Month: November 2016

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rough River Casts a Spell With “This Love”

Take a moment out from your weekend chores and socializing to just stop and listen to “This Love,” the stunning new single from Melbourne singer-songwriter Rough River.

I say you should take a moment, because this is a gentle, delicate track. A slow burner if you will. And if you just hit play and go about your day, you might miss exactly what’s so special about it. It doesn’t have those obvious hooks or singalong choruses so many songs do after all. But it’s utterly beautiful.

“This Love” is the first track lifted from Rough River’s sophomore album, The Leaving, which gets released on 17 February 2017. A limited run of vinyl copies are available via the Rough River Bandcamp page. If you’re among the first 100 to pre-order, you’ll get a nifty tote from record label Dusky Tracks to carry the LP in.

Image used with permission from Dusky Tracks

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

High Violet Release Pop Smash “All I Want”

Grab yourself a hairbrush to sing into, kick over your shoes, and prepare to give yourself over to the shimmery electro-pop genius of “All I Want,” the latest single from Adelaide outfit High Violet.

This song is just so much fun. The synths take me back to my childhood and the interplay of male and female vocals tells the story of love and longing beautifully.

High Violet will play the following shows in the coming weeks.

26 November 2016 – The Metro, Sydney (supporting British India)
29 November 2016 – National Live Music Awards @ The Basement, Sydney
16 December 2016 – The Gov, Adelaide (supporting British India)

Image used with permission from Rare Finds

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The Housefox Sessions” – Pepperhead

Some of the best rock outfits have been featured groups of guys with a woman out front. Perhaps it’s that these women are forging a path in a male dominated genre, but they seem to have an extra bit of grit and fire about them. Pepperhead frontwoman Louisa Thomas picks up where the likes of Suze de Marchi and Sarah McLeod left off.

She owns every track on The Housefox Sessions EP, a collection of songs recorded at Housefox Studios on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. When I think of the Northern Beaches, I think of privilege and a little pretension, but there’s none of that artifice about this recording.

Opening track “Angels & Demons” is a straight-up rock gem, all heart and soul. It’s followed up by the single “See Through You,” a track which adds a little more punk and rebellion to Pepperhead’s rock sound. If you’re not punching the air by the end, I’m a poor judge. “Superhero” sees Pepperhead shifting gears slightly, with gentle verses contrasting with its explosive chorus. The closer, “Unresolved,” is a frenetic piece of power-punk clocking in at just a little more than two minutes. It’s the kind of song that takes your breath away, before making you feel like you want to experience it all again.

The Housefox Sessions might have been recorded in a professional studio, but it feels more like something cut in a garage or live at a gig in a sweaty pub. There’s an irresistible energy about the way Pepperhead plays, with Louisa a commanding presence well supported by this tight unit of players. In just four tracks, Pepperhead shows enough to suggest it could be the next big thing.

Image used with permission from The A & R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

San Cisco Drop Pop Gem “SloMo”

San Cisco is one of those bands it’s impossible to dislike. Every song the duo releases puts a smile on my feet and starts my feet tapping. They’re so darned catchy, but quirky enough to keep me guessing. The trend continues with “SloMo,” the first official single from album number three.

“’SloMo’ was the first song we wrote as a band after Gracetown,” singer Jordi Davieson explained. “We wanted to create a song that made people want to move.”

Mission accomplished! While you can stream “SloMo” and its aptly named companion “B Side” right now, they’ll also be available on a limited edition two-track seven-inch vinyl, which you can order later this year. San Cisco’s yet-to-be-titled third album will be released in the first quarter of 2017.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Leeli Tours Gorgeous Single “Into the Dark”

There’s something in the air in Byron Bay. The residents just seem to be more chilled out than the rest of us, which makes it an excellent breeding ground for the kind of folky alt-country music I love. Leeli is the latest act from Byron to catch my ear, and I recommend you take a listen to her stuff too.

New single “Into the Dark” is the perfect introduction to this talented songstress. A moving reflection on the power of addiction and loss, it draws you in with its personal lyrics and heartfelt delivery. It’s music at its purest, with little more than the vocals and the gentle strum of an acoustic guitar.

Leeli is currently on the road, taking this song and others in her collection to audiences around the country. It’s a place where she feels right at home.

“For me it’s about the intimacy of performance,” she explained. “That beautiful rawness of telling your story with one guitar and one voice.”

Here are the remaining dates on Leeli’s tour.

23 November 2016 – The Rails, Byron Bay
26 November 2016 – Rhythm Hut, Gosford
30 November 2016 – Newtown Social Club, Newtown
15 December 2016 – The Balcony, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Rish Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Holy Holy Releases Another Awesome Single, “Elevator”

Holy Holy is continuing to build buzz for the release of their sophomore album with the launch of a brand new single “Elevator.” It’s another stellar slice of indie rock, with shimmery guitars and a chorus that should have you punching your fist in the air.

“I can’t recall how it germinated, but before we knew it we were playing this same two chords, over and over,” explained lead guitarist Oscar Dawson. “And it built from there, like a conversation; starting softly, then bouncing around to become louder and louder… It had been caught on a phone when we were touring in Europe, and back in Australia we put it together and decided that, in fact, it is a song.”

“Elevator” is the latest track from that highly anticipated new album Paint, which will drop on February 24. You needn’t wait that long to get your Holy Holy fix though. The band is currently touring the country with I Know Leopard and Alex L’Estrange. Here are the remaining dates.

17 November 2016 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
18 November 2016 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
19 November 2016 – Uni Bar, Wollongong
20 November 2016 – The Basement, Canberra
24 November 2016 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
25 November 2016 – Solbar, Sunshine Coast
26 November 2016 – The Triffid, Brisbane

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Buckleys are Incredible Over Achievers

I watched the excellent Irish movie Sing Street on the weekend. It tickled my funny bone, moved me as I haven’t been moved by a film in years, and also made me feel woefully inadequate. The kids in the movie are a fraction of my age yet capable of making the kind of music I can only dream of. Those feelings of inadequacy are creeping in again now that I’ve discovered The Buckleys.

The Buckleys are three siblings: 17-year-old Sarah Grace Buckley on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, 15-year-old Lachlan Buckley on bass and electric guitars, and 14-year-old Molly Buckley on vocals and mandolin. Their most recent single “Would You Like to Dance” is amazing. They’ve worked a who’s who of songwriters in Nashville, and they’ve signed an international deal with Aussie label Golden Robot Records. They’re returning to the US next week to meet with publishing and management companies in Nashville. While they’re there, they’ll play Music City Roots in Franklin, Tennessee on December 14. Seriously, could they cram any more accomplishments into their young lives?

Before they go, the Buckleys will play the Mullum Music Festival in Mullimbimby on Saturday, November 19. Get on board now, because these guys are going to be big.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Husky Returns With New Single and Tour

After spending a year in Berlin, Melbourne band Husky is back on our shores and back with a brand new single “Late Night Store.”

“Late Night Store” is the first track lifted from Husky’s third album, which will drop later this year. It’s got such a striking blend of guitars and keys, with a steady groove that keeps the listener engaged right to the end. I also love the poetry of the lyrics.

In a couple of days Husky will hit the road for their first national tour since 2014. If you’ve been hanging out for a Husky gig, make sure you don’t miss one of these shows.

17 November 2016 – Artbar Art Gallery of WA, Perth
19 November 2016 – Lighthouse Folk Festival, Norah Head
3 December 2016 – The Foundry, Fortitude Valley
7 December 2016 – Newtown Social Club, Newtown
8 December 2016 – Fat Controller, Adelaide
15 December 2016 – Howler, Brunswick

Image used with permission from Guerilla Music Promotion

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Emma Anglesey Casts a Spell with “Mary-Anne”

Prepare to get swept up in the beauty of “Mary-Anne,” the new single from Tassie songbird Emma Anglesey.

I love her voice, which is reminiscent of Delores’ O’Riordan’s haunting tone. Her angelic vocals seem to float over the track’s driving drums and lush strings. I’ve also decided I should stop procrastinating and book that Tassie holiday after taking in the gorgeous music video for “Mary-Anne,” which celebrates the beauty of Emma’s home state.

Emma is currently on tour to support the release of “Mary-Anne.” There are two remaining shows: one at Melbourne’s Open Studio on November 30 and another at Sydney’s Gasoline Pony on December 7.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Silver Birch” – Little Wise

After falling for Little Wise’s single “Don’t Hurry Back,” I couldn’t wait to wrap my ears around her album Silver Birch. My expectations were high, but this beautiful collection of folky acoustic songs certainly met them.

The album opens with “Sometimes,” a summery folk-pop number about leaving the negative forces behind and moving forward. The lyrics of “Grab a Hold,” which contain so much wisdom, really resonated with me. The title track “Silver Birch” is an absolute standout. The lyrics which reveal the loss of a father touch on the sadness but also celebrate the strength and wisdom gained from tragedy. “Favourite Song,” featuring guest vocals from Sal Kimber, has such a great groove that reminded me a little of something Rickie Lee Jones might write. The final track “Stairs” is the perfect way to end. This isn’t one of those albums that has big production, but it’s still refreshing to hear what is there stripped away until we’re just left with the gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar and Little Wise’s angelic vocals singing an honest, moving lyric. This is music at its most pure, and it’s a beautiful thing to witness.

Little Wise has a gorgeous voice with such an earthy, authentic quality. I believe her as she tells stories of the people she’s known. Each track is a beautiful snapshot of moments that are personal, yet touch on themes we can all relate to. While this gentle album would make the perfect music for those quiet nights chatting with friends over glasses of red wine, the listening experience becomes so much richer when you tap into the lyrics and really listen to what each song has to say.

Silver Birch is out now. You’ll find it on iTunes, Spotify, and Bandcamp, which has both digital and physical versions. Little Wise is currently touring the country to support its release.

15 November 2016 – House Concert, Nambucca Heads
17 November 2016 – Petersham Bowling Club, Sydney (with Rosie Burgess)
18 November 2016 – Smith’s Alternative, Canberra (with Rosie Burgess)
19 November 2016 – Commonground Festival, Seymour
24 November 2016 – The Bella Union, Melbourne (with Rosie Burgess)
25 November 2016 – Martians Café, Deans Marsh (with Rosie Burgess)
27 November 2016 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide (4pm – with Rosie Burgess)
9 December 2016 – Basement Discs, Melbourne (FREE @ 12:45pm)
10 December 2016 – Brookfield Shed, Margate (with Rosie Burgess)
11 December 2016 – Marakoopa Café, Mayberry (2pm with Rosie Burgess)