Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dallas Frasca Back with “All My Love”

It’s been a long time coming, but Dallas Frasca is almost ready to release her sophomore album Sound Painter.

I remember being blown away by Dallas when I saw her play at a Hunter Valley blues festival way back in 2008, and I’m thrilled to see the years haven’t mellowed her though. There’s a bit more polish to her raspy sound though, which may have come from working with acclaimed producer Andy Baldwin in New York.

Whatever it is, I’m impressed by our first taste of the album, the new single “All My Love.” It sounds great and the film clip looks much better than I’d expect for her $2.49 budget!

Andy Baldwin hasn’t polished all the edges from Dallas though. She chose to record the album with no click tracks to keep it raw and honest, with the sort of spontaneous sound that comes from a live performance. She worked with her band to smash out eleven songs in just seven days, with most numbers captured in their first or second take.

What you see is what you get with Dallas Frasca. If you want to see more of her make sure you catch her on her All My Love tour, which starts tomorrow in Adelaide. Her new album Sound Painter hits stores on April 1.

11 February 2012 – Jive, Adelaide
18 February 2012 – Cool Summer Fest, Mount Hotham
2 March 2012 – Basement 243, Brisbane
3 March 2012 – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi
9 March 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
10 March 2012 – Trackside Festival, Wangaratta
11 March 2012 – Lake Mountain Festival, Marysville
18 March 2012 – Raw Festival, Mount Eliza
23 March 2012 – Junkyard, Maitland
24 March 2012 – The Square, Sydney
5-6 April 2012 – Bluesfest, Byron Bay
22 April 2012 – Apollo Bay Music Festival, Apollo Bay

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

SLAM Rally Spreads Across Australia

You might remember thousands of music fans marching through Melbourne last February for the SLAM rally, an initiative designed to Save Live Australian Music. The protest hit out at the Victorian government and its policies which linked live music to violence. Now the event is going national.

To show your support head to the SLAM Rally website and see which venues in your local areas are hosting shows. Make sure you tell your friends about the event you’re going to see and spread the word on Facebook or other social networking spaces to drum up support. With the upcoming closure of East Brunswick Club we should all be thinking about how we can protect our local venues and keep live music alive in our communities.

Will you be attending a SLAM Rally event?

Image source: SLAM Rally website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Fearless Vampire Killers Tour Batmania & New Single

The Fearless Vampire Killers are celebrating the launch of their latest single “I Won’t Stay Too Long” with a national tour.

The new release from the band’s debut album Batmania celebrates the 70s, both in terms of its surf-rock sound and its free and easy attitude. It also has those lush layers that have endeared the band to audiences here and in the United States.

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

2 March 2012 – Spectrum, Sydney
3 March 2012 – Great Northern, Byron Bay
10 March 2012 – Plus One, Adelaide
16 March 2012 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
17 March 2012 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Getaway Plan Back on the Road

It seems The Getaway Plan have been bitten by the touring bug. They’re currently traveling around the country as part of The Big Day Out festival and are already planning their next run of headlining dates.

The Melbourne rock act are still riding high on the release of their second album Requiem, which hit stores in November. This time around they’ll steer clear of the capitals, preferring instead to play regional centers along the East Coast next month.

Tickets are on sale now for the following over-18s shows.

15 March 2012 – Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave
16 March 2012 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
17 March 2012 – Pier Live, Frankston
21 March 2012 – Clarendon Tavern Windsor, Windsor
23 March 2012 – Hornsby RSL , Hornsby
24 March 2012 – Harbord Diggers, Freshwater
29 March 2012 – Kings Beach tavern, Caloundra
30 March 2012 – Fitzy’s, Loganholme
31 March 2012 – Runaway Bay Tavern, Runaway Bay

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ali E Looks Ahead with “Landless”

Ali E’s helping us ease into our weekend with her very cool new single “Landless,” the second cut from her forthcoming debut album.

While her first single “So It Goes” saw Ali E being introspective, “Landless” takes a different approach as Ali E packs her bags and charges forward. There’s a real sadness to the song, but the intermingling guitars and drums and Ali E’s powerfully resolute vocals ensure things never feel too gloomy. This isn’t a woman running away from her failed relationship; she’s moving on.

Ali E will launch the track at The Workers Club in Fitzroy on the afternoon of March 3. Make sure you get down there to support her if you love the song!

Image used with permission from Show Off Recordings

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Eclectica” – The Levitators

The Levitators have served up one of the most diverse collections of songs I’ve heard in some time with their new EP Eclectica.

The unusual blend of sounds ensures there’s something for everyone here. I found the mix of genres intriguing and innovative. However an act that takes so many risks is never going to hit the mark all the time.

I found this EP really uneven. I embraced the big horns and bold blend of soul, Latin, and hip hop in the opening track “Once Again.” The very funky follow-up “Sunshine in my Juice” had me reaching for my dancing shoes. But for every inspiring number there was something that fell short for me. Some tunes seemed aimless, while others with a clearer vision appeared like they were trying too hard. Some of those songs might work better in a party or a club, but in my quiet little home they just didn’t gel.

Personally I feel The Levitators are at their best when they’re embracing melody and building upon their soulful voices. However I’m sure someone with different tastes might disagree with me. On paper a 50% strike rate is barely a pass. However that analysis would sell this EP short. Eclectica shows a band with a tremendous amount of promise and an innovative approach to music making which makes listening to them really exciting. You’re never sure what twist they’ll take next. The Levitators don’t always get it right, but when they do it’s really special.

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