5 August 2014
They have whipped up their tasty sounds at the Big Day Out and Groovin’ the Moo and this weekend they’ll be dishing up the goods at Splendour, but the lovely lads of Peking Duk have a string of smaller shows coming up as well. Now, a fair number of these shows have already sold out so you had best get your tickets for their show at The Karova, Ballarat on August 13 quick smart.
4 August 2014
“What… you didn’t really think we’d kill the fuckin’ koala bear, now did ya?” That’s right, the star of the 1990 movie with the greatest ‘one-liners’ of all-time, Andrew Dice Clay, is finally coming to Australia later this year, with not only a couple of Melbourne shows but also a show in Geelong! Dust up on your Dice Clay and treat yourself, watch The Adventures of Ford Fairlane before he hits our shores this October!
4 August 2014
For over ten years the music, the look, the feel and the power of KISS has been channelled by Kisstroyer. Formed by brothers Andrew and Stephen Kyriacou in 2001, Kisstroyer has worked its way up to the top of the tribute band pile. With three decades of official KISS costumes, over 15 authentic KISS guitars and a massive functional light-up KISS logo in their trick bag, Kisstroyer is a fire-breathing, blood-spitting, devil horns rock ’n’ roll ride.
4 August 2014
Are you in need of a good dose of country/folk, western swing and hillbilly rock ’n’ roll? That is the question that awaits you on the official page of songman Nigel Wearne. Equipped with an arsenal of personally handcrafted guitars, Nigel’s storytelling tunes play out over finger-style guitar, country twang and honky-tonk.
3 August 2014
He will, or he Wil. Ah, not-so-clever wordplay. With his second solo album being tinkered with, not to mention a third Smith Street Band album also in the works, Wil Wagner has decided to step away from writing duties for a spell on the road.
3 August 2014
Surf, sunshine and greater opportunities are three key things that prompted songbird Áine Tyrrell and her family to uproot from Ireland and head to our shores around four years ago. Becoming a mother is what prompted her to have a serious crack at her dreams. Inspired to write by her dad, Áine put her dreams on hold once she became a mother.
3 August 2014
‘The Real Thing’ was recorded by Russell Morris in 1969 and stands as one of the most well-known Australian songs of all time. In 2001 the track secured its place in the Australasian Performing Rights Association’s Top 30 Australian Songs of All Time and in 2013 was inducted into the National Film and Sound Archive’s Sounds of Australia.
2 August 2014
It never hurts to take a look at what is happening a little later in the year, especially when it involves the Maldon Folk Festival. Held annually for more than four decades, the festival is a weekend of music, dance and theatre. International performers include Beth Patterson, Kristina Olsen, Fiona Ross, Colin O’Brien and The Stage Hogs, while local performers include The Woohoo Review, The BordererS, Damien Howard, Janette Geri, Alanna & Alicia, The Capitalist Pigs and The Go Set.
1 August 2014
A dramatic topic wrapped in a goodtime feel isn’t the easiest thing to pull off, but Melbourne blues and roots specialists The Hornets are pros. Climate change, or more accurately those who choose to deny or play it down, is a hot topic. It is also the inspiration for The Hornets’ new album, Dangerous Dancing.
31 July 2014
It all started when Zac Norris, Alex Moorcroft and Aaron Saunders, three guys from pop punk bands in the Newcastle area, decided they wanted to play something a little heavier. So they started jamming, recruited James O’Hearn, and got down to business. Presented by Destruct Agency and The Artery Foundation, Rivalries hit the road next month with a helping hand from SA outfit Pridelands. The Edge Hotel, Mildura – August 16. (AA)
31 July 2014
Any publicity is good publicity, or so they say, and it’s fair to say that the clip for Marcia Hines’ new track ‘Remedy’, which was directed by and features Russell Crowe, has received a share of flack. It’s doubtful either care, however. (Well…). Remedy is lifted from Hines’ recently released Amazing, her first album of original material in 20 years. The Sydney Morning Herald gave it four stars…
29 July 2014
10 years ago Eskimo Joe released their sophomore album, A Song is a City. With its heart in their home city, the album has been described by frontman Kav Temperley as “about me, my friends, the people I love, and Fremantle. It’s the stories that go on between us”.
29 July 2014
Just in case ya’ll haven’t heard, the third Friday of every month at The Comma in Castlemaine is Country Cavalcade. The shows are led by Rex Watts who, along with a special guest, opens up the songbook for a night of country swagger.
29 July 2014
He has been tearing it up in Nashville and recently signed with the US-based Agency Group (The Pogues, Dead Kennedys), but Ash Grunwald has his sights set on a lengthy Australian run. In case you didn’t know Ash, along with his pal Xavier Rudd, enjoyed a run of shows in the US.
29 July 2014
Brooklyn-based music-makers Obits are back for their second tour of Australia. What do they do? They play music in the areas of garage, punk and surf. You can call ’em surf-punk if you like. Garage-punk works, too. Just don’t be calling them surf-garage. The lads have a new album to show off, last year’s Bed & Bugs, the third in their career.
28 July 2014
Well, here is some exciting news. Following a chat with the triple j crew, Melbourne rockers Kingswood will be hitting the road next month for an extensive run of shows in support of their debut album, Microscopic Wars. The album was recorded in Nashville’s Blackbird Studios with Vance Powell, known for his fine work at Jack Black’s Third Man Studios.
27 July 2014
Bob Brown spent 20 years as leader of The Greens and has been involved in politics for most of his life. He has seen successive governments on both sides of the political divide come and go, and fought numerous campaigns championing human rights and fighting for the preservation of the environment. Throughout it all, he has managed to remain upbeat and optimistic. Where does this optimism come from, and how important is a positive outlook for propagating change?
25 July 2014
Quick bite: With servings of garage rock, power pop, glam, blues and punk, The Singles is the collective musical powers of Vincent Frederick (guitar, lead vocals) and Nicky Veltman (drums, back-up vocals). Both originally hail from Detroit; however, The Singles’ ball got rolling when the two hooked up in L.A. at the beginning of 2012. They caught the attention of producer Rick Parker and in April of this year released their debut album, Look How Fast a Heart Can Break. The Loft, Warrnambool – July 25.
25 July 2014
Quick bite: He is a familiar name in local circles but Geelong singer-songwriter Kyle Taylor has his eyes set on our Ashes foes. With influences including Ed Sheeran, Damien Rice and Bon Iver, Kyle sings stories of people and of love. He has released a couple of albums and supported the likes of Jordie Lane, Josh Pyke, Carus Thompson and James Reyne. Set to head to England shortly, Kyle will play a couple of farewell shows at Ballarat’s Babushka on July 25 and Portarlington’s Saints & Sailors on July 26.
25 July 2014
Inspired by gypsy and Flamenco rhythms, and with lush servings of jazz, blues, Latin, soul and funk, Melbourne’s Mietta has managed to carve out a unique place in the Australian music scene. With a burning desire to consume music, Mietta travelled to Madrid where she spent time performing and recording with some of Spain’s finest Flamenco artists. On her return to Australia, she resumed writing music and performing on increasingly bigger stages as she watched her profile grow.
25 July 2014
There is something about our shores that Irish musicians seem to love. And that’s cool, because music is a good thing. Plus, there is the accent thing and all. Roesy found a new lease on life when he moved to Melbourne. This happened again when he moved to the Dandenong Ranges. The fresh air, the space to breathe and the softer pace brought out creativity like never before.
25 July 2014
Wayne Smith and Duane Buriani-Gennai are two guys you probably know better as Fake Forward. Kindred music souls, the two collected records from an early age; Wayne was more into the techno, D&B and progressive side, while Duane was more into house music. Both started their DJ journey at the age of 18 and after notching up a little experience, the two would join forces.
25 July 2014
REMINDER: The Echuca-Moama Winter Blues festival is taking place this weekend, July 25, 26 & 27. Performers include Alister Turrill, Lloyd Spiegel, Ian Collard, Jimi Hocking, Claude Hay, Jeff Achison, Andrea Marr & the Funky Hit Men, Benny Walker, Wayne Jury, Spoonful, Phil Manning, Sweet Felicia and the Honeytones, Luke Watt and Marshall Okell.
25 July 2014
I’ve had many conversations lately with band members and managers about breaking into the broader market of the city loop. Being cooped up in places like Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong or anywhere considered “country”, can have many downsides (if not entirely downright dark sides) to it. The rural music scene is not one for the weak-willed; there are trials and tribulations that can break some of the most dedicated artists.
