Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Blue Ren Shines With “Wild Roses”

Ballaarat/Ballarat-based singer-songwriter Blue Ren has channelled all the emotions the conflicting emotions that come with leaving a toxic love behind into her latest single “Wild Roses.” With minimal production, the authenticity of Blue Ren’s vocals and heartfelt lyrics really shines through. Sitting somewhere between rock and alt-folk, it reminds me a little of music from Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls.

“Wild Roses can be beautiful and fragrant and lure you in, but be careful that their thorns don’t cut you and leave a lasting scar,” Blue Ren warned. “It’s a metaphor for the angst of leaving someone you love that you know is not good for you.”

“Wild Roses” is available on all your favourite streaming platforms now. Listen to it and other fabulous Aussie tracks on my Sounds of Oz Loves Rock playlist.

Image used with permission from Blue Ren

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Duelling Pianos @ Drifter’s Wharf, Darkinjung Country/Gosford

My husband and I discovered what piano bars could be when we were cruising with P&O several years ago. These weren’t the loungey piano bars you see in hotel lobbies; they were rowdy venues where the entertainers played party anthems that had crowds on their feet. Honestly, we’ve been chasing that high ever since. I’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve visited piano bars on cruise ships and on land and walked out disappointed. So our expectations were fairly low when we decided to catch the Duelling Pianos show at Drifter’s Wharf. The tickets were cheap, so we reasoned we could leave early if we wanted. However, this was the piano bar experience we’ve been looking for.

The Duelling Pianos concept originated in New Orleans. While it’s common in the US, it’s something we sadly don’t see enough of in Australia. As the doors opened, we were greeted by two pianos facing one another, each one set up with a request pad and pencils so we could start shaping the set. Mitchell Dormer, who you may remember from the most recent season of The Voice Australia, eased us into the night with Billy Joel’s “Vienna.” But after that it was banger after banger. With his buddy Bodhi Acton on the other piano, they raised the roof on this intimate venue. While usual piano bar suspects like “Sweet Caroline” and “Piano Man” got their time, they sat alongside pub classics like “Mr Brightside” and “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again.” And we all got in touch with our feminine side when they busted out “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” for the closer.

Longtime readers might notice that I am very reluctant to stand for a gig. I wouldn’t even do it for Rob Thomas a couple of weeks ago. I fully expected that even if the music was good, fatigue might set in and cause me to cut my night short. But honestly, I could have enjoyed a couple more hours of Duelling Pianos. Mitchell and Bodhi are insanely talented musicians with a seemingly encyclopaedic knowledge of music. While I didn’t get my Harvey Danger and Montell Jordan requests, I can’t think of a better way to spend my Saturday night.

Mitch and Bodhi regularly play at The Northern Hotel in Cavanbah/Byron Bay. You can also catch them at the Tivoli in Meeanjin/Brisbane on December 13.

Photo credit: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stonetrip Deliver Retro Rock Sounds With “Postcards”

If you long for the glory days of Aussie pub rock, wrap your ears around “Postcards,” the latest single from Naarm/Melbourne outfit Stonetrip. This is straight-down-line rock music, no bullshit, 100% commitment.

“Chemical Attraction” comes from Ben’s latest album Let Me At the Night. Ben said “It’s still a country record in my eyes: narrative-based songs that explore the themes I’ve been circling in my writing for years. But we’ve really dialled up the experimentalism—pushed our sonic palette further than we ever have before!”

If you appreciate music that refuses to play by the rules, I know you’ll vibe with this. Turn it up and get loose!

Image used with permission from Chris Familton Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Morgan Evans Celebrates Hometown With Latest Single, Album

As a Novocastrian born and bred, I’m incredibly proud of the place I grew up and its musical exports. My heart is so full seeing hometown hero Morgan Evans taking the world by storm. His career might have taken him to Nashville, but his heart is never far from Mulubinba/Newcastle.

After recently signing a new deal with the Virgin Music Group, Morgan has just released his latest single “Beer Back Home,” which was no doubt inspired by boozy nights out at local haunts like The Del or Stag and Hunter. The single gives us our first taste of Morgan’s sophomore album Steel City, which drops on March 20.

“I’m stoked to partner with Virgin Music Group on this record,” Morgan said. “They’ve built a global team that gets Nashville, Europe, Australia, and they get me. The industry’s changing fast, but their model keeps artists in control, especially creatively. I couldn’t be prouder of this new music or more excited to share it with the world alongside the legends at VMG. Let’s go!”

Morgan will be back in the Steel City on February 14 for the Howlin’ Country Music Festival. He’ll also play Meatstock in Giabal and Jarowair Country/Toowoomba and Gunaikurnai/Gippsland in April before returning to the United States.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Emma Donovan Covers Al Green Soul Classic

Proud Gumbaynggirr and Yamatji artist Emma Donovan has put her stamp on Al Green’s soul classic “Take Me To the River.” I’ve long believed you shouldn’t cover a song unless you can make it your own, but the inclusion of language in the back half makes this version totally unique.

“I’m quite nervous releasing a song like ‘Take Me To The River’ because the Al Green version is such an iconic version, and it’s a big song!” Emma admitted. “But it’s exciting and good to share my perspective on it. A song like Take Me To The River is similar to an Archie Roach song like ‘Get Back To The Land.’ It’s about filling that cup up after a big breakup, going to look for that Country, looking for that water, to cleanse and feel good. I love my connection to that song and I’m excited to share it.”

Emma also thought about her own experiences in local waterways when she recorded her version. “My take on this song is really about family and community,” she added. “We always talk about going up the river, that’s our outlet. We go fishing, we go swimming, we go to hang out, and we take the little ones and we’re there with family. We’ve been following my nannas and my grandfathers for years to the river. So hopefully, with that bit of language that we translated, people will feel the connection to that.”

Emma has announced some fabulous shows for the summer. Catch her at the following events.

30 November 2025 – Sync the Music launch @ Bellingen Memorial Hall, Gumbaynggirr Country/Bellingen
16 January 2026 – Sydney Festival @ City Recital Hall, Eora/Sydney
13 February 2026 – Riverboats Music Festival @ Aquatic Reserve, Yorta Yorta Country/Echuca
7 March 2026 – Port Fairy Folk Festival @ Southcombe Park, Gunditjmara Country/Port Fairy

Photo credit: Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Unfurling” – Malaika Mfalme

When I first discovered Malaika Mfalme’s music, they were creating songs processing their grief. Their debut album Yasmin was a tribute to their late partner and an exploration of the emotions that loss triggered. It was a challenging listen, but a beautiful one. Now several years have passed and Malaika has released Unfurling, a collection of songs that reflect on their path to healing.

“Unfurling is that quiet moment when you realise you’ve survived, and you’re finally beginning to bloom again,” Malaika explained. “The word itself makes me think of plants, of finally opening after all the mess and heartbreak, realising that the waiting was actually growth.”

The opener, “Cobblestones,” is a breathtaking spoken word piece which sets the scene, explaining how Malaika needed to leave Sydney (Eora) and all the heavy emotions he felt there and travel to Germany’s capital. It naturally leads us into the EP’s first single, “Berlin,” which Malaika penned during their time in the European city. “Smoke” is another stunning spoken word piece, part letter, part poetry. “Thirteen” is bittersweet and nostalgic, giving glimpses into friendships past, the ghosts they leave behind, and the patterns we seem destined to repeat. Another gorgeous poem, “Grace,” precedes the stunning final track, “The History of Me and You.” This perfect closer honours the quiet moments shared with loved ones and the scars and stories from the past that make us who we are going forward.

Unfurling is another truly special offering from Malaika Mfalme. Through sharing their poems and songs, they share their heart. While we meet them in a place that’s not quite as raw this time around, these warm, folky tracks are every bit as moving and authentic. Set aside 18 minutes of quiet to listen to them, really listen to them, taking in the words and the way they make you feel.

Unfurling is out now. Malaika will support its release with the following shows in the coming weeks.

28 November 2025 – The Red Rattler, Eora/Sydney
29 November 2025 – The People’s Blockade Protestival @ Camp Shortland, Mulubinba/Newcastle
5 December 2025 – Smith’s Alternative, Ngambri/Canberra
6 December 2025 – Kindred Side Room, Woiwurrung and Boonwurrung Country/Footscray

Images used with permission from Hunger Digital

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tyler Hilton and Kate Voegele Bringing One Tree Hill Shows to Oz

For a generation of TV fans, Tyler Hilton and Kate Voegele are better known as Chris Keller and Mia Catalano. However, since One Tree Hill wrapped they’ve both been making some incredible music. They’ll celebrate where their careers began when they head Down Under for a string of intimate shows next March.

Tyler visited our shores earlier this year, so it might seem like a return visit has come quickly. However, he’s just released his latest album Well Well Well with One Tree Hill alum Bethany Joy Lenz. Their cover of Ryan Adams’ “When the Stars Go Blue,” which they originally performed together in season two, is a real treat. Meanwhile Kate recently released the album Impatient for the Dream with another One Tree Hill favourite, Mike Grubbs. Recording under the moniker Yor Future Ghost, their music is creative and incredibly cool. However, if you’ve followed Mike’s career as Wakey! Wakey! that’s no surprise.

Tyler and Kate are currently playing their Celebrating the Music of One Tree Hill shows overseas and selling out gigs all over the place. Aussie shows are following suit, so grab the limited tickets available while you can!

5 March 2026 – The Lansdowne, Eora/Sydney
6 March 2026 – The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane (SOLD OUT – waitlist available)
7 March 2026 – The Lansdowne, Eora/Sydney (SOLD OUT – waitlist available)
8 March 2026 – Howler, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT – waitlist available)
12 March 2026 – Sooki Lounge, Wurundjeri Country/Belgrave
13 March 2026 – Adelaide UniBar, Tarntanya/Adelaide (SOLD OUT – waitlist available)
14 March 2026 – Indian Ocean Hotel, Boorloo/Perth
15 March 2026 – Northcote Social Club, Wurundjeri Country/Northcote

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Talk Heavy Shows Softer Side With “Wedding Bands”

The punk genre isn’t known for its love songs, but Meeanjin/Brisbane band Talk Heavy aren’t afraid to buck the trends and show their vulnerable side. Their latest single “Wedding Bands” has got to be the sweetest emo track I’ve heard all year!

“It reflects on meeting someone, those early moments, and how they compare to where you are now, looking forward to the rest of your lives,” explained Talk Heavy’s frontman Matt Cochran. “Musically, it pulls influence from Rozwell Kid, Modern Baseball, Joyce Manor, and even Modest Mouse in the lead guitar. I think it tells a strong lyrical story from the daydream of the first verse, to the real-time moment of the second verse, into the realization of the outro.”

After recently inking a deal with local label Ninth Life Records, Talk Heavy are preparing to release a stack of fresh tracks in the coming months. Follow them on the socials to learn more about the tunes to come.

Photo credit: Joshua Redbeard

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Seb Szabo Releases Swoon-Worthy Single, “Tangerine (All I Want)”

Seb Szabo has thoroughly charmed me with “Tangerine (All I Want),” a sweet folk-country-pop mashup with romantic lyrics that should have you swooning too. He wrote this track after meeting someone special that helped him break down his walls and believe in love again.

“Like a lot of people do, I think I stopped believing that I was ever going to fall a bit in love with someone again, and then somebody came along and changed that for me unexpectedly,” he explained. “The song started with a simple moment where I realised I was starting to sort of feel that magic again, seeing someone smoke a cigarette out their bedroom window in dim lamplight in London – just observing someone living in their own space and realising how much joy that person’s existence and presence in
your life is bringing you.”

A call-and-response refrain and joyous energy have helped make “Tangerine (All I Want)” a highlight of his Seb’s live sets. Experience that magic yourself when Seb takes this song on the road next month.

11 December 2025 – Oxford Art Gallery, Eora/Sydney
12 December 2025 – Smith’s Alternative Downstairs, Ngambri/Canberra
19 December 2025 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne

Photo credit: Peter Foster