Category: Video

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Happy Mother’s Day!

It’s mother’s day, the day that all good children spoil their mums. I’ll be doing just that, making the drive down the Pacific Highway to have lunch with her, and my grandma. While we spent a lot of my teenage years wanting to kill one another, today I’m lucky enough to consider Mum one of my best friends. I don’t always want to hear what she has to tell me, but I always know where I stand with her. She shares my passions for live music, good wine, and sparkly jewellery. She’s a lot of fun to be around, and I’m definitely looking forward to our lunch.

Anyway, I got to thinking about Mother’s Day, and what songs might be appropriate to share with you before settling on Bachelor Girl’s “Buses and Trains.” How I miss Bachelor Girl. This is one of the most honest songs about a mother-daughter relationship that I can think of it. It’s not overly sappy or sentimental, and thus comes closer to real life than most of the mother songs around. So enjoy this one. And if you are a mum, I hope you have an awesome day!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bodyjar Boys Back with Cola Wars

Just months after wrapping up their final tour with Bodyjar, Cam Baines and Shane Wakker are back with their brand new outfit Cola Wars.

The lads are joined by Mikey Juler, formerly of For Amusement Only, and Mark Brunott. The new single “Giving It Up” is our first taste of Cola Wars’ debut album Invader, which will hit Australia music stores on June 18 with a Japanese release to follow. It’s got some great hooks and a fantastic energy. And it seems the lads themselves are just as pleased with it.

“We are fully stoked with this recording. I reckon it packs a real punch,” said guitarist Cam Baines. “We produced the whole album with Kalju Tonuma (The Living End, Temper Trap, Evermore) and it came together without a hitch. Some of these songs have been in the incubator for a few years now so it was great to finally do them justice.”

This is the sort of music which will really come alive on stage, so make sure you stay tuned for details of Cola Wars’ first national tour soon!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: “Waiting For You” by Basement Birds

“Waiting For You” is the first single from Aussie supergroup Basement Birds. With Josh Pyke, Kav Temperley, Kevin Mitchell, and Steve Parkin all lending their creative talents to the project I knew I’d love it. And I do, even though it’s not the sort of song that grabs you by the throat. It’s perfect Sunday arvo fare, the kind of thing you’d stick on while entertaining friends or recovering from a big night out.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stan Walker Releases Great New Song, “Unbroken”

I didn’t really care for Stan Walker’s debut single “Black Box,” but his follow up “Unbroken” is great stuff.

Although once you look at the songwriting credits, it’s no surprise. Ryan Tedder knows how to craft a hit, from his work with Leona Lewis, Beyonce, and Jordin Sparks to material for his own band One Republic.

The track tells the story of strength and survival, something Stan knows about all too well. While his personal struggles were documented during his Australian Idol journey, he also came face to face with human tragedy on a recent visit to Haiti.

“Unbroken” will feature on Stan Walker’s first album of original material, due for release later this year.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: “We Could Get Lost” by Mark Sholtez

When I first encountered Mark Sholtez some years ago he was supporting Human Nature. He was the sort of jazz artist I might expect to see in Las Vegas; I could tell he was good but he was also incredibly cheesy. Still, he must have been doing something right because I remember his name all those years later. And now he seems to have reinvented himself as a mellow singer-songwriter type. I must say, the makeover’s working for him. “We Could Get Lost” is the first taste of Mark’s upcoming album The Distance Between Two Truths. Mark penned the track with Iain Archer of Snow Patrol. I think this is gorgeous, and I can’t wait to hear more!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kylie Minogue Announces “Aphrodite” Album with Teaser Video

Kylie Minogue’s website has gone into meltdown with the announcement that her next album will be named Aphrodite. I guess that’s what happens when you make an announcement that you’ll make an announcement a day before to generate some hype!

At any rate, Kylie’s 11th studio album will hit record stores on July 5. It will be launched with the single “All The Lovers,” which gets a June 28 release.

If you can’t wait that long, check out this 30-second teaser video. I must say what’s here kind of hurts my ears, but spin it in a club and I might be interested. I’ll reserve my judgement until I hear the vocals; Kylie’s always had a knack of hooking me in with a catchy chorus.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Song Obsession: “Time to Smile” by Xavier Rudd

There’s something special about finding a song which just makes you feel good. I caught Xavier Rudd’s latest tune “Time to Smile” for the first time on Video Hits a couple of weeks back, and I haven’t been able to get it out of my head since. That’s a very good thing, as it’s one of those tracks which actually makes you break out in a wide grin. I love the way Xavier’s earthy blues sound merges with the African grooves of bassist Tio Moloantoa and percussionist Andile Nqubezelo. It feels like a modern-day “Graceland.” I hope it brightens up your Sunday!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Acoustic Goodness from Juke Kartel

My readers have been at it again, recommending some of Australia’s best up and coming bands. Keep your e-mails coming! I love to hear what you’re listening to, and what you think I should be!

Yesterday I heard from Denise who told me I needed to check out Juke Kartel. I remembered the band’s single “Save Me” released a couple of years back, but I thought they’d dropped off the radar. Silly me; I just wasn’t looking hard enough.

Denise pointed me to this video for “My Baby,” one of the non-single tracks from Juke Kartel’s debut album Nowhere Left to Hide. When songs like this aren’t released, you start realizing how strong an album is. I’m always partial to an acoustic performance because it shows us what talented musicians a band are. I like “Save Me,” but I love this.

Juke Kartel played a few shows in Hollywood last month; hopefully we’ll see them back on home soil real soon.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Veronicas Duet with Michael Paynter

I love it when people write to tell me the artists I simply must hear. This afternoon I received one of these lovely e-mails pointing me to this video, and introducing me to the exceptional talents of Michael Paynter.

This vid was filmed last week when Lisa and Jess Origliasso of The Veronicas joined Michael on stage for his song “Novocaine.” What an incredible track, and a sign of things to come it seems because Michael will release his debut album later this year through Sony.

If you like what you hear and are lucky enough to live in Melbourne make sure you check out Michael’s set every Wednesday night this month at Revolver. I don’t think you’re going to be disappointed!