Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Monday Night” – Jazz Party

Jazz is a genre that’s been watered down a lot over the years. Jazz festivals have become playgrounds for artists who could more accurately be described as blues or soul acts. You rarely hear musicians scatting any more. True jazz might not be popular anymore, but Melbourne’s Jazz Party don’t seem to care about that. On their debut album Monday Night, it sounds like they’re having far too much fun to consider the opinion of the masses.

This album will transport you to a retro New Orleans speakeasy. It’s got a fantastic, infectious energy about it. The band manages to play with an unbridled frenetic sound which seems spontaneous, yet they’re the tightest bunch of musicians you’re likely to hear. From the heavy-handed honky-tonky piano to the brassy horns section, everything is just where it should be. Songwriter and leader of the band of eight Darcy McNulty says recording Monday Night was the most fun he’s ever had in a studio, and that shows. From opening track “Want a Baby,” this album leads you to the dancefloor and twirls you around until your feet are sore. I love Darcy’s Harry Connick Jnr-esque vocals, but the tracks featuring the sassy, soulful Loretta Miller on lead are probably my favourites. She’s a revelation on numbers like “Sleep” and “Magic Man.”

Monday Night is released on November 3. Jazz Party will launch it with shows around the country. If the album’s any indication, anyone attending these shows are in for one hell of a time.

11 November 2017 – The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne
16 November 2017 – The Flamin’ Galah, Brisbane
16-19 November 2017 – Mullum Music Festival, Mullumbimby
24-26 November 2017 – Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff
16-18 February 2018 – Riverboats Music Festival, Echuca-Moama

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Lockhearts Offer Album Teaser With “Goddamn Pretty” Single

Anticipation is building for The Lockhearts’ new album Americana Doom Fuzz with the release of their brand new single “Goddamn Pretty.” The album won’t hit stores until early 2018, but if the single is any indication it’s going to be a corker. I love the ways these guys reinterpret vintage Americana sounds with a little Aussie edge.

If you love what you hear, get yourself to one of The Lockhearts’ upcoming shows. Expect to hear more of the new album tracks and all your old favourites at these shows:

3 November 2017 – The Bendigo Hotel, Bendigo
10 November 2017 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
11 November 2017 – Frankies, Sydney (FREE)
17 November 2017 – Prince of Wales, Brisbane
18 November 2017 – Mo’s Desert Clubhouse, Gold Coast
2 December 2017 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast
3 December 2017 – Sounds of Sunday @ Broadbeach Tavern, Gold Coast (FREE)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Drops Real New Single

I was so amused by Hamish and Andy’s latest stunt, where they wrote a song in 10 minutes and handed it over to Guy Sebastian to pass it off as his latest single. Most of the radio execs fell for the ruse hook, line, and sinker, despite the song’s woeful lyrics, because frankly Guy could sing the phonebook and it’d sell. Thankfully for us all though, his new single “Bloodstone” is a whole lot better than the phonebook or Hamish and Andy’s song.

“Bloodstone” is the latest cut from Guy’s album Conscious, set for release on November 3. It hooked me in with its piano introduction and didn’t let go. Its lyrics are emotionally charged, and it’s got a great soul-pop sensibility. Guy’s vocals are also on point, but that’s nothing new.

“It’s kind of a desperate song,” Guy explained. “You’re in a relationship where you feel like everything is coming to an end and you’re just pleading to your other half.”

With quality tracks like this, you can expect Conscious to do big things on its release next week!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Greta Stanley Drops Beautiful Single “When January Comes” Ahead of Album Release

Greta Stanley gives a masterclass in capturing a sense of time and place with her new single “When January Comes.” The song about growing up in Far North Queensland is a nostalgic delight.

“Summer in far north QLD, a heat that swallows you … I wrote this song watching people around me change through the seasons, the crystal-clear waterfalls, and the backyards of friend’s houses, the company you keep and that bittersweet holiday heat. As much as we complain there is some kinda special feeling around that time of year up here that I can’t quite explain,” she explained.

“When January Comes” comes from Greta’s debut album Full Grown, a collection of songs which tackle what it means to grow up with its discovery and loss of love and constant changes.

“The LP is about all of the bad stuff, and the good stuff, and how unfortunately, one wouldn’t really exist without the other,” Greta adds. “It’s about learning, hurting, coming completely unstuck and then somehow finding your feet again – life is big and scary but it’s big and beautiful too, and it’s easy to sometimes forget that there’s a world outside the door of your own.”

Thankfully there’s not too long to wait to hear more; Full Grown drops tomorrow!

Image used with permission from Title Track

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Teskey Brothers Release “Louisa” Ahead of Aussie Tour

The Teskey Brothers have been one of my favourite musical discoveries of the year. If you haven’t gotten into them yet, you need to wrap your ears around “Louisa,” the band’s bluesy new single.

It’s a little swampier than much of their music, but that soulful spirit that runs through their music is certainly on show.

These guys have had such a busy year with a sold-out tour in July, shows in Los Angeles, New York, and London, and a slot at Queenscliff Music Festival. But they’re not done yet. There’s still time for one more Aussie tour before 2017 is done is dusted. Where will you see The Teskey Brothers?

30 November – Jive Bar, Adelaide (with Timberwolf)
1 December – The Foundry, Brisbane (with Timberwolf)
2 December – The Basement, Sydney (with Timberwolf)
26 January – Melbourne Zoo Twilights 2018, Melbourne (with Saskwatch)

Image used with permission from Little Giant Agency/credit Nick McKinlay

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rick Price @ Hardys Bay Club, Hardys Bay – 21 October 2017

The very best gigs for me are the intimate ones. So many people get excited when acts that debut at the top of the charts play the nation’s arenas, but music loses a little of its magic for me in a space so large. And while a loud show with a full band can be thrilling, I’m usually more moved seeing a performer stripping their songs back so you can appreciate the nuances of their lyrics. That’s why seeing Rick Price at Hardys Bay Club on Saturday night is one of the best gigs I’ve attended all year.

I fell for this tiny Central Coast venue when I saw Bob Evans there earlier in the year, and I was thrilled to return. It’s one of the most intimate live music venues around. There’s no pretension about it, a modest stage with tables and chairs in the middle and couches around the side. It’s the kind of space that breaks down the traditional barriers between performer and audience. Rick’s always been the kind of artist who shared himself and the stories behind the songs with his audience, but he was a little chattier and more amusing than usual.

He also sounded superb, despite struggling through a case of the man flu. As the old saying goes, the show must go on. And go on it did, with a superb set drawing from his entire career. I was taken back to my childhood with hits like “Not a Day Goes By” and “Walk Away Renee” and relished the opportunity to hear new tracks from his recently released album Tennessee Sky. I actually didn’t think I was going to take any photos, because I didn’t want to break the spell cast over the room by snapping away. If not for an up tempo song, I wouldn’t have reached for the camera at all, because in those ballads I just couldn’t look away. Without a band in tow, Rick did most of the heavy lifting at this show, but his friend Belinda Ling showed she could do more than delivering cups of lemon water when she joined him for a couple of numbers. What an incredible voice she has. She brought something new to one of my favourite songs from Rick’s debut album, “Fragile.”

Rick Price’s Brought to Life a Dead Man Walking tour won’t be the one that gets the media outlets buzzing, but these shows are guaranteed to make a big impression on you. Here are all the remaining dates:

26 October 2017 – Brisbane Jazz Club, Woolloongabba
27 October 2017 – Bison Bar, Nambour
28 October 2017 – Park Ridge Tavern, Park Ridge
29 October 2017 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
2 November 2017 – The Oxley, Cowra
3 November 2017 – Camelot Lounge, Marrickville
4 November 2017 – Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jeremy Neale Visiting Record Stores for Album Release

With the release of his debut solo album Getting The Team Back Together imminent, former Velociraptor frontman Jeremy Neale has announced instore appearances in the East Coast capitals.

The album features the fun single “Dancin’ & Romancin’” and plenty more quirky, energetic power pop tunes. The tunes are great fun, but hone in on the lyrics and you’ll hear some life lessons about love, growth, doubt, and the pursuit of happiness.

Getting The Team Back Together is released on November 3, the same day these instores kick off!

3 November 2017 – Jet Black Cat Music, Brisbane
5 November 2017 – Oh Jean Records, Melbourne
9 November 2017 – Red Eye Records, Sydney

Image used with permission from Remote Control Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jimmy Barnes Sharing Stories From New Book on Upcoming Tour

My poor credit card isn’t thanking me, but I seem to be buying concert tickets like they’re going out of style this week. Monday already saw me participating in presales for Red Hot Summer at Cockatoo Island and New Power Generation at the Enmore, and I’ve just bought tickets for Jimmy Barnes’ Working Class Man: An Evening of Stories & Songs national tour at Newcastle’s Civic Theatre. Thank god I don’t have kids because I’m far too busy to manage anything but seeing shows!

Anyway, with the regular sale still a few days away I thought it was best I clue the rest of you in to what’s sure to be an awesome tour. I caught Jimmy on his Working Class Boy tour last year, and this is even half as good it’s going to be phenomenal. Like the previous tour, Jimmy will share stories of his life and songs the songs that shaped him and his career.

To commemorate his upcoming book release and tour, Jimmy will also rerelease a commemorative edition of For the Working Class Man tomorrow. The album comes bundled with a DVD recorded in 1984 at the Playroom in Queensland. Get it on October 20 and your copy of the Working Class Man book and your concert tickets on October 23.

15 & 16 March 2018 – Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul
17 March 2018 – Canberra Theatre, Canberra
21 March 2018 – Devonport Entertainment Centre, Devonport
22 & 23 March 2018 – Country Club Showroom, Launceston
24 March 2018 – Wrestpoint Entertainment Centre, Hobart
5 April 2018 – Parklands Resort & Conference Centre, Mudgee
6 April 2018 – Civic Centre, Newcastle
7 April 2018 – Bathurst Entertainment Centre, Bathurst
12 April 2018 – Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane
13 April 2018 – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
14 April 2018 – The Star Theatre, Gold Coast
18 April 2018 – Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury
19 April 2018 – Perth Concert Hall, Perth
21 April 2018 – Keith Mitchell Theatre, Port Pirie
22 April 2018 Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
26 April 2018 Frankston Arts Centre Theatre, Frankston
27 April 2018 – Costa Hall, Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong
28 April 2018 – The Palais Theatre, St Kilda
29 April 2018 – Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo
3 May 2018 – Centennial Hall, Sydney Town Hall, Sydney
8 May 2018 – Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch
10 May 2018 – Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington
11 May 2018 – Spark Arena, Auckland
12 May 2018 – Claudelands Arena, Hamilton
20 May 2018 – Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin
22 & 23 May 2018 – Tank Arts Centre, Cairns
25 May 2018 – Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre, Townsville
26 May 2018 – Plenary Halls, Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre, Mackay
27 May 2018 – Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton
29 May 2018 – Caloundra Events Centre, Caloundra
30 May 2018 – Saraton Theatre, Grafton

Image used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jess Cornelius Floors Me With “Love and Low Self Esteem”

Melbourne-based muso Jess Cornelius lays her heart bare with her powerful new single “Love and Low Self Esteem.” I think you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who couldn’t relate to this tragic song about love for the wrong person.

“Love and Low Self Esteem” comes from Jess Cornelius’s debut solo EP Nothing is Lost, out October 27. The Teeth and Tongue frontwoman is currently keeping Paul Kelly company on his US tour. So if you’re attending one of the following shows, make sure you arrive early enough for her set. She’ll return to Oz for some shows in November.

18 October 2017 – The Crocodile, Seattle
20 October 2017 – Slim’s, San Francisco
22 October 2017 – The Roxy Theatre, Los Angeles
23 November 2017 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
24 November 2017 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Palmary

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Saskwatch Highlight Mental Health Issues With “Finger Painting”

Last week Saskwatch released “Finger Painting” through headspace.org.au to coincide with Mental Health Week. I think initiatives like Mental Health Week and R U OK? Day are important for starting the conversation, but I also think it’s vital that we don’t just wait for a special day or week to talk about mental health issues. Because as anyone who’s struggled with them knows, managing the symptoms can be a year round battle.

So while Mental Health Week has passed, I think it’s still important to get this song out there. It details band member Liam McGorry’s own struggles with anxiety and depression.

“With Finger Painting, I wanted to contrast the anxious lyric with the happiness of the music… a bit like how a lot of the time we feel like we have to put up a facade of everything being okay…” he explained.

“Finger Painting” comes from Saskwatch’s fourth studio album Manual Override. They’re currently touring the album all over the country. Here’s where you can still catch them play. Seeing live music can be great therapy in my personal experience, but remember if you’re struggling that professional help is also available. Visiting the Headspace website is a great place to start.

21 October 2017 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
26 October 2017 – Strawberry Boogie, Wollongong
27 October 2017 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
28 October 2017 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
29 October 2017 – Long Jetty Hotel, Long Jetty
2 November 2017 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
3 November 2017 – The Triffid, Brisbane
4 November 2017 – Byron Bay Brewery, Byron Bay
18 November 2017 – Fat Controller, Adelaide