Posted on by Lauren Katulka

India Dupriez Releases Striking Single, “Pray

Gold Coast singer-songwriter India Dupriez has really impressed me with her latest single “Pray.” I was instantly struck by its vulnerable lyrics and India’s ethereal, pure tone. By the time the beat dropped for the chorus, I was firmly on board. The addition of a gospel-style choir reflects the song’s spiritual title.

“It’s honest lyrically and open to interpretation but can also be heard casually as it easily covers a wide range of playlist and radio genres,” India said of her latest single. “It’s timeless and has an open target audience. Bring more positive music to a newer generation.’

India co-wrote this track with Rob Amoruso, who’s previously worked with The Rubens and Baker Boy. In the past, she’s written songs with Chizzy Stephens, who’s written for Jennifer Lopez and Justin Bieber, and Kyle Moorman, who’s penned tracks for Pink and Miley Cyrus. Mixing with these heavy-hitters, it might just be a matter of time before India has her own international smash.

Image used with permission from Australian Radio Promotion

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pump Up the Volume on Afterthought’s New Single, “Homebound”

Sydney pop-punk act Afterthought have me bouncing around my home office with their energetic new single “Homebound.” Crank it up, have a jump around your space, and I swear you’ll feel better.

The song comes with a colourful video that references ‘90s boy band clips and reaction videos. It didn’t pan out quite the way the band planned, but during a pandemic I think we’ve all realised nothing ever does! Thankfully what they’ve captured is pretty brilliant.

“We came up with the idea of having a few people we know act like they’re watching this music video we had filmed and either rating it or hating it,” explains the band. “We filmed in the day before lockdown started, and we had so many cool people lined up to make little cameos. Unfortunately, as the new lockdown was shaping up rough, we ended up having the crew, Tadhg’s fiancé, a work mate and Marty’s dad.”

Since forming in 2018, Afterthought have built a loyal fanbase through some choice support slots for Yours Truly, A Swift Farewell, Closure, and Headstrong. Hopefully it’s not too long before we see them back on a stage soon! After listen out for their self-titled EP which drops on October 22.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hayley Jensen Teams Up With Canadian Country Star Dan Davidson on “Really Shouldn’t Drink Around You”

I’m a sucker for a good country duet. Think pairings like Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, and Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. I’m not sure whether Canadian Dan Davidson and our own Hayley Jensen will collaborate as regularly as those legends, but I do know I’m into their first pairing, “Really Shouldn’t Drink Around You.”

It was written by Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, and Trevor Rosen, who are country royalty. They’ve written tracks for people like Chris Young, Trisha Yearwood, and Randy Rogers Band, so you already know this song is really catchy. But there’s a great chemistry between Dan and Hayley that really sells these playful lyrics.

Only time will tell whether this is the start of one of those great duetting partnerships that lasts for years, but I love this match-up. Hayley will set out on her Breakin’ Hearts tour later this year. Catch her at the following venues:

27 November 2021 – Country Rocks Festival, Canberra
20 January 2022 – Wests Diggers Club, Tamworth
3 February 2022 – Vinnie’s Dive Bar, Southport
4 February 2022 – The Met Hotel, Toowoomba
7 February 2022 – Johnny Ringo’s, Brisbane
10 February 2022 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
12 February 2022 – Tumut River Brewing Co, Tumut
13 February 2022 – Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, Phillip
18 February 2022 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
19 February 2022 – Commercial Club, Albury
23 February 2022 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
24 February 2022 – Django at Camelot Lounge, Marrickville
25 February 2022 – Laurieton United Services Club, Laurieton
26 February 2022 – Halekulani Bowling Club, Budgewoi

Image used with permission from Social Family Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Renée Millner Inspires With “So Much”

Renée Millner has one of those voices that’s stopped me in my tracks. It’s so compelling that once I listened to her new single “So Much,” I needed to explore the rest of her back catalogue. It’s so distinct, so rich, so textured, just see if it doesn’t draw you in too. Once you’re hooked, I’m sure you’ll appreciate the positive vibes her latest release delivers.

“There’s so much love around all of us,” Renée confirmed. “There’s an abundance of good in the world, and it’s there all the time if we know how to receive it. And yet it seems to me that, so much of the time, we just aren’t aware of it.”

Renée wrote the song as a personal pep talk, but she hopes it might inspire others to rise up.

“Like most artists I know, I haven’t been immune to the opinions of others. I’ve often taken on someone else’s opinion rather than trusting my own. But when I dug down into my own choices, and what really matters to me, what came up most strongly is that I really do have the capacity to offer myself genuine love and support.”

Renée Millner is Australian-born but New Zealand-based. Give her a follow on Facebook to learn when she’s playing across the ditch and here at home.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eli Greeneyes Drops “She Don’t Care” Single Ahead of Drapht Tour

If you’ve been craving some guitar-driven pop, take a listen to Eli Greeneyes’ new single “She Don’t Care.” It’s super catchy with impassioned vocals that will have you invested in his story.

“She Don’t Care is about someone from my past who came along at a time when I was having a lot of mental health issues,” Eli explained. “Their intentions were extremely different to mine and I was listening to them too much instead of trusting my own intentions and instincts! I lost myself. When I wrote it I thought it was their fault, but now I realise that I also played a part in letting it take that direction. I had to write this song to gain back my true ‘not taking shit’ self.”

While this song sonically reminded me of Oasis, the film clip takes me back to The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony.” Watching Eli sing directly to the camera as the woman yells in his face reminds me so much of the performance Richard Ashcroft laid down in that classic ‘90s video.

Eli is about to tour Australia with recent collaborator Drapht.

“My shows are an opportunity to meet and understand my fans with what they connect with the most about my music,” he said. “What am I saying that makes them feel heard and understood? That all comes down to singing the lyrics for me. Expressing them in that up close and personal way so the story hits straight to the heart.”

Catch Eli with Drapht at the following shows:

14 October 2021 – Freo Social, Fremantle
15 October 2021 – Wintersun, Geraldton
16 October 2021 – Exmouth Fishing & Game Club, Exmouth
22 October 2021 – Mermaid Hotel, Dampier
23 October 2021 – Pier Hotel, Port Hedland
24 October 2021 – Roebuck Bay Hotel, Broome
29 October 2021 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
30 October 2021 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
31 October 2021 – Leisure Inn, Rockingham
5 November 2021 – Forth Pub, Forth
18 November 2021 – Kalgoorlie Boulder Racing Club, Kalgoorlie
19 November 2021 – Pier Hotel, Esperance
20 November 2021 – Studio 146, Albany

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: James Mooney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kick Back With Deb Suckling’s New Single “Clean Me Out”

As “Freedom Day” approaches in New South Wales, I’m enjoying the calm that comes with a weekend at home. While I’ve itched to get out on more than one occasion, I sort of appreciate my weekends being free of commitments and obligations. If you relish the calm too, you’ll love the cool, ambient sound of Deb Suckling’s new single “Clean Me Out.” The vibe of this one takes me back to acts like Mazzy Star and Massive Attack, both of which influenced Deb in her career. The song’s sound might pay tribute to these bands, but it tells a very personal story.

“‘Clean Me Out’ was one of the first big experimental pieces for me and was instrumental in me taking the road forward in making a whole album,” Deb explained. “I had just had a massive skin cancer cut out from the back of my head and was forced to lie low for a few weeks – Clean Me Out was recorded on garage band in my bathroom and made me realise how fragile life is – and how getting rid of old wounds was absolutely crucial to being able to move on in life.”

“Clean Me Out” is the latest single released from Deb’s solo album Worthy, which drops on October 31. Deb will celebrate the album’s release with a free all-ages show at the Brisbane Powerhouse on November 7.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Judas Tree” – Gretta Ziller

“I don’t want to do the same thing twice,” Gretta Ziller says in the press release for her sophomore studio album Judas Tree. The album is more than just a departure from the gentle folky sound of her debut, Queen of Boomtown. It’s also an album that deftly explores genres. One thing’s for sure, you won’t get bored listening to this one.

Gretta embraces her country roots but you couldn’t really call Judas Tree a country album. You hear glimpses of it in the gentle slide guitar notes of the opening track “5, 4, 3, 2, 1” and the rebellious nature of “Cinder Ash & Ruin.” But Gretta prefers to pair her country influences with swampy blues and classic rock sounds. It gives her music a bit more edge than the tracks so many female country artists release today. Not that she can completely resist the pull of pop music. “Stockholm” is an energetic guitar-pop banger. Despite the crunchy guitar opening, “Damage Done” is also rooted firmly in the pop space. Many of the tracks show Gretta’s strength, but she’s not afraid of letting her vulnerability shine through on the gentle acoustic guitar ballad “Jericho” and the poignant closer “Dear Love Letter.” Just when you think you’ve got Gretta pegged, she changes direction, showing you yet another side of her talent.

One thing that struck me listening to Judas Tree was just how powerful Gretta’s voice is. Sonically it’s commanding, standing tall even among lushly layered instrumentation. But that strong voice also comes through in her songwriting. It’s some of the best I’ve heard, honest and so relatable. Her voice anchors these songs, ensuring that no matter what genre she’s playing with, it’s unmistakeably Gretta Ziller.

Judas Tree is out now. Catch Gretta live at one of her upcoming shows:

24 October 2021 – Commonfolk Coffee, Mornington (with Clint Wilson)
26 March 2022 – Country by the River, Murray Bridge

Images used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paulina’s New Single Is a “Parasite” You’ll Want to Know

Brisbane singer-songwriter Paulina shows maturity beyond her years with her latest single “Parasite.” At just 17, she’s got such a bright future ahead of her. Her warm voice immediately drew me in. I love the way she balances the classic tones of an acoustic guitar with some fresh beats for the chorus.

“At its core it’s about being treated like a parasite by a partner,” Paulina said of the song’s meaning. “Having someone treat you so disrespectfully and disgustingly can destroy someone’s self-worth and self-love. So, instead of continuing to be a victim of such awful treatment and the pain that comes with it, this song shows that you can in fact do yourself a huge favour and leave toxic relationships. You don’t have to and shouldn’t love someone who treats you so badly, because you are so much more than that. If anything, they’re the parasite!”

This powerful song comes with a gorgeous music video directed by Slate Media’s Matt Pettigrew. Slate Media has previously created clips for Cosmo’s Midnight, Mallrat, and Spacey Jane.

“As the music video progresses, my makeup becomes a bit more smudged as I begin to cry. This accentuates the truly sad, and upsetting feeling portrayed subtly throughout the song,” Paulina explained. “In the studio, we used a 20ft square soft box grid, that allowed full range of the colour spectrum, to create a bold, yet soft colour scheme in the music video.”

If you love what you hear, make sure you follow Paulina’s Facebook page, as she often announces gigs around Brisbane just days before they happen.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lakelend Impresses With “Anybody Else But You”

Melbourne pop act Lakelend is back with what might be his strongest release yet. “Anybody Else But You” is a shimmery pop track with a soft, sensitive centre. Make sure you pay attention to the moving lyrics which give voice to the pain so many of us feel after a bad breakup.

“‘Anybody Else But You’ is about being fresh out of a relationship in the most destructive and dangerous headspace you’ve ever experienced,” Lakelend explained.

Lakelend balances the drama with a fun music video inspired by Grand Theft Auto. In it we see Lakelend navigating his way through the video game world, hoping to come out the other side, just as we do when we’re picking up the pieces of a broken heart.

Live music might seem a long way off for Melbourne, but Lakelend is giving the city something to look forward to on that front. Catch him and fellow Melbourne muso Kuren at Stay Gold in Brunswick on December 17.

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sophie Monk Releases Surprising New Single, “Nice to Meet You”

When Sophie Monk appeared on The Masked Singer last season, I guessed it wouldn’t be too long before she returned to the music scene. Now she’s back with a brand new single “Nice to Meet You,” which is the perfect reintroduction to her vocal talents.

This is a far cry from the sugary pop music Sophie made with Bardot. Instead it’s a dark jazzy number with insightful lyrics. Sophie penned the track while on The Masked Singer with Thomas Tan and CDB brothers Gary and Brad Pinto. Prince’s original horn player Phillip Lassiter gives it a cool retro feel.

“It’s taken me years to be ready to release a song and this happened so organically for me, I felt like the time was right,” Sophie explained. “People know me originally as a singer in Australia so it’s nice to be going back to my number one love.”

Releasing the song independently through Ditto Music is another unexpected choice, but one that Sophie says feels right.

“For the first time in my musical career, I feel like I am in complete control and I’m just excited by the opportunity to be able to do this. I hope everyone enjoys the track it as much as I did recording it.”

This track is a real surprise, in the best possible way. It’s great to have you back making music Sophie!

Image used with permission from KAOS