Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Megan Washington, Matt Corby & More For Brisbane Bushfire Fundraiser

Fire Fight Australia and Down to Earth: A Fire and Climate Relief Concert may have sold out in a red hot minute, but there are still tickets available for a host of fantastic bushfire fundraisers. One of the best that I wanted to put on your radar is Raise ‘Em Up, a Brisbane show aiming to raise $100,000 for the fire relief efforts.

The bill is stacked with local talent including Megan Washington, Matt Corby, The Kite String Tangle, Asha Jefferies, Ngaiire, and The Riot. These artists will donate their time to the event, ensuring 100% of all ticket, bar, and merch takings can be divided between Red Cross and WIRES.

“Both WIRES and the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal are hugely worthy causes and we hope that throwing this Raise ‘Em Up show provides people another way to support their critical work,” explained The Tivoli’s co-owner and creative director, Dave Sleswick.

“In return, we promise a jam-packed evening of live music which will kick off from 5pm with food trucks, a car park party and a great community raffle also taking place.”

Raise ‘Em Up hits The Tivoli on January 25. Tickets are all general admission and ranging from $50 to $200, so you can donate as much or as little as your budget allows and still see the show. Get yours from Ticketmaster while you can!

Image used with permission from Aruga

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Queen, Alice Cooper, and k.d. lang Lead Fire Fight Australia Line-Up

{TEG} Dainty and {TEG} Live promised us a big bushfire benefit show and they haven’t disappointed. This morning they dropped their star-studded line-up for Fire Fight Australia headed up by international acts Queen and Adam Lambert, Alice Cooper, and k.d. lang.

Of course, plenty of Aussies have also rushed to help including hot young things Amy Shark, Baker Boy, Conrad Sewell, and Illy, and absolute legends including Daryl Braithwaite, Icehouse, Olivia Newtown-John, and John Farnham. There are plenty more artists announced and others that will be added to the bill before the big event at ANZ Stadium on February 16.

Ticket sales benefit rural and regional fire services, Red Cross disaster relief, and the RSPCA Bushfire Appeal. You can get yours from Ticketek from noon today.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eli Dan Releases Beautiful New Single, “Treading Water”

Melbourne pop duo Eli Dan give voice to the helplessness many Aussies feel with their new single “Treading Water.” While it wasn’t written about the bushfire crisis, the track perfectly echoes the sentiment in Australia right now.

While “Treading Water” comes from a place of heartache and struggle, there is also hope in these lyrics. After all, while you’re treading water your head is still above the surface. Keeping it up, digging deep into your resilience, keeps you alive. The song was inspired by the band’s struggles to make an impact in the competitive music industry. While it was recorded in singer Elisha Apurado’s home studio it has a big epic sound. And don’t her vocals give you chills?

Eli Dan will launch “Treading Water” at Kindred Studios in Yarraville on February 8.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ocean Alley Drop New Music Ahead of Laneway Shows

Ocean Alley have kept a fairly relentless touring schedule over the last 12 months, but they’ve still found time to write and demo some new music. New single “Tombstone” is one of the latest tracks to come out of those creative stints. Its easy blend of funk, soul, and classic rock showcases everything that made Ocean Alley one of the hottest bands in the country.

Ocean Alley spent much of 2019 abroad playing shows in New Zealand, Bali, Canada, the USA, Europe, and the UK, but they’ll be back on home soil next month for the Laneway Festival shows. They’ll also support Six60 in New Zealand. Catch them at all the following gigs.

1 February – Laneway Festival, Brisbane
2 February – Laneway Festival, Sydney
7 February – Laneway Festival, Adelaide
8 February – Laneway Festival, Melbourne
9 February – Laneway Festival, Fremantle
22 February – Western Springs, Auckland (supporting Six60)
7 March – Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (supporting Six60)

Photo credit: Charlie Hardy

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Zac Eichner’s Double A-Side Single Twice as Nice

Adelaide indie-electronic act Zac Eichner delivers a double-dose of goodness with his new double A-side single, “Naked & Autumn.” The songs complement one another beautifully, showcasing Zac’s gift for creating electronic music with heart. I love the way his electro beats intertwine with his rough, yet tender vocals, and traditional instruments. “Naked” is a poignant piano ballad while “Autumn” is an uplifting number that Zac describes as a “bittersweet, coming-of-age movie track.”

Both songs are so different, but they’re the ideal introduction to what Zac brings to the local music landscape. When he’s not working on music, Zac devotes his time to helping the next generation.

“I work for the Carly Ryan Foundation, a non-for-profit organisation. I get to head around Australia and talk to primary and high school kids about online safety and wellbeing,” he explained. “I’m currently developing a holistic healing/song writing program to take to schools for kids to be able to express themselves through song, whether that be to capitalise on those songs, just have a voice or strengthen their mental health. It’s something I’m incredibly passionate about and is clearly very close to me.”

Zac is playing launch parties around the nation to celebrate the release of “Naked & Autumn.” Catch him at the following remaining gigs.

8 January 2020 – The Gasometer, Melbourne
10 January 2020 – Rye Hotel, Mornington Peninsula
11 January 2020 – Jive, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sienna Wild Releases Rocking Love Triangle Track, “You Wouldn’t Know”

Melbourne act Sienna Wild are giving me serious Eskimo Joe vibes with their latest single “You Wouldn’t Know.” It’s got a little more edge than your average pop-rock number, and that anthemic chorus really kicks things up a notch. To make sure you can sing along, the band has released a fantastic lyric video to compliment the song’s release.

“The sentiment behind the single came from me setting myself a challenge of writing from the perspective of a third-party in a break up,” explained Louis Goutus, Sienna Wild’s lead singer and bassist. “Up to that point, our writing had been about power within a relationship, whether it be during good times or bad. This time, I wanted to write a song about an outsider who becomes involved in a break up, as opposed to the two protagonists telling the story. It is essentially about a girl telling her boyfriend’s best friend she’s going to leave her man, but the boyfriend is too oblivious to realise. Hence, he ‘wouldn’t know’, but the friend does!”

The lads played a free show in Sydney last week, but there’s more where that came from.

“Fans can expect a tight rock performance full of swirling guitars, crashing choruses and compelling dynamics. You’ll see a band who have conviction and believe what they say, and mean what they do. A good time for all!”
If that sounds right up your alley, make sure you don’t miss the following Sienna Wild gigs.

9 January 2020 – Crown & Anchor, Adelaide
18 January 2020 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane (FREE)
31 January 2020 – The Tote, Collingwood

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Unbroken Expanse Will Rock Your Socks Off With “Go”

For many Aussies, today is the day we’ve been dreading, the day we head back to the office after that well-earned festive break. Days like that deserve rocking soundtracks to help fire us up. If you’re looking for a song that fits the bill, look no further than “Go,” the life-affirming new track from Northern Territory outfit Unbroken Expanse.

‘During the writing of ‘Go,’ my partner, Jess, was days from giving birth to our son, Elvis,” explained the band’s singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Wheezy. “His impending arrival made me think more and more about how his generation will need to connect with each other more than any generation before it … the song is a message to him, and to all of us, to maintain a progressive, positive view of the world as often as we can. To move forward. To ‘Go.’”

This band from Tennant Creek holds nothing back, and the song is richer for it. Turn it up loud and enjoy this one. Just don’t be surprised when you find yourself hitting play for another go round after it’s done. This is Aussie rock done right.

Unbroken Expanse will launch “Go” at Melbourne’s Gasometer Hotel on January 22.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fall In Love With CLEAR

There’s a lot of anger, frustration, and fear in Australia at the moment. Homes, human lives, and wildlife are under threat from bushfires, our PM and his cronies seem next to useless, and it’s impacting our collective moods. One thing I have noticed recently in my local area are love hearts spray-painted throughout the towns. On buildings, street signs, footpaths, just a constant reminder of the love we probably all need right now. If you could use a little more love in your life, take a couple of minutes to listen to “Always,” the beautiful new song from Hervey Bay act CLEAR.

It’s a beautiful ballad which creates a little bubble of romance and happiness. CLEAR’s voice is sublime and listening to it interplay with those gentle synths is just out of this world. It’s got an easy feel to it, perhaps because CLEAR wrote it in record time.
“’Always’ was one of those songs that happen on their own,” she explained. “It took 10 minutes at most to have all the lyrics down and know how the composition was going to be… which ultimately wasn’t too surprising, when the subject matter is about a love that came suddenly and quickly and fell into place with ease. Essentially the story of how the song came about matches the song’s subject matter, which I don’t believe is much of a coincidence.”

This isn’t the first track from CLEAR that’s won my heart. I can’t wait to hear more from this exciting Aussie act.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MOBS Moving On With “Find Another You”

I’ve always felt Melbourne band MOBS were on the verge of greatness. With the release of their new single “Find Another You,” they’re inching ever closer to getting there.

This track sees the band coming of age with its glorious blend of melancholy and optimism. While the verses explore the pain of relationships, the joyous chorus reminds us that there will always be another day, and another person to make our hearts soar. Can we just take a moment to appreciate that sax line too? MOBS take their cues from retro synth-pop acts including Tears for Fears and Spandau Ballet along with modern masters like Passion Pit and LANY. It’s fresh, fun, but with a darkness that adds depth.

Inspiration came from the most unlikely of places, according to lead singer Jordan Clarey.

“’Find Another You’ is about the movie She’s All That,” he admitted. “Instead of being about a jerk turning a geeky girl into a popular girl, our song is about that jerk getting hurt and doing whatever he can to get over the fact that he’s vulnerable and just wants to be happy. This was a fun sidestep from the theme of writing about movies as this was us creating our own story inside of the movie”.

These guys had a busy 2019, playing shows in China, the US, and the UK, as well as here at home. With songs like “Find Another You” in their arsenal, we can expect 2020 to be even bigger. They’ll play a string of shows in North America next month and The Great Escape festival in the United Kingdom later this year. Catch MOBS at the following events and expect many more show announcements soon!

9 February 2020 – Set it Off @ Phantasy Nightclub, Lakewood
11 February 2020 – Set it Off @ Majestic Theatre, Madison
12 February 2020 – Set it Off @ TAK Music Venue, Dilworth
15 February 2020 – Set it Off @ The Rec Room, Calgary
18 February 2020 – Set it Off @ Biltmore Ballroom, Vancouver
13 May 2020 – The Great Escape, Brighton

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dom Youdan Offers Original Take on “Addicted to Love”

I absolutely love a clever cover version. If you can reinvent a song and help me appreciate it in a new way, I take my hat off to you. I was already firmly on the Dom Youdan train, but after hearing the Sydney artist’s take on “Addicted to Love” I’m an even bigger fan.

Robert Palmer recorded this song in 1986, but this update makes it sound fresh as a daisy. It’s so incredibly cool. The stripped back arrangement also highlights those lyrics, bringing a new quiet yet powerful intensity to the track.

“I wanted to create an altogether new anthem; one that slowly crept up on you and met nostalgia head on,” Dom explained. “This is my homage to a track that has inspired my artistry, as well as being the soundtrack to many a late night (and very early morning).”

Dom has just announced a last-minute gig at London’s Ronnie Scotts on January 7. If you’re over in the UK, get on it!

Image used with permission from Beehive PR