This week we’re announcing Matt’s first ever national Australian tour as he looks to turn the volume from quiet to loud. The tour will see Matt play 13 shows across a three week period in July and will culminate when he supports Mumford and Sons at their sold out shows at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre.

This is your chance to catch an emerging, dynamic young artist at the beginning of his career in intimate settings throughout New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. As Big Kev says, “i’m excited”!

In the meantime you can download an exclusive free live version of “Lighthome” at Matt’s website. Recorded live at Studio 301 in Sydney if this one doesn’t make you go “ooh” and “ahh” then you may just be related the Tin Man from Wizard Of Oz!

Don’t believe me? Here’s what Ben Lovett from Mumford and Sons had to say: “”Matt Corby’s voice is the epitome of angelic and he sings almost effortlessly on this song (“My False”). Matt is here from Australia working with us on an EP at the moment – it’s going to be amazing, a mix of Jeff Buckley and Pink Floyd influenced songs, his talent is way beyond his 19 years. He gave a spellbinding performance at Communion in London last week, you literally could have heard a pin drop. Matt is destined for great things in the future…”

Two weeks ago we announced the main course for The Amity Affliction Youngbloods album tour…this week it’s dessert time!

Disappointed that the original schedule didn’t include Western Australia, Amity have not only slotted in four shows for WA (including two all ages events), but also added another two more all ages gigs for their home-state Queensland! Amity’s Youngbloods Album Tour is now truly national and totals 15 shows, including nine All Ages, and one Under 18’s only…all in 23 days!

With The Amity Affliction’s new album Youngbloods due for release in less than four weeks (18 June), the first single, ‘I Hate Hartley’ is now available for download….steal it free and legally (and still respect yourself in the morning) but before then prepare yourself for the first brutal taste from Youngbloods, featuring gang vocals from Boston band Four Year Strong, ‘I Hate Hartley’ is the album’s opening track.

Pre-Orders for both the Youngbloods album and launch tour are on sale now, and moving fast from the band’s website – www.theamityaffliction.com – while you’re there you can also catch episode seven in the adventures of Amity does America (now up to the exciting bit!).

I’m a “bad news first” kinda guy, so it is with a heavy heart that i have to announce that Ms Jade Pham, long time Shiny champion and true heart, is preparing to bid us adieu. Sad but true. Jade has been Shiny in every way from the very moment she stepped through our wonky doorway and announced that she wasn’t “careerist”. She is here for a little bit yet, so feel free to send chocolates and cute stationery before her ship leaves port. And despite the fact that i could never get her to say “Up The Rabbitohs”  she remains, quite literally, unreplaceable (and, i believe, secretly red and green)!!

Now for the good news…Emily Alvis is in the house!! Emily isn’t replacing Jade…we were always looking to be bringing another person into the fold and after the arduos process of reviewing over 90 applications for the job Ms Alvis was chosen by our panel of experts (Jade, Matt and i) as the person we deemed most likely to bear the Shiny standard high and proud, and at the same time pronounce that she was ready to embrace the true way and spirit of the cardinal and myrtle!!

Welcome Emily…Au revoir Jade…we love you’se all!

We had a huge response and were humbled by the many great applicants that wanted to make Shiny their place of work.

Pulling the “Complete Idiots Guide to Job Interviews” from our vast library is a task that no-one here ever looks forward to, but it’s all over now and we couldn’t be happier.

Look out for the announcement next week, and THANKS again to anyone that applied….as the Marrickville Mauler used to say “we love you’se all!”.

Matt is recording his debut album around the world with a stellar support team, and Shiny somehow, miraculaously, joyously and happily got the call to join in on the good times.

Matt spent much of 2009 in London with incredible results: he recently signed a worldwide publishing deal with BMG out of the UK and has signed to Communion, one of the hottest independent labels in the UK, run by Ben Lovett of Mumford and Sons’ fame, who will be releasing Matt’s EP In September in the UK.

Until that’s released you should listen out for his new ‘My False’, a stomping folk anthem recorded in Melbourne with Dann Hume, who produced Lisa Mitchell’s debut album ‘Wonder’, and it’s “b-side” ‘Lighthome’, recorded in London late last year, all stark and soulful – the two songs will be available online from May 21.

More news on Matt’s national tour in July next week.