Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan and Hannah Acfield Impress with Indie Folk

Brisbane based singer songwriters Dan and Hannah Acfield are solo musicians in their own rights, but they’ve recently pooled their talents for some gorgeous recordings.

“After You” is the lead single from their latest musical project. It’s such a well-crafted song, with the music and Hannah’s vocals building beautifully to its emotional crescendo.

That song inspired me to seek out more. Don’t you love it when that happens? I wasn’t disappointed by another of the siblings’ songs, “Sorry I’ve Taken So Long to Love.” This time around Dan’s on leads and Hannah’s supporting him with her gorgeous harmonies. Their voices star, but they’re anchored by some simple but stunning lyrics.

I really feel this twosome. There’s so much emotion in the music they create, and you can pick up on that even hearing the songs from tinny laptop speakers. I can only imagine how much they’d impress in the live arena.

The pairing of Dan and Hannah Acfield is definitely a double act to watch.

Image used with permission from Dan Acfield

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joel Sarakula Serves Up Sexy Single

Australian expat Joel Sarakula’s got my blood pumping with his sexy new single “I Will Deliver.”

This track has such a great groove which marries beautifully with Joel’s dirty vocals. The clip’s also a little on the dirty side, so you’d be best served waiting until you’re home from work to watch it. Some feminists might rail against it, but in the wake of Magic Mike’s release I’m all for equal opportunity perving!

Joel’s now based in London where he’ll launch at the single at the Alley Cat on August 16.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Kelly Gets Poetic with Conversations with Ghosts

Paul Kelly will deliver a very different kind of show with the upcoming Conversations with Ghosts concerts.

Paul will join recorder wiz Genevieve Lacey and musicians from the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) for performances based on poetry. Pieces from Les Murray, W.B. Yeats, Lord Alfred Tennyson, Emily Dickinson, Kenneth Slessor, Norman MacCaig, and even Paul Kelly will receive brave new treatments. Paul worked on the project with  ANAM’s 2011 composer James Ledger.

Conversations with Ghosts will play Sydney’s Capitol Theatre on October 10 before moving to the Melbourne Recital Centre on October 12 and 13. These don’t sound like shows for every Paul Kelly fan, but they should offer something different to people with an appreciation for poetry and music.

Image used with permission from Jones PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Split Seconds Tour Debut Album

Split Seconds have been steadily building buzz over the last couple of years. No doubt those fans they’ve collected along the way will be ecstatic that their debut album You’ll Turn Into Me will finally hit stores tomorrow.

The album release comes at a busy time for Split Seconds. They recently made the big move from their native Perth to the musical hub of inner city Melbourne. They also just released a new single “Top Floor,” which is already enjoying plenty of airplay.

So why not add more chaos to the mix? Split Seconds will stay busy with a quickie tour this month and the next. See them launching You’ll Turn Into Me at the following shows:

25 August 2012 – Amplifier, Perth
31 August 2012 – The Standard, Sydney
8 September 2012 – Ding Dong, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Breaking Orbit Tour The Time Traveller

Sydney alt-prog act Breaking Orbit is taking its recently released debut album, The Time Traveller, on the road.

The long-awaited album features diverse soundscapes, driving rhythms, and heavy grooves. It’s such an ambitious recording, so it’ll be interesting to see how it translates to a live setting. However keep in mind this band has been playing together for years, so they know how to put on a show. You’ll see the energy they’re famous for at the following gigs:

17 August 2012 – The Annandale, Sydney
18 August 2012 – The Basement, Canberra
31 August 2012 – The Enigma, Adelaide
1 September 2012 – The Jetty Bar, Glenelg
7 September 2012 – Basement 243, Brisbane
8 September 2012 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
14 September 2012 – Espy Front Bar, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Breaking Orbit

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dance, Dance, Dance on The Blackchords Tour

The Blackchords want to see you on your feet this winter when they tour their current single “Dance Dance Dance.”

The feelgood tune comes from The Blackchords’ sophomore album, which is scheduled to hit stores next month. We get an insight into the band’s recording process with the “Dance Dance Dance” film clip, which takes us into The Shed where the band laid down their album.

Tickets are available from the venues for the following shows:

22 August 2012 – Republic Bar, Hobart
23 August 2012 – Tapas Bar, Devonport
24 August 2012 – New York Hotel, Launceston
1 September 2012 – FBI Social Club, Sydney
8 September 2012 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
14 September 2012 – The Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne
15 September 2012 – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
20 September 2012 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat (with The Medics)
22 September 2012 – Westernport Hotel, San Remo (with The Medics)
29 September 2012 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane

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