Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ngaiire Smoulders with “Dirty Hercules”

Few of us remember the talent show contestants that fail to make the finals. But for me, Ngaiire was the exception to the rule. So many years since she was snubbed for the Australian Idol finals, I still remember her time on the show. So I’m thrilled to see she’s back in the spotlight with a new single and an album on the way in June.

That single is “Dirty Hercules,” the first song lifted from her debut album Lamentations. It’s a sultry, smouldering number that showcases Ngaiire’s voice beautifully. It reminded me a lot of something Sade might have released in her heyday. I expected a bit more spice from Ngaiire, but perhaps she’s saving that for future singles.

If you’re as excited as I am to hear more of Ngaiire’s music, make sure you catch her when she tours “Dirty Hercules” this month.

9 March 2013 – Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
10 March 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
16 & 17 March 2013 – Blue Mountains Music Festival, Katoomba
23 March 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
29 March 2013 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
30 March 2013 – FBi Social Club, King’s Cross
12 April 2013 – The Joynt, Brisbane
13 April 2013 – Full Moon Party, Noosa
14 April 2013 – Buddha Bar, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gerling Singer Goes Country with Jep and Dep

Darren Cross has put his days in Gerling behind him to forge a brand new alt-country duo with Jessica Cassar. Together they’re Jep and Dep, the talents behind this gorgeous new song “Ain’t Coming Back.”

I adore the way this number breathes new life into the tired old love song genre. There’s none of the whining and pining. Instead Jep and Dep sing about getting out at the right time and moving forward. Its lyrics are also as poetic as any I’ve heard of late. The track gives us a taste of what’s in store when the double act launches their debut EP, Through the Night, on March 13.

If you love what you hear, get your skates on. Jep and Dep will give music lovers a sneak peek at the EP when they headline a show at the Oxford Arts Factory tonight. If you’ve missed it don’t worry; they’ll formally launch their EP at the following shows.

17 March 2013 – Green Room, Enmore
23 March 2013 – Earth Hour @ Midnight Special, Newtown
7 April 2013 – Gasometer Hotel, Melbourne
12 April 2013 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

sonicanimation Announce New Album Tour

Australia’s quirky electronica pioneers sonicanimation are heading out on the road this month for a long-awaited national tour.

It’s been some time since sonicanimation have toured the country, but they’ve got good reason to get back in front of fans. Tomorrow they’ll release Once More From the Bottom, their first full length album since 2006. I’ve heard we can expect big breaks, fat synths, and a whole lot of fun.

Get in on the action when sonicanimation hits Australia’s pubs and clubs in March and April.

21 March 2013 – Oxford Art Factory Sydney
22 March 2013 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
23 March 2013 – Clubhouse, Krave Nightclub, Canberra
28 March 2013 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
29 March 2013 – Good Revolution Friday, Yarra Hotel, Geelong
30 March 2013 – The Toff, Melbourne
4 April 2013 – The Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
5 April 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
6 April 2013 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast

Image used with permission from Remedy Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sticky Fingers Get Patriotic with “Australia Street” & National Tour

It seems I’m a little late to jump on to the Sticky Fingers bandwagon. When radio listeners voted their song “Caress Your Soul” into the number 61 spot on the last Hottest 100, I was still clueless. But now that I’ve heard their third single “Australia Street”, I’m hooked.

It’s not just the patriotism that’s won me over. The song has such an intriguing mix of hip hop, ska, and rock. I also love the band’s story. Drummer beaker and bass player Paddy Fingers met their lead singer Dylan Frost when he was busking outside Newtown’s Coopers Arms hotel. Now that’s rock and roll.

Surely the hype will amp up once Sticky Fingers release their debut album, also called Caress Your Soul, tomorrow. They’re also doing things the right way and taking the music to as many people as they can. You can get in on the ground floor when Sticky Fingers visit a town near you soon!

22 March 2013 – Manning Bar, Sydney
23 March 2013 – Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale
27 March 2013 –  Rosemount Hotel, Northbridge
28 March 2013 – The Prince Hotel, Bunbury
30 March 2013 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
5 April 2013 – The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
12 April 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
13 April 2013 – Royal Oaks, Launceston
18 April 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
19 April 2013 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
20 April 2013 – The Big Pineapple Festival, Sunshine Coast
20 April 2013 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
10 May 2013 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boom! Bap! Pow! Want to Wear You Like a Suit!

Boom! Bap! Pow! delivers one of the most memorable lyrics in recent years in the chorus of their infectious new pop gem “Suit”. I’m not sure whether the object of lead singer Novac Bull’s affection should be flattered or scared!

Either way, the song’s a sassy little number. It’s unashamedly pop, but there’s an unusual dark edge to it. I also love the big band feel the retro brass instrumentation brings. If this song’s any indication, we’re in for great things when Boom! Bap! Pow! Release their album So Heavy in the middle of 2013.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hillsong United Top Albums Charts

Australia has a new local album on the top of the ARIA Charts. While Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ Push the Sky Away has dropped to number five, Hillsong United’s Zion has succeeded it at number one. Zion is the Sydney religious group’s 59th album, and their second number one.

Meanwhile Mythology, the Bee Gees’ greatest hits has jumped up a couple of spots to claim number three. Flume is holding onto a top ten berth by his fingernails. His self-titled debut has fallen from seven to ten.

Birds of Tokyo have secured their hold on the singles chart this week with “Lanterns.” The epic rock number has risen from number ten to six.

Click below for this week’s top ten.

Continue reading “Hillsong United Top Albums Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out With The Arachnids Brilliant Break-Up Track

The Arachnids have created one of the best breakup songs I’ve heard in some time in their latest single “Daydreaming.”

This is straight up, good, honest rock and roll. There’s no wallowing or yearning. Instead it’s a big powerful goodbye to all of the hurt and drama that being wrapped up in the relationship brought. I’ve just listened to the track three times in a row, and I’m still just as enamoured.

If you love it too, you’ll want to catch The Arachnids as they make their way around the East Coast this month.

14 March 2013 – The Phoenix, Canberra
15 March 2013 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
16 March 2013 – The Retreat, Melbourne
23 March 2013 – Trainspotters, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Evermore Announce Long-Awaited Headlining Tour

After warming up with gigs supporting Matchbox Twenty last year, Evermore are ready to headline their own national tour. It’s no small endeavour either, with the band planning to take in more than 30 locations across Australia during April, May, and June.

The Kiwi-expats will be taking songs from their new album Follow the Sun to fans around their adopted homeland. They’ll start the tour in their home base of Victoria before travelling around to music halls, band rooms, and iconic concert venues around the country.

“It’s the first time in nearly four years that Evermore has toured Australia to this extent; it’s long overdue!” exclaimed Jon Hume. “Peter and I are looking forward to playing this album live, along with the old favourites such as ‘Running’ and ‘Light Surrounding You’, to audiences all over the country.  We’re visiting places on this tour that we’ve never been before!”

With Evermore booked in to play American shows in July, this tour will be your last chance to see Evermore for a little while. Don’t miss out!

17 April 2013 – Star Bar, Bendigo
18 April 2013 – Trak Live,  Melbourne
19 April 2013 – Mac’s Hotel, Melton
20 April 2013 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
21 April 2013 – Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury
24 April 2013 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
25 April 2013 – Yarra Hotel, Geelong
26 April 2013 – SSA Club, Albury
27 April 2013 – Mulwala Waterski Club, Mulwala
2 May 2013 – Harvey Road Tavern, Gladstone
3 May 2013 – Magnums Hotel, Airlie Beach
4 May 2013 – The Dalrymple, Townsville
5 May 2013 – The Jack,  Cairns
8 May 2013 – Noosa Surf Club, Noosa
9 May 2013 – Hamilton Hotel, Hamilton
10 May 2013 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
11 May 2013 – Spring Lakes Hotel, Brisbane
15 May 2013 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
16 May 2013 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle
17 May 2013 – Players Bar, Mandurah
18 May 2013 – The Charles, North Perth
23 May 2013 – The Basement, Sydney
24 May 2013 – Revesby Workers Club, Revesby
25 May 2013 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
26 May 2013 – Hornsby RSL, Hornsby
29 May 2013 – ANU Bar, Canberra
30 May 2013 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
31 May 2013 – Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
1 June 2013 – Waves, Wollongong

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Citizen Kay’s Brotherly Rap Single

Ghana born, Australian based rapper Citizen Kay has joined forces with his real life little brother Genesis Owusu for his new single “Ansah Brothers”. The track comes from Citizen Kay’s forthcoming debut EP, which is slated to hit shelves in April.

This little taste of Citizen Kay makes me pretty excited about his music. I love the way his easy rapping combines with the big brassy swing undertones. He’s made something really different here, which is only enhanced by the cheeky clip.

If this song’s any indication, we’ll be hearing a lot more about Citizen Kay.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Seth Sentry Serves Up Fun Science Single

Science has brought us medical breakthroughs, bountiful crops, and high-tech materials, but where’s the really good stuff? Where are our hoverboards?

Seth Sentry asks these questions and more in his open letter to the field of study, “Dear Science.” It’s the third track lifted from Seth’s debut album This Was Tomorrow.

To celebrate the single’s release, Seth will embark on his biggest national tour to date this May. Tickets are available now through Seth’s website.

9 May 2013 – Breakers Bar, Geraldton WA (18+)
10 May 2013 – Villa, Perth WA (18+)
12 May  2013 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle WA (18+)
16 May 2013 – The Gov, Adelaide SA (All Ages)
17 May 2013 – The Forum, Melbourne VIC (18+)
18 May 2013 – Ding Dong, Melbourne (U18)
24 May 2013 – Metro Theatre, Sydney NSW (All Ages)
25 May 2013 – The HiFi, Brisbane (18+)