Category: Video

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The ARIA Awards 2022 Wrap

So the dust has settled on the ARIA Awards for another year and it seems like everyone has an opinion. I can’t help but feel like most of those opinions come from people who haven’t taken the time to listen to a new Australian album in years who simply want to reminisce about the “good old days”. That’s not to say that the awards were perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but I hardly think they’re the shambles that many made them out to be. Most of the performances were solid and a fantastic showcase for the diversity of Australian music today. I also thought Natalie Imbruglia, G-Flip, and Ruel, who stepped in at the 11th hour when Lewis Capaldi pulled out, were personable hosts.

Having said that: Christian Wilkins and Froomes – you had one job. I don’t know whether a few glasses of vino made them a little too relaxed, but there’s really no excuse for getting album names wrong. Multiple times. While they got the tributes for Uncle Archie Roach and Judith Durham so right, Olivia Newton-John deserved better. It felt like a number from the Schools Spectacular, not a professional celebration of the life of one of Australia’s most loved artists. I was disappointed to see Gang of Youths go home empty-handed, but thrilled for Baker Boy and The Wiggles’ wins.

Anyway, if you missed the awards or you simply want to check the correct names of those albums, here are all the winners.

Album of the Year: Baker Boy – Gela
Best Solo Artist: Baker Boy
Best Group: Amyl and the Sniffers
Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist: King Stingray
Best Independent Release: Archie Roach – One Song
Best Pop Release: The Kid LAROI – “Thousand Miles”
Best Hip Hop Release: Baker Boy – Gela
Best Soul/R&B Release: Budjerah – Conversations
Best Dance/Electronic Release: Luude feat. Colin Hay – “Down Under”
Best Rock Album: Amyl and the Sniffers – Comfort To Me
Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album: The Chats – Get Fucked
Best Adult Contemporary Album: Julia Jacklin – Pre Pleasure
Best Country Album: Casey Barnes – Light It Up
Best Blues & Roots Album: William Crighton – Water And Dust
Best Children’s Album: The Wiggles – Rewiggled
Best Classical Album: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Sir Andrew Davis – The Enchanted Loom: Orchestral Works By Carl Vine
Best Jazz Album: Mildlife – Live From South Channel Island
Best Original Soundtrack/Musical Theatre Cast Album: Australian Chamber Orchestra and Richard Tognetti – River (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Best World Album: Joseph Tawadros with William Barton – History Has A Heartbeat
Best Video: William Bleakley – “Every Side Of You” (Vance Joy)
Best Australian Live Act: The Wiggles
Song of the Year: Tones and I – “Cloudy Day”
Most Popular International Act: Harry Styles
Music Teacher Award: Matt Orchard (Apollo Bay P-12 College)
Best Cover Art: Adnate – Gela (Baker Boy)
Best Mixed Album: Pip Norman, Andrei Eremin & Dave Hammer – Gela (Baker Boy)
Best Produced Album: RÜFÜS DU SOL – Surrender (RÜFÜS DU SOL)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Cornell on Solo Comeback Trail With “Stick Around

It’s been five years since his last solo single, but five-time Golden Guitar nominee Matt Cornell is coming back with a vengeance. After focusing on his work with duo Cornell & Carr and playing with acts like Shannon Noll and Adam Brand, Matt’s latest track “Stick Around” is a real return to form. It’s a country-rock anthem with a classic feel that draws on Matt’s love of ‘80s music.

“‘Stick Around’ explores the weird phenomenon that True Love often strikes when we least expect it,” Matt explained. “The idea that something so solid and long lasting can be borne out of one boozy fleeting flirty moment. I feel in a way, where I’m at in my life, ‘Stick Around’ is kind of a wish for me personally, I’m currently single, & wanting to settle down to start a family one day, in this song, the guy meets his life partner, has the two kids & a dog, there’s hope for me yet.”

On the back of the single, Matt will play a string of big shows in 2023. Check him out at the following events:
18 February 2023 – Sydney Harbour Cruise, Eora/Sydney
11 March 2023 – The Stock Route Country Music Festival, Wiradjuri Country/Dubbo
14 July 2023 – Country on Keppel, Woppa/Great Keppel Island

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bella Deer Blossoms With Debut Solo Single “Bloom”

Bella Deer is one of those rare artists who sounds like a seasoned pro straight out of the gate. “Bloom” is her debut single, but you wouldn’t know it by listening to it. Her vocals are powerful and confident, and the song’s lyrics are outstanding. I’m going to be humming that melody for the rest of the day too.

Bella isn’t quite a novice though. She’s shared stages with Husky Gawenda, Thando, and Emma Donovan and The Putbacks. However, this is her first time stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist. Listening to “Bloom”, I’d say it’s about time.

“This song is about struggling with self-confidence and mustering the courage to simply be yourself and accepting who you are and what you stand for,” Bella explained. “When you start to do this, you find that you’re accepted despite those fears. It also explores the frustrations with the lack of meaningful human connections in our society in a tech-obsessed world.”

Bella will play Door Gallery Café in Wathaurong/Fyansford on November 19.

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Lucinda Goodwin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

LOSER Drops First Taste of New EP, “Heaven Can Wait”

Before you hit play on LOSER’s new single “Heaven Can Wait,” hit that volume. Crank it. Trust me. This is one of those killer rock cuts that deserves to be played loud.

“This song was written back in 2019 and was intended to make it on our first album Mindless Joy. It felt like too much of a leap forward for the sound at the time but now it’s making its debut finally!” enthused the band’s frontman Tim Maxwell. “The song’s lyrics portray my feelings towards the fear of death and anxiety, back then I was an anxious wreck and always thought of the worst-case scenario in my head.”

“Heaven Can Wait” is the first track lifted from LOSER’s EP Stadium Dreams on a Bedroom Budget. Rather than dropping it all at once, LOSER is releasing each song individually right through until May 19 next year.

“The whole idea with this EP was to switch up how we’ve released music in the past,” the band explained. “We’ve always been a traditional album band, but this new EP felt like a fresh direction for us musically, so we thought it could be fun to try something a little different in the way we presented it. It’s not a collection of singles, it’s more like a Netflix TV series, where the entire body of work is designed to flow as a whole, but is presented piece by piece.”

Give LOSER follow on Spotify to make sure you don’t miss one! In addition to the songs, LOSER will also drop limited edition merc, exclusive live performance vids, and a special Golden Backstage Pass. Just like Willy Wonka’s golden tickets, this pass will be randomly inserted into one lucky merch buyer’s parcel. The lucky winner will get free tickets to any show LOSER headlines for life. Unless you’ve got the golden ticket, you’ll need to click the links to get tickets for the following shows:

12 November 2022 – Unibar, Tarntanya/Adelaide
17 November 2022 – Crowbar, Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Ian Laidlaw

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ella Hooper Releases Fantastic New Single “Words Like These”

Ella Hooper has taken plenty of musical twists and turns through her career. I love that she keeps us guessing, but I kind of hope she stays in her current space for a little while. The country-rock vibes of her latest track “Words Like These” is right up my alley.

‘“Words Like These’ celebrates but also pokes fun at my lifelong obsession with language, poetry and communication, the world of words,” Ella admits. “A high-level communicator by day, sometimes in love and woo-ing is where the writer gets stuck, mixed messages, misunderstandings, promises are made and broken!”

“Words Like These” is the latest track lifted from Ella’s forthcoming album Small Town Template, which will be released on January 20. She’s currently playing songs from that record and some old favourites at shows all over the country. Here are the remaining dates:

11 November 2022 – Trinity Sessions, Tarntanya/Adelaide
12 November 2022 – Trinity Sessions, Tarntanya/Adelaide
17 November 2022 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
18 November 2022 – The Zoo, Meeanjin/Brisbane
19 November 2022 – Miami Marketta, Ngarangwal/Gold Coast
20 November 2022 – Brunswick Picture House, Durring/Brunswick Heads
25 November 2022 – Marys Underground, Eora/Sydney
26 November 2022 – Centro, Woolyungah/Wollongong

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jacob Fitzgerald Continues His Winning Ways With “Long Way Home”

It’s starting to feel like Naarm/Melbourne-based indie-rock artist Jacob Fitzgerald can do no wrong. After wowing me with his previous singles “Muse” and “Shame on You,” he’s back with the earnest pop-rock gem, “Long Way Home.”

“It covers my own heartbreak and tells a story of loss. Basically, ‘Long Way Home’ is the song I wish I never had to write,”Jacoe admitted. “Essentially, LWH is about savouring the moment before the final goodbye. It follows the shock of heartbreak and captures the emotions of knowing that no matter what is said, the choice won’t be yours … they’ve made up their mind. It was a goal of the band and me to capture the intimacy and intensity of this track both lyrically and sonically. Overall, ‘Long Way Home’ was written to mend a broken heart, and with the help of my closest friends, we built a track that we just fricken love! I’m so proud of it as it captures a moment in time, I never knew I wanted to keep. It’s my silver lining and I can only hope it makes people feel something too!”

Jacob will play a string of shows to celebrate the single’s release. Catch him at the following venues:

25 November 2022 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane
26 November 2022 – Hiway Live, Eora/Sydney
16 December 2022 – Crown & Anchor, Tandanya/Adelaide
17 December 2022 – The Workers Club, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kyle Lionhart Wows Me With “Chemical Heart”

Folky, acoustic guitar-driven music is my kryptonite. Needless to say, I’m powerless to resist “Chemical Heart,” the latest track from Kyle Lionhart. He wrote the song after reaching a crossroads in his musical career.

“Being away and constantly on the road chasing something – that hungry ghost of needing to be validated through music – was so powerful that I was willing to just ruin the rest of my life to get it,” he explained. “I hit this point at end of 2019 – after touring relentlessly for more than six years – when I realised that my family was gonna leave me and I hadn’t spoken to my friends in years, and it took its toll on my mental health. I knew it was getting bad, but I ignored it to chase a ‘successful’ music career. And it worked, but almost every other facet of my life was suffering and falling to pieces.

“Then when I had to stop, because the pandemic forced me to, I realised everything was so turbulent. And I had to start working on myself and my relationships. It was kind of like, ‘Alright, I’m ready to get to work.’ I wrote the song Chemical Heart about that; it’s a song that was very much about everything I had just experienced.”

“Chemical Heart” comes from Kyle’s new album The Silence of You, which drops on November 18. After eating up his singles, I can’t wait to listen. He’ll also play the following shows next year to support the album release:

20 January 2023 – Milk Bar, Boorloo/Perth
21 January 2023 – Jive, Tarntanya/Adelaide
27 January 2023 – The Factory Theatre, Eora/Sydney
28 January 2023 – Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
3 February 2023 – Mos Desert Clubhouse, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
4 February 2023 – The Zoo, Meeanjin/Brisbane
10 February 2023 – Solbar, Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country/Sunshine Coast
11 February 2023 – The Northern, Cavanbah/Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pretty Bleak Impress With “other people’s heads”

Pretty Bleak are serving up some of the best pop-punk tunes around. Their latest single “other people’s heads” is an absolute belter with some really insightful lyrics about the influence of social media on modern society.

“Just before the pandemic, I was thinking a lot about the fact that if you have a social media account, at any given moment someone could be creating a model of your personality in their minds that you have very little influence over,” explained vocalist Sam Thomas. “In the past it would have been quite unusual to meet someone for the first time and discover that they already know significant and intimate things about you … I wanted to describe both the uneasiness that an individual might feel about being in a situation comparable to that, and the absurdness of the fact that this paradigm has become the expected state of our social interactions.”

This smart song is matched with a really clever film clip directed by Tom Thomas.

“The use of mirrors and cameras constantly reflecting and perceiving us throughout the video represents obsession our society has with the perceptions of those around us, and how this pathology is exaggerated by how prevalent social media is in our lives,” Sam added. “As with all of our videos, we like to intersperse visual metaphors with intense performance shots that mirror the content of the lyrics of our songs, because we like the video to act as a coherent augmentation of the song itself.”

Pretty Bleak will celebrate the release of “other people’s heads at Stay Gold in Naarm/Melbourne on November 25. They’re also heading to Great Escape in Lutruwita/Tasmania on March 3.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.; credit: Tom Thomas

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Michael Day Wows Me With “Psych or the Priest”

Whatever you’re doing right now, stop and take a moment to listen to Michael Day’s new single “Psych or the Priest.” It’s a gorgeous folk song with such subtlety that you might miss its beauty if you don’t pay attention. Give it your full focus though and I know you’re going to fall as deeply as I have.

“The song started as a reflection on the emotions I had around the time, specifically the feeling of drowning,” Michael explained. “As I sat on a train, thinking about the past number of years, thinking ‘What just happened?’, I felt like I was watching life as a montage and had no control over any of it, which left me feeling somewhat sad and useless, and maybe for the first time, I felt the feeling of hopelessness.

“I think this is me processing life and reflecting on my own actions and how they affect others. I hope others would hear it and be encouraged to self-reflect on how their actions influence and even hurt others, that wouldn’t be a bad thing. Maybe this song is just me feeling sad feelings and saying it’s OK to sit here for a moment.”

Michael recently celebrated the release of “Psych or Priest” with some shows around his home state of Western Australia. Hopefully it won’t be too long before he announces some dates around the rest of the country. We all deserve to hear more of his music.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Rhyan Lyndon-James

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

DOWNGIRL Drops Rocking New Single “Manic”

Femme nu punk/grunge act DOWNGIRL prove they’re a real force with their latest single “Manic.” The press release says “the song hits like shots of cinnamon whisky – hard, fast and to dizzying effect, with a sweet but spicy aftertaste.” Honestly, I couldn’t have said it better myself.

“‘Manic’ was written during Sydney’s last pandemic lockdown as a back and forth via the WWW,” the band said. “It explores mental health issues and the responsibility we must take for them during a time which is insular and introspective.”

DOWNGIRL will take their “Manic” tour to The Lass in Mulubinba/Newcastle on November 12 before wrapping things up at Cherry Bar in Naarm/Melbourne on November 19.

Image used with permission from Ruckus PR