Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Vasco Era – The Vasco Era

Last week The Vasco Era released their third album, a self titled effort that marks their independent debut. It’s impressive to hear the Melbourne band are going it alone, but on listening to it I wonder whether they need that record company guidance.

It all started out so promisingly with the opening track “Nah Nah Nah.” I loved the crunchy guitars and all those delicious melodic hooks. The vocals weren’t pretty, but I warmed to their Dylanesque charm. You get the sense that Sid O’Neil means what he sings, and that authenticity initially compelled me.

But as the disc wore on, the elements that were initially fun started to grate. All too often those impassioned vocals and wailing guitars just started to create a whole lot of noise. The band is at its best when it’s reined in. The stripped back “Chemicals Run Out,” for example, is stunning. But all too often the music is too unrestrained, and then it hurt my ears.

This album shows The Vasco Era are a band with a whole lot of potential, but they need to learn what works best for them, and what is merely self indulgent.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Frank Fairfield Announces First Aussie Tour

The incomparable Frank Fairfield is visiting Australia for the first time this December. Frank takes us back to a simpler musical time with his incredible banjo and fiddle skills and sweet folky bluegrass melodies.

This video of Frank performing “Poor Ellen Smith” is a little dated now, but it shows you the amazing skills of this Californian musician. He’ll stop by the Meredith Music Festival and play his own headlining shows in the eastern states. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows, excepting Bendigo and Melbourne. If you want to get along to one of those nights you’ll need to get your tickets at the door

9 December 2011 – Bendigo Folk Club, Bendigo
10 December 2011 – The Old Bar, Melbourne
11 December 2011 – Meredith Music Festival, Meredith
13 December 2011 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
14 December 2011 – The Basement, Sydney
15 December 2011 – Syncretism @ Judith Wright Centre, Brisbane
16 December 2011 – Sound Lounge, Gold Coast
17 December 2011 – Gasometer, Melbourne
18 December 2011 – The Blackwood Academy of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music, Blackwood

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Steve Lane and the Autocrats’ Impress with “Ghost Trains”

It’s a pretty special thing to find new music that takes you back, but I’ve found it in Steve Lane and the Autocrats’ new single “Ghost Trains.” It’s got that lovely Paul Kelly storytelling quality about it, with a splash of Weddings Parties Anything thrown in. It’s good honest Aussie pop rock, melodic but heartfelt. Pop’s almost gotten to be a dirty word in the music industry, but this song  shows us the term isn’t synonymous with vapid.

The film clip plays up the track’s nostalgic qualities, with vision of the band spliced together with archival film footage.

“Ghost Trains” is our first taste of the band’s forthcoming debut album The Romance of Communication, which hits stores on Friday. Can you believe something that sounds so seasoned comes from a debut?

To celebrate the album’s release, the Steve Lane and the Autocrats will play shows along the east coast, with their first tonight in Warrnambool.

19 October 2011 – The Loft, Warrnambool
20 October 2011 – The Front Gallery & Café, Lyneham
21 October 2011 – The Heritage Hotel, Bulli
22 October 2011 – Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
23 October 2011 – The Vanguard, Newtown
27 October 2011 – Beavs Bar, Geelong
28 October 2011 – The Northcote Social Club, Northcote
29 October 2011 – TBC
30 October 2011 – The Palais Theatre, Hepburn Springs
6 November 2011 – Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Calling all Cars on the Move Again

Barely a month has gone by since Calling All Cars wrapped up their Dancing with a Dead Man album tour, but already they’re preparing for another outing. The band will play a swag of high profile shows over the coming months taking them right through to New Years Eve. There’s no rest for the wicked, right?

The current crop of dates will support the release of the band’s brand new single “World’s Collide.” However that just seems like an excuse to play some of the country’s coolest festivals and get together with some other big name Aussie acts.

If you want your last Calling All Cars fix for 2011, make sure you head along to one of the following shows.

21 October 2011 – Penrith Panthers, Penrith (with The Living End)
22 October 2011 – Fat as Butter Festival, Newcastle
23 October 2011 – La Trobe Uni, Melbourne (noon show)
28 October 2011 – The End of Polio Benefit Concert @ Kings Park, West Perth
31 October 2011 – Melbourne Cup Eve @ The Gershwin Room, Esplanade Hotel, St Kilda (with Hunting Grounds)
2 December 2011 – V8 Supercars, Sydney (with Bliss n Eso, Jebediah & The Herd)
10 December 2011 – D.U.S.K SUNBURY, Sunbury (All Ages)
31 December 2011 – Pyramid Rock Festival, Phillip Island

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Betty Airs’ Darren Cross

From the ashes of Gerling, RunHide, and other fallen Aussie acts comes Betty Airs. I caught up with the band’s frontman Darren Cross in the middle of their Aussie tour to chat about their forthcoming live shows, the new single “Juvenile,” and what’s coming next from this exciting new act.

It’s fairly early days for this band. For the uninitiated, how would you describe your sound?
’50s grunge. Melodic. Old and new. Like The Kinks on a 4-year bender.

The band is made up of musicians from some other notable Aussie acts like Gerling and The Vines. How did you all find one another?
Well I, who was in Gerling, started the band with Cris [Campano] and Zag [Michael Zagoridis], who were mutual mates and were in a tough band called RunHide. We used to drink at the same pub each week and started talking about doing some harmony based ’50s style music. At this stage it was just one guitar and drums and all three of us singing, Cris playing a mighty fine tambourine and sharing the lead vocals with myself. Pat [Matthews], who was the bass player in The Vines, was off his face at a Royal Headache gig and bailed me up saying he would love to play bass for Betty Airs. As I produced and recorded Betty Airs songs I usually played bass on the tracks as well, and we thought it would sound more traditional live with a bass, so we called Pat up. We like Pat.

Betty Airs is a pretty quirky name. Where did it come from?
It took us about 330 weird band names. Cristian and myself … well we’re gung ho about a “great, classic” name. We all agreed on Betty as a starter … like a female skater. Cris had just sent me 50 shit names as an SMS when I was touring solo as The E.L.F. I was at an airport waiting for a plane and in desperation I looked out the window, saw an aeroplane taking off and said out aloud “Betty Airs”. YEP. We all loved it.

You’ve just released your new single “Juvenile.” What is it about this song in particular that inspired you to release it?
It’s an immediate garage pop song with great hooks. Short and sweet. Good energy.

The song was used to launch Triple J’s new Unearthed Digital radio station. What does that sort of exposure mean to you?
It’s awesome. Triple J is a powerful force and we love and are very grateful that they play our music! We use the Triple J Unearthed platform for uploading our songs for free download to y’all sweet, fine people. It’s cool! The Digital Unearthed radio station is also great for giving new bands a go. Very encouraging!!!!

Continue reading “Q & A with Betty Airs’ Darren Cross” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Young Men Society Leave X Factor

Tonight’s X Factor elimination reminded us how much of a popularity contest the competition is. Despite some very shaky performances by Christina, Mitchell, and Johnny, Young Men Society and Declan Sykes found themselves in the bottom two. Both acts put up strong showings last night, but it’s just not about that.

And again they performed admirably. Young Men Society brought us the new jack swing I’ve been craving, and Declan trotted out a little Oasis. YMS proved they’ve got serious vocal chops and charisma by the bucketload, while Declan showed us he’s such a unique special jewel. I’m glad I wasn’t sitting in the judges’ seats.

With the judges unable to make a decision, it went to the public vote. And sadly, Young Men Society went home. What an absolute tragedy to lose them just as they had returned to form. They will be seriously missed.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Trouble with Templeton Gets Spooky

Brisbane singer-songwriter The Trouble with Templeton should appeal to all the Twilight fans out there with his eerie new video for “Bleeders.” It’s pretty clever to appeal to the current taste for the macabre, but there’s more here than simply smart marketing. The song’s stunning, a real slow burner than builds beautifully.

“Bleeders” is the title track from The Trouble with Templeton’s forthcoming solo album, which was impressively self-recorded and produced. It doesn’t drop until November 4, but if you’ve fallen for the song you can own it now for free through The Trouble with Templeton’s Bandcamp page. And if you like what you hear you can catch The Trouble with Templeton at the following shows.

21 Oct 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney (supporting Skipping Girl Vinegar)
4 November 2011 – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi (supporting Skipping Girl Vinegar)
5 November 2011 – Beetle Bar, Brisbane
11 November 2011 – Fresh, Launceston
12 November 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart
31 December 2011–2 January 2012 – Peats Ridge Festival, Central Coast

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Tackles Number Ones

The X Factor served up number ones for this week’s performance show. With every tune reaching the top, song choice shouldn’t have been an issue tonight. But …

Christina Parie reminded me that just because a song hits the top it doesn’t make it worth doing. “Teenage Dirtbag” isn’t a bad song, but it was all wrong for Christina. It didn’t sit in her sweet spot until the end, which was disappointing. She did as much she could, but she didn’t have much to work with here.

Young Men Society were back to their best with Beyonce’s “Single Ladies.” The boys smashed it with flawless vocals, brilliant dance moves, and plenty of swagger. I’m so glad to see these guys returning to form.

Declan Sykes toned things down a few notches with Youth Group’s “Forever Young.” I must admit, this song’s never been one of my favourites. I appreciated the treatment and enjoyed seeing him in another mode, but I also thought this was a bit sleepy. I found myself drifting off towards the end, but that could have more to do with my feelings about the song than what Declan did with it.

When Mitchell Callaway started “Can’t Get No Satisfaction,” I was thrilled someone remembered there was great music before this decade. However it didn’t get out of second gear. It was alright, but Jagger he ain’t. For Nat to suggest that Mitchell had no country stuff to play with boggles my mind though. If he wants to stick with his preferred genre, why not some Eagles, Lonestar, or even a bit of Shania Twain?

Continue reading “The X Factor Tackles Number Ones” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Impossible Odds Release Hip Hop Debut

After gaining a big following in their home state, Brisbane urban act Impossible Odds are taking their music to the masses with the release of their debut album Against All Odds.

The band easily blends hip hop and soul sounds to create something which flies in the face of the negative, misogynistic music created by some sectors of the urban community. The album’s lead single “Beautiful World” gives you some idea what this band is all about, both musically and philosophically.

The words of Impossible Odds frontman Rival MC give voice not just the issues facing contemporary Aboriginal Australians, but those facing all Australians, and in fact all citizens of the world. However he’s careful to do this without pointing fingers and demeaning others. That social consciousness gives the music of Impossible Odds real intelligence that’s worth listening to, even if you don’t usually consider yourself an urban music fan.

Impossible Odds will play a warm-up show on the Gold Coast before launching their new album in front of their hometown fans on October 22. After that the band will play shows down the east coast. South Australia, you haven’t been forgotten either. A launch show in Adelaide will be announced soon.

21 October 2011 – The Loft, Gold Coast
22 October 2011 – The Globe, Brisbane
5 November 2011 – The Laundry, Melbourne
3 December 2011 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tales in Space Cover Adele

We’ve all heard Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” more times than we want to this year, but Sydney electro pop act Tales in Space have put a new spin on the hit with this cover. On one hand, you’ve got to wonder why a band is tackling a song that’s already made such an impact in 2011. However, perhaps that’s where the challenge lay.

This take is missing the emotional grit of the original, but it does bring out the tune’s great melody. If you were looking for a version you could groove to, this is it. It’s already making waves in the dance scene after being featured on the latest Ministry of Sound Uncovered disc.

What do you think of Tales in Space’s Adele cover?