Month: November 2011

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reece Mastin Wins X Factor Australia

Reece Mastin has taken out this year’s X Factor competition, narrowly beating Andrew Wishart by just 1% of the votes.

Yes, I’m a bit late with the news, but can we all agree that more than two hours of television is far too long for this kind of thing? After all, we only want to hear “The winner is Reece,” right? All those retrospectives and random celebrity performances padding out the time seem completely unnecessary. My vote next year is for five minutes in between other programs, something like the Lotto draw.

So I didn’t watch it all the way through, but it seems that Johnny Ruffo fell out of the race early. While he’d improved immensely in recent weeks that seems fair; Reece and Andrew were our consistent standouts. I would have loved to see Andrew win it, as he moved me more than any of the other contestants, but I can’t deny Reece has the goods. Killer vocals, incredible stage presence, and he’s adorable to boot. I can’t say I’m looking forward to that “Good Night” single saturating the airwaves, but I look forward to what he produces once he gains some creative control.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

X Factor Contestants Sing One Last Time

We’re at the pointy end of  The X Factor competition, with just three acts remaining. Andrew Wishart, Reece Mastin, and Johnny Ruffo had another chance to win us over tonight with some solo numbers and a duet with one of the visiting stars.

Andrew kicked things off with his audition song, Adele’s “Someone Like You.” It was fitting to see him perform it live again after all this time. It didn’t so much showcase growth but just how solid he’s always been. He is what he is, and I love that.

In contrast Johnny showed us just how far he’s come with Jay Sean’s “Do You Remember.” He was singing well and dancing well; I couldn’t fault him technically. However I also feel like I’ve seen it all before. He’s improved immensely, but I still don’t see X factor. And let’s remember that, rather than growth, is really what it’s all about.

Reece also showed us he’s developed that extra special something since first treating us to Rooster’s “Come Get Some.” There seems to be a bit more swagger to him, some extra confidence and self belief. He was good in the auditions, but tonight he was great.

Pairing The Fray with Andrew seemed like a natural fit, but I don’t think their version of “You Found Me” did him any favours. It felt too low throughout, and consequently he never got to show us his sweet spot. The arrangement was a real injustice here. Hopefully his fans don’t care; I’d hate to see him go on the back of this.

I’m not even going to bother re-reviewing Johnny’s performance of “Sir Duke.” It was good the first time and it was good again. Certainly this was his best, but did we really need to see it again with all the same staging and choreography?

Ditto Reece’s performance of Aerosmith’s “Dream On” and Andrew’s retake on “Dakota.”

Johnny Ruffo was outclassed in performing a medley of some Salt N Pepa hits. He held his own with the dancing but his rapping skills were very under par. This was fun though just for the trip down memory lane. Those ladies have lost nothing over the years.

Then Reece treated us to his potential single “Good Night.” Perhaps treated is a bit generous, because I found it to be pretty middle of the road pop. The verses felt like virtual carbon copies of Pink’s “Raise Your Glass.” All in it didn’t feel like Reece, which is really disappointing when the singles are supposed to be tailored to the artists.

I don’t remember the name of Andrew’s potential single if it was mentioned, but I wasn’t thrilled by it. He sang it beautifully but the song itself seemed a bit mediocre and aimless. I didn’t actively dislike it, but I’d probably switch over the radio after hearing it a few times. Seriously, where are they getting these songs?

I don’t know what Johnny’s single is called either, but the Eurovision nut in me lapped it up. It’s super cheesy, but also lots of fun. For the first time this year I seriously considered the merits of Johnny winning this thing. I expect to see Belarus covering this in Azerbaijan next year.

The duets hadn’t impressed me until Reece and Kylie Minogue took to the stage for “Kids.” His vocals were a bit rough in places but they really seemed to gel and that mattered more than the notes. What a way to end the show.

Really what happened tonight didn’t change my views one way or another. I’m firmly on Team Andrew. Who’s your pick?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jason Mraz @ Opera House, Sydney – 19 November 2011

I first saw Jason Mraz live roughly seven or eight years ago. “The Remedy” was his “I’m Yours,” and acoustic performances were more common that those with a full band. I’m pretty sure I had change from $100, and that bought me not just the show but my dinner at The Vanguard.

A lot has changed since that time. The venues are bigger, the catalogue of songs is larger, and acoustic performances are increasingly rare. So it was pretty special to recapture some of what drew me to his music in the first place with Saturday night’s performance at the Sydney Opera House.

The Opera House is a long way from The Vanguard, but at least in my seats the show felt just as intimate as that first one. I wish I had some photos of my own to give you a sense of the show as I saw it, but I figured the Opera House’s usual no cameras policy would be enforced. Anyway, Jason joked easily with the crowd and his first mate and percussionist Toca. He encouraged us all to sing along and follow his lead as he scatted. He also delivered a selection of songs that should have satisfied most of the fans he’s picked up along the way.

We were treated to a generous helping of songs from his as yet unreleased album, but as he graced the stage for almost three hours I couldn’t fault that. Their acoustic treatment meant we could really listen to the unfamiliar lyrics and appreciate what he’s been building while away from the public eye.

All three studio albums were represented (although if I’m critical I would have appreciated more numbers from the first two), and the diehard fans were also treated to a few beloved rarities. I was thrilled to hear one of my personal favourites “1000 Things,” one song I never expected to make the set list. “Mr Curiosity” stripped back on the piano was another highlight, as was my all-time favourite Mraz number “You and I Both.”

There was no “The Remedy” this time, and I thought about the days when he couldn’t play a show without it. These days it’s been replaced with “I’m Yours,” a number which is still as much fun despite the radio saturation. As the extended version wound down Jason and Toca played recorded looped audio and their words rang out as they left the stage: “You are Loved.” It was more than simply the tour’s name. It was a reminder that they appreciate all the fans have given them, especially here where their music has been embraced for close to a decade. It was a lovely parting sentiment, and one that reinforced the giving way they played for us. I’m sure most people who left the Concert Hall were every bit as grateful for the night’s amazing performance.

Image source: Matthew Straubmuller @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Frowning Clouds Play Europe

I don’t expect that Melbourne’s Frowning Clouds have long faces at the moment. Following packed out local launch shows for their single “All Night Long” and a supporting slot on Eagle & The Worm’s national tour, the band is taking flight.

The indie rockers will commence a run of European dates later this week, culminating with a slot at Spain’s Purple Weekend Festival. Europeans can see this exciting new Aussie act at the following venues.


25 November 2011 – Zoo Zoo Club @ The Blues Kitchen, London
26 November 2011 – Sonic Ballroom, Cologne
27 November 2011 – King Kong Klub, Berlin
1 December 2011 – Le Mojomatic, Montpellier
2 December 2011 – Le Deep Inside, Dijon
3 December 2011 – Le Mechanique Ondulatoire, Paris
4 December 2011 – Purple Weekend Festival, Leon

Image used with permission from Singhala Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Cat Empire Releases Album for Asylum Seekers

The Cat Empire may be enjoying some time apart at the moment, but the band has joined forces with Tunes for Change to release Asylum. This selection of rare and unreleased songs from The Cat Empire and its side projects is available for the next few months only from the Tunes for Change website.

All monies raised by the release will benefit the Asylum Seeker Resource Center, Australia’s largest group advocating on the behalf of asylum seekers and protecting their human rights. The band hopes to raise $50, 000 for the charity.

The Cat Empire wants to make the album accessible to as many people as possible, so it’s asking people to donate $5 or more for it. If all you can spare is $5, that’s fine. But if you have more and you’re passionate about the cause, you can be more generous.

Image source: Stuart Sevastos @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Demon Parade Back with “All The Cool Kids”

I haven’t heard anything from The Demon Parade since they released their debut EP God Said It’s Legal last year. But now they’re back on my radar with their new single “All The Cool Kids.”

The Melbourne lads are sticking to what works here, serving up more of the Brit-pop influence psychedelia that first turned my head. It might have been nice to see a little more growth, but this is clearly a band that knows its sound.

If you’re digging it you can catch The Demon Parade launching the single at the Phoenix Public House in Brunswick on November 25.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Necks Release Mindset

Sydney’s acclaimed jazz trio The Necks are releasing their big 16th studio album today. Mindset marks a bit of a milestone for the band, as it’s their first album to be released in both CD and vinyl formats.

The disc features just two sprawling and starkly different numbers, the throbbing “Rum Jungle” and dreamy “Daylights.”

“Mindset shares some elements in common with our previous album Silverwater, mostly in some mixing approaches and rhythmic devices; a reflection of our ongoing fascination with polymetric material and varying simultaneous pulses,” explained The Necks’ drummer and percussionist Tony Buck, “but it’s a whole other thing again, and what’s more, the two tracks are very different from each other – ‘Rum Jungle’ displays the live approach of the trio of piano, bass, and drums a lot more; ‘Daylights’ features a bed of electronics and little sounds that slowly converge and coalesce into a multi-layered, multi-tempo, swirling soundscape.”

Look for Mindset now in all good music stores.

Image source: Nick Carson/Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Wright Smith Plays Album Launch Show

Melbourne alt-country singer Ben Wright Smith will play a hometown show at Red Bennies tonight to support the release of his debut album Autumn Safari.

The disc shows the way Ben has grown since releasing his EP Benny and the Kid. While it was straight down the line acoustic folk the album shows more character, with haunting numbers paired with more upbeat, bass driven tunes.

I’ve fallen hard for the romantic single “Been Thinkin’ About You.” It’s simple, but that only proves that often the best things aren’t overcomplicated. If you like it too you can download it for free from Ben Wright Smith’s Triple J Unearthed profile page.

Autumn Safari hits good music stores today.

Image source: Ben Wright Smith website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Made in Japan Show Us Sights & Sounds

Made in Japan are going from strength to strength since they were signed up to General Pants Co’s Major Label last April. They’re preparing to release their debut album Sights & Sounds next February, but are already giving fans a taste with the title track.

I love the tracks cruisy retro feel, which has me anticipating more. If it makes you feel that way too you can check out a few other songs at Made in Japan’s Bandcamp page.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Clearlight” – Dig

It’s been 13 long years since Dig, or Directions in Groove as the uninitiated call them, have released a studio album. Back then I was a teenager more interested in good looking boy bands than acid jazz. I knew of the Sydney band, but their new album Clearlight is the first time I think I’ve listened to them properly.

It’s all a bit different this time around. The addition of Laura Stitt on vocals, a replacement for original singer Scott Saunders, brings a new energy to the group. That female voice gives a haunting, ethereal quality to the tunes she fronts. I particularly like her work on the laidback groove, “Blind.” That difference also makes Dig feel very modern. As much as I loved the 90s, we can’t be stuck there after all.

I feel that the songs with Laura’s vocals are the album’s strongest. Her voice seems to provide an anchor which ensures the tunes don’t get too aimless. Instrumental tunes like the Latin flavoured “New Sense” start out so strong, but they tend to drag a bit towards the end.

While some tunes petered out, I found Clearlight really easy to listen to. For the most part it didn’t grab me around the throat, although the epic drum-driven “Reality” was a notable exception. However it was great background music to get me through my working week. It’s the kind of disc I’d slip on as a party was starting to wear down, or perhaps to nurse the hangover the next day.

Clearlight’s not a perfect album, but it makes me glad Dig are back on the local music scene, especially now I’m old enough to appreciate them.

Dig kicks off their Clearlight tour in Brisbane tonight. Here are all the places you can catch them.

17 November 2011 – The Old Museum, Brisbane
18 November 2011 – The Sound Lounge, Gold Coast
19 November 2011 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
26 November 2011 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
3 December 2011 – The Studio @ Sydney Opera House, Sydney
10 December 2011 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne