What Have Our Indie Artists Been Up To?

EYE ON THE CHARTS

Newly confirmed labelmates Flume & Chet Faker are once again at the top of the AIR's singles/EP charts for independent labels with independent distribution chart with their collaboration Drop The Game (Future Classic/Independent). Faker - real name Nick Murphy - also scored a second place debut with his new single Talk Is Cheap (Future Classic/Independent). The John Butler Trio's Only One (Jarrah/MGM) pushed back into the top 20 - it placed three this week.

Producer Wave Racer scored an impressive debut entry in Streamers (Future Classic/Independent), which placed in fifth. Sydney electronica songstress Elizabeth Rose also nabbed a first time entry this week. Her latest single Sensibility came in at 17.

We have a new number one in the albums released on independent labels through independent distribution chart - the John Butler Trio scored that title with their latest record Flesh & Blood (Jarrah/MGM). This pushed The Jezabels down to two with their sophomore LP The Brink, while rock supergroup The Dead Daisies debuted at three with their self-titled album (Spitfire Music/Independent). Melbourne alternative rockers Sydonia debuted with Reality Kicks in at 13.

The buzz surrounding the recent INXS miniseries even impacted the indie charts this week. Original Sin (Petrol Electric/MGM) re-entered at 12. JBT also saw two of their other records re-enter the chart - Grand National and April Uprising (Jarrah/MGM) came in at 19 and 20 respectively.

OTHER RELEASE NEWS

Alternative folk act Tinpan Orange have a new collection of tracks out. The group, led by frontwoman Emily Lubitz, have unveiled The Remix EP. Details.

SIGN THE DOTTED LINE

It's been a big week for local booking agency 123 Agency. The company signed four emerging artists to its roster - Bec Laughton, Jenny Broke The Window, Al Parkinson and The Kite Machine. More.

Sydney indie rockers Glass Towers have inked a deal with booking agency New World Artists. They join the likes of British India, Northlane, Allday and The Love Junkies on the roster. Read on.

After an amazing 2013, the rise of Melburnian Courtney Barnett looks set to continue this year. She's signed a deal with Remote Control Records to release her debut LP. Another Melbourne act signed with the imprint this week too - soul collective Saskwatch. Details.

Rock trio New Empire will now call indie label Shock Records home as they ready up to release album number three. The LP is out in April. More info.

TIDBITS

Aus metal veterans Lord have confirmed that drummer Damo Costas has left the band. Costas will no longer be recording or touring with the outfit but they haven't ruled out working with him again down the track. In other Lord news, the band have also dropped a new video for their track Final Seconds - check it out now.

Hip hop collective The Herd lead the first round of names for the revamped Snowy Mountains Of Music Festival. Now known as Peak Festival, Lachy Doley, The Little Stevies and Dereb And The Ambassadors are also on the bill. More.