Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ariela Jacobs Wows me with “The Sound”

You know those times when you hear music and it just floors you? Those times when you’re captivated from the first notes and when the song’s done you’re desperate to tell everyone you can about it? I’m lucky I suppose, because when I’m struck this way I can tell people through my blog. So excuse me while I gush about Melbourne singer-songwriter Ariela Jacobs and her incredible single “The Sound.”

This is special stuff. Ariela’s voice is sent from heaven, and she has an incredible knack for crafting a folk-pop melody. I was entranced all the way through this song which sits somewhere between the vintage stylings of Joni Mitchell and the more modern flair of Regina Spektor. If you love those artists, you have to listen to this. Hell, even if you don’t, you need to take a chance on this. Just press play. Do it!

Ariela’s planning to release her debut EP early next year, and if “The Sound’s” anything to go by, it’s going to be incredible.

Image used with permission from Flew the Coop

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Poppy Positivity from Fox & Fowl

Canberra-formed and now Brisbane-based five-piece Fox & Fowl have exploded onto the music scene with a pop of positivity in the form of their first single “Pilot.” I challenge you to listen to this one without a smile on your face. “Pilot” is summery and full of hooks, driven by an effortlessly energetic performance from frontman Lachlan Smart.

Lachlan and his Fox & Fowl buddies all met in early 2011 when they relocated from regional NSW to study in the nation’s capital. After finishing uni, the band were at a crossroads so they decided to head to the fertile creative ground of Brisbane.

The band actually penned “Pilot” way back in those early uni days, but a little massaging from Brisbane producer Yanto Browning has it sounding fresh as a daisy. It’s not just Fox & Fowl’s first single. It’s also our first taste of their debut EP, which is scheduled for a release in early 2014.

Fox & Fowl will play shows supporting Kite Club and High-Tails, as well as a few headlining gigs, to support “Pilot’s” release.

6 November 2013 – Beach Road Hotel, Bondi, Sydney
7 November 2013 – Boney, Melbourne (supporting Kite Club and High-Tails)
9 November 2013 – The Gasometer, Melbourne (supporting Kite Club & High-Tails)
21 November 2013 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney (supporting Kite Club & High-Tails)
13 December 2013 – MUM World Bar, Sydney

Image used with permission from Recon Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Battleships Take Aim with “Take Your Rest”

Sydney four-piece Battleships might be currently supporting Boy & Bear, but if the strength of their new single “Take Your Rest” is any indication they won’t be in the shadows for too long.

This track, which gets an official release today, is absolutely epic, with haunting vocals and stirring, sweeping instrumentation. The grand treatment is perfect for the lyrics which speak so poignantly of longing and sacrifice.

What do you think?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darren Middleton Announces “Translations” Launch Shows

Darren Middleton’s solo album Translations is in stores today!

The first solo effort from the former Powderfinger guitarist is a great collection of alternative pop tunes, including the lead single “Let Go.” It features guest appearances from some of Darren’s famous mates including Bernard Fanning, Nic Cester, Pete Murray, Clare Bowditch, and Stonefield’s Amy Findlay.

After earning rave reviews for his first live show at Big Sound, Darren’s giving fans in the other major capitals a chance to experience Translations in the flesh. With a stellar line-up featuring members of Clare Bowditch’s band and Something for Kate in tow, Darren will play the following intimate album launch shows. These are the only headlining gigs he’ll play this year, so make sure you seize the opportunity to see him while you can!

22 November 2013 – The Vanguard, Sydney
23 November 2013 – The Toff, Melbourne
29 November 2013 – Old Museum, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

StormChasers Tour Funky New Single

It’s been one hell of a year for Brisbane’s StormChasers. The jazzy seven-piece have been busy touring, recording, releasing, and crowdfunding, all the while honing their signature brassy sound into something truly stellar. They’re capping off 2013 with the release of a brand new single “Figurout,” an irresistible number with a delicious, easy groove.

I love the way the song effortlessly melds jazz, hip-hop, soul, and funk. The track’s the first lifted from their forthcoming EP Hey Girl, which will be released digitally and on vinyl and CD next February.

To celebrate the release, StormChasers have scored a slot at the prestigious Woodford Folk Festival. They’ll also headline their own shows in the East Coast capitals.

“Figurout” will be available digitally on iTunes from November 13, which is not so coincidentally the start of the tour.

13 November 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
22 November 2013 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
30 November 2013 – The Grace Darling Basement, Melbourne
31 December 2013 – Bazaar @ Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia
2 January 2014 – Bazaar @ Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia

Image used with permission from Pricewar Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Teeth & Tongue Wow Me with “Good Man”

New Zealand born, Melbourne-based muso Teeth & Tongue, or Jess Cornelius as she’s known to her mum, has turned my head with her impressive new single “Good Man.” It reminds me a bit of something a younger Tori Amos might have created with its lush sonic layers, ethereal yet gutsy vocals, and dangerous edges.

“I started humming the tune in my head while lurking around Northcote train station last year,” Jess explained. “At the time I was working on a solo show for the US, using only a drum machine and a synth, so I went home and tried to make it into a song that would stand alone without any other instruments. I ended up sampling layers of my voice for the rhythmic part, and then triggering the vocals using a foot switch while playing it live.
This set-up kind of became a prototype for a lot of the songs I have written recently.”

“Good Man” comes from Teeth & Tongue’s forthcoming album, which is slated for an early 2014 release. Luckily we don’t have to wait that long to hear more from this talent, as Teeth & Tongue will play a couple of shows next month. Tasmanians can catch her at the Hobart + Music = Yeah Festival on November 2, before she officially launches the single at Boney in Melbourne on November 23.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

DJ Minx Loves Adelaide

When Adelaide was named amongst the top ten cities of the world by Lonely Planet a couple of days ago, the rest of Australia was … shall we say … incredulous. Personally though, I felt the honour was well-deserved. I remember being pleasantly surprised when I visited Adelaide for a wedding a few years ago. My husband and I spent a week and ate some of the best food we’ve ever tasted, drank some amazing wine, and never found ourselves bored.

Another one of the city’s advocates is DJ Minx, the 2011 winner of the She Can DJ competition. In this slick short video she shares her views on Adelaide, the city that gave her her start in the male-dominated DJ industry.

Watching this video, it’s not too hard to see why Lonely Planet recognised Adelaide, is it?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vaudeville Smash Gets into Halloween Spirit with V-Grade Horror


We might not really do Halloween in this country, but I still have to applaud Vaudeville Smash for embracing the holiday with its latest EP V-Grade Horror. The disc is an ode to the schlocky horror flicks that terrified the band members as youngsters.

It features the lead single “Become the Night,” an epic vamp-disco number which features Tiaryn Griggs on guest vocals. She takes the part of a woman tempted to join the ranks of the undead! Other highlights include “Zombies Ate My Neighbours” and “Ghouls.”

You can get your fright on with Vaudeville Smash when they launch V-Grade Horror at Melbourne’s Northcote Social Club on November 1.

Image used with permission from Alpha Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Creases Make Music Video for Next to Nothing!

The Creases won’t let a lack of cash put an end to their rock and roll dreams. The Brisbane band recorded this video for their new single “I Won’t Wait” for just $5.50. Now that’s some frugal filmmaking!

The song has a suitably lo-fi feel to it, but it’s got a great melodic centre that will have you humming along by the end. It seems I’m not the only one that’s taken notice. The Creases recently inked deals with UK-based label Rough Trade and Byron Bay-based booking agency Village Sounds.

The Creases will release “I Won’t Wait” in a sexy 7-inch vinyl format tomorrow. You can snare your copy at one of the following shows.

31 October 2013 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
28 November 2013 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
29 November 2013 – JIVE, Adelaide
30 November 2013 – Waratah, Hobart
5 December 2013 – The Rev, Brisbane
6 December 2013 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
7 December 2013 – The Standard, Sydney
4 February 2014 – GoodGod, Sydney
5 February 2014 – The Tote, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Katie Noonan, Abby Dobson, Angie Hart, and Martha Marlow Perform Together

Katie Noonan, Abby Dobson, Angie Hart, and Martha Marlow are teaming up for a star-studded series of shows which pay tribute to their greatest musical influences. Dubbed Songs that Made Me, the concerts will see these leading Australian vocalists putting their own stamp on songs from Carole King, Jeff Buckley, Joni Mitchell, Kylie Minogue, Fiona Apple, and more.

The ladies previewed the shows at Sydney’s Camelot last month, and got such a response that they couldn’t resist taking the concerts on the road.

“There is nothing I love more than sitting around with my girlfriends, talking and sharing stories. But as a musician, I find we don’t get to share the stage with other artists very often – especially female artists,” explained Katie. “I thought this would be a wonderful and unique opportunity to share the stage through story and song and hang out with cool chicks at the same time! I am very excited to share the space with these gorgeous
women whom I admire and respect, and think it will be a very special night
for the audience and us!”

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

28 November 2013 – Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
30 November 2013 – Thornbury Theatre, Northcote
5 December 2013 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
14 December 2013 – Old Museum Concert Hall, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute