Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nick Murphy Releases Sophomore Album

Nick Murphy’s new album What’s In Your Mind? hits record stores across the country today.

Nick’s been earning high praise as a solo artist, following the disbanding of his group The Anyones in 2005. His debut Breaking the Light was critically acclaimed, and scored plenty of airplay on Triple J and community radio.

The newie has been some five years in the making, but early indications are that it’s been worth the wait. You can look forward to hearing a harmony-rich blend of psychedelic sounds and folk music, with splashes of soul, pop, and country.

Nick’s planning to announce a full-scale tour soon, but ahead of that he’ll launch the album at Raval in Sydney on February 24. Tickets are available from the venue and online now!

Image used with permission from Other Tongues

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Emperors Ready to Unleash “Sam”

After generating some major buzz through winning the Triple J Unearthed competition, a WAMI, and playing the Perth Big Day Out, Emperors figured it was about time to release something. That something comes in the form of Sam, an EP set to drop on February 12.

The band will launch Sam with a big show at Amplifier Bar on February 19. Sons of Rico, Stereoflower, and BudWeezer will support, so make sure you show up early.

If you want another fix, Emperors will also play the unfortunately named Crab Fest at Mandurah Foreshore on March 12. It might sound like the sort of place where you could catch a nasty disease, but with Abbe May, Novocaines, The Scotch of Saint James, and Young Revelry also on the bill it’ll be worth checking out.

Image source: Emperors Bandcamp page

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Meet Sydney’s Strangers

Sydney quintet Strangers aren’t likely to be strangers for much longer. The band has spent the last three months recording their rocking debut album, and they’re getting ready to unleash it on the country.

Strangers will play their first ever headline show at Sydney’s Spectrum next Saturday, in amongst support slots with the mighty Shihad. The current crop of dates will support “Red Brick,” the first single released from the album. The first Shihad show is tonight, so music lovers in The Gong should get their skates on!

Strangers

3 February 2011 – Waves, Wollongong (with Shihad)
4 February 2011 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (with Shihad)
5 February 2011 – Beach Road Hotel, Bondi (with Shihad)
12 February 2011 – Spectrum, Darlinghurst (headline show)
18 February 2011 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne (with Shihad)
19 February 2011 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully (with Shihad)

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sting Does His Bit for Flood Relief

Sting is doing his bit to give back to those working so hard to help Queensland recover from the recent floods. He’s issued an invitation for emergency workers to attend his Symphonicity concert in Brisbane next Monday as his special guest.

Recipients will be selected via ballot from the Red Cross, the State Emergency Service, and Volunteering Queensland. You couldn’t have more deserving folks in your audience, could you?

No doubt there will be a few tears as Sting dedicates “Fragile” to the flood victims, as he has throughout this Aussie tour. Sting has also donated the use of his song “Fields of Gold” to Sony’s recently released Flood Relief: Artists for the Flood Appeal album. He’s also made a personal donation to relief efforts, and encourages others to do the same.

“The spirit of community that has grown out of this devastation has been inspirational,” Sting said in a statement.  “I’ve contributed to a benefit compilation CD and like many others, made a personal donation to the ongoing flood relief efforts. It’s a small gesture, but in the wake of this tragedy, it’s important to help out however possible.”

Of course, Sting has more to spare than the rest of us, but isn’t it wonderful to see artists digging deep and helping us out? Hats off to him.

Image source: Olaf Heine/Sting website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Young Revelry Rock with “Here Now”

Perth rock act Young Revelry are getting some mileage from their debut EP You and I. The lads have just released “Here Now,” the second cut from the disc.

It’s every bit as raw and powerful as the title track, with its epic sing-along chorus and grungy guitars. There’s a refreshing lack of polish about this band; I really hope time in the business doesn’t smooth their edges too much.

2010 was a big year for Young Revelry, who landed support slots with You Am I and Calling All Cars, played two sold-out EP launch shows, and a performance at the Southbound Festival. With tracks like “Here Now” under their belt, I’m expecting big things from these Perthies in 2011.

Image source: Premier Artists

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Soundcheck Raises Funds for Flood Relief

Melbournites looking to give a bit more for flood relief efforts and discover some cool new artists at the same time should head down to Soundcheck.

This concert, at St Kilda’s National Theatre on February 17, will see girl group Trinity play alongside 10 unsigned acts. Singer-songwriter Sam Clark has also been named as the night’s special guest judge.

Best of all, tickets are just $15 and every cent of that admission fee goes to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Program. Click here to get your tickets for this great night of music.

Image used with permission from Repertoire Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cullen’s Poppy New Single is “Crazy Enough”

This afternoon I’ve been seduced by the sweet synth pop of Cullen, and his new single “Crazy Enough.”

This track is so bright and shiny that I couldn’t help but smile on hearing it. It’s also very musically complex, so I was surprised to see this Melbourne artist was behind all the layers. Guitars, keys, synths, and drums; you name it and Cullen is playing it.

If the single version of “Crazy Enough” too sugary for you, make sure you check out the darker remix from US producer VIKING. The song is given a retro flavour with another remix from Sydney’s Diamond Cut. They’re all available to hear right now on Cullen’s MySpace page.

“Crazy Enough” is the second cut to come from Cullen’s forthcoming album. It’s nice to know there’s more of this on the way!

Image used with permission from Forum5

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Yves Klein Blue Call it Quits

Brisbane band Yves Klein Blue have parted ways after five years together.

The indie act issued the following statement on their MySpace page to explain the split.

“Yves Klein Blue broke up because of creative differences some time in the second half of 2010, after 5 years together. We grew up and apart. We now live in different cities and pursue our respective vocations to our utmost capacity.
We leave behind one full length album and two EPs in the hope that you will remember us through that body of work. We are sad there won’t be anymore with all you guys. Thank you for singing along.
We remain hopeful for the future.
Thank you for your love and support.
We will not forget you.”

There’s no word yet on what any of the band members will do in future, but if they’re working in the industry I’ll be sure to let you know about it!

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Mighty Big Light” – Steve Parkin

I didn’t know a lot about Steve Parkin when he joined Josh Pyke, Kav Temperley, and Kevin Mitchell in Basement Birds. And so when his solo album Mighty Big Light passed my desk, I expected the sort of mellow and introspective acoustic tunes this super group delivered. What I got instead was an album much richer, and much more interesting.

I really liked Basement Birds, but their music was so low key that it almost faded into the background. I was thrilled to see Steve Parkin take things up several notches here. It opens with the pared back “Lost Highway,” but then takes us to much bigger places. The soaring string section makes “California” feel a bit more epic, and “I Won’t Be” has the kind of grandeur I’d expect from 1970s Pink Floyd.

The eclectic tunes can make the disc feel a bit uneven at times, more like a disparate collection of songs than a cohesive unit. But on the flip side, we never get bored! Steve Parkin’s no musical newcomer, and his experience informs what each song needs. Listening to Mighty Big Light feels like a journey; you can’t always predict what’s coming up ahead, but it’s still a great ride.

I instantly liked Mighty Big Light, but I have a feeling I’m going to grow to love this complex disc the more I listen to it. Look for it in stores this April.

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bad Seed Hugo Race Releases “Fatalists”

Bad Seeds founding member Hugo Race is preparing to release a new solo album called Fatalists.

Hugo’s work is always interesting, from the CD Live in Wolow Jail recorded in a Polish Prison to collaborations with the Malian Tuareg group Tamikrest, French-American outfit Lilium, and Brazil’s Moses Complex. His 2010 album Between Hemispheres earned rave reviews for its mix of traditional African instruments and electronica.

Fatalists sees Hugo travel in a new direction as it’s his first recording as a solo singer-songwriter. It was released throughout Europe recently and is already being heralded as a masterpiece. We’ll see Fatalists on local record store shelves on February 4, ahead of a couple of launch shows. If you want to see Hugo Race doing his thing live, head to the Northcote Social Club in Melbourne on February 24, or The Basement in Sydney on March 9.

Image used with permission from Other Tongues