ON THE ROAD
Brisbane's The John Steel Singers have unveiled November tour dates – supported by theMusic – and were also added to Perth's massive Slanted And Enchanted fest, joining the Astor's proceedings, while Lower Spectrum were added to the party at The Bakery. See the festival info.
You can't keep Melbourne's World's End Press away from touring, the four-piece backing up with recent July and August dates with a whole new November and December string of shows in celebration for their debut LP hitting shelves this Friday. More.
A bunch of sweet acts have been added to the Australasian World Music Expo, including neo soul songstress Ngaiire and the massive sound of Melbourne afro-beat ensemble, The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra. Details.
EYE ON THE CHARTS
Not budging from the top position on AIR's singles/EP chats for indie labels with independent distribution, Brisbane's Sheppard make it 25 weeks at number one with their self-titled EP Sheppard (Independent/MGM). Chet Faker and Kilo Kash slid back to fifth position from last week's second with their tune Melt (Opulent/Inertia), while last week's debut third entry, The Kite String Tangle took the second ranking with Given The Chance (Independent). Meanwhile, The Bamboos made a comeback to the single/EP charts with Avenger (Pacific Theatre/Inertia) at number 20.
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As for the AIR album charts from independent labels through independent distribution, three acts made their debut in the list this week, Eskimo Joe powering onto the charts at number one with Wastelands (Diamond Dirt Productions/Inertia), while Amy Meredith's Maps (Independent) and Fortay's Living Proof (At Large Productions/Independent) cracked the charts in sixth and eighth place respectively in their first week.
Last week's number one, Mantra's Telling Scenes (Ten To Two/Inertia) slipped back to fifth position in the same album rankings, while Gurrumul held his ground, only slipping one spot to number to 14 for the impressive 234th week with his self-titled record (Skinnyfish/MGM).
OTHER RELEASE NEWS
Check it out, Little Odessa are in dresses. The Brisbane rock outfit released the sweet black and white clip for single, My Girl, all four members sporting dresses and looking very out of place in the world of drag. Watch here.
SIGN THE DOTTED LINE
This year's triple j Unearthed High champions Lunatics On Pogosticks made a sweet deal with New World Artists agency, managing the garage band's live shows and more. Check it out.
We've got a new addition to the Indie News section this week, with Aussie songstress Kate Miller-Heidke splitting with Sony Music earlier this week, before making waves in the world of crowdfunding. Welcome, Kate!
Oliver Tank has locked in a whole new record and management deal, the indie singer/songwriter joining the ranks of Create/Control – with his follow-up EP on the way before the end of 2013 – and Laura Wallbridge of Walls & Bridges taking care of his management duties. More.
Melbourne rapper Illy went one further than being signed, he launched his own label OneTwo – apart of UNFD – through the week, making his first signing with Adelaide rapper Allday joining the new roster. Read on.
Brisbane's recently renamed outfit Cub Sport look to be also making waves in the United States, signing with American independent label Cosine Records this week, meaning their EP Paradise will get a US release. Details.
TIDBITS
The nominees for the WAM Awards were released yesterday, with massive indie acts getting a look in – including San Cisco, Pond and The Chemist, to name a very small few. Have a look at the full list of nominees.
Likewise, the Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards announced their final nominations earlier in the week – with Best Independent Label and $50,000 Global Music Grant joining the list of previously announced categories. Big Scary, Jagwar Ma, King Gizard & The Lizard Wizard, Mia Dyson and Rufus got a look in for the grant this year. All the noms here.
The Crooked Fiddle Band let us in on the amazing creation of their Moving Pieces To The Sea cover art, a photograph – without the use of Photoshop. Check out the amazing four minute video and images from the shoot here.
One of Australia's most loved indie-rockers The Temper Trap lost a member yesterday, with guitarist Lorenzo Sillitto leaving the successful band to “try new things”. Full story.
Brisbane party-boys Dune Rats had a Sunshine Coast pool party shut down only nine minutes into their set – Queensland Police confirming they dealt with two intoxicated but reprt that security shut the party down not them. More
Sydney's Heroes For Hire broke up through the week. And then they got back together. The band will no longer be playing their support slot for California's Forever Came Calling. Read on.
Geelong-formed, LA-based alt rockers The Red Paintings are welcoming a very impressive new member to their crew with The Smashing Pumpkins' Nicole Fiorentino sharing duties between both acts. The Red Paintings released their debut record The Revolution Is Never Coming this week and have TV spots lined up with Fiorentino set to take the stage with the act.
