Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Snowman’s Joe McKee Goes Solo

Former Snowman singer Joe McKee is going it alone with his first solo release, Burning Boy.

The recording of Burning Boy saw Joe returning to his hometown of Perth after four years living in London. He came back with a head full of songs about the dissolution of his old band, his life in the United Kingdom, and the return to the land of his birth. Once back on home soil he reconnected with his long-time collaborator Dave Parkin and set about putting the songs he’d collected over the past three years down.

The album represents a real shift in Joe’s sound. The pulsing rhythm section we associate with Snowman is gone, replaced by more intimate vocals.

Burning Boy hits record stores on May 25.

Image used with permission from Remote Control Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eliza Hull Releases Long Awaited “Dawn” EP

Melbourne songstress Eliza Hull is preparing to unleash her debut EP Dawn on the public.

After three years perfecting her craft, Eliza’s laid down seven breathtaking tracks including the first single “Without Words.”

“’Without Words’ is about the pull and shift within a relationship and the questioning that can often happen,” Eliza explained. “It captures the beautiful confusion love can stir inside us. It’s one of the earlier songs written for the EP and is still one of my favourites.”

The disc has a compelling organic quality which comes from shunning big budget studios and opting to record in garages, churches, and home studios. Although perhaps that may have come from necessity, as Eliza funded the release herself. You’ve got to admire that sort of commitment!

You can show your support by picking up a copy of Dawn when it hits stores and iTunes on May 18, or seeing Eliza launch the disc at Melbourne’s The Toff in Town on May 31.

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lowlakes’ Get Animated

Lowlakes have created one of the most beautiful videos I’ve seen in some time for “Buffalo,” one of the four tracks featured on their self-titled debut EP.

Lacey Whelan is behind the fairy-tale style animation, which brings this haunting tune to life. “Buffalo” was one of my favourite tracks from the EP, and I’m thrilled to see it realised so beautifully with this video.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Butler Releases Live Double Acoustic CD

If you missed John Butler stripped back and acoustic at his recent Tin Shed Tales shows, or you simply want to relive the magic, you’re in luck. A double CD of songs from these rare solo shows hits music stores today.

The discs don’t simply capture John Butler’s musical prowess but also his relaxed on stage demeanour. Listening to the discs you feel like you’re witnessing someone simply having a jam session with a bunch of mates. The songs are interspersed with personal anecdotes which make the tunes even richer. Those numbers touch on his entire back catalogue. Listeners will enjoy new songs, reworked versions of old songs, and of course plenty of favourites.

The Tin Shed Tales recording is available digitally from iTunes, but with a sexy digipack hitting stores I reckon it’s much smarter to enjoy the hard copy. It’s sure to become a collector’s item!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Briscoe Play Free Gigs for “Day Job”

Briscoe are showing us they’re certainly not on-trick ponies with the release of their new single “Day Job.”

Their first single “Animal” was so mellow that this poppy number really took me by surprise. It’s an infectious ditty which should help getting through Friday a little easier.

If you like what you hear make sure you check out Briscoe at the following shows. Every gig is free, so you’ve got new excuse!

12 May 2012 – The Phoenix, Canberra
18 May 2012 – The Patch, Wollongong
24 May 2012 – The Landsdowne, Sydney
9 June 2012 – The Great Northern, Newcastle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ballet & Beats in Batterie’s New Video

I’ve always enjoyed embracing all genres of the Australian music scene on this blog. So perhaps it’s fitting that now, through writing it, I’m discovering a brand new genre. This week I received the video for “Spring Step,” Batterie’s new instrumental track classed as glitch pop electronica.

After spending some time on Google I’ve got to admit that I still don’t really know what glitch pop electronica is. Anyone care to enlighten me? But I do know that this is really interesting. It’s catchy but unpredictable, and only helped along by that colourful clip starring dancer Lo-arna Evangeline Okan.

It’s not surprising to hear Batterie’s doing great things though, because it’s the solo project of award winning local musician and producer Jared Underwood. Jared won the best original score award at Tropfest last year, and has worked with everyone from Daniel Johns and Luke Steele to The Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

What do you think of Batterie’s new single?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges, Matt Andersen, & Ray Beadle Tour with Blues Caravan

The Blues Caravan, featuring America’s Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges, Canada’s Matt Andersen, and our own Ray Beadle, will roll its way into local venues next week.

The Blues Caravan project was conceived as a way to introduce new international and local blues acts to Aussie music lovers. The first Blues Caravan shows will see the acts performing individual sets before coming together for a big finale.

The Blues Caravan arrives in Sydney’s suburbs next Wednesday before looping its way around the country and returning to the New South Wales capital the following week. Tickets are on sale from the venues for the following shows:

16 May 2012 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
17 May 2012 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne
18 May 2012 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
19 May 2012 – The Vault, Windsor
20 May 2012 – The Basement, Sydney

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The Cat & The Fiddle” – Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides

I needed some cheering up this week. I’ve been battling a cold for far too long, and it’s leaving me tired and cranky. Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides managed to lighten my mood with their charming new EP The Cat & The Fiddle.

The opening title track charmed me from the get go. I loved the way the rough vocals contrasted with the song’s fairytale imagery and sweet harmonies. It captivated me from start to finish, and I couldn’t wait to hear what came next.

The problem with setting the bar so high though is that it’s difficult to hit it again. The remaining four tracks were definitely enjoyable. I loved the sweetly whimsical lyrics, which referenced nursery rhymes and children’s games. The music was also adorable, with traditional instruments complemented by real toys. But none of the songs quite captured the same magic as the opener.

Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides create really interesting music which takes the listener back to a simpler time. At its best it’s stellar, and when it’s less than that it’s still gorgeous. I’m not sure whether one of their songs will enchant me the way “The Cat & The Fiddle” did, but I look forward to hearing more of their stuff to find out!

The Cat & The Fiddle EP is available through Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides’ Bandcamp page. Victorians can see Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides launching the EP with an expanded eight-piece band at Fitzroy’s Evelyn Hotel on May 20.

Image source: Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides Bandcamp page

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Thomas Oliver Band Play First Aussie Shows

One of New Zealand’s most beloved bands, The Thomas Oliver Band, are crossing the ditch for their first Australian shows.

The Kiwis love TOB’s gutsy, rootsy brand of soulful rock. Their debut album Baby I’ll Play became an instant classic, and their live shows earned rave reviews. Now it’s Australia’s turn to discover what all the fuss is about.

I’m really digging the brassy bass line of their single “Goin’ Home,” which received the beast blues video away at last year’s Australian Independent Music Video Awards. Not bad for a band who hadn’t even visited our shores!

The Thomas Oliver Band will make a fleeting visit to Oz, with a show at Sydney’s Annandale Hotel on May 31 and a second at The Evelyn in Melbourne on June 1.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

East 17 Bring New Music to Oz

When I was a teenager Justin Beiber and One Direction weren’t out of nappies. Scary thought. I remember religiously buying TV Hits magazine each month, which was filled with articles about two bands: Take That and East 17. One spawned Robbie Williams and mounted a semi-successful comeback, and the other seemed to fade into obscurity. Until now.

In a world where Wheatus can tour again perhaps it’s not so strange to see East 17 back on our shores. The boys from Walthamstow aren’t quite the same as they were back in the early 90s. They’ve got a few wrinkles, they’ve lost Brian Harvey (sadly the one with the most vocal talent), and started to play 80s style rock. But I’m sure plenty of mums will pack the clubs to hear “House of Love,” “It’s Alright” and “Deep.”

If you’re keen for a blast from the past and the chance to hear their new material you can see East 17 at the following shows.

7 June 2012 – Metropolis, Fremantle
8 June 2012 – Trak, Melbourne
10 June 2012 – HiFi, Sydney
14th 2012 – HiFi, Brisbane
15 June 2012 – HQ Complex, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity