Category: Film Clips

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

Christine Anu Releases Video for Native Language Song

With Christine Anu’s new album Restylin’ Up 20 Years now in stores, I figured it was worth taking a look at one of its bonus songs, “Kulba Yaday.”

It’s a beautiful number performed in the language of the Torres Strait Islands. You might not understand the words, but I’m sure you can sense the sadness in Christine’s delivery. It speaks of Indigenous people losing their culture and stories passed down through the generations.

“’Kulba Yaday’ unfortunately did not make it onto the original album, but it was always a song I wanted to be part of Stylin’ Up. It is written in KKY (Kalaw Kawaw Oya) language and is a song of lament,” says Christine. “This wonderful song came to me in a dream and was written with a cultural elder and family member and is a very special song to me. Partly because it is sung in language but also because it speaks to my Torres Strait Islander heritage which I am enormously proud of.”

Remember, if you love Christine you can see her performing this song and others from her Restylin’ Up 20 Years album at the following shows.

13 June 2015 – The Street Theatre, Canberra
14 August 2015 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
15 August 2015 – The Basement, Sydney
21 August 2015 – The Bean Bar, Taree
22 August 2015 – The Jetty Theatre, Coffs Harbour
11 September 2015 – Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong
12 September 2015 – Laycock Street Theatre, North Gosford
24 October 2015 – The Hydro Majestic, Blue Mountains

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Christine Anu Celebrates 20 Years with Live Album & Tour

Can you believe it’s been 20 years since Christine Anu made a splash on the local music scene with her debut album Stylin’ Up? Featuring the hit singles “Party” and “Island Home,” it introduced Australia to one of its most enduring singers.

Christine is celebrating the milestone with a brand new live album, Restylin’ Up 20 Years, due for release on June 19. It features the tracks from that first release plus two extra songs, “Island Home’s” B-side “Kulbay Yaday” and another bonus track, “Ocean of Regret.”

Christine is currently taking music lovers back to the 90s with her Stylin’ Up 20th Anniversary tour. Here are the remaining dates.

13 June 2015 – The Street Theatre, Canberra
14 August 2015 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
15 August 2015 – The Basement, Sydney
21 August 2015 – The Bean Bar, Taree
22 August 2015 – The Jetty Theatre, Coffs Harbour
11 September 2015 – Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong
12 September 2015 – Laycock Street Theatre, North Gosford
24 October 2015 – The Hydro Majestic, Blue Mountains

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

JONES Jnr Celebrate Soul with “Step on Sleep”

It’s always hard to get back to work after a long weekend. It’s even harder when you feel a cold coming on. But it’s made easier when you’ve got something fantastic to listen to like JONES Jnr’s debut EP Step on Sleep.

JONES Jnr is a new project for Ev Jones and Thundamentals founding member Morgan Jones. With it they’re bringing back old school soul with songs like the funky single “Never Be Lonely,” the Nu Jack Swing feel of EP opener “Feel That Way,” and the epic Motown-influenced closing number “Don’t You Worry.” There are plenty of grooves and brassy hooks and velvety smooth vocals.

“We have a lot to share with the world when it comes to the JONES Jnr sound. It’s still growing and developing, it’s still soul, it’s still got swingbeats, but it will take listeners to some surprising places,” Ev explained. “There are some very personal songs on this EP, these aren’t stories, this is our life on record.”

JONES Jnr will showcase that sound when they play the following shows supporting Step on Sleep’s recent release.

2 July 2015 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
3 & 4 July 2015 – Bello Winter Festival, Bellingen
10 July 2015 – Blackbear Lodge, Brisbane
11 July 2015 – Shebeen, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Callum Chynoweth Band Wows Me with “Hope You Know”

You know that feeling that you get when you hear a new song from a new artist and you instantly get them. That’s the way I felt listening to Callum Chynoweth Band’s new single “Hope You Know” for the first time. Incidentally as I write this I think I’m up to my sixth spin.

It makes sense that I’ve connected with it on such an emotional level, because Callum says it’s incredibly personal. “Writing it helped me to get over my own nerves and show someone very special to me how I felt,” he explained.

If you’re feeling it too, make sure you don’t miss Callum and his band playing hometown shows at Sydney’s The Townie tomorrow night (June 3) and Oxford Art Factory on July 17.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jinja Safari Mount Comeback with “Find My Way”

After delighting crowds as a solo artist, Pepa Knight is back making beautiful music with his Jinja Safari buddies. The band have just released their latest single “Find My Way” and it’s superb.

This is indie pop at its finest. It’s got a great African tribal feel mixed with a pop accessibility that’s so refreshing. It may just be the ultimate cure for Mondayitis. Seriously, I reckon it’s impossible to listen to this without a smile on your face. Vocalist Marcus Azon put together the nostalgic clip made up of footage collected during the band’s five years together.

Are you excited to have Jinja Safari back?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Telescopes Release Great New Single “Grow Lonely”

Victorian band Telescopes have released a stunning new single “Grow Lonely,” lifted from their brand new release 001 EP.

This song’s a bit of a slow burner but it really grew on me. It’s got a great ‘90s grunge influence but its vocals are more haunting than most of the acts that decade produced. It builds to a killer crescendo, so make sure you stick with it.

Not one to sit still for long, Telescopes are already in the studio working on a follow-up to 001 EP. It’s due out later this year.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Expat Penelope Austin Impresses with “Trigger”

The bright lights of New York City are in stark contrast with the streets of the Southern Highlands, but it’s where locally-born songstress Penelope Austin has found her “spiritual home.” She’s been in the United States for nearly a decade learning her craft and rubbing shoulders with big name artists like the Rolling Stones. And now she’s almost ready to unleash her debut album.

The latest single “Trigger” definitely has my attention. It’s got some polish from famed UK mix engineer Cenzo Townshend (Florence & The Machine, Florence & The Machine), but he’s been careful not to smooth out Penelope’s edges. There’s real heart and desperation in this dark electro-pop song. The clip showcasing New York City looks brilliant, even though it was reportedly shot on a shoestring.

Let’s wait and see whether Penelope Austin becomes our next big breakout star.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jack Carty and Jordan Miller Reunite for National Tour

Jack Carty and Jordan Millar enjoyed playing shows together in March so much that they’re set to do it all again with an acoustic tour this August.

Jack should be in fine form because he’s currently touring his latest album Esk across the United Kingdom and Europe. Meanwhile, Jordan will be taking a break from recording his next album for this tour. After time spent in the studio, he’s probably itching to get back out on stage!

If you’re on the fence about the shows, take a look at this video capturing one of their performances together in March. Do you really want to miss two singer-songwriters of this calibre playing together? I think not!

It’s also worth pre-ordering your tickets, as every one bought on presale comes with an 11-track digital live album Jack Carty & Jordan Millar – Live @ The Front Gallery. Tickets are available from Jack Carty’s website.

1 August 2015 – The Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
6 August 2015 – The Commons, Newcastle
7 August 2015 – The Street Theatre, Canberra
8 August 2015 – Venue 505, Sydney
14 August 2015 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane
15 August 2015 – Rous Mill Hall, Rous Mill
20 August 2015 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
21 August 2015 – Grace Darling Hotel, Melbourne
22 August 2015 – The Grand Poobah, Hobart

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Society of Beggars Release Rocking First Single

There’s something so appealing about straight up rock and roll. And that’s what Melbourne band Society of Beggars give us with their debut single “Hyena.”

There aren’t any bells or whistles here. It’s rough around the edges, and it looks like the clip was probably made on a shoestring. But there’s real heart here. And I love the huskiness of the lead singer’s voice. It doesn’t have the spit and polish of big label releases, but it’s also got a bit more soul than many of them do.

What do you think of “Hyena”?