Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cinnamon Sun Drop Summery New Single, “Desires”

Mix some chilled reggae with EDM-style production and sexy lyrics and you’ve got “Desires,” the sultry new single from Far North Queensland act Cinnamon Sun.

The combination of classical guitar, a four-to-the-floor beat, and lush harmonies has no right to work this well, but somehow it all does. It’s also a pretty audacious move to release such a summery sounding song in the middle of winter, but here we are!

Cinnamon Sun will launch Desires tomorrow night, August 20, at Elixir Music Bar in Gimuy-walubarra Yidi/Cairns.

Image used with permission from Cinnamon Sun

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“I’M FUN!” – Ben Lee

The release of I’M FUN! comes nearly 30 years after Ben Lee hit the music scene with his punk-rock act Noise Addict. Those of us old enough to be there have watched him grow up in front of our eyes, evolving as an artist and a human. In his 14th solo release, Ben celebrates his status as an adult, husband, and father as only he can. His sound has mellowed along with the themes, taking cues from folk and Americana. However, as Ben shows, there’s nothing wrong with slowing down.

Ben’s never going to be the sort of artist who gets boring in his old age though. He might be happily coupled up, but with “My Adventure” he reminds us that union isn’t about “settling down.” He revels in his unconventional growth in “Crooked Tree” and reflects on how far he’s come in “Arsehole.” “Parents Get High” and “The Good Stuff” also see Ben reminiscing about the past. As someone who refuses to pigeonhole my musical tastes, “Like This or Like That” struck a real chord. Each song is a beautiful snapshot of Ben’s life, exquisitely written and delivered with plenty of charm.

This isn’t quite the album Ben wanted to make. He hoped to record it with a live band, but when the pandemic took hold, like so many of us, he pivoted and started collaborating remotely with long-time friends like Jon Brion and Money Mark and emerging artists like Shamir and Georgia Maq, “who are young and lit up with creative adrenalin.” Megan Washington, Zooey Deschanel, and Eric D Johnson also make appearances. Despite the star power behind it, this album remains intimate and personal. His superstar friends are simply part of the tapestry of Ben’s remarkable life which he honours here.

Listening to I’M FUN! feels like catching up with an old friend. You hear a few stories that help you get to know them better and you have a sensational time doing it. I’M FUN! is out now.

Images used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MOZЁ Floors Me With Soulful Single, “Saving”

I believe you should never be too quick to judge a song. “Saving”, the new single from MOZЁ, is one of those songs that takes a little time to warm up. But when it does, wow.

This song is the definition of a slow burner. I appreciated MOZЁ’s stunning vocals from the get-go, but I wasn’t sure where the song was heading. As it builds and the electronic beat and layered synths come in, it transforms from something pretty to something truly awe-inspiring.

Explaining the meaning behind the song, MOZЁ said “I wanted to allude to my ability to dream and wonder, a core part of my soul. The danger of this is its power to take you away from the present moment, to build expectations that are not balanced with certainty. When I perform ‘Saving’, my dream manifests itself at the moment and becomes real.”

Trust in the artist. Trust in this song. You’re going to want to hear it right to the end.

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Crank Up the Volume on Clay J Gladstone’s “Hate Club”

The press release calls “Hate Club,” the new single from Clay J Gladstone “a blistering two-minute wrecking ball, assailing with the emotional ingredients of angst and vitality.” Honestly, I couldn’t have said it better myself. So I won’t. Instead, I’m just going to instruct you to turn this one up. Oh, and maybe grab the headphones if you share an office with others. The swears are perfect for slogging through the working week, but I’m not sure your boss would agree!

“‘Hate Club’ is about a teenage relationship being torn apart by the jealous friends group, only to have those same jealous friends slide into your DMs months later,” Clay J Gladstone explained. “It is about standing your ground in a relationship and calling out poor behaviour when you see it; being comfortable hunted by the ‘Hate Club’.”

Clay J Gladstone are making waves in the live arena after wowing crowds when they toured with Hellions, Deadlights, and Ocean Sleeper. They’ve also sold out hometown gigs at The Burdekin Hotel and The Factory Floor. You can catch Clay J Gladstone doing what they do best at the Winter Music Festival in Kedumba/Katoomba on August 27.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Millar Jukes & the Muscle Release Instant Rock Classic, “Gittinit”

There’s only one way to listen to “Gittinit”, the new track from Millar Jukes & the Muscle: LOUD. I’m talking real loud. The sort of loud that makes those crunchy guitar chords vibrate in your chest. You know what I’m talking about. Give this epic soul-rock track the volume it deserves!

“Gittinit is about going out and losing it all on the dancefloor. Usually I write songs that are self-deprecating or about relationships, so I wanted to write one just about having a good time,” Millar Jukes explained. “I heard my mates say it when someone is feeling the music, like, ‘Ooh, he gittinit!’”.

Watching the video, you know seeing these guys live is a good time. Wouldn’t it be much more fun to experience it in person than through a screen? Mark your calendars Naarm/Melbourne, because Millar Jukes & The Muscle will hit the Evelyn Hotel on August 26 to celebrate the release of their new EP, Git It.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Lewis Robert

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kita Alexander Brings the Sunshine With “Ocean Blue”

Kita Alexander’s shimmery new pop single “Ocean Blue” brings the good vibes we all need in the middle of a working week. Take a moment away from your desk to dance along to this one. I swear you’ll feel better!

“This is probably the cheeky, playful side of me that people haven’t seen,” Kita admitted. “It’s just another example of what I can do and how different songs and sounds fit into my world.”

More new music from Kita isn’t too far away. Her new EP is scheduled for release later this year.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia; credit: Xinger Xanger

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Grace Amos Has Plenty to Say With New Single

Grab the hairbrush, crank up the volume, and enjoy the angsty pop-rock stylings of Grace Amos’ new single “Nothing to Say.” It’s a relatable track about someone who shoots their mouth off but doesn’t contribute anything of value. Grace cites Alanis Morrisette and Miley Cyrus among her musical heroes and you can certainly hear their influence on this track.

“The song was originally about someone I knew who thought they knew everything, always had to share their opinion and fill the silence but ultimately, they really had ‘nothing to say’. When working on the song six months after the original demo I realised I had this one person on my mind a bit and needed to vent! The lyrics are about someone who is all talk and no game basically — it’s all a bit of fun really,” Grace explained.

Grace drops her debut EP, ALL ABT U, on September 2. She’ll also play her first festival, Valleyways, in Benkennie/Camden on September 10.

Image used with permission from Star Cross PR; credit: Bruno Stefani

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kick Start Your Country Career With Kix-Start

Think you have what it takes to be the next big country music star? Then get your entry in to the Kix-Start competition. You could win some incredible prizes, including a slot at the Groundwater Country Music Festival alongside a who’s who of country music, a one-on-one mentoring session with Gina Jeffries, a songwriting session with Phil Barton, and studio time at The Music Cellar with Rod McCormack where you’ll record your very own single.

This isn’t one of those competitions where people win and you never hear from them again. Last year’s winner Bella Mackenzie has just dropped her latest track “1, 2, 3 You and Me,” which she recorded as part of her prize, and it’s a banger.

“Winning KIX-Start was such an honour boosting my career from the second I won,” said Bella. “The support from KIX Country, Groundwater Country Music Festival, and everyone else involved has been so amazing. I could never have imagined a year ago that I would have accomplished what I have today which includes releasing two singles and playing major festivals. I have had my biggest year yet with so much more to come and I urge anyone thinking about applying to just do it! You never know if you don’t have a go.”

You heard her! If you’re waiting for your big break, this competition might just be it.

Image used with permission from Sue Mac Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out With Press Club’s New Single, “Eugene”

There’s nothing like some good punk-rock music to make a case of the Mondays feel a little more bearable. And we all know that Press Club know how to make good punk-rock music! With its fuzzy guitars and Natalie Foster’s raw, real vocals, their latest track “Eugene” is every bit as angsty as you’re hoping for.

“Eugene” comes from Press Club’s third album Endless Motion, which drops on October 14.

“The album is a culmination of years of downtime and introspection, false starts and disappointments, bushfires and pandemics. Factors that forced us to dig out parts of ourselves to sculpt a body of work that was as uncompromising and raw as our previous releases, but executed with more polish and finesse than we thought ourselves capable of” drummer Frank Lees said.

Press Club will play shows in Australia to celebrate the release of Endless Motion before gigging overseas. No matter where you are, here are 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 Giant Agency; credit: Nick Manuell

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Thundamentals Back on the Scene With “Top of the World”

Thundamentals have kept fans waiting four long years for new music, but their patience has been rewarded. Their latest track “Top of the World” is a feel-good number that celebrates life’s small wins. The band created the song as an ode to their youth, but I don’t think you’re ever too old for this brand of positivity.

Thundamentals have been together 15 long years. As they reach this milestone, it’s only fitting that they’re looking back on where they’ve come from. Let’s hope there’s plenty more from these guys. Hopefully they don’t leave us waiting so long next time.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute