Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amy Shark Impresses Me With “Weekends”

Amy Shark is back with a brand new single, “Weekends,” the follow-up to her smash “Adore.” That earlier single went gangbusters, but personally I think “Weekends” is a stronger song.

“Weekends is an extremely personal song,” Amy said in a press release. “I actually wrote the guitar part about 5 years ago which sounds crazy, but I couldn’t think of any lyrics good enough to match the guitar so I let it go for so many years, until now!”

If you like “Weekends,” make sure you pre-order her EP Night Thinker, which is set to drop on April 21. The track is yours free with purchase to tide you over to the release date.

Amy has an exciting couple of months ahead, with appearances at the Groovin the Moo festival, support slots with Milky Chance, and a North American promotional tour all scheduled. Here are all the places you can see her play in the coming months.

28 April 2017 – Groovin the Moo, Wayville
29 April 2017 – Groovin the Moo, Maitland (SOLD OUT)
30 April 2017 – Groovin the Moo, Townsville
2 May 2017 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (with Milky Chance)
3 May 2017 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (with Milky Chance)
4 May 2017 – Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne (with Milky Chance)
6 May 2017 – Groovin the Moo, Bendigo (SOLD OUT)
7 May 2017 – Groovin the Moo, Bruce (SOLD OUT)
10 May 2017 – Metro City, Perth (with Milky Chance)
13 May 2017 – Groovin the Moo, Bunbury
20 May 2017 – Bass in the Grass, Darwin City
31 May 2017 – Adelaide Hall, Toronto
1 June 2017 – DC 9, Washington D.C.
2 June 2017 – Boot & Saddle, Philadelphia
4 June 2017 – 3rd and Lindsley, Nashville
5 June 2017 – Babys All Right, Brooklyn
6 June 2017 – Mercury Lounge, New York
8 June 2017 – Great Scott, Allston
12 June 2017 – Bardot, Los Angeles
13 June 2017 – Echo, Los Angeles
16 June 2017 – Popscene @ Rickshaw, San Francisco
17 June 2017 – Doug Fir Lounge, Portland
19 June 2017 – Barboza, Seattle
20 June 2017 – The Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver
23 July 2017 – North Byron Parklands, Yelgun

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Tailored for Now – Eleven R&B Super Jams” – CDB

I’ve been conspicuously absent after taking another cruise. I know I just took one, but I’ve definitely been bitten by the bug. It’s easily my favourite way to travel. Only problem is, I end up feeling pretty flat when I come home.

It can be hard to shake me out of my funk, but if anything was going to do it it would be the advance stream of Tailored for Now – Eleven R&B Super Jams, CDB’s latest album waiting for me in my inbox when I returned home. Speaking of conspicuous absences.

Like so many Australian teenage girls of the ’90s, CDB were a significant part of my coming of age. I remember queuing to get their autographs one day at Sound World in Newcastle. So many things date that sentence. Does anyone do instore signings any more? And why have so many of the independent music stores closed? At any rate, I loved CDB as well as so much of the R&B music of the time. So to have the original members of this iconic Australian boy band back together paying tribute to that period in music, it’s the dream album I never knew I wanted. But does it deliver?

In a word, yes. If you loved the original songs, the music of CDB, or like me, both, you’re going to eat this up. Opening with “If I Ever Fall In Love,” Shai’s breakthrough a capella hit, is such a smart move. It makes the strong statement that CDB is back, sounding just as tight as ever. Without any music you can really appreciate just how insanely good the vocals are.

From there the party gets started, with floor fillers like “She’s Got That Vibe” and “Every Little Step.” There are softer moments too with hits like “End of the Road” and an a capella version of “All My Life” which in my opinion outshines the original. The final cut “90s Chill Medley,” featuring a little Tevin Campbell, Janet Jackson, Hi-Five, and Soul For Real, is a master stroke.

Under the wrong hands this album could so easily sound dated. But instead it feels fresh and so funky, a fitting tribute to the ’90s with slick production that makes it feel current. And CDB has lost nothing over the years. Their voices mesh as if they never went away. These guys could give any modern boy band a real run for their money.

Tailored for Now – Eleven R&B Super Jams drops on April 28. I hear word the lads intend to play some reunion shows to celebrate the album’s release, so I’ll let you know when those dates are locked in!

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MDRN LOVE Releases Fantastic Debut Single

With a classic rock sound that hearkens back to INXS and Powderfinger comes MDRN LOVE. The Geelong quintet has just released the debut single “Bring Me Down” and it’s a cracker. Instantly accessible with a melody you’ll be humming for days, it’s the first taste of the band’s forthcoming EP.

If you like what you hear, make sure you get out and support these guys as they travel around Victoria in the coming months.

8th April 2017 – The Courthouse, Geelong
19th April 2017 – The Workers Club, Fitzroy
22nd April 2017 – The Barwon Club, Geelong
5th May 2017 – The Loft, Warrnambool
9th May 2017 – UMSU, Melbourne
20th May 2017 – The Torquay Hotel, Torquay
7th June 2017 – The Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Missy Higgins and Justine Clarke Announced for 2017 Barunga Festival

One of Australia’s most beloved and eclectic cultural events, the Barunga Festival, has announced its 2017 program. Missy Higgins, Bunna Laurie, Skinnyfish Sound System, and Justine Clarke will all take the stage during the three-day celebration. In addition, there are opportunities to learn traditional dance, spear throwing, weaving, damper making, and how to play the didgeridoo.
Barunga is an Indigenous word for “a happy place for families to live,” and that’s exactly what this event represents. Parents can breathe easy bringing their kids, knowing the event is 100 percent drug, alcohol, and smoke free. More than 4,000 people attend every year to hear some amazing music, learn more about the nation’s Indigenous culture, and discover all the delights of the Katherine region.

The Barunga Festival runs from June 9 to 11. Tickets are available now from Moshtix.

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hunter Adams Bowls Me Over With “How Do I Know”

I have fallen head over heels for “How Do I Know,” the latest single from Hunter Adams’ debut EP Chrysalis. The song speaks so eloquently of the pain of unrequited love and how difficult it can be to let go.

“I’d spent so long spellbound by unrequited love that I was emotionally and psychologically exhausted. I just wanted to go somewhere else, be somewhere else, love someone else,” Hunter explained in the press release. “I had appealed to my brother for comfort, who had told me that when you properly love someone, you should want their happiness above your own, even if that means letting them go.”

I need to hear more from Hunter Adams, stat. This song is amazing!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

BATTS Brings New Sound to “For Now” Single

Take a moment to shut the rest of the world out and listen to “For Now,” the latest single from Melbourne songstress BATTS. This track sees BATTS veering slightly away from the electronic music she’s famous for and getting back to a more organic sound. I’ve always appreciated her voice, but this is the first time I’ve really felt emotionally connected to what she does. This is great stuff.

In celebration of the single, BATTS will play Some Velvet Morning every Sunday in April, starting tonight. Every show is free, so Melbourne residents have no excuse for missing them!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Meltdown Does it Again With “Darkness Into Light”

Melbourne outfit The Meltdown wowed me last year with the single “Colours in the Sky.” Now with the release of the band’s soulful new single “Darkness Into Light,” I’ve fallen in love all over again. This is such quality, with big brassy riffs and sexy powerful vocals rom Simon Burke. I’m in heaven.

The strength of this song and that which came before bode well for the quality of The Meltdown’s self-titled debut album, which drops on April 7.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Archer Touring For the Aussie Sweethearts

It’s not often that you hear something really different on the modern music landscape. But when you do, you can’t help but stop and pay attention. So I take my hat off to Archer, an Aussie singer-songwriter who sounds like he’s come straight from the past. There’s an intriguing old-timey feel about his blend of folk, country, and blues.

Archer’s latest single “My Little Sweet Aussie Sweetheart” reimagines Mike O’Malley’s ballad from the 1950s. The track was recorded straight to tape, which gives it that unmistakeable lo-fi feel. Archer says “It feels damn good to bring an old fair dinkum forgotten Australian love song out again. It’s a huggin’ your grandma kind of a song – livin’ and dyin’ music, somethin’ or nothin’ music.”

Archer is currently hugging plenty of grandmas as he makes his way around Australia. All women aged 65 can get free tickets to the show, in honour of the real life Aussie sweethearts out there. Archer is also stopping by nursing homes in the towns on his tour schedule to treat the seniors that can’t make it to his shows. No matter what age you are, you’ll find something to love at these shows. Bring your nan!

31 March 2017 – The Stag & Hunter, Newcastle (18+ FREE SHOW)
1 April 2017 – Django Bar, Sydney (18+)
8 April 2017 – Webb & Co, Bathurst (18+ FREE SHOW)
19 April 2017 – The Cambus Wallace, Gold Coast (18+ FREE SHOW)
20 April 2017 – Café Le Monde, Noosa (18+ FREE SHOW)
21 April 2017 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane (18+)
22 April 2017 – Bison Bar, Nambour (18+)
23 April 2017 – Paper Moon Café, Brisbane (ALL AGES)
24 April 2017 – No.5 Church St, Bellingen (18+)
26 April 2017 – Element Bar, Coffs Harbour (18+ FREE SHOW)
27 April 2017 – Tapp Bar @ Port Panthers, Port Macquarie (18+ FREE SHOW)
28 April 2017 – Hastings Hotel, Wauchope (18+ FREE SHOW)
29 April 2017 – Fox Den Café, Gloucester (18+ FREE SHOW)
30 April 2017 – Flow Bar, Old Bar (18+ FREE SHOW)
5-7 May 2017 – Los Highway Festival, Karuah (ALL AGES)
9 May 2017 – Old Bank Bar, Dubbo (18+ FREE SHOW)
12 May 2017 – Bells Milkbar, Broken Hill (18+)
18 May 2017 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide (18+)
19-21 May 2017 – Penola Arts Festival, Coonawarra (ALL AGES FREE SHOW)
24 May 2017 – The Loft, Warrnambool (18+ FREE SHOW)
26 May 2017 – Sound Recordings, Castlemaine (18+)
27 May 2017 – The Gasometer, Melbourne (18+)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Private Life Set to Take the World By Storm With “Lost Boy”

Private Life is impressing all of the right people, and with tracks like new single “Lost Boy” it’s not hard to see why. The track is poetic and so heartbreaking. Lead singer Renee Anderson’s vocals are right on point on this stunning single.

The Melbourne duo has already garnered praise from international tastemakers like Pitchfork in the United States and Wonderland magazine in the United Kingdom. Could Private Life be our next big Aussie export?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Helen Shanahan Releases Personal New Single “I Only Hide”

It’s been a year and a half since I heard music from Helen Shanahan. But the Perth folk singer is one of those artists that I never forgot, because what I’d heard before really spoke to me. She’s making the same impact on me now with her latest single “I Only Hide.”

It’s a deeply personal track which documents her own struggles with anxiety and desire to break through those emotions to become a better performer. The clip pairs with the song perfectly; it’s sure to resonate with anyone who’s struggled with mental illness.

“The concept was based around the idea of ‘two Helens,’” Helen explained in a press release. “ One Helen was what we called ‘outside’ Helen, and the other ‘inside’ Helen.  ‘Outside’ Helen encompassed the parts of me that were positive, free and fearless.  ‘Inside’ Helen showed the parts of me that felt fearful, isolated and negative.  We wanted the ‘outside’ Helen to be coaxing ‘inside’ Helen out of the house and into the light.”

Thankfully Helen won’t leave us too long waiting for more new music this time. She’s got a full-length album on the way in the coming months and a nation tour to coincide with its release.