BASEBALL TO SUPPORT SNOWMAN ON NATIONAL TOUR

Baseball has accepted the offer from Perth quartet Snowman to join them as they take their new album “The Horse, The Rat and The Swan” on the road this July.

This will be the second time Baseball has toured the nation this year, following the tour in support of their debut album Animal Kingdom.
 
After playing together for 5 years, the long awaited Animal Kingdom was released through Stomp in February this year, receiving well deserved praise from Australian media.
 
8/10 "They have some seriously good shit going on" Vice
9/10 "One of the most original, passionate and impressive debuts you will hear this year" Blunt Magazine
4/5 "An exciting Australian band, a ripping album" MAG
4/5 "A strong debut" Rolling Stone

Posted: Monday, 30 June 2008

FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS INCLUDED IN EMMY SHORTLIST!

BREAKING NEWS: Kiwi comedy show Flight of the Conchords has been included in a shortlist of the top 10 comedy shows vying for television's highest honours at the Emmy Awards.

Flight of the Conchords - created by Kiwi folk-comedy duo Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement - is included in the shortlist for best comedy show, also featuring  other HBO heavyweights Entourage, Weeds and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

For the first time ever, Emmy organisers unveiled a list of the top 10 comedies and dramas competing to be nominated for Emmy awards. Traditionally, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences does not reveal its shortlist of the 20 shows under consideration for best drama and best comedy series nominations, which this year will be announced on July 17.

The top 10 shortlists were determined by votes from the entire television academy, and now go to "blue ribbon" panels of academy members who will judge the contenders. Results from the academy voting and the panel voting are then averaged to determine the five nominees for each category.

The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards will take place on September 21, and will also include awards for TV actors, actresses, mini-series, made-for-TV movies and a host of other honours.

McKenzie and Clement are currently in America working on the second season of Flight of the Conchords.  

Flight Of The Conchords -  Flight Of The  Conchords is out now through Stomp / Sub Pop.
Flight of the Conchords - The Distant Future EP is out now through Stomp / Sub Pop. 
Flight of the Conchords - Complete BBC Radio Series is out now through BBC / Stomp.

Posted: Friday, 27 June 2008

LOOKOUT! THE DUDESONS ARE BACK WITH SEASON 2 - DVD OUT 21ST OF JULY

What happens when the Dudesons blow up their house?
When they try to turn a bus into a 2-wheeler?
When a robbery prank goes wrong and they are wanted by police?
When they get their hands on a military tank?
When they dare death with the most insane stunts imaginable?

The Dudesons Season 1 was sold to over 20 countries, now season 2 reaches a new level of extreme insanity, offering varied, story-driven episodes with loveable characters and strong emotional core. The bonus scenes heavily feature their 2006 publicity tour of Australia, including a chilli eating competition against the courageous staff at FHM, razor blade frisbee at Bondi beach, and footage from television appearances such as worm eating at Channel V and the human dartboard at the ARIA awards.

This is an extreme comedy show about the antics of four crazy, lifelong best friends who have been filming their dangerous yet hilarious lives long before the likes of Jackass and Dirty Sanchez. Risking everything for the sake of fun, The Dudesons TV-series is packed with bizarre pranks, hilarious comedy and outrageous stunts – And a story of an unusual but resilient friendship!

All 100% real! This is the life of The Dudesons!

“The Dudesons f*cking rock!”
- Bam Margera (Viva La Bam, Bam’s Unholy Union)

“The Dudesons are the world’s most degenerate stunt goons!”
- FHM magazine

"The Dudesons redefine lunacy!"
- Hustler Magazine

Posted: Thursday, 26 June 2008

BEN SMITH BAND HAVE 6 WEEK RESIDENCY IN MELBOURNE

Word from the band -

Hi Gang!

The winter sees us coming off the road for a while, with a whole bunch of song writing going on.

Come and see the only Ben Smith Band show in Melbourne for the next 6 weeks:Sunday June 29 – Retreat Hotel, 280 Sydney Road, Brunswick.
The Nudgels kick off the night at 6.30 – 8.30, then Ben and crew hit it 9 – 11. A massive night not to be missed.

Also check a new clip of “Slow Down Woman” posted on You Tube

Buy the album now

Posted: Thursday, 26 June 2008

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA SIGN TO FERRET!

 
The Devil Wears Prada have announced their signing to Ferret Music today.  The band shared the good news from the stage while playing their first set on Warped Tour in Pomona, CA.  The band will appear on Warped Tour for the rest of the summer.  Speaking on the signing Jeremy DePoyster (guitar/vocals) of the band said “It’s the best situation we could ask for.  Ferret is run like an independent label where you know everyone there and work with them but they have the resources of a major label.  We’ve also become really good friends with Carl (Severson of Ferret) and everyone there really believes in what we are doing.  It helps when the people you work with and who work for you are just as stoked on your music as you are.”  Carl Severson of Ferret echoed the sentiment by saying “The band and I met over a year a ago and just clicked. It was the right vibe, reminiscent of the kinship I've felt with some of the long time ferret artists."

The Devil Wears Prada have been riding high over the last couple of years with their newest album Plagues scanning over 65,000 in the U.S. and their first album Dear Love… at over 50,000 copies.  Multi page features have run recently in Alternative Press, Revolver and Metal Edge among other places.  Most recently the band composed of DePoyster, Daniel Williams (drums), Mike Hranica (vocals), Chris Rubey (guitar), Andy Trick (bass) and James Baney (keys) have returned from a headlining run of the UK and a slot of the prestigious Download Festival.  They plan to begin recording a new album at the end of the year for a 2009 release.   

Posted: Wednesday, 25 June 2008

STEVE LAWLER MIXES VIVA TORONTO

Steve Lawler’s Viva series returns with an excursion to Toronto, taking you deep ‘Inside’ the club, then ‘Outside’ for one of his famed eclectic, terrace sessions…

Following on from the critically acclaimed debut of ‘London’, Steve Lawler returns with another snapshot of his global Viva residencies. This time he travels to Toronto, where his annual June event at the Guvurnment club has become a highlight date in the Canadian clubbing calendar.

“The set-up at Guvurnment is totally specific to them,” says Steve, “It’s a big venue; I usually play to around 4,000 people inside from 1-5 am, then go up on to their incredible roof terrace and 1000 or so party-on though the morning to midday. Dawn’s usually breaking as I kick-off, which makes for a very special moment”

And it’s these two unique sets that comprise ‘Viva Toronto’ as we follow Steve from ‘Inside’ to ‘Outside’. “The night and day concept at Guvurnment is brilliant,’ enthuses Lawler, “After 4 or 5 hours inside, we always kick things off slowly on the Terrace and then build back-up. In terms of the compilation it allowed me to flip the traditional formula of early doors to late night floors on its head, and so the first disc now represents the club, whilst the second embraces my eclectic take on the Terrace session.”

As you’d expect, the result is two very different mixes. ‘Inside’ fuses modern techno from the likes of TG, Patrick Zigon, Christian Smith & John Selway, Futureshock’s Alex Tepper and Joel Mull, whilst ‘Outside’ will have many salivating as Steve confirms why he is frequently described as the Terrace King. Starting with the down-tempo bliss of The Black Dog and Miss Fitz’ Nina Simone sampling ‘Drifting On’, Steve builds a Balearic house Masterclass, which includes luminaries such as Audion, Mathew Jonson and Clé.

“It’s been great to produce two discs with this much variety,” he summarises, “People don’t often get the chance to hear me being this diverse on a comp’, which makes it rare and unique. I am both happy and proud of the result.”

Posted: Tuesday, 24 June 2008

THE DUTCHESS & THE DUKE SIGN TO HARDLY ART, THE SISTER LABEL OF SUB POP

The DUTCHESS and the DUKE is Kimberly Morrison and Jesse Lortz. Two kids  from Seattle hanging out together, growing up together, having fun together. Two kids pissed off at each other, picking on each other, blaming each other, calling each other’s bullshit. Two kids playing in all sorts of bands for years. Sometimes together, many times apart. Through all the years they’ve known each other, however unforeseen, however ridiculous, the result has always been inevitable…………

In 2007 they settled in to the Fall season to record their first LP for Hardly Art, spending days and nights huddled over an 8-track in the Magical Basement Studios in West Seattle run by Bryan Standridge (Suspicions). With this wizard behind the reels, they enlisted many friends to help with their debut album, including Donnie Hilsdat (Nice Smile) and Karen Mitchell (Suspicions), while onstage, they recruited Ruben Mendez (Coconut Coolouts) and Oscar Michel (Gris Gris). All in all, there were electric, acoustic and 12 string guitars, flute, tambourine, maracas, some bass, and always many, many voices.

The result: She’s the Dutchess, He’s the Duke. Some songs are dark confessions; some are painful admissions. Some songs toe the line between ugly and beautiful. Compared to “Between the Buttons”-era Stones, Dylan and Leonard Cohen, The DUTCHESS and the DUKE’s songs marked a turning point for Morrison and Lortz.

Making these sounds together was a completely new game to these two kids. There is nowhere to hide in their songs. No squawking feedback. No drunken haze. No broken, drool-filled microphones. Simple and striking harmonies unlike nothing else this duo had previously ventured towards. These songs and the way they are played are completely vulnerable, uncertain, and real.

Posted: Tuesday, 24 June 2008

HYBRID NEW MIX CD "SOUNDSYSTEM 01" OUT 19TH JULY

British duo Hybrid get set for the release of Soundsystem 01 – the duo's first mix-CD since 2004’s Y4K!

Hybrid has been writing, producing, touring and DJing all over the globe for the best part of a decade and have amassed nearly 250 productions to date. The duo score major motion pictures & have written three albums Wide Angle, Morning Scifi & I Choose Noise . The fourth is to be released in Feb 09.

Hybrid dj all over the world and are now touring as a 7 piece live band, playing massive festival shows including Coachella, Fuji Rock and Glastonbury. They recently headlined the Australian We Love Sounds Festival in June.

Hybrid are no strangers to working with notable musicians.They have worked on previous albums with Peter Hook, Chrissy Hynde, Perry Farrell and Julee Cruise. Such high-profile alliances highlight Hybrid's devotion to real songwriting as the ultimate goal, setting them apart from the majority of electronic/dance producers.

On CD 1 of Soundsystem, Hybrid fuse actual film scores and ambient electronica together for the first time, making for an unforgettable downtempo odyssey: here,  atmospheric tracks from Trentemoller, Spooky, Massive Attack, Quivver, Andy Page, David Sylvian, Lisa Gerrard, Ryiuchi Sakaomoto and new Hybrid vocalist Charlotte James (who contributes a haunting new chill-out classic, ‘Shadows of the City’) blend seamlessly with edgy score selections from films like Babel, Kingdom of Heaven, Crash and 28 Days Later.

The more upfront, club-oriented disc 2 of Soundsystem also features some surprises for Hybrid fans. For one, while big-room icons like Sasha, Quivver and Elite Force are represented, Soundsystem shifts the duo's trademark progressive/breaks sound into a predominantly techier, 4/4-driven groove.

Soundsytem 01 features a stripped-down club mix of Hybrid's latest single Formula of Fear, which reflects of how the band's famous live show has evolved a new creative direction.

Posted: Tuesday, 24 June 2008

PSYCROPTIC SIGN NEW WORLDWIDE DEAL WITH NUCLEAR BLAST

Psycroptic & Soundworks Management are proud to announce that as of Friday June 20th 2008 Tasmania’s own Psycroptic is officially signed to Nuclear Blast Records worldwide and Stomp in Australia for the new full length album due out this October.

The band is ecstatic about this signing and the possibilities it is about to bring....let the brutality begin.

Nuclear Blast A&R Rep, Gerardo Martinez said about the signing: "We are beyond excited to be working with one of the BEST Technical Death Metal bands in the world right now. We feel the band will reach the status they deserve in a short period of time. Also the band is euphoric about the cooperation

Currently on tour in the USA as part of the massive Summer Slaughter package..the band themselves had this to say:

“To say that all of us in Psycroptic are excited to be working with Nuclear Blast is quite an understatement .. we're over the moon!!!!  Nuclear Blast has always been the pinnacle of labels within the metal realm, and to be signed with them is a huge honor for us...and to be the first Tasmanian band to ever be on the label is a pretty awesome bonus as well. The artist roster is nothing short of amazing, and for Psycroptic to be added to it...well, we couldn't be happier!!”

 - Dave Haley (Psycroptic)

Stomp Australia had the following comments:

"Psycroptic is a pioneering and ever progressing force in extreme metal and Stomp are proud to be releasing their upcoming fourth studio album which we believe will take them to an entirely new level on a global scale".

- Label Manager Darren Cherry

Posted: Tuesday, 24 June 2008

EXTREME'S NEW ALBUM OUT THROUGH STOMP ON AUGUST 9TH

Extreme’s first album in 13 years doesn’t just mark the band’s hotly anticipated return to the studio and stage. Saudades de Rock  (pronounced “sow-dodge”) is a groundbreaking record that reaffirms the beloved, Boston-bred foursome’s stature as innovators in the world of rock & roll. The album is released August 9th in Australia through Stomp Entertainment.
 
Fostered by the same unwavering songcraft and diverse musical approaches that first earned the band  – vocalist Gary Cherone, guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, bassist Pat Badger and new drummer Kevin Figueiredo – multi-platinum albums with chart topping hits and sold-out tours the globe over, Extreme’s fifth studio offering just may be its finest hour yet.
 
Boasting badass, groove-laden, swaggering numbers ('King of the Ladies'), raw funk metal ('Learn to Love'), expressive ballads ('Interface') and soulful, piano steered winners ('Ghost'), the raw, organic Saudades de Rock is the next logical step in a catalogue that's as ambitious and expressive as it is thought provoking.
 
 
Have a sneaky listen to tracks off the album here soon

Posted: Tuesday, 24 June 2008

HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS TO RELEASE NEW STUDIO ALBUM

Platinum-selling rock band Hawthorne Heights proudly releases it's third studio album titled ‘Fragile Future’ on August 2nd, 2008.

One of the most anticipated albums of 2008, ‘Fragile Future’ follows two highly successful albums with Victory Records/Stomp, 'The Silence in Black and White' (2004) and 'If Only You Were Lonely' (2006).  Building on the experiences of the last few years, including the death of a band member and a controversial lawsuit, Hawthorne Heights have created a record that has reinforced their desire to play music, perform live for fans and grow as individuals and artists.  It is an energy that can only be described as cathartic and inspiring.

With the loss of their collaborator, friend and brother, Casey Calvert, in November 2007, the band has made the decision to not replace the essence of their dear friend, but honour him with a new vitality that rings clear on this collection of stories and songs.  The collaborative effort on this record has been given an emotional weight that is clearly heartfelt and extraordinarily sincere.

Singer JT Woodruff says; "We are so excited to release our third album. It feels absolutely amazing to finally have a release date in sight. Over the past year or so we have written a lot of songs, thrown away a lot of songs, and over the last month wrote a lot more songs. This last batch totally sums up where we are as a band, what we have been through and most importantly...where we want to be. Through all of the smoke and fire, we feel these songs are the best material we have ever released".

Posted: Tuesday, 17 June 2008

LACUNA COIL WANT YOU TO BE PART OF THEIR DVD!

Italian Goth Metal Icons LACUNA COIL have launched a very special contest on Youtube asking their fans to contribute to their upcoming DVD. 3 favourite clips will be featured on the DVD which is scheduled for release later this year.

From the band:

“As most of you know we’re at home right now writing songs for our new album. However, we’re also working on something else very special as well – and we want YOU to be a part of it…. We’re putting together a special DVD that will be all about the “Karmacode” album and all of the tours that we have done over the past 2 years.

And of course all of the fun and good times that we had with all of you while we were out there promoting “Karmacode”! We know we have some of the best fans in the world and feel we have to celebrate you by giving you a feature on the DVD.

We have created this youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/lacunacoil, so you can send us stuff that you have filmed that relates to either LACUNA COIL or “Karmacode”.

This can be anything like for example:

- Any of our live performances.
- We would love to see videos from the American Stone Sour or Rob Zombie tours.
- You meeting us and hanging out with us.
- Home made videos for songs from “Karmacode”.
- Videos of “Karmacode” related artwork.
-“Karmacode” karaoke sessions with your crazy friends.

Just make sure you keep the following things in mind:

- Please read through the terms and conditions in the column on the left of our youtube-channel http://www.youtube.com/lacunacoil. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!
- Your footage must feature in its headline: Lacuna Coil official DVD competition
-Only use footage that you shot yourself. So no borrowing images or music from other people or bands. We know this is very tempting, but we want your own creativity and footage with our music. If a clip features other people’s work we cannot use it.
- Please make sure we can contact you if your feature gets picked for the DVD, because we will need a “high resolution” version that is suitable for DVD and we need to officially clear the usage with you.
- Please send in your material before June 30th, this is the drop dead deadline.

Sending us your clips is easy: Just upload your clip to your Youtube account, then add it to our channel by making it a video-comment our short introductory clip.Obviously, others will comment on your clip and the most popular ones end up on the DVD. So, make sure you tell your friends about this!We are looking forward to seeing your clips and looking back on some of the precious moments we shared with you.

Thank you everyone! This will be fun!”

Posted: Monday, 16 June 2008

CHRIS FORTIER 'AS LONG AS THE MOMENT EXISTS' GETS THE REMIX TREATMENT

Artists such as Chris Fortier are inextricably linked to underground dance music, and genuinely push the sound forward.

His critically acclaimed debut artist album “As Long as the Moment Exists”, written in airport waiting lounges and 30,000 feet in the air, consisting of 15 stunning tracks ranging from air freshener for the ears electronica through to techno to frown to, saw the name Chris Fortier written in Techno’s little black book forever.
 
In 2008, As Long As The Moment Exists gets the extreme make over treatment by some of Chris’ all time musical heroes alongside some of his favourite new artists. The list of artists involved in this stunning collection of musical visions reads like a roll call of underground music’s who’s who; past, present and future: Bruno Pronsato, Someone Else, Pheek, Joey Beltram, Mark Henning, Ed Davenport, Joel Mull, Error Error and Patrick Zigon to name just a few.

The schedule – one EP released per month, kicking off in JulY -

EP 1. Release Dates: Vinyl: July 12th, Beatport: August 26th
1. Sunday Is A Travel Day. Error Error Remix
2. As Long As The Moment Exists. Bruno Pronsato Remix

Digital Bonus Tracks:
3. Don’t Hide What You Believe. Perc’s Trufax Mix
4. Sunday Is A Travel Day. Ink & Needle’s Skybed Remix

EP 2. Release Dates: Vinyl: August 9th Beatport: August 26th
1. As Long As The Moment Exists. Ed Davenport Remix
2. Quote Unquote. Mark Henning’s Out Of Tune Remix

Digital Bonus Tracks:
3. Belt Seat Fasten. Habersham’s Lobotomy Remix
4. Deviated Septum. ‘One Of Them’ Remix

EP 3. Release Dates: Vinyl: September 13th Beatport: September 30th
1. Believe. Pheek’s Reconstructed Remix
2. Believe. Someone Else’s Vox Mix

Digital Bonus Tracks:
3. Believe. Saint iBot’s Senkeisen Edit
4. Believe. Someone Else’s Beats Mix

EP 4. Release Dates: Vinyl: October 6th Beatport: October 28th
1. Portion Control. Joel Mull Remix
2. Don’t Hide What You Believe. Patrick Zigon Remix

Digital Bonus Tracks:
3. B-Dub. Mark Broom Remix
4. Deviated Septum. Joey Beltram Remix

“But wait, there’s more…”
A fifth digital-only EP, consisting of four yet to be revealed remixes will be released in November, and a limited edition CD comprising of the best selling mixes between vinyl and digital will be released to round up the package in December.

Posted: Monday, 16 June 2008

COME AND CHECK OUT THE BLACKCHORDS!

Dust Devil Music and the Blackchords are pleased to invite you to see The Blackchords live at The Evelyn Hotel.

With interest already coming from the UK this is one show not to be missed.

Details
21 June, 8pm @ The Evelyn
RSVP: steve@dustdevilmusic.com by the 20th June

Posted: Monday, 16 June 2008

BAND OF HORSES ANNOUNCE SECOND SIDESHOW IN MELBOURNE

With their first Melbourne show selling out in a week Band of Horses has announced a second Melbourne show on Monday August 4 at Billboard. 

Tickets are on sale now

Byron Bay
Saturday August 2-Sunday August 3 @ Splendour in the Grass

Melbourne
Sunday August 3 (sold out) & Monday August 4 @ Billboard

Sydney
Tuesday August 5 @ Metro Theatre

Posted: Monday, 16 June 2008

KIMYA DAWSON INSTORE DATES AND DETAILS

Kimya Dawson touches down to paint the town psychedelic colours this week. In case you can't make it to any of her shows proper, why not head down to your local record store and have a listen.

Details 

Wednesday June 18
3.30pm
Polyester Records
288 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Friday June 20
3.30pm
Red Eye Records
66 King Street, Sydney

Sunday June 22
12.00pm
Rocking Horse
245 Albert St, Brisbane

Posted: Monday, 16 June 2008

NEW BUZZIN FLY COMPILATION FROM BEN WATT OUT 28TH OF JUNE

Ben Watt’s respected Buzzin’ Fly Records celebrates its 5th birthday with the release of a triple CD unmixed album titled ‘Buzzin’ Fly – 5 Golden Years In The Wilderness’. Conceived by Watt in 2003, and as well-known for its acclaimed artwork, website, radio show and rocking parties as for its regularly revered clubland releases, Buzzin’ Fly has become one of the leading tastemaker UK independents focussing primarily on leading-edge underground deep House and Techno .It's even spawned an indie offshoot Strange Feelin.

The album is an unmixed, two parts retrospective, one part future-facing. Features 10 of the biggest dancefloor cuts, 10 of the deepest late-night gems and 7 brand new cuts.

The album features collectors' artwork with clamshell box set and 12 panel poster. In the Uk a Buzzin' Fly Art Exhibition is planned for July & includes  prints and silk screens of 5 years of award-winning artwork by iwantdesign.

Have a sneak listen here

Posted: Wednesday, 11 June 2008

NEW CSS ALBUM OUT 26TH JULY!

Get set folks as CSS is set to release Donkey on the 26th July, the follow up to the dancefloor-tastic Cansei De Ser Sexy.

Produced in Brazil by the band’s own Adriano Cintra and mixed in Los Angeles by Mark “Spike” Stent (whose credits include Madonna, Bjork, Massive Attack, U2, M.I.A., and Arcade Fire), Donkey is tough, street-ready, and recreates the frenetic energy of their live shows. And really, with CSS the live show is the thing. Equal parts dance party, urban circus, and out-and-out chaos, the band’s unaffected, unbridled joy in performance is for real and for you. Ride the Donkey!

Listen to Rat is Dead and Left Behind here.

Posted: Tuesday, 10 June 2008

BEN KORBEL LAUNCHES ELECTRIC IN MELBOURNE THIS WEEKEND

Don't miss Ben Korbel this Saturday. He'll be lighting up the dance floor at the infamous 161 to launch Balance Present Electric_03.

Details - Sat, 7th June @ 161. $15, no presales

Posted: Wednesday, 4 June 2008