Category: Video

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Neon Queen Releases Soulful New Single “Free My Mind”

Mondays can be difficult, but I’m easing into the working week thanks to the release of “Free My Mind,” the soulful new track from Melbourne’s Neon Queen. With smooth as chocolate vocals from Kriss Lisati, beautiful harmonies, and shimmering synths, it feels a classic song given a fresh modern makeover.

“‘Free My Mind’ marks a reinvention of Neon Queen’s sound for 2018 fully embracing our R&B and Rock roots and bringing the past into the present with Melbourne soul,” the band says.

I hear these guys are phenomenal live, so if you get a chance to see them next month, don’t hesitate. With most shows offering free entry, you’ve got nothing to lose!

7 April 2018 – Exeter Hotel, Adelaide (FREE)
21 April 2018 – The Evelyn, Melbourne
27April 2018 – Botany View Hotel, Sydney (FREE)
29 April 2018 – North Gong, Wollongong (FREE)

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harts Delivers Musical Pep Talk With “Ain’t Nothin’ On Me”

Indian-born Aussie-raised singer-songwriter Harts continues to impress with the release of his funky new single “Ain’t Nothin’ On Me.” I just love its deep groove and those empowering lyrics.

“In a world constantly putting you down, Ain’t Nothin’ On Me is song to build you up. It’s a song about self-confidence and self-belief in your own worth, skills and ambitions,” Harts explained. “The line ‘They could never do it like you’ is something Prince told me as words of encouragement to me when I thought I wasn’t good enough to be in the game with some of today’s current top artists. The song is raw, much inspired by a ‘go for it, don’t let others bring you down’ mentality.”

Harts has been spending a lot of time in the United States of late, but he’s back on Aussie soil to play a few festivals. Catch him at Bluesfest in Byron Bay on March 30 and 31 and Sea ‘n’ Sound on the Sunshine Coast on June 9.

Image used with permission from The A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Love Ed Sheeran? Listen to Our Own Dylan Joel

The rest of Australia might be gripped by Ed Sheeran mania, but I’m far more interested in the singer-songwriters coming out of this country. If you love Ed, “Run to the River,” the new single from Melbourne’s Dylan Joel will be right up your alley.

“We shot the video in a desert one hour outside of San Diego, California in a town called Ocotillo,” Dylan explained. “The only things in the town of Ocotillo were a gas station, a saloon and a man who turns recycled junk in to UFOs … as you do. The story of the song was inspired by the idea of flipping a blues song. Hence the theme of the ‘river’ being something holy or life giving and the reference of a devil whispering. The theme came from some of the typical struggles we face as a society and the importance of questioning what things help us escape them.”

“Run to the River” is Dylan’s first new release since he dropped Authentic Lemonade, which was one of Triple J’s feature albums of the week, in 2015. He seems to have matured a lot as an artist since then, perhaps because he’s taken time to work on his craft with songwriting and recording sessions here and in the United States. If “Run to the River” is any indication, the new music will be worth a listen.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bloom Sings of “The Sweetest Love”

When she’s not packing out auditoriums with her Amy Winehouse and Adele covers, Perth’s Bloom is working on her own music. Her latest release is “The Sweetest Love,” a romantic piano ballad that should make your heart soar.

While Bloom writes most of the original music she releases, “The Sweetest Love” was actually penned by internationally-renowned songwriters Brian Sutherland and Jody Stewart-Regner. Even though she didn’t write it, Bloom says she felt an instant connection with the track.

“As soon as I heard this song, I loved it. I love that it is a positive love song and I thought it would be nice and fresh to release something different,” she explained.

“Marriage Equality has been a big thing in our country lately so when they told me the song was actually inspired by the love between two women, the lyrics made a lot of sense to me. I believe love is love and we shouldn’t discriminate with sex or race.”

Bloom will release a new original EP later this year, but before then you can see her playing her acclaimed Adele & Amy Songbook shows all around Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.

9 March 2018 – Sutherland Entertainment Centre, Sutherland
17 March 2018 – Wendouree Performing Arts Centre, Ballarat
7 April 2018 – Laycock Theatre, Gosford
28 April 2018 – The Wedge Performing Arts Centre, Sale
3 May 3 2018 – The Globe Theatre, Palmerston North
4 May 4 2018 – The Cabana, Napier
5 May 5 2018 – Upper Hutt Cossie Club, Upper Hutt
25 May 2018 – Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah
26 May 2018 – Astor Theatre, Perth
16 June 2018 – The Best Of British Ball, Singapore
29 June 2018 – Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong
30 June 2018 – Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston
3 August 2018 – Wagga Wagga Civic Centre, Wagga Wagga
4 August 2018 – Griffith Regional Theatre, Griffith
25 August 2018 – Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong
7 September 2018 – Swan Hill Performing Arts Centre, Swan Hill
8 September 2018 – Mildura Arts Centre, Mildura
15 September 2018 – Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill
22 September 2018 – Windsor RSL, Windsor
20 October 2018 – Norths Leagues Club, Cammeray

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Abbey Baker Captures Relationship Angst With “Tell Me How”

Sydney singer-songwriter Abbey Baker lays her soul bare with her new single “Tell Me How.” This powerfully raw track explores the uncertainties that have all plagued us in the early days of a relationship.

“The song is about my experience of being in that early stage of a relationship, where I am all in and the other person isn’t. I explore the feelings of frustration and insecurity that I felt, a situation in which many others may have experienced,” Abbey explained.

I also love the way “Tell me How” sounds. It’s got that intimate quality that makes it feel like it could have been recorded in a bedroom rather than Wollongong’s Main Street Studios. It really is perfect for this kind of confessional track.

At 22, Abbey says she’s ready to take her music to the masses. If her other tracks sound this good, I look forward to listening.

Image used with permission from The A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Space Invadas Are Back With “Now That I Know”

Katalyst and Steve Spacek are respected musicians in their own right but when they join forces they become Space Invadas. After a seven-year hiatus, they’re back making music together. Before their new album Wild Word hits on April 13, you can wrap your ears around the Aussie duo’s soulful new single “Now That I Know.”

Praised by BBC6 Radio’s Giles Peterson as “a modern day soul classic,” this track is so sexy and smooth. The song’s orchestral grooves uplift, balancing those melancholy lyrics.

Space Invadas’ debut album scored ARIA nominations and critical acclaim. If this single is anything to go by, the follow-up might be just as celebrated.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MAXO Spreads Good Vibes With “Never Ever”

Canberra singer-songwriter MAXO had me at the banjo. This much-maligned instrument is actually one of my favourites, and it brings MAXO’s new single “Never Ever” a little closer to that folk-rock sound perfected by artists like Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers.

The track is a sweet ditty about meeting someone and falling so hard that you’re willing to sacrifice it all. Awww. Couldn’t we all do with that kind of blind optimism on a Monday morning?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stop What You’re Doing and Listen to Ryan Downey’s “Running”

Melbourne crooner Ryan Downey has given me chills with his new single “Running.” THe track comes from Ryan’s debut album, out April 13.

It’s a beautiful slow burner, stripped back and delicate yet so powerful. Listen to those lyrics, if you’re not too mesmerised by Ryan’s beautiful baritone. It’s somewhere between Chris Isaak and Leonard Cohen, with a classic quality that’s sure to send many hearts racing.

Sydney gets a chance to get up close and personal with Ryan when he plays Golden Age Cinema this Thursday, March 8. Get your tickets at the door.

Image used with permission from Remote Control Records