Category: Film Clips

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Lulu Raes Release Year’s Sweetest Vid

We’re not quite to the end of the year, but I don’t think we’ll see a music video that’s more fun that The Lulu Raes’ clip for “Reputation.” The Sydney four-piece take us into a colorful world with dancing lolly musicians, boomboxes, and much more. And they did it all on a budget of $16! Incredible!

The song’s also so damned likable. Just see if you’re not smiling by the end. The band’s not touring at this point, but local fans can check out not one but three hometown shows over the next two months.

12 December 2014 – Waywards (The Bank), Sydney
17 December 2014 – Beach Road Hotel, Sydney
26 December 2014 – Australia Day Concert, The Rocks

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

EMRSN Surprises with “About Love”

Well I certainly wasn’t expecting that. I tend to press play on YouTube videos and leave them running while I work in other windows so I can listen to the song without being distracted by the visuals. It means I don’t think a song’s better than it is because the artist has a massive video budget, and also that I don’t overlook something because their clip production is a bit raw. Most times the artist in my mind matches what I’m seeing, but every now and again I have a little Voice moment. That’s exactly what happened with EMRSN.

I expected someone like Usher or Ne-Yo, but instead EMRSN appears like your quintessential Melbourne hipster, complete with geek chic glasses and a bushranger beard. It’s a bit jarring at first, but the electronic place he’s taking soul music on his single “About Love” is very cool. He also gets major props for the video, which takes me back to those old slidy tile games I use to play as a kid.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ian Moss, The Rubens, & More Star in New Kingswood Clip

Kingswood have enlisted a host of stars for their epic video to promote “Micro Wars.” More of a short film than a film clip, the 10-minute extravaganza features Ian Moss, The Rubens, Tkay Maidza, Freddy Crabs from Sticky Fingers, Thomas Champion of The Preatures, Jake Stone from Bluejuice, Aussie actress Liana Cornell, and of course the guys from Kingswood themselves. The band’s overachieving guitarist Alex Laska also served as co-director with Jason Von Drayco.

I don’t want to give too much about the video away, so just settle yourself in and enjoy this wonderful blend of cinema and Aussie rock.

Kingswood will tour around the country next year. Here are all the places you can see them play:

22 January 2015 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
23 January 2015 – Racehorse Hotel, Ipswich
24 January 2015 – Oz Fest @ Miami Tavern, Gold Coast
25 January 2015 – Oz Fest @ Waterfront Hotel, Sunshine Coast
6 February 2015 – Chelsea Heights Hotel, Chelsea Heights
7 February 2015 – Village Green, Mulgrave
22 February 2015 – Paddy’s Albury, Albury
27 February 2015 – Hellenic Hall, Hobart
28 February 2015 – Mordialloc Food Wine & Music Festival, Mordialloc (ALL AGES; FREE)
12 March 2015 – Black Swan Hotel, Bendigo
13 March 2015 – The Forum, Melbourne
14 March 2015 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
20 March 2015 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
21 March 2015 – The Triffid, Brisbane
26 March 2015 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
27 March 2015 – The Capitol, Perth
28 March 2015 – Dunsborough Tavern, Dunsborough
29 March 2015 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dalli Does it Right with “Down This Road”

Melbourne’s Dalli brings together smooth vocals and compelling electro beats for his debut single “Down This Road.” I really love the way the minimalism of the instrumentation ensures we hear every punch of those lyrics. The video brings another layer to the song, mapping the despair that many of us feel if we try to control the elements and live life with any degree of certainty.

I’m really looking forward to seeing more of what this gorgeous young artist comes up with.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Needtobreathe Join Third Day on Make a Difference Tour

Fabulous American alt-country act Needtobreathe are bringing their acclaimed show to Australia. The guys from South Carolina will join Third Day and our own Levi McGrath for World Vision Australia’s Make a Difference tour.

Needtobreathe’s album Rivers in the Wasteland has done great things since getting an international release in April. We’ve been a bit slow to catch on, but thankfully it’ll hit local stores on December 5, giving music lovers a few months to learn the songs before the band touches down.

Here’s a bit of a headstart for you though, the wonderful single “The Heart.” It’s got an infectious positivity about it and a great honest foot stomping appeal. That makes sense because the band reports that 90 percent of the album was recorded in live takes.

“It will be our first time in Australia and we’re really looking forward to getting down there,” explained Bear Rinehart. “We have so many fans there that have emailed us saying to come down there and when we got the opportunity to not just visit, but support a great organisation like World Vision it was too good to resist.”

The Make a Difference tour takes in the following venues next February.

11 February 2015 – Hordern Pavillion, Sydney
12 February 2015 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
13 February 2015 – Festival Hall, Melbourne
14 February 2015 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
16 February 2015 – HBF Stadium, Perth
18 February 2015 – Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart
20 February 2015 – Brisbane Riverstage, Brisbane
21 February 2015 – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Understood” – Baychimo Kin

Baychimo Kin’s album Understood snuck up on me. I remember being sent the Soundcloud of the lead single “Marianne” a few weeks ago, listening to it, just not quite being able to get into it, so moving on. Then I was sent the video. It was animated and beautiful, but again the song didn’t quite resonate with me. Those persistent publicity folks then sent me an album stream. I know all too well not to judge a band by one song, so I slipped it on.

I still hadn’t made up my mind after the first listen, or the second, yet I found myself compelled to keep on playing it. There was something there, and somewhere around the third or fourth listen I got it. I can’t describe what “it” is, dear readers. I’m not really sure how this album got under my skin, or what it was that made the penny drop, but suddenly I found myself taking notes. I wrote down several adjectives: delicate, fragile, unique, special. The songs on Understood are all these things. You might not catch them on the first listen either, but I’m sure you will.

These songs are deceptively simple, but they get richer with each listen. The Melbourne band creates moods with the haunting vocals and beautiful instrumentation. I love the heartfelt romance of “Anna,” especially since the band can balance it with the edge of a track like “B Sting.” “Honey” might have a bit of an identity crisis, but I am right there now as it takes the listener through every movement. “You’ve Got a Hold Of Me” is such a striking closer. And “Marianne,” that song that I grappled with for so long is now one of my favourites. It was such a slow burner for me, but when I got it, boy did I get it.

I took some time to fully grasp Understood, but I think it’s one of the most original albums I’ve heard all year.

Image source: Baychimo Kin Bandcamp page

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Forbes Releases “Swim Better”

I am really digging Aussie hip hop at the moment. The latest artist to find his way onto my radar is Forbes, a talented young thing from the Goldie. His first single “Swim Better,” featuring a verse from Sydney MC Smiles Again, hints at what a special talent this guy is.

It’s really smart music, with some insightful lyrics and killer rhymes. It’s our first taste of Forbes’ debut EP, which is slated for a release early next year. After time spent supporting guys like PEZ and 360, it’s awesome to see him stepping into the spotlight.

What do you think of Forbes?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jakubi Come Home for Summer

Fresh from selling out shows across the United States last month, cooler-than-cool Melbourne act Jakubi are ready to delight local audiences with their Life’s a Beach tour. The funky five-piece will play shows up and down the East Coast throughout summer, including plenty of free shows.

The tour caps off a monster year for Jakubi which saw them signed up to 7s Management in the US and Coda Agency in the UK. Everyone from Perez Hilton to HillyDilly was raving about “Couch Potato,” which really deserves another spin.

And done. Jakubi are going to be back to in the US before we know it, so make sure you catch this local success story while you can.

11 December 2014 – Moonshine Cider & Rum Bar, Manly (FREE)
12 December 2014 – Vic On The Park Hotel, Sydney (FREE)
26 December 2014 – Rad, Wollongong
27 December 2014 – Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Beach (FREE)
28 December 2014 – Cambridge Hotel (Warehouse), Newcastle
29 December 2014 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
30 December 2014 – Westernport Hotel, San Remo
31 December 2014 – NYE On The Hill, Kernot
2 January 2015 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (FREE)
3 January 2015 – Solbar, Maroochydore
4 January 2015 – Sounds Of Sunday @ Broadbeach Tavern, Gold Coast (FREE)
30 January to 1 February 2015 – Cool Summer Festival, Mt Hotham

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Winterbourne Wow Me with “Cold”

In an age where so much music is overproduced and overblown, it’s so lovely to find a band like Winterbourne. The fact that they’re from my part of the world, the Central Coast of New South Wales, just makes it that much sweeter.

These guys make real music that’s so organic and real and beautiful. Take a listen to their first single “Cold” and just see if it doesn’t give you chills. Can you believe that a sound like that comes from just two guys? Rest assured, I’ll be tracking down a copy of the EP All But the Sun on the strength of this single alone. Wow.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Anja Nissen Underwhelms with “I’m So Excited”

I must admit, I’ve been giving Anja Nissen’s new music video a wide berth for a while. I’d spotted images of her, red lipped and pouting, and felt a bit cheated by her makeover. Where was the girl who enjoyed riding dirt bikes that we came to know on The Voice? But when the video was sent to me I figured I should stop jumping to conclusions and actually give it a look. God I wish I hadn’t.

The song is called “I’m So Excited,” yet Anja’s face never cracks a smile through the run-time of this clip. If she’s excited I really can’t tell. The track is really formulaic, but if it had an energy to match its lyrics I might not have minded too much. Instead this just feels like another song to roll off the will.i.am  production line.

It’s disappointing because I remember Will on the show championing acts like Gabrielle and Cecilia and ZK, exclaiming how different they were and how that excited him. Anja never felt very different to me. She felt like another diva with an impressive set of pipes and a gorgeous package. I felt she was very commercial, but she wasn’t for me. But the thing is, what Will’s done here is stamp out what little individuality she did have and make her some kind of robotic pop princess.

I’ve heard people trash The Voice, and they probably wonder why I expected better. But I did. Anja has real talent, even if it’s a little vanilla, but we see none of it here.