Category: Video

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

World Travels Inspire Brandon Dodd’s Solo Debut, “Absolute”

At 24 years old, Brandon Dodd has experienced more like than most people from the Central Coast. He was just 19 when he was handpicked as the guitarist of Kasey Chambers band. That opportunity saw him travelling the world, both with the band and independently, collecting experiences that give his debut solo single “Absolute” a compelling maturity. He wrote the song about his time in Zambia, a locale he calls one of his “favourite places in the world.”

“Over the past couple of years I have been lucky enough to go over to teach music at a small school there called ‘Our Rainbow House’. That place now feels like my second home to me now. The amazing people that I have met through that school were the inspiration behind this song,” he explained. “My first time visiting Africa I could see that there was beauty in everything, the people, the culture, the landscapes, the animals. But the thing I love most about being at that school, with those kids and teachers in that little town is that it is real. It is absolute.”

While Coasties can see him playing local pubs and clubs, he’ll get the opportunity to front bigger audiences as the support act for the legendary Patty Griffin next March. If you have tickets to one of her shows, make sure you arrive early for his set!

1 March 2020 – Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan (supporting Patty Griffin)
3 March 2020 – Melbourne Recital Hall, Melbourne (supporting Patty Griffin)
5 March 2020 – The Capital, Bendigo (supporting Patty Griffin)
10 March 2020 – City Recital Hall, Sydney (supporting Patty Griffin)
12 March 2020 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (supporting Patty Griffin)
13 March 2020 – Lismore City Hall, Lismore (supporting Patty Griffin)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Sea Gypsies Release New Summer Anthem, “Mexico”

As a proud Coastie, I have a soft spot for great talent coming out of my local area. The Sea Gypsies are local stalwarts, but I’m always happy to hear more sweet tunes from this Central Coast indie rock outfit. “Mexico” is their latest effort, a stellar single that captures the hedonism of summer.

As you might expect, the song was inspired by frontman Luke Marlin’s adventures in South America. However, it was a trip that didn’t go quite as planned. In fact, he had to cut the holiday short after he was diagnosed with Dengue fever. In recovery on home soil, he wrote this song while reflecting on the wild trip that was.

The clip sees the lads in characteristic form, enjoying a laugh and refusing to take life too seriously.

“These guys are my friends; we go surfing together, rip on each other and order Dominos every band practice. We’re musicians, not actors, so we thought to ourselves, ‘Why not just have a laugh and shoot a video that we’d enjoy making?” said the band’s bassist, Jackson Burke.

“Mexico” is our first taste of new music from The Sea Gypsies in a while. Hear more of the new stuff and plenty of your favourites at the band’s upcoming shows.

25 January 2020 – Solbar, Sunshine Coast
1 February 2020 – Yah Yah’s, Melbourne
7 February 2020 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
8 February 2020 – Love Lanes Festival, Central Coast
16 February 2020 – North Gong, Wollongong

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Basia Bulat Ready for Aussie Sideshows After Woodford

Canadian sensation Basia Bulat is currently wowing crowds at Woodford Folk Festival, but if you haven’t got a ticket, you’re in luck. She’ll also play sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne once the festival wraps up.

If you’re not already acquainted with Basia’s music, let her latest single “Your Girl” be your introduction. Our first taste of her forthcoming album Are You in Love? it oozes with warmth and optimism. There’s a light about Basia’s voice that shines through, even when her songs have an element of pathos as this one does. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be hooked after one listen.

“I wrote ‘Your Girl’ during a snowstorm in Montreal and recorded it under the warm desert sun in Joshua Tree,” she recounted. “Someone once told me you can’t sing and cry at the same time but that wasn’t true for me when we were recording this one. There’s joy in finally being free from a painful situation, relief, laughter—even as it feels impossible to ever forget the pain or understand why that storm came through your life the way it did. And so, light on your feet, you dance with the memory instead. If you’re listening to this song and understand what I mean, know that I’m singing with you as we’re dancing in that swirling wind.”

Basia Bulat will play the following local venues while she’s in Australia. Don’t miss this superb Canadian act while she’s on our shores!

2 January 2020 – Low 302, Sydney
4 January 2020 – Wesley Anne, Melbourne
5 January 2020 – Esplanade Hotel, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out With Concrete Surfers’ “Shattered Thoughts”

I intended to take a few weeks off over the festive season, but you know what they say about the best laid plans. So it’s little wonder that “Shattered Thoughts,” the latest track from Brisbane’s Concrete Surfers is resonating with me. It’s got the right amount of grit and angst, with a surf-rock bent that’s encouraging me to knock off early and hit the beach.

“The concept of the video appeared when we were showing our friends tech deck videos to another friend and they struck the idea that we should do a film clip based off that, which we thought was really neat!” explained the band’s guitarist and vocalist, Jovi Brook. “We just got some cardboard boxes some paint and dollhouse furniture from Kmart and made little sets which was actually really fun and cool seeing it all come together.”

Concrete Surfers were scheduled to play Falls, but with its cancellation fans will just have to wait a little longer to see them live. As they were planning a summer tour before they got the call from festival organisers, hopefully some more shows will be announced soon.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ryan Edmond Sings of New Home in “Stockholm”

Australian-born singer-songwriter Ryan Edmond sings of his experiences making a new life in Sweden in his gorgeous new single “Stockholm.” I love its delicate folky feel and Ryan’s beautiful vocals.

“’Stockholm’ is about the similarities and differences of living in two different parts of the world. From the beaches and relaxed vibes of Australia to the mountains, forests and historical architecture of Sweden,” he explained. “I want people to be able to interpret the song in their own way although for me ‘Stockholm’ is also about being in a relationship with someone from another country and the beauty of being able to live in different cities and countries but also about the challenges that come up. Such as trying to find a place that feels like home for both of you.”

Ryan is coming home for a string of shows to support the single in the New Year, including some supporting slots with Tijuana Cartel. Catch him at the following venues while you can!

2 January 2020 – Mojo’s Bar, Fremantle
9 January 2020 – Junk Bar, Brisbane
11 January 2020 – Golden Age Cinema, Sydney
17 January 2020 – The Gasometer Upstairs, Melbourne
23 January 2020 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River (supporting Tijuana Cartel)
24 January 2020 – Clancy’s, Dunsborough (supporting Tijuana Cartel)
25 January 2020 – Freo Social, Fremantle (supporting Tijuana Cartel)
26 January 2020 – Indi Bar, Scarborough (supporting Tijuana Cartel)

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ali Barter Covers Julia Michaels Ahead of Summer Gigs

Ali Barter has wowed music lovers with the tracks from her sophomore album Hello, I’m Doing My Best, but she’s also capable of releasing a stunning cover. She recently released her take on Julia Michaels’ “Issues,” and it’s really something special.

It’s a beautiful, delicate reworking that doesn’t stray so far from the original that it’ll alienate listeners. You’ll find it on Spotify, but I think there’s something magical about watching it take shape at Prime Recording in Nashville.

Ali is spending more and more time Stateside as her star rises. She’s got a couple of local gigs lined up next year before she returns to the US for South by Southwest.

3 January 2020 – Espy Gershwin Room, St Kilda
5 January 2020 – Summer Sundays, Ballarat
13-22 March 2020 – South by Southwest, Austin

Image used with permission from Inertia Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Brother Brothers Ready for First Aussie Shows

Summer is festival time, a time for welcoming some big international talents to our shores and discovering some brand new artists. The Brother Brothers fall into the latter category, but they’ve quickly become a favourite of mine with their beautiful folky music and the sort of sublime harmonies that only come when siblings join forces. Their debut album Some People I Know dropped in 2018, but the American identical twins are only just making it to our part of the world.

David Moss plays cello and guitar while his brother Adam plays the five-string fiddle. They both write and sing with an uncomplicated style that is such a welcome throwback. Take a listen to their song “Colorado” and just see if it doesn’t give you chills.

The Brother Brothers will play selected festivals and headlining shows over the next few weeks, starting with Woodford later this month. Catch them at all the following venues!

29 December 2019 – 1 January 2020 – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford
3 January 2020 – Old Museum, Brisbane
4 January 2020 – Dorrigo Gazette Theatre, Dorrigo
5 January 2020 – Live n Cookin’ @ Lizotte’s, Newcastle
7 January 2020 – The Vanguard, Sydney
8 January 2020 – Smith’s Alternative, Canberra
9 January 2020 – The Spotted Mallard, Melbourne
10-12 January 2020 – Cygnet Folk Festival, Cygnet
14 January 2020 – Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart
15 January 2020 – Adventure Bay Hall, Adventure Bay
16 January 2020 – Mountain Mojo, Sheffield
17-19 January 2020 – Illawarra Folk Festival NSW, Illawarra

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mr. Big Stuff Teams Up With Strange Talk For Debut Single

Melbourne’s Mr. Big Stuff effortlessly fuses hip hop rhymes with a fun pop sensibility to create his debut single “I Need Space.” With up-and-coming synthpop act Strange Talk guesting, the track is a ridiculously catchy number you’ll be humming all day.

“’I Need Space’ was inspired by a break up close to my family,” Mr. Big Stuff explained. “I was at the studio writing and I got a call from one of the people involved in the breakup. We got talking and as I was holding back tears, they said to me I just need my space. I was in a bit of a sad mood, not knowing what to do – so I walked back into the studio, and 5 minutes later ‘I Need Space’ was born.”

The clip is a quirky feast for the senses which takes us to some unreal locations including a surrealist library and an apocalyptic car park.

Mr. Big Stuff is hard at work on an EP, so hopefully we’ll hear from him really soon.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Discover “MAGIC!” With Nardean

Egyptian-Australian artist Nardean casts a spell with her latest single “MAGIC!” It’s an upbeat, life-affirming track featuring Heirloome.

The clip will also strike a chord with Harry Potter fans. In it we see Nardean and her palls paying homage to the tales of the boy wizard on a creatively cheesy handmade Hogwarts set.

“I decided to make this video because I am sort of (very) obsessed with Harry Potter. Growing up in a really strict family, I felt like such an alien. I was the little creative child and everyone else was an engineer or doctor. I could really relate with Harry. I loved the idea that maybe life didn’t need to be terrible and boring, maybe there could be magic! Fast forward a few years, I started making music and turns out life could be magic!” Nardean explained.

This song has all the right ingredients to get this muggle dancing. Has it worked its magic on you?

Image used with permission from Stimulated Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vale Greedy Smith

Sometimes you get music news that knocks the wind out of your sails. Hearing that we’ve lost Andrew “Greedy” Smith is one of those pieces of information I wasn’t quite ready for.

For years he’s been the man keeping Mental as Anything’s legacy alive, the only original member still rocking. Still touring right up to the end. The band were due to start a string of shows in Victoria on Thursday. This wasn’t a guy who thought he was going anywhere.

Greedy passed away after suffering a heart attack on December 1. He was just 63 years old. He is survived by his son Harvey, fiancée Fiona Docker, brother Stuart, and a legion of Aussie music fans who will keep celebrating the music of The Mentals in his honour. Here’s a start.