Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Corby Tours New EP “Transition to Colour”

Matt Corby is heading out on the road to support the release of his brand new EP, Transition to Colour.

Transition to Colour hits stores on October 22, which should give fans just enough time to learn all the lyrics before the shows in November and December. The EP is the first Aussie release for Communion, the indie label helmed by Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons and Kev Jones of Cherbourg. It is a haunting and ethereal collection of songs which show a musical maturity beyond Matt’s 19 years. He recorded it in London with Ian Grimble (The Libertines, Seasick Steve), a process which has been described as a “magical time” for all involved.

And there’s more where this came from. Matt’s just returned home from his most recent trip to the United Kingdom, which saw him record his debut album. We should see that in stores here and in the UK next year. Until then, we’ve got the following gigs to look forward to! And don’t worry Queensland, you haven’t been forgotten. Look out for your shows next year!
13 October 2010 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (with Passenger UK)
14 October 2010 – Melt Bar, Sydney (with Daniel Lee Kendall)
11 November 2010 – Fly By Nightclub, Freemantle
12 November 2010 – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
3 December 2010 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide
4 December 2010 – Thornbury Hotel, Melbourne
5 December 2010 – National Hotel, Geelong
7 December 2010 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
8 December 2010 – Otis Bar, Wollongong
9 December 2010 – The Independent Theatre, North Sydney
10 December 2010 – View Factory, Newcastle

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Flicks Not Broken Up, But On a Break

Brisbane punk-popsters Flicks have decided to take a breather, although fans will get a chance to say goodbye before their extended hiatus.

“Earlier this week for the first time in a month Flicks sat down as a full band and discussed our future together,” the band said in a statement. “The final decision we have come to is a hard one but we feel it is also the right one. We have come to the decision that we will be going on an extended break from playing shows. We are all going to go our separate ways for a little while to try and write some truly exciting new music for you all. It is important to understand that we are all good friends still and that Flicks is not dead. We have been playing the same songs and basically the same set for so long we need to breathe new life into the band and reinvent ourselves to some extent with new music.”

Flicks will still appear at Brisbane’s On the Pulse festival on October 23 as scheduled before playing a charity show in Sydney later this month. It was important for the band to get one last chance to connect with their very loyal fan base.

“You guys have always been so supportive of us,” they said. “We have some of the most enthusiastic, supportive and amazing fans ever and we truly appreciate everything you do for us to help spread word about the band. We will be back we just don’t know when … but it will be with new music and better than ever. This is not goodbye … we’ll see you again.”

Let’s hope so!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amanda Grafanakis Gets X Factor Axe

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Cast member of 'The X Factor' Ronan Keating poses during a media call on July 30, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mike Flokis/Getty Images)

Tonight’s X Factor saw India-Rose Madderom and Amanda Grafanakis face off in the bottom two. And Mitchell Smith again miraculously escape the public vote, but the less said about that the better.

I felt that India’s performance on the Sunday show was much stronger, but her lackluster rendition of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” left much to be desired. Amanda may never compare to the great Bette Midler, but she did a really credible job of her iconic ballad “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

It seems her efforts weren’t enough though, and Amanda got the boot. Poor Ronan’s hanging on to this competition by a thread. Surely pinning all of your hopes on Altiyan is a scary proposition!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Roof Raisers” – Keith!Party

I mentioned when I reviewed Class A’s album Me, Me, Me & Him: The Secret Life of a Receptionist last month that I don’t listen to a lot of rap. Since then more music of this genre has been passing my desk and changing the way I think about rap. The latest is Roof Raisers, the sophomore album of Melbourne’s Keith!Party.

The name is pretty appropriate. This is the kind of album that you’d put on at your next bash to make sure everyone’s dancing and having a good time. It works as a cohesive unit rather than a collection of disparate songs, taking you from crazy floor fillers to songs that are a bit smoother and sexier.

Adding to the party atmosphere is a host of special guest artists. This is nothing new for a rap album, but here it seems less about proving who you know than creating that celebratory vibe.

I love the old school naughtiness of “Sexy is What People Call HD” and the chilled out ambience of “Miracle Flow.” At more than six minutes the closer “The K-Team” drags a bit, but considering the group claims to be the last ones to leave the party perhaps that’s appropriate!

Roof Raisers has a fun, positive vibe with clever lyrics that are definitely worth listening out for. It’s available now through the band’s MySpace page, but will officially launch in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane soon, so keep reading Sounds of Oz for all those details.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Top 9 Do Party Anthems

I’m back home and back to The X Factor blogging with the Top 9 taking on party anthems.

India Rose Madderom kicked off the night with “Jai Ho.” It was a left of centre song choice, but I think the risk paid off. This is a tough song to sing, but she nailed it. The choreography was also great; it created a real sense of occasion without compromising her vocals. And she looked stunning. What a great start to the night!

My love of The Eagles might be swaying my opinion of Andrew Lawson’s performance of “Heartache Tonight,” but I didn’t like this. It felt a bit cheesy and contrived, like a Broadway number from a musical flop. He did look a lot more comfortable on stage than he has in the past, but I also felt that he didn’t really connect with the lyrics or song. It’s about more than performance after all. Maybe he can put it all together next week?

Amanda Grafanakis took on The Black Eyed Peas “I’ve Got a Feeling,” and delivered a fairly lackluster performance. I just didn’t feel it. She sang it well, except for a few shaky high notes, but there wasn’t enough conviction behind it. I also found all of the background movement a bit distracting, especially those flipping shirtless men!

Luke and Joel got the party started with Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” For me this was the best performance to that point, simply because it was so much fun. Yes it had vocal flaws, but it was so enjoyable that it just didn’t matter. There was not a person in their seats while they were on stage, and that’s a party.
Continue reading “The X Factor Top 9 Do Party Anthems” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Israel Cannan’s Epic Aussie Journey Inspires Amazing Album

Israel CannanI love discovering new music that really revs me. The latest act to get me excited is Israel Cannan, a young singer-songwriter who’s taken a long literal and metaphorical journey to reach the place he’s at today.

Israel released his debut EP at the tender age of 18, but after a few successful tours and radio attention he soon became disillusioned by the corporate machine. And so earlier this year he decided to leave his home in coastal New South Wales and travel around the country.

With little more than a guitar, a beat up old van, and a great friend by his side Israel travelled to some of Australia’s most remote towns, using the money he made from busking to get from one spot to the next. He offered free singles to the people who came to hear him play, and learned a lot about Australia and himself.

From this epic journey came Walk, Israel’s debut album. It’s an impressive piece, especially considering that he wrote all the tracks, engineered them, and played all the instruments.

Israel documented his travels through a series of 22 video blogs, which you can now see on his YouTube page, along with this film clip for the incredible song “Letting Go.” If you love gentle indie folk in the vein of Iron & Wine and Ben Harper, you need to check this out.

Walk is currently available through Israel Cannan’s website and digitally from iTunes. Check it out!


Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hear Galleon “In Stereo”

My affinity for all things Adelaide doesn’t appear to be waning. Today I’m fawning over “In Stereo,” the new single from the city’s four-piece rockers Galleon.

You might remember the song “Kamikaze” which these lads released a few months ago. I liked that but I love this; it starts gently but builds to a lovely epic crescendo. The band’s front man Nick Deegan says the song “questions the conventional 9-5 lifestyle and attempts to somewhat justify and even glorify the lesser travelled path of being an artist, and in particular a musician.”

And isn’t that what we all need on a weekend?

“In Stereo” comes from Galleon’s forthcoming album which was engineered and mixed by Jimi Maroudas (Eskimo Joe, The Living End) and produced by Patrick ‘Patch’ Robertson of Motorace.

If you’re digging the song make sure you catch Galleon at one of their upcoming shows!

9 Oct 2010 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
22 Oct – Melt Bar, Kings Cross
Date TBA – Ding Dong, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Catherine Britt and Chris Pickering Pair Up for Aussie Tour

Newcastle’s country superstar Catherine Britt and Brisbane’s singer-songwriter Chris Pickering are joining forces for their co-headline Fact or Fiction tour.

Catherine will tour in support of her self-titled album, while Chris will showcase tracks from his album Work of Fiction, which will hit stores on October 1. The pair are a natural fit, after both honing their crafts in Nashville before recently returning home.

“I’m a big fan of Chris’s music and I’m very excited to get out on the road together with him and his fabulous band,” gushed Catherine. “Chris is a gifted singer-songwriter and I can’t wait to see his songs played live.”

No doubt he’s just as enthusiastic!

The pair will play the following shows later this year. Tickets are available from the venues.

4 November 2010 – The Club House, Armidale
5 November 2010 – The Coast Hotel, Coffs Harbour
6 November 2010 – The Beachcomber Hotel, Toukley
7 Nov November 2010 – Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor (Chris Pickering only)
9 November 2010 – The Brass Monkey , Cronulla
10 November 2010 – The Vanguard, Sydney
11 November 2010 – Home Tavern, Wagga Wagga
12 November 2010 – O Malleys, Mildura
13 November 2010 – The Front Gallery, Canberra (Chris Pickering only)
18 November 2010 – The Empress, Melbourne
20 November 2010 – Baby Black Café , Bacchus Marsh
24 November 2010 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
27 & 28 November 2010 – @ Queenscliff Festival
2 December 2010 – Club Envy, Sunshine Coast
3 December 2010 – The Globe, Brisbane

Image used with permission from a Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

David Campbell @ Mingara Recreation Club, Tumbi Umbi – 7 October 2010

Longtime readers of my blog will have heard me wax lyrical about David Campbell before. He’s one of those rare artists that encourages me to get out and see him each and every time he tours. Even rarer, he does so because he always delivers an amazing performance. And it was no different when last night I caught his On Broadway show at Mingara Recreation Club.

After several very successful albums, David has an extensive and eclectic back catalogue to play with. There’s the music from Shout, the swing songs, old 60s rock and roll, and now showtunes in his repertoire. It takes a skillful performer to deliver such variety without alienating his audience, but David had us there with him through it all.

The first portion of the show concentrated on those Broadway numbers, which really came to life on stage. David’s always been such a theatrical performer, who no doubt learned a thing or two during his time in New York, so tunes from Chicago and Boy from Oz were an easy fit. I enjoy the On Broadway album, but was surprised by some of the disc’s more obscure song selections. Given that, I was thrilled that in the live arena he focused on those tunes we all know, encouraging us to sing along and ensuring we all had a fabulous time. “Bring Him Home,” the showstopper from Les Miserables was incredible, and we all had fun when he played with those high-tech recording pedals in Guys and Dolls’ “Horse Right Here.”

He kicked things up a notch in the second half, and it didn’t take long before I joined the women enthusiastically dancing on the sides of the auditorium. Songs like “Yeah Yeah,” “She’s My Baby” and “Suspicious Minds” are just so much fun, and we lapped them up. Not that it was all light-hearted. David brought tears to a few eyes with his incredible renditions of “Mr. Bojangles” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

It takes a truly special performer to breathe new life into songs we’ve all heard many times before. David Campbell is definitely that, a genuine showman who can move his audience to tears and have them in fits of laughter on a whim. Rest assured, I’ll front up for tickets when the next tour rolls around.

Image source: own photo