Category: Album Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Carry on Dancing With Xani’s Disco-Inspired Single, “Dreaming of You”

Enjoy a couple of minutes of bliss listening to Xani’s new track “Dreaming of You”. It’s a sugary blend of disco and pop lifted from Xani’s upcoming concept album, An Inaccurate History of Electronic Music. This track and others from the album ponder the question of what it might be like to never dance again.

Like many of us during last year’s lockdowns, Xani contemplated the idea as dancing with others was something she desperately craved. Through this album, she created her own fictitious world of dance, a place where movement, connection, and music lived on. An Inaccurate History of Electronic Music is a party album that tells the (inaccurate) history of dance music in this imagined universe. It sounds fascinating!

There’s no release date for An Inaccurate History of Electronic Music yet, but Xani has announced some Victorian shows. You may just get to hear more music from the forthcoming album at these gigs.

9 July 2022 – Major Tom’s, Kyneton
15 July 2022 – Terang Live, Terang
16 July 2022 – Apollo Bay Hotel, Apollo Bay (FREE)
30 July 2022 – Merri Creek Tavern, Northcote

Image used with permission from This Much Talent; credit: Oli Sansom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matthew Gilbert Impresses with Epic Single, “Out of the Contempt”

Matthew Gilbert has really impressed me with “Out of the Contempt,” an epic slice of indie-folk. It’s got a soaring score, created by overlaying more than a hundred audio tracks sourced from around the world. Its introspective lyrics anchor this beautiful song written and recorded last year during Melbourne’s stage four lockdowns.

“‘Out Of The Contempt’ is the crowning jewel of my upcoming album Getting Over All Of It,” Matthew admitted. “It completes the story of moving through the last five years of my life. Filled with depression, relationships, church hurt and restoring faith. ‘Out Of The Contempt’ sings about moving on from all the hurt, regardless of getting closure, for the sake of healing. ‘Out Of The Contempt’ is an alternative cinematic soundscape full of orchestral elements and authentic ambient tones.”

If you love what you hear, you won’t have to wait too long for more. The album, Getting Over All of It, drops on June 23. Matthew will celebrate its release with a launch show at The Wesley Anne in Melbourne on June 30.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

DICE Goes From Strength to Strength With Latest Single, “Bad Tattoo”

DICE have only been together for 15 months, but they’ve made a big impression during that time. Aside from winning my heart, they’ve released six singles, clocked up 900,000 streams, and sold-out headline shows. They might just crack the magic million with their latest effort “Bad Tattoo.”

“’Bad Tattoo’ steers away from deeper meanings like our past tracks had (self belief, the mental and physical strain of gigging, how to cope with young relationships),” the band said. “We wanted to create a track which can embody our cheeky, light-hearted side of experiencing young adulthood. With reference to past experiences, we portray bad tattoos as a good thing, a representation of a memory rather than regret.”

DICE are also preparing to drop their first EP Adolescent Arcade. To celebrate its release, the Perth band will tour their home state next month.

“Our upcoming EP tour is a huge milestone for us and a major achievement after only 15 months as a band. We have been privileged to be able to support other bands tours such as Dear Sunday and Death by Denim but there is something extra exciting and special about doing it yourselves,” the band added. “This is definitely a big mark in our career and we are ecstatic to be able to perform our own shows at some of our favourite places such as Margaret River and also do our first all-ages show at YMCA HQ.”

Get those tickets while they’re hot!

1 April 2022 – Mandurah Top Floor, Mandurah (with Ra Ra Viper & Little Guilt MANDURAH, WA
8 April 2022 – YMCA HQ, Leederville (All Ages with Ra Ra Viper)
9 April 2022 – The River Margs, Margaret River (with Ra Ra Viper and King Blue)
30 April 2022 – DICE Fest @ Badlands, Perth

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Odin Fahey

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wanderers EP is Out Now

What do you say about a band you’ve already raved about so many times? Every time Wanderers dropped a single from their recently released EP, I heaped praise on it. So now that their self-titled EP is out in the world, with just a couple of new tracks, I’m not sure what’s left that I haven’t already said before. However, this EP is so damn good that I can’t let its release go without some kind of fanfare.

So I’ll say this. Drop what you’re doing and listen. While you’re listening, you might want to read back on my reviews for “Malibu”, “Nothing in This World”, and “Penny”. Or maybe you just want to discover for yourself how good their classic rock sound is. Either way, just make sure you’re listening. If you love soulful rock with the retro influence of synths and saxophone, I know you’re going to flip over these guys.

Wanderers will soon jet off to South by Southwest but don’t worry Aussies; they’ll be back before you know it for EP launch shows around the country:

1 April 2022 – The Night Cat, Fitzroy
29 April 2022 – Felons Barrel Hall, Brisbane
30 April 2022 – Waywards at the Bank, Newtown
27 May 2022 – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide

Images used with permission from Big Oak Records; feature photo credit: Samuel Graves

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Afterthought Live Up to Early Promise With New EP and Single

Pop-punk seemed to fade away for a while, but it’s definitely back with a vengeance here in Australia. There are so many stellar pop-punk acts on the local scene, and Afterthought are up there with the best. Right now I’m really digging “Summerset Stunner,” the latest single from the band’s recently released self-titled sophomore EP. Everything on the EP is fantastic, so once you check this song out make sure you check out the rest.

Afterthought says “Summerset Stunner is about “wanting to tell someone that you love them but never finding the right time and fearing that you may never find that time.” And haven’t we all been there?

Expect to hear a lot more from these guys in the future. They’re generating a lot of buzz from tastemakers like triple j, 4ZZZ, HEAVYMag, and Milky, and their talent lives up to the hype.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Young Robin Drop New EP “Imago” Today

With Perth act Young Robin dropping their new EP Imago today, I thought it was the perfect time to bring them to your attention. These guys have grown a massive fanbase in Western Australia, selling out shows up and down the West Coast, but I think it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the country is turned on to their sound.

My favourite track on the EP is the current single “Violent.” This catchy indie bop had me grooving from the get-go. Sophian Manik (vocals and guitar) and Jed Begho (lead vocals) co-wrote the track, which has a deep personal meaning for them both.

“For me, this song is about internal struggle and finding peace through personal discovery and faith,” Jed explains. “For Sophian, it’s written from the perspective of his relationship with his significant other during the Covid pandemic. It’s about the struggles he had and how they persevered through it and came out stronger at the end. Even though the song is called ‘Violent’ the song does not refer to any form of physical violence, but more so mental battles that we have faced.”

Wrap your ears around it and I know you’ll want to listen to the rest of the tunes from Imago. Get onto it music lovers!

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.; credit: Mastu Photography

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Sunday Estate Deliver With “When You Get Home”

I’ve been a little quiet lately. It’s not like I haven’t been listening to music, but I have been searching for something that really hits. Writing posts about music that doesn’t impact me seems a bit disingenuous. I know there are plenty of media outlets out there who just post about everything, but if I wouldn’t share it with a friend, I can’t see the point in wasting my time writing about it. I was starting to think maybe I was just being too picky, and then I heard The Sunday Estate’s new EP When You Get Home. This Sydney five-piece have got something really special. But if you’ve had your ear to the ground, you knew that already. If not, prepare to discover why tastemakers are raving about them.

The Sunday Estate have already released three singles from the EP: “Pray for Rain,” “Fight Me,” and “Bike Thief,” which I’ve already written about. Those tracks have enjoyed airplay on triple j, Beats I, and KCRW. So rather than going over old ground and writing a traditional EP review, I thought it better to highlight the latest single, “We Were Kids.” It’s a nostalgic track with cool indie pop-rock vibes that really hit the spot. Lead vocalist Conor O’Reilly calls it “another song about the trials of getting older,” but it’s a little more than that. The personal lyrics help it stand alone.

“I wanted to really lean into those bittersweet feelings that come with past love/friendship,” he explained.

If you’re not already across The Sunday Estate’s music, check out When You Get Home on your preferred streaming platform. Then if you’re near Sydney, snap up some tickets for their launch show. The gig at The Lansdowne on November 7 is something to look forward to once we (hopefully) get out of lockdown.

Image used with permission from Mirror Music Group; credit: Maclay Heriot

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Camille Trail Embraces Unpretty With New Single, Album

Camille Trail isn’t like other female country acts, and she’s proud of it. While other performers embrace pretty things, she doesn’t want a bar of them. It’s an approach that made her recent studio sessions with producer Shane Nicholson a little out of the box.

“I don’t like pretty things,” she confessed. “He’d play a guitar and say is that too pretty and I’d say yep, too pretty. I don’t like shiny things, I like it to be raw and vulnerable and I wanted to make my debut album a bit more of a statement.”

I’ve had her debut album, River of Sins, on repeat for the last couple of days, and I think the unconventional approach works. These songs are honest and unashamedly real. She calls it “a sit down with a whiskey kind of album,” and that’s a description I can really get behind. It’s also a country album that refuses to play with the classic tropes.

“It never really occurred to me to write about [utes and boots] because it was my everyday life,” explained the Rockhampton native. Instead she took inspiration from the classic rock, blues, and gospel she grew up on.

“I think I’ve always loved vulnerable music. There’s something really beautiful about just a piano and lyrics and space,” she said. “I’ve always loved those darker themes and I’m a big believer in what goes around comes around.”

You can dip your toe into Camille’s music with the new single “I Don’t Like You,” a track that provides a counterpoint to all those sappy songs of yearning that flood the airwaves. But I recommend just diving in and listening to River of Sins from start to finish. If you like what you hear, you can see her perform at the following shows, unless COVID spoils the party!

23 September 2021 – Oodies Café, Bundaberg (with Michael Waugh)
24 & 25 September 2021 – Outback By The Sea Festival, Karumba
2 & 3 October 2021 – Savannah in the Round, Mareeba
9 October 2021 – The Barn at Wombat Flat (with Michael Waugh)
10 October 2021 – Trinity Sessions, Adelaide (with Michael Waugh)
17 October 2021 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle (with Shane Nicholson and Michael Waugh)
22 October 2021 – Junk Bar, Brisbane
3 December 2021 – Murray Delta Juke Joint, Goolwa (with Shane Nicholson)
5 December 2021 – Trinity Sessions, Adelaide (with Shane Nicholson)
20 January 2022 – Wests Leagues, Tamworth
21 January 2022 – Wests Leagues, Tamworth (with Michael Waugh)
4 February 2022 – Railway Hotel, Macedon (with Shane Nicholson)
11 February 2022 – Factory Floor, Sydney (with Shane Nicholson)
12 February 2021 – Bowral Bowling Club, Bowral (with Shane Nicholson)

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Baker Boy and G Flip’s New Track “My Mind” Is Every Bit as Good As You’d Expect

You probably know before pressing play that “My Mind,” the new single from Baker Boy featuring G Flip, is pretty awesome. I’m not sure two such talented people could collaborate and produce something mediocre. So you don’t need me to convince you. Just hit that play button!

“Working with G Flip was a real privilege,” Baker Boy confirmed. “We’ve known each other for a while through touring, but it was mad to see them in their element in the studio. G is a real talent, not only their voice, but their songwriting is like no other! My Mind is a fun tribute to the incredible women in both of our lives, we’re both really lucky to have incredible support networks so really it’s a song for those people too!”

The feeling is mutual, as G Flip gushed, “I’ve always been a big fan of Danzal. We met on the festival circuit over the years and our time slots were always back-to-back, so we’ve had a lot of hang time and a lot of beer time together! I’ve even jumped up and played drums on a track with him before so a song collab was always on the cards. We met up at the studio sometime in 2019 and ‘My Mind’ was written in a day. It’s a song about appreciating the beautiful women in our lives.”

“My Mind” is the latest track lifted from Baker Boy’s highly anticipated debut album Gela. The album title is Baker Boy’s “skin name,” so it’s the perfect choice for his introductory body of work. It drops October 15, but you can preorder your digital, CD, or vinyl copy now.

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nicholas Hamilton Reminisces With EP Title Track, “Pretty Young”

I don’t know about you, but the COVID pandemic has me in a nostalgic mood. I’m locked down here in New South Wales, but my Facebook memories make sure I remember the concerts I’ve been to, holidays I’ve taken, and great nights out I’ve shared with my friends. Nicholas Hamilton’s latest single “Pretty Young” reflects my current mood. In this track, he looks back at his own transition from teenager to twentysomething, a period that saw him moving halfway across the globe to pursue his passion for acting.

“I remember feeling pretty down when I wrote the first stanza. It was one of those days where you just cry behind a piano and hope a song comes out. There was a moment where I realised how silly it was for me to be writing a song about my childhood, when I definitely wouldn’t consider myself an adult yet … That’s how the second stanza came about, starting with ‘and I’m still pretty young’,” he explained. “I drew the rest of the lyrics from a ton of childhood memories I thought I’d forgotten, and recent memories I hope I don’t forget.”

This adorable music video features home movies capturing moments from Nicholas’s childhood.

“Pretty Young” comes from the EP of the same name, which we’ll hear on August 13. Like the single, this EP features acoustic pop tracks exploring nostalgic subject matter. Nicholas currently divides his time between Los Angeles and his hometown of Byron Bay. With the EP on the way and some TV and film projects in development, expect to hear a lot more about this talented Aussie in the near future.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Mike Falzone