Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Listen to MC Tuka’s “Tall Poppy”

Here are some cool hip hop grooves to brighten up your Thursday. MC Tuka has been sharing the stage with urban acts like Thundamentals, Rumpunch, and Sketch the Rhyme for the last few years, but with the recent release of his debut album Will Rap for Tuka he’s stepping into the spotlight.

I love the way the cool brass works with MC Tuka’s clever lyrics on this track “Tall Poppy.” This is so interesting and different to anything I’ve heard lately, and the good news is that there’s more where that came from. MC Tuka loves to play with genres, and the tunes on his album have obvious jazz, dub, and gypsy influences.

But MC Tuka is more than just a talented rapper. When he’s not working on his music he teaches hip hop to disadvantaged youth through the NSW TAFE Outreach Program. The classes help to improve the literacy skills of these kids who need the extra help.

What a nice guy!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Delta Riggs Back Home for Aussie Single Shows

The Delta Riggs have been far from idle since releasing their self titled EP in March.

The lads packed their bags and traveled to the United Kingdom to begin work on their debut album, which should hit stores in the middle of next year. While they were visiting the Old Dart the band worked with Martin “Youth” Glover of Killing Joke and BBC Radio’s Daniel Carter.

With some new songs under their belt, The Delta Riggs are back home to play some other big shows around the country. These include The Big Day Out on the Gold Coast, Peats Ridge Festival on the Central Coast, Brisbane’s New Years Eve celebrations at Southbank, the Rock ‘n’ Race show with The Gunners at Sydney’s V8 Supercars, and the Oxford Arts Factory’s Christmas party.

Before all that gigging they’ll also head back into the studio, this time with ARIA award winning producer Scott Horscroft. Considering his work with Birds of Tokyo, Little Red, The Presets, and Silverchair, he’s sure to bring something special to The Delta Riggs’ new single “Pretty Wasting.” The track will be available as a free download ahead of the run of summer shows, so keep an eye on the band’s website for that!

And if you want to see The Delta Riggs in the flesh, make sure you get to one of the following shows.

4 December 2010 – V8 Supercars @ ANZ Stadium, Sydney
10 December 2010 – Hard Rock Café, Surfers Paradise
12 December 2010 – Birdee Num Num, Brisbane
17 December 2010 – Oxford Arts Factory Christmas Party, Sydney
29 December 2010 – Peats Ridge Festival, Glenworth Valley
31 December 2010 – Southbank, Brisbane
23 January 2011 – Big Day Out, Gold Coast Parklands

Image used with permission from Andy Kent & Associates

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Doves Do Greatest Hits Down Under

That old saying that time flies when you’re having fun seems to hold true for Doves. It’s hard to believe that this British band burst onto the scene 12 years ago.

They’ll remind us of just what they’ve achieved when they bring their The Best of the Doves tour to Oz next February. The run of dates, which includes an appearance at the Playground Weekender Festival, is timed to coincide with the release of The Places Between: The Best of Doves. Personally I’m not sure whether four studio albums is really enough to draw from when compiling a greatest hits record, but that seems to be the way bands do things these days.

At any rate, these shows should be something pretty special with hit singles and band favourites all making their way into the sets. Tickets for the shows go on sale next Monday, November 29.

15 February 2011 – Hi-Fi Bar, Brisbane
17 February 2011 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
18 February 2011 – Playground Weekender Festival, Wisemans Ferry
19 February 2011 – The Forum, Melbourne
21 February 2011 – Metropolis, Fremantle

Image used with permission from Light Parade

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“If Only” – Juke Kartel

I know there are plenty of Juke Kartel fans around so I figured I’d show you their new music video for “If Only.” The clip takes us around their new base of California, from the streets of downtown Los Angeles to the arid beauty of the state’s deserts. This song was one of my favorite cuts from their album Levolution, and I think this gorgeous video definitely does it justice. Do you like it?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Altiyan Childs Has The X Factor

Altiyan Childs has won the hearts of the nation, and the title of X Factor winner. After Andrew Lawson was ousted early on, it was down to Altiyan and Sally Chatfield.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: (L-R) The cast of 'The X Factor' Natalie Imbruglia, Ronan Keating, Kyle Sandilands and Guy Sebastian pose during a media call on July 30, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mike Flokis/Getty Images)


Honestly at that point I didn’t much care who won, although Altiyan was my sentimental favourite. Everyone loves an underdog, don’t they? Something tells me Sally’s going to enjoy a career without taking home the gong.

Log on to bandit.fm from 10 pm tonight if you’re itching to own Altiyan’s single “Somewhere in the World.” Personally I’m happy to wait until we’re saturated by it on radio.

Well done to Altiyan though, and to Ronan for seeing what most of us couldn’t in those early days of forgotten lyrics. I’m feeling pretty thrilled for both of them right now!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“New Techniques for Beginners and Champions” – A Family of Strangers

The world of side projects is a bit of a musical mixed bag; for every success there are many more dismal failures. Happily A Family of Strangers, the latest project for The Butterfly Effect front man Glenn Esmond, falls into the former category.

It’s too early to determine whether chart success will follow the band, but it should if their debut EP New Techniques for Beginners and Champions is any indication. This is a really strong collection of six tracks, songs that step away from The Butterfly Effect but not so far as to alienate the band’s strong fan base.

I find these tunes more accessible than those of the iconic Aussie hard rock outfit. There are some big gritty guitar chords and dark lyrics, but the focus on the melody helps the listener connect from the first spin.

Fans of The Butterfly Effect won’t be disappointed with rock anthems like “Don’t Forget (03.03.03)” and “Silly Love Songs,” but I find the tracks that are dramatically different from Glenn Esmond’s previous work a little more intriguing. “Here Without You” shows he is capable of producing a real radio-friendly ballad of love lost. A Family of Strangers exposes their soft underbelly again with “The Velvet Divorce (Follow).” But my favourite track is probably the closer “Farewell, Mr Hooper,” a wild rock sea shanty. It’s such a quirky tune, the kind of thing I imagine a crew of pillaging pirates might create if you handed them electric guitars.

It almost seems unfair to bands starting out to call New Techniques for Beginners and Champions a debut EP, because A Family of Strangers are so experienced and in control of their sound. They’re equally at home in the sunlight and the shadows, and they take us to both places in this recording. It’s a really accomplished first taste of a band I look forward to hearing a lot more from.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Altiyan, Andrew, and Sally Battle It Out on “The X Factor”

We’re finally at the pointy end of The X Factor with Sally Chatfield, Andrew Lawson, and Altiyan Childs all vying for the title.

Sally Chatfield kicked us off by reprising her version of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now.” I’m not generally a fan of redoing what you’ve already done, but I think this topped her last performance of it. It’s almost as if the lack of judging tonight freed her. She seemed so confident and at ease, and that gave a beautiful quality to her performance.

Andrew Lawson was up next with his duet with James Blunt on “You’re Beautiful.” I was really enthusiastic at the start, thinking the song was a great fit for Andrew, but then the chorus kicked in and I cringed. His falsetto just isn’t there, and it really showed his vocal flaws. Thank goodness for James Blunt’s appearance to cover those bum notes!

Altiyan Childs gave us our first taste of the winner’s single “Somewhere in the World,” and I must say that I liked it. Ordinarily these songs are cookie cutter inspirational tracks, but I wouldn’t mind hearing this on the radio. It’ll be interesting to see what the other contestants bring to the song, but Altiyan’s take gets my seal of approval.

Continue reading “Altiyan, Andrew, and Sally Battle It Out on “The X Factor”” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Barnesy, Noiseworks, and Thirsty Merc Play Red Hot Summer

The annual Red Hot Summer tour will wind its way through regional Australia in January, and it’s shaping up to be a cracker.

Jimmy Barnes will headline the event with special guests Noiseworks, and Thirsty Merc. The McClymonts will also join the shows in Morwell and Mannum. I don’t blame them for not playing all the dates; can you imagine coping with all that testosterone from the blokey bands?

Acts of this calibre rarely get together on one bill, let alone in regional areas. If you’re in the vicinity you don’t want to miss these shows.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 05: Jimmy Barnes of Cold Chisel performs during a Cold Chisel concert at ANZ Stadium on December 5, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)


2 January 2011 – Warrnambool Racecourse, Warrnambool
6 January 2011 – Mulwala Water Ski Club, Mulwala
8 January 2011 – Mary Ann Reserve, Mannum
9 January 2011 – Riverside Soundshell, Mildura
15 January 2011 – Bonnie Doon Hotel, Bonnie Doon
16 January 2011 – Morning Star Estate, Mount Eliza
22 January 2011 – Eureka Stadium, Ballarat
23 January 2011 – Latrobe Sports and Events Grounds, Morwell
29 January 2011 – Cassegrain Wines, Port Macquarie

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dereb the Ambassador Brings Retro Ethiopian Soul to Oz

From Ethiopia to Sydney, soul singer Dereb Desalegn has come a long way. After moving to our shores he took up with the band Lion of Judah, but now he’s striking out on his own with the self-titled project, Dereb the Ambassador.

The first cut from this endeavor is “Etu Gela,” a dance floor filler taken from Dereb’s forthcoming self-titled album. This long-player, scheduled for a March 4 release, covers soul tracks made famous by Ethiopian artists in the 60s and 70s. To stay true to Dereb’s creative vision the album was recorded using equipment made before 1970.

Dereb will launch the single “Etu Gela” backed by a seven-piece band at Sydney’s Gaelic Club on December 15. It sounds like it’s going to be a foot-stomping good night!

Image used with permission from Other Tongues

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hancock Basement Unleash New Single

Canberra four-piece Hancock Basement are back with a vengeance with their catchy new single “One in a Million Does.”

This bouncy pop number is irresistible, the kind of thing you’ll find yourself singing for days later. The song also marks the band’s first foray into the world of music videos. It’s a fun debut, with the band held hostage by an evil record company exec and some food-throwing minions.

If you like what you see, you can catch the band on a blink and you’ll miss them tour around the country.

24 November 2010 – The Maram, Canberra (supporting You Am I)
25 November 2010 – The Empress, Melbourne
26 November 2010 – Transmission @ Ed Castle, Adelaide