Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Music on Show in “Mint Condition” Webseries

Recently released webseries Mint Condition is a real treat for music lovers with a soundtrack featuring some of Melbourne’s best independent acts. Think Mick Thomas and the Roving Commission, Jade Imagine, The Meltdowns, Nat Vazer, Hearts and Rockets, and heaps more. The five-episode series follows single mum Audrey, played by Sibylla Budd, as she opens a new Fitzroy shop. She’s joined by Gary Sweet, Bernard Curry, and exciting newcomer Grace Champion.

“Mint Condition was a labour of love. We’re very proud of our amazing cast, our dedicated crew, and all the great local bands who contributed to the soundtrack,” said Gareth Calverley, the show’s co-writer and producer. “We know things aren’t easy right now. We decided to launch the show in the hope that it connects with an audience worldwide. It’s made for anyone who loves independent Australian music and for those who believe it’s important to support local filmmakers during a difficult time. Short-form content is taking off around the world. New international platform QUIBI is a great example, ‘quick bites’ of original new shows. Our audience can experience Series 1 of ‘Mint Condition’ in one hour.”

“We want the audience to really love the diversity of these great songs and get a good feel for the live music scene and the music community that we have in Melbourne,” added Lyndelle Wilkinson, the show’s co-producer and music supervisor. “Even though we are all currently in lockdown, we want to bring that passion for local music to the audience while we are currently unable to go out and be a part of it. Melbourne is the music capital of the world, with usually hundreds of gigs on weekly, so right now we have a huge opportunity to showcase this incredible community and comfort each other with what we have and remind ourselves how lucky we are. I hope the audience is hungry for it and will be inspired to get out and support local artists when things return to normal.”

Whether you’re in hard lockdown or just enjoying life at a slower pace, Mint Condition is perfect pandemic viewing. Check out all the episodes at mintconditiontv.com, Apple TV, Roku, iOS, Android, and Chromecast.

Image used with permission from Dave Laing Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Become a Music Victoria Member For Free

Music Victoria understands everyone in the music industry is doing it tough right now, so it’s waiving all standard membership fees until the end of the financial year. There are memberships available for musicians, music fans, music industry professionals, venues, and festivals, and heaps more. Basically, if you’re involved in Victoria’s music industry in any way, you want to check this out.

Members receive a bunch of cool perks, including access to professional workshops, industry opportunities, discounts, and heaps more. Signing up gets you all this, plus you’ll feel good knowing that you’re building support for the Victorian music industry.

Visit Music Victoria today to learn more and sign up for your free membership.

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Live at 5 Brings Australia’s Best Music to You

I don’t know about you guys, but live-streamed concerts are keeping me sane right now. My calendar which was full of concerts is now crammed with virtual gigs. I’ll clear some space for Live at 5 though, and I recommend you do the same.

Live at 5, a joint effort from Boost Mobile and Life Without Andy, is bringing some of Australia’s best and brightest into your home. Tomorrow G-Flip will premiere her new single during the exclusive set. Previous Live at 5 events have featured Allday, Cubsport, The Delta Riggs, and more.

Live at 5 is part of Boost Mobile’s #stay community initiative. This movement encourages us to #stayconnected, #staycreative, and perhaps most importantly #stayentertained during the pandemic.

“We want to share the message with our customers that just because we have to stay home, does not mean we can’t stay connected. Whether with friends or family or staying connected to your passions and hobbies, we want young Aussies to share with us what being connected truly means to them,” explained Boost Mobile’s general manager, Jason Haynes.

Live at 5 streams every Thursday at 5 pm via Boost Mobile’s Instagram page at @boostaus.

Image used with permission from Closer Communications

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Smith Street Band Earn First Number One Album

Music has been a lifeline for so many of us during the coronavirus pandemic. So it’s thrilling to see the nation embracing one of our own and giving The Smith Street Band their first number one album this week. Don’t Waste Your Anger is the perfect isolation soundtrack, with all the angst you need for such a difficult time in history. The new single “The End of the World” is a case in point.

The Smith Street Band’s album is keeping company on the ARIA albums charts with Artists Unite for Fire Fight, which sits at number six, and Calm from 5 Seconds of Summer, which is at number eight.

Over on the singles charts Tones and I is our lone representative in the top 10. Her monster smash “Dance Monkey” is heading back up the charts and currently sits at number 10.

Here are this week’s complete top 10s. What have you been listening to?

Top 10 Albums

1. Don’t Waste Your Anger – The Smith Street Band
2. Future Nostalgia – Dua Lipa
3. After Hours – The Weeknd
4. Fine Line – Harry Styles
5. When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? – Billie Eilish
6. Artists Unite For Fire Fight – Various
7. Blame it On Baby – DaBaby
8. Calm – 5 Seconds of Summer
9. Hollywood’s Bleeding – Post Malone
10. Diamonds – Elton John

Top 10 Singles

1. “Roses” – SAINt JHN
2. “Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd
3. “Toosie Slide” – Drake
4. “Don’t Start Now” – Dua Lipa
5. “death bed” – Powfu
6. “Intentions” – Justin Bieber feat. Quavo
7. “Break My Heart” – Dua Lipa
8. “Say So” – Doja Cat
9. “Supalonely” – Benee feat. Gus Dapperton
10. “Dance Monkey” – Tones and I

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Help the Music Industry Through COVID-19

If you thought your weekends were looking pretty bleak, spare a thought for our local musos. They are among the Australians hardest hit by the economic ramifications of COVID-19. They don’t just miss the social interaction and buzz of live shows. All those cancelled shows take money directly out of their pockets. Most don’t qualify for the government’s JobSeeker payments, due to the casual nature of their work, so they’re relying on the kindness of supporters like you to help get them through.

I understand many Australians are doing it tough. As a fellow creative freelancer, my income has certainly taken a hit right now. Some of us have to prioritise putting food on our own tables. However, if you can spare any money right now, there are a few things you can do to help support the industry you love. There are even many things that won’t cost you a cent.

  • Donate to Support Act. Support Act has worked for years to support the financial and mental wellbeing of our music industry. Right now, they’re making sure artists, crews, and other music personnel get the money they to weather this global crisis. If you can’t spare money from your own bank account, think about giving even a portion of the money from any refunded tickets their way.
  • Hold onto your tickets for postponed shows. Most promoters have done their level best to reschedule shows rather than cancelling them outright. In most cases, you can take the refund if you prefer. It might be tempting, especially if the show is a general admission gig you feel like you can easily buy tickets for later. However, if everyone pulls their money out, these events may not happen. Events companies will feel the strain, especially as they’ll need to find money to market the events all over again. Your patience now will help ensure we can all enjoy live music once the scene gets back up and running again.
  • Get some merch. The Sound of Silence website has links to the online stores of your favourite Aussie acts. Buy T-shirts. Buy vinyl. Buy a sticker or stubby holder if you’re short on dough. It all helps. Remember the little guys too who don’t have the profile to make Sound of Silence’s list.
  • Buy a Sound of Silence SOS T-shirt. Sound of Silence has its own merch benefitting Support Act. These tees will help you look your best during isolation!
  • Keep consuming music. Whether you’re buying hard copies or streaming digitally, the music you consume puts money in your favourite artists’ pockets. Keep tuning in!
  • Tune in to virtual concerts. Virtual concerts have been the silver lining for me through these last few weeks. So many musicians are bringing their tunes to you online. Enjoy them and remember to leave a tip in the PayPal or Venmo accounts of your favourites when you can. Just consider it a cover charge!
  • Share with your friends. This is the perfect time for turning people on to your favourite acts. Share their tunes and their streams with your mates to boost the signal.
  • Send messages of support. Your favourite musicians and venues would love to hear from you. Leave a message of support on their socials to let them know you’re there for them right now.

Got any other tips? How are you staying sane and entertained in isolation? Make sure you leave your comments!

Image used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Up in The Airlock Streaming Shows Help You Survive Quarantine

COVID-19 has killed our social lives and decimated the local music scene. However, while we can’t rub shoulders with other music fans in our favourite venues, the global pandemic hasn’t killed off music. It’s just forced our creative minds to get even more creative. I’ve relished the opportunity to see some of my favourite artists playing shows in their loungerooms and kitchens on the regular. Up in the Airlock is the latest local music initiative designed to bring sweet tunes into our homes and support the artists who need our help.

Up in the Airlock is a live performance series recorded and filmed at Ian Haug’s Airlock Studios in Brisbane. Each session lasts 15-45 minutes, allowing bands to showcase their original songs and really connect with audiences at home. You’ll find them all on Up in the Airlock’s YouTube channel, including the recently released first set, featuring Elko Fields.

Originally we weren’t set to see Up in the Airlock for a while, but the creators decided to push the launch forward to allow more local artists and crew who can’t currently work to put on shows for audiences at home. A donate button on the Up In the Airlock website lets you donate directly to the bands and crew.

Make sure you bookmark the website and subscribe to the YouTube channel because organisers promise a wide variety of live performances from acts of all genres. Think NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts for Australia. There’s not a lot to love in the time of COVID, but this is one of the silver linings.

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Say Yes” to illstrtd

It’s a gloomy day around my part of the country, but Melbourne-based producer illstrtd is making my Hump Day a little brighter with his new single “Say Yes.” With guest vocals from Cyrus, slick rhymes from Charlie Threads, and one of the catchiest grooves you’ve ever heard, this track has all the right ingredients.

“I really was channeling a lot of Anderson .Paak and Kaytranada on the production for this,” illstrtd explained. “Just wanted to get that soulful, fun vibe and I think it came out really dope! Cyrus and Charlie Threads both killed it on the vocals too, I can’t wait for people to hear this.”

Wednesdays are never easy, but hitting play on “Say Yes” should give you the lift you need to make it through!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Montaigne Off to Eurovision

We’ve had time for the glitter to settle on the news that Montaigne will head to Rotterdam in May to represent the nation in Eurovision with her song “Don’t Break Me.” It’s been a polarising decision, with many online comments I’ve read bemoaning the choice, insisting Casey Donovan or Vanessa Amorosi were worthier picks.

Of course, the very best art is often polarising. If everyone loves what you do, you’re probably not pushing the boundaries. I personally advocated for Montaigne years ago, when she first burst onto the scene, insisting her artistry and sense of theatre would be perfect for the big stage. However, when it came to watching the Australia Decides show, it was Casey Donovan and Didirri that stole my heart. However, that doesn’t mean I think Montaigne was the wrong choice. After all, Electric Fields was my favourite act in last year’s event, yet when it came time for the big show I felt Kate’s act was the strongest. It was the first time I could cheer wholeheartedly for my country rather than feeling someone else was doing Eurovision better. So I trust this process works.

Having said that, I would have liked to see more transparency in the voting process. When it comes to Eurovision, it’s all very clear. The top pick from the public gets the douze points, all the juries vote in a similar fashion, and we get our result. However, from where I sat, the numbers assigned to each act seemed arbitrary. Could the people’s choice, Casey, have ever represented us if the jury didn’t agree? I’m not sure, and I think that needs to be clarified.

When all is said and done though, I think it’s time to get behind our winner, even if it wasn’t our personal pick. I’ve listened to “Don’t Break Me” again this morning and it’s a fab song. With the full budget behind it, I think it’ll be spectacular. Montaigne might even win Eurovision for us.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hunter deBlanc Announces Aussie Bushfire Benefit Show

Widespread bushfires have devastated Australia, wiping out homes and entire towns, killing wildlife and some of the brave people working so hard to fight them. The bright light has been the way Australians and the people who care about this country have banded together to raise funds for the organizations truly making a difference. At home we’ve seen musicians staging benefit shows, from pub gigs to stadium spectaculars. Abroad we’ve seen high-profile celebs like Pink and Bette Midler writing sizeable cheques. Louisiana-based musician Hunter deBlanc is the latest international artists to throw his support behind the bushfire efforts.

Hunter spent a couple of years entertaining crowds on Australian cruise ships. During that time he developed a deep love for Australia, its people, and local music. He’ll dust off those Aussie classics for Hunter Down Under: A Benefit for Australia, at The Pearl in Lafayette on January 17. All money raised on the night will benefit the RFS.

If you’re in Australia or living somewhere else in the world, don’t worry. You can catch the show live online and donate via Hunter’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hunterdeblancmusic. It all kicks off at 9:30 pm US CST. That’s 2:30 pm AEDT for the Aussies on Saturday afternoon, January 18. Check it out and give generously!

Photo credit: Nicole Bell Photography