Category: Tours

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

HOLY HOLY Announces Aussie Tour

When I wrote about HOLY HOLY’s killer new single “Darwinism” last month, I noted a tour wouldn’t be too far away. Now the Aussie act has announced some dates, and released a video for the single, I thought it only fair to put them on your radar.

Exciting stuff always happens when this band — which has members based in Launceston, Brisbane, and Melbourne — get together. Experience the magic for yourselves at the following shows. I Know Leopard and Alex L’Estrange will serve as supports except in Western Australia where Dream Rimmy will take I Know Leopard’s place.

3 November 2016 – Fat Controller, Adelaide
4 November 2016 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
5 November 2016 – Amplifier, Perth
6 November 2016 – Mojos, Fremantle
11 November 2016 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
12 November 2016 – The Workers Club, Geelong
13 November 2016 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
17 November 2016 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
18 November 2016 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
19 November 2016 – Uni Bar, Wollongong
20 November 2016 – The Basement, Canberra
24 November 2016 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
25 November 2016 – Solbar, Sunshine Coast
26 November 2016 – The Triffid, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Leah Flanagan Tours “Saudades”

Fresh from touring her single “Chills,” Leah Flanagan is preparing to hit the road again to celebrate the release of the album it comes from, Saudades.

“Chills” is one of those songs that gets under your skin with its emotional lyrics and vulnerability, and there are more of those feels on the album. The tracks explore all those emotions we carry through to our relationships, romantic and otherwise. Leah’s sultry voice is perfectly set for the songs which play with jazz and blues.

Catch Leah performing songs from her new album at the following shows.

1 October 2016 – Dashville Skyline Festival, Hunter Valley
14 October 2016 – Basement Discs, Melbourne
15 October 2016 – Whistlewood Art Gallery, Main Ridge
20 October 2016 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
21 October 2016 – Lismore Showgrounds, Lismore
29 October 2016 – Marrickville Bowling, Marrickville
4 November 2016 – The Bella Union, Melbourne
5 November 2016 – Narana Music Festival, Geelong
12 November 2016 – Candelo Hall, Candelo
19 November 2016 – Darwin Railway Club, Darwin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Castlecomer Gets Me Grooving With “Judy”

It might be Humpday and relatively early, but I’m feeling better about this Wednesday than most. This is my first day working in my brand new office, a magnificent bright purple space with a Prince canvas on the wall watching over me. It’s heavenly.

So the funky grooves of Castlecomer’s new single “Judy” are really hitting the spot. The track is an absolute ear-pleaser, but it’s got a darker side with its lyrics exploring a taboo relationship from the side of the weaker party.

“Judy” comes from Castlecomer’s new EP All of the Noise. The Sydney band will tour the East Coast this November to celebrate its release.

17 November 2016 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
25 November 2016 – Transit Bar, Canberra
26 November 2016 – The Reverence Hotel, Melbourne
2 December 2016 – Manning Bar, Sydney
15 December 2016 – The Brightside, Brisbane
16 December 2016 – The Northern Hotel, Byron Bay (FREE)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy & Bear Release Beer for Upcoming Regional Tour

If there’s one thing I love just as music, it’s beer. Not your run-of-the-mill Toohey’s New or Carlton Draft mind you, but a good craft beer that’s more complex, interesting, and downright delicious than the average. So I was interested to hear that Boy & Bear have joined forces with Akasha Beers in 5 Dock to create a signature ale.

So where can you taste this delicious drop I hear you ask? Well you’ll need to get to one of Boy & Bear’s upcoming regional Limit of Love shows. It’ll be served on tap at most venues on this run of dates. And if you need another reason to choose the Boy & Bear beer over your usual lager, then you might be interested to hear proceeds are benefiting Buy a Bale, a charity which helps out drought-stricken Queensland farmers.

If you’re heading to one of these Boy & Bear shows and make sure to buy a beer or two. The farmers will thank you!

9 Nov ember 2016 – Regent Theatre, Ballarat
10 Nov ember 2016 – Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo
11 Nov ember 2016 – Costa Hall, Geelong
12 Nov ember 2016 – The Cube, Wodonga
16 Nov ember 2016 – C.Ex Coffs, Coffs Harbour
17 Nov ember 2016 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
18 Nov ember 2016 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
19 Nov ember 2016 – Lake Kawana Community Centre, Sunshine Coast
20 Nov ember 2016 – The Mills Precinct, Toowoomba
23 Nov ember 2016 – Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton
24 Nov ember 2016 – MECC, Mackay
25 Nov ember 2016 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
27 Nov ember 2016 – The Venue, Townsville
2 December 2016 – Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany
3 December 2016 – 3 Oceans, Margaret River
4 December 2016 – Fremantle Prison, Fremantle
7 December 2016 – Orange Ex-Services Club, Orange
8 December 2016 – ANU, Canberra
9 December 2016 – Waves, Wollongong
10 December 2016 – Wests City, Newcastle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rowena Wise Hits Home Run With “Hollow Hearts”

Life’s been far too busy for my liking of late. I feel like I’m living in The Block, with my husband and I renovating half my house (along with the generous contributions of my parents). Those parents have been down to my place three days already this week and we’ve all been slapping paint around like people possessed in preparation for laying carpet tomorrow. On Tuesday I headed to Newcastle a little after lunch to visit the dentist, call in to my sister’s place to help her with her tax, then catch the wonderful Jimmy Barnes at Lizotte’s (more on that later).

Needless to say, today is the first day all week I’ve felt I could just “be.” Deadlines are looming of course, but there’s something about the calm that comes from an empty house and a day inn pyajamas that makes those deadlines a bit more bearable. In this rare moment of calm I’ve discovered the latest track from Rowena Wise. With her angelic voice and whimsical charm, she’s just what I needed to listen to right now. If your week has felt far too long too, you need to listen to her new single “Hollow Hearts.”

This divine song comes from Rowena’s self-titled album, which she recorded with celebrated Melbourne producer Nick Huggins. Rowena is currently touring on the back of its release. You can catch her at the following venues.

16 September 2016 – Smiths Alternative, Canberra
17 September 2016 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide
23 September 2016 – Junk Bar, Brisbane
24 September 2016 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne
25 September 2016 – The Homestead, Hobart

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angel Olsen Brings New Album Down Under

Outstanding American indie-folk songstress Angel Olsen is visiting our shores later this year to promote her brand new album My Woman. She’ll play some of the country’s most respected festivals and headline her own shows in key locations around the country.

The tour announcement coincides with the release of Angel’s brand new single “Sister.” It’s an epic ballad with a beautiful clip filmed at Joshua Tree National Park.

If you like what you hear, make sure you don’t miss Angel Olsen on her Aussie tour.

26 November 2016 – Grand Poobah, Hobart
28 November 2016 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
1 December 2016 – Lismore City Hall, Lismore
2 December 2016 – Brightside, Brisbane
2 & 3 December 2016 – Fairgrounds Festival, Berry
5 December 2016 – Sydney Opera House Studio, Sydney
7 December 2016 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
8 December 2016 – Badlands, Perth
9-11 December 2016 – Meredith Music Festival, Meredith

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Backbone” – Anthony Callea

I’ve always admired Anthony Callea’s voice but I didn’t become a fan until he released his album Ladies and Gentlemen: The Songs of George Michael a few years ago. I loved George’s originals, but I found myself hearing the songs in a new way with Anthony’s release. So I was excited to see him tackling covers again on his latest album Backbone.

It’d be unfair to call this simply an album of covers though. Perhaps the term concept album would be more accurate. This collection is all about getting to the essence of each song, stripping away the bells and whistles of production and discovering its bare bones.

The approach brings out the beauty and depth in songs that once seemed like throwaway fluff, like Britney Spears’ “Sometimes” and Bananarama’s “Love in the First Degree.” The overproduction is gone, replaced for the most part with piano, Anthony’s voice, some backing vocals to support it, and those lyrics that are better than we all remembered them.

This album isn’t just about guilty pleasures, although they’re well represented. Other songs like “Man in the Mirror” and “We Belong” were already strong on their release. However, his versions do magnify the impact of the lyrics which sees them strike a little closer to the heart. Queen set the bar very high with another true classic, “Somebody to Love,” but the acapella version included here is one of the Backbone’s highlights. Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” is another standout. The subtle sax line in is a delicious throwback to the original, although the stripped back delivery makes it brand new.

The only original song, the title track “Backbone,” is beautiful and honest. However, it seems a little out of place on this concept album, not because it’s not a cover but because it has a fuller sound that doesn’t quite gel with the other more organically treated tracks. Just a fraction more restraint would have made all the difference.

One slight mistep doesn’t make Backbone any less enjoyable though. For pop music lovers like me, it’s a real gem that breathes new life into so many songs that have a special place in my heart. With a focus on lyrics and feeling, in many cases Anthony has improved on the originals. When we’re talking about songs so beloved, that’s no small feat.

Backbone hits stores on September 16. Anthony will support its release with the following shows.

23 September 2016 – Revesby Workers Club, Revesby
24 September 2016 – The Cube, Campbelltown
30 September 2016 – The Palms at Crown, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kingfisha Touring Brand New Album

The funky fellas from Kingfisha will release their second album Offered it Up, tomorrow. Featuring the single “Left It,” the follow-up to the critically acclaimed Piece of the Puzzle showcases the Brisbane party band’s signature modern twist on classic reggae sounds.

Kingfisha’s music has taken them to places as far flung as Reunion Island and Swaziland, but they’ll be back on home soil to celebrate the album’s release with a string of shows kicking off in Cairns later this month.

30 September 2016 – The Jack, Cairns
1 October 2016 – Wallaby Creek Festival, Rossville
7 October 2016 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
8 October 2016 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
15 October 2016 – Newtown Social Club
21 October 2016 – Transit Bar, Canberra
22 October 2016 – Dragon Dreaming Festival, Lake Burrinjuck
23 October 2016 – Swagger Festival, Wandiligong
5 November 2016 – Imperial Hotel, Sunshine Coast
11 November 2016 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
12 November 2016 – The Shark bar, Gold Coast
18 November 2016 – Settlers Inn, Margaret River
19 November 2016 – Indi Bar, Scarborough
20 November 2016 – Mojos, Fremantle
3 December 2016 – The Triffid, Brisbane
4 December 2016 – Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads

Image used with permission from Remedy Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ayla Impresses with “Like the Other Kids”

Ayla speaks directly to my angsty inner teen with her latest track “Like the Other Kids.” It’s such a poignant song about being different and the feelings that can stir, expressed beautifully by the Sunshine Coast songstress. I’ve enjoyed her other material but this has blown me away.

Ayla will launch the single the following shows along the East Coast next month.

2 October 2016 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra
7 October 2016 – Studio 188, Ipswich
8 October 2016 – The Zoo, Brisbane
21 October 2016 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
22 October 2016 – The Penny Black, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Breakaway Back with “Restart”

After a hiatus from the live scene lasting more than a year, Sydney pop-rockers Breakaway are back with a brand new single, aptly titled “Restart.” This is the band’s first new material in two years, but it’s a welcome return to form.

The track charts new territory for the band, with retro synth sounds adding depth to their signature pop-rock vibe. Everything’s a little more evolved and more mature.

Breakaway promises the upcoming gigs will give fans the chance to hear new songs from the forthcoming debut album first. With a mix of all ages and under 18s events, everyone can join in the fun. Tickets are available now from Breakaway’s website.

24 September 2016 – The Lair, Sydney (Licensed/All Ages)
8 October 2016 – Milk Bar, Brisbane (18+)
9 October 2016 – Foundry Records, Brisbane (All Ages)
14 October 2016 – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne (All Ages)
15 October 2016 – Workers Club, Melbourne (18+)
16 October 2016 – Enigma Bar, Adelaide (Licensed/All Ages)