Category: Video

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angus Dawson Highlights Indigenous History With “Ngurra”

Angus Dawson taps into all he learned about our nation’s history after spending time in remote Indigenous communities in Western Australia with his introspective new single “Ngurra.” The word is used in many Indigenous languages and dialects, but always roughly translates to “home.”

“I realised during and after this trip that I had such a shallow education into Australia’s history and the culture that has existed here for 40 000+ years, making it the oldest culture on Earth,” he explained. “I felt pretty embarrassed about it. The silver lining for this experience though was that I got to witness first-hand the power of music as a universal language.”

Angus spent his time in WA working with Desert Feet, a music charity that helps communities often plagued by physical and mental health issues turn their lives around using music therapy. Practicing, recording, and performing music helps keep local language and culture alive for people in these remote areas of the country. Angus came to Desert Feet expecting to help others, but he didn’t realise how much he would also learn from the experience.

I love the official single version, currently available on Spotify and all your favourite streaming platforms, but I think the acoustic take in this video really brings those personal lyrics to the fore. Listen to them both and tell me which one you prefer!

Image used with permission from Exist. Recordings

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bobby Alu Puts Call Out for Ukulele Players

Winter might be coming, but Bobby Alu doesn’t care. He loves making summery tunes all year round, like his latest single “Finally.” He’s even celebrating this reggae-tinged track with a tour in the middle of winter. Well why the hell not?

If you can play ukulele, Bobby would love to have you as a special guest on his upcoming shows. He’s put the call out to ukulele soloists of any age of ability to open up these gigs.

“We want to share the stage with ukulele players around Australia. You don’t have to be an expert, you just have to feel the flow,” he said. If you can feel it, post a video of yourself playing your uke on Instagram and Facebook and tag @bobby_alu, your city, and #FinallyTour. You’ve got until the 18th of May to get your application in, so hop to it!

Even if you can’t play the ukulele, you can enjoy these shows. Check out Bobby on his Finally tour this June!

7-8 June 2019 – Palm Creek Folk Festival, Mount Surround
9 June 2019 – The Loft, Brisbane (Matinee – ALL AGES)
14 June 2019 – Wesley Anne, Melbourne
15 June 2019 – Grace Emily, Adelaide
16 June 2019 – Mojos Bar, Fremantle
28 June 2019 – Venue 505, Sydney
30 June 2019 – Festival of Voices, Apslawn

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jacob Lee Poised for World Domination

Gold Coast singer-songwriter Jacob Lee caught my attention last year with his track “With You,” but like so many indie musicians he seemed to fade from view. However, if like me you’ve wondered what happened to him, wonder no more.

It seems Jacob caught the ears of a global audience and he’s kicking major goals abroad. He currently has more than 320,000 YouTube subscribers and his EPs have amassed more than 60 million streams on Spotify. He just headlined his first tour of Europe and the United Kingdom and sold out venues in minutes, inspiring organisers to move him to larger spaces to meet the demand. Best of all, he’s done it all without the support of a major label or mainstream press.

So here’s more raving about Jacob from press on the fringes: his new single “Conscience” is amazing. It’s the first of 11 tracks from the album of the same name Jacob will release this year. He’s playing shows locally all over the country supporting Dennis Lloyd. If you’ve got tickets, don’t just dismiss him as a support act and skip his set, because he’s getting to be quite the big deal and he won’t be playing support slots here for too much longer. After he wraps that up he’ll play North America, followed by some yet-to-be-announced dates in South America, Asia, and the UK and Europe again. Needless to say, the future looks very bright for Jacob Lee.

10 May 2019 – 256 Wickham, Brisbane (supporting Dennis Lloyd)
11 May 2019 – Metropolis, Fremantle (supporting Dennis Lloyd)
13 July 2019 – Aisle 5, Atlanta
17 July 2019 – Mercury Lounge, New York
20 July 2019 – The Drake, Toronto
24 July 2019 – Space, Chicago
27 July 2019 – Cambridge Room, Dallas
31 July 2019 – Hotel Café, Los Angeles
1 August 2019 – Rickshaw Stop, San Francisco

Image used with permission from Chugg Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stefan Rossi Charts Struggles With New Single, “Long Road”

Adelaide hip hop act Stefan Rossi has teamed up with Elsy Wameyo for his brand new single “Long Road.” I love the way his rhymes interplay with Elsy’s angelic voice on this one. Those lyrics are also so insightful.

“It’s based on those anxious feelings of who I am and how I’m finding myself as I go through emotions of grief, love, my mental health and not rushing through life’s moments to get to your end result,” Stefan explained.

I think we can all take something from that. “Long Road” is streaming on all your favourite digital platforms now.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jackson Carroll Wows Me With “Holy Hell”

Some artists have voices that stop you in your tracks. From the moment you hear them you know, you just know, they’re special. Jackson Carroll has one of those voices.

It’s showcased beautifully in his new single “Holy Hell.” It’s hard to believe this haunting track is actually his debut, because it sounds so accomplished. It’s polished yet raw, emotional yet just restrained enough. I can’t help thinking of the late great Jeff Buckley as I listen to it. It’s more than just that falsetto, which is flawless by the way. It’s something about the connection Jackson forges with the listener, despite seemingly being in his own world.

“It never really feels finished until you’re hearing [it] in a studio or with a band, with all the instruments in. I have an idea of what I want it to sound like, or some references I can point at and show to people and say, ‘I want it to sound like this,’” he explained. “It’s tricky to temper expectations when you’re comparing your stuff to stuff that already exists, but we did a good job of it!”

This song has me excited. I can’t wait to hear more from Jackson really soon.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Josh Setterfield Keeps it Real With “Broke”

Often city dwellers like me struggle to relate to country music. I don’t know what it’s like to love a truck or feel the beat-your-chest patriotism of American acts. I don’t drink whisky or live in a wide open space. So it’s refreshing to hear a country song like Josh Setterfield’s new track “Broke,” an all-too-relatable tale of not having enough cash to do what you want to do. We’ve all been there!

Josh is kicking some serious goals with his music, playing major country events like the Gympie Muster and Rockin Rocky. This song actually went to number one on Australian Country Radio, but I think it deserves a little mainstream love.

Josh has a couple of gigs coming up. See him at Eaton’s Hill Hotel in Brisbane tomorrow night, May 3 or a Sydney Harbour Cruise on September 21 and help him earn a little extra coin!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Merpire Does it Again With “Lately”

Merpire is back with a brand new single and a whole bunch of shows. The Sydney chanteuse’ brand new track is called “Lately,” and it’s a tune that showcases her rich voice and songwriting prowess beautifully.

Merpire has already started 2019 with a bang, playing A Festival Called Panama, Brunswick Music Festival, and By the Meadow. There’s more where that came from though. See her at the following gigs in the coming months.

4 May 2019 – The Northern Republic, Euroa
18 May 2019 – Howler, Melbourne (supporting City Calm Down)
13 June 2019 – School Night @ Noisy Ritual, East Brunswick
11-14 July 2019 – Bello Winter Music Festival, Bellingen

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Max C Bud Shows His “Relevance”

Sydney singer-songwriter Max C Bud wears his influences on his sleeve with his new song “Relevance.” Max says he grew up listening to acts like Neil Finn, Alex Lloyd, and Bernard Fanning, and I can certainly hear elements of their sound and approach to songwriting creeping through. It’s that songwriting that really speaks to me.

“I wanted to capture the sense of gratitude I was feeling after looking back at the person I had become after going through some difficult times,” Max explained. “I’d love it if this song could connect with someone who has been down and out, but persevered through the hardships of what life can throw at you”.

It’s not always the songs that scream the loudest that make the most impact. “Relevance” is one of those tracks that stays with you long after its final note.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elisa Kate Shows Pop Matters With “Now or Never”

Frustrated with meaningless pop music, Elisa Kate proves the genre still has plenty to say with her new single “Now or Never.” It’s an optimistic ditty which lifts you up and charms you with smoky vocals and honest lyrics. Not bad for a performer once told she couldn’t sing!

The Newcastle singer-songwriter really proves her critics wrong here. Her voice is beautiful and the essence of the song is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. It’s the kind of track you want to slip on in the moments you need a little extra confidence to step outside your comfort zone.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cap Carter Takes Me To Another Place With “Worlds”

Western Sydney’s own Cap Carter wowed me in January with his powerful song “Thrill.” His latest release “Worlds” shows he has many more stories to tell.

“Worlds” has hit me in the gut, just like “Thrill” did. It’s another emotional track, where Cap’s incredible voice interplays beautifully with delicate electronic instrumentation. His voice can seemingly do anything, moving effortlessly from a low rasp to soaring falsetto.

Cap Carter is writing music that matters because it moves you. I can’t wait to wrap my ears around his next release.

Image used with permission from The A&R Department