Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fall For Deb Suckling’s Latest Single “Romeo and Juliet”

If you’ve ever been in love with the wrong person, Deb Suckling’s new single “Romeo and Juliet” is bound to resonate with you. I love the grunginess of this one. The kind of love she sings about is pretty messy, and the sound of this track reflects that beautifully.

“This song was inspired by the numerous young people I have in my life including my son,” Deb explained. “The fact that we all have experienced huge first love at this time in our lives – that it can be so complex and so difficult to navigate because peers and parents all seem to have an opinion on your first true love. It’s also inspired by the music I listened to during my forays into teenage love.”

Listen out for Deb Suckling’s long-awaited debut solo album Worthy when it drops on November 19. She’ll celebrate the release with a free show at Brisbane Powerhouse’s next Livespark event on November 28.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Barefoot Spacemen’s Debut “Here I Go” is Out of This World

Melbourne band Barefoot Spacemen are bringing feel-good vibes to your Friday with their debut single “Here I Go.” This is such a cool track, with textured jazz and R’n’B influences ensuring you’re going to have a good time. By the time that sax solo dropped I was well and truly in.

While this funky single will get your toe-tapping, it’s also got a great message. Those lyrics should really get you thinking about how egoism can kick in when people start taking themselves too seriously.

I know you’ve been waiting a really long time for live gigs Melbourne, and Barefoot Spacemen are taking full advantage of their return. You can catch them launching “Here I Go” at Colour Club on November 25.

Image used with permission from Barefoot Spacemen

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Holding On For My Life” – Harry J Hart

Sounding like the musical lovechild of Lenny Kravitz and Third Eye Blind frontman Stephan Jenkins, Harry J Hart has won me over with his debut EP Holding On For My Life. The title gives an indication of the emotion behind this release.

This EP grips you from the first track “Who We Are.” The atmospheric opening chords draw listeners in, ensuring we’re invested once those dark and relatable lyrics start. The chorus with its crunchy guitar chords and Harry’s stellar falsetto is brilliant. The track sets the bar high, but Harry continues delivering with five more songs. Six tracks is ambitious for a debut EP, but I can’t imagine leaving one behind. The current single “No Goodbye” lifts the energy and encourages you to hang on for the ride. The heaviest track on the album, the way the drums and electric guitars combine with Harry’s fervent vocals is really something special. Harry doesn’t take his foot off the pedal for “Come Back Down.” There’s even a guitar solo. I could wax lyrical about every number on this EP, but I’d much rather you discover them for yourself.

The songs on Holding On For My Life sound raw, but in the best possible way. The imperfections add authenticity to these tracks that clearly come from a very honest place. I hope Harry never gets those edges smoothed out, because what’s here really connects. Holding On For My Life is a really solid EP that hints at great things to come. Harry will celebrate its release with a show tomorrow, November 12, at O’Skulligans in Brisbane.

Images used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The Hour Between Us” – Anna Smyrk

A quick scan of my blog revealed I’ve followed Anna Smyrk’s career since 2013. She’s achieved so much in that time, moving from her home in regional Victoria to far-flung places including Cambodia, the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands, and recently serving as a consultant for the World Health Organization. Despite all the changes in her life, music has been a constant. After being based in Papua New Guinea assisting with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, she’s back on home soil for the release of her third EP, The Hour Between Us, which I honestly believe is her best yet.

It’s a timely release which Anna describes as “a record about all the things that keep us apart and all the things that bring us together.” That content is so poignant right now as we all come back together and adjust to a new kind of normal. Anna’s always had a knack for songwriting and it’s beautifully realised here. Her sound has evolved though into one more confident and edgy. “Song from the 36th Floor” shows us the gentle folk balladeer is still in there, but new elements of rock and indie pop give most of the tracks a bolder sound.

I was on board from the release of the opening track “Human Condition” a few months ago, and I’m thrilled to hear this EP features more songs in that vein. There’s a poppier vibe to the next track “You Break It, You Bought It” one of three songs about long-distance love on this EP. With “Song from the 36th Floor” and the current single “Daylight Saving,” they beautifully capture the longing, pain, and uncertainty that often accompanies loving someone who you’re frequently separated from. As someone who married a guy on the other side of the world, they really resonate with me. Many of the songs plumb painful content, as you might expect for an EP featuring songs developed during the pandemic, but Anna leaves us with hope. The final track “Wallace Street” is a heart-warming ballad about finding love within the crumbling walls of a Melbourne share house.

The Hour Between Us really reflects the world right now, but I think it’ll be one of those recordings I return to long after the pandemic feels fresh. I’ve always loved Anna’s music, but she’s taken her sound to another level with this release. The Hour Between Us is out now.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent; credit: Giulia McGauran

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

San Joseph Releases Moving Pop Single, “Everything in the Room”

Melbourne artist San Joseph casts a spell with his new single “Everything in the Room.” It’s only his second release, but the songwriting and vocals are so confident and capable. The month between this release and his debut “Blink Twice” haven’t been ideal thanks to the COVID pandemic, but San Joseph is navigating the conditions in the only way he can.

“I’ve been in lockdown since ‘Blink Twice’ came out,” he admitted, “so music for me has meant spending every day trying to figure out how to master social media in a way that feels like me.”

This song is his way of bringing that experience to life, transforming the contents of his bedroom into his own conscience as he struggles to let someone go.

“It’s been such a volatile state for me, mentally,” he confirmed. “I had the sudden realisation that I’d been writing the same song a million different ways about the same person. It explores a paranoia that inanimate objects were judging me for not having moved on from my ex.”

With lockdowns really testing San Joseph’s ability to connect with fans over his new music, hopefully it’s not too long before we see him playing shows. Keep an eye on his Facebook page for news of that as soon as it comes.

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jamie Payet Covers The Beatles’ Classic, “All You Need is Love”

Melbourne singer-songwriter Jamie Payet usually releases original material, but with his latest release he shows the magic he can bring to a classic. His take on “All You Need Is Love” is pretty brilliant. I wasn’t sure about the up-tempo treatment at first, but I was on board as soon as I heard that horn section kick in.

Crank it up and I swear you’ll feel better. It might be a throwback, but it captures the message we all need to hear right now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

ILUKA Spreads Sunshine With “Get Free” Single

Weekends are all about freedom, especially now those lockdowns have lifted, so what better time to introduce you to ILUKA’s banging new single “Get Free.” This synthy poppy masterpiece is the perfect track to get you grooving on this Saturday morning.

“I think it was a confession of the journey I’ve been on over the years. A celebration of the messy and long-winded route I’ve always taken – always a little left of centre and always in reach of something but never quite getting there, wherever ‘there’ even is,” ILUKA said of the song’s inspiration. “I think it was a way for me to find joy in that path rather than frustration and loneliness and in turn, to hopefully bring some kind of joy to the listeners.”

The song comes with a beautiful video filmed on Gundungurra and Darug land in the Blue Mountains, choreographed by Matthew Gode, and directed by Sophia de Vries. She explained, “We wanted to create a visual journey that embodied the idea of feeling free. Expansive natural environments, vibrant colours, and expressive movement. I was particularly inspired by the French filmmaker Eric Rohmer and the feeling of long summer days with no place to be.”

Expect to hear a lot more from ILUKA really soon, as she’s currently putting the finishing touches on her long-awaited debut album.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute; credit: Vasili Papathanasopoulos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get to Know Latest Viral Sensation, Suzi’s Single “Amelia”

Mornington Peninsula singer-songwriter Suzi wears her heart on her sleeve with “Amelia,” a relatable slice of Aussie folk-rock. This song has been going gangbusters on TikTok where more than 500,000 people have viewed the song and left hundreds of comments. Now it’s time for those of us who aren’t on the platform to discover it.

On first listen, this song sounds like it might come from a place of anger, but instead it reflects on the way that someone’s insults are an indication of their own insecurities and shortcomings. We’ve all met an Amelia, and this song perfectly encapsulates the frustration that comes with that experience. Crank this one up and sing it at the top of your lungs.

Image used with permission from Soda Music Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Heirloome Releases Special Single, “Flesh To Flower”

When you listen to as much music as I do, it’s rare to hear releases that are truly original. Queer/nonbinary artist Heirloome is one special soul who isn’t afraid to go their own way though. Their latest single “Flesh To Flower” is a hauntingly beautiful track that pays tribute to their late brother.

“Losing my little brother was the deepest grief of my life – it completely broke me,” Heirloome explained. “He was 23. I had to create this magical world to protect myself, and to grieve, or I just couldn’t cope. I saw a shaman ten days after he passed, and she said that his spirit was still in shock – so we sang to him, to help him understand and move on. That’s how this song happened. The shaman called in the spirit of a hummingbird to guide me, and the next day three birds appeared at my window and told me to write three songs for my brother. It’s really me singing to him – asking his spirit questions about life, about what it all means … and what it is to die.

“I didn’t want the song to be dark – I wanted it to be filled with the mysticism of this human experience we are having, to transform the pain into beauty somehow. I wanted to create a magical soundscape where it was safe enough to feel the loss, and begin to heal.”

This track is so special. Heirloome describes it as chamber pop/indietronica which gets close, but I’m not sure words quite capture the magic of it. And then you add in the gorgeous music video which adds a new cinematic dimension to the song.

It sounds like we’re in for more unique art when Heirloome releases their debut EP Cycles on November 19. Click here to sign up for the free interactive online experience.

Image used with permission from Heirloome

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Listen to Seph Cove’s “Sirens” Song

Melbourne-born, Byron-based singer-songwriter Seph Cove has a new single “Sirens,” and it’s just what you need to ease into your workday. It’s a chilled-out piece of acoustic folk which wraps you up like a big, warm hug. The song’s lyrics, which explore the common trap of looking on to the next thing without appreciating the present, really resonate.

“When I finally thought about my life in the present, what was good was now gone,” he explained.

“Sirens” is the first track lifted from Seph’s forthcoming sophomore EP.

Image used with permission from GYROstream