Sounds of Oz – Page 669 – Australian music news and reviews

Posted on 28/07/201027/07/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Lior Releases New Single Ahead of Third Album

Acoustic folkster Lior is giving music fans a taste of his brand new album with the release of “I Thought I Could Sing On My Own.”

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 19: Singer/songwriter Lior attends the Light The Night Charity Concert at the City Recital Hall on October 19, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images)

Apparently Lior would prefer to sing with a friend this time around; he’s rounded up Wally de Backer, aka Gotye, to offer backing vocals.

“The song is a somewhat playful revelation that it is the people, rather than the place, that defines experience,” Lior explained. The song was serviced to radio this week, so make sure you listen out for it.

“I Thought I Could Sing On My Own” comes from Lior’s third studio album Tumbling Into the Dawn, which should hit music stores this September.

Posted on 27/07/2010 by Lauren Katulka

“We No Speak Americano” Tops UK Charts

Let’s have a hand for Sydney-based dance pairing of Yolanda Be Cool vs Dcup! Their track “We No Speak Americano” is sitting pretty at the top of the UK singles charts! Take that Eminem and Rihanna!

The song enjoyed great success here at home, so it’s great to see the rest of the world appreciating it. It’s also held the number one spot in Sweden, Ireland, Luxembourg, Denmark, and The Netherlands.

Posted on 27/07/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Kylie Minogue Plays with Scissor Sisters in Melbourne

Melbourne music fans got lucky last night when Kylie Minogue joined old pals Scissor Sisters on stage at Festival Hall.

Kylie joined the British dance band for “Any Which Way,” and then returned to the stage during the encore for a stripped back performance of her latest single “All The Lovers.” You can see that on the video below. As with most live recordings the quality isn’t perfect, but it’s still worth persevering with for the fans who missed out!

Posted on 26/07/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Aston Gives La Roux’s “Bulletproof” Classical Makeover

The people spoke and Aston listened. The Sydney based pop-classical act has released their cover of La Roux’s “Bulletproof,” as voted for by fans on their YouTube page. I think the public was right; this is great stuff. I’ll bet La Roux never imagined such a stirring rendition when she penned her dance floor filler! If you like it, you can get the single from iTunes.

Posted on 26/07/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Bardot’s Sally Polihronas Back in Australia with New Sound

It seems Casey Donovan isn’t the only reality TV graduate carving out a successful career as an independent artist. Sally Polihronas, who shot to fame with the Popstars band Bardot, is back in the country after several years abroad.

Sally’s been living the life of a nomad with time spent in Los Angeles, New York, and London. But now she’s back on home soil and keen to share her new music with local fans.

I think they’ll be pleasantly surprised. The disposable pop music of old has been replaced with a more mature soul sound and honest ruminations on love, life, and spirituality.

Sally will play one show only at Sydney’s Vanguard on August 26. Pre-sale tickets cost just $16.20 plus booking fee, or $45.20 if you want to enjoy dinner as well. They’re on sale now through The Vanguard’s website.

Image used with permission from AKA Entertainment

Posted on 25/07/201023/07/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Casey Donovan Still Big, Beautiful, and Sexy

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 15: Casey Donmovan arrives at the 2009 Deadly Awards at Sydney Opera House on October 15, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Gaye Gerard/Getty Images)

When most of my female peers were gunning for Anthony Callea to take out the Australian Idol crown in 2004, I had my money on Casey Donovan. She’d moved me all season with her performances that were honest and mature beyond her years, and I was thrilled to see her take out the title.

Needless to say, I wasn’t so happy with the way she struggled to get the industry support of previous winner Guy Sebastian, or need I say it, Mr Callea. I’m proud though that Casey has kept the dream alive and found her feet as an independent artist. She’s wrapped up a critically acclaimed tour with the musical The Sapphires, which saw her perform at the Daegu International Musical Festival in South Korea.

She’s also preparing to embark on her Big, Beautiful & Sexy tour next month to coincide with the saucy single of the same name, which will get a digital release on August 7. Tour dates have been announced for New South Wales and Queensland with more expected to follow soon.

Until then, these are the places you can see the incredible Casey Donovan.

7 August 2010 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
20 August 2010 – Slide, Darlinghurst
21 August 2010 – Wentworthville Leagues Club, Wentworthville
28 August 2010 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
29 August 2010 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
16 September 2010 – QUT Festival Theatre @ Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane

Posted on 25/07/201026/07/2010 by Lauren Katulka

Move Over Avalon Drive, Damion Page Gets Acoustic with Words Versing Verses

Remember Avalon Drive? This Brisbane band was doing some great stuff, but then disappeared almost as quickly as they came on the scene. The band’s frontman Damion Page has happily moved on though as part of the new duo Words Versing Verses.

Damion has joined forces with guitarist Kevin Leggett for the acoustic driven double act.

“All of our old things, all of our roots have brought us to doing what we are doing now,” Words Versing Verses explained. “We haven’t just abandoned everything. We’ve just kind of moved on from it and taken what we’ve learnt. I think this is more of a release for us.”

It’s early days, with the band releasing their first EP earlier this month, but already they’re building a steady buzz with one sold-out show under their belt.

Words Versing Verses will play a home town show at The Zoo in Brisbane on August 12. Fans around the rest of the country should just sit tight, as the duo will announce national dates soon.

Image used with permission from Kieron Douglass Photography

Posted on 24/07/201023/07/2010 by Lauren Katulka

“Mushu” – Mushu

The self-titled EP from Sydney band Mushu crossed my desk earlier this week, and it’s taken up permanent residence in my stereo. In just six tracks this exciting act has made a big impression on me.

It all starts with the attention grabbing “Neap Tide,” a powerful track which juxtaposes gorgeous sweet harmonies with wailing guitars. It’s an interesting juxtaposition, but one that manages to work.

Mushu are no strangers to this kind of unlikely pairing. Lead singer Simone’s vocals are warm and lush, with a gentle emotional rasp. Her voice struck a real personal chord with me; it’s got a quiet feminine strength about it. It gets even stronger when paired with Mushu’s big sounds, those insistent guitars on “Neap Tide,” the pounding piano and driving strings of “Don’t Forget Me.”

The first half of the EP shocks your senses, while the second settles into a gentler groove. The music is more subtle here, although you’d never accuse it of fading into the background. “Paper Aeroplane” was a standout for me, with its gorgeous lyrics and compelling raw emotion. I was also shocked by the stunning crescendo the band builds in “Carousel Heart.”

In this EP Mushu have proven to be a band that’s impossible to ignore. In a sea of beige musical acts, that is a very good thing.

Mushu’s self-titled EP is available through iTunes.

Posted on 23/07/2010 by Lauren Katulka

General Pants’ Major Label Signs Up Three New Bands

General Pants’ Major Label record label has just signed up its latest batch of acts.

New to the Major Label roster are Sydney post punk surf rockers Step Panther, Melbourne garage rock act The Kremlin Succession, and 17-year-old singer songwriter The Harry Heart Chrysalis of Bundaberg.

“The accessibility to new, young unsigned talent online has given new life to the Australian music industry. Major Label capitalizes on online trends and local word of mouth to discover and give a leg up to unsigned Australian bands and these three new young acts are our most diverse signings to date” said Todd Wagstaff, General Manager of Major Label.

Head to the Major Label website to stream tracks from these hot new artists and learn more about them. And remember, if you want to get your band in on the Major Label action drop your demo into any General Pants store around the country.

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media