Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Lockhearts Touring Rocking New Single Ahead of Album Release

The Lockhearts won’t release a new album until next year, but you can get your fix of the band’s particular brand of straight-up rock and roll with the release of the new single “Ride Home.”

Bands just don’t make rock music this good any more. I love the ‘70s influence, with its big chunky guitars and singalong chorus.

The Lockhearts are currently on tour test-driving new material from their forthcoming album Americana Doom Fuzz. Catch them at the following shows.

12 August 2017 – Crowbar, Brisbane
13 August 2017 – Broadbeach Tavern, Gold Coast (FREE)
18 August 2017 – Worldsend Hotel, Adelaide
19 August 2017 – The Workers Club, Geelong
24 August 2017 – The Vineyard, St Kilda, Melbourne
26 August 2017 – Cherry Bar, Melbourne
1 September 2017 – The Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Newcastle
8 September 2017 – The Backroom, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Jezabels, British India Headline Port Macquarie’s Wildwood Festival

Now in its fourth year, Port Macquarie’s boutique independent music festival Wildwood is getting even more fabulous. The first major line-up announcement recently confirmed The Jezabels, British India, Hugo Race, and Alex the Astronaut will all grave the Wildwood stage.

It might have an incredible line-up, but Wildwood doesn’t believe bigger is better.

“Wildwood has never strayed from its roots while at the same time continues to grow year after year,” explained festival organiser Simon Leigh. “We just aim to bring together a warm feel good festival and have really gone beyond and above this year with our amazing line up and our food stalls and children’s area will once again bring colour, glitter and our own brand of fun to the festival.”

“We are excited to see the forest filled with fireflies and adults and children alike sparkling from head to toe in their illuminated aurora. It’s always the most magical way to end a day of great music”.

Wildwood hits Cassegrain Winery in Port Macquarie on October 1. Tickets are on sale through Livetix.

Image used with permission from Wildwood Music Festival

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Whispering Jackie Rock Out With “Breaking Up This Time”

Sydney punk-rock outfit Whispering Jackie speaks for a generation of confused, lovelorn listeners with the new single “Breaking Up This Time.”

The track is essentially a love song, but it avoids the clichés. I love its gritty garage rock attitude.

“Breaking Up This Time” is the lead single from Whispering Jackie’s sophomore EP For The Moment, due out late this year.

Whispering Jackie is launching “Breaking Up This Time” with a handful of shows in New South Wales. The trio will play Rad Bar in Wollongong tonight and Fuzz Face at Sydney’s Hideaway Bar on August 10.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Hip Hop Elite Raising Money for Oxfam in Melbourne

L Fresh The Lion, N’Fa Jones, Mantra, Mistress, and other leading Aussie hip hop talents will hit The Penny Black in Brunswick on August 13, all for a good cause. Money raised will benefit OXJAM, an Oxfam initiative looking to end poverty and homelessness through the power of music.

Not only are ticket sales helping the charity, The Penny Black will give 50 percent of the bar takings as well. With Young Henrys, 42Below Vodka, and Bacardi Fuego supplying the drinks, you’ll want to indulge. This promises to be a great night out for a great cause. Melbourne residents, get on it!

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

King Social Touring “In Colour”

King Social are likely loading up the van as I type, preparing to play shows around the country on the In Colour tour. The early shows will give fans a sneak peek at the album which will drop on September 3.

The album should be something special if current single “Lemonade” is any indication. I love the blending of genres here. The rap is honest and raw and the soul silky smooth. Stevie Mitchell, who wrote and raps on the song, says it’s one of the most specific and personal tracks the band has released.

“I started writing Lemonade just as I was about to begin my current job. I’d bounced around for a while and done every job under the sun and I’d come to a point where I just wanted to put my head down and finish something,” he explained. “It wasn’t meant to be so father-oriented; I was just being honest with myself, that I wasn’t a little kid anymore and it was time to grow up. My dad is a great role model.

“He hasn’t heard the song, but I told him the lyrics once. He gets too carried away though – I fed him the first three lines: “Call me that bastard, these bars are the weapons I harbour, I’m hoping to tread the same footprints and steps as my father…” He stopped me there to berate me for ever thinking I was a bastard – he listened too much, that he didn’t listen.”

Kevin was reluctant to release such a personal song, fearing people who hadn’t lived his life may struggle to relate, but he reconsidered after hearing the track come to life.

“The boys – and the production team at The Grove Studios – have just made it sound so fucking good,” he gushed. “I think maybe they’re more in love with the sound than the message, but I guess that’s what music is all about – presenting meaningful lyrics in an exciting way.”

King Social will play the following headlining gigs and festivals in the coming months.

4 August 2017 – Whitsunday Reef Festival, Cannonvale (FREE)
5 August 2017 – Gigs & Digs Festival, Yamala
25 August 2017 – Hudson Ballroom, Sydney
27 August 2017 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour (FREE)
1 September 2017 – SS & A Club, Albury (FREE)
2 September 2017 – The Retreat Hotel, Brunswick (FREE)
9 September 2017 – New Globe Theatre, Fortitude Valley
10 September 2017 – The Bearded Dragon Hotel, Tamborine (FREE)
23 September 2017 – Longreach Cup, Longreach
29 September 2017 – Caloundra Music Festival, Kings Beach
1 October 2017 – The Salt House, Cairns (FREE)
21 October 2017 – Darwin Railway Club, Parap
25 November 2017 – Brews & Barbie Bash, Toowoomba
8 December 2017 – King’s Christmas, Townsville

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan Vogl Charms Me With “If I Die”

While I pride myself on fairly eclectic music taste, folk singers with acoustic guitar skills usually have an easy time winning me over. It didn’t take very long before I was swooning over Dan Vogl’s debut single “If I Die.” I enjoy the single version, but I think there’s something a little more special about this stripped back performance for the Speaker Sessions. The vocals come out just a little more, and that helps you hear those insightful lyrics. The delicate guitars are also stunning.

“’If I Die’ is about an internal struggle around the ideology and concepts of religion and how people are raised to believe in stories or traditions dependent on their surroundings,” Dan explained. “It cries out for a greater knowledge of the world and to see outside the box that certain beliefs can trap you in.”

Unfortunately I’m so behind in my emails that I didn’t hear this song before he launched it. Don’t worry though, because he’s playing the same venue, The Gasometer Hotel Upstairs in Collingwood, on August 16.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alanis Morissette is Coming Back to Australia!

Alanis Morissette hasn’t toured this country for 18 years. Back then I was 19. Money was tight, and while I saw concerts, I certainly didn’t get to see everyone that touched my heart musically. Back then I assumed I’d have other opportunities. I didn’t expect to be kept waiting quite so long.

But Alanis settled down, morphing from the angsty voice of a generation to some kind of Mother Earth figure with kids and a husband. I honestly thought I’d missed my opportunity to catch her live show.

I am as thrilled as anyone could be with the news today that she’s coming back to our shores. And won’t it be worth the wait. For starters, she’s playing acoustic shows. Be still my beating heart. She’s also playing intimate venues. Playing in just two cities, I believe she’s still got the pulling power to fill an arena. I’m glad she won’t though. January cannot come fast enough.

Alanis Morissette will bring her An Evening With Alanis Morissette shows to Melbourne’s Palais Theatre on January 23 and the ICC Sydney Theatre on January 24. Tickets go on sale on August 7.

Image via Justin Higuchi @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Precautions Release Poppy New Single “Mine”

Sydney band The Precautions have put a smile on my face today with the feel good new single “Mine.”

The song has a strong pop spirit, with a hint of Eastern exoticism which helps set it apart. The track has The Precautions’ frontwoman Mary Paras’ stamp all over it. She wrote the track in Sydney and Los Angeles and had a hand in recording and producing it. She’s also singing lead and backing vocals, giving this song a lush, feminine feel.

“Mine” comes from The Precautions’ recently released debut album Free World.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lincoln le Fevre & The Insiders Kick Off “Come Undone” Album Tour This Week

For pure unbridled passion, it’s hard to beat the tunes from Hobart’s Lincoln le Fevre & The Insiders. With driving drum beats and gritty melodies, every track on the band’s new LP Come Undone is a winner, including lead single “Undone.” You just see if you’re not punching your fist in the air in time to the beat of this one.

With Come Undone in stores now, there’s no better time for Lincoln and his pals to travel around Australia. This is the kind of music that sounds even richer in a pub with a cold beer in your hand. Soak it all up in the following venues.

4 August 2017 – Crowbar, Brisbane
18 August 2017 – The Gasometer, Melbourne
25 August 2017 – Republic Bar, Hobart
26 August 2017 – Royal Oak, Launceston
8 September 2017 – Transit Bar, Canberra
9 September 2017 – Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ruel Shows Rare Talent Beyond His Years With “Don’t Tell Me”

I’m never quite sure whether to love or hate young performers. On one hand, I can’t help but be impressed with their talent realised at such a tender age. On the other, as I see what they’re doing I can’t help but think of what I was doing in my life at their age and how they’re clearly better than me. So I have mixed emotions about Ruel, because he’s kicking some serious goals at 14. Yes, 14.

As if that wasn’t impressive enough, he wrote his new single “Don’t Tell Me” at just 12. It’s not one of those songs that needs qualification. I’m not going to tell you it’s good for a 12-year-old, or that Ruel’s performance on it is good for a 14-year-old. It’s just good. I’m so impressed at this young man’s voice and passion. Ordinarily when kids sing about deep emotions there’s a disconnect. They don’t have the experiences to truly evoke what they’re singing about. I’m not sure what Ruel has lived through, but he’s convinced me.

Ruel is supporting Angus and Julia Stone in September. Make sure you arrive in time for his set if you’re going, because you’re going to want to say you saw this kid before he hit the big time.