As musical gunslingers, Boom! Bap! Pow! have always been ahead of the curve, a reputation forged on their epic one and a half hour plus live sets, but on Suit they display something significantly more nuanced. Produced by Matt Giovennangelo (Voltaire Twins, Split Seconds) at the renowned Studio Couch and mixed by man-of-the-moment Steve Schram (San Cisco, The Cat Empire), Suit, with it’s deeper than deep kick n’ bass, spindly yet restrained guitar noodlings and Bull’s peerless vocal stylings, could only be the work of a band completely at ease with themselves and their mission statement. Boom! Bap! Pow! are no longer residing completely in the past, yet they’re always giving a wink and a nod to their forefathers & foresisters, just for good measure and humility. This all comes together to form a blink and you’ll miss it nugget of pop that will refuse leave your head until the moment you accidentally hear Gangham Style again. Even then, it’ll share the couch.

One of Australia’s hardest working pop bands, Boom! Bap! Pow!’s previous releases have seen them tour long, hard and constantly, taking in the majority of our wide brown land (including the Wheatbelt!) and picking up national tours with the likes of Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed and The Royal Crown Revue. They’ve also performed feverishly received spots at the festivals like Laneway, the Big Day Out and the Queenscliffe Music Festival, among many, many more. To launch Suit they are once again hitting the long, scorched freeways of Western Australia and playing a clutch of shows that will only help to affirm their reputation as one of the best live bands currently hitting the boards.

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As mischievous as she is charming, Fremantle’s Mama Kin is part raconteur and all-out entertainer. With a widespread reputation for her unique blend of foot-stomping soul, heart-wrenching ballads and stirring live shows, Mama Kin is back with a swag of new songs, a shift in sonic direction and a new band member.

Was It Worth It, the first single from her new album, The Magician’s Daughter, signals an expansion in Mama Kin’s musical palette. Was It Worth It ushers in a depth and potency underpinned by Mama Kin’s vocals that so spectacularly hover between vulnerability and power.

Cinematic at times, with lush arrangements and bold production, The Magician’s Daughter (due for release in early 2013) pushes Mama Kin’s own boundaries, challenging her trademark sound. Where her debut album Beat and Holler was a soulstress’ war cry, traversing the riotous and the raw, her sophomore album takes us deeper into the human condition, where the magic lives.

“really special, totally smouldering” – The Sun-Herald

“a delicious hotpot of soulful grooves, seductive melodies, stomping percussive beats and classic old-world instrumentation” – The Sunday Mail

“excellent, soulful and feisty” – The West Australian

“heartache and melody…pulling you along for a beautiful journey.” – Triple J

Catch Mama Kin now on tour!

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Still at the tender age of 21, yet now based in Nashville, Joe has a list of credentials that would make most musicians three times his senior envious. Playing stages at prestigious gatherings like Bonnaroo Music Festival; being named Best New Talent in Guitar Player Magazine’s Readers Poll and making the Top 50 Best Guitarists list in Australian Guitar to name a few.

Over the years the gifted young virtuoso has redefined himself as a budding pop-world visionary, deftly walking a tightrope between the instrumental music that’s put him in the spotlight and a unique fusion of vocally based rock, blues, jazz and R&B that’s entirely his own.

International touring keeps Robinson’s schedule tight these days, but his yearning for home brought him back to Australia late last year to play Woodford Folk Festival and will see the artist return this summer off the back of a sold out European tour for a select run of dates to launch his new EP Toe Jam (available October 12^th).

“…jaw dropping genius…” The Mercury

… ‘Joe from the f#ckin’ boondocks’, as he describes himself, has come a hell of a long way. And with his skills as an entertainer now matching his skills as a virtuoso, I’m betting he’ll go a lot further yet.”   BEAT

Here’s a clip of one of Joe’s recent tracks … judge for yourself!

Or better still, catch Joe currently touring Australia. Check dates at his website.

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“Think of it – six mighty men of rock who like to roll tobacco/snares/home, each taking a back seat when they need to, practically doing a Victorian-era “After you, my good man,” when only a slide guitar is needed, or a shimmering organ or a lightly-shaken tambourine.” Herald Sun

Tex Perkins has shown us many faces over the journey.

Front man for the evocative soundscapes of The Cruel Sea and the hard edged pub rock of The Beasts of Bourbon, collaborator on the Tex, Don and Charlie outings, and compadre to Tim Rogers on the TnT project. More recently seen leading the Tennessee Four in a night of memorable music in his turn in the Johnny Cash musical The Man In Black, Tex is now back once again to the mysterious moody groove of Dark Horses, returning this October / November with a new LP, Everyone’s Alone and a select run of tour dates in support.

Everyone’s Alone is the follow up to 2011’s Tex Perkins and the Dark Horses self titled debut. Beginning life as primarily Perkos backing band The Dark Horses have developed a sound and style distinctly their own “this record has more of a band feel to it and less of a singer songwriter trip” says Perkins ” so it felt like the right time to present the Horses as one unified entity”.

The live set promises, as always, to be something special. Perkins’ world-weary growl will showcase songs from the new album, alongside gems from their Black Cattle Dog.

Join Tex Perkins and fellow Dark Horses – Charlie Owen, Joel Silbersher, James Cruickshank, Stephen Hadley and Gus Agars as they come together to snake their way along the East Coast, playing some of the finest tunes your ears will hear in 2012, joined by one of Melbourne’s most affable songsmiths Mike Noga (The Drones) to support.

Recorded and Mixed by Roger Bergodaz at Tender Trap Studio, mastered by Steve Smart at Studio 301
produced by Tex Perkins and the Dark Horses.

dark_horses

Everyone’s Alone Track Listing

1. Uneasy feeling
2. Halo
3. Dark Ride (Dawn)
4. Everyone’s Alone
5. Open Ended
6. Stay (Where You Are)
7. Dark Ride (Dusk)
8. You Already Know
9. Filthy Beauty
10. A Real Job
11. Who Do You Think You Are? (You Can’t)
12. Sleep (Deep and Long)

Everyone’s Alone is in store from November 2nd through Dark Horse Records/ Inertia.
Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses will tour nationally October and November 2012.

www.darkhorses.com.au || www.texperkins.com.au

Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses
Everyone’s Alone Tour
With Special Guest Mike Noga

Tix On Sale Now

Friday 19th October
Country Club Launceston TAS
Country Club Avenue, Prospect Vale
Tix from www.tixtas.com.au and 1300 795 257

Saturday 20th October
Wrest Point Hobart TAS
410 Sandy Bay Road, Hobart
Tix from www.tixtas.com.au and 1300 795 257

Thursday 1st November
The Factory Sydney NSW
105 Victoria Road Marrickville
Tix from www.factorytheatre.com.au

Friday 2nd November
Milton Theatre Milton NSW
69 Princes Highway Milton
Tix from Malibu Music – Ulladulla (02) 4455 5693 & Country Leather – Milton (02) 4455 3056

Saturday 3rd November
Street Theatre Canberra ACT
Childers Street Canberra
Tix from www.thestreet.org.au & 02 6247 1223

Thursday 8th November
The Zoo Brisbane QLD
711 Ann Street Fortitude Valley
Tix from www.oztix.com.au

Friday 9th November
Star Court Theatre Lismore NSW
126 Molesworth Street Lismore
Tix from www.starcourttheatre.com.au & Star Arcade Lismore 02 6622 5005

Thursday 15th November
The Corner Hotel Melbourne VIC
57 Swan Street Richmond
Tix from www.corner.com.au & 03 9427 9198

Friday 16th November
SSA Club Albury NSW
570-582 Olive Street Albury
Tix from www.ssaclub.com.au & 02 6041 2222

Friday 23rd November
The Venue Townsville QLD
719 Flinders Street Townsville
Tix from www.oztix.com.au & the venue

Saturday 24th November
Tanks Art Centre Cairns QLD
46 Collins Avenue Edge
Tix from www.ticketlink.com.au & 1300 855 835

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“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me… an Invincible Summer”
- Albert Camus

After spending the Australian summer in the chill of the northern hemisphere, Sydney based multi-instrumentalist Matt James returned home with a vision to establish a musical collective entitled The Invincible Summer, inspired by French author Albert Camus’ quote which he saw scrawled on the side of his Darlinghurst hall upon his return to Australia.

Runaway is the debut single from the forthcoming self-titled debut LP, due in store early 2013.

Teaming up with good friend and producer extraordinaire Tim Carr (Matt Corby / Mark Ronson / The Herd / Jonathan Boulet / Ernest Ellis / INXS) and a host of Sydney’s finest musicians including guest appearances by Mat Gardner & Benjamin Morgan (Ernest Ellis & The Panamas), Zac Haider-Keene and more, Runaway and To the Sky were recorded at Sydney’s iconic Studios 301 over an eighteen month period.

In James’ words, “We don’t watch tv, read books, or do crosswords. This leaves lots of time for hanging out in the city and by the ocean, playing music, thinking, planning global conquest, and having fun.”

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The Invincible Summer’s debut single Runaway is available on iTunes from August 16.
The Invincible Summer’s self-titled debut album will be released in the first half of 2013.

The Invincible Summer:

Runaway:
Matt James – keyboards, guitars, vocals
Benjamin Morgan – bass
Tim Carr – programming

To The Sky:
Matt James – keyboards, guitars, vocals
Zach Haider-Keene – bass
Mat Gardner- drums
Mike Morgan – lead guitar
Tim Carr – programming

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With a signature sound rooted in 60’s garage rock, textured with memorably sharp guitar riffs and Sean Ainsworth’s nostalgic vocal tones, Mexico has been tested on fans at shows over the past few months, receiving such adoration that it fast became the logical new single for the band.

“The crowd got more energetic as the gig progressed, song ‘Mexico’ (not from the album for those who wish they attended the gig) got the loudest response…” TONE DEAF

Their debut album Batmania (Oct 2011), was well received by critics and fans with the singles For You And Me, Tell Me What Your Trying To Say, I Won’t Stay Too Long all gaining solid radio play across community stations and JJJ nationally.

“With a little help from Mars Volta producer Lars Stalfors, the Fearless Vampire Killers have created a brilliant monster… one moment you’re uncontrollably dancing to ‘The Monkey Song,’ the next, listening intently to the vivid lyrics of ‘Jacky.’ Find the next party these lads crash to see them in their element.”
TRIPLE J MAGAZINE

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The frantic energy of their live shows has garnered them personal invitations for support slots from international heavy weights The Mars Volta, Kasabian and The Hives. Their house party gigs around Melbourne continue to create modern day urban legends of music and debauchery … around 500 kids showing up each time to a random house in a random suburb, not one has been shut down by the cops….yet! They have three shows in October in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, go and see for yourself.

Mexico and Yer’ Blues were recorded and mixed by Cam Trewin at Woodstock Studios with additional material recorded by Michael ‘The Colonel’ Sanders at Spacewonderland (Mexico) and BLANK (Yer’ Blues) Studios and mastered by Adam Dempsey of Deluxe Mastering.

If you ask anyone who has had the chance to catch the band live, they will tell you another TFVK show highlight is their faultless rendition of the legendary Beatles track Yer’ Blues. Having been sucked up and spat out again by The Fearless Vampire Killers, the time-honored cover is lovingly performed to Fearless’s exacting Surfabilly standards.

Track Listing:
1 Mexico 3.47
2 Yer’ Blues (The Beatles cover) 3.52

The Fearless Vampire Killers Tour With Special Guests – Tix on sale now

Friday 5th October Alhambra Lounge Brisbane QLD
Supports TBC
Tickets – $10 + BF from www.alhambralounge.com
12 McLachlan Street, Fortitude Valley, QLD
Doors 8.30pm

Saturday 6th October The Workers Club Melbourne VIC
Supports TBC
Tickets – $10 + BF from www.theworkersclub.com.au
51 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, VIC
Doors 8.30pm

Friday 12th October FBi Social Sydney NSW
Supports TBC
Tickets – $10 + BF from www.fbiradio.com
L2 248 William Street, Sydney, NSW
Doors 8.30pm

Official Site
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The epic guitar track “Ocean” is synonymous with John Butler, undeniably one of the most successful independent artists of the current era. Since 1998 when he busked to earn a living at Fremantle markets, it has become the revered, and often the hero track of his live performances. John Butler is now celebrating his signature track with his global fan base and with that announces the first studio recording of “Ocean” in 12 years. This special re-recording was captured in ‘The Compound’, his studio in his hometown of Fremantle, Western Australia in February 2012.

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John Butler shares his thoughts with us today about this compelling instrumental which has tuned in and turned on so many fans around the world:

“OCEAN” is a very interesting aspect of my life. It is part of my DNA. It conveys all things I can’t put into words. Life, loss, love, spirit. As I evolve so too does “Ocean”.

The song was first recorded as part of my first album/cassette, “Searching For Heritage”, which I sold when I busked, then for my first self-titled studio album 12 years ago.

The song has been watched online incredibly over 25 million times in various formats, nearly always live, be it from Music Max Sessions or from one of the many festivals I have had the pleasure to play.

I’d like to thank you for your continued support over all these years; it means so much to me. I would like to thank you by offering this first studio recording of “Ocean” in over a decade as a free download. I recorded it in my favourite studio, The Compound here in Fremantle, Western Australia, a studio you helped me build.

This marks just another fleeting moment in a career that is very much ongoing. I look forward to bringing you many new songs and albums into the future and continuing this amazing journey with you ALL.

Thank You,
JB

Q Trax 4 Free – Download of JBT’s ‘Ocean’
JBT ‘Ocean’ Live
John Butler Trio Official Site
JBT Facebook
JBT Twitter

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Having performed the track to a worldwide audience over the past 12 years, ‘Ocean’ is today available FREE as an MP3 or as a video stream; grab your copy by clicking here.

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Debut Single Home From The Debut EP – Hollywood
Available digitally and In store August 3rd independently through MGM Distribution

THEY MET. THEY FELL IN LOVE. THEY WROTE SONGS.
THEY FOUGHT. THEY MADE UP. THEY BROKE UP. THEY WROTE SONGS.

At a time when for most it would be the end of a relationship, for Sydney outfit The Falls this feels like just the beginning…

The first single Home, is a bitter sweet tale of escapism and the search for clarity, and the final realisation that no matter how hard you try and avoid life’s difficulties, in the end you must deal with them “it all comes back the moment I get home”.

It begins light and airy but builds naturally with simple production and with a final lift from a stirring string arrangement from producer Tony Buchen. It is a stunning example of two perfectly complimentary vocals melding together.

Almost subconsciously The Falls have documented their whole relationship in their songs. The love, the betrayal, the heartbreak. While at times it is hard for them to wear their hearts so openly on their sleeve, for The Falls, it has been a huge part of their songwriting.

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In the fallout from Valentines Day, The Falls decided that rather than wallowing in self-pity they would put their heartbreak to tape. So they pulled out their little tascam 4-track portastudio, which, with all its tape wobbles and noise, aptly captured the fragility of their hearts. These fledgling recordings were just the beginning of what has become their debut EP ‘Hollywood’ (released August 3rd 2012 independently through MGM Distribution).

In late 2011, The Falls hit the studio with producer Tony Buchen (Old Man River, Andy Bull, WIM, Washington) to record ‘Hollywood’. The Hotel Hollywood in Sydney, has featured so strongly in their lives that it was inevitable that it would manifest itself in this way. For most of 2010 and 2011, it was where they could be found playing each week at a little, somewhat undiscovered, night of free music that emerged from the back streets of Surry Hills called Folk Club. It is also where they met, where they found their sound and where they wrote these songs.

In this intimate setting, the connection between these two onstage was palpable. Their emotionally fuelled live performances are compelling to watch, sometimes heartbreakingly so, garnering reviews such as “intoxicating melodies and gorgeous harmonies” and “(their) strength lies in their ability to convey raw emotion and wisdom in their lyrics”.

Buchen managed to imprint some of this Hollywood magic on each track, recording the reverbs for the EP down in the bowels of the hotel, in the downstairs men’s toilets. So, each song has on it a little Hollywood porcelain reverb or ‘pee-verb’ as they’ve been calling it.

With an unmistakable sound, barefoot collaborators and best friends The Falls are gently making a name for themselves in 2012.

“Beautiful harmonies, sweet as lyrics, warmth all round. I really love this. Those voices climb and soar so sweetly, and that toy piano comes in at just the right moment. A+.”
Zan Rowe, triple j

The Falls Are:

Simon Rudston-Brown (vocals, guitar, stomp-box)
Melinda Kirwin (vocals, piano, melodica and other cute things)

You can listen to The Falls new single Home here – http://www.musicfromthefalls.com/clipentry.html

Hollywood EP Track listing:

1 PLEASE 3.10
2 HOME (Debut single) 3.33
3 MILLION 3.30
4 GIRL THAT I LOVE 3.32
5 HEY 3.02
6 HOLLYWOOD 4.16

Hollywood is available digitally and in store via MGM Distribution August 3rd 2012

The Falls Official Site
The Falls YouTube
The Falls Facebook

gurrumul-blasko-bayini

Fresh from his performance at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Gurrumul had almost 1 million Australians (metro, regional & online) glued to their TVs for an updated documentary on his life and career on Australian Story.

The documentary has rocketed both his albums “Gurrumul” and “Rrakala” back into the Top 10 this morning on iTunes as his new single “Bayini”, a duet with acclaimed singer/songwriter Sarah Blasko is released.

“Bayini” is a breakthrough track, reworked from the album “Rrakala” and has already been spun on triple j and ABC radio nationally and is breaking new territory and formats for Gurrumul.
“Bayini” sees Gurrumul continue his exploration of Australia’s land and ancestory, a story that he tells in the emotive and fragile tenor that’s made him famous across the planet. Blasko counterpoints with her own haunting contribution, completing the journey of a song that has meant so much to Gurrumul fans the world over.

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Michael Hohnen, producer tells of the collaboration:

“This for me, is the key song on Rrakala. The English verse wasn’t working in Gurrumul’s voice so we left it as all language on his Rrakala album. After the album release we were heading to the UK and Gurrumul and I wanted a counter-balance for the English verse and approached Sarah Blasko, a fellow labelmate on (UK independent label) Dramatico.

Sarah and I spoke about her voice embodying that female ancestral spirit character and I think she has captured it absolutely beautifully in even a more classical side to her voice, perfectly complementing Gurrumul. Gurrumul loves performing this live with Sarah which has now happened across a few continents”

Gurrumul has had a busy and inspirational time bringing his near-platinum album “Rrakala” to the world. He performed last week at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert with the likes of Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Cliff Richard in front of Buckingham Palace watched by over 100 million people across the globe, is just the latest in a long line of honours.

Gurrumul also features on “Sing” the diamond jubilee song co-written by Take That’s Gary Barlow and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber with some of the best talent from across the Commonwealth, which is currently sitting at #1 in both the UK albums and singles charts.

Gurrumul Live
Gurrumul Official Website
Gurrumul MySpace
Gurrumul Wikipedia

ok-go-needing-getting

Just when you thought “What could OK Go possibly do next?!” because you thought that they had already done it all: treadmills, marching bands, rube goldberg machines and even trick dogs … well, they have now pulled out all stops to give you their latest viral clip – “Needing/Getting”.

A song made entirely by driving a car through a custom made obstacle course which includes 288 guitars, 55 pianos and 1,157 homemade instruments.

And yes, singer: Damian Kulash actually took stunt driving lessons to be able to pull this stunt off. Enjoy!

OK Go Official Website
OK Go MySpace
OK Go Wikipedia

anvil

As a teen, Sacha Gervasi fancied himself Anvil’s biggest fan. He met them on their British tour and promptly became their roadie. And in the 80s things looked promising for the Toronto-based quartet. Playing a massive festival with the likes of Bon Jovi and Whitesnake, with fans amongst the royalty of heavy metal, the boys were gearing up for the big time. But here’s the thing ….. nothing happened.

Through a combination of poor management, inferior production and bad luck the group tapered off into obscurity. At the heart, best friends Robb Reiner (drums) and Steve “Lips” Kudlow (vocals/guitar) were forced to get day jobs while still trying to keep the dream alive.

Cue to 20 years later. Since losing touch with the band, Gervasi has become a successful Hollywood screenwriter. He decides to make his directorial debut in the form of a feature length doco about his favourite band. The result is a critically acclaimed, award winning film, that not only is a crowd pleaser , it gives Anvil a second chance at success.

The Story of Anvil
Anvil Metal Official Site

gotye

The biggest music poll in the world and it all happens in Australia !

It’s an Australia Day tradition to vote and then tune in to triple j’s Hottest 100 Countdown for the year.

No prizes for guessing No.1. Congratulations to Gotye. Well deserved.

mushu-traps

Following on from their last single “Bandit”, Sydney based trio Mushu are releasing their next installment “Traps” from their forthcoming EP due out in 2012. The last few years have seen two EP’s from Mushu, their debut Neverland (2008) and their self titled EP, Mushu (2010) from which came the singles “Neap Tide” and “Don’t Forget Me”. 2010 also saw Mushu take on North America, touring the US and Canada.

More recently Mushu have been focusing on their live show, embarking on two tours this year alone, hitting venues up and down the east coast like The Zoo, The Vic and The Vanguard and playing with bands such as Founds, Tin Sparrow, Cub Scout, Underlights and Winter People. In their downtime Mushu have kept busy in the studio, demoing and recording the material that makes up the bulk of their forthcoming EP.

Mushu’s latest single “Traps”, a markedly darker offering than past material, explores an aural landscape richly textured with gritty country undertones influenced by the likes of Tom Waits, Nick Cave and Johnny Cash. It was co-produced by Mushu and Luke Bert from Tales in Space (Art vs Science, Dappled Cities), and mixed by Bryce Goggin in New York (Joan as Police Woman, Pavement).

“Traps” follows the plight of an otherwise innocent and well-intentioned individual, who’s been forced by another to act out of character and do something they’ll regret. “Traps” is available on iTunes from December 2nd.

Q Trax 4 Free – mushu

Mushu Blog
Mushu myspace

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Abbe May’s Design Desire

Mammalian Locomotion (Kevin Parker & Cam Avery Remix) – Abbe May by sgcmedia

Taurus Chorus – Abbe May by sgcmedia

Abbe May – Design Desire