Nick Shoulders & Margo Cliker Team Up for Aussie Shows

Two of America’s most exciting emerging country artists are teaming up for one big tour this October. Arkansas “punk cowboy” Nick Shoulders and Columbia River native Margo Cliker will join forces for some performances at the Out on the Weekend festivals and a very special show in Eora/Sydney.

I’m especially excited about Margo gracing our shores after listening to her OurVinylSessions EP a few times this morning. She’s really something special. I imagine her gentle folky sound will be a great foil for Nick’s darker, grittier music.

Tickets for all shows are on sale now.

9 October 2024 – Factory Floor, Eora/Sydney
11 October 2024 – Out on the Weekend Festival @ Itinerant Spirits, Ballaarat/Ballarat
12 October 2024 – Out On The Weekend Festival @ Seaworks, Naarm/Melbourne
13 October 2024 – Out On The Weekend Festival @ Coal Creek Community Park & Museum, Bunurong Country/Korumburra

Image used with permission from Dave Laing Publicity

Clay J Gladstone’s the “Talk of the Town” Ahead of Sienna Skies Shows

Clay J Gladstone have come to kickstart your Wednesday with their rocking new single “Talk of the Town.” This angsty track about struggling to break through in the music industry sounds best loud, so crank that volume!

“Talk Of The Town is my uppercut to the business side of the music industry,” vocalist Tim Wisbey explained. “Targeting those elitists and gatekeepers that decide whether your social media is vogue and colossal enough to give you a shot. It makes me sick thinking how tough it is for younger bands coming through, or any band really.

“It’s not just about the music – though I guess it never really has been. You basically need to be an expert in marketing, sales, relationship management, bookings, or even dance choreography to cut through the fog. Anyway, I’m not whining. I could die tomorrow and be happy that I got to write this song, pretending I’ve made it and giving the middle finger to any creature that’s tried to cut us at the knees along the way.”

“Talk of the Town” is the latest single lifted from Clay J Gladstone’s forthcoming debut album, set to drop later this year. The band have a stack of shows coming up supporting Sienna Skies all around the country, where you just might hear some of those new songs.

2 November 2024 – Lynotts Lounge, Boorloo/Perth (supporting Sienna Skies)
6 November 2024 – The Basement, Ngambri/Canberra (supporting Sienna Skies)
7 November 2024 – The Jungle Duke, Wiradjuri Country/Wagga Wagga (supporting Sienna Skies)
8 November 2024 – The Leadbeater Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Sienna Skies)
9 November 2024 – Froth & Fury Festival, Tarntanya/Adelaide (supporting Sienna Skies)
14 November 2024 – La La La’s, Woolyungah/Wollongong (supporting Sienna Skies)
15 November 2024 – The Red Rattler, Eora/Sydney (supporting Sienna Skies)
16 November 2024 – Tomcat, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Sienna Skies)

Photo credit: Hayden Nixon

Joan & The Giants Release “Feels Like Heartache” Ahead of Belinda Carlisle Tour

Sometimes a beautiful song doesn’t hit you immediately. If it’s too subtle, it can lost in all the noise of the day-to-day. But when it does hit you, when it catches you in a moment of quiet, the payoff is so rewarding. That’s how I’m feeling about “Feels Like Heartache,” the latest single from Joan & the Giants. It’s such a beautiful, bittersweet ballad about a doomed romance moving towards its inevitable demise.

“’Feels like Heartache’ is the most deeply personal and honest song we’ve written,” lead vocalist Grace Newtown-Wordsworth said. “It’s centred around longing for the person you love more than anything but knowing it’s an addiction and isn’t good for you. Being brutally honest isn’t easy, but honesty to us is a very important thing, especially in our songwriting.”

Joan & The Giants usually headline shows these days, but they’re stepping into the support role on Belinda Carlisle’s upcoming tour, which kicks off in their hometown next month. Here are all the dates you need for those gigs:

18 September 2024 – Astor Theatre, Boorloo/Perth (supporting Belinda Carlisle – SOLD OUT)
20 September 2024 – Palais Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Belinda Carlisle)
21 September 2024 – Palais Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Belinda Carlisle – SOLD OUT)
24 September 2024 – Civic Theatre, Mulubinba/Newcastle (supporting Belinda Carlisle – SOLD OUT)
27 September 2024 – Anita’s Theatre, Dharawal Country/Thirroul (supporting Belinda Carlisle)
29 September 2024 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney (supporting Belinda Carlisle – SOLD OUT)
30 September 2024 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney (supporting Belinda Carlisle)
3 October 2024 – Twin Towns, Goodjinburra Country/Tweed Heads (supporting Belinda Carlisle)
5 October 2024 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Belinda Carlisle – SOLD OUT)
6 October 2024 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Belinda Carlisle)

Photo credit: Isabelle Haubrich Photography

Hurray for the Riff Raff Heading Down Under

New Orleans-based Americana sensation Hurray for the Riff Raff, aka Alynda Segarra, is heading to Australia this October for a string of headlining shows and festival appearances.

Since I heard the news, I’ve had Alynda’s fabulous 2024 album The Past is Still Alive on repeat. It’s so good. Recorded just a month after the passing of their father, the songs see Alynda grappling with love, loss, time, and the memories we make. Honestly, make sure you take a listen because you don’t want to know how good it is after the shows are done!

You can catch Hurray for the Riff Raff at one of their local shows:

4 October 2024 – Dashville Skyline Festival, Wonnarua Country/Hunter Valley
5 October 2024 – Factory Theatre, Eora/Sydney
6 October 2024 – The Eltham Hotel, Bundjalung Country/Eltham
9 October 2024 – The Triffid, Meanjin/Brisbane
11 October 2024 – The Croxton Bandroom, Naarm/Melbourne
12 October 2024 – Out On The Weekend Festival @ Seaworks, Naarm/Melbourne
13 October 2024 – Out On The Weekend Festival @ Coal Creek Community Park & Museum, Bunurong Country/Korumburra

Photo credit: Tommy Kha

Melody Pool on Tour to Promote “Changing” Single

If the working week has ground you down, you’ve got to press play on Melody Pool’s gorgeous new single “Changing.” Listening to this uplifting folk track and its beautiful lyrics about evolution and growth, I instantly felt lighter.

Melody said the song “is really mostly about accepting that the only constant in life is change. ‘Changing’, to me, is about finding a way to make the heavy stuff worth it, allowing it to change you. And allowing the darkest parts of yourself their time in the light so you can hear their needs and shift them into a healthier space in your life.”

Melody embraced old-school techniques, recording “Changing” live as a band, to tape, with no isolation.

“The process seems to make everyone a little more on edge, which ups everyone’s game,” she enthused. “It’s a special thing to rely on each other throughout a take when you are all in the same room, but it helps you lean into everyone’s energy and I believe that’s where the magic happens.”

Fans living abroad can expect a little more of that magic when Melody kicks off a string of shows in Germany and England today. But don’t worry Aussie fans. She’ll be back with some local shows in Setepmber and October as she works towards the release of her third studio album.

23 August 2024 – Klein Klang Festival, Eisenach
24 August 2024 – Folk Im Viertel Festival, Osnabrück
30 August 2024 – Wohnzimmer Live I’m Piepenstock, Dortmund
1 September 2024 – Litfass, Bremen
3 September 2024 – Tonfink, Lübeck
4 September 2024 – MALT, London
6 September 2024 – Zur Scharfen Ecke, Sande
7 September 2024 – Filou Die Kneipe, Steinhude
25 September 2024 – Lyrics Underground, Boorloo/Perth
27 September 2024 – The York Festival, Ballardong Nyoongar Country/York
9 October 2024 – Jazzlab, Naarm/Melbourne
11 October 2024 – Trinity Sessions, Tarntanya/Adelaide
13 October 2024 – Smiths Alternative, Ngambri/Canberra
25-27 October 2024 – Nimbin Roots Festival, Whiyabul Country/Nimbin

Photo credit: Madeleine Becker

Georgia Lines Ready for First Aussie Shows

Kiwi singer-songwriter Georgia Lines is making her visit to Australia next week to support her beautiful debut album The Rose of Jericho. I’ve returned to this album so many times since its release, and I fall a little more in love with it every time I hear it. Take a listen if you’re not already across it, because you don’t want to discover how good she is once she’s gone home!

“A few of you have been wondering when I’m coming across to finally play some shows in Australia,” she said. “I’m verrrryyyy excited to announce I’ll be jumping across the ocean and playing two shows for you very soon!”

In addition to those two headlining shows, Georgia will also appear at BIGSOUND. Check her out anywhere you can.

30 August 2024 – Waywards, Eora/Sydney
31 August 2024 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne
4 and 6 September, BIGSOUND, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from beehive

Toby Mobbs Announces In Between The Words Album Tour

Fresh from the release of his fabulous sophomore album In Between The Words, Toby Mobbs is hitting the road. His national album tour will see Toby play some of the country’s most charming venues, including art galleries and bookstores, in every one of the country’s states and territories.

Toby will start the tour in October playing duo shows with his mate Matt Cross before going it alone for the bulk of these dates. He’ll close things out with a big full band gig in Bungambrawatha/Albury-Wodonga this November. Visit Toby’s website or simply click the links below for all the details on these events and tickets.

2 October 2024 – The Curious Rabbit, Wiradjuri Country/Wagga Wagga (duo show with Matt Cross)
3 October 2024 – The Baso, Ngambri/Canberra (duo show with Matt Cross)
4 October 2024 – The Press Book House, Mulubinba/Newcastle (duo show with Matt Cross)
8 October 2024 – Elixir Music House, Gimuy/Cairns
13 October 2024 – Godinmayin Rijard Rivers, Emungalan/Katherine
18 October 2024 – Regional Arts Gallery, Goomburrup/Bunbury
23 October 2024 – 5290 Bar, Berrin/Mount Gambier
25 October 2024 – Beav’s Bar, Djilang/Geelong
27 October 2024 – Valentino Safe Co, Kanamaluka Country/Launceston
3 November 2024 – The Lincoln, Bungambrawatha/Albury-Wondonga (full band)

Image used with permission from Toby Mobbs

NYC Sensation Infinity Song Heading to Australia

New York act Infinity Song have come a long way since busking around Central Park, Times Square, and Grand Central Station. Jay-Z handpicked them for his label Roc Nation, they’ve made appearances on shows like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and The View, and they’re making their way to Australia for the first time this December. The group will play three intimate shows in the East Coast capitals.

If you’re not already across Infinity Song’s music, it’s time to fire up your preferred streaming platform. They make beautiful nostalgic music with rich harmonies and soul. They’ve been likened to everyone from the Fifth Dimension to ABBA, yet they count contemporary artists like Doja Cat and Keke Palmer among their fans.

Trust me, you don’t want to learn about this act after tickets sell out. Catch Infinity Song at one of the following shows:

6 December 2024 – The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane
7 December 2024 – Nightcat, Naarm/Melbourne
8 December 2024 – Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission from beehive

Bad Neighbour Drop “Heart Pumps Blood” Ahead of Album and Tour

2024 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for Meeanjin/Brisbane-based alt-rockers Bad Neighbour. They’ve already toured with American acts Hot Mulligan and Free Throw and just dropped a fantastic new single “Heart Pumps Blood.” That track gives us our latest taste of the band’s debut album Millions, which drops on September 20. But before that they’ll hit the road with another choice American act, Badflower.

“We’re incredibly excited to share this release with the world,” the band said in a press statement. “Writing this record was very cathartic for us and to have something palpable we can share with people is very special to us.”

If you want an early listen to some more new tunes, make sure you see Bad Neighbour supporting Badflower next month. Some shows have already sold out, and the others aren’t too far behind!

6 August 2024 – Lion Arts Factory, Tarntanya/Adelaide
8 August 2024 – Stay Gold, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
9 August 2024 – Stay Gold, Naarm/Melbourne
10 August 2024 – Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney
11 August 2024 – The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane (SOLD OUT)

Image used with permission from Bigmouth

Teenage Wrist Ready to Rock Aussie Capitals

In just a few weeks, Los Angeles duo Teenage Wrist will play their first Australian shows. The band will showcase songs from their three studio albums, including 2023’s Still Love.

“Honestly Australia is a place we never thought we’d make it to,” said the band’s vocalist and guitarist Marshall Gallagher. “But we keep getting all these comments and messages about coming, and somehow we have a listener base there and will be fairly close by in Asia, so we figured this was our opportunity! We can’t wait, it’s a literal dream come true!”

Tickets for all shows are still available, but I wouldn’t wait too long. These venues are so intimate, I wouldn’t be surprised if some sell out.

1 August 2024 – Stay Gold, Naarm/Melbourne
2 August 2024 – The Baso, Ngambri/Canberra
3 August 2024 – Mary’s Underground, Eora/Sydney
4 August 2024 – The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from Bigmouth PR