The Paper Kites Touring Australia & North America

Local alt-folk act The Paper Kites have just released the final video in their “midnight” trilogy for the new single “Renegade.”

Again, the clip depicts the happenings of people between 12 and 4 am, a reference to the band’s stellar 2015 album TwelveFour. This time around it follows a group of kids who break into an aquatic cinema in the wee small hours of the morning.

To celebrate the conclusion of the midnight trilogy, The Paper Kites will play some intimate shows in capital cities across Australia. They’re in fine form after playing shows across Europe in January and February. After that it’s off to Canada and the United States for more shows. Whether you’re here or stateside, make sure you don’t miss one of these gigs.

23 June 2016 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (ALL AGES)
24 June 2016 – Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
25 June 2016 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (Under 18s permitted with parent/guardian)
1 July 2016 – Astor Theatre, Perth (Under 18s permitted with parent/guardian)
2 July 2016 – Norwood Town Hall, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
9 & 10 July 2016 – Winnipeg Folk Festival, Winnipeg
11 July 2016 – Triple Rock, Minneapolis
12 July 2016 – Shank Hall, Milwaukee
13 July 2016 – The Shelter, Detroit
14 July 2016 – Rum Runners, London
16 July 2016 – Ottawa Blues, Ottawa
17 July 2016 – Parc de la Francophonie @ Festival D’ete, Quebec City
19 July 2016 – Showcase Room @ Higher Ground, Burlington
20 July 2016 – The Studio at Waiting Room, Buffalo
21 July 2016 – Club Café, Pittsburgh
22 July 2016 –  Bogart’s, Cincinnati
23 July 2016 – Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland
24 July 2016 – Wayhome Music Festival, Oro-Medonte
27 July 2016 –  StageOne, Fairfield
28 July 2016 – Cape Cinema, Dennis
29 July 2016 – Port City Musical Hall, Portland
31 July 2016 – Osheaga, Montreal

Bonez & Barefoot Alley Bringing Back Rock

Australia has such a rich tradition of creating great rock acts, but in recent years the genre seems to have lost its way. Other than the classic acts who are still slugging it out, who was the last pub rock act that you can recall? Sydney’s Bonez and Brisbane’s Barefoot Alley consider themselves to be part of the new breed of rock, so they’re teaming up to bring the genre back to the masses on their Make a Scene tour.

Bonez have really impressed me with their new single “Lemonade,” a cleverly crafted rock track with funky vocal licks and big crunchy chords. The song’s the first lifted from the band’s soon-to-be-released EP Let’s Get Weird.

“Australia’s ready for a new scene,” explained Bonez frontman Tomi Gray. “Think the 90s grunge scene, the 80s hard rock scene. So many great bands underground toiling away around the nation. We want to be at the forefront of the revival”.

Bonez are taking Barefoot Alley along for most of the ride, a bluesy rock act with the hottest brother and sister team since the White Stripes. They recently wrapped up a team with Lepers and Crooks so they’re going to be in fine form when they hit the stage. They’re preparing to release a new single “Take a Guess” in mid-February.

If you’ve missed good Aussie rock in pubs, make sure you get out and support these exciting new acts at the following gigs.

26 January 2015 – Blues Rock Fest @ Redland Bay Hotel, Brisbane
29 January 2015 – Sonny’s House of Blues, Brisbane (Bonez only)
30 January 2015 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
31 January 2015 – Sonny’s House of Blues, Brisbane
5 February 2015 – Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney (Bonez only)
6 February 2015 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney (Bonez only)
7 February 2015 – Dicey Rileys, Wollongong (Bonez only)
19 February 2015 – Transit Bar, Canberra
20 February 2015 – El Topo, Bondi
21 February 2015 – The Pier, Port Macquarie
28 February 2015 – Captain Cook Rooftop Party, Sydney
1 March 2015 – Flow Bar, Old Bar
4 March 2015 – Hamilton Station, Wollongong
5 March 2015 – The Espy, St Kilda
6 March 2015 – Brunswick Hotel, Melbourne
7 March 2015 – The Catfish, Fitzroy
8 March 2015 – The Lucky Coq, Prahran
11 March 2015 – RAD, Wollongong
13 March 2015 – Irish McGanns, Roma
14 March 2015 – Mary’s Commercial Hotel, Dalby
15 March 2015 – Miami Shark Bar, Gold Coast
20 March 2015 – Redland Bay Hotel, Brisbane
21 March 2015 – Mojo Burning Festival, Brisbane
22 March 2015 – Sounds of Sunday, Gold Coast (Bonez only)

Image used with permission from Beats Cartel

The Voice’s Julian Simonsz Announces East Coast Tour

The Voice graduate Julian Simonsz has been a busy bee since his stint on the reality TV how. He released his self-titled debut EP, which features the single “I Do It For You.” The track didn’t exactly set the charts ablaze here, but it reached number two on Sri Lanka’s YESFM, the country’s leading music station, and number 17 on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts. Not bad for a song that was released with very little fanfare or mainstream support if you ask me.

After playing second fiddle to Chingy at his recent gigs and a host of festivals, Julian’s ready to step into the spotlight with his own headlining shows. The Get Home tour takes in some of the East Coast’s most acclaimed venues this March.

5 March 2015 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
13 March 2015 – The Basement, Sydney
19 March 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane

Image used with permission from 123 Agency

Gossling and Vance Joy Unite for Double-Header Tour

Two of the hottest names in Aussie music, Gossling and Vance Joy, are teaming up for one big tour this autumn.

Gossling has been busy wowing crowds in the United Kingdom and United States this month, but she’s ready to return to Oz to promote her latest single “Harvest Gold.” As a special bonus for fans, they can buy a limited edition 7” gold vinyl version of the single, which includes the B-Side “Never Expire (Oliver Tank Remix), exclusively at the gigs. There’s another reason to get to the merch desk too. Gossling will sell her very special Glossling, a shimmery lip gloss created by Gossling and Melbourne cosmetics label Shanghai Suzy.

As far as I know Vance Joy doesn’t have any fabulous merchandise, but he does have that “Riptide” song which should be enough to get people through the door. See him and Gossling at the following shows through April and May.

24 April 2014 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
6 May 2014 – The Hi Fi, Brisbane (18+)
8 May 2014 – The Bakery, Perth (18+)
15 & 16 May 2014 – The Metro, Sydney
22 & 23 May 2014 – The Forum Theatre, Melbourne (18+)

Emmy Bryce and Kate Vigo Announce Double-Header Shows

Melbourne singer-songwriters Emmy Bryce and Kate Vigo are joining forces for one monster tour next month.

The girls met late last year and instantly bonded over their shared passion for making music. Kate loved “the brightness and optimism” of Emmy’s sound, while Emmy was drawn to Kate’s hard work ethic. After spending some time together, announcing a co-headlining tour seemed like a no-brainer.

And so these indie popsters will play capital cities and regional centres next month on their The Hunter and Gatherer tour. It’s intended to be a real interactive event, with the girls employing social media throughout the run of dates to engage with their fans. Emmy will be promoting her debut EP Seven Days, which hits stores today, while Kate will give music lovers a sneak peek at her forthcoming debut album Blue to Gold.

Tickets are available from the venues for The Hunter and Gatherer shows.

4 April 2012 – Hotel New York, Launceston
5 April 2012 – Republic Bar, Hobart
7 April 2012 – The Palais, Hepburn Springs
12 April 2012 – Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
13 April 2012 – Bar Me @ El Rocco’s, Sydney
14 April 2012 – Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
15 April 2012 – Byron Bay Brewery, Byron Bay
21 April 2012 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide
26 April 2012 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne

Image source: Emmy Bryce website

Q & A with The Fearless Vampire Killers’ Al Marx

The Fearless Vampire Killers have currently left the stakes at home and packed up their touring van for shows in Victoria and New South Wales. I recently caught up with band’s lead guitarist Al Marx to chat about his band’s unusual moniker, their new single “For You and Me,” and the album to come.


I love your band’s name. It’s got to be one of the most creative in the music industry at present. Where did it come from?
Honestly, we stole it. It was a bit of a throwaway title to begin with, but I think we’ve all grown to love it. The only real aim at the time was to have an obscenely long name to dwarf others on bills.

You weren’t worried about the wrath of a thousand young Twilight fans at all?
It might get a little bumpy, but we maintain it’s just a phase.

I’m sure most people won’t forget your band’s name in a hurry, but can you describe your sound for the uninitiated?
The closest we can get is bluesy-western-surf-rock.

You’re touring your home state at present, and you’ll end up in Sydney in July. How are the shows going?
We haven’t had so much fun since the ice-cream mountain.  That was a happy day.

I hear that your last Melbourne show generated some major buzz. What is it that makes your live shows so special?
Our live show has always been our focus. If we’re in a good mood you’ll have a good time.  If you have a bad time it was the sound guy.
Continue reading “Q & A with The Fearless Vampire Killers’ Al Marx”

Expats Gypsy & The Cat Come Home Again

After wowing crowds last month while supporting The Strokes and Foals and playing their own headline shows, Gypsy & The Cat are making another journey home for a few more gigs.

Their appearances at Parklife will be the big ones, but if you don’t have tickets to the festival dates you’ll have plenty of chance to catch them at their Time to Wander sideshows. Fans are in for a real treat, with the band showcasing songs from their soon to be released debut album Gilgamesh. Is that just the most fantastic album name or what?

Tickets are on sale now from the venues.

24 September 2010 – Globe Theatre, Brisbane
25 September 2010 – Parklife, Brisbane
29 September 2010 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
30 September 2010 – Grand Hotel, Wollongong
1 October 2010 – CBD Newcastle, Newcastle
2 October 2010 – Parklife, Melbourne
3 October 2010 – Parklife, Sydney
3 October 2010 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
4 October 2010 – Parklife, Adelaide
6 October 2010 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
7 October 2010 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
9 October 2010 – One Movement Festival, Perth

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Aston Passes Magic Million Views, Announces Tour Dates

Way to go Aston! The Sydney-based classical pop act has just notched up more than a million views on their YouTube channel. This number was no doubt boosted by the recent release of the new single “Bulletproof.”

To celebrate the milestone the band has announced a handful of New South Wales dates this September. Hopefully we’ll see them venturing out of their home state really soon! Until then, you can catch the band at the following shows, and on The Matty Johns Show every Thursday night.

14 September 2010 – Raval, Sydney
17 September 2010 – Orange Conservatorium, Orange
18 September 2010 – Mitchell Conservatorium, Bathurst
19 September 2010 –  Mitchell Conservatorium, Lithgow

Image source: The Harbour Agency