Category: Video

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rowena Wise Hits Home Run With “Hollow Hearts”

Life’s been far too busy for my liking of late. I feel like I’m living in The Block, with my husband and I renovating half my house (along with the generous contributions of my parents). Those parents have been down to my place three days already this week and we’ve all been slapping paint around like people possessed in preparation for laying carpet tomorrow. On Tuesday I headed to Newcastle a little after lunch to visit the dentist, call in to my sister’s place to help her with her tax, then catch the wonderful Jimmy Barnes at Lizotte’s (more on that later).

Needless to say, today is the first day all week I’ve felt I could just “be.” Deadlines are looming of course, but there’s something about the calm that comes from an empty house and a day inn pyajamas that makes those deadlines a bit more bearable. In this rare moment of calm I’ve discovered the latest track from Rowena Wise. With her angelic voice and whimsical charm, she’s just what I needed to listen to right now. If your week has felt far too long too, you need to listen to her new single “Hollow Hearts.”

This divine song comes from Rowena’s self-titled album, which she recorded with celebrated Melbourne producer Nick Huggins. Rowena is currently touring on the back of its release. You can catch her at the following venues.

16 September 2016 – Smiths Alternative, Canberra
17 September 2016 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide
23 September 2016 – Junk Bar, Brisbane
24 September 2016 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne
25 September 2016 – The Homestead, Hobart

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angel Olsen Brings New Album Down Under

Outstanding American indie-folk songstress Angel Olsen is visiting our shores later this year to promote her brand new album My Woman. She’ll play some of the country’s most respected festivals and headline her own shows in key locations around the country.

The tour announcement coincides with the release of Angel’s brand new single “Sister.” It’s an epic ballad with a beautiful clip filmed at Joshua Tree National Park.

If you like what you hear, make sure you don’t miss Angel Olsen on her Aussie tour.

26 November 2016 – Grand Poobah, Hobart
28 November 2016 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
1 December 2016 – Lismore City Hall, Lismore
2 December 2016 – Brightside, Brisbane
2 & 3 December 2016 – Fairgrounds Festival, Berry
5 December 2016 – Sydney Opera House Studio, Sydney
7 December 2016 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
8 December 2016 – Badlands, Perth
9-11 December 2016 – Meredith Music Festival, Meredith

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Breakaway Back with “Restart”

After a hiatus from the live scene lasting more than a year, Sydney pop-rockers Breakaway are back with a brand new single, aptly titled “Restart.” This is the band’s first new material in two years, but it’s a welcome return to form.

The track charts new territory for the band, with retro synth sounds adding depth to their signature pop-rock vibe. Everything’s a little more evolved and more mature.

Breakaway promises the upcoming gigs will give fans the chance to hear new songs from the forthcoming debut album first. With a mix of all ages and under 18s events, everyone can join in the fun. Tickets are available now from Breakaway’s website.

24 September 2016 – The Lair, Sydney (Licensed/All Ages)
8 October 2016 – Milk Bar, Brisbane (18+)
9 October 2016 – Foundry Records, Brisbane (All Ages)
14 October 2016 – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne (All Ages)
15 October 2016 – Workers Club, Melbourne (18+)
16 October 2016 – Enigma Bar, Adelaide (Licensed/All Ages)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Caiti Baker Does It Her Way With “Heavy on My Heart”

Caiti Baker seems to be one of those artists that defies genre. The press release accompanying her debut single “Heavy on My Heart” calls her a soul/hip hop act, but there’s a strong spirit of blues and gospel running through the tune. It’s gorgeously rhythmic, with handclaps and brass flourishes driving things along. The clip, featuring old Super 8 footage of Caiti’s folks, is also really special.

With influences ranging from Big Mama Thornton to Missy Elliot, Caiti Baker is making the kind of music we don’t hear enough of it. If you want more, make sure you catch her at one of her single launch shows.

3 September 2016 – No. 5 Church St, Bellingen
4 September 2016 – Pacific Hotel, Yamba
17 September 2016 – Headland Café, Valla Beach
18 September 2016 – Flow Bar, Old Bar
2 October 2016 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra
5 October 2016 – Elements Bar, Coffs Harbour
7 October 2016 – Stag & Hunter, Newcastle
8 October 2016 – Six Strings Brewery, Central Coast

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mouth Tooth Stir Emotions with “Memory Foam”

Melbourne duo Mouth Tooth has released a perfectly poignant song, “Memory Foam,” the lead single from their upcoming album, which will be released on September 30.

It’s a beautifully melancholy number which explores the pain of love lost. The “Memory Foam” clip seems quite ordinary at first, but make sure you watch right through for the surprise ending.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Getting to the Bare Bones” of Jess + Matt’s “Bones”

Jess + Matt were my favourite act from last year’s X Factor. In fact, they might be my favourite act from the X Factor, period. I fell hard for their sublime harmonies, folk sensibility, and their genuine love story.

However, I’m not so enamoured with their latest single, the first original they’ve released since their stint on the show “Bones.” The song was co-written with DNA, the duo behind hits from The Veronicas, Dami Im, and Delta Goodrem. It sounds fresh and commercial, and like nothing I’d have imagined Jess + Matt would produce. And perhaps that’s the problem.

I first stumbled upon this song on Spotify. I didn’t get it at all. Then I played the acoustic version you can find there, and the penny dropped. Suddenly the lyrics which reflect on the feelings of new love came to the fore, rather than the production. Suddenly it seemed weightier than I’d originally imagined.

I appreciate that Jess + Matt are a duo experimenting with their sound and trying to find their place in the music industry post-reality fame. However, I just hope they don’t get too far away from what made them special in an attempt to achieve commercial success.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hayes Carll Brings Country-Folk to Australia

Hayes Carll will visit Australia in October for two intimate shows in the major capitals.

The Texas native might not be a household name in this country, but he was nominated for a Grammy for best country song this year. His warm vocals tell moving stories from America’s South.
“The Magic Kid,” one of the songs from his new album Lovers and Leavers, gives you an insight into what this talented country-folk artist is all about.

See Hayes Carll at the following Australian shows.

14 October 2016 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne
16 October 2016 – Factory Theatre, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Delta Riggs Tour Groovy New Album, Active Galactic

The Delta Riggs’ brand new album Active Galactic hits stores today. Featuring the funky single “Never Seen This Before,” the album is a collection of songs guaranteed to get any party started. It was recorded in just nine days to capture the spontaneous energy of these tunes.

The Gold Coast musos will bring their new songs and some old favourites to venues all around the country over the coming months. Catch them at the following pubs and clubs.

23 September 2016 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
24 September 2016 – The Rosemount Hotel, Perth
29 September 2016 – The Whalers Hotel, Warranambool
30 September 2016 – The Gov, Adelaide
1 October 2016 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
3 October 2016 – SSA Club, Albury
6 October 2016 – Kay St, Traralgon
7 October 2016 – The Grand Hotel, Mornington
8 October 2016 – Westernport Hotel, Phillip Island
19 October 2016 – Academy Night Club, Canberra
21 October 2016 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
22 October 2016 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
27 October 2016 – Wollongong Uni, Wollongong
28 October 2016 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney
29 October 2016 – Banana Field Music and Arts Festival, Coffs Harbour
4 November 2016 – The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
5 November 2016 – Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale
10 November 2016 – The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
11 November 2016 – The Triffid, Brisbane
12 November 2016 – SOLBAR, Sunshine Coast

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Peter Farnan Assembles All-Star Guest List for Pesky Bones

Boom Crash Opera’s Peter Farnan has assembled one of the most impressive collections of Guest vocalists I’ve seen in some time for his latest musical project, Pesky Bones. Paul Kelly, Deborah Conway, Paul Capsis, Tim Rogers, Rebecca Barnard, Simon Burke, and heaps more appear on Pesky Bones – Volume One.

“Pesky Bones is like a personal music player on shuffle. Rather than one sound and point of view there are diverse musical styles and singers,” Peter explained. “The themes cover accumulated experience, memory, age, sex, family, mortality, aching limbs, regret and, above all, transcendence.”

You can help support the release through the Pesky Bones PledgeMusic campaign. Depending on your donation, you could get something as small as a digital or physical copy of the album or as impressive as a house concert, songwriting workshop, or tickets to the listening party at Ginger Studios. You’ve got until the end of September to lend your support.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife Unveil “Paradise” Music Video

Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife are reminding me why Thieves is one of my favourite albums of the year with the release of the video for the first single “Paradise.”

The Melbourne band filmed the retro clip at the historic Winton Motor Raceway. Its vintage feel is the perfect foil for the band’s classic sound.

“Evoking images of the open road, the video was heavily influenced by Terrence Malick’s 1973 film “Badlands”. However I wanted to place our narrative in a distinctly Australian context,” explained the clip’s director, Roxanne Halley. “Allowing the camera to float along through the different spaces helped to create a feeling of intimacy, enabling us to play around with the idea of strangers locking eyes for the first time.”

What do you think of this track and the awesome music video?