Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Finn Marks 40 Years of “Six Months in a Leaky Boat” With New Versions

It’s been 40 years since Split Enz released their classic track, “Six Months in a Leaky Boat.” Tim Finn is celebrating the milestone with two new versions, available now on streaming services.

My favourite is the magical “Ono Marama Takerehāia-Ngawiri [Chill Mix]”, a Te Reo Maori translation of the original featuring the gorgeous vocals of Hana Mereraiha. I think Te Reo Maori is one of the most gorgeous languages on the planet. If you do too, you’re going to want to listen to this one. Then there’s the Aotearoa 2022 remix, a fresh new English-language version.

“Six Months in a Leaky Boat” was once voted the fifth best New Zealand song of all time. It had already accumulated more than 9 million streams globally, including 7 million from Australia. No doubt these new releases will give those numbers a nudge.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mardi Wilson Releases Raw New Single, “Chemically Enhanced”

Mardi Wilson has absolutely floored me with her latest single “Chemically Enhanced.” It’s an emotional, honest song recounting Mardi’s recent health battles. I love the way its stripped-back treatment lets those powerful lyrics shine.

“I wrote ‘Chemically Enhanced’ when I was not in a good way with my health. I was feeling pretty disheartened about some conditions that had been ongoing for a long time. I had countless tests, I had been prescribed many medications, but nothing sustainable had helped and I was at the point where I would try anything to get them to go away. One medication I was prescribed in mid 2021, led to me having my second grand mal (tonic-clonic) seizure,” Mardi recalled.

“I was feeling so many emotions after having that seizure, I felt weak and broken, like my spark was gone, or my spirit had been worn away a bit. That’s when I wrote ‘Chemically Enhanced’, it was an accumulation of all of these emotions. I didn’t feel like myself anymore and that was the worst part, I just wanted to be the old me, I could see people were worried.

“So I wrote this song to help people understand what I was going through and to apologise for not being the same ‘me’ I usually was. I know that all I can do is my best, I keep taking things one step at a time and trying not to let my health struggles get in the way of me doing what I love. I just feel grateful for all the things I can do and when there are difficult times, I work through them, because I know that there are so many beautiful days ahead”.

Mardi has a string of upcoming shows, including a gig at Yuin Country/Wallaga Lake today. Get yourself to one of these shows if you can.

17 September 2022 – Camel Rock Brewery Bar & Grill, Yuin Country/Wallaga Lake (FREE)
18 September 2022 – Bermagui Beach Hotel, Dyirringany Country/Bermagui
25 September 2022 – Tathra Hotel, Yuin Country/Tathra
29 September 2022 – Seeking Serendipity/Bar & Kitchen Milton, Yuin Country/Milton
7 October 2022 – Kingscliff Beach Hotel, Yugambeh Country/Kingscliff (FREE)
9 October 2022 – Phoebe’s Kingscliff, Yugambeh Country/Kingscliff
4-6 November 2022 – Airlie Beach Festival of Music @ Whitsunday Sailing Club, Ngaro Country/Airlie Beach
27 November 2022 – Bucca Hotel, Gurang Country/Bucca (FREE)

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bec Sandridge Delivers With “The Jetty”

A memorable travel moment inspired Bec Sandridge’s latest pop smash “The Jetty.” Featuring the equally-fabulous Andy Bull, it’s the perfect feelgood Friday tune.

“‘The Jetty’ was written about falling off a jetty in Naoshima, Japan. My ex-partner fell in and I attempted to pull her out. Hilariously, I also fell in (passports, phone, paper-money were all completely gone),” Bec recounted. “This felt like the perfect analogy for our relationship – losing ourselves and each-other, whilst trying to salvage every last water-damaged object that we had on us. I guess, this one asks the sea-sick question: ‘is there something (or someone) else out there?’

“Initially, Andy came into the studio to play synths on the track. I was beyond honoured when he asked if he could sing on the track as well. I’ve been a big Andy Bull fan for a very long time and completely adore what he does vocally, lyrically and in particular, all of the synth sounds he uses. Dave (Jenkins Jr) had the genius idea that we make the track a Joni Mitchell-esque ‘Snakes and Ladders’ duet whereby Andy kinda drops in and out of the second verse in a non-linear kinda of way – which I love. An old collaborator, Tony Buchen also did some additional production on the track, which was a nice full-circle moment.”

“The Jetty” is the second track lifted from Bec’s forthcoming EP, Lost Dog. Having recently wrapped up an Aussie tour, she’s set to dazzle the UK and Europe this month. It’s the first time Bec has toured these regions with her full band, so the shows are bound to be pretty special. If you’re lucky enough to be there, you can see Bec in action at the following venues:

21 September 2022 – Haldern Pop Bar, Haldern
23 September 2022 – THE AUSSIE BBQ @ Reeperbahn, Hamburg
24 September 2022 – Reeperbahn Festival, Hamburg
25 September 2022 – Indiestad Festival @ Paradiso, Amsterdam
27 September 2022 – The Hope & Ruin, Brighton
28 September 2022 – Sebright, London
30 September 2022 – Hug & Pint, Glasgow

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Sam Brumby

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dyan Tai Will Lift Your Spirits With “We Can’t Forget”

Eora/Sydney singer, DJ, music producer, radio host, and all-round super talent Dyan Tai has teamed up with award-winning Guzheng artist Mindy Meng Wang 王萌 on dance-pop anthem, “We Can’t Forget.”I love the way this track incorporates the classical sounds of the Guzheng, a traditional Chinese harp, with fresh pop beats. This upbeat number is just what you need to bounce back from hardships, whether you’re facing the kind of breakup that inspired it or simply the slog of the working week.

“”We Can’t Forget” is about rejection and heartbreak and how those feelings never truly leave,” Dyan explained. “It is also about finding comfort in your tribe and the (queer) community.”

Dyan features that community in the vibrant music video. As the founder of Worship Queer Collective, Dyan helped nurture all the emerging QTPOC artists featured in the clip. What a great celebration of their artistry! Dyan has several shows coming up over the coming months. Catch them at the following events:

16 September 2022 – Rina Sawayama Official Album Launch @ The Imperial Erskineville, Eora/Erskineville (Live & DJ Set)
1 October 2022 – Coastal Twist Dance Party & Fair Day, Darkinjung Country/Central Coast
14 October 2022 – Astronaughty, Pride of Our Footscray, Naarm/Melbourne (with Dirty Versachi)
22nd October 2022 – Dynasty: Drag & Dumpling @ Festival Hub: Trades Hall – ETU Ballroom, Naarm/Carlton (Naarm/Melbourne Fringe Premiere)
24 November 2022 – Powerhouse Museum, Eora/Ultimo (EP Launch with AnSo and Salllvage)

Image credit: Chris Quyen

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Vanns Impress Again With “Making It Out Alive”

Can The Vanns ever put a foot wrong? I’ve been a little slow to listen to their latest track “Making It Out Alive,” but I am so glad I’ve taken the time to listen this morning. Perhaps it’s that new-music rush talking, but this single might just be their best yet.

“Making It Out Alive’ is one of a bunch of songs we recorded with Chris [Collins, producer] earlier this year,” The Vanns explained. “The song wasn’t finished being fully written until the night before we tracked it, which is always a fun timeframe to record in. It also features some great saxophone work by Dusty Boots, who’s so talented and an absolute legend.”

Life’s been good for The Vanns, with the band selling out their entire Red Light national tour, recently wrapping up a successful regional run, and sharing stages with The Wombats. And they’re still not done. Check them out at the following shows:

4 October 2022 – The Fortitude Music Hall, Meeanjin/Fortitude Valley (supporting The Kooks)
6 October 2022 – Festival Hall, Naarm/West Melbourne (supporting The Kooks)
29 December 2022 – Lost Paradise, Darkinjung Country/Glenworth Valley
29-31 December 2022 – Falls Festival @ Pennyroyal Plains, Burai Gurray/Birregurra
31 December 2022-2 January 2023 – Falls Festival @ North Byron Parklands, Cavanbah/Byron Bay
7-8 January 2023 – Falls Festival @ Fremantle Park, Walyalup/Fremantle

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Todd Hardingham

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Steele Syndicate Drop Exciting New Single “Weekend’s Coming”

I promise it’s just a coincidence that I’m bombarding you with weekend-inspired tracks. The latest is “Weekend’s Coming,” the awesome new single from Meeanjin/Brisbane outfit The Steele Syndicate. This song defies genre, with elements of indie rock, funk, and soul. If those cool vocals don’t get you, the horns definitely will.

“The tune is a cathartic release from the day-to-day grind, and taps into the shared human experience of hard work for something important,” explained lead singer Steele McMahon. “Even in the hardest of times, what gets us through is knowing what we’re fighting for. And the weekend is always just around the corner.”

“Weekend’s Coming” is the title track from The Steele Syndicate’s forthcoming album. The band are currently playing shows along the East Coast. Catch them at the following venues:

17 September 2022 – Under The Trees Festival, Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng and Taribelang Bunda Country/Boyne Island
23-25 September 2022 – Wallaby Creek Festival, Gimuy-walubarra Yidi/Cairns
14 October 2022 – Eleven Dive Bar, Kabi Kabi Country/Maroochydore
5 November 2022 – The Princess Theatre, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joan & The Giants Encourage You to Shake Up Your Routine With “The Weekend”

Yes it’s Wednesday, but I can’t be the only one waiting for the weekend. I can’t make the week go any faster, but I can bring you the musical version of “The Weekend,” the dreamy new single from Boorloo/Perth act Joan & The Giants. This track challenges the “living for the weekend” mentality, encouraging us to see the magic in every day.

Vocalist Grace Newton-Wordsworth was inspired to write this song early in the pandemic, when lockdowns and a shift to working from home helped us all break out of our usual routines.

“There was an excitement and a lack of responsibility that was so refreshing and turbulent. I think when we started getting back to reality and going to work and grinding to push a music career again, that pressure and ‘baggage’ came back onto my shoulders, and I really didn’t want to live purely for ‘the weekend’ or wait for a Friday night to feel some kind of relief,” she explained.

“The Weekend” comes from Joan & The Giants’ debut EP Me & You. They’ll launch it for hometown fans at the Rosemount Hotel on September 30.

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“SEND HELP” – YDE

YDE is one of those people that makes you question what you’ve been doing with your life. She was starring in the Nickelodeon series The Haunted Hathaways at nine and went on to feature in School of Rock, Malibu Rescue, and the live production of WILD: A Musical alongside absolute icon Idina Menzel. She’s currently writing songs with Justin Tranter and Teddy Geiger, she’s received cosigns from Justin Bieber and Drake, and Teen Vogue and Billboard are talking about her. Not bad for a 19-year-old born in Sydney. With the recent release of her debut EP SEND HELP, she’s sure to cement her reputation as a serious talent.

We’ve all seen those young starlets who generate plenty of buzz but seem to lack substance. Rest assured; YDE is the real deal. I flipped over recent singles “Old Her” and “People Can Change,” two tracks that showed her diversity. There are more gems on this EP though. From the clap-along upbeat pop of “Never Too Young” to the introspective ballads “Normal to Feel” and the new single “Uncomfortable,” YDE shows she’s an immense talent with plenty to say.

While it’s called EP, at nine tracks it seems more like a mini album. YDE wrote the songs and served as executive producer, ensuring she retained creative control. The result is a collection of songs that reveal so much about this young talent while leaving us wanting more. Believe the hype. YDE is a bright light on the pop scene.

Images used with permission from Warner Music Australia; main image credit: Jade DeRose

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ayla Channels “Bitterness” in New Pop Single

“Bitterness” has never sounded so good as when Ayla’s singing about it. The Kabi Kabi Country/Sunshine Coast native elevates the sweetness in the emotion with her latest alt-pop single. Don’t worry though; those lyrics have still got some bite.

“This song came out of one of the strongest heartbreaks I’d ever felt – a friendship. Writing it was a way to process the hurt I felt at the time,” Ayla explained. “Sitting with the song for around two years, I’ve been able to reflect on it as a sentiment of the darker elements I felt about the situation at the time. In a way I was embarrassed by the feelings I’d had, but I think that both listening to and writing music helps to process your thoughts and feelings – some of which you don’t want to carry around with you. You can get it out, and then let it go.”

After recently signing to Italian label Ego Records, Ayla might just be set for global domination. Watch this space!

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: She Is Aphrodite

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Montaigne and Tom Thum Join Hilltop Hoods for Latest Banger, “A Whole Day’s Night”

The quality collaborations from Hilltop Hoods just keep on coming. Fresh from their pairing with Eamon, they’ve enlisted old friends Montaigne and Tom Thum for their latest track “A Whole Day’s Night”. As you might imagine, it’s pretty brilliant.

“‘A Whole Day’s Night’ is a response to our own song, ‘What a Great Night’. It’s a reflection on how we look at the same situation 15 years later. How what we considered a celebration back in the day, could be considered a regret in the present,” they said. “The song had a real ‘1955’ feel to it, so we decided to get the line-up of Hoods, Montaigne, Tom Thum and One Above back together. And it feels like we found that same chemistry again.”

In case you missed it, Hilltop Hoods have been playing sold out shows all around the country on their first national tour in three years. There are still a few tickets for the remaining shows, but they won’t last long. You have been warned!

10 September 2022 – Rod Laver Arena, Naarm/Melbourne
17 September 2022 – RAC Arena, Boorloo/Perth
24 September 2022 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Tarndanya/Adelaide

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia