Category: Film Clips

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

bella amor Throws it Back With “my first demo (weekend lover)”

Most artists want to keep the songs they created as teenagers hidden, because they cringe over the corny lyrics and emotions sitting so close to the surface. But most artists aren’t bella amor. She’s just released “my first demo (weekend lover)”, a beautiful song recorded while she was in high school.

“This song is one of the first demos I ever wrote in high school. It’s a really special one to me because it was one of the first songs I fully finished and was in love with. It’s about not wanting to be a part-time lover and not wanting to be someone who comes around at a call. I’m a big lover and this song is about wanting to share full love. The video is made up of fun memories from my time in school. This song feels real nostalgic and it felt right to have videos of little me having fun and being carefree.”

I love the way this track reveals what bella can do when she strips away a lot of the production. It really showcases her vocals and songwriting talent. I’ve liked her work in the past, but I really love this.

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

CHUTNEY Covers “Kama At Yafa” For Israel

As we all look forward to the year ahead, it’s easy to get wrapped up in all the fun of the festive period. Eora/Sydney-based Jewish band CHUTNEY are encouraging us to remember the plight of people in Israel with their cover “Kama At Yafa,” which translates to “How Beautiful You Are.” First performed by Shiri Maimon in 2012 and featuring Hebrew lyrics, this new version aims to raise awareness of the nearly 140 hostages who’ve been held captive by Hamas since October 7.

“Like Jews the world over, the 7th of October shook us to our core. We felt compelled to take a principled stance and be our authentic selves, despite the risk of backlash,” explained the band’s leader and violinist Ben Adler. “Within 36 hours, we had postponed a big show scheduled that week and pivoted to perform instead for the communal solidarity vigil attended by almost 10,000 Jews and allies.

“We see this song as a prayer, not only for the hostages, but also for the spirit of the people of Israel: ‘Do not fall, do not break. Come back.’ We want this powerful message to reach Israelis and Jews in the furthest corners of the globe, and we encourage everyone to share it widely.”

This song has an important message, but it’s also just a fantastic song. I love that the music video lets those of us who don’t speak Hebrew understand the lyrics. However, as a big Eurovision fan I’ve always felt like music is a universal language. You don’t need to read the subtitles to understand the emotion behind guest singer Sarit Michael’s gorgeous vocals.

We’ll be hearing a lot more from CHUTNEY this year, with the band planning to drop more singles in the leadup to the release of their debut album in March.

Image used with permission from CHUTNEY

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Northern Folk Explore New Sound With “Thank God”

The Northern Folk have charmed me with their gorgeous new single, “Thank God.” It’s a bit of a departure from the sound we’re used to from this Naarm/Melbourne-based ten-piece, more pop ballad than alt-folk, but I think it sounds good on them. And you can’t go wrong when their instruments and harmonies combine.

“’Thank God’ is about trusting yourself, an anthem to self-assurance,” explained the song’s co-writer, Paul Dyason. “It explores the idea of being so lost in a relationship that you begin to forget your own voice. But it doesn’t hide from all the ruminating and ruin that may come with finding your way back to clarity; rather, it turns up its collar and leans into the blizzard, knowing there will be better days ahead.”

Take a moment to stop what you’re doing and really appreciate this song. It deserves better than simply becoming the background to your daily tasks. You can thank me later.

Photo credit: Simon Pickering

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mathilde Anne Teams Up With Des Cortez Frontman For “Break”

Mathilde Anne has a knack for creating indie pop music with real depth. Her latest effort is “Break,” a super catchy number with some of the most vulnerable lyrics you’re likely to hear and special guest vocals from Des Cortez’ Sam Knight.

“I wrote ‘Break’ in my shower at 12am after a Finneas concert. I was sitting in the shower listening to my “depressing hot girl heart-break” playlist and thinking about a conversation I’d had with my partner,” Mathilde recalls. “In that conversation we came to the conclusion that both of us (me in particular) had a lot of walls up and had kept myself somewhat reserved for fear of having my heart broken again. I wrote it as a way to come to terms with this idea I had during my sad-girl shower that I didn’t want him to not really know me or the way I love”.

Mathilde Anne has had a massive year releasing a stack of new material, scoring a Music Victoria Award nomination, and sharing stages with Cub Sport and Telenova. She’s hitting the ground running in 2024 with a couple of shows in the first week of January. Add these to your calendar, and save room for the other dates that will inevitably follow:

13 January 2024 – Coastal Jam Festival @ Rosebud Village Green, Boonwarrung/Mornington Peninsula
19 January 2024 – The Toff, Naarm/Melbourne (co-headline with Des Cortez)

Photo credit: Max Fairclough

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

COTERIE Release Summer Anthem, “Paradise”

Your favorite summer party band COTERIE have released a new anthem for the season, “Paradise.” I know you’ll want to crank this one up loud!

This song sounds fire coming out of your speakers, but you know it’ll be even better live. Consider this your reminder that COTERIE are touring all over the country on their Lush Leopard Regional Summer Tour real soon.

27 December 2023 – Waihi Beach Tavern, Waihi
30 December 2023 – The Good Home Ferrymead, Christchurch
31 December 2023 – The Buxton, Nelson
3 January 2024 – Shake & Bake @ Brewton, Maidstone
8 January 2024 – Totara St, Mount Maungaunui
11 January 2024 – Leigh Sawmill, Leigh
12 January 2024 – Opononi Hotel, Opononi
13 January 2024 – Mangawhai Tavern, Mangawhai
19 January 2024 – Black Barn Vineyards, Havelock North
25 January 2024 – Tanks Arts Centre, Gimuy/Cairns
26 January 2024 – The Seabreeze Hotel, Yuwibara/Mackay
27 January 2024 – Solbar, Kabi Kabi/Maroochydore
2 February 2024 – Froth Craft Brewery, Goomburrup/Bunbury
3 February 2024 – Indian Ocean Hotel, Boorloo/Perth
4 February 2024 – The River Hotel, Wooditup/Margaret River
15 February 2024 – King Street Bandroom, Mulubinba/Newcastle
16 February 2024 – Hello Sailor, Guruk/Port Macquarie
29 February 2024 – Pelly Bar, Boon Wurrung/Frankston
1 March 2024 – The Westernport Hotel, Mellow/San Remo
2 March 2024 – Torquay Hotel, Wadawurrung/Torquay
8 March 2024 – Label., Dharug/Brookvale
9 March 2024 – The Pavilion, Kiama, Dharawal/Kiama

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan Keyes + The New Rides Off to Strong Start With “London”

“London,” the latest single by Dan Keyes + The New Rides, is one of those songs that sneaks up on you. I thought it was nice on the first listen, but before long I realised I’d played it three times straight. I’m pretty sure I’ll be humming its chorus for the rest of the day.

The outfit is fronted by Dan Keyes, who was born and raised in Texas but now splits his time between Australia and Los Angeles. While this is his new outfit’s first single, Dan’s every bit as experienced as his voice suggests. He began touring at just 18 when his former band Recover, a post-hardcore act, inked a deal with legendary label Fueled by Ramen. He then went on to form the dance rock project Young Love in the mid-2000s, but felt unprepared for the fame and all that came with it. And so, he left Young Love behind and headed west, which ultimately led to the birth of Dan Keyes + The New Rides.

Dan, who collaborated with local songwriter and producer Tim Metcalfe on the track, said, “We wanted it to sound classic, familiar and new all the same time. A modern, Aussie take on Americana, if you will … The song lyrics are quite intentionally vague; it’s how you interpret it. Do I sound like I come from London? No. Does Tim, who I co-wrote the song with, sound like he is? Maybe. It’s about wanting to walk, or run to someone, in the middle of the night, for no real reason other than wanting to be with them; in that moment.”

“London” isn’t just the first song from Dan Keyes + The New Rides. It’s also the first release from the newly revived Wheatley Records. First established in 1980 by the late, great Glenn Wheatley, Wheatley Records nurtured the careers of John Farnham, Real Life, Pseudo Echo, and heaps more. I for one can’t wait to see what comes next for this independent label.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rosa Mack Wows Me With “When I’m Alone”

The release of “When I’m Alone,” the debut single from Meeanjin/Brisbane artist Rosa Mack shows she’s a force to be reckoned with. This is one of the strongest debuts I’ve heard in some time, a soaring, soulful number that effortlessly combines blues, soul, and jazz influences into a song that’s timeless, yet fresh. You’ll feel this one while you’re marvelling at her impressive pipes.

“’When I’m Alone’ reveals the tension of journeying from the confines of a toxic relationship into the liberating freedom of aloneness. The desire for connection is juxtaposed with desperation for solitude and inner peace, having found loneliness in partnership and empowerment through new-found independence,” Rosa explained. “’When I’m Alone’ is a reclamation of one’s self, defining and celebrating the distinction between loneliness and the joy of being alone.”

Rosa Mack and her seven-piece band have already played their last show of the year, but you’ll want to follow her on the socials to see what they do next.

Photo credit: Jax Oliver

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harley Alaska Releases Stellar Pop Single, “Deja Vu”

Eora/Sydney bedroom pop act Harley Alaska has impressed me with his latest single “Déjà Vu.” This upbeat bop is absolutely infectious, in the best possible way.

“I loved the idea of writing a song about the saying ‘right place, wrong time’ but in a really tangible way – like this house is THE house / the right place, but I can’t tell whether the time I’m here is the right one – and it’s messing with me,” Harley said. “It’s like, when the person you’re with keeps reminding you of someone from your past, what does that mean? Is that a good or bad thing?”

“Déjà Vu” came out of a fairly intense period for Harley following an ADHD diagnosis. He spent the time honing his songwriting while adjusting his sleep schedule, habits, and medications to find the right combination.

“Being told I had ADHD didn’t feel too crazy at the time, but the ways in which that knowledge has changed my life since then has been actually quite profound,” Harley explained. “All these habits and behaviours are things that have been compounded over the years of my life… Now I understand so much of my self-sabotaging was essentially the result of parts of my brain. Having that knowledge means I can allow more freedom in where a song goes and how I feel about it – to me, there is nothing standing in my way anymore.”

“Déjà Vu” and Harley’s previous single, “Lose You Too”, are both set to appear on his EP, which is due next year.

Photo credit: Sam Cooper

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ellie Lovegrove Releases Debut Single “I’m Gonna Fly” Featuring Archie Roach

When we lost Archie Roach last July, we lost one of the country’s great talents. He might be gone, but there are plenty of new exciting projects that keep his memory alive. I’ve already told you about all the incredible songs released as part of the Singing Our Futures initiative developed by the Archie Roach Foundation. All those songs saw established First Nations artists performing with up-and-coming Indigenous acts they mentored. Mentorship was something Archie was so passionate about, so it’s only fitting that we get to hear his voice one last time duetting with Ngarrindjeri singer-songwriter Ellie Lovegrove on her beautiful debut single, “I’m Gonna Fly.”

“After sharing some time touring with Uncle Archie and listening to his stories, I had commuted back to Adelaide and written the song in a time of deep reflection,” Ellie recalled. “With just the first verse and the chorus, I wasn’t sure as to where to go next and humbly asked if Uncle Archie would be interested in hearing what I had and if he would be interested in collaborating on the piece. I had no expectations, if anything I just wanted to share with him as he had with me and I was deeply taken back when I was told Uncle had included a verse to the song. To then be able to intertwine our voices together in the last chorus was a really special moment for me. ‘I’m Gonna Fly’ is a song I wrote about breaking free from things I felt were holding me back from being true to myself. It’s about personal growth and being in alignment with my miwi (Spirit) and trusting that despite the trials and tribulations I may face, if I am true to myself and my spirit, I will prosper, spiritually, mentally and therefore physically. This song is very sentimental, and it is about growth, letting go and overcoming those heavy feelings change can bring. I feel as though it will create a life of its own as different people interpret the lyrics to their own circumstances.”

If you’re an Archie fan (and let’s face it, who isn’t?) you should also get yourself a copy of Songs from the Kitchen Table, a new book commemorating the lives of Archie Road and his beloved Ruby Hunter through songs, stories, photographs and tributes. It’s also out now.

Photo credit: Archie Roach – Phil Nitchie https://www.threads.net/@nitchphotography
Photo credit: Ellie Lovegrove – Colleen Stangways https://www.instagram.com/nharla_photography/

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Order of Owls Get Real With “Speak Up”

Naarm/Melbourne alt-rock act Order of Owls have fired me up with their latest single “Speak Up.” In just their second release, Order of Owls show they can release anthemic rock tracks with the best of them. The band drew on their own experiences battling depression to create a vivid picture of how mental health struggles can impact your worldview.

“Depression isn’t just a feeling of bad, it’s an exhausting cycle of dis-regulation,” said the band’s guitarist, Nathan M. “Feeling fine or even euphoric at one point and utterly hollow at another. Vacillating between these extremes in a debilitating parade of moments towards an erosion to the sense of self. Preferring the allure of a permanent ends to a seemingly endless drudgery. An inability to find any breadcrumbs leading back to connection with others.”

“My goal is to put into words what others struggle to articulate. Help them realise that they are not alone in the way they feel and encourage them that it’s okay to seek help so they can become their best selves,” added vocalist Tim L. “The amount of time and work that might be required will seem like a small trade for the reward of happiness and finding mechanisms towards those ends is the strongest thing a person can do. Doing so myself provided a mechanism that has vastly improved handling my day to day.”

The band has also put together a fabulous music video, conceived by bassist Johnny M, which puts the lyrics of “Speak Up” front and center. I love this release, not just because of how it sounds but also what it says. Great work from Order of Owls.

Image used with permission from Order of Owls