Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Casey Barnes Announces More Tour Dates to Support Smash Single

You might remember me writing about Casey Barnes’ single “Come Turn Me On” back in March. Since then, the song has blown up. It’s number one on every country music chart in Australia, it’s been number one for four weeks on the country airplay chart, and it’s in the top 40 for all genres on iTunes. This is Casey’s third number one single in the last 12 months. No wonder he’s the most played country artist on mainstream radio and the number one independent artist in the country.

But he’s not one to rest on his laurels. Along with already announced appearances at the Gympie Music Muster and Savannah in the Round, Casey’s announced a stack more shows. He’s also bringing along some talented friends, including Josh Setterfield, The Buckleys, Rachael Fahim, and Taylor Moss. If you didn’t catch him last time he toured the country, or you’re just keen for another go round, here are all the dates you need.

19 June 2021 – Hamilton Hotel, Brisbane
25 June 2021 – The Red Hot Country Festival @ Nightquarter, Sunshine Coast
26 June 2021 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
3 July 2021 – Leichhardt Hotel, Rockhampton
9 July 2021 – Paddington RSL, Sydney
10 July 2021 – Country to the Coast Festival, Gosford
16 July 2021 – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville
17 July 2021 – Edge Hill Tavern, Cairns
26 and 27 August 2021 – Gympie Music Muster, Gympie
1 October 2021 – Savannah in the Round, Mareeba
31 October 2021 – Goulburn Valley Country Music Festival, Shepparton

Image used with permission from Sue Mac Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Blessings” – Hollow Coves

It’s easy for the pace of modern life to get to us at times. I know I personally work too late, miss far too many weekends, and burn the candle at both ends trying to fit everything in. Sometimes you just need a moment to yourself to reset, recharge, and get moving again. Listening to Blessings, the new EP from Brisbane act Hollow Coves is the perfect soundtrack for those moments.

From the moment I hit play, the rest of the world seemed to melt away. All the right ingredients are here, beautiful harmonies, folky acoustic melodies, and chilled vibes. Listening to these songs transported me away from my desk and to an isolated beach, away from the crowds and the noise, the hustle and bustle for just a little while.

Ordinarily, when I listen to EPs or albums, I pick out favourite tracks. I can’t do that here. The songs support each other. I can appreciate them on their own merits, but it’s what they do together that’s really magical. So rather than giving any particular track a shoutout, I’m just going to encourage you to listen to them all.

In a world where so much music is overproduced, oversung, and overexposed, the beautiful simplicity of the songs on Blessings shines through. It’s out today. Take a listen and I’m sure you’ll fall in love with these songs just as I have. Hollow Coves are currently touring Australia and will visit Europe and the UK next year. Here are all the dates you need:

11 June 2021 – The Triffid Brisbane (Early show – SOLD OUT)
11 June 2021 – The Triffid Brisbane (Late show)
12 June 2021 – Miami Marketta Gold Coast (Early show)
12 June 2021 – Miami Marketta Gold Coast (Late show – SOLD OUT)
19 June 2021 – The Factory Theatre Sydney (Early show) SOLD OUT
19 June 2021 – The Factory Theatre Sydney (Late show)
26 June 2021 – Corner Hotel Melbourne (Early show – SOLD OUT)
26 June 2021 – Corner Hotel Melbourne (Late show)
12 May 2022 – Alte Feuerwache Manheim, Germany
15 May 2022 – Kulturfabrik Kofmehl Solothurn, Switzerland
16 May 2022 – Konzerthaus Schüür Luzern, Switzerland
20 May 2022 – Grelle Forelle Vienna, Austria
21 May 2022 – Kulturák Klub Bratislava, Slovakia
24 May 2022 – Alter Schlachthof Dresden, Germany
26 May 2022 – Hydrozagadka Warsaw, Poland
31 May 2022 – TivoliVredenburg Utrecht, Netherland
2 June 2022 – Skaters Palace Münster, Germany
6 June 2022 – Ancienne Belgique, AB Box Brussels, Belgium
7 June 2022 – La Maroquinerie Paris, France
9 June 2022 – Electric Brixton London, UK

Images used with permission from Beehive PR; feature image credit: Leniflashes

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Central Coast Teen Lucy Parle Wins International Songwriting Award

Central Coast singer-songwriter Lucy Parle is just 17, but she’s already showing she’s destined for big things. Her new single “Back Up” recently took out first place in the teen category of the International Songwriters Competition. This is the world’s largest songwriting competition, with more than 23,000 artists all vying to win favour with a superstar judging panel featuring Tom Waits, Dua Lipa, and Coldplay.

Listening to the song, it’s easy to hear what they did. It’s so raw and honest, heartbreaking and vulnerable. Its easy marriage of folk, pop, and alt-country is immediately accessible and unforgettable.

“Back Up is a special song to me and came pretty quickly. I wrote it about a relationship breakdown and all the emotions I felt when I was trying to get over it. It was one of those songs that just fell onto the paper,” she said.

“Winning the Teen Category in the ISC really cemented that songwriting is what I’m meant to do. To have ‘Back Up’ recognised in an international songwriting competition is beyond exciting. It’s a really raw and emotional song that I think people can relate to and I can’t wait for it to be out into the world!”

After hearing this song, I can’t wait to see what Lucy’s future holds.

Image used with permission from Double Drummer Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Discover the Fun Sounds of Jackie Brown Jr

Sydney band Jackie Brown Jr are spreading good vibes with their dynamic new single “Happy (you wanna be).” Blending rock, jazz, and soul elements is challenging, but these guys make it look easy. Its lyrics are so relatable and the sultry vocals from frontwoman and saxophonist (!) Madeleine Mallis are scorching.

She says the track “is an imploration to yourself that you are enough and that you only need to look within yourself to figure it all out!” Amen sister!

By the time the trumpet, trombone, and saxophone join together for a glorious tri-instrument horn section, I know you’re going to wonder how you can see them live. Because you just know they’d blow the roof off any venue. You can see for yourself when the band plays shows around New South Wales, the ACT, and (hopefully) Victoria in the coming months.

11th June 2021 – The Illawarra Hotel, Wollongong
12th June 2021 – Gang Gang Cafe, Canberra
18th June 2021 – The Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
24th June 2021 – Mary’s Underground, Sydney
17th July 2021 – Melbourne @ Some Velvet Morning

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Myers Wows Me With “How It’s Meant To Be”

Trigger warning: “How It’s Meant To Be” explores the aftermath of a friend’s suicide.

Newcastle’s Tom Myers has cast a spell with his latest song “How It’s Meant To Be.” This is such an achingly beautiful track, so unique with its haunting backing vocals and the music that ebbs and flows in intensity.

Make sure you tap into the lyrics, which express how Tom, the drummer for Papa Vs. Pretty, felt when his friend and bandmate Luke Liang committed suicide.

“‘How Itʼs Meant’ to be is a song written about the sudden and traumatic death of a friend. It explores the immediate aftershocks of death by suicide from multiple perspectives, as a way of finding peace with the ultimate decision,” he explained. “Without sounding too morbid, I wanted to provide an accurate snapshot of my own personal grief in the immediate days after such loss. It was all about me coming to terms with it, if it helps someone else Iʼm really happy.”

Along with his work in Papa Vs. Pretty, Tom has toured as a session drummer with Jack River, Thelma Plum and Kim Churchill. Now with his own solo material, he’s stepping into the spotlight. Follow his Facebook page for details of his gigs as they’re announced.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Surfers Paradise Gets New SPRINGTIME Music Festival

With so many festivals still on ice, it’s exciting to see a brand new event launching later this year. SPRINGTIME Music Festival will help punters in Surfers Paradise usher in warm weather this September. It’s kicking off with a stacked line-up featuring Ruel, Ball Park Music, Hermitude, Sneaky Sound System, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Ali Barter, Saint Lane, and stacks more.

All these artists are playing free over the three-day event and there’ll be stacks of ticketed gigs as well, so there’s no excuse for not getting involved. The location on the beach and around the streets of the Gold Coast is sure to add to the party atmosphere.

“SPRINGTIME will showcase the City of Gold Coast’s connection to music, celebrating some of our favourite local acts as well as artists from across the country,” said Mark Duckworth, the Director of Festivals & Events at Major Events Gold Coast. “We are so excited to build a new event experience for everyone to enjoy,” he said.

SPRINGTIME Music Festival hits Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast from September 3 to 5. Mark your calendar because it’s going to be massive!

Image used with permission from Spin&Co

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darling James Confronts Toxic Behaviour in “Make the Grade”

Trigger Warning: “Make the Grade” describes aggressive and manipulative behaviour.

Darling James has taken a swipe at toxic masculinity with his powerful new single “Make the Grade.” This is a confronting but intelligent piece of pop-rock that puts us in the shoes of a male predator. It makes for an uncomfortable listen, but that’s the point.

“The consultation process in making the song and clip needs to be emphasised,” he stressed. “In writing the lyric in the first person it hopes to shed light on the mindset of someone who is engaged in this behaviour. It aims to demonstrate to male listeners how insidious and creepy this behaviour is, perhaps helping them to identify it in their peers and maybe even themselves.”

“Importantly the song doesn’t attempt to speak for women, or interpret other people’s experiences or pain,” added filmmaker Domini Marshall, who brought the music video to life. “Singing as a character conducting this behaviour allows Darling James to articulate it while also fully recognising that he is part of the main demographic that engages in it.”

Give “Make The Grade” a listen. And then listen again. All streaming royalties will benefit Support Art, whose 24-hour wellbeing helpline offers assistance to people in the music industry experiencing hardships, including victims of sexual harassment and misconduct. If you need that service, call 1800 959 500.

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hoodoo Gurus, The Superjesus, Def FX Ready to Rock Brisbane in Massive Fundraiser

Hoodoo Gurus, The Superjesus, and Def FX are joining forces in Brisbane, and it’s all for a good cause. These Aussie rock heavyweights and plenty of local legends will play Eaton’s Hill Hotel on July 17 to raise funds for Redcliffe’s The Breakfast Club and Rockin’ for the Homeless (R4TH).

The Breakfast Club provides community meals, emergency food packages, housing and service information, supplies, phone charging, and a safe space for isolated and vulnerable homeless people in the Redcliffe area. R4TH is one of their major fundraisers, but COVID shutdowns saw the annual event wiped from the 2020 calendar.

“R4TH does as a community, something we could not do alone. It pays the bills and changes lives,” explained Breakfast Club director and chairperson, Michelle Gilcrest. “R4TH is everything to us”.

This show will replace that annual benefit. Organisers hope the event will help the Breakfast Club buy a “you beaut” van so they can take their services directly to people who can’t visit their centre in person. All musicians are donating their time so the price of your tickets goes directly to this great cause. Tickets are on sale now, but with COVID still limited capacities they will not last long. Get on it!

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tayla Young Drops Sublime New Single, “Lorelai”

Brisbane Tayla Young has won my heart with her new single “Lorelai.” This is such a gorgeous track, full of vulnerability and longing. The stripped-back acoustic sound ensures you can really tap into those flirty, honest lyrics.

“Lorelai is a lot more light-hearted than what I usually write about. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s about a one-night stand or casual hook-up, there’s a bit more to the story. But it’s definitely about having very little expectation of somebody. It’s basically just me trying to convince someone cool and uncomplicated that I’m cool and uncomplicated too, which is definitely a lie but one I probably believed at the time,” Tayla explained. “We had a lot of house parties in 2020, which is how I imagine the context of the track, so I wanted the mix to sound fun and summery, like a Hottest 100 party type of vibe. I really like the bridge; the bridge is cool; I reckon I nailed It lyrically.”

Tayla has cemented her reputation as a talented performer playing her own headline gigs and supporting talents including Kim Churchill and Emily Wurramurra. Give her Facebook page a follow for details of more shows from her really soon.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Teak Gets Nostalgic With “Seventy Five”

My dad insists there’s been no good music released after the 1970s. I’ve challenged him on this point several times, but I must admit I kind of admire the old man’s dedication to the music he loved in the years BC (before children). And while I was slow to embrace the ‘70s as a kid, I’ve inherited his fondness for the decade. So I can certainly appreciate “Seventy Five,” a long song that celebrates the best of the era from Queensland singer-songwriter Teak.

Like me, Teak has inherited a love of the decade’s music which really shines through in this nostalgic number. She says she was “an 11-year-old kid who would lock herself in the bedroom, light a candle and listen to the likes of led Zeppelin, Frank Sinatra and Patsy Cline … I never really thought it was strange until I looked back and thought, what 11-year-old locks herself in the bedroom with a guitar lit candle and jams out to ‘Going to California’? So, this song in some ways hints at my love for music, anything vintage, and my struggle in the ever-evolving music industry.”

Teak is a regular on the touring circuit who’s made appearances at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, the Gympie Music Muster, and Road to Roma. She was even handpicked to support ‘70s legend David Gates. You can see her next at Springsure Rugby League Ladies Day at the Springsure Senior Football Grounds in Springsure on June 19.

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity