Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Great Awake Do Pop-Punk Right

In the 90s I remember music fans going nuts for pop-punk, an offshoot of punk music. I appreciated its accessibility but also felt this more melodic music lost the rebellion punk music was meant to represent.

South Sydney’s The Great Awake have gotten the balance right though. Tracks like “Departure Lounge” have a raucous real heart that hearkens back to the glory days of punk. They’re paired with great melodies though that should help it appeal to people who don’t ordinarily listen to the genre.

“Departure Lounge” comes from The Great Awake’s debut album, Reasons For Leaving, which drops on February 24. They’ll celebrate the album’s release with the following shows.

4 March 2016 – Front Gallery, Canberra
5 March 2016 – Dicey’s, Wollongong
6 March 2016 – Frankie’s, Sydney
12 March 2016 – The Exeter, Adelaide
19 March 2016 – Fat Louie’s, Brisbane
26 March 2016 – Valve Bar, Sydney
1 April 2016 – Bar 303, Melbourne
2 April 2016 – Cherry Bar, Melbourne
8 April 2016 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
9 April 2016 – Fresh Cafe, Launceston

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tropical Zombie Rock Out with “Call The Police”

Sydney six-piece Tropical Zombie have won me over with their brand new single “Call The Police.”

Apparently the band recorded it in the back of a Central Coast café; that’s certainly given it a more spontaneous energy than so many recordings. It feel like one of those classic singles that was recorded in one take, capturing a moment where the stars aligned perfectly.

“Call the Police” comes from Tropical Zombie’s debt album, which should drop in the middle of the year. You can hear some of the tracks when the band plays shows all around the country over the next couple of months. Many of the gigs are free, so there’s no excuse for staying home!

10 March 2016 – Noosa Festival of Surfing, Noosa (FREE)
11 March 2016 – Quicksilver Boardriders, Coolangatta (FREE)
12 March 2016 – Mojo Burning Festival, Brisbane
12 March 2016 – The Northern, Byron Bay (FREE)
18 March 2016 – Club 54, Hobart
19 March 2016 – Republic Bar, Hobart
1 April 2016 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
2 April 2016 – Festival of the Stone, Torquay (FREE)
8 April 2016 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
9 April 2016 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Twin Fires Get Toes Tapping with “Two Hands”

With Twin Fires kicking off their East Coast tour tomorrow night in support of The Snowdroppers, it seemed the perfect time to introduce you to their debut single “Two Hands.”

It’s got such a great folk-rock feel to it. I can imagine cranking this up in my car on a road trip. The Snowdroppers might be the main event at the shows, but with music like this I imagine Sydney act Twin Fires is going to get a lot of love. If you’re going to the shows, make sure you arrive early to catch this exciting new band.

20 February 2016 – The Foundry, Brisbane
26 February 2016 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
4 March 2016 – Howler, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hugh Sheridan Reinvents Swing With California Crooners Club

When I heard Hugh Sheridan was performing in a new act called California Crooners Club, I thought I knew what to expect. I was sure I’d hear music that faithfully plays tribute to music’s golden age a la Michael Buble. But what I got was something much more original and innovative.

Along with musical partners Emile Welman and Gabe Roland, Hugh Sheridan is creating music which melts jazz and crooning with more modern musical influences including R ‘n’ B, rap, and pop. The current single “Just a Little More” captures this fusion perfectly.

After selling out shows in Adelaide earlier this month, California Crooners Club has announced new shows in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Given the popularity of the previous dates, I wouldn’t wait too long to get your tickets.

26 February 2016 – The Toff, Melbourne
4 March 2016 – The Beresford, Sydney
8-14 March 2016 – The Octagon @ Gluttony, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joel Adams Wows Me With Perfect Pop Song “Please Don’t Go”

I’m predicting massive things for Joel Adams, a 19-year-old soul artist from Brisbane. Apparently he released his debut single “Please Don’t Go” in December, and it’s starting to generate some serious buzz around the world.

It’s charted on the iTunes Australian pop daily charts nearly every day since the first month of its release, despite not receiving a lick of airplay. It also reached number five globally on Spotify’s Vital 50 charts after streaming in Australia, France, South Africa, Norway, and many more country. It’s even hit number 54 on Billboard Canada’s Hot 100 tracks.

It’d be too easy to dismiss Joel as just another pretty young thing. He’s very cute, and the girls are going to eat that up, but there’s much more to this young man than that. He wrote and composed “Please Don’t Go” himself, and also co-produced and recorded it. Never underestimate how hard it is to make pop music that’s this good. Joel Adams is definitely a name to watch.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mia Simonette Stuns at Just 17 with “Can’t Shake You”

Perth songstress Mia Simonette has one of those voices that stops me in my track. It’s so warm and soulful, jazzy with just a hint of grit. I could listen to her sing the phone book. Thankfully she’s released something a little more entertaining than that in the form of her brand new single “Can’t Shake You.”

It’s Mia’s first single, as you might expect from an artist who is just 17. I can hardly believe it either. If she’s this good at such a tender age, she’s going to be phenomenal with a few years’ experience under her belt.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jason Owen Hits His Stride With “Run”

When Jason Owen appeared on The X Factor, he was a diamond in the rough. He did well on the TV talent show, but I honestly thought he wasn’t ready for the big time. He seemed so unsure of himself, and his voice had some growing to do.

However, Jason’s worked hard on his craft since leaving the show and he’s now producing country-rock music equal to anything coming out of Nashville. His latest single “Run,” the first lifted from his third album Proud, has a real Keith Urban vibe that really resonates with me. I think it’d be the perfect road trip soundtrack, with its rollicking guitar chords and message of escaping the day-to-day humdrum of life.

Proud hits stores in April. If “Run” is any indication, it could be Jason Owen’s best work yet.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Luca Brasi Back with “The Cascade Blues”

Tasmanian punk act Luca Brasi have been killing it lately, selling out shows all across the country and receiving plenty of radio love for their single “Aeroplane.” Now they’re back with a band new tune “The Cascade Blues.”

“The Cascade Blues is meant to be a reminder that life is there to be lived,” say the band. “It’s easy to fall in to a negative mindset when things aren’t going right; sometimes I need to tell myself to snap out of it. Life’s pretty bloody short and reminding myself of how lucky we are to live it so easily, and to be young while we’re young, is the message in this song.”

I love the raw emotion of this track. While I was spinning it for the second time, my husband remarked that it sounded a lot like Third Eye Blind. There’s certainly a similar combination of insightful lyrics and passion-filled vocals.

“The Cascade Blues” comes from Luca Brasi’s new album, due later in the year.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Halcyon Drive Release Single Ahead of East Coast Tour

Melbourne’s Halcyon Drive has put a smile on my dial with the laidback groove of their latest single “Untethered,” the second track lifted from the band’s forthcoming EP.

The track was recorded in a makeshift studio in Victoria’s Otways National Park with producer Steve Schram, known for his work with San Cisco and Eagle & The Worm.

The EP doesn’t drop until May, but fans can hear a sneak peek when Halcyon Drive hit the road later this month. Catch them at the following shows.

27 February 2016 – Shebeen, Melbourne
4 March 2016 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
5 March 2016 – Milk Factory, Brisbane
10 March 2016 – Transit Bar, Canberra
11 March 2016 – Captain Cook Hotel, Sydney
12 March 2016 – Lord Gladstone, Sydney
13 March 2016 – Rad Bar, Wollongong

Image used with permission from Rare Finds

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Opia’s EON Available Today

Perth rockers Opia are making a splash with a brand new single and album. The epic “Standing Still” is the third track lifted from the band’s album EON, which was released today.

Like the other album tracks, “Standing Still” was recorded and engineered at North Fremantle’s Electric City Studios. It somehow manages to sound polished without losing its guts, which is a tricky thing to achieve.

Opia will launch EON for their hometown fans at Amplifier Bar on February 26.