When you put your heart into music, when you lay your soul bare and let your listeners see all parts of yourself, I don’t think you can ever go wrong. That’s exactly what Eliza Hull has done with her new EP, Here They Come. You might remember me raving about the single “Running Underwater.” It set my expectations high, but the songs that support it on this five-track EP are every bit as strong.
It’s been a long time since an album moved me like Yasmin. The debut from London-born, Tanzanian/Australian artist Malaika Mfalme, it’s a powerful collection of songs exploring love, loss, and healing.
As an Aussie Dermot Kennedy fan, I’ve felt incredibly blessed by his time in our country. A few weeks ago, I got the opportunity to see him play at the Doss House, a venue so small he didn’t even need to use a microphone. After this acoustic teaser, I got to see him play again last week in the Sydney Opera House forecourt. While the room he played in the Doss House would have been lucky to hold 50 people, the Opera House forecourt holds thousands. And he sold it out. Twice.
Ordinarily once an artist gets to the stage in their careers where they’re selling out the Opera House forecourt, you’ve missed the chance to catch them in an intimate venue. But Dermot Kennedy is no ordinary artist. He revels in playing in beautiful places, regularly announcing pop-up gigs that complement his paid shows around the world. Last night it was Sydney’s turn to witness one of these magical events when he played The Doss House in Talla-wo-la-dah/The Rocks.
JK-47’s long-awaited sophomore album Revision for Regrowth is one of the most ambitious albums I’ve heard in some time. It’s a concept album, one that plays with genre and while celebrating the power of hip hop as a storytelling medium. Its lyrics are some of the most powerful I’ve heard in a while. It’s a lot to take in, but it’s so good that it encourages repeat listens.
Loretta have put a big smile on my face today with the release of their long-awaited debut EP, Never Thought of Growing Up. Featuring the brilliant singles “All My Friends (Are Your Friends)” and “Wish I Could Show You,” it’s some of the best and most uplifting indie-pop you’ll hear.
On the release of Raging Hormones’ Public Fun – Part 1 EP earlier this year, I found myself hoping a sequel may be on the way. My dreams have been answered with the release of Public Fun – Part 2. And yes, it’s every bit as much fun as its predecessor.
It’s taken me a little while to listen to The Screaming Jets’ 10th studio album Professional Misconduct. And a little while after that to put fingers to my keyboard and share my thoughts. It’s taken time, because like so many people from Newcastle I needed a moment to process the unexpected loss of the band’s founding member Paul Woseen. I knew I needed to push through though, because this album is such an important body of work for this band.
Hailing from Darkinjung Country/Central Coast and now based in Eora/Sydney, Gia Darcy is a breath of fresh air on the indie pop landscape. With the release of her EP Horror Movie, she delivers five tracks that showcase her excellent songwriting and angelic voice.
Once upon a time, the people of the Central Coast had to go to Newcastle or Sydney to see major musical acts. Sure, that’s only an hour or so up or down the freeway, but it made midweek gigs with friends challenging. Now it seems we’re spoiled for choice, with venues like Drifter’s Wharf, The Art House Wyong, and Laycock Street Theatre all doing their bit. For mine Avoca Beach Theatre is leading the charge. In her welcome speech Beth Hunter, who runs the theatre with her husband Norman, told us of the way the theatre’s objective of telling Australian stories has expanded over the years. More than just a movie theatre, it now hosts comedians and live music. Once they aimed to host three live performances a month. Now they aim for three every week. After recent renovations, it’s better than ever. It’s still intimate, holding less than 300 music lovers. It’s retained its heritage charm, but the new chairs are a bit plusher. We’ve even got cup holders.