Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out to Tied Down’s “Undefeated”

If you’re dragging yourself through Monday, Tied Down’s latest track “Undefeated” provides just the shot of adrenalin you need. This is an epic rock track that just makes you feel good to be alive. Crank up that volume and let this one wash over you.

“’Undefeated’ is a track armed to the teeth with fast-paced riffs, explosive drumming, a driving bassline and a powerful vocal arrangement which we’ve become known for. Fighting against the challenges of daily life and an unwillingness to give up despite what’s thrown at you is what this track is all about. We want this track to uplift and empower anyone dealing with issues they feel are out of their control and have a feeling it will do exactly that!” Tied Down explained. Mission accomplished!

Locals in Boorloo/Perth can catch Tied Down with other local bands, including Gyroscope and Late 90s, at Park Cohesion at Beyond Skate this Saturday, July 30.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Portia Gebauer

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

YDE Releases Beautiful Ballad “People Can Change”

It was just a month ago that I was raving about YDE’s single “Old Her.” Now she’s back with a brand-new single that shows off a more sensitive, softer side. “People Can Change” is a masterclass in restraint, a stripped-back ballad that addresses the difficult times we live in with optimism for what’s to come.

“‘People Can Change’ is an honest conversation with myself about how I can maintain hope for the future,” YDE says. “We are facing immense division and only through conscious growth and change will we find our way through together.”

YDE’s debut project SEND HELP is out soon. It’s sure to cement her reputation as one of the most exciting local exports around.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia; credit: Jade DeRose

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ride the Wave With LT’s “Rollercoaster”

Queensland indie act LT takes us on a trip with her dreamy new single “Rollercoaster.” This track brings you all the fun of the fair, with plenty of twists and turns. It sounds beautiful and bright, but make sure you don’t miss the message in those lyrics.

“Rollercoaster is about caring for someone who battles with bipolar disorder,” LT explained. “It’s about navigating through sleepless nights and uncontrollable highs, and keeping afloat during days of slumber and sweeping lows. It’s about love, perseverance, and riding that rollercoaster until you next see light.”

LT worked closely with emerging Meeanjin/Brisbane creator Brendan Shoenmaker to bring this story to life with a gorgeous video.

“Due to the sensitive subject matter of Rollercoaster, it was really important we created something beautiful that in no way added to the stigma that people battling mental health issues can experience,” LT added. “Brendan used inspiration from filmmaker Ingmar Bergman’s persona, creating a film depicting inner duality. The story demonstrates a study of yin and yang told through the cat and mouse relationship of two dancers, representing not just the duality of bipolar but the togetherness of the relationship as well as a healthy dose of self-love. It explores the relationship of duality from a perspective of absence and presence, with the dance built around two characters slipping in and out of each other’s space. It is the tug of war between these moments that we wanted to showcase along with connection, endurance and the will to push on through.”

I hear this is just one of several new tunes from LT we should hear this year. Bring them on!

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Rhea Caldwell

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sam Syrah Goes It Alone With “Philosophy”

Sam Syrah’s name makes me think of wine, and it’s Friday, so he was already a couple of steps ahead of the game in my book. However, it took just a couple of seconds listening to his new track “Philosophy” to really win me over. Cool sexy voice, electric guitars, and swagger to spare? Check, check, and check.

You might know Sam as a member of Daisy & The White Jacket or Port Royal, or from sitting in with McDermott & North. With the release of “Philosophy,” he shows he’s a natural frontman. You better believe I’m ready to hear more. Thankfully his EP Some Things Stay the Same drops later this year.

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR; credit: Shannon Lawrence

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Flynn Gurry Floors Me With “Don’t Know Love”

Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Flynn Gurry has totally slayed me with his new single “Don’t Know Love”. It’s not surprising really, as he was inspired by one of my favourite international artists.

“I was really inspired by the way Dermot Kennedy brings such cool production to dark stories and that is what Jan [Skubiszewski, producer] and I attempted to achieve, this was also the first time I had recorded a song on the electric guitar,” he explained.

It was also the first time Flynn wrote a song from someone else’s perspective. If this is what happens when Flynn shakes things up, I think he should do it more often!

“I remember at the time of writing this thinking pretty deeply about love in general and how powerful it can be and that maybe we don’t fully understand it until we lose it,” he added.

“Don’t Know Love” comes from Flynn’s debut studio EP, slated for release later this year. Before that, you can catch him doing his thing at the following venues:

24 July 2022 – Hotel Brunswick, Arakwal Country/Brunswick Heads
29 July 2022 – Saints and Sailors, Bellawiyn/Portarlington
30 July 2022 – Palais Hepburn, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Hepburn Springs

Image used with permission from Footstomp PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater” – Alex the Astronaut

Alex the Astronaut is one of the more unique voices in the Australian music industry. Queer, neurodivergent, the holder of degrees in maths and physics. Hers is the kind of voice we don’t often hear releasing music. That’s just one of the many reasons you should pay attention to her new album, How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater.

I think one of the best ways to learn about experiences different from our own is to hear people share their stories. This is such a personal album. “Octopus” explores her recent autism spectrum diagnosis. Songs like “Haunted” and “Airport” give snapshots of interactions with her parents, blind dates, and love interests. “Sick” is a deeply intimate exploration of the loss and grief process that often begins when the ones we love are clinging to life. “South London” is a nostalgic look at a childhood so removed from many Aussie upbringings. The closing song “Haircut” is about more than a typical trip to the salon; it’s a celebration of gender expression and authenticity.

Listening to these songs you start to understand that we have more similarities than differences. We may not have loved someone of the same gender, but we’ve loved so we understand those feelings of vulnerability and comfort. We might not be neurodivergent, but we’ve felt unsure of ourselves, like an outsider, so those songs make sense for us too. We might not know the people that mean so much to Alex the Astronaut, but we’ve got our own connections that these songs remind us of.

There’s also such a beautiful joy to this music. These songs tackle some really big, important, heavy themes, but they’re delivered with such heart and humour. This album is a celebration of life in all its messy, beautiful weirdness. Listening to it simply makes you feel good. And maybe that’s the biggest reason why you should give How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater a listen.

How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater is out today. Alex the Astronaut will embark on an Aussie tour, kicking off with an appearance at Splendour this weekend.

24 July 2022 – Splendour in the Grass, Bundjalung Nation/Byron Bay
11 August 2022 – Freo Social, Noongar/Perth
13 August 2022 – Darwin Festival, Garramilla/Darwin
18 August 2022 – Kambri at ANU, Ngunnawal Country/Canberra
19 August 2022 – City Recital Hall, Eora/Sydney
20 August 2022 – The Cambridge, Mulubinba/Newcastle
21 August 2022 – River Sounds, Gumbaynggirr Nation/Bellingen
27 August 2022 – The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane
2 September 2022 – Tanks Arts Centre, Gimuy/Cairns
4 September 2022 – Springtime Festival, Kombumerri Country/Gold Coast
8 September 2022 – Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
9 September 2022 – Altar, Nipaluna/Hobart
10 September 2022 – Uni Bar, Kaurna Land/Adelaide

Images used with permission from Warner Music Australia; album cover: Giulia McGauran; main image: @jessgleeson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sunday Lemonade Wow Me With “Smooth or Crunchy”

Sometimes a song hits you like a bolt from the blue. You can be in the worst mood, but that tune seems to part the clouds and make the world feel right again. “Smooth or Crunchy,” the charming new single from Bunurong Country/Mornington Peninsula duo Sunday Lemonade, is one of those songs. It’s so good, it’s hard to believe it’s the first I’m hearing from this folk-pop act! Rest assured though, it’s got me exploring the rest of their music!

“This one is for the lovers, for the vulnerability of admitting when you’re wrong, loving each others quirks, trusting the road of the unknown and giving it your all!” the band explained. “After living on the road for three years, this song was inspired during the build of our latest home on wheels and the promise to keep one another safe whether the road is smooth or crunchy.”

If like me, this Thursday feels like it’s too far from the weekend, press play. Don’t wait, just do it. I swear this song will make you feel better.

Image used with permission from Sunday Lemonade

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dulcie Serve Up Another Perfect Pop Bop With “Cold Hard Truth”

Dulcie are back with the sublime harmonies and catchy hooks that I can’t get enough of. “Cold Hard Truth” is another stellar single for the Boorloo/Perth pop act.

“‘Cold Hard Truth’ explores the frustration, insecurity and longing that comes from not knowing if someone feels the same way you do. It’s all about that waiting period, where you want them to make a move before you do!” explained the band’s lead vocalist and keyboardist, Ash Carr-White. “I originally wrote this song to be much slower and stripped back, but after workshopping it with the band and our producer it’s taken on a more punchy indie pop sound, which I love! We recorded it in my living room with Joel Quartermain and spent most of our time finding the perfect synth layers and midi sounds to bring it to life.”

Fresh from the back of supporting Amy Shark on her sold-out regional dates, Dulcie are ready to headline their own gigs. Catch them in the East Coast capitals before they return to the West this August.

4 August 2022 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane (with Hollie Joy and Dizzy Days)
5 August 2022 – Waywards, Eora/Sydney (with 90ivy and Angela Rose)
6 August 2022 – Workers Club, Naarm/Melbourne (with Mvlholland and Harper Bloom)
12 August 2022 – The River House, Noongar Country/Margaret River (with Supathick, Siobhan Cotchin, and Mia June)

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit Stephanie Senior

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get to Know Ellery Cohen’s “Demons”

If you love pop music that combines catchy melodies with messages that matter, Naarm/Melbourne act Ellery Cohen will be up your alley. His latest single “Demons” is the perfect combination of happy-sad. The lyrics explore some dark subject matter, but those sweet retro synths provide the right balance.

“Demons is a step above what I’ve released before, both musically and lyrically, and it’s more vulnerable than anything I’ve done previously,” Ellery admitted. “It’s a song about accepting the things in life we can’t change. We all face struggles and battle addictions and we wanted to write a song about there being comfort in knowing that all humans struggle and although we are different, we are all the same.”

Ellery worked closely with producer-turned-filmmaker Daniel Kelaart to create a film clip that complements “Demons” perfectly.

“We really wanted a video that showed the message of the song. Demons is all about the struggles we all face in life. The video follows the stories of two people just trying to work through their ‘demons’ in life,” Ellery added. “One is a lady trying desperately to be in a body she loves and the other is someone who is working a job he hates and hoping to get away. I wanted to make a video that hits emotions that we have all experienced in life.”

Hometown fans can catch Ellery launching “Demons” at The Toff in Town this Friday, July 22. “You can expect new songs, high energy, and some very, very bad jokes,” he says. If that sounds like your idea of a good time, make sure you lock those tickets in!

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Liam Frogley

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Great Emu War Casualties Release “Modern Indie Spacecats” and It’s as Awesome As It Sounds

I’ve got to admit, it took one look at the cover of this track to get me on side. Cats soaring through outer space? Sign me up! And it’s called “Modern Indie Spacecats”? From a Naarm/Melbourne band called The Great Emu War Casualties? My expectations were high, but this track delivers. It’s bold and boisterous, with a bass line that just won’t quit. Sign me up for that feline space mission!

Frontman Joe Jackson explained the song’s inspiration, noting “The world is drying up and everyone is working all the time and nobody actually owns anything anymore, and we, the good little boys and girls, receive this rebrand from ownership to leasing as some sort of utopian global destination.” He bemoaned that even the dream of space travel has been seized by the ultra-rich, noting that “We should have seen this coming from the very first day it was possible to ‘buy a star’ and put your own stupid name on it. So where is our place in all of this? Maybe we are all the Modern Indie Spacecats.”

The Great Emu War Casualties will play a free hometown show at the Post Office Hotel with Useless Spaceman this Saturday, July 23.

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR; credit: Catherine Black