Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fushia Celebrate Brunswick St with New Single

They might hail from Brisbane, but it seems that Melbourne has made a big impression on Fushia. The colorfully named pop rock quartet are about to release their brand new single called “Brunswick St.”

The pop-punk song is an ode to the Fitzroy street’s club and café culture, and all the hijinks that typically accompany an evening out in Melbourne’s inner northern suburbs.

To celebrate “Brunswick St’s” November 4 release, Fushia will play launch shows in Queensland and Sydney starting with a hometown gig.

4 November 2011 – Alhambra, Brisbane
12 November 2011 – The Loft, Gold Coast
17 November 2011 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
25 November 2011 – Oxford Arts, Sydney

Image source: Starving Kids website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rogue Traders Releasing Double Disc

Rogue Traders are closing one chapter and beginning the next with the release of The Sound of Drums.

The double disc features a greatest hits collection, which features songs from Rogue Traders’ first three albums, and the band’s brand new studio album, Night of the Living Drums.

“Ten years is a huge milestone for any band,” said Rogue Traders’ creative force James Ash. “This record sums up what we’ve done so far – and also lays down our plans for the future!”

The Sound of Drums hit stores on November 11. Ash and Rogue Traders frontwoman Mindi Jackson will hit the promotional trail next month to support the release ahead of a full-scale tour in the New Year.

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Snowy Belfast’s Stony Single

Melbourne band Snowy Belfast have really impressed me with their latest single, ”Stones.” It’s a country-infused slice of folk music driven by banjos and sublime harmonies.

The track builds on the sounds they showcased on their debut EP Odds and Ends, but also offers a new intensity. We should see more of that when Snowy Belfast release their debut album early next year.

You don’t need to wait that long to see Snowy Belfast in the flesh though. They’ll launch “Stones” at The Espy on November 11, playing alongside Tessa & The Typecast, The Tiger & Me, and Howlin’ Steam Train. Tickets are absolutely free, so you’ve got no excuses Melbourne!

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

China’s Carsick Cars Tour East Coast

Chinese indie rockers Carsick Cars are bringing their sophomore album You Can Listen, You Can Talk to Australia with a new Aussie tour. The band will play Geelong tomorrow night before making their way up the east coast.

You Can Listen, You Can Talk shows the way the band has matured since the release of their debut Panda Noise. It’s got more complexity than that original release, with greater balance between the angry bits and more delicate, melodic notes.

Here are all the places you can catch the exciting Carsick Cars while they’re in town.

27 October 2011 – The Barwon Club, Geelong
28 October 2011 – Pony, Melbourne (2 am set)
29 October 2011 – Cornish Arms, Melbourne
30 October 2011 -The Toff, Melbourne
31 October 2011 – The NOWnow, 402 @ Hibernian House, Sydney (Zhang Shouwang solo experimental set)
2 November 2011 – Croatian Club, Newcastle
3 November 2011 – FBi social @ Kings Cross Hotel, Sydney
5 November 2011 – Woodland Bar, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Riot House

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eskimo Joe & PNAU Play Live at the Chapel

Following on from The Vines’ appearance earlier this year, Eskimo Joe and PNAU will play the next Russian Standard Vodka Live at the Chapel show. The Aussie acts will rock St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in the Sydney suburb of Newtown on November 23.

This is the first time the Live at the Chapel series has delivered a double act, and it’s sure to be a great night with both acts enjoying great success with recent releases.

Eskimo Joe are at the top of their game, having just scored six ARIA Award nominations, they are the finest rock act in the country, and PNAU are smashing it overseas, they look destined for global success,” said MCM media’s chief exec Simon Joyce. “To be able to present them on the same stage is a defining moment for Live At The Chapel, we’re in for a very special evening.”

As always this Russian Standard Vodka Live at the Chapel show is only for competition winners. For your chance to be amongst them head to the Live at the Chapel website.

Image used with permission from Beam Inc.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mitchell Callaway Out of X Factor Race

The X Factor has been a bit heartbreaking in recent weeks, with several of my favourite acts sent packing. However this week I think Australia got it right as Johnny Ruffo and Mitchell Callaway sat in the bottom two.

Johnny’s vocals haven’t been up to scratch in recent weeks. In fact, the only thing harder to hear has been Mitchell’s bad attitude. Clearly Australia’s had enough of his bitching too.

Mitchell was finally given the chance to sing in his genre with Rascal Flatts’ “I Won’t Let Go.” It’s funny how when you’re waiting so long for something it can often disappoint. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t a patch on the original. The vocals didn’t always stick, and again performance let him down. He might have been singing country, but he still seemed uncomfortable.

Again Johnny Ruffo came off as imitative with Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” It was fun and with the exception of the falsetto the vocals were actually impressive considering his fancy footwork. However I’m still not getting a sense of who he really is. I know the music he enjoys, but where’s Johnny in it all?

Frankly I didn’t care which way it went this week. The judges were split and so the decision was made by the public. It seems Mitchell’s bad attitude has grated on them too, because despite better vocals last night they sent him packing. At least he went out doing what he loves. Now if he could just find a little humility perhaps he can continue to do so in the industry.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Slow Chase Sizzles with “Algernon”


Slow Chase deliver a tune with enough swagger to impress The Stones with their new single “Algernon.” It’s a sexy, dirty rock number that raises my expectations for the band’s forthcoming EP Blind Spot. I love the way it channels 70s rock sounds with its sing-along hooks and bluesy groove.

If you love the song make sure you head to Slow Chase’s website for your free download.

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Celebrates Aussie Anthems

This week The X Factor contestants were celebrating homegrown tunes with their Aussie Anthems special.

Mitchell Callaway kicked things off with “Throw Your Arms Around Me.” Again it was strange to see Nat picking a non-country song for her act, but I thought this suited him down to the ground. It’s the best I’ve heard him sing since the auditions, although I felt a real wall between him and the audience. Even when he was touching the hands of the audience it felt very uneasy. He needs to become more comfortable as a performer if he’s going to go much further in this competition.

Johnny Ruffo shot for the moon in taking on Delta Goodrem’s “Lost Without You.” Sadly the song exposed all his vocal shortcomings. He certainly tried, but he never got there. In parts it was bearable, but it was also flat and tuneless far too often. I admired his intensity, but it had more than a bit of Eurovision cheese to it.

Three Wishez gave what I think was the performance of the season so far with John Farnham’s “You’re the Voice.” This was just incredible. It had so much joy and patriotism; it brought a tear to my eye. Last week when Ronan lost YMS I wondered whether the competition was all over for him. With this though, Three Wishez showed they’ve got what it takes to win this thing. More of this please!
Continue reading “The X Factor Celebrates Aussie Anthems” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Re:Enactment Get it Right with “Higher Duties”

Brisbane electro-punk act Re:Enactment seem to be finding their feet with the release of their second single “Higher Duties.”

The band’s vocalist and guitarist Jacob Hicks says the song is the first the act’s recorded and been unanimously happy with.

“I think it shows off the landscape of styles we like to play around with while not turning it into a disjointed mess. The feeling that the second half of the song provides is something that I think we’ve all been trying to write together since the start.”

I’ve got to agree. I’ve seen potential in Re:Enactment before, but with “Higher Duties” it seems they’re realising it. The track comes from the band’s debut album Sport, which is scheduled to hit stores next March. If you like it make sure you head to Re:Enactment’s Bandcamp page for a free download.

Image used with permission from Paper Street Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eddy Current Suppression Ring Release Singles & Rarities Collection

The folks from Eddy Current Suppression Ring may be working on various side projects at the moment, but they’re reminding us of their collective might with the release of their new singles and rarities collection, So Many Things.

The disc celebrates the last seven years in the career of this Melbourne garage rock band. The collection features many out of print singles and some rare gems, including covers of The Chosen Few’s “There’s a Lot Of it Going Around” and The Go-Gos’ “We Got the Beat.” Hopefully this will be enough to tide the fans over while the band’s on hiatus.

So Many Things is in stores now.

Image source: Mandy Hall/Wikimedia Commons