What Have Our Indie Artists Been Up To?

ON THE ROAD

Melbourne via Cairns slacker punks Drunk Mums have announced a national tour for this May and June. The guys are hitting the road in support of their latest single Plastic. More.

Two of our brightest hip hop stars - Citizen Kay and Tkay Maidza - are teaming up for a tour. The pair are performing live throughout May. Details.

Brisbane electro pop outfit Michelle Xen + The Neon Wild will play three headline shows next month. The group will be joined by a number of supports at the shows along the east coast. Read on.

EYE ON THE CHARTS

We have a new number one in the top 20 singles through independent distribution chart this week and it's come from songwriter extraordinaire Sia. The out-of-the-spotlight artist's new single Chandelier (Monkey Puzzle/Inertia) - off her upcoming album that's due in May - pushed Chet Faker and his latest solo single Talk Is Cheap (Future Classic/Independent) down to second spot. Horrorshow's newest single Nice Guys Finish Last (Elefant Trks/Inertia) featuring fellow local rappers Seth Sentry and Drapht debuted at three.

While there were no other single debuts this week, there were a couple of tracks that crept back into the 20; The Jezabels' Look Of Love (Independent/MGM) and What So Not's Jaguar (Sweat It Out/Xelon) came in at 19 and 20 respectively.

On to the albums this week and once again, the John Butler Trio held onto to the top spot with their latest release Flesh & Blood (Jarrah/MGM). The Jezabels also pushed up in the albums stakes this week - The Brink (Independent/MGM) moved up from six to two.

Country troubadour Luke O'Shea had the only debut entry of the week with his LP Sing You Up (Independent/WJO) coming in at 11. Melbourne singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett enjoyed a return to the chart this week with her release The Double EP: A Sea Of Split Peas (Milk! Records/Independent) nabbing 18th.

OTHER RELEASE NEWS

Indie electronic outfit Safia have a new single out called Paranoia, Ghosts & Other Sounds and are offering their fans the chance to download it for free. More.

Local rapper Joelistics has dropped a fresh single as he prepares to venture out on a headline tour. Give In The Morning a listen now.

2013 world-beater Flume has unveiled a trippy new video, the track of which features hip hop heavyweight Ghostface Killah and alternative R&B singer Autre Ne Veut. Check out Space Cadet now.

Up and coming MC Bam Bam has a new EP out at the end of this week and not only have we been streaming it exclusively on theMusic, but the rapper gave us a play by play on what the record is about. Read on.

Quirky pop pair Tales In Space have let us get all up in the personal space with their new video. All Messed Up was filmed with camera's that were attached to the guys' heads and is all kinds of fun. Take a look.

SIGN THE DOTTED LINE

Brisbane pop collective Sheppard have signed an international deal with the iconic Decca Records. They are the first Australian artist to sign with the label, which established in 1929. Details.

TIDBITS

Brisbane four-piece Go Violets have called it a day after three years together. "We will all be continuing with our own artistic endeavors so stay tuned,” the band said in a statement. More.

A couple of prominent indie artists have received one-off grants of $15,000 thanks to the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia and the Australia Council including Courtney Barnett and Ainslie Wills. Read on.