Perth Music

To celebrate the release of “Suburban Songbook” on June 10th, Bob Evans will be playing free instore shows and signing records in all major cities around the country.

Saturday June 10th – Mall Music Brookvale NSW @ 1pm
Sunday June 11th – Rockinghorse Queen St Mall Brisbane QLD @ 1pm
Tuesday June 13th – JB Hi Fi Bourke St Mall Melbourne VIC @ 5pm
Wednesday June 14th – Big Star Records Adelaide SA @ 5pm
Friday June 16th – 78 Records Perth WA @ 4.30pm

Bob’s single, “Don’t You Think It’s Time” is in stores now and features the b-sides, “Sisters Wedding Day” and the home demo “I’ve Lost The One I Love The Most”.

The excitement surrounding the July 1 sophomore album release by The Sleepy Jackson is not just homegrown, with news emerging every day from the UK about the upcoming album release. London’s influential Radio 1 has played first single ‘God Lead Your Soul’ seven weeks upfront of the single release and DJ Zane Lowe has named it “Hottest Record In The World”. Radio 1 is not alone in the buzz surrounding the release, with XFM also adding the track, Music Week listing the track as a New Addition and anticipated coverage in NME, Q and Mojo.

In Australia, ‘God Lead Your Soul’ is instore May 27 and ‘You Needed More’ is the ITunes Single of the Week this week…which means punters have the chance to download the track for free in the only opportunity to hear the song prior to the album release on July 1.

Luke Steele will be completing promo tours in both the UK and the US during June ahead of album releases in both territories. Australian tour dates will be in June as follows -

Friday June 16 The Bakery Artrage Complex, Perth
Friday June 23 Paddington Town Hall, Sydney
Saturday June 24 Saturday Ormond Hall Prahran, Melbourne

The single God Lead Your Soul instore May 27
The album Personality (One Was A Spider, One Was A Bird) instore July 1

Gyroscope have just announced their final headline tour of 2006 - The Dream Vs Scream Tour. Tickets on sale from all the usual outlets June 2nd so get in quick as this tour is sure to sell out!

Tour Sates
July 6th Brisbane - the Zoo, QLD, 18+
July 7th Gold Coast - Coolangatta Hotel *, QLD, 18+
July 8th Pine Rivers Showgrounds - Rapid Festival, QLD, All Ages
July 12th Canberra - Canberra University, ACT, Licensed All Ages
July 13th Yallah (Wollongong) - Yallah Roadhouse, NSW, Licenced All Ages
July 14th Sydney - the Gaelic Club, NSW, Licensed All Ages
July 15th Newcastle - Cambridge Hotel, NSW, 18+
July 16th Penrith - Embassy Hotel *, NSW, Licensed All Ages
July 20th Moorooduc - Peninsula Lounge, VIC, 18+
July 21st Melbourne - Hi-Fi Bar, VIC, 18+
July 22nd Adelaide - Adelaide Uni Bar, SA, 18+
July 23rd Adelaide - Adelaide Uni Bar, SA, Licensed All Ages
July 26th Cannington - the Foundry, WA, 18+
July 27th Bunbury - the Prince Of Wales, WA, 18+
July 28th Perth - Capitol, WA, 18+
July 29th Dunsborough - 3 Bears, WA, 18+

Supported on all shows by The Bleeders (NZ) and The Critics
* Double headline shows with The Hot Lies.

For more info visit www.gyroscope.com.au

Perth band Razorlily are described as ‘emotive rock’ by fans and critics alike, and release their anticipated debut album Roaring Trade nationally through MGM on June 5th 2006. The Double A side single shows off their savvy rock side in Frozen and exposes their tender underbelly with the haunting, luscious Distress Call.

Since their taste of success with their EP Immersion receiving airplay on Nova and 96fm they have become known for their delicious songs, potent lyrics, sassy lead singer and evocative shows. Roaring Trade was recorded by multi Wami Award winning Engineer/Producer Dave Parkin (Jebediah/Snowman/Red Jezebel) at Blackbird Studio and mastered by John Ruberto (Love Outside Andromeda/Dallas Crane/Epicure) at Crystal Mastering, Melbourne.

Roaring Trade moves between the dark, sensual sounds of a late night club through to the sexy end of rock n roll.

Razorlily are celebrating their debut album launch with a month long residency every Thursday night at the Hyde Park hotel in June.

June 1: Razorlily with support from: The Autumn Isles
June 8: Razorlily with support from: Faith In Plastics
June 15: Razorlily with support from: The Belle Ends
June 22: Razorlily with support from: Halogen
June 29: Razorlily with support from: One Horse Town

Free Entry, Giveaways & lashings Of Rock.

Since 1996 The Next Big Thing (WA), sponsored by Drug Aware and Healthway, has been a crucial showcase for musicians from all over the state. Each year over 100 acts from more than 200 entries get the chance to strut their stuff in a series of heats held across WA, from broome to Esperance, for the chance to be The Next Big Thing.

With entries for the 2006 Next Big Thing closing today lets take a look back a year ago at the 2005 finalists. Finishing first were The Fault with divergent musical tastes and an eclectic style of rock with just a touch of new wave. After winning the NBT, The Fault went on to play the 2006 Perth Big Day Out and scored a nomination for the “Most promising New Act” WAMI 2006 Award.

Finishing second were The Wednesday Society who play explosive rock that you just have to dance to, went on to support a host of touring acts and were nominated for the “Favourite Newcomer” WAMI 2006 award.

The Dee Dee Dums came third and were a wild card in the NBT final after winning Ampfest, are described as playing blistering blues/rock and funky jazz varied by mid-set instrument/style swapping. They went on to touring regional WA spreading their unique style of music around the state.

The Sky Bleeds finished fourth and are five-piece emo/screamo bunch of lads and knocked over the judges with their energy and took the Microphone Solutions Australia prize.

For more info visit www.nextbigthing.net.au

Little Birdy have spent the past few months locked away in Fleet Studios in WA, to work on new material and demo music for their second album and follow up to their debut ‘bigbiglove’. Armed with their astounding demos Little Birdy head to Los Angeles this week to commence working producer John King. John King, who as part of the legendary production team The Dust Brothers has produced some amazing music and albums including ‘Odelay’ by Beck, ‘Paul’s Boutique’ by The Beastie Boys and the Fight Club Soundtrack.

Little Birdy were very excited about this opportunity to work with John King who had produced some of their favourite albums. Birdys were also excited about spending time in Los Angeles and getting to know the city (and golf courses) a little better. Assisting John King is Cliff Norrell who has worked with amazing artists such as Jeff Buckley and REM.

Can’t give too much away at this stage, but the demos produced in the Fleet Studios sessions are really progressive and an exciting direction for Little Birdy. We should expect to see the results hopefully by August with a single to radio around then and a tour to follow. Little Birdy will be updating the Studio Diary at every chance they get, so please keep an eye on the Studio Diary Section of the website (www.littlebirdy.net/LBSTUDIO/).
Please note Birdys are definitely focused so if there is a delay in diary entries, it is probably because Birdys are laying down some amazing music!

Little Birdy is looking forward to bringing you their new music, Little Birdy are very focused on producing some great work!

The 2006 APRA (Australian Performing Right Association) Music Awards Nominees were announced today featuring Perth’s own End Of Fashion for Song of The Year and John Butler Trio in Most Performed Blues & Roots Work. As decided by more than 30,000 APRA registered songwriters, the APRA SONG OF THE YEAR is the biggest peer voted music award in Australia. All eligible songs must be written by an APRA member and released in the preceding calendar year for consideration.

Now in its 15th year in its current format, the APRA Music Awards, will be hosted by the irrepressible Jonathan Biggins and will feature live performances and special guest presenters.

The full list of APRA Music Award nominees for 2006 is listed below. Please stay tuned for further details on the 2006 APRA Music Awards.

2006 APRA Music Awards:
Song Of The Year
Better Days - Pete Murray
Catch My Disease - Ben Lee
Mind’s Eye - Wolfmother
O Yeah - End Of Fashion
Special Two - Missy Higgins

Most Performed Australian Work
Better Days - Pete Murray
Catch My Disease - Ben Lee
Someday Someday - Thirsty Merc
Special Two - Missy Higgins
Ten Days - Missy Higgins

Most Performed Foreign Work
Bad Day - Daniel Powter
Beautiful Soul - Jesse McCartney
Lonely No More - Rob Thomas
Shiver - Natalie Imbruglia
Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson

Most Performed Australian Work Overseas
Are You gonna Be My Girl - Jet
Cold Hard Bitch - Jet
Highway To Hell - AC/DC
Look What You’ve Done - Jet
Love Is In The Air - John Paul Young

Most Performed Dance Work
I Am Tha 1 - Mr Timothy feat Inaya Day
Natural - Infusion
Sunshine Eyes - Paul Mac
Tilt My Hat - Andy J
Way To Go - Rogue Traders

Most Performed Urban Work
Funk U Up - Joel Turner and The Modern Day Poets
Kryptonite - Guy Sebastian
Oh Oh - Guy Sebastian
These Kids - Joel Turner and The Modern Day Poets
You Make Me Weak - Jade MacRae

Most Performed Country Work
Hollywood - Kasey Chambers
Pony - Kasey Chambers
Rainbows and Butterflies - Beccy Cole
Saturated - Kasey Chambers
She Still Believes - Bella

Most Performed Blues & Roots Work
Ashes - The Beautiful Girls
Daniel - Lior
Lets Take The Long Way Home - The Beautiful Girls
Something’s Gotta Give - John Butler Trio
What You Want - John Butler Trio

Most Performed Jazz Work
Goodbye Greg - Sidecar
Grace - Sam Keevers & Jamie Oehlers
Mosquito - The Necks
Shoalhaven Sunrise - Sydney Allstar Big Band
Silverland - Paul Grabowsky

For more info visit www.apra.com.au

Wanna be The Next Big Thing in original music? You have until May 19th.

Hurry! Only two weeks till deadline for entries in WA’s richest and best band competition - The Next Big Thing!

The Next Big Thing, presented by Healthway and Drug Aware, is scouring the state for The Next Big Thing in original music.

NBT has kick-started the careers of numerous WA artists. Previous winners include the mighty John Butler, Snowman and Fourth Floor Collapse. Last years finalists are already getting spun on radio stations across the nation.

This years prizes are worth over $60,000! All heat winners get two days with a professional record producer PLUS one day FREE recording at Satellite Recording Studio AND a song included on The Next Big Thing Compilation CD.

The state winner gets a career “Starter Pack” including

* Guaranteed gigs at the BIG DAY OUT, WAMIs and RTRFM’s IN THE PINES
* PLUS more free recording at Satellite Recording Studio
* CD production and distribution
* A music video clip produced by www.nextworldstudios.com
* Media promotion package including photos, website, RTR & Xpress promo
* Insurance coverage from Action insurance

The Next Big Thing (WA) 2006 is open to all original bands and solo muso’s of any musical style! To enter you must be able to play 20 minutes of original music and not be signed to a major record deal.

Sound too easy? It is! Grab an ENTRY FORM available inside Groove Magazine, at WAM or at music stores around the state. Or download one from our website www.nextbigthing.net.au

For further information contact Ali (Marketing) 0424 362 661, Andrea (Events) 0439 945 698 or Antonella (Regional) 0414 070 680 or email us at info@nextbigthing.net.au

Birds of Tokyo are a band out of Perth who despite their relatively short life time have already established themselves as one of Perth’s premier rock bands, regularly playing their own headlining shows at packed venues such as Amplifier and Rosemount Hotel and supporting bands such as Switchfoot, Jebediah and After the Fall.

2005 saw Birds of Tokyo release 2 EPs, the first “Self Titled” in January was put out as a teaser/demo and the songs received airplay on Triple J, 96fm, RTRFM, Base FM, FBI and PBS. The second, “One Way/Stay” a double A side single recorded in Melbourne with acclaimed producer Forrester Savell (Helmet, Full Scale, Karnivool), was launched at the Amplifier Bar in early October to a packed out crowd of almost 500 people with the single “Stay” nominated for the WAMi Rock Song of the Year Award and selected to appear on the WAMi 2006 Festival Showcase CD.

Acclaimed vocalist Ian Kenny (Karnivool) ’s side project, Birds of Tokyo’s music marries soaring vocal melodies with catchy rock based guitar hooks and a driving rhythm section, the live show is filled with an energy as raw, exposing and emotionally charged as it is energetic and full of foot-tapping rockin’ goodness.

Birds of Tokyo sold out the first show of the Sun Milk & Honey Tour at Amplifier in April 2006 and hit Sydney and Melbourne with a bang as well!! The band will be playing at The Rosemount hotel this Friday 12th May with The Dirty Secrets, The Sure Fire Midnights and The Bulletholes. They will then be playing at The Prince Of Wales Bunbury on 19th May, Three Bears Bar in Dunsborough on 20th May and a special acoustic show at The Velvet Lounge in Mt Lawley with The Freudian Slips and Celladore.

For more info on the band visit www.birdsoftokyo.com

Something for Kate have announced the title of their long awaited 5th studio album titled; ‘Desert Lights’ and have added two extra shows to their national ‘Sci-Fi Sunsets’ tour in Melbourne on Tuesday May 16 & a second show in Brisbane’s Zoo on Sunday May 21.

Desert Lights follows 2003’s #1 seller The Official Fiction and is due for release on July 1.

Meanwhile the new single “Cigarettes and Suitcases” - the first single from the new album is released in Australia next Saturday May 6th. The single features 3 bonus tracks including new track ‘The Actor Makes His Move’ - recorded by Brad Wood in L.A. during the album sessions, a cover of Echo and The Bunnymen’s classic ‘The Killing Moon’ and a live recording of ‘Prick’,taken from the bands anniversary show at The Prince of Wales, St Kilda in 2004.

The album Desert Lights is a powerful mix of discord and melody, sophistication and beauty, it signals a band reaching a heightened level of creativity. Released on July 1st and overseen by noted American producer Brad Wood (whose extensive credits take in Liz Phair, Smashing Pumpkins, Tortoise and Ben Lee), Desert Lights puts aside the tone of the band’s previous hit albums, The Official Fiction and Echolalia. The change is both apparent and appealing and sets a new standard.

A succession of platinum-accredited albums has seen Something For Kate sell over 400,000 copies of their critically praised back catalogue – 1997’s Elsewhere For 8 Minutes, 1999’s Beautiful Sharks, 2001’s Echolalia and 2003’s No.1 debut, The Official Fiction – before the Melbourne-based trio began work on their new disc in 2004.

“We’re all happy and excited and satisfied with this record,” admits Paul Dempsey. “2005 was a shitty year and writing this record was difficult, but at the end of it I’ve never been happier.”

“There are songs on this record that are the best we’ve ever written,” offers Stephanie Ashworth. “They’re really exciting to play-We’re excited about what comes next.”

Tickets are selling fast for all shows so don’t miss out. See a full list of dates below.

SOMETHING FOR KATE - ‘SCI FI SUNSETS’ TOUR
MAY:
Tue 16th, Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (special warm-up show)
Thu 18th, Metro Sydney
Fri 19th Plantation, Coffs Harbour
Sat 20th Zoo, Brisbane
Sun 21st Zoo, Brisbane
Thu 25th Prince of Wales, Melbourne
Fri 26th Peninsula Lounge, Moorooduc
Sat 27th Bass in The Grass Festival, Darwin
JUNE:
Fri 2nd, Fowlers Live, Adelaide
Sat 3rd, Amplifier, Perth