Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sand Art Wizardry in The Oyster Murders’ Video

With The Oyster Murders’ debut album Winter of the Electric Sun hitting record stores tomorrow, it feels like the right time to bring you the beautiful clip from the current single “It Might Be Real.”

British filmmaker Anna Humphries has created a whimsical stop motion sand animation to accompany the dreamy single. The fairytale like imagery is perfect for a band inspired by Lewis Carroll’s iconic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

This is one of the most gorgeous music videos I’ve seen in some time. What do you think of it?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Evermore Releasing Album Number Four

Evermore have been out of the spotlight for the last three years, but they’re promising to remind us why we loved them so much with the release of their fourth studio album Follow The Sun on October 12.

It’s not like the band has been sitting idly during that break. They toured the world with Pink, and circled it again to collect inspiration for this recording. Then then built a full-service studio on their farm on the outskirts of Melbourne, and set about writing, recording, and producing an array of musical projects. Follow The Sun was amongst them.

The album’s already been heralded as the band’s best, and while those comments might be a bit premature the title track does sound promising.  You can make up your own mind when Evermore give fans a sneak peek of the album at some intimate shows next month. If you miss out on those tickets, you can grab Follow the Sun when it hits stores on October 12.

13 September 2012 – Amplifier, Perth
14 September 2012 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
19 September 2012 – The Zoo, Brisbane
20 September 2012 – The Standard, Sydney
27 September 2012 – The Toff, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ray Beadle & Jill Barber Come Out Swinging with Jazz Tour

They come from different sides of the planet, but a shared love of jazz will see Aussie blues guitarist Ray Beadle and Canadian chanteuse Jill Barber staring a stage this October and November. The artists will showcase their jazz chops and some of the genre’s most beloved classics on their Come Out Swinging tour.

Ray Beadle and his band The Hightones will pay tribute to the bluesy jazz stylings of America’s west coast. Think Hollywood Fats, Junior Watson, Kim Ramos, and Lynwood Slim. Jill Barber’s long been inspired by artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Edith Piaf, so don’t be surprised to hear songs from these great dames, as well as tunes from her own recent release Mischievous Moon.

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

18 October 2012 – Brisbane Jazz Club, Brisbane
19 October 2012 – Woombye Pub, Sunshine Coast
20 October 2012 – Burleigh Underground Drummers, Gold Coast
24 October 2012 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
25 October 2012 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
26 October 2012 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
27 & 28 October 2012 – Sydney Blues & Roots Festival
31 October 2012 – The Basement, Sydney
1 November 2012 – The Abbey, Canberra
2 November 2012 – Bennett’s Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

At Sunset Poised to Take Australia By Storm

Adelaide pop trio At Sunset hope to steal a few fans away from One Direction with their debut single “This is Who I Am.”

Even if you find all their positivity and perfect pop chords a bit cloying, it’s hard to be unimpressed by their marketing skills. Brothers Harrison and Andrew and their best mate Jae have amassed an army of fans, known as the Sunsetters, without the backing of a major record label or any television appearances. They’ve got more than 11, 000 subscribers to their YouTube channel and thousands of Facebook and Twitter friends.

“This Is Who I Am” has just hit radio and iTunes in the last week. Expect this one to be big, whether you want it to or not. Resistance is futile!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Invicible Summer Turn Up the Heat with “Runaway”

Any band that takes inspiration from the works of existential author Albert Camus has enough to get me interested. The Invincible Summer takes its name from Camus’ quote “in the midst of winter, I found there was, within me … an Invincible Summer.”

The Sydney band seems to have taken the philosophy to heart, as their debut single “Runaway” delivers a healthy dose of optimism and warm weather vibes. The track comes from The Invincible Summer’s self-titled debut album, a real labour of love recorded in Sydney’s iconic Studios 301 over eighteen months.

“Runaway” is available on iTunes now. If you love it make sure you look out for The Invincible Summer’s debut album in stores in the first half of 2013.

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Julia & The Deep Sea Sirens Woo With Sweet Folk Music

Canberra songstress Julia Johnson and her outfit the Deep Sea Sirens have been quietly plugging away in the music business since 2005. After honing their craft, the band’s decided to time is right to release their debut album Family Pets.

The album has equal parts sadness and joy, all anchored together by Julia’s sweet vocals and her ever faithful instruments, the 36-string autoharp and banjo. It showcases tracks you might have heard when the band recently supported Tim Rogers, Lanie Lane, and Kate Miller-Heidke, including the current single “Little Surprises.” These songs were all recorded using vintage recording technology to ensure they have that authentic, analogue vibe.

If you like what you hear make sure you see Julia and the Deep Sea Sirens at their upcoming shows.

30 August 2012 – The Standard, Sydney
10 September 2012 – The Phoenix, Canberra (FREE)
12 October 2012 – The Empress, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Lark Bounces Back After Christchurch Quake with Aussie Tour

His practice space and studio might have been flattened in the Christchurch earthquake, but you can’t keep a musician like Tom Lark down.

He could have packed it in then and there but instead the Kiwi singer-songwriter went back to basics and sequestered himself in his bedroom. Rather than feeling hemmed in by the space’s restrictions, he became inspired by his new limitations. The not so originally titled Tom Lark EP is the result of this flurry of creativity. The disc features the new single “Give You All My Lovin’” and other songs which marry Tom’s innate sense of storytelling and folky guitar sounds.

Tom and his band will touch down in Australia for the first time next month to bring the EP to the masses. Catch them at the following venues, including dates supporting Sydney muso Feelings.

12 September 2012 – Bakery Lane, Brisbane
12 September 2012 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
19 September 2012 – Beach Road Hotel, Bondi (with Feelings)
20 September 2012 – Trinity Bar, Canberra (with Feelings)
21 September 2012 – Goodgod, Sydney (with Feelings)
22 September 2012 – Workers Club, Melbourne (with Feelings)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian & The Sapphires Number Ones for Second Week

Aussie artists Guy Sebastian and the team from The Sapphires have maintained their dominance of the ARIA Charts this week. For the second week we see Guy’s “Battle Scars” at the top of the singles charts, and The Sapphires soundtrack at number one on the albums charts.

Justice Crew have also maintained the pressure on the singles charts. Their monster hit “Boom Boom” holds steady at number two.

Ricki-Lee’s new album Fear & Freedom has made a big impact in its first week with a number seven debut. Meanwhile Missy Higgins and Karise Eden are hanging onto the top ten by their fingernails. The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle is at number 9, and My Journey’s at number 10.

Click below for all this week’s top 10s.

Continue reading “Guy Sebastian & The Sapphires Number Ones for Second Week” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wes Carr is Buffalo

Australian Idol alum Wes Carr has reinvented himself as Buffalo. The former talent show victor is a bit beardier these days, and his music has a more organic, rootsier, folkier feel. That’s showcased with his brand new single “Blood & Bone,” the title track from Buffalo’s debut EP.

The new sound is only fitting for Buffalo. The name was inspired by the native American belief that when someone dreams of a buffalo they will return to their heritage and roots. That’s exactly what Wes has done here. It’s so much simpler than the Silverchair-offshoot Tambalane or the radio-friendly music he created post-Idol. But that’s exactly why it’s so good.

You can see all that for yourself when Buffalo launches Blood & Bone at the following shows, including support slots with The McClymonts.

31 August 2012 – Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra (with the McClymonts)
1 September 2012 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (with the McClymonts)
6 September 2012 – Panthers Port Macquarie (with the McClymonts)
7 September 2012 – Cex Club, Coffs Harbour (with the McClymonts)
8 September 2012 – Club Forster (with the McClymonts)
9 September 2012 – Bateau Bay Hotel, Bateau Bay (3 pm show – with the McClymonts)
14 September 2012 – Lismore Workers Club, Lismore (with the McClymonts)
15 September 2012 – Toowoomba Empire Theatre, Toowoomba (with the McClymonts)
21 September 2012 – Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane (with the McClymonts)
22 September 2012 – Vikings Club, Canberra (with the McClymonts)
29 September 2012 – Evan Theatre @ Penrith Panthers, Penrith (with the McClymonts)
5 October 2012 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle (with the McClymonts)
6 October 2012 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
12 & 13 October 2012 – The Palms @ Crown Casino, Melbourne (with the McClymonts)
23 November 2012 – Notes, Newtown
30 November 2012 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elliot the Bull Tour EP This Spring

I’m always interested to hear stories of bands in my backyard blowing up. So I’ve been thrilled to see the buzz Central Coast act Elliot the Bull generated after last month’s “Paint the Sky” single tour.

People raved about the band’s easy on stage presence, their effortless harmonies, and the quality of their songs. If you missed out then, don’t make the same mistake when the band tours their self-titled EP this spring. The EP easily blends folk, rock, and indie-pop influences to create a quintessentially Aussie sound.

Fresh from shows in China, Elliot the Bull will take advantage of the warm weather approaching with the following gigs along Australia’s east coast.

31 August 2012 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why (supporting Abby Dobson)
1 September 2012 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber (supporting Abby Dobson)
8 Sept 2012 – Upstairs – The Beresford, Surry Hills
13 September 2012 – The Loft @ UTS, Sydney
15 September 2012 – Big Exo Day, Sydney
20 September 2012 – Ravesi’s, Bondi
21 September 2012 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
28 September 2012 – Revolver, Melbourne
29 September 2012 – The Empress, Melbourne
4 October 2012 – Beer Garden, Surfers Paradise
6 October 2012 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
19 October 2012 – Burdekin Upstairs, Sydney
26 October 2012 – The Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
27 October 2012 – The Patch, Wollongong
28 October 2012 – Old Manly Boat Shed, Manly
10 November 2012 – Phoenix Bar, Canberra
11 November 2012 – The Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment