Posted on by Lauren Katulka

78 Saab Tour “Warm Jets”

78 Saab are preparing to travel around the country in support of their new single “Warm Jets.”

The track, which comes from the band’s most recent album Good Fortune, gets a digital release on February 11. It’s described as engaging and hugely dynamic, with a radio-friendly chorus and brooding verses. Sounds like fun!

There aren’t many of dates, but 78 Saab will cover a lot of territory on this tour. See them at the following venues in March and April.

5 March 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
12 March 2011 – Northern Star, Newcastle
2 April 2011 – Gaelic Club, Sydney
28 April 2011 – Grace Emily, Adelaide
29 April 2011 – Mojos, Fremantle
30 April 2011 – The Bird, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

In Hearts Wake Announce The Dreamcatcher Tour

We last saw In Hearts Wake touring their Split EP with collaborators The Bride. Next month this progressive metal act is striking out on its own with The Dreamcatcher tour.

The shows will further promote In Hearts Wake’s part of the Split EP. It’s also the first time folks on the west coast will get to see this exciting new band in the flesh. The tour kicks off in Perth before winging its way around the capitals and key regional centres.

10 February 2011 – Oh Snap, Perth (18+)
11 February 2011 – YMCA HQ, Leederville (All Ages)
12 February 2011 – Black Market, Adelaide (18+)
17 February 2011 – Byron Bay Youth Centre, Byron Bay (All Ages)
12 March 2011 – Lost in Sound Festival @ Queens Park, Toowoomba (All Ages)
17 March 2011 –  Hot Damn, Sydney (18+)
18 March 2011 –  Menai Youth Centre, Sydney (All Ages)
19 March 2011 – Thriller, Brisbane (18+)
20 March 2011 – The Fort, Brisbane (All Ages)
26 March 2011 – Expressive Grounds, Gold Coast (All Ages)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alana Skyring Leaves The Grates

Queensland trio The Grates has just become a duo. Drummer Alana Skyring has left the band to pursue a career in culinary arts, leaving Patience Hodgson and John Patterson to continue as a two-piece.

The duo says they’ll recruit additional members for touring and recording. Recently they’ve worked with Brooklyn drummer Ben Marshall and bassist Gus van Go from their new American base.

With recording well underway, a new Grates album should be released around June. It’ll be interesting to see whether the loss of Alana changes the sound dramatically. Either way, I’m definitely looking forward to the new material.

Image source: Nika Vee @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Town Hall Steps Play Queensland Flood Benefit Show in London

It’s been some time since we’ve heard from Town Hall Steps but rest assured, the Sydney rockers have been far from idle.

In 2010 the band, fronted by new lead singer Tyrone Bain, packed their bags and like so many Aussie acts before them moved to the Old Dart. After only two months on British soil they’d booked their first UK tour, inked a deal with Bizarre Management, and generated some major buzz.

This year is shaping up to be another big one for the band, as their new single “Hummingbird” will get a global release towards the middle of the year.

Town Hall Steps haven’t forgotten where they came from though. Tomorrow night they’ll play a Queensland flood relief show at The Walkabout in Shepherd’s Bush. In addition to the ticket sales, they’ll also donate one pound from every CD sold to the relief efforts.

“It’s the least we could do,” the band said in a statement. “We really felt for the families affected by the floods when we heard the news break here and wanted to help any way we could. We hope when we come back to Australia to tour in these areas everyone will be back on their feet again”

We’ll keep our fingers crossed, right? In the meantime, if you’re in London make sure you get out and support this ex-pat band at this charity show!

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Timothy Nelson and The Infidels Tease with New Single

I flipped when I heard Timothy Nelson and The Infidels debut single “Nothing’s in Tune,” and commented that if it was a sign of things to come, I couldn’t wait for that album to drop.

The bad news is, I’m still waiting. The good news though is that the band have proven they’re no flash in the pan with the follow-up single “You Don’t Know What You’re Waiting For.” This is more music from the heart that instantly fits like a comfy pair of slippers. It’s not derivative, but there’s just something about it that’s so accessible. There’s such a maturity about it, I can barely believe that Timothy is just 20 years old!

For the record, the album is coming too. Look out for I Know This Now in stores this April. With so much talent, and final mastering at the legendary Abbey Road studios, the record is shaping up to be something really special.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angus & Julia Stone Tops Triple J Hottest 100

Australia celebrated local music yesterday, putting Angus & Julia Stone at the top of the annual Triple J Hottest 100 chart with “Big Jet Plane.” The folky duo edged out fellow countrymen Little Red with “Rock It.”

It was a very patriotic looking chart this year, with Birds of Tokyo, Boy & Bear, and Art Vs. Science also finding a place in the top ten. In all there were 51 Aussie songs in the top 100, a phenomenal effort that’s only testimony to the bumper year in local music that was 2010. And how wonderful to hear all those homegrown tunes on Australia Day!

Click below for all the locals that made the countdown, and click here if you want to see the complete top 100!

Continue reading “Angus & Julia Stone Tops Triple J Hottest 100” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Canada’s The Trews In Oz for a Month of Shows

Canadian rock outfit The Trews are heading to Australia next month for four weeks of shows.

Clearly the lads love Australia, as it’s their second visit since they released their fourth studio album Friends and Total Strangers last September. But what a shame they’re not going to see more of it. The Trews have got four weeks here, but they’re not playing any shows outside Sydney and Melbourne.

Tickets will no doubt be available at each show, but it’s worth getting yours early. Everyone who buys a presale ticket can download The Trews new live EP for nix.

The Trews

23 February 2011 – Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills
24 February 2011 – Sandringham Hotel, Newtown
25 February 2011 – Old Manly Boatshed, Manly
26 February 2011 – Bridge Hotel, Rozelle
27 February 2011 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
2 March 2011 – Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills
3 March 2011 – Sandringham Hotel, Newtown
4 March 2011 – Old Manly Boatshed, Manly
5 March 2011 – Bridge Hotel, Rozelle
6 March 2011 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
9 March 2011 – Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills
10 March 2011 – Sandringham Hotel, Newtown
11 March 2011 – Old Manly Boatshed, Manly
12 March 2011 – Bridge Hotel, Rozelle
13 March 2011 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
17 March 2011 – The National, Geelong
18 – 20 March 2011 – Cherry Bar, Melbourne
23 March 2011 – Annandale Hotel, Annandale

Image source: Lildreamer 22 @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Plenty of Places To See Dan Webb Play

Dan Webb seems to have enjoyed last November’s residency at the Evelyn Hotel in Fitzroy, as he’s preparing to do it all again.

Dan will rock the pub every Tuesday night during February, providing the perfect anecdote to those mid-week blues. He’ll also play some shows during the St Kilda festival, so if you’re a local make sure you don’t miss those sets.

And if that’s not enough Dan for your dollar, you’ll be happy to note he’s also just joined Johnny Rock and The Limits. You might not know the name, but I’m sure you’ve heard their tunes in the Cornetto Endless Summer ads. Johnny Rock and The Limits are also touring during February, so there are plenty of opportunities to catch up with the talented Dan Webb this month!

1 February 2011 – The Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy (solo, supported by Kins and DJs)
8 February 2011 – The Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy (solo, supported by Tobias Cummings and DJs)
10 February 2011 – St Kilda Navy & Army RSL, St Kilda Festival (with Johnny Rock and The Limits)
11 February 2011 – The World Bar, Kings Cross (with Johnny Rock and The Limits)
13 February 2011 – Rotary Park, St Kilda Festival (solo)
18 February 2011 – X&Y Bar, Fortitude Valley (with Johnny Rock and The Limits)
15 February 2011 – The Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy (solo, supported by Archer & Bow and DJs)
22 February2011 – The Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy (solo, supported by Dotcoms and DJs)
26 February 2011 – Revolver Upstairs, Prahran (with Johnny Rock and The Limits)

Image used with permission from Dan Webb

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Happy Australia Day!

Happy Australia Day Sounds of Oz readers! I hope that whatever you’re doing, whether it’s planning a big family barbeque or simply having a day off work, you’re enjoying it.

I always like to post a video on January 26 that makes me pause and think how good we’ve got it, and how special this country is. While watching Oprah’s Australian advertorials this month, I knew what I’d have to post in 2011. “I Still Call Australia Home” has always been a song that’s affected me. I honestly think it should be our national anthem, as it stirs me much more than “Advance Australia Fair.”

But that’s a discussion for another time. For now it’s just an amazing song made better by the presence of some of our best entertainers, and a great big Aussie flag.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dash & Will Back with “Animal”

Dash & Will are back with a rip-snorting new single “Animal.” This track is the first cut from the Melbourne pop duo’s forthcoming sophomore album.

This is just the kind of tune that makes me want to hear more. My husband would describe it as “angry girl” music, which is a very good thing. It’s got delicious pop overtones which only slightly tempering the girls’ ballsy attitude.

There’s no release date for the album as yet, but this tune should help to satisfy your hunger until then. Right click on the link to download a copy of this gutsy new tune!
Image used with permission from Delinquents