Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Never Thought of Growing Up” – Loretta

Loretta have put a big smile on my face today with the release of their long-awaited debut EP, Never Thought of Growing Up. Featuring the brilliant singles “All My Friends (Are Your Friends)” and “Wish I Could Show You,” it’s some of the best and most uplifting indie-pop you’ll hear.

When you introduce an EP with such good songs, sometimes the rest of the recording can fall flat. But Loretta have a real knack for creating anthemic, optimistic music that gets stuck in your head and under your skin. The Eora/Sydney-based band could easily have released “Hope You’re Happy” and “How to Swim” as singles, because they’re every bit as good. Clocking in at around a minute and a half each, Loretta also show versatility with the introductory track “What Do We Become” and the beautiful instrumental interlude, “Halfway Home”. Everything works so beautifully together here, like the pieces of a technicolour jigsaw.

I have been a Loretta fan for a while, and I love to see the way they’re evolving. Notice that I very carefully avoided the word maturing there, because this is a band that retains its youthful energy. This EP is called Never Thought of Growing Up for a reason! They may have a few years on the clock these days, but they still make music that feels so fresh and fun. Right now they’re just doing it better than ever.

After waiting so long for an EP, I just wish there was a little more here. At around 15 minutes, it’s definitely one of the shorter EPs I’ve listened to. However, as more artists start extending the format into mini-albums, it’s probably not a bad thing that Loretta leaves us wanting more. Never Thought of Growing Up certainly delivers quality over quantity. I just hope a full-length album isn’t too far away.

Never Thought of Growing Up is out today. Loretta are wasting no time and kicking off a national tour to celebrate its release tomorrow. There are still some tickets available, so what are you waiting for?

4 November 2023 – Yah Yah’s, Naarm/Melbourne
9 November 2023 – Stranded Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
17 November 2023 – Towradgi Beach Hotel, Woolyungah/Wollongong
23 November 2023 – Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney
25 November 2023 – King Street, Mulubinba/Newcastle

Images used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Public Fun – Part 2” – Raging Hormones

On the release of Raging Hormones’ Public Fun – Part 1 EP earlier this year, I found myself hoping a sequel may be on the way. My dreams have been answered with the release of Public Fun – Part 2. And yes, it’s every bit as much fun as its predecessor.

Keen fans may have noticed Raging Hormones dropping singles from their latest EP every Friday for the last few weeks. However, now that they’re all out in the world it feels like the right time to celebrate them. While every song stands alone, listening to them together is such a treat. Just like the first Public Fun EP, this one goes hard. From the moment the drums and guitars come together to introduce “River of Ants,” the band has the power turned up to 11. It’s fast and frenetic and, there really is no better word for it, an awful lot of fun. I love the punky edge of “Milk Moustache” and couldn’t resist singing along to the big anthemic chorus of “Burning at Both Ends” before long. “Winnebago” is pure nostalgic joy and the closer “Guided by Vices” has such a cool attitude and snaky bassline.

With just five tracks, it’s all killer and no filler. However, with just five tracks it’s all over too quickly. There’s only one solution; to press play again. At least until the release of Part 3. Yes, I’m daring to dream again.

Public Fun – Part 2 was released today. Raging Hormones will celebrate its release in front of hometown fans at the Evelyn Hotel in Naarm/Fitzroy on November 10.

Main photo credit: Nick Manuell

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Live Like Animals Pull Out All the Stops With “Modern State of Mind”

Eora/Sydney-based band Live Like Animals will release their debut album Modern State of Mind tomorrow, but I couldn’t wait to share something with you. The single “Bloom” is probably my favourite track from the album, a big rousing number which combines pop, rock, emo, and metal sounds with style. Just see if you’re not punching your fist in the air by the time the chorus rolls around.

This genre-bending track goes some way towards telling you what you can expect when Live Like Animals’ album, Modern State of Mind, drops tomorrow. The band’s press release describes them as a pop-rock band, but that doesn’t tell half the story. These guys love playing with genre. There are some serious twists and turns as the band’s high-level concept plays out.

“Modern State Of Mind is about six different rooms of the mind,” they explained. “Visually, the concept centres around the mind being like an multi-levelled office suite with the first track, Modern State of Mind being like the elevator music as you take it up to the different songs, the different states of mind, if you will.”

This album is so bold that I can really appreciate the attempt, even if the music isn’t all to my taste. When you take risks like Live Like Animals does, you’re probably never going to please people all of time, but you will create art.

You can hear for yourself when Live Like Animals release Modern State of Mind tomorrow. They’re also embarking on a mini-tour next week to support its release.

10 November 2023 – Stay Gold, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting RinRin)
15 November 2023 – Hamilton Station Hotel, Awabakal/Newcastle (FREE)
16 November 2023 – The Basement, Ngunnawal/Canberra
18 November 2023 – The Burdekin Hotel, Eora/Sydney (supporting The Last Martyr)

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Daniel Trakell Charms With Folky New Single, “Waves”

Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Daniel Trakell offers a taste of his forthcoming sophomore album with the release of his beautiful new single “Waves.” This is one of those delicate folky songs whose beauty might just pass you by if you’re not paying attention. I must admit, it didn’t quite hit for me either the first time, as I was listening while doing a million other things. But on the second listen, on an early morning where I was a little more focused and receptive, it swept me away.

“Waves is a song about what comes after reaching a point where you can’t go on anymore, that feeling of completely surrendering, giving in and letting go,” Daniel explained. “One of the last songs written for the album, the demo was very basic guitar and vocals. When we got into the studio we ran through it a couple of times live as a band with drums, pedal steel, guitar and upright bass, piano and horns added in a later session.”

“Waves” comes from Daniel’s album, Into the Blue, which drops on November 24. He’ll celebrate its release with a show for hometown fans at Lulie Tavern on December 3.

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Moonsea Celebrates Emotional Side With “Sensitive”

Like so many women, I’ve been called “too sensitive” more than once. So I really connect with moonsea’s moving new single “Sensitive,” which celebrates this tendency to feel things deeply.

“I grew up as a pretty sensitive kid,” moonsea recalled. “I would cry readily, laugh unreservedly and feel things fully and deeply. This got the well-meaning adults in my life worried. If I cried every time I heard a sad story, saw a bug get squashed or got told off by a teacher, how would I make it through this life in one piece?”

Over time she came to discover that “being sensitive could possibly be a good thing, a superpower even. Some of the strongest and most empathetic women were sensitive kids. Feeling deeply allows you to experience the depth of the human experience and connect with other people in a really meaningful way.”

“Sensitive” is paired with a heartwarming music video, which sees the character of Cece Moon enter the Moonville Talent Show ten times, persevering until she finally wins the judges over. Watch it and I know you’ll feel better about the world and your place in it.

Photo credit: Barbara Luyza

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Route 33 Bring the Sunshine With “Summer You”

You know summer can’t be too far away when acts are dropping songs like “Summer You”. From South Queensland duo Route 33, this is a straight-up feelgood country party anthem. Turn it up, grab yourself a cold beer, and let the it do its magic. This song is so much fun.

Trent McArdle and Jock Barnes, the lads from Route 33, cowrote the song based on Jock’s memories of his teenage years. Now a married man with kids, he recalls a more carefree time surrounded by mates, where his key concerns were the next wave and next beer. It’s pure nostalgia and so enjoyable to listen to, no matter what stage of life you’re in.

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordan Merrick Releases Emotional Ballad, “The Painting”

Jordan Merrick has got me right in the feels with his latest single “The Painting.” It’s a simple song on the surface, with a fairly basic melody and just a little acoustic guitar and harmonica keeping Jordan’s voice company. But that’s a blank canvas for Jordan to tell a gorgeous story about a painting his father gifted him, and about his relationship with the man who raised him. Jordan’s father gave him one of his artistic creations as a gift. After a bad day, Jordan found himself admiring that painting.

“I sat staring at it for what felt like an eternity,” he admitted. “It now stands as a stern reminder of the need to rebel through creation, to remain true to the soul that writes prose or wields a brush. It [‘The Painting’] is a conversation with an alternate version of myself who lets life beat the art out of me. It isn’t a song of hate or anger, but of love.”

“The Painting” comes from Jordan’s recently released album Winner Take Nothing. It’s all good stuff, but I think this simple, poignant song is the standout. After supporting acts including C.W. Stoneking, Alex the Astronaut, and Mia Dyson recently, he’ll headline the following shows in Queensland.

18 November 2023 – Stranded Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
1 December 2023 – Home of the Arts, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Anberlin, Hawthorne Heights, and The World Alive Join Forces for Massive Aussie Shows

Anberlin vocalist Stephen Christian recently announced he’s taking an indefinite break from touring, but not before he brings his band to Australia one last time. Hitting Australia in January, Anberlin will play shows with their very special guests Hawthorne Heights and The Word Alive. If you believe that alt-rock’s not dead, you’ll want to get your hands on some tickets.

“There is not a country outside the United States that Anberlin is more connected to or embraced as much as Australia, and this will be our 12th trip to this incredible country,” Stephen confirmed. “From our first show in Adelaide, to then writing a song about it, and years later having a 9-year-old girl named Adelaide come on stage and sing that very song with us to a massive sold-out show in Sydney we have SO many core memories created on that soil. It is absolutely fitting that I am taking a final bow in Australia before taking a long hiatus from touring. I appreciate you Australia and can’t wait to sing along one final time.”

This will be the first time that Anberlin have visited Australia since 2019 and their first opportunity to play music from their EPs Silverline and Convinced, which dropped in 2022 and 2023 after the band’s reformation. And that’s to say nothing of Hawthorne Heights, who proved with the release of The Rain Just Follows Me in 2021 that they’ve still got plenty left in the tank. The World Alive also just dropped a new album, Hard Reset, in August, their first in three years.

Expect to hear plenty of the new material and classics when Anberlin, Hawthorne Heights, and The World Alive hit Australia this January. Tickets are on sale now.

21 January 2024 – Astor Theatre, Boorloo/Perth
23 January 2024 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide
25 January 2024 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney
26 January 2024 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane
28 January 2024 – Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pierce Brothers Impress With First Self-Produced Single, “Studio”

Naarm/Melbourne indie-folk duo Pierce Brothers are one of those outfits who never seem to put a foot wrong. Their latest single “Studio” sees the lads producing their music for the first time, in partnership with longtime collaborator Phil Threlfall, and the results are simply brilliant. Their trademark harmonies and acoustic guitars are showcased so beautifully on this track, the first lifted from their next album.

“We first jammed this track onstage during soundcheck in Marlo, East Gippsland, and wrote the lyrics while sitting in a hotel room in Johannesburg,” Jack said. “I was feeling particularly disconnected from home when we came up with the idea for the lyrics, I missed my family, my kids. The idea of being so caught up in music that I would lose them haunted me, and this song was an exploration of those emotions.”

Pierce Brothers also recorded the song in Jack’s home studio.

“I have to say the best part was the commute!” he enthused. “We’re just so stoked that this is the start of something new here. We have this incredible space at our disposal all the time now! We can’t wait to just write album after album!”

Pierce Brothers will return to Europe next February. If you’re living over there, make sure you grab yourself a ticket.

13 February 2024 – The Garage, London
15 February 2024 – Reflektor, Liege
16 February 2024 – Badehaus Szimpla, Berlin
17 February 2024 – Nochtspeicher, Hamburg
18 February 2024 – Artheater, Cologne
20 February 2024 – Rotown, Rotterdam
21 February 2024 – Vera, Groningen
22 February 2024 – Doornroosje (Purple Room), Nijmegen
23 February 2024 – Paradiso – Tolhuistuin, Amsterdam
25 February 2024 – Strom, Munich
27 February 2024 – Supersonic Records, Paris
28 February 2024 – Paard Van Troje, The Hague

Photo credit: Dara Munnis

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Buoys and Sløtface Release Online Collaboration, “Fight Back Time”

The pandemic showed us that distance needn’t be a barrier to creating great art. Most artists have gotten back to collaborating in person, but it’s refreshing to see some still making use of the technological tools at their disposal to create exciting new works. Thanks to Zoom, Aussie band The Buoys and Norway’s Sløtface have teamed up for their fabulous new single “Fight Back Time.” If you love acts like Wet Leg and Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers, I know this will be right up your alley.

“Fight Back Time for me is about feeling way too caught up in everything you’re doing when you have too much going on, and desperately trying to grab some pieces of your life back so that you feel in control.” Explained Haley Shea of Sløtface, who wrote the bones of the song with collaborators and producers Michael Champion and Paul Whalley. She ended up shelving it, but found new inspiration after connecting digitally with The Buoys.

“Zoe [Catterall, The Buoys’ vocalist] and I met up on Zoom from our wildly different time zones and I instantly felt the connection. We had so much in common when it came to the theme of the song, and it felt extra fitting to be having that conversation early morning my time, and late evening Zoe’s time,” Haley recalled. “We bonded over the struggle of making time for everything as a working musician and songwriter.”

“Time is a concept I write about a lot! Balancing your day job with a hectic touring schedule is no piece of cake and it was really cool to talk at length about this with Haley at the end of my working day in Australia when her day was just starting in Norway,” Zoe added. “I feel like we’re all trying to fit in what we want to do around our responsibilities while also making time for family and friends. What’s left in the end is a dose of exhaustion and the feeling that sometimes time is getting away from you and that’s definitely what resonated with me the most.”

It may have started online, but Sløtface has been enjoying time in Australia meeting The Buoys in person and participating in songwriting sessions with local artists this month. It sounds like we’ll hear a lot more Aussie collaborations from Sløtface in future. Until then, follow them on the socials to see all their local adventures.

Photo credit: Jess Gleason