You've probably seen Sick Puppies groundbreaking "Free Hugs" video for their song "All The Same" which garnered over 46 million views on YouTube and inspired people around the world to begin their own free hugs campaigns! What followed the former Triple J unearthed 'Best Song' winners was a successful major label debut album and a steady dose of worldwide touring. For their RMR/Virgin/EMI follow-up, Tri-Polar, scheduled for release on July 14/US and July 24/Australia, the Sydney-bred band joined hit makers Antonina Armato and Tim James to create a sound that reflects the band's past four whirlwind years in the rock and roll fast lane. The first single, "You're Going Down," quickly become the top added song on US Rock radio and is being used as the theme song for the WWE's Extreme Rules pay-per-view broadcast, while "Street Fighter War" is part of the national marketing campaign for the popular video game, Street Fighter IV.
Contact: manager@paulstepanek.com

The music of Brisbane's Yves Klein Blue subtly and cleverly captures the exuberance and experience of life, but in a way that's as universal as it is personal. Their potent debut full-length album Ragged & Ecstatic, released in Australia on June 26th though Dew Process Records, has been met with rave reviews. Recorded in Los Angeles by Kevin Augunas (Cold War Kids), the off-the-cuff, energetic and live feel of Ragged & Ecstatic, veers from the buoyant, bright and swaggering single "Getting Wise" and irresistible "Make Up Your Mind", to the cheeky and joyous ska of "Summer Sheets." Wonderfully original melodies ingrain, sentiments resonate and the feeling and splashes of colour carried by singer Michael Tomlinson's turns of phrase are illuminating. With sold out album launch shows in Brisbane and Melbourne, YKB continue their national headlining tour through July and beyond. YKB are open to licensing and distribution opportunities in the US, as well as possible co- management for the US & UK.
Contact: meg.horan@secret-service.com.au

Australia's biggest hip hop act the Hilltop Hoods became the biggest act period in Australia! The Adelaide crew's 5th full-length album State of the Art debuted at the number 1 spot on Australia's ARIA album chart in late June. Already certified gold and rapidly approaching platinum, State of the Art released on their own Golden Era Records label, out sold the likes of Eminem, Green Day and Pink in it's first week. Renowned for their high energy live shows and legions of hardcore fans, The Hoods stepped their game up on State of the Art by adding world- class production to their nimble flows, while retaining the unique flavour they created in Adelaide Hills. Barely having a chance to celebrate the milestone, they immediately took to the road, hitting the major festival circuit in Europe. The Hoods return to Australia for a sold out 8 city tour in July and August in support of their sizzling first single 'Chase That Felling', with designs on more Aussie dates in the fall.
Contact: dylan@bluemaxmusic.com.au

A lot has happened for Melbourne's The Temper Trap since their infectious song "Sweet Disposition" first began causing a stir on Australian radio late last year. The band played multiple high profile shows in the US & UK and landed a key placement in advertising trailer for the highly anticipated Fox film '500 Days of Summer.' As the "must see" band at SXSW music conference in Texas, they delivered a series of dazzling shows which sent bloggers raving and resulted in a US deal with New York-based Glassnote Records. Their debut album Conditions, produced by Jim Abbiss (Adele, Arctic Monkeys) was released in Australia on 19th of June on Liberation Records debuted at #9 on the ARIA album chart. The album is set for US release on 13th of October with a steady dose worldwide touring to follow.
Contact: danny@lunaticentertainment.com

Undercover Tracks has successfully licensed the music of more than 20 Australian artists in major US films, television series, and advertising campaigns. Formed in 2004 by well respected music industry veteran Isabel Pappani, the Los Angeles- based agency specializes in representing international artists with a heavy focus on Aussies like Eskimo Joe, Powerfinger, Borne, and many more. She's placed Aussie music in blockbuster films including The Bourne Identity, Bring It On, in TV shows like Grey's Anatomy, CSI, Gossip Girl, The L Word, and commercial spots and on-air promos for Heineken, EA video games, Fox, NBC, ABC and ESPN. These types of music placements can serve as a vehicle to generate major wide-scale exposure for Aussie artists in the US market, along with healthy artist revenue. Undercover Tracks is currently accepting solicitations and inquiries via email.
Contact: isabel@undercovertracks.com