Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Australia’s Got Talent Rebel Owen Campbell Tours “Sunshine Road”

Owen Campbell made a splash on this year’s Australia’s Got Talent competition for all the wrong reasons. He was clearly a talented singer songwriter, but taking pot shots at one of the judges is never a smart move.

Owen might not have won a lot of friends on the reality TV show, but he’s hoping to capitalise on his notoriety with the release of his album Sunshine Road. It seems to be working, as the independently recorded long player’s peaked at number one on both the national iTunes charts and the AIR Independent Music chart.

Owen will also take those songs and his six-piece band on the road for a launch tour which kicks off tonight in Melbourne:

15 August 2012 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
17 August 2012 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne
23 August 2012 – The Basement, Sydney
25 August 2012 – The Abbey, Canberra

Image used with permission from Heapsflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

All the Young Tour Oz

All the Young hail from Stoke on Trent, a small town where its residents are expected to earn money in the warehouse and spend it in the pub. The locals don’t expect anyone to break out of this monotony, least of all some motley lads who spend more time daydreaming about music than applying themselves.

But All the Young did, and now they’re heading to Australia. If their friends could only see them now.

The Aussie tour is well timed, as All the Young’s debut album Welcome Home will hit local stores on August 31. It will feature the current single “Another Miracle,” which is one of the most irresistible songs I’ve heard in some time.

See these old school rockers with Australia’s own King Cannons at the following shows:

29 August 2012 – The Loft, Warrnambool
30 August 2012 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
31 August 2012 – The Bended Elbow, Geelong
1 September 2012 – The Corner, Melbourne
5 September 2012 – The Patch, Wollongong
6 September 2012 – Transit Bar, Canberra
7 September 2012 – The Annandale, Sydney
8 September 2012 – Hotel Great Northern, Newcastle
13 September 2012, Big Sound, Brisbane
14 September 2012 – Miami Shark Bar, Gold Coast
15 September – The Northern, Byron Bay

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sundance Back with “Where She Wants Me”

The Sundance Kids earned rave reviews for their catchy brand of pop rock back in 2009, but didn’t quite crack the big time. So they’ve reinvented themselves with the shorter moniker Sundance.

While the Adelaide trio has changed their name the Sundance philosophy remains the same. They’re still putting the emphasis on melodies and hooks with new songs like the single “Where She Wants Me.” The track should strike a chord with Sundance’s faithful fans and hit the hearts of a few new ones.

What do you think of this pop rock gem?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pataphysics Shows Something Special with Subversive

Pataphysics is bringing something new to the urban scene with his unique blend of hip hop, jazz, and political ideology.

“Self,” the latest video from Pataphysics, showcases that distinct blend beautifully. On it he lays down some insightful lyrics and performs a killer trumpet solo. MTV named Pataphysics one of the Top Ten Breakout Bands of Australia way back in 2010, and with “Self” and his debut album Subversive released last month, he looks to be making good on that promise.

Pataphysics will launch Subversive at Collingwood’s Gasometer Hotel on September 14.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Delta Riggs and Money for Rope Band Together for Double Vision Tour

The Delta Riggs and Money for Rope are joining forces for one big tour!

The Melbourne rock acts are both in fine form after some relentless gigging. The Delta Riggs have barely drawn breath since releasing Talupo Mountain Music Vol. II in late May. The band had their launch tour, and then frontman Elliott Hammond played keys for Wolfmother at a swag of European festivals.

Money for Rope have also been pretty busy with their This Epic Tour, which saw them sharing the bill with Kingswood and Damn Terran. They whipped crowds into a frenzy at Cherry Rock and Splendour, so they’re the perfect foil for the exuberant Delta Riggs.

If you like your rock straight up, without ice, make sure you get down to the following shows. The bands will be swapping out headlining duties throughout the tour, so don’t think you can arrive late!

15 August 2012 – Beach Road Hotel, Bondi (Free)
17 August 2012 – Side Bar, Newcastle
18 August 2012 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney
19 August 2012 – Transit Bar, Canberra
23 August 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
24 August 2012 – The Loft, Warrnambool
25 August 2012 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
30 August 2012 – Barsoma, Brisbane
31 August 2012 – Shark Bar, Gold Coast

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Not So Hard to Fall for Love Migrate

It took me a little time to get into Love Migrate’s first single “Plagued are All My Thoughts.” It won me over, but it was a bit of a slow burner. It didn’t take me any time to fall in love with their second single “Making This Hard” though.

This track is much more accessible with the hooks that were missing from the first cut. However it’s still got the things that eventually caused me to take notice of Love Migrate. Its lyrics are beautifully poetic, and its instrumentation lush and layered.

“Making This Hard” comes from Love Migrate’s debut album Plagued Are All My Thoughts, Like White Ants In The Fence, which will hit stores on October 12. Love Migrate will launch it at Melbourne’s Toff in Town on August 30.

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

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.