Luke Yeoward Fronts The 131’s

After moonlighting for King Cannons, Luke Yeoward is back doing what he does best with his new outfit, The 131’s. Their lead single “This Ain’t Culture” is the perfect example of straight up punk music, the kind of tune that really means something and gets you in your gut.

Apparently a punter described this as “Bruce Springsteen singing for Rancid.” Despite all my years of training at this writing game, I couldn’t have said it any better myself. If that’s the kind of music you dig and you’re lucky enough to live in their home state of Victoria, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to catch The 131’s over the coming weeks. They’ve taken up residency at The Old Bar, plus they’ve got a couple of other gigs on the horizon.

13 March 2016 – The Old Bar, Fitzroy
20 March 2016 – The Old Bar, Fitzroy
27 March 2016 – The Old Bar, Fitzroy
31 March 2016 – 170 Russell, Melbourne (supporting Stiff Little Fingers)
1 April 2016 – The Bendigo Hotel, Bendigo

Tinpan Orange Announce Album Tour

Tinpan Orange are some of the true quiet achievers of the music world, releasing quality album after quality album with little fanfare. They’re just about to release their fifth studio album Love is a Dog, and if the lead single “Rich Man” is any indication it’s going to be another high quality collection of music.

This is such a beautiful, delicate song, with Emily Lubitz’s voice pairing beautifully with those soaring strings. Make sure you listen to those lyrics too, which are so delightfully dark. I really love guitarist Jesse Lubitz’s comment that “it could have been used as a Bond theme if David Lynch was directing.” Can we make that happen by the way?

Tinpan Orange will celebrate the April 8 release of Love is a Dog with a national tour. Tickets are available now for the following shows.

15-17 April 2016 – Fairbridge Folk Festival, Fairbridge
29 April 2016 – The Grand Poobah, Hobart
1 May 2016 – Fresh on Charles, Launceston
7 May 2016 – Toff in Town, Melbourne
8 May 2016 – Rattlers Hotel, Wallan
14 May 2016 – Civic Hall, Mullumbimby
15 May 2016 – Old Museum, Brisbane
20 May 2016 – The Vanguard, Sydney
27 May 2016 – The Workers Club, Geelong
28 May 2016 – The Railway Club, Darwin
4 June 2016 – Fly by Night, Fremantle
5 June 2016 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide

The Great Awake Do Pop-Punk Right

In the 90s I remember music fans going nuts for pop-punk, an offshoot of punk music. I appreciated its accessibility but also felt this more melodic music lost the rebellion punk music was meant to represent.

South Sydney’s The Great Awake have gotten the balance right though. Tracks like “Departure Lounge” have a raucous real heart that hearkens back to the glory days of punk. They’re paired with great melodies though that should help it appeal to people who don’t ordinarily listen to the genre.

“Departure Lounge” comes from The Great Awake’s debut album, Reasons For Leaving, which drops on February 24. They’ll celebrate the album’s release with the following shows.

4 March 2016 – Front Gallery, Canberra
5 March 2016 – Dicey’s, Wollongong
6 March 2016 – Frankie’s, Sydney
12 March 2016 – The Exeter, Adelaide
19 March 2016 – Fat Louie’s, Brisbane
26 March 2016 – Valve Bar, Sydney
1 April 2016 – Bar 303, Melbourne
2 April 2016 – Cherry Bar, Melbourne
8 April 2016 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
9 April 2016 – Fresh Cafe, Launceston

Tropical Zombie Rock Out with “Call The Police”

Sydney six-piece Tropical Zombie have won me over with their brand new single “Call The Police.”

Apparently the band recorded it in the back of a Central Coast café; that’s certainly given it a more spontaneous energy than so many recordings. It feel like one of those classic singles that was recorded in one take, capturing a moment where the stars aligned perfectly.

“Call the Police” comes from Tropical Zombie’s debt album, which should drop in the middle of the year. You can hear some of the tracks when the band plays shows all around the country over the next couple of months. Many of the gigs are free, so there’s no excuse for staying home!

10 March 2016 – Noosa Festival of Surfing, Noosa (FREE)
11 March 2016 – Quicksilver Boardriders, Coolangatta (FREE)
12 March 2016 – Mojo Burning Festival, Brisbane
12 March 2016 – The Northern, Byron Bay (FREE)
18 March 2016 – Club 54, Hobart
19 March 2016 – Republic Bar, Hobart
1 April 2016 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
2 April 2016 – Festival of the Stone, Torquay (FREE)
8 April 2016 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
9 April 2016 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney

Twin Fires Get Toes Tapping with “Two Hands”

With Twin Fires kicking off their East Coast tour tomorrow night in support of The Snowdroppers, it seemed the perfect time to introduce you to their debut single “Two Hands.”

It’s got such a great folk-rock feel to it. I can imagine cranking this up in my car on a road trip. The Snowdroppers might be the main event at the shows, but with music like this I imagine Sydney act Twin Fires is going to get a lot of love. If you’re going to the shows, make sure you arrive early to catch this exciting new band.

20 February 2016 – The Foundry, Brisbane
26 February 2016 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
4 March 2016 – Howler, Melbourne

Hugh Sheridan Reinvents Swing With California Crooners Club

When I heard Hugh Sheridan was performing in a new act called California Crooners Club, I thought I knew what to expect. I was sure I’d hear music that faithfully plays tribute to music’s golden age a la Michael Buble. But what I got was something much more original and innovative.

Along with musical partners Emile Welman and Gabe Roland, Hugh Sheridan is creating music which melts jazz and crooning with more modern musical influences including R ‘n’ B, rap, and pop. The current single “Just a Little More” captures this fusion perfectly.

After selling out shows in Adelaide earlier this month, California Crooners Club has announced new shows in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Given the popularity of the previous dates, I wouldn’t wait too long to get your tickets.

26 February 2016 – The Toff, Melbourne
4 March 2016 – The Beresford, Sydney
8-14 March 2016 – The Octagon @ Gluttony, Adelaide

Liam Gerner Tours Australia

After making a splash at the Woodford Folk Festival, South Australian-born world traveller Liam Garner is returning home for a string of shows right across the country. This is the first time he’s toured Australia since he supported Paolo Nutini last year, and his first local headlining tour in ages.

Liam promises to share old and new songs at the shows, including the incredible “Hank and Tammy.” Take a listen and tell me that you don’t want a ticket to these shows.

Tickets are on sale now for the following gigs.

18 February 2016 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
19 February 2016 – Royal Oak Hotel, Launceston
3 March 2016 – Four5Nine, Perth
4-6 March 2016 – Nannup Music Festival, Nannup
9 March 2016 – Ararat Live, Ararat
11 March 2016 – Billy Roy Blues, Bendigo
16 March 2016 – Petersham Bowling Club, Sydney
17 March 2016 – The Stag, Newcastle
18 March 2016 – Flow Bar, Old Bar
20 March 2016 – Leftys Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane
8 April 2016 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide (with Tim Moore)
15 April 2016 – Spotted Mallard, Melbourne

Halcyon Drive Release Single Ahead of East Coast Tour

Melbourne’s Halcyon Drive has put a smile on my dial with the laidback groove of their latest single “Untethered,” the second track lifted from the band’s forthcoming EP.

The track was recorded in a makeshift studio in Victoria’s Otways National Park with producer Steve Schram, known for his work with San Cisco and Eagle & The Worm.

The EP doesn’t drop until May, but fans can hear a sneak peek when Halcyon Drive hit the road later this month. Catch them at the following shows.

27 February 2016 – Shebeen, Melbourne
4 March 2016 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
5 March 2016 – Milk Factory, Brisbane
10 March 2016 – Transit Bar, Canberra
11 March 2016 – Captain Cook Hotel, Sydney
12 March 2016 – Lord Gladstone, Sydney
13 March 2016 – Rad Bar, Wollongong

Image used with permission from Rare Finds

Paul Dempsey Back with Brand New Solo Single “Morningless”

Paul Dempsey has given fans their first taste of his sophomore solo album with the release of its lead single “Morningless.” This is another solid bluesy rock effort from the Something for Kate frontman. And how fabulous is the retro-inspired music video?

Along with the other album tracks, “Morningless” was recorded in Wilco’s The Loft studio in Chicago while they were on tour together. To celebrate the single’s release, Paul will tour the East Coast later this month. Limited tickets are still available for many of these shows, but you’d better get in quick!

13 February 2016 – Taronga Zoo, Sydney (SOLD OUT)
17 February 2016 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne (supporting Missy Higgins
19 February 2016 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney
20 February 2016 – The Zoo, Brisbane
26 February 2016 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
19 March 2016 – West Kentish, Tasmania

Fun Lovin’ Criminals Head to Australia for Album Anniversary

Fun Lovin’ Criminals are the latest band to head Down Under for a nostalgia tour. The New Yorkers who rose to prominence with their single “Scooby Snacks” are heading our way to promote the 20 year anniversary of their album Come Find Yourself.

Huey Morgan, Brian Leiser, and Frank Benbini promise to play the album live in its entirety for the first time since its release. The album was revolutionary for the way it melded genres including rock, blues, hip hop, jazz, funk, and soul.

“Our debut album burned a path for crossing genres that we now take for granted,” Huey Morgan said in a press release. “The music is now part of our collective lexicon and we are very proud to be able to play it live and share our love of diversity which we have always, as a band, championed.”

Tickets are on sale now from Oztix for the following shows.

30 September 2016 – Big Top, Sydney
1 October 2016 – Eatons Hill, Brisbane
2 October 2016 – 170 Russell, Melbourne
4 October 2016 – HQ, Adelaide
5 October 2016 – Metropolis, Fremantle

Image used with permission from SCG Media