Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Hip Hop Gets Sprung

Once upon a time Australian hip hop was a bit of a joke. But the times they are a changing, as they say in the classics, and now we have the launch of the Sprung Festival to celebrate the best local hip hop talent.

The line-up claims to bring together the cream of Aussie hip hop, and while there are some notable omissions it’s still quite impressive. Drapht ,Illy, The Funkoars, Phrase, Resin Dogs, Lowrider, Diafrix, and more will take to Brisbane’s Riverstage on October 15. If it goes off the way I think it should, perhaps Bliss N Eso and Hilltop Hoods will want to be involved next year!

The event is open to all ages but it is licensed, so it should be stacks of fun for everyone. Tickets are a very reasonable $66 and are currently available through Ticketmaster.

Image source: Premier Artists

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jacob Butler’s Back with “UKOK?”

As London rebuilds, Australian Idol alum Jacob Butler has paid tribute to the city which has influenced his sound with his new single “UKOK?”

The film clip features footage of the chaos we saw the riot-gripped city experiencing just weeks ago, and some royal wedding footage for good measure! The video is an ideal backdrop for this single, which sees Jacob rocking much harder than he did in his last release “Coma.”

“UKOK?” is the lead track from Jacob’s much anticipated debut album Reason, which we should see in stores later this year. If you can’t wait that long you can download the song from iTunes.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Salter’s Public Transport Clip for “The Coward”

Ben Salter headed to his local railway station to record the film clip for his brand new single “The Coward.” The location isn’t very rock and roll, but it’s perfect for this song which deals with approachable universal topics like mental health, share housing, and love. The track’s the first single from Ben’s new released solo debut The Cat, but it was actually written ten years ago. I guess it’s better released late than never!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Vines Ready to Rock Oz

If you didn’t already know it The Vines are kicking off their Future Primitive tour in Byron Bay this week.

This is the first national tour the band has undertaken in a very long time, so I’m sure they’ll be itching to get back out in front of their fans all around the country. The time seems right for such an undertaking, as The Vines are riding high on some of the most positive album reviews they’ve enjoyed in years. We’ll no doubt hear plenty of tracks from that new album, Future Primitive, but I’m sure there’ll also be a stack of oldies for the die-hard fans.

Make sure you arrive early to catch sets from exciting up and comers Papa vs Pretty, garage rockers Bleeding Knees Club, and a special guest local act at each show. The Vines will head abroad for shows in Japan, South America, and Europe after these ones wrap up, so make sure you catch the band while you can!

25 August 2011 – The Northern, Byron Bay
26 August 2011 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
27 August 2011 – The Metro, Sydney
1 September 2011 – Wollongong Uni Bar, Wollongong
2 September 2011 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
3 September 2011 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne
9 September 2011 – The Gov, Adelaide
10 September 2011 – Capitol, Perth

Image used with permission from HeapsaFlash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gotye Still on Top of Singles Charts

Gotye has continued his reign at the top of the ARIA singles charts this week. “Somebody That I Used to Know” is still sitting pretty at the number one spot, despite strong competition from Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera’s “Moves Like Jagger.”

Jessica Mauboy is also holding steady at number four with her newie “Inescapable.” And it’s worth noting that we’ve even got a chart presence rounding out the top 10. David Guetta might take top billing on “Titanium,” but we all know it’s our Sia that makes it really special.

The albums charts still belong to Adele, but the Aussies are making their presence felt. Eskimo Joe have blasted into the number three spot with their fifth studio album Ghosts of the Past.

Boy & Bear have slipped to number four, but Moonfire is still performing well after last week’s number two debut.

And it’s great to see Jessica Mauboy’s Get ‘Em Girls back in the top 10. The album wasn’t even in the top 50 last week, but it’s zoomed back to number 9, no doubt buoyed by the success of “Inescapable.”

Click below for all the chart action.

Continue reading “Gotye Still on Top of Singles Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gurrumul Yunupingu Scoops National Indigenous Music Awards

Gurrumul Yunupingu was the big winner at this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards. He took home five gongs: Act of the Year, Album and Artwork of the Year for Rrakala, and Song and Film Clip of the Year for “Gathu Mawula,” a collaboration with Blue King Brown.

Arnhem Land-based singer-songwriter Rrawun Maymuru showed he’s one to watch after taking out New Talent of the Year. I wonder exactly what constitutes “new talent,” as he was part of Yothu Yindi, but at least the title should help draw attention to his solo material.

It was also a night for honoring established talent, with No Fixed Address and Coloured Stone taking their places in the National Indigenous Music Awards Hall of Fame.

Here are all the winners!

School Band of the Year: Gapuwiyak School Band
Cover Art: Rrakala – Gurrumul Yunupingu
Film Clip: “Gathu Mawula” – Gurrumul Yunupingu & Blue King Brown
New Talent of the Year: Rrawun Maymuru
Traditional Music: The Mulka Manikay Archives
Song of the Year: “Gathu Mawala” – Gurrumul Yunupingu and Blue King Brown
Album of the Year: Rrakala – Gurrumul Yunupingu
Act of the Year: Gurrumul Yunupingu
Hall of Fame Inductees: Coloured Stone & No Fixed Address

Image used with AUM PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Yearlings” – Dead Letter Chorus

I’ve been having a love affair with Dead Letter Chorus all year, happily devouring each single released as I awaited the release of their sophomore album Yearlings. With the big day still a week away, I was thrilled to sample it before it hit stores.

My expectations were very high, but Yearlings met them. It had me from midway through the first track “Covered in Snow.” The sound was just so lush and rich, with stunning harmonies and epic notes behind it. This track really set the standard, but there was more goodness to come.

I loved the quietness of tunes like “Underdog” and “Gently Weeping,” songs that were so intimate and beautifully crafted. “The Changing Tides” moved me with its heartfelt lyrics, and it was good to hear the playful single “Run Wild” without that annoying Toyota ad behind it!

The only disappointment for me came with the closer, “Edge of Town.” It’s not that this soothing alt-country lullaby was a bad track, but it made the album sort of peter out. I hoped to be stirred by the disc one more time, but instead I was left wondering “Is that it?”

The good thing about an album though is that you can always replay it if the ending doesn’t quite hit the spot. And I’ve played it many times, savouring the ethereal sweetness of Gabrielle Huber’s voice, the quiet strength of her band mate Cameron Potts’ vocals, and the gorgeous music they make with the rest of the Dead Letter Chorus. Yearlings isn’t the perfect album, but it comes awfully close to it.

Yearlings hits stores on August 26.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gyroscope Play What You Want on Aussie Tour

It’s been a little quiet on the Gyroscope front, but that’s all about the change with the band setting out on their Choose Your Own Adventure tour this October.

The title refers to the way fans will actually determine how each show goes. Punters will vote for the songs they want to hear via the band’s Facebook page. What better way to make sure you love the show?

Tickets will go on sale on August 25 for the following gigs.

20 October 2011 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
21 October 2011 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
22 October 2011 – Studio 146, Albany
29 October 2011 – L’Attitude 28, Geraldton
16 November 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
17 November 2011 – The Gov, Adelaide (All Ages)
18 November 2011 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
19 November 2011 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney (All Ages)

Image used with permission from Crucial Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Electrik Dynamite Deliver Hair. Denim. Sex. Metal.

Melbourne five-piece Electrik Dynamite are bringing retro rock back with their debut album Hair. Denim. Sex. Metal.

That title really tells you all you need to know! This is a band that takes its cues from the likes of Van Halen, Iron Maiden, and Def Leppard, creating the kind of music we rarely hear in the contemporary music scene.

The album hits stores today, and the band are packing their bags for a big East Coast tour to celebrate. You can catch Electrik Dynamite rocking the following venues soon. Until then enjoy the band’s first single “Midnight Rider” and its keytar action!

27 August 2011 – House Of Rock, The Palace, Melbourne (18+)
3 September 2011 – Black Market, Adelaide (18+)
9 September 2011 – Geelong West Town Hall, Geelong (All Ages)
10 September 2011 – Bang, Melbourne (18+)
14 September 2011 – Hamilton Station, Newcastle (18+)
15 September 2011 – Hot Damn, Sydney (18+)
16 September 2011 – Elsewhere Bar, Gold Coast (18+)
17 September 2011 – Thriller, Brisbane (18+)
21 September 2011 – Musicman Megastore, Bendigo (All Ages)
23 September 2011 – Pow, Werribee (18+)
24 September 2011 – Urban Life Cafe, Ringwood (All Ages)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Alanna Cherote

Sydney-based singer-songwriter Alanna Cherote has only just released her debut album Paper Flower, but she’s already threatening to take the world by storm. I caught up with her recently to take about the record, her North American touring plans, and what it was like to work with Ron Sexsmith.

You’ve just released your debut album Paper Flower. What can you tell me about it?

I wrote most of the Paper Flower album tracks before even looking to record the album. I always had very strong production ideas and vision about how it would all sound. I did most of the pre-production work on the songs with producer Nick Howard, and then recorded the album with Chris Vallejo at Linear Recording. It was such a wonderful studio to bring my songs to life – so much vintage gear. I was able to put my 60s/70s slant on the sound the way I had imagined.

It had an official launch at The Vanguard in Sydney on August 3, which is one of my favourite venues. What made you choose it for your big night?
The live show is about Intimacy and quirkiness, Rawness, being organic.

What do you love about being up on stage?
Bringing the songs to life, creating magical parts around the tunes, being in the company of such beautiful players in my band, and connecting with not only the audience but getting back in touch with that deep connection within myself. Sometimes it feels like an out of body experience.

When will fans around the rest of the country get a chance to see you live?
I’m touring Canada and the states in October/November and Australia throughout November/December/January.

Do you think we’d ever lose you to one of these international locations?
Distinctly possible! Based on touring and recording opportunities and connections in other countries.

Your current single “(Make Me Do) Anything You Want” is a cover of a song by Canadian band A Foot in Cold Water. What made you want to record it?
Discovering that band through the American producer I was working with in 2007 Lamar Lowder, and finding a connection with the song, I immediately thought I could create something quite special out of that song. I always had a thing for all the golden oldies. Turned out to be quite a good idea!

Continue reading “Q & A with Alanna Cherote” →