Lauren Katulka – Page 346

Posted on 10/01/2018 by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Musicians Join Forces for Malcolm Young Tribute Show

The death of Malcolm Young was one of the Australian music industry’s greatest losses of 2017. In February some of our best and brightest will pay tribute to the man who made such an indelible mark on rock music with a tribute show at Melbourne’s Corner Hotel.

The Whole Lotta Rosie show features a star-studded lineup; Jackie Barnes (Jimmy Barnes Band), Pete Wano (Suzi Quatro Band), Nat Allison (Suzi Quattro Band), Lachy Doley (Powderfinger), Paul Christie (Mondo Rock), Mick Pealing (Stars), Paul Woseen (Screaming Jets), James Morley (The Angels/Choirboys), Rusty (Electric Mary), Greg Aldridge (Blood Sweat & Beers), Joel McDonald (Rose Tattoo) and Simon Croft (“We Will Rock You”) are all confirmed starters, and more artists and special guests will be announced before show time. Melbourne’s Whole Lotta Rosie band will support the big name talent on show.

Whole Lotta Rosie will take place on February 17, the same day AC/DC’s debut album High Voltage dropped in 1975. Tickets are available now from the Corner Hotel. Their sale will help raise funds for the Dementia Foundation, which works tirelessly supporting other victims of the disease that claimed Malcolm’s life.

Image source: Pandemonium73 @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on 09/01/201809/01/2018 by Lauren Katulka

“Accomplice One” – Tommy Emmanuel

Tommy Emmanuel has been regarded as one of our greatest guitarists for as long as I can remember. Any album he releases is worth listening to because he’s just that good. So how do you improve on that? When you’ve set the bar so high, how do you release a body of work that can stand above the rest? You get together some of your talented musician friends and jam on some of the world’s best songs. Turn on the recording equipment and the rest will take care of itself. That’s exactly what happens with Accomplice One, the latest release from our local guitar hero.

Tommy Emmanuel has assembled a who’s who of talent here, from relative newcomers like Jason Isbell to true legends like Ricky Skaggs and Mark Knopfler. It’s hard to pick stand-outs among the collection of country and folk tunes here. Each song feels special, like real magic has been captured like we’ll never hear again. There is such energy to these songs, the kind of spontaneity that comes from like musical minds come together. Tommy was never known as a singer, although he lends his voice to many of the numbers. I won’t say his vocals will ever set the world on fire, but they get the job done. Other tracks are instrumental, allowing the always exceptional talents of Tommy and his famous friends to take the spotlight. I do have a soft spot for the laidback “(Sittin’ On) Dock of the Bay,” one of several numbers recorded with J.D. Simo and the unique take on Madonna’s “Borderline” with Amanda Shires. “The Duke’s Message,” with vocals from Suzy Bogguss, is such a beautiful way to wrap up this recording.

Accomplice One isn’t just an album for Tommy Emmanuel fans or country music fans. It’s essential listening for all music fans. Accomplice One hits stores and digital outlets on January 19.

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on 24/12/201707/08/2023 by Lauren Katulka

2017: A Year in Review

Making a post to you, dear readers, is the last thing to cross off my to-do list before kicking back and taking a well-deserved break over Christmas and the New Year. I would have loved to have queued up some posts for you to enjoy while I was gone, but you know what they say about best laid plans. Instead I encourage you to take a look back at some of the reviews I wrote of the great concerts I saw and albums I listened to this year. What got you excited in music this year Sounds of Oz readers?

Top 10 Aussie Albums/EPs

Top 10 Aussie Tours

I’m back at my desk on January 8. I hope you all have the wonderful time I plan to over the festive season. Thanks for your emails and comments over the last year; catch you all in 2018!

Image source: Pumpkinmook@ Flickr.com

Posted on 19/12/2017 by Lauren Katulka

Scott Graham Releases Stellar Solo Debut “Little Minds”

Drawing inspiration from fellow Melbourne musicians The Teskey Brothers and Raised by Eagles, and sounding more than a little like Bernard Fanning, Scott Graham has released his debut single “Little Minds.”

It’s got such an accessible pop-rock feel to it, yet there’s a real depth there too. This might be his debut solo single, but Scott’s been honing his craft with blues outfit 40 Thieves for some time, and that experience shows here. The song takes on some weighty issues, as Scott explained.

“The song was born out of my frustration of the continuous news cycle of innocent people suffering in war torn parts of the world and the apparent inaction of the people in power to recognise the root cause of these problems,” he said. “The song is both a protest and a call to action”.

“Little Minds” comes from Scott’s debut solo EP Into the Sun, which is available for digital download now.

Image used with permission from A&R Records

Posted on 18/12/201719/12/2017 by Lauren Katulka

Thompson Springs Announces Australian Shows

Chicago band Thompson Springs are heading Down Under in the New Year to play a stack of shows in New South Wales, Victoria, and the ACT. That means there’s no better time than the present to get acquainted with their music.

On their recently released EP Fond Regards, the band explores the classic sounds of the ‘60s and ‘70s. There’s some trippy psychedelic stuff on here, but I prefer Thompson Springs best on folkier numbers like “Dandelion Queen.”
<a href="http://thompsonsprings.bandcamp.com/album/fond-regards">Fond Regards by Thompson Springs</a>
You can discover more when Thompson Springs touch down in Australia next month.
5 January 2018 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
6 January 2018 – The Phoenix, Canberra
10 January 2018 – Hamilton Station Hotel, Newcastle
18 January 2018 – The Old Bar, Fitzroy
24 January 2018 – Cafe Lounge, Surry Hills
25 January 2018 – Staves Brewery, Sydney
28 January 2018 – Upstairs at Fred’s @ Live n Lounging, Camden
3 February 2018 – Red Dog Sessions, Randwick
4 February 2018 – The Record Crate, Glebe
8 February 2018 – Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney
9 February 2018 – The Townie, Newtown

Posted on 18/12/201718/12/2017 by Lauren Katulka

Kitty, Daisy & Lewis Drop Christmas Clip Ahead of Aussie Tour

British siblings Kitty, Daisy & Lewis are getting fans into the festive spirit and excited about their upcoming Aussie tour with the release of the new video for single “Just One Kiss.” The simple clip sees the trio playing live at their home studio, which is appropriately decorated for the holidays.

This is a stripped back version of the track that appears on Kitty, Daisy & Lewis’ Superscope album, and I think I love it even more. It’s closer to how the track was originally conceived, with just Kitty singing and her guitar, before Lewis suggesting adding the piano and strings.

“The song’s about how a magic kiss can change your life,” the band said. “Kitty wrote it one night sitting in front of the fire playing guitar – perfect for all the lovers out there at Christmas time!”

Their Aussie tour is one for all the lovers too. It kicks off in Sydney on Valentine’s Day.

14 February 2018 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
15 February 2018 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
16 February 2018 – Perth Festival, Perth

Image used with permission from Inertia Music

Posted on 17/12/201715/12/2017 by Lauren Katulka

Tonight Alive Lay Heart Bare With Sensational New Single

Never one to take a backwards step, Tonight Alive have released a powerful new single “Crack My Heart.” With emotional lyrics and a killer vocal performance from Jenna McDougall, this is one track that knows how to leave an impression.

“The concept of cracking the heart is to allow the precious, vulnerable self to come through and be free. The painful, yet liberating experience involves the emotional and energetic decalcification of the hardened heart,” Jenna explained. “The lyrics follow my conversation with a ‘winged man’, a conscious figure, who offers space and safety to do my healing with. In my experience, when you are seen as your authentic self by another, you come to recognise your reflection more accurately and lovingly. ‘Crack My Heart’ is a tribute to the way that love from the divine masculine elevates and holds space for the divine feminine to flourish.”

“Crack My Heart” comes from Tonight Alive’s new album Underworld, which will drop on January 12.

Image used with permission from the Unified Music Group

Posted on 16/12/201714/12/2017 by Lauren Katulka

Sunset Sounds Bringing Free Summer Gigs to Melbourne

At this time of year, many of us are feeling the pinch. The organisers of Sunset Sounds understands this, so they’re brightening your summer with a series of hot free gigs across Melbourne.

The three free gigs will see the likes of Saskwatch, The Bamboos, and Jazz Party playing for local music lovers. Some of Melbourne’s most popular food trucks will also attend to keep everyone well fed.

“Stonnington has some of the most sensational parks and gardens, and it brings me great joy to see residents and visitors enjoying them” Mayor Stefanopoulos said. “Pack a picnic basket, and your dancing shoes, and head down for a summers afternoon with some of Australia’s finest talent.”

Sunset Sounds 2018 kicks off on January 7 and runs every Sunday for three weeks.

7 January 2018 – Saskwatch & Alexander Biggs, Victoria Gardens @ Prahran
14 January 2018 – The Bamboos & Jazz Party, Central Park @ Malvern East
21 January 2018 – Hot Potato Band & 30/70, Malvern Gardens @ Malvern

Image used with permission from Little Giant

Posted on 15/12/2017 by Lauren Katulka

Thundamentals and More Play Frankston’s Pier Street Party

A who’s who of the Aussie music industry are heading to Frankston for the annual Pier Street Party. Thundamentals, Art vs Science, Gyroscope, The Getaway Plan, Rackett, and Jesswar will all take the Pier Street Party stage. There’ll also be food trucks and pop-up bars to keep the crowd well fed and hydrated.

“Frankston City is ready to rock as the Pier Street Party prepares for its second year,” said Frankston’s mayor Colin Hampton. “Council is delighted that our city will be hosting world class acts at this fantastic event for the community and visitors to enjoy.”

The Pier Street Party will take over the area outside the Pelly Bar & Pier Bandroom in Frankston on February 24. Tickets are on sale now through Oztix. Note that even though it’s held outside, it’s still an adults-only event.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on 15/12/2017 by Lauren Katulka

Shed Seven Finally Announce Australian Tour

While Britpop bands like Blur and Oasis enjoyed great chart success in Australia during the ‘90s, there was another band gaining a more underground following. Perhaps avoiding the glare of an international spotlight helped Shed Seven, because they’re still together and making fantastic music while the other bands have folded. As one of the last bastions of Britpop, they’re also set to make their long-awaited visit to Australia.

If you have already cottoned on to how great Shed Seven are, you probably snapped up tickets to the shows when they went on sale this morning. If not, you might want to take a listen to their new album Instant Pleasures. It’s the first album they’ve recorded together in 16 years, but it sounds like nothing has changed. Everything clicks here. The album has that classic Britpop feel, yet there’s nothing tired about these songs. Expect that same energy when the York lads touch down next year.

“Playing live in Australia has been right at the top of our bucket list for years” the band said in a statement. “It eluded us in the ‘90s so we are ridiculously excited to finally be coming over to play these shows. We get so many great messages from fans in Australia and can’t wait to finally bring our show over for you … bring your best singing voices! ”

Expect new tracks and plenty of the old hits when Shed Seven visit Australia in April.

17 April 2018 – Capitol, Perth
19 April 2018 – The Triffid, Brisbane
20 April 2018 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
22 April 2018 – Metro Theatre, Sydney

Image used with permission from SCG Media