Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gang of Youths, Amy Shark, Paul Kelly Big Winners at ARIAs

Often I spend the ARIA Awards feeling a little out of step with the industry voters, because the acts I feel passionate about aren’t often the ones who come home with the trophies. Not last night though, where Gang of Youths, Amy Shark, and Paul Kelly took home some of the top prizes. I was also thrilled to see Jimmy Barnes taking out the Best Children’s Album category (who would have thought he could beat out The Wiggles?) and Kasey Chambers recognised for her wonderful album Dragonfly. 2017 has been such a great year for local music and last night’s event was a fitting celebration of that.

Sure, it wasn’t a perfect awards night. Without a host, the night seemed to lack a little direction. Some of the banter felt forced, like the section with the stars of Pitch Perfect 3 and Joel Creasey’s awkward conversation with Jillian Michaels. The sound also left a lot to be desired, at least on the television broadcast. I hope it sounded better in the room. But the performances were all outstanding. It seems wrong to single anyone out, but Jimmy Barnes’ rendition of “High Voltage” was such a fitting tribute to Malcolm and George Young. If you weren’t excited by new Hall of Fame inductee Darryl Braithwaite teaming up with Vera Blue and Guy Sebastian for “The Horses” you’re probably not Australian. I thought Paul Kelly’s new take on “Dumb Things” with A.B. Original and Dan Sultan was inspired. Gang of Youth’s performance showed just why they were so dominant this year.

If you didn’t catch the ceremony, at least make sure you look up some of the performances on YouTube. Here’s one to get you started.

And here are all the winners!

Album Of The Year: Gang Of Youths – Go Farther In Lightness
Best Male Artist: Paul Kelly – Life Is Fine
Best Female Artist: Sia – “The Greatest feat. Kendrick Lamar”
Best Dance Release: Pnau – “Chameleon”
Best Group: Gang Of Youths – Go Farther In Lightness
Breakthrough Artist: Amy Shark – Night Thinker
Best Pop Release: Amy Shark – Night Thinker
Best Urban Album: A.B. Original – Reclaim Australia
Best Independent Release: A.B. Original – Reclaim Australia
Best Rock Album: Gang Of Youths – Go Farther In Lightness
Best Adult Contemporary Album: Paul Kelly – Life Is Fine
Best Country Album: Kasey Chambers – Dragonfly
Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album: Northlane – Mesmer
Best Blues & Roots Album: All Our Exes Live In Texas – When We Fall
Best Children’s Album: Jimmy Barnes – Och Aye the G’Nu!
Best Video: Bliss N Eso – “Moments” (feat. Gavin James)
Best Australian Live Act: Illy
Song Of The Year: Peking Duk – “Stranger” (feat. Elliphant)
Best International Artist: Harry Styles

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit and Deer Tick Touring Australia Together

I like to consider my finger is on the pulse of music, so I’m always pleasantly surprised when I discover a musical act with a wealth of material that hasn’t before hit my radar. I hadn’t heard of Alabama’s Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit until the press release about their tour with Deer Tick hit my inbox, but since then I haven’t been able to stop listening to album number six, The Nashville Sound. Rest assured, when I tire of this one, and I can’t imagine when that will be, I’m delving into the back catalogue.

This is actually Jason Isbell’s fifth time Down Under and Deer Tick’s second, but if like me you were slow to the party you won’t want to miss these shows. Listen to the albums and discover them before you wish that you did!

24 March 2018 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
25 March 2018 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Image used with permission from Thrillhill Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

West Thebarton Drop Bible Camp After Signing Record Deal

Adelaide rockers West Thebarton are the first act signed by Domestic La La, a brand new record label helmed by Violent Soho’s James Tidswell. To celebrate the brand new partnership, West Thebarton have just released their brand new single “Bible Camp.”

This is an absolute corker, with a wild, spontaneous energy and husky, soulful vocals from Reverend Ray.

It sounds fun, but there’s a serious message behind the song recounting the homophobia’s Ray’s mum witnessed spending her uni days in Manila.

“Two of the blokes used the camp as a retreat to meet up, as their extremely Catholic families wouldn’t ever accept them being with each other. Apparently one of their dads wasn’t too happy when he was made aware and had come down there after finding out … My mum, Dora, saw the dad kicking in the head of his son’s lover.”

Thankfully this song has a happier ending!

After wowing crowds with their off-the-hook sets at BigSound, West Thebarton have teamed up with Polish Club for their big Christmas tour. Make sure you arrive early, because you won’t want to miss their set.

1 December 2017 – The Zoo, Brisbane (with Polish Club)
2 December 2017 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney (with Polish Club)
8 December 2017 – The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne (with Polish Club)
15 December 2017 – Adelaide UniBar, Adelaide (with Polish Club)
16 December 2017 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth (with Polish Club)
31 December 2017 – NYE on the Hill, South Gippsland
2 January 2018 – Falls Festival, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lucas Laufen Heading Home For Summer Tour

After a busy weekend working, I think I might be struggling more than most this Monday. I’m keeping my eyes on the Christmas holidays prize and reminding myself that freelance work will start to dry up soon enough as my business clients break for the festive season. Until then, I just do what I can to get through it. So I don’t need big, bold music to perk me up this Monday morning. I need something more subtle to keep me calm. I’ve found it in the tunes from Lucas Laufen, an Aussie-born folk singer living in Berlin.

Lucas has been making waves abroad, playing more than 80 shows across Europe, so he’ll be in fine form when he returns home for an East Coast tour this summer. He’ll bring us music from his debut full-length album, which he’s currently writing and recording, as well as songs from earlier releases. If delicate, honest folk tunes are what you’re after, you’re going to love Lucas Laufen.

7 December 2017 – The Little Guy, Sydney
9 December 2017 – The Old Bar, Melbourne
10 December 2017 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
5 January 2018 – Flow Bar, Old Bar
6 January 2018 – Two Goats Cafe, Armidale
7 January 2018 – Junk Bar, Brisbane
14 January 2018 – Boston Bay Winery, Port Lincoln

Image used with permission from Little Acorn Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fall for Abbe May’s “Love Decline”

Western Australia’s Abbe May has long been a powerful female force on the Aussie music landscape, but I think her new single “Love Decline” may be her strongest yet. In a world full of optimistic saccharine love songs, its take on romance and seduction is refreshing. Its cool, sexy groove is also irresistible.

“Love Decline is about a self-centered kind of love, a decadence and a sadness which tracks the rise and fall of passionate love,” she explained. “I wrote ‘Love Decline’ after hearing an older man suggest that people don’t really fall in love after a certain age. He was talking about passionate love; the kind that requires a degree of foolish youthfulness. I found his romantic cynicism confronting. I’m still young and I’m still learning but I hope that old man wasn’t right about love being a load of crap.”

Whether the old man was right or not, he’s given Abbe one hell of a song!

Image used with permission from Minor Major

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chronixx Bringing Reggae Tunes to Oz

Saturday is the perfect day for listening to some world-class reggae. You’re feeling on top of the world because the weekend is here, yet you’re not suffering for it as you might be tomorrow! This morning I fell down the Chronixx rabbit hole, intending to simply listen to a couple of tracks to decide whether his tour was worth telling you about but listening to a couple of albums instead! He’s that good.

The Jamaican rapper has impressed the right people, from Jimmy Fallon, who is credited with discovering him on a Jamaican holiday, to musical elite like Lauryn Hill, Nas, and The Stone Roses. And in February, Chronixx will bring his band Zincfence Redemption to Australia for shows in the East Coast capitals.

“I’m so excited to be back performing live in Australia for my fans, where I’ll be performing new tracks from the Chronology record as well as the classics,” Chronixx said. “See you soon!”

See him at the following local venues next year.

21 February 2018 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
22 February 2018 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
23 February 2018 – The Zoo, Brisbane

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Henry Wagons Does Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen was quite simply one of the greatest songwriters to ever grace us with his gifts. Henry Wagons is one of our most talented musical exports. So I knew before I listened to it that I would love Henry’s latest single, a cover of Leonard’s “Tower of Song.”

If I wasn’t already familiar with the song I might have thought Henry wrote it. It fits him so beautifully, like a comfortable pair of shoes.

“Leonard Cohen is a true philosopher king of lyric. Like so many, I was hit when he left,” Henry explained. I wanted to honour the anniversary of his passing by singing my take on ‘Tower of Song’, as a thank you to the great man for building the structure under which all of us songwriters huddle.”

Singles don’t get much cooler than this.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“I Saw Red” – Struggle With Glory/ Harry James Angus

Just a few weeks ago I was singing Harry James Angus’ praises, celebrating his innovative single “I Saw Red,” released through his Struggle With Glory project. Now after hearing the EP with the same name, I’m even more impressed.

To bring you up to speed, I Saw Red is an EP of gospel-jazz tracks inspired by Greek mythology. The music doesn’t just live on the recordings; it’s from the Struggle With Glory show Harry James Angus has showcased at theatres and will soon take to music and arts festivals around the country. This is no ordinary musical project. It’s not delivered as one, and it doesn’t sound like one either.

I Saw Red transports you to a different time, a time when jazz, soul, and blues came together for people in mourning and exultation. “Kill The Priest” has a morbid title, but it feels like a song of praise and positivity. It’s a beacon of light which juxtaposes beautifully with the darker title track. “Struggle With Glory” sounds like an old slave song, sorrowful and full of soul. “He Took The Fire” rounds out the EP, lifting us up just as we began. It’s a slow burner, but when the gospel choir and brass band kicks in you’ll be clapping along.

I Saw Red stands alone as a stellar collection of songs. But it also makes me intrigued about Harry James Angus and his Struggle With Glory show. Something tells me I’d appreciate these incredible songs even more in that context.

The I Saw Red EP is available now. Struggle With Glory will play the following events.

1 March 2018 – Perth Festival, Perth
14 & 15 March 2018 – Adelaide, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Timi Temple Eulogises Pet Fish With “Sands of Time” Single

Kilter guitarist Timi Temple has stepped out on his own with the release of his psychedelic new single “Sands of Time.”

This track is the perfect marriage of classic 60s sounds reinterpreted for the 21st century. It’s catchy yet still left of centre. It also comes from a hilarious story from Timi’s childhood.

“When I was a kid we had a fish tank in the house, behind the dining table, on a glass shelf. Underneath the tank was a heater, now, I don’t know whose bright idea it was to put the heater under the tank, but one cold night I thought I’d do the right thing by turning on the heater. A child’s first attempt at taking initiative. Unfortunately no one from my family realised I had done this, so I was put to bed and the rest of my family retired for the night without turning off the heater. I woke up to my family arguing about who left the heater on – the fish were pretty much boiled and floating across the top – and when I was asked, I feigned ignorance. It ate at me for a while, the guilt not washing off my consciousness. But soon it was ‘lost in the sands of time’ and forgotten. It hit me like a freight train when, at 15, I decided to buy my own ‘first pet’ and picked up a fish tank. I put my thoughts down on paper and I guess the song is my confession.”

Thankfully no fish were harmed in the making of the video!

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Live @ Roche Estate, Pokolbin – 18 November 2017

I’m not sure what it is about Hunter Valley winery gigs, but so often they go hand-in-hand with rain. Somewhere along the way my excitement about the show turns in to trepidation and relentless weather checks.

Roche Estate was already a muddy swamp by the time I arrived on Saturday. It didn’t take long for the ground, and us, to get a whole lot wetter. It poured virtually nonstop for the first two acts. My raincoat quickly became as soaked as the rest of me. My feet were squelching in my shoes. I’ve had rain at concerts before, but never so much that I was still soaked to my skin by the time I got home.

It’s a cliché to suggest rain didn’t dampen the crowd’s enthusiasm, because it was certainly unpleasant. But the music was so outstanding that it actually seemed worth the downpour. I last saw Thirsty Merc playing acoustically. Before that, Rai Thistlethwayte was playing solo. I hadn’t seen the Merc is all their plugged-in splendour for ten long years. So I was thrilled to see these guys playing a set for the real fans. They’ve had so many hits over the years, certainly enough to fill their six-song set. While songs like “Someday, Someday” and “In the Summertime” featured, they were interspersed with killer album tracks like “Claude Monet” and “I Wish Somebody Would Build a Bridge (So I Could Get Over Myself).” Their set was full of energy and appreciation. While the crowd was relatively small by that point, they lapped up what Thirsty Merc gave us.

I worried I might spend The Calling’s set simply waiting for “Wherever You Will Go,” but the California act were a real surprise package for me. It turns out thanks to Spotify’s suggestions, I knew more songs than I thought. However, even the ones I weren’t familiar with didn’t feel like fillers. Alex Band is one dynamic front man. I barely took my eyes off him. His presence made their set so enjoyable.

Lifehouse continued the nostalgia with a tight set peppered with more of those Spotify favourites. I couldn’t fault any of the musicians, but after being so impressed by The Calling, this set felt a little lacking to me. Maybe some jetlag or a busy tour schedule has caught up with them, because it felt a little “by the numbers.” Bass guitarist Bryce Soderberg’s cover of “You’re The Voice” was great fun though, and the band’s biggest hits “You and Me” and “Hanging By a Moment” also had everyone singing along.

You want the headliners to take things up a notch and boy did Live deliver, bursting onto the stage with “All Over You.” The set drew mainly from early albums, especially the breakthrough Throwing Copper, and like so many fans I lapped it up. “I Alone” was an absolute standout; I wish I could have bottled the electricity when we all let loose. “White, Discussion” might have been penned decades ago, but it resonated strongly as I thought of the current political climate. “Selling the Drama” went off just as much as it should. Even debut album Mental Jewelry got a look-in with “Pain Lies on the Riverside.” “Lakini’s Juice” from Secret Samadhi was positively electric.

Live is a band that rocks hard, but they’re every bit as powerful in the quieter moments. An acoustic cover of Johnny Cash’s “Walk the Line” was breathtaking. “Turn My Head,” the tender ballad from Secret Samadhi and one of my favourite Live tracks, was so moving. I saw more than a few misty eyes when the band played Audioslave track “I Am The Highway” in dedication to Chris Cornell.

The seven-year break hasn’t made Live rusty. They sound so tight and Ed Kowalczyk is every bit as magnetic as he ever was. He is such a charismatic performer, a kind of Messiah figure who is utterly mesmerising to watch. I’ve always admired him, but after experiencing the show he puts on I’d put him within the top five front men I’ve ever seen. He was that good.

Despite Ed’s importance, Live is a brothership and that seems stronger than ever after the band’s taken an extended break from one another. There’s a renewed sense of energy about Live these days. I saw them a couple of times in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, but I can’t remember feeling so blown away by their performance. Ed let slip that they’re planning another Aussie tour for March. It can’t come soon enough. Because quite simply, this was for me the best gig of the year.

Image source: Stephen Katulka