Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ngaiire Launches New Single “Once”

I’m a bit torn about “Once,” the latest single from Ngaiire. I really love the song. I think it could be the best thing Ngaiire’s ever released. I feel it, which is honestly the highest compliment I can give a song. The lyrics are so relatable (thanks to cowriters Megan Washington and Paul Mac) and Ngaiire’s voice is like honey.

So why am I feeling torn? I’m just not feeling the instrumentation. I’m no producer, but I honestly feel the song would have more impact without the beats. Something simpler and purer would have worked in so much more harmony with the core of this song. I honestly find all the electronic stuff a bit distracting.

“Once” isn’t perfect, but there’s an awful lot to like about it. If you like it, make sure you get along to the single launches. Ngaiire will play Melbourne’s Show Electric on July 31 and Sydney’s Newtown Social Club on August 6.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Little May Give Us “Home”

Sydney’s Little May are offering a sneak peek of their forthcoming debut album with the release of new single “Home.” The song speaks of the longing that this band must feel for familiarity when they’re jetsetting around the world.

“Home’ was one of the first songs we recorded with Aaron [Brooking Dessner of The National]. It’s an old song, revisited,” Little May explained. “It had been written three years prior, from a place where a sense of belonging was being constantly chased. I think we will always associate this song, and this whole album, with Hudson and the time we all spent there.”

The clip’s also very cool. It was recorded in Future Past Studios, in Hudson, New York. The building was one a 19th century church, but it’s now thoroughly modern with a CCTV network allowing producers in the basement control room to watch and communicate with the musicians in the studio upstairs. I love the way the studio footage is paired with images of New York neighbourhoods.

It seems like Little May’s debut album has been a long time coming. Are you excited for this release?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Go Star Spotting with Vigilantes’ “Elasticity” Video

Vigilantes have enlisted the help of some of their favourite artists to make the video for their new single, “Elasticity.” Art vs Science, Andy Bull, and Pluto Jonze all appear in the retro-inspired clip, which was shot over three nights around Redfern, Surry Hills, and the Sydney CBD.

“Elasticity” is perfect Sunday fare. It’s danceable, reminding us that there’s still some life in the weekend yet, without being too high-energy.

What do you think of it?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kira Puru’s New Single Hurts So Good

Kira Puru seems to have done plenty during her time in the music industry. She fronted her own band, Kira Puru & The Bruise, she worked with the likes of Paul Mac and M-Phazes, she sang the theme for Redfern Now, and she even found time to appear on RocKwiz a few times. Yet until recently, she’d never released a solo single.

It was worth the wait though. “All Dulled Out” is a poignant reflection on heartache. It’s thankfully been a long time I’ve felt that painful emotion, but this number took me right back there.

“All Dulled Out” is the first track lifted from Kira Puru’s forthcoming EP.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Empire Park Make Us All Feel OK

Friday should be all about feel-good music in my opinion. The weekend’s so close that you can taste it, and the days ahead are full of possibilities. It’s the perfect time to listen to “We’re OK,” the rocking new single from Hobart’s Empire Park.

There’s a dark undercurrent to the lyrics here but the sound is infectiously uplifting. It feels like summer with its surf-rock inspired lead line and singalong chorus.

Seriously, I’ve listened to this song about four times in a row. Time for number five I think. Loving it!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elizabeth Rose Releases Single for Marriage Equality

The marriage equality debate has reached fever pitch following the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic ruling earlier this week. Elizabeth Rose has added her voice to the conversation with her new single “Division.”

“Australia is tipped as the ‘lucky’ country, but reflecting upon what we stand for, I’m not sure that we are all that we’re cracked up to be,” she said in a press release. “Our peers fall victim to acts of discrimination and are denied the right to equality. For a country that boasts of multi-culturalism and acceptance, why aren’t we accepting of this?

Proceeds from the single’s sales will benefit Australian Marriage Equality. Now isn’t that more useful than turning your Facebook profile picture into a rainbow?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Jensens Ready to Rock with Morning Harvey

The Jensens are loading up the tour bus and preparing to play shows all around the country with good mates Morning Harvey.

While Morning Harvey are the headliners, the tour comes at the perfect time for The Jensens who’ve just released “Fears” and the awesome garage rock song “A New Hope.” This is such good honest rock and roll, I imagine it’s going to go off in the live arena.

The Jensens have earned rave reviews for their shows all around Brisbane, so make sure you turn up early enough at these Morning Harvey gigs to catch their set.

4 July 2015 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
10 July 2015 – Great Northern, Byron Bay
11 July 2015 – The Elephant, Brisbane
17 July 2015 – Shebeen, Melbourne
18 July 2015 – OAF Gallery, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nova and the Experience Announce Single Tour

Sydney indie pop act Nova and the Experience have really caught my attention with their new single “Whole Body.” I love the gutsy vocals from Anna Buckingham and the way they pair so beautifully with the Ed Sheeran-esque rhymes from James Buckingham. It’s really cool stuff.

The members of this quartet quit their day jobs at the start of the year to really focus on the music thing, and they really deserve your support. They’re heading to the United States in September to play the college and university circuit, but before then you can catch them at the following shows supporting the release of “Whole Body.”

10 July 2015 – Saloon Bar, Traralgon
12 July 2015 – Warrnambool Hotel, Warrnambool
17 July 2015 – Black Swan Hotel, Bendigo
18 July 2015 – Shebeen, Melbourne
24 July 2015 – Captain’s @ Mariners, Batemans Bay
25 July 2015 – Polish Club, Canberra
31 July 2015 – The Aztec, Forster
1 August 2015 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
8 August 2015 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
14 August 2015 – The Brewery, Wollongong
20 August 2015 – Nimbin Hotel, Nimbin
21 August 2015 – No. 5 Church St, Bellingen
22 August 2015 – Yamba Pacific Hotel, Yamba
28 August 2015 – Blackbear Lodge, Brisbane
29 August 2015 – The Pier, Port Macquarie

Image used with permission from Rob Carroll

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Anna Cordell Makes a Splash with Debut Single

Melbourne folk singer Anna Cordell has caught my attention with her debut single “I’ll Wait Here.”

Her voice is utterly angelic and the song has a beautiful subtlety about it. It’s introspective and gentle in the best possible ways. She also reminds us just how awesome songs in the minor key can be!

“I love the minor key and unresolved open chords,” Anna explained in a press release. “Writing songs in the minor seems to elicit an unspoken melancholy. The unresolved open chords are moments asking for resolution. They have the possibility of being led in a new direction … eventually this can resolve on a major chord the moment of reprieve, hope, relief.”

You can hear more songs in the minor key when Anna launches her EP in August.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Guy Delivers Your Monday Soundtrack

After a busy time where I’ve worked far too many weekends, I’ve had a fairly cruisy day today. I’ve also been lucky enough to find just the right soundtrack for it, “St Petersburg” by Tim Guy. It’s got a lovely indie-pop vibe to it and one of the coolest videos I’ve seen for some time.

“St Petersburg” is the first track lifted from Tim’s fifth studio album, which will hit stores later this year.