Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Helen Shanahan Delights with “Across the Sea”

I love when an artist isn’t afraid to speak from the heart. It’s for that reason that I’m really connecting to Western Australian songstress Helen Shanahan and her new song “Across the Sea.”

It’s got a lovely country-folk feel to it. I love the addition of the slide guitar and Helen’s warm, easy vocals. But even more than that, it’s the lyrics that speak of Helen’s struggles with anxiety that really resonate with me. As someone who’s also battled the condition, I’m really feeling this one. It’s not about dwelling, but about carrying on and feeling a sense of optimism that life will get better. What wonderful stuff.

Helen won Songwriter of the Year at last year’s Telstra Road to Discovery competition, and she’s clearly making the most of the opportunities. You can bet we’ll be seeing a lot more of her.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Josué Delivers Slice of 90s Soul with “What’s On Your Mind”

One good 90s inspired song deserves another right? If Au Dré got you into the ‘90s spirit you’re going to love listening to “What’s On Your Mind” from Sydney singer Josué.

He reminds me so much of Tevin Campbell, for those of you old enough to remember him. Tevin doesn’t seem to be making music like this anymore, so I’m only too happy for Josué to take over his mantle! The song has a great groovy vibe. It’s very soulful, but I can hear some jazz influences too.

If you want to hear more, get yourself to The Vanguard on July 9 when Josué officially launches “What’s On Your Mind.”

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Au Dré Takes Me Back with “Fool Me”

I’m really digging “Fool Me,” the funky new single from Melbourne act Au Dré.

Au Dré is a partnership between Melbourne producer JamBau and vocalist and trumpeter Audrey Powne. I didn’t think I’d be writing about a vocalist and trumpeter today, but there you go. The pair were inspired by their love of late 70s and early 80s dance and disco music, but this song seems more like a throwback to early 90s R ‘n’ B. Whatever it is, I’m loving the synths and those soulful vocals.

Au Dré will launch the single for hometown fans at the Worker’s Club on July 2.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Áine Tyrrell Charms Me with “Where Were You”

As you might guess after listening to the charming lilt in Áine Tyrrell’s voice, this singer-songwriter wasn’t born on our fair shores. She’s an Irish lass, but she’s living here now and I’m perfectly happy to claim her as one of our own.

After all, her name is pronounced Onya, and you can’t get more Australian than that. And like any good Aussie, she went on a pilgrimage to the Outback to find herself. While she was there she recorded her debut album Queen of Swords in odd places like abandoned mines and under the stars. She did it all after raising an incredible $15k via Pozible, so clearly she’s got a loyal following.

The first track lifted from the album is “Where Were You,” and I love it. It sings of a crisis of faith in the face of deep tragedies, yet it’s ultimately so uplifting. And I never could resist an Irish accent.

Áine will launch “Where Were You” at The Toff in Town on June 25.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Montaigne Blows Me Away with “A Cinematic Plea for an End”

I am feeling so privileged to come across some gorgeous music from incredible female performers of late. A day after discovering Alanna Eileen, I’m now about to wax lyrical about Montaigne and her stunning song “A Cinematic Plea for an End.”

This is truly incredible. It’s dramatic without being overblown, so honest and angsty and real. I’m really glad that she chose to release a live video, because it captures the emotion so much better than something that’s been tamed in the studio might.

“Cinematic the song basically expresses several issues with idealism, both in platonic and romantic relationships,” Montaigne explained. “It is pretty much a letter to myself which is me trying to ensure that I don’t create unreasonable and idealistic expectations of situations and relationships, so that I don’t hurt myself nor others.”

Do you love it as much as I do?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sex on Toast Go Vintage with “Oh Loretta!”

Sex on Toast take us way back to the days of pastel dinner jackets and warm vintage keys with their latest single “Oh Loretta!”

It feels like it’s come from a cheesy lounge club, but I can’t imagine the lyrics going down to well in that kind of environment! This single’s just so much fun, I can’t help wondering whether there’s more like this on the band’s Ready EP, which will hit stores later this year.

Sex on Toast will launch the single with a show at Sydney’s Good God Small Club on 19 June and another at Melbourne’s The Toff the following night.

Image used with permission from Wondercore Island

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eves the Behavior Releases Electric New Single


Local chanteuse Eves the Behavior has blown me away with her gorgeous new single “Electrical.”

It’s a powerful slice of indie pop, and the latest lifted from her debut EP, which will be released later this year. Eves’ impassioned vocals are sublime, the perfect foil for her poetic lyrics and the lush instrumentation.

“I feel like it’s commenting on the friction between the organic / analogue and the synthetic / digital and the quest to find a meaningful connection between the two. The song is triumphant but it’s also bittersweet. I stumbled out of a sort of numbness into both beauty and gloom. And the simple fact of feeling something made me woozy and victorious at the same time,” Eves explained.

Eves the Behavior hasn’t announced any shows to support the single, but if you’re heading to Splendour you won’t want to miss her set.

Image used with permission from Dew Process

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stonefield Release Dreamy New Single

Stonefield have always been influenced by the music of the 60s, but their latest single “Golden Dream” is much more psychedelic than their previous efforts. There’s still the rock edge that first endeared the Findlay sisters to us, but its trippiness is brand new.

“The song has a real sense of female strength. It thrives on the energy of a man longing for her to come back to him,” explained Amy Findlay. “It’s a woman’s perspective of the classic masculine band-on-the-road story – reassuring their partner back home that they’ll come back to them. I love that the strength of the female presence is contrasted by the more delicate vocal.”

Stonefield are hitting the road this month to support the release of “Golden Dream” and give fans a taste of the new material they’ll hear on album number two, due out later this year.

26 June 2015 – Shadow Electric, Melbourne
2 July 2015 – The Brightside, Brisbane
3 July 2015 – GoodGod Small Club, Sydney
4 July 2015 – SS&A, Albury (FREE SHOW)
5 July 2015 – Home Tavern, Wagga Wagga
10 July 2015 – CATS @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide
11 July 2015 – Four5Nine @ Rosemount Hotel, Perth
12 July 2015 – Mojo’s, Fremantle

Image used with permission from 123 Agency

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

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?