Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Cruises Inspire Fantastic New Singles From Hunter deBlanc

Mondays are never easy, but that first Monday after holidays is particularly trying. This time last week my husband and I were living it up on the Pacific Aria. We love so much about cruising, from lazy days on the deck to the seemingly never-ending supply of food, but what we love most is discovering great live music. Cruise performers have a reputation for being a bit loungy, but over our last four cruises we’ve been entertained by an artist who breaks the mould: Hunter deBlanc.

Hunter hails from New Orleans, but after 18 months on Australian cruise ships he considers himself right at home here in Oz. At night he covers everything from Billy Joel to Blink-182 in the piano bar, but by day he works on his original music. Those original songs have been so well received Hunter will soon leave the ships behind and announce his own Australian shows. With that Aussie tour in the works, there’s no better time to become familiar with this exciting independent artist.

While cruising around Australia and the South Pacific playing to packed-out rooms each night might seem glamorous, the life of a cruise ship entertainer isn’t always easy. Hunter touches on the isolation and tedium of those cruise contracts, and the way a visit from someone special can brighten the dark times, with his latest single “Sydney.” It’s got a great pop-punk feel, which makes me nostalgic for the late ‘90s, although I can hear the influence of our own INXS creeping in. Fittingly the lyric video for Sydney shows the New South Wales capital at its brightest during the annual Vivid festival.

If you’ve never cruised before, don’t be surprised if the lyric video for “Tides” tempts you to take the plunge. Its ocean imagery is just stunning, the perfect support for this banging tune. Released in late May, this dynamic synth-driven track tells of the way Hunter’s first cruise contract reignited his love of music and gave him the drive to pursue his dreams.

“It challenged me in so many ways, and made me grow as a person, a performer, a musician, and a songwriter. It gave me the confidence and reassurance I needed to come back from that first contract and hit the ground running,” he explained. “The lyrics of the song say ‘Right when I was about to sink, I started flying. I came alive, started to live like I was dying,’ because that’s exactly how I felt— almost as if I had caught a second wind. I felt revitalized, rejuvenated, and ready to complete my unfinished album (Daydreaming) and get back out there writing new material, and use every day to continue to further my music career.

“Sydney” and “Tides” are both available now on all your favourite digital platforms including Spotify, iTunes, and Google Play. Look out for Hunter deBlanc’s shows around the country later this year.

Photo credit: Nicole Bell Photography

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan Cribb & The Isolated Release Comeback Single “Run Away”

It’s been three years since Western Australia trio Dan Cribb & The Isolated graced us with new music. Good things come to those who wait though, and their new single “Run Away” is a very good thing indeed.

I love this track’s pop-punk energy. You just see if it doesn’t have you moving your body in time once the chorus rolls around. But under all that dynamism, the track explores some serious themes of isolation and anxiety.

“A lot my close friends started moving away from Perth around the same time, which was a real shock to the system, but taught me a lot about myself in a weird way,” he said. “It was while I was battling those anxieties that I wrote this song, which sort of helped me work through everything and realise how important certain relationships are.”

Dan Cribb & The Isolated will launch “Run Away” at new Perth venue Hell Hole on July 21.

Image used with permission from Write Timing; Photo credit: Karen Lowe

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lachlan Bryan and the Wildes Release Powerful New Single, “I Hope That I’m Wrong”

If anything good can come from all of the social and political turmoil in the world, it’s great music. Lachlan Bryan and the Wildes lend their voice to the commentary with their latest single “I Hope That I’m Wrong.”

“I’m saddened by the timeliness of this release,” Lachlan said. “But in truth, the awful things we’ve seen in the news right now are not new. This song meant just as much to me when I wrote it a year or so ago, and when we made the video last month. I continue to hope that I’m wrong, but I fear that I am right.”

Make sure you tune in to the lyrics when you’re listening to this one. You’re not likely to hear better.

“I Hope That I’m Wrong” comes from Lachlan Bryan and the Wildes’ new album Some Girls (Quite) Like Country Music. Fresh from shows across the United Kingdom and Europe, Lachlan Bryan and the Wildes will appear at the Gympie Muster on August 23 and 24.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bad Juju Delivers Good Juju With “Moving On” Single

If you haven’t heard it on Triple J yet, make sure you wrap your ears around “Moving On,” the new single from Melbourne’s Bad Juju. It’s a ball-tearer of a track, full of punk attitude and catchy hooks.

“Moving On” comes from Bad Juju’s debut EP Hidden Desire, which isn’t too far away! It’ll drop on July 13, the same day the band kicks off a series of capital city shows. After honing their live show supporting acts like Dream On Dreamer, Trophy Eyes, and Columbus, Bad Juju are in fine form. Get in on the ground floor, because these guys could be big.

13 July 2018 – The Workers Club, Melbourne (with Trophy Eyes)
17 August 2018 – Foxxy Dolphin, Melbourne
18 August 2018 – West Thebby, Adelaide
30 August 2018 – Marly Bar, Sydney

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jacob Lee Floors Me With “With You”

Gold Coast singer-songwriter Jacob Lee has gotten well and truly under my skin with his beautiful new single “With You.” It’s such an intimate song full of the advice he hopes to impart to his future daughter one day. Awww.

“With You” is the latest cut from Jacob’s forthcoming debut album Philosophy. Fresh from shows in the United Kingdom and Ireland, he’ll be back on home soil soon. Hometown fans can see Jacob at Q1 on August 11.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

PLTS Pulls Me In With “Maelstrom”

With Byron Bay band PLTS kicking off their East Coast single tour tonight, I figured I’d better introduce you to their kick-arse new song! “Maelstrom” is such a great indie rock anthem which sees the lads wearing their hearts on their sleeves and being a little more vulnerable than we’ve seen in the past.

“Writing this track proved the most challenging process we’ve navigated as a group to date, this shines through in a strong theme of melancholy,” they explained. “We chose to focus on a water theme, it’s such as significant theme in our personal lives and also is a great representation of the unpredictable nature and challenges in navigating the creation of music and in particular, this track. It’s a high-energy song and we can’t wait to convert that energy in to the live space. Delve beneath the surface and see things from the other side. Let the Maelstrom pull you in.”

If you like what you hear, make sure you get up close and personal with the band at one of their intimate single shows.

6 July 2018 – Bloodhound Bar, Brisbane
12 July 2018 – Waywards Bar, Sydney
14 July 2018 – The Brewery, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harts Goes Back to His Roots For “Consciousness of What You Think”

I’m getting serious Lenny Kravitz vibes from “Consciousness of What You Think,” the latest single from Harts. The track sees the Australian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist getting back to his bluesy, rock and roll roots, and I love it.

“Consciousness of What You Think” is the first track from the latter of two new Harts albums scheduled for release this year. Most albums won’t even drop one album in the next six months, so knowing he’s got two in the pipeline is so impressive.

“I’ve always loved writing different styles of music and working on different songs simultaneously,” Harts explained of his unconventional approach. “I love all kinds of music and I love to create. This is a song about freedom. Feeling free to be who I want to be and create what I want to create.”

Expect to hear some of that new material Harts is so excited about when he plays Howler in Melbourne this Saturday, July 7.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Screaming Jets Interpret Aussie Classics for “Gotcha Covered”

Now here’s an album to get excited about. The Screaming Jets have always had a knack for making a cover version their own, from their spine-tingling version of Roland Howard’s “Shivers” to their irreverent take on Barry Maguire’s “Eve of Destruction.” Now approaching their 30th anniversary, The Jets are releasing the covers album that’s been missing from our lives.

Gotcha Covered features cover versions of the band’s favourite Aussie radio hits of the last 50 or so years. Think The Easybeats, Men at Work, You Am I, Hoodoo Gurus, INXS, and AC/DC, just to name a few.

“What we came up with was a great Aussie party album. Covering songs that have shaped us; songs from our youth; songs that have been written and performed by contemporaries and songs that will make even the most loyal fan go “what the” … I can’t wait to get out with the boys and belt these songs out with the rest of Australia…” said frontman Dave Gleeson.

I am looking forward to devouring this from front to back, but I’m most excited about their take on “Guitar Band,” primarily because they’ve assembled what might just be the greatest line-up of guitarists to ever play together. Along with the Jets’ own Scott Kingman and Jimi Hocking, the track includes the musical stylings of Rick Brewster (The Angels), Nat Allison (Suzi Quatro), Tim Henwood (SuperJesus/ Palace Of The King), Cam McKenzie (Horsehead/ Mark Seymour band), Bob Spencer (The Angels/ Rose Tattoo), Dave Leslie (Baby Animals), Brett Kingman (James Reyne), Brett Williams (the Choirboys), Warwick Scott (Skunkhour), Ronnie Simmons (Richie Ramone), Danny Spencer (Jimmy Barnes/ Richard Clapton), Chris Hawker (Taxiride), Pete Wanno (Suzi Quatro/ Josie Jason), Stuart Fraser (Noiseworks/ John Farnham), Stu Marshall (Empires Of Eden) and Zakk Zedras (Chocolate Starfish). Get excited people.

Gotcha Covered hits stores on July 27. To celebrate, The Screaming Jets will play a triple-shot of shows at The Bridge Hotel, where they’ll play the album in full before launching into all your favourites, before teaming up with Boom Crash Opera for gigs around the country.

3 – 5 August 2018 – Bridge Hotel, Sydney
10 August 2018 – Shoppingtown Hotel, Doncaster
11 August 2018 – Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave
17 August 2018 – Kingsford Juniors, Sydney
18 August 2018 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
24 August 2018 – Parkwood Tavern, Gold Coast
25 August 2018 – Hamilton Hotel, Brisbane
31 August & 1 September 2018 – The Gov, Adelaide
7 September 2018 – Ravenswood Hotel,
8 September 2018 – Charles Hotel, Perth
14 September 2018 – Miranda Hotel, Sydney
15 September 2018 – Revesby Workers, Sydney

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sannia Slays With “Go and Get Over”

Melbourne chanteuse Sannia wears her heart on her sleeve with her debut single “Go and Get Over.” I feel this one to my bones. It’s got so much soul, so much raw passion, so much honesty. It’s also so perfectly measured, without vocal acrobatics and unnecessary frills.

“This song developed really organically for me,” recounted Sannia. “I was actually driving home late one night and just sort of started singing the first words that came to mind to keep myself awake … ‘Go And Get Over’ is about literally just that, the cyclical process of moving on from someone while at the same time reminiscing on everything that was and what it’s become now, which I think a lot of people can relate to. You almost go through these sort of seven stages of grief – leaving them, missing them, going back, getting hurt, and trying to exact change – it takes its toll.”

Sannia will celebrate the release of “Go and Get Over” with an intimate show for hometown fans at the Wesley Anne on July 13.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out With Eliza & The Delusionals

Queensland band Eliza & The Delusionals are delivering equal measures of sugar and spice with their rocking new single “Half Empty Girl.”

“Half Empty Girl is written about feeling confused with yourself and your decisions in life,” frontwoman Eliza Klatt explained. “I really relate to this as a young person making a career in music where a lot of people can second guess you and tell you how you should do things, which can sometimes make you second guess yourself. The song captures these feelings and the pursuit of better self-understanding.”

Eliza & The Delusionals will play Beach Sounds before joining Luca Brasi on their upcoming national tour. Make sure you arrive early enough to catch them at the following shows.

14 July 2018 – Beach Sounds, Lennox Head
11 August 2018 – Club 54, Launceston (supporting Luca Brasi)
17 August 2018 – The Triffid, Brisbane (supporting Luca Brasi)
18 August 2018 – Manning Bar, Sydney (supporting Luca Brasi)
23 August 2018 – The Gov, Adelaide (supporting Luca Brasi)
24 August 2018 – The Croxton, Melbourne (supporting Luca Brasi)

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company