Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Benny Nelson Blows Me Away With “Bad Man”

I listen to a lot of music. A lot of it is really good music. When I’m lucky though I find great music, like “Bad Man,” the latest single from Sydney-based Benny Nelson. This track is next level. It starts out as a gentle, introspective ditty before building into an explosive anthem of defiance.

He says it’s “a reflection on decisions and actions I’ve made that I’m not too proud of. Some actions have consequences, and sometimes I felt like I deserved the worst, and it’s been really hard for me to not think that when bad things would happen to me.”
There’s such a spontaneous energy about this single, perhaps because it was recorded in just one day. And if you hear a bit of pain in the vocals, it might not just be a reflection of those personal lyrics. Benny had a toothache, but pushed through to make sure “Bad Man” came out sounding just right.

“I decided to wait until I had recorded the single before getting my tooth pulled the next day in case it interfered with my voice, so that was a painful but memorable experience,” he admitted.

We are pretty lucky we can hear Benny play this track and others live, as his musical career was almost cut short after recording “Bad Man.” He tripped up some stairs while holding a glass, which sliced through the nerves in his hand. Now eight months after the doctors told him his loss of movement and feeling may be permanent, he’s back to doing what he loves. He’s got one last show for 2018. Catch him at Keppel Vibes II, on Great Keppel Island on December 29, with Busby Marou, Christine Anu, and a bunch of other talented acts.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mr. Big Stuff Teams Up With Strange Talk For Debut Single

Melbourne’s Mr. Big Stuff effortlessly fuses hip hop rhymes with a fun pop sensibility to create his debut single “I Need Space.” With up-and-coming synthpop act Strange Talk guesting, the track is a ridiculously catchy number you’ll be humming all day.

“’I Need Space’ was inspired by a break up close to my family,” Mr. Big Stuff explained. “I was at the studio writing and I got a call from one of the people involved in the breakup. We got talking and as I was holding back tears, they said to me I just need my space. I was in a bit of a sad mood, not knowing what to do – so I walked back into the studio, and 5 minutes later ‘I Need Space’ was born.”

The clip is a quirky feast for the senses which takes us to some unreal locations including a surrealist library and an apocalyptic car park.

Mr. Big Stuff is hard at work on an EP, so hopefully we’ll hear from him really soon.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bobby Maguire Releases Feelgood Title Track From Debut Album

With much of the country devastated by fire and drought, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of get happy about, but Cairns-based singer-songwriter Bobby Maguire is determined to make you smile. His latest track “Moving to the City” is pure joy, a feelgood ditty that is made to lift your spirits and get your toes tapping.

“Moving to the City was inspired by bands like The Cure and The Kooks,” Bobby admitted. “It deals with the loss of a past life as well as growth and a need to move forward with a new chapter. I wrote this song as a form of encouragement for myself to embrace this new journey.”

The clip, which Bobby made with the help of his family and friends, is also hilarious. If you’ve ever struggled to find the right rental property, it’s bound to strike a chord with you!

“Moving to the City” is the title track from Bobby’s debut album, which is full of gems. Hometown fans can see Bobby Maguire doing his thing at the following shows.

20 December 2019 – Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs AFL Club, Cairns
24 December 2019 – Cotton Club NEMO Jams, The Cotton Club, Cairns
28 December 2019 – Cotton Club NEMO Jams, The Cotton Club, Cairns

Image used with permission from On The Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Discover “MAGIC!” With Nardean

Egyptian-Australian artist Nardean casts a spell with her latest single “MAGIC!” It’s an upbeat, life-affirming track featuring Heirloome.

The clip will also strike a chord with Harry Potter fans. In it we see Nardean and her palls paying homage to the tales of the boy wizard on a creatively cheesy handmade Hogwarts set.

“I decided to make this video because I am sort of (very) obsessed with Harry Potter. Growing up in a really strict family, I felt like such an alien. I was the little creative child and everyone else was an engineer or doctor. I could really relate with Harry. I loved the idea that maybe life didn’t need to be terrible and boring, maybe there could be magic! Fast forward a few years, I started making music and turns out life could be magic!” Nardean explained.

This song has all the right ingredients to get this muggle dancing. Has it worked its magic on you?

Image used with permission from Stimulated Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reilly Stapleton Explores Darkness With “Impulse”

With her model good looks, I thought Reilly Stapleton may be aiming to become our next pop princess. However, one listen to her new single “Impulse” soon dispelled that notion. The track is dark, brooding, and powerful, with a delicious edge that reminds me of ‘90s alt-rock icons including PJ Harvey, Amy Lee of Evanescence, and our own Adalita.

“Impulse is reflective of the constant battle between our negative impulsions and our inner consciousness that provides you with a positive moral compass” she explained. “The song uses violence, anger and control in order to convey this unavoidable conflict. When somebody has a short tolerance of anger they can withstand, it is generally our consciousness that holds us back from lashing out.”

The film clip is also delightfully dark, although if like me you’re a little sensitive you may not want to watch it alone. Inspired by slasher flicks, it sees Reilly imagining the gory deaths of her housemates. I love her music, but I’m not sure I’d rush to sign a lease with her any time soon!

We’ll next see Reilly sharing a stage with the likes of Hilltop Hoods and Hermitude at Mornington’s Let Go Fest on February 1.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chela Releases New Pop Bop, “Delivery”

Melbourne indie pop act Chela should get your toes tapping with her high-energy new single “Delivery.” It’s one of those unashamedly feelgood pop songs, totally catchy with a beat that makes you want to stop what you’re doing and dance it out for a few minutes.

“Delivery” is the title track from Chela’s new EP. Fresh from supporting Client Liaison around the country, Chela is currently on the road with New York’s Gus Dapperton. Catch her tonight at The Zoo in Brisbane or tomorrow at Howler in Melbourne.

Image used with permission from Gyro PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sydnee Carter Makes Comeback With “Plans”

Most people who appear on reality TV singing competitions are quickly forgotten. Others make such a lasting impression that when you see their name many years later it’s still as fresh in your mind as the time they graced the small screen. Sydnee Carter was one of those artists for me. She was just 16 when she appeared on X Factor in 2014. She’s done an awful lot of growing up since then, and it shows in her new single “Plans.”

“I wanted Plans to be the stepping-stone between the songs on my earlier EP and the songwriter that I am today,” she explained. “I’ve had more life experience as a 21-year-old, than before as a 16-year-old and I wanted to convey this in a way that was true to myself and my experiences. The song, in a way, expresses the vulnerability of trust in a relationship, and how easy it easy to forget the gravity of certain situations.”

Listening to this song makes me remember just how much I loved Sydnee’s voice and heart. I can’t wait to hear more of her new music soon!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vale Greedy Smith

Sometimes you get music news that knocks the wind out of your sails. Hearing that we’ve lost Andrew “Greedy” Smith is one of those pieces of information I wasn’t quite ready for.

For years he’s been the man keeping Mental as Anything’s legacy alive, the only original member still rocking. Still touring right up to the end. The band were due to start a string of shows in Victoria on Thursday. This wasn’t a guy who thought he was going anywhere.

Greedy passed away after suffering a heart attack on December 1. He was just 63 years old. He is survived by his son Harvey, fiancée Fiona Docker, brother Stuart, and a legion of Aussie music fans who will keep celebrating the music of The Mentals in his honour. Here’s a start.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Joe Gow Strips Back “Light My Way”

Break, Rattle and Roll was one of my favourite releases of 2018. I still find myself coming back to it periodically, like an old friend that’s comforting, familiar, and so good to spend time with. Now Matt Joe Gow is reminding us just how good one of its tracks, “Light My Way” is with an acoustic reimagining.

If you’ve read my blog for any period of time, you’ll know just how up my alley this is. When you strip a song back you get to appreciate its essence, its lyrics, its simple melody without the big production. Recorded in Matt’s new studio “The Woolshed,” this single does down easy.

Matt Joe Gow is ringing in the new year with a string of headlining slots and festival appearances. Catch him at the following venues in the coming months.

6 December 2019 – Music On The Hill @ Red Hill Pavilion, Red Hill (with The Dusty Millers)
7 December 2019 – Bayview Country Art Club, Bittern (with Andrew Swift)
21 December 2019 – Buster Greens, Dunedin
3 January 2020 – Western Weekender @ Spotted Mallard, Melbourne
4 January 2020 – Bayview Country Picnic Festival @ Bayview Country Art Club, Bittern
14-16 February 2020 – Riverboats Festival, Echuca

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out to Down For Tomorrow’s New Single, “Show Me That You Care”

Mondays are the perfect days for turning up some grungy-punk music and screaming out your frustration. Stop searching for the right tune for that release and press play on “Show Me That You Care,” the latest single from Sydney punk act Down for Tomorrow. The song draws on personal experiences that I’m sure we can all relate to.

“The lyrics from this song expose the selfish and stubborn traits in my personality,” explained frontman Cody Stebbings. “It’s hard to explain the feelings of withholding and denial that surface when I realise that some people really are better off without me. Especially when the situation is in deep uncertainty, due to lack of communication on both ends. Will they walk back into your life? Will they stay at arm’s length? Will they forget about you entirely? This song is about the emotions and confusion we sometimes feel, eliminating any chance of acting rationally, knowing someone you thought cared about you has well and truly moved on.”

Down For Tomorrow have had a big year supporting local heavy-hitters including Dear Seattle, Dead Letter Circus, and The Dead Love. With killer songs like this in their arsenal, I’m predicting even bigger things for them in 2020. In the meantime, hometown fans can check them out supporting The Dangerous Summer at Crowbar on December 13.

Image used with permission from Good Intent