Category: Film Clips

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mercians Give Me Flashbacks with “Your Words”

Mercians are taking me straight back to the 90s with their latest single “Your Words,” the title track from their recently released EP. I can’t help thinking of all of the rock stars of the era as I listen to the empassioned vocals.

The Melbourne five-piece have always felt more at home on the stage than in the studio, so the song’s bound to sound even better in the flesh. You can catch Mercians doing the live thing at the following East Coast shows.

12 September 2014 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
13 September 2014 – Trainspotters, Brisbane
14 September 2014 – FBi Social Club, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

David Craft Wows me with “Smokey Lungs & Dirty Puns”

Every so often you hear a song and it stops you in your tracks. You are shaken out of whatever you’re doing. The music goes from being something in the background to something that demands your attention. “Smokey Lungs & Dirty Puns” by Perth folk muso David Craft is one of those songs.

It’s got such a compelling honesty to it. It’s very gentle and delicate, but there’s this raw realism to it that just can’t be ignored. The video, starring local performer Lily Roberts, is also beautiful. It’s amazing to think it’s the first clip he’s released.

Stunning stuff!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey Chambers Does Things Differently with Bittersweet

Kasey Chambers is doing things a little differently on her tenth album. Bittersweet is her first solo record in four years, and the first she’ll create without her long-time producer and manager, brother Nash Chambers, at the helm. Instead she worked with Nick DiDia, the man behind Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, and Powderfinger albums, at Studio 301 in Byron Bay.

“I wanted to have an experience making a record that I had never had before. I wanted to challenge myself and I wanted to be excited,” she explained.

If the first single “Wheelbarrow” is any indication, the gamble’s paid off. It’s so raw and ballsy. However, an album with the talent Kasey’s assembled couldn’t possibly sound bar. Her studio band features Powderfinger’s Bernard Fanning on acoustic guitar, Ashleigh Dallas on banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and backing vocals, and Dan Kelly on electric and acoustic guitars and backing vocals, to name just a few.

Bittersweet will hit stores on August 29. Kasey will play the following shows to celebrate its release.

30 August 2014 – Gympie Music Muster, Gympie
2 September 2014 – Lefties Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane
3 September 2014 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
4 September 2014 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dance to Ella Hooper’s “The Red Shoes”

Ella Hooper doesn’t seem to be letting the news of her rebooted Spicks & Specks’ axing get her down. She’s just released one of her most upbeat songs in recent years, “The Red Shoes.” The melodic song has a darker edge with its fairytale inspired themes of obsession and possession.

“You can sometimes lose yourself in the pursuit of chasing a dream or ideal or person, becoming psychically bound to desire and perhaps risk being destroyed by it.” Ella explained. “But there’s also a weird alluring freedom in going 110% at something, knowing that you’ve probably lost perspective and control and just not caring. Dancing til your feet bleed, for example! When you’re lost in the moment, nothing else matters.”

To celebrate the release, Ella will play two intimate launch shows. Head to Newtown Social Club in Sydney on July 17 or Shebeen in Melbourne on July 18 to hear “The Red Shoes” and songs from Ella’s forthcoming album In Tongues.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Clockwise Back on my Radar with “Dancing World”

I remember when Clockwise went by the name Andy Clockwise and played countless shows around New South Wales in the early noughties. He disappeared from my radar, but it seems he’s been living in Los Angeles since 2007 and playing some pretty high-profile shows supporting the likes of Julian Casablancas, The Black Keys, Wolfmother, The Wailers, and INXS.

And on July 15, he’ll release a new EP Dancing World. If the title track’s any indication, it’s going to be something pretty special. The song’s got such a gorgeous pop sensibility but it’s also something really unique. Listening to it just feels good. The film clip is also stunning.

What a great set up for this EP, which is actually the first part of a two-part “ode to conflict, both internal and external.” To celebrate the release, Clockwise will be back on our shores for some shows later this year. Until then, we can enjoy this fabulous piece of music.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Justice Crew Make Chart History

I ordinarily try to write about the ARIA charts whenever an Aussie act’s on top. However, other work commitments have seen me missing a few of the weeks during Justice Crew’s impressive reign. It’d be remiss of me to not publish an article now though, as their song “Que Sera” has broken the record for the most number of weeks an Aussie act’s spent at the top of the ARIA Singles Chart. With nine weeks, they’ve gone one better than Austen Tayshus’ “Australiana,” Savage Garden’s “Truly, Madly, Deeply,” and Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know.” They’re still a few weeks away from equalling the overall record 13 weeks that Coolio spent on top with “Gangsta’s Paradise,” but very close to eclipsing the pre-ARIA record of 10 weeks that Daddy Cool’s “Eagle Rock” spent at number one in 1971.

Justice Crew have got some stiff competition in the form of fellow Aussie Sia, who’s having a comeback with “Chandelier.” After it appeared to be on the downslide, the song’s jumped six spots to land at number two.

Aussies are also seeing joy on the album charts, with 5 Seconds of Summer landing the number one spot with their self-titled album on debut. This album’s already spawned six top 20 hits, including the number one “She Looks so Perfect,” so its dominance was probably inevitable, but it’s still a real victory for the boys. They managed to head off the might of the Hillsong Church, who sit at number two in their first week with No Other Name.

Like Sia, Chet Faker’s also back on the upswing. His former number one album Built on Glass is back in the top ten for the first time since May. Clearly his current national tour is paying dividends!

And as if that wasn’t enough local love in the charts, 360’s also making his presence felt with his album Utopia. It sits at number eight this week.

Click below for all this week’s top 10s.

Continue reading “Justice Crew Make Chart History” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Scott Spark Releases Monday Anthem “Two Alarms”

It’s Monday at there’s no beating around the bush: it sucks. It’s the worst. There’s no cure for Mondayitis, but you can at least feel like you’re not alone when you listen to Scott Spark’s brilliant new single “Two Alarms.” The Brisbane singer-songwriter has crafted one of the catchiest melodies and some of the wittiest lyrics about the soul-sucking nature of the corporate world that I’ve ever heard.

It also comes with an awesome filmclip, animated by local cartoonist Oslo Davis, which stars Lenny, the most adorable alarm clock you’re ever likely to see. And there’s a free app too which allows you to turn your iPhone into a Scott Spark alarm clock.

And if that wasn’t enough goodness, Scott Spark will also release his sophomore album Muscle Memory, featuring “Two Alarms,” this Friday, June 13.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Ska Orchestra Ready for World Tour

I was so sad to hear of the recent axing of the ABC’s rebooted Spicks and Specks. Sure it took a little while for Josh, Ella, and Adam to settle in to the chairs. However, I felt that the essence of the show remained that same, and for that reason it’s a shame more people didn’t tune in.

Watching the show I was delighted at so many of those quirky acts that chose to transform hits for “Look What They’ve Done to My Song Ma.” The Melbourne Ska Orchestra was one of those bands that blew my mind, so I’m thrilled to see they’re moving on to bigger and better things.

The 25-piece have played shows all over Australia supporting the release of their debut album, and now they’re preparing to take it to the world. Their originals and surprising ska covers of classics like the Get Smart theme are sure to win over music lovers at high-profile events like Glastonbury and the Montreal Jazz Festival. Rest assured readers in other parts of the world, you don’t want to miss this truly original act.

26 June 2014 – The Forge, Camden, London
27 & 28 June 2014 – Glastonbury Festival
30 June & 1 & 2 July 2014 – Montreal Jazz Festival, Montreal
3 July 2014 – Festival D’ete, Quebec City
4 July 2014 – Yonge, Dundas Square, Toronto
5 July 2014 – Northern Lights Festival Boreal, Ontario

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Divide & Conquer Rock Out with “Superheroboy”

Sydney band Divide & Conquer show that they love to do things a little differently with their new single “Superheroboy.” It starts out like so many fun pop-punk numbers, but listen a little longer and you’ll hear its dark side. I’ve heard them described as popcore and popmosh, but you can make up your own mind.

“Superheroboy” is the lead single from Divide & Conquer’s recently released EP Long Story Short. It comes with an awesome music video which follows one man looking to solve the world’s problems by taking out one bad guy at a time.

“It was loads of fun filming ‘Superheroboy’” affirmed guitarist Lorenzo La Cava. “The organisation and process of the project was quite complex and many times we questioned our vision for the clip.”

“We came round to thinking the project was possibly too ambitious, but the end result was totally worth it” added lead vocalist Pat Thatcher.

Do you agree?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jackson McLaren Releases Long-Awaited Debut Album

I was blown away when I saw Jackson McLaren supporting Counting Crows last April. I said at the time that I was really looking forward to hearing more from this talented singer-songwriter. I waited patiently, and now he’s finally released his debut album Songs to Greet the Dawn with his band The Triple Threat.

The album includes the killer new single “Here’s a Memory,” a stirring song which celebrates living life to the fullest. Jackson McLaren & The Triple Threat will play this song and many other choice cuts from Songs to Greet the Dawn at the following shows.

4 June 2014 – The Melbourne Folk Club @ Bella Union, Melbourne
15 June 2014 – The Bearded Lady, Brisbane
22 June 2014 – The Exeter Hotel, Adelaide
28 June 2014 – Little Features @ Hibernian House, Sydney
29 June 2014 – Menagerie @ The Welcome Hotel, Rozelle