Dan Howls debut album ‘A Dime a Dozen’ out now; new single ‘Mary Lou’

Dan Howls is an appropriate name for an artist with such a bellowing roar. Big, gritty and acidic, it is a voice that belongs to the blues… a human being merely wields it. Tried and tested through years of live performance, Dan has finally unveiled his stunning debut album, A Dime a Dozen. 

While providing listeners with a steady stream of taster tracks, including WAM award winning single The Prince, all ears are now on the fantastical crimson-soaked murder blues number, 
Mary Lou.

Relentlessly steaming forward like a stolen train, Mary Lou is Dan Howls at his foot-stomping best. Needing nothing more than a guitar and a tambourine around it, his voice drives a grim narrative of death and dirty deeds, accompanied beautifully by the bittersweet vocals of Julia Weller. A long-time friend and collaborator, Weller is part of Dan Howls’ road-hungry live band, which features the formidable backing of drummer Josh Cutler, bassist Callum Adcock
and organist/saxophonist Ben Power.

Producer James Newhouse has perfectly encapsulated the true essence of Dan Howls on A Dime a Dozen – from his demonic rasp to his devilish charm. Keeping things raw and honest, Newhouse unlocks and hones the essential truth in each song, allowing each instrument to meld into a powerful conglomerate of sound. Worshipping more at the altar of a bygone era than modern convention, A Dime a Dozen wades the traditions of blues through a thick tar pit of despair and misery, coming out the other side heavier, darker and more sodden… a beautiful place for blues to be.

Universally understandable, Dan Howls’ sound is a passport to anywhere in the world. With his band, he is eager to tour anywhere and everywhere, starting with his own backyard. Soon to embark on a regional tour of Western Australia, kicking off with an appearance at the Wave Rock Weekender, the band’s focus will be on building a national tour of Australia, taking their bare knuckle brand of blues to music lovers in every corner of the country.

Debut album A Dime a Dozen out now via Firestarter Distribution
iTunes – Apple Music – Spotify – Google Music

If ever there was a pairing more perfect or written in the stars than COSMIC PSYCHOS , PIST IDIOTS and UTE ROOT, we’d like to see it. Synonymous in name and naughtiness, the Psychos will take the ever-exciting Idiots and friends Ute Root on tour with them this October/November, storming through six East Cost locations on the one lap. Following the release of their album Loudmouth Soup and subsequent 30-date national tour in April, the band that shaped the slacker rock landscape as we know it aren’t slowing down any time soon. They’re just released a fresh single Dogshit, and are gearing up to visit Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Belgrave and Frankston on this particular dalliance, and as always have hand-picked some of the finest and FUNNEST bands out to join them on stage.  Four childhood mates from West Sydney, Pist Idiots signed up for a Battle Of The Bands as a gag but later conceived a fully fledged, vaguely functioning rock band in their garage. They’ve since toured with some of Ausrock’s best bands. Ute Root have been doing burnouts in their native Melbourne for a while, but are ready to bring their junkrock anthem Ketamine Queen to the masses. Armed with 70s sass and a fire in their bellies, they round out a ripper run that shouldn’t be missed.    Tickets are on sale now from www.cosmicpsychos.com.au . Giddy up! COSMIC PSYCHOS EAST COAST TOUR OCT/NOV 2018 with special guests Pist Idiots and UTE ROOT Saturday October 27  Crowbar, Brisbane (Evening) Sunday October 28 Crowbar, Brisbane (Arvo) Saturday November 3 Pier Hotel, Frankston (Evening) Monday November 5 Sooki Lounge, Belgrave (Evening) Tuesday November 6 Corner Hotel, Melbourne (Cup Day Arvo) w/ CIVIC Saturday November 10 The Lansdowne, Sydney (Evening) Tickets on sale now from cosmicpsychos.com.au

TECH N9NE Australia & New Zealand Tour DatesWith Special GuestKRIZZ KALIKOA Metropolis Touring and Slingshot Touring presentation.

 Attention all Techniciansss: Hip-Hop Powerhouse TECH N9NE returns to Australia + New Zealand this September after selling out shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in past tours. The announcement comes with a stern warning for fans: TECH is hungrier than ever before.

TECH N9NE’s live shows are not for the faint of heart. With the crowd hanging onto his every movement, TECH masterfully guides them through the evening of sonic chaos, feeding off the madness unleashing before his very eyes. His shows are a non-stop party from beginning to end. The atmosphere and energy at a TECH N9NE show is unlike anything else. No one puts on a show like TECH N9NE.

TECH returns to our shores holding up high his latest record, 2018’sPlanet. The album is a shining beacon at TECH’s status as an untouchable in the scene, scoring high profile collaborations, including Machine Gun Kelly and Y2 on the mosh anthem No Reason, while proving his mettle, yet again, on his own as we see with fan-favourite single Don’t Nobody Want One.

As the biggest selling Independent Hip-Hop artist of all time, TECH N9NEhas had his music featured in film, television, and video games. Independent to the core, TECH N9NE is free to make music for himself and his fans and no one else. He appeases no masters other than the legions of Strange Music fans across the globe.

Without mainstream acceptance, TECH N9NE’s commercial success is entirely down to his dedication to his audience, playing at least over 100 shows a year and making sure every show leaves the crowd on a euphoric high and craving more. Seeing TECH N9NE live will make you understand his t-shirt slogan “Strange Music Saved My Life”.

TECH N9NE’s 2018 Australian tour will feature long-time partner in rhyme KRIZZ KALIKO, who will be both performing with TECH N9NE and a feature support set. KRIZZ KALIKO has been working with TECH N9NE since the late 90’s. KRIZZ KALIKO’s infectious charisma and dynamic vocal range have made him a fan favourite at TECH N9NE’s live shows for over a decade. 

“I’ve got a chip on my shoulder,” TECH N9NE says. “I’ve still got a lot to prove. That’s why I still rap so hard. I’m always trying to get better and better. I’m not softening it.” If you missed out last time, now is your chance to fix your mistake. If you were lucky enough to catch one of the shows, this is another opportunity to witness one of the greatest live shows in Hip-Hop. Bar none.

Tech N9ne Australian & New Zealand Tour Dates
September 2018

Friday 7^th – AUCKLAND – Powerstation
Saturday 8^th – WELLINGTON – San Fran
Wednesday 12^th – MELBOURNE – 170 Russell
Thursday 13^th – SYDNEY – Metro Theatre
Friday 14^th – BRISBANE – Tivoli
Saturday 15^th – ADELAIDE – Fowlers Live
Sunday 16^th – PERTH – Rosemount HotelTickets:Pre Sale – Friday 23rd March, 9am (Local time)On Sale – Monday 26th March, 9am (Local time)Via:Australia: https://metropolistouring.com/tours/tech-n9ne/New Zealand: https://metropolistouring.com/tours/tech-n9ne-nz/

Devoted rapper, poet, motivational speaker, suicide prevention and mental health awareness advocate – Licy Be is a an artist on a mission. Hailing from New Zealand, formerly from Perth and now based on the Gold Coast, Licy (pronounced Leecy for you non-kiwis) is proud to share her new single Be The Change today on 
World Suicide Prevention Day.

Teaming up with fellow Kiwi CASS and UK producer WYLD, the song shines a light on making a stand for suicide prevention. Licy says of the collaboration “We wrote this song to speak to a generation struggling with suicide. We believe it’s everyones responsibility to ‘Be The Change’ and reach out to those in our lives that are struggling with life, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and mental health challenges. Whatever it may be, there is  hope. Services are important as well, but together if we take up the challenge then maybe we can all contribute towards saving lives and making a difference as well.” 

Licy’s love of poetry and subsequent natural talent for rapping has culminated in a series of online videos achieving in excess of 100,000 spins. Licy performed at the Sydney Opera House in 2016 as a national finalist in the Australian Poetry Slam and has since gone on to support at sold-out shows by Rn’B artist Sammy Johnson’s and Perth emcee Marksman Lloyd. Licy has also done numerous school appearances and performed to a 3000 strong Youth Alive crowd at HBF Stadium.

2017 saw the release of Licy’s debut album Beautifully Broken and was introduced with shows across Australia and New Zealand along with a maiden tour of the United States. While the album cracked the top 25 on the Australian iTunes chart, lead single One Life peaked inside the top 10, an impressive feat from an emerging independent artist.

Having presented to over 15,000 teenagers in the past 12 months, Licy Be draws upon her personal lived experience, educational background (Master of Science in Applied Psychology) and work within the field as the training and education coordinator for Consumers of Mental Health WA (CoMHWA).

Inspiring others to raise the bar and increase awareness about suicide prevention, Licy Be is truly writing music with the purpose of connecting with all listeners.

New single Be The Change feat CASS and WYLD out now
iTunes – Apple Music – Spotify – Google Music

Brisbane post-punk outfit Sleepwell have returned with the music video for their cathartic new single Acreman; a desperate call for the memory of a lost friend, driven home by the anguished vocals of Casey Ford.

Acreman marks the beginning of a new project for Sleepwell, after the release of their debut EP ‘Rose-Tinted Gold’ in 2016, a project to facilitate a healing process for the band after a shared tragedy.

“Acreman is the first part of two songs, written through last year and the year before,intended to help understand and portray personal grief, both songs reflect on the struggle to accept the death of a loved one and how pivotal that experience can prove to be in a young person’s life,” said Casey.

Pulling from more somber experiences to write Acreman, the track shows a solid progression for Sleepwell.

“Drawn from softer and steadier influences, Arceman is an emotive and balanced song driven by personal lyrics and is the first real ballad the band has worked on together,” said bassist, Tayla Ellerby.

“The track combines sad aggression and a modest drive that is true to the band, both in sound and structure showing we have reached a higher level both as songwriters and musicians,” guitarist, Rhys Hilton.

Flight Facilities – TIVOLI, BRISBANE

Four years on from their bonanza debut album Down To Earth, Flight Facilities could be forgiven for taking some time off to put their feet up.  Instead they went on tour. 

Behind the lens Zac Montgomery 

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Plini, The Zoo Brisbane 

Named #8 in Ultimate-Guitar’s top 12 guitarists of 2015 and listed among “MusicRadar’s #1 prog guitar player in the world right now” for 2017, Sydney’s independent instrumental progressive rising star, PLINI played recent shows to celebrate the release of his new EP ‘ Sunhead’

Behind the lens Gethin Hill 

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Tasmania is known for two things; the Tasmanian Devil and having produced one of the leaders of the modern death metal scene, Psycroptic. Since their formation in 1999, the band have constantly evolved and broken through the boundaries that the genre can sometimes impose upon itself. With the release of their seventh studio album, As The Kingdom Drowns, an album of riff-filled, technical ecstasy, Psycroptic just may have outdone the devil. Psycroptic will be touring Australia this Nov/Dec:

“It’s always a challenge to continue to evolve as a band, while staying true to the path you’ve chosen to walk on,” notes drummer D. Haley. “With As The Kingdom Drowns we all pushed each other outside of our usual comfort zones, and didn’t settle for the easy way out. I’m super proud of everyone’s hard work and dedication to the project; it turned out to be one hell of a catchy riff filled album.”

Joining Psycroptic on the Australian tour will be Orpheus Omega. Conceived in Melbourne, Australia in 2008, Orpheus Omega has gone on to become one of Australia’s premier Melodic Death Metal acts. Touring rigorously both nationally and abroad, the band has shared the stage with some of the heavy weights of modern metal including Trivium, Children Of Bodom, Dark Tanquillity, Amon Amarth, Soilwork, At The Gates, Insomnium and more.

With their aggressive approach to classic Melodic Death Metal, the band blends catchy hooks and melodies with crushing riffs seamlessly bringing them into a sound of their own as shown from their highly acclaimed 2015 concept album, ‘Partum Vita Mortem’.

TICKETS FOR ALL SHOWS ON SALE AT: http://soundworksdirect.eventbrite.com

SOUNDWORKS DIRECT presents

PSYCROPTIC ‘As The Kingdom Drowns’ Australian Tour

With special guests Orpheus Omega

Nov / Dec 2018:

27 November – Geelong / Barwon Club

29 November – Ballarat / Karova Lounge

30 November – Adelaide / Enigma Bar

1 December – Melbourne / Max Watts

4 December – Wodonga / Elgins*

5 December – Canberra / Basement

6 December – Newcastle / Small Ballroom

7 December – Sydney / The Factory Theater

8 December – Hobart / Brisbane Hotel

9 December – Launceston / Mode

12 December – Gold Coast / Shark Bar*

13 December – Byron Bay / Byron Bay Brewery*

14 December – Brisbane / Woolly Mammoth

15 December – Perth / Hellhole*

16 December – Fremantle / Swan Basement*

FALLS FESTIVAL LORNE SOLD-OUT!

General Sale tickets to the 26^th annual Falls Music & Arts Festival touring across the heartland of Australia this summer, went on sale Friday, the Lorne leg selling out over the weekend, as patrons locked in their NYE plans with the likes of Anderson .Paak, Catfish And The Bottlemen, Vance Joy, Toto, Chvrches and a huge party line-up!For those who missed the boat it’s time to jump on one… Or a plane! Marion Bay Tasmania is only a short distance across Bass Strait, a sun-soaked summer holiday in the making. Check out all of your flight options and book in early while availability is high and prices are low. Ring in the New Year with Flight Facilities, Interpol, Vance Joy, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and more.

If a road trip is more your style, Byron Bay tickets are selling fast! The last remaining allocations on sale now. Get in quick to join thousands of friends celebrating the start of 2019 among the tropical wonderlands of North Byron Parklands.

West Aussies, we got you too! Returning to the shady heart of Fremantle, nestled by the sea, there is no better way to recover from the festive season and ease your way into the first week of 2019. After selling out in record time last year, tickets for the closing event are selling fast.

Underneath the Falls golden sunset: world-class music · creative installations · visual arts performances · pop-up bars and beer gardens · passouts all festival long · thoughtful camping facilities · comedy clubs · daily beach access · glorious gourmet fare · makers’ markets · local traders · beauty parlours · holistic yoga and well-being, plus loads more to be announced!

THE FALLS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL 2018/19 NATIONAL LINE-UP:

ANDERSON .PAAK & THE FREE NATIONALS · CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN (ONLY AUS SHOWS) · VANCE JOY · CHVRCHES · HILLTOP HOODS · TOTO · INTERPOL · 88 RISING FEAT. RICH BRIAN, JOJI, NIKI & AUGUST 08 (ONLY AUS SHOWS) · FLIGHT FACILITIES · AMY SHARK · DMA’S · KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD · GOLDEN FEATURES · FIRST AID KIT (ONLY AUS SHOWS) · OCEAN ALLEY · HOCKEY DAD · CASHMERE CAT (ONLY AUS SHOWS) · THE VACCINES · CUB SPORT · RUEL · JACK RIVER · BISHOP BRIGGS · MALLRAT · BRIGGS  · TOUCH SENSITIVE · TKAY MAIDZA · DERMOT KENNEDY · TIRED LION · HOBO JOHNSON & THE LOVEMAKERS · SOCCER MOMMY · ODETTE · MAHALIA · HATCHIE · WEST THEBARTON · SAM FENDER · TIA GOSTELOW · KOTA BANKS · TRIPLE ONE · ALICE SKYE · HEAPS GAY DJ’S & FRIENDS

+ PLUS LOADS MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED +
YOUR CHOICE:
Falls Festival is a proud partner and supporter of Your Choice, working to create a safer and more enjoyable live gathering environment for everyone.

2018/19 EVENTS: 
Lorne VIC: 28 Dec, 29 Dec, 30 Dec, 31 Dec (est. 1993) 18+ event sold-out
Marion Bay TAS: 29 Dec, 30 Dec, 31 Dec (est. 2003) All ages
Byron Bay NSW: 31 Dec, 01 Jan, 02 Jan (est. 2013) 18+ event
Fremantle WA: 05 Jan, 06 Jan (est. 2016) 18+ event

TICKETS TO FALLS:
On sale now, all details and pricing can be foundat: fallsfestival.com

Under the iconic dome that is Melbourne’s much loved historical Palais theater, gathered for one evening to tribute to one of the most iconic bands of the 80s and 90s were a group of musicians ready to pay homage to one of the most successful bands of the last two decades.

R.E.M. was an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, that was formed in 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist/backing vocalist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe. With the controversial ‘ Losing My Religion’ launching them into the stratosphere – seeing the music video banned in several countries – the band finally split in 2013. Its fair to say that they left quite an impression on the music landscape, many of their songs becoming timeless classics.

THE ONES WE LOVE celebrates the great band that was R.E.M. featuring an All-Star line-up of singers – Jeff Martin (The Tea Party) Steve Kilbey (The Church) Ron S. Peno (Died Pretty) Trish Young (The Clouds) Alannah Russack (The Hummingbirds) Ashley Naylor (Even) Greg Atkinson (Ups Downs) Peter Fenton (Crow), to bring to the stage an array of songs that fans know and loved.

Each musician bringing to life their own interpretation of songs such as ‘ ‘Man on the Moon’, ‘It’s The End of the World’, Radio Free Europe, Drive, Orange Crush, , The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight,, Driver 8, Shiny Happy People – songs that made the band famous. Backed by a sensational band the so much of R.E.M’s talent is on display this evening and each performer is unique yet captivating in their own way. From Peter Fenton’s energy to Ron.S.Peno’s ability to almost channel Stipe, each singer brings their own identity to the songs they perform. 

The music of R.E.M has always been timeless and moving and when Jeff Martin the final performer for the evening to sing, he invites everyone to stand. His deep voice belts out ‘ Losing my Religion’ with ease, however its when he begins the first bars of the classic ‘ Everybody Hurts’ is when the crowd draws in its collective breath in awe.

The evenings showcase of talented musicians might be the closest thing that we’ll get to see in Australia, the band having laid down their instruments many years ago, however with such a stellar line up on the bill it was a joy to witness.

Words and Images by Amanda Lee Starkey

 

 

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