Category: Video

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Leopold’s Treat Doing Good

I always love hearing music from exciting up-and-coming acts, but when they’re made up of people doing good in the community it’s doubly exciting. Gold Coast act Leopold’s Treat ticks both those boxes for me.

They formed in 2011, but are starting to gain some serious traction in their local area, culminating in taking home the Emerging Artist of the Year award at the recent Gold Coast Music Awards. One of their songs, “Houndogs and Bullfrogs,” was also a finalist in the Song of the Year category.

Watching this live video of the song with footage recorded at Leopold’s Treat’s album launch last October, it’s easy to see what a great energy the band has. They’re clearly loved by their community; the place is packed to the rafters.

While talent’s clearly a part of that love, I think there’s more going on. Kate Leopold (lead vocals) and Keiran Richardt (lap slide, harmonies, didge, other strings) work together as environmental educators at a local social enterprise that serves more than 32,000 kids every year.

“It is not uncommon for us to be playing at a market where a group of children are dancing to one of our songs and the band members are recognised as the educators that teach worm farming, water quality or how to identify and grow native plants,” Kate Leopold told me in an email.

If you want to dance with Leopold’s Treat, make sure you catch them at the following shows.

22 July 2016 – Soundlounge, Currumbin
September 2016 – NightQuarter, Helensvale (date TBA)
15 & 16 October 2016 – Buskers by the Creek Festival, Currumbin
16 December 2016 – Miami Marketta, Miami

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Feuds Rocks Out with “River of Wine”

Brisbane band Feuds shows it knows how to craft a big rock song with their new single “River of Wine.” This track builds beautifully, with a composed verse giving way to a great big stadium rocking chorus. It sounds uplifting, but there’s a dark undercurrent to its lyrics.

“The bulk of the track comes from the struggles I was having with drinking a couple years back, suffering these awful bouts of depression for days afterwards, in this never ending cycle,” explained Feuds frontman Jeremy Hunter.

The clip’s also one of the cleverest uses of public domain footage I’ve seen in some time. It might have been put together on the budget, but it’s mesmerising.

“River of Wine” comes from Feuds’ debut EP Stay Lost, which is scheduled to drop in August. We should also see them gigging around the country to coincide with the EP’s release.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Billy Fox Goes Back to Roots with “Avalanche”

Sydney’s Billy Fox infuses soul and electronica beautifully in his latest single “Avalanche.” I just love its easy groove and gentle old-school hip hop vibe.

Billy noted that the song is a bit of a departure from his early singles.

“My first releases largely focused on electronic production, whereas with ‘Avalanche’ I’m revisiting my live roots to meld both forms of production together, which also relates directly to my live show and the way I perform my songs,” he explained. “I wanted people to really feel that, which is exciting moving forward into the next stages of refining my next body of work.”

While he hasn’t announced a tour as yet, I hear it won’t be too long before Billy’s playing shows along the East Coast.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Megan Hilty @ Theatre Royal, Sydney – 10 June 2016

I can scarcely believe a couple of weeks have gone by since I caught Megan Hilty’s performance at the Theatre Royal, but it was a performance so strong that my memory has barely faded.

The press releases surrounding her maiden Australian tour promised a journey through the Great American Songbook, but her set featured much more than standards. She opened with “Keep Moving the Line,” from the TV series Smash, the first thing that brought her to my attention. As an ardent fan of the series, I was thrilled to hear more of its songs peppering the set, such as “Mr. And Mrs. Smith,” “Let Me Be Your Star,” and the breathtaking “Second Hand White Baby Grand.”

Most of Megan’s career has seen her on the stage rather than the small screen, so it was only fitting that her Broadway turns were acknowledged too with “Popular” from Wicked, “Backwoods Barbie” from 9 to 5, and “Suddenly, Seymour” from the role that got away in Little Shop of Horrors. Stories like the incidences surrounding the part endeared Megan to the already enamored crowd. She spoke in glowing terms of meeting Dolly Parton when cast in her musical and working alongside Idina Menzel and Katherine McPhee and regaled us of personal stories of life with her daughter and husband, the very dishy Brian Gallagher who plays guitar in her exceptional band.

There were the promised standards like “Almost Like Being in Love,” “That’s Life,” and “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” a lovely nod to her time channelling Marilyn as Ivy Lynn in Smash. Don Henley’s “Heart of the Matter” didn’t quite seem to gel with the jazz and show tunes, but it’s such a great song I didn’t really mind. Closing with “Rainbow Connection,” a song she plays nightly for her daughter, left us all feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

No matter what Megan treated us to, it was exquisite. She has such a stunning voice, and her Broadway training sees her connecting to the songs in a way few artists do when singing covers.

This was a fleeting visit for Megan, who had to catch a plane the next day to attend the Tony Awards. She assured us she loved our city and wants to come back for a longer stay. I hope she’s a woman of her word, because I think I speak on behalf of everyone at the Theatre Royal when I say we’d welcome her back with open arms.

The venue didn’t allow photography, so here’s a video so you can all see how amazing she is!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Wheatley Home to Release “78 Benz”

Cast of Yesterday was one of my favourite albums of 2015. I’d forgotten just how much I love it until I revisited one of the tracks today, the current single “78 Benz.” If you still haven’t listened to this album from Aussie expat Tim Wheatley, this song should give you every indication of why you should.

Tim wrote the track about his own vintage Mercedes and about the way you’ve got to follow your passions in life, no matter how difficult that might be.

“I had been in LA nearly a year, playing shows, writing, and turning my hand to other things like modelling and acting,” he explained in the press release. “I was juggling three passions, in which rejection is an integral part, and really struggling with it … ironically, as much as it was taking its toll on me, ‘78 Benz,’ my favourite song on the record, would never have come about with the absence of struggle.”

Tim will play one more local show, at Collingwood’s Grace Darling Hotel on June 10, before heading back to the U.S. If you get the chance, you don’t want to miss it.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Hard Aches Rock Out with “Glad That You’re Gone”

Adelaide rockers The Hard Aches have served up a superb slice of angst with their latest single “Glad That You’re Gone.” I can’t help thinking of You Am I when I listen to this track. There’s a similar crunchy, organic truth to what they’re doing which is really exciting.

“Glad That You’re Gone” is getting some airplay on Triple J and The Hard Aches are making the most of it. They’ve just wrapped up a tour supporting Tired Lion, and in a couple of months’ time they’ll be out again supporting Luca Brasi and playing Poison City Weekender. No doubt it’s only a matter of time before we see these guys headlining.

17 August 2017 – The Basement, Canberra
18 August 2017 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
19 August 2017 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
20 August 2017 – The Zoo, Brisbane
25 August 2017 – Jack Rabbit Slims, Perth
26 August 2017 – Fat Controller, Adelaide
27 August 2017 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
28 August 2017 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
9-11 September 2017 – Poison City Weekender @ Max Watts, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

American Expat Danielle Deckard Making Beautiful Music in Sydney

New Jersey’s loss is Sydney’s gain. Danielle Deckard used to live in America’s Garden State, but now she’s proudly based in New South Wales capital. She’s also just released her new music video for “I Lied,” which is one of the most stunning piano ballads I’ve heard in some time. It was filmed at Sydney’s Hibernian House, a place where Danielle has played many shows since relocating to the Harbour City.

“‘I Lied’ is about missing someone and never fully getting over that person,” Danielle explained. “Having these triggers that always remind you of them and hopelessly wondering, but never knowing if they still think about you too.”

And haven’t we all been there!

“I Lied” comes from Danielle’s End of the World EP, which is available for download from most digital music providers.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Sugarcanes Take Soulful Sound on the Road

With their self-titled debut album in stores now, it’s the perfect time for soulful Melbourne act The Sugarcanes to travel around the country.

It’s already been a big year for the Sugarcanes, who enjoyed a celebrated residency at The Old Bar and toured the country with The Smith Street Band. They also earned some big praise for their stellar single “Never Call.” Lucy Wilson’s powerhouse vocals and the track’s lush horns are just a match made in heaven.

Tickets for all shows are available at the door except for the Sydney gig; buy your tickets in advance from the venue for that one.

2 June 2016 – Phoenix Bar, Canberra
3 June 2016 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
4 June 2016 – Lass O’Gowry, Newcastle
11 June 2016 – Grace Emily Adelaide
17 June 2016 – The Luwow, Melbourne
18 June 2016 – The Tanswell Hotel, Beechworth
19 June 2016 – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
25 June 2016 – Major Toms, Kyneton

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

We Lost the Sea Prepare for First Local Headlining Tour

Sydney cinematic instrumental band We Lost the Sea are gearing up for their first ever headlining tour of Australia. We’ve seen them cross the country supporting international acts like This Will Destroy You, Rosetta, and Mono, so it’s about time they enjoyed a moment in the spotlight.

This tour is well overdue, with the band’s third full length album Departure Songs being released last year. The band promises to perform the album in its entirety. It features gems like the atmospheric “A Gallant Gentleman.” Hear this track and many more at the following gigs.

27 May 2016 – Rad, Wollongong
28 May 2016 – Beatdisc Records, Parramatta,
3 June 2016 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
4 June 2016 – Hotel Gearin, Katoomba
10 June 2016 – Jimmy’s Den, Perth
17 June 2016 – The Crown & Anchor, Adelaide
18 June 2016 – The Old Bar, Melbourne
24 June 2016 – The Basement (Backroom), Canberra
25 June 2016 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alexander Biggs Releases “Out in the Dark”

There’s a time and place for big production, but there’s something so appealing about old school musicians like Alexander Biggs, a Melbourne folk act who recorded, mixed, and mastered his new single “Out in the Dark” from his bedroom.

“Out in the Dark” is a gorgeous song, a slow burner that’s perfectly executed and beautifully written. It’s the second track lifted from Alexander’s debut EP, which will be released later this year.

Alexander will launch the single for hometown fans at Some Velvet Morning on June 23. Entry is free, so there’s no excuse not to get out and support this talented new artist.