What Have Our Indie Artists Been Up To?

ON THE ROAD

Reggae infused hip-hop item Astronomy Class have announced shows for Sydney and Melbourne fans to launch their new album Mekong Delta Sunrise. Read on.

Vancouver Sleep Clinic has added another tour date in Melbourne upon selling out his initial gig in the Victorian capital. Grab tickets now before they sell out.

Melbourne-based quartet Bonjah have announced they are heading out on a massive 20-date tour, which kicks off in July and will be a coast-to-coast odyssey.  The tour is proudly supported by TheMusic and will showcase the recently released Beautiful Wild. More.

EYE ON THE CHARTS

Once again this week, the top tier in the indie singles/EPs chart looked relatively the same, Sheppard and Sia sitting at one and two with their tracks Geronimo (Independent/MGM) and Chandelier (Monkey Puzzle/Inertia) respectively. Hip hop crew Thundamentals made a mark on both charts this week (we'll get to the albums in a tick) - their single Something I Said (Obese Records) featuring Thom Crawford jumped up from eight into three, while their latest track Smiles Don't Lie (Obese Records) debuted at nine.

There were also a couple of re-entries this week - Melbourne's Lurch & Chief bumped back into the 20 with their single Mother/Father (Independent) at 17 while rapper Seth Sentry's 2008 EP The Waiter EP (High Score Records/Inertia) re-entered at 20.

Over to the albums and it was the week of Thundamentals, who scored the top LP this week. So We Can Remember (Obese Records) debuted at one, pushing John Butler Trio's Flesh & Blood (Jarrah/MGM) down to two. The Jezabels' The Brink (Independent) moved into third, while Ball Park Music's Puddinghead (Stop Start Music/Inertia) dropped two places into fourth.

This week's other debut came from country singer-songwriter Tanya Self, whose latest record Random Truths (Independent/WJO) entered at seven. There were also a couple of re-entries in the 20, with The Jezabels again featuring - their 2011 album Prisoner (Independent/MGM) popped up at 15 and Sia's Best Of... (Monkey Puzzle/Inertia) landing at 19.

OTHER RELEASE NEWS

Melbourne outfit Saint Jude released their new single Set Her Free, off their most recent album Saint Jude II. Take a listen here.

Sydney-based electro-pop duo Tales In Space announced the release of their anticipated new album Formula. They will embark on run of shows to celebrate the release - head here for details.

Straight Arrows have dropped a new reverb-soaked single titled Petrified to entice us before the release of their upcoming sophomore album Rising next month. Check out the clip for the new jam here. 

Deep Sea Arcade guitarist Simon Relf has unveiled his solo musical project The Tambourine Girls. The debut EP The End Of Time drops on this, but it can be streamed exclusively from theMusic.com.au now.

Sydney newbies Spookyland revealed their new music video for The Silly Fucking Thing this week. Watch the band's heartbreaker of a take on love here. 

Instrumental rock outfit sleepmakeswaves are back on the radar with the announcement of their second LP Love Of Cartography. The will promote the new album, released in July, by setting out on tour from July. More.

Indie-pop lads The Griswolds have dropped the lead single Beware The Dog off their forthcoming debut LP. Give it a listen now.

The Bombay Royale have unveiled their latest video for new single Henna Henna. The single is off the band's upcoming record The Island Of Dr Electro. Watch the band get a little mischievous in the clip.

SIGN THE DOTTED LINE

Indie-rockers The Vanns have signed with independent Australian agency Big Tree Artists, which is home to Aussie acts such as Chance Waters and L-FRESH The LION. More.

TIDBITS

There was quite a surprising addition to the massive Glastonbury line-up this week, with Melbourne six-piece The Woohoo Revue being added to the bill. Read on.