Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angus Stone Tours the World

Angus Stone will warm up for his Australian solo tour with shows in North America and Europe. Angus will kick off his Broken Brights World Tour in Los Angeles on Tuesday and tour through until local shows in January.

Angus is particularly excited to take his brand of “prairie dog blues” to the United States, where he’ll play some of the country’s most iconic nightspots.

“We’re playing really cool venues and it’s become much like it has here [in Australia] in the way we can play solid shows,” he explained. “Going to places like Salt Lake City and making our way up to Canada, in through all the rural parts of the States, it’s amazing how your music can trickle into all those different rivers of another continent.”

Europeans shouldn’t feel too short-changed either. While Angus won’t be in the region too long, he promises to return in 2013. Until then, Angus Stone fans around the world can look forward to the following shows.

11 September 2012 – Troubadour, Los Angeles
12 September 2012 – Slim’s, San Francisco
14 September 2012 – Doug Fir Lounge, Portland
15 September 2012 – The Crocodile, Seattle
16 September 2012 – Electric Owl, Vancouver
18 September 2012 – The State Room, Salt Lake City
19 September 2012 – Fox Theatre, Boulder
21 September 2012 – Park West, Chicago
22 September 2012 – The Crofoot @ Pike Room, Pontiac
23 September 2012 – Opera House, Toronto
24 September 2012 – Cabaret Du Mile End, Montreal
25 September 2012 – Brighton Music Hall, Allston
28 September 2012 – Rock and Roll Hotel, Washington DC
29 September 2012 – Bowery Ballroom, New York
30 September 2012 – World Café Live, Philadelphia
8 & 9 October 2012 – The Lexington, London (SOLD OUT)
10 October 2012 – The Point FMR, Paris
12 October 2012 – Rotonde, Brussels (SOLD OUT)
13 October 2012 – Tivoli De Helling, Utrecht (SOLD OUT)
15 October 2012 – Gruner Salon in der Volksbühne, Berlin
1 November 2012 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
2 November 2012 – Level One @ Newcastle Leagues, Newcastle
3 November 2012 – Waves, Wollongong
7 November 2012 – Great Northern, Byron Bay
9 November 2012 – The Hi Fi, Brisbane
10 November 2012 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
11 November 2012 – Lake Kawana Community Centre, Sunshine Coast
17 November 2012 – Perth Zoo, Perth
21 November 2012 – The Palace Theatre, Melbourne
23 November 2012 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
24 November 2012 – Pier Live, Frankston
28 November 2012 – Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, Adelaide
1 December 2012 – Tanks Art Centre, Cairns
8 December 2012 – Homebake @ The Domain, Sydney
28 December 2012 – 1 January 2013 – The Falls Festival, Lorn (SOLD OUT)
29 December 2012 – 1 January 2013 – The Falls Festival, Marion Bay
4 January 2013 – Southbound Festival @ Sir Stewart Bovell Park, Busselton

Image used with permission from International Music Concepts

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Beards Tour Before World’s End

I don’t mean to bring you down, but if you believe the Mayans the Incas, the Egyptians, or Nostradamus, we don’t have a lot of time left. It’s all wrapping up in 2012. One theory you might not have heard is that held by The Beards, that on December 21 the world will end for the beardless!

If indeed their prophecies do hold true, The Beards have nothing to worry about. But the hairy rockers want to send any clean shaven fans out with a bang on The 2012 End of the World (for beardless people) tour. Say that three times fast!

The tour is their most extensive to date, which is only fitting as The Beards want to convince as many music lovers as possible to put their razors down. It’s for their own good after all!

28 September 2012 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
29 & 30 September 2012 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra
4 October 2012 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
5 October 2012 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
6 October 2012 – The HiFi, Brisbane
10 October 2012 – The Club, Bundaberg
11 October 2012 – Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton
12 October 2012 – Magnums, Airlie Beach
13 October 2012 – JCU Unibar, Townsville
14 October 2012 – The Jack, Cairns
24 October 2012 – Bar On The Hill, Newcastle
25 October 2012 – Wollongong UniBar, Wollongong + The Snowdroppers & Kim Churchill.
26 October 2012 – Baroque Bar, Katoomba
27 October 2012 – Beachcomber Hotel, Toukley
1 November 2012 – ANU, Canberra
2 November 2012 – The Metro, Sydney
3 November 2012 – The HiFi, Melbourne
15 November 2012 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
16 November 2012 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
17 November 2012 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
18 November 2012 – Indi Bar, Scarborough Beach
22 November 2012 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
23 & 24 November 2012 – Queenscliff Festival
29 November 2012 – Royal Oak, Launceston
30 November 2012 – Republic Bar, Hobart
1 & 2 December 2012 – Jive, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Trouble with Templeton Grows with Single Release

The Trouble with Templeton are ushering in a new chapter with the release of the single “Six Months in a Cast.”

What started as a solo act became a duo, then a trio. Now as a five-piece, The Trouble with Templeton are forging forward with a much bolder sound. It’s still as melodic and focused on lyrics, but there’s something much more compelling about this new lush, multi-instrumental act.

“Six Months in a Cast” is available as a digital download today, and The Trouble with Templeton are taking every opportunity to promote it. The Trouble with Templeton frontman Thomas Calder will play solo gigs and shows with his quintet, including a few festivals, some headlining gigs, and dates with Julia Stone, in the coming months. With the I Wrote a Novel EP hitting stores across North America on September 4, The Trouble with Templeton will also do a bit of spruiking stateside.

Here are all the places you can catch this exciting act at home and abroad!

6 September 2012 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine (with Julia Stone – Thomas Calder solo)
7 September 2012 – Forum Theatre, Melbourne (with Julia Stone – full band)
8 September 2012 – Meenlyan Town Hall, Meeniyan (with Julia Stone – Thomas Calder solo)
12 September 2012 – Big Sound Showcase @ Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane (full band)
13 September 2012 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle (with Julia Stone – full band)
14 September 2012 – Dream Festival, Dubbo (full band)
15 September 2012 – The Metro, Sydney (with Julia Stone – full band)
21 September 2012 – Community Centre, Byron Bay (with Julia Stone – Thomas Calder solo)
4-7 October 2012 – 3 showcases at Filter’s Culture Collide, LA (Thomas Calder solo)
16-20 October 2012 – 6 showcases at CMJ Music Marathon, NY (Thomas Calder solo)
26 October 2012 – GOMA Up Late @ Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane (Thomas Calder solo)

Image used with permission from Tiny Monster

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gary Clark Jr Brings Blues to Oz

Budding Texas blues legend Gary Clark Jr is bringing his music to Australia for the first time.

Gary Clark Jr has achieved some amazing things in his 28 years. Austin paid attention way back in 2001, when the mayor named May 3 official Gary Clark Jr. Day. That’s no small honour for a 17 year old! A few years ago he took the stage at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival alongside Clapton, Buddy Guy, and Ronnie Wood. This year he performed in an all-star band with BB King, Mick Jagger, and Jeff Beck for Barack Obama at the White House. He’s also collaborated with The Roots, Nas, and Alicia Keys and played at key festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza.

Gary Clark Jr has been named as part of next year’s Big Day Out festival, but if I were you I’d check him out at his much more intimate warm-up shows later this month. To commemorate the dates, Warner Music Australia has released a tour edition of the acclaimed Bright Lights EP. This disc, which hits record stores today, features 20 minutes of extra live music.

See Gary Clark Jr at Melbourne’s The Tote on September 27 or Sydney’s Annandale Hotel on September 28.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Medics Release Stomach Turning Single Clip

The Medics have me rocking out again with their latest single “Slow Burn.” Despite its name, the song is instantly accessible with big chords and a scorching bass line. I’m not so keen on the music video though. I’m pretty sure it’ll turn even the strongest of stomachs. If you don’t mind images of ants crawling over skin and cuticles being pulled, the video might just be for you. Don’t say you weren’t warned!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Arrested Development Bring Anniversary Shows Down Under

It’s hard to believe that 20 years ago Arrested Development released their seminal album 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of … To celebrate the milestone, the American eight-piece will bring their anniversary tour to Australia in October.

The dual Grammy award winners will take their positive brand of hip hop music to major cities around the country. Expect to hear the album’s big singles “Mr. Wendal,” “Tennessee,” “People Everyday” and heaps more at the following shows.

Tickets go on sale at midday on September 10.

25 October 2012 – Cockatoo Island, Sydney (18+)
26 October 2012 – Magnetic Island, Townsville (18+)
27 October 2012 – Valley Fiesta, Brisbane (FREE All Ages)
2 November 2012 – Prince Band Room, Melbourne (18+)
3 November 2012 – Metro City, Perth (18+)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Greenthief Set Off on First National Headline Tour

Fresh from touring around the country with The Butterfly Effect, Greenthief are preparing to go it alone with their first national headlining dates.

The time is right for Greenthief to stand in the spotlight, as the Brisbane act has just released a brand new single “Mr Number 1.” The big rocking song gives an indication of the kind of tunes we’ll hear when Greenthief release their debut album next year. The band haven’t messed with the winning formula they found on their EP Retribution. ARIA-award winning producer Steve James (Sex Pistols, The Jam) has reunited with the band to give their long-player a bit of spit and polish.

Greenthief kicks off their national tour in Newcastle tonight.

5 September 2012 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
6 September 2012 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
7 September 2012 – Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney
8 September 2012 – Bald Faced Stag, Sydney
21 September 2012 – Ed Castle, Adelaide
22 September 2012 – Pony Bar, Melbourne
28 September 2012 – Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
29 September 2012 – Irish Club, Toowoomba
26 October 2012 – The Rocketroom, Perth
27 October 2012 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
28th October 2012 – The Newport, Fremantle

Image used with permission from Starving Kids Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jacob Butler Wins Songwriting Comp with “Mind Waltz”

Jacob Butler’s new song “Mind Waltz” has just hit radio. It’s great timing too, as the track’s just taken out the Adult Album Alternative Category of the International Songwriting Competition’s Unsigned Only comp. The title sees Jacob recognized as one of the best independent songwriters on the planet. Way to go Jacob!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Good China’s Fun New Music Video

Melbourne eight-piece The Good China have outdone themselves with the fun music video for their new single “We Knew That We Had to Leave.”

In a world where so many acts don’t seem to care about their music videos, it’s so much fun to see the band creating a lyrical landscape to accompany their song.

The song’s pretty fabulous too. It sounds so upbeat and optimistic, but if you listen to it, it’s really a lament about the torture of watching your favourite hangout becoming far too popular with the wrong people. It’s a final goodbye to one chapter, a begrudging acceptance that it’s all over.

What do you think of the clip?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Primal Scream Return to Australia

Primal Scream are encouraging us to get our rocks off when they return to Australia this December.

The British lads clearly love Australia, as they were only here in 2011. If two years felt too long you’ll enjoy this chance to catch the band playing all the hits they’ve recorded over three decades in the biz. With a new album almost in the can, Aussie fans might also be lucky enough to hear some new tunes.

Of course fans will note that it’s not quite the same Primal Scream this time around, as long-time bassist Mani’s left the band. However with My Bloody Valentine’s Debbie Googe stepping up, music lovers are in good hands.

Tickets go on sale on Friday, September 7, for the following shows.

3 December 2012 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
5 December 2012 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
7 December 2012 – The Palace Theatre, Melbourne
9 December 2012 – HQ, Adelaide
11 December 2012 – Astor Theatre, Perth

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity