Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Youthfire Spellbinding with “Leave”

Youthfire are one of the most exciting young bands making music out of Brisbane at the moment. With their latest single “Leave,” the follow-up to “World on Fire,” they have created an incredible lush soundscape that’s ideal for kicking back and decompressing from the stresses of the working week.

I love the way that the delicate vocals from Stephen Carmichael and James Walker interplay with the cello, synthesiser, electric guitar, and percussion. It’s an unusual blend of instruments but somehow these guys make it sound like they were meant to be together.

“Leave” is officially released next Tuesday, but you can have a sneaky listen here early. What do you think?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Basics Get Political with “The Lucky Country”

The Basics have come out swinging with their scathing new single “The Lucky Country.” It’s a damning commentary on Australia’s age of entitlement and the political circus we’ve been subjected to of late.

“We’re songwriters, but we’re not just here to talk about love, heartbreak and getting drunk,” explained Kris Schroeder. “We believe in reflecting something of the society we live in, and right now there are a lot of people who seem to think that they’re better off sticking our heads in the sand and pretending the rest of the world isn’t there. It’s about time someone stood up and said that valuing education and believing that being aware and informed is important, doesn’t make you a ‘hippy’. Wanting to leave the planet in better shape for our children doesn’t make you a ‘bleeding heart’. Thinking that respect for other cultures enhances our nation rather than diminishes it doesn’t make you unpatriotic.”

“Whether it’s politicians, newspapers or ‘shock-jocks’, we’ve got this toxic culture that has been fostered on “what’s in it for me” – it’s as if this ‘Doctrine of Prosperity’ that’s been preached in churches for years has filtered down to the rest of us. It’s been encouraged for so long for quick votes and ratings – like “You’ve only got two cars? You should have six!” – and maybe someone needs to take Australia by the wrist, give it a shake and say “WAKE UP”. And why not a bunch of musicians to do it?”

The Basics will spend the festive season taking their message to the people with their The Lucky Country tour.

16 & 17 December 2014 – Newtown Social Club, Newtown
19 December 2014 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
20 December 2014 – Old Museum, Brisbane
27 December 2014 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
31 December 2014 – Princes Wharf 1 “A Taste of Tasmania NYE”, Hobart
1 January 2015 – Cataract Gorge “The Basin Concert,” Launceston
3 January 2015 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
4 January 2015 – Mojos, Fremantle
13 February 2015 – Aurora Spiegeltent @ The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elesia Iimura Has a Terrible Film Clip But Great Sound

Brisbane soulstress Elesia Iimura shows that she’s got star quality with the release of her new single “Believe.” She’s got an angelic voice which reminds me of the late Aaliyah and a really fresh sound.

I just wish that I had a Soundcloud version rather than the clip, because I think it’s pretty distracting. I’m no prude but I don’t think the over-sexualised video is doing Elesia any favours. It’ll appeal to a certain demographic of course, but will they be listening to her talent or simply marvelling at her physique?

Elesia’s set for big things after supporting Boyz ll Men and K-Ci & Jo Jo and wowing crowds on a recent promo trip to Japan. She’ll shoot her new video clip in Jamaica later this year, which hopefully won’t trade as blatantly on her good looks.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tokyo Denmark Sweden Start Your Weekend Countdown

Is everyone else as excited about Friday as I am? I don’t even have any hard and fast plans, but just the thought of a couple of days kicking back has me excited. Friday calls for a party tune, and Tokyo Denmark Sweden have delivered it with their newie “Got Me All Night.”

The song was mixed by legendary British producer Mark Saunders, who put his stamp on songs from Depeche Mode, The Cure, and Erasure. “Got Me All Night” has definitely got that 80s feel about it too, which is right up my alley. Grab your hairbrush and sing along to this one.

Image used with permission from Shake Appeal

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jack Carty Does It Again with “What Am I Gonna Do With All Of My Love Now?”

Songs like “What Am I Gonna Do With All Of My Love Now?” are exactly the reason why Jack Carty is one of my favourite Aussie musicians. The third single lifted from his third LP Esk, it’s another moving, exquisitely crafted slice of pop-folk.

If you love it too, remember Jack’s currently on the road supporting the release of Esk. Here are all the places you can still catch him live.

13 November 2014 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
14 November 2014 – The Commons, Newcastle
16 November 2014 – Flow Espresso Bar, Old Bar
20 November 2014 – The Pier, Port Macquarie
21 November 2014 – 5 Church Street, Bellingen
27 November 2014 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
28 November 2014 – Captains @ Mariners, Batemans Bay
29 November 2014 – The Front, Canberra
30 November 2014 – Birdhouse Bar, Wagga Wagga
4 December 2014 – Howler, Melbourne
5 December 2014 – Kay St Saloon Bar, Traralgon
6 December 2014 – Montrose Town Centre, Montrose
7 December 2014 – Bended, Geelong
11 December 2014 –The Grace Emily, Adelaide
12 December 2014 – Mars Hill Café, Parramatta
13 December 2014 – Venue 505, Sydney
14 December 2014 – Heritage Hotel, Wollongong

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Love Like Hate Tour Unnoticed EP

Brisbane band Love Like Hate have just returned from a European tour where they performed to rave reviews and inked an exclusive signing deal with Rough Trade Publishing, the same company that represents Violent Femmes and Le Tigre. Now back on home soil they’re celebrating with an Aussie tour to promote their new EP Unnoticed.

Unnoticed features the single “Electric Ships,” which got them noticed by music fans here and across the pond, and the latest single and the EP’s title track, “Unnoticed”. It’s got an upbeat pop core but a darkness that I really like. The film clip also gives us a bit of an insight into their recent international travels.

If you’ve noticed how good Love Like Hate are, make sure you don’t miss their Unnoticed EP shows.

20th November 2014 – B East, Melbourne
21st November 2014 – The Homestead, Hobart
24th November 2014 – The Public Bar, St Kilda
28th November 2014 – Union Hotel, Newtown
6th December 2014 – Treehouse On Belongil, Byron Bay
17th January 2015 – Bearded Lady, West End

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Call the Shots Make Powerful Statement with “All the Same”

There was a time when every second band seemed to be doing the pop-punk thing. Most faded away, but Brisbane band Call the Shots have been steadily making music for years now, thanks to inspired songwriting like that showcased on their new single “All the Same.”

The track from their forthcoming EP delivers a powerful message about acceptance.

“I’m sick to death of hearing about how people’s skin colours or who they’re attracted to apparently affect who they are,” explained Call the Shots’ singer Josh Setterfield. “Everyone has or SHOULD have an equal chance regardless of their race or sexuality.”

Amen! Good news for fans, the forthcoming EP is part one in a trilogy, so there’ll be a lot more Call the Shots music to come in the not too distant future.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Robbie Miller Makes Me Swoon with “Sunday”

I was watching The Project last week and they said something about how men are 90 percent more attractive when they’re playing a guitar. I’m not sure quite how they measured that, but I’m not going to argue. Long-time readers have seen me falling for good looking men playing guitars time and time again in this blog, so it’s probably no surprise to anyone that Brisbane’s Robbie Miller is right up my alley. His song “Sunday” is sublime, and pretty appropriate for posting today if I do say so myself. Not just a pretty face, Robbie’s been playing guitar since he was 13. He’s been raised right on a musical diet of Cat Stevens, Van Morrison, and Neil Young. And as this performance and interview on Brisbane’s BalconyTV shows, he’s an absolute charmer. Colour me smitten.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Pearce Flexes His Creative Muscles with “Broken Bones”

Most of us know Guy Pearce as Aussie acting royalty, but he’s actually a pretty decent musician. This Jack of all Trades has just released his debut album Broken Bones. It features a brand new single “Taste,” which showcases his husky vocals and knack for catchy melodies beautifully.

“‘Taste’ digs into that illusive thing we call “identity”, and who we think we are, versus who we actually are – whatever that even means,” he explained in a press release. “We’re so malleable and contradictory at times, it’s often hard to be objective.”

Guy will play two launch shows to promote the release of Broken Bones. Wednesday’s show at The Toff is all sold out, but there are a handful of general admission tickets for The Basement on Wednesday, November 19, still available.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Travis Lee Brings 90s Soul Back with “Next 2 Me”

Back in the ‘90s I listened to a lot of soul and R’n’B music. Acts like R Kelly, Jodeci, Keith Sweat, and Blackstreet were always in my stereo. I hadn’t heard music like that in a long time until I discovered Australia’s own Travis Lee. There haven’t been a lot of Aussie acts that make music quite like this, not even in the 90s. So I’m impressed that this Brisbane singer is bringing back that old school sound with his new single “Next 2 Me.”

“Next 2 Me” is your classic boy meets girl story with a little twist as it goes beyond that by touching on the complications of what comes next. It’s the first song lifted from Travis’ debut EP, which was released yesterday. What do you think of it?