Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mzaza Get me Excited About World Music

You know what I don’t write about enough? World music. I’m not sure whether Australians just aren’t making enough of it or whether it doesn’t find itself on my radar, but considering we’re a multicultural society it’s severely underrepresented.

Honestly, my exposure to world music doesn’t go too far beyond the annual Eurovision and San Remo song contests, but the songs in languages other than English are often my favourites. So I was thrilled to come across Mzaza this week. It seems I’m a little late to the party, as the Brisbane band are preparing to release their third album Ghosts on March 20 but better late than never right?

The album’s first single “Enfants du Chemin” (which translates to children of the road) gives you a taste of what this band’s all about. It’s fronted by Pauline Maudy, who has French and Spanish Sephardic roots and the voice of an angel. She sings in French, Spanish, Ladino, Turkish, and even English. Then there’s that rich instrumentation which takes its cues from France, the Balkans, the Middle Easy, and Sephardic Spain. It’s very cool, and worth a listen, especially if you don’t normally play this sort of stuff. Open up your minds folks.

Mzaza will support the release of Ghosts with shows all around the country next month. Check them out!

26 & 27 March 2015 – Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane
2 April 2015 – The Spotted Mallard, Brunswick
4 April 2015 – The Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick
24 April 2015 – Django Bar, Marrickville
26 April 2015 – Rhythm Hut, Gosford

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Double Lined Minority Tour “Caught in the Ceasefire”

Double Lined Minority are heading out on the road to support the release of their sophomore EP Caught in the Ceasefire, which hits stores today. The EP features the new single “Voodoo,” which reminds me of something that might have been released by Panic at the Disco or Fallout Boy.

The five-track EP is a collection of semi-biographical, lyrical vignettes which capture frontman Eddie Salazar’s experience of life, love, and temptation. Fans can hear them all at the following shows.

7 March 2015 – SUB Beanbag Gigs, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
8 March 2015 – Valve Basement Bar, Sydney (LICENSED ALL AGES)
12 March 2015 – The Beetle Bar, Brisbane (18+)
13 March 2015 – Griffith University, Gold Coast (ALL AGES)
14 March 2015 – Upstairs At 199, Brisbane (ALL AGES)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Meltdown: Hot New Soul Find

Melbourne soul outfit The Meltdown have sent my temperature soaring with their smoother than smooth new single “Better Days.” The accompanying video is actually the final live take of the song. Pretty fitting that an act with such a classic sound should take such an old-school approach to their music video, don’t you think?

“Better Days” is lifted from their EP which should be released next month. They’ll play a hometown show to celebrate its release at Shebeen on March 12. This is one of those times I’d kill to live in Melbourne. Hopefully they’ll travel north for some shows soon!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Grates Win Me Over with “It Won’t Hurt Anymore”

I must admit, I’ve struggled to warm to the most recent music from The Grates. I longed for the fun punky-pop they released all those years ago and didn’t quite get their new direction. But their latest single “It Won’t Hurt Anymore” really resonates with me. It’s raw, powerful, and passionate.

“This was the final song we wrote for the album,” explained The Grates’ frontwoman, Patience Hodgson. “Around then, I’d wake most mornings and watch a reality show on arranged marriages. Even though the show was repetitive and annoying I was completely captivated by the relationship baggage that burdened the participants, who all claimed to ‘do anything for love’ as long as they could all still hold their past hurts tightly. John and Ritchie were under the house playing, and I crammed my head next to the floor boards to hear them, and started to form what became the vocal melody.”

“It Won’t Hurt Anymore” is the second song lifted from The Grates’ fourth album Dream Team, which is in stores now.

Image used with permission from Secret Service Public Relations

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rowena Wise Wins My Heart with “Words”

I have fallen hard for the musical stylings of new Aussie indie-folk act and the latest Heartstop Music sign Rowena Wise. She’s just released her debut single “Words” and it’s absolutely darling.

I received the Soundcloud version but decided I’d post this live one here so you can see her and her ukulele. I already have a weakness for the instrument, but when you add in Rowena’s superb lyrics and sweet voice it’s magic.

“Words” comes from Rowena’s debut EP, which is scheduled for a March release. You can help her release it by giving generously to her Pozible campaign, which is achingly close to reaching its goal.

There are plenty of places you can see her play in the near future, including festival appearances, support slots for Jordie Lane, and headline shows in the major capitals to support the single’s release.

20 February 2015 – The Newsagency, Sydney
21 February 2015 – Wesley Anne, Melbourne
27 February 2015 – Mojos, Fremantle (supporting Jordie Lane)
28 February – 2 March 2015 – Nannup Music Festival, Nannup
13-15 March 2015 – Blue Mountains Music Festival, Blue Mountains
26 March 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane (supporting Jordie Lane)
27 March 2015 – Django Bar, Sydney NSW (supporting Jordie Lane)
28 March 2015 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide (supporting Jordie Lane)
17 April 2015 – Street Theatre, Canberra (supporting Jordie Lane)
18 April 2015 – The Toff In Town, Melbourne (supporting Jordie Lane)
19 April 2015 – The Toff In Town, Melbourne (supporting Jordie Lane)
22 April 2015 – Ararat Live, Ararat (supporting Jordie Lane)
23 April 2015 – Beav’s Bar, Geelong (supporting Jordie Lane)
24-26 April 2015 – Mount Beauty Music Festival, Mount Beauty

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Maximo Shows Serious Skills with “Hesitate”

Bands like The Go-Betweens, The Saints, Powderfinger, and The Butterfly Effect helped cement Queensland’s reputation as the perfect breeding ground for rock bands. However, lately the Sunshine State is punching well above its weight when it comes to R&B music. Generally Australia doesn’t produce a lot of these artists, but acts like Bec Laughton, Travis Lee, and now Maximo are breaking the mould.

Maximo’s just hit the scene with his debut single “Hesitate.” It’s got some sexy lyrics and really interesting instrumentation. Noting that Maximo produced the track himself makes it all the more impressive.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Little Deed’s Stormy Second Single

It’s taken a long time to hear new material from Sydney’s Little Deed, but it was worth the wait. She posted her debut “Neon” on Soundcloud in mid-2014. Now we get another taste in the form of the feisty “Storm in my Cup.” This has got such power. I love Little Deed’s vocals which work so beautifully with those thundering, driving drums.

Apparently Little Deed has spent summer fine-tuning her live show and we should hear word of her very first shows soon. If she sounds half as good live as she does on the record they’re going to be awesome.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Andrew Swift Reminisces with “Sound the Alarm”

Melbourne single-songwriter Andrew Swift has always penned songs from the heart, but he believes that his latest single “Sound the Alarm” is “as honest and personal” as he’s ever been.

“It was written during the hardest break up I’ve had to go through, but rather than write a heartbroken, ‘woe is me’ type of break up song, what came out was a reflection of the night that that we met,” he explained.

Hearing the story behind it makes this song that much more poignant. I love a story song, and this one tells a tale so vivid that I felt a bit choked up reading that it didn’t work out.

Andrew Swift will promote the release of “Sound the Alarm” with a string of shows kicking off tomorrow night in Footscray.

8 February 2015 – Reverence Hotel, Footscray
21 February 2015 – Berwick Show, Berwick (ALL AGES)
21 February 2015 – Reverence Hotel, Footscray
22 February 2015 – Bonnie Doon Music Festival, Bonnie Doon
26 February 2015 – The Retreat, Brunswick
19 March 2015 – The Retreat, Brunswick
20 March 2015 – Crown + Anchor, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Left. Win Me Over with “Lay With Me”

I’m not sure what happened the first time I listened to “Lay With Me,” the latest single from Sydney electronic duo Left. Perhaps I was too cranky to appreciate its mellow, poppy groove. All I know is that weeks after my initial listen, I can’t stop playing it.

Left. is made up of the ethereal voice of Sarah Corry and her partner in crime, guitarist and producer Jono Graham. They’ve got something really special here. It initially sounds perfect for grooving with a handsome stranger on the dance floor, but listen to the lyrics and its darker side is revealed. Sarah’s actually singing about being forced into an arranged marriage, despite yearning for someone else.

“I was inspired by how I imagined that circumstances might feel: the desperation, helplessness, and desire to make yourself happy against all the odds,” explains Corry.

“Lay With Me” is the third track lifted from Left.’s debut LP Sirens, which hits stores today. Left. will launch it with three shows in the East Coast capitals.

12 February 2015 – Laundry, Melbourne
13 February 2015 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
14 February 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane (FREE)

Image used with permission from Umbrella Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Greg Chiapello Spreads Good Vibes with “Hot Coffee”

If you have tickets to one of Megan Washington’s upcoming shows, it’s worth getting there early enough for the support act. She’s enlisted the help of fellow Queenslander Greg Chiapello, who has put a big smile on my face with his debut single “Hot Coffee.” Fabulously quirky lyrics, a brilliant falsetto, and irresistible pop hooks: what’s not to like?

If the weekend seems like it’s not close enough, stick this on and I guarantee that it’ll make you feel better. “Hot Coffee” comes from Greg’s debut EP, which should be released later this year.

You can see Greg supporting Megan Washington at the following shows.

13 February 2015 – 170 Russell, Melbourne
14 February 2015 – The Triffid, Brisbane
21 February 2015 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
27 February 2015 – The Gov, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Rare Finds