Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ryan Edmond Sings of New Home in “Stockholm”

Australian-born singer-songwriter Ryan Edmond sings of his experiences making a new life in Sweden in his gorgeous new single “Stockholm.” I love its delicate folky feel and Ryan’s beautiful vocals.

“’Stockholm’ is about the similarities and differences of living in two different parts of the world. From the beaches and relaxed vibes of Australia to the mountains, forests and historical architecture of Sweden,” he explained. “I want people to be able to interpret the song in their own way although for me ‘Stockholm’ is also about being in a relationship with someone from another country and the beauty of being able to live in different cities and countries but also about the challenges that come up. Such as trying to find a place that feels like home for both of you.”

Ryan is coming home for a string of shows to support the single in the New Year, including some supporting slots with Tijuana Cartel. Catch him at the following venues while you can!

2 January 2020 – Mojo’s Bar, Fremantle
9 January 2020 – Junk Bar, Brisbane
11 January 2020 – Golden Age Cinema, Sydney
17 January 2020 – The Gasometer Upstairs, Melbourne
23 January 2020 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River (supporting Tijuana Cartel)
24 January 2020 – Clancy’s, Dunsborough (supporting Tijuana Cartel)
25 January 2020 – Freo Social, Fremantle (supporting Tijuana Cartel)
26 January 2020 – Indi Bar, Scarborough (supporting Tijuana Cartel)

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Clio Releases Stunning Solo Single, “Slow Burn”

Clio is a familiar face for music fans, part of the RocKwiz band and playing with local musical royalty including Angus and Julia Stone, Deborah Conway, Tim Rogers, Killing Heidi, and heaps more. However, she’s much more than simply one of the country’s most in-demand session pianist. She’s also an impressive solo artist. Her latest single “Slow Burn” is a testament to her talent.

Clio says the song was “Written from the perspective of a close friend who was struggling to let go. Knowing that forgiveness and acceptance takes time is one thing, it’s the waiting that kills us. For me it also coincided with a different sort of waiting, or my unwillingness to wait for that matter. Either way, life’s too short! I co-produced this with Lawrence Folvig (Ainslie Wills), a collaboration I’m very excited about. The palate of sounds takes my music in a new direction, with brooding synths and layered guitars. Of course it wouldn’t be a Clio piece without a dashing display of vocal harmonies too!”

The name of the song is somewhat apt, because it really crept up on me. I thought it was beautiful at first, but with every subsequent listen I appreciated “Slow Burn” just a little more. Take a listen and let it work its magic on you!

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Merry Christmas From Sounds of Oz!

It makes me feel old to say it, but every year Christmas seems to roll around a little faster. As a kid I used to count down the days, yet now there never seems to be enough time to buy and wrap presents and make all the food for the big celebration.

I know I’m pretty lucky to be able to head to Newcastle every year to hang out with my family. There’s always plenty of wine, food, and daggy Christmas music, at least until we wrestle Mum’s Peppermint Candy Kids CDs out of the stereo. But many Aussies aren’t so fortunate. Alison Newman, a singer-songwriter from Mount Gambier, touches on what Christmas is like when you’re missing someone with her recently released Christmas song “It’s Not Christmas Without You.” Her voice has a beautiful bluesiness, and honestly something fresh goes down pretty well after a month of the same old Christmas fare.

No matter what you’re doing today, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! May it be filled with good tunes and whatever else makes you smile.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hattie Oates’ “Bad” Is So Good

Hattie Oates first hit my radar back in February with the funky “She’s All Yours.” The 16-year-old has done a real 180 with her latest single “Bad,” proving that she’s far from a one-trick pony.

You need real talent to go from upbeat soul to dark, brooding alt-pop as Hattie has done, but she’s got skills to spare. I can’t say it won’t alienate some of the people who liked her debut, but it’s strong enough to win her some new fans.

“This song is about that undeniable feeling of temptation that takes over when you have two options, a good one, and a bad one,” she explained. “It’s the compelling danger and mystery beneath that choice that makes you feel like you don’t have one.”

A Tamworth local, Hattie will play a special Christmas Eve show tonight at Manny’s on Marsh in Armidale.

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Beachwood Releases Spine-Tingling Cover of “God Only Knows”

It takes real balls to take a classic song like “God Only Knows” and really play with it. But that’s what Melbourne’s Beachwood have done with their cover, released simultaneously with another new track “Marbles,” and I’ve got to say, I’m a fan.

I must admit, I wasn’t instantly on board. I thought the band might have gone too far, but then those angelic vocals from Angeline Armstrong kicked in and it all made sense. Yes, it’s a little eerie and dark, but it’s also so fresh. And if you’re not going to bring something new to the table, why cover a song at all?

“God Only Knows is such a sweet, romantic sounding song – but when you dig deeper and pay attention to the lyrics, it’s quite bittersweet and dark – there’s a real desperation and longing in it,” Angeline, who makes music with her bandmate Jarrad Rogers, explained. “That same longing and bittersweet feeling exists in both of our new tracks: hidden beneath pulsating pop beats and big progressive sounds, there’s the raw voice of a desperate longing for a relationship that won’t spoil or break. I think that taps into something very personal for all of us, no matter how deeply buried.”

It’s unusual to release two singles simultaneously, but it’s a decision that made sense for Beachwood.

“It’s always nice to give people more,” Angeline said. “As artists we’re always so hungry to release our music faster than is sometimes possible – it feels really good to just let go and hand these two over to the world all at once. We wanted to do something a little different – there’s a big focus on releasing one single at a time these days, but we felt that there was a bit of a story here in releasing both together. We love re-imagining songs, especially ones as amazing as ‘God Only Knows.’”

If you love your music a little left of centre, you’re going to adore Beachwood.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Izellah Shines With “Glow”

Transitioning from the world of musical theatre isn’t easy, but young Gold Coast talent Izellah shows she’s got what it takes with her latest single “Glow.” In 2016 she caught Australia’s attention as one of the plucky young girls playing the title role in Tim Minchin’s musical adaptation of Matilda. Now she shows she’s got some serious pop skills.

Izellah’s voice is undeniable, pure and compelling. She’s also clearly a learned a lot from time in the United States last year working with producers and writers for Kylie Minogue, Celine Dion, and Dua Lipa. This track is super catchy and commercial, but it’s also got an individuality about it that sets her apart.

With tracks like “Glow” in her arsenal, I predict we’ll hear a lot more about Izellah in 2020.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ali Barter Covers Julia Michaels Ahead of Summer Gigs

Ali Barter has wowed music lovers with the tracks from her sophomore album Hello, I’m Doing My Best, but she’s also capable of releasing a stunning cover. She recently released her take on Julia Michaels’ “Issues,” and it’s really something special.

It’s a beautiful, delicate reworking that doesn’t stray so far from the original that it’ll alienate listeners. You’ll find it on Spotify, but I think there’s something magical about watching it take shape at Prime Recording in Nashville.

Ali is spending more and more time Stateside as her star rises. She’s got a couple of local gigs lined up next year before she returns to the US for South by Southwest.

3 January 2020 – Espy Gershwin Room, St Kilda
5 January 2020 – Summer Sundays, Ballarat
13-22 March 2020 – South by Southwest, Austin

Image used with permission from Inertia Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Grampians Music Festival Gearing Up For Bumper 2020

The New Year has a way of sneaking up on us. We get so focused making plans for Christmas that the next year is here before we know it, and our social calendars are bare. Don’t let it happen to you! 2020 is a leap year, which means you definitely want to make that rare February 29 a day to remember. That means you should definitely put the 2020 Grampians Music Festival on your radar.

The festival is in for a bumper year in 2020 with a diverse lineup including indie darling Julia Jacklin, Ecca Vandal, These New South Whales, DRMNGNOW, Maddy Jane, Raave Tapes, and heaps more.

“I’m very proud of this lineup and what it says about the Grampians Music Festival,” said festival organiser, Carly Fleckoe “We are blessed to have this much talent on our bill! Julia Jacklin has hit her straps both here and overseas, and her from-the-heart songwriting style is pure magic. Alongside Ecca Vandal and These New South Whales rounding out the top of the bill is a blend of an incredible mix of the artists that are making waves in Australia at the moment. It’s going to make for a very special weekend.”

The Grampians Music Festival will return to Halls Gap on February 28 and 29. Then on March 1, the GMF Emerging Artist Stages will return to local pubs and taverns, giving you plenty of reasons to extend your regional Victorian getaway. Tickets are on sale now through OzTix.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Brother Brothers Ready for First Aussie Shows

Summer is festival time, a time for welcoming some big international talents to our shores and discovering some brand new artists. The Brother Brothers fall into the latter category, but they’ve quickly become a favourite of mine with their beautiful folky music and the sort of sublime harmonies that only come when siblings join forces. Their debut album Some People I Know dropped in 2018, but the American identical twins are only just making it to our part of the world.

David Moss plays cello and guitar while his brother Adam plays the five-string fiddle. They both write and sing with an uncomplicated style that is such a welcome throwback. Take a listen to their song “Colorado” and just see if it doesn’t give you chills.

The Brother Brothers will play selected festivals and headlining shows over the next few weeks, starting with Woodford later this month. Catch them at all the following venues!

29 December 2019 – 1 January 2020 – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford
3 January 2020 – Old Museum, Brisbane
4 January 2020 – Dorrigo Gazette Theatre, Dorrigo
5 January 2020 – Live n Cookin’ @ Lizotte’s, Newcastle
7 January 2020 – The Vanguard, Sydney
8 January 2020 – Smith’s Alternative, Canberra
9 January 2020 – The Spotted Mallard, Melbourne
10-12 January 2020 – Cygnet Folk Festival, Cygnet
14 January 2020 – Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart
15 January 2020 – Adventure Bay Hall, Adventure Bay
16 January 2020 – Mountain Mojo, Sheffield
17-19 January 2020 – Illawarra Folk Festival NSW, Illawarra

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bootleg Rascal Ready for Summer Vacay Tour

We’re all thinking about summer holidays, including Bootleg Rascal. They haven’t released any new material since selling out shows on their Yin & Yang Australian and New Zealand tour, but they’re already set to hit the road again on their Summer Vacay tour. This time around the lads will follow the sunshine and stop in more regional centres along with the familiar capitals, ensuring more Aussies can see them do what they do best.

“Touring in more remote areas has always been something close to our hearts,” says guitarist Jimmy Young. “We get the chance to bring the show to music fans who might not get the opportunity to catch as much live music than those in major cities.”
Make sure you arrive early enough for the support acts, as Bootleg Rascal have handpicked some of the best up-and-comers you’ll ever year.

There’ll also be some “totally cooked” crowd participation games from Bobby Dazzler’s Sideshow Alley between artist sets. If you’ve ever wanted to play Pinger Pinata, Pin the Toupee on Trump, or Wheel of Misfortune, you know where to go.

Tickets are on sale now from Bootleg Rascal’s website. Given the enthusiastic reception for the last tour, you’ll want to get them sooner rather than later!

9 January 2020 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave (with Fresh Violet and R.em.edy)
10 January 2020 – The Grand, Mornington (with Fresh Violet and R.em.edy)
11 January 2020 – SS&A, Albury (with support acts TBA)
17 January 2020 – Miranda Hotel, Miranda (with A.Girl and Timi Temple)
18 January 2020 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (with A.Girl and Timi Temple)
19 January 2020 – Park House, Mona Vale (with A.Girl and Grace Grove)
24 January 2020 – Miama Marketta, Gold Coast (with Drop Legs and Saint Lane)
25 January 2020 – The Northern, Byron Bay (with Drop Legs and Saint Lane)
26 January 2020 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore (with Venice Queens and Saint Lane)
30 January 2020 – Jive Bar, Adelaide (with Richysand and Alex Hosking)
31 January 2020 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River (with T$oko and The Bambuseae Rhythm Section)
1 February 2020 – Indi Bar, Perth (with T$oko and The Bambuseae Rhythm Section)
2 February 2020 – Mojos, Fremantle (with T$oko and The Bambuseae Rhythm Section)
7 February 2020 – The Beery, Terrigal (with Nelipot, Saint Spook, and Deadshowws)
8 February 2020 – Transit Bar, Canberra (with Liv Li and Muddy Wolfe)

Image used with permission from Good Intent