Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dragon Does Countdown Hits at Crown

Legendary adopted Aussie act Dragon are ringing in the silly season with a very special show at Melbourne’s Palms on Crown. Called The Best of Countdown Chartbusters, the gig will take the audience on a trip down memory lane with songs from the Countdown era. Songs like this!

Along with all your favourite Dragon hits, you can expect to hear covers of some smash singles from the United Kingdom, America, and Australia. Think the songs of Michael Jackson, The Knack, David Bowie, Little River Band, and Madness, to name just a few, done as only Dragon can.

“When we go to the merch desk and talk to the crowd and do photos, everyone is so connected to Countdown,” explained bassist Todd Hunter. “You can really see how the show affected their lives.”
There’s not a lot of lead time on this one, with tickets going on sale tomorrow morning at 9am from Ticketmaster for the December 21st gig.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Thum Releases Fascinating New TEDx Talk

Do you know who’s behind the most watched TEDx talk ever? A politician perhaps, or social activist? No, it’s Brisbane beatboxer Tom Thum, who clocked up more than 66 million views on his first TEDx talk. With his first talk going gangbusters, expect a lot of eyeballs on his latest TEDx talk “What Happens in Your Throat When You Beatbox.”

The talk sees Tom teaming up with Dr Matthew Broadhurst for an up-close and personal look on what the body does when it’s beatboxing. It’s the first time in the world a doctor has ever performed a live on stage laryngoscopy on a beatboxer, a practice that will reveal more about Tom Thum than you’ve ever seen before!

Tom’s own curiosity inspired the presentation. “Basically I wanted to get a deeper understanding (in the most invasively literal way) of how my artform worked,” he explained. “I realised that beatboxing had been relatively understudied compared to other vocal styles and I wanted to be part of the story in my own weird way.”

Turn it on and I promise you won’t be able to look away! Science meets music in this fascinating TEDx talk.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Pierce Brothers Announce Headlining Shows for Debut Album

The Pierce Brothers are giving their loyal fans plenty of opportunities to see them live this summer. Not content with supporting Rodriguez at his Day on the Green Shows, the Melbourne folk-pop duo have announced a string of headlining shows to support their upcoming debut album, Atlas Shoulders.

The Pierce Brothers created the songs that would form Atlas Shoulders while traveling Australia, South Africa, America, and Europe over the last year. It touches on the experiences they’ve had on the road and pressing social issues, including the impact of depression and anxiety.

Atlas Shoulders is set for release on October 26. Order early to receive a special limited edition 7-inch vinyl copy of the current single “Back End Roads” and the dreamy album track B-side “Juno.”

These guys are in demand, so you won’t want to miss The Pierce Brothers while they’re back home for the following shows.

9 November 2018 – The Forum, Melbourne
16 November 2018 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
17 November 2018 – The Zoo, Brisbane
9 February 2019 – Sirromet Wines, Mt Cotton (with Rodriguez, Xavier Rudd, Busby Marou, and Alice Skye)
16 February 2019 – Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley (with Rodriguez, Xavier Rudd, Busby Marou, and Alice Skye)
23 February 2019 – Peter Lehmann Wines, Barossa Valley (with Rodriguez, Xavier Rudd, Busby Marou, and Alice Skye)

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

KG Inspires “Change” With Brand New Single

Ever since I heard his politically-charged single “Mabo Martin Mandela” last year, I was eager to hear what Canberra-based, South African-born hip hop artist KG would do next. Hip hop isn’t my favourite genre, but I find it so powerful when it’s got something important to say. More social commentary, less bitches and hoes. KG hasn’t let me down with his latest cut “Change,” a track inspired by his father Seretse Ratlhagne, a freedom fighter who campaigned alongside Nelson Mandela and his recent experiences in Indigenous communities.

KG says “‘Change’ is about inspiring social change in our community for everyone. Also, by doing one thing to help someone disadvantaged is better than doing nothing at all. The song is designed for the everyday person struggling and how they can overcome life struggles by making a change in their lives.”

KG is the voice the hip hop community needs right now, a man who’s not afraid to speak out for the marginalised and inspire us to do better. This is another stellar track from this up-and-coming, but already so important, local artist.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Motor Ace Reunion Shows On the Way

The early 2000s were such a fertile time in Aussie music. As a young 20-something I had a limited income, so there were a bunch of great acts I didn’t see. It was also a pre-Spotify era. Kids, you don’t know how good you’ve got it, being able to listen to whatever album you want without investing money at your local Sanity or JB Hi-Fi. So at that time a few great Aussie acts invariably slipped through my net. Bands like Motor Ace. After hearing the band is touring the country again, I’m making up for lost time. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve listened to Five Star Laundry since I got that tour announcement. What a great album that is.

Motor Ace’s forthcoming Five Star Reunion national tour celebrates the band’s 20-year anniversary. It seems plenty of music fans are hungry for it, because shows are already close to selling out, despite the gigs being around six months away. Don’t delay in snapping yours up if you’re ready for another helping of this beloved Aussie rock band.

29 March 2019 – The Gov, Adelaide (18+)
30 March 2019 – Capitol, Perth (18+)
5 April 2019 – Factory Theatre, Sydney (18+)
6 April 2019 – The Triffid, Brisbane (18+)
12 April 2019 – 170 Russell, Melbourne (18+)

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vinten Releases Comeback Single “Arrows”

Melbourne singer-songwriter Vinten stepped back from music two years ago to pursue other interests, but the lure of his craft proved too strong. After time away from the spotlight, Vinten marks his return to the scene with an impressive new single “Arrows.”

It’s a stripped back stunner written and recorded in a St. Kilda sharehouse. Unafraid of exploring some tough emotional ground, the track tackles the way we perceive the world and the strength required to stay the course even when life seems shaky.

What a welcome return this is. Vinten, it’s good to have you back.

Image used with permission from Vinten Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Conrad Sewell Strikes Gold Again With “Changing”

Conrad Sewell is asserting himself as one of Australia’s best new singer-songwriters. It seems like only yesterday he released “Healing Hands,” but he’s quickly followed it up with “Changing,” a track that is every bit as powerful as the one that came before.

“‘Changing’ is a super vulnerable and emotional record for me,” Conrad explained. “I wrote it right when I was deep in a relationship and realised that I was ruining it. My actions and my addictions were starting to affect her. I would come home and see her crying… she was always upset. She wasn’t the same person that she was when we first started dating and I felt like it was because of me and the way that I was acting. So this is really me apologising for everything I’ve done and telling her to never change for anyone – you’re perfect the way you are. Especially don’t change for me, because I wasn’t worth it at the time.”

I’ve always appreciated Conrad’s music, but his latest crop of songs, which are so confessional and confronting, really strike a chord with me. The sky is certainly the limit for this talented Aussie.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Courtney Marie Andrews Announces Aussie Shows

You know when you have those moments when you just think “What a song! What a voice!” The moments where you get goosebumps because what you’re hearing is so incredible? I just had one of those spine-tingling moments listening to “Heart and Mind,” the new single from American singer-songwriter Courtney Marie Andrews, who’s visiting our shores next month.

Courtney Marie said she “Wanted to write a song that embodies the importance of empowerment when you feel weakened by misrepresentation and/or sexual harassment. Even if our bodies have been misused or taken advantage of, we have the power to speak with our hearts and minds. The most powerful way to display that message is with simple conversations with those who love us. The mother/daughter bond is incredibly powerful, and I use that to embody protection and safety in this song and video.”

Courtney Marie Andrews is visiting Australia in October for shows with Margo Price and Joshua Hedley and an appearance at Out on the Weekend. Here are all the places you can see this amazing musician perform.

10 October 2018 – Caravan Club, Melbourne
12 October 2018 – Lefty’s, Brisbane
13 October 2018 – Out on the Weekend, Williamstown
16 October 2018 – The Factory, Sydney

Image used with permission from Inertia Music; credit: Laura E. Partain

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

As A Rival Release Rocking New Single Ahead of Album Number 2

Melbourne punk rockers As A Rival release their sophomore album Griefers on November 2, but they’re whetting our appetites with the release of the first single “What We Got.”

This is just the thing to wake you up on a sleepy Saturday, with big fuzzy guitars and a hard-hitting chorus that will soon have you singing along.

“There are times when we are tested – things that we love, that we live for are put to the sword and we’re left to question ‘is it all worth it’? It’s hard not to focus on the negative. It’s hard enough when it’s your own fight, but watching it happen to someone close to you can be debilitating and make you feel helpless. What We Got addresses the internal struggle that comes with failed attempts to try and comfort those in need,” explained As A Rival’s frontman, Pete Cerni.

If you’re getting a little Shihad vibe from this track, it’s little wonder. Tom Larkin recorded and produced the whole album, which came about after he challenged the band to write 50 songs in two months. Griefers is the best that came from that prolific creative period. Put in your pre-orders now at As A Rival’s website.

Image used with permission from Collision Course

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Missy Lancaster Strips It All Back for “Never In Love”

There’s no sign of fatigue showing in Missy Lancaster, who’s just released the third single from her debut album Piece of Me. “Never In Love” is a heartbreaking piano ballad about the realisation of the one-sided nature of a relationship.

“This is the most vulnerable song on the album, and I think anyone who has had their heart broken will connect with this on a very deep level,” says Missy. “This is a song I have to hold back the tears on!”

It’s a real departure for the CMC Music Awards New Australian Artist of the Year nominee, who’s previously bought us more upbeat country fare. I’ve enjoyed those songs, but this is the track that’s really blown me away. If you’re just as impressed, make sure you get out and support Missy at one of her upcoming shows.

23 September 2018 – Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Toowoomba
27 October 2018 – VDM Festival, Biloela
10 November 2018 – Christmas in Narellan, Narellan
1 December 2018 – Country at the Beach, Rainbow Beach
24 January 2018 – Moonshiners Honky Tonk Bar, Tamworth

Image usesd with permission from Sony Music Australia