Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Groove Along to Wanderers’ New Single “What I Do”

I love this time of year. After a few stressful weeks when everyone wants everything done by the end of the year, companies start going on holidays and my own break starts feeling within my reach. I’m a big believer in the right song hitting my ears at the right time. Today I’m enjoying a soulful soundtrack courtesy of Wanderers and their feelgood new single “What I Do.”

This track has all the confidence and swagger of a hit from the ‘70s. I just love its upbeat groove and those killer vocals from Dusty Lee Stephensen. The Adelaide duo has released much funkier stuff in recent months, but they’ve still found themselves playing the Woodford Folk Festival. If you’re heading to the festival, make sure you catch their set.

Image used with permission from Little Acorn Music/credit Morgan Sette

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Betty Who Gives Exciting Taster of First Independent Album, “Between You & Me”

Betty Who burst onto the music scene with her cover of “I Love You Always Forever” in 2016. However, it’s been a little quiet from the Betty Who camp for a while. Since parting with RCA she’s released a few independent singles, but none of them have really made a splash. “Between You and Me” might be the song to put this Sydney-born artist back on your radar.

The lead single from her forthcoming album Betty, she says “I wanted ‘Between You & Me’ to come first because it felt so reminiscent of my early singer-songwriter days. When I listen to it, I imagine that 15-year-old me would love this song. Especially since it’s about not being able to put into words how you feel when you’re around the person you’re singing to. It’s not a confession of love, it’s a voice in your head narrating your time with them.”

It’s that return to a singer-songwriter vibe that makes this song really resonate with me. Yes there’s a catchy poppiness about it, but it’s backed up with a real message that ensures it makes a more lasting impression than most chart toppers.

Betty Who will start 2019 with a bang, supporting Panic! At the Disco on their North American tour. It wraps up on February 14 in Anaheim, the day before her new album Betty drops. Then a few days later, Betty will cruise the Bahamas as part of the Kesha’s Weird & Wonderful Rainbow Ride cruise.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Adelaide Family Band Red Morning Light Ready to Rock

Brothers Stefan and Daniel Fedele and cousin Mathew Fedele have spent most of their lives making music together. They had an average age of just 11 when they burst onto the Adelaide scene as Forbidden Envy. Now they’re back with a new grown-up moniker and sound. Meet Red Morning Light.

Inspired by the likes of the Foo Fighters and Kings of Leon, the lads have just released their brand new single “Over and Confused.” It’s got a super catchy rock sound with chunky guitar riffs and killer harmonies. The track explores heavy thematic content of betrayal and regret, but there’s an optimism to its sound that lets you know better times are ahead.

Red Morning Light say they have plenty of new material ready for release in the coming months. I’ll be waiting for it.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fall in Love With Alana Wilkinson’s New Single “Closer”

Prepare to fall in love with Alana Wilkinson’s newest ditty “Closer.” This laidback pop-folk track is a real charmer which perfectly captures the giddiness of falling in love.

“It’s equal part terrifying and exhilarating and for me ‘Closer’ is about the sunshiny pockets of just enjoying those moments as they come,” she explained.

The music video is the perfect accompaniment, with Alana dancing her way through the streets of Melbourne like she doesn’t have a care in the world.

Festival goers take note. With an EP on the way in early 2019, Alana will roadtest some new material with just her guitar and uke for accompaniment at some of the country’s hottest events soon. Catch her at Woodford Music Festival, which runs from Boxing Day to New Year’s Day, and Nannup Music Festival from March 1 to 4.

Image used with permission from GYROstream

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hunter deBlanc Drops Stellar New Single, “Radelaide”

It wasn’t so long ago that my favourite adopted Aussie Hunter deBlanc was singing the praises of New South Wales’ capital with his last single “Sydney.” Now it’s Adelaide’s turn to feel some love with his latest track “Radelaide.”

This song is making me super nostalgic recalling my own time in the City of Churches. It’s often seen as a poor cousin to Sydney or Melbourne, but Hunter’s lyrics beautifully capture Adelaide’s charm. Adding to the nostalgia, we’ve got those saturated synths and delicate electric guitar chords. It all adds up to something pretty special.

“Radelaide” is out on all your favourite digital music platforms now. Wrap your ears around it!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Zoot Release Best Of Album With Brand New Song

Zoot might have been one of Australia’s greatest reverse supergroups. Beeb Birtles became a founding member of Little River Band, Rick Brewer joined The Ferrets, Darryl Cotton had a smash hit “Same Old Girl” and an illustrious stage and TV career, and Rick Springfield was responsible for a little ditty called “Jessie’s Girl.” But before all that, they were a force in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s.

Fifty years after releasing their debut single, the remaining members of Zoot have signed a brand new deal with EMI and released a career defining best-of album, Zoot Archaeology. It includes all the hits you love and a brand new cover of The Dream Academy’s “Life in a Northern Town.”

The album is dedicated to Darryl Cotton, who succumbed to liver cancer in 2012, just one year after rejoining his bandmates on the Rick Springfield and Friends Cruise in the Caribbean. After he passed away, Rick discovered both he and Darryl had recorded versions of “Life in a Northern Town.”

“Sitting in the studio listening to Darryl’s solo vocal gave us all goosebumps,” Rick recalled. Producers combined the two versions and Beeb added a third verse. “Fifty-four years after I met Darryl, we have a new Zoot song,” Beeb said. “Thanks to Rick, I got to sing one more time with my best friend.”

Zoot Archaeology is out now.

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Peking Duk Become Children’s Authors

Looking for a cool Christmas gift for the little bookworm in your life? Peking Duk have you covered with their brand new children’s book, DJ Duks.

DJ Duks follows the adventures of Adam and Roobs, two feathered DJs dreaming of writing a banger and making it big in Bling City. But will fame and fortune fulfil them or will they learn true happiness is waiting for them back home in Ducklands? You’ll just have to read and find out!

“This is a very special project for us, we are proud of DJ Duks and excited to see how kids of all ages react to it. It’s been a pleasure working with the team at BMG and the super talented illustrator Alex Lehours on bringing this vision to life” said co-author and one half of Peking Duk, Adam Hyde.

Pre-order your copy of DJ Duks in a limited edition Banger Bundle or Fuegobundle online now for delivery before Christmas.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chitra Moves Me With “Better Than Before”

Prepare to feel all the feels when you press play on “Better Than Before,” the latest single from Melbourne-based chanteuse Chitra. This song has such heart and vulnerability, it made an instant impression on me.

There’s more where that came from, with Chitra releasing an EP early next year. Hear a sneak peek of the new material when Chitra plays the Our Golden Friend’s 3rd Birthday & Christmas Celebration at North Fitzroy’s Tramway Hotel on December 15.

Image used with permission from Our Golden Friend

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Hots Do It Old School With “Before You”

Sydney band The Hots are giving me retro vibes with their scorching new single “Before You,” lifted from their recently released self-titled EP.

This is the kind of straight-up rock you don’t hear anymore, delivered with power and a lack of pretension. Frontwoman Foxie Kelly is a real force, a singer in the tradition of Chrissy Amphlett or Ann Wilson. She’s aided beautifully by Ronnie Simmons on guitar, a demon with an axe who’s playing with Rose Tattoo, The Screaming Jets, and Richie Ramone of The Ramones.

If you love you rock old school, you’ll love The Hots.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Zolton Celebrates NYC With “When The Lights Come Up on New York City”

I fell hard and fast for New York City when I visited around 15 years ago. My now-husband lived a couple of hours away, and we bounced around from one mind-blowing museum, restaurant, and music venue to the next. It was a whirlwind that made such an impression on me. It seems the Big Apple got its hooks into Sydney artist Zolton too. His latest single “When the Lights Come Up on New York City” is a synth-soaked love letter to the City That Never Sleeps.

“I wrote it about my first year living in New York when I met my now wife and we explored the city together fascinated by the whole energy of the place. I ended up living in New York for eight years, and they were the best years of my life,” he explained.

I love the optimistic retro feel and delicate vibe of this song. New York can be painted as an aggressive beast with honking car horns and busy residents. But this track reveals another more magical side with its gentle electric guitars and bright, neon synths.

If you’ve never been to New York City or it’s been too long since your last adventure, let Zolton’s new single take you there.