Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Little May Release “Boardwalks”

It might be chilly outside, but you’ll feel all warm and fuzzy inside as you let Little May’s debut single “Boardwalks” wash over you.

This is such a great example of guitar-driven indie folk which takes its cues from the work of Julia Stone and Holly Throsby. Those harmonies give it an edge over the material of these trailblazers though. The natural connection between the friends Hannah Field, Liz Drummond and Annie Hamilton shines through as their vocals combine. They’re all self-taught musicians, and that lack of grooming gives this track a beautiful organic feel.

“Boardwalks” gives us our first taste of Little May’s EP, which will hit stores late this year. If you love it, make sure you get along to the official single launch at Sydney’s The Vanguard on August 8.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elephant Eyes Launch Debut EP

Melbourne act Elephant Eyes are preparing to celebrate the release of their debut EP with a launch show for hometown fans next week.

I’m thrilled to see more from this outfit who thoroughly charmed me with their single “Mother Said” last year. Apparently chronic illness, line-up changes, and the nine-to-five drudge made producing something else a bit slow, but I for one am glad they took the time. The single “India” gives us a beautiful taste of the EP. Lead singer Kate McMahon positively soars on this number about globetrotting from the comfort of your armchair.

The launch is a double headliner show with Susy Blue at Fitzroy’s Workers Club on August 11. Doors open at 1:30 pm, and Elephant Eyes will take the stage at the very civilised time of 3.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Blackwater Fever Tour New Bluesy Single

The Blackwater Fever are celebrating their recent deal with Brisbane management company Pricewar Music with the release of a brand new single “Won’t Cry Over You” and an accompanying tour.

I just love this song. It’s so swampy and bluesy and dirty. It gets underneath your skin from the first listen. It comes from The Blackwater Fever’s third album The Depths, which critics and the band themselves claim is their best yet.

“The Depths is our best release yet and the first we have made entirely under our own steam,” said lead singer and guitarist Shane Hicks. “It was a huge learning curve with much trial and error but in the end I think the result has vividly realised our ideas and vision. This is how we will make albums from now on.”

You can hear tracks from this stellar release, including “Won’t Cry Over You” at the following shows.

3 August 2013 – El Grande Festival, Gladstone
16 August 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
23 August 2013 – Spectrum, Sydney
24 August 2013 – Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Newcastle
6 September 2013 – Solbar, Maroochydore

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Little Wren Impresses with “Red Shoes”


Debut singles shouldn’t sound as polished as “Red Shoes”, the sultry first single from Sydney songstress Little Wren. It’s a flawless piece of electro pop that has me utterly captivated.

Little Wren’s latest batch of music came about after her dad gifted her a 1980s Juno synthesiser late last year. She recorded it with the equally fabulous Adrian Deutsch in his basement, which just goes to show you don’t need a fancy studio to create something wonderful. The twosome have left their mark all the songs; they played all the instruments and programmed all the drums. If it all sounds this good, I’ll be lining up for a copy.

Loving it!

Image used with permission from Little Wren

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Basics Release “So Hard for You”

With their reunion tour a little more than a month away, The Basics are treating us to a cracker new single in the form of “So Hard For You”.

I use the term “new” pretty loosely here, as the track was actually recorded as a demo way back in 2010. It’s been thrust into the spotlight though with the release of this year’s Leftovers compilation.

This ballsy rock number and old-school style video should help us all get in the mood for the following shows.

12 September 2013 – The Spiegeltent, Brisbane
21 September 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
26 September 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
27 & 28 September 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
29 September 2013 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
3 October 2013 – Transit Bar, Canberra
4 October 2013 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
6 October 2013 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elliott Wheeler Captivates with “Baker Man”

Elliott Wheeler has mesmerised me with his debut single “Baker Man”, the first cut from his debut album The Long Time. The long-player hits stores on August 16, but this beautiful song and accompanying clip should help generate some buzz before the official release.

All I have to say about this song is, give it time. It’s very gentle and understated. It certainly doesn’t smack you in the face. But it builds so beautifully that about three-quarters in I was utterly captivated. That gorgeous music video, featuring the talents of animator Marieka Walsh, doesn’t do it any harm either.

Just like the single, The Long Time is no rush job. It’s been six years in the making, and that attention to detail shows. Elliott worked as composer and engineer on the record which has clearly been a real labour of love.

He’s also the bloke behind the music of Baz Lurhmann’s The Great Gatsby, a project which saw him collaborating with the likes of Jay Z, Jack White, and Lana Del Ray as well as adding his own original contributions. Elliott’s impressive resume also features George Miller’s new Mad Max movie and The Chaser TV series. He was also behind that incredible Ship Song Project for the Sydney Opera House back in 2011. How exciting that the musical talents of such a gifted artist can now come to the fore with this release.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy & Bear Take Us to New Zealand with Awesome New Video

Boy & Bear have outdone themselves with the video for their new single “Under a Southern Sun”. The icy clip was filmed in New Zealand, and it contains so much breathtaking footage that I’m tempted to head across the ditch.

The film clip’s release is a timely reminder that Boy & Bear’s sophomore album Harlequin Dream will hit stores on August 16 ahead of the band’s national tour in October.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paper City Thief Rock Out with “TV and Liars”

Western Sydney outfit Paper City Thief serve up good honest rock with their new single “TV and Liars” It’s such a powerful number, with a solid melodic core that makes it accessible from the first listen.

Paper City Thief’s come out of the ashes of A Broken Silence, who you might remember doing great things, including collaborating with Tim Freedman and Ozi Batla back in 2008. Following that band’s breakup, Daniel Bartulovich and Nathan Tuffin continued to work on new material. With a swag of new songs under their belt, they approached Andrew Haszard from Self is a Seed to fill the bass guitarist’s shoes. Paul Petrone, the former guitarist of The Initiation, rounds out the quartet.

“TV and Liars” comes from Paper City Thief’s debut album, which is scheduled to hit stores late this year.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Middle Names Celebrates TV’s Past with New Music Video

Hobart five-piece The Middle Names appeals to our inner couch potatoes with the video for their latest single “Full Friends”. The clip splices together scenes from some of the best TV programs of the past, including The Drew Carey Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Seinfeld. The track’s not bad either!

It comes from The Middle Names forthcoming debut album “I Need Space”, a record which almost didn’t happen. Five days before the band planned to head to Brisbane to record it, a fire ripped through their rehearsal space. All that survived was the band and their guitars. To add insult to injury, the band was stranded on the way to Applewood Lane Studios after their tyre was punctured. You know what they say about bad luck happening in threes though. Their producer Magoo suffered the last blow of bad luck when his house was burgled.

If they were a superstitious lot they might have abandoned the project altogether. But then we wouldn’t have this fun single, the album to come, and the tour which kicks off in their hometown tonight. Here are all the places you can catch The Middle Names over the next month.

20 July 2013 –Waratah Hotel, Hobart (supporting Gold Fields)
1 August 2013 – AFTR DARK @ Curtin Hotel, Melbourne
10 August 2013 – KITTENS @ Spectrum, Sydney
23 August 2013 – The Butter Factory, Burnie
30 August 2013 – The Ironhorse, Launceston
31 August 2013 – The Waratah Hotel, Hobart

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Illy Impresses with “On & On”

Melbourne hip hop act Illy is giving us a tempting taste of his forthcoming album with the irresistible new single “On & On”.

I love this track. How could anyone dislike anything that combines such wisdom and good vibes? It’s got a much greater pop sensibility than most hip-hop tracks, and that makes it accessible from the first spin.

It’s already a firm favorite amongst fans, who launched a Twitter campaign for a digital release ahead of its official release. They won, and saw #onandon and @illyal trending nationwide.

“On & On” comes from Illy’s fourth album, which is scheduled to hit stores in late 2013. Illy will play the following shows to support the single with special guests Tuka, Allday and Elemont.

13 September 2013 – Oh Hello, Brisbane (18+)
14 September 2013 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney (Licensed All Ages)
20 September 2013 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
27 September 2013 – The Gov, Adelaide (Licensed All Ages)
28 September 2013 – The Villa, Perth (18+)
29 September 2013 – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury (18+)

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia