Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Full Fat as Butter Line-Up Announced

I was pretty excited when I heard Naughty by Nature and The Living End would headline this year’s Fat as Butter festival. Thankfully the rest of the line-up lives up to that early promise.

There’s plenty of top quality local talent, with Empire of the Sun, Sparkadia, Cloud Control, The Jezabels, British India, Calling All Cars, and Evil Eddie all on the bill. And there are more international acts too, including Flo Rida and Sinden.

Tickets to the website presale go on offer from August 1, which doesn’t give music lovers a lot of saving time. Thankfully though there’s an innovative Time to Pay ticket option, which allows students and other punters strapped for cash to pay for their tickets in three installments. You’ll need to register for presale tickets on the Fat as Butter website to take advantage of that option.

Fat as Butter hits Newcastle’s Camp Shortland at The Foreshore on October 22.

Image source: Fat as Butter website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“I Know This Now” – Timothy Nelson & The Infidels

After being impressed by several singles, I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into I Know This Now, the debut album from Timothy Nelson and The Infidels. It’s been a disc I’ve anticipated for several months, so I can only but imagine how folks in the outfit’s home state of Western Australia have felt. However thankfully for us all, it’s been worth the wait.

Timothy Nelson is far from a household name, but he’s been carving out a solid career in WA over the past five years. There he sells out venues, he earns top support slots, and he’s even won the WAMi for song of the year twice. Not bad for an artist who’s only just turned 21.

Given his tender years, I think this album has been worth waiting for. It’s given the long player a very accomplished feel. There’s an easiness to it, an awareness of craft, that we don’t often see in a debut. Don’t mistake that skill for artificial polish though. It’s folk with a little bit of rock edge that comes from Tim’s earnest vocals. The lyrics are also exceptional, as we might expect in an artist lauded for his songwriting. The songs are approachable, but the use of harmonicas and lap steel guitars ensures the music still feels unique.

I wrote more notes about this collection of songs than I think I’ve done all year. That’s a testimony to their quality. There really are no filler tracks here, and just when I thought I’d found my favourite I heard another determined to change my mind. At this point I think “All For the Good of Love” might have the title. Its lyrics were amazing, and these words and the fairly minimal instrumentation helped me feel this song to the core. That sort of connection is pretty special. But I also loved the Whitlam-esque piano driven quirk of “You Don’t Know What You’re Waiting For,” the romantic modern waltz “Speak The Truth in Love,” and the irresistibly hooky “Let Her Go,” which had me singing along with the chorus well before the end of the song.

Timothy Nelson & the Infidels may just be one of Western Australia’s best kept secrets. Thank goodness the rest of Australia is finally able to discover this talented band.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Names Added to Falls Line-Up

The line-up for this year’s Falls Music & Arts Festival is looking even more irresistible with the latest round of announcements.

Amongst the latest international additions are old-school soul man Aloe Blacc, unhinged American electro-dance wiz Dan Deacon, quirky Brits The Kooks, French popsters Nouvelle Vague, and Young MC. Yes that Young MC, of “Bust a Move” fame. I’m not sure he’ll be able to entertain the crowds much beyond that 90s gem, but I’m loving the novelty factor.

The shows will also mark the homecoming of Aussie songbird Missy Higgins. She’ll play alongside other recently announced local talent including Emma Louise, Pnau, and the hilarious Josh Thomas.

Add in all the other already announced names, including Arctic Monkeys, Fleet Foxes, Josh Pyke, The Jezabels, and Arj Barker and you’ve got an incredible way to ring in the New Year.

They’ll all play the all ages event in Marion Bay, Tasmania from December 29 to 31 and the adults only version in Lorne, Victoria from December 28 to 31. To secure your possie, make sure you add your name to the ticket ballot on the Falls Festival website before August 5. The majority of tickets will be distributed amongst these Falls die-hards before the general sale on August 17.

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gurrumul Releases “Gopuru”

Gurrumul Yunupingu has released “Gopuru,” the first single from his gold-selling sophomore album Rrakala.

Listening to a song like this just really brings home the power of music. I received a press release detailing what the song was about, but I almost felt like I didn’t need to read it. I usually focus on lyrics and rely on them to get to the heart of a song, but Gurrumul’s music transcends all that.

If you must know, this song describes the rhythms of a totemic fish as it makes its way through the sea. It feels a lot bigger than that simple explanation though, doesn’t it?

If you’re moved by Gurrumul’s music remember that he’ll embark on his first national tour next month. Tickets are selling fast though – they’ve even had to announce a second Sydney show – so I wouldn’t wait too long to get yours.

24 August 2011 – Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart
26 August 2011 – Riverside Theatre Perth Convention Centre, Perth
29 & 30 August 2011 – Sydney Opera House, Sydney
1 September 2011 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
3 September 2011 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
5 September 2011 – Royal Theatre @ Canberra Convention Centre, Canberra
7 September 2011 – The Palais, St Kilda

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stonefield Finally Tour Australia

A good eight months have gone by since Stonefield turned my head with their rocking debut single “Through the Clover.” I waited for these young Aussie sisters to blow up, and waited, and waited. Patience is a virtue, as they say though, and it seems all that waiting is finally about to pay off.

After spending rocking Glastonbury, the girls are back with a brand new single “Black Water Rising” and a national tour in the works. It’s also been announced that after these shows wrap up they’ll warm up the stage for the legendary Cold Chisel.

It’s taken some time, but Stonefield are bound to hit those dizzy heights I predicted. If you want to see them before everyone else catches on make sure you head to one of the following shows.

25 August 2011 – Fowlers, Adelaide
26 August 2011 – The Villa ‘Speakeasy’ Perth
28 August 2011 – Hyperfest, Perth (All ages)
1 September 2011 – The Bended Elbow, Geelong
2 September 2011 – East Brunswick Club, Melbourne
3 September 2011 – The Karova Lounge, Ballarat
9 September 2011 – New York Hotel, Launceston
10 September 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart
10 September 2011 – The Grand Poobah, Hobart (Underage event)
15 September 2011 – The Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
16 September 2011 – Food & Wine Festival, Toowoomba
17 September 2011 – Powerhouse, Brisbane (All ages)
17 September 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
22 September 2011 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
23 September 2011 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Musings on Family Car Trips and Rolling Stone Magazine

This post is sponsored by Nuffnang. However the thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own and not influenced by others.

Most days I don’t get the time to pause and reflect. I spend long hours writing, and then my husband comes home and I switch to domestic goddess mode. Most of my writing is about paying the bills, but this blog centres around my passion for music. When I stop and reflect on that, on why I spend time on something that isn’t a big money-spinner, I think of my dad. He always taught me to do what makes me happy, and he taught me more about music than anyone else.
Dad and I feeding a kangaroo at Oakvale FarmMy earliest memories of sharing music with Dad occurred on long car trips. We were lucky enough to take two holidays every year; one to a favourite caravan park in Forster or Salamander Bay, and the other to an interstate destination. This was before the days of cut-price airlines. Dad would rouse us in the wee small hours of the morning, hoping that my sister and I would sleep soundly until we were a few hours away from home. After all, we had a lot of driving ahead of us!

Those car-bound hours would daunt most small children, but we survived thanks to frequent stops for service station snacks and a steady stream of music. We’d take turns, choosing a cassette tape a piece, for this was long before the days of compact discs. Dad didn’t know it at the time, but he was igniting a passion in me for Australian rock legends like Jimmy Barnes, James Reyne, and Richard Clapton. He’d tell me stories about the bands and the times he saw them play in tiny Newcastle pubs. In turn I drove him crazy with the tunes of Don Spencer, and later introduced him to the musos gracing the pages of the latest editions of Rolling Stone Magazine. He didn’t care for much of the new music, although I did turn him on to the Counting Crows and Rick Price. And after enough stories and enough cassettes and enough chocolate bars, we’d eventually reach our holiday destination.

Dad and I riding bumper boats at Ton of Fun, ForsterA lot of time has passed since those family road trips, but Dad and I are still very close. These days we tend to share more music and musical stories after dinner parties and at concert venues than we do in the car. But in many ways, not too much has changed. I still occasionally thumb through the pages of the music mags, and I’m amused to see that my Dad’s old favourites still occasionally feature. Perhaps I should get him a Rolling Stone Magazine subscription for Father’s Day! If I can’t share my music with him on those long car trips to far flung corners of Australia, it seems the best way to introduce him to those latest chart toppers.

And if I subscribe now I could win a Volkswagen Golf Wagon 118TSI Comfortline car valued at more than $40, 000. I suppose the charitable thing to do would be to hand the auto over as part of the Father’s Day gift, but it is awfully cute. I’m not sure that I could bear to part with it, so I might have to indulge in a music magazine subscription of my own!

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Glenn Richards and Dan Luscombe Team Up for Aussie Tour

Two of Australia’s favorite frontmen are joining forces for a big double-header tour. Glenn Richards of Augie March and Dan Luscombe of The Drones will travel all around the country this August, September, and October, showcasing songs from their respective solo albums, Glimjack and Songs from Sunset Studies.

The lads have been good mates and sometime collaborators since meeting backstage at The Church’s famous Last Ever shows. They’ve toured together within their bands many times, so the chemistry is sure to be right when they leave those familiar outfits behind.

The rest of The Drones won’t be entirely forgotten though. Mike Noga, who’s riding high on the success of his own solo endeavour The Balladeer Hunter, will warm up the crowds at the following shows.

25 August 2011 – Toff in Town, Melbourne
26 August 2011 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
27 August 2011 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
2 September 2011 – Manhattan Wine Bar, Launceston
3 September 2011 – The Grand Poobah, Hobart
8 September 2011 – Mullum Civic Hall, Mullumbimby
9 September 2011 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
10 September 2011 – Old Museum @ Studio 3, Brisbane
15 September 2011 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
16 September 2011 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
17 September 2011 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
18 September 2011 – Transit Bar, Canberra
21 September 2011 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
23 September 2011 – Bended Elbow, Geelong
24 September 2011 – Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh
29 September 2011 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
30 September 2011 – Notes, Newtown
1 October 2011 – Hotel Gearin, Katoomba

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Blood Thinner” – Jordie Lane

I’ve been enjoying a lot of back-to-basics music lately, but few artists strip things back as much as Jordie Lane on his sophomore effort, Blood Thinner.

Jordie recorded the disc in hotel rooms and basements on a four-track machine, with whatever instruments he could get his hands upon. His acoustic guitar and harmonica drive these tracks, but they’re complemented by all manner of unusual music makers, including wine glasses and Tupperware containers. It sounds quirky in principle, but the result is an album that feels far from gimmicky.

With this release Jordie presents himself as a troubadour in the vein of the dearly departed Tim Buckley. There’s a similar emotional core to this music, but I also hear overtones of Neil Young and Bob Dylan in there. He’s an old soul, whether he’s writing music that feels wiser than his years or separating his CD into sides A and B.

The songs are an easy marriage of folk and blues, gentle and unadorned. The simple recording process captures a moment in time, and you really hear that immediacy in the tunes. “Thin My Blood” takes me to an open desert highway, a scene where the world whizzes by from a car window. The title of “On the Net Till Morn” seems very modern, but the track itself takes its sound right back to the birth of blues. I also loved “Not From Round Here,” a gorgeous tale of isolation exquisitely told with just a little finger-picking on the guitar and some plaintive lyrics.

There’s a real beauty to Blood Thinner that I think might only be realised after a few listens. But from that first spin there’s a truth and a talent to what Jordie Lane does. If you’re impressed by this disc, or just keen to discover what it’s all about, you can see Jordie in the flesh on his upcoming tour. It kicks off in Ararat on Thursday and travels all the way around the country.

21 July 2011 – Ararat Hotel Red Room, Ararat
22 July 2011 – Harvester Moon, Bellarine
23 July 2011 – Baby Black Café, Bacchus Marsh
24 July 2011 – Lot 19, Castlemaine
27 July 2011 – Front Gallery, Canberra
28 July 2011 – Wickham Park Hotel, Newcastle
29 July 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney
30 July 2011 – Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland
31 July 2011 – Lizottes, Kincumber
4 August 2011 – Beetle Bar, Brisbane
5 August 2011 – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi
6 August 2011 – Mullum Civic Hall, Mullumbimby
11 August 2011 – Westernport Hotel, San Remo
12 August 2011 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
13 August 2011 – Barwon Heads Bowling Club, Barwon Heads
14 August 2011 – Old Hepburn Hotel, Daylesford
17 August 2011 – The Loft, Warrnambool
18 August 2011 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide
19 August 2011 – Indi Bar, Scarborough
20 August 2011 – Norfolk Basement, Fremantle
21 August 2011 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
7 September 2011 – Deck Bar, Darwin
8 September 2011 – Mindle Beach Markets, Mindle Beach
9 September 2011 – Darwin Railway Club, Somerville Gardens
10 Setember 2011 – Jabiru Mahbilil Festival, Jabiru
11 September 2011 – Darwin Sailing Club, Darwin

Image source: JB Hi-Fi website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wollongong Goes Retro with 80s Music Fest

Wollongong’s never really had a big music festival, but it’s saved up something special for its first. From October 28 to 30 Kembla Grange will embrace all things retro with the 80s Rewind Music Festival.

The bill is out of this world, with international acts like The Human League, Kool & The Gang, Sister Sledge, Bananarama, Nik Kershaw, Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet, and Go West all taking part. There’ll be a strong local presence too with Ross Wilson, Mental as Anything, John Paul Young, and Pseudo Echo all taking part. Tickets go on sale on July 25 from Moshtix.

Needless to say, I just wish it didn’t clash with Jazz in the Vines! Side shows anyone?

Image source: Andy Mac @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ellesquire Ready to Rap

Ellesquire is stepping out from his group Loose Change for his first solo endeavour, Ready. After hearing the title track, I’ve got to say that I’m impressed.

I’m not always a fan of urban music, but Ellesquire’s old school approach has won me over. It recalls the hip hop acts of the 90s with its sampling and personal lyrics. He’s also got a really global sound, which I find interesting. So often Australian urban artists obviously sound like they’ve come from our streets with their slightly twangy accents, but Ellesquire could easily have hailed from anywhere. That universality might just be the key to him finding success on an international stage.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. For now we’ve got this tune, and the album to come on August 5.

Image used with permission from Other Tongues