Category: Video

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Expat Penelope Austin Impresses with “Trigger”

The bright lights of New York City are in stark contrast with the streets of the Southern Highlands, but it’s where locally-born songstress Penelope Austin has found her “spiritual home.” She’s been in the United States for nearly a decade learning her craft and rubbing shoulders with big name artists like the Rolling Stones. And now she’s almost ready to unleash her debut album.

The latest single “Trigger” definitely has my attention. It’s got some polish from famed UK mix engineer Cenzo Townshend (Florence & The Machine, Florence & The Machine), but he’s been careful not to smooth out Penelope’s edges. There’s real heart and desperation in this dark electro-pop song. The clip showcasing New York City looks brilliant, even though it was reportedly shot on a shoestring.

Let’s wait and see whether Penelope Austin becomes our next big breakout star.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jack Carty and Jordan Miller Reunite for National Tour

Jack Carty and Jordan Millar enjoyed playing shows together in March so much that they’re set to do it all again with an acoustic tour this August.

Jack should be in fine form because he’s currently touring his latest album Esk across the United Kingdom and Europe. Meanwhile, Jordan will be taking a break from recording his next album for this tour. After time spent in the studio, he’s probably itching to get back out on stage!

If you’re on the fence about the shows, take a look at this video capturing one of their performances together in March. Do you really want to miss two singer-songwriters of this calibre playing together? I think not!

It’s also worth pre-ordering your tickets, as every one bought on presale comes with an 11-track digital live album Jack Carty & Jordan Millar – Live @ The Front Gallery. Tickets are available from Jack Carty’s website.

1 August 2015 – The Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
6 August 2015 – The Commons, Newcastle
7 August 2015 – The Street Theatre, Canberra
8 August 2015 – Venue 505, Sydney
14 August 2015 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane
15 August 2015 – Rous Mill Hall, Rous Mill
20 August 2015 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
21 August 2015 – Grace Darling Hotel, Melbourne
22 August 2015 – The Grand Poobah, Hobart

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Society of Beggars Release Rocking First Single

There’s something so appealing about straight up rock and roll. And that’s what Melbourne band Society of Beggars give us with their debut single “Hyena.”

There aren’t any bells or whistles here. It’s rough around the edges, and it looks like the clip was probably made on a shoestring. But there’s real heart here. And I love the huskiness of the lead singer’s voice. It doesn’t have the spit and polish of big label releases, but it’s also got a bit more soul than many of them do.

What do you think of “Hyena”?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bad Pony Get Toes Tapping with “White Russian”

Sydney indie-pop act Bad Pony have grown from a duo to a quintet since they released of their debut single “Sucker.” So we hear a much fuller sound on their new single “White Russian,” the first single lifted from their forthcoming EP.

I’m not quite sure what the song has in common with my husband’s favourite drink, but I do know that I like how it goes down. It’s so damned catchy, with beautiful harmonies and more hooks than a fisherman’s tackle box.

I had the Soundcloud link, but I think I prefer the energy of this video recorded in the studio. It gives just a hint of what they’re going to unleash at the following shows.

5 June 2015 – Worlds End Brewpub, Sandy Bat
7 June 2015 – Republic Bar, Hobart
12 June 2015 – Standard Bowl, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hein Cooper Impresses with “The Art of Escape”

Hein Cooper has gotten under my skin with his debut single “The Art of Escape.” It’s a gentle song, a real slow burner but let it creep up on you and you’ll start to appreciate its delicate beauty.

Hein hails from the New South Wales south coast but he recorded the track, and the others on his self-titled EP, on a recent trip to Canada where he played Montreal’s Canadian Music Week.

Something tells me it’s not going to long before the rest of the world discovers this talented troubadour.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dolly Denko is Doctrin

Multi-talented Melbourne musical force Dolly Denko is giving us our first taste of her new musical project Doctrin with the exquisite single “Take Me,”  released today. This over-achiever serves as vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and writer on the track which was born from an existential crisis, as so many of the best songs are.

“After binge watching The Craft and Charmed and with already a rough idea for what I wanted the music video to be,” she explained. “I thought that a throwback to magic and occult which I grew up with would represent the theme and story of the song.”

Apparently the song wasn’t just influenced by 90s TV and film, but music as well like Hole and Garbage. However, it certainly doesn’t sound like a throwback. More like this please!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Holy Holy Impress with “You Cannot Call for Love Like a Dog”

Brisbane duo Holy Holy have knocked my fluffy winter-ready socks off with their latest single “You Cannot Call for Love Like a Dog.” It’s got much more than just an impressive name on its side. It’s got an epic feel and driving beat that will get under your skin from the first listen.

It’s got a dark undertone though. Listen to the lyrics and you’ll soon remember love’s not all chocolates and roses.

“We try in our lives to do all kinds of things to control it and manage it and bend it to our wills, but sometimes you just wake up one day and it’s gone…and that’s that. Like ice melted,” explained lead vocalist Tim Carroll. “And the point of that is, if you do find yourself in the enviable position of being ‘in love’ and feeling love – fucking enjoy it. Treat it like a good scotch. Breathe it in deep and wash it round your mouth and take in the bath and get drunk.”

Holy Holy are set for big things, after being named on the recent Splendour in the Grass line-up and locking in dates across Europe and the United Kingdom. No doubt the music lovers abroad are going to be just as taken with this Aussie act.

14 May 2015 – The Great Escape, Brighton
17 May 2015 – London Calling Festival, Amsterdam
18 May 2015 – MTC Club, Cologne
19 May 2015 – Cafe Video, Ghent
20 May 2015 – Comet Club, Berlin
22 May 2015 – Dot to Dot Festival, Manchester
23 May 2015 – Liverpool Sound City, Liverpool (DAY SHOW)
23 May 2015 – Dot to Dot Festival, Bristol (NIGHT SHOW)
24 May 2015 – Dot to Dot Festival, Nottingham
26 May 2015 – Old Blue Last, London
29 May 2015 – Primavera Pro, Barcelona
30 May 2015 – Primavera Sound, Barcelona

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mojo Juju Gets Electronic with New Release

Never one to shy away from change, Melbourne’s Mojo Juju is experimenting again with the release of her latest album Seeing Red/Feeling Blue.

It sees Mojo playing with longtime friend and producer Ptero Stylus on songs that are a bit more electronic than her earlier efforts, although they’ve still got an accessible pop core. The funky new single “They Come & They Go” is a prime example of the attitude Mojo Juju showcases on her latest release.

Mojo will take the new music to the masses with a national tour kicking off at Sydney’s Vivid festival later this month. Tickets are available now for the following shows.

30 May 2015 – Vivid Live 2015 @ Sydney Opera House, Sydney
5 June 2015 – Solbar, Maroochydore
6 June 2015 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
18 June 2015 – Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
19 June 2015 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
20 June 2015 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
21 June 2015 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
26 June 2015 – Pirie & Co. Social Club, Adelaide
27 June 2015 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
3 July 2015 – Spirit Bar, Traralgon
4 July 2015 – Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh
8 August 2015 – Darwin Festival, Darwin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Avaberée’s Angelic New Single

Brisbane trio Avaberée have created an incredible soundscape with their new single “Can’t Get You Off My Mind.” Their harmonies are sublime and chemistry superb. The way their angelic voices combine with electronic beats is truly special. No wonder that they’ve just inked a deal with US label Other People Records.

“When my partner at the label, Jesse Barnett, showed me Avaberée, I was instantly moved,” explained Tom Williams of Other People Records. “Gen, Irena and Aimee have such a profound chemistry with each other, and with In Your Arms I Found my Secrets they were able to harness an energy that is so infrequently tapped into. To be this good, this early on in their career, it is truly exciting.”

“Can’t Get You Off My Mind” is our first taste of that forthcoming EP. If this single’s any indication, it’s going to be awesome.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shelley Segal Does it Again with “Sidelined”

Melbourne singer-songwriter Shelley Segal speaks for women everywhere that don’t measure up to society’s aesthetic standards with her gorgeous new single “Sidelined.” The track is lifted from her fourth studio album Strange Feeling, which hits stores on May 8. I loved “Morocco,” the last of Shelley’s tracks that crossed my path, and this is every bit as good.

“The song is my understanding of the nature of our aesthetics while questioning whether we can overcome them,” Shelley explained. The clip is the perfect accompaniment, a video which sees Shelley morphing from a bed-heady natural girl to a more immaculately groomed version of herself. “Subscribing to the visual expectations of others can vastly improve our outcomes, but those that don’t fit will often pay a price or be sidelined,” Shelley admits.

Shelley will promote the single and Strange Feeling album at the following shows.

1 May 2015 – Collins Square, Docklands (FREE)
22 May 2015 – Collins Square, Docklands (FREE)
24 May 2015 – The Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh (Doors open 3 pm)
30 May 2015 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
27 June 2015 – Paris Cat, Melbourne
3 July 2015 – Wesley Anne, Northcote