Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Central Coast Teen Lucy Parle Wins International Songwriting Award

Central Coast singer-songwriter Lucy Parle is just 17, but she’s already showing she’s destined for big things. Her new single “Back Up” recently took out first place in the teen category of the International Songwriters Competition. This is the world’s largest songwriting competition, with more than 23,000 artists all vying to win favour with a superstar judging panel featuring Tom Waits, Dua Lipa, and Coldplay.

Listening to the song, it’s easy to hear what they did. It’s so raw and honest, heartbreaking and vulnerable. Its easy marriage of folk, pop, and alt-country is immediately accessible and unforgettable.

“Back Up is a special song to me and came pretty quickly. I wrote it about a relationship breakdown and all the emotions I felt when I was trying to get over it. It was one of those songs that just fell onto the paper,” she said.

“Winning the Teen Category in the ISC really cemented that songwriting is what I’m meant to do. To have ‘Back Up’ recognised in an international songwriting competition is beyond exciting. It’s a really raw and emotional song that I think people can relate to and I can’t wait for it to be out into the world!”

After hearing this song, I can’t wait to see what Lucy’s future holds.

Image used with permission from Double Drummer Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Discover the Fun Sounds of Jackie Brown Jr

Sydney band Jackie Brown Jr are spreading good vibes with their dynamic new single “Happy (you wanna be).” Blending rock, jazz, and soul elements is challenging, but these guys make it look easy. Its lyrics are so relatable and the sultry vocals from frontwoman and saxophonist (!) Madeleine Mallis are scorching.

She says the track “is an imploration to yourself that you are enough and that you only need to look within yourself to figure it all out!” Amen sister!

By the time the trumpet, trombone, and saxophone join together for a glorious tri-instrument horn section, I know you’re going to wonder how you can see them live. Because you just know they’d blow the roof off any venue. You can see for yourself when the band plays shows around New South Wales, the ACT, and (hopefully) Victoria in the coming months.

11th June 2021 – The Illawarra Hotel, Wollongong
12th June 2021 – Gang Gang Cafe, Canberra
18th June 2021 – The Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
24th June 2021 – Mary’s Underground, Sydney
17th July 2021 – Melbourne @ Some Velvet Morning

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Myers Wows Me With “How It’s Meant To Be”

Trigger warning: “How It’s Meant To Be” explores the aftermath of a friend’s suicide.

Newcastle’s Tom Myers has cast a spell with his latest song “How It’s Meant To Be.” This is such an achingly beautiful track, so unique with its haunting backing vocals and the music that ebbs and flows in intensity.

Make sure you tap into the lyrics, which express how Tom, the drummer for Papa Vs. Pretty, felt when his friend and bandmate Luke Liang committed suicide.

“‘How Itʼs Meant’ to be is a song written about the sudden and traumatic death of a friend. It explores the immediate aftershocks of death by suicide from multiple perspectives, as a way of finding peace with the ultimate decision,” he explained. “Without sounding too morbid, I wanted to provide an accurate snapshot of my own personal grief in the immediate days after such loss. It was all about me coming to terms with it, if it helps someone else Iʼm really happy.”

Along with his work in Papa Vs. Pretty, Tom has toured as a session drummer with Jack River, Thelma Plum and Kim Churchill. Now with his own solo material, he’s stepping into the spotlight. Follow his Facebook page for details of his gigs as they’re announced.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Surfers Paradise Gets New SPRINGTIME Music Festival

With so many festivals still on ice, it’s exciting to see a brand new event launching later this year. SPRINGTIME Music Festival will help punters in Surfers Paradise usher in warm weather this September. It’s kicking off with a stacked line-up featuring Ruel, Ball Park Music, Hermitude, Sneaky Sound System, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Ali Barter, Saint Lane, and stacks more.

All these artists are playing free over the three-day event and there’ll be stacks of ticketed gigs as well, so there’s no excuse for not getting involved. The location on the beach and around the streets of the Gold Coast is sure to add to the party atmosphere.

“SPRINGTIME will showcase the City of Gold Coast’s connection to music, celebrating some of our favourite local acts as well as artists from across the country,” said Mark Duckworth, the Director of Festivals & Events at Major Events Gold Coast. “We are so excited to build a new event experience for everyone to enjoy,” he said.

SPRINGTIME Music Festival hits Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast from September 3 to 5. Mark your calendar because it’s going to be massive!

Image used with permission from Spin&Co

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darling James Confronts Toxic Behaviour in “Make the Grade”

Trigger Warning: “Make the Grade” describes aggressive and manipulative behaviour.

Darling James has taken a swipe at toxic masculinity with his powerful new single “Make the Grade.” This is a confronting but intelligent piece of pop-rock that puts us in the shoes of a male predator. It makes for an uncomfortable listen, but that’s the point.

“The consultation process in making the song and clip needs to be emphasised,” he stressed. “In writing the lyric in the first person it hopes to shed light on the mindset of someone who is engaged in this behaviour. It aims to demonstrate to male listeners how insidious and creepy this behaviour is, perhaps helping them to identify it in their peers and maybe even themselves.”

“Importantly the song doesn’t attempt to speak for women, or interpret other people’s experiences or pain,” added filmmaker Domini Marshall, who brought the music video to life. “Singing as a character conducting this behaviour allows Darling James to articulate it while also fully recognising that he is part of the main demographic that engages in it.”

Give “Make The Grade” a listen. And then listen again. All streaming royalties will benefit Support Art, whose 24-hour wellbeing helpline offers assistance to people in the music industry experiencing hardships, including victims of sexual harassment and misconduct. If you need that service, call 1800 959 500.

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hoodoo Gurus, The Superjesus, Def FX Ready to Rock Brisbane in Massive Fundraiser

Hoodoo Gurus, The Superjesus, and Def FX are joining forces in Brisbane, and it’s all for a good cause. These Aussie rock heavyweights and plenty of local legends will play Eaton’s Hill Hotel on July 17 to raise funds for Redcliffe’s The Breakfast Club and Rockin’ for the Homeless (R4TH).

The Breakfast Club provides community meals, emergency food packages, housing and service information, supplies, phone charging, and a safe space for isolated and vulnerable homeless people in the Redcliffe area. R4TH is one of their major fundraisers, but COVID shutdowns saw the annual event wiped from the 2020 calendar.

“R4TH does as a community, something we could not do alone. It pays the bills and changes lives,” explained Breakfast Club director and chairperson, Michelle Gilcrest. “R4TH is everything to us”.

This show will replace that annual benefit. Organisers hope the event will help the Breakfast Club buy a “you beaut” van so they can take their services directly to people who can’t visit their centre in person. All musicians are donating their time so the price of your tickets goes directly to this great cause. Tickets are on sale now, but with COVID still limited capacities they will not last long. Get on it!

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tayla Young Drops Sublime New Single, “Lorelai”

Brisbane Tayla Young has won my heart with her new single “Lorelai.” This is such a gorgeous track, full of vulnerability and longing. The stripped-back acoustic sound ensures you can really tap into those flirty, honest lyrics.

“Lorelai is a lot more light-hearted than what I usually write about. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s about a one-night stand or casual hook-up, there’s a bit more to the story. But it’s definitely about having very little expectation of somebody. It’s basically just me trying to convince someone cool and uncomplicated that I’m cool and uncomplicated too, which is definitely a lie but one I probably believed at the time,” Tayla explained. “We had a lot of house parties in 2020, which is how I imagine the context of the track, so I wanted the mix to sound fun and summery, like a Hottest 100 party type of vibe. I really like the bridge; the bridge is cool; I reckon I nailed It lyrically.”

Tayla has cemented her reputation as a talented performer playing her own headline gigs and supporting talents including Kim Churchill and Emily Wurramurra. Give her Facebook page a follow for details of more shows from her really soon.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Teak Gets Nostalgic With “Seventy Five”

My dad insists there’s been no good music released after the 1970s. I’ve challenged him on this point several times, but I must admit I kind of admire the old man’s dedication to the music he loved in the years BC (before children). And while I was slow to embrace the ‘70s as a kid, I’ve inherited his fondness for the decade. So I can certainly appreciate “Seventy Five,” a long song that celebrates the best of the era from Queensland singer-songwriter Teak.

Like me, Teak has inherited a love of the decade’s music which really shines through in this nostalgic number. She says she was “an 11-year-old kid who would lock herself in the bedroom, light a candle and listen to the likes of led Zeppelin, Frank Sinatra and Patsy Cline … I never really thought it was strange until I looked back and thought, what 11-year-old locks herself in the bedroom with a guitar lit candle and jams out to ‘Going to California’? So, this song in some ways hints at my love for music, anything vintage, and my struggle in the ever-evolving music industry.”

Teak is a regular on the touring circuit who’s made appearances at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, the Gympie Music Muster, and Road to Roma. She was even handpicked to support ‘70s legend David Gates. You can see her next at Springsure Rugby League Ladies Day at the Springsure Senior Football Grounds in Springsure on June 19.

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Discover the Dark Brilliance of Melbs bb’s “Witches”

Melbs bb has just dropped their latest indie-pop single “Witches,” and I can’t stop listening. This track reminds us just how great a bedroom recording can be. Even though it was created far from a big studio, it sounds brilliant. I also love its unique take on mental illness.

“I had the idea that if a child witnessed someone experience depression and only had Disney movies and fairytales as a frame of reference, they would probably think the logical conclusion was that the person has obviously been hexed or cursed by some evil witches,” Melbs bb revealed. “At its core, ‘Witches’ is about seeing a loved one struggle with their mental health and asserting that you see their struggle and would do anything to help them (including battling some evil witches as needed).”

After listening to this song, I went down a Melbs bb rabbit hole, devouring everything they’ve ever recorded. If you’re yet to discover this Melbourne-based artist, what are you waiting for?

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

ELEEA’s “Red Wine” Offers a Taste of Spain

Like so many Aussies, I’m craving travel at the moment. With gloomy winter weather setting in, I find myself longing to leave all this behind for somewhere warm and wonderful. It’s off the table while the borders remain shut, but we can take the journey in our minds with “Red Wine,” the latest single from ELEEA.

Lifted from ELEEA’s forthcoming album The Travel Collection, the Latin-inspired beats and fingerpicked guitar should transport you to Spain. While it conjures up the Mediterranean, it was actually inspired by a classic cinematic romance.

“Red Wine was initially inspired by one of my guilty pleasures, The Notebook. That movie really sold the narrative that sees young, complicated love win,” said ELEEA. “But in my experience, when reality kicked in, so did imposter syndrome and the realisation that we simply hadn’t grown into the right people at the right time. Even the romantic fantasies about all of the places we could go together weren’t enough to make it work.”

ELEEA loved her own travels in Spain, even if she didn’t have someone special by her side.

“When I backpacked through Spain, it felt like a dream. Seeing the sunset at San Sebastian beach, passionate flamenco performances in Madrid or Gaudi’s incredible creations, it brought up all those old fantasies. But in the end, I lived them out solo, which was much more satisfying.”

If you’re mentally planning your next getaway too, “Red Wine” is the ideal soundtrack.

Image used with permission from Kitty Kitty Bang Bang