Author: Lauren Katulka

You could spend Easter at another boring bash with the rellies, or you could take off to Tallarook and enjoy some cool sounds and vibes.

The small town in regional Victoria will host the Boogie Festival from April 2 to 4. The bill is an eclectic feast for the ears, with American troubadour Justin Townes Earle, Adelaide retro rockers Leader Cheetah, and local act Wagons all on the bill. Add Ooga Boogas, The Dacios, Boy & Bear, The Frowning Clowns, and heaps more and you’ve got the recipe for a great weekend out. And that’s just for starters. We can expect another announcement in February, which is sure to add value to the already busy bill.

Melbournians can enjoy free return train travel from any suburban station, and there’s also free camping, so why not kick back and stay a while? Tickets are available now from the Boogie Festival website.

Image source: RS @ Wikimedia Commons

With a new single set to explode on radio and a spot on the national Rock the Schools tour, we’ll be hearing a lot more about Brisbane pop-rockers Finabah. Before all the craziness begins I caught up with bass guitarist and songwriter Brendan Langfield to chat about the band’s upcoming tour, their dedicated fan base, and why he can’t wait to quit his day job.

While you’ve got a loyal following, most of Australia probably aren’t familiar with your music. How would you describe your sound?
I like to describe us as if you mash together Fall Out Boy and Kisschasy, you get a Finabah sort of sound. It’s sort of Americanised pop-rock. Obviously we’re Aussies, and we like to think that we sing about reasonably deep and meaningful stuff, and have some decent lyrics and that sort of thing. So I think if you take a Fall Out Boy sound with some Kisschasy elements, that’s pretty much where we’re at.

You recently won the rock category of New Artist to Radio awards which will see your new single “Everyone Jump” all over radio next week. Are you going to be glued to your radio waiting to hear it?
Yeah, definitely. We recently got some play on a lot of the digital radio stations and we’ve been glued to that, let alone the actual stations when it comes out. I think we’re getting reports about which stations are adding it, so we’ll definitely be sitting closely by the radio with our ear to it on the day single comes out.

You’re soon heading out on the road to support the single. I noticed you’re playing plenty of all ages shows which is so refreshing. What made you want to do that?
I think we’ve got a very modern pop-rock sound, and obviously our demographic is an underage fan base. So it’s good if you’ve got an underage fan base to get out there and play to them. It’s difficult these days with the liquor licensing laws and all of these terrible things, all the under-age venues are disappearing unfortunately. I think it’s just pretty important to actually get out there and play to the younger fan base.

And then, in saying that it’s important to not just categorise yourself as an underage band because a lot of bands do that and end up going down the gurgler because their fans grow up and there’s nothing left. So I think we’ve got a good spread of AA and 18+ fans, and thus we’ve done a good spread of AA and 18+ shows.
Continue reading “Q & A with Finabah's Brendan Langfield” →

It’s been a little quiet on the Gyroscope front, but not for much longer. I caught up with drummer Rob Nassif today to chat about the band’s upcoming appearance at Queensland’s The Lost Weekend festival, album number four, and their dedicated, and tattooed, fanbase.

You’re one of the headliners of The Lost Weekend festival, which seems a lot more chilled out than a Big Day Out or Homebake. What made you want to do this kind of show?
We love this sort of festival. For some reason Gyro, I guess because we do have quite a rocking live show and we are quite a loud band, we sometimes miss out on these sort of festivals, the Merediths and the Golden Plains of the world. I think they look at Gyro and think “Oh gee, bit of a loud rock band.” And we are, definitely. But when we got offered the chance to play this festival and we saw the line-up we really wanted to be part of it. And credit to the organisers for asking us, because we’re really looking forward to it.

So will you be camping with the rest of the punters?
I’m working it out. We might actually! I camped at Pyramid Rock about two years ago. That was lots of fun, so there’s a chance. I’m just working it out with my girlfriend at the moment. We’re thinking, because we’re playing on the Friday night I think, so we’re going to possibly stay and hang out. It looks like a fun little festival.

You mentioned the line-up, which has some brilliant local and international acts. Is there anyone you’re particularly looking forward to watching?
We’re all very excited to watch Tumbleweed actually. We all loved Tumbleweed a lot when we were growing up, and when Gyroscope first started they were definitely a big influence on us. As a matter of fact, our name Gyroscope was taken directly from a Tumbleweed song called “Gyroscope.” For years whenever we’d play in Wollongong, we’d always dedicate a song to Tumbleweed because that’s where they’re from. So to actually finally be sharing a bill with them, playing with them, it’s going to be great.

It’s so nice to see them back in action after all these years.
Yeah, it’s great man. I think they were always a little bit underrated, Tumbleweed. They’re a great rock band. We might pluck up the courage and go say g’day to Richie or whoever, and say “Hey man, we stole our name off one of your songs.” That’d be cool.
Continue reading “Q & A with Gyroscope's Rob Nassif” →

The annual Aussie BBQ at SXSW has a new venue for 2010. It will join forces with Sounds Australia for a massive Aussie showcase at Maggie Mae’s on March 20.

The daytime schedule is currently being finalised, but the night time show looks brilliant. Kate Miller-Heidke, Dappled Cities, Karnivool, and Philadelphia Grand Jury are all on the bill.

If you’re anywhere near Austin, Texas, in March, I suggest checking it out!

Image source: ZUMA Press

After taking time off to write songs for her new EP, Leena is heading back on the road.

You might have caught her supporting Joshua Radin, Paul Dempsey, or Tim Finn last year. This time around she’s playing on the same bill as Carus Thompson on the road, as well as headlining her first show in Sydney.

Here are all the dates!

9 February 2010 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
18 February 2010 – The Troubadour, Brisbane
19 February 2010 – The Sound Lounge, Currumbin
20 February 2010 – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi
25 February 2010 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
26 February 2010 – Ruby’s Lounge, Belgrave
27 February 2010 – Raval, Surry Hills

Image used with permission from Repertoire Publicity

With Michael Buble’s third album Crazy Love still enjoying massive chart success, it seems like the perfect time for Australia’s own swing king Earl Cole to perform another Buble tribute show.

Fans can catch the smooth stylings of Earl Cole at Mosmans Restaurant in Perth on February 7. It’s been almost 18 months since Earl’s done a tribute to the Canadian crooner, but he promises it will be worth the wait. The set will feature old favourites like “Feeling Good,” “Fever,” and “Sway,” alongside cuts from the new album including “Haven’t Met You Yet” and “Georgia on my Mind.”

The waterfront Mosmans restaurant is the perfect venue for this romantic night out. Tickets cost $110 and include a gourmet three-course meal and champagne on arrival. Table reservations are available by calling the restaurant on (08) 9383 3388.

Image used with permission from Earl Cole

Congrats to Empire of the Sun for snagging two BRIT Awards nominations. The Aussie electro-pop outfit is up for International Album and International Newcomer titles.

The band’s massive debut album Walking on a Dream is up again Merriweather Post Pavillion from Animal Collective, The E.N.D. from Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga’s The Fame, and Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3.

For best newcomer they’re up against countryman Daniel Merriweather, Animal Collective, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift.

“The dream was the king for this record and it is becoming wilder and wilder as the sandman keeps cooking. This is a great honour, we are walking on a dream,” Luke Steele said in a statement.

I’d kind of like to see Empire of the Sun take home the album award, leaving the newcomer title to Daniel Merriweather. It’d be great to see two Aussies take home gongs. Although with such stiff competition, it isn’t going to be easy.

The 2010 BRIT Awards will be held at Earl’s Court, London on February 16.

Image source: Stuart Sevastos @ Wikimedia Commons