Category: Video

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jackie Dee Prepares to Unleash Album Number Three

Jackie Dee is something of a quiet achiever. I must admit, her music had escaped my attention but she’s about to release her third album, Six String Heart.

Perhaps that’s because Jackie is one of those artists that creates music that’s unassuming. She doesn’t have the biggest voice or the loudest music, but what she does she does very well. Her new single “Contemplating Life” gives us a taste of the new album and what she’s all about.

“We are all touched, moved, angered by the things we hear about in the news each day and it’s easy to despair. I wanted this song to have universal meaning, reaching all of us who sit and ponder the current state of our planet and society but at the same time the song encourages optimism and at its core it’s about the importance of our relationships,” Jackie explained.

Six String Heart isn’t afraid to tackle the big issues, with songs that touch on domestic violence and mental illness. It drops on February 17, after she launches the single and plays an album preview show at the 2017 Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Jackie might have escaped my attention before, but I’m going to keep my ears out for this country songbird.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Damian Cowell’s Disco Machine Pays Homage to Waleed Aly

Former TISM frontman Damian Cowell is back with a brand new act, a great new song, and one of the most star-studded film clips you’re likely to see. “Come On Waleed,” an ode to the formidable Mr Aly, is the debut single from Damian Cowell’s Disco Machine.

“‘Come On Waleed’ is about all my heroes going down the S bend. While all else falls, Waleed’s left standing like the last person in musical chairs,” Damian explained. “He’s ubiquitous in the media, yet he’s got a brain and he’s not a fuckwit. Who’d have thought it possible?”

If you thought you’d seen stars in the video, you ain’t seen nothing yet. “Come On Waleed” is lifted from Get Yer Dag On!, Damian Cowell’s Disco Machine’s first album, which features guest stars like Henry Rollins, Josh Pyke, Henry Wagons, Pinky Beecroft, Ella Hooper, and heaps more. The band will play the following shows to support the album’s launch.

18 February – The Barwon Club, Geelong
4 March – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
10 March – The Factory, Sydney
11 March – The Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hollow Coves Make Me Swoon With “Coastline”

Hollow Coves has released a stunning new acoustic video ahead of their supporting duties for Woodlock. The stripped back clip, shot at a friend’s lake on Brisbane’s bayside, supports the release of their dreamy single “Coastline.” This is just the kind of song that makes you want to hang on to summer a little longer, all organic and delicate and relaxed.

Hollow Coves have a lot of momentum at the moment, with “Coastline” and the previous single “The Woods” both scoring the top spot on Hype Machine and more than 5 million streams of their songs on Spotify alone last year. No doubt the release of their EP Wanderlust on February 3 and the following shows with Woodlock will keep the hype around this exciting folk act growing.

27 January 2017 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
28 January 2017 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
2 February 2017 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
3 February 2017 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
4 February 2017 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
5 February 2017 – Rad Bar, Wollongong (matinee & 18+ evening show)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

M-Phazes and Alison Wonderland Release Hot Clip for “Messiah”

“Messiah” might be one of the most played songs on Triple J at the moment and a favourite among Spotify users, but it’s taken me a little time to warm to M-Phazes’ collaboration with Alison Wonderland. I could tell it was an accomplished piece of work with a killer vocal performance from Alison Wonderland, but it still didn’t speak to me. But then I saw the film clip. And it all came together.

This clip is one of the most original music videos I’ve seen in months. Staring Dennis Cockrum, you’re likely to recall it whenever you sneeze and feel a sense of relief that you’re not afflicted with his particular condition! However of course, it does have its uses! The clip was shot on location in Los Angeles and features cameo appearances from both musicians.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Spinifex Gum Pays Tribute to Ms Dhu

Performing under the moniker Spinifex Gum, Felix Reibl and his Cat Empire pal Ollie McGill have joined forces with Indigenous girls choir Marliya to highlight the tragic death of Ms Dhu.

At just 22 years of age, Ms Dhu died in police custody in Port Hedland in August 2016. A coronial inquiry into her untimely death was released late last year.
Felix wrote “Ms Dhu” after hearing the story while travelling to the Pilbara with the Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir, where the teens from Marliya got their start. He says a lot about its origins, but it’s all so significant I wanted to print his comments in their entirety.

“When I first read about what happened to Ms Dhu my reaction was first disbelief, then anger and heartbreak. How was this poor young woman let down so badly by the police, medical, and justice systems in WA? How could she be called a liar and her cries of pain not be taken seriously for three days, when even the most basic care or respect would have saved her life? How is it that a young, injured, Indigenous woman with unpaid fines gets locked up, and the people who let her die out of sheer neglect not be held accountable in any meaningful way? What does this say about endemic, institutional racism in Australia? What does this say about us as a broader community? Where do we go from here?” he questioned.

“It’s a political song. I’ve tried to tell the story as it happened, often using direct quotes from the courtroom. The young Indigenous singers of the chorus are the heart of the piece – a voice of youth and defiance. We’re dedicating the track to Ms Dhu’s family, who have shown extraordinary courage and resilience in the face of tragedy and loss. We’ve been in communication with them along the way. Any profits it generates will go to them. We hope it does something to keep this terrible event – and the necessity for change – at the forefront of the broader public’s mind. We hope it serves as a statement of solidarity with Ms Dhu’s family and the Indigenous community as a whole.”

All proceeds from the single’s sale will benefit Ms Dhu’s family as they try to rebuild their lives. You can raise awareness of the issue and single by writing about it on your socials with the hashtag #imissdhu.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Canada’s Franklin Electric Back in Oz

Montreal’s own Franklin Electric is heading your way Australia. Fresh from supporting Holy Holy last year, the Canadian band is back again for shows with Half Moon Run and Woodlock.

The visit coincides with the release of Franklin Electric’s new album Blue Ceilings this week, which includes the fresh new single “I Know The Feeling.” This is such a beautiful brooding track which speaks right to the heart.

These guys are going to be massive, so you’re going to want to say you saw them before it all happened at one of these shows.

11 January 2017 – The Triffid, Brisbane (with Half Moon Run)
12 January 2017 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (with Half Moon Run)
14 January 2017 – The Metro, Sydney (with Half Moon Run)
20 January 2017 – Jive Bar, Adelaide (with Woodlock)
21 January 2017 – Howler, Melbourne (with Woodlock)
22 January 2017 – Sub, Hawthorne (with Woodlock)
27 January 2017 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (with Woodlock)
28 January 2017 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane (with Woodlock)
2 February 2017 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla (with Woodlock)
3 February 2017 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney (with Woodlock)
4 February 2017 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle (with Woodlock)
5 February 2017 – Rad Bar, Wollongong (with Woodlock matinee & 18+ evening show)
10  February 2017 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River (with Woodlock)
11 February 2017 – Fly By Night, Fremantle (with Woodlock)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sunset City Gets Toes Tapping With “Can I Go Back?”

Entering a new year, everything seems a little brighter. I’m not sure the optimism and good vibes will stick, but right now I’m just enjoying the positivity that comes with putting 2017 behind me. I think that’s reflected in my music taste, because for the second day in a row I’m drawn to a shimmery piece of feel good pop music. This latest pop gem is “Can I Go Back?” from Burleigh Heads’ own Sunset City.

This is the ideal summer anthem, with its upbeat tempo and memorable chorus. Its message of realising the mistakes made in the past and learning from this is also so apt at this time of year.

2017 is set to be a big year for Sunset City. They’ll release an album and tour the country, so look out for them in your neck of the woods. Until then, crank this one up and dance like nobody is watching.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Zillanova Releases Soulful Single “The Fader”

Add a little soul to your day with “The Fader,” the gorgeous new single from Melbourne’s Zillanova.

I love the way Joshua Tavares’ chocolatey vocals combine with the delicate strains of an electric guitar. The pitch-perfect backing vocals give the track an old school soul sound that instantly evokes nostalgia. However, it’s not just some Motown throwback. It sounds fresh and funky.

“The Fader” comes from Zillanova’s debut EP, which is scheduled for a February 17 release.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Halfwait Showcases 90s Grunge Sound with “Fly Away”

Sydney rock act Halfwait take us back to the 90s with its grungy new single “Fly Away.”

The track documents the struggles of making a relationship work when you’re a musician living so much of your life on the road. The song itself is a little rough around the edges, but there’s an honesty about it that I find so endearing.

“Fly Away” is the first track lifted from Halfwait’s sophomore EP Forever, which will be released shortly. We can also expect the band to return to the live scene in the coming months.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Todd McKenney Celebrates 20 Years of Peter Allen

It’s hard to believe that next year marks the 20th anniversary of Todd McKenney singing the songs of Peter Allen. He’ll celebrate the occasion with a string of shows in Queensland and New South Wales. After his years as a Dancing with the Stars judge, you’d be forgiven for forgetting just how good a performer Todd really is. As a reminder, check out this performance of “Tenterfield Saddler” from the vault.

These shows are worth getting to, even if you’ve seen Todd paying tribute to the late, great Peter Allen before. He promises he’ll play more Peter Allen songs than ever before and share plenty of new stories and laughs as well. Tickets are available from the venues for the following shows.

31 March & 1 April 2017 – Kedron Wavell Services Club, Chermside
7 April 2017 – Bankstown Sports Club, Bankstown
8 April 2017 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
21 April 2017 – Laycock Street Community Theatre, Gosford
22 April 2017 – Blue Mountains Theatre, Springwood
28 & 29 April 2017 – The Piano Sessions, The Studio @ Sydney Opera House, Sydney
6 May 2017 – Norths Leagues, North Sydney
13 May 2017 – Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill
19 May 2017 – Revesby Workers Club, Revesby
20 May 2017 – Dee Why RSL, Dee Why
26 May 2017 – Evan Theatre @ Penrith Panthers, Penrith, NSW
27 May 2017 – The Juniors, Kingsford
2 June 2017 – Hornsby RSL, Hornsby
3 June 2017 – Blacktown Workers, Blacktown