Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Busby Marou Tour “Biding My Time”

Chilled out Rockhampton natives Busby Marou are preparing to release their debut album Biding My Time on June 24, and they’re wasting no time getting out to tour it.

The run of shows will kick off in their home state on July 1 and take in capital cities and major regional centers before coming to a close in Sydney later that month.

Just as we see on the album, Busby Marou’s live music is really back to basics, with its focus on story telling, organic instrumentation, and harmonies. If that sounds like your kind of thing you won’t want to miss these shows.

1 July 2011 – The Old Museum, Brisbane
8 July 2011 – The SoundLounge, Currumbin
10 July 2011 – The Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton
14 July 2011 – Jive, Adelaide
15 July 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
16 July 2011 – The National Hotel, Geelong
21 July 2011 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
22 July 2011 – CBD Hotel, Newcastle
23 July 2011 – Spectrum, Darlinghurst

Image used with permission from Frogstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Calling All Cars Touring Again

It’s only been a matter of days since Calling All Cars wrapped up their Reptile tour, and they’re already preparing to get back out on the road again.

Proving they’re one of the hardest working bands in the country, Calling All Cars will rock Australia in August to promote their sophomore album. We don’t have a title yet, but we know it’ll hit stores on August 5. We also know the band teamed up again with producer and sometimes Shihad member Tom Larkin to create some really tight rock sounds.

Fans of the monster debut Hold, Hold, Fire, prepare to get excited and pencil the following dates into your social calendar.

11 August 2011 – Kay Street, Traralgon
12 August 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart
13 August 2011 – Fowler’s Live, Adelaide
18 August 2011 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
19 August 2011 – Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
20 August 2011 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
24 August 2011 – The Loft, Warrnambool
25 August 2011 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
26 August 2011 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
27 August 2011 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
1 September 2011 – Transit Bar, Canberra
2 September 2011 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
3 September 2011 – Waves, Wollongong
8 September 2011 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
9 September 2011 – Studio 146, Albany
10 September 2011 – Amplifier, Perth
11 September 2011 – Indi Bar, Scarborough

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Timothy Nelson and the Infidels Release Long Awaited Album

After wowing us with the singles “You Don’t Know What You’re Waiting For” and “Nothing’s in Tune,” Timothy Nelson and the Infidels have finally released their debut album.

It’s called I Know This Now, a title which might just refer to the self confidence that comes from 18 months of near relentless gigging, both as headliners and the support act for Eskimo Joe, Birds of Tokyo, Hoodoo Gurus, and more.

The album was recorded in various studios around Perth over the last two years. How refreshing to see an act taking their time with a release rather than just cranking it out. Given the time it’s had to marinate, and the quality of those acoustic folk singles, I’m expecting something pretty special from I Know This Now.

Timothy Nelson and the Infidels will launch the album for their home state at The Rosemount Hotel on June 25. I hear that interstate dates are on their way too, which is pretty exciting for the rest of the country!

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Butler Trio Headline Coaster

Now in its fourth year, Central Coast’s fledgling music festival appears to be going from strength to strength. John Butler Trio are heading up an all-Australian line-up for this year’s event at Gosford Showgrounds.

They’ll join hometown heroes Something with Numbers and One Dollar Short, Jebediah, Little Red, The Potbelleez, Andy Bull, and heaps more. The festival’s Tomorrow Land dance quarter will also return with Ajax, Nina Las Vegas, Purple Sneakers DJs, and Wolfpack.

Coaster will hit Gosford Showgrounds on September 17. Tickets will be available from June 23 from the Coaster website, Oztix, and a variety of retailers including ESS Boardstore in Erina, Network Communications in Lake Haven, and the Newcastle Rock Shop.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Love Brings Harmony

Harmony is a band born out of love, quite literally. When The Nation Blue’s Tom Lyngcoln married Alex Kastaniotis in 2009, they knew they had to make beautiful music together. They wrote and recorded a song each Saturday until they had enough to fill an album and a 7”.

That 7-incher, Cacophonous Vibes, hit stores earlier this year and now it’s time to hear the album. With the help of bassist John Chapple and some good friends taking care of the backing vocals those songs began to find their final form. The tunes are somber and downbeat, but incredibly touching and honest.

Harmony will kick off a national tour next week to support their self titled album, which hits stores on July 1.

17 June 2011 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
18 June 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
25 June 2011 – The Tote, Melbourne
1 July 2011 – The Metro, Adelaide
6 July 2011 – The Brisbane Hotel, Hobart

Image used with permission from Other Tongues

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Natalie Gauci

Natalie Gauci took out the Australian Idol competition way back in 2007, burning brightly during the competition but seemingly fading from view almost as quickly. With a new EP under her belt and an upcoming tour Natalie’s ready to emerge from the shadows and win over Australia all over again. I caught up with Natalie recently to chat about her time on the talent quest, her new music, and the Aussie shows to come.

Most music fans would remember you from Australian Idol in 2007. A lot of time has passed since then and now. Why’s it taken so long for us to hear your original material?
Yes I have been under the radar for a few years and I’m now ready to pop out my shell.  I’ve been working hard on writing and recording my music and also finding the right home for it and that takes time. After Idol I had to find my true identity. Idol gave me the platform to now achieve what I’ve always wanted to achieve which is to record and write my own music and travel with it all over the world. It also gave the confidence to be who I am today.

How do you look back on your time with the show?
I look back and cry because I get so emotional. I forget how amazing it was, how many people were so supportive of me and my performances and how I gave it my all, I gave it everything I had. It reminds me of where I came from and what is important to me, not just with music but with my family and friends and my fans.

You got a lot of criticism when your Idol single and album were released because they didn’t match the chart success of the winners that came before. How did you deal with that?
It doesn’t bother me at all. Times change and record sales were just getting worse overall. Critics can say what they like really but it doesn’t affect me. I just make sure I do the best I can with what I’ve got.

Part of your prize was a record deal with Sony, yet you left them before releasing anything other than the prerequisite Winner’s Journey album. Why did you feel the label wasn’t the right fit for you?
I had been wanting to release “Best of Me” ever since I won Idol. I wrote it after the Winner’s Journey tour and always dreamed of recorded it with my soul band. The direction I was heading in didn’t feel right. My instinct was telling me to do what was in my heart and “Best of Me” was in my heart at that time.

Continue reading “Q & A with Natalie Gauci” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Buchanan Wow with “No Photo” EP

With their hooky melodies and easy blend of pop and rock, Melbourne duo Buchanan are already being compared to current musical game changers like Phoenix and Mumford & Sons. Their debut single “Teachers” earned a rare five stars from Triple J’s Richard Kingsmill and won the band a slot at the Laneways Festival.

The killer tune is one of six cuts on the band’s debut EP No Photo. Lead vocalist and keyboardist Josh Simons brings retro melodies to guitarist Jon Bara’s progressive rock sensibilities. It’s an unusual blend of influences, but somehow it works.

Buchanan will play a headline show tomorrow night before their upcoming supports with Papa Vs Pretty and Jinja Safari. Make sure you get there early Melbournians to catch this bright young band!

12 June 2011 – The Evelyn, Fitzroy
25 June 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (supporting Papa Vs Pretty)
23 July 2011 – The Corner, Richmond (supporting Jinja Safari)

Image used with permission from Remedy Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Telstra Road to Tamworth Becomes Road to Discovery

Telstra’s Road to Tamworth is ushering in a new era, as it enters its first year as the Road to Discovery. The snappy new moniker reflects the competition’s focus on unearthing new Aussie musical talent.

This year’s competition officially launches on June 20 with an intimate concert at The Basement. Past winners will play alongside a who’s who of Aussie talent including Tim Rogers, Ella Hooper, and Mick Thomas.

If you want to be at the show, just head to the Telstra Road to Discovery Facebook page. Ten lucky entrants will win a double pass to the event. Good luck!

Image source: Telstra Road to Discovery Facebook page

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Talk The Night Away” – Daniel Lee Kendall

Daniel Lee Kendall impressed me with his debut EP Lost in the Moment, so I had high hopes for his follow-up, Talk The Night Away. Happily, the Central Coast singer-songwriter didn’t disappoint.

Again Daniel charms us with his folky organic music, but it’s better the second time around. He’s grown as an artist. Where some of the pleasantly soothing tunes got a little sleepy in his first EP, here we see more focus on hooks and melody.

I adore the acoustic rhythms of “My Love to Be.” The driving beat is perfect for road trips. It could be Mondayitis talking, but it makes jumping in my car, taking off down the freeway, and seeing where I end up sound pretty tempting. “Gone” is one of the most heartbreakingly honest songs about love gone wrong that I’ve heard. When a musician can create something so powerful with only his acoustic guitar and his words, it’s something special. “Never Changing” is a perfect closer, a playful, laidback musing on life that is reminiscent of Ben Harper or early Jack Johnson.

With Talk The Night Away, Daniel Lee Kendall has made good on the promise he showed with that first EP. Bring on the long-player; five tracks just isn’t enough to satisfy!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stone Parade Announce Homecoming Tour

After rocking Canadian Music Week Sydney’s Stone Parade are heading home to take Australia by storm.

The band are still riding high on the success of Stratosphere, which hit shelves on October 2010. The album was a real labour of love, self written and self produced in their beloved Sydney. It’s a bit edgier than their debut, and it seems the new fans and the faithful love the new direction. You can hear it for yourself by heading to Stone Parade’s website. Everyone who joins their mailing list will score a generous four free songs.

Stone Parade will kick off an Aussie tour to promote Stratosphere in their hometown this Friday. Here are all the places you can check them out.

10 June 2011 – The Annandale Sydney
9 July 2011 – The Metro, Sydney
29 July 2011 – The Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne
12 August 2011 – Queen St Mall, Brisbane (All Ages 6 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm)
13 August 2011 – X & Y Bar, Brisbane
14 August 2011 – Queen St Mall, Brisbane (All Ages noon, 1 pm, 2 pm)

Image used with permission from Karen Lindsay