Category: Video

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kitty, Daisy & Lewis Drop Christmas Clip Ahead of Aussie Tour

British siblings Kitty, Daisy & Lewis are getting fans into the festive spirit and excited about their upcoming Aussie tour with the release of the new video for single “Just One Kiss.” The simple clip sees the trio playing live at their home studio, which is appropriately decorated for the holidays.

This is a stripped back version of the track that appears on Kitty, Daisy & Lewis’ Superscope album, and I think I love it even more. It’s closer to how the track was originally conceived, with just Kitty singing and her guitar, before Lewis suggesting adding the piano and strings.

“The song’s about how a magic kiss can change your life,” the band said. “Kitty wrote it one night sitting in front of the fire playing guitar – perfect for all the lovers out there at Christmas time!”

Their Aussie tour is one for all the lovers too. It kicks off in Sydney on Valentine’s Day.

14 February 2018 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
15 February 2018 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
16 February 2018 – Perth Festival, Perth

Image used with permission from Inertia Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tonight Alive Lay Heart Bare With Sensational New Single

Never one to take a backwards step, Tonight Alive have released a powerful new single “Crack My Heart.” With emotional lyrics and a killer vocal performance from Jenna McDougall, this is one track that knows how to leave an impression.

“The concept of cracking the heart is to allow the precious, vulnerable self to come through and be free. The painful, yet liberating experience involves the emotional and energetic decalcification of the hardened heart,” Jenna explained. “The lyrics follow my conversation with a ‘winged man’, a conscious figure, who offers space and safety to do my healing with. In my experience, when you are seen as your authentic self by another, you come to recognise your reflection more accurately and lovingly. ‘Crack My Heart’ is a tribute to the way that love from the divine masculine elevates and holds space for the divine feminine to flourish.”

“Crack My Heart” comes from Tonight Alive’s new album Underworld, which will drop on January 12.

Image used with permission from the Unified Music Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley: Partners in Life and Touring

Brooke MyClymont is taking a little time out from her family band to release music with the man in her life, Adam Eckersley. One of those songs is “Train Wreck,” a track which hopefully doesn’t describe their own relationship! It comes from their self-titled album Adam & Brooke, which will hit stores on February 9.

Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley performed a string of acoustic shows in June and July and they enjoyed it so much they’ll do it again next year. The Highway Sky Tour will play capital cities and plenty of regional centres. If they’re not coming to your town, don’t worry. This already extensive tour will get more dates soon! Expect to hear the couple’s collaborations and your favourite McClymonts and Adam Eckersley Band songs too at the following shows.

9 February 2018 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
10 February 2018 – Coast Hotel, Budgewoi
23 February 2018 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
24 February 2018 – Southern Cross Club, Canberra
2 March 2018 – Armidale Ex Serviceman’s Club, Armidale
3 March 2018 – Southwest Rocks Country Club, Southwest Rocks
8 March 2018 – Leftys Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane
9 March 2018 – Lone Star Tavern, Gold Coast
10 March 2018 – South Acacia Ridge Sports Club, Brisbane South
16 & 17 March 2018 – The Pelican Playhouse, Grafton
6 April 2018 – Young Services Club, Young
7 April 2018 – Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga
12 April 2018 – Toff in Town, Melbourne
13 April 2018 – York on Lilydale, Mt Evelyn
14 April 2018 – Gateway Hotel, Geelong
26 April 2018 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
27 April 2018 – Leadbelly, Newtown
29 April 2018 – Oaks Hotel, Albion Park Rail
11 May 2018 – Brothers Leagues, Cairns
12 May 2018 – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville
13 May 2018 – Mt Pleasant, Mackay
15 May 2018 – Glenmore Tavern, Rockhampton
16 May 2018 – Hervey Road Tavern, Gladstone
17 May 2018 – Melbourne Hotel, Bundaberg
18 May 2018 – Caloundra RSL, Caloundra
19 May 2018 – Highfields Tavern, Toowoomba

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Beautiful @ Lyric Theatre, Sydney – 10 December 2017

I was seeing musicals before I ever saw a concert. The music of Carole King has been a constant comfort in my life. So when I heard of the musical Beautiful’s creation, I was so hopeful it would eventually land on Australian shores. My parents saw it on Broadway and raved about it, and that only heightened my anticipation. But could it possibly live up to all that hype. For me it’s an emphatic yes.

The performance of Esther Hannaford as Carole is the lynchpin of this performance and she excels. Carole has such a unique way about her and Esther captures her voice and mannerisms without ever becoming a caricature. She’s supported beautifully by other key players: Josh Piterman as the troubled, complex love of her life Gerry Goffin, Amy Lehpamer as her vivacious and loyal friend and fellow songwriter of note Cynthia Weil, and Mat Verevis as Cynthia’s own songwriting partner and beau Barry Mann. While this isn’t Weil and Mann’s musical, as a fan of their music I was excited to learn a little more about the lives of the creators. The chorus of minor players was also exceptional. They brought us The Drifters, The Shirelles, Little Eva, and the songwriters of Don Kirshner’s Dimension Records in a such superb voice and retro fashion.

The music of the era, especially the songs of Carole King, both on her own and with Gerry Goffin, are key to Beautiful’s success. But the story is no afterthought. It’s told with heartbreak and humour drawing the viewer in and helping them understand more about these songs that are such a part of the upbringing of many of us. The players weren’t there just because they could sing and dance well, but also because they could bring the right emotional note to that story. It was a curious decision to refer to a “Nick” who encouraged Carole as she broke away from Gerry and resolved to start a new musical journey in California, when it so easily could have been James Taylor. But this was really my only quibble as I watched Carole transition from teenage Carole Klein to the Grammy-Award winning Carole King playing Carnegie Hall.

Beautiful is at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre until February 4. It will then travel to Melbourne, Adelaide, and Brisbane.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kayar Releases Fresh New Single “Long Way Home”

Kayar reinterprets the traditional South Indian sounds he grew up with into something funky and fresh with his own music. A second-generation immigrant born in Western Sydney, he’s just released a brand new single “Long Way Home.”

I couldn’t help thinking about early Jason Mraz as I listened to this track. There’s a similar rhythmic sensibility and purity to his vocals. I lost touch with Mraz’s music somewhere along the way as it lost a bit of its quirk; Kayar might just be the artist I need to fill the void he left!

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dom Youdan Releases Stunning New Single “Tigerlily”

All too often it seems we lose our most talented musicians to overseas. So it’s great to hear a real talent has left another country to join us here in Oz. Once you listen to his new single “Tigerlily,” I’m sure you’ll be as thrilled as I am that London-born muso Dom Youdan has decided to call Sydney home.

The track has a folky feel that’s been freshened up with modern recording techniques. The lyrics which speak of the love that brought him here to Australia are also so beautiful. As a woman whose husband chased her to the land Down Under, the song has really struck a chord with me.

It hasn’t taken long for Dom to get to know our local scene. He’s already taking inspiration from the likes of Matt Corby, Julia Jacklin, and Flume. With a single as strong as “Tigerlily” under his belt, the future looks bright for Dom.

Image used with permission from Inmocean

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Grenadiers Release New Album Cut “Long Way Down”

Just see if you’re not singing along to the chorus by the end of hearing “Long Way Down,” the new single from Adelaide rockers Grenadiers. It’s got such an infectious quality to it, in the best possible way.

“Long Way Down” comes from Grenadier’s new album Find Something You Love and Let it Kill You, which is in stores now. If you want more, and you live in Adelaide, you’re in luck. Grenadiers are playing Ed Castle tonight. If not, don’t worry. They’re touring in February. Here are all the dates and venues you need to know!

1 December 2017 – Ed Castle, Adelaide
8 February 2018 – The Eastern Station Hotel, Ballarat
9 February 2018 – The Worker’s Club, Fitzroy
10 February 2018 – The Chippendale Hotel, Sydney
11 February 2018 – The North Gong Hotel, Wollongong
23 February 2018 – The Northern, Byron Bay
24 February 2018 – Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley
9 March 2018 – Mojo’s, Fremantle
10 March 2018 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
17 March 2018 – Crown & Anchor, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Olive Releases “Senseless” Single

Perth singer-songwriter Olive has released her moody new single “Senseless.” Lifted from her forthcoming EP, it’s a slow burning with incredible vocals and heart.

Olive has a few shows in her home state coming up, so if you live in WA make sure you get along and show your support for this exciting new artist.

28 December 28 2017 – OXJAM @ Mojos, Fremantle
3 January 2018 – Indi Bar, Scarborough
4 January 2018 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River

Image used with permission from Firestarter Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gang of Youths, Amy Shark, Paul Kelly Big Winners at ARIAs

Often I spend the ARIA Awards feeling a little out of step with the industry voters, because the acts I feel passionate about aren’t often the ones who come home with the trophies. Not last night though, where Gang of Youths, Amy Shark, and Paul Kelly took home some of the top prizes. I was also thrilled to see Jimmy Barnes taking out the Best Children’s Album category (who would have thought he could beat out The Wiggles?) and Kasey Chambers recognised for her wonderful album Dragonfly. 2017 has been such a great year for local music and last night’s event was a fitting celebration of that.

Sure, it wasn’t a perfect awards night. Without a host, the night seemed to lack a little direction. Some of the banter felt forced, like the section with the stars of Pitch Perfect 3 and Joel Creasey’s awkward conversation with Jillian Michaels. The sound also left a lot to be desired, at least on the television broadcast. I hope it sounded better in the room. But the performances were all outstanding. It seems wrong to single anyone out, but Jimmy Barnes’ rendition of “High Voltage” was such a fitting tribute to Malcolm and George Young. If you weren’t excited by new Hall of Fame inductee Darryl Braithwaite teaming up with Vera Blue and Guy Sebastian for “The Horses” you’re probably not Australian. I thought Paul Kelly’s new take on “Dumb Things” with A.B. Original and Dan Sultan was inspired. Gang of Youth’s performance showed just why they were so dominant this year.

If you didn’t catch the ceremony, at least make sure you look up some of the performances on YouTube. Here’s one to get you started.

And here are all the winners!

Album Of The Year: Gang Of Youths – Go Farther In Lightness
Best Male Artist: Paul Kelly – Life Is Fine
Best Female Artist: Sia – “The Greatest feat. Kendrick Lamar”
Best Dance Release: Pnau – “Chameleon”
Best Group: Gang Of Youths – Go Farther In Lightness
Breakthrough Artist: Amy Shark – Night Thinker
Best Pop Release: Amy Shark – Night Thinker
Best Urban Album: A.B. Original – Reclaim Australia
Best Independent Release: A.B. Original – Reclaim Australia
Best Rock Album: Gang Of Youths – Go Farther In Lightness
Best Adult Contemporary Album: Paul Kelly – Life Is Fine
Best Country Album: Kasey Chambers – Dragonfly
Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album: Northlane – Mesmer
Best Blues & Roots Album: All Our Exes Live In Texas – When We Fall
Best Children’s Album: Jimmy Barnes – Och Aye the G’Nu!
Best Video: Bliss N Eso – “Moments” (feat. Gavin James)
Best Australian Live Act: Illy
Song Of The Year: Peking Duk – “Stranger” (feat. Elliphant)
Best International Artist: Harry Styles

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fall for Abbe May’s “Love Decline”

Western Australia’s Abbe May has long been a powerful female force on the Aussie music landscape, but I think her new single “Love Decline” may be her strongest yet. In a world full of optimistic saccharine love songs, its take on romance and seduction is refreshing. Its cool, sexy groove is also irresistible.

“Love Decline is about a self-centered kind of love, a decadence and a sadness which tracks the rise and fall of passionate love,” she explained. “I wrote ‘Love Decline’ after hearing an older man suggest that people don’t really fall in love after a certain age. He was talking about passionate love; the kind that requires a degree of foolish youthfulness. I found his romantic cynicism confronting. I’m still young and I’m still learning but I hope that old man wasn’t right about love being a load of crap.”

Whether the old man was right or not, he’s given Abbe one hell of a song!

Image used with permission from Minor Major