Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jacob Butler’s New UKOK? Clip Helps the Salvos

With Jacob Butler’s single “UKOK?” getting a rerelease in Germany, the Australian Idol graduate figured it was time to revisit the music video.

Gone is the now outdated footage of the London riots, replaced with more recent vision of Jacob in Britain’s capital. It’s so new that it’s got the Olympic Rings on the Tower Bridge!

Jacob wants as many people to see this video as possible, and he’s offering fans a pretty compelling incentive to share it. Just head to Jacob’s Facebook page and share the post he made about the clip with your friends. For every person who does so, Jacob will donate a dollar to the Salvation Army. He hopes to donate around $1000, so help him get there by spreading the word!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Revertigo Release Debut EP

Sydney hard rock Revertigo are ready to unleash their music on the country with the release of the EP All You Can Eat.

The band’s sounds plays homage to influential bands like Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age and Primus. Their songs rock hard but are still accessible thanks to their hard riff-based melodies.

All You Can Eat hits stores on August 10. To celebrate its launch the lads will play a string of shows along the East Coast. This is actually their first headlining tour, so make sure you get out there and show your support!

15 August 2012 – The Basement, Canberra (18+)
17 August 2012 – The Hammy, Melbourne (18+ Free Show)
18 August 2012 – The Nash Hotel, Geelong (18+)
24 August 2012 – Hermans Bar, University of Sydney, Sydney (18+ Free Show)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Texas Tea Go Retro with New Single

Indie folk act Texas Tea are taking us back to the fun days of the fifties with their new single “Heart Says Yes (Head Says No).” It sounds like it was made by a slick girl group from Motown rather than a band from Brisbane, but I love it.

The song’s available digitally today, but if you can hold out I suggest buying the cassingle released on August 13. I’m sure my fellow children of the ’80s are rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect! This retro throwback features an exclusive B-side which won’t appear on any other release, just like the old days!

“Heart Says Yes (Head Says No)” is our latest taste of Texas Tea’s third album Sad Summer Hits, which is scheduled to hit stores in October. Texas Tea will launch the single with two free hometown shows on August 17. Catch them playing as a duo at Jet Black Cat Records at 6:30 pm, or in full band mode at the Black Bear Lodge from 8 pm.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Circle Works with Fender Music Foundation

With their debut album The Middle sitting in record stores, Sydney band Circle are turning their attention to charity. The band has recently been named ambassadors for the Fender Music Foundation.

The local indie popsters will follow in the footsteps of OK Go in drumming up support for music programs in schools and communities. The video for their forthcoming single “All The People” will help raise awareness for this important cause.

“Circle’s video is a beautiful story about the universal power that music has over people,” explained The Fender Music Foundation’s executive director Moriah Scoble. “The teachers who have received instruments from our organisation often report back to me of this, how music has given their students a place to belong and a way for their students to learn to better communicate with their peers.”

Good on Circle for finding a way to give back. What do you think of their work?

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Karise Eden Racks Up Six Weeks on Top

It’d be boring if it wasn’t so fabulous. Karise Eden has beat out the competition to take the top spot on the ARIA chart for the sixth consecutive week.

Her fellow Voice finalist Darren Percival has slipped to eighth position with his album Happy Home. It was happier news for Missy Higgins though, who jumped up to number five with her current album The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle.

It seems all my wishing and hoping paid off, as Justice Crew have jumped to the top spot on the ARIA singles charts with “Boom Boom.” It’s a good thing too, because again they’re the only Aussie act in the top 10!

Click below for all this week’s chart action.

Continue reading “Karise Eden Racks Up Six Weeks on Top” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Billy Bragg Plays Woody Guthrie & Originals in Oz

Billy Bragg is bringing his Ain’t Nobody That Can Sing Like Me tour to Australia.

These shows are pretty special, as they’re performed in two distinct halves. The first pays homage to the music of folk legend Woody Guthrie while the second will see Billy playing his own acclaimed originals. The exception to the rule is in Melbourne, where Billy will play two shows: the first of Woody Guthrie material and the second featuring Billy Bragg tracks.

These shows are timely, as 2010 makes the 100th anniversary of Woody Guthrie’s birth. Billy Bragg has a special bond with Woody, as he worked with Wood’y daughter Nora and Wilco on setting found lyrics to music. That project led to the revered Mermaid Avenue albums.

The Melbourne Festival shows have already gone on sale, and the Recital Hall show has sold out! Tickets for the rest of the country go on sale tomorrow:

19 October 2012 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne
20 October 2012 – Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
21 October 2012 – Federation Hall, Hobart
23 October 2012 – Canberra Theatre, Canberra
25 October 2012 – QPAC, Brisbane
27 October 2012 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
31 October 2012 – Town Hall, Adelaide
2 November 2012 – Astor Theatre, Perth

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joe McKee Tours Solo Album

Ex-Snowman founding member Joe McKee’s hitting the road this week to promote his exquisite solo album Burning Boy.

Joe will make pit stops in capital cities around the country, including what’s sure to be an interesting performance at the Uniting Church in the Sydney suburb of Paddington. It’s likely to beat any pub with drunk punters and a sticky floor!

Tickets are available now from the venues and Oztix for the following shows:

10 August 2012 – Estonian Club, North Adelaide
11 August 2012 – Grace Darling, Collingwood, Melbourne
16 August 2012 – Paddington Uniting Church, Sydney
24 August 2012 – Rosemount, Perth

Image used with permission from Remote Control Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Veronicas Tease with “Lolita”

The Veronicas are back with their brand new single “Lolita.” The track is currently streaming with a lyrics video on the Queensland twins’ website.

It’s been around five years since the sisters delivered “Hook Me Up,” but they still seem to be in the same musical state of mind. The lyrics are a bit darker than the fare from that album, but that industrial electronic sound married with the girls’ natural harmonies feels very familiar.

It might be just me, but honestly that really electronic, manufactured feel is wearing a bit thin for me. I miss the really organic pop rock sound the girls showed in their breakthrough debut album. We expect a bit of polish as any band matures, but I feel their musical approach is a bit distancing. I’d love to hear this track stripped right back, wouldn’t you? It’s a good song, but with less production I think we could hear it as something much greater.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Richard Clapton’s New Album Out Now

Richard Clapton shows he’s still got it with his new single “Dancing with the Vampires,” the first lifted from his album Harlequin Nights.

The album, which hits stores today, is Richard’s first in eight years. It’s a fitting way to ring in his fifth decade in the business, with exceptional lyrics and that laconic twang we’ve all come to know. His recent marriage breakdown has added fuel to his fire, and resulted in some fantastic songs. I’m a real fan of the single, which sees the reformed party boy reflecting on his wild days and giving a nod to fellow wild man Charlie Sheen. Rest assured, I’ll be sinking my teeth into the album soon.

I’ve been a long-time fan of Richard’s work, especially in the live arena where he manages to balance the new songs with the old favourites like few others. Here are all the places you can see him doing his thing over the coming months.

18 August 2012 – State Theatre, Sydney
31 August 2012 – Country Club Show Room, Launceston
1 September 2012 – Wrestpoint Casino, Hobart
8 September 2012 – 16 Footers, Belmont
14 September 2012 – Atrium Resort, Mandurah
15 September 2012 – Astor Theatre, Perth
28 September 2012 – Nambour Civic Centre, Sunshine Coast
29 September 2012 – QPAC Theatre, Brisbane
5 October 2012 – Palms at Crown Casino, Melbourne
19 October 2012 – Thoroughbred Park, Lyneham
27 October 2012 – Twin Towns, Gold Coast
10 November 2012 – Waves, Wollongong
11 November 2012 – Day on the Green, Bowral
16 November 2012 – Campbelltown RSL, Campbelltown
17 November 2012 Dee Why RSL, Dee Why

Image used with permission from SGC Media