Tag: Two Degrees

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Illy Playing Regional Australia

After lapping the capital cities several times, Illy is finally taking his music to Australia’s regional centres. His Two Degrees Regional Tour, which kicks off in August, will be his most extensive local tour to date.

Illy hasn’t visited regional Australia since he was part of the Groovin’ The Moo Festival in 2014. No doubt his fans in the regional towns and cities will be itching to see him finally headlining.

Illy says he’s “Really psyched to get back on the road for such a huge run. It’s been a couple years since last time, and this will be the biggest I’ve ever done. Let’s get loose.”

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows. There are plenty of dates, so there’s bound to be one near you!

3 August 2017 – Players Bar, Mandurah
4 August 2017 – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury
5 August 2017 – Dunsborough Hotel, Dunsborough
8 August 2017 – Wintersun, Geraldton
10 August 2017 – Pot Shot, Exmouth
11 August 2017 – Dampier Mermaid Hotel, Karratha
12 August 2017 – Pier Hotel, Port Hedland
13 August 2017 – Roebuck Bay Hotel, Broome
17 August 2017 – Judds, Kalgoorlie
18 August 2017 – Pier Hotel, Esperance
19 August 2017 – White Star, Albany
25 August 2017 – Kay St, Traralgon
26 August 2017 – The Pier, Frankston
1 September 2017 – Odeon, Hobart
2 September 2017 – Club 54, Launceston
7 September 2017 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast
8 September 2017 – Mills Precinct, Toowoomba
9 September 2017 – Night Quarter, Gold Coast
10 September 2017 – The Northern, Byron
14 September 2017 – The Jack, Cairns
15 September 2017 – Dalrymple, Townsville
16 September 2017 – Magnums, Airlie Beach
17 September 2017 – Harvey Rd Tavern, Gladstone
21 September 2017 – Wool Exchange, Geelong
22 September 2017 – Whalers, Warrnambool
23 September 2017 – Shadows, Mt Gambier
29 September 2017 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
1 October 2017 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
6 October 2017 – Setts, Mildura
7 October 2017 – Karova’s Car Park, Ballarat
3 November 2017 – Port Panthers, Port Macquarie
4 November 2017 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
24 November 2017 – SSA Club, Albury

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Illy Releases Summery Video for “Oh My”

Illy’s album Two Degrees was one of my unexpected favourites last year. I loved the way he blended urban influences with straight up pop in tracks like the latest single “Oh My,” The track features guest vocals from Tonight Alive frontwoman Jenna McDougall, who was thrilled to work with the platinum-selling hip hop act.

“I really admire Illy’s artistry. Collaborating with him on the track was super natural and we had a great time on set together!” she said. “I loved singing on a song that praises women but has nothing to do with love. That’s bad ass to me. It was actually freezing the day we shot the video in LA but ‘Oh My’ brings the Aussie summer vibes.”

The LA clip saw Illy reteaming with Mark Staubach, who shot the “Catch 22” clip and has also made videos for Charlie Puth, Simple Plan, Lupe Fiasco, and heaps more.

If your day needs some brightening, this song and music video should do the trick!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Two Degrees” – Illy

I consider myself open to most musical genres, but I haven’t really listened to a lot of rap since the 90s. I had fun with acts like Salt-N-Pepa and The Fugees, but then the genre evolved, as most do, and I felt left behind. It seemed rap was either about the struggle of people from the “wrong side of the tracks” or about the excess of those living it large. Neither type of rap resonated with me, so I found myself listening to the genre less and less. And then came Illy.

It’s hard to believe, considering how Illy seems to have burst onto the scene a relatively short time ago, but his newie Two Degrees is actually his fifth studio album. It’s a highly anticipated release considering the way Australia’s responded to singles like “Papercuts” and “Catch 22.” It’s the strength of those singles that have taken it to number one on debut. But it’s the strength of the other songs that’s going to get people talking and keep it on the charts for many weeks to come.

My favourite songs are the ones where Illy collaborates with other artists. I think he does some of his best work when he has someone to bounce off. The chemistry he has with the artists he’s handpicked here elevates these tracks. “Hazard to Myself,” a collaboration with Sir the Baptist, is so playful and irreverent. “Oh My,” with Jenna McDougall, feels like a summer anthem. “Extra Extra,” featuring Mike Waters, is pure feelgood joy.

While these songs make me smile, some of the album’s most poignant moments come when Illy’s working alone. “Truce” feels very personal, with powerful lyrics that pack a serious emotional punch. The closing track “Highway” is such a perfect way to finish the album. This song closes this chapter in the Illy story by looking forward to the future.

Illy is a rapper, but his music is so much more than that. He effortlessly fuses his rhymes with pop, dance, and electronic sounds to broaden its appeal and make it accessible to people like myself who don’t spend a lot of time listening to rap. If like me you’ve moved away from rap music, Two Degrees encourages you to dip your toe back in to the genre. You won’t be disappointed.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Illy Releases “Catch 22” Ahead of Album Launch Shows

After the success of “Swear Jar” and “Papercuts,” Illy’s next album Two Degrees was already destined to become one of the biggest sellers of 2016. But he’s just guaranteed that it’ll fly off the shelves with the release of another stellar single, “Catch 22.” Featuring guest vocals from British singer Anne-Marie, this is another insightful feel-good from one of Australia’s favourite hip-hop acts.

“Sometimes life isn’t about always making the ‘right’ choices. Some of the best times are when you do the opposite. Catch 22 is about knowing that,” Illy explained.

Two Degrees hits stores on November 11 and is currently available for pre-order. Illy will bring its songs to the people with some intimate launch shows in the largest capitals. In addition, Illy will play a bunch of summer festivals. Here are all the places you can catch him in the coming months.

29 October 2016 – Banana Fields Music & Arts Festival, Coffs Harbour
15 November 2016 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
16 November 2016 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
17 November 2016 – Howler, Melbourne
29 December 2016 – Falls Festival, Lorne (SOLD OUT)
30 December 2016 – Falls Festival, Marion Bay
31 December 2016 – NYE Street Party, Newcastle
1 January 2017 – Falls Festival, Byron Bay (SOLD OUT)
7 January 2017 – Falls Festival, Fremantle