Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pinkish Blu Offers Life Advice With “Start a Band”

Adelaide indie-pop act Pinkish Blu celebrates the creativity and camaraderie they’ve found pursuing music with their latest single “Start a Band.” It’s a bit of a slow burner, but once it gets under your skin I predict you’ll have it on repeat like I do.

“Start a Band’ is about knowing someone that’s stuck in a rut and our honest, heartfelt advice to them is to just “start a band”, because based off our experience, it’s one of the best things a person can do in their life,” Pinkish Blu gushed. “Being in a band has become less about writing and performing music together and more about sharing a special bond. From the countless laughing fits and leaning on each other to sleep, to knowing each others’ favourite foods, TV shows, and music off by heart, we can depend on each other to be there through all the ups and downs and as a bonus, we get to play music together. So I guess you could say this song is part directive and part celebration for anyone down in the dumps to consider starting a band.”

The single comes with a music video that gives you a sneak peek at life on the road with Pinkish Blu. The Adelaide band rarely sit still, supporting the likes of The Rubens and Trophy Eyes and gracing stages at Groovin the Moo and BIGSOUND. You’ll next see them on the road supporting Odette. Make sure you turn up early enough to see their set at the following shows:

14 May 2021 – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide
21 May 2021 – The Triffid, Brisbane
22 May 2021 – The Northern, Byron Bay
23 May 2021 – HOTA, Gold Coast

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Noah Sutherland

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Give Monday the Finger With Charlie Collins’ Latest Single

If there was ever the perfect song for a Monday, Charlie Collins might have just released it. Her latest single “Fuck It” drives forward with fuzzy, reverb-drench guitars, heavy drums, and biting lyrics. Charlie wrote the deeply personal song in the wake of a break-up when people in her orbit seemed more interested in sharing their views than supporting her.

“At the time, when I was going through this separation, I needed a friend more than a critic,” she says. “This song is an acknowledgment of blame but also recognizing that you don’t need that judgement.”

No matter what you’re going through right now, listening to “Fuck It” is such a cathartic experience. Charlie launches her single on May 4 at her sold-out launch show at Lazybones Lounge in Sydney. She’ll also play Splendour in the Grass this November.

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia; credit: She Is Aphrodite

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tori Forsyth Keeps Superb Singles Coming With “Nothing At All”

Tori Forsyth proves she’s a force to be reckoned with through the release of her brand new track “Nothing At All.” It’s a beautiful piano-driven ballad with powerful lyrics that really shine through the simple orchestration. Tori has a gorgeous haunting, husky voice, but her songwriting prowess is really something special.

“’Nothing At All’ is a song about grappling with your mind but still clinging onto hope,” Tori explained. “I wrote this whilst in Tamworth during festival season from my caravan home. We’d been on the road for a month and it was an incredibly hot day. I remember being super agitated and uncomfortable for more reasons than the heat. I was listening to a lot of Lana del Rey at the time.”

“Nothing At All” comes from Tori’s sophomore album Provlépseis, which drops on May 21. It’s the fifth track we’ve heard from this album, but something tells me there are still plenty of surprises in store.

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The Neverending Glory” – Vaudeville Smash

I must admit, I haven’t known quite what to make of Melbourne’s Vaudeville Smash when their singles hit my inbox. I appreciated their funky grooves and catchy melodies, but their off-the-wall lyrics left me scratching my head. However, after spending time with their new album The Neverending Glory I’m firmly on board the Vaudeville Smash train.

Looking at the album cover tells you a lot about Vaudeville Smash. They’re certainly not a band that takes themselves too seriously. They’re also incredibly nostalgic. When you take their songs in isolation it might seem like they’re poking fun at their influences, but their tongue is always planted firmly in their collective cheek.

The band delights in playing with genre, taking us on a wild journey through their musical influences. The opening track “Clothes Off” is as bold as its title suggests, a delightful disco-pop number that subverts the typically gendered relationship roles. “Sweet Pyromania” is every bit as sexy, with more soulful undertones. It makes you think you know where this album is going, but then Vaudeville Smash hits you with the delightfully unhinged “Banana Man.” With a soul-rock sound reminiscent of Huey Lewis or Bob Seger, it’s as wacky as it sounds.

As the album unfolds, Vaudeville Smash delivers authentic yacht rock, dirty funk, and even Italo disco. “Cuccinated” and “Nonna” celebrate the culture of the nation’s European immigrants. “I Like Video Games” is pure nerd pop. I could wax lyrical about other standouts, but I want you to discover them for yourself.

What I can say is that The Neverending Glory is like nothing that you’ll hear this year. My advice is to hold on tight and enjoy the ride. Vaudeville Smash will play the following shows in the coming weeks:

17 April 2021 – Verrierdale Hall, Verrierdale
30 April 2021 – The Night Cat, Fitzroy
1 May 2021 – The Night Cat, Fitzroy

Images used with permission from Play MPE

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bad Juju Drop Positive New Single “In The Clouds”

Melbourne alternative rock act Bad Juju are showing a slightly softer side with their latest single “In the Clouds.” The track’s still got a hard rock edge, but its lyrics are a little more sentimental than we’re used to. Just see if you can resist singing along to its anthemic chorus.

“The song is about ignoring people who tell you your dreams are out of reach and pursuing your goals regardless of what others say about them,” explained frontman Russell Holland.

Bad Juju will launch the single for their hometown fans at The Workers Club on June 5. If you’ve ever caught these guys live, you know you won’t want to miss it. After COVID lockdowns wrote off live music for 2020, they’ll be itching to put on a show for a local audience.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cameron Alexander Drops Tasty New Single, “Sugar Bones”

Perth singer-songwriter Cameron Alexander has just dropped his second single “Sugar Bones,” and it’s well worth a listen if you like your music folky with a rock edge. Raw and passionate, this is the kind of song that makes me want to hit the open road in search of adventure.

“It is the first time that I incorporated acoustic guitar fingerpicking as well as a bit of electric into a song,” Cameron explained. “My skills were still really raw when I first wrote this song but I still managed to write it in 30 minutes. It then took another two years to put it together with a band and record it. Now looking back, it has grown so much from me dotting down the first lines in my childhood bedroom, to now having a fleshed-out recorded track with so many layers.”

“’Sugar Bones is a crowd favourite,” he added. “It is one of the songs in our regular set that gets the audience dancing and people have even started to sing the lines back to us, before it has even been released. It gives me goosebumps every time.”

Cameron will launch “Sugar Bones” at Milk Bar in Perth on April 25. Before that, you can catch him supporting Michael Dunstan at Scarborough’s Indian Ocean Hotel on April 17.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Billy Fox Releases Introspective Banger, “Neighbourhood”

With its effortless blend of smooth R’n’B and modern electronica, Billy Fox’s latest single “Neighbourhood” is like nothing else you’ll hear today. Wrap your ears around it and I’m sure you’ll agree, that’s a really good thing.

“There’s been a period recently where a lot of us have gone back to close quarters, spent more time at home and had more of an obvious connection to local neighbourhoods and communities. In this space, it also allowed us to reflect on and think about some pretty big issues and ideas, collectively, as a society. It feels like an important time so this song is a reflection on that,” Billy explained of the track’s inspiration.

Billy Fox is one of those exciting artists who relishes taking musical risks. I won’t say I’ve been on board with all of his releases, but I can always appreciate his artistry. And when those risks come off as well as they do here, it’s a real joy.

Image used with permission from Siege Jr.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Enjoy the Sweet Soul Sounds of Sayah’s “Fruit”

Sayah’s latest single “Fruit” is a sassy slice of soulful pop bound to resonate with anyone struggling to move on from their ex. She says the track is about those times “When you’ve got an insane connection with someone but you know they’re not good for you, so you try everything to move on including seeing new people. But no matter what, they’re always on your mind and it’s so freaking annoying! At the same time, you also kinda love it. Ughhh the confusion!”

You might not know her name yet, but chances are you already know Sayah’s voice. She has performed as a feature vocalist for Peking Duk, Cosmo’s Midnight, and Set Mo. She’s also provided backing vocals for acts including Safia, Thandi Phoenix, and KLP. However, over the last two years she’s also focused on her own writing and recording.

Sayah has several upcoming dates, including a headlining show at the Oxford Art Factory and sets with Cosmo’s Midnight.

18 April 2021 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong (with Cosmo’s Midnight)
13 May 2021 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
13 August 2021 – Fresh Produce, Townsville (with Cosmo’s Midnight)
27 August 2021 – Fresh Produce, Maitland (with Cosmo’s Midnight)
3 September 2021 – Fresh Produce, Coolangatta (with Cosmo’s Midnight)
10 September 2021 – Fresh Produce, Hobart (with Cosmo’s Midnight)
17 September 2021 – Fresh Produce, Canberra (with Cosmo’s Midnight)
24 September 2021 – Fresh Produce, Bendigo (with Cosmo’s Midnight)
1 October 2021 – Fresh Produce, Adelaide (with Cosmo’s Midnight)
27 December 2021 – Wildlands, Brisbane (with Cosmo’s Midnight)

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Ashley Lim

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hamilton @ Lyric Theatre, Sydney – 10 April 2021

Like so many Australians I spent my 2020 birthday in total lockdown. The cruise I’d booked was cancelled. My best friend who insisted she’d be happy to sit in my place and drink wine couldn’t cross the border. For the first time ever there was no special meal out, just me and my husband. It was sucky, like so much of 2020, but one of the things that made the year brighter was the release of Hamilton on Disney+. As I watched and rewatched, unpacking and analysing it as I hadn’t done with a piece of work since high school English, it became my favourite musical. So when I heard it would make its Australian debut around my 2021 birthday, I knew how I wanted to celebrate my latest turn around the sun.

I wondered though, could the Australian production of Hamilton possibly meet my lofty expectations? I’d fallen in love with the Broadway cast, many of whom took home Tonys for their performances. Matching them was always going to be a tall order, but we should be proud of our talent here at home. Many of the Hamilton principals aren’t well-known … yet. But I believe this cast has many stars of the future. Lin-Manuel Miranda created Hamilton, so while his singing voice was never the strongest I couldn’t imagine anyone else understanding the role of Alexander in quite the same way. But Jason Arrow stepped into those massive shoes as if they were tailormade for him. Chloe Zuel was the perfect Eliza and Lyndon Watts a nuanced Aaron Burr. Matu Ngaropo brought the right amount of gravitas to George Washington and while I love Daveed Diggs, I think Victory Ndukwe did an even better job of separating the personalities of Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson.

If like me you were wondering whether the local cast could possibly keep pace with the rapid-fire rhymes, don’t stress. They’ve got this. Add in those incredible songs, beautiful costumes and staging, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a memorable time at the theatre.

If you’ve seen the Disney+ pro shot, you may wonder whether you need to see Hamilton in person. There’s an electricity about being in “the room where it happens” though. While I fell in love with Hamilton on my couch, I wouldn’t have given up the experience of witnessing it in person for the world. While I appreciate the way that the cameras guided my gaze at home, being able to take in the whole stage at any time and catch the movements that might have been off-frame made me fall in love with this musical even more. Nothing could replace the feeling of sitting with a crowd of theatregoers (100% capacity now, if you please), then standing with them to deliver the standing ovation this production so richly deserved.

As I glanced down my row, I was pleased to see my whole family joining me in that standing O. Even my father who was dreading the performance because he hates “rap crap.” There may be no higher praise than that. Hamilton is at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre until November 14. Tickets are on sale now from Ticketmaster.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out to Sly Withers’ Latest Tune, “Clarkson”

Perth indie-rock act Sly Withers have dropped an epic new single ahead of their Aussie tour. “Clarkson” is just what the doctor ordered, with an anthemic, singalong chorus and bold, chunky guitars. Crank up the volume, press play, and enjoy this one.

“Clarkson” comes from Sly Withers’ new album Gardens, which is scheduled for a June 11 release. Expect to hear a few more tracks at the following shows. Note that most have already sold out, but there are a few tickets remaining for the rest if you’re quick!

6 May 2021 – Jive, Adelaide (SOLD OUT)
7 May 2021 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth (SOLD OUT)
8 May 2021 – The River, Margaret River
13 May 2021 – Newcastle Hotel, Newcastle (SOLD OUT)
14 May 2021 – Crowbar, Sydney (SOLD OUT)
15 May 2021 – UC Hub, Canberra
20 May 2021 – Vinnie’s Dive Bar, Gold Coast (SOLD OUT)
21 May 2021 – The Brightside, Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
22 May 2021 – Solbar, Maroochydore (SOLD OUT)
27 May 2021 – Altar Bar, Hobart (SOLD OUT)
28 May 2021 – Barwon Club, Geelong
29 May 2021 – Howler, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR