Author: Lauren Katulka

Sometimes the best things come in the simplest packages. I must admit, the rather amateurish cover of Bec Plath’s EP Unrequited didn’t grab me when it arrived on my desk. But then I put it in my stereo, and instantly I was hooked.

Just like the cover, this music isn’t polished by a studio, which is exactly why it’s so compelling. As an independent artist, Bec Plath can express herself freely, wearing her heart on her sleeve and writing songs that are intensely raw. The result is an eclectic mix, and one that leaves me wanting more.

“Polka Dots” has a playful jazz piano feel which calls to mind Regina Spektor or Tori Amos. The title track which follows is much angrier, a big tune that wouldn’t sound out of place on Pat Benatar or Heart album. Those influences are there, but it never sounds like Bec is trying to be anyone else. Instead she easily inhabits the space vacated by strong female singers that came before.

Unrequited hit me in a deeply personal way. It’s that sort of rare CD which you don’t just happily sing along to, you feel. Bec Plath has a very beautiful gift, and I’m thrilled she shared it with me.

Image source: iTunes

Sydney rockers Torch Le Monde have announced a mini-tour to support their new single “You.”

The band describes the track as “a heavy rock beast,” which tells the story of a forsaken relationship from the side of a wronged lover.

“It’s about when a lover is unhappy in a relationship and feels their love is not reciprocated,” explained drummer, Jordan McDonald. “It’s quite personal as the song was inspired by the effects of spending months touring, away from our loved ones. Musically, it is one of our most catchy tracks to date, and live – it’s absolutely killer”!

“You” comes from Torch Le Monde’s long-awaited debut album, which is scheduled for release in late 2010. The tour will take in just four cities next month.

“You’ll get all the stuff you would expect from an awesome rock show – the riffs, the rhythms the soaring vocals and the punishing guitar solos,” said Jordan. “We push ourselves to the limit everytime we play live, because that’s what our fans have come to expect from us”.

It sounds like these are shows well worth seeing!

12 March 2010 – Live At The Wall, Parramatta
13 March 2010 – Newcastle Leagues Club
19 March 2010 – The Globe, Brisbane
20 March 2010 – Miami Shark Bar, Gold Coast

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Them Crooked Vultures rock so hard that they blew two speakers during one of their recent Aussie shows. The band could have just tossed them, but in the wake of the Haiti earthquake the band decided to auction these speakers and a bunch of other awesome memorabilia to benefit the Australian Red Cross’ relief effort.

Fans can bid on one of two Them Crooked Vultures packs, each containing a blown speaker signed by the band, Dave Grohl’s used and autographed drumsticks, an Aussie tour poster and shirt, an official stubby holder, an embroidered tour patch, a working pass from the tour, a set list from the show, and a letter of authenticity signed by the band’s tour manager. Pretty cool huh?

You’ve got until February 13 to get your bids in, so step on it. I’ll warn you though, they’re not going cheap. As I write bids on both the first and second pack are up to $4050. At least it’s all for a good cause!

Image source: ZUMA Press

Local blues outfit Chasin The Train was formed when rock outfit Moving Pictures were on hiatus in the mid 1980s. They lasted more than a decade before parting ways in the late 1990s. The band played their first reunion show in 2005, and now five years later they’re set to do it all again.

The original line-up of Kevin Bennett, Kirk Lorange, Ian Lees, and Mark Meyer will play two special shows at the Bridge Hotel in Rozelle on March 12 and 13.

“Kirk and I have a thing that just works – he does the hard stuff and I do the easy stuff and when it comes together along with the best rhythm section around in Mark and Ian, there’s a complete ‘other’ thing created and we turn into ‘The Train’ – a very special sum of 4 distinct parts and I miss everything about these guys, so I’m really excited about seeing and hearing what happens on stage,” explained Kevin Bennett.

Chasin The Train will be supported by Abbie Cardwell & Her Leading Men. Tickets for these rare shows are on sale now from the venue.

Image used with permission from Thrillhill Entertainment

There are big things happening for Sydney’s Cassette Kids. They haven’t even released their debut album yet, and already they’ve got European and American dates booked!

Cassette Kids will play the Sydney Good Vibrations festival in front of a home town audience this Saturday before flying to the United Kingdom days later. After that they’re booked in to play the prestigious SXSW festival in Austin. We’ll finally see them home at the end of March for the Bacardi Express tour.

The band’s second single Spin has hit radio this week ahead of the release of Nothing On TV. This pop-styled track showcases a band whose sound is becoming even more mature as time passes. Clearly the band has flourished under the tutelage of producers Richard Wilkinson (Hot Chip, Adele, Magic Numbers, Carl Cox) and Michael Di Francesco from Van She. Nothing On TV will hit stores on April 16.

If you’re abroad or at home, here’s when you can catch the Cassette Kids!

13 February 2010 – Sydney Good Vibrations, Centennial Park
17 February 2010 – 229 Club, Great Portland St, London
18 February 2010 – Buffalo Bar, Upper Street, Islington
19 February 2010 – Last FM @ Barfly, Camden
March 2010 – SXSW, Austin
25 March 2010 – Bacardi Express Tour @ Tivoli, Brisbane
26 March 2010 – Bacardi Express Tour @ Club Coffs, Coffs Harbour
27 March 2010 – Bacardi Express Tour @ Panthers, Newcastle
27 March 2010 – Bacardi Express Tour @ Luna Park Big Top, Sydney

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia