Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gypsy & The Cat Announce Aussie Headline Shows

I was a bit surprised when Gypsy & The Cat got the call up to support Kylie Minogue on her upcoming Aphrodite tour. Somehow Gypsy & Cat fans don’t strike me as the Kylie loving kind. So I’m sure they’re all breathing collective sighs of relief to hear the Melbourne expats will play their own local headline shows before the Kylie dates start.

The May shows see the band riding high on the release of their critically acclaimed debut album Gilgamesh, which includes the monster singles “Time to Wander” and “Jona Vark.”

Tickets are on sale now from the venues.

6 May 2011 – Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
7 May 2011 – Capitol Theatre, Perth
13 May 2011 – The Palace, Melbourne
14 May 2011 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
15 May 2011 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
19 May 2011 – Uni Bar, Wollongong
20 May 2011 – MetroTheatre, Sydney
21 May 2011 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nathan Leigh Jones Launches Sooner or Later Around the World

You might not recognise his name, but chances are that you know Nathan Leigh Jones’ voice. The Adelaide born singer, songwriter, and pianist does voiceovers for MTV, Nickelodeon, and Eleven, but music is his real passion. He’s preparing to release his sophomore album Sooner or Later on April 6.

Sooner or Later is one of those truly independent releases, which has all the polish of a major label recording despite being arranged and edited in Nathan’s home studio. It features appearances from Grammy award winning guitarist Dan Warner, drummer Lee Levin, the Sydney Philharmonia Choir, and members of vocal group The Idea of North.

Fans will get a taste of what’s to come when Nathan plays Joe’s Pub in his adopted second home, New York City, on April 3. And just so that no one need miss out, the show will be streamed in real time through the Livestream website.

Thankfully local fans will get the chance to see Nathan in the flesh soon enough. He’ll launch Sooner and Later for Aussie audiences at an intimate dinner show in Sydney on April 14, and play the following Australian dates in June.

3 April 2011 – Joe’s Pub, New York
14 April 2011 – Slide, Darlinghurst
1 June 2011 – The Vanguard, Newtown
7 June 2011 – The Toff, Melbourne
8 June 2011 – The Promethean, Adelaide

Image source: Nathan Leigh Jones website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Miami Horror Play Oz Before US Move

Australia’s losing another talented band to the bright lights of Hollywood. Electro kings Miami Horror will play a final string of local dates before relocating to Los Angeles.

Miami Horror are certainly a band on the up. They recently wowed crowds at South by Southwest, sold out shows in LA and Mexico, and even scored a number one in Denmark.

You can say goodbye to the local lads at the following shows. Tickets go on sale this Monday.

29 June 2011 – The Karova Lounge, Ballarat
1 July 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
7 July 2011 – Villa, Perth
8 July 2011 – The Gov, Adelaide
9 July 2011 – The Forum, Melbourne
14 July 2011 –  The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
16 July 2011 – Metro, Sydney

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Soundslikebrisbane Promote Queensland Music with Free Sampler Album

There are few things I like more than free local music. And there’s some of the best this country has to offer on the free sampler CD from soundslikebrisbane.

Just as its name suggests, soundslikebrisbane is a cooperative of independent Queensland based record labels. Currently there are 17 labels and counting involved, including Dew Process, Plus One Records, Red Tape Entertainment, and heaps more. They’re showcasing the very best that the state’s capital has to offer which is a whole lot of diverse recording. The labels promote a bit of everything, including raw garage rock, smooth jazz, hip hop, mainstream pop, and country.

As a passionate New South Welshmen, perhaps I shouldn’t be throwing my support behind my rival state. But good music is good music, and it’s made even better when it’s accessible to the masses.

Check it out at the soundslikebrisbane website!

Image source: soundslikebrisbane website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Quiet Riot, Warrant, & LA Guns, Oh My!

Grab your acid wash jeans; glam metal acts Quiet Riot, Warrant, and LA Guns are teaming up for an unexpected Australian tour in April and May.

I think you’d have to be a real fan to check these shows out though. Quiet Riot’s touring with a new singer Mark Huff following the 2007 death of Kevin DuBrow. Warrant are also touring with a new singer, Robert Mason. Perhaps Jani Lane realised “Cherry Pie” wasn’t revisiting!

Those line-up changes could explain the small venues. These guys just aren’t up to selling out entertainment centers, are they? If you’re keen you can catch this triple-shot of glam metal at the following shows.

29 April 2011 – The Palace, Melbourne
30 April 2011 – Anu Bar, Canberra
5 May 2011 – HQ Complex, Adelaide
6 May 2011 – Metro City, Perth
7 May 2011 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
8 May 2011 – The Metro, Sydney

Image source: The Howling Wolf/Wikimedia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Georgia Fair and Daniel Lee Kendall Team Up for Acoustic Tour

Fans of gentle folky music and incredible lyrics are in for a treat as two of my favorite new acts, Georgia Fair and Daniel Lee Kendall, team up for one big tour.

Both acts will play in intimate acoustic mode, so these nights are sure to be something really special. Daniel Lee Kendall’s just coming off his tour with Old Man River and Passenger, while Ben and Jordan from Georgia Fair have been busy laying down some new tunes. I recently heard their upcoming single “Marianne,” which features guest vocals from Lisa Mitchell and Boy & Bear. As you can imagine when you get that much talent in one room, it’s absolutely sublime. Watch this space because I’ll definitely post the video once it’s done!

The Georgia Fair and Daniel Lee Kendall double-header tour kicks off tonight at The Empress in Melbourne. Check it out; I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!

24 March 2011 – The Empress, Melbourne
25 March 2011 – Longboard Surf Café, Dromana
26 March 2011 – Baby Black Café, Bacchus Marsh
30 March 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney
31 March 2011 – CBD Hotel, Newcastle
1 April 2011 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Musicians in the Running for Cleo Bachelor of the Year

Allow me to be a bit superficial for a moment. I think there are few things sexier than a musician, so I’m not surprised to see quite a few local musical men making Cleo’s Bachelor of the Year shortlist.

Celebrity spawn seems to be the order of the day, as Don Lane’s son PJ Lane and James Reyne’s son Jamie Robbie Reyne have both made the cut.

Singing reality TV stars have also got a look in. From Australia’s Got Talent, there’s the all-singing all-dancing Justice Crew member Emmanuel Javier Rodriguez. And then there’s another Channel Seven discovery, Joel O’Dea, who you may know better as one half of X Factor’s Luke and Joel.

There are also the chart toppers. Cameron Laing, the guitarist for Amy Meredith and singer-songwriter Mark Sholtez are also in the top 50.

And for all the mums out there, there’s Stevie Nicholson from Hi 5. Who knew children’s entertainers could be so cute?

Who’s your pick to take out the top spot this year? And who would you have liked to see on the Top 50?

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Carus Thompson Announces Caravan Tour

As the release of his new album Caravan gets ever closer, Carus Thompson has announced he’ll travel around the country this April to promote it.

Travels are nothing new from this awesome singer-songwriter. He recorded this disc at studios in England, Germany, and Australia, and the tunes were inspired by his time traveling around Europe and Oz.

This tour will be something special for fans, as it sees Carus playing with a full band for the first time in three and a half years. He’ll head back to Europe once these dates wrap up, so make sure you see him while you can!

Caravan hits record stores on April 1.

6 April 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
8 April 2011 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
9 April 2011 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
10 April 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney
14 April 2011 – Drouin Bowling Club, Drouin
15 April 2011 – The Pelican Bar (Pier Live), Frankston
16 April 2011 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
24 April 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart
27 April 2011 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
6 May 2011 – Settler’s Tavern, Margaret River
7 May 2011 – Fly By Night Club, Fremantle

Image used with permission from Heapsflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Birds of Tokyo Lose Bass Guitarist

Birds of Tokyo might be one of the hottest bands in the country, but that hasn’t been enough to convince bassist Anthony Jackson to stick around.

No tangible reason has been given for the split, but it seems the members of the band are still on good terms.

“[Birds Of Tokyo] wish to announce that we have come to the end of a journey [the band’s Canadian tour] with one of our own. Our mate Anthony will no longer be playing with Birds,” a statement on the band’s Facebook page read. “We have always believed in organic movement and following the heart and gut. We love our friend and sincerely wish all the best for him. We are very positive about the future and look forward to walking down some amazing new avenues shortly. Stay tuned. ;)”

Word on the streets is that Anthony actually left the band a month ago, and Sugar Army’s bassist Ian Berney has been filling in. It’ll be interesting to see who’s holding the bass when Birds of Tokyo play their upcoming shows, including the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix and Groovin the Moo dates.

Image source: Birds of Tokyo website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“When the Lights are Low” – Earl Cole

Mothers Day mustn’t be too far away, as we’re starting to be bombarded with the kind of mellow music designed to make mums everywhere swoon. Adding his voice to the mix is Perth crooner Earl Cole with his third album When the Lights are Low.

The album follows the tried and true formula followed by so many artists these days; take a collection of time honored classics and remind your listeners why these songs are so special. Michael Buble, David Campbell, and Rod Stewart have all done it many times, so why should we listen to Earl?

Happily there are a few reasons to give this local version a spin. The collection of tracks here is something special, with a few well known classics sitting alongside those that may be unfamiliar to modern audiences. It’s not the same old thing that we’ve heard on every disc of this ilk, and that variety is refreshing. Clearly Earl is a man who really knows this music, rather than one who chooses to sing what has become popular.

He’s also someone who has a real passion for the material. He’s performed these songs for years, and the confidence that comes from that intimate knowledge of the music really shines through. He sings with a real reverence for the originals, never pushing the envelope or attempting to make them hip. Some may argue that you shouldn’t cover a song if you can’t bring something new to it, but I’m not so sure.

Ballads are clearly Earl’s strength, but so many of them strung together makes the album a bit sleepy in places. I wish there were more upbeat numbers like the standouts, “Orange Colored Sky” and “I’ve Got the World on a String,” to bring a bit more lightness to the disc.

If you’ve never warmed to the music celebrated by Michael Buble, David Campbell, and performers of their ilk, there’s probably little on When the Lights are Low to change your mind. But then again, I don’t think Earl made the album for you. He knows his market, and he knows the mums of Australia are going to love this.

You can listen to samples of the album and order it through Earl Cole’s website.

Image source: Earl Cole website