Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darcy Lane Celebrates Single Status With “2022 Without You”

For many of us, 2022 has been a year of celebration. With lockdowns seemingly behind us, the world opening up, and the live music scene getting back to some kind of normal, we’ve all had some highlights. For Eora/Sydney Darcy Lane, her single status has been reason alone to embrace this year. “2022 Without You” is an upbeat ode to saying goodbye to relationships that don’t serve you and embracing life unencumbered.

“‘2022 Without You’ is ultimately a celebration of being single in 2022. I started writing it in January and have been adding to it throughout the year,” Darcy explained. “Initially inspired by the aftermath of a breakup, this song is about embracing the changes that life throws at you, moving on, and caring less. In a world where we receive constant reminders of our ex’s existence, it can be hard to ignore what they are doing and who they are doing it with. However, this song is a reminder to me, and hopefully some other people, that it actually does not matter what they are doing as long as you are living your best life.”

As we start gearing up to bid 2022 farewell, this fun track is a great reminder of the year that was. Hopefully we’ll hear a lot more from Darcy Lane as we kick off 2023.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bella Deer Blossoms With Debut Solo Single “Bloom”

Bella Deer is one of those rare artists who sounds like a seasoned pro straight out of the gate. “Bloom” is her debut single, but you wouldn’t know it by listening to it. Her vocals are powerful and confident, and the song’s lyrics are outstanding. I’m going to be humming that melody for the rest of the day too.

Bella isn’t quite a novice though. She’s shared stages with Husky Gawenda, Thando, and Emma Donovan and The Putbacks. However, this is her first time stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist. Listening to “Bloom”, I’d say it’s about time.

“This song is about struggling with self-confidence and mustering the courage to simply be yourself and accepting who you are and what you stand for,” Bella explained. “When you start to do this, you find that you’re accepted despite those fears. It also explores the frustrations with the lack of meaningful human connections in our society in a tech-obsessed world.”

Bella will play Door Gallery Café in Wathaurong/Fyansford on November 19.

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Lucinda Goodwin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Fearless” – Is MAN KIND

Most of the time the music that is polished within an inch of its life. In some cases, it might be too polished. I can be refreshing to hear something that’s a little rawer and less refined. I think that’s one of the reasons I’m really enjoying Fearless, the debut EP from Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast outfit Is MAN KIND.

I must admit, it took me a couple of songs to get on board. But by the time the nostalgic “1984” kicked in, I was a fan. This is really music of a different time, old school rock that doesn’t need the bells and whistles. I can’t imagine many bands recording a track like “Super Sexy Satisfaction,” which is every bit as wild as it sounds, but it’s delivered with so much swagger that you can’t help but like it. Closing number “The Impossible Dream” is a big gospel-rock ballad that’s just so much fun.

Listening to these songs, you get the sense that Is MAN KIND are just a few blokes who make music because they enjoy it. They’d probably be more at home at your local pub than an arena, but there’s a real honest charm about that. If I ever saw them in my local, I’d definitely buy them a beer or two. Leave your expectations at the door and I think Fearless might just win you over too. As you might imagine, is MAN KIND have some gigs coming up. Get yourself along to one of the following shows, because I’m sure it’ll be a good time.

27 November 2022 – Last Night on Earth, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast (Free album launch)
11 December 2022 – Hotel Brunswick, Durring/Brunswick Heads
17 December 2022 – Xmas Cheers ‘n’ Beers @ Madocke Beer Brewing Company, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
5 February 2023 – Hotel Brunswick, Durring/Brunswick Heads

Images used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jelly Oshen Releases Your Summer Soundtrack, “Good Days”

It’s starting to feel like summer is approaching. The days are longer, the warm weather seems like it’s sticking around, and I’m enjoying sticking my toes in the ocean and having weekend brunches at outdoor cafes. If you’re celebrating an early summer too, you’re going to love Jelly Oshen’s new track “Good Days.” This one is all about the good vibes, with a cool reggae-tinged R&B groove that I know you’re going to love. Jelly was inspired to write this after watching the last episode of The Office.


“There was a quote from the character I hated the most which said, ‘I wish there was a way to tell that you are in the good ole days, before you’ve actually left them…someone should make a song about that quote’, so I made a song about it. But in general, it’s about enjoying the moments before they pass,” he explained. “I used the usual process of thinking about the topic and emotions, creating the music to set the mood/tone and then write the lyrics as I go along. The difference in this song is that I didn’t line it with any lesson to learn besides that life can just be sad and hard and confusing and that’s just how it is sometimes, which in itself is still an important lesson I guess”.

Jelly will play Rolling Hills at Eatons Hill Hotel in Meeanjin/Brisbane on November 19 and Reggaetown Festival in Ngunbay/Kuranda on November 20.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Seb Szabo Releases Fantastic New Track, “Leading on You (Wrecking Ball)”

Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Seb Szabo has just dropped his funky new single “Leading on You (Wrecking Ball)”. If you know Seb’s material, I think this one might surprise you. It’s a world away from his folky singles, but I absolutely love its bold attitude.

“The song has had a long journey, but it’s evolved into something super polished without losing any of the teeth or groove it’s had since its raw beginning,” said Seb.

Seb is currently on the road supporting this single’s release. You can still catch him at one of the following venues:

12 November 2022 – O’Skulligan’s, Meeanjin/Brisbane
25-27 November 2022 – Queenscliff Music Festival, Wadawurrung Country/Queenscliff
3 December 2022 – The Toff In Town, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from Habit Music; credit: Lucinda Goodwin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Evergreener Rock Out With “Sinking”

If your Friday is feeling more like a Monday, I’ve got you covered with “Sinking,” the latest track from Evergreener. This is an absolute belter of a track, with bold drums, big angsty guitar riffs, and stellar rock vocals. Crank up that volume and just see if you can resist pumping your fists in the air.

“The song ‘Sinking’ takes a darker approach than the previous single ‘Deciduous’ as it describes the feeling of being trapped in a place where you’re living your life through someone else, unable to control your actions and thoughts while feeling paralysed in your own body,” the band explained.

If you love this, Evergreener won’t leave you waiting too long for more new material. Their debut EP After Thoughts drops on November 18.

Image used with permission from Ruckus PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lemaire Drops Lockdown Anthem, “Postcode”

The pandemic lockdowns might be behind us, but they continue to influence some fantastic music. Lemaire penned his latest single “Postcode” in the middle of those lockdowns, and it perfectly expresses the angst and tension associated with that time.

“It was crazy how quickly a difference of opinion could destroy a relationship that was built over years and years,” he admitted. “I watched friends of mine be completely disowned by their family on multiple occasions, just because of their stance on the vaccine.”

This song has evolved from a demo in Lemaire’s home studio to an absolute banger expertly produced by Meeanjin’s/Brisbane’s Aidan Hogg. It leans a little away from the classic hip-hop we’re used to from Lemaire, but it’s still super catchy. I love that we’re starting to see the full depth of his artistry.

If you love what you hear, make sure you keep an eye on his socials. He’s got plenty of new releases and shows planned for the new year, and you’ll hear about them there first.

Image used with permission from Lemaire

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

LOSER Drops First Taste of New EP, “Heaven Can Wait”

Before you hit play on LOSER’s new single “Heaven Can Wait,” hit that volume. Crank it. Trust me. This is one of those killer rock cuts that deserves to be played loud.

“This song was written back in 2019 and was intended to make it on our first album Mindless Joy. It felt like too much of a leap forward for the sound at the time but now it’s making its debut finally!” enthused the band’s frontman Tim Maxwell. “The song’s lyrics portray my feelings towards the fear of death and anxiety, back then I was an anxious wreck and always thought of the worst-case scenario in my head.”

“Heaven Can Wait” is the first track lifted from LOSER’s EP Stadium Dreams on a Bedroom Budget. Rather than dropping it all at once, LOSER is releasing each song individually right through until May 19 next year.

“The whole idea with this EP was to switch up how we’ve released music in the past,” the band explained. “We’ve always been a traditional album band, but this new EP felt like a fresh direction for us musically, so we thought it could be fun to try something a little different in the way we presented it. It’s not a collection of singles, it’s more like a Netflix TV series, where the entire body of work is designed to flow as a whole, but is presented piece by piece.”

Give LOSER follow on Spotify to make sure you don’t miss one! In addition to the songs, LOSER will also drop limited edition merc, exclusive live performance vids, and a special Golden Backstage Pass. Just like Willy Wonka’s golden tickets, this pass will be randomly inserted into one lucky merch buyer’s parcel. The lucky winner will get free tickets to any show LOSER headlines for life. Unless you’ve got the golden ticket, you’ll need to click the links to get tickets for the following shows:

12 November 2022 – Unibar, Tarntanya/Adelaide
17 November 2022 – Crowbar, Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Ian Laidlaw

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harry Cleverdon Drops Genre-Defying Single, “Counting Sheep”

I never thought I’d be rocking out to a “synth-driven country single”, but here we are. Perhaps it’s because I’ve never really seen Harry Cleverdon as a country artist, no matter what his press releases say. I heard more pop and folk in his last single “Just For a Little While.” With his follow-up “Counting Sheep,” the big anthemic pop-rock vibe is a little more apparent. Whatever you call it, the music is pretty fantastic.

“Counting Sheep is a reflection on the depersonalising effect life can have,” Harry explained. “Losing sleep over build-ups of negativity or even a realisation of a harsh reality can have an interesting effect on our psyche. I wanted to create a piece that sounded happy and fun while talking of sadness and/or depression, of one not feeling like themselves. This juxtaposition would align with that feeling of being overwhelmed with everyday life and needing an escape, all whilst keeping a façade up for people you care for.”

Harry is writing really high-quality music that transcends genre, in my opinion. He might come from the country, but he doesn’t let that define his music. It’s such an exciting blend of influences, and I can’t wait to hear what comes next.

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ella Hooper Releases Fantastic New Single “Words Like These”

Ella Hooper has taken plenty of musical twists and turns through her career. I love that she keeps us guessing, but I kind of hope she stays in her current space for a little while. The country-rock vibes of her latest track “Words Like These” is right up my alley.

‘“Words Like These’ celebrates but also pokes fun at my lifelong obsession with language, poetry and communication, the world of words,” Ella admits. “A high-level communicator by day, sometimes in love and woo-ing is where the writer gets stuck, mixed messages, misunderstandings, promises are made and broken!”

“Words Like These” is the latest track lifted from Ella’s forthcoming album Small Town Template, which will be released on January 20. She’s currently playing songs from that record and some old favourites at shows all over the country. Here are the remaining dates:

11 November 2022 – Trinity Sessions, Tarntanya/Adelaide
12 November 2022 – Trinity Sessions, Tarntanya/Adelaide
17 November 2022 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
18 November 2022 – The Zoo, Meeanjin/Brisbane
19 November 2022 – Miami Marketta, Ngarangwal/Gold Coast
20 November 2022 – Brunswick Picture House, Durring/Brunswick Heads
25 November 2022 – Marys Underground, Eora/Sydney
26 November 2022 – Centro, Woolyungah/Wollongong

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute