Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Justice Crew Still Tops

Justice Crew’s “Boom Boom” continues to do great business this week. The Aussie dance crew turned musical juggernaut is again sitting at the top spot on the ARIA Charts.

Karise Eden’s reign at the top has finally ended. While Ed Sheeran’s + nudged her out of number one, My Journey’s only slipped slightly to sit at number two.

Pointing to some success at the box office, the soundtrack for local comedy-drama The Sapphires sits at number five on the albums charts. That pushes Missy Higgins The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle down to six. It’s one better than Hilltop Hoods’ Drinking from the Sun, which has made a big jump from number 24 to number seven.

Click below for this week’s ARIA top tens.

Continue reading “Justice Crew Still Tops” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Barry Southgate’s Dreamy Mash-Up

Prepare to melt over this clever mashup from Barry Southgate.

The soul singer who generated plenty of buzz with support slots for American music heavyweights Brian McKnight, Eric Benet, and KCi & JoJo has laid down a clever cover of Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” and his own track “You.”

I’ll take this stripped back, guitar driven take over Katy’s overly produced piece of pop any day!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

In Love with L.O.V.E.

Local electronic producer, vocalist, and visual artist Michelle Xen has created an instant dancefloor classic with her new single “L.O.V.E.”

Michelle came up with the line “and she spells L.O.V.E. with her eyes,” before the song tumbled out. While it came together quickly it wasn’t quite alive until Regurgitator’s Quan gave it a bit of massaging. Now the song is one of those perfect dance-pop anthems, with a great 80s synth sound and just the right amount of heart.

“L.O.V.E” comes from Michelle Xen’s forthcoming album Synaesthesiac, which will hit stores this October.It’s currently available as a free download from Michelle’s Bandcamp page.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hugo Race Does The Boss

Former Bad Seed Hugo Race has well and truly creeped me out with his moody cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire.”

The shiver I get listening to this unusual take on the American classic isn’t entirely a bad thing. Hugo’s interpretation gives a malice to the lyrics that I never heard when The Boss was cranking them out. I almost feel like I’m hearing the song for the first time.

This take on “I’m on Fire” comes from Hugo Race’s newly released digital album No But It’s True. The album sees Hugo putting his unique spin on love songs through the ages. It’s available through iTunes now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan and Hannah Acfield Impress with Indie Folk

Brisbane based singer songwriters Dan and Hannah Acfield are solo musicians in their own rights, but they’ve recently pooled their talents for some gorgeous recordings.

“After You” is the lead single from their latest musical project. It’s such a well-crafted song, with the music and Hannah’s vocals building beautifully to its emotional crescendo.

That song inspired me to seek out more. Don’t you love it when that happens? I wasn’t disappointed by another of the siblings’ songs, “Sorry I’ve Taken So Long to Love.” This time around Dan’s on leads and Hannah’s supporting him with her gorgeous harmonies. Their voices star, but they’re anchored by some simple but stunning lyrics.

I really feel this twosome. There’s so much emotion in the music they create, and you can pick up on that even hearing the songs from tinny laptop speakers. I can only imagine how much they’d impress in the live arena.

The pairing of Dan and Hannah Acfield is definitely a double act to watch.

Image used with permission from Dan Acfield

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joel Sarakula Serves Up Sexy Single

Australian expat Joel Sarakula’s got my blood pumping with his sexy new single “I Will Deliver.”

This track has such a great groove which marries beautifully with Joel’s dirty vocals. The clip’s also a little on the dirty side, so you’d be best served waiting until you’re home from work to watch it. Some feminists might rail against it, but in the wake of Magic Mike’s release I’m all for equal opportunity perving!

Joel’s now based in London where he’ll launch at the single at the Alley Cat on August 16.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Kelly Gets Poetic with Conversations with Ghosts

Paul Kelly will deliver a very different kind of show with the upcoming Conversations with Ghosts concerts.

Paul will join recorder wiz Genevieve Lacey and musicians from the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) for performances based on poetry. Pieces from Les Murray, W.B. Yeats, Lord Alfred Tennyson, Emily Dickinson, Kenneth Slessor, Norman MacCaig, and even Paul Kelly will receive brave new treatments. Paul worked on the project with  ANAM’s 2011 composer James Ledger.

Conversations with Ghosts will play Sydney’s Capitol Theatre on October 10 before moving to the Melbourne Recital Centre on October 12 and 13. These don’t sound like shows for every Paul Kelly fan, but they should offer something different to people with an appreciation for poetry and music.

Image used with permission from Jones PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Split Seconds Tour Debut Album

Split Seconds have been steadily building buzz over the last couple of years. No doubt those fans they’ve collected along the way will be ecstatic that their debut album You’ll Turn Into Me will finally hit stores tomorrow.

The album release comes at a busy time for Split Seconds. They recently made the big move from their native Perth to the musical hub of inner city Melbourne. They also just released a new single “Top Floor,” which is already enjoying plenty of airplay.

So why not add more chaos to the mix? Split Seconds will stay busy with a quickie tour this month and the next. See them launching You’ll Turn Into Me at the following shows:

25 August 2012 – Amplifier, Perth
31 August 2012 – The Standard, Sydney
8 September 2012 – Ding Dong, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Breaking Orbit Tour The Time Traveller

Sydney alt-prog act Breaking Orbit is taking its recently released debut album, The Time Traveller, on the road.

The long-awaited album features diverse soundscapes, driving rhythms, and heavy grooves. It’s such an ambitious recording, so it’ll be interesting to see how it translates to a live setting. However keep in mind this band has been playing together for years, so they know how to put on a show. You’ll see the energy they’re famous for at the following gigs:

17 August 2012 – The Annandale, Sydney
18 August 2012 – The Basement, Canberra
31 August 2012 – The Enigma, Adelaide
1 September 2012 – The Jetty Bar, Glenelg
7 September 2012 – Basement 243, Brisbane
8 September 2012 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
14 September 2012 – Espy Front Bar, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Breaking Orbit

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dance, Dance, Dance on The Blackchords Tour

The Blackchords want to see you on your feet this winter when they tour their current single “Dance Dance Dance.”

The feelgood tune comes from The Blackchords’ sophomore album, which is scheduled to hit stores next month. We get an insight into the band’s recording process with the “Dance Dance Dance” film clip, which takes us into The Shed where the band laid down their album.

Tickets are available from the venues for the following shows:

22 August 2012 – Republic Bar, Hobart
23 August 2012 – Tapas Bar, Devonport
24 August 2012 – New York Hotel, Launceston
1 September 2012 – FBI Social Club, Sydney
8 September 2012 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
14 September 2012 – The Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne
15 September 2012 – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
20 September 2012 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat (with The Medics)
22 September 2012 – Westernport Hotel, San Remo (with The Medics)
29 September 2012 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane