Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Saskwatch Delight with “Hands”

Seriously, how good are Saskwatch? Just when I think I can’t love this energetic soul outfit any more than I already do, they release a song like “Hands.” If you’re feeling down, press play and dance around your lounge room. I guarantee you’ll feel better.

The feelgood track is accompanied by a cute clip starring travelling rabbits Larry and Alphy. Director Jason Galea spliced image of the rabbits with old VHS tapes and other vintage footage to create the “feel-good rabbit road trip film of the year.” As a final vintage touch, Saskwatch will release “Hands” as a 7” vinyl single on November 1.

Saskwatch will launch “Hands” with an extensive Aussie tour next month. Here are all the places you can see this exciting local act play!

1 November 2013 – Transit Bar, Canberra
2 November 2013 – Eden Whale Festival, Eden (FREE)
8 November 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
9 November 2013 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
15 November 2013 – The Republic Bar, Hobart
16 November 2013 – JIVE, Adelaide
22 November 2013 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
23 November 2013 – Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff
27 November 2013 – Sosueme @ Beach Road Hotel, Bondi (FREE)
28 November 2013 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
29 November 2013 – GoodGod Small Club, Sydney
7 December 2013 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sam Buckingham & Buffalo Tales Pair Up for “Shackles”

If you were umming and aahing about getting to one of Sam Buckingham and Buffalo Tales’ upcoming gigs, this video might be just the thing to tip you over the edge. It features the talented twosome in the studio performing “Shackles,” a fan favourite from Sam’s I’m a Bird album.

Music doesn’t get much better than this folks. If you agree, make sure you get to one of the following gigs.

30 October 2013 – Royal, Exchange Theatre, Newcastle
31 October 2013 – The Rhythm Hut, Gosford
1 November 2013 – Venue 505, Surry Hills
4 December 2013 – Revolver, Prahan

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kate Miller-Heidke Announces Tour to Celebrate Crowdfunding Success

When Kate Miller-Heidke decided to release her first independent album with the help of her fans, she couldn’t have anticipated the response. She reached the target for recording and promoting O Vertigo! in just three days. That makes Kate’s Pledge Music campaign the fastest and most successfully direct-to-fan crowdfunding campaign by an Australian artist ever.

You might think that means you shouldn’t give, but there are still plenty of reasons to part with your cash. Everyone who pledges will receive a free download of an 11-track live album recorded on Kate’s Heavenly Sounds tour last year, and a download of O Vertigo! on release day, which is expected to be March 14. You can also score some amazing goodies including a spot on Kate’s guestlist for life, Kate’s own Wurlitzer piano, and Kate playing at your wedding. Five percent of all money raised will also help the World Wildlife Fund for Nature in their efforts to save the Great Barrier Reef.

It seems a bit early to start making plans for next March-April, but Kate wants us to lock her O Vertigo! album tour dates into our calendars. Which show will you see?

12 March 2014 – York Theatre @ Seymour Centre, Sydney
14 & 15 March 2014 – Paradiso Spiegeltent @ Garden of Unearthly Delights, Adelaide
18 March 2014 – Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne
21 & 22 March 2014 – Quarry Ampitheatre, Perth
5 April 2014 – The Tivoli, Brisbane

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fractures On Comeback Trail with “Cadence”

Fractures had no idea how apt his stage name would become this year. He started 2013 with the release of “Twisted,” a track which earned more than 160,000 plays on Soundcloud and became the most played track on Triple J Unearthed.

But then it all took a turn for the worse before Fractures first live show. He was involved in a near-fatal fall which left him with fractured vertebrae in his neck. He was confined to a neckbrace bolted to his spine for three months.

Thankfully now his recovery is over and he’s celebrating with the release of his long-awaited follow-up single “Cadence,” a lush, atmospheric number about unrequited lust. It’s our first taste of Fractures forthcoming EP, which will hit stores next year.

Image used with permission from Recon Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Louis London Impress with “We’re Not Alone”


Sydney five-piece Louis London have rocked my socks off with the release of their latest single “We’re Not Alone.” If this killer cut is any indication, second-recording syndrome hasn’t struck with their forthcoming sophomore EP.

I love the interplay of retro synthesizers, classic guitars, and epic vocal harmonies. I think I’ve just found my summer soundtrack. I’ve just listened to it three times straight, and I’m pretty sure once I wrap up this article I’m going to give it another spin for good measure. Has it revved you?

Image used with permission from Shake Appeal

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Astrid & The Asteroids Launch EP with Hometown Show

Brisbanenites, your Sunday entertainment is sorted. Astrid & The Asteroids will launch their self-titled EP at the Kerbside Bar from 6:30 pm, a totally respectable time for an evening out before a workday. Best of all, the event’s completely free!

The band’s second EP showcases their refusal to adhere to genres. Instead they like to dabble in pop, jazz, and soul, as we hear on their latest single “Autopsy.” The likeable number tells the not so likable story of Charles Whitman, a sniper whose undiagnosed brain tumour might have had something to do with his suicidal killing spree.

The EP came about when Astrid & The Asteroids won the 2012 Billy Thorpe Scholarship, and they acknowledge that it might never have come to fruition without that support.

“The financial support it gave us allowed us to focus on putting our heart and soul into our music, without the mind-numbing worry of money,” frontwoman Astrid Jorgenson explained. “For entrusting us with this honour, we are eternally grateful.”

If you’re not in Brisbane, don’t worry. Astrid & The Asteroids promises to announce a string of EP launch shows soon!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Damien Leith Prepares to Launch “Chapter Seven”

Damien Leith won the Australian Idol title in 2006, but his career since has been overshadowed by the year’s runner-up Jessica Mauboy. Damien’s refused to just fade away though. Instead he’s worked consistently, releasing album after album and playing small venues to promote them. On November 1 he’ll release his seventh, appropriately titled Chapter Seven.

Chapter Seven is a collection of gentle acoustic pop and folk numbers that are clearly close to Damien’s heart. He wrote every one of the 12 tracks, including lead single “Without a Fight,” and recorded most of them in the Sydney studio he built with his own two hands. Damien also produced the album which is his first release as an independent artist.

“In the album I cover a lot of different themes, love, loss and everything in between. But I’ve tried to approach them from a positive outlook,” Damien explained. “It’s true to the style people know me for.”

Damien will introduce audiences around the country to his new songs, and reacquaint them with old favourites, at the following shows.

31 October 2013 – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
1 November 2013 – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
2 November 2013 – The BLVD Tavern, Perth
3 November 2013 – Mandurah Bowling and Recreation Club, Mandurah
7 November 2013 – The Sound Lounge, Gold Coast
8 November 2013 – Mon Komo Hotel, Brisbane
9 November 2013 – Broncos Leagues Club, Brisbane
10 November 2013 – Victoria Point Sharks Club, Brisbane
13 November 2013 – Roth’s Wine Bar, Mudgee
14 November 2013 – Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
15 November 2013 – The Brass Monkey, Sydney
16 November 2013 – The Heritage Hotel, Wollongong
22 November 2013 – Launceston Country Club, Launceston
23 November 2013 – Wrest Point Showroom, Hobart
29 November 2013 – The Abbey, Canberra
30 November 2013 –  Velvet Room @ Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne
6 December 2013 – Dural Country Club, Dural
7 December 2013 – Studio @ Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra
8 December 2013 – Speers Point Carols @ Speers Point Park, Newcastle
12 December 2013 – Bean Bar and Café, Taree
13 December 2013 – Pier One @ Panthers, Port Macquarie
14 December 2013 – The Basement, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Convaire Get Toes Tapping with “Talk in Technicolour”

My days of clubbing are far behind me, but if I were heading out tonight to celebrate the arrival of the weekend I’d want the DJ to spin something like Convaire’s new single “Talk in Technicolour.”

The Sydney four-piece has built on the sound they showcased on their 2011 debut. The synthesizers are still front and centre, but they’re much slicker this time around. “Talk in Technicolour” takes all the fun of disco and brings it into the 21st century.

More of this please!

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Kill Devil Hills Celebrate Live Album with Capital City Shows

After a decade sweating it out in the country’s pubs and clubs, Perth act The Kill Devil Hills are set to release their first live album Past and Future Ghosts. The disc was recorded on a steamy March night at a Fremantle arts centre that once served as an asylum.

Past and Future Ghosts features tracks from The Kill Devil Hills’ three studio albums and two previously unreleased songs. This live version of “Words from Robin to Batman,” an emotional number originally featured on Man, You Should Explode, gives you a taste of what to expect from the album.

Those hard-working lads from the Kill Devil Hills are about the hit the studio again to record another album, but it wouldn’t be right if they didn’t play some shows to launch Past and Future Ghosts, which will be available on CD at the gigs as well as digitally via Bandcamp.

6 November 2013 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
7 November 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
8 November 2013 – The Factory Floor, Sydney
9 November 2013 – The John Curtin Hotel, Melbourne
10 November 2013 – The Republic Bar, Hobart

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordie Lane Releases Video Ahead of Aussie Tour

Jordie Lane kicks off his national homecoming tour tomorrow! To celebrate Jordie’s return to our shores, and the recent release of his EP Not Built to Last, Jordie’s released the video for his killer new single “Here She Comes.” The clip gets us up close and personal with this incredible alt-country talent. If you dig it, make sure you get to one of the following shows.

25 & 26 October 2013 – Fleurieu Folk Festival, Willunga
27 October 2013 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle (afternoon show)
27 October 2013 – Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
31 October 2013 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
1 November 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane (early evening show)
2 November 2013 – Red Hot Music, Devonport
3 November 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart (afternoon show)
7 November 2013 – Beav’s Bar, Geelong
8 November 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
9 November 2013 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne (with full band)
10 November 2013 – Caravan Club, Oakleigh (afternoon show)
13 November 2013 – Street Theatre, Canberra
14 November 2013 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
15 November 2013 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
16 November 2013 – The Basement, Sydney (with full band)
17 November 2013 – Grand Junction, Maitland
18 November 2013 – Music Lounge, Manly
20 November 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
21 November 2013 – Lizotte’s, New Lambton
22 November 2013 – Mullumbimby Music Festival, Mullumbimby