Month: September 2013

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elizabeth Rose Seeks “The Good Life”

Sydney electronic songbird Elizabeth Rose has delivered her catchiest single to date with “The Good Life”.

Sure it’s got stunning, soulful vocals and a danceable beat, but I’m most impressed by the track’s lyrics. The song speaks so beautifully about that point in your life when you’re keen to leave your parents’ nest and find your own way in the world.

Elizabeth will launch “The Good Life” at the following shows in Australia and the United States.

11 September 2013 – X & Y Bar, Brisbane
12 September 203 – Bigsound Music Glue Party @ Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane (5:30 pm)
12 September 2013 – Bigsound Showcase @ Bakery Lane, Brisbane (8 pm)
21 & 22 September 2013 – OutsideIn Festival, Sydney
15-18 October 2013 – CMJ Music Marathon, New York

Image used with permission from Recon Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sam Buckingham Covers The Fresh Prince of Bel Air Theme

The musical stylings of sweet Sydney songstress Sam Buckingham and Will Smith couldn’t be more different, yet for some reason this clip of Sam covering the theme from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air works. You’ve never heard it quite like this before!

Sam recorded this gorgeous take on the retro classic backstage in Brisbane recently. I think it deserves a place in her sets, don’t you?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Christopher Coleman and Zoe Elliot Tour Together

Tasmania’s Christopher Coleman and Sydney’s Zoe Elliot, two of Australia’s most exciting young singer-songwriters, are joining forces for The Rambling Tour this month.

These shows are a great way for Christopher Coleman to celebrate his homecoming. He returns to our shores after playing 26 shows around the United Kingdom and completing his debut album in Sweden. No doubt he’ll give fans a sneak peek at the whimsical folk narratives that have made the cut, as well as some of the beloved tracks from his EP Burnt Black Wood.

Zoe is the ideal foil for Christopher. She’s polished her live performances with supporting Matt Corby’s Secret Garden gigs and playing her own sell-out shows in her hometown this year. She hits the road to promote her recently released EP Black Dog.

With two superb singer-songwriters playing such intimate venues, these nights are sure to be pretty special.

13 September 2013 – Wesley Anne, Melbourne
14 September 2013 – The Front Gallery, Canberra
20 September 2013 – House Concert, Newcastle
21 September 2013 – Smallest Gig sideshow, Sydney

Image used with permission from Dario Phillips Management

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordie Lane Comes Home for EP Release

After enjoying critical acclaim and chart success with his 2011 album Blood Thinner, Jordie Lane has opted to return to the short EP format for his next release. Not Built to Last, which hits stores on October 18, was the result of an intense time co-writing and recording in his new adopted home of Los Angeles.

He’s also spent plenty of time on the stage recently, with slots at the Winnipeg and Calgary Folk Festivals and headlining gigs across North America. With all that experience under his belt, Jordie will return home to launch the single with festival appearances and solo shows around the country this October and November.

25 & 26 October 2013 – Fleurieu Folk Festival, Willunga
27 October 2013 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle (afternoon show)
27 October 2013 – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
31 October 2013 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
1 November 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane (early evening show)
2 November 2013 – Red Hot Music, Devonport
3 November 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart (afternoon show)
7 November 2013 – Beav’s Bar, Geelong
8 November 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
9 November 2013 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne (with full band)
10 November 2013 – Caravan Club, Oakleigh (afternoon show)
13 November 2013 – Street Theatre, Canberra
14 November 2013 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
15 November 2013 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
16 November 2013 – The Basement, Sydney (with full band)
17 November 2013 – Grand Junction, Maitland
18 November 2013 – Music Lounge, Manly
20 November 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
21 November 2013 – Lizotte’s, New Lambton
22 November 2013 – Mullumbimby Music Festival, Mullumbimby

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Better Luck Next Time Bree De Rome

I normally don’t post clips that I’m not in love with. It’s my blog and I can do what I want after all. But I’m going to make an exception for Bree De Rome’s single “Better Luck”.

The danger in using a lot of bad luck clichés in your song is that the entire thing will come off as a bit of a cliché. The song writing feels a bit lazy honestly, and that really lets this sunny track down. That sunniness is also grating on me. I don’t mind a bit of positivity, but it’s almost like Bree hasn’t quite grasped the lyrics. When you’re saying goodbye to a failed relationship, shouldn’t there be just a little more edge?

Despite these failings, I find myself really liking Bree, even if I’m not mad about the song. She’s got a gorgeous voice and so much charisma. I like her so much that I think her debut EP Bag of Bones could be worth checking out. I might just skip this track. Bree’s promoting Bag of Bones with the following shows later this month.

20 September 2013 – The Waiting Room, Brisbane
21 September 2013 – The Loft, Gold Coast
4 October 2013 – Kittens, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

All in the Family for DASH

You might expect a band made up of two pairs of siblings to be a volatile mess. But Sarah-Rose and Luke McIvor and Chris and Brandon Li Wan Po seem to have gotten the balance right with their outfit DASH. The Melbourne quartet has just released a music video for their stunning new single “The World Behind”.

The animated clip, created by Melbourne’s Deva Chandra, is the perfect accompaniment to this gorgeous number. It feels like something you might listen to around a campfire on a clear, still night. There’s not a lot of trickery here: just soaring sweet vocal melodies, warm jangling banjos, and an intimacy that’s so compelling. It’s organic and real and beautiful.

“The World Behind” comes from DASH’s debut EP And Then There Were None, which hit stores in March. DASH are currently planning a summer tour and another EP, so it sounds like we’ll enjoy plenty more music from this exciting new act.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sheppard Release Fab Follow-Up Single

Pop songs are deceptively simple, but it takes real talent to craft a gem. Brisbane band Sheppard did it earlier this year with “Let Me Down Easy”, and they’ve proved that was no fluke with their latest single “Hold My Tongue”.

This is another slice of upbeat positivity from the band, so it’s unsurprising that it’s already become a fan favourite and a top 10 hit in Thailand.

“This is the track that’s the most fun to play live,” said George Sheppard. “It’s the one our fans love dancing to most at our shows. We asked Australia to sing along with us on Let Me Down Easy, and now it’s time to invite everyone up to shake it a little!”

“Hold My Tongue” is another stellar track that convinces me Sheppard’s debut album, which should hit stores in early 2014, will be something special.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy & Bear Release Second Album Single “Three Headed Woman”

Boy & Bear’s latest album Harlequin Dream is still doing great business in the charts. Perhaps that’s because this Aussie act is just so consistent. There’s no second–single syndrome going on with the latest cut “Three Headed Woman”. Perhaps it’s just because it’s new and shiny, but I think I like this track better than the first single “Under a Southern Sun”.

It was always going to take something to top that icy first film clip too, but this slow motion masterpiece might have just done it. Why does everything look so much cooler in slow mo? I don’t know, but this is one polished piece of video.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Toot Toot Toots are Twin Beasts

The Melbourne rockers formerly known as The Toot Toot Toots are back with a brand new name and a great new single. They’ve released their latest track “Badlove” under their new moniker Twin Beasts.

It’s a bit rough around the edges, but I think that’s one of the things I love most about it. It wears its heart on its sleeve, warts and all.

The song is the title track from the band’s follow-up to their debut album Outlaws. Its creation saw Twin Beasts in lockdown for a month with ARIA-nominated producer Burke Reid (The Drones, Oh Mercy, Gerling), focusing on their craft and the themes of love, lust, and infatuation. The album won’t hit stores until early 2014, but this song should help tide fans over.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Big Name Aussie Acts Plays Show for Casey Tutungi

You Am I Allstars (an all-star band featuring You Am I members and some special guests) will headline a fundraising event for Casey Tutungi, the quadriplegic former Geelong football player.

Paul Dempsey, Regurgitator, Lisa Mitchell, Adalita, The Bamboos, Dan Sultan, and Yacht Club DJs will also grace the stage at the event designed to raise funds for the care of the 28-year-old VFL player. Casey suffered a paralysing spinal injury during a game in the middle of the year. It left him in a wheelchair just months before the birth of his first child.

A Show for Casey will hit Simonds Stadium on Sunday 29 September from 1 pm. It’s an all-ages event, with kids 12 and under enjoying free entry. Just make sure you bring you ID if you plan on drinking. Tickets cost just $50 from the Show for Casey website and all Ghanda stores.

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water