Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jake Davey Delivers New Anthem, “Count on a Country Song”

If you love country music, you’re going to relate to Jake Davey’s latest single “Count on a Country Song.” And if you don’t think country is for you, this fun country-rock track might just convince you otherwise.

Honestly, this is one of the catchiest songs I’ve heard in some time. I love the way Jake’s included a little classic country banjo while adding some modern flavour with the electric guitar. This is country music for the 2020s.

I can imagine this song will go off live. You don’t need to just imagine it though, as it’ll no doubt make the set when Jake sets sail as part of The Viper Creek Band’s Sydney Harbour Cruise 2023 on November 4.

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“It Looks Better Than It Sounds” – Two Times Shy

I raved about Two Times Shy’s single “Tearing Up Inside” a couple of months ago. Now it’s found a home with the Meeanjin/Brisbane band’s debut EP. Don’t let its tounge-in-cheek name, It Looks Better Than It Sounds, fool you. These lads are playing coy, because it sounds fabulous.

Proving that there’s still life in the pop-punk genre, Two Times Shy come out swinging. Every song sounds like an instant classic. If you’re feeling a little relationship angst, tracks like the bold opener “Lonely” and “You and I” will strike a nerve. They’re all fantastic, with big guitar chords, singable choruses, and bold drums driving them along.

But for me “I’m Ready This Time” is the standout. From the opening acoustic guitar, you realise this is the song that breaks the formula. The pop-punk formula works well, don’t get me wrong, but this is the song that hints that this band offers a lot more than that. Its lyrics are truly vulnerable. It’s a real revelation. We also see their tender side with an acoustic cut of “Tearing Up Inside,” which really brings out the emotion behind this pop-punk smash.

There’s a reason these guys are on the radar of international tastemakers like idobi Radio. They’re bloody good. It Looks Better Than It Sounds is out now. Two Times Shy will launch the EP for hometown fans at Tomcat on April 14.

Images used with permission from Ruckus PR; main image credit: Gabi Rankine Creative

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

August River Band Waste No Time in Releasing Stunning New Single “Beautiful Hill”

I only just discovered August River Band and their single “Lemonade”, and already they’ve dropped another track, “Beautiful Hill.” This band moves fast! It’s another gorgeous track, with poetically sensual lyrics and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Those strings are just heaven too!

“This song explores co-dependency, as well giving ourselves grace as we get older,” the band from Meeanjin/Brisbane explained. “The character expends energy pleasing his/her partner sexually at the expense of his/her own pleasure. In this, he/she finds his/her identity and this of course being the unsustainable reality that plagues so many of us. Breaking innate codependency is a critical part of the journey for most of us as we realise our own beauty and value in the world”.

“The chorus explores the emotions approaching sexual expression as an older person dealing with your own frailty and waning passions. Reflecting on your pride as a youth and realising its emptiness. Sexual expression only reaches its peak when you are stripped of this youthful pride and this process brings so much learning.”

August River Band will officially launch “Beautiful Hill” in front of a hometown crowd at The Beaded Lady tomorrow night, March 24.

Image used with permission from Fox Hole Films

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Between Tonight & Tomorrow” – Matt Joe Gow

It’s taken more than four years for Matt Joe Gow to release the follow-up to his last acclaimed album Break, Rattle and Roll. It’s been time well-spent though, with Matt showcasing some of the most accomplished songs of his career in his latest album, Between Tonight & Tomorrow.

When you have such accomplished songs in your arsenal, they don’t need bells and whistles. Organic arrangements ensure the lyrics shine. Songs feel like they’re captured in the moment, with instrumentalists and backing vocalists joining Matt for a jam.

I already raved about the singles, “’Til My Whole Heart Bursts”, “Sweet Collapse,” and the title track, but every song here is so strong. They’re introspective, with lyrics that explore weighty subjects like our memories, the loss of loved ones, and rebirth, but the jangly guitars and Matt’s easy, reassuring voice ensure the sound never gets too heavy. I found new favourites, like the captivating opener “Shipwreck,” the poetic “Go Ahead, Celebrate,” and the poignant closer, “Closing In.” But everything here is so good. This is Americana at its finest.

I was so impressed with Break, Rattle and Roll, but Matt Joe Gow has raised the bar even higher with Between Tonight & Tomorrow. It’s a masterclass in songwriting and proof positive that when you craft quality songs, less is more.

Between Tonight & Tomorrow is out now. Matt Joe Gow is currently touring the album around the country. Catch him at one of these venues near you:

26 March 2023 – Memo Music Hall, Naarm/Melbourne (matinee album launch)
31 March 2023 – Palais-Hepburn, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Hepburn Springs (with The Dead Leaves)
2 April 2023 – Hydrant Food Hall, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Ballarat
7 April 2023 – Baroque Room, Dharug and Gundungurra Country/Katoomba (with The Dead Leaves)
8 April 2023 – Stag & Hunter, Mulubinba/Newcastle (with The Dead Leaves)
9 April 2023 – Hiway Enmore, Eora/Sydney (with The Dead Leaves)
15 April 2023 – Sandy Point Centre, Gunaikurnai Country/Sandy Point (with The Dead Leaves)
21 April 2023 – Star Hotel, Dhudhuroa/Yackandandah (with The Dead Leaves)
22 April 2023 – Mt Beauty Festival, Dhudhuroa and Yaitmathang Country/Mt Beauty (with The Dead Leaves)
25 April 2023 – Arrowtown Festival, Otago

Images used with permission from Matt Joe Gow

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Between You & Me Drop New Single “Nevermind” Ahead of U.S. and Local Shows

Aussie pop-punk outfit Between You & Me are going from strength to strength, and it’s time for the world to know it. They’ve just dropped their fantastic new single “Nevermind” and announced U.S. dates with Real Friends and Knuckle Puck. After taking America by storm for the second time (they toured the country with State Champs in the back end of 2022), they’ll be back on local soil for their own shows.

“We knew that the next song we released after Armageddon was going to be tough because we put all that we had into the album and are very proud of what we were able to create together,” explained frontman Jake Wilson. “Since our band is now independent, there felt like a lot of added pressure to prove a lot of people wrong and remind everyone that we’re still here and we aren’t dropping off anytime soon.

“As we’re growing in our career and as individuals we’ve enjoyed playing with different genres and finding our niche. ‘Nevermind’ is the next chapter for BYAM that perfectly captures the spirit of our band and our live show.”

“Nevermind” is the first single lifted from Between You & Me’s EP, which will drop in September. They’ll announce dates for their world tour, including headlining shows around Australia, really soon, so keep an eye on their socials.

14 April 2023 – Varsity Theater, Minneapolis (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
15 April 2023 – The Waiting Room, Omaha (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
16 April 2023 – Beer City Music Hall, Oklahoma City (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
18 April 2023 – Mohawk, Austin (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
19 April 2023 – Vibes, San Antonio (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
20 April 2023 – Sunshine Theater, Albuquerque (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
22 April 2023 – Nile Theater, Mesa (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
23 April 2023 – House Of Blues, San Diego (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
25 April 2023 – The Observatory, Santa Ana (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
26 April 2023 – Tioga Sequoia Brewery, Fresno (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
27 April 2023 – The Ritz, San Jose (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
28 April 2023 – The Crocodile, Seattle (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
30 April 2023 – Hawthorne Theatre, Portland (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
2 May 2023 – Soundwell, Salt Lake City (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
4 May 2023 – The Black Sheep, Colorado Springs (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
5 May 2023 – Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
6 May 2023 – The Truman, Kansas City (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
7 May 2023 – The Riff, Springfield (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
9 May 2023 – The Castle Theatre, Bloomington (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
10 May 2023 – Elevation @ The Intersection, Grand Rapids (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
11 May 2023 – Bogart’s, Cincinnati (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
18 May 2023 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide (with Slowly Slowly)
25 May 2023 – Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane (with Slowly Slowly)
26 May 2023 – Forum, Naarm/Melbourne (with Slowly Slowly)
27 May 2023 – Roundhouse, Eora/Sydney (with Slowly Slowly)
10 June 2023 – EasyLover Fest @ Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne (with Slowly Slowly)

Image used with permission from Capital Artist Group; credit: Lars Juveland

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Give Vinyl 45’s Newest Track “Top Down” a Spin

With a name like Vinyl 45, you might expect this seven-piece from Western Eora/Sydney to deliver some serious nostalgia. They deliver with their latest track “Top Down,” a song which somewhere combines the soul of yacht rock with urban edge, thanks to the rap stylings of Truboy.

“This track holds a special place in my heart as it was the first track we recorded with the band that was a reflection of my personal feelings at the time,” explained Vinyl 45’s frontman Aaron Gunawickrema. “The lyrics basically talk about that moment when everything around you gets too stressful to handle, be it money matters, study, whatever. And you just want to leave it all behind and go to the one person that will silence all those worries and voices in your head, get in a car with them and drive away, leaving everything behind.”

A true representation of the diversity of their part of the country, Vinyl 45 has members with Sri Lankan, Myanmarese, South American, Scottish, and Welsh heritage. When you get all those backgrounds together, they’re going to create music that doesn’t sound like anything else. I can’t wait to hear what’s up next from Vinyl 45. While they don’t have any headlining shows coming up, you can catch them at The Great Club in Eora/Sydney supporting Sex on Toast on April 22.

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Kushal Bhattarai

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Holly Wild Releases Relatable New Single, “Inside My Head”

If you’ve ever wrestled with negative self-talk, you’re really going to relate to Holly Wild’s latest track “Inside My Head.” It’s a gritty pop song with powerful lyrics and vocals from this Eora/Sydney singer-songwriter.

“This is a song about the negative dialogue that goes around in my head, the endless loop telling me that I’m the jack of all trades, but master of none. Chipping away at my self-confidence every day, telling me I’m not good enough,” Holly admitted

Holly’s music has already earned praise from publications in the United States and United Kingdom. It’s only a matter of time before the rest of the world discovers this local talent.

Image used with permission from KAOS

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Laurie Cave Makes a Splash With Debut Single, “Nobody Could Ever Love You”

Laurie Cave was born in the United Kingdom, but we’re pretty lucky he’s decided to call Naarm/Melbourne home. He’s just released his debut single “Nobody Could Ever Love You”, one of the catchiest rock songs I’ve heard in some time. You can hear the Sam Fender influence coming through, but there’s something about Laurie that sets him apart.

“This song is heavily inspired by ‘Seventeen Going Under’ by Sam Fender – a song that completely transfixed me”, Laurie explains. “It felt like Sam was making the music and expressing the things that I have always wanted to. In some ways, it is a homage to his song.”

He added that “This release is about doing ‘the work’ and facing up to the demons of early childhood and a ‘mis-spent youth’ of drug use and avoidance. It’s about the moment when you finally accept that you have to go to the deep and dark places to work through your trauma.”

I hear he’s got a stack of material that he’s waiting to unleash, so we can expect to hear a lot more from Laurie in the coming months.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.; credit: Casey Horsfield

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

marigolden Releases Gorgeous New Single “Mars”

Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter marigolden has gotten underneath my skin with her latest single “Mars.” It’s one of those songs that sneaks up on you, a slow burner that reveals itself to be the perfect mix of folk and indie-rock. If you’re into artists like Sharon van Etten and Middle Kids, I know you’re going to love this.

“Have you ever felt a bit fed up with humanity? Like everything around you is a bit too hard and you wish you could just scrap it all and start from scratch? That’s sort of what ‘Mars’ is about,” she explained. “The ebb and flow of this feeling is mirrored in the song’s structure. Guitar drives the song from a soft, vulnerable start to a climactic full band ending that truly encapsulates the essence of feeling overwhelmed.”

If your working week is getting to you, this song is the perfect antidote.

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Lust for Love” – Mother Culture

Leave your expectations at the door and discover Mother Culture’s sophomore EP, Lust for Love. The Naarm/Melbourne duo plays with genre to deliver a collection of songs that keep you guessing.

While most EPs set the foundation with their opening number, Mother Culture ease you in to this EP. “The Lesson I Can’t Seem to Learn” is a gentle acoustic folk ditty, which makes the big guitar chords of the next track “Fall On My Face” a real surprise. These guys know how to rock, whether it’s with this contemporary sound or the more vintage, psychedelic sounds of follow-up track “The Girl With the Doja Cat Tattoo.” Mother Culture really deliver something for everyone here. It’s all so much fun and never boring. “Dive” is classic country, with a driving acoustic guitar reminiscent of a Johnny Cash tune. “Should She Stay” is an upbeat pop-rocker with an irresistible hook you’ll find yourself humming for days. The EP closes out with the title track, a beautiful piano ballad that shows once and for all that Mother Culture are true musical chameleons.

The left turns of Lust for Love might be jarring for some listeners, but as someone with eclectic tastes I think they’re a lot of fun. With these six songs, Mother Culture prove they’re a band that refuses to be pigeonholed. Strap yourself in and enjoy the ride. Mother Culture will launch their EP at the Evelyn Hotel in Ngár-go/Fitzroy on March 25.

Images used with permission from Mother Culture