Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

SIDNEY Calls Out the “NICE GUY” With Empowering New Single

SIDNEY slams those guys who aren’t as nice as they seem in her new pop bop, “NICE GUY”. Just be warned; once you hear it once you will not be able to get this earworm out of your head. I’m not sure that’s a bad thing though!

“’NICE GUY’ was written as an attempt to take the power back after a pretty devastating rejection I went through during lockdown,” she reflected. “[NICE GUY] was definitely the ‘I’m over it, screw this guy, I deserve better’ moment. We really wanted this to be a crowd-pleasing uptempo bop, for anyone who was told they weren’t good enough, didn’t look the part or were never issued an apology for hurtful life-altering comments. This one’s for you!”

After recently travelling around the country supporting Harrison Storm, SIDNEY will play Wesley Anne in Naarm/Melbourne on September 15 supporting Charlie McCosh at her “When I Look in the Mirror” single launch.

Image used with permission from Soda Music Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Call to Unknowns” – Little Quirks

Little Quirks have been releasing songs from their new EP Call to Unknowns since 2020. The pandemic had a way of slowing things down. But you know what they say about good things coming to those who wait. It’s been a long time coming, but Call to Unknowns is so very good.

The epic folk number “The Rain” opens the EP, showcasing the kind of theatre this Darkinjung Country/Central Coast band are capable of. This family band has matured so much since they began releasing music together in 2015, and this song celebrates their evolution. However, with stripped-back tracks like the new single “All My Friends are Birds” and the enchanting closing number “Underwater,” they show us that they haven’t strayed too far from their roots.

Whether they’re making a big noise or showing us the power of quiet moments, the beautiful harmony of their voices anchors Little Quirks’ music. It’s a beautiful sound that quite simply brings joy. I’ve loved hearing the singles, but the release of Call to Unknowns lets us soak up the magic of Little Quirks for a little longer. It’s out now. Fresh from an international tour, Little Quirks will play shows around the country, and some sneaky UK dates, in the coming months. Catch them anywhere you can:

9 September 2022 – Newkulele Festival @ Newcastle City Hall, Mulubinba/Newcastle
10 September 2022 – Brisbane Festival @ Milton Park, Turrbal Country/Milton (FREE)
16 September 2022 – Hoey Moey, Gumbaynggirr Country/Coffs Harbour
17 September 2022 – NightQuarter, Kabi Kabi Country/Sunshine Coast
18 September 2022 – Miami Marketta, Kombumerri Country/Gold Coast
23 September 2022 – Mojos, Walyalup/Fremantle
24 September 2022 – Good Day Sunshine Festival @ Barnard Park, Undalup/Busselton
3 October 2022 – The Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes (with Bull)
8 October 2022 – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh
17 October 2022 – Prince Albert, Brighton
12 November 2022 – The Factory Theatre, Eora/Sydney
18 November 2022 – Live at the Bundy, Wayput/Sale
19 November 2022 – Shotkickers, Naarm/Melbourne
19 November 2022 – Hinterland Music Festival @ Red Hill Recreation Reserve, Boonwurrung Country/Red Hill
27 November 2022 – Queenscliff Music Festival @ Princess Park, Wadawurrung Country/Queenscliff
20 January 2023 – Drifter’s Wharf, Darkinjung Country/Gosford
4 March 2023 – Nannup Festival, Wardandi and Bibbulmun Country/Nannup

Images used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alana Jagt Celebrates Hometown With “Stars of Napperby”

She lives in Tarndanya/Adelaide, but listening to Alana Jagt’s latest single you’d be forgiven for thinking she grew up around saloons in America’s south. There’s a cool, smoky quality to “Stars of Napperby” that perfectly showcases Alana’s raspy vocals. I don’t care what time it is; grab yourself a neat whisky to sip on while you savour this one.

“Napperby is where I grew up, a small village on the edge of Wangyarra (Mount Remarkable) National Park in South Australia’s mid-north,” Alan explained. “There’s not much there, no shops and almost no light pollution at all. So the stars are spectacular. The song is a reflection of my time there, in awe of the sky and the ranges and the beautiful Napperby Gorge, and my feelings looking back at it all.”

If “Stars of Napperby” is any indication, Alana’s debut LP Goodbye Grote Bollen will be epic. You can preorder a limited edition 12” vinyl copy now before it drops on October 7. Soon after she’ll bring the album’s songs to the people of Victoria and South Australia. Catch her if you can!

12 October 2022 – Ararat Live, Djabwurrung Country/Ararat
13 October 2022 – Shotkickers, Naarm/Melbourne
14 October 2022 – Golden Vine Hotel, Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country/Bendigo
15 October 2022 – Macedon Railway Hotel, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country/Macedon
30 October 2022 – Folkloria Festival, Myallina Dooronga/McLaren Vale
18 November 2022 – Three Brothers Arms, Kangowirranilla/Macclesfield
25 November 2022 – Grace Emily Hotel, Tarndanya/Adelaide (album launch)

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Geniie Boy’s New Track Bound to Make You Feel “Better”

The weekend’s far too far away, but Geniie Boy are here to put a spring in your step with their feel-good new pop single “Better”. If Alisha Todd’s summery vocals and that slick drum motif don’t make you smile, nothing will.

“The old saying – ‘if you love something, you’ve gotta let it go’ is almost the entire moral of this story, and that perhaps if we ‘let go of our hold’ on things, we can see the bigger picture more clearly,” Alisha explained of the song’s inspiration.

I also adore the film clip, which seems inspired by quirky cult flick Frank. Surely three giant paper mache-headed musicians are better than one!

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Siobhan Cotchin Does Country-Rock Right With “Fill My Cup”

I fell in love with Siobhan Cotchin’s brand of country-rock when I heard “Growing Pains” a couple of months ago. Now I’m even more enamoured with the release of the follow-up single “Fill My Cup.” If you ever thought music with a country bent wasn’t for you, this track might just change your mind.

“‘Fill My Cup’ is a song about being exhausted from life and wanting to know if there’s anything more than what we already have right now. It’s about my fear of not reaching my potential and trying to understand my place in the world,” Siobhan explained. “I have written a lot of songs about this existential dread that I think everyone feels and it really helps me cope with those thoughts. I’ve also always wanted to write a drinking song that goes a little deeper and more introspective, but is also fun and anthemic. This song is for anyone who feels a little lost and is struggling to find meaning in these insane times. It has been a crazy few years and I want people to know that they’re not alone.”

Siobhan is currently at BIGSOUND but she’ll be back in her home state of Western Australia soon enough Catch her anywhere you can!

6-8 September 2022 – BIGSOUND, Meeanjin/Brisbane
9 September 2022 – Green Door Wines, Dardanup/Henty (with Didirri)
10 September 2022 – Mojo’s Bar, Walyalup/Fremantle (single launch)
15 September 2022 – Rechabite Hall, Boorloo/Perth (with Bob Evans)
24 September 2022 – Good Day Sunshine Festival, Undalup/Busselton
28 September 2022 – Astor Theater, Boorloo/Perth (with The Whitlams)
29 September 2022 – Astor Theater, Boorloo/Perth (with The Whitlams)

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Duncan Wright

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out to Pacific Avenue’s New Track, “Leaving for London”

A song about the one that got away has never sounded as much fun as “Leaving for London”, the latest single from Pacific Avenue. Rather than mourning her loss, Pacific Avenue celebrates her freedom in this feel-good pop-rock track.

“‘Leaving For London’ is about loving and wanting to be with someone, but at the same time ensuring you’re doing what’s best for them, and understanding what makes them happiest, even if that means not being able to be with them. It’s about doing your best at supporting who you love, to become who they want to be.”

Pacific Avenue are busy bees, recently supporting Louis Tomlinson and currently on the road with Crooked Colours. They’ll also play Festival of the Sun later this year. Catch them at the following venues!

9 September 2022 – Margaret Court Arena, Naarm/Melbourne (with Crooked Colours)
10 September 2022 – Hordern Pavilion, Eora/Sydney (with Crooked Colours)
9 December 2022 – Festival of the Sun, Birpai/Port Macquarie
10 December 2022 – Festival of the Sun, Birpai/Port Macquarie

Image used with permission from Good Intent; credit: Charlie Hardy

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Feel the “Pain” With Mt. Nadir

We’ve all heard of musicians writing and recording songs online, but meeting and forming a band over the internet is a little rarer. However, that’s exactly how Queensland band Mt. Nadir got together. After listening to their debut single “Pain,” I reckon it’s going pretty well for them.

This track is a sucker punch of emotion. The vocals from frontperson Frankie Rosbrook are the perfect vehicle for those angsty lyrics.

“”Pain” is the break-up feeling, the dark and empty, the absence of a future that stays in your body a bit too long. Heaviest in quieter moments, it’s the deeply irrational, the ‘you & nobody’ could possibly understand the things I feel,” Frankie explained. “All though it may seem gloom, it also serves as a reminder that just as fast as these times can come on; just as fast they will pass. In a way, it provides an anthem for the common doubt and knowing that the darkness is a natural aspect of the human existence.”

Mt. Nadir recently launched the single in Meeanjin/Brisbane. Hopefully it’s not too long before they bring their show to the rest of the country. We’re ready!

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kyle Lionhart Releases Powerful Single “Lighthouse”

Singer-songwriter Kyle Lionhart will have you reaching for the tissues with his moving new single “Lighthouse”, a heartfelt song penned in the face of tragedy.

“I wrote “Lighthouse” with one of my best friends Paul Ruske, we wrote it as somewhat of an ode to our children. Paul lost his seven-year-old son to a brain tumour in 2017 and expressed to me once that one of the hardest parts of his son’s illness was not being able to protect him from it. This broke me; as a father I think one of our highest primitive callings is to protect & provide, the thought that this could be taken away from me, the thought that there were going to be a lot my boys will have to endure on their own and I won’t be able to guide and protect them from scares me more than almost anything in this life,” he explained. “This is where the song was born; in that emotion, in that fear of the unknown, in the realisation that much of life is out of our control. With this song we both wanted to express to our children that no matter what happens in this life, our love for them will travel further than just this physical realm.”

This song has totally broken me. It’s heartbreaking but so beautiful, a powerful message to special people left here and a reminder of those who aren’t. Listening to it on Father’s Day just gives it that extra bit of gravitas. If you’re lucky enough to have your dad still here, or you’re a dad with your own kids, perhaps it’ll inspire you to hug your loved ones a bit closer today.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Danika Drops Stunning New Single, “Coolshit Bullshit”

Naarm/Melbourne singer-songwriter Danika perfectly balances the dark with the light in her latest single, “Coolshit Bullshit.” If you’ve ever felt small around the people who are supposed to lift you up, this one’s for you.

“It’s kinda like a helium balloon floating away on its lonesome, this song is a little bit sad, and lonely, but with a really fun soundtrack,” Danika explained. “It’s about finally recognising and expressing your needs, and eventually leaving a situation that made you feel small and undervalued. Leaving the things you know can be very sad and lonely, even if it’s better for you, it’s far from easy.”

Danika kicks off her East Coast tour in Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Ballarat tonight. Catch her at the following venues.

2 September 2022 – Volta, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Ballarat (with SNAFU and Sid ONeil)
9-11 September 2022 – Wonder Mountain Festival @ Tanswells Hotel, Baarmutha/Beechworth (with Andras, Mildlife, Claps, Glass Beams, Emma Volard and more)
15 September 2022 – Church 5, Gumbaynggirr Country/Bellingen
17 September 2022 – Bar Oppil, Eora/Sydney (with CINTA T)
18 September 2022 – Franks Wild Years, Dharawal Country/Thirroul (with Dow World + Surprise Guest)
23 September 2022 – Red Hill Hotel, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Chewton (with Sid ONeil)
24 September 2022 – Tanswell Hotel, Baarmutha/Beechworth (with Sid ONeil)
25 September 2022 – The Wandi Pub, Wandiligong (FREE with Sid ONeil)
30 September 2022 – Barwon Club, Djilang/Geelong (with Final Final)
1 October 2022 – Railway Hotel, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country/Macedon (with Ella Thompson)
7 October 2022 – Shotkickers, Naarm/Melbourne (with Tomgirl and Sid ONeil)

Image used with permission from This Much Talent; credit: Bridgette Winten

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Heartquakes” – Darcy Lane

When I heard Darcy Lane’s singles “Spines” and “Bored”, I couldn’t wait to hear more. Today my patience is rewarded with the release of Darcy’s incredible debut EP, Heartquakes.

If you’re already familiar with Darcy’s music, this EP is every bit as angsty, relatable, and catchy as you’d hope for. If you’re yet to discover her songs, this four-track release is a fantastic introduction. “Bad Together” kicks things off, an irresistible indie-pop track with dark lyrics of dysfunctional love that counterbalance the boppy beat. Lyrics like “Maybe love’s supposed to feel like you’re choking” are so powerful. “Bored” has lost none of its potency with time. Listening to it in the context of this EP reminds me just how incredible it is. “Harmless” is revealing and raw, with Darcy unafraid to share her deepest self. The electro beats give it a fun, fresh feel, but again its those lyrics that make the deepest impression. “Spines” rounds out the EP, bringing our journey through Darcy’s heart and mind over all too quickly.

Selfishly, I wish Heartquakes for longer. But by delivering just four tracks, Darcy keeps us wanting more. Like those three-minute pop songs or a delicious petit four, Darcy ensures what she presents here is incredibly strong. It’s short and bittersweet, but remember that you can always press play again.

Images used with permission from Good Intent