Sounds of Oz – Page 548 – Australian music news and reviews

Posted on 13/10/201207/10/2012 by Lauren Katulka

Red Ink Back with “Empty Town”

After taking some time out from the biz, Red Ink are back with gusto with their brand new single “Empty Town,” the first lifted from their new album The Colour Age.

It seems like the self-imposed hiatus was a smart move for the Melbourne band. They appear to have rediscovered their love of making music. There’s definitely passion and joy in this tune, one of many the band penned on reuniting in a secluded beach house. I appreciated Red Ink before, but this song really takes things up a notch.

It’s great to have you back lads!

Posted on 12/10/201208/10/2012 by Lauren Katulka

The Tiger & Me Serve Up Album Teaser

Genre-bending Melbourne act The Tiger & Me are building anticipation for the release of their sophomore album The Drifter’s Dawn with this nifty video. It offers an insight into the way the album came together and a sneak peek of some of its tracks. If you’re desperate to get your hands on it, don’t worry. There’s only one week to go! The Drifter’s Dawn hits music stores on October 19. The Tiger & Me will play the following shows to support its release.

27 October 2012 – Revolt, Melbourne
1 November 2012 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
2 November 2012 – The Barwon Club, Geelong
9 November 2012 – Braidwood Hotel, Braidwood
10 November 2012 – The Red Rattler, Sydney
11 November 2012 – Majors Creek Pub, Majors Creek
15 November 2012 – High Tea, Sydney (Acoustic)
25 November 2012 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
1 December 2-12 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide

Posted on 11/10/201225/09/2012 by Lauren Katulka

Texas Tea Drop Album Number Three

Exciting Queensland folk-country duo Texas Tea will release their eagerly awaited third record Sad Summer Hits tomorrow. The retro fans will release the album, which features the current single “Lily,” in both CD and vinyl formats.

Sad Summer Hits was recorded with legendary producer Lachlan “Magoo” Goold in his beloved Applewood Studios, a converted church nestled in the Queensland countryside. The disc charts the journey of a band keen to develop their sound without completely letting go of the familiar. Benjamin P. Dougherty and Kate Jacobsen enlisted a rhythm section for the first time, and presented their usual dark themes with a little more light.

“All-in-all, I think we’ve been able to take the vintage county pop idea and conceptualise it a little further,” Kate explained. “With our tongues placed firmly in our cheeks, it’s a combination of retro country, blues and 50s pop, all with the typical Texas Tea sparkle dust. Although we take a lot of influence from American music, I think we have always been able to Australianise and contextualise our music.”

Texas Tea will play the following shows to celebrate the release of Sad Summer Hits.

18 October 2012 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
19 October 2012 – Old Bar, Melbourne
21 October 2012 – Grace Emily, Adelaide
26 October 2012 – The Zoo, Brisbane
27 October 2012 – The Loft, Gold Coast
28 October 2012 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba (Afternoon Show)
3 November 2012 – The Newsagency, Sydney (BYO Show)

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on 10/10/201207/10/2012 by Lauren Katulka

Charles Baby Releases Impressive New Single

Melbourne singer-songwriter Charles Baby has well and truly charmed me with “A Happy Affair (With a Terrible Consequence),” the first cut from his debut album The End of the Terror Lights.

The record is the follow-up to Charles’ acclaimed 2010 EP Has Quiet Choruses, and the result of a year holed up in abandoned school halls in the Victorian countryside. These aren’t the most conventional places to record an album, but Charles Baby isn’t a guy who likes to follow the crowd!

If you’re digging the quirky lyrics and banjo melodies of “A Happy Affair” as much as me, make sure you see Charles Baby launching the single at Carlton’s The John Curtin Bandroom on October 27.

Posted on 09/10/201207/10/2012 by Lauren Katulka

Lowlakes Take on America

Melbourne band Lowlakes are giving us a taste of their forthcoming debut album with the release of their new single “Cold Company.” The band hasn’t reinvented the wheel here, but when do what they do so well, why go changing?

It seems their haunting songs have hit the right note for American audiences too, as the band has been invited to play New York’s acclaimed CMJ Music Festival and some showcases. But before they spread their wings, Lowlakes will launch the single for their hometown fans at the Ding Dong Lounge.

Here are all the places Aussie and American music lovers can see Lowlakes play this month.

13 October 2012 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
17 October 2012 – Parkside Lounge, New York City
20 October 2012 – The Delancey, New York City
22 October 2012 – Pianos, New York City
25 October 2012 – Silverlake Lounge, Los Angeles

Posted on 08/10/201207/10/2012 by Lauren Katulka

Cabins On the Comeback Trail with “In Blue”

Sydney band Cabins delves into the darker side of love with their retro-styled new single “In Blue,” the long-awaited follow-up to their 2010 mini-album Bright Victory.

The track reminds me of something Roy Orbison might have passed on, insisting that commercial radio would never warm to something so black. And so we have Cabins revelling in the eeriness while celebrating classic themes and sounds.

If you like what you hear, make sure you get down to Sydney’s Annandale Hotel on October 25. The band will preview new songs from their forthcoming album as well as some old favourites. And if you arrive before 9 pm, you’ll get in for free!

Posted on 08/10/201207/10/2012 by Lauren Katulka

Joe Robinson Returns Home for EP Launch Shows

With his new EP Toe Jam hitting stores later this week, Joe Robinson is preparing to return home.

The guitar virtuoso from the tiny town of Temagog on New South Wales’ mid-north coast is now based in Nashville, but enjoys any opportunity to play for Aussie audiences.

Toe Jam hits stores on October 12. Tickets for the following festivals and headliner shows are on sale now.

27 October 2012 – The Vanguard, Sydney
28 October 2012 – Sydney Blues and Roots Festival, Windsor
10 & 11 November 2012 – Blues at Bridgetown, Bridgetown
16 November 2012 – The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie
22-25 November 2012 – Mullum Music Festival, Mullumbimby
1 December 2012 – 5 Church St, Bellingen
8 December 2012 – Toff In Town, Melbourne
13 December 2012 – The Street Theatre, Canberra
15 December 2012 – Festival of The Sun, Port Macquarie

Image source: Premier Artists

Posted on 07/10/2012 by Lauren Katulka

Shannon Noll Plays 80s Classics at In My Youth Shows

Shannon Noll always performs for his fans, but he’s upping the ante on his forthcoming In My Youth tour.

The show will see Shannon playing acoustic versions of the songs that formed the soundtrack of his youth. The sets will be a homage to Australia’s most beloved 1980s performers, but it’s up to fans which classics they’ll hear. Shannon’s inviting his devotees to visit his Facebook page to nominate their favourite Aussie tracks from the 80s. He’ll use this fan feedback to craft his very special set. And if these shows go well, who knows? Perhaps an album of iconic Aussie songs will follow!

If the concept excites you, make sure you vote and check out Shannon at the one of the following acoustic shows.

30 November 2012 – Coogee Diggers, Coogee
2 December 2012 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
6 December 2012 – Friends Restaurant, Perth
9 December 2012 – Icon Restaurant, Karratha
13 December 2012 – Spirit Bar & Lounge, Traralgon
14 December 2012 – Wellers Restaurant, Kangaroo Ground
17 January 2013 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
18 January 2013 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
31 January 2013 – Goolwa Aquatic Club, Goolwa
1 February 2013 – Coopers Alehouse, Wallaroo
2 February 2013 – Norwood Hotel, Norwood
3 February 2013 – Old Clarendon Inn, Clarendon
8 February 2013 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
9 February 2013 – Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra
15 February 2013 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
16 February 2013 – Asquith Leagues Club, Asquith
21 February 2013 – Acacia Ridge Hotel, Brisbane South
22 February 2013 – Southport RSL, Gold Coast
23 February 2013 – Broncos Leagues Club, Brisbane
24 February 2013 – Wynnum RSL, Brisbane East

Posted on 07/10/201208/10/2012 by Lauren Katulka

Lincoln Le Fevre Wows Me Again with New Single

A few weeks ago I waxed lyrical about Tassie’s Lincoln Le Fevre and wished I had some music I could share with you all. Thankfully my prayers have been answered in the form of “Get Drunk, See Bands,” the first single lifted from Lincoln’s forthcoming album Resonation.

This track is everything I loved about Lincoln’s music the first time I heard. The vocals have an endearing rawness that makes you believe every word, and his blend of rock, country, and folk sounds is instantly accessible. I can also really relate to the song’s sentiment. In short, this is fantastic and I can’t wait to hear more from Lincoln when Resonation hits stores on October 12.

And don’t forget, Lincoln is touring Australia with his good mate, the equally talented Jamie Hay, later this month. Here are all the places you can see this amazing up and comers.

24 October 2012 – Republic Bar, Hobart
26 October 2012 – Royal Oak Boatshed. Launceston
27 October 2012 – Red Hot Music, Devonport
10 November 2012 – The Reverence Hotel, Footscray
22 November 2012 – X&Y Bar, Brisbane
23 November 2012 – O’Dowds, Rockhampton
24 November 2012 – The Shed – Byron Bay
1 December 2012 – The Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
2 December 2012 – Blackwire Records, Sydney

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR