Cut Outs like Yanto Browning and guys from The Gin Club and The Wilson Pickers. What was that experience like?
It was an incredible experience. It made me grow as an artist and musician and lift my game. These beautiful musicians humbled me so much as well. I feel very honoured to have played by there side.

Who do you hope to collaborate with in future?
I have a list! Haha. I would love to collaborate with artists all over the world. One experience would be for me to meet Tracy Chapman. I would love to pick her artistic brain! But also artists like Brandi Carlile, Newton Faulkner, Bernard Fanning, Ani Di Franco and so many more.

Your band at the moment is called Alexis and The Missing Pieces, which is such an evocative name. How do the members of the band complete your sound?
It is not as evocative as it is literal … meaning that The Missing Pieces are instrumentalists and singers who come together to deliver songs reflecting my tunes and observation of life. They include some of the best musicians from around Australia and beyond.

I read with interest that Tracy Chapman was a major influence on your music. She’s one of my favourite singer-songwriters too. What is it about her that inspires you?
She inspires me because she sings with every piece of her soul and being. She cares for this world and the life in it. She is humble in the way she sings but is captivating in her conviction and she is brilliant and doing it! She inspires me every day as a woman of this world with a voice to help bring life to our society and to do it with an open heart.

As Christmas is approaching, what’s on your wish list this year?
Honestly? That I get an opportunity to somehow take my tunes world wide!!!! Ha or get offered some amazing support … and then some!

What else is in the pipeline for you?
Well, other than the EP launches which are very exciting! Brisbane show on the 21st November at the Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane and 28th November at the Toff In Town, Melbourne we also have a bunch of shows coming up in Melbourne which will be on our Facebook page and hopefully to be confirmed shows and festivals kicking into gear next year! We just want to keep looking up and forward and enjoy every minute while we do it and love everyone who enjoys the tunes to jump on the band wagon with us!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan & Hannah Acfield Back with “Lonely Robot”

Talented siblings Dan and Hannah Acfield are back with a brand new EP, Turning a Page.

The recording features the brand new single “Lonely Robot.” It’s another gorgeous cut with soaring vocals and a beautiful melody. I love Dan’s voice, but it’s even more beautiful when it joins with Hannah’s harmonies near the end of the tune.

Dan and Hannah are currently promoting Turning a Page with shows around the country. You can still catch them at The Newsagency in Sydney on November 30 and Barsoma in Brisbane on December 2.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Trouble With Templeton Come Home

After wowing crowds at sold-out shows in the United States, The Trouble With Templeton are coming home. The folky Brisbane outfit headed by Thomas Calder will play festivals and headliner shows around the country to promote their latest single “Six Months in a Cast.”

The track marks a shift in direction for The Trouble with Templeton, who are now experimenting with a much fuller, rock-tinged sound. It seems the gamble’s paid off though, as the song was the iTunes single of the week in September. It also reached number four on the AIR Independent Radio Charts, thanks largely to the support of Triple J and community radio stations across the country.

The tour kicks off with a hometown performance at the Harvest Festival tomorrow before winding its way up and down the East Coast. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

18 November 2012 – Harvest Festival, Brisbane
25 November 2012 – Communion Music Night @ The Toff, Melbourne
28 November 2012 – MGM & SPA Presents… ARIA Week Upstairs at The Beresford, Surry Hills
6 December 2012 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
7 December 2012 – Bon Amici Cafe, Toowoomba
8 December 2012 – 5 Church Street, Bellingen
12 December 2012 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
13 December 2012 – Front Gallery, Canberra
14 December 2012 – Barcode, Wollongong
21 December 2012 – Lizotte’s – Newcastle
22 December 2012 – Lizotte’s – Kincumber
23 December 2012 – Lizotte’s – Dee Why
28 December 2012 – Worker’s Club, Melbourne
29 December 2012 – Falls Festival, Lorne

Image used with permission from Tiny Monster

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Rogers, Bill Chambers, & Co. are The Hillbilly Killers

The Hillbilly Killers are a country supergroup the likes of which Australia has never seen, and they’re making their live debut at the 2013 Tamworth Country Music Festival.

The Hillbilly Killers’ impressive lineup features Bill Chambers, Tim Rogers, Catherine Britt, Shane O’Mara, James Gillard, and Michael Muchow. The motley crew came about over late night conversations about Hank Williams and other musical passions. Apparently the result is “musical perversity at its best.”

If you’re as intrigued as I am, make sure you get to Tamworth Services Club on January 23 for The Hillbilly Killers’ first show. Tickets are on sale now from Oztix.

Image used with permission from Premier Artists

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Presidents of the United States of America Play Australia

Once upon a time, when people thought of the Presidents of the United States of America, they didn’t think of Barack Obama or George W Bush. They thought of a rocking musical act from the ‘90s who loved singing about kitties and peaches. And it’s those very presidents that are winging their way back to Australia.

The Presidents haven’t released a new album since 2008 (and who knew they’d even released one that recently?), so there should be plenty of old favourites at these shows. In fact, the band promises to play their breakthrough self-titled album in its entirety, as well as a selection of other choice cuts. And as an extra special bonus, all tickets will come bundled with a free digital download of the Presidents of the United States of American 2013 Australian Tour EP!

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

8 March 2013 – HiFi, Brisbane
9 March 2013 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
10 March 2013 – Palace, Melbourne
14 March 2013 – HQ, Adelaide
15 March 2013 – Roundhouse, Sydney
16 March 2013 – Metropolis, Fremantle

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wires Look for Short Term Pleasures

Friday’s winding down and we’re ready to kick up our heels and usher in the weekend. So it seems like the perfect time to introduce you to “Short Term Pleasures,” the fun new single from Sydney act Wires.

This song is so playfully self deprecating, I love it. If only most guys were so honest in bars, right girls? It might save us all a lot of heartache!

“Short Term Pleasures” comes from Wires’ debut EP Hold On To Me Now, which in the very best record stores now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Spazzys Finally Release Album Number Two

Does anyone else remember The Spazzys? This Melbourne power trio took the local charts by storm with “Hey Hey Baby” and their cover of “My Boyfriend’s Back” in 2004, but then seemed to disappear from view.

After almost a decade out of the charts, Melbourne sisters Kat and Lucy and their gal pal Ally are staging a comeback with the release of their long-awaited sophomore album Dumb is Forever.

I say long-awaited not just because it’s been eight years since we’ve heard some new music, but because the girls recorded this thing in Los Angeles way back in 2006. It was scheduled for release six months later, but sadly some legal red tape got in the way. After a lengthy court case, the album will finally see the light of day tomorrow!

The Spazzys are promising us they won’t fade away again, with some shows and brand new material all in the pipeline. Are you excited to see The Spazzys back in action?

Image used with permission from Fuse Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Harper @ Opera House, Sydney – 12 November 2012

I knew I’d be in for a special night when Ben Harper brought his acoustic show to the Sydney Opera House. The combination of stripped back music from one of my favourite performers in one of Australia’s most beloved venues was always going to impress. But I wasn’t prepared for just how much Ben would give us.

There was no support act, no backing band, no intermission: just Ben Harper and an enthralled Sydney crowd coming together for close to four hours. Never before have I witnessed an artist giving an audience so much of themselves and their time. He remarked a few times on the quality of the sound in the Opera House, the best he’d ever experienced he said, and it seemed he wanted to enjoy it for as long as possible.

The show wasn’t quite the acoustic evening we were promised. Ben didn’t mind plugging in his electric guitar for a blistering rendition of “Please Bleed” that morphed into “Something in the Way.” But no one cared if Ben played strictly by the rules. I was delighted to see him moving easily from instrument to instrument, delivering a number on his slide guitar, then taking up a ukulele, before sitting down at the piano. We even heard a bit of xylophone!

The set list was stellar, with many fan favourites and exciting reworkings of some of his biggest hits. I loved the bluegrass flavour he brought to “Steal My Kisses,” and the original lullaby stylings of “With My Own Two Hands.” I was particularly thrilled to hear my personal favourites “Walk Away” and “Waiting on an Angel” performed so beautifully.

The show was as much about connecting with words as much as music though. Ben seemed genuinely happy to interact with the crowd as they yelled out quips and requests between songs. He also shared so much of himself, stories about his family, his childhood, and the people he’s met. I was particularly moved to hear of the time he met Jeff Buckley at a French Music Festival, and when Heath Ledger gifted him his grand piano. These personal tales were made even more poignant when accompanied with “Hallelujah,” a Leonard Cohen song Jeff famously covered, and “Morning Yearning,” a song that saw Heath Ledger playing music video director.

After two generous encores, Ben closed the evening in true acoustic style. He sat at the front of the stage while he serenaded us with “Suzie Blue.” Without even a microphone to amplify his voice or ukulele, the crowd were hushed to hear. It was a stunning end to a spectacular night of music.

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

INXS Call It a Day

After 35 years together, INXS have called it quits.

Jon Farriss announced the news at the band’s final concert with Matchbox Twenty in Perth on Sunday night, seemingly taking the rest of the band by surprise. Kirk Pengilly even reportedly texted Central Coast radio station 2GO with the words “It’s not true.” However with an official statement hitting press today, it seems the journey of this legendary Aussie act has indeed come to an end.

“We have been performing as a band for 35 years, it’s time to step away from the touring arena,” the band said. “Our music will of course live on and we will always be a part of that. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the friends and family that have supported us throughout our extensive career. Our lives have been enriched by having you all as a part of the journey.”

I admit that I wasn’t all that kind to INXS after seeing them supporting Matchbox Twenty in Sydney, but I’m still saddened by the news. While I felt Ciarin Gribbin wasn’t the right fit for this iconic outfit, I hadn’t lost hope that they’d find someone to fill the gaping hole Michael Hutchence left. I also wonder why now. I remember reading an interview last year where the band seemed excited about recording new music. Their statement says they wanted to go out on a high, but surely taking one last victory lap as headliners, with fans knowing these shows would be the last, would have been much more satisfying than being someone’s opening act.

Perhaps INXS weren’t as confident as I was that they could ever recapture their glory days. Perhaps they’re just happy to bask in their legacy and let the royalties roll in. Either way I’m glad that I could see them one last time, even if it wasn’t with a perfect set.

Image source: own photo

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