Category: Video

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dear Seattle Announces Aussie Tour Ahead of EP Release

The band’s moniker might make you think of the United States, but Dear Seattle are proud to be part of Sydney’s music scene. The band creates punk rock that sounds as defiant as the genre should. The new single “Afterthought,” which comes from the band’s new EP, due out on July 14, is a glorious case in point.

Listen to this one and see if you’re not fired up as lead vocalist and guitarist Brae Fisher sings “Hope tells me that I’m getting somewhere soon.”

Dear Seattle has spent the last three years touring up and down the East Coast, so expect a tight live set at the following shows.

6 July 2017 – Hotel Tasmania, Launceston (with Kingswood)
7 July 2017 – Republic Bar, Hobart (with Kingswood)
28 July 2017 – Home Tavern, Wagga Wagga (with Kingswood)
29 July 2017 – SS&A, Albury (with Kingswood)
4 August 2017 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
5 August 2017 – Yah Yah’s, Melbourne
17 August 2017 – Moonshine Bar, Manly
18 August 2017 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
19 August 2017 – Shaka Fest, Gold Coast
20 August 2017 – Rad Bar, Wollongong (ALL AGES)

Image used with permission from Title Track

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Coin Banks Releases Soulful New Single “Forgive Us”

Perth MC Coin Banks has joined forces with the mighty WAAPA Gospel Choir for his latest single “Forgive Us.”

I love the way Coin Banks’ rhymes works with the choir’s slick soulful harmonies and the band’s tight horns. Combining genres doesn’t always work, but this is pretty special. If it doesn’t put a smile on your face this Humpday, I don’t know what will!

“I think something that holds us back as a society is the inability to apologise and forgive, it is something so simple but something we all struggle with. Pride and fear hold us back from apologising, and at the same time holds us back from forgiving the people that have wronged us,” Coin Banks explained. “The song takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to this fairly serious issue.”

“Forgive Me” comes from Coin Banks’ new EP Outside Looking In, which drops on June 30.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tempus Sun Wins Me Over With “Owls”

When I attempted to stream “Owls,” the new single from last year’s Bank of Melbourne ‘Melbourne Music Bank’ winners Tempus Sun, on Spotify, it came up on an album called Listen Up Australian Volume 1, which was listed as “featuring the top ten songwriters in Australia.” As you can imagine, my curiosity was piqued and my expectations set high!

At first I wasn’t sure about the song. It was quite nice, with its gentle acoustic guitar and delicate vocal delivery, but I wasn’t really seeing what distinguished from the glut of solid folk music we have in this country. But I gave it time, as you should with any song, and it built into something exceptional.

So I urge you, give it time. This song just keeps getting stronger as the harmonies kick in and the instruments intensify. The message is also one that anyone who’s battled mental illness or been close to someone who has will identify with.

“Owls is about speaking up about our struggles. It’s a tune relatable to anyone with troubles, be it in the past or ongoing,” explained Tempus Sun’s lead guitarist Ed Borreomeo. “It was created with mental illness in mind and the intention of influencing people to just have a chat about it with someone. Coming from personal experience, something as simple as having a chat is very easy to disregard as helpful, or is easy to procrastinate on, but I found it to be the first step in combatting almost anything.”

“Owls” is the first single from Tempus Sun’s self-titled debut EP, which will drop on August 4. The band will launch “Owls” with a show for hometown fans at The Toff in Town on June 30.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Anita Lester Lays It All Bare With “Last Day”

I love a performer who has the confidence in her voice to have it exposed. Artists like this don’t hide behind a symphony of sound or studio wizardry. They’re comfortable with delicate arrangements, because they know their talent speaks for itself.

Anita Lester is one of those special artists. Her voice is accompanied by just a gentle piano for much of her new single “Last Day.” The effect is mesmerizing. Even when the strings kick in, her voice stands proud, anchoring the track so beautifully.

Anita penned “Last Day” at the beginning of a goodbye, and its lyrics so effectively explore the emotions that come when you know the end is near. The video, directed by her brother Yoav, is the ideal accompaniment to this song about emotional struggle.

Anita originally hails from Melbourne but she’s currently making waves in her adopted city of London. “Last Day” comes from her soon-to-be-released debut album.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Lyrical Touring New EP

I reviewed it last month, but The Lyrical drops his fantastic new EP King of Me tomorrow. The EP features incredible songs brimming with wisdom, including the awesome new single “Teach Me.”

“Some of us, as artists and musicians, don’t have all the answers or knowledge about things happening around us, but we need to be open to learn,” he explained of the song’s message. “There is a world full of important issues, and powerful stories to tell. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the entertainment side of things, that we forget about the message … Which, in my humble opinion, is just as important.”

The Lyrical will bring music from his EP to the masses later this month with shows on the East Coast and South Australia.

22 June 2017 – The Jack, Cairns
23 & 24 June 2017 – Magnums, Airlie Beach
30 June 2017 – Alex SLSC, Alex Head
1 July 2017 – Mt Gravatt Marketta, Brisbane
2 July 2017 – Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads
8 July 2017 – The Penny Black, Melbourne
12 July 2017 – The Bridge Hotel, Langhorne Creek
13 July 2017 – Beach Hotel, Seaford
14 July 2017 – The Elephant British Pub, Adelaide
15 July 2017 – Slug n’ Lettuce, Parafield Gardens
21 July 2017 – Moonshine Bar, Manly Sydney
22 July 2017 – Tapp Bar Panthers, Port Macquarie
28 July 2017 – Pacific Hotel, Yamba

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tami Neilson Heading to Australia

She’s Canadian-born, now based in Auckland, and she’s bringing her live show to Australia. Meet Tami Neilson, the powerful voice behind the new single “Holy Moses.”

“Holy Moses” is just one of the retro-inspired tracks from Tami’s killer new album Don’t Be Afraid. It effortlessly crosses genre, with soul, blues, and jazz influences combined in the best possible way. After acclaimed performances at Woman NZ, Auckland City Limits, and Nashville Americana Fest recently, Tami is in fine form.

She’ll play just three shows along the East Coast in August. Discover her before the rest of the world knows what a talent Tami is!

18 August 2017 – The Flamin’ Galah, Brisbane
19 August 2017 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
20 August 2017 – The Basement, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sophie Koh Unveils Gorgeous “Yellow Rose” Music Video

Sophie Koh has released a stunning new video for her sublime new single “Yellow Rose.” This song has such an ethereal quality to it. You might imagine hearing it in some woodland setting while watching fairies dance and play, or perhaps while you’re overlooking some Scottish moors. Either way, it’s beautiful.

And the video, featuring art from Xin Li hand-painted onto a light box and animated using stop motion techniques, is the perfect accompaniment. What a pretty pair they are.

“Yellow Rose” is the second single lifted from Sophie’s fourth studio album, Book of Song.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Donnarumma Wows Me With “Love Your Man”

Adelaide three-piece Donnarumma has really impressed me with its debut single “Love Your Man.” It’s a jazzy, bluesy little ditty with some of the tightest horns you’re likely to hear.

“Love Your Man is about the jealousy that warped my perception of a relationship I was once in,” the band’s frontman Louis Donnarumma explained. “ The song travels back to a time where I felt betrayed by my partner – what an innocent boy I was!  The video shows this toxic relationship where the girl goes insane, kidnaps her partner and tries to kill him – then it is revealed that he’s been cheating on her the whole time and he ends up getting what he deserves.  Sounds ridiculous I know, but we tried to be as over the top as we could be.  It’s like those moments when you’re so angry you picture the most outrageous stories in your head.  We find it amusing and love the irony; there’s this man singing how he doesn’t feel loved, but does nothing but betray her!”

“Love Your Man” comes from Donnarumma’s new EP Billy Billy, which drops on June 30. The band will mark its release with a national tour, making the following pit stops around the country.

1 July 2017 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
7 July 2017 – Whole Lotta Love, Melbourne
13 July 2017 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
14 July 2017 – The Townie, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Royal Funk Party, Lake Minnetonka & More Celebrate Prince’s Birthday

More than a year since his passing, I am still processing the loss of Prince. There’s a giant innovative, flamboyant, shining, purple hole in the musical landscape that I don’t think anyone will ever fill.

As much as I miss him, I’m also grateful that he left us with so much positive music. It’s impossible to get too down when you’re listening to the funk-infused tunes from his back catalogue. So when Royal Funk Party, Lake Minnetonka, Mayfield, and DJ MzRizk get together at The Toff in Town to mark Prince’s birthday next month, you know you’re going to have a good time.

These guys channel the Minneapolis sound Prince pioneered. To see just how good they are, check out this performance of “Head” with Royal Funk Party and Lake Minnetonka going toe to toe.

It all happens at the Toff in Town in Melbourne on June 10. Tickets are on sale now through Moshtix.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Illy Releases Summery Video for “Oh My”

Illy’s album Two Degrees was one of my unexpected favourites last year. I loved the way he blended urban influences with straight up pop in tracks like the latest single “Oh My,” The track features guest vocals from Tonight Alive frontwoman Jenna McDougall, who was thrilled to work with the platinum-selling hip hop act.

“I really admire Illy’s artistry. Collaborating with him on the track was super natural and we had a great time on set together!” she said. “I loved singing on a song that praises women but has nothing to do with love. That’s bad ass to me. It was actually freezing the day we shot the video in LA but ‘Oh My’ brings the Aussie summer vibes.”

The LA clip saw Illy reteaming with Mark Staubach, who shot the “Catch 22” clip and has also made videos for Charlie Puth, Simple Plan, Lupe Fiasco, and heaps more.

If your day needs some brightening, this song and music video should do the trick!