Category: Film Clips

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Beautiful Fools Tour Beautiful Single

Matt Harris, Shawn Whittaker, and Leigh Wilson might call themselves the Beautiful Fools, but there’s nothing silly about the music they make.

The strength of their early demos enticed American producer Matt Malpass, who previously worked with Train, to help them record and produce their debut self-titled EP. This recording features the lush single “Small Town,” which speaks so eloquently of wanting to escape from a frustrating situation.

“It could be a job, a relationship or for me it was the small town I lived in with no way of fulfilling what I wanted to do,” explained songwriter and frontman Matt Harris. “You know it can be done and you will get there and if you stay where you are your dreams will fade and you will end up someone you didn’t want to be.”

Beautiful Fools will launch “Small Town” this week at the following shows.

23 October 2013 – World’s End Hotel, Adelaide
24 October 2013 – Bull & Bush, Baulkham Hills
25 October 2013 – Music Makers Club @ Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney

Image used with permission from The A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Louis London Serves Up New Single

Sydney five-piece Louis London offers us a sneak peek at their forthcoming sophomore EP with the release of their new single “This Night Time”.

Who would have thought a humble band holiday to a tiny fly-fishing shack in Jindabyne would result in such a lush, epic track? It’s such a solid song that soars with searing vocals from lead singer Ed Saloman. The video, which sees Ed embarking on a cross-country odyssey, is a fitting accompaniment for this beautiful track.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Carmichael Does Lady Gaga

Carmichael continues to push the envelope with this very cool new video. In it he puts his own spin on Lady Gaga’s latest single “Applause”. Of course, Carmichael’s far too creative to perform just a simple cover. He mashes the song with his own original “Girl”, and adds a bit of Bowie and Andy Warhol for good measure. It’s so unique, and it sounds fabulous!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rising Country Star Ashleigh Dallas Readies Debut Album

As a Tamworth native and the granddaughter of country music legend Rex Dallas, a career in country music was always on the cards for Ashleigh Dallas. She began playing the fiddle at the tender age of six and is now an accomplished musician, playing fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar, and banjo.

She’s been on a fixture on the country music for some time, honing her craft playing the fiddle in Kasey Chambers’ band and supporting artists like Shane Nicholson and Troy Cassar-Daley. She’s channelled that experience into the creation of her debut album Dancing with a Ghost, which hits stores tomorrow. It features the fun fiddle-driven single “Me”.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darren Middleton Goes Solo

Bernard Fanning isn’t the only former member of Powderfinger eying solo success. Darren Middleton’s also having a crack with his new single “Let Go”.

I really love this track. It’s deceptively simple, with heartfelt delivery and an awesome philosophy. It’s clear that the time Darren’s taken to release his first solo number was well spent.

“It has been two and half years now since we parted ways and the final chords rang
out as our Powderfinger tour concluded,” Darren explained. 
”Initially I intended to get straight back on
the horse to write, record and perform … all
 the things I have loved so much over the 
years, but it wasn’t to be that way for quite 
some time. I knew that I loved writing and
 making music, I just didn’t feel it straight 
away … I didn’t feel I had anything to write
 about. As time moved on, I found myself
 dealing with a lot of emotions I hadn’t 
planned on and there were some bumpy
 seas for myself and those close to me.
 From that though, arose Translations, my 
first solo album.”

Translations is scheduled to hit stores on November 1. If this song’s any indication, it’s going to be pretty special.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lester the Fierce Offers Delicious Taste of Self-Titled EP

Melbourne alt-pop artist Lester the Fierce serves up a serious slice of girl power with “Howl”, the first single lifted from her self-titled EP.

There’s such feminine strength in this number, which is anchored by such relatable lyrics. I’m sure most women out there will understand this song which tells of Lester the Fierce’s refusal to go quietly, despite the people around her hoping for a sweeter, calmer version of femininity.

“It’s about my family and the boy I love,” she explained. “It’s about the frustration you sometimes feel at the people closest to you.”

The song is complemented beautifully be the abstract film clip crafted by Melbourne’s Superteam Studios and Yoav Lester.

Lester the Fierce’s EP drops on September 13, but she’ll start promoting it tomorrow when she hits the road with Ngaiire. With two such strong female voices on the one bill, this tour should be something really special.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordan Rakei Knocks My Socks Off with “My Time”

I’m sitting here with goosebumps after listening to Jordan Rakei’s debut single “My Time” for the first time.

This track is seriously good. This boy plays the keys like nobody’s business, and his voice is smooth as silk. He’s got such a cool vibe. There’s an assurance to his sound that comes from being confident in doing your own thing. This song sounds like nothing I’ve heard, yet its off-kilter melody and new-style crooner charm are instantly accessible.

There’s more where this came from too. “My Time” is the first song lifted from Jordan’s debut EP Franklin’s Room. I’m definitely looking forward to listening to more. If you are too, you can see Jordan launching the single in Brisbane or supporting American singer-songwriter Raul Midon on his Aussie tour.

27 September 2013 – The Joynt, Brisbane
21 November 2013 – The Corner Hotel,  Richmond (supporting Raul Midon)
22 November 2013 – Blue Beat Live Club, Double Bay (supporting Raul Midon)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Andy Bull Tours Latest Single

Fresh from the release of his latest single “Baby I Am Nobody Now”, rising alt-pop star Andy Bull will tour the country next month.

Andy will play intimate shows along the East Coast to give fans a taste of his forthcoming album. Tickets are on sale now from the venues.

10 October 2013 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
11 October 2013 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
12 October 2013 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
19 October 2013 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
20 October 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (Early Show)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Better Luck Next Time Bree De Rome

I normally don’t post clips that I’m not in love with. It’s my blog and I can do what I want after all. But I’m going to make an exception for Bree De Rome’s single “Better Luck”.

The danger in using a lot of bad luck clichés in your song is that the entire thing will come off as a bit of a cliché. The song writing feels a bit lazy honestly, and that really lets this sunny track down. That sunniness is also grating on me. I don’t mind a bit of positivity, but it’s almost like Bree hasn’t quite grasped the lyrics. When you’re saying goodbye to a failed relationship, shouldn’t there be just a little more edge?

Despite these failings, I find myself really liking Bree, even if I’m not mad about the song. She’s got a gorgeous voice and so much charisma. I like her so much that I think her debut EP Bag of Bones could be worth checking out. I might just skip this track. Bree’s promoting Bag of Bones with the following shows later this month.

20 September 2013 – The Waiting Room, Brisbane
21 September 2013 – The Loft, Gold Coast
4 October 2013 – Kittens, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

All in the Family for DASH

You might expect a band made up of two pairs of siblings to be a volatile mess. But Sarah-Rose and Luke McIvor and Chris and Brandon Li Wan Po seem to have gotten the balance right with their outfit DASH. The Melbourne quartet has just released a music video for their stunning new single “The World Behind”.

The animated clip, created by Melbourne’s Deva Chandra, is the perfect accompaniment to this gorgeous number. It feels like something you might listen to around a campfire on a clear, still night. There’s not a lot of trickery here: just soaring sweet vocal melodies, warm jangling banjos, and an intimacy that’s so compelling. It’s organic and real and beautiful.

“The World Behind” comes from DASH’s debut EP And Then There Were None, which hit stores in March. DASH are currently planning a summer tour and another EP, so it sounds like we’ll enjoy plenty more music from this exciting new act.