Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bachelor Girl Announce More Intimate Reunion Shows

Following the success of their recent reunion shows, Bachelor Girl have decided to play a few more dates. Tania Doko and James Roche will play intimate venues around New South Wales this July.

The duo will strip back their greatest hits, along with some of the new tracks from their album Loved & Lost: The Best of Bachelor Girl, for these up close and personal acoustic shows.

If you missed out last time, don’t make the same mistake next month. Tickets are available at the venues for the following shows.


26 July 2011 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
28 July 2011 – The Vault, Windsor
29 July 2011 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
30 July 2011 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
31 July 2011 – Lizotte’s, Sydney

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mike Noga Announces Intimate Single Tour

The Drones’ Mike Noga earned rave reviews for his latest album The Balladeer Hunter and the supporting tour earlier this year, so he figures it’s only fair to hit the road again for the release of the new single “Ballad of an Ordinary Man.”

Instead of slogging it out in the country’s sweaty pubs, Mike’s taking a more civilised approach with three intimate shows in the major capitals. The dates come off the back of his run supporting Jordie Lane, so he should be in fine form. Tickets are available from the venues for the following shows.

27 August 2011 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
2 September 2011 – Beetle Bar, Brisbane
3 September 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney

Image used with permission from Other Tongues

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vale Jay Dee Springbett

I was shocked and saddened to hear this morning of the death of Jay Dee Springbett.

All the media articles are talking about his short stint as judge on Australian Idol, but it’s also worth noting his time as A&R exec at Sony Music. His contribution there was vital in shaping the careers of artists like Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll, and the Rogue Traders.

He was found dead in his serviced apartment in Sydney after colleagues became concerned that he wouldn’t answer his phone. NSW Police say they’re not treating the death as suspicious, but when a 36-year-old drops dead something’s not right. It stirs speculation, and I’m already hearing rumours of him losing his position at Sony in the last week, and splitting with his partner a few months earlier.

I’m sure exactly what went on will become clearer in time. For now though it’s just sad that the Australian music industry has lost one of its own far too young. My thoughts are with his daughters and family at what must be an incredibly difficult time.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Ten Tenors Tour Diverse “Double Platinum” Album

The Ten Tenors are an Aussie institution, with the stuff it takes to woo mums and nannas across the country, and even a visiting Oprah Winfrey. They’ve sold around 200, 000 albums, toured five continents, and played everywhere from our own Opera House to the Royal Albert Hall. And now they’ve got a brand new album out on July 15.

Double Platinum, an ambitious double album, shows The Ten Tenors in unexpectedly eclectic mode. The usual suspects like “Nessun Dorma,” “O Fortuna,” and “Bring Him Home” from Les Mis are all represented on the second disc, but the first is pretty surprising. I never imagined I’d hear The Ten Tenors tackling Meatloaf, Queen, or Leonard Cohen, but they do.

Those musical risks should see The Ten Tenors appealing to a much younger audience when they make their way around the country this August. Here are all the places you can check out this incredible vocal group.


4 August 2011 – Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart
5 August 2011 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne
6 August 2011 – Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
8 August 2011 – Memorial Entertainment Centre, Bathurst
10 August 2011 – Panthers Leagues Club, Penrith
11 August 2011 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
12 August 2011 – Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree
13 August 2011 – Panthers RSL, Port Macquarie
14 August 2011 – Entertainment Centre, Tamworth
16 August 2011 – Lismore City Hall, Lismore
20 August 2011 – Moncrieff Theatre, Bundaberg
21 August 2011 – Entertainment Centre, Gladstone
23 August 2011 – Civic Theatre, Cairns
24 August 2011 – Civic Theatre, Townsville
25 August 2011 – Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre, Mackay
31 August 2011 – Sydney Opera House, Sydney
1 & 2 September 2011 – QPAC, Brisbane

Image source: Phil Konstantin @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

San Cisco’s Sexy New Video

Perth’s San Cisco definitely knows what it takes to get people tuning in to their music videos. Hot girls in lingerie will do it every time, at least for a good percentage of the population! Happily their new single “Girls Do Cry” is pretty listenable as well. If you like jangly upbeat pop-rock and/or girls wearing next to nothing, this clip is definitely worth a look!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Traitor” – Inland Sea

It took just five tracks for Brisbane’s Inland Sea to make a massive impression on me. Their debut EP Traitor is truly something special.

The gorgeous harmonies are what struck me first. Perhaps that’s not surprising, as more than half of the band of ten (yes, I said ten) are vocalists. Their voices come together beautifully, creating a wall of sound the likes of which aren’t often heard.

I was also impressed that a band of ten could create music which didn’t sound cluttered or overdone. Everyone in Inland Sea seems to know their place, and they ensure the mix never gets too complicated.

This feels like the sort of music that hippies might have made while they were communing with nature in some rural setting. Rather than feeling dated, it has that organic and joyful quality to it that I associate with that time period. It’s pure and innocent, with its uplifting lyrics about hearts beating together and jangly folk sound. It feels spontaneous too, as if it came about in a jam session rather than a hard slog in the studio.

Every song is a standout, a tune that draws you in and speaks to the heart. I must have played this disc five or six times today, and I’m still not ready to take it out of my stereo. This EP will be a hard act to follow, but I’m really psyched to see what Inland Sea can create next.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eskimo Joe Back with “Love is a Drug”

Eskimo Joe Love is a DrugEskimo Joe’s new single “Love is a Drug” hit radio today, and the album to match is hot on its heels. We’ll see Ghosts of the Past, the fifth studio album from the Western Australian powerhouse, in stores on August 12.

Rather than keeping your ear glued to the radio you can check it out at the Eskimo Joe website. It’s also available for digital download if you’re so inclined. Personally I’m digging this song. It starts out with the sort of broodiness we heard on “Black Fingernails, Red Wine” but then turns into this soaring, melodic rock song. I’m predicting it’s going to be all over radio by week’s end.

We should hear more hooky songs on Ghosts of the Past, as it was recorded with the same team who worked on the brilliant Inshalla album. Fans will get a bit of a taste of it at next month’s Splendour in the Grass festival. If you’ve missed out on tickets for that, don’t worry. Eskimo Joe will tour the album all around the country before year’s end.

Image source: Eskimo Joe website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Meatloaf Brings Guilty Pleasures to Australia

The music of Meat Loaf has always been one of my guilty pleasures, so it’s only fitting that the iconic singer is bringing his classic songs to Australia again on the Guilty Pleasures tour.

Meat’s tour will take in entertainment centers in the capitals and a few wineries to coincide with the release of his brand new album Hell in a Handbasket. The latter has to be the preferable choice. Can’t you just imagine belting out the Bat Out of Hell hits along with the big man himself, glass of red in hand? With the indoor venues being pretty large and impersonal, the wineries will definitely offer the better atmosphere.

While I love Meat Loaf’s music, I’m a bit hesitant to see him this time around though. Over the last few years whenever I’ve caught a live performance on TV the vocals have been patchy at best. Here’s hoping that he can bring it out for the fans this October. Tickets for all shows go on sale on July 4.

4 October 2011 – Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
6 October 2011 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
8 October 2011 – Bimbagden Winery, Hunter Valley
12 October 2011 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney
14 October 2011 – Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena
15 October 2011 – Yarra Valley, Rochford Winery
19 October 2011 – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
22 October 2011 – NIB Stadium, Perth

Image source: Christopher Simon @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eagle and the Worm Tour “Goodtimes”

Melbourne’s Eagle and the Worm are celebrating the vinyl release of their critically acclaimed debut album Goodtimes with their only headlining tour of 2011.

You can get the 12-incher at the shows, along with a very limited edition 7-inch copy of the big single “Too Young.” It’s enough to get vinylphiles like myself pretty excited!

There’s something special about seeing a big eight-piece band like Eagle and the Worm doing their thing live. Tickets for the following shows are available at the venues.

13 August 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart
18 August 2011 – The Nash, Geelong
19 August 2011 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
20 August 2011 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
24 August 2011 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
25 August 2011 – The Bakery, Perth
26 August 2011 – Mojo’s Bar, Fremantle
27 August 2011 – Ed Castle, Adelaide
8 September 2011 – BigSound, Brisbane
9 September 2011 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
10 September 2011 – The Junkyard, Maitland

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MC Chali 2na Back for Island Vibe Festival

The Island Vibe Festival is heading back to Stradbroke Island this October long weekend for another big year.

After he wowed crowds in 2009 former Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli star MC Chali 2na has been announced as this year’s headliner. He’ll join first class local talents Blue King Brown, Dubmarine, Bobby Alu, Opiuo, Grace Barbe from the Seychelles, and heaps more.

Island Vibe is a music festival with a difference thanks to its magnificent beachside location and focus on culture and the environment. Check it out from October 28 to 30. Fans can enjoy discounted early bird tickets through the Rudekat Records website now.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash