Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Snowdroppers Announce Quickie Aussie Tour

The Snowdroppers are known for keeping a relentless touring schedule, but they seem to have dropped off our radars in 2016. If you’ve been yearning for a Snowdroppers show, there’s good news. The Sydney foursome will play four intimate shows in the coming months to celebrate the imminent release of their first live album/DVD/documentary.

The live stuff captures all the action from the Snowdroppers’ Gluttons for Punishment tour from February this year. This video gives you a little taste of the resulting doco.

Tickets are on sale for the upcoming Snowdroppers’ shows from the venues. They’re likely to sell out, so get in quick!

30 September 2016 – The Brightside, Brisbane
7 October 2016 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
14 October 2016 – Gasometer, Melbourne
28 October 2016 – Wickham Park Hotel, Newcastle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Have Anna Cordell Play in Your Home

Anna Cordell has reminded me how much I love her EP These Walls with the release of one of the standout tracks from this recording, “Run Around.” It’s a song of deep yearning, with beautifully layered harmonies and lush strings. Rather than playing you the single version, I thought I’d get you in the mood for her upcoming tour with this live video.

Anna will celebrate the single’s release with a very different kind of tour. Rather than hitting the pubs and clubs, she’ll visit the homes of fans in regional Victoria as part of the Parlour gigs initiative. Click here if you’d like to host a show. All fans will get a chance to see her play when she ends the tour with a public show at the Retreat Hotel in Brunswick on October 27.

After that, Anna will knuckle down on recording a brand new album for release in 2017.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alexander Biggs Does It Again With “Tidal Wave”

If you need something mellow this Sunday morning, press play on “Tidal Wave,” the gorgeous new single from Alexander Biggs.

This song is an outstanding follow-up to “Out in the Dark,” which I raved about in May. It’s a beautiful folk number about the influence someone can have in the distance they create, or the distance that already exists.

We’ll hear more from this talented Melbourne troubadour when he releases his debut EP Until I Go To Hell in November. Fans will get a taste of the music featured on it when Alexander Biggs launches Tidal Wave at The Fitzroy Pinnacle in Melbourne on September 1. Entry is free, so there’s no reason not to get out and support this up-and-coming local.

Image used with permission from Maths and Magic

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wildwood Music Festival Brings Musical Magic to Port Macquarie

For some amazing Australian music in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, look no further than the Wildwood Music Festival, which is hitting Port Macquarie this October.

Now in its third year, this boutique festival boasts an exciting line-up featuring Blue King Brown, Montaigne, Claude Hay, The Lyrical, Mar Haze, and heaps more. The musical acts will be complemented by market stalls and children’s activities.

“Last year we knew we had reached new heights with the festival which has traditionally been attended by local folks. It’s been so well received we decided to ramp it up a notch and encourage like-minded festival people from Brisbane to Sydney to come,” explained Simon Leigh, the man behind Wildwood.

“At the conclusion of last year’s event, the whole forest filled with fireflies as punters were leaving the venue and adults and kids alike were covered from head to toe illuminated in their sparkling aurora. It was truly a magical ending to a really special day.”

Wildwood Music Festival is at Cassegrains Winery in Port Macquarie on October 2. Tickets are available from the LiveTix website.

Image used with permission from RAWR Music PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cavalcade of Stars Appear in Casey Barnes’ Music Video

Casey Barnes has enlisted plenty of star power for the music video for his latest single “Live as One.” Appearances from Erik Thompson, Pete Evans, Shane Heal, Greg Bird, Sally Pearson, Rob Mills, and heaps more have helped the clip go viral. But this clip has more than celebrities to endear itself.

With the Olympics winding down, we’re all thinking of the need to break down barriers and live harmoniously together, putting aside cultural and religious beliefs as well as other differences like sexual orientation, disabilities, and upbringings. It’s such a great positive message expressed beautifully by Casey and his cowriter Rick Price.

“Rick and I were both inspired to write ‘Live As One’ at the start of this year after feeling frustration at the constant fear filled messages and negativity we constantly see every day in the news and on social media, along with the mistakes we keep on making as a human race, over the history of time, with violence and hatred, which clearly isn’t the answer,” Casey explained. “My favourite lyric in the whole song is the opening line: ‘Angry words and a fist never healed no one’. I feel there’s never been a more important time to be spreading messages of hope and positivity, especially for our kids who are the next generation that have the ability to make change.”

“Live as One” is the title track from Casey’s new album, which drops on August 26.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

See All Star Entertainment at the Age Music Victoria Awards After Party

There’s always something a bit special about an after party, an event where fabulous people get to rub shoulders while Average Joes like us wait to see the images in the social pages. So it’s exciting to hear the Age Music Victoria Awards is opening its after party up to the public to celebrate its 11th year.

It’s shaping up to be one of the events people will talk about long after, with entertainment confirmed from the Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Camp Cope, Tash Sultana, and the EG All Stars. The EG All Stars, featuring members of the RocKwiZ band, will be joined by special guest vocalists Paul Dempsey, Garreth Liddiard, Kylie Auldist, Pierce Brothers, and more.

What’s more, tickets are cheap as chips at just $30. $5 from every ticket sold will benefit the event’s charity partner, Support Act Limited, which provides financial aid to musicians in need. Don’t miss the Age Music Victoria Awards after party at 170 Russell on November 16.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Plastic Attraction Wows Me With “Holding You”

The Plastic Attraction has hit a home run with its debut single “Holding You.” This song from four Perth schoolyard pals is one of the catchiest tracks I’ve heard in some time. It’s your classic tale of love and heartache, with 90s pop-rock sensibilities given a 21st century update.

“’Holding You’ was born when Matt and Horna were jamming on some ideas and came up with that opening riff,” explained the band’s lead singer Liam. “The whole song stemmed from that intro section and once the drums came in, the song seemed to come together very naturally.”

The Plastic Attraction will launch “Holding You” for hometown fans at The Hen House Live at Badlands Bar in Perth on September 10.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Amity Affliction Return to Regional Australia

The Amity Affliction will make its long-awaited return to regional Australia in early 2017. Gympie’s biggest metalcore act hasn’t toured regional centres since early 2015, but they’ll make up for it with this 13-date jaunt to celebrate the release of their fifth album This Could Be Heartbreak.

This Could Be Heartbreak shot to number one on the iTunes chart on its release. It’s been hailed their “personal-best album” by Kerrang! and scored them the cover of this month’s Rolling Stone.

Make sure you arrive early to catch the stellar supports, Hellions and Ocean Grove. These shows will likely sell out, so make sure you get your tickets soon.

2 January 2017 – HQ, Adelaide
18 January 2017 – The Jack, Cairns
19 January 2017 – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville
20 January 2017 – Civic Centre, Gympie
21 January 2017 – Lake Kawana, Sunshine Coast
22 January 2017 – Gold Coast Convention Centre, Gold Coast
25 January 2017 – Ex Servos, Coffs Harbour
26 January 2017 – Bar On The Hill, Newcastle
27 January 2017 – Waves, Wollongong
28 January 2017 – ANU Bar, Canberra
2 February 2017 – Chelsea Heights Hotel, Frankston
3 February 2017 – The Arena, Geelong
4 February 2017 – Hobart Uni, Hobart

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mystery Mark Will Get Sydney Dancing

Dance music fans are in for a treat this November when the Mystery Mark festival makes its debut in Sydney.

Joel Fletcher, Yolanda Be Cool, Bombs Away, Uberjak’d, SCNDL, and Brooke Evers are among the big names scheduled to take the stage.

Mystery Mark hits the Sydney Showground on November 19. It’s a 15+ event, but there’ll be licensed facilities for the adults in the crowds. VIP and early bird tickets are available now from the Mystery Mark website.

Image used with permission from Paris is Patient

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Formidable Vegetable Sound System Spread the Word About “Kimchi”

Quirky doesn’t even begin to cover “Kimchi,” the groovy new single from Fremantle’s Formidable Vegetable Sound System. Both entertaining and informative, the song will make you want to get up and dance and make your own fermented Korean cabbage. Thankfully the lyrics tell you how!

“It’s basically a recipe of how to make it yourself so that everyone can experience how awesome it is!” frontman Charlie Mgee explains. “The food-ninja challenge is getting past the smell, but once you’ve achieved that, everlasting deliciousness is your reward!”

“Kimchi” is just a taste of the ecological electro-swing you’ll find on Formidable Vegetable Sound System’s debut album Grow Do It, which drops on September 2. The band will promote the album with a tour around the country. In keeping with their sustainable philosophy, they won’t be clocking up any frequent flyer points. Instead they’ll travel around the country in their beloved van Norbit, which runs on used fish and chips shop oil sourced from fast food joints around the country.

Charlie promises “The shows will be full of the world’s maddest chicken impersonations, hyperactive trombones, trumpets and violins, songs about dirt, eating weeds, recycling and lots of crazy dancing (on and off stage!)” If you want in, make sure you get to one of the following gigs. All shows are all ages events.

2 September 2016 – Daylesford Town Hall, Daylesford
3 September 2016 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
9 September 2016 – Camelot, Marrickville
10 September 2016 – Canberra Musicians Club, Canberra
11 September 2016 – The Spotted Mallard, Brunswick
17 September 2016 – Mt Gambier City Hall, Mt Gambier
18 September 2016 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
21 September 2016 – Hannans Club, Kalgoorlie
2 October 2016 – Permafest @ Swan Valley Adventure Centre, Perth