Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Lee-Richards Updates “Madness” With “What Could Otherwise Be Had”

Last year Melbourne-based musician Tom Lee-Richards captured my heart with his single “Madness.” He’s now reinvented this track, dubbing it “What Could Otherwise Be Had.”

The lyrics that originally drew me in remain intact, but the treatment is so strikingly different. Working with Tony Espie (The Avalanches), Tom has laid down a live acapella loop with retro synths and quirky mouth-percussion.

Take a listen to this, then check out my original post to see where the song started its journey. It’s so exciting to see Tom evolving as an artist, so I can’t wait to see what’s to come with his debut EP drops later this year.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Ocean” – Xander Holmes

He hasn’t even graduated from high school yet, but already Brisbane teen Xander Holmes is creating the kind of songs that musicians many years his senior would be proud of. His debut EP Ocean is an epic release made up of five tracks set to excite fans of artists like Matt Corby and Jeff Buckley.

Opening song and title track “Ocean” is an anthemic song that builds to a stirring crescendo. “My Will” and “Islands” are two of the strongest songs on the recording, in my opinion, with Xander’s dreamy vocals showing they’re up to the task, whether they’re contrasting with the urgent wailings of an electric guitar or keeping time with a driving drum beat. “Tidal” is an exquisite, atmospheric instrumental. A real master stroke. The closing track “Let There Be Light” is perhaps the EP’s most accessible song, a romantic piano ballad that really speaks to the heart. It’s much more stripped back than the other songs, yet for a track that speaks of love the way this one does I think the gentler touch works.

I love Xander’s voice and the way he’s built such beautiful soundscapes that complement it perfectly. Ocean is an accomplished EP that gives listeners a glimpse at a potential superstar of the future. It’s available now on a range of digital channels including iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Monet Gets Sentimental in “Nobody’s Wrong”

Monet isn’t just the name of one of the art world’s most revered painters. It’s also the moniker of one of Brisbane’s most exciting new musicians. He’s just dropped his second single “Nobody’s Wrong,” a stripped back and passionate ballad exploring the difficulties of love.

“This song is written for those who have had a broken heart, and also for those who are going through the ‘We don’t talk any more, but we still care about each other’ phase,” he explained.

This is top notch stuff from this Chinese-born talent.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lewis Watson Returns to Oz For Midnight Shows

After performing a free guerrilla gig in Sydney’s Hyde Park last month, British singer-songwriter Lewis Watson is preparing to treat the rest of the country to his romantic pop-folk sounds.

Lewis will tour the country to promote his second album midnight, which drops on March 24 and features the dreamy single “Forever.”

Tickets are available now for the following shows.

15 June 2017 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney (ALL AGES)
16 June 2017 – The Triffid, Brisbane (ALL AGES)
17 June 2017 – The Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
18 June 2017 – The Evelyn Hotel Melbourne (ALL AGES 2 pm matinee)
21 June 2017 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
22 June 2017 – Astor Theatre Lounge, Perth (ALL AGES)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chill Out with Electronic Stylings of Fake Sibling

If your week has been anywhere near as frantic as my own, you’ll be looking for something chilled to ease you into the weekend. Melbourne trio Fake Sibling delivers with the single “Bring Me Here.” Check out the teaser trailer below or listen to the song in full on Soundcloud.

“Bring Me Here” is the first offering from the band, a slow burner with ethereal vocals from Sophia Officer and an understated beat which keeps the tune ticking along. It sounds a bit more accomplished than your average debut, but the team from Fake Sibling has more than 20 years of live and studio experience between them.

After the promise of this single, I can’t wait to hear what comes next for Fake Sibling.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Going in Circles” – Ella Belfanti

Young musicians have it tough. We’ve seen young performers make a splash on reality TV shows time and time again. They’re praised for having talent beyond their years, for being so good for their age, and then they’re soon forgotten about when the next wave of performers turns up. So it’s refreshing to see an artist like Ella Belfanti who has taken the time-honoured route of recording her debut release Going in Circles in her bedroom, then putting in the hard yards delivering it to music outlets like myself.

As a bedroom recording laid down with a two-line input audio, listening to Going in Circles is a very different listening experience than many music lovers are used to. Music has usually been polished within an inch of its life before we consume it. There’s something so refreshing about tuning into music that feels untainted like this.

I was instantly struck by Ella’s sweet voice. Not sugary sweet mind you, but pure and angelic with a commanding presence that draws you in. So do her lyrics. Songs like “Trying Not to Like You” and the irresistibly catchy “All of This” appealed to my inner teen who has never quite gone away. There’s such a quiet strength tempered by vulnerability in “Turn With the Tide” and “Make Up Your Mind.” “Focus” is perhaps the most ambitious song on the release, a haunting ballad that reveals an artist with so much potential. The closing track “Circles” is filled with so much longing, the perfect way to end this EP that explores early love and loss so eloquently.

Going in Circles is a collection of such good, organic folk songs. Songs that aren’t just good for the artist’s age, but good full stop. Ella shows great artistic instincts, building her sound with layered vocals and instruments (she plays everything from the guitar to drums, from flute to pencils tapped together in front of the mic!). Everything is in just the right place.

Remember the name, because Ella Belfanti has a big future ahead of her. Sydneysiders, you can see Ella play songs from Going in Circles at The Gasoline Pony in Marrickville on March 8.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ash Grunwald Nails Old-School Blues With “Hammer”

With Ash Grunwald preparing to launch his new single “Hammer” with shows around the country, I thought it was about time that I brought it to you.

I love the rootsy, swampy, old-school bluesiness of this track. It’s like a throwback to John Lee Hooker or Muddy Waters with a fresh 21st century twist.

“Hammer feels like a rebirth for me in some ways,” Ash explained. “I’m not a new artist trying to find my niche or prove myself. I don’t want to be a certain kind of artist fitting into a certain kind of box. I went in to record Hammer knowing the musical boundaries I wanted to push as well as the traditions I wanted to respect and tried to create something my fans would love… a signpost to the future in some ways, with ties to the past.”

This is our first taste of Ash’s forthcoming 10th studio album. You can hear more of his new material as well as your old favourites at the following shows.
1 March 2017 – Garden of Unearthly Delights, Adelaide
3 March 2017 – SS&A, Albury
31 March 2017 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
1 April 2017 – Bleach Festival, Coolangatta
7 April 2017 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
8 April 2017 – “Revamp the Amp” Kuranda Amphitheater, Smithfield
15 April 2017 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
16 April 2017 – Crafted Live, Wollongong
27 April 2017 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
28 April 2017 – Boston Brewery, Denmark

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sweat Tours Make Seeing International Festivals Easy

I have well and truly got the travel bug. I had barely set foot on dry land after my last cruising holiday before I was suffering withdrawals. We were booked on another one within a week. If you love travelling too, then why not combine your wanderlust with your love of music and take up one of the tour packages provided by new Aussie company Sweat Tours?

Sweat Tours make it easy to see some of the hottest festivals on the planet with their all-inclusive tour packages. Think the the New York’s Governors Ball in May or the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas in June. When I say all-inclusive I mean all-inclusive too. Your accommodation, private transfers, meals, drinks, sightseeing, and even VIP experiences are all taken care of, so all you have to do is soak it up.

“Sweat Tours was created because I have an intense passion for live music and travel – however, the majority of tour companies in the market today place a heavy emphasis on sightseeing, which means most of the time spent on the tour is in transit.  They have never particularly interested me!” explained Sweat Tours founder Eli Akerlund, who is really doing something different with his company.

If you have the urge to see the world and some amazing bands at the same time, check out Sweat Tours.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Busby Marou Scores Number One Album

I’ve had such a busy day, but I couldn’t leave it before congratulating Busby Marou on claiming the number one spot with Postcards from the Shell House. I love this album, as I do everything Busby Marou has released, so I’m thrilled to see the Queensland duo claiming their first number one. It’s a good thing they were representing the Aussies too, because they’re the only local act in the top 10 albums charts.

Ed Sheeran’s dominance doesn’t leave a lot of space for too many other acts, but we do have a few Aussies on the singles charts. Pnau leads the charge with “Chameleon” at number eight, just a couple of spots ahead of “Adore” by Amy Shark.

Top 10 Albums
1. Postcards from the Shell House – Busby Marou
2. Fifty Shades Darker – Soundtrack
3. Prisoner – Ryan Adams
4. 25 – Adele
5. Trolls – Soundtrack
6. X – Ed Sheeran
7. Human – Rag’n’Bone Man
8. Greatest Hits – Guns N’Roses
9. Moana – Soundtrack
10. 24K Magic – Bruno Mars

Top 10 Singles
1. “Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran
2. “How Would You Feel (Paean) – Ed Sheeran
3. “Castle on the Hill” – Ed Sheeran
4. “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” – Zayn and Taylor Swift
5. “Issues” – Julia Michaels
6. “Chained to the Rhythm” – Katy Perry feat. Skip Marley
7. “Paris” – The Chainsmokers
8. “Chameleon” – Pnau
9. “It’s Ain’t Me” – Kygo & Selena Gomez
10. “Adore” – Amy Shark

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Seven Long Years” – Musketeer

I’m ashamed to write that Seven Long Years by Aussie expat Musketeer has sat in my inbox since late January. I’ve listened to it from time to time but I couldn’t quite get the words together to articulate my thoughts on it. So I left it there, knowing I wanted to write about it but waiting for the right time. As March approaches, I’ve decided there may not be a right time and it’s best just to push that writer’s block out of my mind and write.

Seven Long Years is such an interesting EP. It’s the short form of a concept album really. I’d thought that in four songs that might not work, that you’d need more material to really present a story without glossing over it, but Musketeer handles it beautifully. The EP tells the story of a 19th century British convict sent to Australia’s prison camp. It’s a tale anyone familiar with Australian history is well acquainted with, but one that should resonate with modern listeners in light of the ongoing asylum seeker debate.

The opening song and title track is the most upbeat number on the EP. It has a Mumford & Sons vibe that I really dig, plaintive but rollicking good fun. “Hollow” brings a more sombre and reflective tone to the EP. The following track “Johnny Red” is a stirring epic, a real highlight. “Ticket of Leave” rounds the EP out, leaving us on just the right note.

Musketeer’s raw, rich vocals and the lush orchestral arrangements bring the historic tale to life. The music has an interesting blend of nostalgia and new-folk vibes that instantly drew me in.

Seven Long Years is available for streaming and download on iTunes, Spotify, and Bandcamp. You can also get a physical copy from Musketeer’s online store.

Tour dates are yet to be announced, but Musketeer promises to take the EP to audiences in Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia.

Image used with permission from Musketeer