Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Heavy Beach Have “Good Intentions”

Heavy Beach channels the dirty sound of 90s grunge with their new single “Good Intentions.”

I couldn’t help thinking of Veruca Salt while listening to the song’s sweet vocals and gritty distorted guitars. The band cites acts like Dinosaur Jr and Sonic Youth amongst their influences, which goes some way towards explaining that retro sound.

“Good Intentions” is available now to download through Heavy Beach’s Bandcamp page. The band will launch the single with a free show at Yah Yah’s in Fitzroy this Friday August 10.

Image used with permission from Tall Sky Press

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Falls Tour Hollywood EP

They’ve just birthed their debut EP Hollywood, and now The Falls are hitting the road. With the record landing in stores today, it seems like the perfect time for the band to circle the country.

Some of the dates see The Falls headlining, while others see them supporting the UK’s Passenger. Either way punters will be treated to some lush folk harmonies from this gorgeous twosome.

4 August 2012 – The Empress Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
5 August 2012 – Pure Pop Records, Melbourne (All Ages @ 4 pm)
11 August 2012 – Hellen Rose Schauersberger Laboratorium, Sydney (18+)
16 August 2012 – The Hi- Fi, Brisbane (with Passenger, 18+)
17 August 2012 – The Hi- Fi, Sydney (with Passenger, All Ages)
22 August 2012 – The Rosemount, Perth (with Passenger, 18+)
23 August 2012 – Fowlers, Adelaide (with Passenger, All Ages)
24 August 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (with Passenger, 18+)
25 August 2012 – The Waratah Hotel, Hobart (with Passenger, 18+)

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Angels & More Join Sydney Blues & Roots Lineup

The second announcement of acts for the 2012 Sydney Blues & Roots Festival sees Aussie rock legends The Angels, guitar prodigy Joe Robinson, and American songstress Barbara Blue added to the bill.

These acts and many more join already announced artists including Ian Moss, Charlie Musselwhite, Mia Dyson, and Lanie Lane.

This year’s Sydney Blues & Roots Festival will take over the Windsorfrom October 25 to 28. Discounted first release tickets are available from the Sydney Blues & Roots Festival website until August 31.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fairchild Republic Tour Wish Upon a Paper Crane

It’s been a long time coming, but Fairchild Republic’s debut album Wish Upon a Paper Crane is almost here. The epic album, which includes the single “Villages” and the new track “Acardia,” will hit stores on August 24.

Wish Upon a Paper Crane shows a band that’s not afraid to take risks. Their sound is big and ambitious. They’re making music like an act with more years under their belt, but they see no need to wait to create an impact.

Fairchild Republic will take their album on the road with launch shows along the East Coast next month. You can catch them at the following venues.

23 August 2012 – Alhambra, Brisbane
24 August 2012 – Elsewhere, Gold Coast
31 August 2012 – The Northern Star Hotel, Newcastle
1 September 2012 – Kittens @ The Spectrum, Sydney
6 September 2012 – Revolver Upstairs, Melbourne
7 September 2012 – John Curtain Hotel, Melbourne
16 September 2012 – Sunday Safari, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lo Five Remembers Amy Winehouse

Sydney soul outfit Lo Five have commemorated the recent first anniversary of Amy Winehouse’s passing with the release of a tribute single “Heavenly Ho.”

The band penned the track as a cautionary letter to the soul singer way back in 2010. Just six months later she was gone. The song aims to keep Amy’s memory alive.

“We always wanted to get our song “Heavenly Ho” out there,” the band explained. “But with the tragedy of her passing and wanting to be respectful of her memory, the only way we felt comfortable sharing the song with the world was by giving it away for free as a memorial and tribute to her on the first anniversary of her death.”

The recording’s got a few rough edges, but there’s an honesty to it that makes it a fitting tribute to the fallen soul singer. What do you think about it?

Image used with permission from Henry Compton

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shihad Play Greatest Hits Shows

Fresh from their slot at Splendour in the Grass, Shihad are returning to Australia to play their greatest hits.

This tour has been some time coming for fans. Shihad released their double greatest hits album The Meanest Hits in New Zealand last year and played shows to support it around the country. Now finally it’s Australia’s turn. The Meanest Hits will hit Australian stores later this month, with the new single “Right Outta Nowhere” added as a sweetener.

The Meanest shows will see Shihad presenting two sides of their personality over 90 minutes. In the first half they’ll embrace their pub roots and in the second they’ll celebrate the stadium rock act they’ve become.

See Shihad this September at the following shows:

6 September 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne
7 September 2012 – The Metro, Sydney
8 September 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
27 September 2012 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide

Image source: Robyn Gallagher @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Edward Deer Drops “Washed Ashore”

Sydney singer-songwriter Edward Deer is giving us our first taste of his debut album About Monsters with the new single “Washed Ashore.”

This is a really gentle piece of music that builds beautifully. It doesn’t scream loudly or have the sort of hooks that pull you in, but somehow it managed to get underneath my skin.

If you love it, just remember there’s more to come. Edward Deer’s album About Monsters will hit stores in September.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angus Stone Announces Solo Shows

With his debut solo album Broken Brights sitting pretty in the charts and a sold-out European tour under his belt, the time seems right for Angus Stone to take his solo music on the road.

“For the people that have listened to Julia and I play for so long, I’m looking forward to handing it over to them so that they can create their own worlds and experiences with the writings,” Angus said. “To play live as my own in front of those people, it’s going to be a different trail of gravel and gold, but none the less very exciting.”

Tickets are available now for the following shows.

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 WA (Details TBA)
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

Image used with permission from International Music Concepts

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Smash Mouth Announce Comeback Tour

Smash Mouth haven’t had a hit on the Aussie charts since their cover of “I’m a Believer” in 2001, but they’ve decided to mount a comeback with a brand new album and an Australian tour.

The band’s lead singer Steve Harwell is confident we’ll love the material from the brand new album MAGIC just as much as the old stuff.

“We’ve got so many hits on this new record it’s ridiculous,” he insisted. However something tells me most people will buy tickets to these shows to hear tracks like “All-Star” and “Walkin’ on the Sun.”

Tickets went on sale today for these somewhat unexpected shows!

18 October 2012 – Waves, Wollongong (18+)
19 October 2012 –Rooty Hill RSL, Sydney (18+)
21st October 2012 –Jupiter’s, Gold Coast (18+)
25th October 2012 – The Palace Theatre, Melbourne (18+)
26th October 2012 – UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney (Licensed All Ages)
27th October 2012 – Metropolis, Fremantle (18+)
28th October 2012 – Metropolis, Fremantle (Under 18s Afternoon Show)
31 October 2012 – The Venue, Townsville
1 November 2012 – Mackay Entertainment Convention Center, Mackay

Image used with permission from Big Apachee