Mushroom Music Publishing

Howling Bells are set to return to Australia in September to support huge UK rockers Placebo as well as playing a set of their own headline shows.

The band are currently in the midst of a highly successful sold out UK tour, which culminates in the coming weeks with slots on the prestigious Reading and Leeds festivals.

Touted by the UK & Australian press as one of the releases of the year, the band's self titled debut album has already won widespread critical acclaim. UK music bible NME dubbed it an 'extraordinary album' and awarded it a rare 9/10 rating, while closer to home the Daily Telegraph boats of 'dark and beautiful pop music which will send your jaw plummeting to the floor'.

Howling Bells sold-out Australian shows in July gave local fans a thrilling taste of their mesmerising and impeccably honed live show. Judging by the hundreds of fans left stranded last time around tickets are sure to move fast for this one - we suggest you move quickly to avoid disappointment.

(Click on photo for full tour dates)

A chance meeting in a Richmond rehearsal room has led to Mushroom Music signing singer/songwriter Amaya Laucirica.

Born in a small country town in South Australia, Amaya moved first to Sydney and finally settled in Melbourne.

Her unique and beautifully crafted music has undertones of Mazzy Star, Neko Case and Neil Young.

This year, she independently released a self-titled EP. She is currently writing material for her first album, due for later release on In-Fidelity records.

Given the current excitement Amaya's work has already generated, the debut album promises to be one worth waiting for.

One the eve of the release of their third album, No Satellites, Melbourne band Gersey announce their album launch tour to support arguably one of the strongest local releases of the year.

Gerseys latest offering is a natural evolution from the much heralded Storms Dressed as Stars (2002) and the cracking debut Hope Springs (2000). No Satellites continues with the bands explorations into dark cinematic soundscapes while veering into directions that have them inhabiting a more immediate and robust world.

No Satellites was produced by Dean Turner and mixed by Tim Whitten, and sees Gersey more than live up to the promise of past recordings.
They have delivered an ultimately career defining record.

The first single taken from No Satellites is No Love, championed by Triple J and currently all over RRR, PBS FM, RTR and 4ZZZZ.

Revered for captivating and intense live shows, Gersey return to the live front for a national tour and a bag of new songs that will thrill fans of the band.

To celebrate the release of No Satellites, Gersey hit the road across the country, September and October, to celebrate this wonderful recording.

Click photo for full tour dates

Neighbours star Stephanie McIntosh (or Sky Mangel to some) has debuted at No. 3 on the Australian chart with her first single 'Mistake' (written by Mushroom Music's Tom Nichols, R Yacoub and A Birgisson).

While some people turn down their noses at the credibility of actors becoming singers, Stephanie takes a positive approach to her dual career.

'Basically, there is a tag. You are only ever allowed to act or you are only ever allowed to sing,' she tells Undercover News. 'Just because I'm on Neighbours it means I am only allowed to stick with Neighbours'.

Going from acting to singing has almost become part of the Neighbours career path and Stephanie agrees. 'I'm the first one to say its clich?. It is clich? coming from Neighbours and doing a pop album but I feel I'm just not an actor and I'm just not a singer,' she says. 'I'm an entertainer. I've been acting, singing and dancing ever since I can remember. I find it odd when people don't embrace it, especially since there has been so much success out of Neighbours. Kylie Minogue, Natalie Imbruglia, Delta Goodrem ... they have all come out (of Neighbours) and they have all gone on to have great careers. To me it is a positive thing'.

Her album Tightrope will be released in September.

News item from www.undercover.com

Chrysalis Music (represented by Mushroom Music in Australia and New Zealand) are proud to announce a worldwide music publishing agreement with Thom Yorke for his first solo album, "The Eraser".

The album marks the first material from Radiohead's founding member since 2003's "Hail To The Thief"and has received reviews to suggest that it is the record to unite Yorke fans from Radiohead's first release "Pablo Honey"onward.

Having now also been short-listed for the prestigious UK Mercury Music Prize the status of "The Eraser"has been set. The album was released on XL Records on July 10th.

Ivy League Records has just inked a deal with Island/Universal (UK) for the worldwide release of Sydney songsmith Josh Pyke's debut album 'Memories & Dust'.

Josh was personally signed by newly appointed Managing Director of Island (UK), Dan Keeling, who made his mark signing global superstars Coldplay.

Josh is currently completing work on 'Memories & Dust' with in-demand producer Wayne Connolly, and it promises to be one very special record.

The album is slated for a September release in Australia, with the first single set to hit radio in the first week of August.

In further exciting news, Josh Pyke will join Eskimo Joe for the majority of dates on their 'Black Fingernails, Red Wine' tour throughout August and early September.

Studio commitments prevent Josh from playing the first shows on the tour, but he will join Eskimo Joe on the road on August 10 with a gig at Penrith RSL, NSW.

[click on photo for full tour dates]