Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Brayden Sibbald Releases Beautiful EP Title Track, “Float”

Western Australia’s own Brayden Sibbald has been a regular on the West Coast wedding and winery circuit for some time, but I can’t imagine he’ll be playing covers for too long. I’m so impressed with his dreamy new single “Float,” pulled from his forthcoming EP of the same name.

“Float” provides the perfect introduction for his EP, recorded with Matt Gio (Troy Sivan/Rudimental) as Brayden explained.

“’Float’ was the first song we worked on together, around mid-last year. It’s the title track of the EP, as it’s the most reflective of the central theme of the release – which is that if you are down, you can always get back up. It’s not too late to get help, or help yourself, no matter how hard things may seem.”

Brayden Sibbald’s EP drops on September 28. He’ll support its release with shows on the East and West Coast. Catch him at the following gigs.

4 October 2018 – The Bird, Perth
10 October 2018 – The Toff, Melbourne
14 October 2018 – The Record Crate, Sydney
3 November 2018 – WAMfest 2018 Lot Party, Perth

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hayley Marsten Tackles Painful Divorce in “Coming Home”

Gladstone country artist Hayley Marsten wears her heart on her sleeve in her new single “Coming Home,” a powerful track recalling her teenage experiences as a child of divorce and the way those formative years still impact her today.

The song has been some time in the making. She’d sketched out the bare bones of the song, but found it difficult to complete the emotional number. It wasn’t until she started collaborating with six-time Golden Guitar winner Lyn Bowtell on the DAG Songwriter’s Retreat that she figured out exactly what she wanted to say. The song has really resonated with fans, as Hayley recounts.

‘Coming Home’ is the song from Lonestar I get the most messages about,” she explained. People come up to me after gigs to tell me they identify with it or that it made them cry.” It’s rare for a song to move people to tears and Hayley is forever grateful for people sharing their own stories, believing “it’s extra special for that to happen on such a personal song.”

“Coming Home” comes from Hayley’s EP Lonestar. You can hear more when Hayley kicks off her Tour With No Name alongside Arna Georgia in Melbourne tomorrow.

12 September 2018 – Some Velvet Morning, Melbourne
13 September 2018 – Bayview Country Art Club, Bittern
14 September 2018 – Music Man Megastore, Bendigo
15 September 2018 – Commercial Hotel, Terang
16 September 2018 – The Loft, Warnambool
29 September 2018 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane
25 October 2018 – Oodies Café, Bundaberg
26 October 2018 – Willy Ed’s, Gladstone
27 October 2018 – Saleyards, Rockhampton
28 October 2018 – Captain Cook Caravan Park, 1770
1 November 2018 – The Green Owl, Brisbane

Image used with permissio from Wild Heart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Indie Artist Mousewater Releases Brave Debut Single, “Panic Stations”

Melbourne singer songwriter Mousewater has released his psychedelic debut single “Panic Stations.”

It’s one hell of a way to introduce your music to the world. It’s ambitious, fearlessly so, with intimate lyrics exploring the way life’s pressures can trigger anxiety.

“I was riding to work on my scooter one morning, it’s about an hour commute, the ride always gives me time to think and sometimes song melodies pop into my head,” explained Mousewater. “Wearing a helmet, nobody can hear me, so I play with the melody and lyric. When I get to work I would find some secluded spot to sing the idea onto my phone before it disappeared forever. This was the genesis for a number of the songs on the album, including ‘Panic Stations.’”

Mousewater took total control of the track, recording it in his home studio. All the engineering, instrumentation, and performance you hear comes from Mousewater.

Mousewater cut his teeth playing in indie rock acts touring along the country’s East Coast. However, the touring lifestyle left him physically and mentally exhausted, leading to an extended hiatus from the music industry. It seems the time away has done him good, because this is inspired music.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stuart Coupe Celebrates Roadies with New Book, Panel Events

Roadies are the unsung heroes of the music industry, working tirelessly for the bands and solo artists who receive all the accolades. Until now. Stuart Coupe is giving roadies their due with his new book “Roadies – The Secret History of Australian Rock’n’Roll.” To celebrate its release, Chugg Entertainment and Support Act have joined forces for two very special lunchtime launch events in Sydney and Melbourne.

Each event will see Stuart in conversation with some of the roadies featured in the book. Sydney will hear from Nicky Campbell (The Rebels, Skyhooks, Renee Geyer, Cold Chisel) and Ross Ferguson (Little River Band, Tina Turner, Elton John, Beastie Boys), while Melbourne gets Howard Freeman (Sherbet, Dragon, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds) and Geoff Lloyd (Crowded House, Jimmy Barnes, Last Chance Café). The world’s first female roadie, Tana Douglas (AC/DC, Elton John, Status Quo), will fly from LA to speak on both panels.

The events will also feature special performances from Richard Clapton and Hoodoo Gurus’ Brad Faulker and Dave Shepherd in Sydney and Phil Manning in Melbourne.

The Sydney event will be held at The Factory on 26 September. The Thornbury Theatre will host Melbourne’s on October 4. Tickets are available now from the venues. Attendees will receive a signed copy of “Roadies – The Secret History of Australian Rock’n’Roll.” All money raised will benefit the Support Act Roadies Fund, administered in association with the Australian Road Crew Association.

Image used with permission from Chugg Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eliza Hull Returns to Music Scene With Rewind

Eliza Hull has a special way of tugging at your heart through her music. She seems to move the listener effortlessly with a turn of phrase, a melody, a note of her heavenly voice. Her 2015 debut The Bones of Us was so impressive, but she proves she’s got plenty more to say with “Rewind,” the first single lifted from her forthcoming follow-up EP, How We Disappeared.

Cowritten with Joel Quartermain, the song looks back at the past without ever losing focus of the present and future.

“‘Rewind’ is about how suddenly a person you loved can become a stranger,” Eliza explained. “I find that so unnatural and bizarre.”

I hadn’t realised how much I’d missed Eliza Hull’s music until I heard this song. Now I can’t wait to hear more when the EP drops on October 26. Eliza is playing the following shows over the coming months.

27 October 2018 – Kyneton Music Festival, Kyneton
8 November 2018 – Golden Age Cinema, Sydney (with Julia Johnson)
10 November 2018 – Boney, Melbourne (with Gena Rose Bruce and Julia Johnson)
11 November 2018 – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine (with Julia Johnson)

Image used with permission from Eliza Hull

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Funky With Bootleg Rascal

Sydney ghetto dubsters Bootleg Rascal have just dropped a groovy new single “Mercy,” our first taste of their sophomore album Anònimo.

“Mercy” is so catchy, with a funky reggae core and a gospel-laden vocal hook. Those synthesisers are making me feel nostalgic, and I love the way the female harmonies complement the flawless vocals from Bootleg Rascal frontman Carlos Lara.

Bootleg Rascal will celebrate Anònimo’s October 5 release with shows along the East Coast. Tickets are on sale now.

19 October 2018 – Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney
25 October 2018 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast
27 October 2018 – The Northern, Byron Bay
2 November 2018 – UOW Uni Bar, Wollongong
4 November 2018 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
5 November 2018 – Howler, Melbourne
9 November 2018 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane

Image used with permission from The Neighbourhood

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nathan Cavaleri Lays “Demons” Bare

Nathan Cavaleri had a rapid rise to fame. I remember him as a little tacker playing with Tommy Emmanuel and regularly appearing on Hey Hey It’s Saturday. By the age of 12 he was in the center of a bidding war between the labels of Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Prince. By the age of 16 he’d already toured with B.B. King, played for the Clintons at the Kenny Centre. He rubbed shoulders with Jimmy Page and Mark Knopfler.

His battle with leukaemia at the tender age of seven was well documented. You might assume after beating cancer and gaining global attention for your music, life would be all smooth sailing. But in 2010, his battles with insomnia and anxiety were brought to the fore when he blacked out on a festival stage. The experience shattered his confidence, and he stepped away from his music, expecting he’d never return.

But he did.

“To move through those four years of paralysing anxiety/depression I had to ask myself the question, ‘Why’?” Nathan explained. “Out of self-preservation, I had to find reasons to fight and be ruthless in discarding any reason that wasn’t rock solid.”

In the process he rediscovered the same cathartic connection with music he had all those years ago when facing down cancer. During that time he wrote his new single “Demons,” and the EP of the same name.

It’s a fascinating story, and one that helps you understand the song, but “Demons” is the kind of track that stands up without it. I listened to it before I read the press release and knew where it came from, and was so impressed by the way Nathan’s sound has developed over the years. It’s an incredible track.

If you want to hear more, you can see Nathan playing shows along the East Coast in October and November. Here are all the dates you need.

6 October 2018 – Mane Event Music Festival, Geelong
7 October 2018 – Bar Open, Melbourne
13 October 2018 – 5 Church St, Bellingen
14 October 2018 – Panthers, Port Macquarie (FREE)
26 October 2018 – Mo’s Desert Clubhouse, Gold Coast
27 October 2018 – Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane
28 October 2018 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
1 November 2018 – 505, Sydney
3 November 2018 – Flow Bar, Old Bar
4 November 2018 – The Rhythm Hut, Gosford

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Coming Home” – James Van Cooper

Sydney seems an unlikely breeding ground for Australia’s next alt-country star. In fact, James Van Cooper spent his formative years obsessing over hard rocking hairbands like Motley Crue and LA Guns. However, once he discovered his country-rock leanings, there was no looking back. He made a pilgrimage to Tamworth, where he connected with Aussie country royalty Bill Chambers, before heading for Nashville. His debut album Coming Home shows he’s soaked up some valuable lessons about country and its associated genres while developing a sound all his own.

The single “Passing Through” is the perfect opener for this album, an upbeat slice of country-rock that’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face. I’m a sucker for a country duet, and “Come Home” with Jaime Wyatt hits all the right notes for me. His roughened voice and her purer one contrast and complement one another so beautifully. The playful “Midnight Love” captures a moment in time so perfectly. “Goodbye My Friends” is rollicking good fun. “Lights Don’t Shine” has such a simple melody elevated by some of the album’s best lyrics. “Kew EQ” is probably the album’s simplest track. It’s very stripped back, with just an acoustic guitar accompanying James’ voice. But there’s something lovely about leaving us with that impression, of an artist simply standing on his own, letting his raw talent speak for itself.

Coming Home showcases the gifts of this talented young Aussie. James Van Cooper builds his tunes on a solid foundation of quality songwriting, real guitar prowess, and earthy vocals. He wears his influences on his sleeve, with tracks that play around with bluegrass, Americana, and traditional country. However, he’s bringing something fresh to the table. This album has the kind of crossover appeal you’ll find in works by Phillip Phillips, Jason Isbell, and Ryan Adams.

Coming Home drops today. James Van Cooper will celebrate its release with the following shows, supported by Axle Whitehead.

14 September 2018 – SLYFOX, Enmore (Album Launch)
15 September 2018 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
22 September 2018 – Tamworth Hotel, Tamworth
5 October 2018 – Spotted Mallard, Brunswick
19 October 2018 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
27 October 2018 – The Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sam Perry Announces Tour & Support Act Competition

They cop a lot of criticism, but I am avid fan of music-based reality shows. They’re one of the few places a nationwide audience can see undiscovered musical talent, and that’s nothing but positive to me. The Voice Australia has perhaps faced the most criticism, a show that enjoys great ratings but has not, as the naysayers remind us, produced a big star. Personally I think “stars” are overrated. Plenty of singers unearthed on The Voice are gigging regularly … but I digress. If The Voice Australia was ever to deliver us a bona fide star, it might be Sam Perry. Simply because he broke the mould and gave us something we’ve never seen on shows of this ilk. In fact, it’s not quite like I’ve seen anywhere else.

Vocal looping in and of itself isn’t new, but the way Sam used it to create soundscapes was incredible. He had raw talent, but I felt like working with Kelly Rowland improved him week after week. It was mentoring at its finest, the kind of thing that happens when these shows are at their best.

Too many reality TV acts fade into obscurity once the cameras stop rolling, but Sam isn’t going to go away quietly. He’s making new music which we’ll no doubt get a taste of when he plays shows around the country later this year.

“My new music is coming together well,” he said. “I have a lot to do and more to learn, but it’s exciting. I also can’t wait to tour Australia and show everyone what I have been working on.”

Sam also wants to pay his good luck forward and use his profile to give another artist a leg up. So he’s launched the Not a DJ support competition. He encourages anyone interested in supporting him on his national tour to send a demo (Soundcloud or private download link), bio, and photo to info@michaelparismgmt.com for the chance to win a place on the bill.

“Starting out as a local artist in a small town, I know all too well how hard it can be to meet the right people, and be heard amongst the already established bands,” he explained. “I’m not great at networking and there is not really a rule book to follow. All I knew, is that I wanted to perform to a room of people, that were there to listen. I can’t wait to hear all your music, and find a local support act to join me in their city on my tour around the country.”

Sam Perry will play the following shows in November and December. Tickets are available from his website. If you go, remember to arrive early enough to cheer on the support act. They might just be the next star of the future.

16 November 2018 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
17 November 2018 – Dub in the Park, Adelaide
23 November 2018 – The Helm, Sunshine Coast
24 November 2018 – 256 Wickham, Brisbane
30 November 2018 – Civic Underground, Sydney
7 December 2018 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
14 December 2018 – Jack Rabbit Slims, Perth
21 December 2018 – Magnums Hotel, Airlie Beach
22 December 2018 – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Caiti Baker Showcases Bold New Sound With “Gimme”

Caiti Baker is all attitude in her new single “Gimme.” It’s a track with plenty of bite, cutting vocals and a unique sound blending roots samples, grinding bass, and electronics. “Gimme” gives us an exciting taste of a brand new batch of songs from this Darwin talent.

“These tracks seemed to push themselves in a new direction for us creatively—there were more elements of trap, synths and big bass that we were really excited about, but we knew they didn’t suit what we were going for on Zinc,” said Caiti. “We decided to come back to them later with fresh ears and that’s exactly what we did.”

The new songs will drop later this year, but you can get a sneak peek on Caiti’s forthcoming tour, her biggest solo one yet. Catch her at the following venues around the country.

20 September 2018 – Settler’s Tavern, Margaret River
21 September 2018 – Indi Bar, Scarborough
22 September 2018 – Blues for the Bush, Perenjori
26 September 2018 – Grace Emily, Adelaide
27 September 2018 – Yah Yah’s, Melbourne
29 September 2018 – Caloundra Music Festival, Sunshine Coast
29 September 2018 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
4 October 2018 – Waywards, Newtown
5 October 2018 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
6 October 2018 – Granite Town Music Festival, Moroya

Image used with permission from SGC Media; photo credit: Michelle Grace Hunder