Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Owl Eyes Tours “Raiders” EP

Charming chanteuse Owl Eyes is back with a brand new single, a new EP, and a new tour to celebrate the lot.

Owl Eyes will warm up the stage for Darwin Deez before setting out on her own shows to promote Raiders, the follow-up to her critically acclaimed debut EP, Faces. It sees her again joining forces with producer and songwriter Jan Skubiszewski. They made magic the first time, so we can only hope for something as exquisite when the EP hits stores in the coming months.

You can find out for yourself when Owl Eyes plays the following shows.

29 April 2011 – The Hi-Hi, Melbourne (supporting Darwin Deez)
5 May 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane (supporting Darwin Deez)
10 May 2011 – The Metro, Sydney (supporting Darwin Deez)
11 May 2011 – Ben Sherman’s ‘Big British Sound’ @ Corner Hotel, Melbourne
20 May 2011 – “King Tito’s Dirty Disco” @ East End Bar, Fremantle
21 May 2011 – Malt Market Bar, Dunsborough
22 May 2011 – The Bird, Perth
27 May 2011 – Purple Sneakers Presents “CAN’T SAY” @ Miss Libertines, Melbourne
1 June 2011 – Otis Bar, Wollongong
2 June 2011 – Transit Bar, Canberra
3 June 2011 – Purple Sneakers Presents “LAST NIGHT” @ The Gaelic, Sydney
10 June 2011 – Esplanade Hotel Front Bar, St Kilda
18 June 2011 – Edinburgh Castle, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Georgia Fair’s New Film Clip, “Marianne”

You might remember me promising to post the video for Georgia Fair’s gorgeous new single “Marianne” once it was complete. Well I’m never one to go back on my word, so here it is. Just like the song, the clip is all very low key but gorgeously filmed, and it gives us an opportunity to see guest singer Lisa Mitchell’s new cropped do. Enjoy!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sir Bob Geldof, Danielle Spencer, and Jon Stevens Play Charity Show in Sydney

Sir Bob Geldof will join locals Danielle Spencer and Jon Stevens for the Rock & Rebuild charity concert at Star City’s Lyric Theatre on May 1.

The event comes in the wake of recent disasters around the world. All monies raised by ticket sales and donations made on the night will benefit the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Fund and the Australian Red Cross’ Victoria Floods Appeal, New Zealand Earthquake Appeal, and Japan and Pacific Disaster Appeal.

Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.

Image source: International Monetary Fund Photograph/Stephen Jaffe/Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bobby Alu Tours New Single, “Take It or Leave It”

Bobby Alu is stepping out from behind the drum kit for the release of his new single “Take It Or Leave It.” The track comes from Bobby’s debut album, which was released last year.

This is such a simple reggae number, stripped back and relaxed. That’s part of its beauty though. In a world with so much overproduced, overlayered music this tune really stands out. It also has me craving summer despite my love of chilly weather, which is some achievement.

Bobby has spent the past six years earning a reputation as one of our finest roots percussionist. He’s a member of the bands OKA and Kooii, and also a regular performer with Watussi, Mal Webb, Nicky Bomba, and a host of other local musicians.

Bobby will promote the new single with shows along the east coast, including performances at Byron Bay Bluesfest.

Here are the places you can catch him!

16 April 2011 – High Tide on the Harbour, Noosa
17 April 2011 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
21 April 2011 – The Esplanade Hotel, Melbourne
24 & 25 April 2011 – Byron Bay Bluesfest, Byron Bay
29 April 2011 – Soundlounge, Currumbin
30 April 2011 – Hi Fi Bar, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

City Riots Take Us On British India Tour with Video Diary

The City Riots seem to be having a ball as they wind their way around Australia supporting British India.

They always say that what happens on tour stays on tour, but the Adelaide indie act is giving us a sneak peek with some video diaries. The first episode has just gone up, and there’s more where that came from. Keep an eye on City Riots’ Vimeo page to see what happens behind the scenes of the following shows!

15 April 2011 – The Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
16 April 2011 – The Annandale Hotel, Sydney
21 April 2011 – The Entrance Leagues Club, The Entrance
22 April 2011 – Port Macquarie Panthers, Port Macquarie
23 April 2011 – The Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour
24 April 2011 – The Hotel Great Northern, Byron Bay
25 April 2011 – Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra
12 May 2011 – The Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor
13 May 2011 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
14 May 2011 – Hornsby RSL, Hornsby

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eskimo Joe Play Acoustic Shows Before Splendour

Eskimo Joe will hone their act leading up to their Splendour in the Grass set with some special acoustic shows around the country. The When We Were Kids concerts will feature yet to be released songs and some old favorites stripped back.

The altruistic lads will donate a portion of the profits from all tickets sold to Close the Gap, an Oxfam initiative to improve indigenous health. You can do your bit and buy tickets to one of the following shows at the venues.

20 May 2011 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide
21 May 2011 – Fly By Night, Perth
26 May 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
27 May 2011 – East Brunswick Club, Melbourne
28 May 2011 – Gaelic Club, Sydney

Image source: Johan @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Scott Spark, Tash Parker, and The Rescue Ships Say Three’s Company

Scott Spark, Tash Parker, and The Rescue Ships are putting sporting allegiances and state rivalries aside for one big East Coast tour next month.

The Three’s Company shows will take in each act’s home state over three big consecutive nights. Fittingly, the hometown hero will headline their own city, supported by the other singer-songwriters on the bill.

The Rescue Ships is the brand new outfit of Sydney’s Elana Stone and Brian Campeau. You might be familiar with their solo work, but with their forces combined their sound is incredible. They’ve been wowing crowds overseas, so the Three’s Company dates will be a kind of homecoming.

Scott Spark impressed me last year with his quirky single “Fail Like You Mean It” and won over crowds while supporting Washington and Tim Rogers. But there’s more to this Brisbane boy than meets the eye. He’s ambitiously co-writing OMFG, a stage show he calls an anti-musical.

Tash Parker rounds out the bills. She’s a bit of a ring-in, as she originally hails from Kununurra in far northern Western Australia, but she now calls Melbourne home. With the debut album Waking Up under her belt Tash has supported major Aussie artists like Gotye, Missy Higgins, and Clare Bowditch.

If you love music for lyrics, melody, and heart rather than flash, I heartily suggest checking out these shows. Tickets are a bargain costing just $10 on the presales and $12 at the door.

5 May 2011 – The Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne
6 May 2011 – The Globe, Brisbane
7 May 2011 – Spectrum, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Cat Empire Headline The Hunter’s Funk N Grooves Festival

The Cat Empire will ensure things are extra funky at this year’s annual Funk N Grooves festival.

The ultimate Aussie party band will join Amy Meredith, Hungry Kids from Hungary, Ash Grunwald, King Tide, at Tyrell’s Vineyard in the Hunter Valley on September 10. The bill is one of the strongest I’ve seen in recent years as it seems to be getting back to that funky, groovy vibe I first fell in love with. Add in one of the most gorgeous natural settings going and you’ve got the recipe for a pretty fabulous Saturday.

Tickets will cost $85 from the Funk N Grooves website, Ticketmaster, and Moshtix. Get yours from May 2.

Image source: Joey O’Rourke @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kanye West and Coldplay Headline Splendour

I’m not quite sure how they manage to do it, but somehow the organisers of Splendour in the Grass always manage to assemble a line-up which is more impressive than the year before. The 2011 bill is headed up by Kanye West, Coldplay, and Regina Spektor in what we’re promised will be their only Aussie shows.

That does leave the way open for sideshows from other Splendour artists including Jane’s Addiction, Pulp, The Hives, and Kaiser Chiefs. Heading up the Aussie contingent we’ve got The Living End, Bliss N Eso, Pnau, The Grates, The Vines, and Eskimo Joe, to name but a few.

Splendour in the Grass will take over Woodfordia in Southern Queensland from July 29 to 31. Tickets will go on sale on May 5 from Moshtix.

Image source: Matthew Field @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“One Thousand Origami Birds” – Jack Carty

I’ve been a Jack Carty fan ever since his debut EP Wine & Consequence passed across my desk. So I’m thrilled to see the artist he’s grown in to, as showcased by his stunning first long player, One Thousand Origami Birds.

Opening up the cardboard sleeve, you know you’re in for something special. It’s beautifully illustrated with those titular origami birds swarming over landscapes. With the rise of digital media cover art has all but been forgotten, but my inner vinylphile laps up this sort of effort. It really sets the tone for an album that’s a cut above.

The laidback folky sound I fell in love with has been built upon here. It’s still driven by the gentle plucking of an acoustic guitar, but the clever use of strings and brass adds fullness and life. “Grey Sky” is the sort of soaring epic that I can imagine hearing on a Damien Rice disc. “Them There Hills” was another stand-out for me. It seems so simple with its acoustic guitar picking and foot stomping, but it stirred me like an old blues song. The soundscapes Jack paints are matched by earnest, poetic lyrics.

Anyone who’s been reading my blog for a while knows I have a soft spot for acoustic guitar loving songwriting folky musicians. But even I can admit there’s a glut of them. With One Thousand Origami Birds Jack Carty’s proven he has the stuff to stand out from the pack. This album is truly something special.