I was a big fan of Elephant Eyes’ single “Mother Said” when I heard it in June, so it’s hardly surprising I’ve fallen for the music video. It’s just as charming and whimsical as it should be. Are you a fan?
Karise Eden Racks Up Six Weeks on Top
It’d be boring if it wasn’t so fabulous. Karise Eden has beat out the competition to take the top spot on the ARIA chart for the sixth consecutive week.
Her fellow Voice finalist Darren Percival has slipped to eighth position with his album Happy Home. It was happier news for Missy Higgins though, who jumped up to number five with her current album The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle.
It seems all my wishing and hoping paid off, as Justice Crew have jumped to the top spot on the ARIA singles charts with “Boom Boom.” It’s a good thing too, because again they’re the only Aussie act in the top 10!
Click below for all this week’s chart action.
Billy Bragg Plays Woody Guthrie & Originals in Oz
Billy Bragg is bringing his Ain’t Nobody That Can Sing Like Me tour to Australia.
These shows are pretty special, as they’re performed in two distinct halves. The first pays homage to the music of folk legend Woody Guthrie while the second will see Billy playing his own acclaimed originals. The exception to the rule is in Melbourne, where Billy will play two shows: the first of Woody Guthrie material and the second featuring Billy Bragg tracks.
These shows are timely, as 2010 makes the 100th anniversary of Woody Guthrie’s birth. Billy Bragg has a special bond with Woody, as he worked with Wood’y daughter Nora and Wilco on setting found lyrics to music. That project led to the revered Mermaid Avenue albums.
The Melbourne Festival shows have already gone on sale, and the Recital Hall show has sold out! Tickets for the rest of the country go on sale tomorrow:
19 October 2012 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne
20 October 2012 – Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
21 October 2012 – Federation Hall, Hobart
23 October 2012 – Canberra Theatre, Canberra
25 October 2012 – QPAC, Brisbane
27 October 2012 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
31 October 2012 – Town Hall, Adelaide
2 November 2012 – Astor Theatre, Perth
Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity
Joe McKee Tours Solo Album
Ex-Snowman founding member Joe McKee’s hitting the road this week to promote his exquisite solo album Burning Boy.
Joe will make pit stops in capital cities around the country, including what’s sure to be an interesting performance at the Uniting Church in the Sydney suburb of Paddington. It’s likely to beat any pub with drunk punters and a sticky floor!
Tickets are available now from the venues and Oztix for the following shows:
10 August 2012 – Estonian Club, North Adelaide
11 August 2012 – Grace Darling, Collingwood, Melbourne
16 August 2012 – Paddington Uniting Church, Sydney
24 August 2012 – Rosemount, Perth
Image used with permission from Remote Control Records
The Veronicas Tease with “Lolita”
The Veronicas are back with their brand new single “Lolita.” The track is currently streaming with a lyrics video on the Queensland twins’ website.
It’s been around five years since the sisters delivered “Hook Me Up,” but they still seem to be in the same musical state of mind. The lyrics are a bit darker than the fare from that album, but that industrial electronic sound married with the girls’ natural harmonies feels very familiar.
It might be just me, but honestly that really electronic, manufactured feel is wearing a bit thin for me. I miss the really organic pop rock sound the girls showed in their breakthrough debut album. We expect a bit of polish as any band matures, but I feel their musical approach is a bit distancing. I’d love to hear this track stripped right back, wouldn’t you? It’s a good song, but with less production I think we could hear it as something much greater.
Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia
Richard Clapton’s New Album Out Now
Richard Clapton shows he’s still got it with his new single “Dancing with the Vampires,” the first lifted from his album Harlequin Nights.
The album, which hits stores today, is Richard’s first in eight years. It’s a fitting way to ring in his fifth decade in the business, with exceptional lyrics and that laconic twang we’ve all come to know. His recent marriage breakdown has added fuel to his fire, and resulted in some fantastic songs. I’m a real fan of the single, which sees the reformed party boy reflecting on his wild days and giving a nod to fellow wild man Charlie Sheen. Rest assured, I’ll be sinking my teeth into the album soon.
I’ve been a long-time fan of Richard’s work, especially in the live arena where he manages to balance the new songs with the old favourites like few others. Here are all the places you can see him doing his thing over the coming months.
18 August 2012 – State Theatre, Sydney
31 August 2012 – Country Club Show Room, Launceston
1 September 2012 – Wrestpoint Casino, Hobart
8 September 2012 – 16 Footers, Belmont
14 September 2012 – Atrium Resort, Mandurah
15 September 2012 – Astor Theatre, Perth
28 September 2012 – Nambour Civic Centre, Sunshine Coast
29 September 2012 – QPAC Theatre, Brisbane
5 October 2012 – Palms at Crown Casino, Melbourne
19 October 2012 – Thoroughbred Park, Lyneham
27 October 2012 – Twin Towns, Gold Coast
10 November 2012 – Waves, Wollongong
11 November 2012 – Day on the Green, Bowral
16 November 2012 – Campbelltown RSL, Campbelltown
17 November 2012 Dee Why RSL, Dee Why
Image used with permission from SGC Media
Heavy Beach Have “Good Intentions”
Heavy Beach channels the dirty sound of 90s grunge with their new single “Good Intentions.”
I couldn’t help thinking of Veruca Salt while listening to the song’s sweet vocals and gritty distorted guitars. The band cites acts like Dinosaur Jr and Sonic Youth amongst their influences, which goes some way towards explaining that retro sound.
“Good Intentions” is available now to download through Heavy Beach’s Bandcamp page. The band will launch the single with a free show at Yah Yah’s in Fitzroy this Friday August 10.
Image used with permission from Tall Sky Press
The Falls Tour Hollywood EP
They’ve just birthed their debut EP Hollywood, and now The Falls are hitting the road. With the record landing in stores today, it seems like the perfect time for the band to circle the country.
Some of the dates see The Falls headlining, while others see them supporting the UK’s Passenger. Either way punters will be treated to some lush folk harmonies from this gorgeous twosome.
4 August 2012 – The Empress Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
5 August 2012 – Pure Pop Records, Melbourne (All Ages @ 4 pm)
11 August 2012 – Hellen Rose Schauersberger Laboratorium, Sydney (18+)
16 August 2012 – The Hi- Fi, Brisbane (with Passenger, 18+)
17 August 2012 – The Hi- Fi, Sydney (with Passenger, All Ages)
22 August 2012 – The Rosemount, Perth (with Passenger, 18+)
23 August 2012 – Fowlers, Adelaide (with Passenger, All Ages)
24 August 2012 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (with Passenger, 18+)
25 August 2012 – The Waratah Hotel, Hobart (with Passenger, 18+)
Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water
Deb “Spoons” Perry Rocks Again
Deb “Spoons” Perry is enjoying more than 15 minutes of fame. The plucky pensioner who brought us a cover of “Lonely Boy” is back turning her spoons to modern music. This time around she’s taking on Django Django’s “Default” with the help of her emu friends. She even broke a spoon! How very rock and roll!
The Angels & More Join Sydney Blues & Roots Lineup
The second announcement of acts for the 2012 Sydney Blues & Roots Festival sees Aussie rock legends The Angels, guitar prodigy Joe Robinson, and American songstress Barbara Blue added to the bill.
These acts and many more join already announced artists including Ian Moss, Charlie Musselwhite, Mia Dyson, and Lanie Lane.
This year’s Sydney Blues & Roots Festival will take over the Windsorfrom October 25 to 28. Discounted first release tickets are available from the Sydney Blues & Roots Festival website until August 31.
Image source: The Harbour Agency