Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Freedman @ Laycock Street Theatre, Gosford – 12 March 2021

The Whitlams were one of my concert casualties of last year. While that gig has been postponed to August, Tim Freedman is putting himself in front of smaller crowds with his Hot Autumn Nights shows.

Byron Bay-based singer-songwriter Sam Buckingham warmed up the crowd. Holding the attention of a sold-out theatre there to see someone else with only an acoustic guitar and your voice is no mean feat, but you could have heard a pin drop during her performance. I remember seeing her play at a little bar in inner-city Sydney what has to be at least 15 years ago, and it’s thrilling to see how far she’s come. She’d delight us with a witty, light-hearted number, then go for the emotional jugular with something weightier. She chatted easily with the crowd, clearly delighted to be out in the world amongst music lovers again. Her set was a big reminder that I need to catch up on the music I’ve missed because she’s such a talent.

While we were appreciative of Sam, there was a buzz of excitement when Tim took the stage. We were thrilled to see him and it seems the feeling was mutual. I’ve seen him play live so many times over the years, both with the Whitlams and on his own, but I can’t recall him being in such a chatty, upbeat mood. He stopped to pause and talk between most songs, regaling us of tales of their origins. Not even the steady stream of people exiting and entering the venue for the bars and toilets seemed to faze him, as he joked that while he’d lose them for a while they always seemed to come back.

In some ways, a Tim Freedman show isn’t too dissimilar from a Whitlams show. The hits and fan favourites from the band’s back catalogue still make up the bulk of the set. Nothing was neglected, from the songs that climbed the charts like “No Aphrodisiac” and “Blow Up the Pokies” to earlier singles like “Gough” and “I Make Hamburgers,” released before the band really gained mainstream attention. A selection of choice covers peppered the set. I saw Tim paying homage to Harry Nilsson years ago, so I was thrilled to hear him deliver the poignant “Mr Richland’s Favorite Song.” He nearly forgot to deliver the Randy Newman cover the show’s ads promised, but “Short People” was a fun addition to the encore. Nilsson and Newman covers were natural choices for a piano-playing singer-songwriter, but his take on Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” was more unexpected. I’m so glad I could witness it.

I don’t have photos from the night to share; Laycock Street Theatre forbids photography. I don’t mind that rule too much though. It forces you to stop looking for that perfect shot and simply appreciate what’s happening in front of you. After the year we’ve all had, so starved of live music, sharing in those moments with Tim, Sam, and the appreciative Central Coast audience was so welcome. Tim will take his Hot Autumn Nights tour to the following venues in the coming weeks:

18 March 2021 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
19 March 2021 – Burrinja Cultural Centre, Upwey
20 March 2021 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
21 March 2021 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
24 March 2021 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
25 March 2021 – Soundlounge, Gold Coast
26 March 2021 – The Triffid, Brisbane
27 March 2021 – The Triffid, Brisbane
30 March 2021 – Rockford Winery, Tanunda
31 March 2021 – The Gov, Adelaide
1 April 2021 – The Gov, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vale Doug Parkinson

The Australian music industry took another hit last night with the passing of Doug Parkinson. The larger-than-life, absolute legend was just 74.

My first introduction to Doug came when he took on the role of the Big Bopper in the musical Buddy. I was still in primary school when my family made the trip to Sydney. I didn’t know anything about Doug at the time, but I was struck by how he stole the show in a relatively minor role.

Over the years I’ve caught him live a couple of times: a set at Jazz in the Vines and his Joe Cocker tribute show a few years back. It saddens me some flaws in the Joe Cocker show will be my last memories of this incredible talent. I’d love a do-over. But while the gigs might not have always been perfect, Doug’s voice never faltered. It is one of the most striking, soulful Australia will ever hear, and the music landscape will be much poorer without it.

I want to leave you with this video for Doug’s version of “Dear Prudence,” always the highlight of his sets. It might be a controversial opinion, but I think it’s far superior to The Beatles’ original.

Vale Doug Parkinson.

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Saint Lane Drops Vibrant Video for “The Water”

Saint Lane has reminded me why I fell in love with his music earlier this year with the release of a video for his current single “The Water.” The clip’s Somerset Dam setting is the ideal backdrop for this laidback but insightful cut from his brilliant debut EP If I Leave You In the Fire.

“I was going for a Chance the Rapper meets Harry Styles things both sonically and with the outfit,” Saint Lane said of the video. “We wanted the location of the track to feel as big as the song. Massive mountains, huge river, full of life. Lots of brightness.”

Saint Lane will support Bootleg Rascal at their upcoming April 9 show at Sunshine Coast’s Sol Bar.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Marbee Announces Her Arrival With Stunning Debut Single, “Music Box”

Melbourne musician Marbee has thoroughly charmed me with her new single “Music Box.” It builds beautifully, starting with angelic, soft vocals and the gentle tones of a xylophone before the rock undertones really kick in with the chorus.

“I intend to awaken happy and nostalgic feelings from childhood, mixed with shades of ‘rains and thunder’ that even a childlike past cannot escape from,” Marbee explained. “The repetitive melody imitates the cyclical tone of the music box, evoking the protective, albeit fragile, shelter of human relations as well as the enchanting and lulling attraction of music in its simplest mechanical form. I recorded the xylophone in a 100 year-old building to capture its ancient atmospherics … ‘When I play the music box, it takes me back to home.’”

I’m always on the lookout for music that feels really fresh, and this track really fits the bill. It’s only Marbee’s first single, and it makes me pretty excited to hear more.

Marbee will launch “Music Box” in Melbourne tomorrow night, March 13, at The Tote Upstairs. Tickets are available now from the venue and Oztix.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Parker Blows Me Away With “Lie Low”

Parker dropped her new single “Lie Low” a couple of days ago, just in time for International Women’s Day, but there’s never a bad time for female empowerment, right? So if you didn’t catch it then, make sure you listen now.

When you do, really listen to those lyrics. It’s so easy to get swept up in her angelic, ethereal voice, but those lyrics are what really sold me on this song. They’re so strong and wise. While I think they’ll really hit a chord with female listeners, I can imagine plenty of men will take something from them as well. If you’ve ever tried to shrink yourself down and or present a front that’s more palatable for the world than your authentic self, this one’s for you.

“I’ve always held myself with a belief that I should exist in the world with quiet grace. Not be too loud or stand out too much … Even though my friends, parents and partners have encouraged me to follow my dreams I always felt this responsibility to not be too loud or abrasive, to look pretty, to sound pretty, to not challenge people too much, make music and art that is beautiful and easy to listen to and look at,” she admitted. “Hans and I were working remotely on the track and we had the ‘be less, be less’ section looping at the end. I felt this rage inside me in response to that idea. This feeling of frustration at all the times I’ve controlled my emotions so that I didn’t make others feel uncomfortable. I set up my mic in my bedroom and just started screaming and yelling until finally it felt like my heart cracked open. The floodgates opened up and I wept loudly for about 10 mins.”

The emotions kept flowing for the music video. Parker explained the artistic choices she made in this beautifully surreal clip.

“We talked about the courage it takes as a woman to put yourself first in a world where there are still so many expectations for women to play support roles in both career and domestic spaces. Thinking about the concept of sacrificing time and energy for another we found a way to represent this with the metaphor of colour being drained from one character to another. I like that it is not explicit that the colour is being taken or given. When the character drops to her knees she could be crying or she could be praying. When we worship our loved ones we can fall into our own pattern of giving too much of ourselves to them.”

This isn’t the first time Parker’s impressed me, but I think “Lie Low” might be her best single yet. What do you think readers?

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

SENNSES Gets My Blood Pumping With “Outside”

SENNSES’ latest single “Outside” feels more like the kind of track you’d listen to in the wee small hours in a sweaty club than first thing on a weekday morning. However, this electro-synth tune is helping me shake off that morning sluggishness, so I figure it might do the same for you.

“Outside” is incredibly catchy but it also has a beautiful, bittersweet quality. Trent Broussard’s vocals are so haunting and those synth sounds are just gorgeous.

“For me, this song is all about staying in your own lane, not listening to the noise and not listening to people when they say you can’t do something,” explained the other half of the Melbourne duo, Hayden Gordic. “It’s something we have lived by from day one, and something that has pushed us forward.”

“Outside’ is about the negative energy that all of us have to deal with in day-to-day life, especially when we choose to pursue a goal/vision,” Trent added. “The chorus of the song captures the sense of ‘calm’ you feel when you realise that people’s opinions don’t matter, and that only you can determine your own success.”

It might be Thursday, but crank “Outside” up anyway and remember the weekend isn’t too far away!

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stars Turn Out for Road4Roadies

As the Australian music industry slowly gets back on its feet following the worst of the global pandemic, this year’s Roady4Roadies events are more important than ever before. To mark the occasion, Crewcare has enlisted an all-star team of ambassadors. Icehouse, Missy Higgins, Vika & Linda, Paul Dempsey, Brian Ritchie, The Badloves, Catherine Britt, and King Canyon will all take part in this year’s event.

Rewind to 2020 and the Roady4Roadies events were some of the first pandemic victims. Just two weeks out from their 13 events, every one was cancelled. Almost a year later, things aren’t a lot better. While we’re slowly seeing gigs return, the industry is operating at less than 4 percent of pre-COVID levels. But this year at least, there is hope. Road4Roadies gives crew and musicians and day to reconnect with their colleagues and supporters. It’s also a day to raise awareness of the importance of roadies and funds for Support Act’s Roadies Fund, which helps music crew members in crisis.

“I’m in endless awe at the professionalism of music crew, how hard they work and the standard they work to. Us artists literally could not do what we do without a highly skilled team of men and women behind the scenes making it all happen. But it’s a really tough job, working crazy long hours and away from home months at a time. It takes its toll on mental and physical health. Then throw into the mix the past year with restrictions on live events, it’s just been devastating for so many music workers and their families who suddenly found themselves unable to make ends meet,” explained Missy Higgins. “We need events like Roady4Roadies more than ever right now, so we can show our support and raise some much-needed funds for these amazing men and woman who’ve always been the backbone of what we do.”

Roady4Roadies 2021 will be held on April 11 in 10 major cities around the country. Each event kicks off with a leisurely 3-4 km Roady4Roadies walk, followed by family activities and performances. All walkers receive a free T-shirt and face mask with their ticket, which are available now from Moshtix. If you can’t make it, you can also show your support with a virtual ticket. Here are all the sites and times for this year’s Roady4Roadies events.

Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide – 11:30 am
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane – 10:30 am
The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay – 11 am
Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin – 11 am
The Salty Dog, Kingston Beach – 11:30 am
Palais Theatre, St Kilda – 11 am
Lizotte’s, Newcastle – 4:30 pm
The Lucky Shag, Perth – 11 am
Addison Road Community Centre, Marrickville – 11:30 am
North Queensland Stadium, Townsville – 3:30 pm

Image used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pinkish Blu Release Great New Bop, “Backward”

Adelaide quartet Pinkish Blu has won me over with their latest single “Backward.” With a clap-along chorus, relatable angsty lyrics, and a heavy sense of bittersweet nostalgia, this track ticks all the boxes. It’s the sort of song that you just want to keep listening to, but it almost didn’t see the light of day.

“During COVID we felt nostalgic and were looking back on our old demos and found ‘Backward’, actually, four different versions of ‘Backward’. From what it was back then to what it is now is vastly different, but the core idea of the song has remained prevalent throughout,” explained frontman Brice Young. “Sonically we’ve evolved to a sound we’re really comfortable with, which has given us the opportunity to be more open and wear our hearts on our sleeve.”

The nostalgia continues with the music video, which was filmed at Gawler Cinemas.

“Reflecting on something you may have just gone through or went through a long time ago … when you reflect on things that hold strong emotional value, these moments can play out in your head like scenes from a movie. We hit up our local small-town cinema and managed to convince them to let us film a music video there for a whole day,” added bassist Ricky Liddell.

If you’ve missed Pinkish Blu on the live circuit, the way is almost over. They’ll hit the road with Odette this May. Catch them at the following venues:

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

Queensland Talent Turn Out for Homeless Youth at Youturn IT UP! Show

Tia Gostelow, Shag Rock, Sametime, and Toxic Fox are coming together to support the Sunshine Coat’s homeless youth with a benefit concert on April 11. Youturn IT UP! will raise money for local charity Youturn Youth Support.

“We did our research and we loved that Youturn is a local, grassroots charity who are focused on supporting young people on the Sunshine Coast, and in SE Queensland,” explained Tim and Sam from Sametime, who are also ambassadors for the charity. “They have a passionate team, who are really dedicated to making a difference to the vulnerable people in their care, as artists and musicians, we hope to use our time and talent to help raise Youturn’s profile and the amazing work they are doing.”

Youturn IT UP! is the first in a series of benefit concerts designed to raise money and awareness of youth homelessness and bring the community together for a great time. It hits Night Quarter on the Sunshine Coast on April 11. Get your tickets now from Oztix.

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dean Lewis Back in the Spotlight With “Falling Up”

Dean Lewis set such a high bar with his debut album a Place We Knew. It attracted attention all over the world. Suddenly he was hitting stages like Lollapalooza, Isle of Wight, and Splendour in the Grass. Household names like Ellen Degeneres and Jimmy Kimmel were clamouring to get him on their shows. After enjoying such a meteoric rise, everyone wondered what he’d do next. We finally have our answer with the release of “Falling Up,” the first single lifted from Dean’s sophomore album.

Dean doesn’t reinvent the wheel here, and nor should he. This track is emotive and relatable. We might never have experienced Dean’s particular struggles, but we certainly know the feelings of anxiety and isolation he sings about. This song feels accessible from the get-go because it’s a catchy pop song with real heart.

“I always thought I would be happy when I finished school or when I passed an exam, or I got a job or a promotion or if I went travelling and then I was like – ‘ooh, now I have a record deal, what if I have a big song? Then, I had a big song, and I was on the road for three years and when I stopped, I realised it had all passed me by and I was actually less present and more anxious and stressed than ever,” he admitted. “I looked back on my life and at all of these points along the way and I realised that I’ve never felt any better, it’s always been onto the next thing, always moving.”

Dean hasn’t announced when that new album will drop, but this single is sure to get people excited about its imminent release.

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia; credit: Darren Craig