Sounds of Oz

Posted on 02/01/202329/12/2022 by Lauren Katulka

Drugdealer Bringing the Good Stuff to Australia in March

I have a policy of listening to absolutely everything that comes my way. If you judge a book by its cover, or an artist by the way they present, you might miss out on a real gem. If I’d taken Drugdealer on face value, I might have assumed that this band with an edgy name and a long-haired frontman wouldn’t gel with my laidback summer holiday vibe. But nothing could be further from the truth. It turns out this Los Angeles outfit makes some fabulous yacht rock. What’s more, they’re coming your way Australia.

I’ve spent the morning listening to Drugdealer’s 2022 album Hiding in Plain Sight. They’ll showcase songs from that record and previous releases on this tour. Tickets are on sale now and the venues are small, so I’d say you should discover Drugdealer pronto, before you miss out.

4 March 2023 – Nine Lives Festival, Meeanjin/Brisbane
6 March 2023 – Factory Theatre, Eora/Sydney
8 March 2023 – Summertown Studio, Tandanya/Adelaide
9 March 2023 – Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
11 March 2023 – Milk Bar, Boorloo/Perth

Image used with permission from Good Intent; credit: Andrea Adolphy

Posted on 01/01/202328/12/2022 by Lauren Katulka

Find Yourself Under Bumpy’s Spell With “Hide & Seek”

What better way to kick off the New Year than with one of the country’s very best voices? Bumpy, a Naarm/Melbourne artist and proud Noongar woman, is about to release her debut EP, but before that she’s treating us to a sumptuous new single, Hide & Seek”.

“‘Hide & Seek has lived in many different forms in this project. From playing it solo, duo, trio to full band it has been a really enjoyable time arranging it to be recorded, trying to reflect more of the live band’s sound,” Bumpy explained. “Hide & Seek follows the playfulness of desire and the feelings of getting caught up in temptation.”

This track showcases Bumpy’s sublime vocals perfectly. Her soulful voice is just exquisite, and she knows how to use it just right. She isn’t one of those artists who litters her songs with runs and trills, preferring instead to use her voice to tell stories. It’s so authentic and honest, ensuring her message cuts through.

“Hide & Seek” comes from Bumpy’s EP Morning Sun, which drops on January 27.

Image used with permission from [PIAS] Australia; credit: Feign Jima

Posted on 31/12/202231/12/2023 by Lauren Katulka

2022: Year in Review

After a few years of disappointment, it feels like we’ve turned a bit of a corner in 2022. I’m still cautious about where I go and what I do, but at least concerts aren’t getting cancelled left, right, and centre. I came so much closer to compiling a top 10 of live shows! So while I’m keen to pop some bottles, I’m not doing so keen to put 2022 behind me. These are just some of the albums and concerts that put a smile on my face this year. What made your 2022 great? Be sure to let me know in the comments. Happy New Year!

Top 10 Albums of 2022

Top Shows for 2022

Photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash

Posted on 30/12/202210/01/2023 by Lauren Katulka

Casey Donovan Drops NYE Anthem “Shake It”

With the end of the year just a day away, Casey Donovan has dropped the ultimate party anthem. Once you hear “Shake It” once, I’m pretty sure you’ll add it to your NYE playlist. This is Casey’s first original single since she dropped her Eurovision entrant back in 2020, and it’s well and truly worth the wait.

A song this fun could only come with an equally entertaining music video. The clip, which stars some elite ballroom dancers, was filmed at the Revesby Community Centre, in the Bankstown LGA where Casey grew up.

“I’m proud of who I am and where I come from both heritage and the place, I grew up in,” Casey confirmed. “I will never mask or shy away from the suburbs, we all start from somewhere and everything and anything is possible”.

You can watch Casey debut this song tomorrow night at the ABC’s New Year’s Eve concert at the Sydney Opera House. She’ll be back there on January 26 for the network’s Australia Day concert. She’ll also appear on ABC’s Sydney World Pride concert at the Domain on February 24 and the Sydney World Pride First Nations Concert at the Opera House on March 2. Then on March 9 she’ll begin her starring run in & Juliet. It’s not even 2023, but already it’s shaping up to the be a big year for Casey Donovan!

Image used with permission from Karen-Lee Goody

Posted on 30/12/202223/12/2022 by Lauren Katulka

Michael Carpenter & The Banks Brothers Drop Bluegrass Banger, “If You’d Have Told Me”

I’m not sure I’ve ever written about a bluegrass track on Sounds of Oz before. After listening to “If You’ve Have Told Me”, the latest single from Michael Carpenter & The Banks Brothers, I’m convinced I need more music from this genre in my life. Michael said it wrote the song about the “hidden extras” that often reveal themselves in relationships once you’re in them.

With so much country music focused on crossing over to the mainstream, it’s refreshing to hear something so pure. If you dig it too, you’ll be as excited as I am to hear there’s more where this came from. Michael Carpenter & The Banks Brothers have recorded a whole bluegrass album, to be released early next year. Fans might get an early listen to some of that material when Michael Carpenter & The Banks Brothers play the Hunter Valley’s Dashville Skyline festival from February 25 to 27.

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on 29/12/202222/12/2022 by Lauren Katulka

The Sunday Estate Back With “Lost and Disappointed”

After impressing me with singles “Bike Thief” and “When You Get Home” in 2021, The Sunday Estate fell off my radar. It turns out they spent much of this year writing so they could end the year on a high. “Lost and Disappointed” is everything I love about these guys. It’s got a great pop-rock sound and super relatable lyrics.

“‘Lost and Disappointed’ is about being stuck in a loop of negative thought patterns, constantly overanalysing, overthinking and replaying everything you do in your head,’ explained the band’s frontman, Conor O’Reilly.

The good news is that this is just the first of three songs The Sunday Estate wrote with Xavier Dunn, who’s worked with the likes of Jack River, Gretta Ray, and Peking Duck. It sounds like we’ll be hearing a lot more from The Sunday Estate in 2023.

Image used with permission from Mirror Music Group; credit: Jess Gleeson

Posted on 28/12/2022 by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Guitar Show Back in 2023

After the pandemic spoiled the fun over the last couple of years, the Melbourne Guitar Show is making its triumphant return to Caulfield Racecourse in March. As always, it’ll feature a who’s who of guitar talent including international acts Eric Bibb and Nick Johnston and local legends Steph Strings, Hussy Hicks, Lloyd Spiegel, and heaps more.

If you want to start playing the guitar or upgrade your set-up, this is the place to do it. There’ll be more than 50 exhibitors showcasing electric and acoustic guitars, amps, effects pedals, and so much more. With seminars, demonstrations, and plenty of live performances, no self-respecting guitar enthusiast can afford to miss it.

“The association is pleased to be able to announce the re-birth of our iconic show in 2023. The industry has missed the chance to meet face-to-face and talk to guitar enthusiasts about our great products,” said Alex Masso, the executive officer of the organising body, the Australian Music Association.

The Melbourne Guitar Show hits Caulfield Racecourse on March 4 and 5. Visit the website before February 14 to secure discounted early bird tickets.

Posted on 28/12/202222/12/2022 by Lauren Katulka

LOSER Continue Hot Streak With “Hold On You”

LOSER’s EP Stadium Dreams on a Bedroom Budget is shaping up well with the release of their latest single “Hold On You”. This fabulous rock track is a worthy follow-up to last month’s release, “Heaven Can Wait”.

“This is probably my favourite song on the EP,” said frontman Tim Maxwell. “I started listening to heaps of Aerosmith and this song just fell out in one day. Usually the songs that take less effort are the ones I think are special because your consciousness is running in a way unlike any other. This song is about having a deep connection with another human being who you never want to let go of.”

LOSER will continue releasing songs from this EP every month or so, like episodes from an addictive Netflix series. If they’re as good as the ones that have already dropped, we’re in for a real treat.

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Ian Laidlaw

Posted on 27/12/202222/12/2022 by Lauren Katulka

“ten feet tall” – Yorke

In 2020, Yorke blew me away with her debut EP Liberosis. I loved it so much that I named it among my top releases of the year. I couldn’t wait to hear what came next, but I’m glad Yorke has taken her time with a follow-up. Two years after her breakthrough, she’s treated us with ten feet tall.

After two years, Yorke is older and wiser. There’s a confidence that comes with time that shines through these songs. However, she hasn’t lost that youthful spark that drew me to her music years ago. There’s a real nostalgic charm to the upbeat numbers that dominate this EP, including the singles “next life”, “i’ll keep driving”, and “when the honeymoon is over.” After dancing through the first couple of songs, the gentle title track gives us the opportunity to pause, reflect, and get to know Yorke a little better. There’s a quiet power about this song, the only ballad on the EP. Its lyrics are beautifully vulnerable and its simpler orchestration shows us a new side of Yorke and her powers.

When I reviewed Liberosis back in 2020, I said Yorke showed great potential. With the release of her follow-up, I think she’s realising that potential I heard then. It’s pitch-perfect pop, confident and charismatic, whether it’s backed by layered beats or more stripped back. I’m really looking forward to hearing what Yorke does next, but I’m also going to enjoy sitting with these songs for a little while.

Yorke’s ten feet tall is out now. She’ll play the East Coast capitals to support its release in February.

3 February 2023 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne
9 February 2023 – The Lansdowne, Eora/Sydney
10 February 2023 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Images used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on 27/12/202223/12/2022 by Lauren Katulka

Jack Hudson Drops Catchy New Single “One Way Ticket”

You know those songs that you hear that seem instantly familiar? “One Way Ticket” by Queensland country-rock act Jack Hudson is one of those songs. It was only released this month, but its easy harmonies, big guitars, and punchy drums pay homage to the radio-friendly rock of the early 2000s. I never mind a throwback done well, and this is done really well.

“Have you ever found yourself feeling like you were at the lowest crossroads in life, yet the only direction to travel is up? ‘One Way Ticket’ is a song about exactly that!” Jack explained. “At the apex of 2021, I found myself between relationships, isolated from friends and family and stuck in a permanent rut.”

Music has been one way that Jack’s gotten out of that rut. After spending 10 years as a “gun for hire” sideman and musical director, he’s now focusing on sharing his own original songs with the world.

“This project is about sharing my experiences, thoughts and beliefs as a young man, through songs I birthed on my acoustic guitar. The thrill of the project has been taking my raw tracks to the studio to collaborate in real-time with some of my best friends and favourite players. It felt like the right time and place to make music with the people I have in my circle. Whilst it is early days for this project, I am excited as I know a lot more music is to be written and released. After the events of 2020 and 2021, I just can’t wait to get out on the road and share this project with the world”.

Hopefully that means we’ll see him gigging around the country, and perhaps the planet, next year!

Image used with permission from Rock This Country