Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Provest Releases Beautiful Folk Gem, “Trying to be Brave”

Some songs capture your heart from the first listen. Others are a bit more subtle. You need to have patience to see their beauty. Listening to those songs can often be more rewarding, because you know you might have missed out if you had just moved on to the next thing. Ben Provest’s “Trying to be Brave” is one of those slow burns for me. So take your time with it. It might not hit you instantly, but when it does I know you’ll fall just as hard as I did.

Ben wrote, performed, recorded, mixed, and mastered this single himself during a month-long residency in a small Icelandic fishing village. You can hear that isolation and calm coming through this single. It’s special. I’m so glad I didn’t overlook it.

“I recorded it in Studio Silo, an incredible space built as a labour of love and filled with restored vintage gear,” Ben explained. “The upright piano was recorded with a pair of Coles 4038 ribbon microphones, and the acoustic guitar and lead vocal with a U67-style condenser. The instruments include my Martin 000-18M acoustic guitar, a Roland Juno 106, the cheap banjo that was laying around the studio, a Fender Precision Bass, and programmed drums. I recorded, mixed, and mastered everything myself in Logic Pro X.

“At its heart, the song was inspired by someone I was close to, Amelia,” adds Ben. “We broke up after living together in Melbourne during COVID, and I wrote this with her in mind. But more broadly, it became about letting go of fear – being brave enough to trust again, to follow your instincts, and to live an authentic life.”

Give yourself a moment or two and let this song seep into your pores. It’s a special one.

Photo credit: Answer Fraser

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Madi Leeds Releases Dreamy New Single, “Nightmare”

Naarm/Melbourne singer-songwriter Madi Leeds has got me feeling nostalgic with her latest single “Nightmare.” While the song was inspired by a creepy lucid dream, it’s got a chill indie feel that reminds me of 90s acts like Aimee Mann and Shawn Colvin. It’s the most relaxed song about existential dread you’re likely to hear today!

“People often say things like, ‘Why don’t you leave that for later in life?’ or ‘What’s the rush?’ But I’ve always felt that getting older is a privilege and feel that tomorrow isn’t promised,” Madi explained. “From experiences with grief and loss I try not to take things for granted.”

She noted that the song was inspired by a lucid dream she had after fainting during a Phoebe Bridgers festival set.

“In the dream, I was asleep in my own home while an old, witch-like woman in a cloak watched me from my street – then suffocated me and I couldn’t wake up. Later, I found out it’s a common lucid dream known as ‘the old hag’. The lyrics draw from that dream but also use it as a metaphor – of being haunted by my future self, or the fear of looking back one day and realising I didn’t live my life to the fullest.”

After recently playing a string of shows in Asia, Madi plans to announce some local dates and more music for 2026. Watch this space!

Photo credit: Isaiah Cirillo @wip.zay

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Morgan Evans Covers “How to Make Gravy”

I wasn’t going to let Gravy Day go by without posting a version of Paul Kelly’s classic Christmas song, “How to Make Gravy.” There are so many to choose from, but I couldn’t resist the version Morgan Evans released last month. It’s got a country feel and that certain longing that comes from living so far away from home.

“Recording ‘How To Make Gravy’ came with a weight and responsibility. It’s one of the greatest songs ever written,” Morgan said. “It’s not your typical Christmas song, but it’s always hit me right in the guts. Anyone who’s ever spent Christmas away from home knows that feeling. I wanted to make a version in 2025 that honors Paul Kelly’s original, but brings a little country soul, texture and the emotion that comes with that. What a song. Means a lot to release my own version. Have a Merry Christmas!”

Morgan lovers will get more music when he releases his sophomore album Steel Town on March 20 He’ll also be back in Oz early in 2026 for the following festivals:

14 February 2026 – Howlin Country @ Newcastle Foreshore, Mulubinba/Newcastle
10-11 April 2026 – Meatstock @ Toowoomba Showgrounds, Giabal and Jarowair Country/Toowoomba
17-18 April 2026 – Meatstock @ Lardner Park, Gunaikurnai/Gippsland

Photo credit: Nick Swift

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pacific Avenue Show Sensitive Side With “Here We Go Again”

Pacific Avenue are wearing their hearts on their sleeve with their sophomore studio album Lovesick Sentimental. Their new single “Here We Go Again” sets the tone with its emotionally honest lyrics.

“The new single ‘Here We Go Again’ is a song about holding onto love, through the good times and the hard throughout a relationship, it’s finding the small things that make you continue to fall for that person,” frontman Harry O’Brien explained. “The song reads like a first-person recount; however, moments of the lyrics are meant to shift perspectives, ‘I almost forgot what you did’ is meant aimed back towards me, in times when I was hard to love.”

Pacific Avenue will release Lovesick Sentimental on March 6 and waste no time getting back on stages. They’ll kick off their Aussie tour the same day in Boorloo/Perth before hitting most Aussie capitals followed by shows in Europe and the United Kingdom.

6 March 2026 – Astor Theatre, Boorloo/Perth
7 March 2026 – Hindley Street Music Hall, Tarntanya/Adelaide
13 March 2026 – Forum, Naarm/Melbourne
14 March 2026 – Odeon Theatre, Nipaluna/Hobart
20 March 2026 – Fortitude Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane
21 March 2026 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney
3 April 2026 – POPUP!, Paris
4 April 2026 – MTC Club, Koln
5 April 2026 – Badehaus, Berlin
7 April 2026 – Paradiso, Amsterdam
9 April 2026 – Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
10 April 2026 – The Louisiana, Bristol
11 April 2026 – The Deaf Institute, Manchester
13 April 2026 – King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
14 April 2026 – O2 Institute, Birmingham
16 April 2026 – The Dead Famous Late Night Liquor Lounge, Newquay
17 April 2026 – The Garage, London

Image used with permission from Varrasso PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“WHAT IS AND WHAT ISN’T” – ixaras

If you’ve been following this blog for a while, I don’t need to tell you how good ixaras is. I’ve been following her career since before she dropped her stellar debut EP full lover fake friends. I loved her early material, but I’m thrilled to see how she’s evolving with every release. She recently released her sophomore EP WHAT IS AND WHAT ISN’T which serves as a timely reminder of the superb rock music she’s making.

I’ve already written about four of the six tracks, so there’s not a lot I haven’t already said. You know these tracks are solid, brimming with all the energy and angst that you hope to hear from an artist still in their teens. I can also report that the two “new to me” songs are every bit as good as the tracks previously released. There are no fillers. In fact, the defiant closer “CAUGHT UP” has become a new favourite.

ixaras’s music is just so relatable. I might be more than twice her age, but I get it. I feel this music down to my bones. Perhaps that’s because ixaras has such a strong sense of self. She certainly has more figured out than I did at her age!

“I know who I am, and who I am not. Even if you know what’s real nobody can fully know what is and what isn’t. This body of work is a release of my fears, insecurities, lessons and truth that I had to learn while navigating these past couple years,” she explained. “I had to kill part of myself to make this EP because not only was I deeply scared to be ambitious, but living in Australia there is a secret shame for wanting to succeed. This music is not only a mantra for those who want to have control of their own life, but it’s me letting go of the past and shedding old skin to make space for what I have planned for the future.”

Whether you’re already a fan like me or you’re new to ixaras’s music, take a listen to WHAT IS AND WHAT ISN’T. This fantastic EP is on all your favourite streaming platforms right now. And if you like what you hear, make sure you get along to one of her January shows.

10 January 2026 – The Loft, Eora/Sydney
11 January 2026 – The Leadbeater, Naarm/Melbourne
18 January 2026 – The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane
23 January 2026 – The Y HQ, Boorloo/Perth
24 January 2026 – Lion Arts Factory, Tarntanya/Adelaide

Images used with permission from G.Y.R.O Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

jnr. Drops New Summer Anthem, “as you are”

jnr. is delivering the good vibes you need to transition into your weekend with his summery new single “as you are.” It’s got a slick indie-pop sound, but beneath the polish is a serious message about self-acceptance and loving others the way they want to be loved.

“A lot of the songs I wrote in France are written to both my partner and to myself. With ‘as you are’, I was looking back on a conversation we had where I might have been prying a bit too much,” jnr. admitted. “I realised I wasn’t ready to understand parts of her because she hadn’t confronted those parts within herself yet. There were holes in myself that I didn’t understand yet that I was trying to fill with her. A lot of my songs are from a place of trying to understand myself through other people, and realising that whatever messed up way we are in is the way it’s supposed to be.

“as you are” is the title track from jnr.’s forthcoming EP, which is scheduled to drop in March. Until then, I’ll have this song on heavy rotation.

Image used with permission from jnr.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“2 Cents Journal” – Favourite Kid

Meeanjin/Brisbane-based sibling trio Favourite Kid have won me over with the wit and wisdom of their debut album 2 Cents Journal. As the album’s name implies, this outfit’s songs deliver honest and unfiltered points of view. In the wrong hands some of these songs could come across as preachy, but Favourite Kid has a warm, gentle touch and humour that made me lap up their insights.

Sonically, 2 Cents Journal refuses to sit neatly into any genre box. Favourite Kid’s sound is built on a solid foundation of pop, country, and folk-rock, but I hear a little reggae in there too. Whatever genre they’re playing in, they have a knack for crafting irresistible melodies that elevate their relatable lyrics and balance some heavy themes. The breezy ukelele of “Uncomfy” and the brutally honest words of “I Fucked Up” really put a smile on my face. Ordinarily I’d be irked at the repetition of “Feel Like Shit,” (albeit reworked as “Feel Like Shite” with a guest rap from The Lyrical), but it’s such a gem I would have hit play again anyway.

Lead vocalist and songwriter Ethan said he wrote these songs to make sense of the world around him. “While we can’t control everything in life, it’s important to take time to notice how we’re feeling. Writing these songs has helped me through some difficult times with my own mental health, and I hope they can influence others’ minds to rest a little easier. This album is all about my neurodiverse experiences of learning to deal with anxiety in a world where it can seem like you always have to feel amazing and compare yourself to others.”

2 Cents Journal shows its heart openly, lifting listeners up and giving them food for thought. The more I listen, the more I find lyrics that resonate with me. It’s sweet without being saccharine, a joy from start to finish. It’s available now on all your favourite streaming services.

Photo credit: Leeroy Todd

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Foley Drop Tasty New Single, “Honey”

Eora/Sydney pop power-duo Foley keeps the vibes upbeat on their new single, “Honey.” It’s got a sweet title and sound, but this song actually explores the sour points in relationships when arguments go a little too far.

“Honey is about taking it too far and realising you might have pushed your luck – we all have moments in a relationship where you make your point a little TOO WELL and realise you played too rough,” Foley admitted. “In the right relationship those moments aren’t make or break; instead they are the times you see compassion and understanding in a partner who is willing to have your back and stick with you.”

It’s no surprise that this song sounds slick, because Foley worked on it with a world-class team. It was mixed by Pedro Calloni (Chappell Roan, ELIO, Alex Warren, Daniel Seavey, GAYLE) and mastered by Grammy-nominated audio engineer Nathan Dantzler (Sabrina Carpenter, sombr, Niall Horan, Jonas Brothers, Teddy Swims). Foley also cowrote “Honey” with Max Jacobs and Nico Scali of Loretta.

“We all clicked straight away and had so many laughs, it made for a really energetic session,” Foley said. “Those magic guitar chords that carry the song were brought to the session by Max and having a new guitarist in the room helped us to get into a different headspace. We wanted to write something with the acoustic guitar front and centre that could bring a bit of a bluesy tone – and the chorus really dabbles with that in the guitar and vocal stacks.”

Foley have recently been making waves with shows in Korea. Hopefully it won’t be too long before they announce some local gigs. Keep an eye on their socials to learn all about any upcoming dates as soon as they’re released!

Photo credit: Adrianne Armida

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

STAHR Show Swagger With “Loving Friend”

Meeanjin/Brisbane-based duo STAHR have knocked it out of the park with “Loving Friend.” This ultra-cool desert rock track has gotten under my skin with its smouldering vocals and irresistible groove.

You can hear a palpable chemistry between Grace Harris and Samuel Shepherd as they trade vocals. They only began making music in 2024, but they’ve got enough swagger to convince you they’ve been doing it for years.

If you’re in Meeanjin/Brisbane tomorrow night, make sure you don’t miss STAHR playing the final Live & Unwrapped for this year at Blute’s Bar. Entry is totally free, although you can RSVP through Oztix.

Photo credit: Visual Poets Society

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angus Legg Honours Father’s Memory With “May All Your Friends Be Artists”

You might want to have some tissues nearby when you press play on Angus Legg’s latest single “May All Your Friends Be Artists.” Angus’ late father wrote this song for his son before he passed away. Ten years ago, it was played at Alex Legg’s funeral. Now in this new recording you can hear father and son singing this song together for the very first time.

“Every time I hear or sing the last line, it’s like the first time I heard it. Floodgates open,” Angus admitted. “In the second chorus, you can hear my father and I singing together… something I never got to do while he was alive.”

Be right back, got to call my folks. This is one of those special tracks that reminds you that life is too short, so you shouldn’t waste a moment.

Photo credit: Lucinda Goodwin