Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Little May Announce Global Tour Ahead of Album Release

Little May’s song “Home” has been one of those tracks that’s stuck with me this year. So I was thrilled to read a full-length album isn’t too far away. It seems like Little May’s been on the scene for such a long time that it’s amazing to realise For the Company is actually their debut LP.

The album saw the Sydney band working with acclaimed producer Aaron Brooking Dessner. Little May are big fans of his work with The National, so were excited that he wanted to work with them.

“It was a dream of ours to work with Aaron Dessner. We are so incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to make this album with him, and Jonathan Lowe, who engineered and mixed the album. Aaron captured the heart of what we are about, and we couldn’t be more thankful,” Little May said about the experience.

For the Company was recorded in the main hall of New York’s Future Past Studios, a converted 19th-century church. The unique setting helped Little May capture an intensity that’s now a key part of their sound.

For the Company will be released on October 9. Little May will celebrate its release with a tour taking in Europe, Australia, and the United States. No matter where in the world you are, here are all the places you can see them play.

28 August 2015 – Reading Festival, Reading
29 August 2015 – Leeds Festival, Wetherby
6 September 2015 – Electric Picnic, Stradbally
18 September 2015 – Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst
19 September 2015 – The Foundry, Brisbane
24 September 2015 – Corner Hotel, Richmond
26 September 2015 – Jack Rabbit Slims, Perth
5 October 2015 – Exchange, Bristol
6 October 2015 – Bush Hall, London
8 October 2015 – Gulliver’s, Manchester
10 October 2015 – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
11 October 2015 – King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
13 October 2015 – Paradiso Upstairs, Amsterdam
14 October 2015 – Pop Up du Label, Paris
15 October 2015 – Blue Shell, Cologne
16 October 2015 – Botanique @ Witloof Bar, Brussels
17 October 2015 – Molotow, Hamburg
18 October 2015 – Privatclub, Berlin
20 October 2015 – Mercury Lounge, New York
21 October 2015 – Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn
23 October 2015 – Milkboy, Philadelphia
24 October 2015 – DC9 Nightclub, Washington D.C.
26 October 2015 – Schubas, Chicago
27 October 2015 – 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis
29 October 2015 – Barboza, Seattle
30 October 2015 – Mississippi Studios, Portland
2 November 2015 – The Independent, San Francisco
3 November 2015 – The Echo, Los Angeles

Image used with permission from Secret Service PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Doctrin Does it Again

Doctrin knocked my socks off with her debut single “Take Me,” so I was thrilled to discover this local talent, who divides her time between Melbourne and LA, has a lot more in her arsenal. With her follow-up release “Give Me Love,” Doctrin’s delivering more grungy vibes with a whole lot of energy.

This is the sort of song that my angsty teenage self would have loved dancing around my bedroom to. No matter how old you get, I don’t think you ever lose that part of yourself, and “Give Me Love” taps into it beautifully. It’s so awesome to hear a gusty female voice demanding that someone give them love, rather than pleading for it.

Doctrin just keeps on delivering. I can’t wait to hear what she does next.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darren Middleton Releases Double-A Side Single Ahead of Album Shows

I’ve always thought that if your album has just one great single, you’re doing alright. But when you have enough superb material to release a double-A side single, with two songs that are equally as compelling, well the album’s got to be pretty special. That’s the case with Splinters, out November 6. The latest effort from former Powderfinger guitarist Darren Middleton features the double-A side “The Lines” and “Our Road.” The album’s title comes from the concept of Darren shedding a splinter of his soul as he shares these stories.

It’s really hard to pick a favourite out of these songs, but if you had me at gunpoint I’d go for “The Lines,” just because of the big gospel sounds courtesy of the Monash Choral Society. Talei Wolfram and Guy Pearce also guest on the track. I really wish the Soundcloud links that were passed on to me were shareable, but you can get the single yourself from iTunes. You can also hear a bit more if you catch one of Darren’s upcoming album preview shows.


28 August 2015 – The Vanguard, Sydney
12 September 2015 – The Toff, Melbourne
18 September 2015 – The Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lucy Neville Makes Her Mark with “On My Own”

“On My Own” by Lucy Neville is one of those songs I’ve wanted to write about for a little while. I actually received a private stream in an email a couple of weeks ago, and while I dug her Ellie Goulding-esque vibe, I really hate writing about stuff that I can’t show you all.

So I left it until now, when the clip has been listed as a must see video on VEVO’s homepage. I’d really glad it’s getting some public exposure, because it’s a great song. I love Lucy’s voice, and the easy way she blends pop, folk, and electronica. The lyrics are also superb; little wonder it saw her placed as a finalist in the Vanda & Young Songwriting competition.

There’s definitely a bright future ahead for this 19-year-old from Sydney.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Beards Celebrate 10th Anniversary with Album & Tour

When The Beards formed back in 2005, they intended to play just one show. But now a decade on, the Adelaide quartet has released four albums, earned two ARIA nominations, played sold out shows in Australia, Europe, and North America, and spearheaded a beard revolution. They’re celebrating the milestone with the release of a special anniversary double album and an anniversary tour.

“When we started out, we didn’t anticipate just how much global demand there would be for songs about beards,” mused frontman Johann Beardraven. “It’s been really amazing to discover that so many other people around the world share our unwavering enthusiasm when it comes to beards.”

The ten-year retrospective album, which will be released soon, is a best of compilation including rarities packaged with a live album recorded at The Metro in Sydney earlier this year.

The Ten Long Years, One Long Beard tour will visit the following Aussie cities this October. Tickets are on sale now from The Beards’ website.

2 October 2015 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra
3 October 2015 – The Zoo, Brisbane
8 October 2015 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
9 October 2015 – The Pelly Bar, Frankston
10 October 2015 – The Village Green, Mulgrave
15 & 16 October 2015 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
17 October 2015 – Coopers Ale House, Wallaroo
23 October 2015 – Bondi Beach Rd Hotel, Sydney
24 October 2015 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
25 October 2015 – Rocks Brewery, Sydney

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rachel Costanzo Gets Pop Ballad Right with “Miles Away”

When my husband and I were dating, I lived here in Australia and he was in Philadelphia. For a little over two years it was all about too-short visits, phone calls lasting for hours, even longer instant message conversations, and stilted webcam chats. Oh how I wish we had the high-speed broadband and quality webcams we do today. He’s been here for nearly ten years now, but every now and again I hear a song that takes me back to that time we had apart. “Miles Away,” by Melbourne songstress Rachel Costanzo is one of those songs.

I think even if I hadn’t been in a long-distance relationship, I’d still love this song. It’s been a really long time since I’ve heard such a quality pop ballad. It seems like most modern pop singers want to trill all over songs, showing off their vocal acrobatics rather than really honing in on a lyric. There’s a purity to what Rachel does that I really warm to.

If you feel the same way, and you live in Melbourne, make sure you head out to support Rachel when she launches “Miles Away” at Soho Southbank on Friday, August 7.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Waifs Release Gorgeous New Single “6000 Miles”

The Waifs are offering up a sneak peek of their brand new album Beautiful You with the release of the single “6000 Miles.” What a stunning song that is, a country-folk ditty that contemplates the distance between Vikki Thorn’s old home in Western Australia and new digs in Utah.

While the band spends a lot of time in the States, this song and indeed the whole album was recorded in Byron Bay. It took just a few weeks to lay down, which speaks of the talent of this enduring Aussie act.

Beautiful You will hit stores on August 14. The Waifs will celebrate its release with a rare Australian tour. Tickets are on sale now from The Waifs website.

10 September 2015 – Goldfield Arts Centre, Kalgoorlie
12 September 2015 – Esperance Civic Centre, Esperance
13 September 2015 – Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany
15 September 2015 – Perth Concert Hall, Perth
16 September 2015 – Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton
17 September 2015 – Carnarvon Civic Centre, Carnarvon
20 September 2015 – Roebuck Bay Hotel, Broome
14 October 2015 – The Triffid, Brisbane
15 October 2015 – Nambour Civic Centre, Nambour
17 October 2015 – Townsville Civic Theatre, Townsville
18 October 2015 – Musica Botanica, Cairns
21 October 2015 – Bangalow Town Hall, Bangalow
22 October 2015 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
24 October 2015 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
25 October 2015 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide
28 October 2015 – GPAC, Geelong
29 October 2015 – Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury
31 October 2015 – Granite Town Festival, Mooruya
1 November 2015 – The National Theatre, Canberra
3 November 2015 – Anitas, Thirroul
4 November 2015 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
5 November 2015 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
7 November 2015 – Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs
8 November 2015 – Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Photographer Releasing Music Festival Book

Sydney-born concert photograph Nic Bezzina is preparing to unleash Release the Crowd, a coffeetable book documenting his festival photos.

The book features images from local festivals like Big Day Out, Soundwave, Splendour in the Grass, and Future Music, as well as international events including Wacken in Germany, Sonisphere in the United Kingdown, Primavera Music in Spain, and Hellfest in Spain.

Nic’s looking to the support of passionate music lovers to support the book’s release. You’ve got just five more days to donate to the Kickstarter campaign. Donating could give you some really cool extras, including discounted copies of Release the Crowd, an invite to the book’s launch, prints from its pages, or a one-on-one photography class with Nic himself.

Release the Crowd will hit stores this November.

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Funky with Electrik Lemonade

It’s the weekend! It’s the first weekend I’ve been able to take in a month, so I’m celebrating hard. That includes busting a move to “Electrik People,” the ridiculously funky new single from Gold Coast outfit Electrik Lemonade.

This seven-piece influences soul, blues, hip-hop, and electronic elements to create the ultimate party music. It sounds so polished that I couldn’t quite believe it’s their first single.
“Electrik People is inspired by ALL the people that dance at our shows,” explained Electrik Lemonade’s lead singer Muffins. “It encourages everyone to be dance the way they want and to be themselves. It doesn’t matter if you’re an old guy with a bottle cap covered stick or a drunk dude in a gorilla suit (both true stories).”

It sounds like those gigs can get pretty wild! If you want to be amongst it, make sure you catch Electrik Lemonade playing the following shows around Queensland.

21 August 2015 – Currumbin Creek Tavern, Gold Coast
18 September 2015 – Whitsunday Sailing Club, Whitsundays
19 September 2015 – Fishing Classic, Bowen
20 September 2015 – Grandview Hotel, Bowen

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bad Pony Make Exercise Bearable with “Down to You”

I’ve come to the realisation that roller skating once a week isn’t likely to shift my beer belly, so I’ve started to spend a little time on the elliptical machine my husband insisted we have. I figure if it’s going to clutter up my lounge room I should at least get some use out of it. When I say a little time, I mean three minutes whenever I finish an article until I’ve done that 30 minutes of exercise experts recommend. Honestly I’m not sure my sore legs can stand much more than that. I find it hard to keep going after the one minute mark, but if I find a good song, I can power through. And I just discovered the right song.

“Down to You,” the latest single from Sydney’s Bad Pony, actually made me enjoy my time on the elliptical machine. It got me in the right rhythm, and I actually found myself powering through the full four minutes. It’s so much fun, but I’m not at all surprised. You might remember me raving about their last single “White Russian.” I like this trend. And I like this band. A lot.

Bad Pony will launch the single in front of hometown fans at Brighton Up Bar tomorrow night.

Image used with permission from Bad Pony