Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Better Hold On” – Tullara

Tullara shows she’s an artist that’s impossible to pigeonhole with her debut EP Better Hold On.

I thought I had her pegged with the opening track “Too Many.” It’s a jaunty folk song, complete with a fiddle, an acoustic guitar, and a banjo. I imagined she was something like the second-coming of Jewel, but with a richer, huskier voice that reminded me a little of Dido.

But when I heard “Jailbreak” I knew I was wrong. It’s a wild, bluesy ride, with a funky bass line and killer vocals from Tullara. It’s as far from folk as you can get, the kind of rock star turn you’d expect a tough chick to deliver in a dark, sweaty pub with sticky floors.

That frenetic performance took my breath away, yet I wondered whether it was all a dream as I listened to the delicate “No Time.” It’s a calm folk song, delivered with the resignation of someone self-aware enough to understand a relationship is just not working.

“Five Weeks” sees Tullara shifting gears again. It’s entirely instrumental, with a real international flavour. It transported me to the bazaars of India in minutes.

The final track “Six Months” might be my favourite. It’s also perhaps the most intimate and stripped back we hear Tullara. The lyrics are vulnerable and given space to breathe with just an acoustic guitar to keep time. It’s a heartbreaking exploration of lost love that most of us will find so painfully familiar.

Tullara shows that she’s an artist with so much in her back pocket. She goes where the music takes her, and hopes her listeners will come along for the ride. I’m only too happy to follow.

Better Hold On is currently available from digital outlets. Tullara is touring the country to support its release. Here are her remaining dates.

8 December 2016 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane
9 December 2016 – Leche Café, Yamba
10 December 2016 – 63 First Ave, Sawtell
11 December 2016 – Stag & Hunter, Newcastle
26 December 2016 – 1 January 2017 – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lisa Richards Moves On With “A Light From the Other Side”

Lisa Richards has lived one hell of a life. She battled drugs and alcohol before moving from her hometown of Townsville to the States in her mid-20s. There she released five albums and toured relentlessly over more than 20 years before her husband was sent to prison. Heartbroken, she returned to Australia to rebuild her life. With all that experience behind her she’s created a brand new album, A Light From the Other Side.

It features the song “You Got the Power,” which encompasses everything the album is about. I love its strength, insightful lyrics, and jazzy instrumentation. Lisa’s voice is also so unique, with the kind of tone that stops you in your tracks and demands you listen in.

Lisa will showcase songs from A Light From the Other Side at her upcoming shows.

8 January 2017 – Wheatsheaf, Adelaide
28 January 2017 – The Brookfield Shed, Hobart
10 February 2017 – Smiths Alternative, Canberra
18 February 2017 – Gasoline Pony, Sydney
23 February 2017 – Paris Cat, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Buchanan Releases “The Beep Test” Ahead of Keith Urban Tour

After Buchanan starts playing shows with Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood tomorrow, you can expect to hear a lot more from this act from Melbourne. It’s just because a lot of people will discover Buchanan, which they will, but also because this outfit has some killer songs like new single “The Beep Test.”

If this song sounds slick, it’s because it was mixed in Los Angeles by Anthony Kilhoffer, who produced all of Kanye’s albums. Buchanan recently relocated to the City of Lights, but will not doubt be looking forward to getting back on home soil for the dates with Mr Urban. Limited tickets are still available for those shows.

6 December 2017 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
8 & 9 December 2017 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
10 December 2017 – GIO Stadium, Canberra
12 December 2017 – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
14 December 2017 – ICC Theatre, Sydney
16 & 17 December 2017 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Remedy PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Camp Cope “Keep Growing” With Latest Single

Fresh from taking home the Best Emerging Act title at the Age Music Victoria Awards, Camp Cope are back with a brand new single “Keep Growing.”

It’s a heartfelt reflection on society’s standard which has long been a highlight of Camp Cope’s set. You can see them play the song in the flesh at Camp Cope’s summer shows.

6 December 2016 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (with Julien Baker)
17 December 2016 – Northcote Social Club (with Harmony and Two Steps on the Water – SOLD OUT)
30 December 2016 – NYE on the Hill, Kernot
4 January 2017 – Metro Theatre, Sydney (with Modern Baseball)
6 January 2017 – 170 Russell, Melbourne (with Modern Baseball)
26 January 2017 – Laneway Festival, Brisbane
28 January 2017 – Laneway Festival, Melbourne
3 February 2017 – Laneway Festival, Adelaide
4 February 2017 – Laneway Festival, Sydney
5 February 2017 – Laneway Festival, Fremantle
11 March 2017 – Golden Plains, Meredith

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Opaeka Makes a Splash with “Risk”

Brisbane-based electro-pop act Opaeka has gone big with his first single, “Risk.” It’s an epic track, with soaring vocals and lush instrumentation. It’s also our first taste of Opaeka’s debut EP, which is scheduled for an early 2017 release.

You can hear more of Opaeka’s material when he launches “Risk” at The Bearded Lady on December 11.

Image used with permission from Title Track

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aladdin @ Capitol Theatre, Sydney – 1 December 2016

I didn’t really want to see Aladdin. I imagined I’d feel a little like I did when I saw Mary Poppins, disconnected from the experience and wishing I could see it through a child’s eyes. Longing for magic. However, I’m thrilled my husband wanted to see it to celebrate his birthday, because it turned out to be one of the best nights I’ve enjoyed at the theatre.

In the movie, we were left waiting until Aladdin rubbed the lamp to meet the scene-stealing Genie. In the musical version he’s our faithful guide, explaining what was to come and taking us to the magical land of Agrabah. It was a visual feast from the get go, with dancing ladies and muscly men with swords twirling about.

In the midst of it all was an Aladdin, who was soon on the run from the law. I remember marvelling at this scene as a kid, and was impressed with the way it came to life on the stage. Animation allows you to do so much that I worried we’d lose some of the sparkle in the real world, but the clever choreography sucked me right in.

Some things were changed to make the transition to the stage. Iago lost his feathers and became a short-statured man with the voice of Gilbert Gottfried. Abu the monkey was nowhere to be seen, with Aladdin instead relying on the support of his good-hearted “street rat” pals. Robin Williams was larger than life as the Genie in the film version, but Michael James Scott made the role his own. He was an absolute scream, with a killer voice to boot.

I was sceptical about whether Aladdin could whisk me up in its magic, but by the time our hero and Princess Jasmine boarded their magic carpet I was in raptures. While the movie impressed me, those flat images on a screen couldn’t hold a candle to the sight of our young couple taking flight with only the stars and moon to illuminate their path.

By the time the cast took their final bows I couldn’t believe I’d been in the theatre for a couple of hours. It flew by. What a fast-paced, funny, and truly magical experience. Aladdin isn’t just for kids. It’s for the kid that still exists inside us all.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Australian Musos Pay Tribute to David Bowie One Year On

In January this year, the world lost one of its brightest musical lights: David Bowie. In January 2017, one year on from his passing and 30 years after the release of one of his most revered albums Low, some of this nation’s best talents will pay tribute to that release and the others immediately following it.

With musical director Mick Harvey at the helm, Kylie Auldist, Dave Graney, Ron Peno, Kim Salmon, and Max Sharam will honour Bowie’s work with the “Bowie in Berlin” concert series. These artists will play songs from Low, Heroes, and Lodger, arguably some of Bowie’s finest and most thought-provoking releases.

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

6 January 2017 – Triffid, Brisbane
7 January 2017 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
8 January 2017 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne
14 January 2017 – Regal Theatre, Perth

Image used with permission from DRW Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Hiding Strikes a Chord with “Dream Catcher’s Life”

While I’ve carved out a great little life for myself as a freelance writer, I haven’t always had the support of people around me. Leaving the corporate world behind can be scary, but I can’t imagine going back to the world of bosses and office politics. So “Dream Catcher’s Life,” a song which the presser calls “an ode to those who chose to chase their goals regardless of what society might say,” really resonates with me.

It’s the brainchild of Melbourne band The Hiding, who’s enlisted the help of guest vocalist Stewart Winchester.

“The song came about after we returned from New York City,” explained Anthony Salce, the band’s lyricist and lead guitarist. “It’s really just about living your dreams, not settling for the mediocre, and hoping that you have that special someone to share it with, someone who wants to share the journey with you.”

The clip, featuring the talents of aerial artists Didj Wentworth and Phoebe Carlson, elevates this already special song. Industrial work has never looked so beautiful.

The Hiding will celebrate the single’s release with an exclusive set at The Grace Darling on December 10 as part of Pennyfest.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Beth Brown Comes Home for “Easy” Tour

Aussie-born songstress Beth Brown is making a splash in her new home of Nashville. She’s just become the first Aussie female signed to the Gretsch Guitar USA family. Not bad for someone who’s only just released a debut single. Although that song, “Easy,” is one of the best I’ve heard.

Penned in collaboration with the sublimely talented Butterfly Boucher, “Easy” has an irresistible groove and lyrics we can all relate to.

“Easy” comes from Beth’s debut EP Dream Coat, which will drop in 2017. She’ll celebrate the release of both with an Aussie tour early next year.

6 January 2017 – Junk Bar, Brisbane
13 January 2017 – Treehouse on Belongil, Byron Bay
14 January 2017 – Dusty Attic, Lismore
19 January 2017 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
2 February 2017 – Toff in Town, Melbourne
17 February 2017 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle