Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Autumn Isles Play Melbourne

Perth act The Autumn Isles are taking their brand of psychedelic pop to Melbourne and its suburbs for four big shows in just three nights!

Kicking off tonight, the band will treat discerning music lovers to tracks from their colourful debut album Kaleidoscopes. This isn’t a band that relies on studio trickery, so I’m sure they’ll shine in the live setting. Melbournites can catch them at the following shows over the next few days:

3 May 2012 – Bertha Brown, Melbourne
5 May 2012 – Purepop Records, St Kilda (3 pm)
5 May 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
6 May 2012 – The Retreat, Abbotsford

Image used with permission from The Autumn Isles

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mia Dyson Gives Away Long Awaited New Music

Mia Dyson made a big impression on the Australian music charts in the last naughties, but seemed to disappear just as quickly. But it turns out she didn’t give up the dream; she just relocated it to the United States.

After three years touring America with big name artists like Stevie Nicks, Dave Stewart, and Chris Isaak, Mia’s reconnecting with her local fans. The independent artist askedmusic lovers to pre-order her new album through the Pledge Music campaign. These donations will then go towards funding the release. She actually raised enough to make the album in just one week, so Mia wants to say thanks for the support.

Which brings me to “Tell Me,” an achingly gorgeous new track that Mia’s giving away to her fans.

“Tell Me is a track I felt would really resonate with fans of my previous albums,” she explained. “It gives a hint of what I’ve been up to in the studio, so I really wanted fans to hear it first, before we get to the craziness of an album campaign later in the year!”

You can hear the song here, and if you like it just sign up to the Mia Dyson mailing list for the free download. Hopefully that will tide you over until the new album, dubbed The Moment, hits stores in August.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nine Sons of Dan Tour Forthcoming EP

Nine Sons of Dan have introduced us to their forthcoming EP The New Kids with the rocking new single “Diamond Skin.”

The single shows us the way Nine Sons of Dan have matured since their last release, no doubt under the guidance of American producer J.R. McNeely (Amberlin, Paramore). It hits harder, but it’s got this strong melodic core that anchors it so well. While J.R. McNeely took the reins on “Diamond Skin” the remaining five tracks were overseen by Forrester Savell (Karnivool, The Butterfly Effect).

The New Kids should be a big release for the band who took out the rock category in last year’s New Artist to Radio Awards. It’ll hit record store shelves around the world on June 29, not long after the band wraps up their support slots for The Darkness.

Drummer Morgan “Flakey” Blake says the single captures the energy of Nine Sons of Dan’s live shows, so if you dig it you’ll probably want to see them in the flesh. Conveniently enough once their dates with The Darkness wrap up they’re taking the EP on the road. Catch the Gold Coast lads at the following shows this July:

12 July 2012 – Port Macquarie Hotel, Port Macquarie (18+)
13 July 2012 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (18+)
14 July 2012 – Youth Arts Warehouse @ Metrodome, Gosford (All Ages)
15 July 2012 – The Lair @ Metro Theatre, Sydney (All Ages)
19 July 2012 – The Zoo, Brisbane (18+)
21 July 2012 – The PA @ Jupiters Casino, Gold Coast (18+)
27 July 2012 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide (All Ages)
28 July 2012 – Revolver Upstairs, Melbourne (18+)
29 July 2012 – Spensers Live, Melbourne (Under 18s, 2 pm)
4 August 2012 – The Hive, Brisbane (All Ages)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Those Shock “The Voice” Eliminations

Regular readers may have noted that I haven’t reported on The Voice as I have other reality music franchises. It’s been a deliberate exile to be honest. While I’m tuning in I want to experience this one rather than feeling that pressure to type away each evening. Besides, no one needs to read what I’m writing around those late 10 pm finishes.

But I felt like weighing in now in the face of some shock eliminations. Having watched the first American series I knew what we were in for. I was so excited by the talent I saw, although I was nervous knowing the battle rounds were to come. These are tough, with singers paired up, forced to sing songs that may play to their competition’s strengths more than their own, forced to compete directly against other major players. It’s cutthroat stuff. I can’t say I was happy with every decision made last night, but it’s the nature of a format designed to keep the pace moving.

Much has been made of Mahalia Barnes elimination. Her battle with Prinnie Stevens divided us in the lounge room. I understood why Joel paired them as they were bound to split votes, but it would have been a loss whichever way it fell. For what it’s worth I would have backed Mahalia, but I wonder whether that’s because I’ve seen her live many times before.

Honestly I was most disappointed by the matchup of Adam Hoek and Rachael Leahcar. It was only ever going to go one way, and Adam ended up feeling like a sacrificial lamb. I think the competition will be a lot poorer without him. With a different song and a different partner it could have been so different.

The Mitchell Thompson and Fatai Veamatahau battle also divided us. Frankly the performance was so searing neither of them deserved to depart. But it’s the nature of the beast, and again we lost another talent far too soon.

The Voice is far from an even playing field. I expect more shocks as I watch this evening. But I prefer this cutthroat fast-paced show over those drawn out reality TV shows any day, don’t you?

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

David Myles Returns to Australia

It took David Myles six albums to finally get to Australia over the Christmas period, but thankfully it hasn’t taken so long to arrange a return visit. The Canadian singer-songwriter will tour Australia again this May.

David’s still riding high on the success of that sixth album Into the Sun. That record’s been nominated for five awards at Canada’s upcoming East Coast Music Awards, so it’s clearly something special. David’s currently touring the album through his homeland, so he should be in fine form when he touches down in Oz.

Make sure you arrive at the shows early to see some local talent from Aussie duo Camille & Stuie. The twosome joined David at his Brass Monkey show last time, and he was so impressed by their performance he offered them the support slot this time around. See why at the following gigs.

18 May 2012 – The Pub,Tamworth (Free)
19 May 2012 – Woombye Pub, Woombye
20 May 2012 – Pioneer Village, Petrie
24 May 2012 – The Vault, Windsor
25 May 2012 – The Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
26 May 2012 – The Basement, Sydney
1 June 2012 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
2 June 2012 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
3 June 2012 – Lizottes, Newcastle
8 June 2012 – Wesley Anne Hotel, Northcote
9 June 2012 – Caravan Club, Oakleigh
10 June 2012 – Harvester Moon Cafe, Bellarine

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tijuana Cartel Play Local Before International Shows

Tijuana Cartel are celebrating the release of ”Offer Yourself,” their first single of 2012, with a month long tour.

It’s a far cry from the three-month mission they embarked on late last year, but it should see the Gold Coast act fresh faced as they stop in on capital cities and regional centres.

It’s also the perfect warm up to pending international dates, which include a slot at America’s acclaimed Burning Man Festival and Germany’s Fusion Festival.

See Tijuana Cartel off in style at the following shows:

12 May 2012 – Bay View Hotel, Batemans Bay
18 May 2012 – Soundlounge, Currumbin
19 May 2012 – The Great Northern, Byron Bay
24 May 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
25 May 2012 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
26 May 2012 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
31 May 2012 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
1 June 2012 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
2 June 2012 – White Star, Albany
8 June 2012 – Divers, Broome
9 June 2012 – Hotel Kununurra, Kununurra
15 June 2012 – The Bakery, Perth

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

David Campbell @ Civic Theatre, Newcastle – 21 April 2012

Last week David Campbell took me back to my childhood when his Let’s Go tour touched down in Newcastle. I expected big things from the show. I knew I’d be treated to songs from my favourite decade of music, and I’ve never left a DC show without a big smile on my face. Predictably he didn’t let me down.

As the lights came up we were instantly transported back to the 80s. The band wore more neon than I’ve seen for years, and the lights were straight out of the period. It was perfect. He opened with the title track, “Let’s Go” and barely took his foot from the throttle as he treated us to songs from the album and other 80s favourites. As a child of the 80s those unexpected gems were some of the night’s highlights for me. His stripped back version of “Every Time You Go Away,” beginning with an a capella section, was breathtaking. His take on “Knew You Were Waiting,” with back-up singer Josie Lane stepping into Aretha Franklin’s shoes was so much fun. And his version of “Power of Love” was even more awesome after hearing his story of performing it as a teen beginning his journey as a musician. Those tales really made the night for me, the reminiscing about buying Smash Hits magazine and recording songs from the radio using the old two-fingered method. They were probably lost on certain sections of the audience, but as a 30-something I was right there with him.

I’ve always loved seeing shows at Newcastle’s Civic Theatre. It’s such a beautiful venue, so intimate and so well appointed. But it may not have been the best place to see David Campbell. I spent so much of the night dancing in my chair, dying to do more. As he started “Goody Two Shoes” it all got too much and Mum and I jumped out and found a quiet corner to dance. The theatre’s not really the place to do that, but who can sit down with that sort of music?

The show was brilliant but it probably wasn’t the right venue. Thankfully David’s announced some more dates later this year. I think I might have to go back for a second helping!

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Aves Tour “Panic”

The Aves will whip crowds into a frenzy when they take their new EP Panic on the road next month.

The Adelaide outfit will play dates in Victoria and New South Wales before returning to the City of Churches. It’ll be a short homecoming though, as the band are slated to appear at Canada’s NXNE Festival in June.

The Aves will treat audiences to their gritty brand of garage pop at the following shows:

9 May 2012 – Yours and Owls, Wollongong
10 May 2012 – Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney (Free)
11 May 2012 – World Bar, Sydney
18 May 2012 – The Gasometer, Melbourne
18 May 2012 – Pony, Melbourne (2 am)
1 June 2012 – Worldsend, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The Grey Pelican” – Andrew Drummond

Sydney singer-songwriter Andrew Drummond charmed me this week with his new EP The Grey Pelican.

There’s nothing fancy here, but the five tracks are beautifully crafted. Andrew’s voice reminds me a little of Tim Freedman’s, although the anchoring presence of the acoustic guitar gives the music a very different feel from The Whitlams back catalogue.

The strong lyrics really struck me. I was so glad they were printed in the liner notes so I could pore over them. The words aren’t particularly pretty, but there’s an honesty about them that helps the songs pack a real emotional punch. The subject matter is very dark at times but it’s framed in such a clever way that we never feel bogged down.

The opening track “Morning Light” is a gentle introduction to Andrew’s music, beautifully built but paled by the haunting “Solitary Space” that followed. “I Can Feel You” is a particularly poignant name for the third song, as I truly could feel all the emotions that come with losing a loved one as Andrew sang about it. “Wander Aimless” was perhaps the weakest track, with repetition that started to feel tired towards the end rather than driving the point home. However the EP was definitely redeemed with the closing number “Northern Poet.” It’s such a gentle and poignant song, but sometimes the best numbers aren’t the ones that scream the loudest.

The Grey Pelican isn’t perfect, but it moved me. Andrew Drummond should be proud of these five songs. I look forward to seeing what comes next.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Annabelle Kay @ Lizotte’s, Kincumber – 12 April 2012

This concert review is way overdue. There were birthdays, a few days away in Port Stephens, and a nasty cold I’m still fighting, so it’s only now that I’ve had time to cast my mind back and reflect on the wonderful music I heard in Lizotte’s on April 12.

It was a stormy miserable night, the kind of night that tempts even the most serious music lover to pike on the cheap tickets they’ve already bought and rug up in front of the television. After all, we bought the tickets for Annabelle Kay’s show after hearing just one song, her cover of “The Real Thing” on Adam Hills’ In Gordon Street Tonight. But I didn’t pike, and once I was toasty warm in “the cubby house,” with a full belly, and being soothed by some gorgeous music I was glad I’d made the effort.

Dominique Morgan and two of the members of her outfit The Six Dollar Shoes kicked off the night with some bluesy folk music. I loved Dominique’s sultry, husky voice, and the stripped back sound of her band. I’m not sure what they sound like when they’re full strength, but the acoustic mode really allowed their songs to shine through. I want to make special mention of the drummer, who provided the backbone of the songs by banging on a box with his bare hands and feet. Their originals were surprisingly tight for an outfit that had only worked together for a few months. I also appreciated the covers that peppered their set. Their takes on “Steal My Kisses” and “Purple Haze” showed this is an act with real diversity.

Then it was time for Anabelle Kay, the local girl who’d captivated me with her unique voice and folky sound on television. As a newcomer to her music I didn’t know any of her songs, but this was the perfect setting for an introduction. In such intimate settings with stripped back instrumentation, often just Anabelle herself on a guitar, ukulele, or mandolin, I could hear each and every lyric and truly appreciate the melody behind them. I was a little disappointed she didn’t play more songs with the mandolin, the instrument that first attracted me to her, but it was a minor quibble on a night of such glorious music.

As my husband and I looked around the crowd it felt like we were surrounded by the friends and family of the artists that appeared. It’s encouraging to see musicians so well supported by their loved ones, but I hope it’s not too long before these two awesome acts earn some mainstream recognition.

Image source: Stephen Katulka