Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Owl City Returns for Headlining Tour

Geek chic electro-popster Adam Young, otherwise known as Owl City, is returning our fair shores for a tour this November.

Clearly the “Fireflies” singer enjoyed his last Aussie visit with Cobra Starship which was only a couple of months ago! It’s great to see him returning as a headliner.

If you agree, you can grab your tickets when they go on sale on Monday June 28. The shows are jammed in between appearances in Japan and New Zealand, so don’t expect any more if these sell out!

Q102 Jingle Ball Concert


9 November 2010 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
10 November 2010 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
11 November 2010 – The Tivoli, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Super Wild Horses Announce Album Launch Shows

Super Wild Horses are preparing to unleash their debut album Fifteen next month, and they’ve announced not one but three launch shows to celebrate.

You might have caught these girls supporting Jon Spencer, The Drones, or Eddy Current Suppression Ring, or found yourself humming their song from that Bonds ad.

The Melbourne garage pop duo will play shows in Brisbane, Sydney, and their home town around the time of the album’s July 23 release. Tickets for the following shows are available at the door.

17 July 2010 – Lofly Hangar, Brisbane (with Kitchen’s Floor)
24 July 2010 – The Excelsior, Sydney (with Dead Farmers, Golden Staph and Straight Arrows)
31 July 2010 –The Swanston Room @ Victoria Hotel, Melbourne (with Total Control, Boomgates and School of Radiant Living)

Image used with permission from Riothouse

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Blondie and The Pretenders Do Day on the Green

Blondie and The Pretenders are teaming up for one big Aussie tour, the first announced for the next A Day on the Green season. Sideshows have also been announced for Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra.

While Blondie are releasing a new album Panic of Girls soon, I’ll be shocked if we don’t see a greatest hits style set from both of these monster acts. They’ll be joined on the tour by locals Adalita and Little Red.

Perth tickets go on sale on June 14, and all other tickets will be released on June 15.

8th Annual TV Land Awards


24 November 2010 – Kings Park & Botanic Gardens, Perth
27 November 2010 – Peter Lehmann Wines, Barossa Valley
1 December 2010 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
4 December 2010 – Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley
5 December 2010 – Josef Chromy Wines, Launceston
7 December 2010 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
11 December 2010 – Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley
12 December 2010 – Sirromet Wines, Mt Cotton
14 December 2010 – Royal Theatre, Canberra

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Awesome Indie Music Sounds Like Brisbane

A host of Brisbane independent record labels have banded together to promote the Queensland capital’s flourishing DIY music scene through the Sounds like Brisbane campaign.

Brisbane is a musical melting pot which gave birth to legendary acts like Regurgitator, The Saints, The Go-Betweens, Powderfinger, Savage Garden, and Tex Perkins. It’s also home to new artists I Heart Hiroshima, Yves Klein Blue, Dead Letter Circus, and heaps more.

“There’s no doubting that right now Brisbane’s indie labels are the engine room of the local music scene and the contribution they make should be celebrated and supported,” explained project coordinator Craig Spann. “Despite the fact these labels are often a one or two-person operation, they are ensuring the Brisbane builds on its reputation as one of the world’s most exciting music cities.”

Sounds Like Brisbane will celebrate its official launch on June 18 with a free all-ages show in the Brisbane CBD. Local indie acts including Blowhard, Texas Tea, Carry Nation, Fushia, Halfway, My Fiction, Nova Scotia, The Rational Academy, and The Optimen will play on two stages housed in Burnett Lane and Island Court.

To learn more about Sounds Like Brisbane check out the website. It profiles the city’s indie labels and musicians, and will feature stacks of exclusive content over the coming months.

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Ting Tings Announce Capital City Sideshows

British power pop duo The Ting Tings with play two very special sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne in addition to their appearance at Splendour in the Grass.

Ting Tings In Concert


Jules de Martino and Katie White are renowned for their energetic live sets and brash pop sensibilities. They’ll play an over 18s show at the Palace Theatre in Melbourne on July 26 before visiting Sydney for an all ages show at the Enmore on July 28.

Tickets for both gigs go on sale on June 8 through Ticketek, but Frontier members can get a jump on the competition with a presale at noon tomorrow.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Flicks Sign Record Deal Ahead of Queensland Tour

The lads from Flicks have signed a deal with Difrnt Music/Spitfire Music ahead of this week’s Queensland tour. The label is home to such massive Aussie artists as COG and The Angels.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be looking forward to presenting Flicks’ music to you,” says Spitfire Music.

The record deal should see Flicks delivering even more energetic sets as their travel around their home state on their Hayley single tour. Here are details of all the shows, including the new date and venue for the Brisbane gig.

2 June 2010 – Charters Towers PCYC, Charters Towers (All Ages)
3 June 2010 – CWA Hall, Cairns (All Ages)
4 June 2010 – Townsville PCYC, Townsville (All Ages)
5 June 2010 – Andergrove Community Hall, Mackay (All Ages)
6 June 2010 – Emerald PCYC, Emerald (All Ages)
11 June 2010 – Walter Reid Centre, Rockhampton (All Ages)
12 June 2010 – Gladstone PCYC, Gladstone (All Ages)
13 June 2010 – Bundaberg PCYC, Bundaberg (All Ages)
17 June 2010 – The Powerhouse, Maryborough (All Ages)
18 June 2010 – Club Envy, Sunshine Coast (18+)
19 June 2010 – Civic Centre, Gympie (All Ages)
20 June 2010 – Blackbox Theatre, Nambour (All Ages)
27 June 2010 – Fort, Brisbane (All Ages)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chelsea J Gibson and Earl Cole Join Forces for Natalie and Nat King Cole Tribute Show

Studio Portrait Of Nat 'King' Cole

Following their sell out Moulin Rouge show in April, Chelsea J Gibson and Earl Cole are reuniting for a tribute to the music of Nat King Cole and his daughter Natalie.

Nat King Cole is one of the world’s most enduring jazz and swing figures. Despite leaving us in 1965, his musical legacy lives on. Earl has performed his Nat King Cole tribute overseas, and now Perth is lucky enough to see it. His set will draw on Nat’s early music from his trio days right through to the end of his career.

Meanwhile Chelsea will touch on Natalie Cole’s early soul career and her more recent jazz and pop tunes. We can also expect to enjoy a number of duets, including the number one hit “Unforgettable.”

Chelsea J Gibson and Earl Cole will play Perth’s Bouchon Bistro on June 30. Tickets cost $110 and include a gourmet three-course dinner. Group discounts are available for tables of six or more. Seating is strictly limited, so call (08) 9387 3898 to reserve your place.

EDIT: This show sold out in just 24 hours! To meet the demand Earl and Chelsea have announced one more “Unforgettable” tribute show for July 1. There’s not likely to be a third, so make sure you get your tickets quickly!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Beard of Bees” – Jez Mead

Nursing a post-Eurovision hangover, I needed just the right music to survive my Monday morning. I found it in Beard of Bees, the fantastic fourth album from Jez Mead.

It’s amazing that this guy has been releasing albums for so many years, yet he hasn’t crossed my radar until now. It’s a case of better late than never though. This record is accessible yet rich, just like Jez’s voice. His bluesy rasp brings a depth to the stripped back songs. The raw delivery is perfect for creating an air of honesty and spontaneity; I imagine these songs wouldn’t sound very different if you saw them performed in your local pub. There’s that same electricity that you feel while listening to a live set, that impalpable feeling that anything could happen.

The tunes are an eclectic mix, yet the pieces fit together beautifully. The title track is a rollicking acoustic alt-country number. “Town’s Too Small” feels as if it could have been plucked straight from the Deep South, with its hand-clapping rhythm and swampy feel. As with anything that Julia Stone touches, the duet “Devil” is delicate and gorgeous. The tender closer “Crooked” is blessedly understated and lovely.

Beard of Bees is a lush, complex album that has quite simply cast a spell over me. If like me you’d never heard of Jez Mead, this should be the record to change all that. Beard of Bees will be released on June 25.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Damien Mancell Releases Shiny New Single

Sydney dance pop star Damien Mancell is following up his international digital smash hit “Be with You Tonight” with the release of his new single, “Shine.”

“Shine” has already become a firm club favourite, and is expected to do big things on its official release. The single features the standard version and remixes by DJ Mark Loasby, Robot Diaries and T-Shirt Death to keep the clubbers happy.

If you want to hear “Shine,” register on Damien’s website and you’ll receive a special remix for free. If you like what you hear make sure you purchase the track at any of the major digital retailers; you could even win a Samsung K3 MP3 player for your trouble!

Image used with permission from AKA Entertainment