Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ant Enoch Releases Impressive Debut, “Television”

I love hearing a really great debut single. I figure if someone can impress me from the jump, they’re bound to have a big future ahead of them. “Television”, the first single from Eora/Sydney artist Ant Enoch is one of those tracks that’s made me really sit up and take notice.

“This song was born out of a very intense writing experience. Seeing myself write 100 songs in 10 days. ‘Television’ began as a small idea, no. 54 of 100. Then Georgia [Potter, co-producer] and I expanded on the story itself,” Ant explained. “We wanted to paint a vivid picture of the underdog. A clear triumphant song that saw people choosing to carry on and choose love as the way through hardship. We started with a basic drum machine pattern and wrote the entire song with the piano, vocals and drum machine. Myka Wallace [drums] came and added that superhuman swagger, furthering the humanity of the song.”

“Television” comes from Ant’s debut EP Big Talk Big Party, which drops on May 17.

Image used with permission from Guerilla Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Greg Gould & Morissette Team Up For “Love It All Out”

Don’t you just love a big dramatic ballad? If torch songs give you tingles too, make sure you listen to “Love It All Out,” a new duet from local talent Greg Gould and Filipino megastar Morissette. This pair is talented enough, but when you realise it was penned by Tania Doko and Swedish songwriter Nick Jarl, who’s written songs for Westlife and Loreen, and that it features a live strings arrangement from John Foreman, you start to understand why it’s so good.

“‘Love It All Out’ is possibly my biggest ballad to date, and I’ve sung a few in my career!” Greg enthused. “When I first heard the stunning track from my dear friend Tania Doko, and then blended with the gorgeous strings by John Foreman, I knew we needed a huge voice to take the song to the next level. I am so honoured to have the beautiful Morissette sing with me and I’m so proud of the finished product. I hope you love it as much as we do – it carries such an important message.”

“Love It All Out” is the fourth single from Greg’s new album Strings Attached, which should drop in the middle of the year. No doubt he’ll add to his already busy schedule on its release! Until then, you can catch him at one of the following shows:

3 February 2024 – Motown to Memphis @ Royal Brighton Yacht Club, Naarm/Melbourne
9 March 2024 – The Greatest Hits of Queen: The Freddie Mercury Songbook @ LOEV, Naarm/Melbourne
6 April 2024 – The Bridge, Eora/Sydney (supporting Eric Bazilian and Tania Doko)
7 April 2024 – Avoca Beach Theatre, Darkinjung Country/Avoca Beach (supporting Eric Bazilian and Tania Doko)
20 April 2024 – Memo Music Hall, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Eric Bazilian and Tania Doko)
18 May 2024 – The Gospel According to George Michael @ St. John’s Uniting Church, Wurundjeri Country/Elsternwick

Image used with permission from Dreamhouse PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hello Sunshine Announces Eclectic 2024 Lineup

I’ve seen some eclectic lineups in my time, but the bill for 2024’s Hello Sunshine festival, hitting Naarm/Melbourne in March, might just take the cake. Where else can you rock out to Grinspoon, dance to the pop hits of The Veronicas, and embrace your inner child with a set from The Wiggles? Add indie-rock luminaries The Temper Trap, chill vibes from Pete Murray, the hip hop stylings of Bliss N Eso, country tunes from Brad Cox, and heaps more and you’ve got yourselves a party!

If that’s not enough to tempt you, there’ll be carnival rides, market stalls, food trucks, kids entertainment, and fireworks when the sun goes down.

“Hello Sunshine was such a runaway success in early 2023 – we knew we were on to something special, and couldn’t wait to bring it back bigger and better in 2024,” shared Lucky Group partner Keiran Dole. “We are proud to be putting on a supersized showcase of the best Aussie talent with everyone from Grinspoon to The Wiggles Sound System performing – so there’s certainly something for everyone in the family at Hello Sunshine 2024. We’ll see you at Caribbean Gardens on March 2nd!”

Hello Sunshine tickets are on sale now. Family days out are usually expensive, but you can bring kids under five for free and enjoy discount tickets for anyone under 18. So what are you waiting for? Get your tickets now from Oztix.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Imogen Clark Impresses With “All Hard Feelings”

It’s Imogen Clark’s birthday today but she’s giving us a gift: a brand new single. I feel like this every time I hear new Imogen Clark material, but “All Hard Feelings,” might just be her best one yet. It’s so relatable and catchy, I’ve already played it several times this morning. It sounds incredible, and well it should given her superstar collaborators. Imogen penned the track in Nashville with Sinead Burgess and Blake O’Connor, then recorded it with Grammy-winning bassist Davey Faragher and Rock’n’Roll Hall of Famer Pete Thomas on drums, who were both part of Elvis Costello’s band The Imposters.

“When I rocked up at Sinead and Blake’s apartment to write this song, I’d had a bit of a week. Someone had fucked me over and I resented how much it was getting to me,” Imogen recalls. “We decided to put that energy into a song about how I have never really gotten over anything in my whole life. I saw a meme once that said ‘Taylor Swift has never shaken anything off’ and I thought ‘Same queen’. It’s a really fun tune that also lets me burn off some of that bitter energy in a cathartic way”.

There are plenty of opportunities to see Imogen in the coming months as she’s landed some plum supporting slots. Once she wraps up her shows with BOWEN * YOUNG, she’ll warm up crowds for Andrew Farris and Steve Poltz. If you have tickets to any of these shows, make sure you get there early enough for her set.

19 January 2024 – Factory Theatre, Eora/Sydney (supporting BOWEN * YOUNG)
20 January 2024 – Lizotte’s, Mulubinba/Newcastle (supporting BOWEN * YOUNG)
21 January 2024 – Capitol Theatre, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth (supporting BOWEN * YOUNG)
27 January 2024 – IMB Theatre, Woolyungah/Wollongong (supporting BOWEN * YOUNG)
28 January 2024 – The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting BOWEN * YOUNG)
9 February 2024 – The Beer Shed, Dharawal Country/Campbelltown (supporting Andrew Farriss)
10 February 2024 – Astor Hotel, Gandangara Country/Goulburn (supporting Andrew Farriss)
11 February 2024 – Lizotte’s, Mulubinba/Newcastle (supporting Andrew Farriss)
16 February 2024 – Sooki Lounge, Wurundjeri Country/Belgrave (supporting Andrew Farriss)
17 February 2024 – Theatre Royal, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Castlemaine (supporting Andrew Farriss)
23 February 2024 – Wilder Tasmania, Palawa Country/Gowrie Park (supporting Andrew Farriss)
24 February 2024 – Clarendon Arms, Palawa Country/Evandale (supporting Andrew Farriss)
25 February 2024 – Republic Bar, Nipaluna/Hobart (supporting Andrew Farriss)
8 March 2024 – Imperial Hotel, Ngumundi/Eumundi (supporting Andrew Farriss)
9 March 2024 – Old Museum, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Andrew Farriss)
15 March 2024 – Heritage Hotel, Bulla/Bulli (supporting Andrew Farriss)
16 March 2024 – Brass Monkey, Kurranulla/Cronulla (supporting Andrew Farriss)
23 March 2024 – Thornbury Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Steve Poltz)
28 March 2024 – The Great Club, Eora/Sydney (supporting Steve Poltz)

Photo credit: Michelle Grace Hunder

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham Release Title Track From Duets Album “Birdsong”

Country is one of those genres that elicits pretty strong reactions in me. I either love it or hate it: there is no in between. That’s the reason I didn’t review Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham’s collaborative album Birdsong last year. While there were songs I loved, there were plenty that also weren’t my cup of tea. It’s also why I’m excited that they’ve released the title track, one of my favourite cuts from this release. The song was inspired by an ancient Chinese proverb, “Always keep a green branch in your heart so a singing bird may come.”

“It’s easy to die inside and become unwilling to keep your branch outstretched,” Felicity added. “When you’ve suffered it can make you untrusting and protective.”

Speaking of his musical partner, Josh said “I was inspired by her resilience and openness in the wake of recent personal tragedy. When I encountered that proverb, I felt that she was its living embodiment. Not only was her branch green and outstretched – she was the singing bird too! I wrote the song by a river in the golden glow of a late summer evening with a chorus of cicadas swelling and pulsing in harmony.”

Felicity and Josh are bringing the music from Birdsong to the following cities in the coming months.

24 January 2024 – Capitol Theatre, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth
22 March 2024 – St. Brigids Church Crossley, Gunditjmara Country/Warrnambool
23 March 2024 – Palais-Hepburn, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Hepburn Springs
24 March 2024 – Watchem Church, Watchupga/Watchem
31 March – 1 April 2024 – National Folk Festival, Ngambri/Canberra

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Crank the Volume on Mannequin Death Squad’s “Everybody’s Movin'”

You probably don’t even have to press play on “Everybody’s Movin’”, the latest single from Naarm/Melbourne-based act Mannequin Death Squad, to know it goes hard. A band with that kind of name are never going to make acoustic folk are they? While you might expect a heavy rock number, you might just be surprised by how good it really is. This kind of music doesn’t always resonate with me, but its strong melodic core and killer vocals from Elly Vex have sucked me in.

“‘Everybody’s Movin’ is about one of those nights out when you just don’t want to be there,” the band explained. “The energy is raging, the music is shaking the floors. But deep down, it’s as if you’ve wandered onto a set where you don’t belong. The initial glamour of bright lights and attractive people has morphed into a bizarre world where everyone’s trashed, the floor is on the ceiling, and the flies are all dead. Leaving you in a personal tug-of-war between social pressure and the strong desire to exit.”

Mannequin Death Squad have headlined shows in the United Kingdom, Europe, India, and here in Australia, and also supported heavyweights like Suicidal Tendencies, Frenzal Rhomb, and WAAX. Expect their star to continue rising with the release of this choice cut.

Photo credit: Rebecca Dimovski

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joan & The Giants Bring Summer Vibes With “Good Time” Single

Joan & The Giants have just dropped their latest single “Good Time”, and it’s an absolute summer anthem. It’s an easy, breezy number that has me thinking of carefree moments like highway drives and bonfires on the beach.

“‘Good Time’ is about being madly in love and letting go of control,” said the band’s frontwoman, Grace Newton-Wordsworth. “This indie guitar-soaked summer song is a sexy ride, and it’s the first time I’ve let myself get sexy and feel sexy in a song. I just love the way it makes me feel, and I hope it brings some good times to people.”

Joan & The Giants will play a few shows this month to warm up for their massive slot supporting P!NK in March. If you don’t have tickets to the stadium shows, make sure you catch them at one of their free gigs!

19 January 2024 – Froth Craft Brewery, Goomburrup/Bunbury (FREE)
20 2024 – Settlers, Wooditup/Margaret River (FREE)
21 2024 – Caves House Hotel, Wooditup/Yallingup (FREE)
1 March 2024 – Optus Stadium, Perth (supporting P!NK)
2 March 2024 – Optus Stadium, Perth (supporting P!NK)

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Talk Heavy Release “Fun Dumb Song”, “The Montreal Screwjob”

Hit the volume, because Meeanjin/Brisbane punksters Talk Heavy have just released a fabulous new single, “The Montreal Screwjob,” and it’s best played loud. And often. After the emo vibes of their last two tracks, “The Montreal Screwjob” is a bit of a change of pace. Rather than going deep and dark, the lads retell the story of ‘90s wrestling icon Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart.

“We’d been sitting on this instrumental song for a time trying to find the right lyrics. When I was talking to our guitarist Pat about it, he suggested to just try writing about something silly or non-personal instead of our usual personal existentialism,” explained Matt Cochran, the band’s vocalist and guitarist. “We’re both 90’s wrestling nerds so we ended up settling on The Montreal Screwjob. I’ve always wanted to write about wrestling because it’s something I obsessed over as a kid and I was inspired by the way that The Mountain Goats channeled that in their own way for their 2015 album ‘Beat The Champ’. We’re super proud of how it turned out, it’s just a fun dumb song and I can’t wait to play it live.”

Talk Heavy are celebrating the release with the announcement of a brand new East Coast tour. Catch them anywhere you can this February.

9 February 2024 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane (with Melaleuca and Upsetter)
16 February 2024 – Burdekin Hotel, Eora/Sydney (with Great Job! and Hugs)
17th February 2024 – Dicey Riley’s, Dharawal Country/Wollongong (supporting Raised As Wolves and Jayhawks)
23rd February 2024 – The Presynct, Naamba/Nambour (supporting City Council with Robbie Thunder and Electric Prawns 2)

Photo credit: Will Johnstone

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Emma Donovan Preaches Self Love With “Lovin’ Looks Like” Ahead of Aussie Tour

Absolute force of nature Emma Donovan is back with a beautiful new soul single “Lovin’ Looks Like.” But don’t mistake this beautiful ballad for just another love song.

‘“Lovin Looks Like’ is a healing song about learning to love yourself again. It’s about taking a good look in the mirror and seeing who you are and knowing and learning about all your worth,” Emma explained. “After being broken from a relationship, learning to love yourself can be hard but over the years I’ve taken good advice. I’ve learned that putting myself first isn’t a bad thing and that I should never be made to feel bad about that focus.”

“Lovin’ Looks Like” is the latest track from Emma’s forthcoming new album, which Emma said further explores the concept of “not being afraid to do this on my own and walking strong through everything”. Emma will bring her new music and plenty of old favourites to the people on her upcoming shows. She’ll return to Tamworth, where she began playing with her family band The Donovans at the tender age of 11, before embarking on a national tour with Charley Crockett. These shows will be the only place you can get your hands on a limited-edition double A-side 7” single featuring “Lovin’ Looks Like” and previous release “Blak Nation,” so make sure you stop by the merch stand!

25 January 2024 – TRECC, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth (with Troy Cassar-Daley 4pm)
25 January 2024 – Tamworth Hotel, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth (with Kevin Bennett 7pm)
25 January 2024 – Aboriginal Cultural Showcase @ Fanzone Stage, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth (9pm)
27 January 2024 – Tamworth Town Hall, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth (with Charley Crockett 4pm)
28 January 2024 – Bar on the Hill, Mulubinba/Newcastle (with Charley Crockett)
30 January 2024 – The Events Centre, Kabi Kabi and the Jinibara Country/Caloundra (with Charley Crockett)
31 January 2024 – The Green Room, Cavanbah/Byron Bay (with Charley Crockett)
1 February 2024 – Eatons Hill Hotel, Meeanjin/Brisbane (with Charley Crockett)
2 February 2024 – Anita’s Theatre, Dharawal, Yuin and Wadi Wadi Country/Thirroul (with Charley Crockett)
4 February 2024 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney (with Charley Crockett)
6 February 2024 – Canberra Theatre Centre, Ngambri/Canberra (with Charley Crockett)
8 February 2024 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide (with Charley Crockett)
9 February 2024 – Civic Hall, Wadawurrung Country/Ballarat (with Charley Crockett)
10 February 2024 – Coal Creek Community Park & Museum, Bunurong Country/Korumburra (with Charley Crockett)
12 February 2024 – The Forum, Naarm/Melbourne (with Charley Crockett)
14 February 2024 – Astor Theatre, Boorloo/Perth (with Charley Crockett)

Photo credit: Ian Laidlaw

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Fabulous Front Bottoms Heading Down Under

Sometimes it takes a band announcing a tour to put them on my radar. When I heard New Jersey rock act The Front Bottoms were making their “long-awaited return” in April, I wondered who’d been waiting for them! That’s on me though. After hearing their 2023 release You Are Who You Hang Out With, I’m a fan. And I’m kicking myself that I’ll have to miss them due to a holiday in April!

I don’t want you to though. Take a listen. Trust me, you don’t want to find that you were sleeping too once everyone tells you how great these shows were. And I have no doubt that they will be.

Handsome Tours is running a presale tomorrow at 10 am before tickets go on sale to the general public on Thursday January 18 at 10 am.

12 April 2023 – Roundhouse, Eora/Sydney
14 April 2023 – Princess Theatre, Meeanjin/Brisbane
16 April 2023 – Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne
19 April 2023 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide
20 April 2023 – The Rechabite, Boorloo/Perth

Photo credit: Jimmy Fontaine