Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Never Ever Rock Out with “Breathe”

Supporting Simple Plan didn’t just put The Never Ever in front of some of the biggest crowds of their career. It also led to a chance meeting with Pete from Epik Films, the man the band enlisted to direct and produce the music video for their new single “Breathe.”

The clip is a sophisticated and darkly dramatic accompaniment for the title track from The Never Ever’s most recent album. The band worked closely with Pete to see their vision, realised during a Melbourne traffic jam, come to life. Are you impressed with what you see?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darren Percival @ Lizotte’s, Kincumber – 15 September 2012

I watched with interest as Darren Percival won the hearts of the nation on The Voice. While many Aussies might not have known his name before the reality competition, I’d long admired his soulful voice and joyous delivery when he shared the stage with artists like Jimmy Barnes and James Morrison. When he took out second place, I wondered whether the days of seeing Darren play in small venues may be behind me. However it seems Darren’s in no hurry to trade up to stadiums. When it came to choosing a venue for the start of his Happy Home tour, he couldn’t resist selecting one of the smallest of them all: Lizotte’s.

Darren could easily fill much larger places. His two shows at the original Lizotte’s sold out months ago. And he will graduate to greater halls when he plays the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne’s Crown Casino in the coming weeks. But clearly there’s a big part of Darren that revels in the intimacy a small venue can provide. He chatted easily to the enthralled crowd between songs, and played a generous two-hour set without the aid of a support act.

The mix of originals, covers performed on The Voice, and some other favourite numbers ensured the set never dragged. A display of Darren’s famous looping prowess was a real highlight, as was a sweet song to his unborn child played on ukulele. Darren’s power isn’t just about musical tricks and familiar songs though. The often remarked upon joy that radiated from Darren as he performed on The Voice was even more palpable in the flesh. Despite a trying day, I could feel myself smiling through the entire set. His resonant voice is flawless, but Darren’s charisma is what really draws you in and keeps you there.

After such a lengthy set many artists would have felt they’d given all they could give, but not Darren. He was still happily signing autographs and posing for photographs when fatigue got the best of me. He might be one of the hottest acts in the Australian music industry at the moment, but it’s refreshing to see Darren’s got his feet planted firmly on the ground.

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Maxi Gives EP Sneak Peek

After impressing with her debut single “In a Little While,” Melbourne songbird Maxi is preparing to inundate us with some new tunes. On September 28 she’ll release her self-titled debut EP and a brand new single “From the Start.”

You don’t have to wait that long to hear the single though. Maxi’s allowed me to give you all the first listen of the new track, which is every bit as powerful as the last. I love her old style blend of funk and soul, her powerful vocals, and those big brassy chords.

Hopefully this will get you all warmed up for the EP, which was the result of a summer spent locked away with fledgling producer and muso Joel Witenberg. They might have missed the sunshine, but there’s a real warmth to the songs I’ve heard that has me primed for more.

If you like what you hear make sure you grab Maxi and “From the Start” when they drop on September 28. Maxi will also launch the EP for her home town fans at The Workers Club on October 18.

Image used with permission from Maxi

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Cold and Need’s Jared Daly

After making appearances at some of Australia’s hottest festivals and supporting some of the country’s best bands, Queensland’s Cold and Need are starting to build some serious buzz. I recently caught up with the band’s drummer Jared Daly to chat about their new EP Colours and Shapes and their upcoming shows.

You’re still making a name for yourself outside Queensland, so what do we all need to know about Cold and Need?
Cold and Need are a 4-piece Brisbane rock band. Our songs are loud and fun, we want you to clap and sing along at our shows.

You’ve just released your second EP Colours and Shapes. What can you tell me about it?
Colours and Shapes was definitely our most focused effort at a release. We spent countless hours/months demo-ing, e-mailing tracks across states, completely pulling material apart then re-working, changing sounds, trying new gear. At one point our producer Simon Leach actually told me to, “put that fricken China symbol away and never bring it back out”!  So that really shows we tried our hardest to explore as many different possibilities, while slowly driving Tristan Hoogland, our Brisbane engineer/producer, crazy.

The EP features the single “Kaleidoscope.” What was it about that song that made you want to release it?
“Kaleidoscope” was a late inclusion in the EP. We had already written and trialled the other tracks written for the new EP live, and at one rehearsal something just clicked and we wrote “Kaleidoscope” within a two-hour period, recorded it on an iPhone and e-mailed it to Simon in Melbourne to be critiqued. We were very focused on writing a tune with a strong guitar line as it was something that we thought we hadn’t focused enough on in the past, so that was a big factor in us releasing it as the first single.

Continue reading “Q & A with Cold and Need’s Jared Daly” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Acts Amity Affliction and Guy Sebastian Top ARIA Charts

Another week brings a brand new Aussie number one. While Guy Sebastian’s “Battle Scars” has remained steady at the top of the single charts, Gympie hard rockers The Amity Affliction have claimed the number one album with their third release Chasing Ghosts.

It’s been a week of new additions to the charts, with plenty of releases making a big impression in the top tens. The Presets’ third album Pacifica has jumped in at number three, while Wreck & Ruin, the second collaborative album from husband and wife team Shane Nicholson and Kasey Chambers, sits at number six. Both acts debuted at number one with their last recordings, but those top ten spots are still nothing to sneeze at.

These new entries are keeping company with chart favourite The Sapphires soundtrack, which sits at number seven.

The singles chart has been a bit steadier this week, but again we see Justice Crew’s “Boom Boom” flying the Aussie flag with Guy. It sits at number six this week after a massive 11 weeks in the top ten.

Click below for this week’s charts.

Continue reading “Aussie Acts Amity Affliction and Guy Sebastian Top ARIA Charts” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Earl Cole Goes Retro with 80s Inc

Perth swing king Earl Cole has swapped his designer suits for a healthy dose of Hypercolour. Earl’s joined Perth music veterans Mark Hemery, Mark Simpson, Kevin Stevens, John Leotta, and Louise Tayler-Lloyd for his new musical venture, 80s Inc. The newly minted six-piece promise to bring the pop sounds of the decade that fashion forgot to the masses.

After warming up a recent wedding, 80s Inc are ready to share their love of 80s party music with their big launch night at Swanbank Bar & Café on October 5. Tickets are just $35, a real bargain when you consider the free cocktail food! As there will be no door sales on the night, you’ll need to get yours early through Heatseeker outlets or online.

Image used with permission from Earl Cole

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bec Laughton Releases “Holy Love 2”

Sassy Brisbanite Bec Laughton is giving us a taste of her forthcoming EP By the Fire with a hot new single “Holy Love 2.”

The soulful track, which features guest vocals from Ni.Na, delivers an easy jam and plenty of good vibes. It’s just one of the tracks from By the Fire, which gets a digital release on September 21.

To celebrate the single and EP releases Bec will hit the road, starting with a hometown show to launch By the Fire. Expect to hear some new songs and old favourites at the following gigs.

21 September 2012 – Icecream Factory, Brisbane
28 September 2012 – Solbar, Sunshine Coast
5 October 2012 – El Rocco, Sydney
7 October 2012 – Lizotte’s, Lambton
12 October 2012 – Higher Ground, Adelaide
14 October 2012 – Worker’s Club, Melbourne
18 October 2012 – Woodys, Byron Bay
20 October 2012 – Sheoak Shack, Fingal Head
21 October 2012 – Queen Street Mall, Brisbane
26 October 2012 – Island Vibes, Stradbroke Island
10 November 2012 – Powerhouse, Brisbane
16 November 2012 – The Loft, Gold Coast
17 November 2012 – Bon Amici, Toowoomba

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Saints Announce New Album and Tour

After six long years, The Saints are preparing to release a brand new album. King of the Sun will hit record stores around the country on September 24. It features 11 brand new Chris Bailey penned tunes a bonus disc of classic Saints material, dubbed Songs from the Stash.

The album’s been an awfully long time coming for fans. Chris Bailey and drummer Peter Wilkinson have been flexing their musical muscles in France of late, but they’ve now returned to the fold.

“The Saints have always been my main passion,” Chris Bailey admitted in a press release. “Despite my promiscuity and desire for musical experiment I feel that The Saints are an unfinished musical journey. This album is one step closer on this road.”

The Saints will play the following shows around the country to celebrate King of the Sun’s release.

23 November 2012 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
30 November 2012 – Fly by Night, Perth
8 December 2012 – Homebake, Sydney

Image used with permission from Premier Artists

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Step Into Georgia Potter’s Web

Queensland born songstress Georgia Potter has penned some of the best lyrics I’ve heard in some time with her new single “XO.” On the surface you can appreciate its cool beats, but dig a little deeper and you’ll discover the extended metaphor inspired by the romantic entanglement of a friend falling for the wrong person.

“The title, a double entendre, is a play on the word exoskeleton (which is of course the porous shell of a spider’s body through which it breathes) and the ‘Kiss Hug’ that ‘xo’ has come to mean,” Georgia explained in a press release. “Thinking of an exoskeleton as an analogy for a love that is flimsy and transparent, the narrative of the spider and the fly was born.”

The song is a truly international affair. Georgia wrote it during a stint in America and London, and recorded it in studios in London and Berlin. The work of Australian beat-guru Yukon Snakes, who Georgia collaborated with online, put the finishing touches on the song.

As for the video, it was shot in Berlin by Georgia’s dear pal, an Aus-Brit filmmaker called Bryn Chainey. I initially thought the effects were created on the computer, but they were actually made by manipulating crystals and glass prisms in front of the camera lens. Very cool!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fearless Vampire Killers Take Us to “Mexico”

The Fearless Vampire Killers transport us to North America with their hot new single, “Mexico.” It’s become a fan favourite at their recent live shows, so it seemed the natural single choice.

“It’s an upbeat western-rock ditty documenting the neglected desire of a fading man to travel to his childhood dreamland of Mexico,” explained the band’s guitarist, Al Marx.

“Mexico” is the first song to be lifted from the Melbourne band’s sophomore album, which should hit stores next year. The Fearless Vampire Killers are hard at work putting the finishing touches on the release, but they’ll take a little time out to launch the single at the following shows.

5 October 2012 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
6 October 2012 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
12 October 2012 – FBi Social, Sydney

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water