Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Lulu Raes Tour Sunny Single

Sunshine is in short supply at the moment, but The Lulu Raes are spreading it with their summery new single “Swing Me on a Vine of Sunshine.” This is such simple, feel good stuff. I ended up listening to it three times in a row with a big smile plastered on my face.

The Brisbane band will take the single to the East Coast capitals this winter. Catch The Lulu Raes at the following venues.

26 June 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
3 July 2015 – Shebeen, Melbourne
4 July 2015 – Goodgod Small Club, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Suze DeMarchi Pays Tribute to Home with Australia’s Best

Suze DeMarchi has assembled one of the best line-ups of special guests that I’ve seen in some time for her brand new album Home, her first released through Social Family Records. Jimmy Barnes, Diesel, Tex Perkins, Russell Morris, Dallas Frasca, and Shane Nicholson all perform with the Baby Animals frontwoman.

The album’s title is very appropriate, as the recording comes at a time when Suze’s again calling Australia her home base. The songs are also covers of tracks artists like Ryan Adams, Sheryl Crow, and Adele have penned about home.

Suze DeMarchi will give music lovers a taste of Home at an intimate preview show at Newtown Social Club on July 9 ahead of the album’s July 24 release.

Image used with permission from Social Family Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Expat Vic Stone’s Got Soul

Melbourne-born musician Vic Stone left Australia for the bright lights of New York City back in 2013. There he’s been honing his craft, developing his sound and collaborating with local artists. Last summer he showcased some of his original songs in his free Sounds on C concerts around Manhattan and Brooklyn.

I actually intended to write a post promoting his debut single “Misery.” It’s such a funky track with a really easy groove that reminds me a little of a late 70s disco track. I love the dirty quality of Vic’s voice too. This is really good stuff.

But then I discovered another email in my inbox about his follow-up track “Beautiful.” This is a different flavour, still soulful but with some real angst and longing behind it.

Both songs come from Vic’s debut album One Eleven, which is currently available digitally. What track’s your favourite?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Christine Anu Celebrates 20 Years with Live Album & Tour

Can you believe it’s been 20 years since Christine Anu made a splash on the local music scene with her debut album Stylin’ Up? Featuring the hit singles “Party” and “Island Home,” it introduced Australia to one of its most enduring singers.

Christine is celebrating the milestone with a brand new live album, Restylin’ Up 20 Years, due for release on June 19. It features the tracks from that first release plus two extra songs, “Island Home’s” B-side “Kulbay Yaday” and another bonus track, “Ocean of Regret.”

Christine is currently taking music lovers back to the 90s with her Stylin’ Up 20th Anniversary tour. Here are the remaining dates.

13 June 2015 – The Street Theatre, Canberra
14 August 2015 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
15 August 2015 – The Basement, Sydney
21 August 2015 – The Bean Bar, Taree
22 August 2015 – The Jetty Theatre, Coffs Harbour
11 September 2015 – Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong
12 September 2015 – Laycock Street Theatre, North Gosford
24 October 2015 – The Hydro Majestic, Blue Mountains

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Louis Baker Wings His Way to Oz

Since my trip to NZ I’m a bit obsessed with everything from the Land of the Long White Cloud, and that includes Louis Baker. And once you listen to his current single “Birds,” I think you will be too.

Isn’t it beautiful? This song is so delicate and exquisite, soulful and organic. I’m in love. If you are too, make sure you catch Louis on his first, and hopefully not his last, Aussie tour.

18 June 2015 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane
19 June 2015 – Boadriders, Gold Coast (FREE)
25 June 2015 – The Treehouse, Byron Bay (FREE)
26 June 2015 – Kings Cross Hotel, Sydney (FREE)
27 June 2015 – Grace Darling, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Last Dinosaurs Release First Single From Album 2

Last Dinosaurs are giving us a sneak peek at the material from their highly anticipated second album, but don’t mistake “Evie” for a Stevie Wright cover. Instead this is a slice of retro-inspired, synth-saturated pop designed to help you on your way towards the weekend.

“It was the first song I wrote after our first album, but the last song we finished for this album,” explained lead singer Sean Caskey. “So in a way it was the most natural, and at the same time it was so difficult to perfect. The song is about the idea of having that naive optimism for something desired but unattainable.”

Last Dinosaurs will celebrate the release of “Evie” and warm up for “Splendour” with intimate shows across the country later this month, kicking off with a hometown show. Tickets are available from the venues.

20 June 2015 – The Brightside,
26 June 2015 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
27 June 2015 – Howler, Melbourne
3 July 2015 – Jive, Adelaide
4 July 2015 – Amplifier, Perth

Image used with permission from Dew Process

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jenny Broke the Window Release Toe-Tapping New Single

Jenny Broke the Window have put a smile on my dial with their catchy new single “Black Skeleton.” The feel-good track is lifted from the band’s forthcoming EP. It shows a real return to form for the Sydneysiders who brought us “Rum’n’ Cola” last year.

Jenny Broke the Window will launch “Black Skeleton” with a string of shows in Sydney and Melbourne.

6 June 2015 – Rubix Warehouse, Melbourne
12 June 2015 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
20 June 2015 – Hotel Steyne Manly, Sydney

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Callum Chynoweth Band Wows Me with “Hope You Know”

You know that feeling that you get when you hear a new song from a new artist and you instantly get them. That’s the way I felt listening to Callum Chynoweth Band’s new single “Hope You Know” for the first time. Incidentally as I write this I think I’m up to my sixth spin.

It makes sense that I’ve connected with it on such an emotional level, because Callum says it’s incredibly personal. “Writing it helped me to get over my own nerves and show someone very special to me how I felt,” he explained.

If you’re feeling it too, make sure you don’t miss Callum and his band playing hometown shows at Sydney’s The Townie tomorrow night (June 3) and Oxford Art Factory on July 17.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wesley Fuller Releases Retro Sounding Single

Wesley Fuller has taken me back to the 80s with his New Wave inspired single “Shock Me.” It’s bound to be the catchiest thing you’ve heard all day. I was singing along to the chorus before the end. As a child of the 80s, I was won over the moment I heard the first synth chord.

Hats off to Wesley, who wrote, performed, recorded and mixed the track in his Fitzroy North home studio. It’s actually his fourth single release this year, so no doubt we’ll hear more this prolific talent soon!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jinja Safari Mount Comeback with “Find My Way”

After delighting crowds as a solo artist, Pepa Knight is back making beautiful music with his Jinja Safari buddies. The band have just released their latest single “Find My Way” and it’s superb.

This is indie pop at its finest. It’s got a great African tribal feel mixed with a pop accessibility that’s so refreshing. It may just be the ultimate cure for Mondayitis. Seriously, I reckon it’s impossible to listen to this without a smile on your face. Vocalist Marcus Azon put together the nostalgic clip made up of footage collected during the band’s five years together.

Are you excited to have Jinja Safari back?