Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The ARIA Awards 2022 Wrap

So the dust has settled on the ARIA Awards for another year and it seems like everyone has an opinion. I can’t help but feel like most of those opinions come from people who haven’t taken the time to listen to a new Australian album in years who simply want to reminisce about the “good old days”. That’s not to say that the awards were perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but I hardly think they’re the shambles that many made them out to be. Most of the performances were solid and a fantastic showcase for the diversity of Australian music today. I also thought Natalie Imbruglia, G-Flip, and Ruel, who stepped in at the 11th hour when Lewis Capaldi pulled out, were personable hosts.

Having said that: Christian Wilkins and Froomes – you had one job. I don’t know whether a few glasses of vino made them a little too relaxed, but there’s really no excuse for getting album names wrong. Multiple times. While they got the tributes for Uncle Archie Roach and Judith Durham so right, Olivia Newton-John deserved better. It felt like a number from the Schools Spectacular, not a professional celebration of the life of one of Australia’s most loved artists. I was disappointed to see Gang of Youths go home empty-handed, but thrilled for Baker Boy and The Wiggles’ wins.

Anyway, if you missed the awards or you simply want to check the correct names of those albums, here are all the winners.

Album of the Year: Baker Boy – Gela
Best Solo Artist: Baker Boy
Best Group: Amyl and the Sniffers
Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist: King Stingray
Best Independent Release: Archie Roach – One Song
Best Pop Release: The Kid LAROI – “Thousand Miles”
Best Hip Hop Release: Baker Boy – Gela
Best Soul/R&B Release: Budjerah – Conversations
Best Dance/Electronic Release: Luude feat. Colin Hay – “Down Under”
Best Rock Album: Amyl and the Sniffers – Comfort To Me
Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album: The Chats – Get Fucked
Best Adult Contemporary Album: Julia Jacklin – Pre Pleasure
Best Country Album: Casey Barnes – Light It Up
Best Blues & Roots Album: William Crighton – Water And Dust
Best Children’s Album: The Wiggles – Rewiggled
Best Classical Album: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Sir Andrew Davis – The Enchanted Loom: Orchestral Works By Carl Vine
Best Jazz Album: Mildlife – Live From South Channel Island
Best Original Soundtrack/Musical Theatre Cast Album: Australian Chamber Orchestra and Richard Tognetti – River (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Best World Album: Joseph Tawadros with William Barton – History Has A Heartbeat
Best Video: William Bleakley – “Every Side Of You” (Vance Joy)
Best Australian Live Act: The Wiggles
Song of the Year: Tones and I – “Cloudy Day”
Most Popular International Act: Harry Styles
Music Teacher Award: Matt Orchard (Apollo Bay P-12 College)
Best Cover Art: Adnate – Gela (Baker Boy)
Best Mixed Album: Pip Norman, Andrei Eremin & Dave Hammer – Gela (Baker Boy)
Best Produced Album: RÜFÜS DU SOL – Surrender (RÜFÜS DU SOL)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nick de la Hoyde Wows Me With “Bulletproof”

Eora/Sydney-based alternative pop act Nick de la Hoyde shows the strength that can come from true vulnerability with his new single “Bulletproof.” The track explores themes of mental health, resilience, and the importance of human connection.

“I wrote Bulletproof about breaking out of a dark place mentally. Often it takes a special someone to shake you back to reality, and to them we owe everything. They make you feel like you are bulletproof, unstoppable, and most importantly loved. I wrote this song with my brothers in our home studio in Sydney,” he explained.

I’ve always maintained that magic happens when talented siblings make music together. This stellar track is just further proof.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kick Start Your Country Career With Kix-Start

Think you have what it takes to be the next big country music star? Then get your entry in to the Kix-Start competition. You could win some incredible prizes, including a slot at the Groundwater Country Music Festival alongside a who’s who of country music, a one-on-one mentoring session with Gina Jeffries, a songwriting session with Phil Barton, and studio time at The Music Cellar with Rod McCormack where you’ll record your very own single.

This isn’t one of those competitions where people win and you never hear from them again. Last year’s winner Bella Mackenzie has just dropped her latest track “1, 2, 3 You and Me,” which she recorded as part of her prize, and it’s a banger.

“Winning KIX-Start was such an honour boosting my career from the second I won,” said Bella. “The support from KIX Country, Groundwater Country Music Festival, and everyone else involved has been so amazing. I could never have imagined a year ago that I would have accomplished what I have today which includes releasing two singles and playing major festivals. I have had my biggest year yet with so much more to come and I urge anyone thinking about applying to just do it! You never know if you don’t have a go.”

You heard her! If you’re waiting for your big break, this competition might just be it.

Image used with permission from Sue Mac Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out With Press Club’s New Single, “Eugene”

There’s nothing like some good punk-rock music to make a case of the Mondays feel a little more bearable. And we all know that Press Club know how to make good punk-rock music! With its fuzzy guitars and Natalie Foster’s raw, real vocals, their latest track “Eugene” is every bit as angsty as you’re hoping for.

“Eugene” comes from Press Club’s third album Endless Motion, which drops on October 14.

“The album is a culmination of years of downtime and introspection, false starts and disappointments, bushfires and pandemics. Factors that forced us to dig out parts of ourselves to sculpt a body of work that was as uncompromising and raw as our previous releases, but executed with more polish and finesse than we thought ourselves capable of” drummer Frank Lees said.

Press Club will play shows in Australia to celebrate the release of Endless Motion before gigging overseas. No matter where you are, here are the dates you need!

13 October 2022 – The Cambridge, Awabakal Land/Newcastle
14 October 2022 – UOW, Dharawal Land/Wollongong
15 October 2022 – Crowbar, Gadigal Land/Sydney
16 October 2022 – The Zoo, Turrbal Land/Brisbane
17 October 2022 – Brunswick Ballroom, Wurundjeri Land/Melbourne
18 October 2022 – Singing Bird, Bunurong Land/Frankston (All Ages)
28 October 2022 – Kasbah Club, Limerick
29 October 2022 – Whelans Upstairs, Dublin
31 October 2022 – Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds
1 November 2022 – Stereo, Glasgow
3 November 2022 – The Flapper, Birmingham
4 November 2022 – Deaf Institute, Manchester
5 November 2022 – OSLO, London
6 November 2022 – The Exchange, Bristol
8 November 2022 – 1999, Paris
9 November 2022 – Trix, Antwerp
10 November 2022 – Paradiso, Amsterdam
11 November 2022 – Vera, Groningen
14 November 2022 – Cassiopeia, Berlin
15 November 2022 – Chapeau Rouge, Prague
16 November 2022 – Chelsea, Vienna
18 November 2022 – Bogen F, Zurich
19 November 2022 – Strom, Munich
20 November 2022 – MTC, Cologne

Image used with permission from Little Giant Agency; credit: Nick Manuell

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vale Olivia Newton-John

My Dad only calls before 9 if it’s really important. He called me before 9 today to let me know Olivia Newton-John had passed away. He knew this one would hit, because he was the one that taped “Grease” off the TV onto a Beta tape and was around when I played that movie every single day after school, for weeks. And he probably heard me singing this song at top note in our backyard, channelling “our Livvy.”

I thought she was the most beautiful person I’d ever seen. And she was an Aussie! She was such a part of my formative years. I always admired the way she carried herself, the way she helped others despite her own ongoing health battles, the way she was such a proud Aussie ambassador on the world stage. Looking at my Facebook feed this morning, it was heartening to see what an immense impression she made on so many people I knew too. What a legacy. Vale Olivia Newton-John.

Image source: FESTIVALDEVINACHILE/Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordan Merrick Wows Me With “Fault”

He’s supported acts like C.W. Stoneking and Mia Dyson, but I can’t imagine it’ll be too long before Jordan Merrick is celebrated as a headliner. AAA Backstage has already called him Brisbane’s Bob Dylan, and after listening to his new single “Fault” I can certainly see where those comparisons come from. This is smart songwriting with a political message. But Jordan has his own unique perspective. And dare I say it, his voice is much better than old Bob’s! Jordan wrote this song in a recent time of turmoil.

“Brisbane had flooded. Putin invaded Ukraine. Lockdowns were happening around the world. Batman was cancelled,” he explained. “The world was changing for the worse, and like many I was sitting, watching on not sure what to do, yet determined to do something. ‘Fault’ is sitting on the back porch in the pouring rain left with pensive thoughts, yet optimistic in its sense of self and belonging.”

With a home studio on hand, Jordan quickly set about turning “Fault” into the song you hear today.

“The song initially started out as a demo the day I’d written it and quickly turned into a much more detailed song that I initially set out to create.”

He enlisted the talents of Toby Alexander for synth and strings and Maisy Taylor for backing vocals.

“Once the acoustic and vocals were in place, we set out to fill that black and white world with the colours of Toby’s strings and the honesty of Maisy’s voice. It really took on a life of its own!”

After the pandemic slowed his touring schedule, Jordan is itching to get out there and play for his fans. He’ll hit The Factory Theatre in Sydney on August 6 and Junk Bar in Brisbane on August 27.

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Squid the Kid Drops Exciting New Track “Cater”

I’ve spent the afternoon grooving out to the musical stylings of Squid the Kid, a genre-bending rapper and songwriter from Naarm/Melbourne. He might be from Gen Z, but the way he blends R&B, soul, and jazz into his new track “Cater” reminds me of the rappers I used to love in the 90s. Although music fans younger than me might liken him to innovative new artists like Tyler, the Creator and Anderson .Paak. Whatever perspective you’re coming from, I know you’re going to appreciate this single.

“The origins of this song were from a misunderstanding that I had with my girlfriend at the time. My mind wasn’t clear, there was something bugging it,” he explained. “At that moment I realised what I wanted this song to signify. I really took reference from Destiny’s Child ‘Cater 2 U’, the main message of their song was how they just want to look after and care for their loved one.”

He might not be a household name in Australia yet, but he’s destined for a global career. Last September he made the final of the Vans Musicians Wanted competition, which saw his work critiqued by Denzel Curry and Sean Miyashiro. No doubt it’s only the start of the international attention his music will receive. You can get in on the ground floor when Squid the Kid launches “Cater” with a hometown show at Laundry Bar on August 4.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Thndo Reintroduces Herself to the Nation With New EP & Tour

After capturing the country’s attention in this year’s season of The Voice, Thndo is ready to reintroduce yourself. As Thando, she wowed the country with her soulful vocals and radiant spirits. But there’s only so much of yourself that you can show when you’re singing other people’s songs. Now with a new moniker, Thndo is ready to let you all know what she’s all about.

If you want to get to know Thndo, I suggest listening to her recently released EP, Life in Colour. It’s a thoughtful, genre-bending collection of songs that share Thndo’s experiences growing up black in Australia. She doesn’t shy away from highlighting her struggles with displacement and discrimination through tracks like “Gag Order” and “Good Ones”. But there’s a joy too as she celebrates her identity in songs like “Rewrite It” and “Numb”. She effortlessly combines the soul we love with elements of hip hop and afrobeat. It’s really great stuff.

Thndo is bringing her music to the East Coast on The Reintroduction Tour. See her at the following venues:

6 October 2022 – Chapel off Chapel, Naarm/Melbourne
27 October 2022 – Mary’s Underground, Eora/Sydney
28 October 2022 – The Street Theatre, Ngambri/Canberra
29 October 2022 – Wangaratta Jazz Festival, Wangaratta
17 November 2022 – Lefty’s Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane
18 November 2022 – Imperial Hotel Eumundi, Eumundi
19 November 2022 – Wynnum Fringe Festival, Wynnum

Image used with permission from This Much Talent; credit: Leila Maulen

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tomboi Records Launches to Nurture Underrepresented Artists

Pride Month is the perfect time to celebrate the launch of Tomboi Records, a local record label that aims to be a safe space for women, LGBTQIA+, and POC. The label’s roster features Sounds of Oz favourites Greg Gould and Parker, along with some artists we can’t wait to get to know: Lion, Joan & The Giants, Forces & Fury, and Benedict.

“We are here to start a new safe space in the music industry and shake it up a little! We are the first record label in the world created to be specifically a safe label for Women, LGBTQIAplus and POC in music and beyond and we are so excited to bring incredible artists to light and let them shine the best way we know how,” confirmed the label’s founder Alexis Benedict, an industry veteran with 25 years in music management, production, performance, writing, and recording. “Our hope is that other teams can adopt this approach that we do and see that there is a gap in the industry and it is a must for real change and to genuinely create inclusive elements to the music industry.”

It’s so exciting to see a label like Tomboi Records shaking things up and nurturing artists who are often underrepresented. If you love what they’re doing and want to support the label and its artists, you can get along to the upcoming Tomboi Records Showcases. All six artists will play a showcase at Melbourne’s The Toff in Town on June 30 and Sydney’s The Great Club on July 14.

Images used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Girl and Girl Release Feelgood New Single “Dance Now”

Girl and Girl will have you grooving your way into the long weekend with their upbeat new indie-rock banger, “Dance Now”. From the moment that brilliant bass line kicked in I was absolutely hooked.

“Coby, our bassist at the time, brought this bloody magical little bass line to a jam one day and it just crawled into all of our brains and settled,” explained lead vocalist Kai James. “He and I wrote the rest of the track together, and it became this big, beautiful, passionate celebration of love. ‘Dance Now’ is so invigorating to play live and the recording allows an in-house opportunity to yell and scream about really cool nice stuff.”

Fans will have the opportunity to enjoy Girl and Girl’s electric live show when they play Brisbane’s Hot Dreams Festival tomorrow. The bill is stacked, Lucy Dacus, Cate Le Bon, Glass Beams, Andy Shauf, and heaps more on the lineup. There are still some tickets available, but they certainly won’t last so grab them while you can!

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.; credit: Charlie Falconer