Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Scene & Heard Bring 90s and 00s Greats to Newcastle This November

We’re so connected to our phones and the internet these days that it’s a strange thing to go off the grid as I do on a cruise ship. We get a little news of the outside world in a one-page paper, but essentially we’re in a bubble. One thing we miss is the concert announcements. Good for my budget, bad for my blog. So just in case you missed it too, I wanted to put Scene & Heard on your radar.

This is a brand new music festival making me all nostalgic. For starters, it’s got a dream line-up of local late nineties and early naughties favourites including The Living End, Spiderbait, Killing Heidi, Something for Kate, and Sneaky Sound System. Then there’s the venue, Wickham Park, an old stomping ground for this blogger. I might live on the Central Coast now, but as anyone who grew up in Newie knows, once you’re a Novocastrian you’re always a Novocastrian.

A classic car display and vintage vinyl fair will ramp up the nostalgia on the day. Enjoy these and the music while you’re knocking back craft beers, bespoke cocktails, and delicious food truck fare.

Scene & Heard hits Newcastle’s Wickham Park on November 4. Tickets are on sale now. Get yours soon, because with a line-up this good it’s bound to sell out.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Halcyon Drive Continue Winning Ways With “Agnosia”

Melbourne indie rockers Halcyon Drive aren’t letting the grass grow under their feet after earning rave reviews for “Silver Ray” and touring throughout April and May. They’ve just dropped another single, “Agnosia,” and it’s every bit as good.

These guys have such a big sound for a three-piece, with driving drums, fuzzy guitars, and stirring vocals from frontman Michael Oechsle.

“This is a song about truth. A song about, how in this day and age, it’s harder than ever to break free from whatever media, marketing or influence is being forced down our throats,” he explained. “I was lucky enough to be brought up by two incredible parents who never pushed me into anything, and always let me find my own truth. This is a song written from the complete opposite perspective- from the perspective of someone so lost in following or fighting other people’s opinions, that they’ve lost the ability to think for themselves.”

Halcyon Drive will celebrate the release of “Agnosia” with launch parties at World Bar in Sydney on August 10 and a secret location in Melbourne on August 18.

Image used with permission from The Neighbourhood

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amy Shark Tops Albums Charts

After strong chart support for her singles, it should come as no surprise to many of us that Amy Shark’s debut album Love Monster has hit number one on its first week of release. Although the news has taken Amy aback!

“I never dreamed I’d even release my debut album let alone see it come in at #1 on the ARIA Album Chart,” she gushed. “It’s been such a long journey and to hear this incredible news right before I play the main stage at Splendour In The Grass, makes this a moment I’ll never forget.”

The album’s lead single “I Said Hi” is making a resurgence on the singles charts. It’s jumped from 22 all the way back up to number eight this week.

Amy is keeping company in the albums charts with Adam Brand, who’s also made a strong debut with his retrospective collection Milestones … 20 Years. The two-disc collections features hits from Adam’s five top 10 albums and more.

5 Seconds of Summer have finally been knocked down a peg on the singles charts. With Drake taking over the top spot, “Youngblood” now sits at number two. After 14 weeks and achieving two-times platinum sales, I doubt the lads from Western Sydney will be disappointed.

Dean Lewis is making a slow and steady climb to the top. His latest single “Be Alright” has jumped one spot for a new peak of number four.

Top 10 Albums
1. Love Monster – Amy Shark
2. Scorpion – Drake
3. The Greatest Showman – Soundtrack
4. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again – Soundtrack
5. ÷ – Ed Sheeran
6. Milestones … 20 Years – Adam Brand
7. Beerbongs & Bentleys – Post Malone
8. Beautiful Trauma – P!nk
9. Shawn Mendes – Shawn Mendes
10. ? – XTentacion

Top 10 Singles
1. “In My Feelings” – Drake
2. “Youngblood” – 5 Seconds of Summer
3. “Girls Like You” – Maroon 5 feat. Cardi B
4. “Be Alright” – Dean Lewis
5. “God Is a Woman” – Ariana Grande
6. “Better Now” – Post Malone
7. “Don’t Matter To Me” – Drake feat. Michael Jackson
8. “I Said Hi” – Amy Shark
9. “2002” – Anne-Marie
10. “Solo” – Clean Bandit feat. Demi Lovato

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

No Budget, No Worries for Hurst

Western Sydney’s Hurst might not have the big budgets of acts signed to major labels, but they’re not letting that hold them back. They recorded and produced their grunge-punk anthem “Purple & Green” and even put together a music video, all on a shoestring.

“We spent zero dollars putting together our music video for ‘Purple & Green,’ but you can probably tell,” explained vocalist and rhythm guitarist Ana Veira. “So we capitalised on the lo-fi factor, channelling an old school DIY video feel and visual effects you used to find on Windows Movie Maker.

“The song was written about my balancing act between how I think and how I feel. We did multiple takes showing apathy, happiness, anger and erratic behaviour to show you the polarising experience inside my head. It chops and changes, is sometimes uncontrollable, confusing and can be very isolating. I can’t explain it, but I have an assurance in some kind of silver lining that it’ll make sense soon.”

“Purple & Green” comes from Hurst’s recently released sophomore EP sadface. Hear the track in person at the band’s upcoming shows.

28 July 2018 – Lust 4 Live, Dubbo
4 September 2018 – Lennox Groove, Evans Head
17 November 2018 – The Vic Hotel, Orange

Image used with permission from Jared King PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Winter’s End Release Stunning New Single “Ivy”

After wowing crowds at South by Southwest, Australia’s own Winters End are back with a beautiful new single “Ivy.” It’s a haunting track anchored by poetic lyrics and Marissa Pinto’s heavenly voice.

“Ivy tells the story of the extrinsic factors that can prevent two people from being together,” explained the other half of the duo, Marissa’s brother Chris. “The metaphor of Ivy is used to illustrate the pull-strength that these factors have.”

“Ivy” comes from Winters End’s new EP DreamWalker, which drops on August 23.

Image used with permission from Winters End

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Venice Queens Release “Bad Heart,” Great Song

It might be icy outdoors, but Venice Queens are giving me summer vibes with their new single “Bad Heart.” It’s got a great surf rock feel and an infectious groove that should quickly have you tapping your toes in time.

“Bad Heart” comes from the Adelaide band’s self-titled debut EP, which is in stores now. They’ll celebrate its release with shows around the country in August.

3 August 2108 – Vic on the Park, Marrickville
5 August 2108 – Frankie’s Pizza Bar, Sydney
10 August 2018 – The Last Chance Rock N Roll Bar, Melbourne
11 August 2018 – The Toff in Tow, Melbourne
17 August 2018 – Fat Controller, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Pompadour PR; credit: Dylan Minchenberg

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Echo Drama’s New Single is Insanely Good

Echo Drama are making a big statement and a big sound with their latest single “Insanity.” The Melbourne nine-piece explore the selfishness that seems to dominate modern society in this genre-defying track.

“Insanity” is a little reggae, a little hip hop, a little rock, and so much more, with Alex “Sinks” Sinclair spitting rhymes at a frantic pace and Thando Sikwila laying down the silky smooth hook. Add in some bold horns and a creeping bassline and you’ve got a track that could easily become confused in the wrong hands. I’m not quite sure how it works, but it does.

Echo Drama will launch “Insanity” for hometown fans at The Workers Club on July 26.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

J.F.K. Rock Out With “Feel It Again”

Crank up your speakers because “Feel It Again,” the latest track from Perth rockers J.F.K sounds best at 11. Full of swagger and chunky guitar riffs, it’s the perfect slice of garage rock to brighten your Humpday.

“‘Feel It Again’ is a fast paced, energetic garage rock banger reflecting my thoughts during a relationship. It’s about wondering if you’ll still feel the same about the person when everything goes wrong,” the band explained.

The energy of this single makes me think J.F.K are the kind of band best experienced in person. You can catch them doing their thing at the following shows.

25 July 2018 – Ronnie Nights, Fremantle
30 August 2018 – Old Bar, Melbourne
31 August 2018 – Yah Yah’s, Melbourne
1 September 2018 – Botany View Hotel, Sydney
8 September 2018 – Badlands, Perth

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Xavier Rudd Drops New Single Ahead of Album Tour

Have you got your tickets for Xavier Rudd’s upcoming tour yet? If not, his new single “Honeymoon Bay” might just give you the push you need. It’s the sort of rollicking folk song made for road trips that Xavier delivers so well.

“’Honeymoon Bay’ reminds me of the magic of our earth,” he explained. “I began writing it deep In the Kimberly northwest Australia whilst viewing ancient rock art and then wrapped it up filming the clip surfing perfect waves while immersed in the beautiful culture of Fiji. Pure magic!”

What a life, right? I was only just in the South Pacific, but the film clip has me itching to return.

Xavier Rudd kicks off his Storm Boy album tour next month.

2 August 2018 – UC Refectory, Canberra
3 August 2018 – Uni Hall, Wollongong
4 August 2018 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
5 August 2018 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
10 August 2018 – Night Quarter, Gold Coast
11 August 2018 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
12 August 2018 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
17 August 2018 – Odeon Theatre, Hobart
18 August 2018 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
24 August 2018 – The Forum, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
25 August 2018 – Costa Hall, Geelong
27 August 2018 – The Forum, Melbourne
23 November 2018 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle
24 November 2018 – 3 Oceans Winery, Margaret River

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Take a Moment to Breathe With Harp Samuels

Melbourne indie folkster Harp Samuels has given us a taste of his sophomore album Breathe with the release of the enchanting single of the same name.

The song is a bit of a slow burner, but I urge you to listen to it until you get it. Because once you do, wow. That slow, soulful build-up is so worthwhile. Harp penned the track following the death of his father, capturing the tension of leaving a dark place and seeking the solace only home can provide.

“It’s one of those songs that I feel like I want to sing when I’m overwhelmed, as it has a ‘hope’ theme and makes me feel like no matter what’s happening at the time, things can change, and everything is going to somehow work out,” he explained.

Harp Samuels’ new album Breathe drops on September 14.

Photo credit: Harp Samuels