Category: Video

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Little May Give Us “Home”

Sydney’s Little May are offering a sneak peek of their forthcoming debut album with the release of new single “Home.” The song speaks of the longing that this band must feel for familiarity when they’re jetsetting around the world.

“Home’ was one of the first songs we recorded with Aaron [Brooking Dessner of The National]. It’s an old song, revisited,” Little May explained. “It had been written three years prior, from a place where a sense of belonging was being constantly chased. I think we will always associate this song, and this whole album, with Hudson and the time we all spent there.”

The clip’s also very cool. It was recorded in Future Past Studios, in Hudson, New York. The building was one a 19th century church, but it’s now thoroughly modern with a CCTV network allowing producers in the basement control room to watch and communicate with the musicians in the studio upstairs. I love the way the studio footage is paired with images of New York neighbourhoods.

It seems like Little May’s debut album has been a long time coming. Are you excited for this release?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Go Star Spotting with Vigilantes’ “Elasticity” Video

Vigilantes have enlisted the help of some of their favourite artists to make the video for their new single, “Elasticity.” Art vs Science, Andy Bull, and Pluto Jonze all appear in the retro-inspired clip, which was shot over three nights around Redfern, Surry Hills, and the Sydney CBD.

“Elasticity” is perfect Sunday fare. It’s danceable, reminding us that there’s still some life in the weekend yet, without being too high-energy.

What do you think of it?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lior’s Autumn Flow Turns 10

Has it really been 10 years since Lior released Autumn Flow? Every time I spot an anniversary tour announcement like this I become incredibly conscious of my age! It really does seem like only yesterday that I first heard “This Old Love” and became instantly besotted.

If that clip’s got you feeling nostalgic, you’ll be interested to know that Lior will rerelease his debut album with previously unreleased tracks to mark the milestone. He’s also announced a string of theatre shows where he’ll play Autumn Flow from start to finish as well as other choice cuts from his back catalogue.

Tickets are available now from Metropolis Touring for the following shows.

9 October 2015 – Anitas Theatre, Thirroul
10 October 2015 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
16 October 2015 – Athenaeum, Melbourne
24 October 2015 – Powerhouse, Brisbane
30 October 2015 – Astor Theatre, Perth
31 October 2015 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elizabeth Rose Releases Single for Marriage Equality

The marriage equality debate has reached fever pitch following the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic ruling earlier this week. Elizabeth Rose has added her voice to the conversation with her new single “Division.”

“Australia is tipped as the ‘lucky’ country, but reflecting upon what we stand for, I’m not sure that we are all that we’re cracked up to be,” she said in a press release. “Our peers fall victim to acts of discrimination and are denied the right to equality. For a country that boasts of multi-culturalism and acceptance, why aren’t we accepting of this?

Proceeds from the single’s sales will benefit Australian Marriage Equality. Now isn’t that more useful than turning your Facebook profile picture into a rainbow?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Anna Cordell Makes a Splash with Debut Single

Melbourne folk singer Anna Cordell has caught my attention with her debut single “I’ll Wait Here.”

Her voice is utterly angelic and the song has a beautiful subtlety about it. It’s introspective and gentle in the best possible ways. She also reminds us just how awesome songs in the minor key can be!

“I love the minor key and unresolved open chords,” Anna explained in a press release. “Writing songs in the minor seems to elicit an unspoken melancholy. The unresolved open chords are moments asking for resolution. They have the possibility of being led in a new direction … eventually this can resolve on a major chord the moment of reprieve, hope, relief.”

You can hear more songs in the minor key when Anna launches her EP in August.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Guy Delivers Your Monday Soundtrack

After a busy time where I’ve worked far too many weekends, I’ve had a fairly cruisy day today. I’ve also been lucky enough to find just the right soundtrack for it, “St Petersburg” by Tim Guy. It’s got a lovely indie-pop vibe to it and one of the coolest videos I’ve seen for some time.

“St Petersburg” is the first track lifted from Tim’s fifth studio album, which will hit stores later this year.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Helen Shanahan Delights with “Across the Sea”

I love when an artist isn’t afraid to speak from the heart. It’s for that reason that I’m really connecting to Western Australian songstress Helen Shanahan and her new song “Across the Sea.”

It’s got a lovely country-folk feel to it. I love the addition of the slide guitar and Helen’s warm, easy vocals. But even more than that, it’s the lyrics that speak of Helen’s struggles with anxiety that really resonate with me. As someone who’s also battled the condition, I’m really feeling this one. It’s not about dwelling, but about carrying on and feeling a sense of optimism that life will get better. What wonderful stuff.

Helen won Songwriter of the Year at last year’s Telstra Road to Discovery competition, and she’s clearly making the most of the opportunities. You can bet we’ll be seeing a lot more of her.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Christine Anu Releases Video for Native Language Song

With Christine Anu’s new album Restylin’ Up 20 Years now in stores, I figured it was worth taking a look at one of its bonus songs, “Kulba Yaday.”

It’s a beautiful number performed in the language of the Torres Strait Islands. You might not understand the words, but I’m sure you can sense the sadness in Christine’s delivery. It speaks of Indigenous people losing their culture and stories passed down through the generations.

“’Kulba Yaday’ unfortunately did not make it onto the original album, but it was always a song I wanted to be part of Stylin’ Up. It is written in KKY (Kalaw Kawaw Oya) language and is a song of lament,” says Christine. “This wonderful song came to me in a dream and was written with a cultural elder and family member and is a very special song to me. Partly because it is sung in language but also because it speaks to my Torres Strait Islander heritage which I am enormously proud of.”

Remember, if you love Christine you can see her performing this song and others from her Restylin’ Up 20 Years album at the following shows.

13 June 2015 – The Street Theatre, Canberra
14 August 2015 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
15 August 2015 – The Basement, Sydney
21 August 2015 – The Bean Bar, Taree
22 August 2015 – The Jetty Theatre, Coffs Harbour
11 September 2015 – Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong
12 September 2015 – Laycock Street Theatre, North Gosford
24 October 2015 – The Hydro Majestic, Blue Mountains

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Montaigne Blows Me Away with “A Cinematic Plea for an End”

I am feeling so privileged to come across some gorgeous music from incredible female performers of late. A day after discovering Alanna Eileen, I’m now about to wax lyrical about Montaigne and her stunning song “A Cinematic Plea for an End.”

This is truly incredible. It’s dramatic without being overblown, so honest and angsty and real. I’m really glad that she chose to release a live video, because it captures the emotion so much better than something that’s been tamed in the studio might.

“Cinematic the song basically expresses several issues with idealism, both in platonic and romantic relationships,” Montaigne explained. “It is pretty much a letter to myself which is me trying to ensure that I don’t create unreasonable and idealistic expectations of situations and relationships, so that I don’t hurt myself nor others.”

Do you love it as much as I do?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Christine Anu Celebrates 20 Years with Live Album & Tour

Can you believe it’s been 20 years since Christine Anu made a splash on the local music scene with her debut album Stylin’ Up? Featuring the hit singles “Party” and “Island Home,” it introduced Australia to one of its most enduring singers.

Christine is celebrating the milestone with a brand new live album, Restylin’ Up 20 Years, due for release on June 19. It features the tracks from that first release plus two extra songs, “Island Home’s” B-side “Kulbay Yaday” and another bonus track, “Ocean of Regret.”

Christine is currently taking music lovers back to the 90s with her Stylin’ Up 20th Anniversary tour. Here are the remaining dates.

13 June 2015 – The Street Theatre, Canberra
14 August 2015 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
15 August 2015 – The Basement, Sydney
21 August 2015 – The Bean Bar, Taree
22 August 2015 – The Jetty Theatre, Coffs Harbour
11 September 2015 – Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong
12 September 2015 – Laycock Street Theatre, North Gosford
24 October 2015 – The Hydro Majestic, Blue Mountains