Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"Differently" – Cassie Davis

A few weeks ago I was concerned Cassie Davis may be a bit of a one-trick pony. While her brand of girl-power pop-rock was lots of fun, it started to sound a little samey after three similar singles. Now having heard her album Differently, I’m not the only one that’s changed her tune.

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Of course, there are girl-power pop-rock tracks galore. Fans won’t be disappointed there. But the album allows this bright new talent to showcase many more facets. “Mess of Mine” is delightfully dark. “Amazing” is a tender love song. The big brass notes of “Necessarily” would seem at home on any ska recording. “Do What I Do” is a little retro with a contemporary twist.

Cassie shows real depth here. Her voice is ballsy and powerful. She crafts commercial gems with the skill of a seasoned veteran. Differently is incredibly listenable from start to finish. It’s the kind of disc I can imagine singing along to in the privacy of my bedroom, hairbrush in hand. She might be a commercial artist, but by doing things a little differently, Cassie has created an album which stands out from the pack.

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Australian Idol Alum Jacob Butler Releases "Coma"

Last night Australian Idol made its long-awaited return to television screens. Looking at the ratings, perhaps I was the only one hanging out for the reality TV show! While Marcia, Dicko, and co. are sorting out the wheat from the chaff, I thought it was a good time to look back at one of the past successes.

Jacob Butler appeared a couple of years ago, and has taken his time to produce his new single “Coma.” The title makes the song sound a little snoozeworthy, but it actually reminds me a lot of Crowded House. Jacob was so obsessed with Britpop on the show; I really like this change in direction. Hopefully there’s more to come!

 

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Motown Anniversary Event Comes to Australia

Motown fans are in for a real treat, with news a 50th-anniversary concert will head to Australia next year.

The star-studded bill includes original Motown heroes The Temptations, Four Tops, Martha and the Vandelas, The Miracles, and Mary Wilson of The Supremes. The show also includes a special appearance by Joan Osbourne, who really impressed me in the Standing in the Shadows of Motown documentary. She could definitely pull off the soul of the Funk Brothers, so I’m sure she can do any songs from the Motown catalogue justice.

Jimmy Barnes and Ian Moss may seem like odd additions, but the appearance of the Aussie rockers isn’t so bizarre. Jimmy Barnes sold truckloads of copies of Soul Deep and the sequel Soul Deeper. Meanwhile Mossy is preparing to release his soul tribute album, Soul on West 53rd.

The Motown Event will make stops along the East Coast capitals next year. Tickets go on sale at 9 am on August 18.

16 February 2010 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
19 February 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney
23 February 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: "Red" by Daniel Merriweather

I must admit, I’ve been a little bemused at the hype about Daniel Merriweather. I was impressed at the level of success he’s achieved abroad, but also a little puzzled by it. The snippets I’d heard just seemed a little middle-of-the-road and uninspired. But then this morning I heard his new single “Red” and I understood. That’s why he’s generating such sales and buzz. This is one of the most genuine and soulful tracks I’ve heard in some time. I was wrong Daniel, and I say I’m wrong. This is brilliant.

 

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tooheys Extra Dry Launches uncharTED LIVE Free Shows

Fresh from the success of the recent Tooheys Extra Dry uncharTED competition comes uncharTED LIVE, a series of free gigs showcasing some of Australia’s most promising up-and-comers.

“TED has a proud history of supporting Australia’s best emerging artists and live music events,” said Tooheys Extra Dry Marketing Director, Josh Gaudry. “uncharTED LIVE gives us an opportunity to take a breaking artists platform that has really gone from strength to strength over the past three years, and merge it with a year round calendar of live music events.

“This new platform will not only give uncharTED entrants more exposure and a chance to build on their fan base during the key competition public voting periods, but also give fans more chances to get out there and experience what uncharTED is all about – celebrating Australia’s best emerging talent.”

Free tickets are available to anyone over the age of 18 who registers on the uncharTED website. Shows are on at the following locations around the country.

Enigma Bar, Adelaide
20 Aug – Amour Fou, The Foundry, Tidal Jive
3 Sep – Erosion, Blood Red Renaissance, Kremator
10 Sep – Sonny Loveless, Before Clear Skies, Day on Fire,

Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
15 Aug – Burning Brooklyn, The Bloodpoets, Teleprompter
29 Aug – FelineDown, Nine Sons of Dan, Grand Atlantic
12 Sep – Super Nudists, Letter To Spain, Ellington
19 Sep – No Filter, Falling Short, The Gallant

Annandale Hotel, Sydney
13 Aug – Cap A Capo, Hytest, One Flew East, Chemical Transport
20 Aug – The Deer Republic, Sierra Fin, Free Agent Crew, The Waitups
27 Aug – Chambers, Marble Archers, Hancock Basement, Under Lights, Hercules

Amplifier Bar, Perth
13 Aug – Tracksuit, Sleep TV, Stellas Kitchen
27 Aug – Columbia, Ravior, Die_Zeitgeist
10 Sep – The Transients, with more to be announced
24 Sep – Homebrewe, Hostile Little Face, Rise Apollo

Prince Of Wales, Melbourne
2 Sep – Foxx On Fire, National Airlines, Polygon Palace, The Tiger & Me
9 Sep – Hot Little Hands, Saint James, Goodnight Owl, The Hamish Macleod Band

Image source: Ilker @ Stock.xchng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jarvis Cocker Flies Solo to Oz

Beloved Brit popper Jarvis Cocker made a splash in the 1990s with the group Pulp. These days he’s doing the solo thing, and he’s winging his way to Australia in December to show us how.

The tour comes on the back of the album Further Complications, Jarvis’ second solo recording. Four shows have been scheduled for the tour, which strangely bypasses Melbourne. I’ve got no clue what he’s got against the Victorian capital, but after so many tours missing Adelaide these days it’s nice to see that at least they don’t miss out.

Tickets for the following shows go on sale on Friday August 14.

5 December 2009 – HiFi Bar, Brisbane
7 December 2009 – The Metro, Sydney
8 December 2009 – Metropolis, Fremantle
10 December 2009 – HQ Bar, Adelaide

Image source: livepict.com @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Grace Bawden's Classical Crossover CD

gracepromoshot

When a singer impresses the likes of Olivia Newton-John, you know she’s got something special. Livvy says soprano Grace Bawden has “one of the most beautiful” voices she’s ever heard. And she’s only 16.

Grace displays a maturity beyond her years on her debut album Gifts of Grace, a blend of contemporary and classical songs. There’s something for everybody here, including covers of “Streets of Philadelphia,” “Now and Forever,” and the album’s first single, an interpretation of the Icehouse hit “Man of Colours.” A real highlight is “Cold Outside” featuring the incomparable Soweto Gospel Choir. With an R&B groove, African beats, and Grace’s distinctive soprano vocals, it’s really something else.

Grace will showcase tracks from the soon-to-be released album at the following South Australian shows this month. If you’re in the area, make sure you check her out!

10 August 2009 – Shedley Theatre, Elizabeth
11 August 2009 – Marion Cultural Centre
11 August 2009 – Star Theatres, Hilton
12 Augsut 2009 – PT Noarlunga Arts Centre
13 August 2009 – Golden Grove Arts Centre
14 August 2009 – Parks Arts & Functions Complex, Angle Park
18 August 2009 – Hopgood Theatre, Noarlunga Centre
22 August 2009 – Opera on the Creek, Jacobs Creek Retreat

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joe Robinson Comes Home

Teen guitar virtuoso “Smoking” Joe Robinson, the winner of season two of Australia’s Got Talent, is coming home for a series of September and October shows.

He’s spent the last two months in the United States, splitting his time between Nashville and New York. During that time he’s attracted the attention of industry heavyweights Stevie Vai, Dweezil Zappa, and our own Tommy and Phil Emmanuel.

“I’m looking very forward to coming back home and I’m so excited to be bringing this electric show out on the road! I’ve played electric guitar since I was about 10,” he said. “It’s only been the last two years in which I’ve been in acoustic mode. It’s going to be great fun working with such a great band, too! We’ll be playing plenty of my original tunes, cool arrangements of popular tunes, as well as some of my acoustic tracks.”

This will be our last chance to catch the talented youngster for a while, as he’s heading to China after these dates. It sounds like everything’s happening for this amazing guitarist.

4 September 2009 – Raval @ Macquarie Hotel, Surry Hills
5 September 2009 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
6 September 2009 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
9 September 2009 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
10 September 2009 – Commercial Hotel, Kaniva
11 September 2009 – The Sand Bar, Mildura
12 September 2009 – Paris Cat, Melbourne
16 September 2009 – Milton Theatre, Ulladulla (All ages)
17 September 2009 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber (Under 18s permitted with adult supervision)
19 September 2009 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba (Under 18s permitted with adult supervision)
20 September 2009 – Glasshouse, Port Macquarie (All ages)
23 September 2009 – Bon Amici Café, Toowoomba (Under 18s permitted with adult supervision) 24 September 2009 – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi (Under 18s permitted with adult supervision) 25 September 2009 – Lone Star Tavern, Gold Coast
26 September 2009 – Mullumbimby Civic Hall (All ages)
27 September 2009 – Brisbane Jazz Club
1 October 2009 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
2 October 2009 – Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree (All ages)
3 October 2009 – Northern Star Hotel, Newcastle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hot Little Hands Announce Hot Little Tour

Fresh from their stint as Toohey’s Dry uncharTED finalists, Hot Little Hands are taking their music on the road. The Melbourne outfit will join forces with New Zealand’s The Tutts for four big shows.

Hot Little Hands come armed with two synthesizers, a Wurlitzer, and some surprises! Their sound has been described as a “mix of 80s revival, 50s electronic-voodoo-swamp-blues and 60s garage disco,” with “some soul, electro, four part harmonies, funk, trumpet blasts, and pop” thrown in for good measure. That’s an impressive blend!

The tour celebrates the release of “Dynamite In Black & White,” the third single from the band’s album of the same name. It’s currently available through Rubber Records.

Tickets for the following shows are available now through Posse.

14 August 2009 – Spectrum, Sydney
22 August 2009 – Troubadour, Brisbane
27 August 2009 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
28 August 2009 – Rocket Bar, Adelaide

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"The Bottom of the Lake" – Tinpan Orange

bottomofthelakecover

One of the greatest perks of my job is getting a jump on amazing new music before the rest of the world. The latest disc to cross my desk and touch my heart is “The Bottom of the Lake” by Tinpan Orange.

I’d never heard of the band, but I was instantly drawn in by the whimsical cover art and the promise of mandolins and ukuleles. I’m always a sucker for instrumentation that’s a little left of centre.

This is one CD that didn’t just meet my expectations; it exceeded them. This is music that feels familiar, yet completely different from anything that inhabits radio. The sound is lush; not from studio wizardry but from the rich textured layering of instruments and vocals. For a three-piece, Tinpan Orange have one hell of a sound. Everything is perfectly measured: delicate, lilting, and warm.

Emily Lubitz is a real find, a siren with a voice so husky and inviting. Her brother Jesse’s songs didn’t gel with me as easily. I’m reminded of the way I felt when listening to george years ago, so enamoured with Katie Noonan that I struggled to appreciate Tyrone’s tracks. As with Tyrone Noonan, the songs with Jesse Lubitz up front aren’t bad. They just don’t thrill me in quite the same way.

That aside, it’s really hard to find fault with this album. It’s an exciting release, with elements of folk, jazz, and even a little flamenco. Like a patchwork quilt, no two pieces are quite the same, yet it all comes together as something magical and very special.

The Bottom of the Lake will hit record stores on August 17.

Image used with permission from Two Fish