Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Translantics Announce Album Number 2 Release and Launch Shows

After spending 12 months crafting their sophomore album Find My Way Home, Adelaide soul outfit The Transatlantics are finally ready to unleash it on the public.

The album shuns modern technology for classic recording traditions of the analogue era. It shows a natural progression for the band, who’s embraced a more mature approach to songwriting while staying true to their soul roots. It manages to feel like a classic album without seeming derivative.

Find My Way Home will hit record stores on October 15. The Transatlantics will celebrate the release with two special launch shows. See them at Melbourne’s Northcote Social Club on October 26 or Adelaide’s Governor Hindmarsh on November 23.

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

78 Saab Announce Farewell Show

After 15 years together and 350 live shows, 78 Saab have called it quits.

During their time together 78 Saab earned a reputation as an energetic live act and solid studio band. Their single “Whatever Makes You Happy” was one of the first released on pivotal local label Ivy League, and Triple J listeners embraced their debut album Picture A Hum, Can’t Hear a Sound. I’m sure they never imagined that name they picked simply to fill out the Australian National Uni campus band comp would be with them for so long.

The band will perform one final gig for their loyal fans on December 1 at Sydney’s Annandale Hotel. Tickets for 78 Saab’s swan song are available now through the venue.

Image used with permission from International Music Concepts

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jamie Hay Teams Up with Lincoln Le Fevre for Impressive Tour

Jamie Hay is one of those musicians that grabs you with his raw emotion. His songs are simple, but they’re delivered with such gut-wrenching sincerity that it’s impossible to resist. He reminds us that you don’t need studio trickery or frills to impress. All you need is one hell of a voice and an acoustic guitar.

If it seems like I’m gushing, perhaps you should take a listen to “Rabbit On,” the incredible debut single from Jamie’s album King of the Sun, which will hit stores on November 2. The album was recorded in the middle of a chilly Tasmanian winter with Jamie’s pal and fellow musician Lincoln Le Fevre. Yes, the same Lincoln Le Fevre that I was raving about just a few weeks ago.

The musical mates will hit the road together later this month to promote their respective albums. There’s no doubt music lovers are in for a real treat at the following shows.

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

360 Dominates ARIA Award Nominations

If the nominations are any indication, 360 could scoop this year’s ARIA Awards. The hip hop artist has scored six nominations: Best Male Artist, Breakthrough Artist, Album of the Year and Best Urban Album (Falling and Flying), Song of the Year (“Boys Like You”), and Best Australian Live Act.

Gotye and The Jezabels also did well with five nods. Just behind them we see Lanie Lane and Hilltop Hoods with four nominations each.

I’m most impressed by the diversity of this year’s awards. We see so many genres represented and a great mix of new artists and old favourites. In recent years it’s felt the awards have gone a bit too alternative, so I’m thrilled to see mainstream pop acts, dance divas, and rock acts getting their due. I’m not so secretly hoping to see Cold Chisel take out the best group category.

In something new this year, fans will also be able to vote via the ARIA website for four categories: Song of the Year, Best Australian Live Act, Best International Artist and Best Video.

The pointy statues will be handed out at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on November 29. They’ll air on GO! You can see all the nominees at the ARIA website.

Image source: ARIA Awards website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cogel Impress with “Felusine” Film Clip

Humpdays can be pretty hard to handle, but they’re made better with intriguing music videos. And so for your viewing pleasure I bring you the clip for “Felusine,” the latest single from Sydney group Cogel’s forthcoming EP Nowhere Near.

If you like heads on sticks and awesome imagery, this is the clip for you! The epic song’s far from bad either! Hometown fans can see Cogel launching the EP on November 2 at the Beresford. You haven’t been forgotten either Melbournians and Brisbanites. Cogel promise to announce some launch dates in your parts soon!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Charlie Horse Announces Album Tour

If you were as seduced by Charlie Horse’s single “Dead Roses” as I was, you’ll be happy to know The Sydney duo are setting out on a whirlwind East Coast tour.

The tour will promote Charlie Horse’s self-recorded album I Hope I’m Not a Monster, the result of time holed up in the own studio in the Blue Mountains. See why that record’s been earning rave reviews at the following shows.

26 October 2012 – Beetle Bar, Brisbane
3 November 2012 – Factory Floor, Sydney
10 November 2012 – Workers Club, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

My Bloody Valentine Announce First Oz Tour in Decades

The patience of fans has been rewarded, with My Bloody Valentine announcing their first Australian tour for 21 years. The Irish rock pioneers will visit our shores next February.

Founding member Kevin Shields will make the return journey to our part of the world with co-founder Colm Ó Cíosóig, Bilinda Butcher, and Debbie Googe. Without a new album to promote, fans can rest assured they’ll enjoy an evening featuring all the songs they know and love.

Tickets go on sale on at midday Thursday, October 18 through Ticketek.

18 February 2013 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
20 February 2013 – Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane
22 February 2013 – Palace Theatre, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Riothouse Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Spit Syndicate Tour “Beauty in the Bricks”

In preparation for the October 5 release of their new single “Beauty in the Bricks,” Sydney hip hop duo Spit Syndicate have announced an up close and personal national tour.

“’Beauty In The Bricks’ is about an awareness of people around us getting older, many settling into monotonous routines in their lives, and the subsequent need to keep things fresh,” explained Spit Syndicate’s Lupi.

“Beauty in the Bricks” is the first single lifted from Spit Syndicate’s forthcoming third album Sunday Gentlemen, which should hit stores early next year. The song’s not even out yet but already it’s enjoying maximum rotation on Triple J. It’s only a matter of time before the other radio stations catch on to this heartfelt hip hop number.

Spit Syndicate have hand-selected their tour venues to create shows that are as intimate as their lyrics. That will mean that tickets won’t last long though, so make sure you don’t hesitate to secure yours from Oztix.

25 October 2012 – Transit Bar, Canberra
26 October 2012 – Rhino Room, Adelaide
27 October 2012 – Laundry Bar, Melbourne
2 November 2012 – Ya-Ya’s, Perth
3 November 2012 – Mojo’s, Fremantle
9 November 2012 – Great Northern, Byron Bay
10 November 2012 – Sprung Hip-Hop Festival, Brisbane
16 November 2012 – The Annandale Hotel, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pink Announces Aussie Tour

Pink’s currently soaking up the Australian sun on a promotional tour, but it won’t be too long until she returns. Today she announced dates for a 2013 tour to promote her latest number one album, The Truth About Love.

Pink’s announced 12 shows for starters, but as there are plenty of gaps in her schedule we can expect more shows to be added as these inevitably sell out. Pink will stay in Australia for at least five weeks, but considering how long her last tour went I don’t expect we’ll get rid of her that quickly.

It remains to be seen whether the latest tour can beat the 58 sold-out shows she played here in 2009, but with The Truth About Love debuting at number one it seems like Australia’s love affair with the American pop star is far from over.

Tickets for the following shows go on sale from Live Nation on October 17.

25 & 26 June 2013 – Perth Arena, Perth
1 & 2 July 2013 – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
7, 8 & 10 July 2013 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
19 & 20 July 2013 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
30 & 31 July & 2 August 2013 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney

Image source: Flominator @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lisa Mitchell Offers New Single

We’ll need to wait until October 12 to hear Lisa Mitchell’s brand new album Bless This Mess, but the release of the title track should tide fans over. Lisa’s voice is as delicate as ever, but there’s real strength about the way she wields her guitar in this clip. Vocally they couldn’t be more different, but there’s something about Lisa’s sassier side that’s reminiscent of Melissa Etheridge. Either way, this gutsier song has me anticipating the album even more!