Fairchild Republic are proving that they’re not going anywhere with their newest single “Stay Young.” Every track I hear from this Gold Coast band is just so solid. “Stay Young” has such strong lyrics, and powerful vocals to match the world. I’m sure someone’s going to get their knickers in a twist about the wearing of a Native American headpiece in the music video, but what Fairchild Republic are doing doesn’t deserve to get caught up in political correctness. This is simply great music.
Pyramid Rocks Phillip Island
Phillip Island’s got more than fairy penguins to offer New Year’s revellers. The Victorian township will again play host to the Pyramid Rock Festival from December 29 to January 1.
Organisers have assembled a great line-up for Pyramid’s ninth year, shaped largely through the suggestions of Pyramid fans. Aussies dominate the bill, including 360, Karnivool, Children Collide, Dead Letter Circus, Illy, Stonefield, and Xavier Rudd.
For the third year, prices have stayed steady too. How many other New Year’s parties can boast that? Two and three-day passes will go on sale from the Pyramid Rock Festival website from Tuesday September 4.
The Eastern Ready to Rock Oz
Kiwi rock veterans The Eastern are bringing their music across the ditch.
They’re no household names here, but their last album Hope and Wire peaked at number one on New Zealand’s iTunes country chart, number two on the country’s artist charts, and number 11 on the nation’s national charts. They’re seasoned performers who rarely take a break from life on the road. They’ve also shared the stage with some of the world’s best including our own Jimmy Barnes, Fleetwood Mac, Steve Earle, and his son Justin Townes Earle.
The Eastern’s frontman Adam McGrath says, “we have one job, that is to play like our lives depend on it, If you’re there to see us play then we owe you, not the other way around!”
If you appreciate that philosophy make sure you catch The Eastern at one of the following shows.
27 September 2012 – Clancy’s, Fremantle
30 September 2012 – Wave Rock Weekender, Wave Rock
4 October 2012 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide
5 October 2012 – Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
6 October 2012 – Harvester Moon, Bellarine
7 October 2012 – Workers Club, Melbourne
9 October 2012 – The Front, Canberra
11 October 2012 – Camelot Longue, Sydney
12 October 2012 – The Clarendon, Katoomba
13 October 2012 – The Block, Hunter Valley (private show)
14 October 2012 – The Junkyard, Maitland (FREE)
Image used with permission from ThrillHill Entertainment
Traveller & Fortune’s Gorgeous Folk Letter
Adelaide indie folk act Traveller & Fortune made my ears prick up from the opening notes of their new single “Letter to Japan.” With winter temperatures still hanging around, this sweet song made me feel all warm and cozy. I love the lush organic instrumentation and lead singer Tom’s effortless, easy vocals. Has it charmed you?
Husky Come Home for Tidal Wave Shows
Husky are riding high on the international acclaim for their album Forever So. They’re enjoying their status as the first Aussies signed up to Seattle’s prestigious Sub Pop label. That opportunity’s seen them book shows in America, the United Kingdom, and across Europe.
But they’re just about ready to return home.
Of course those international dates are really just a warm-up for the local shows celebrating the release of the single “Tidal Wave.” They’ll play some headlining dates and join Mumford and Sons, Sarah Blasko, Matt Corby, and other big names at the sold-out Gentlemen of the Road show in Dungog.
Welcome Husky home at the following shows.
11 October 2012 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
12 October 2012 – The Republic Bar, Hobart
14 October 2012 – Uni Bar, Adelaide
18 October 2012 – Old Museum, Brisbane
20 October 2012 – Gentlemen of the Road
21 October 2012 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity
The Bamboos’ Kylie Auldist Enjoys Solo Success
Kylie Auldist first came to my attention as the sassy frontwoman of funk act The Bamboos. But apparently when she’s not strutting her stuff with the band, she makes her own solo music. Today she releases the single “Counting on You,” our first taste of her third album Still Life.
Due to drop on October 15, Still Life promises to be the album that sees Kylie truly make her mark as a solo album. It was co-written with her Bamboos bandmate Lance Ferguson, who helped her plum universally timeless themes like love and loss.
“Counting on You” is available now ahead of Still Life’s release.
Image used with permission from Positive Feedback
Voltaire Twins’ Controversial New Clip
Local indie pop act Voltaire Twins are known for pushing the envelope with their music videos. Their clip for “Anamalia” well and truly freaked me out last August, and now around a year later they’re making waves again with the video for their new single “Solaris.”
This isn’t the clip to go playing at work, or around your uptight parents. It’s full of artsy nudity, and that saw it yanked from YouTube after just six hours. Thankfully Vimeo’s down with exposing pink bits for the sake of your craft.
No doubt all the buzz around the clip will attract more people to Voltaire Twins third EP Apollo, and the national tour they’ve announced to celebrate its release. You can see the Voltaire Twins, who will likely be fully clothed, at the following shows.
8 September 2012 – Plus One @ Ed Castle, Adelaide
13 September 2012 – Big Sound @ Bakery Lane, Brisbane
14 September 2012 – The Grace Darling Hotel, Melbourne
15 September 2012 – Kittens @ Spectrum, Sydney
Dan Sultan Rocks for Recognition & Constitutional Change
Dan Sultan will headline a series of shows in November to highlight the need for recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Australian Constitution.
Rock for Recognition will touch down in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Fremantle. At each show he’ll be joined by other indigenous acts. Yabu Band, Leah Flanagan, and Ken Eavel have been announced so far, but more artists are expected to join the events as the concert gains momentum.
As a proud Gurindji man, Dan Sultan promises to raise the roof at these shows. Changing the constitution is likely to prove much harder, as any amendments require a successful referendum, but these awareness raising concerts are a step in the right direction.
Learn more about constitutional change and see Dan Sultan Rock for Recognition at the following shows. Pre-booked tickets cost $30, or you can pay $35 at the door.
8 November 2012 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (Dan Sultan, Leah Flanagan, and DJ Ken Eavel)
9 November 2012 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney (Dan Sultan and Leah Flanagan)
10 November 2012 – Bakery Artrage, Perth (Dan Sultan, Leah Flanagan and Yabu Band)
11 November 2012 – Fly By Night, Fremantle (Dan Sultan and Leah Flanagan)
Image source: The Harbour Agency
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?
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