Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Smith Street Band Young and Drunk

I’m not saying that I advocate the drunkenness and debauchery that goes on at on nights like this, but I know that it happens. And I figure if you’re going to overindulge on New Year’s Eve, you might as well have a soundtrack. I also figure it’s probably my job as a music blogger to provide it.

So in the interest of giving the readers what they want, wrap your ears around “Young Drunk,” the new single from The Smith Street Band. It’s as ocker as they come, with rough vocals and the kind of chorus you know you’ll start belting out later on tonight.

This is also the first time The Smith Street Band have treated us to a music video. Sure, it’s no work of creative genius, but it does capture the energy that comes when this band hits the stage. The footage here was captured at the band’s Sunshine and Technology album launch at The Tote in August.

If it has you itching to see this band live, you’re in luck. They’ll hit the following venues next year!

31 January 2013 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury (18+)
2 February 2013 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth (18+)
7 February 2013 – X&Y Bar, Brisbane (18+)
8 February 2013 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba (18+ – FREE)
13 February 2013 – The Shed, Byron Bay (All Ages)
14 February 2013 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour (18+)
15 February 2013 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney (18+)
16 February 2013 – Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle (18+)
21 February 2013 – The Royal Oak, Lanceston (18+)
22 February 2013 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart (18+)
23 February 2013 – Reverence Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
28 February 2013 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat (18+)
1 March 2013 – Enigma Bar, Adelaide (18+)
2 March 2013 – The Loft, Warrnambool (18+)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Merry Christmas!

I hope you’re all enjoying your Christmas Day! Wherever you are in Australia, and whoever you’re spending the festive season with, I hope it’s merry, jolly, and all of those other positive adjectives that we only trot out at this time of year.

Personally, I’ll just hope my mother doesn’t find her Peppermint Candy Kids CDs. I’d much rather listen to something like this smooth version of “O Holy Night” by Barry Southgate. Who needs a band when you can do your own backing vocals like this?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

X Factor Contestant Matt Gresham Releases Single

You can keep your Samantha Jades and your Jason Owens. When it came to The X Factor this year, I only had eyes for Matt Gresham. I was gutted (but frankly not surprised) when Mel B kept this soulful singer-songwriter out of her top three. Mel’s always been a bit afraid of artists that played left of centre, but I think he could have been an amazing addition to the show.

There’s no sense worrying about could have beens now though, because Matt has capitalised on his 15 minutes of fame and released a single. “See the World” is an intriguing and uplifting blend of hip hop and rootsy blues. I wouldn’t have thought this combination would work, but the proof’s in this delicious pudding. Clearly I’ve got Christmas on the brain. Perhaps it’s time to stop writing and thinking of food and just let you listen!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Never Ever Give Us Deja Vu

The Never Ever have created the kind of epic song that makes young girls swoon with their latest single “Déjà vu.” The track isn’t officially released until New Year’s Eve but with the video already on YouTube, we can take an early listen.

I must admit, I wasn’t so sure about this one when I started to listen to it. The vocals were a bit whiny, the production a bit overblown, and the whole thing just a little too earnest. But somewhere along the way I got swept up in it all. I guess no matter how old we get, we never really lose the part of ourselves that’s still a squealing teenager!

No doubt there’ll be plenty of those when The Never Ever take this song on the road. They’ve scored the support slot on the Diviney tour in January, which will no doubt earn them a new legion of young fans. After that it’s off to New York where they’ll start recording with a big name producer. It sounds like there’s big things to come from this band!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kate Vigo Offers Album Tease with New Single

Kate Vigo’s current suitor should be under no illusion with the release of her new “Not the One.” The track pulls no punches; this man might be a good distraction for now, but he’s not the one!

“Not the One” comes from Kate’s forthcoming album Blue to Gold, a disc which promises to fuse the organic roots of music with the synthetic sounds Kate loves so much. She says she’s been enjoying having fun and writing the kind of songs that “people can dance around in their bedroom to,” although she adds that the album also has a much darker side.

If “Not the One’s” any indication, Blue to Gold will be an album to listen out for in 2013.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fairchild Republic Strike Gold Again

Is anyone sick of hearing me talk about how good Gold Coast six-piece Fairchild Republic are? I fall a little more in love with them every time I hear a new track. The latest is “Tear Us Down” an anthemic slice of pop-rock that will have you wanting to buy a cigarette lighter, just so you can hold it above your head in the soaring chorus. I’m pretty sure there’s not a bad song in this talented new act.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Von Stache Charms with “Sandbox Love”

Victorian act Von Stache has wooed me with the video for her latest song “Sandbox Love.” The vintage clip was actually created using old footage of her parents. Doesn’t that just make this love story even sweeter? It’s not overly polished, as we’d expect from something recorded independently in a home studio, but there’s something so delicious about this slice of retro electro-pop!

If you love Von Stache’s sweet homegrown sound, you’ll be happy to know there’s more where it came from. Von Stache is preparing to release her debut four-track EP We Don’t Sleep In the Night in the coming weeks.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mama Kin Releases Magical New Video

Mama Kin has given us our first taste of her forthcoming sophomore album The Magician’s Daughter. That record won’t hit stores until early next year, but until then we’ve got this hypnotic video for new single “Was It Worth It” to tide us over.

It’s a hint at what’s to come, a lusher sound with bold production and a more polished edge.

“I got used to the idea that I have to be out of my comfort zone to make the kind of art I want to make, I have to feel pushed. I have to be on the edge to be able to jump in and get as deep as I want and need. Magic for me is when there is a transformation inspired by subtle forces, and this is what we aim to bring to our audiences,” Mama Kin explained.

What do you think of Mama Kin’s new single?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mez Medallion Comes Home for Album Launch

Melbourne-born Berlin-based muso Mez Medallion serves up plenty of good vibes with his synth-heavy slice of electro-pop “Move Towards the Light”. The title track from his new album, it’s the perfect for keeping that smile on your dial as you face down the final hours of your working week.

Mez will return to Australia for one special show with fellow Australian-born Berliner Phia later this month. The pair will play The Grace Darling in Melbourne to launch the album before Mez heading to Japan. Here are all the places you can see him play over the Aussie summer.

23 December 2012 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne
18 January 2013 – Nanahari, Tokyo
19 January 2013 – Hasutobara, Tokyo
20 January 2013 – Streamer coffee, Tokyo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hey Geronimo Release Awesome “Dreamboat Jack” Video

They might not have Sam Mendes’ budget, but the lads from Brisbane band Hey Geronimo have managed to stage a Skyfall-worthy chase sequence in the music video for their latest single “Dreamboat Jack.” Who knew watching the antics of some stuffed animals could be so much fun?

The video release is well timed as Hey Geronimo have just been announced as the support act for the President of the USA’s Aussie shows in 2013. That’s a match made in musical heaven if you ask me! If you can’t wait that long though, you can see Hey Geronimo at the following summer gigs.

22 December 2012 – The Zoo, Brisbane
28 December 2012 – The Beresford Hotel, Sydney
29 December 2012 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
31 December 2012 – Peats Ridge Festival, Glenworth Valley