Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rafa Teams Up With Sam Welch For Feelgood New Single, “Forever Love”

Canberra’s own Rafa is taking you into your weekend the right way with his groovy new single “Forever Love.” Featuring the vocal stylings of Sam Welch, this upbeat track is the perfect party starter.

This track is the follow-up to Rafa’s debut single “Fight No More,” which gained plenty of support on community radio and personal playlists. Personally, I think this song is even better, with such exciting instrumentation and a really great groove. Rafa credits his Dutch and Colombian parents for his natural sense of melody and rhythm. Whether that’s true or he’s simply being modest I’m not sure, but this track proves he’s definitely got the gift. Rafa is currently content working as a concreter but with tracks like this, it might not be too long before he gives up his day job.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ellery Cohen Drops Feelgood New Pop Bop, “Waiting”

Like so many people around the world, Melbourne singer-songwriter Ellery Cohen spent most of 2020 locked down. Before the world shut his borders, he enjoyed a trip to Vietnam and made a connection that inspired his poppy new single “Waiting.”

“I wrote this song about a girl I met in Vietnam while travelling, she told me that she had left her boyfriend and her life for a year, leaving her life behind. I thought it was so interesting and I wrote a song about what she would say to her boyfriend,” he explained. “It’s a song about love and complexity of relationship and how life can be sometimes. She asks the question ‘Will you be waiting.'”

Ellery will launch the single at The Workers Club in Melbourne on March 6. Tickets are strictly limited to adhere to COVID regulations, so make sure you get yours fast!

Image used with permission from Arow Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Hit or Miss” – Alexander Biggs

Looking back through my blog, I’ve admired Alexander Biggs’ music since 2016. As an independent artist, writing, self-recording, and producing his own music, there’s never a lot of fanfare about his releases. They’re quiet songs that cast a spell, providing a few moments of calm in the chaos of the real world. They always leave me wanting a little something more, so I’m thrilled that finally, Alexander has released his first album, Hit or Miss.

If you’re already familiar with Alexander’s music, you know what to expect, and I doubt you’ll be disappointed. If this is your first introduction, it might take you a little time to embrace his songs. They’re much more subtle than music that earns radio airplay or goes viral on social media. But give it time, and I swear it’ll get underneath your skin. You’ll learn to appreciate the gentle strains of acoustic guitar or piano, Alexander’s hushed tones, and the poetic vignettes his words create. The songs feel like diary entries capturing moments in time that fade away all too quickly. There’s romance without schmaltz, bittersweet pain, and emotions kept on the surface. I was familiar with many of these songs, but they’re so much more potent here, with the other tracks providing context and clarity.

I started listening to Hit or Miss this morning. Every time the final notes of the title track faded away, I found myself pressing play again. It’s one of those albums that gets richer and more endearing with every listen. It’s special. You’ll find it on your favourite streaming platforms, but if like me you prefer tangible music, grab a copy of the limited-edition vinyl while you can.

Image used with permission from Maths & Magic

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jessie Monk Offers Tantalising Taste of New EP With “Lonesome Winter Blues” Release

Jessie Monk has bowled me over with her gorgeous new single “Lonesome Winter Blues.” This delicate folk ditty has such an elegant ease about it. Her voice is effortlessly angelic, the perfect foil for those gentle guitar licks. She reminds me a lot of Joni Mitchell with her poetic lyrics and pure voice, which seems to slide so easily from low notes to the higher register. Trust me, that’s a very good thing.

Jessie comes from GunaiKurnai Land and writes songs inspired by the people she meets and the stories she hears. Now based in Berlin, her forthcoming EP Here, Now shares those stories. Listen out for it when it drops on February 26.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Discover Port Macquarie Music Scene With Dark Alley Sessions on YouTube

The pandemic hasn’t given us a lot to celebrate, but one thing that has got me excited is watching businesses and industries pivot. I miss the thrill of live gigs, which are still far too few and far between for my tastes, but I’ve been devouring live streams and recorded shows on YouTube. The latest videos to cross my path are the Dark Alley Sessions, a series of intimate short gigs recorded in Port Macquarie record store, Dark Alley Collectables.

The mid-North Coast town was the hub of a vibrant music scene that many of us never had the opportunity to experience. Through the Dark Alley Sessions, we can. The latest episode features mikk, a brilliant young singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. Her three songs, including a breathtaking cover of Bon Iver’s “Heavenly Father” have me wanting more. Thankfully she’ll release an EP coming out soon to scratch that itch.

And that’s just for starters. The Dark Alley Sessions YouTube channel features several performances and interviews showcasing the talents of up-and-coming artists who might otherwise slip under your radar. Give them a follow and catch up on all their great clips!

Image used with permission from RAWR Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reuben De Melo Delivers Heartfelt Romance With “How Does It Feel”

Perth-based singer-songwriter Reuben De Melo has properly charmed me with his dreamy new single “How Does It Feel.” It’s a romantic ditty with soulful vocals, honest lyrics, and a healthy dose of ukulele for good measure.

Unlike so many love songs, it sounds like it comes from such true place. And it’s little wonder, when Reuben writing the song about his then-girlfriend, who has since become his wife and the mother of his new baby boy. Awwww!

According to his Facebook page, Reuben’s next gigs will be in March, so it won’t be too long before he’s back in front of audiences doing what he does best!

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Midnight Drags Back in Fine Form With “It’s True (I Can’t Stand Myself)”

Proving it’s no flash in the pan, Midnight Drags has released another banging single “It’s True (I Can’t Stand Myself).” It’s such a worthy follow-up to “Ronnie,” with hooks that are every bit as infectious as the last release. It’s a little darker lyrically, but I just love the fuzzy guitars and Lucas James’ rich, rocking vocals. And can we just talk about that cowbell? If this song is any indication, it may be time for a comeback.

“It’s True is really a song about self-loathing and being in an emotionally dark place. It’s about not feeling worthy of being in a relationship and pushing somebody you really care about away,” admitted Lucas James. “It’s another dark song that I loved sweetening up with some bigger pop-rock elements.”

If, like me, you can’t get enough of Midnight Drags, I’ve got some good news for you. Listen out for the act’s album, Bad Business, out on February 26.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

TV Alert: 2021 Sounds Better Together

In case you missed it, Channel Nine is giving us all a reason to stay in tomorrow night. It’s airing “2021 Sounds Better Together,” a special live music event broadcasting from Mallacoota. The show will also incorporate performances from the rest of the 2021 Sounds Better Together concert series, which kicked off last week.

The lineup features the best local legends and emerging artists, so there’s something to keep everybody happy. I’m especially excited to see the performance the photo above came from. Jimmy Barnes, Josh Teskey, and Vika and Linda all on one stage? Sign me up! We’ve also got performances on Missy Higgins, James Reyne, Daryl Braithwaite, Archie Roach, Ross Wilson, Gordi, and heaps more.

“Musicians have been busting to get back on stage before real live audiences and it’s fantastic that we can stage these concerts at such amazing locations and iconic venues across Victoria,” explained Michael Gudinski, the chairman and founder of the Mushroom Group, who conceived the shows with Visit Victoria 2021. “The phenomenal success of last year’s Music From The Home Front highlighted a huge appetite from the public for live music on television and I’m thrilled that with this Nine broadcast everyone across Australia has an opportunity to experience the 2021 Sounds Better Together shows, even if they can’t be at them in person.”

It all kicks off at 7:30 pm, so set your DVRs and tune in!

Image used with permission from Roundhouse Entertainment; credit: David Harris

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sydnee Carter Drops Stellar New Single “Drug Was You”

If you’ve ever felt addicted to someone else, especially if it wasn’t good for you, Sydnee Carter’s new track “Drug Was You” is sure to strike a chord. This vulnerable pop single explores the addictive nature of the most powerful narcotic on the planet: love.

“I wanted to write a song about longing for a lifetime past, after the love that is supposedly gone,” she explained. “Instead of drawing to a close, the hurt keeps brewing into a driving infatuation, culminating into an emotional cataclysm and realisation. My drug was always you. But of course, listeners can interpret how they like.”

Since winning the prestigious Western Australian Music Song of the Year at the age of 17, Sydnee has rubbed shoulders with the right people, including Duke & Jones, Paces, 360, Slumberjack, and her “Drug Was You” collaborators Wasteland and Justin Martins. Now at 23, Sydnee’s showing she’s got some serious talent. See her launch the single at The Aardvark in Fremantle on February 6.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Smith Street Band Goes Semi-Acoustic For COVID-Safe Shows

The last year has taught us all to pivot as we’ve attempted to thrive in this new normal. If you’ve had told me 12 months ago that The Smith Street Band were planning semi-acoustic seated shows I’d have laughed, and yet here we are. And funnily enough, it all makes perfect sense.

As soon as Victorian restrictions were eased, the band set about rehearsing and rewriting many of their songs to suit a more mellow, COVID-safe environment. The band will take these reworked tracks to fans across Victoria and New South Wales in the coming months.

The shows coincide with an album of those reworked tracks, Unplugged in Wombat State Forest. The first single, “It’s OK” isn’t too dramatic a departure from the original, but I expect we’ll hear a few left turns when the album drops on March 5. If you love what you see, you can also stream a video featuring all the songs here. And remember to get on to those The Smith Street Band Unplugged shows. With limited capacity in all venues and some shows already sold out, the remaining tickets won’t last long.

26 February 2021 – Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo
27 February 2021 – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool
4 March 2021 – The Forum, Melbourne
5 March 2021 – The Forum, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
6 March 2021 – The Forum, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
12 March 2021 – The Enmore, Sydney
17 April 2021 – Yours + Owls Festival, Wollongong

Image used with permission from Little Giant Agency; credit: Ian Laidlaw