Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hands Like Houses Covers Silverchair, Announces Acoustic Shows

Cover versions are a tricky business. When you take a song beloved by many, it’s often judged more harshly than any original. And when you take on an iconic Aussie band like Silverchair, the knives are likely to come out. As a born and bred Novocastrian, I might be a harsher critic than most. I haven’t like everything I’ve heard from Spawn (Again): A Tribute to Silverchair, but Hands Like Houses has risen to the occasion with a cover of “Ana’s Song (Open Fire).”

This is probably my favourite Silverchair song, and the Canberra band brings just the right mix of pathos and aggression to it.

“It’s impossible to be an Australian band and not have some recognition and appreciation for the huge role Silverchair has played in Aussie music, and the pathway it created for rock in particular,” Hands Like Houses frontman Trenton Woodley explained. “Daniel Johns has such a strong songwriting style, so when were were asked if we were interested in this compilation, it was an intimidating but exciting prospect to try and bring in our own take on their music, while still retaining and respecting what made them such massive hits. We’re stoked on how it came out and hope it, along with the rest of the compilation, does justice to the significance of Silverchair’s role in Australian music history!”

Spawn (Again): A Tribute To Silverchair hits stores on November 17. Hands Like Houses will remind Australia of its own original talents with an acoustic tour next year. It’s something we don’t often see from bands that rock as hard as Hands Like Houses, so if you’re a fan you’ll want tickets to these shows.

18 January 2018 – The Toff In Town, Melbourne
19 January 2018 – The Basement, Sydney
20 January 2018 – The Foundry, Brisbane
21 January 2018 – Capital Brewing Co, Canberra

Image used with permission from Unified Music Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harry James Angus Releasing Ambitious EP

In a couple of weeks Harry James Angus will release his highly anticipated new EP I Saw Red, featuring songs from his latest musical project, a show called Struggle With Glory. If the title track is any indication, it will be truly spectacular.

The EP, which is released on November 16, features four original gospel jazz tracks inspired by Greek mythology. The trumpet sounds we love in Harry’s most famous project, The Cat Empire, are there, married beautifully with the double bass, piano, and a soaring gospel choir. Is it ambitious? Absolutely! But do the risks pay off? After watching this video of the title track performed live, I’m sure the answer will be a resounding yes.

If you didn’t catch Struggle With Glory at The Church of Bang Bang Boogaloo or at one of Harry’s Parlour Gigs earlier in the year, don’t worry. He’ll take the show to music and arts festivals and other major events over summer. With a nine-piece band and a gospel choir in tow, these performances should be epic. More dates will be announced soon, but the following are already locked in:

18 & 19 November 2017 – Mullum Music Festival, Mullumbimby
21 November 2017 – Melbourne Music Week, Melbourne
14 & 15 March 2018 – Adelaide Festival, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Keira Releases Infectious New Single “Make You Mine”

Born and raised in country Victoria, Keira is living out her dreams as a travelling musician, touring the world and recording music in Los Angeles. Her latest effort is “Make You Mine,” a catchy country-pop track penned during Keira’s American tour earlier this year.

The single gives us a taste of the music Keira’s making to follow up her breakthrough debut EP Forever Roam. I can’t wait to hear more!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ayla Headlins Rare Finds East Coast Tour

Sydney’s boutique PR and artist management company Rare Finds wants more Aussies to see some of the talented up-and-coming musicians on its roster. So it’s announced three East Coast shows this summer, featuring the super-talented Ayla and a host of other new acts.

This tour is the next natural progression for an organisation who’s already showcased emerging musicians at special gigs in Sydney and Brisbane.

“The Rare Finds nights serve to foster a scene within the Australian indie community and provide a strong live platform for outstanding emerging artists,” explained Rare Finds managing director, Rob Carroll. “One of the biggest challenges faced by artists, managers and agents at the early stages of an artist’s career, is developing a live following. With the launch of our Melbourne event, we’re now able to provide an East Coast touring platform to new acts, so they can play to ready-made crowds, which largely consist of industry, tastemakers and the core local indie community.”

The Rare Finds tour kicks off on January 12, the same day Ayla releases her sophomore EP Let’s Talk Monday. That collection of songs features the superb new single “Porcelain Doll.” See Ayla and a revolving door of exciting new acts on the Rare Finds tour.

12 January 2018 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
19 January 2018 – The Penny Black, Melbourne
20 January 2018 – OAF Gallery Bar, Sydney

Image used with permission from Rare Finds

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Maya Releases Bold New Single “What We Are Worth”

Melbourne-born soul singer Maya has had a big 2017, dividing her time between Los Angeles, New York, and her Australian home, all the time writing, performing, and honing her craft. Those experiences help inform her exciting new single “What We Are Worth.”

This song feels so fresh and original. It’s got a strong message, equally powerful vocals, and a really unique sound that helps set it apart. It’s the sort of track that could establish Maya as one of our most promising young talents.

“What We Are Worth is a conversation with myself about my constant questions about humanity – it’s a song about respecting yourself and the earth we live on,” Maya explained. “My music has to inspire people to reflect on both our actions and reactions to life,” MAYA passionately explains. “The song was made to shock and excite, while also opening up and expressing my feelings with intensity. This song was made to spread a message – to wake up and understand what we are worth to this earth.”

Maya will play a couple of shows around Melbourne to launch the single. Catch her at Ferdydurke in Melbourn on November 30 or The Night Cat in Fitzroy on December 1.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angie McMahon Books High-Profile Supports With “Slow Mover” Release

What’s better than discovering an awesome new song that you can’t stop playing? Finding out that the artist is supporting a musician you already have tickets for! The song in question is “Slow Mover,” and the woman behind it, Melbourne’s Angie McMahon, will warm up the crowds at Alanis Morissette’s upcoming shows.

This track just oozes heart and charm. I love Angie’s low, smokey vocals and its great groove. Those lyrics too really strike a chord.

“’Slow Mover’ is a song about putting energy into things that are worthwhile, and taking plenty of time to get to a good place,” she explained. “I’d spent a lot of time pining after love, but at this point, my head was shifting, and what I actually wanted and needed was to pursue my music career.”

If you didn’t secure tickets to those sold-out Alanis gigs, don’t worry. Angie is headlining a show tomorrow and supporting The Shins in December. Here are all the places you can see her showcasing tracks from her debut album, due out next year!

2 November 2017 – Workers Club, Melbourne
4 December 2017 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne (with The Shins)
5 December 2017 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane (with The Shins)
8 December 2017 – Enmore Theatre Sydney (with The Shins)
22 & 23 January 2018 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
24 January 2018 – ICC Sydney Theatre, Sydney

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Canada’s Terra Lightfoot Touring Australia

The Canadian music scene is a little like our own. Musicians can be the hottest thing within the country, but outside it no one knows their name. Even with the rise of digital music and streaming services, many of us don’t realise there’s a whole lot more to the Canadian music scene than Bryan Adams and Alanis Morissette. One of the most exciting Canadian musicians wowing critics and music lovers alike is Terra Lightfoot, who’s just about to kick off her Australian tour.

If you want to know what Terra is all about, listen to her single “Paradise.” Then go to Spotify and stream her latest album New Mistakes. It’s an awesome blend of rock, soul, and blues that I’m really digging.

Terra’s Australian tour with our own William Crighton starts tomorrow. Who knew? I’ve heard absolutely nothing about it, but that’s a good thing for you because it means you can still find tickets to these shows.

2 November 2017 – Australian Music Week, Cronulla (7:45-8:15 pm @ Brass Monkey, 10-11:45 @ St Andrews Church Hall)
3 November 2017 – Central Bar, Newcastle
4 November 2017 – Inland Sound of Sea, Bathurst
5 November 2017 – Smith’s Alternative Cabaret, Canberra
6 November 2017 – Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy
9 November 2017 – Leadbelly, Sydney
10-12 November 2017 – Majors Creek Festival, Majors Creek
16 November 2017 – Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Don’t Call Mo•Louie

Melbourne chanteuse Mo•Louie has just released a retro-inspired clip for her sultry new single “I’ll Call You.” The track is the second lifted from her debut EP Fire Brick, which drops tomorrow.

“I’ll Call You” is a soulful exploration of a healing heart, with a chilled out groove and biting lyrics. She combines genres so easily here, creating a track that is complex, yet accessible.

Mo•Louie will celebrate her EP release by taking part in an exciting multisensory show Technicolour Wonderland alongside other local talents Youthfire and Abraham Tilbury. It all happens at Ding Dong Lounge on November 24 as part of Melbourne Music Week.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Musos Mark Waltzing Matilda Centre Reopening in Winton

The Waltzing Matilda Centre was the world’s first museum dedicated to a song. However, sadly fire ravaged the unique Winton attraction in 2015. Now two years later and after $23 million worth of work, the Waltzing Matilda Centre is ready to welcome tourists again. Winton is celebrating the opening in style with a massive music festival, Way Out West Fest.

Organisers have assembled an impressive line-up of local and international talent. America’s Kip Moore and Lee Brice will play alongside Aussie stars Jessica Mauboy, John Williamson, The Living End, Sheppard, Busby Marou, Russell Morris, Pierce Brothers, and the Black Sorrows. And that’s just for starters, with more acts to be announced in the coming months. There’ll also be market stalls, a country race meeting, and much more.

“It’s a real honour to play with such a great line-up of stars for Winton’s Way Out West Fest,” said Jessica Mauboy. “’Waltzing Matilda’ is one of the icons of Australian folklore and the reopening of the Waltzing Matilda Centre will itself be a new chapter in the history of our nation. I can’t wait to share the occasion with the thousands who will come from all corners of Australia to celebrate with us.”

Way Out West Fest hits Winton from April 19 to 22. Tickets are on sale now.

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Howlite Releases Haunting New Single Saviour

It’s not quite Halloween fodder, but there’s certainly a haunting quality to Howlite’s new single “Saviour.” It’s a sultry, languorous slow burner with killer vocals from Alison Thom.

“The song draws a lot from religious imagery, as well as deep southern blues and gospel, and I tried to capture the raw emotions and joy of choral singing – when I wrote the refrain in the chorus of the song I imagined it being sung a’capella by a church choir,” Howlite explained. “Much of the lyrical content was inspired by one of my favourite poems called “Ishtar Awakens In Chicago” by Mohja Kahf, which talks about feminine strength and self assurance”

Follow Melburnians can catch Howlite at a couple of shows next month.

4 November 2017 – Revolver Bandroom, Melbourne (with Seattle Fix)
16 November 2017 – The Toff In Town, Melbourne (with General Assembly)

Image used with permission from Beehive PR