Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ella Therese Shows Age is Just a Number With “THIRTYFOUR”

Ella Therese proves she’s a real force with her latest indie pop-rock single “THIRTYFOUR.” Written as Ella approached her 34th birthday, it challenges the idea that you’re ever too old to make your dreams come true.

“It’s never too late. Never too late to do exactly what sets your soul on fire,” she enthused. “Age doesn’t dictate what happens next. I’ve just turned thirty-four years old and I used to be worried about starting music later in life, but I’ve learnt to embrace my unique perspective on the world. ‘THIRTYFOUR’ is about feeling empowered, limitless and perfectly happy with your age, and embracing the distinct qualities you have to offer the world. I expect more from the world, more from myself, and I’m celebrating that quality in ‘THIRTYFOUR’. I’m not going to settle for anything less than absolutely everything I could possibly aim for.”

Too right! No matter how old you are, I know you’re going to take something from this song. Ella launches it tomorrow night, October 9, at Kidogo Arthouse in Walyalup/Fremantle.

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Me & You” – Joan & The Giants

After waxing lyrical about Joan & The Giants’ singles “The Weekend” and “Home Song,” I wasn’t sure what I’d have to say about the band’s debut EP Me & You. That’s two of the five songs after all. But now this beautiful EP is out in the world, I knew I had to find the words and put this band back on your radar.

Listening to “The Weekend” opening the EP reminded me just how much I love what this band does. If you somehow missed the single on its release, I know it’s going to hook you in. “Slow Motion” is a slow burner, in the best possible way, a gentle love song that captures the headiness of finding someone you spark with so beautifully. “Hardest Part” is a beautiful piano ballad. Its minimalist instrumentation ensures you focus in on the powerful lyrics and Grace Newton-Wordsworth’s stunning voice. “Home Song” brings us back to the familiar before the EP ends with “Centerfold.” We’ve all heard so many love songs that avoid using specifics to ensure they relate to the reader. I love that Joan & The Giants get specific, with references to Tim Burton characters and swimming lessons. The details bring the love story of Grace and her bandmate Aaron Birch to life in technicolour. It’s such a beautiful way to end this special EP.

The beauty of an EP is that it lets you sit in the band’s music for a little longer than a single. The singles felt all too fleeting, like a cool breeze on a summer’s day that hit you for a moment before moving on. The EP wraps you up in a warm hug, staying with you for as long as you need the comfort. And if that’s not quite long enough, you can always press play.

Images used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Blake Cateris Embraces Softer Side With “Days, Weeks, Months & Years”

His tattoos ensure he still looks like a punk star, but Blake Cateris is singing a different tune these days. As the frontman of Molly & The Krells he shared the stage with big-name acts including Bodyjar, The Getaway Plan, and Hard-Ons, but like so many rockers, Blake has mellowed considerably in recent years. His introspective latest single “Days, Weeks, Months & Years” showcases his talents as a folk artist.

“This song is about living out of balance with yourself. Watching the world go by feeling like you might be losing touch with far more important things in life than what you’re focusing on right now,” Blake explained. “It’s a daily struggle to break old and unhealthy habits that no longer serve you or have been damaging you for some time. But the struggle is what we live for.”

Blake will tour the east coast of Australia to celebrate the single’s release. You’ll find him at the following intimate venues:

7 October 2022 – Nosferatu Distillery, Meeanjin/Brisbane
8 October 2022 – Mort’s Brewing Co., Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country/Nambour
9 October 2022 – Yard Doggs, Meeanjin/Fortitude Valley
15 October 2022 – Last Chance Rock N’ Roll Bar, Naarm/Melbourne
28 October 2022 – Link & Pin, Darkinjung Country/Woy Woy
3 November 2022 – Sappho Bar, Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission from Rise Indie; credit: Dario Hardaker

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Get Better” – Old Mervs

If The Wombats and The Vanns had a baby, they might sound a little something like Old Mervs. Coming out of Western Australia, Dave House & Henry Carrington-Jones are leading the surf-rock renaissance with a sound that’s much bigger and more addictive than any duo has the right to create. With the release of their debut EP Get Better today, it’s time for the nation to realise just how good these guys are.

I’ve spent a solid week just listening to this EP and I still can’t get enough. These songs are so good, with self-reflective lyrics fuelled by the lads finishing high school and figuring our what comes next coupled with a big rock sound that goes down easy. They’re accessible and irresistibly catchy, hooking you from the opening drum notes of “Where I Go”. I found myself singing along with the choruses from the get go, and when the final guitar chords of the slow-burning closer “How I Met Your Mother” faded away I couldn’t wait to press play again. All these songs were new to me, but before long they felt like old friends. It feels mean to single any out because they’re all new favourites. And besides, this music is better felt and experienced than analysed. Just turn it on and turn that volume up.

Get Better is out now. Do yourself a favour and get around it, because it’s stellar.

Images used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nick Weaver’s Loved Ones Share Last Solo Singles Ahead of Posthumous Album Release

Nick Weaver, formerly of Deep Sea Arcade and the Tambourine Girls, tragically passed away last April from a rare, metastatic bowel cancer at just 37. His family and close friends rallied together, vowing to complete Nick’s solo album. The release of the double A-side single “Cold Chills/Won’t Let Go” gives us our first listen. The upbeat indie pop “Cold Chills” is a great contrast to the more sombre, introspective “Won’t Let Go.” I love that in these final recordings, we’re hearing so much of what Nick could do.

“Nick’s creativity never ceased to astonish me,” said his mother, Helen Wellings. “This solo album is heart-wrenchingly beautiful, songs that stay fixed in your head. It’s as if Nick’s soul has come to the surface in these compositions about true love, sincerity, beauty, loss, deception and narcissism, revealing his breadth and brilliance. Nick has left us, but his music will live on in our hearts.”

Nick’s posthumously released solo album Won’t Let Go drops on October 20.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Higher Places Releases Dreamy New Single “Still Half in Love”

Hamish Patrick is used to being a session muso, playing with the likes of Japanese Wallpaper, Gretta Ray, Yorke, and Allday. Now he’s making his own voice heard with his solo project Higher Places. He’s just dropped a new single “Still Half in Love” and I’m pretty smitten.

There’s a beautiful nostalgia about this track and its blend of electronic, pop, and rock influences. It perfectly captures the love that often lingers between two people in the aftermath of a relationship breakdown.

“During the early stages of COVID lockdowns, my long-term ex-partner and I separated on good terms. I found the period immediately afterwards really hard – we talked every day and were as close as ever, but our relationship had obviously fundamentally changed,” Hamish recalled. “I wrote this when trying to process all of this – it’s about knowing that some of your feelings are still there, but that it can’t be the way it was, as much as part of you might still want that.”

After discovering this song, I can’t wait to hear more from Higher Places.

Image used with permission from StarCrossed PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Press Club Drop Another Stellar Single, “I Can Change” Ahead of Album Release

I was already pretty psyched about the release of Press Club’s new album in a couple of weeks, but the release of the band’s latest single “I Can Change” has me even more pumped.

“‘I Can Change’ is about constantly being on the road, and needing to slow down/stay still because of the challenges it brings, emotionally and physically – fighting that feeling and wishing you could change cause it all you ever dreamt about. Then BAM, Covid comes along, smacks you in the face and takes it all away from you! And obviously you’ll never take it for granted again, if you ever get it back cause it’s everything you ever wanted,” explained lead singer Nat.

“I Can Change” is the latest track lifted from Press Club’s new album Endless Motion, which drops on October 14. The album came about through the downtime forced on them during the pandemic, but they’re making up for lost time. Press Club will tour this album around the country before heading to the UK and Europe. Here are all the dates you need!

13 October 2022 – The Cambridge, Awabakal Land/Newcastle
14 October 2022 – UOW, Dharawal Land/Wollongong
15 October 2022 – Crowbar, Gadigal Land/Sydney
16 October 2022 – The Zoo, Turrbal Land/Brisbane
17 October 2022 – Brunswick Ballroom, Wurundjeri Land/Melbourne
18 October 2022 – Singing Bird, Bunurong Land/Frankston (All Ages)
28 October 2022 – Kasbah Club, Limerick
29 October 2022 – Whelans Upstairs, Dublin
31 October 2022 – Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds
1 November 2022 – Stereo, Glasgow
3 November 2022 – The Flapper, Birmingham
4 November 2022 – Deaf Institute, Manchester
5 November 2022 – OSLO, London
6 November 2022 – The Exchange, Bristol
8 November 2022 – 1999, Paris
9 November 2022 – Trix, Antwerp
10 November 2022 – Paradiso, Amsterdam
11 November 2022 – Vera, Groningen
14 November 2022 – Cassiopeia, Berlin
15 November 2022 – Chapeau Rouge, Prague
16 November 2022 – Chelsea, Vienna
18 November 2022 – Bogen F, Zurich
19 November 2022 – Strom, Munich
20 November 2022 – MTC, Cologne

Image used with permission from Little Gian Agency; credit: Nick Manuell

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vera Blue Releases Enchanting New Single “Mermaid Avenue”

Vera Blue never seems to put a foot wrong, and her latest single “Mermaid Avenue” is no exception. With relatable bittersweet lyrics and the perfect blend of ethereal vocals and electronic sounds, it’s enough to get me pretty excited about her forthcoming album.

“Mermaid Avenue is a song about a love that didn’t work out. The bitter-sweet emotions that come with all the fond memories of the relationship but the heartbreak of a dream that will never happen,” she recalled. “Mermaid Avenue is a beautiful street in South Coogee in Sydney with enormous beach houses overlooking the ocean. I find myself there on walks at sunset admiring the architecture and views. I feel that Mermaid Avenue can also be a metaphor for a place where everything is perfect, full of adventure and love. Or a dream you create of the future, a beautiful life with someone.”

“Mermaid Avenue” is the latest cut lifted from Vera’s sophomore album Mercurial, slated for release on October 28. She’ll tour the country in November to support its release and play a few festivals in the coming months. Here are all the dates you need:

1 October 2022 – Unwind The Vines Festival, Wodi Wodi Country/Gerringong
15 October 2022 – Stonefest 2022, Ngunnawal Country/Canberra
3 November 2022 – Miami Marketta, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
4 November 2022 – Fortitude Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane
5 November 2022 – Civic Theatre, Mulubinba/Newcastle
11 November 2022 – Costa Hall, Djilang/Geelong
12 November 2022 – Forum Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne
30 November 2022 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Tarntanya/Adelaide (supporting Flume)
2 December 2022 – Regatta Grounds, Nipaluna/Hobart (supporting Flume)
8 December 2022 – Ice Cream Factory, Boorloo/Perth
17 December 2022 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Newtown
28 December 2022 – 1 January 2023 – Beyond The Valley Festival, Djab wurrung Country/Barunah Plains

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Global Travels Inspire TANGELO’s Rocking New Single “You still live in Turin”

If the pandemic’s taught us nothing else, it’s that a lot can happen in three years. That’s how long Meeanjin/Brisbane-based artist Tyler Jones spent locked outside Australia. With pandemic borders in place and strict measures in his homeland of Mexico, Tyler set off with nothing but a beaten laptop, a cheap microphone, and his guitar. The songs he wrote and recorded while travelling where he could became his new bilingual solo project TANGELO. If you love grungy, angsty ‘90s indie rock, TANGELO’s new single “You still live in Turin” will be right up your alley.

“You still live in Turin” comes from TANGELO’s forthcoming EP Postales, named after the Spanish word for postcards. Every song was written in a different country and acts as a bit of a postcard back to TANGELO’s adopted home in Australia. “You still live in Turin” was written on an acoustic guitar in an ex-girlfriend’s house in Turin, Italy, recorded in Leon, Mexico, and released from Meeanjin/Brisbane. Talk about a global sound. I don’t know about you, but I’m keen to hear more.

Image used with permission from TANGELO

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kav Temperley Releases Powerful New Single “Last of the Wine”

If you needed further proof that Kav Temperley is one of the best songwriters this country has ever produced, wrap your ears around “Last of the Wine”. This is a straight-up pop-rock banger, the sort of song that deserves to be all over radio. While the catchy melody hooks you in instantly, it’s the lyrics that will stay with me. Tap into them and you’ll discover this song’s true power.

“’Last Of The Wine’ is about drinking and domestic violence and how the two often meet in the middle,” Kav explained. “I imagined a love story where someone is locked in a room dreaming about someone somewhere else while dealing with a complex love-hate relationship that they can’t escape from, jumping at shadows and flinching every time they lean in for a kiss. At night they stare out at the moon with a glass of wine in their hand and imagine the same moon shining its light down on the one they love and just for a moment they feel alright.”

“Last of the Wine” is the latest track lifted from Kav’s forthcoming solo album Machines of Love and Grace. He set the bar so high with his first solo effort All Your Devotion, so I’m pretty psyched to hear this one when it drops on October 19. If you missed him on his recent regional tour or want another serve, it won’t be too long before Kav’s back on the road. Expect to hear about capital city and regional shows slated for early next year really soon.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Jarrad Levy