Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Iluka Does It Again With “Fall Apart Again”

Iluka continues her winning ways with her latest single “Fall Apart Again.” This is another retro pop gem from the Sydney singer-songwriter, the kind of track that tugs at your heart while compelling you to reach for your hairbrush and sing it out. Shimmery synths and rich guitars wrap around her distinctive voice so beautifully.

Iluka says it’s “A song I am a little terrified to release into the world because it is so painfully close to my heart. What to say … heartbreak, love lost. There’s no human words to articulate it. To do it justice. I wrote this on the eve of the end. When I knew it was over but I couldn’t say those words.”

Iluka seems to go from strength to strength. I’ll have this song on repeat for a while, but I can’t wait to hear what’s next from this local talent.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bootleg Rascal Drop “Yin & Yang”

Bootleg Rascal get the party started with their stellar new double A-side single, “Yin & Yang.” As its name suggests, this release showcases two sides of this quality Australian outfit.

“Get Over Myself” is a hard-hitting urban explosion which takes its cues from the music of Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Outkast. “Tryin’ to Run” is a real floor-filler with one of the funkiest grooves you’ll hear all year. They’re both such fabulous tracks, I’m not sure I can pick a favourite! Listen to both, and repeat.

If you think these songs sound good at home, just wait until you experience Bootleg Rascal live. They’re coming at you with shows around Australia and New Zealand later this year.

31 August 2019 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
6 September 2019 – The Foundry, Brisbane
7 September 2019 – Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney
11 September 2019 – Yonder, Queenstown
12 September 2019 – U-Bar, Dunedin
13 September 2019 – Blue Smoke, Christchurch
14 September 2019 – Neck of the Woods, Auckland
15 September 2019 – Totara Street, Tauranga

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ellery Cohen Releases Touching New Single “Read Your Mind”

Melbourne musician Ellery Cohen has been earning a reputation for creating pop music with serious soul. His latest effort is “Read Your Mind,” and if you’re feeling raw from a relationship gone bad you might just need to grab some tissues.

“Read Your Mind” took shape both before and after a breakup, and it takes us back to that point of pre-empting the heartache you know is coming, yet you’re powerless to stop.

Listening to this song may be painful, but it’s also so cathartic. If you want to wallow, mend, move on, or just enjoy some music that hits you in the feels, head to The Toff in Town in Melbourne on July 13 for the “Read Your Mind” launch show.

Image used with permission from ArowAgency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paradise Club Take New Single “Above Me” on the Road

Paradise Club’s latest single “Above Me” is a dreamy slice of indie-pop guaranteed to brighten up your day. This is a real toe-tapper from the Adelaide act which perfectly balances feel-good melodies with poignant lyrics.

“It’s about working extremely hard, feeling incredibly helpless, and learning how to give your everything to save a relationship, whether it be platonic or romantic,” explained Paradise Club’s front man, Gere Fuss.

Paradise Club will take the song on the road next month with a string of dates culminating with a big hometown show. Check them out one of the venues below.

2 August 2019 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
3 August 2019 – Vic On The Park, Sydney
4 August 2019 – Yours & Owls Sunday Session @ North Gong Hotel, Wollongong
9 August 2019 – The Old Bar, Melbourne
23 August 2019 – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR; credit: Kyle Davis

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eliott Impresses With “Shaking My Hips”

I’m not entirely sure where I was when Eliott was earning acclaim for her debut EP, getting rave reviews for her BigSound shows, or touring with Matt Corby, No Mono, or Dean Lewis. I feel really late to the party! However, as they say, it’s better late than never. I’m firmly on board with “Shaking My Hips,” an intimate track about getting your confidence knocked around when you see an ex moving on.

“Written in my cousin’s garage at about 2am, to put it simply, ‘Shaking My Hips’ is about the first time I saw an ex out with his new ‘fling.’ It’s about losing yourself and your confidence completely after a breakup, then finally regaining it,” she explained.

“It took me a while to gain the confidence to even sing this song for other people, but about 6 months after writing it, I was at a writing camp in Adelaide with 4 of my favourite collaborators, (Sam Burt, Xavier Dunne, Nick Aquoff & Al Wright) sitting at a grand piano, all harmonizing with one another, and the song just really came to life. I finished the track off while in Paris last year with my dear friend Jack Grace, who has been with the project from the start, and always has a way of bringing out the best in my songwriting.”

Eliott has been touring the single around the East Coast, and there is just one show left. This one’s for you Sydney. Catch her at the Vanguard this Thursday, July 11.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Johnny Ruffo Launches Beautiful Comeback Single

Johnny Ruffo seemed destined to take the path so many good looking young things discovered on reality TV have taken. After his stint on X Factor came a few catchy pop tunes, a turn on Dancing With the Stars, and a role on Home and Away. However, everything changed in August 2017 when Johnny was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. He’s cancer free now, but the diagnosis seems to have shaped him into a more mature artist.

His new single “Broken Glass” feels like an introduction to Johnny’s music, it’s so dramatically different to what came before. This self-penned track is the first ballad he wrote and it’s one with plenty of heart. Johnny’s always shown so much swag, but here he’s vulnerable, really letting the audience in to the uncertainty that must have plagued his last few years. He’s also releasing it as an independent artist.

“It’s great to finally be back on the music scene. Having full creative control has allowed me to write music that is closer to my heart and far more vulnerable” he explained. “I can’t wait to show you all what I have been working on, and I hope you enjoy it.”

Johnny will stop by radio stations this month to play the song acoustically live in the studio, so listen out for him on the airwaves!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gary Pinto Celebrates Sam Cooke With Tribute Shows

Gary Pinto has come a long way since his days singing and dancing in boy band CDB. Lately he’s been wowing crowds paying tribute to his musical idol, Sam Cooke. These shows have usually been one-of engagements, but Gary is taking them on the road with residencies at the Sydney Opera House and the Melbourne Arts Centre along with performances in Canberra and Geelong.

“Every night interpreting his songs was a different experience because the band would play differently, and I would sing differently, being in the moment of great soul music,” Gary reminisced. “Singing the performing this kind of music is very much dependent on the atmosphere and every performance is varied. The music traverses age groups from young to old, because soul music is timeless.”

Songs & Times Of Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come sees Gary celebrating Sam’s biggest hits. It’s no average tribute show. One elated critic declared “Gary Pinto IS Sam Cooke.” See what all the fuss is about at the following venues. Tickets go on sale on July 12.

27 September 2019 – Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
28 September-2 October 2019 – Sydney Opera House, Sydney
10 November 2019 – Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong
14-17 November 2019 – Melbourne Arts Centre, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Hot Off the Press Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mwansa & Lauren-Joy Make Beautiful Music Together

Perth-based producer Mwansa has teamed up with South African songwriter Lauren-Joy for his new single “Wildest Dreams,” and the results are simply stunning.

What a beautiful voice Lauren-Joy has, rich and soulful. This song gives that heaven-sent voice space to breathe, moving along at a leisurely pace allowing the emotion to build naturally. Lauren-Joy approached the project with some trepidation, unsure how collaborating with someone a world away might work. However, I’m so glad she took a chance on this.

“At first I was pretty nervous, when I eventually received the track, I followed the same process that seems to work for me,” she explained. “Blasted the track with my body stretched out on the floor. Immersing myself in the track, reaching for the words and images it throws my way. What I love most about my process is that, as much as the process remains the same almost sacred, the words and images that every song gives me is a new story to tell. A story you can relive to your hearts content.”

Every so often you hear musicians working together and creating real magic. This is one of those times. Get your ears around it!

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Gifted in Gold” – Dan Vogl

Winter weather is here, but Melbourne’s Dan Vogl has brightened my day with his debut EP, Gifted in Gold.

It might be his first offering, but Dan’s music has an appealing polish about it. While acclaimed Joel Quatermain has no doubt worked his magic, Dan’s own skill at creating ear-pleasing indie-pop can’t be overstated. His songs are so irresistibly catchy, with singalong choruses and toe-tapping beats. Vocally he reminds me of Gavin Degraw and Eric Hutchinson; there’s a compelling warmth to his delivery that matches the feel-good music perfectly. His songwriting is also top-notch, whether he’s being romantic in “Carousel” or “Poppy,” the songs that book-end this EP, or lamenting the daily grind the title track.

Gifted in Gold goes down easily. It’s the sort of EP you enjoy from the get go and want to listen to again as soon as it’s over. It’s the perfect introduction to Dan Vogl’s work and enticing glimpse into his potential. Dan will celebrate its release with an intimate show at The Penny Black on August 30.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eilish GIlligan Wins Josh Pyke Partnership

Melbourne singer, songwriter, and producer Eilish Gilligan has taken out this year’s Josh Pyke Partnership. A collaboration between Josh Pyke and APRA AMCOS, the partnership provides funding and mentorship for one unsigned musical act each year.

I must admit, Eilish wasn’t on my radar until this morning. The first thing I did after hearing the news was check her out on Spotify. Take a listen to her latest single “Someone Else” and you’ll soon understand why she took out the top prize. Her voice is absolutely stunning and she has such a great artistic sensibility. This track is an absolute banger, and there’s plenty more where it came from.

“I am so, so humbled, grateful and excited to be the winner of the 2019 JP Partnership,” Eilish said. “This vote of confidence from Josh Pyke, APRA AMCOS, Wonderlick and Select means a lot to me as an artist, and it also means that I will be able to continue to work towards my musical, artistic and professional goals for 2019, now with the extra guidance of these industry veterans.”

“Eilish Gilligan is an artist that has achieved a hell of a lot under her own steam, but it’s the potential in Eilish that’s truly exciting,” added Josh. “I’m a huge fan of multi-faceted artists, and in 2019, having more than one string to your bow is paramount to having longevity in the creative arts. Eilish is a songwriter but also a gifted technical producer, collaborative songwriter, as well as being the star of her own show. This is what makes for a long and fruitful career. Being not just a “musician,” but a “creative”.

Eilish has plenty of shows coming up. Discover her music for yourself at the following gigs.

24 August 2019 – UC Refectory, Bruce
29 August 2019 – HQ Complex, Adelaide
30 August 2019 – Metropolis, Fremantle
6 September 2019 – The Goods Shed, Hobart
7 September 2019 – Forum Theatre, Melbourne
13 September 2019 – UOW UniBar, Wollongong
14 September 2019 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
20 September 2019 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
21 September 2019 – The Tivoli, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Wonderlick Entertainment