Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Karise Eden Still Number One

Karise Eden’s album My Journey doesn’t seem ready to vacate the top spot on the ARIA charts any time soon. It’s again at number one, and with a tour looming I predict it’ll stay put for a while.

Her fellow Voice finalist Darren Percival showed he’s got staying power, with his album Happy Home retaining its number three possie. The other Voice finalists have slipped quietly out of the top ten, so it’s exciting to see the final two holding their ground.

While we don’t see the same glut of local talent in the albums charts this week, Angus Stone’s still doing great things with Broken Brights which sits at number four. Missy Higgins’ The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle has risen to number six, while Keith Urban’s still hanging around with The Story So Far at number ten.

Justice Crew have jumped several places this week to land at number two on the singles charts with “Boom Boom.” Can they topple fun. next week?

Click below for this week’s charts.

Continue reading “Karise Eden Still Number One” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nathan Cavaleri & Screaming Jets Drummer are Nat Col & The Kings

Nathan Cavaleri is all grown up and fronting a brand new band Nat Col & The Kings. The guitar prodigy’s latest outfit is introducing us to their sound with a wicked new single “Coming Home” and a national tour to support its release.

We haven’t heard a lot from Nathan in recent years. He actually gave up the guitar for a while and worked as a brickie’s labourer until Steve Morse gave him a call in 2010 and encouraged him to join Deep Purple on their Aussie tour. No one’s going to say no to that sort of invitation! The tour reignited Nathan’s love of music, and after a chance meeting with former Screaming Jets drummer Col Hatchman the brand new outfit was formed.

Nat Col & The Kings marks the start of a new chapter of both artists’ journeys. So far the band has played slots at Byron Bay’s Bluesfest, the Indy V8 Supercars, and the Caxton Street Music Festival. They released a couple of EPs, and have another in the pipeline. The new single “Coming Home” is our first taste of this forthcoming release. If you like what you hear, make sure you head to one of the following shows:

16 August 2012 – Port Macquarie Hotel, Port Macquarie (Free)
17 August 2012 – Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
18 August 2012 – Racehorse Hotel, Ipswich
19 August August 2012 – Mansfield Tavern, Mansfield
30 August 2012 – The Evelyn, Fitzroy
31 August 2012 – Ruby’s, Belgrave
1 September 2012 – Bended Elbow, Geelong
7 September 2012 – The Vanguard, Sydney
8 September 2012 – Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor (Free)
14 September 2012 – Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland (Free)
15 September 2012 – The Heritage, Bulli

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy in a Box & Kingswood Team Up for Split Ends Shows

Boy in a Box and Kingswood will rock their way around the country next month on one big double headliner tour. The Split Ends shows will see the emerging bands facing it off in a musical battle for the ages.

Boy in a Box are real contenders, with a new EP under their belt and a lot of love for their catchy new single “On My Mind.” They’ve also honed their live act with support slots for Birds of Tokyo and Calling All Cars, as well as a slot at Falls.

But Kingswood will be just as eager to win the hearts of the punters. They’ve just played Splendour and enjoyed plenty of airplay for the singles “Yeah Go Die” and “Medusa.”

See Boy in a Box and Kingswood duke it out at the following shows.

23 August 2012 – Goodgod, Sydney
24 August 2012 – Northern Star, Newcastle
6 September 2012 – Ed Castle, Adelaide
7 September 2012 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
12 & 14 September 2012 – BIGSOUND Brisbane

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Roland K Smith & The Sinners Announce Sydney Residency to Launch Album

Roland K Smith & The Sinners are launching their long awaited album Breaking Hearts and Saving Souls with a five-week residency at Newtown’s hallowed Sandringham Hotel.

The album documents a tumultuous 18 months in the band’s history. Loved ones were lost, relationships broke down, and much wisdom was gained along the way. The universal themes are set to an intriguing soundtrack of rock and roll, bluegrass, and punk.

Roland K Smith & The Sinners will play The Sandringham Hotel every Wednesday in August, culminating with a special acoustic show on the 29th. Tickets cost just $10 for a night’s entertainment, which should leave plenty of loose change for a few schooners.

Image used with permission from Paulette Kay

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Minibikes’ Charming Pop Ditty

Melbourne quintet Minibikes have put a big smile on my face with “Oh Japan,” the second track lifted from their forthcoming debut album For Woods or Trails.

I’m hearing a little Elvis Costello in this quirky pop gem, which can only be a good thing. The single should tide fans over until that album drops on September 14. Has it give your Friday a lift?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Does Dune Look Familiar To You?

Melbourne singer-songwriter Dune is making a big impression with her debut single “Shoestring.”

Or at least, this is Dune’s first release as Dune. If she sounds seasoned, it’s because she is. Underneath all those bandages it’s the artist formerly known as Jade McRae. Remember her pop music fans?

Jade’s reinvention is about more than just a new name. “Shoestring” is a world away from the mainstream R’n’B I remember her for. It’s got a catchy pop sound, but it’s paired with some compelling tribal beats. She hasn’t relied on outside knowhow to make the song either; the whole thing’s entirely self produced.

Something tells me Dune’s going to be one of those artists we just can’t ignore. Get in on the ground up when she launches the single at two very special launch shows. She’ll play for her hometown at The Workers Club on August 30 before heading to Sydney’s Upstairs Beresford Hotel the following night.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Maxi Steps Out with Debut Single

Melbourne songstress Maxi’s giving us a taste of her musical skills with the soulful sounds of “In a Little While” her debut single and the first track lifted from her self-titled EP.

Maxi’s shaken off her musical theatre background to reveal a sound that’s incredibly sultry and sensuous. The song settles into an easy groove and doesn’t let go. It sounds more seasoned than any debut probably should, but Maxi’s no musical newcomer. While this is her first solo endeavour she’s been laying down backing vocals and collaborating with local DJs and musos for some time. She’s even played Good Vibrations and Parklife. Surely she’s due her time in the sun!

We’ll no doubt hear more of Maxi when her EP drops this September.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Red Ink Tour Euphoria

Red Ink are preparing to tour their catchy new single “Euphoria,” our first taste of their forthcoming new single The Colour Age. They’ll play the major capitals in support of the song.

It’s such a great track, carefully crafted with a killer pop sensibility. It’s amazing to think it was originally conceived in Red Ink’s early days, and only dug out of the archives recently. Thank goodness it was! I also love the film clip, which is a moving look at the polarities of life.

If you dig the song make sure you head to iTunes or Spotify as it’s currently available as a free download. And of course get to the following shows!

3 August 2012 – CATS @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide
17 August 2012 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
6 September 2012 – Cobra Kai @ Oh Hello, Brisbane
8 September 2012 – Upstairs Beresford Hotel, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Glasshouse Living” – Molly Contogeorge

It took just five songs for Sydney singer-songwriter Molly Contogeorge to knock my socks off with her new EP Glasshouse Living.

The disc opens with “Lead On, Lead On,” a self-assured track which acts as the perfect introduction for newcomers. Molly takes things down a notch with the title track, but it’s an easy groove rather than a sleeper. Just when I thought I might have Molly pegged she took me somewhere different with “Lock and Key.” This brassy number shows another side, with plenty of sass and conviction. But Molly’s not all edges. The following track “Why” is a lush ballad with a palpable ache. “Off I Go” plums similar territory, but in a more minimalist way. This song proves the power of a lone voice and a piano. Without all the noise around it, those heartfelt lyrics really have time to breath.

Glasshouse Living is an eclectic mix, but Molly’s piano playing and delicate voice, dripping in soul, anchor the tracks. They show her to be a dynamic and enigmatic musician. I can’t wait to hear more!

Image used with permission from Molly Contogeorge

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Voice Artists Dominate ARIA Charts

Karise Eden remains on top of the ARIA Albums Chart this week, but her fellow Voice finalists have challenged her for the number one possie.

The remaining top four contestants have all enjoyed top ten debuts for their album releases. Runner-up Darren Percival landed at number three with his disc Happy Home, Rachel Leahcar’s Shooting Star sits at number five, while Sarah De Bono shouldn’t feel embarrassed by her number seven debut with No Shame.

In a bumper week for Aussie albums, it’s not just the reality TV stars shining. Angus Stone’s solo endeavour Broken Brights took out the number two spot, while all The Voice action saw Keith Urban’s The Story So Far pushed down to number eight. Missy Higgins continues to hang on to the top ten by her fingernails. The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle is again at number ten.

In contrast the singles chart looks pretty bare. Why don’t we support homegrown songs? Thank goodness for Justice Crew, who are representing with “Boom Boom.” It sits at number seven.

Click below for this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “The Voice Artists Dominate ARIA Charts” →