What Have Our Indie Artists Been Up To?

ON THE ROAD

Indie-folk muso Dustin Tebbutt has announced a national headline tour, to take place next month. Two of the shows have already sold-out, but more have been added to cater for demand. 

Canberra electro act Safia have scored what could be one of the support slots of the year. The trio will support Kiwi sensation Lorde during her upcoming Aus headline tour. Details.

Party dudes Dune Rats are heading out on a national tour this June to celebrate the release of their debut album. The self-titled LP is also out that month. More.

Melbourne's Closure In Moscow are also celebrating a new record with some live shows. The band will be on the road all throughout May. Read on.

Brisbane pop duo The Phoncurves will play a handful of shows next month and June. The pair will showcase tunes off their new EP Heartstrings. Info.

EYE ON THE CHARTS

There wasn't a great deal of movement in the top 20 of the indie singles chart this week, with the top five remaining the same as last week, including Sia at the top with her current hit Chandelier (Monkey Puzzle/Inertia) and Brisbane pop break-outs Sheppard at two with Geronimo (Independent/MGM).

Pushing over to the albums chart and John Butler Trio are at number one again with Flesh & Blood (Jarrah/MGM), but a debut entry at two from indie-pop and dance fusion Architecture In Helsinki with their new album NOW + 4EVA (Casual Workout/Inertia) pushed Chet Faker's Thinking In Textures (Opulent/Inertia) down to three.

There were a few more album debuts this week, with rapper Bam Bam's newy The Good Life EP (Ten To Two Records/Inertia) the next highest at four. Mt Warning's Midnight Set (Sipping Jetstreams Records/Independent) made its mark at eight, while Colin Buchanan's The Jesus Hokey Pokey (Independent) nabbed ninth place. Rounding out the debuts were Andrew Stockdale's revamped Wolfmother - their LP New Crown (Independent) entered at 15.

OTHER RELEASE NEWS

Congrats are in order for Melbourne rapper Seth Sentry, with his debut album This Was Tomorrow achieving gold status this past week. The LP dropped in late 2012. Details.

Indie-rock outfit Toy Boats will drop their debut album at the end of the week, but we've been streaming it exclusively on theMusic.com.au. The act is the brainchild of former The Dead Ends frontman Hugo Costin-Neilsen. 

Sydney band Big Dingo have combined their love of footy and music together for their new clip ahead of their upcoming EP release. Parramatta Eels fans would appreciate Parramatta Man - watch it now.

SIGN THE DOTTED LINE

Gold Coast outfit Tsun have penned a management deal with Smack Face Records. The psych-rockers will be co-managed by Trina Massey and Zac Gould. More.

Another GC artist has signed a major deal this week. Local singer-songwriter Montgomery will be managed by the team at Unified, after they heard just two of her demos on Soundcloud. Info.

TIDBITS

11 local independent labels have received substantial funding from the Australia Council's Recording initiative. At total of $420,828 was approved to be spread out across the labels selected for the grants. Read on.