Since my trip to NZ I’m a bit obsessed with everything from the Land of the Long White Cloud, and that includes Louis Baker. And once you listen to his current single “Birds,” I think you will be too.
Isn’t it beautiful? This song is so delicate and exquisite, soulful and organic. I’m in love. If you are too, make sure you catch Louis on his first, and hopefully not his last, Aussie tour.
18 June 2015 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane
19 June 2015 – Boadriders, Gold Coast (FREE)
25 June 2015 – The Treehouse, Byron Bay (FREE)
26 June 2015 – Kings Cross Hotel, Sydney (FREE)
27 June 2015 – Grace Darling, Melbourne
Last Dinosaurs are giving us a sneak peek at the material from their highly anticipated second album, but don’t mistake “Evie” for a Stevie Wright cover. Instead this is a slice of retro-inspired, synth-saturated pop designed to help you on your way towards the weekend.
“It was the first song I wrote after our first album, but the last song we finished for this album,” explained lead singer Sean Caskey. “So in a way it was the most natural, and at the same time it was so difficult to perfect. The song is about the idea of having that naive optimism for something desired but unattainable.”
Last Dinosaurs will celebrate the release of “Evie” and warm up for “Splendour” with intimate shows across the country later this month, kicking off with a hometown show. Tickets are available from the venues.
20 June 2015 – The Brightside,
26 June 2015 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
27 June 2015 – Howler, Melbourne
3 July 2015 – Jive, Adelaide
4 July 2015 – Amplifier, Perth
Jenny Broke the Window have put a smile on my dial with their catchy new single “Black Skeleton.” The feel-good track is lifted from the band’s forthcoming EP. It shows a real return to form for the Sydneysiders who brought us “Rum’n’ Cola” last year.
Jenny Broke the Window will launch “Black Skeleton” with a string of shows in Sydney and Melbourne.
6 June 2015 – Rubix Warehouse, Melbourne
12 June 2015 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
20 June 2015 – Hotel Steyne Manly, Sydney
Image used with permission from Habit Music Company
If you missed out on Splendour tickets to see The Grates, don’t worry. The Brisbane band will play a few sideshows under the banner of the Team Work Makes the Dream Work tour.
The Grates have developed an enviable reputation for their live show over more than a decade in the business. They’re set to play songs that span that career, including new single “Call Me” and others from the Dream Team album.
“It’s been ages since we’ve hit the road & performed live, and we’re stoked to be returning with rad legends Straight Arrows, and cold wave creepers Pleasure Symbols,” lead singer Patience Hodgson said in a press release. “Touring with people that you not only love watching on stage, but love hanging out with off stage, is as good as it gets.”
Tickets for the following shows are available from the venues.
8 August 2015 – The Triffid, Brisbane
14 August 2015 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
15 August 2015 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Image used with permission from Secret Service Public Relations
We All Want To is one of those bands that nearly passed me by. I remember being directed to the Soundcloud of the single “Road to Ruin” a few months ago and being a bit nonplussed. It wasn’t a bad track, but it didn’t inspire me enough to earn a review. However, now that I can hear the track amongst the others on We All Want To’s album The Haze, I’ve changed my tune.
From the opening track, “Eileen Afternoon” I knew I’d judged We All Want To too quickly. I has such great spirit, like a cross between The Whitlams and REM. It put a smile on my face, and by the time “Road to Ruin” rolled around a couple of songs later I could hear it with new ears. Sure, it’s not going to change the world but it’s damn good fun. Not that We All Want To are all about having a good time. “Remove the Arrow” is so touching. Tracks like this give The Haze the light and shade it needs. I also loved “Like Buildings Collapse,” with its dramatic crashing drums and soaring trumpets.
There’s a great energy about We All Want To. Reality TV judges would say the vocals are pitchy, and the fuzzy guitars aren’t going to be to everyone’s taste, but the songs are catchy as hell. They’ve got more hooks than my dad’s tackle box. I even kind of like their imperfections.
The Haze is light and summery, with fuzzy chords and easy harmonies. It’s a lovely antidote to the autumn chills we’re having, and when warmer weather rolls around it’ll make the perfect barbeque soundtrack.
We All Want To kick off their album tour tonight, so if you’re in Melbourne get your skates on! Here are all the dates.
29 May 2015 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
30 May 2015 – The Metro, Adelaide
5 June 2015 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
6 June 2015 – The Phoenix, Canberra
7 June 2015 – The Vanguard, Sydney
13 June 2015 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
14 June 2015 – Bison Bar, Nambour
19 June 2015 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
Jack Carty and Jordan Millar enjoyed playing shows together in March so much that they’re set to do it all again with an acoustic tour this August.
Jack should be in fine form because he’s currently touring his latest album Esk across the United Kingdom and Europe. Meanwhile, Jordan will be taking a break from recording his next album for this tour. After time spent in the studio, he’s probably itching to get back out on stage!
If you’re on the fence about the shows, take a look at this video capturing one of their performances together in March. Do you really want to miss two singer-songwriters of this calibre playing together? I think not!
It’s also worth pre-ordering your tickets, as every one bought on presale comes with an 11-track digital live album Jack Carty & Jordan Millar – Live @ The Front Gallery. Tickets are available from Jack Carty’s website.
1 August 2015 – The Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
6 August 2015 – The Commons, Newcastle
7 August 2015 – The Street Theatre, Canberra
8 August 2015 – Venue 505, Sydney
14 August 2015 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane
15 August 2015 – Rous Mill Hall, Rous Mill
20 August 2015 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
21 August 2015 – Grace Darling Hotel, Melbourne
22 August 2015 – The Grand Poobah, Hobart
I’ve had one of those weeks. You know the ones, when there’s too much to do, not enough time to do it in, and far too many interruptions. But thankfully it’s Friday, there’s a weekend just around the corner and I have awesome tracks like Sydney duo Lime Cordiale’s new single “Feel Alright” to listen to.
“Feel Alright” has got such an easy groove and those horns are killer. If you’re digging it too, you can catch Lime Cordiale promoting the tour with an all ages show at Sydney’s Metro Lair on July 11 and an over 18s gig at Melbourne’s Shebeen on July 16. They’ve earned rave reviews for shows here and abroad, including gigs with The Griswolds, Ball Park Music, and sold out American dates with The Delta Riggs, so they’re sure to be in fine form. Image used with permission from Rare Finds
Hockey Dad are putting a smile on my face with their fun single “Can’t Have Them.” It’s a great feel-good jangly number with a surf rock influence that has me craving warmer weather.
Hockey Dad have been honing their craft as the support act of DZ Deathrays recently, so they’re sure to be in fine form when they tour “Can’t Have Them” along the East Coast next month.
4 June 2015 – Shebeen, Melbourne
5 June 2015 – Shebeen, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
6 June 2015 – Brighton Up, Sydney (SOLD OUT)
7 June 2015 – Brighton Up, Sydney
12 June 2015 – Elsewhere, Gold Coast
13 June 2015 – Trainspotters, Brisbane
14 June 2015 – Rad, Wollongong (SOLD OUT)
20 June 2015 – Rad, Wollongong (3pm SHOW – SOLD OUT)
20 June 2015 – Rad, Wollongong (SOLD OUT)
Image used with permission from Habit Music Company
As far as I’m concerned, the ‘80s was the golden era of the duet. George and Aretha, Don and Stevie, Jennifer Warnes or Peabo Bryson and just about anyone. The songs would be romantic, the singers would undoubtedly sing “oohs” or “woahs” so that anyone who didn’t know the words could join in, and there’d definitely be a saxophone solo. In that tradition comes “Hold On Together,” which sees Brisbane singers Jeremy Neale and Phoebe Imhoff taking us back to my favourite decade.
This isn’t their first time working together. Phoebe also appeared on Jeremy’s song “In Stranger Times,” which has only enhanced their chemistry this time around.
Jeremy’s going to tour the single through May and June. There’s no word yet on whether Phoebe will join him, but I’m crossing fingers she makes an appearance!
29 May 2015 – Waywards, Sydney (FREE)
30 May 2015 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
19 June 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
20 June 2015 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
Killer guitarist, skilled songwriter, talented producer, and all-round good guy Harts is set to release a brand new EP, appropriately titled Breakthrough.
The EP doesn’t drop until June 5, but it seems Melbourne’s Harts might have already made his breakthrough. He released his debut album Daydreamer last year, which saw him invited to play with Prince at Paisley Park. It doesn’t get much bigger than that folks. And with tracks like the bluesy original “Red & Blue” under his belt, it’s not hard to see why he’s impressing all the right people.
To coincide with Breakthrough’s release, Harts will undertake his largest local tour to date. Once that wraps up he’s got plans to head to New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom, so who knows when we’ll get him back. See him while you can at the following shows.
5 June 2015 – CATS @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide
6 June 2015 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
7 June 2015 – The Loft, Warrnambool
12 June 2015 – Amplifier, Perth
13 June 2015 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River (FREE)
14 June 2015 – The Newport Hotel, Fremantle
19 June 2015 – Republic Bar, Hobart
20 June 2015 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
25 June 2015 – Moonshine, Manly (FREE)
26 June 2015 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
27 June 2015 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
3 July 2015 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
4 July 2015 – Transit Bar, Canberra
9 July 2015 – The Gapview Hotel, Alice Springs
10 July 2015 – The Foundry, Brisbane
11 July 2015 – The Great Northern, Byron Bay (FREE)
12 July 2015 – Broadbeach Tavern, Gold Coast (FREE)
If you missed out on Splendour tickets to see 
