Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Karen Harding Releases Uplifting New Single, “Something Special”

Karen Harding’s latest single “Something Special” is the musical pep talk all of us need from time to time. Karen’s fourth single and her first self-produced song, it’s written from the perspective of a conversation with someone who can’t see how valuable or special they really are. That might be another person, but I think it also works well as an inner monologue. Either way, it might just give you the confidence you need to face the day.

“Christmas Day 2021, I was unwell and missed all the festivities. Instead, I was able to spend the day creating the 16-layer song ‘Something Special’,” said Karen of the song’s development. “I wanted to portray a sense of freedom and gratitude within the song and felt that nothing felt more like freedom than the sound of the ocean waves rolling in. If you listen carefully, you can hear this subtly throughout the song.”

Listen out for more from Karen really soon as she prepares to release a new EP in the coming months.

Image used with permission from Karen Harding

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Maison Hall on Comeback Trail With “Montreux”

After a nearly six-year break, Maison Hall are back together and doing what they love: making music. To celebrate their return, the indie duo has a killer new single “Montreux” that you’ve just got to hear. It’s vibrant and exciting, the perfect marriage of big rock sounds with introspective lyrics.

“Montreux is celebratory,” said one half of the duo, Joe Kneipp. “Not just because we’re still doing this, but because we’re still doing this despite our ‘real-life’ obligations, the distance between us, the total absence of pecuniary success, etc. We are so divorced from any external validations – the simple fact is, I love making music, and I love making music with Ben [Byron]. And we’re gonna keep fucking doing it!”

The song comes with an awesomely creative clip that explores the struggle between creation and survival in the world of capitalism.

“The concept of the clip is pretty on the nose – the juxtaposition between the left and right brain, the creative and the pragmatist, the poetic and the prosaic,” Joe added. “ If you’re a musician, or any creative for that matter, who’s not lucky enough to make all their money from creative endeavours, you’ll understand these tensions. I workshopped it with Ben and then James Cooney, who stars in the clip as the ‘right-brain’ and is part of our live lineup.”

Maison Hall have wasted no time getting back in front of audiences. They made a triumphant return to Brisbane last week and have two more shows to go on their single tour. Catch them at Melbourne’s The Retreat Hotel tomorrow night or Gang Gang Café in Canberra on Sunday.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Rylee Olsson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

RADICALS Ready to Rock NSW With “falling faster slowly” Tour

Some songs demand to be played loud. “falling faster slowly,” the latest track from Sydney rock trio RADICALS is one of those songs. Trust me, it’s the only way.

“The song is based around the feeling/experience of taking drugs,” lead vocalist Brandon Wade said. “We wrote the song while on drugs and thought it would be the perfect time to write and encapsulate what and how we were feeling. It was a wild experience and we’re stoked the song turned out the way it did.”

The film clip, shot at Huxley’s in Caringbah by Nelson Faulds from Level 48 Visuals, is suitably trippy. It features live performance footage and wild animations cleverly cut together to represent the song’s mind-altering themes.

RADICALS will support the release of “falling faster slowly” with a string of shows around their home state. It all kicks off tomorrow in Sydney. Check them out at the following venue.

11 February 2022 – The Chippo, Sydney
25 February 2022 – Hijinx Alley, Sydney
13 March 2022 – The Stag and Hunter Hotel, Newcastle
19 March 2022 – Ryans Hotel, Thirroul
2 April 2022 – Yours & Owls Festival, Wollongong
9 April 2022 – Huxley’s, Sydney

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Product of a Dreamer (Remixes)” – Jannah Beth

Jannah Beth’s Product of a Dreamer was one of the most exciting debut EPs I heard last year, a dynamic collection of songs that blurred the boundaries of hip-hop, soul, R&B, and funk. I can’t wait to hear what the next phase of their musical journey has in store, but before I do I’m thrilled we can revisit those songs with the recent release of the remixed EP.

All too often a remixed EP can feel a little superfluous, but that’s certainly not the case here. I think of this EP as more of a companion piece that puts the spotlight back on the songs and helps you appreciate them in new ways. I found myself jumping back and forth between the remixes and the original takes, marvelling at the differences between them. I commonly complain about remixes focusing on danceability but stripping the heart out of songs, so I’m thrilled to see Jannah Beth and their team of talented producers have found a balance here. The songs sound fresh, but the beats never overshadow the thought-provoking lyrics.

“It all seems so fast; music is almost disposable and as soon as you’ve finished listening to one song you have an infinity more there, ready to capture your heart and attention. I wanted to savour my moment and show off the songs in endless form & possibility as well as appease my own (very diverse) musical appetite,” Jannah Beth said about this release. “I’m a huge believer in collaboration and I’m constantly inspired by my peers – releasing and creating a project within lockdowns and pandemics took away the ease of collaborating but these remixes paved a way for the project to break those boundaries to really sit in a collaborative space and feel ‘real’ to me and my community. Each artist who remixed a track has their own amazing project … they are all to be celebrated …don’t sleep”.

If like me you were ready to dive back into Product of a Dreamer or you’re yet to discover what it’s all about, check the remixes and the original EP out. It’s available as a limited-edition neon green vinyl via Jannah Beth’s Bandcamp page and digitally through your favourite streaming services.

Image used with permission from Good Intent; credit: She Is Aphrodite

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Johnny Hunter Address Toxic Masculinity With “Cry Like a Man”

Sydney band Johnny Hunter makes a real impact with their latest single “Cry Like a Man.” This track has the cool retro indie rock vibes they’re famous for with thoroughly modern lyrics that explore what it means to really be a man.

“Men often abuse their masculinity to shield their vulnerability, in doing so they jeopardise the balance of the two dualities, they lose their sense of humanity and sense of self, to satisfy the self-aggrandising fallacy that the world belongs to them,” explained lead singer Nick Hutt. “I had been placed in the unfortunate position of witnessing someone shrink into very selfish and abusive behaviour. It had been my first encounter with such an event and it shook me to my core. After the dust had settled, I couldn’t help but dissect it. A special song as it was written the first time I interacted with our producer Jack [Moffitt]. The violent lyrics set the tone for the song and unravel the events that took place on that fateful night, written in a six-hour brainstorm with Jack as I manically yelled lyrics whilst he then pulled them apart.”

2021 was an impressive year for Johnny Hunter, who sold out shows at leading East Coast venues including The Lansdowne, Cherry Bar, and O’Skulligans. They also made some progress towards their long-awaited debut album. If this single release is any indication, 2022 could be even brighter for this awesome act from the New South Wales capital.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wanderers EP is Out Now

What do you say about a band you’ve already raved about so many times? Every time Wanderers dropped a single from their recently released EP, I heaped praise on it. So now that their self-titled EP is out in the world, with just a couple of new tracks, I’m not sure what’s left that I haven’t already said before. However, this EP is so damn good that I can’t let its release go without some kind of fanfare.

So I’ll say this. Drop what you’re doing and listen. While you’re listening, you might want to read back on my reviews for “Malibu”, “Nothing in This World”, and “Penny”. Or maybe you just want to discover for yourself how good their classic rock sound is. Either way, just make sure you’re listening. If you love soulful rock with the retro influence of synths and saxophone, I know you’re going to flip over these guys.

Wanderers will soon jet off to South by Southwest but don’t worry Aussies; they’ll be back before you know it for EP launch shows around the country:

1 April 2022 – The Night Cat, Fitzroy
29 April 2022 – Felons Barrel Hall, Brisbane
30 April 2022 – Waywards at the Bank, Newtown
27 May 2022 – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide

Images used with permission from Big Oak Records; feature photo credit: Samuel Graves

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dear Sunday Tackle Big Issues With “Knock Knock”

Perth act Dear Sunday have just dropped a powerful new single “Knock Knock.” Don’t let the retro Home Alone-inspired cover art fool you. This track is serious business with lyrics exploring mental illness and grief.

Lead vocalist Ben Swanson sings from the heart on this one. He explained the song’s origins, noting “The song is actually about depression and the feeling of being haunted by dark, sad thoughts. A few years ago I lost two of my best mates, only months apart, to their own battles with mental health. It’s something that is so incredibly common these days, but it’s still so hard to comprehend the internal battle that those people are going through … I lost friends because they found it hard to express how they felt, so here I am, sharing my experiences, my dark times and my fight with depression through a song that could be heard all over the world. Hopefully, I’m doing them proud.”

2022 is set to be a massive year for Dear Sunday, with Ben revealing “We’ve got heaps of new music coming out, collabs with artists we couldn’t have even dreamed of a year ago, and even jumping on some festival lineups. She’s gonna be a busy year. We can’t wait.”

The busy-ness starts soon, with Dear Sunday playing three shows in the coming weeks:

12 February 2022 – Badlands Bar, Perth (supporting South Summit)
18 February 2022 – Indian Ocean Hotel, Perth (supporting Great Gable)
19 February 2022 – Heatwave Mini-Fest @ Clancy’s Fish Pub, Fremantle

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jason Owen’s “Sing Australia” is How an Anthem Should Sound

Every now and again, we talk about changing the national anthem. “Advance Australia Fair” has served us well since 1974, but it was written by a Scot. And even with the recent lyric change, it still doesn’t really represent who we are as a nation. I think a much worthier option is “Sing Australia,” the latest single from proud Wiradjuri man, Jason Owen.

Yes, it’s a bit cheesy. But just see if you’re not feeling all patriotic by the end of it. I love that it highlights so many of the people and places that make Australia home. It celebrates unity and what we can do working together. I’d feel pretty proud belting this out. What about you?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lemaire Releases the Perfect Aussie Rap Song, “Ford Laser”

If you’ve ever struggled to connect with American rappers bragging about their sweet rides, Lemaire has the track for you. The Gold Coast rapper’s new single “Ford Laser” is one for all the Aussies who can only dream about a luxury sports car. He might have a “shitbox car” with “no aircon,” but he’s not going to let that dampen his mood! Add a funky beat to those hilarious lyrics and you’ve got a recipe for a good time.

Listening to the lyrics, you should know this song has come from a real place. But just in case you thought he was putting it on, Lemaire’s music video features his now-famous Ford Laser.

“I have always wondered if owning an expensive car, as opposed to my piece of shit Ford Laser, would make me any happier in my day-to-day life,” Lemaire admitted. “I feel like the satisfaction associated with buying things (like cars, clothing, phones) is a very short-lived, fleeting happiness, and before long they just become standard. I wrote this song to express my content with what I have already: friends, family, time, music, and an absolute lemon of a Ford Laser.”

Lemaire will celebrate the release of “Ford Laser” with a hometown show at Miami Marketta on February 25.

Image used with permission from GYROstream

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out With The Faim’s Latest Track “The Hills”

The Faim have got to be one of the best Aussie rock acts most locals haven’t heard of yet. Every song they release is a winner, and their latest track “The Hills” is no exception. Crank it up, because this is one of those numbers best experienced loud.

“’The Hills’ is a song which touches on anxiety and the desire to go back to that place where you can reconnect with yourself and take a breath,” explained guitarist and songwriter Sam Tye. “For Josh and I, the Perth hills is one of these places and after two years of being on the road, coming home gave us a moment to reflect on the sometimes-overwhelming experiences you have whilst touring. I hope this song helps people find that place for themselves.”

If like me you’re still dreaming of a WA holiday, The Faim’s new music video can take you there. It features beautiful footage of the Perth landscape alongside footage of the band doing what they do best.

“’The Hills’ music video involves a stylistic representation of life inside the band,” added Sam, who created the video’s concept. “The driving connects to life on the road and experiencing the world through a moving window as they travel to their next destination. In certain moments we see live performance represented and in others we see snapshots of personal creativity, drawing back the curtains of life in a band and its perpetual motion.”

2022 is set to be a big year for The Faim. Their new album will drop and they’ve already earned spots on the lineups of some of the United Kingdom and Europe’s hottest summer festivals. They’re also preparing to announce headlining shows in the United Kingdom and Europe really soon.

3 June 2022 – Rock am Ring, Mendig Deu
5 June 2022 – Rock in the Park, Mendig Deu
11 June 2022 – Download Festival, Leicestershire
18 June 2022 – Rock for People, Hradec Kralove

Image used with permission from Good Intent