Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Williamson Releases “The Big Red”

With Australia Day celebrations in full swing it seems an appropriate time to mention that one of our most dinky-di performers, John Williamson, will release his new album The Big Red tomorrow.

The Big Red is actually John’s 48th studio recording, which is a fair effort by anyone’s summation. It features songs penned by John over the past three years about our country and its people. You know what you’re getting here; John’s always reliable and that’s exactly why we love him.

The album features the first single “Hang My Hat in Queensland,” which is an autobiographical tale of John’s life in the Sunshine State.

“At last The Big Red is out of the box. I think those who know my music will think ‘Yes! This is what we’ve been waiting for from Willo.’ For those who don’t know; clear the mind of American influences. This is purely Australian. I hope it makes you as proud as I am of the place,” he said in a statement.

John will see plenty of his beloved country over the coming months when he embarks on The Big Red tour. Tickets are available from the venues for the following shows.

27 January 2011 –  Tamworth Town Hall, Tamworth
16 February 2011 –  Wellington Entertainment Centre, Sale
17 February 2011 –  Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre, Wonthaggi
18 February 2011 –  Frankston Cultural Centre, Frankston
19 February 2011 –  West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul
22 February 2011 –  ’99 on York’, Sydney
24 February 2011 –  Swan Yacht Club, East Fremantle
1 March 2011 –  Redlands Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland
2 March 2011 –  Logan Entertainment Centre, Logan Central
3 March 2011 – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
4 March 2011 –  Caloundra RSL, Caloundra
21 March 2011 –  ’99 on York’, Sydney
29 March 2011 –  Shepparton Eastbank Centre, Shepparton
30 March 2011 –  Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat
31 March 2011 –  Hamilton Performing Arts Centre, Hamilton
1 April 2011 –  Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong
11 April 2011 –  Brolga Theatre, Maryborough
12 April 2011 –  Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton
13 April 2011 –  Mackay Entertainment Centre, Mackay
14 April 2011 –  Townsville Civic Theatre, South Townsville
18 April 2011 –  ’99 on York’, Sydney
19 April 2011 –  Cessnock Performing Arts Centre, Cessnock
20 April 2011 –  Newcastle West Leagues Club, New Lambton
21 April 2011 –  Nelsons Bay Diggers, Nelson Bay
22 April 2011 –  Toronto Workers Club, Toronto
4 May 2011 –  Campbelltown RSL Club, Campbelltown
5 May 2011 –  North Sydney Leagues Club, Cammeray
6 May 2011 –  Castle Hill RSL Club, Castle Hill
16 May 2011 –  Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany
17 May 2011 –  Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury
18 May 2011 –  Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah
19 May 2011 –  Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton
23 May 2011 –  ’99 on York’, Sydney
24 May 2011 –  Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, Bathurst
25 May 2011 –  Orange Ex-Services Club, Orange
26 May 2011 –  Dubbo Regional Theatre, Dubbo
27 May 2011 –  Condobolin RSL Club, Condobolin

Image source: John Williamson media room

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Buckley Ward Tour “Into the Darkening Blue” Single

Buckley Ward have set the scene for a cracking new album with the release of the sophomore single “Into the Darkening Blue.”

I love the track’s natural, almost accidental harmonies and the casually lush meeting of guitars and keyboards. It’s got just the right amount of optimism for a summer single.

“Into the Darkening Blue” comes from Buckley Ward’s second album So Pretend, which will hit stores soon. Until then music fans in the major capitals can satisfy their fix with a blink and you’ll miss it single launch tour. Buckley Ward will play Sydney’s FBI Social Club on February 11 before moving on to Melbourne’s Buffalo Club on February 18.

Image used with permission from Show Off Recordings

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Canada’s Dan Mangan Brings Tunes Down Under

Canadian cutie Dan Mangan is heading Down Under to promote his brand new album Oh Fortune and current single “Rows of Houses.”

The track is the perfect showcase for Dan’s delicious rasp and edgy brand of folk music. Rest assured it’s only a matter of time before this Vancouver native blows up and we’ll have to brave larger venues. Enjoy the intimate shows while they last folks.

22 February 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
24 February 2012 – Notes, Newtown
25 February 2012 – The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
26 February 2012 – Black Bear Lounge, Brisbane
28 February 2012 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
29 February 2012 – The Fly Trap, Fremantle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

D12 Tour Australia

Eminem’s original crew D12 are striking out on their own for an Australian tour.

The band have been in the country for the Heatwave festival, and with that wrapped up they’ve decided to extend their stay. I can’t say that I blame them!

D12’s star has faded a little since they released their two albums in the early naughties, which means fans get to experience the band up close and personal in some intimate venues. The tour kicks off tomorrow in Coolangatta and takes in the capitals and key regional centers in Queensland and Victoria.

25 January 2012 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
26 Jan  January 2012 – M.A.D. Festival , Mackay
27 January 2012 – Post Office Hotel, Rockhampton
28 January 2012 – Sugarland Tavern, Bundaberg
29 January 2012 – Brothers Leagues Club, Carins
31 January 2012 – Bully’s Nightclub, Townsville
1 February 2012 – Cocktails, Ipswich
2 February 2012 – Tomba’s Nightclub, Toowoomba
3 February 2012 – Chelsea Heights Hotel, Chelsea Heights
4 February 2012 – Inferno Nightclub, Taralgan
5 February 2012 – Bended Elbow, Geelong

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Family Friendly Fun at Between the Bays

It’s only January, but I already feel like I need a holiday. And that makes a trip to the Mornington Peninsula for the annual Between the Bays festival extra appealing.

Now in its seventh year, the event has attracted some big names to its bill including Mark Seymour, Jordie Lane, the Ooga Boogers, and Custard in what is likely to be their only live performance this year.

Live music from The Lah Lah’s, rides, roaming performers, and kid-friendly skateboarding and Zumba workshops will also keep the little ones entertained, making this a true family day out. There’ll also be market stalls and the kind of chilled out, family friendly atmosphere that’s becoming increasingly rare as music festivals.

The Between the Bays festival hits Penbank in Moorooduc, an hour out of Melbourne, on February 25. Tickets are on sale now from Ticketmaster.

Image source: Between the Bays Facebook

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Download Arundel’s New Electronica EP for Free

We’ve all heard of those new age restaurants that ask diners to pay what they think their meal is worth. Now Brisbane electronica act Arundel is encouraging us to do the same with his music.

Arundel is so excited to release his second EP Olive Caves, he wants as many people to hear it as possible. So he’s inviting us to download it from his Bandcamp website. Consequently we can enjoy the music for free or choose to donate some money to fund additional projects if we’re so moved.

“Essentially, the collaborators and I make music for people like you to hear, and we don’t want anything to get in the way of that,” Arundel explained.

I particularly like the lead track “A Deep Freeze,” but there’s a lot to appreciate about this EP. It redefines what I think of as electronica with its rock influences and lyrical content, and that alone makes it worth a listen.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Blanche Dubois Tours “Young Heart”

Blanche DuBois’ third album Young Heart has just hit stores, so the Melbourne twosome is celebrating with a string of new shows, and a free download.

“We’re both really proud of this record,” explained one half of the dynamic duo, Nadija Begovich. “It’s been a long time in the making as we had a break between this and our last, but I think the break served us well as we’re writing from a much better place.”

Music lovers can get a taste of Young Heart by downloading the new single “The War in Me” for free from Blanche Dubois’ Facebook page. If you like what you hear make sure you catch the band at The Toff in Melbourne on February 11, or The Ellington Jazz Club in Perth on March 11.

This is just the start of some major touring over the next few months. Blanche Dubois will announce more shows around the country in the coming weeks.

Image used with permission from Alpha Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Musings on Wigglegate

I’ve watched with bemusement the media beat-up of The Wiggles since I posted about Greg Page’s return. When I heard the news I was excited, and while I wondered about Sam’s fate it was secondary to being thrilled Greg was back.

It’s unusual for anyone childless in their 30s to care about the fate of a children’s group, but my earliest experiences with the Wiggles came when my little sister Madelyn was young. She’s 20 this year, so she grew up as the Wiggles came of age. That’s a lot of history, and while I’m sure he performed admirably Sam always felt like the new kid for our family.

I’m the first to admit that The Wiggles haven’t sparkled under the glare of the media spotlight over the last few days. They’ve appeared awkward and bewildered by the backlash. I guess they should have expected it, but I think everyone’s been a bit quick to point fingers at the band.

While they’re a beloved part of our culture, we seem to be forgetting that The Wiggles is a business. I’d love if any business paid me a salary reported to be $200, 000 a year. Yes it’s a drop in the ocean compared to the company’s net worth, but it’s still a generous pay packet. I’d also love if any company paid me $60, 000 as it showed me the door.

Circumstances in business change all the time. Any of us could find ourselves out of work tomorrow, and we’d probably feel lucky to have Sam Moran’s financial cushion. Mums and Dads might argue that Sam put his heart and soul into his job, but so does that friendly girl at the local grocery store.

Australia might have loved Sam, but I think they need to remember The Wiggles began with Anthony, Murray, Jeff, and Greg. They built that business up from nothing, and they deserve to reap the benefits. Admittedly Greg sold out his share when he first departed, but the other blokes deserve to take a large chunk from the genius they created. The Wiggles might not have been as kind to Sam as mums and dads would like, but as far as I can tell they’ve been nothing but professional.

Image source: Led2life @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

San Cisco Announce Politely Awkward Tour

I’ve been humming “Awkward” since I first heard it in December, and it seems I won’t be able to get it out of my head any time soon. Those cute kids from San Cisco will continue their meteoric rise with their Politely Awkward Tour.

This is the band’s first national run of dates, and they’re making the most of the opportunity. The tour takes in all the major capitals and a few choice regional spots. It coincides with the release of the Awkward EP, which hits stores in February 3.

Make sure you arrive early to catch The Jungle Giants supporting the talented teens. Tickets are on sale now from the venues.

2 February 2012 – East Brunswick Club, Melbourne
3 February 2012 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
4 February 2012 – Jive, Adelaide
9 February 2012 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
16 February 2012 – Byron Bay Brewery, Byron Bay
17 February 2012 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
18 February 2012 – Spectrum, Sydney
19 February 2012 – The Great Northern, Newcastle
24 February 2012 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle

Image used with permission from SCG Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hoodoo Gurus Tour with Friends for 30th Anniversary

Hoodoo Gurus will celebrate 30 years in the business with some musical friends and their fans on their Dig It Up! The Hoodoo Gurus Invitational tour.

Since they released their debut 7-incher Leilani the Hoodoo Gurus has become one of the most beloved in Australia, thanks to big hits like “What’s My Scene?” “The Right Time,” and “Miss Free Love ‘69.”

These shows are bound to be something special as the band have promised they’ll play their landmark debut LP Stoneage Romeos in its entirety, plus a swag of other hits. Add in an enviable supporting bill including Died Pretty, The Sonics, The Lovetones, and Hard-Ons and you’ve got the kind of gigs that don’t come along every day. Sadly not every band performs at every show, but I’ve got the details outlined below.

And as if all that wasn’t enough, Sony will mark Hoodoo Gurus 3oth anniversary with the release of a new greatest hits collection, Gold Watch: 20 Golden Greats. Look out for the hit-filled album, featuring a new single “Use-By Date,” in store on March 16.

Tickets for the following star-filled Hoodoo Gurus shows go on sale from the usual outlets on Monday January 30.

20 April 2012 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (supported by The Sonics & The 5.6.7.8’s)
22 April 2012 – Enmore Theatre, Notes Live, and The Green Room, Sydney (supported by The Sonics, Died Pretty, Redd Kross, The 5.6.7.8’s, Tek & Younger, The Fleshtones, Hard-Ons, Belles Will Ring, Royal Headache, The Lovetones, The Straight Arrows; plus alternative comedy, spoken word, guest DJ’s with more TBA)
24 April 2012 – HQ, Adelaide (supported by The Sonics)
25 April 2012 – The Palace, Melbourne (supported by The Sonics, Died Pretty, Redd Kross, The 5.6.7.8’s, The Fleshtones, Hard-Ons, The Lovetones and more TBA)
28 April 2012 – The Astor Theatre, Perth (supported by Redd Kross and The Fleshtones)

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water