The new video from Seattle’s Spirit Award has just dropped and the band, are gearing up to release their new album Muted Crowd this summer.

The video ‘Supreme Truth’ points to influences of early New Order, Can and highlights psych rock melodies and ethereal vocals. Thematically the single is based on the Japanese death cult “Aum Shinrikyo” lead by Shoko Asahara, who recruited the rich to join his cult and carry out Tokyo subway sarin attack in 1995. After becoming fascinated with cults, institutions and religions, the band shed light on how it can be so easy to get lost in something when that’s all you’re surrounded by.

Spirit Award has received wide praise from outlets like KEXP, Daytrotter, The Stranger, and many others.

The Ones We Love: Celebrating R.E.M. (1982 – 1992)

THE ONES WE LOVE is a unique series of concerts in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne Celebrating 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)

With special guest Amanda Brown (The Go-Betweens)

Together they will pay tribute to R.E.M. by performing songs from R.E.M’s rich back catalog from the period 1982 to 1992 including – Losing My Religion, The One I Love, Man on the Moon, It’s The End of the World, Radio Free Europe, Drive, Orange Crush, Everybody Hurts, The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight, Nightswimming, Stand, Fall on Me, Driver 8, Shiny Happy People plus plenty more. Backing them will be some of Australia’s finest musicians who will honour the sound that was uniquely and undeniably R.E.M.

THE ONES WE LOVE: Celebrating R.E.M. promises to be a rare opportunity to experience your favourite R.E.M. songs live

THE ONES WE LOVE: Celebrating R.E.M. Dates:

Friday 31^st August Brisbane, Tivoli Theatre

Thursday 6^th September Melbourne, Palais Theatre

Friday 7^th September Sydney, State Theatre

Tickets

Pre Sale: Friday May 4th, 9am Local Times

On Sale:  Monday May 7th, 9am Local Times

From: https://metropolistouring.com/tours/celebrating-rem/

LONDON is the creation of siren London Gabraelle and legendary Australian heavy music producer & songwriter dw Norton (Superheist, Walk The Earth). Think Lacuna Coil meets Kate Bush & Parkway Drive… yeah it’s heavy, it’s Epic… it’s Pop! It’s massive hooks and even bigger riffs! London Gabraelle’s sweet but heart-wrenching vocal delivery blended with Norton’s crushing guitar style makes for an infectious and original concoction of life and death proportions.

Today London is bringing Sunlight to the world – it’s the first single and music video from a forthcoming album expected to drop in 2019. The single will be live for purchase and streaming this Friday August 17. More information about the album coming soon!

The scenic and provocative clip was filmed and directed by Hollywood whiz Brian Cox (Hollywood Undead, Will Haven, Butcher Babies) on location at the famous Portsea back beach in Victoria… ironically right next to….London Bridge!

London will be hitting the road in the coming month – taking part on the always-massive Psycho Circus Tour, a touring heavy music festival curated by Gold Coast’s Darkcell! London will be appearing at the Melbourne and Brisbane dates of the Psycho Circus festival tour – 25th August at the Bendigo Hotel in Melbourne and 8th September at Brisbane’s The Zoo.

Formerly from Melbourne and now recently relocated to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, the band has been working tirelessly on this, their debut release. Writing and Recording at dw Norton’s Black Mountain Sound Studio, all music for the album has been written by Norton and all lyrics & vocals written by London Gabraelle.

With an experienced band behind her including guitarist Steeden (Horrorwood Mannequins), Drummer Matt Ellis (Rishathra) and bass player Kim Roberts (Burn The City), London shines as a bright new talent in Australian heavy music.

London’s new single “Sunlight” will shine on the world from this Friday, August 17.

MELBOURNE – Psycho Circus – Saturday August 25 – The Bendigo Hotel
BRISBANE – Psycho Circus – Saturday September 8 – The Zoo

TICKETS AT www.psychocircusfestival.com

ACE FREHLEY RELEASES NEW
TRACK, “ROCKIN’ WITH THE BOYS”
ALL NEW SOLO LP, SPACEMAN, DUE OCTOBER 19, 2018

2018 TOUR DATES ON SALE NOW
PRE-ORDERS AVAILABLE NOW

Founding KISS guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame member ACE FREHLEY has released a new song today called “Rockin’ With The Boys.” This is the second song Frehley has released this year, from his forthcoming all-new Spaceman album, due October 19, 2018, via Entertainment One (eOne).  Frehley previously released the track “Bronx Boy”  in April.

Spaceman, Frehley’s eighth solo LP, features nine new original tracks including a cover of Eddie Money’s “I Wanna Go Back,” a ripping power pop makeover of the original.

“No need to worry, I’ll be home soon, ’cause I’m rockin’ with the boys,” Frehley sings on “Rockin’ With the Boys,” which tells the tales of life on the road. Ace says he wrote the original version of the song back in KISS’s heyday in the ’70s. Both “Rockin With The Boys” and “Bronx Boys” are available on all streaming platforms today, and are iTunes instant grat tracks for fans who preorder the album.

In addition to Ace’s distinctive guitar sound on each track, Ace played bass on all of the songs on Spaceman except for two. The listener might recognize the mighty dinosaur growl of a bass tone belonging to Gene Simmons on the album opener, “Without You I’m Nothing,” which Gene also co-wrote, and “Your Wish Is My Command.” Both songs were recorded at Frehley’s home studio in Rancho Santa Fe, California.

Ace’s reconnection with Simmons and fellow KISS vocalist-guitarist Paul Stanley (who joined Ace on a cover of Free’s “Fire and Water” for 2016’s covers LP Origins, Vol. 1) might be chalked up to the fact that Frehley has been sober for more than a decade (he celebrates 12 years of sobriety in September). Ace’s clean living no doubt has a lot to do with his productive streak, which began with the release of his top 20 Anomaly album in 2009.

Spaceman (a title suggested by Simmons, himself) serves as the first collection of all new Frehley-penned material since 2014’s Space Invader, which debuted at #9 on the Top 200 Chart. The LP scored the highest charting position of any former or current KISS band member ever and marked Frehley’s first return to the Top 10 since KISS’s 1998 Psycho Circus reunion album.

Space Invader received praise from critics. Rolling Stone wrote, “Gene Simmons has claimed Ace Frehley doesn’t deserve to wear Kiss’ Kabuki clown paint, but the former Spaceman’s first solo LP in five years says otherwise,” while Associated Press hailed, “…the original Kiss lead guitarist has recorded his best solo album since his groundbreaking self-titled album in 1978.”

Widely known as the original “Space Ace” and founding guitarist for 16 cumulative years (over 2 tenures) of the multi-platinum selling rock band KISS, Frehley is demonstrably the most popular original member. In addition to having the best-selling solo album career (vintage or current) among the original foursome, Frehley’s self-titled Ace Frehley, released in 1978, went on to sell over one million copies, producing the only Top 40 single, “New York Groove,” from any of the legendary KISS solo albums (peaking at #13).

TOUR DATES
Aug 9, 2018 – Solana Beach, CA, Belly Up Tavern
Aug 10, 2018 – Las Vegas, NV, The Pearl at the Palms Casino
Aug 12, 2018 – Los Angeles, CA, The Greek Theater
Aug 17, 2018 – New Hope, MN, New Hope Cinema Grill – An Evening with Ace Frehley
Aug 18, 2018 – Detroit, MI, Hart Plaza, Motor City Music Festival
Aug 28, 2018 – Adelaide, SA, Australia, Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Aug 30, 2018 – Melbourne, VIC, Australia, Margaret Court Arena
Aug 31, 2018 – Sydney, NSW, Australia, Enmore Theatre
Sep 1, 2018 – Brisbane, QLD, Australia, The Tivoli
Sep 3, 2018 – Tokyo, Japan, Billboard Live (2 Shows)
Sep 4, 2018 – Tokyo, Japan, Billboard Live (2 Shows)
Sep 5, 2018 – Tokyo, Japan, Billboard Live (2 Shows)
Sep 6, 2018 – Osaka, Japan, Billboard Live (2 Shows)
Oct 31, 2018 – Nov. 5, 2018 – Miami to Key West and Nassau, KISS Kruise VIII
November 9, 2018 – Clearwater, FL, Capitol Theatre
November 10, 2018 – Melbourne, FL, King Center for the Performing Arts
November 11, 2018 – Miramar, FL, Miramar Amphitheatre

Maribou State today share their latest single ‘Nervous Tics ft. Holly Walker‘, taken off their forthcoming record Kingdoms In Colour out this Sept 7 via Counter Records. Premiered overnight by Annie Mac on her BBC Radio 1 show, the song encapsulates the panoramic nature of the band’s second full-length.

Written over a number of writing and recording sessions in Berlin, Beijing, Hertfordshire, The Cotswolds and London, it features a field recording running throughout the track of Chris and Liam in a music store in Beijing playing the Guzheng – a traditional Chinese stringed instrument. “It’s always felt like the Frankenstein moment of the album due to all the unorthodox parts that were glued together during the process” they explain, “but the end result was something that felt cohesive and exciting to us.”

Having nearly been overlooked from the final album cut, the last minute addition of new vocals from longtime collaborator Holly Walker – vocalist on fan favourites ‘Midas’ and ‘Steal’ – reinvigorated the band’s love for the track. “Nervous Tics is about the low-lying panic of modern life” explains Holly, “we’re all on our phones getting terrible news headlines and hyperreal Instagram images live-streamed into our brains, and it’s making us jumpy. This song is the realisation that no amount of mindful breathing or downward dog can replace some good old fashioned human contact and emotion.”

With ‘Nervous Tics’ remixes forthcoming from Maceo Plex and DJ Tennis, the single follows on from their recent collaboration with Khruangbin on ‘Feel Good’ – currently receiving plenty of love on the 6 Music A-List – and comes alongside the news that their headline live show at London’s Roundhouse in October – which will feature additional strings and production – has sold-out in just 3 weeks. Expanding to a 5-piece band, Maribou State head out on a UK & EU tour later this year, including further sold-out stops in Leeds and Amsterdam – check out the full list of dates below. This follows a run of summer festival shows – including a headline slot at Sonar By Day – Roskilde, Pukkelpop, Nova Batida and All Points East – where they DJ’d after Flying Lotus.

‘Nervous Tics ft. Holly Walker‘ is out now, buy/stream it now.

Download 2019
Dates and Venues Announcement

“Saturday’s event packed in the fans and sent them home happy…Download was the festival Melbourne’s hard-rock tribes had been waiting three years for.” The Age

“Consider Download’s first trip Down Under a success. Same again in 2019 please.” Kerrang!

In late March 2018, nearly 30,000 heavy music fans descended on Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne to attend Australia’s first ever Download Festival. Four days later, it was announced, much to the delight of those heavy music fans, that Download would return to Melbourne on the March long weekend AND debut in Sydney in 2019…..

Get your diaries out… here are the dates and venues for Download 2019…

Sat 9 March Parramatta Park Sydney NSW

Mon 11 March Flemington Racecourse Melbourne VIC
(long weekend)

Whether you stay sweaty in the pit soaking in yourfavourite bands, chill and chat over a frosty beverage in one of the bars, gorge yourself on delectable delights from the foodies, or snap up some eclectic one offs at the markets, Download welcomes you in 2019!

Keep your eyes peeled to DOWNLOADFESTIVAL.COM.AU and facebook.com/downloadfestAU for the imminent line up announcement, we promise it’s a corker!

Submit your entry or nomination via www.musicvictoria.com.au/submissions
The Age Music Victoria Awards 2018 Announce new categories + nominee submissions now open

The Age Music Victoria Awards is back for its 13th year in 2018, with what promises to be their biggest year yet, taking place during Melbourne Music Week in November.

Co-presented by Triple R 102.7FM and PBS 106.7FM, Music Victoria and The Age have been working hard behind the scenes on some exciting new changes to be announced in October.

Changes that can be revealed, for now, are those around the award categories.

Best Global/Reggae has now been separated into Best Reggae and Dancehall and Best Global making each stand-alone category.

A new Best Rock/Punk category has been introduced, allowing the Best Heavy Album category to more specifically celebrate metal and hard rock subgenres.

The Best Solo Artist category will replace Best Male and Female Artist to include gender non-conforming artists. Ten artists will be nominated, and Music Victoria’s 40/40/20 gender diversity quotas will apply.

New categories for Best Female Musician and Best Male Musician have also been introduced.

Best Aboriginal Act as been renamed The Archie Roach Foundation Award for Emerging Talent, and will now come with a cash grant and mentorship as part of the Award.

‘’After each awards we survey the industry and judges to make sure the categories best reflect what is happening in Victoria in the year and the most deserved contributors to the industry are acknowledged, said Awards Executive Producer Patrick Donovan.

We are confident these changes to criteria and judging panels will result in awards that are more inclusive and better reflect outstanding achievements. Stay tuned for an announcement in October with details about a new structure for this year’s event.’’

Submissions are now open until midnight Friday 31 August for Victorian artists, venues and festivals to nominate themselves, or another they believe deserves to be considered.

The categories open for submissions are:
Best Regional and Outer Suburban Venue (under 50 gigs per year), Best Regional and Outer Suburban Venue (over 50 gigs per year), Best Venue (under 500 capacity), Best Venue (over 500 capacity) and Best Festival.

Plus:
Best Blues Album, Best Country Album, Best Soul, Funk, R’n’B or Gospel Album, Best Jazz Album, Best Heavy Album, Best Rock/Punk Album, Best Folk or Roots Album, Best Emerging First Peoples Act, Best Global Act, Best Hip Hop Act, Best Electronic Act, Best Reggae and Dancehall Act, Best Experimental or Avant-Garde Act and Best Regional and Outer Suburban Act.

There are no self-nomination submissions for the public voted awards (with the exception of the venues awards). An expert industry panel before the public voting opens will choose nominations.

Eligibility Criteria:
– At least 50% of the act has been living in Victoria for the last two years
– Released an EP or album (category dependent) between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018
– All Victorian venues or festivals

Submissions are now open until midnight Friday 31 August.
All nominees will be announced Wednesday 11 October.

Submit your entry or nomination via www.musicvictoria.com.au/submissions

More info via musicvictoria.com.au

Australian Tour, November 15th – 17th, 2018

.

There are not enough words to describe the sheer magnificence of AMENRA, a band whose powerful and unorthodox music has created waves in the metal world for almost two decades. Hailing from the eerie depths of Kortrijk, Belgium,  AMENRA will bring forth the fierce, pulsating sounds of their music to consume Australia for the very first time. Known for their soul-crushing and electrifying live performances, there is no doubt of the band’s genre-defying style and dynamic, combining the best of sludge, doom and post-hardcore to create music that will consume you completely.. Prepare for the most blistering, raw and hypnotic live music experience of the year for with Amenra, you can expect nothing less!

Melbourne’s YLVA create some of the darkest, heaviest and most intense music in the country, heightening your senses with extreme volumes and colossal riffs. The four-piece heavy band released their debut record M E T A in 2017, a release met with immense appreciation from fans all over, as well as new signings and partnerships with Translation Loss Records in North America and Pelagic Records in Europe/Australia. With a blood-curdling intensity that will shroud listeners in a atmosphere of sludge-laden post-metal, YLVA will have you at the mercy of their music in no time.

Their passionately fierce and thunderous live shows make LO! one of Australia’s favourite bands. The heavy quartet from Sydney’s live performances can be compared to the way a volcano that has been dormant for many years before unexpectedly unleashing it’s wrath on everything in its vicinity. The energy and dynamism that LO! invest in their music is unmatched and this translates live into an absolutely brutal experience. LO!Launched their latest record ‘Vestigial’ through Pelagic Records  early this year followed by a month long European Tour and have come a long way carving their distinctive niche of noisy, sludgy hardcore.

AMENRA, YLVA and LO! performing at:

Nov 15th – Brisbane, Crowbar

Nov 16th – Sydney, The Factory Theatre

Nov 17th – Melbourne, Max Watt’s

TICKETS ON SALE NOW from:

BRISBANE & MELBOURNE – http://soundworksdirect.eventbrite.com / www.oztix.com.au

SYDNEY – http://soundworksdirect.eventbrite.com / www.factorytheatre.com.au

Packed with hazy alt-country rock Newcastle’s Demi Mitchell delivers ‘The Overflow’, a glorious debut full length matched with a stack of launch shows.

Full of soul, the deeply personal release explores the vulnerability of relationships through dark lyricism, with Mitchell using the album as a means of catharsis. Each track is full of hazy guitars and melancholic beats but the glue that holds everything together is Mitchell’s dreamy vocals.

Setting the tone of the album ‘Get It Together’, opens with a slow twang. Her Americana-esque voice tells the story of escapism on ‘Out Of Here’, ‘Dancing In The Sand’ takes a more classical route employing dreamy strings and a lonesome piano. ‘Dark Sea’ slows right down and moves into title track ‘The Overflow’ washes over the listener with melodic harmonies embedded with sadness – it’s slow yet powerful. Singles ‘Fiction From Fact’, ‘Medicine Woman’ and ‘Man Of My Mind’ build back up before leaving with melancholic final track ‘Coming Down’.

Mitchell says of the release “The Overflow’ is an insight into a snippet of time in my life where I turned to music and writing to reconnect with parts of myself I thought were lost. The songs are about feeling paralysed by your own mind and mustering the strength to do something about it.”

‘The Overflow’ was recorded on a solo trip to Melbourne to work with Roger Bergodaz at Union St Studio Melbourne resulting in eleven live recorded songs in three days.

Her already released singles have received love from Life Without Andy and Little Indie Blogs and had spins on triple j, FBi Radio, 2SER and SYN. Debut track ‘Man of My Mind’ charted at #9 on triple j unearthed and was added to rotation.

Catch the melancholic cool of Demi Mitchell when she launches ‘The Overflow’ around the mid-coast.

DEMI MITCHELL
‘The Overflow’
OUT NOW

catch Demi Mitchell at the below:

Thursday, 2nd August
Enmore, The Sly Fox
Sydney Album Launch

Friday, 3rd August
Maitland, The Grand Junction
Maitland Album Launch

Saturday, 18th August
Thirroul, Franks Wild Years
Supporting Sean McMahon

Sunday, 26th August
Sydney, Leadbelly’s
Supporting Dan Parsons

Wednesday, 29th August
Newcastle, Coal & Cedar
Newcastle Album Launch