Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cyber Duo Collarbones Launch “Missing” Single

As someone who’s happily married to a man I met online, I know all too well the power of a cyber-connection. So I was thrilled to discover Collarbones, an electronic duo featuring online pals Travis Cook from Adelaide and Marcus Whale from Sydney. Though dividing by some 1150 kays the lads began to create beautiful music together.

Their latest offering is the haunting “Missing,” a track from their forthcoming second album scheduled for release later this year. This is a really powerful tune, with a heartbreaking falsetto, lush orchestration, and some of the most plaintively simple lyrics I’ve heard in some time.

Collarbones are bridging the distance and touring “Missing” this month. The run of dates kicks off tomorrow in Melbourne before taking in capital cities and regional towns along the East Coast.

16 June 2012 – The Gasometer, Melbourne
23 June 2012 – The Gate at Pablos, Epping (All Ages)
24 June 2012 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
28 June 2012 – Terrace Bar, Newcastle
29 June 2012 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
5 July 2012 – FBi Social, Sydney

Image used with permission from Remote Control Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordie Lane Comes Home for Album Preview Tour

Jordie Lane is returning home for a short run of dates this month and the next.

Jordie’s enjoyed a busy few months in the United States, showcasing his songs at Canadian Music week, recording with Grammy Award-winning producer Tom Biller (Kayne West, Beck, Fiona Apple) and acclaimed drummer Matt Chamberlain (Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel), and travelling around the country in a caravan.

After such a hectic time it must be nice to be back home. Not that Jordie will have a lot of time for relaxation, with five shows in as many days scheduled! These gigs should be a real treat for fans, who’ll enjoy intimate venues and songs from Jordie’s first two albums, as well as new tracks from the third.

27 June 2012 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
28 June 2012 – 5 Church Street, Bellingen
29 June 2012 – Royal Exchange, Newcastle
30 June 2012 – Camelot Lounge, Sydney
1 July 2012 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Riothouse Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Even & The Fauves Together at Last

Aussie music stalwarts Even and The Fauves are joining forces for one big tour later this month.

With both bands traveling around the country for the last twenty odd years, it’s surprising that this is the first time they’ve toured together. No wonder the forthcoming dates have been dubbed the Together at Last tour! With both acts spruiking new album, the time was right to rectifying that touring oversight. Even has just released In Another Time, while The Fauves are promoting their newie German Engines.

Get ready to rock at the following shows:

16 June 2012 – Annandale Hotel, Annandale
29 June 2012 – Regal Ballroom, Northcote
7 July 2012 – The Zoo, Fortitude Valley
9 August 2012 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
10 August 2012 – Rosemount Hotel, North Perth
11 August 2012 – Mojo’s, Fremantle
12 August 2012 – Indi Bar, Scarborough

Image used with permission from Show Off Recordings

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Set Sail Put Deportation Dramas Behind Them

It’s exciting times in the lives of Sydney indie-pop folksters Set Sail. The trio will release their new attention-getting EP Hey! tomorrow, and set off on a big 18-date tour a couple of weeks later.

Fans have waited patiently for Hey!, which showcases Set Sail’s first new material since their debut release The Riley Moore EP hit their hands in 2011. It features six quirky tracks including the energetic lead track “Charleston.”

The release hasn’t come without its challenges though. Earlier this year Set Sail lead singer Brandon Hoogenboom was forced to do some sailing of his own when he breached his visa conditions. A Facebook petition protesting his deportation went viral, attracting more than 8500 in just 24 hours. That support helped Brandon return to his adopted home and awaiting bandmates.

And now Set Sail’s back together and keen to unleash their new tunes on the public.

“We’re excited to bring the new material live,” said Josiah Willows. “It’s been an incredible journey this past year and we’re very keen to get out of the studio and back on the road!”

30 June 2012 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (18+)
5 July 2012 – Blackbear Lodge, Brisbane (18+)
6 July 2012 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba (18+)
7 July 2012 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore (18+)
12 July 2012 – Jive Bar, Adelaide (18+)
13 July 2012 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth (18+)
14 July 2012 – Melville Youth Centre, Melville (Under 18s)
14 July 2012 – Mojo’s, Fremantle (18+)
15 July 2012 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough (18+ – Free)
20 July 2012 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (18+ –  Free)
21 July 2012 – Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle (18+)
22 July 2012 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla (18+)
26 July 2012 – Royal Oak Hotel, Launceston (18+ – Free)
27 July 2012 – Republic Bar, Hobart (18+)
2 August 2012 – Transit Bar, Canberra (18+)
3 August 2012 – The Patch, Wollongong (18+)
4 August 2012 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
9 August 2012 – Toff In Town, Melbourne (18+)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Deer Republic Give Us “The Score”

DeerRepublic have put a smile on my face with their anthemic new single “The Score.”

The infectiously catchy single gives us a taste of what’s to come from the band’s forthcoming debut EP The Sweet Resistance. Click here to listen to it on deerRepublic’s Facebook page!

It’s surprising to hear this is deerRepublic’s first single, as they’ve enjoyed plenty of airplay on FBi radio over the years with their demo tracks. They also generated plenty of buzz when they beat out thousands of other local acts to take out the uncharted National Band Competition.

If you like what you hear make sure you get down to Upstairs Beresford next month. The band has a residency that will see them making regular appearances at the Surry Hills club during July.

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Julia Stone Announces Solo Aussie Tour

If you missed out on tickets for Julia Stone’s solo show in Sydney tonight, you’re in luck. The songbird is planning a more extensive tour this September to support the release of her debut solo album By the Horns.

Tonight’s Sydney show is part of a whirlwind world tour, which has seen her selling out shows in Paris, London, Berlin, New York, Los Angeles, and the Harbour City. In contrast, the September tour will see Julia playing small venues in Australia’s major capitals and regional centres.

Members of Julia’s fan clubs get first dibs with a pre-sale tomorrow before the general sale on Thursday, June 15.

6 September 2012 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
7 September 2012 – Forum Theatre, Melbourne
8 September 2012 – Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan
12 September 2012 – The Abbey, Canberra
13 September 2012 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
15 September 2012 – The Metro, Sydney
19 & 20 September 2012 – The Courier Mail Spiegeltent, Brisbane Festival
21 September 2012 – Community Centre, Byron Bay
22 September 2012 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
28 September 2012 – Astor Theatre, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Holland Impresses with “No Control”

Sometimes the simple things in life are often the best. Brisbane band Holland proves that old chestnut with their new single “No Control.”

Jarryd Klapper’s voice is hypnotically beautiful, and he’s ably supported by lead guitarist Shane Graham, bassist James Taylor, and Javed Sterritt. The song gives us a taste of Holland’s forthcoming album, which they recorded in Atlanta with acclaimed producer Nick DiDia (Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Powderfinger).

If you like what you hear make sure you see Holland as they tour the single around the country in the coming months. I’m pretty sure this band won’t be playing such small venues for too long!

16 June 2012 – The Loft, Gold Coast
17 June 2012 – Hoey Moey Beergarden, Coffs Harbour
6 July 2012 – Upstairs @ Beresford, Darlinghurst
7 July 2012 – Old Manly Boatshed, Manly
8 July 2012 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
20 July 2012 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
21 July 2012 – The Loft, Gold Coast
22 July 2012 – Blackbear Lodge, Brisbane
3 August 2012 – FBi Social Club, Sydney
4 August 2012 – Old Manly Boatshed, Manly
5 August 2012 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Everclear on the Comeback Trail with Aussie Tour

The nostalgia tours just keep on coming. Some 17 years after they released their breakthrough album Sparkle and Fade, Everclear are heading to Australia.

If that statistic is making you feel old too, chances are you’ll love seeing the band belting out some of the big smash singles like “Santa Monica” and “Wonderful.”

The shows won’t just be about reminiscing though. Everclear are releasing a brand new album, dubbed Invisible Stars, later this year, and no doubt Aussie audiences will get a taste of that.

“When I look back at what Everclear has done, I see a lot of things that have changed and a lot of things that have stayed consistent,” explained the band’s frontman Art Alexakis. “But at the end of the day, I’m still doing the same thing I’ve always done. It’s still guitar-based rock ‘n’ roll, and I’m still just telling stories, which is all I’ve ever wanted to do. I’m proud of what we’ve done, and I still enjoy it. And I feel blessed that other people like it too.”

Tickets are now on sale for the following Everclear shows:

10 October 2012 – Cooly Hotel, Coolangatta
11 October 2012 – HiFi, Brisbane
12 October 2012 HiFi, Sydney
13 October 2012 HiFi, Melbourne
14 October 2012 Capitol, Perth

Image used with permission from Riothouse Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Missy Higgins’s New Album Number One

It’s been a case of musical chairs at the top of the ARIA Albums Charts for some time now. This week we see another Aussie artist sitting on top. Missy Higgins has landed another number one with her long-awaited newie The OI’ Razzle Dazzle.

Keith Urban shows his greatest hits have some staying power. His disc The Story So Far is sitting at number two. The Temper Trap have fallen a bit since they enjoyed their stay at the top, but their new self-titled album is still performing well at number five.

The singles charts are a bit sparse on local talent, but The Voice’s Darren Percival is holding the fort. His version of Stevie Wonder’s “I Believe” is sitting at number five, so I guess we can probably assume he’s safe for another week of the competition!

Click below to see this week’s ARIA top 10s.

Continue reading “Missy Higgins’s New Album Number One” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Circle Serves up Retro Pop

Sydney indie popsters Circle have chased away my winter blues with their cheerful retro single “Fashion Me a Drum.”

The song recalls The Pet Shop Boys with its wave of synths and deceptive simplicity. The track gives us a taste of Circle’s highly anticipated new album The Middle. While the band has released plenty of discs before, this one is the first recorded in a real studio rather than a bedroom!

Enjoy this slice of perfect pop before The Middle drops on August 1.