Category: Film Clips

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ryan Downey Drops New Single Ahead Of Album Release and Tour

Just a week out from the release of his debut album Running, Ryan Downey has dropped another stellar single. “1+1” is a dreamy ballad featuring guest vocals from Zoe Randall.

Zoe’s voice is lovely, but I think Ryan is the real star here. He reminds me a little of Chris Isaak, which his rich, resonant voice, but I find his music much more compelling and captivating than the American crooner’s.

I also love the clip, which again sees Ryan collaborating with filmmaker Alex Badham. It has such a simple premise, but like the song itself it draws you in and hits you right in the heart.

Ryan is set for a busy couple of months with shows supporting Sarah Blasko and his own headlining dates for the album. See him at the following venues.

11 May 2018 – The Great Northern, Byron Bay (with Sarah Blasko)
12 May 2018 – The Triffid, Brisbane (with Sarah Blasko)
17 May 2018 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
23 May 2018 – Canberra Theatre Centre (with Sarah Blasko)
24 May 2018 – The Junk Bar, Brisbane
26 May 2018 – Oxford Art Factory Gallery, Sydney
1 June 2018 – Metro Theatre, Sydney (with Sarah Blasko)
8 June 2018 – The Gov, Adelaide (with Sarah Blasko)
14 &15 June 2018 – The Rosemount, Perth (with Sarah Blasko)
21 June 2018 – The Capital, Bendigo (with Sarah Blasko)
22 June 2018 – 170 Russell, Melbourne (with Sarah Blasko)

Image used with permission from Remote Control Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chris Arnott Floors Me With “Fighting With the Devil”

I’ve spent most of the day wondering whether I was in a bad mood on this Tuesday that feels like a Monday, because none of the songs I listened to grabbed me. I was starting to lose hope than anything would excite me today when I wrapped my ears around “Fighting With the Devil,” the new single from Sydney musician Chris Arnott.

This is stellar stuff, as you might expect from a musician with nearly two decades experience in the business. Make sure you hone in to the lyrics, which Chris penned in memory of a close friend who lost his own battle with the devil.

“Alas, he is just one of a growing number and it absolutely breaks my heart,” Chris said. “I wanted a super simple approach to this song, the overall tone is quite bleak and flat, the rhodes detuned to the hilt and the timpani ostinato unrelenting, not unlike the depression that consumes too many of us. But most of all it is pretty, because, for the most part, life is.”

The song was a real labour of love for Chris, who wrote, recorded, and produced the track himself. If you only make time to listen to one song today, make it this one.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jessica Mauboy Got Love, But Not a Eurovision Winner

When Jessica Mauboy’s Eurovision entry “We Got Love” hit my inbox, I initially resisted. I take my Eurovison seriously and I typically prefer to hear the songs for the first time in the Eurovision arena. That way my ears are fresh and familiarity doesn’t make me biased.

But curiousity got the better of me, and I figure if I’ve had a listen I might as well share my thoughts. It’s a good song. It’s incredibly catchy, and its positive lyrics are the kind of thing Eurovision eats up. But is it a winning song? That I’m not so sure about.

It’s quite predictable. People will enjoy it, no doubt, but in my opinion it doesn’t have enough quirk to separate it from so many other good Eurovision songs. I think of recent past winners and they typically had something that set what they did apart. This feels like it’s what Eurovision wanted five years ago, but not now. Jess has charisma in spades, but she’ll need to rely on more than charm to get this one over the line.

Anything can happen when we hit Lisbon, but I’m not expecting victory here.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Perch Creek Offer Soulful Taste of New Album

Melbourne band Perch Creek have taken me back to the ‘70s with their soulful new single “Gold Shop.” I love its funky bass groove and those honey vocals from Eileen Hodgkins. The retro inspired film clip is also stellar.

“We came up with the general concept of a ‘70s style action chase (inspired by the classic Beastie Boys film clip for Sabotage) featuring our Kingswood, maybe a fake moustache and the backdrop of the North Coburg industrial zone [in Melbourne’s north],” explained the band’s bassist, James Chandler. “It wasn’t until we met Sasha, who directed and shot the film with Honey Editorial, that the screenplay really took shape. They capitalised on our comic acting and made full use of our vintage car and bike collection to create an epic, hilarious and at times confounding four-and-a-half minute action flick. It’s definitely the coolest video we’ve done yet.”

“Gold Shop” comes from Perch Creek’s new self-titled album, which will hit stores on April 13. The band will celebrate its release with shows in the capitals and major regional centres around the country.

31 May 2018 – Fly by Night, Fremantle (18+)
2 & 3 June 2018 – Denmark Festival of Voice, Denmark (ALL AGES)
7 June 2018 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle (ALL AGES)
8 June 2018 – The Metropole Guesthouse, Katoomba (ALL AGES)
10 June 2018 – Smiths Alternative, Canberra (18+)
14 June 2018 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane (18+)
15 June 2018 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast (ALL AGES – FREE)
16 June 2018 – Star Court Theatre, Lismore (ALL AGES)
17 June 2018 – Pelican Playhouse, Grafton (ALL AGES)
21 June 2018 – The Workers Club, Geelong (18+)
22 June 2018 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine (18+)
23 June 2018 – The Evelyn, Fitzroy (18+)
29 June 2018 – Jive Bar, Adelaide (18+)
1 July 2018 – Thornbury Bowls Club, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
6 July 2018 – Major Tom’s, Kyneton (ALL AGES)
7 July 2018 – Sandy Point Music Club, Sandy Point (ALL AGES)

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mary Webb Goes Her Own Way With “Gecko Fingers”

Adelaide singer-songwriter Mary Webb is doing music differently. You can get a taste of how she’s breaking the mould with her new single “Gecko Fingers.”

It’s such a unique track, folky and a little jazzy, poetically written and so endearing.

“Gecko Fingers” comes from Mary’s recently released album Love Like Planets, which was recorded in Montana. Mary is currently bringing music from this unique album to music lovers all around the country. Here are all the places you can see her play.

6 April 2018 – Willie’s Apple Shed, Tasmania (FREE ALL AGES WITH PARENT)
22 April 2018 – Milk Factory, Brisbane (4pm ALL AGES)
28 April 2018 – Smiths Alternative Bookshop, Canberra
4 May 2018 – The Edwards Newcastle (ALL AGES)
27 May 2018 – Cheese Factory Studio Gallery, Meadows (1pm ALL AGES)

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Christine Anu and Greg Gould Team Up For “Without You

I go see more musicals than the average Aussie I think, but none has stayed with me like RENT. I saw it the first time it was performed in Australia, with Christine Anu playing Mimi. Remarkably, that was 20 years ago. I feel so old! I’ve seen RENT twice more since then: once in New York and again in Newcastle with an amateur theatre production. It’s that kind of musical that stands up to repeated showings, thanks largely to the strength of its songs. So I was thrilled to see Christine has revisited one of the most beautiful ballads from the musical, “Without You,” with the phenomenal Greg Gould.

“It’s not just that it’s a beautiful song,” says Christine. “But the themes from the show and the sentiment in the song are still so relevant. Social media shows this world of perfection and magnifies any sense of loneliness or separation. Greg has explored some of these in his own music which is why I’m excited to do this song with him.”

Like me, the music of RENT has long resonated with Greg. “Obviously I relate to many of the themes but the show follows people as they search for happiness in the face of intolerance, persecution and hardship. So many people in my life have been there.”

This new version of “Without You” has been released with a stunning clip exploring the way that life has changed for people with HIV thanks to medical advances and access to new medications and health services.

Hopefully this release will remind people how relevant and important RENT is and we can see another major production on our shores sometime soon. Twenty years is far too long!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Fired Up About Sydney’s Retrograde

Retrograde are coming at you like a dose of caffeine with their high-energy debut single “You. Me. Sanity.” It’s got a retro 80s synth pop meets rock feel which is so fresh and fun. It’s the kind of track that has me anticipating what will come next for this trio from Sydney’s North Shore.

The single “very much represents what this band started as for me,” says vocalist Samuel Edward. “A culmination of decisions to move forward.”

The band came about almost by accident, explained Retrograde’s vocalist and guitarist, Samuel Edward. “As I was writing demos for a band I was in at the time, I found it became increasingly clear that the music was deserving of its own project I quickly contacted long-time friends (Austin Megier and Cody Stebbings) to see if they’d want a part in starting the new band.”

Apparently live shows and more music aren’t too far off. You’re going to want to get in on the ground floor, because I am predicting big things for these guys.

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gabriel Vargas Releases “Like Wolves” For White Ribbon Foundation

Melbourne singer-songwriter Gabriel Vargas is using his musical gifts for good with the release of his new single “Like Wolves.” It’s a powerful track which touches on the impact of sexual abuse and our power to move past trauma.

We’ve heard a lot of people exploring these kinds of issues lately, but Gabriel isn’t simply jumping on a bandwagon. This song marks the first time he’s spoken out about the sexual abuse within his own family. He hopes this personal song will give power to others who’s suffered by encouraging strength through growth. He’s also refusing to line his own pockets either, with all online earnings from the song benefitting the White Ribbon Foundation. You can find “Like Wolves” at all major digital outlets including iTunes and Spotify.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Daniel Lee Kendall is Back With “No Longer Time to Pretend”

It’s been three years since we heard any new music from Daniel Lee Kendall. In fact, in a press release the Central Coast singer-songwriter said he killed off his public persona. But now he’s making a welcome return to the spotlight with a brand new single, “No Longer Time to Pretend.”

“Killing Daniel Lee Kendall was an attempt to be free. Free of shyness, free of anxiety, free of uncertainty. Free from the mental prison I often found myself in,” he explained. “But then, what if it’s my shyness that allows me to be vulnerable, and that vulnerability is the birthplace of creativity? – the place where we dance with the divine. What if it is my anxiety that allows me to be sensitive, and sensitivity the path to experiencing some of life’s best moments? What if uncertainty allows me to question and become curious about this bizarre life, which for me is one of life’s greatest joys.”

Wrestling with all these questions, Daniel Lee Kendall has decided to return to us with “light and new insight.” His return to the music scene isn’t a return to the past, but an attempt to embrace what comes next. Hopefully that is more quality music like this with resonant lyrics. I for one am thrilled for his return.

Image used with permission from Daniel Lee Kendall

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Xavier Rudd Drops New Single Ahead of Aussie Tour

Xavier Rudd is one of those musicians who can seemingly do no wrong. He releases a single or album, and you can probably feel confident you’re going to dig it. Such is the case with his latest effort “Walk Away,” the first track lifted from his forthcoming new album Storm Boy. It’s a got a little more intensity than a lot of Xavier’s material, more power and less hippie vibes, but I’m embracing the new direction.

Storm Boy isn’t released until later this year, but you can bet fans will hear more tracks from it when Xavier plays shows in capital cities around the country next month. It’s the first time in a decade he’s played such small intimate venues, so fans are in for a real treat. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

12 April 2018 – Triffid, Brisbane
13 April 2018 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
14 April 2018 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne
15 April 2018 – Reverb Festival, Perth

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia