Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bakers Eddy Release Rocking New Single “Leave It To Me”

Are you struggling to get moving on this Monday morning? I can fix that. Crank your speakers. Now press play.

I know you’re vibing after listening to “Leave It To Me,’ the brash new single from Melbourne punk-rockers Bakers Eddy. It’s a slap to the face, in the best possible way.

Bakers Eddy frontman CJ Babbington says the single is “a song about love and loss, not knowing what you have until you lose it.” Bakers Eddy will play the following shows to support its release.

6 October 2018 – The Gasometer, Melbourne
25 October 2018 – Marly Bar, Sydney
27 October 2018 – Halloween Hysteria, Jubilee Hotel, Brisbane
10 November 2018 – Crown & Anchor, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

TH’FIKA Return With “Peachy Rosie”

Pop, rock, electronica, and a sense of drama combine in TH’FIKA’s new single “Peachy Rosie.”

Lily Budiasa’s voice is so compelling, the ideal foil for her musical partner Michael Cameron. We haven’t heard anything new from TH’FIKA since mid-2016, but this song is certainly worth the wait.

With such a strong lead in, I can’t wait to hear more from TH’FIKA’s second EP. Hometown fans will get the chance when TH’FIKA launch “Peachy Rosie” at elsewhere on the Gold Coast on November 23.

Image used with permission from WHO Collective

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ryan Downey Strikes Gold Again With “No More Miracles”

Ryan Downey wowed me with his debut album Running this year. Now the Melbourne crooner got me swooning all over again with his new track “No More Miracles.” The song is a masterclass in restraint, a lesson in just how powerful a song with space to breathe can be. You don’t need slick production when you’re creating music this good.

“I’m finding the world a confusing and uneasy place right now, I don’t think I’m alone in that,” Ryan explained of the song’s inspiration. “This song is about looking for hope in what’s immediate and accessible and taking action, instead of waiting for confirmation or permission from some miraculous sign in our life/world.”

Fresh from supporting Sarah Blasko, Ryan is ready to play headliner once again at the following East Coast shows.

25 October 2018 – The Gasometer, Melbourne
27 October 2018 – New Hall, Pt Lonsdale
1 November 2018 – Golden Age Cinema, Sydney

Image used with permission from Remote Control Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bri Clark Releases Beautiful Ballad “Giving Up”

Perth singer-songwriter Bri Clark has given me goosebumps with her gorgeous new single “Giving Up.”

This heartfelt ballad is just beautiful, a fitting nominee in the 2019 Vanda and Young Songwriting Competition. Bri has recently taken part in the APRA AMCOS Songhubs workshop and BIGSOUND songwriter showcase, a testament to her commitment to creating songs of substance. While the simple but powerful lyrics are what really got to me, her voice is every bit as compelling. It all just amounts to the perfect package.

“Giving Up” is a stunning track that’s well and truly put Bri Clark on my radar.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“All Your Devotion” – Kav Temperley

If Kav Temperley felt any nerves going solo, they don’t show. His first album without Eskimo Joe, All Your Devotion, is an accomplished work that hits all the right musical and emotional notes.

Kav hasn’t been afraid to take risks here. It’s definitely not a soundalike album that could have come from the Eskimo Joe catalogue. It’s gentler, more delicate, with folkier influences and greater pop leanings. Keeping the instrumentation small really lets us hone in on those lyrics which are so very good. Perhaps it’s the act of creating a solo album that’s let Kav craft songs that come from a very personal place, that don’t need to speak for the band. Perhaps it’s simply the circumstances. An album that comes following the breakdown of a marriage, and even the separation from a band, should be raw and revealing. And it is.

While Kav takes a different direction with All Your Devotion, this may be one of his most accessible works to date. The single, “Pollyanna” is such a strong song that deserves serious airplay. But really I could see most of these songs sitting comfortably on indie and commercial playlists. There are no filler tracks here. Opening track “Queen of My Heart” is a proper love song, delivered with real heart and without a hint of schmaltz. “Surrender” speaks so eloquently about giving yourself over completely to a new relationship. “Please Distract Me,” a plaintive plea to a new lover, might be my favourite song from the album. Although, it has stiff competition from “What Is It Worth,” a beautiful ballad that delivers an emotional sucker punch. The festive “Christmas Lights” seems a little out of place on a September release, but it’s a sweet song nonetheless.

All Your Devotion felt good the moment I listened to it, but with every subsequent spin I think I fall a little more in love with it. I catch a lyric or a melody that I missed, and my appreciation deepens. Make sure you take a listen when it gets a digital and vinyl release today. Hear it live at the following shows.

5 October 2018 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane
6 October 2018 – Villa Noosa Hotel, Sunshine Coast
7 October 2018 – Public Bar @ Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast (FREE)
11 October 2018 – Grace Emily, Adelaide
12 October 2018 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
13 October 2018 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
19 October 2018 – Leadbelly, Sydney
20 October 2018 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
27 October 2018 – Mojos, Fremantle
2 November 2018 – River Hotel, Margaret River
3 November 2018 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Getting a New Live Music Space

With countless live music venues around the country closing their doors, it’s exciting to hear of anything new opening up. Geddes Lane Ballroom will breathe new life into Melbourne’s historic Showgirls Bar 20 venue. It’s only fitting as before the strippers moved in, the site was the Grainstore Tavern, the place that launched John Farnham’s Whispering Jack album and hosted household names like Daryl Braithwaite, INXS, Little River Band, and Tina Arena.

Ben Thompson and Ashlea O’Loughlin (The Venue Collective, 170 Russell, East Brunswick Club) will take charge of booking talent. Acclaimed chef Shannon Bennett will preside over the food and beverages to leave our tastebuds satisfied. Lorenz Grollo, the CEO of the Grollo Group, rounds out the team.

“We’re excited to be bringing live music back to one of Melbourne’s most popular venues throughout the 80s and 90s”, enthused Ben Thompson, “It’s been a hidden gem, centrally located, close to trains and trams and a big carpark with a fantastic tried-and-tested band room. We’re doing some acoustic treatments, putting in a world class PA and cleaning the place up. Live music fans will love it. With the loss of so many live music venues over the last 10 years including quality smaller rooms like Ding Dong Lounge and Shebeen, there aren’t many options out there. People need the option to come into the city and experience original live music. The venue will be open to all conceivable genres of music from local, national and international acts and we have some surprise shows planned for summer.”

Geddes Lane Ballroom promises to open to some serious next month with an iconic Melbourne rock act. Make sure you follow their social pages for news of that as it breaks!

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; photo credit Jason Edwards Herald Sun

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sia & Dolly Parton Release Song For Netflix Film

Country legend Dolly Parton has teamed up with our own Sia for “Here I Am,” the ultimate torch song and first track lifted from the upcoming Netflix film Dumplin’.

Released on November 30, Dumplin’ tells the story of a plus-size teen who signs up to her mum’s beauty pageant to protest the impossible beauty standards and starts a revolution in her small Texas town. The soundtrack also sounds incredible, with Dolly collaborating with other celebrated acts like Mavis Staples, Elle King, Alison Krauss, and Miranda Lambert.

The soundtrack will certainly be worth checking out, but until then, how do you think Sia sounds with Dolly?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Robbie Miller Back to His Best With “Baby”

Robbie Miller wowed me with his folky sound when he burst onto the scene in 2013. While I appreciated his exploration of electronic sounds in 2016, I’m glad to hear he’s returned to his roots for his latest single “Baby.”

“[‘Baby’] is a song about seeing someone in a room and falling for them,” Robbie explained. “And it’s a true story! It’s my story. It is exactly the kind of thing I was never okay singing about before, but now being that honest and open is something I have become much more comfortable with.”

“Baby” is our first taste of Robbie’s long-awaited debut album, due in early 2019. He recently played BIGSOUND. Hopefully it’s not too long before we see him back on stages around the country.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Trey Cooper Wows Me With “Howling”

Sunshine Coast muso Trey Cooper has thoroughly charmed me with his new single “Howling.” If you love a good acoustic-driven pop-rock track, you’re going to eat this up too.

It’s got a great radio-friendly sound, but tap into those lyrics and you’ll hear a little darkness. Trey has flipped the classic love song on its head here, turning it into something a bit moodier and more haunting. And can we just take a moment to appreciate his voice, which seems to have no barriers. His effortless command of his instrument is reminiscent of Jeff Buckley or Matt Corby. I love that rather than releasing a fancy video where he lip-synced, Trey has released a back-to-basics live studio video as the official film clip.

Trey regularly gigs around Southeast Queensland. Hopefully it won’t be too long before he ventures out for a national tour.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bligh Impresses With Bold New Single “Mrs Jones”

Sounding like the musical offspring of The Whitlams and Panic! At the Disco, Bligh have dropped their smashing new single “Mrs Jones.”

It’s such a cool mix of retro synthpop and retro rock sounds, with a hook you’ll have stuck in your head for days and deliciously dark lyrics. It’s bold, it’s brash, and probably the best thing to come out of a Midsummer Murders binge-watching session.

“Our goal was always to write one song, pop music operettas,” explained Elliott, the band’s frontman. “To try and give the character or narrator, generally me, a fully-fledged narrative that builds with the music; like a movie that only exists in my head.”

Bligh will play a secret release party for “Mrs Jones” at Miami on the Gold Coast on September 27.

Image used with permission from WHO Collective