Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sarah McLeod Releases Beautiful Dog Tribute “Chachi’s Theme” For RSPCA

I’m not sure anything hurts quite like losing a pet. My 18-year-old family dog Charlie died a couple of years ago and I’m not even close to over it. So my heart goes out to Sarah McLeod, who recently lost her beloved pooch Chachi. He was a proper part of Sarah’s touring crew, and he will be so missed. I have no idea where she found the strength, but she’s managed to put her grief into a beautiful new song, “Chachi’s Theme.” All money raised by the single will benefit the RSPCA.

“Chachi has been my everything for 15 years, she came with me on almost every Australian tour and everyone loved her. She recently passed away and I’ve been trying to work out how to live without her. I found myself going a bit nuts, asking all the birds if they had a message from Chachi, then I thought instead of sitting waiting for a message from her, I’ll send her one from me,” Sarah explained.

“I read this poem about the rainbow bridge by Paul C Dahm that comforted me so much. They say that’s where animals who were especially close to their owners go after passing, it’s a beautiful utopia of love and sunshine and all the sick are healed. Here they wait for their special friends, and when it’s our time to pass, we meet them and cross the bridge to eternity together. I’ve taken great comfort in this poem and I wanted to make sure Chachi knew what to do. I figure if I’m singing this song night after night she will undoubtedly hear me and get the message. It was so hard to write because I did it the week she passed, it was all so raw and I cried all the way through it, but I had to push through because I knew I needed it to heal. Now, besides a piano covered in tears, I have this song, I have something solid I can connect with her through, forever, she will be with me always but especially when I sing this song. I wrote it to heal my heart and to let her know that everything is OK. Then I thought, it may heal other hearts in similar situations so I thought I should release it and donate the proceeds to the RSPCA.”

I’m warning you now, if you’re still grieving a pet, this one is likely to get to you. I couldn’t listen to it without ugly crying. Honestly, I’m still wiping tears away as I type this. Don’t say you didn’t have notice. But this piano ballad is a beautiful, cathartic piece, a fitting tribute to Chachi. How amazing to create something that can make other people feel so deeply.

Sarah was all set to play electric solo shows before COVID hit. She’s just announced details of her post-pandemic tour, but it’ll be a little bit different. The first set will be electric, but the second will be a more intimate piano-based one. Sarah learned how to play the instrument in lockdown and she’s keen to show off her new skills. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

25 February 2021 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
26 February 2021 – Workers Club, Geelong
5 March 2021 – Ballina RSL, Ballina
6 March 2021 – The Lounge, Nundah
7 March 2021 – Wallaby Hotel, Mudgeeraba (FREE)
11 March 2021 – The Vanguard, Newtown
12 March 2021 – Royal Hotel, Queanbeyan
13 March 2021 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla (Early and late shows)
19 March 2021 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide

Image used with permission from On The Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Caitlyn Shadbolt Drops New Single “Edge of the Earth” Ahead of Album Release

Caitlyn Shadbolt was one of the standout contestants in the sixth series of The X Factor. If you haven’t been watching her career since then, it’s time to come back up to speed. She’s just dropped a new single “Edge of the Earth,” which gives you a taste of the kind of crowd-pleasing country-pop you’ll hear on her forthcoming sophomore album. Caitlyn co-wrote the song with Sarah Buckley of The Buckleys.

“Sarah and I wrote this song after learning that we both love to push the boundaries in life and in music. I feel like this song sums me up well: free-spirited, adventurous and … stubborn!” Caitlyn explained. I recorded it with Stuart Stuart during lockdown and engineered all my vocals and acoustic guitars in my home studio, then sent them to Stuart in Brisbane and we collaborated over the phone.”

“Edge of the Earth” comes from Caitlyn’s album Stages, which will be released on November 6.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

L-Fresh the Lion Puts Fresh Spin on Nardean’s “aux cord”

There’s a real art to remixing. A remix shouldn’t just sound different; it should enhance the original recording and bring something new to the table. It’s rare that I think a remix outshines the original, but this new version of Nardean’s “aux cord” is incredible.

Nardean’s been smart here, working with fellow Western Sydney artist L-Fresh the Lion. Their common backgrounds gives them a shares perspective that really enhances this song. His verse is stellar, and the paired back instrumentation really makes sure all the rhymes take centre stage.

“Having L on this song is such an honour. He’s an exceptional MC, and he added so much depth and detail to the story I tell in my first verse,” Nardean said. “We don’t hear these stories and perspectives in the mainstream narrative. That’s why this song is so important to me. Because our stories are so often ignored or simplified and parodied. To be able to tell them with our own voice is so necessary. It helps the migrant community to make sense of our collective experience.”

Enjoy this, then go back and give the original version of “aux cord” a listen. It’s so exciting listening to the evolution of this really special song.

Image used with permission from Ditto Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Chutney” – Chutney

The influence of early 2000s British indie-rock acts like the Arctic Monkeys, the Kooks, and the Wombats can be heard clearly throughout Chutney’s self-titled EP. The roughened vocals and guitar-driven melodies are dripping in nostalgia. But when it sounds this good, it’s hard to get too critical.

With just five songs, Chutney keep things short and snappy. Opening track “Consolation Prize” is a mid-tempo charmer that eases us into the recording. It gives us a great taste of what Chutney are all about before they pick up the pace with “Genie’s Lamp.” It might sing about a relationship that’s “far away from love,” but I found the relaxed earnest pleas of “Sleep With Me” irresistible. “Outcast” is a bold floor-filler that makes me crave live gigs even more. I can just imagine how this would go off in some sweaty pub. Chutney hails from the Gold Coast, but the EP ends with an ode to South Australia’s capital. “Adelaide” is a fairly gentle outro, the sort of track that might play as the party winds down.

Chutney might not be able to leave the Sunshine State, but they’re organising some local gigs until those borders open up. Home state fans can catch them with Selfish Sons at Vinnie’s Dive on September 26.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cast Your Vote For the South Australian Music Awards

We might be in the midst of a global pandemic, but that won’t slow down the South Australian Music Awards. The annual celebration of SA’s finest musical talent will take place on November 3, in a yet-to-be-determined format. You can be a part of the action by casting your vote for the People’s Choice Awards.

These public-voted awards recognise the state’s best artists in a variety of genres. Will the awards go to big names like Horror My Friend, Cassidy Rae, or Neon Tetra, or one of this year’s promising up-and-comers. Cast your vote via The Music!

And keep an eye on the South Australian Music Awards page for more details of this year’s event as they come to hand.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chris Rose Releases Strong Single “Keep Me Believing”

The global pandemic and R U OK? Day have put mental health matters firmly in the spotlight. Slowly but surely it feels the stigma is breaking down. Songs like “Keep Me Believing,” by Port Macquarie musician Chris Rose, are helping us feel more comfortable having those hard conversations.

This track talks about grappling with anxiety and negative thoughts, yet pushing through them in pursuit of a better life. You might have heard it on a recent Home & Away commercial, but I prefer listening to it in this context, away from those distractingly perfect people.

Chris hasn’t let the global pandemic slow his creativity. His Facebook page reveals he’s been songwriting over Zoom, so hopefully it won’t be too much longer until we hear more new music from him.

Image used with permission from Play MPE

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Say Hello to Meg Hitchcock and Her New Single “Hello Moon”

Meg Hitchcock was born in London, but now she’s living in Byron Bay I think we can definitely call her one of our own. That’s a good thing too, because she’s making some fantastic music. Her latest single “Hello Moon” is an absolute delight, with sublime vocals and a real retro pop sensibility that has me begging for more.

Meg wrote the track while in London, inspired by the beauty she saw in the night sky.

“One night I had walked to get groceries, and on my return, as I turned the corner, there, proud in the sky, was the shining full moon. In awe and disbelief, a tear ran down my cheek. I felt completely disconnected to nature,” she explained. “The first line and melody, “Hello, Moon, it’s been awhile. I’ve been in the city where I can’t see the sky” whispered out. I ran inside, chucked the groceries down, jumped straight to my laptop and found the arpeggiator. ‘Hello Moon’ was born.”

The music video also has me pretty excited. If you love quirky cult movies like The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Beetlejuice, this clip will be right up your alley.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Roth’s New Single “Gold” Glitters

Aussie-born, Hong-Kong based singer Paul Roth isn’t letting the global pandemic stem his creativity. He’s just released his third solo single of the year, “Gold.” It’s more of a slow burner than his previous releases, but I love the way Paul builds the instruments here, layering guitars and vocals to create something really special.

It should be special though, as Paul wrote the song about the special lady in his life. The song might not sound very festive, but tap into those lyrics and you’ll soon realise it celebrates having someone by your side through the good times and bad.

“I just had this moody chorus melody that I couldn’t out of my head and before I had any concrete lyrics, every line finished with ‘with you,'” he explained.

Paul has another new track coming out on October 2. Follow his Facebook page to hear it first.

Image used with permission from Paul Roth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tyrone Noonan Impresses With Solo Single, “On My Knees”

Tyrone Noonan recently dropped his latest single “On My Knees,” and it’s a real charmer. This upbeat, folk-rock ditty is a song about unguarded love, throwing yourself into a relationship regardless of the consequences.

“This is an ode to love; an admission of adoration and vulnerability,” Tyrone explained. “It’s someone who’s saying to their loved one: ‘It doesn’t matter what you say or do, there is no escape for me … I’m on my knees’.”

“This song was written in an artist-filled warehouse in Seven Sisters in North London; my place of residence at the time,” he recalled. “Myself and two other crazy mofos from Brisbane – John Drake and Eden James – had never worked together before, so it was one of those sessions that could have gone either way. Fortunately John came to the party with a melody to get the verse going and so the three of us butted heads and started playing around, and pretty quickly we snapped into it and the song started taking shape.”

Like many Australians, I haven’t followed Tyrone’s career too closely since george disbanded. However, this track has definitely piqued my interest. “On My Knees” is the latest song lifted from Tyrone’s forthcoming album Utopia? Which is scheduled for release later this year.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reckless Empire Releases Rocking New Ballad, “The One”

Australia has a rich tradition of producing mainstream rock acts. But somewhere along the way, they became few and far between. The bands that really rocked seemed to move to the fringes. We have an amazing metal scene, but there’s not a lot of new music you can imagine dominating the airwaves. There’s a gap in the market, but thankfully Reckless Empire are here to fill it. Their latest single “The One” is a masterclass in how a rock ballad should sound.

From Justin Mansour’s powerful vocals to those soaring electric guitars, this song is so exciting. There’s the theatre of glam rock and those classic ‘80s hair bands, but without the cheese. If you love bands like Van Halen, Whitesnake, and Bon Jovi though, I think this song will be right up your alley.

The coronavirus pandemic has taken so much from the music industry, but without it, this new music might never have been. Reckless Empire got together in 2016. They gigged relentlessly and released their debut EP, V. But then the lead guitarist Simon Davis moved interstate and the band dissolved.

Enter COVID-19. Justin was songwriting and working remotely with his old buddies Simon and Steve Twist (bass, backing vocals) seemed only natural. Boom, just like that Reckless Empire was back together. They make the tracks in their home studios before handing them over to Sydney producer Luke Bertoz. The founding trio has also enlisted Phil Pender (drums) and Simon Gilmore (guitar) for streaming and live shows. Keep an eye on their Facebook page to learn more about those gigs and check out their website for some sweet merch. It’s a great way to support the band until those live gigs start up again.

Image used with permission from Reckless Empire