I love getting in to bands on the ground floor. Of course it’s great to hear music that’s had the spit and polish of the music industry, but there’s nothing like the exhilaration of discovering a diamond in the rough. So when Melbourne band Honey Badgers sent me their new single “Fifteen,” I could look past its rawness and see something pretty special.
The production values are pretty low. It sounds like it was recorded in someone’s garage on a tape deck. But there’s an infectious energy that cuts through all that. The Honey Badgers just played their first show, and if they can inject a set with the same spirit I hear on the recording it’s not likely to be their last.
Look out for the Honey Badgers in your local gig guide; they might just be the next big thing.
With a name like Fun Machine, I knew the Canberra trio behind the new single “Ready for the Fight” would serve up good vibes. But I wasn’t quite prepared for how much I’d love the song.
This cheerful ditty is the perfect remedy for the winter blues. It’s got delicious harmonies and the sort of sparse instrumentation that really allows the song to sing. I love a band that understands that often less is more. The resourceful act created beats using car hubcaps and metal handles, and laid down the piano track after sneaking their recording equipment into their local university’s concert hall! “Ready for the Fight” has pop leanings, but it’s much more unique than anything they’re playing on commercial radio.
Fun Machine will spread some sunshine along the East Coast this winter at the following shows:
29 June 2012 –Burdekin Bar, Darlinghurst (Free)
6 July 2012 –The Polish White Eagle Club, Canberra
7 July 2012 – SYDNEY: De Ja Vu, Marrickville (Free)
13 July 2012 – Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle (Free)
14 July 2012 – Good Jelly, Wollongong
20 July 2012 – Bar Open, Melbourne (Free)
Dubmarine have served up a really special music video to accompany their new single “Point the Bone.” The Brisbane dance act’s new clip features some clever stop-motion animation and an epic battle between robot and octopus!
I’ve got no idea what the imagery has to do with the song, but it matters not. It calls to mind those old Japanese monster movies, but it’s got much more colour. It also took animator Debbie Steer some 200 hours to put together, so I think it serves to attract a few eyeballs.
And before you tell me it’s not an octopus because it has just five legs, I know. The artistic decision is actually a nod to the work of Ray Harryhausen, who created a six-tentacled octopus for the 50s movie It Came From Beneath the Sea, just to save time!
“Point the Bone” is the second track lifted from Dubmarine’s debut album Depth of Sound. They’re currently in the studio working on its follow-up, so watch this space for details on that!
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock you know that 19-year-old Central Coast soul singer Karise Eden has taken out the first season of The Voice.
Like most of the country I was on the edge of my seat watching the show, and while I was firmly on Team Darren I didn’t mind one bit when Karise won. She’s got such a distinct voice, such amazing musical instincts, and such incredible power. And she’s from my neck of the woods! She was definitely a worthy winner.
I’m really impressed with the way Channel Nine’s played with the format. I enjoyed the first American season when it aired last year, but Australia’s version is definitely superior. I was thrilled that they scrapped the confusing elimination round where judges weighted an allocated percentage of their votes towards a chosen competitor. And the decision to showcase original songs at the grand final was inspired. I also appreciated the way the voting was all done by the time the Monday night show aired. There were none of the desperate pleas for last minute votes we usually see on these types of programs, and that allowed us to really celebrate the achievements of all the artists. And of course there was that judging panel, a team of real pros who had such a natural chemistry together and commitment to the show and their stars.
As clichéd as it sounds, there were really no losers on The Voice. I’ll be shocked if the top four, as well as some of the other finalists, don’t take their musical careers to the next level. I’ll miss watching them on TV on Monday nights, but look forward to seeing where they pop up next.
The Autumn Isles have released a suitably psychedelic music video for the song “Mystery to Hide.” All those bright colors and retro visual effects really add to the song’s relaxed hippie style.
If you like what you hear and see, make sure you check out The Autumn Isles’ website. The band is currently offering the single as a free mp3 or wav file.
Missy Higgins has maintained her stranglehold on the ARIA Charts. Her new album The Ol’ Razzle Dazle sits at the top of the albums charts for the second week.
Missy’s managed to fend off stiff competition from fellow Aussie Xavier Rudd. His new album Spirit Bird has nevertheless enjoyed an impressive number two debut.
Keith Urban’s greatest hits album The Story So Far is still doing a roaring trade, which has resulted in a number four finish. While he’ll be off our TV screens once The Voice winds down, yesterday’s tour announcement should ensure it continues to sell.
Speaking of The Voice, Karise Eden showed she’s a real contender for the title with her version of “Hallelujah” sitting at number two. That’s the best chart position we’ve seen of any of The Voice hopefuls; no wonder she’s the odds on favourite to clinch the competition.
“Blind” has long been one of the highlights of the band’s set, so I’m thrilled to see it’ll hit a wider audience. I love the way the track builds to a dramatic crescendo. That’s helped in no small part by the appearance of Band of Horses’ Bill Reynolds on the recording.
“It’s once in a blue moon that I come across a group with such great harmonies and great songs,” he explained. “When my manager sent me the demos for the LP I knew I had to find a way to work with them.”
Georgia Fair will launch “Blind” with a hometown show on July 6 at The Standard before playing Melbourne’s Toff in Town on July 12.
The Peep Tempel have gotten underneath my skin with their gritty new single “Mister Lester Moore.”
This is a really big song, frenetic, wailing, and delightfully dark. It’s a bit more chaotic than the tracks I usually go for, but there’s just something about it that’s charmed me in spite of myself.
Acclaimed New Zealand reggae act House of Shem are hoping to spread a little sunshine next month with their first Australian shows.
It seems kind of strange for a reggae act to tour during winter, but perhaps they can make us forget that chill in the air! House of Shem are set to play tracks from their albums Keep Rising and Island Vibration, which have both achieved gold status in their native New Zealand. As they’re recording a new album on their return to the Land of the Long White Cloud, perhaps we’ll even hear some new tracks!
Tickets are on sale now from the usual outlets.
12 July 2012 – Wanneroo Tavern, Wanneroo
13 July 2012 – Eliot St Bar, Bunbury
14 July 2012 – Rosemount Hotel, North Perth
15 July 2012 – Leisure Inn, Rockingham
19 July 2012 – Kings Beach Tavern, Sunshine Coast
20 July 2012 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
21 July 2012 – The Zoo, Brisbane
22 July 2012 – Byron Bay Brewery, Byron Bay
26 July 2012 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
27 July 2012 – The Standard, Sydney
28 July 2012 – Deep Roots @ The Espy, Melbourne
It seems a back injury isn’t the only thing Shannon Noll’s nursing. It sounds like he’s caught the touring bug! Shannon hasn’t even wrapped up the shows to support his last single, but he’s just announced dates to support the the album A Million Suns. And there’s not even a week to rest in between!
Shannon’s promising to be match fit after that Dancing with the Stars injury. And he’d better be, because travelling to New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tassie sounds pretty daunting!
He’s getting fans in the mood with the live music video for his latest single “Living in Stereo.” If it’s got you fired up making sure you take in one of the following shows:
6 July 2012 – Revesby Heights Ex-Serviceman’s Club, Revesby
7 July 2012 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
13 July 2012 – Country Club Showroom, Launceston
14 July 2012 – Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart
20 July 2012 – Mounties, Mt Prichard
21 July 2012 – Canberra Southern Cross Club Events Centre, Canberra
27 July 2012 – Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill
28 July 2012 – Wentworthville Leagues Club, Wentworthville
3 August 2012 – Dapto Leagues, Dapto
4 August 2012 – The Cube at Campbelltown Catholic Club, Campbelltown
10 August 2012 – Mingara Recreation Club, Tumbi Umbi
11 August 2012 – Penrith Panthers, Penrith
17 August 2012 – Marlin Hotel, Ulladulla
18 August 2012 – Belmont 16FT Sailing Club, Belmont
23 August 2012 – Gympie Music Muster
25 August 2012 – Outback Quarry, Alice Springs (with band Squid Munchies)
31 August 2012 – Wagga Wagga Civic Centre, Wagga Wagga
1 September 2012 – Annual Moama On Murray Resort Concert, Moama
6 September 2012 – Nautilus Theatre, Port Lincoln
7 September 2012 – Middleback Theatre, Whyalla
8 September 2012 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
9 September 2012 – Sir Robert Helpman Theatre, Mt Gambier
21 September 2012 – Taren Point Hotel, Taren Point
25 September 2012 – BHP Esso Wellington Centre, Sale
26 September 2012 – Capital Theatre, Bendigo
27 September 2012 – Wangaratta PAC, Wangaratta
5 October 2012 – Dubbo RSL, Dubbo
6 October 2012 – Bathurst Panthers, Bathurst
7 October 2012 – Club Mudgee, Mudgee
11 October 2012 – West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul
12 October 2012 – Ballarat Regent Multiplex, Ballarat
13 October 2012 – Eastbank Centre, Shepparton
14 October 2012 – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool
18 October 2012 – Keith Michell Theatre, Port Pirie
19 October 2012 – Chaffey Theatre, Renmark
26 October 2012 – Goulburn Soldiers Club, Goulburn
27 October 2012 – Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury
28 October 2012 – Australian Children’s Music Foundation fundraising event @ Hillston Showgrounds, Hillston (Free – acoustic set)
1 November 2012 – Port Macquarie Panthers, Port Macquarie
2 November 2012 – Yamba Bowling Club, Yamba
3 November 2012 – Sawtell RSL, Sawtell
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock you know that 19-year-old Central Coast soul singer Karise Eden has taken out the first season of The Voice.
Missy Higgins has maintained her stranglehold on the ARIA Charts. Her new album The Ol’ Razzle Dazle sits at the top of the albums charts for the second week.
12 July 2012 – Wanneroo Tavern, Wanneroo