Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jess Fairlie Gets Me in Long Weekend Frame of Mind with Sensational “Senses”

Can’t you just feel that long weekend in the air? I’ve been that busy with work that I’m not sure I’ve taken a weekend of any description since I had a mini cruise getaway in the first week of September, so I’m definitely going to savour this one. I’ve got some painting that needs doing, and some tiles that need buying. The jobs of a home renovator are never done. But I’ve promised my husband that we’ll carve out one solid day to just veg on the couch and binge-watch Empire.

With that long weekend looming, it seems the right time to introduce you to “Senses,” the debut single from Melbourne’s Jess Fairlie. It’s very soulful and jazzy and just stunning. Pour yourself a glass of wine, press play, and just let this one wash over you. What a gorgeous song!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bad Pony Release New Single Ahead of EP Tour

When I want to feel good lately, I find myself going to the music of Bad Pony. They’re one of those bands that produces music that’s so funky and fun, it always puts a smile on my face. Their latest single “Michael Moore” is no different.

The song’s the latest killer cut lifted from Bad Pony’s Limbo EP, which they’re touring all around the country over the coming months. I hear these guys are even more amazing in the flesh, so if you get the chance make sure you check out one of the following shows. And wear some comfy shoes, because I have a feeling you’ll be dancing all night!

3 October 2015 – Red Deer Festival, Brisbane
8 October 2015 – Toff in Town, Melbourne
9 October 2015 – The Workers Club, Geelong
10 October 2015 – Baha Tacos, Rye
14 October 2015 – SOSUEME @ The Valley, Bondi
16 October 2015 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
17 October 2015 – The Farm, Byron Bay
18 October 2015 – Sounds of Sunday @ Broadbeach Tavern, Gold Coast
6 November 2015 – Moonshine Bar, Manly
19-22 November 2015 – Australian Music Week, Cronulla
28 November 2015 – The Roxbury Hotel, Glebe
4 December 2015 – The Pier, Port Macquarie
5 December 2015 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
31 December 2015 – New Year’s Eve, Sydney Harbour

Image used with permission from Bad Pony

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amanda Merdzan Takes a New Musical Direction with “Matter”

I love checking in with artists and watching them evolve. When I first came across the music of Amanda Merdzan in 2010, she was creating beautiful stripped-back folky music. Fast-forward five years and her music is still beautiful, but it’s taken a different direction.

With her new single “Matter,” Amanda’s showcasing more of an electronic sound. The fragility and heart that first drew me to her music is still at the centre, but it has a dreamy new wrapper. This is just the sort of thing I can imagine putting on to chill out after a big week at work, or a big night out.

“Matter” is the first track lifted from Amanda Merdzan’s forthcoming EP, which will drop in 2016.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordan Millar Tries Something New with “True or Nothing”

I do love Jordan Millar. He’s one of those rare artists that releases songs that I fall for time and time again. Even when he goes in a different musical direction, as he has with his new single “True or Nothing,” I’m right there with him.

I’m used to hearing Jordan creating very stripped back, organic music. “True or Nothing” has more of an electronic, almost dancey feel to it. The guitars are still there, anchoring the song, but there’s a lot of other stuff going on. Ordinarily I might call that distracting, but it works here.

Apparently Jordan decided to try something new after getting countless comparisons to John Mayer and Jason Mraz. I’m pretty sure once people hear this they’ll start calling him the next Ed Sheeran.

If this song is any indication, I’m excited to hear more of the new music Jordan promises to release next year.

Image used with permission from Small Talk PR & Management

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Short Stack Mounting Comeback

An awful lot of time has passed since Short Stack first burst onto our scene and made all the girls squeal as they’re doing over 5SOS right now. So you might not realise that these Central Coast lads are only getting better. Their new single “Gravity” shows a maturity that only comes with a few more years out in the world.

“Gravity” is the first cut from Short Stack’s new album Homecoming (currently in stores), which has a fitting title considering it coincides with their return to the Australian scene after they relocated to London in late 2014. That decision saw them connecting with legendary British producer Chris Kimsey [The Rolling Stones, Peter Frampton, The Cult].

“We wrote this for about three years, and it’s the record that we’ve always wanted to make,” Shaun Diviney said in a press release. “It’s really raw, it’s really live, there’s not much production, and that means that when we play it live, it comes to life, translates.”

Given the lack of flashy production, we can expect the songs to sound amazing in the live arena. We’ll get a chance to do just that when Short Stack play shows all around the country this summer.

11 December 2015 – Brothers Leagues Club, Cairns (ALL AGES)
12 December 2015 – The Venue, Townsville (ALL AGES)
13 December 2015 – Mackay Entertainment Centre Foyer, Mackay (ALL AGES)
13 January 2016 – Prince Bandroom, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
14 January 2016 – HQ, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
16 January 2016 – Astor Theatre, Perth (ALL AGES)
30 January 2016 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney (ALL AGES)
6 February 2016 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (ALL AGES)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Loren Kate Wows Me with “When You Leave”

I’m making a point of getting a little blogging done today. After a week of early starts and late finishes, of a workload that always seems insurmountable, I needed a little music therapy. I found it in the form of Loren Kate’s song “When You Leave.”

I was actually sent the presser of this song back in September, but I firmly believe that the right song finds you at the right time. “When You Leave” is just the kind of mellow I need to relax right now. And the song, which was actually inspired by Loren losing a loved one, is just the kind of thing I needed to hear to remind me to just be here now, and not stress about what’s to come.

This is just stunning. What a special song. It comes from Loren’s EP Til Night Meets the Sun, which is now on my “must hear” list. After playing shows in Nashville this month, she’ll return home for the following dates.

10 October 2015 – The Wheatsheaf Hotel, Thebarton (18+)
14 October 2015 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne (18+)
23 October 2015 – Red Mill Store, Bunbury (ALL AGES)
24 October 2015 – House Concert, Fremantle (PRIVATE CONCERT)
25 October 2015 – Kidogo Arthouse, Fremantle (ALL AGES)
31 October-1 November 2015 – Maldon Folk Festival, Maldon (ALL AGES)
7 November 2015 – Vegan Festival, Adelaide (ALL AGES; FREE)
8 November 2015 – The Cheese Factory Studio Gallery, Meadows (ALL AGES)
19 November 2015 – No.5, Bellingen (ALL AGES)
21-22 November 2015 – Mullum Music Fest, Mullumbimby (ALL AGES)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Michael Fuhrman Charms Me with “London Town”

In the vein of Vance Joy comes Michael Fuhrman, an exciting new singer-songwriter from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. He’s completely won me over with his beautiful acoustic single “London Town,” a song that reflects on a love when one half of the couple is away on the other side of the world.

The instrumentation here is perfect. The violins and drums add weight to the music, but the centrepieces are really Michael’s beautiful voice, his lyrics, and that lovely melody. There’s just enough going on here. The folks at Heliport Studios clearly know what they’re doing.

Apparently Michael plans to play some shows in Sydney over the New Year. Hopefully the rest of the nation will get a chance to see this talented musician in the flesh before too long too.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Doctor Goddard Channel The Doors with “Without Love”

I almost dismissed Doctor Goddard as a bunch of Doors wannabes. The comparisons between the music they’re producing and the work of the legendary rock band are inescapable. But then I got to thinking and decided I might have been a little hasty.

Because the thing is, we don’t have The Doors anymore. Or at least, we don’t have the Jim Morrison fronted Doors, and anything that follows is never going to compare. Remaining members might tour from time to time, but they’re a band frozen, trying to recapture a time when they had one of the greatest lead singers the world had ever seen. But Blue Mountains outfit Doctor Goddard are here, making new music like their latest single “Without Love.” And if I’d never heard of The Doors, I would have judged this song on its own merits as something, dark, brooding, and really interesting.

If you dig what they do, make sure you get along to the single launch at Sydney’s Goodgod Small Club on October 2.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lucas James Impresses with “Long Way Back Down”

Melbourne’s Lucas James blends rock and soul so effortlessly with his new single “Long Way Back Down.”

It reminds me a little of something Lenny Kravitz might have released, all swagger and sultriness. It’s such an easy listen, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t take risks. While it’s undoubtedly radio-ready, it also doesn’t sound like anything I’ve heard on the top 40 lately. It’s incredibly cool, and I hope we hear more from this Melbourne artist.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alex Lahey Goes Solo with “Air Mail”

It was only a couple of months ago that I was gushing about Melbourne act Animaux and their awesome single “Come on Over.” I’m about to do it all again after discovering the first track from lead singer Alex Lahey’s new solo project “Air Mail.”

This song is just wonderful, with an infectious energy and charming lyrics. Oscar Dawson from Holy Holy produced the track and also offered his expertise on guitars, keys, and percussion.

“Come On Over” is really good stuff, the sort of music that makes me want to press play again when it’s done. Whether she’s with her Animaux mates or tracking solo, I’m so excited about this young Melbourne artist. We’ll see her debut solo EP released early next year.