Month: November 2009

TownHallSteps are an Aussie band on the up, with a killer debut album and a tour of the United States under their belt. They barely had time to unpack their suitcases before heading out on some Aussie dates. I recently caught up with drummer Ryan Lambert to chat about the band’s time abroad, playing big support slots, and what inspires the band’s eclectic sound.

You recently toured the United States. How did the crowds there respond to your music?
The response we received from audiences in the US was great! Very positive, we have a gained strong interest from a couple of US record companies and management. We are already making plans for an extended stay in 2010!

What’s it like to perform at iconic venues like The Viper Room and The Roxy?
Hearing about these venues, and who has played there over in the past I think you really expect something pretty amazing. Although if you have played or been to shows in venues like The Spectrum on Oxford Street in Sydney, you have already experienced a venue a similar size the Viper Room. It is very small, but being on Sunset Boulevarde in Hollywood playing on a stage that you know many iconic bands have played on in the past, plus sharing the stage with Kate Miller-Heidke the night we played, the experience was nothing short of amazing.

Has the trip inspired you to travel more?
Yes definitely. Our experiences overseas were amazing. Although we are heading back to Hollywood next year to record and do another tour, we hope we have the opportunity to visit lots of other countries in the future as well!
Continue reading “Q & A with Ryan Lambert from TownHallSteps” →

Have you got plans for New Years yet? Well if you’re in the Gold Coast, you might consider heading out to see Shannon Noll.

Nollsy has just announced a return to his home state to play a special New Year’s Eve show at the Boardwalk Tavern. Situated right on the Hope Island Marina, you can’t imagine a more picturesque spot to ring in the New Year.

Shannon’s still out promoting his current best of album, so you can expect to hear all the hits including “What About Me,” “Lift,” and “Shine.” He’ll be ably supported by Star Q.

Tickets to the show cost just $40. They’re on sale now through Oztix and the Boardwalk Tavern.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Neighbours heartthrob Sam Clark is focusing on his singing career and heading on the road for an old fashioned instore tour. The singer, better known as Ringo, will play shopping centres around the country starting next week.

The instores will promote Sam’s new single, “Broken.” It’s the first track to come from Sam’s debut album, which is expected to hit stores in the New Year.

19 November 2009 – Sanity @ Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre, Richmond (4 pm)
20 November 2009 – Sanity @ Knox City Shopping Centre, Wantirna South (4 pm)
22 November 2009 – Virgin Megastore @ Chapel St, South Yarra (1:30 pm)
26 November 2009 – Sanity @ Macarthur Square Shopping Centre (7 pm)
28 November 2009 – Sanity @ Greenhills Shopping Centre, East Maitland (1 pm)
29 November 2009 – HMV @ Queen Street Mall, Brisbane (3 pm)
3 December 2009 – Sanity @ Castle Towers, Castle Hill (7 pm)
9 December 2009 – Sanity @ , Langtree Mall, Mildura (4 pm)
10 December 2009 – Sanity @ Westfield Marion Shopping Centre (7 pm)
11 December 2009 – Sanity @ Rundle Mall, Adelaide (4 pm)
12 December 2009 – Sanity @ Mt Barker Central Shopping Centre (1:30 pm)
13 December 2009 – Sanity @ Lakes Village, Mt Gambier (1:30 pm)

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Back in 2007 Tin Alley released their catchy debut album, Everyturn. What a difference a couple of years makes. Following their drummer’s brush with death, the band has honed everything that was good about that album and made it better. They seem more focused, and more driven. With that kind of can-do attitude, it seems the world is their oyster. I caught up with the band’s lead singer and guitarist Jim Siourthas to chat about their reinvention, the band’s brand new EP, and the international opportunities that are knocking at their door.

Your new single “Out of Control” has just exploded, with number one downloads on BigPond music and some solid airplay. What can you tell me about the song?
The first thing I’ll tell you is a little bit about what it’s about. A couple of years ago our drummer, Peter Hofbauer, had quite a serious motorbike accident. He was in intensive care for almost three weeks and he shattered his collarbone and so on, so it was a pretty close call. And he was 27 years old at the time. So we were just playing with the idea of dying at the age of 27, and doing a bit of a search on the internet we found out that there was a club called the 27 Club. So that’s basically what “Out of Control” talks about. The idea was spawned out of Peter’s accident, but it actually talks about Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and other members of the 27 Club, and what their lives would have been like, and the reason why they died, and so on. So that’s what the song deals with lyrically.

And in terms of the musical side of things, we recorded the track in Brisbane with a producer by the name of Stuart Stuart, who has previously worked with The Veronicas and The Small Mercies. So we went up to Brisbane for a couple of weeks, and out came “Out of Control.”

Why do you think it’s resonated so much with the music-buying public?
I think the song has got some strong, catchy hooks, in terms of the choruses. The start of the song is immediately grabbing. It has high impact. I think there isn’t much of that around these days, and obviously people are getting turned on by it.

You mentioned that you worked with Stuart Stuart on the song. What did he bring to your sound?
He definitely brought a bit more of the commercial sound to us, to make it a bit more radio friendly. And it seems to have worked a treat because radio is absolutely loving it.
Continue reading “Q & A with Jim Siourthas from Tin Alley” →

James Taylor has announced the Australian dates for his highly-anticipated world tour with Carole King.

While there’s been no official media announcement yet, James Taylor’s site says the music icons will play shows along the Australian East Coast before heading to New Zealand and Japan.

“When James and I first played together in the early seventies we connected almost immediately, both musically and personally, with an effortless, comfortable familiarity,” explained Carole King. “After we reunited in 2007 with Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel and Lee Sklar, the original band from our early Troubadour shows, none of us wanted the fun to stop. We can’t wait to bring our Troubadour Reunion tour to Australia.”

“This tour, our Troubadour Reunion has been waiting to happen for a long time but the years seem to have vanished. Where does the time go? When we reunited for the Troubadour’s 50th Anniversary celebration in 2007, it was, and still is, all about the music and the celebration of performing together,” added James Taylor.

There’s no word yet on when tickets will go on sale, but these dates should help music fans plan their concert calendar!

27 March 2010 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
31 March 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
3 April 2010 – Hope Arena, Hunter Valley
6 April 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney

One of my favourite concerts this year was Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova, and The Frames performance at the Sydney Opera House as part of the Sydney Festival. So I’m thrilled to see the artists known as The Swell Season are heading back to our shores.

Propelled to super-stardom thanks to the Oscar-winning success of their indie film Once, the artists have remained fiercely independent and utterly compelling. Seeing them live is a profoundly moving experience.

Their latest Australian visit coincides with the release of their new album, Strict Joy, which is in stores now. The band will play the Byron Bay Bluesfest and intimate sideshows in the following capital cities.

25 March 2010 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
31 March 2010 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
5 April 2010 – Opera House, Sydney

Image source: Newscom

As part of its efforts to support Australian musicians, Tooheys Extra dry has revealed its latest and greatest competition. Called The Lab, the comp will see one up-and-coming Aussie fly to New York to collaborate with Mark Ronson, Santigold, Nick Hodgson of Kaiser Chiefs, Sean Lennon, John Taylor of Duran Duran and members of The Dap-Kings.

“We’re going to get some very talented people,” said Mark Ronson. “Then, add the wealth of experience of the artists we’re collaborating with, plus me producing it, it almost seems like it’s scientifically engineered to create the best song possible.”

That song will become the soundtrack for next year’s Tooheys Extra Dry: The Lab advertising campaign. The winner’s journey will also be filmed for a fly-on-the-wall documentary, which will be released next March. With all that promotion, the winner is bound to become a household name.

If you want that lucky musician to be you, head to the Tooheys Extra Dry: The Lab website for all the details. But don’t delay. Bands and solo artists need to register their interest before November 18.

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media

Tin Alley have hit the ARIA Charts with the release of their new single “Out of Control.” The song’s sitting at number 43 on the ARIA singles charts and number 7 on the ARIA Australian singles charts in its debut week. The song’s also topped the Top 40 and Rock Singles charts at BigPond Music.

“Out of Control” marks a comeback of sorts for the band, who hit the airwaves with “In Your Hands” in 2007. It was recorded earlier this year with acclaimed music producer Stuart Stuart (The Veronicas, Small Mercies). It’s just a taste of what’s to come, with the band preparing to release a five-track EP, Crossing Paths, in December. In the EP, the band draws on their experiences dealing with drummer Peter Hofbauer’s motorcycle accident. He was admitted to intensive care with internal bleeding, head damage, and a broken clavicle. It sounds like a hairy experience which should make for some pretty intense tunes.

Ahead of the EP release, Tin Alley will play the following pub shows around their home state of Victoria.

12 November 2009 – The Espy, Melbourne
13 November 2009 – The Yahoo Bar, Shepparton
14 November 2009 – Newmarket Hotel, Bendigo
22 November 2009 – Cusion Lounge, Melbourne

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Aussie ex-pats Pendulum are returning home for a handful of club dates and festival appearances over the Christmas period.

The concert dates will give local music fans the first taste of Pendulum’s latest album, the follow-up to the chart smash In Silico. The as yet untitled CD is slated for a summer 2010 release.

The original trio – Rob Swire, Gareth McGrillen, and Paul “El Hornet” Harding will play seven dates with MC Verse. The shows include appearances at BBQ Beats, Summadayze, and a special New Years Eve show at Sydney’s Luna Park.

It’s the Perth band’s first trip home since their massive sets at this year’s Big Day Out tour. Considering the enthusiastic reaction then, you’ll want to snap up tickets to these shows quick smart.

18 December 2009 – Brown Alley, Melbourne
19 December 2009 – Halo, Hobart
26 December 2009 – Metro City, Perth
30 December 2009 – Phat, Nelson
31 December 2009 – Luna Park, Sydney
1 January 2010 – Summadayze, Adelaide
1 January 2010 – BBQ Beats, Brisbane

Image source: Newscom