Category: Video

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Steve Lane and the Autocrats’ Impress with “Ghost Trains”

It’s a pretty special thing to find new music that takes you back, but I’ve found it in Steve Lane and the Autocrats’ new single “Ghost Trains.” It’s got that lovely Paul Kelly storytelling quality about it, with a splash of Weddings Parties Anything thrown in. It’s good honest Aussie pop rock, melodic but heartfelt. Pop’s almost gotten to be a dirty word in the music industry, but this song  shows us the term isn’t synonymous with vapid.

The film clip plays up the track’s nostalgic qualities, with vision of the band spliced together with archival film footage.

“Ghost Trains” is our first taste of the band’s forthcoming debut album The Romance of Communication, which hits stores on Friday. Can you believe something that sounds so seasoned comes from a debut?

To celebrate the album’s release, the Steve Lane and the Autocrats will play shows along the east coast, with their first tonight in Warrnambool.

19 October 2011 – The Loft, Warrnambool
20 October 2011 – The Front Gallery & Café, Lyneham
21 October 2011 – The Heritage Hotel, Bulli
22 October 2011 – Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
23 October 2011 – The Vanguard, Newtown
27 October 2011 – Beavs Bar, Geelong
28 October 2011 – The Northcote Social Club, Northcote
29 October 2011 – TBC
30 October 2011 – The Palais Theatre, Hepburn Springs
6 November 2011 – Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Trouble with Templeton Gets Spooky

Brisbane singer-songwriter The Trouble with Templeton should appeal to all the Twilight fans out there with his eerie new video for “Bleeders.” It’s pretty clever to appeal to the current taste for the macabre, but there’s more here than simply smart marketing. The song’s stunning, a real slow burner than builds beautifully.

“Bleeders” is the title track from The Trouble with Templeton’s forthcoming solo album, which was impressively self-recorded and produced. It doesn’t drop until November 4, but if you’ve fallen for the song you can own it now for free through The Trouble with Templeton’s Bandcamp page. And if you like what you hear you can catch The Trouble with Templeton at the following shows.

21 Oct 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney (supporting Skipping Girl Vinegar)
4 November 2011 – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi (supporting Skipping Girl Vinegar)
5 November 2011 – Beetle Bar, Brisbane
11 November 2011 – Fresh, Launceston
12 November 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart
31 December 2011–2 January 2012 – Peats Ridge Festival, Central Coast

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Tackles Number Ones

The X Factor served up number ones for this week’s performance show. With every tune reaching the top, song choice shouldn’t have been an issue tonight. But …

Christina Parie reminded me that just because a song hits the top it doesn’t make it worth doing. “Teenage Dirtbag” isn’t a bad song, but it was all wrong for Christina. It didn’t sit in her sweet spot until the end, which was disappointing. She did as much she could, but she didn’t have much to work with here.

Young Men Society were back to their best with Beyonce’s “Single Ladies.” The boys smashed it with flawless vocals, brilliant dance moves, and plenty of swagger. I’m so glad to see these guys returning to form.

Declan Sykes toned things down a few notches with Youth Group’s “Forever Young.” I must admit, this song’s never been one of my favourites. I appreciated the treatment and enjoyed seeing him in another mode, but I also thought this was a bit sleepy. I found myself drifting off towards the end, but that could have more to do with my feelings about the song than what Declan did with it.

When Mitchell Callaway started “Can’t Get No Satisfaction,” I was thrilled someone remembered there was great music before this decade. However it didn’t get out of second gear. It was alright, but Jagger he ain’t. For Nat to suggest that Mitchell had no country stuff to play with boggles my mind though. If he wants to stick with his preferred genre, why not some Eagles, Lonestar, or even a bit of Shania Twain?

Continue reading “The X Factor Tackles Number Ones” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Short Stack at the Movies

The boys from Budgewoi hope to make a real splash with their brand new movie The Story of Short Stack. Before it hits your favourite DVD store, the flick will screen at movie theatres around the country on October 27.

While the film will hit various cinemas around the country, fans at Sydney’s George Street cinema are in for an extra special treat. The band will walk the red carpet, play an acoustic live set, and field questions from fans in a special Q&A session.

Considering how devoted Short Stack’s lovers are, I don’t expect the tickets for the events to stick around for long. They’re available through the CinemaLive website.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Does the 90s

I’ve been complaining about all those modern but fairly inconsequential song choices on The X Factor, so I was thrilled to see the show going back into the vault for 90s night. The decade might not be music’s strongest, but there were certainly some gems that I hoped to hear trotted out.

When I spotted on the ad that someone was doing Meat Loaf, I was thrilled. I was also convinced we’d hear the Meat number coming from Andrew Wishart, as my husband and I have been comparing their vocals for weeks now (good Meatloaf, not AFL Grand Final era). But sadly it was Johnny Ruffo that trotted out “I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That),” and he made it some weird electro pop number. I hated the treatment. I thought the whole thing made him seem even soulless than last week’s performance. This song should never, ever sound like this.

Mitchell Callaway showed his tender side with REM’s “Everybody Hurts.” He had his reservations, but I think this was the perfect song for him. I’m not sure I saw the brilliance the judges’ seemed to see, but I do think this was miles better than he’s been in recent weeks.

Three Wishez stepped things up again with “Ghetto Superstar.” This band has really hit its stride; everyone worked together so well, and they were all stellar in their own right. I think we’re finally starting to see their potential, and it’s exciting.
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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordie Lane Plays Live for “Annabelle Marie” Music Video

All too often film clips seem so fake. The vocals are lip-synched, and the footage so staged that it really undermines the heart of the music. So I was thrilled to see Jordie Lane take a very different tact with his new music video for “Annabelle Marie.”

The film clip sees Jordie perched atop a Byron Bay hill, playing the song live. It captures a moment in time, and a moment in music that’s completely real.

If you’re as moved by this video as I am you can catch Jordie at the following shows over the coming months.

9 October 2011 – Indi Bar, Scarborough (with Jeff Lang)
13 October 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart (with Jeff Lang)
14 October 2011 – Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh (with Jeff Lang)
15 October 2011 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne (with Jeff Lang)
16 October 2011 – Way Out West Blues Club, Williamstown (with Jeff Lang)
21 October 2011 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast (with Jeff Lang)
22 October 2011 – Judith Wright Centre, Brisbane (with Jeff Lang)
23 October 2011 – Mullumbimby Civic Hall, Mullumbimby (with Jeff Lang)
24 October 2011 – Chapel Theatre Live, Glen Innes (with Jeff Lang)
28 October 2011 – Waves, Wollongong (with Jeff Lang)
29 October 2011 – The Clarendon, Katoomba (with Jeff Lang)
30 October 2011 – Sydney Blues Festival, Windsor
4 November 2011 – Meeniyan Hall, Meeniyan (with Henry Wagons and Joe Pug)
5 November 2011 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne (with Henry Wagons and Joe Pug)
24-27 November 2011 – Mullumbimby Music Festival, Mullumbimby

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Box Rockets Launch EP in Victoria & NSW

Melbourne band Box Rockets are about to release No Control, the follow-up to their acclaimed 2009 EP Throwing Stones. To celebrate the October release the band will play a handful of launch shows next month.

Box Rockets plan to play a couple of shows for their hometown audience, and two more for the music-loving folks in Sydney. The band will be selling a limited edition copy of the EP at the shows which features innovative origami-inspired packaging. That sounds a whole lot more exciting than what you’ll get on iTunes!

You can grab the far superior version of the No Control EP at Box Rockets’ following shows.

7 October 2011 – Mum @ World Bar, Sydney
8 October 2011 – Beresford Upstairs, Sydney
21 October 2011 – The Prince Bandroom, Melbourne (with Phrase)
27 October 2011 – The Northcote Social Club, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Rocks

The X Factor contestants came out ready to rock at this week’s performance show.

Young Men Society kicked things off with their take on the Run DMC and Aerosmith classic “Walk This Way.” These guys have set such a high bar in previous weeks, so I felt a little let down by this. The vocals got patchy in places, which is something we haven’t seen from them before. But they always entertain, so I can forgive them a few pitch problems.

Christina Parie brought things back to the naughties with her take on “Gives You Hell.” She nailed the attitude and the vocals, but I was a bit torn on the song choice. Luke Jacobs raised my expectations when he announced the contestants would be singing “classic rock songs.” This is hardly a classic, and when you consider the history of rock music it’s a pretty dodgy choice. Perhaps such a contemporary song helped Christina relate to it, but I would have loved to see a song with a bit more cred.

Speaking of songs with cred, Andrew Wishart brought us the Cheap Trick hit “The Flame.” But this was about more than simply choosing a great song. For the first, and hopefully not the last, time in the competition I really felt it. It’s one thing for him to feel connected to a song, but it’s another very special thing for him to make us feel that connection. That was incredible.

And then we had Johnny Ruffo. In a way I felt a bit sorry for him taking the stage after Andrew. It only exposed just how lacking in emotional heart his version of “Here Without You” was. It was pitchy, but to me that lack of conviction was much more disappointing. I didn’t believe he was longing for anyone.
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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Meat Loaf Performs Train Wreck Medley at AFL Grand Final

The Cats might have taken home the crown, but just as many people are talking about Meat Loaf’s woeful performance at yesterday’s AFL grand final. As a league girl I missed it live, but I really shouldn’t have bothered with an internet search.

On paper it looked like a winner. Sports fans have always loved The Meat, and with a medley of his greatest hits all the fans could sing along. Sadly though, they probably sang better than the big man himself.

Frankly I couldn’t make it more than a few minutes through this video. The tuneless performance just made me sad, and hurt my ears. I actually predicted this kind of disappointment way back when his Aussie tour was announced in June, but I didn’t anticipate just how poor his vocals would be. You’ve got to wonder why he’d put himself out on stage when he just can’t deliver. He can’t be hurting for dollar, and while I understand the desire to be on stage doing what he loves the fans deserve better.

I’m thrilled that I decided to err on the side of caution and give his Guilty Pleasures tour a miss. I’d much rather keep the memories I have of his amazing ’94 tour, which still rates as one of my favourite shows, rather than have them tarnished by this sort of thing. To anyone who does have tickets to the upcoming shows, I’m sorry. I have a feeling you’re in for a long, excruciating night.

Kellie Clarkson and Eskimo Joe must be feeling pretty good right now. Whatever they bring out for the NRL grand final today, it’s going to run rings around this train wreck.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Parties On

Given my cold, I’m not planning on partying any time soon. Thank goodness for The X Factor who brought a party to my lounge room tonight. And I didn’t even need to change out of my pyjamas!

Audio Vixen kicked off proceedings with The Zutons’ “Valerie.” I liked it but I didn’t love it. The retro styling was great, and I was thrilled that the band upped the performance factor, but there wasn’t enough harmonising for my tastes. That’s where this band really excels; when those voices came together it was amazing, but I was left wanting more. Perhaps that’s a smart move though. Could it bring them back next week?

Declan Sykes upped the ante with Panic at the Disco’s “I Write Sins Not Tragedies.” I am really enjoying Declan because he’s not predictable. I love his theatricality, and while the vocals weren’t always the strongest his unique delivery to me is much more interesting than hitting all the notes just right. Talk about making a song your own.

Mitchell Callaway was up next with Kid Rock’s ”All Summer Along.” I must admit, as a musical purist I’ve always hated this mash-up of “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Werewolves of London,” but Mitchell didn’t go close to redeeming the song for me. He looked a bit scared up there, perhaps because of all those scantily clad ladies?
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