Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get to Know Andy Martin’s Musical “Dreamworld”

Christmas was a welcome distraction from those rising COVID case numbers, but like so many people I find myself crashing back to earth. Nervous about my NYE plans and whether I should keep them, I found Andy Martin’s sunny new single “Dreamworld” this morning. And just like that, for just a few minutes all was right with the world.

“On the surface, ‘Dreamworld’ exemplifies a love song about heartbreak… but that couldn’t be further from the truth. All the focal points in the song refer to an angsty, apprehensive 20-something-year-old trying to navigate through his own life,” Andy explained. “It is about trying to rid yourself of anger and to just simply give yourself a break. I know I’m too hard on myself, but Dreamworld is in essence, me trying to “flip the script’.”

I’m not sure why Andy’s music hasn’t been on my radar, but I’m so glad it has now. Excuse me while I listen to his back catalogue and wait patiently for the new music that 2022 will bring!

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angela Rose’s Single “Utopia” is Utter Perfection

Novocastrian singer-songwriter Angela Rose has released a dreamy new single “Utopia,” a stellar follow-up to her debut “Summer Love.” It’s such a cool blend of alt-country and indie pop, the kind of song that draws you in from the first note and makes you fall a little more in love every time you hear it.

“This release is all about youthful love and the euphoric feeling that comes with it,” Angela Rose explained. “‘Utopia’ represents a perfect world and state of being when you are with your person, it’s like a bubble of bliss that is only between you two and it’s super special. It’s also an idealistic way of looking at love, a rose-coloured glasses outlook. It speaks of the honeymoon stage of love, but the melancholy undertones of reality still remain in the back of your mind, and that notion always manages to bring you back to earth eventually.”

2022 is promising to be a big year for Angela Rose, who will release her debut EP and play shows around the country. Give her a follow on Facebook to learn all the details as they’re announced.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Isabella Manfredi Drops Another Stellar Single Ahead of 2022 Album Release

After hearing her latest single “One Hit Wonder,” I could not be more excited about Isabella Manfredi’s debut solo album. Its poppy melody masks the bittersweet lyrics which say goodbye to a love that’s run its course.

“When I walked into the session for ‘One Hit Wonder’ in March 2020, two weeks before the pandemic really hit, The Preatures had already been in limbo for eighteen months and I had been off the stage and in stalemate,” she recounted. “The day before the session I had been in the studio with G Flip, Jess B and Thandi Phoenix for Like a Version, and I came home from rehearsals energised and inspired. I sat down at my piano and wrote the prechorus and chorus, and over the next few days I finished ‘One Hit Wonder’ with Chris Collins and Lucy Taylor. I remember it feeling tongue-in-cheek at the time, like maybe it could be a Preatures song. But I was really saying I was done with the band before I was ready to admit it to myself. I think sometimes it can be hard to swallow that the strongest thing you can do is cut your losses and walk away. It’s also right to acknowledge when something truly was wondrous and leave it at that.”

Isabella Manfredi’s solo album will drop next year. Until then, crank this one up!

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia; credit: Maclay Heriot

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Faim Release Rocking Comeback Single “Ease My Mind”

I raved about Perth rock act The Faim back in 2019, but like so many bands in the last couple of years they fell off my radar. The pandemic saw everyone slow down, but they’re coming back with a vengeance with their new single “Ease My Mind.” Think world domination and a little something for local fans too.

But back to the song. What a welcome return this is. The band’s bassist, keyboardist, and songwriter Stephen Beerkens says he wrote the track while struggling to process the changes the pandemic brought.

“’Ease My Mind’ was written last year, during a very unpredictable period of my life,” he explained. “Unable to do the things that meant the most to me, I found myself dealing with stress and emotions I’d never experienced. During this time, I was constantly looking for someone or something to lean on and wrote ‘Ease My Mind’ about processing and dealing with these emotions.”

The Faim will head to Europe in the summer to play some big festivals including Rock am Ring and Rock in the Park in Germany, Download in the UK, and Rock for People in the Czech Republic. They’re also planning 15 headline shows across the UK and Europe. But don’t worry Aussies. They won’t forget you. I hear they’ll be supporting a big local act on their national tour next year. I’m sworn to secrecy, but you’ll want to start saving up for tickets!

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

A Flower in the Weeds – Joe Mungovan

Joe Mungovan has been one of my favourite musical finds for the year. I raved about his sexy, summery singles “Give Me Your Love” and “Lemon + Lime,” so was delighted to wrap my ears around his debut album, A Flower in the Weeds. My expectations were high, but this collection of cool, romantic ditties is just what the doctor ordered.

Like so many great albums, A Flower in the Weeds was inspired by a great love. It was the kind of connection that bridges distance, that takes hold and refuses to let go even when logic tells you that you should.

“I met a girl while on tour in Europe back in 2019. She cut my hair at 4 am after my show in Berlin, and ended up traveling around Europe with me for the remaining shows. I flew back to Australia after the tour ended a few months later and moved into a house in Kangaroo Valley to start writing an album. I didn’t know if I would ever see her again,” he explained, setting the scene.

But of course, he did. She came to Australia for a carefree summer. They were inseparable, road-tripped along the East Coast, soaking up the sun and sipping wine by campfires. It was all going swimmingly, until the pandemic hit, she returned home and Joe resumed writing this album.

A Flower in the Weeds is a beautiful snapshot of a relationship unfolding. Most tracks focus on the time he spent with “the one that got away,” recreating intimate moments in Germany and Australia. Others are full of longing. He pleads for her to come back and be next to him in “Stella.” He waits for fleeting phone contact and remarks on the gulf between time zones in “Autumn Sun.” The closing track “What Should I Do With All This Love?” brought a tear to my eye.

As someone who’s lived through one, I know how bittersweet long-distance relationships can be. The highs are glorious, but that separation can be torture. I can’t even imagine the extra level of pressure the pandemic has put on couples who live on opposite sides of the world. Joe captures all of those emotions so beautifully. If, like me, you’ve ever loved someone who lives far away you’ll find this collection of songs so relatable. If you’ve never been there, I guarantee you’ll still get swept up in the romance.

A Flower in the Weeds is out now. Joe plans to tour the album around the country next year. Until then, Kiama locals can catch him at Little Betty’s tonight and New Year’s Eve.

Images used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Merry Christmas From Sounds of Oz (And Sheppard!)

Quality new Christmas singles have been a little thin on the ground this year, but I couldn’t let December 25 go by without posting something festive. Sheppard has come through with the goods though, delivering a beautiful track that really expresses the way many of us are feeling in 2021. “Christmas Without You” is a poignant pandemic-themed single which will strike a chord with anyone missing loved ones today.

“My sisters and I realised that there must be so many people who, for whatever reason, haven’t been able to see their families and loved ones for a very long time, and Christmas time can be particularly hard for people in those circumstances,” explained frontman George Sheppard. “We wanted to write a song for all of those people who might not be having such a great Christmas without their families, and to leave them with a little bit of warmth and hope.”

If you’re isolating due to COVID, if you’re separated from loved ones due to local or international border closures, or you just need to hermit to feel a little safer, I’m sending you virtual love. If you’re lucky enough to be with loved ones today, I hope you truly cherish that time. No matter what your circumstances, I hope you have a merry Christmas!

Image used with permission from KAOS Management

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bec Sykes Wows Me With “Getaway”

Melbourne artist Bec Sykes casts a spell with her latest single “Getaway.” It’s a beautiful folky number that has well and truly gotten under my skin. Hit play and I’m sure you’ll discover why I love it so much.

“I wrote Getaway about learning to catch myself when I’m spiralling after a breakup,” Bec explained. “To stop myself when I start reminiscing about the good times and wondering why we even broke up, or imagining them being with someone else. It’s a reminder not to get caught up in rumination and to ‘change the station in my thoughts’ when I start torturing myself overthinking things.”

Between lockdowns Bec has played shows around Melbourne, including sold-out gigs at The Gasometer, Memo Music Hall, and Some Velvet Morning. If you’re local you can catch her supporting Alexander Biggs at Brunswick Ballroom on February 4.

Image used with permission from Scenic Drive Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Discover Ultra-Cool Music From meadowhip

Cara Walkam, one half of Wollongong indie-pop duo Territories, is striking out on her own. Cara’s latest effort, recorded under the moniker meadowhip, is “Getting Messy,” a cool neo-soul effort that showcases her flawless vocals and gift for introspective lyrics. This song explores meadowhip’s relatable habit of overthinking situations.

“I’m pretty consistently trying to self-analyse, or reason with myself,” she admitted. “Talk myself out of some rubbish behaviour or thought pattern. The internal dialogue in this track is only a snippet of what’s going on in my head basically all the time.”

“Getting Messy” is meadowhip’s second solo single. Hopefully 2022 brings a lot more from this talented artist.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Nostalgic With WANDERERS’ “Malibu”

Like so many of us, WANDERERS seem to be experiencing a little wanderlust at the moment. Their latest single sees the band reminiscing about their last trip to the US. Many of us might not be able to jet off right now, but we can let our minds take us away with this fabulous track.

“Malibu to me is that place in my head, that mindset I was in on that trip, which is a state of mind I always try to get back to, where anything seems possible,” lead singer Dusty explained.

WANDERERS are set for a big 2022. Their self-titled EP drops on January 28 and they’re scheduled to play SXSW in March. They’ll be back no home soil before you know it, with a local tour already in the works.

Image used with permission from Big Oak Records; credit: Samuel Graves

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Thomas Keating Strips Back “Lunatic”

They don’t call this time of year the silly season for nothing. The stress of shopping, organising your celebrations, and those mounting COVID cases is enough to make anyone a little loopy, especially when those traditional Christmas carols seem to be on repeat everywhere you go. If you’re feeling a little unhinged, Thomas Keating’s latest track “Lunatic” will make you feel seen. First released with a full band, I’m really warming to his new live and acoustic version. It really brings out those lyrics which explore how difficult it can be to see the world from an opposing point of view.

“This song is about my confusion at the state of the whole world right now,” Thomas shared. “I do have some pretty strong views on different aspects of society and politics, and I view people who don’t share my opinions as a bit mad sometimes. But I have also come to the realisation that they probably think I am mad. So who is the ‘lunatic’ then?”

As this year comes to a close, like so many of us Thomas is looking forward to a bright 2022. He’s got more singles, an album, and shows all in the pipeline, so we should hear plenty more from him in the months to come.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR