Perth Music

2008 was an amazing year for C.W. Stoneking. His amazing second album, ‘Jungle Blues‘ with it’s unusual blend of musical influences and evocative lyrical style, literally had critics falling over themselves eager to heap praise on the old time troubadour and the rare talent showcased on this breakthrough album. The tour that followed saw audiences in sold out venues across the country transfixed by the imagery and sounds of Stoneking’s tales of journeys into the heart of deepest, darkest Africa.

Since then C.W. has appeared at the Falls and Southbound Festivals, travelled to the UK to play the Barbican theatre in London for a BBC television special, and now has been shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize alongside the Drones, Eddy Current Suppression Ring and The Presets.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Stoneking gathers his compatriots The Primitive Horn Orchestra for one last Australian tour this March/April before he sets off again for the “dark corners of the globe” to tour abroad and compose songs for his next album.

CW Stoneking and his Primitive Horn Orchestra will be joined by the resonator pickin’, blues hollerin’ Brooklyn based singer songwriter Mamie Minch.

Tour Dates:
Wednesday 11 March 2009 – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury
Thursday 12 March 2009 – The Fly By Night, Fremantle
Friday, 13 March 2009 - Octagon Theatre, Perth
Wednesday, 18 March 2009 - Grand Junction, Maitland
Thursday, 19 March 2009 - Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
Friday, 20 March 2009 - Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Saturday, 21 March 2009 - Canberra Playhouse
Sunday, 22 March 2009 - Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
Tuesday 24 March 2009 – Blakiston Theatre, Geelong
Friday 27 March 2009 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
Sun 29 March 2009 – The Palais, Hepburn Springs
Sun 5th April - Tivoli, Brisbane
Tues 7th April - The Boogie Shack, Toowoomba QLD
Wed 8th April - Sands Tavern, Maroochydore QLD
Fri10th April - Byron Bay Blues Fest, Byron Bay NSW
Sat 11th April - Byron Bay Blues Fest, Byron Bay NSW
Sat 18th April - West Coast Blues’N'Roots Festival

Sunday 15th February 2009
Challenge Stadium
Fall Out Boy
All American Rejects
Hey Monday

Fresh off their maiden Big Day Out tour, Children Collide show no signs of slowing down. Recently, Children Collide have been carving their name as one of the most exhilarating live acts in the country. Having impressed audiences and critics alike throughout 2008, Children Collide is geared to bring their explosive headline show around Australia once more - on the Farewell Rocketship Tour.

Farewell Rocketship is an idealistic, escapist daydream where the world has become too much and fleeing is the only option. Instead of a desert island or a strange new country, the destination is another planet. A flight of fantasy to begin a new colony of humans on a nearby planet. A fresh start in a simpler world. A colonial ballad for a post-apocalyptic, space-age romance. A goodbye to war and politics.

Joining them on this ride is a band that has been known to induce a degree of admiration themselves. Regular John have been busy boys. Hailing from Sydney, the lads have been locked up recording their debut album and are poised to blow off their pent up steam. Their live show is searing.So, for their first headline dates this year Children Collide are preparing to blow audiences out of the water (or their shoes, or pants, or whatever) with their frantic, unpredictable performances.

Tickets on sale February 12th. $14.00 + BF Pre Sale & $17.00 Door SaleTour Dates:
Thur 9th April - Rocket Bar, Adelaide, SA
Fri 10th April - Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne, VIC
Thur 16th April - Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane QLD
Fri 17th April - The Annandale Hotel, Sydney, NSW
Sat 18th April - Transit Bar, Canberra, NSW
Thur 23rd April - Prince of Wales, Bunbury, WA
Fri 24th April - Norfolk Basement, Fremantle, WA
Sat 25th April - Amplifier Bar, Perth, WA

It’s all about new things for Bob Evans in 2009 – a new album Goodnight, Bull Creek! released on April 3, a new single Someone So Much at radio now and available digitally now and a new national tour in April/May to top it all off.

Goodnight, Bull Creek is the third album from Bob Evans and was recorded in Nashville with producer Brad Jones (Josh Rouse, Sheryl Crow) who also produced the last Bob Evans album Suburban Songbook. While keeping you in the palm of his hand with his endearing lyrics and melodies, the album does take a sidestep away from the previous albums to show a different side to Bob.

Someone So Much is the first offering from the album and is available digitally now. It was one of the first songs written for the album and contains the lyrics from the album title. A multi track single will also be available digitally on February 27 and includes the additional album track Power of Speech.

Bob will then take his show on the road in April on the national Goodnight, Bull Creek! tour (WA date to be announced very soon, keep an eye on the website for details). Tickets are on sale Thursday February 19 – check out www.bobevans.com.au or www.myspace.com/suburbankid for ticketing details.

Bob will be joined by his fantastic new band - Malcolm Clark (Sleepy Jackson), Hugh Jennings (End of Fashion, Bob Evans), Ben Witt (The Chemist) and Louis Macklin (67 Special) – as well as special guest Steve Poltz all the way from the USA.

Tour Dates:
Sat 18th April - West Coast Blues and Roots Festival, Fremantle WA
Thurs 7th May - Tivoli, Brisbane, QLD
Fri 8th May - The Sands Tavern, Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast, QLD
Sat 9th May - Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast, QLD
Sun 10th May - Great Northern, Byron Bay, NSW
Tues 12th May - Lizottes, Kincumber NSW
Wed 13th May - Newcastle Uni, NSW
Thurs 14th May - Wollongong Uni, NSW
Fri 15th May - Metro, Sydney, NSW (licensed & All Ages)
Sat 16th May - ANU Canberra, ACT
Wed 20th May - Peninsula Lounge, Moorooduc, VIC
Thurs 21st May - Corner Hotel, Melbourne VIC
Sat 23rd May - Republic Bar, Hobart, TAS
Thurs 28th May - The Gov, Adelaide, SA

Biffy Clyro have earned an army of rabidly devotional fans - christened Team Biffy – who follow them across the country and beyond, their hearts swelling with the searing emotion; their minds expanded by the threesome’s inventive rock that somehow managed to hit them in the gut at the same time.

The band have four albums; Blackened Sky, The Vertigo Of Bliss, Infinity Land and Puzzle, which was released in September 2007. Mountains - the new single from Biffy Clyro that is currently being heard everywhere is a breath-taking return to form and a bridging track from the band as they now head back into the studio for work on their 5th album. The band have just announced they will be returning to Australia during March.

Tour Dates:
Sat 21st March - The Capitol, Perth
Tue 24th March - The Hi Fi, Melbourne
Wed 25th March - Arena, Brisbane
Thur 26th March - Metro Theatre, Sydney

Perth indie rock protagonists Sugar Army and Harlequin League will storm Australia this March on a national co-headlining tour aptly called ‘New Hunting Grounds’ to launch their exciting new music.Sugar Army’s weapon of choice is riff ready first single ‘Acute’ from their forthcoming debut album out midyear. The single will be exclusively released as a free download for fans who visit the Sugar Army barracks at www.sugararmy.com.au between Thursday 12 February and Sunday 22 February.

While Harlequin League will launch their attack with new EP ’I Don’t Do Friends’. Due out March the band’s second EP features their sweltering new song ‘All Your Wars Are Won’.

Do not miss your chance to see Sugar Army and Harlequin League - two of Perth’s finest young rock acts – together this March!

Tour Dates:
Sun 8th March - Rock It @ Arena Joondalup, Perth **Sugar Army Only** supporting Kings Of Leon, The Fratellis and The Music
Wed 18th March - Karova Lounge, Ballarat supported by Howl
Thur 19th March - The Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne supported by The Young Lovers + Howl
Fri 20th March - Annandale Hotel, Sydney supported by The Wahas + Villains Of Wilhelm
Sat 21st March - Fowler’s Live, Adelaide supported by Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire!
Fri 27th March - Prince Of Wales, Bunbury **Harlequin League only** supported by Leader Cheetah (SA)
Sat 28th March - Capitol, Perth supported by Leader Cheetah (SA)
Sun 29th March - Joondalup Festival 2009

For the first time since 2006 The Fray will return to Australia and New Zealand in March. Performing in their largest venues to date, these Colorado rockers are sure to ignite all those before them. The Fray will return to Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland, and for the first time ever will also perform in Perth and Brisbane. Support at all shows will come from American up and comer Secondhand Serenade.

Bursting onto the scene through a myriad of successes, The Fray claimed 2006 as their own. Monster singles ‘Over My Head’ and ‘How to Save a Life’ saw The Fray rule the airwaves, both singles garnering Grammy Award nominations. ‘How to Save a Life’ went on to certify The Fray a global phenomenon after spending 58 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and finding placement in a number of television shows including Grey’s Anatomy, Scrubs, The Hills and Family Guy. Debut album How to Save a Life fulfilled their potential, reaching #1 and #2 in Australia and New Zealand respectively, collecting platinum certifications in both countries.

Fast forward to 2009, and The Fray are poised to deliver their finest work to date in the form of second record The Fray (released February 7). Recorded in 2008 with first album collaborators Aaron Johnson and Mike Flynn, The Fray defies the sophomore slump soaring to the highs that 2006’s debut hinted The Fray were capable of. Lead single ‘You Found Me’ this week sits at #1 on Australia’s ARIA chart – their first ever #1 single Down Under – proving The Fray will be as in demand as ever when they touch down this March.

Support act Secondhand Serenade has proven to be the surprise hit of 2008. The brainchild of the charismatic John Vesely, Secondhand Serenade released their debut single ‘Fall For You’ in Australia and New Zealand in late ’08 to a rapturous response. A radio favourite, ‘Fall For You’ was an instant smash, reaching the top 20 on the ARIA chart. Second single ‘Your Call’ is already burning up the charts in the US and looks set to follow suit here.

To date every performance by The Fray in Australia and New Zealand has sold out. With the sterling support of Secondhand Serenade in 2009, this tour is sure to tread the same path.

Tickets on sale Monday February 9. Please visit www.frontiertouring.com for pre-sale details

Tour Dates:
Tue 17th March - Metro City, Perth
Fri 20th March - Palace Theatre, Melbourne
Sat 21st March - The Tivoli, Brisbane
Tue 24th March - Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Thur 26th March - The Powerstation, Auckland

In a treat for the fan of the beat, two of Australia’s favourite hip hop acts are celebrating a huge 2008 by joining together for a massive 09. Long time west coast kings Downsyde team up with new prince Drapht, for what will prove to be a tour of royal proportions, with both acts taking their current albums out on the road for a very extensive national jaunt.It’s the largest tour either act has taken on for years, and to make sure it’s something really special the longtime Syllabollix Crew members are locked up together in a rehearsal room cooking up a combined set that’s going to knock people’s socks off. With the collection of killer cuts from their back catalogue and a long history of working together, “City Brothers Tour” will be a 16 legged beast that is going to bring the thumpin’ jams like no party before.

Very special guest at almost every show is festival favourite Pez - heading out on his largest tour yet!

Tickets go on sale this Tuesday 27 January.

Downsyde & Drapht City Brothers Tour Dates:
With special guest Pez*
*Pez not appearing in Byron Bay and at all WA shows

Thur 5th March - Del Plaza, Southport
Fri 6th March – QUT, Brisbane
Sat 7th March – The Woombye Pub, Sunshine Coast
Sun 8th March - Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay*
Wed 11th March - Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
Thur 12th March - Woodport Inn, Erina
Fri 13th March - The Black Friday Oball – The Bar On The Hill, Newcastle University
Sat 14th March - Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Sun 15th March - Reverb 09 @ Waves Towradgi Beach Hotel
Wed 18th March - Roi Bar, Albury
Thur 19th March – ANU, Canberra
Fri 20th March – The Hi Fi, Melbourne
Sat 21st March - The Pub, Bendigo
Sun 22nd March – Ruby’s Lounge, Belgrave
Tue 24th March - Republic Bar, Hobart
Thur 26th March - Hotel New York, Launceston
Fri 27th March - Fowlers Live, Adelaide
Wed 1st April – The Foundry, Cannington*
Thur 2nd April Prince of Wales, Bunbury*
Fri 3rd April & Sat 4th April - Rosemount Hotel, Perth*
Sun 5th April - Railway Hotel, North Fremantle*

Lykke Li can’t stay still. Her life and her career are relentlessly pulled forward by an impatient desire to see what’s just around the corner, her music full of ideas about moving on and breaking free. Just 18 months ago she was complaining to her mentor, Bjorn ‘of Peter and John fame’ Yttling, that everything had gone wrong because she was 20 and still hadn’t released an album. Now 22, she’s finding that things are on track. With the release of Youth Novels in Sweden through her own label LL Recordings in January 2008, she’s been surprised and maybe a little embarrassed to find that the world is falling at her feet. She’s just the kind of person people can’t help falling in love with. The album Youth Novels, in all its minimalist brilliance, has just been released in Australia and Li has just completed touring Oz playing the Falls Festival and Southbound.  Lykke Li spoke to Justin Middleton for this exclusive interview.

Click here to download the podcast of the entire interview. (6:31 - 0.7Mb)

I asked Lykke Li to give us a rundown of how the album came together and formed. “I wrote songs and then meeting Bjorn (Yttling) at one of my shows allowed me to have somebody to bounce ideas to. Meeting him was definitely the most important part of the album. I kind of wrote songs on piano and then took them into the studio and wrote re-wrote them. Then we recorded it bit by bit for two months.”

“We didn’t have a lot of time for recording in the first year so it only about once a month so all together it was about two months recorded but over a longer period. It was very frustrating and seemed like life was passing by.”

Playing two festivals in Australia, I asked Lykke Li if she enjoys music festivals and if she had played many in Europe. “I did festivals all of last summer in Europe. I like festivals as long as they are good festivals but I do my best for every show that I put on. I really enjoy playing live.”

I also asked Lykke Li if she thought there were any artists or bands that influence her and her music. “I don’t think any artists actually influence me. I don’t know that many contemporary artists and when I made the album I was listening to a lot of old music. And I still listen to old music. I listened to a lot of music growing up but I’d need to be a psychologist to know if any of that influenced my music now. I mean that could be as influential as running into a tree or fainting.”

“I’ve been on tour constantly for the past year so I haven’t really had any spare time to even think about new songs or even my next album.”

Youth Novels is out now. For more info visit www.lykkeli.com

Lykke Li can also be heard collaborating with Kanye West and Santogold on an upcoming album by NASA (North America South America) which is a collective of like minded artists who got together to make great music with heavy Brazilian / favela funk influences. She has also released a remix/cover of King’s Of Leon’s Knocked Up.

Knocked Up (Lykke Li Remix)

N.A.S.A ft.Kanye West, Santogold & Lykke Li - Gifted

After their sold out Australian tour in August 2008, Billions Australia are pleased to announce the return of Death Cab for Cutie to Australian shores for a run of summer dates this February. Kicking off the tour with an outdoor show in Fremantle, Death Cab for Cutie are then set to perform in intimate theatre surrounds in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

The year just past saw Death Cab for Cutie’s sixth studio album Narrow Stairs, debut at Number 6 on the ARIA Album Chart and an impressive Number 1 debut on the US Billboard Chart. Narrow Stairs is rapidly approaching Gold sales (500,000) in their home country. After touring Australia last August, Death Cab for Cutie toured North America with guitarist and song writing great; Neil Young, toured the UK and Europe and capped off 2008 with two Grammy Award Nominations for Best Rock Song for “I Will Possess Your Heart” & Best Alternative Music Album for “Narrow Stairs“.

With the Grammy Award recipients announced on February 8 in Los Angeles, that same month sees Death Cab for Cutie take off for a string of shows in Japan before heading to Australia.

Tickets for Death Cab for Cutie’s February 2009 tour go on sale Friday 9 January.

Tour Dates:
Thur 19th February - Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle (Licensed/18+)
Sun 22nd February – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide (Licensed and All Ages)
Mon 23rd February – Forum Theatre, Melbourne (18+)
Tue 24th February – Forum Theatre, Melbourne (18+)
Thur 26th February – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (Licensed and All Ages)
Sat 28th February – Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane (18+)