Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Thom Lion Bowls Me Over With “Scattered Words”

Adelaide singer-songwriter Thom Lion has knocked it out of the park with his latest single “Scattered Words.” I can’t even tell you how good this indie-pop track is. It’s got a joyous energy about, superb lyrics, it’s such an enjoyable listen. I’m hearing nods to The Preatures, The Cure, and Vance Joy in here. It just makes you want to move your feet and learn the lyrics so you can sing along. Just listen and you’ll soon figure out why I’ve had this song on repeat.

“’Scattered Words’ is a celebration of that love induced anxiety you get when you fall for someone at the local front bar – yet can’t construct a proper sentence when they speak to you,” Thom explained. “For whatever reason, when feelings are involved – I always seem to overcompensate with more scattered words.”

Thom recently launched the single at The Wheatsheaf Hotel and he promises he’s got more gigs in the pipeline. Give him a follow on Facebook to learn more about them as they’re announced.

Image used with permission from Sylvan Arts

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Will Clift Reminds Us Of The Joy of Being Alone With “Get By”

I’m not sure he had the global pandemic in mind when he penned this track, but Will Clift’s latest single “Get By” is the perfect iso anthem. If you’re getting by on your own these days, this laidback funk track is bound to resonate.

Rather than dwelling on the isolation, Will revels in the space that solitude brings. It’s the perfect song about reclaiming your power, whether you’re living in lockdown, you’re enjoying the single life, or both!

“All of my close friends know that I love Tom Misch and ‘Get By’ is definitely my Tom Misch inspired song. It’s really about being comfortable on your own and not relying on others for your happiness,” Will explained. “Julian Steel and Ben Oldland did an amazing job working on the production and if you listen carefully you can hear some cheeky BV’s from JAYDEAN. I’m incredibly happy with how it turned out!”

“Get By” is the latest track lifted from Will’s forthcoming EP Coast, which will drop real soon.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Zellda Releases Stunning Sophomore Single, “Like I Do”

Western Australian singer-songwriter Zellda has touched my heart with her gorgeous new single “Like I Do.” If you’ve ever wrestled with jumping into a new relationship, this song will definitely resonate with you.

“My few steps back into the dating pool were misguided, feeling that familiar flicker begin to spark only to be left a little burned by it. These feelings aren’t always easy to navigate,” she admitted. “Sometimes previous experiences – good and bad – can leave such a lasting influence on our self-confidence and ability to trust that it’s often easier to avoid feelings all together.”

She’s new on the music scene but Zellda has been writing songs for a decade. Last year she decided to release her first single “When I Was Younger,” and the rest is history. Given WA is smashing the pandemic, Zellda has played a couple of shows in the recent months. Give her a follow on Facebook for details of her next gigs as they’re announced.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dami Im Drops “Paper Dragon” Single Ahead of Queensland Shows

Dami Im’s career trajectory has really impressed me. She burst onto the scene in 2013 when she won the X Factor crown. She released the inevitable fluffy singles, but in recent years her songwriting talents have really shone. Her latest single “Paper Dragon” is the perfect example of the kind of empowering, honest music she’s creating right now. It’s her first single released via her new musical home, ABC Music.

“’Paper Dragon’ marks the beginning of the most exciting and authentic chapter in my career and it deserves the best partner to take it out into the world,” Dami said. “I’m feeling the most creative and free right now and I’m thrilled to be working with the team at ABC Music who truly support my vision as an artist.”

The Queensland artist will play some shows around her home state in the coming weeks, starting with a gig at The Triffid tomorrow night. Tickets are still available but limited, so get on it!

25 September 2020 – The Triffid, Brisbane
26 September 2020 – Ipswich Civic Centre, Ipswich
9 October 2020 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
18 October 2020 – Solbar, Maroochydore

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kinkora Releases New Single From Lockdown, “Set Me Free”

Releasing new music during a pandemic presents a challenge, but Melbourne soul-pop act Kinkora won’t let the virus slow her career down. She recently dropped a brand-new single “Set Me Free,” and it’s got just the kind of upbeat vibes we all need right now.

“Set Me Free is about being in a relationship with someone that you know isn’t good for you, but feeling trapped and unable to find a way out. It’s about that toxic, helpless kind of love that keeps pulling you back in,” Kinkora explained. “Whilst I wrote the song over a year ago, the release has coincided with the current shared experience we have of feeling confined – so I think everyone will be able to relate to the general sentiment of wanting to be set free in some way!”

It sounds so slick, but Kinkora actually recorded the song in her bedroom before letting master mixer Matthew Hadley work his magic. Recording the video took some lateral thinking, but it’s pretty brilliant. Check out the clip which sees Kinkora’s dancing flash mob unexpectedly crashing some Zoom calls.

“It was a massive project to coordinate. Each of the dancers learnt the dance via video and we had one run through on Zoom. On the day of the flash mob we used a group text to send cues such as “Go Group 1”, “Go Group 2” etc to notify the dancers to enter the zoom call at the right moment – the whole thing was done completely live. It was chaotic but absolutely hilarious.”

“Set Me Free” is the first of several songs Kinkora will release this year and into 2021, so watch this space!

Image used with permission from Kinkora; photo credit: Naomi Lee Beveridge

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

HANNAH and JAYDEAN Team Up for “I Wanna”

Melbourne acts HANNAH and JAYDEAN have joined forces for a funky new slice of neo-soul, “I Wanna.” The song sees the pair trading extravagant daydreams, much like so many Victorians are doing in lockdown I imagine!

“The track is merely about wanting to escape everyday life, and live up to your best self…realising that life is yours to design and you can really do anything you want with it if you let yourself,” HANNAH explained. “I’m so thankful to have had JAYDEAN join me on the track. We recorded with Julian Steel, who turned my vision for the track into something really special. It has this reggae vibe to it, much more upbeat to what I usually write, but the sound perfectly captures what I had in mind whilst writing.”

Before COVID hit, HANNAH was making her mark gigging around Melbourne at buzzy venues including the Gasometer and Workers Club. Hopefully it’s not too long before she’s back in action!

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tori Forsyth Covers Lil Peep’s “Falling Down”

I’m sure we can all agree, 2020 has been a crazy year. I’ve gotten to the point where nothing really surprises me anymore. So when I heard Hunter Valley country-rock act Tori Forsyth had covered Lil Peep and XXXTENTACION’s track “Falling Down,” I didn’t ask myself why. I asked myself why not?

Tori was inspired to cover the track after watching the documentary, “Everybody’s Everything.”

“After watching the documentary about the life of Lil Peep his story left me incredibly moved but also incredibly sad. Some of the greatest minds can burden the bodies they inhabit,” she admitted. “We’ve seen the story, it’s much too common and my heart goes out to his family and loved ones. Some of my most favourite artists have taken the same path. Have written the story of the all too overwhelming mind to try to ease that pain through substance. Mental illness is such a confronting and all too real reality for so many artists. A topic that hurts and cuts deep. I’m a huge advocate for talking and normalising this conversation, hopefully so much so that by the time I have a daughter or a son, mental health is just another thing we get checked on regularly like a casual dentist looks over.”

Strangely this cover feels really natural, but she certainly had her reservations about taking this song on.

“Recording a Lil Peep song is something completely out of my comfort zone but as Covid19 would have it, this is a theme of the year. Myself Zach (Miller, her bandmate and producer) and Reece (Baines, drummer) all contributed from corners of the country and globe to bring this to life. My first engineering experience was done in my bedroom closet and a lot of makeshift swaps. Lil Peep’s ethos was to always be creating and making and collaborating. We live in a world of high demands and forget that making music is fun, because it moves, because it evokes something. This is the only way I create music. Full Stop. This whole story moved me and in turn pushed us to create something that moved us as a team. I hope you like it and remember that there’s always help and someone to talk to no matter where you are mentally.”

I’ve always believed that there’s no point delivering a cover that’s a carbon copy of the original. You need to bring something new to the game, or what’s the point? I wasn’t familiar with the Lil Peep track, but going back to it after hearing Tori’s grungy take made me appreciate her work even more. This is a total, spectacular reinvention.

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cry Baby Turns Tears Into Strength

Sunshine Coast alt-pop artist Cry Baby has reclaimed the time-honoured insult. She performs under the moniker, which is also the name of her new single. By embracing the nickname, Cry Baby sends the message that it’s more than OK to cry and be in touch with your emotions. I think that’s something we could all stand to hear right now!

“This first song introduces who I am. Once upon a time, being called a ‘cry baby’ used to break me. It made me feel weak, but now I’ve turned it into my superpower,” she said. “I don’t want anyone else to be held back because they’re sensitive or emotional. We shouldn’t see feelings as flaws, but as badges of honour. No one should ever have to apologise for being connected with their emotions and for essentially being human.”

As someone who was often accused of being too sensitive and emotional, I love the sentiment behind this track. But I also really dig its sound. It’s so catchy I’m sure I’ll be humming it around the house. Cry Baby’s voice is so compelling and that melody is first-rate. I can’t wait to hear more from this exciting new artist!

Image used with permission from Kitty Kitty Bang Bang

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Let Nick Marcus’ “Falling” Capture Your Heart

Sydney singer-songwriter Nick Marcus has me swooning with his latest single “Falling.” It’s a gorgeous track anchored by the guitar, but with some cool electronic beats for freshness. Its lyrics about falling too fast, and too deep are bound to strike a chord with all you hopeless romantics out there.

“I wanted to express the feeling of someone who has fallen in love and the other person doesn’t feel the same way,” he explained. “I hope I expressed this with the acoustic nature of the piece and mellow percussion. I wanted to challenge myself vocally and I feel that this song brings out the emotions of heartbreak and longing for someone.”

“Falling” comes from Nick’s self-titled EP, which will be released on October 18.

Image used with permission from GenMusic

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Stevie & The Sleepers” – Stevie & The Sleepers

Stevie & The Sleepers’ debut album has been a long time coming. The band released their debut EP Shake It Up back in 2013. Their recent 12-month hiatus might have made some fans doubt this album would ever see the light of day. But it’s here now, and it’s glorious.

The opening guitar notes of “In the Delta,” transport us back in time. This classic blues number sets the scene, ensuring we know this is music steeped in tradition. The addition of wailing electric guitars adds some modern flavour, but like the most timeless music these songs shine without heavy production. They’re anchored by this tight band of musicians and Stevie Joy’s compelling voice.

If you enjoyed the band’s recent single “Favourite Song,” you’ll love this album. The high-energy party numbers combining soul and blues influences come thick and fast. Along with the single, “Jimmy” and “Shouldn’t Of” are standouts. There is so much energy and attitude in Stevie & The Sleepers music, but the band gives us a chance to catch our breath every now and again. The gospel-infused “Young Again” and tender “Save You” reveal a softer side. These soulful ballads really make an impression among the more upbeat numbers.

Few debut albums are as polished or self-assured as Stevie & The Sleepers self-titled work. This is a band that knows exactly who they are and delivers their own brand of music with so much confidence. Was it worth the wait? Hell yes.

Image used with permission from Stevie & The Sleepers