Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out With Rude Rum

Brisbane rock act Rude Rum delivers serious swagger with its latest single “Got That Feelin’.” It’s such a confident release, I was shocked to hear these guys only formed last year. Those charismatic vocals and funky riff sound so self-assured, I was sure this was the work of some seasoned pros.

“Got That Feelin'” the follow-up to “Curious Affection,” and the two songs have plenty in common.

“’Got That Feelin’’ is the funky sister to its sibling ‘Curious Affection’,” explained Rude Rum’s lead singer and guitarist Jaeden Ogston. “Both songs developed around a similar period in time, however, ‘Got that Feelin’’ features a much more funk-inspired riff and underlying tonality; especially some of the guitar tones where a thinner harmonic quality and sharper attack of the playing style pays homage to old school funk recordings where they often plugged straight into the console rather than an amp. People kept saying to us at our shows ‘That should be your next single!’ or ‘When are you going to record that one?’ so it was definitely a clear choice to release this tune next and plus combined with our own style, it ended up as a super tasty track which really adds dynamic to our catalogue.”

Rude Rum is the sort of act that loves playing anywhere, anytime. Needless to say, COVID-19 has hit them hard and they’re absolutely frothing to share their music with people in person. Follow the band’s Facebook page to learn when they’re back at local venues.

Image used with permission from The Right Profile

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Glades Releases New Pop Smash, “Blonde”

Sydney’s own Glades is spreading the positive vibes with their latest pick-me-up pop banger “Blonde.” If you’re struggling right now and need to shake up your life (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?), this is the track for you.

“Blonde is about helping a friend through a breakup. Sometimes you have to allow yourself to feel the full extent of your emotions to get through something. The song’s about being carefree and allowing yourself to do crazy shit to get over somebody” explained multi-instrumentalist and producer Joey Wenceslao.

“Blonde” is the second track lifted from Glades’ sophomore album Planetarium, due out later this year. The band’s debut To Love You was one of my favourite releases of 2018, so I expect big things from this one.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fall in Love With O’Shea’s “Bridezilla (It Only Gets Better)”

This May, my husband and I celebrated 14 years of mostly wedded bliss. I won’t say that I was a bridezilla, but I certainly sweated some small stuff. So I can totally relate to O’Shea’s fun new country ditty, “Bridezilla (It Only Gets Better).”

The Aussie-born, Nashville-based husband and wife team, Mark and Jay O’Shea co-wrote the track with Clare Bowen (from the TV show Nashville) and her husband Brandon R. Young. That’s a whole lot of experience in the marriage game!

“I wish I could have sent this song to my younger, bridezilla self,” Jay admitted. “It’s too easy to get stressed about little details that don’t matter. The really good stuff happens once you’re married!”

“Jay? A Bridezilla? I have no idea what you’re talking about,” added Mark.

“Bridezilla (It Only Gets Better)” comes from O’Shea’s upcoming album.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mardi Wilson Drops Empowering Folk Track, “Part Time Lover”

Brisbane singer-songwriter Mardi Wilson speaks for anyone who’s ever been screwed over by a sexual partner, both figuratively and literally, with her new single “Part Time Lover.” I love the way its warm, folky sound counterbalances beautifully with those edgy lyrics.

“I would hope if anyone listening to this song feels like they are being/have been taken for a bit of a ride as a ‘part-time lover’ – they realize that they are not alone. I hope that this song speaks to those people and makes them feel empowered and important,” Mardi said. “You can’t help it if someone treat’s you like shit, but you can decide that you deserve better.”

Mardi penned the track back in 2018, after being hospitalised for some health issues. During this difficult time she reached out to someone she was seeing for nearly a year, hoping for support. “The reaction that I got wasn’t what I expected and that really caused a lot of hurt for me, she admitted. “When I eventually got home I went straight for my guitar and started letting it all out.”

COVID-19 has slowed down Mardi’s schedule, but she’s still gigging when and where she can. Follow her Facebook page for details of the next shows as they’re announced.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sinclaire Showcases New Sound With “I Needed You”

Sinclaire won my heart last year with its debut EP Now I’m Ready to Start. Now the Sydney band is back showing a dreamier pop sound on a new single “I Needed You.” The lush synths and haunting vocals on this one remind me of acts like Cub Sport and The 1975. The lyrics are also incredibly clever, as the band’s lead vocalist and songwriter Michael Cross explained.

“On first listen, ‘I Needed You’ feels like a song written about a toxic, dysfunctional relationship between two people. Reciting abusive encounters and unstable dependency on one another, it’s a detailed depiction of everything that would be unhealthy in a relationship. However, it’s actually a story about one person’s addiction to alcohol. For example, the lyric ‘the last time I held you I forgot every word that I said,’ is really referring to the memory loss brought on by excessive drinking.”

Understanding the track’s inspiration makes it hit a little deeper for me. This is a different sound than the one that first got me interested in Sinclaire, but I really appreciate the evolution.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Will Clift’s Soulful New Single is Your Ideal Sunday Soundtrack

Melbourne RnB act and former pro rugby union player Will Clift has just dropped his sophomore single “Fall In Love,” and it’s just the kind of cool, cruisy track Sunday morning ordered. This one goes down easy with its groovy bassline and Will’s effortlessly smooth vocals.

“The song is about the struggle between the excitement and reluctance to fall in love,” Will explained. “When I was writing this track, I wanted to create something that would be a lot of fun to play live and would make people move. This is shown in the video with my bad dance moves, haha! The concept of the music video is that the model is actually a figment of my imagination and ‘the perfect girl’ that I’d ideally fall in love with is unobtainable. It was a lot of fun to make, and I’m not sick of the song after hearing it about 100 times which is a good sign.”

That video, filmed at a private mansion in Noosa, also has me dreaming about summer getaways. It’s the perfect antidote to those winter blues.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

JUNIE Gets Me Grooving With “Sometime”

Sydney RnB act JUNIE has just dropped his second single “Sometime” and it’s an absolute bop. It’s smooth and super catchy, with some rapid-fire rhymes that make the cool groove of the verses even sweeter. Make no mistake, this is the goods.

“While on the surface ‘Sometime’ is a fun and light-hearted jam, the track delves into deeper themes, which explores my battles with patience and confidence,” JUNIE admitted. “Facing your hurdles front on is always overwhelming, but a great way to get past them.”

JUNIE has played the King St. Crawl and shows with other exciting up-and-comers including Down for Tomorrow, A.GIRL, and Wolfjay. Hopefully it won’t be too long before we see him doing his thing live. Until then, crank this one and enjoy a party at home!

Image used with permission from Carlos Lara

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

David Shaak Drops Sublime Single, “Lost, Alone & Lonesome”

Melbourne-born, Brisbane-based singer-songwriter David Schaak is serving up classic Americana flavours with his latest single “Lost, Alone & Lonesome.” Its dirty guitars and lush Hammond organ are the perfect match for his rough and ready vocals. If you’ve got a taste for Southern rock, you’ll eat this song up.

“There are a lot of songs in the world about heartbreak, but I wanted to write one from the perspective of inevitability,” David said. “Sometimes a relationship can be over and the actual act of breaking up is merely a formality. Yes, there’s going to be a fight and then sadness and then loneliness; both parties have experienced it all before and just want it over and done with.

The line in the chorus ‘When you’re finished, can I keep the broken part?’ actually came from something my dad always said about getting old cars repaired. Always get the broken part back because you can probably get it repaired; to use again later – I don’t think there’s a heart on earth that hasn’t gone through a few repairs.”

“Lost, Alone & Lonesome” comes from David Schaak’s new album Meet My Ghosts, which will be released on October 2.

Image used with permission from Annie Johnsson Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Live” – Ian Moss

Like many music lovers, I miss attending concerts most of all in these pandemic times. Live streams fill the void somewhat, but who knows how long it’ll be until I’m sitting in a room with other music lovers watching one of my favourite artists perform once again. The cravings are real, but Ian Moss has gone some way towards satisfying them with the recent release of his live album, simply called Live.

Recorded over two shows at Canberra’s Playhouse and Sydney’s Enmore Theatre in July 2018, the album captures all the electricity of one of Mossy’s live sets. The tracklist balances popular Cold Chisel and solo singles with some unexpected gems. Well-known tracks like “Choir Girl” and “Tucker’s Daughter” are perfect for singalongs while the less familiar numbers give Mossy space to spread out and experiment. I found myself marvelling as he jammed out with his six-piece band on tracks like “Janelle” and “One Long Day.” This album captures so beautifully those moments that would floor you in the room, where the musicians are so totally caught up in the groove.

“It was great to be back out and touring Australia with a big band full of extraordinary talent and exceptional musicians and playing to some of the best audiences I’ve ever played to,” Ian reminisced. “The crew we had on the road with us were some of the best in the business and of course, having the new studio album, Ian Moss, full of songs, with me at the helm of the songwriting to play was fantastic”.

Ian Moss’s Live is exclusively available from digital services including Spotify and Apple Music. If you love what you hear, remember Ian Moss will be back on the road next year. Here are all the shows we can look forward to in early 2021.

24 & 26 February 2021 – Jetty Theatre, Coffs Harbour
27 February 2021 – Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree
5 March 2021 – The Art House, Wyong
6 March 2021 – The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie
26 March 2021 – Latrobe Performing Arts Centre @ Town Hall, Traralgon
27 March 2021 – The Wedge @ Performing Arts Centre, Sale
7 April 2021 – Swan Hill Town Hall, Swan Hill
9 April 2021 – Mildura Arts Centre, Mildura
10 April 2021 – Broken Hill Civic Centre, Broken Hill
16 & 17 April 2021 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
23 April 2021 – Dubbo Regional Theatre & Convention Centre, Dubbo
24 April 2021 – Tamworth Town Hall, Tamworth
1 May 2021 – Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga

Images used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM; header image credit: Daniel Boud

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shayne Cook Unleashes Two Superb Singles Ahead of Album Release

Why release just one single to generate buzz about your new album when you can drop two? Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Shayne Cook isn’t doing things by halves, dropping two new tracks ahead of the October release of his album Epiphonetics.

The first track, “Matters of the Heart” is a sweet folky love song exploring the way the heart can wrestle with the head when it comes to relationships. The demo almost fell through the cracks but album producer Simon Moro saw its beauty and developed it into the special song it is today.

The second track “Stawell Gift” is a little darker and moodier. It’s a personal song that details the story of Shayne’s dad and his adoption was the town of Stawell.

“Three years ago, my brother put out a search for the real parental background of our father. His history was traced back to a Greek immigrant who had previously been the captain of a ship in the Greek prior to emigrating and establishing a restaurant in the country Victorian town of Stawell with his wife. During this period his paternal father had an extra-marital affair with a lady working at the restaurant. Our dad was the result and he was sent to live in an orphanage after his birth,” Shayne recounted.

“Dad’s life parents were Christian missionaries and they originally came to the orphanage in search of a girl for adoption. However, they saw dad standing up in his cot looking at them with his big brown eyes and their choice was made on the spot. Dad had loving parents and a good life with them. Whilst both his biological parents had passed at the time of finding out his background – Dad’s heritage was survived by his half-brother and sister. He now has a great relationship with both and had an instant connection. His half-brother George, as it turned out, is a prominent Australian musician who has played with the like of the Black Sorrows, Zydeco Jump and Robyn Archer amongst many others.”

These songs are so different, but they’re both brilliant. They’ve certainly got me excited for Shayne’s album Epiphonetics, which drops on October 23.

Image used with permission from Annie Johnsson Publicity