Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Adam Ant Heads Down Under

With Hall and Oates in the country and Duran Duran on their way, it makes sense for Adam Ant to take advantage of our obsession with the 80s and announce his own Aussie tour.

According to the picture he’s not quite as handsome as I remember him, but I’m sure the diehard fans won’t care when he’s playing “Ant Music,” “Goodie Two Shoes,” and “Stand and Deliver” in some lovely intimate venues. We’re also likely to get a sneak peek at some new material, as Mr. Ant will release a new album Adam Ant is the Blueblack Hussar in Marrying the Gunners Daughter in June. Shall we just award him the gong for best album title of the year already?

The tour will also introduce local audiences to fellow Brit band Georgia Girl and Her Poussez Posse, who just happen to be signed to Adam’s label. Adam Ant’s also written songs for the act, so it should be worth fans turning up early!

Tickets go on sale tomorrow morning for the following shows.

23 March 2012 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
27 March 2012 – Metro City, Perth
30 March 2012 – Palace, Melbourne
5 April 2012 – Barton Theatre, Adelaide
8 April 2012 – Tivoli, Brisbane

Image used with permission from AVM Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Children Collide Tour “Sword to a Gunfight” Single

With a brand new single “Sword to a Gunfight” burning up the airwaves, it seems the perfect time for Children Collide to announce another tour.

The single has a unique sound for the band, which frontman Johnny Mackay shed some light on.

“I was paddling down the river somewhere between Primal Scream & Boney M and ended up falling out of the boat into a time-travelling disco space-punk song which I still think is hilarious,” he explained. Well that clears that up!

The shows will give fans a sneak peek at Children Collide’s new album, Monument, which will hit stores in April. The single builds on the band’s post-punk roots and develops them into something the band has dubbed an “aural theme park.”

“There’s one or two ghost trains, a few rollercoasters and even a couple of tea-cup rides. It’s always hard to describe these things from the inside but the sound and production feels very here and now to me”

Tickets go on sale tomorrow from the venues for the upcoming shows.

9 March 2012 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
10 March 2012 – Pelly Bar, Frankston
11 March 2012 – Breath of Life, Launceston
15 March 2012 – Hotel Great Northern, Byron Bay
16 March 2012 – Elsewhere Bar, Gold Coast
17 March 2012 – The Zoo, Brisbane
21 March 2012 – The Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
22 March 2012 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
23 March 2012 – The Patch, Wollongong
24 March 2012 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney
29 March 2012 – The Gov, Adelaide
30 March 2012 – Capitol, Perth
31 March 2012 – Players Bar, Mandurah
1 April 2012 – Mojos, Fremantle
12 April 2012 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
13 April 2012 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Crucial Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Drawn From Bees Comical Cowboy Tour

Offbeat Brisbane rockers Drawn From Bees are hitting the road this month on their Dusty Midnight Cowboys tour. The band will kick off the shows in Sydney and play several festivals before they return to Queensland.

To coincide with the gigs, Drawn From Bees will star in their very own cowboy themed comic strip. Make sure you stay tuned to their website to see the western saga unfold.

Tickets are on sale now from the usual outlets for the following shows.

4 February 2012 – Oxford Art Factory (Gallery Bar), Sydney (with Our Monk)
12 Feb 2012 – St Kilda Festival, Melbourne
17 Feb 2012 – Woodland, Brisbane (with Green Stone & Howling Rabbits)
26 Feb 2012 – Move Mountains Music & Art Festival, Toowoomba
3 Mar 2012 – Gold Coast Arts Festival, Gold Coast

Image used with permission from Remedy Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Broken Stone Records Showcases Acts in Roadshow Shows

Indie label Broken Stone Records is hitting the road with some of its most promising artists for a roadshow extravaganza.

Up and comers Sister Jane, Magnetic Heads, The Maple Trail, and Caitlin Park will touch down in key capitals and a selection of regional towns next month. The musical acts will be backed by live footage VJ-ing and projections of their video clips. The events will also include an exhibition of artworks seen in Broken Stone’s film clips and on the album covers.

The events are a fantastic opportunity for music lovers to discover some hot new talent. Tickets are on sale now from the venues.

9 February 2012 – Bellingen Memorial Hall, Bellingen (All Ages)
10 February 2012 – Byron Bay Brewery Bryon Bay
11 February 2012 – The Waiting Room, Brisbane (All Ages)
17 February 2012 – The Street Theatre, Canberra (All Ages)
18 February 2012 – Kyneton Town Hall, Kyneton (All Ages)
19 February 2012 – Horse Bazaar, Melbourne
22 February 2012 – The Lass, Newcastle
23 February 2012 – The Standard, Sydney
24 February – The Clifton School of Arts, Clifton (All Ages)
25 February – The Baroque Bar, Katoomba

Image source: Broken Stone Records website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Busby Marou & Georgia Fair @ Lizotte’s, Newcastle – 29 January 2012

I was lucky enough to catch Busby Marou and Georgia Fair last night as their 5 Rocks tour made its final pitstop at Newcastle’s Lizotte’s. A night out at Lizotte’s always feels indulgent, and when it’s married with performances from two of Australia’s most promising up and coming acts it’s made even more exciting.
I’ve been casually following Georgia Fair’s career for the last couple of years now, and I was thrilled to see how much they’ve grown. The banter with the crowd still feels a bit stilted, but all that awkwardness melts away once the music starts. The lads complement one another so beautifully, both with their instruments and their voices, and it’s a pleasure to witness. I can’t recall observing a crowd so hushed during a support act’s set in some time.

I loved Georgia Fair, but Busby Marou took the energy levels up a notch. They haven’t been on the national scene for very long, but their performance felt so comfortable and easy. Again we were treated to some incredible harmonies and a stunning meeting of instruments. I’ve loved the duo’s songs since I heard their self-titled debut album last year, but they took on extra meaning with the explanations Tom gave. I was thrilled to hear all my favourite cuts from the album, but out of my skin excited to hear them cover “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” It seems the cover came about on Triple J’s Like a Version sessions, but I hadn’t heard it before. What an introduction to its existence though. I thought I might have bounced out of my seat with joy.

My Dad often bemoans the state of modern music and longs for the glory days of the 60s and 70s. Yet after watching the performance even he concedes that with bands like Busby Marou and Georgia Fair around, the future of our local scene is in very safe hands.

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Good Vibes from President Roots

Mornington Peninsula’s President Roots are helping me ease into my working week with the release of their double A side single “Feelin’ Fooled/Cool Change.”

“Feelin’ Fooled” is a warm folky number that swells with guitars, fiddles, a slinky beat, and a healthy dose of good vibes. “Cool Change” is a much more chilled cut inspired by the Victorian bushfires of 2009. The band wrote the track for a benefit show way back then, and I’m thrilled it’s finally reaching a wider audience.

President Roots will play some national shows to promote the single and forthcoming album, but until those dates are announced local fans can catch them at the Baha Taco Joint in Rye on February 12 and 25.

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pajama Club Almost Impress with “TNT for Two”

I haven’t been the greatest fan of Neil Finn’s latest venture Pajama Club. However I always find myself coming back to the band’s music, trying to find the genius that I know has to be in there. This is the guy who gave us Crowded House and Split Enz after all!

I wouldn’t say I’m hearing genius in their latest single “TNT for Two,” but there are certainly glimpses of it. The song may be their most accessible yet, especially stripped back as it is in this live recording at Round Head Studios.

Can you dig it?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

PBS Celebrates New Talent with Drive Live

Melbourne community radio station PBS 106.7FM is showcasing local music with its annual Drive Live event.

From February 6 to 10, local acts will take over the station’s drive time shift. Three acts will play each day, with up and comers Graveyard Train, Stella Angelico, and Howl at the Moon already slated to appear.

You could listen to it from the comfort of your car, or if you’re a PBS member you could see the bands in the flesh. You can RSVP from tomorrow, so make sure you keep an eye on the PBS website to find out how.

The website also comes in handy if you’re not local as you can stream the Drive Live broadcasts from your computer anywhere in the world. So there’s no excuse for missing out on the fun!

Image used with permission from Show Off Recordings

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shannon Noll Tours New Single

It seemed like every time I switched on my TV on Australia Day, Shannon Noll’s face was staring back at me. I should have guessed he wasn’t simply getting patriotic; there’s a Nollsy tour a-brewing.

He’ll head back on the road next month to support the release of “Living in Stereo,” the latest cut from his newish album A Million Suns. Never one to do things by halves, the tour will run for five months and take in more than 30 cities across six states and territories.

Shannon is promising to play new tracks and plenty of old favourites backed by a full band. As he’s been performing in acoustic mode for some time it’ll be great to hear him really rocking out.

“Really looking forward to getting back out on the road to play in front of my fans, it’s been too long,” Shannon said in a statement. “I’m really happy with the new show, and I think my set is the strongest it’s ever been. Bring on the first gig!”

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

24 February 2012 – Charles Hotel, Perth
25 February 2012 – Endeavour Tavern, Lancelin
26 February 2012 – Ravenswood Hotel, Ravenswood
17 March 2012 – Hallam Hotel, Hallam
23 March 2012 – Mingara Recreation Club, Tumbi Umbi
24 March 2012 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
30 March 2012 – Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill
31 March 2012 – North Sydney Leagues Club, North Sydney
13 April 2012 – Mounties, Mt Prichard
20 April 2012 – Canberra Southern Cross Club Events Centre, Canberra
21 April 2012 – The Cube at Campbelltown Catholic Club, Campbelltown
27 April 2012 – Dapto Leagues, Dapto
28 April 2012 – Penrith Panthers, Penrith
4 May 2012 – Urban Country Music Festival @ Queensland State Equestrian Centre, Caboolture
5 May 2012 – Yamba Bowling Club, Yamba
9 May 2012 – Nautilus Theatre, Port Lincoln
10 May 2012 – Middleback Theatre, Whyalla
11 May 2012 – Keith Mitchell Theatre, Port Pirie
12 May 2012 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
13 May 2012 – Sir Robert Helpman Theatre, Mt Gambier
19 May 2012 – Wentworthville Leagues Club, Wentworthville
25 May 2012 – Taren Point Hotel, Taren Point
26 May 2012 – Belmont 16FT Sailing Club, Belmont
9 June 2012 – Bathurst Panthers, Bathhurst
10 June 2012 – Dubbo RSL, Dubbo
22 June 2012 – Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury
23 June 2012 – Wagga Wagga Civic Centre, Wagga Wagga
29 June 2012 – Fitzy’s Loganholme, Logan
30 June 2012 – Twin Towns Services Club, Gold Coast

Image used with permission from Universal Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nick Cave Tribute Straight to You on CD & DVD

Did you enjoy last night’s broadcast of Straight To You – Triple J’s Tribute to Nick Cave? Well if so you’re in luck, because the ABC is about to release the double CD and DVD.

The show was a fitting homage to Nick’s career, from his early outfits Boys Next Door and The Birthday Party to his celebrated work with The Bad Seeds and newish outfit Grinderman. He’s the most continually played artist on Triple J, an incredible feat that’s a testimony to his longevity.

Triple J assembled an amazing collection of artists who showed a clear appreciation for the material they tackled. I particularly loved Bertie Blackman and Muscles take on “Do You Love Me?,” Lisa Mitchell’s gorgeous version of “The Ship Song,” and Kram, Dan Sultan, and Lisa getting together on “There is a Kingdom.”

I can relive all those moments and more when the double CD hits stores on February 10. The DVD will follow on March 2.

Image used with permission from Universal Music Australia