Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Delta Goodrem Strips Back “Solid Gold”

I must admit, when Delta Goodrem released her single “Solid Gold” last month I was in like, but I wasn’t in love. I appreciated the message of empowerment and the chorus was certainly catchy, but it didn’t quite give me the feels I was hoping for. However, now that Delta has released her acoustic remix, I am firmly on board.

There’s something about an acoustic take that can help you get to the essence of the song. The lyrics really shine through without the production stealing focus. I also hear a little more of the Fleetwood Mac influence mentioned in the press release now that it’s back to basics.

“At the very core, ‘Solid Gold’ is an uplifting and empowering message reminding someone who has taken you for granted of your worth and strength; “I’m gonna take your bad heart” and remind them “what you had was always solid gold,” Delta explained.

“Solid Gold” is the latest track from Delta’s forthcoming sixth studio album, which she says contains some of her most personal songs yet.

Image source: Eva Rinaldi @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Greg Gould @ The Art House, Wyong – 9 October 2020

It has been far too long since I’ve posted a concert review. The last time I went seven months without a concert I was probably in my early teens. I’m not sure I’ve ever gone that long without going out somewhere fun and social, but my husband and I have been hermitting hard during the pandemic. I wasn’t sure what it’d take to give me the confidence to venture out, but The Art House nailed it with The Stage Door Cabaret Sessions.

Before I talk about the Greg Gould show, I want to let you know all about the excellent measures The Art House has in place. The show was limited to just 45 attendees. We sat at tables on the stage in our ticket bubbles, further apart than the minimum 1.5 metres required. That left plenty of space for the venue’s staff to walk to deliver drinks and plates of cheese and antipasto to our tables. You could order them from a pop-up bar in the loading dock or via SMS from our table. We loved this option as it let us avoid bar queues. We were allowed inside as soon as we arrived and exiting was staggered to help us all maintain that vital social distance when we left.

The tables on the stage weren’t the only thing topsy turvy for this show. We entered and exited via the stage door, rather than the main entrance. A red carpet laid out for us made us all feel like VIPs. We used the bathrooms in the dressing rooms rather than those in the foyer. These changes made this show feel so special and gave us a new perspective of the theatre we all love.

The show started with a speech from Art House executive director, Anne-Marie Heath welcoming us back to the theatre and explaining the tradition of the ghost light, a light that traditionally stays on while a theatre is unoccupied. The Art House’s ghost light has lit up the theatre for seven months as the staff cancelled and postponed shows. What a thrill to toast to the Art House as that light went out.

And what a show to open the Art House with. Greg Gould has such an incredible voice, which could really shine in this intimate setting. It was his show, showcasing music from his current covers album 1998 and a few other choice cuts, but his special guests Andrew Worboys and Melanie Lewin were every bit a part of the show. Andrew Worboys provided piano accompaniment but also showed off his own vocal chops when Greg decided to tinkle the ivories. Melanie sang with Greg on his cover of “How Do I Live” on this album, but she showed her talent singing the parts of some of Australia’s most acclaimed female vocalists including Tania Doko and Prinnie Stevens. Greg and Mel are old friends, and their chemistry on stage really made the night something special.

1998 was an exciting time for me. It was my first year of university, that time when I really felt I was leaving my childhood behind and discovering my independence. Listening to songs from that period is such a nostalgic experience. Greg’s covers are so clever. He gives each song a new identity without straying too far from what made it great. And he’ll always out-sing a Britney Spears! I particularly loved his versions of “Together Again” and “Buses and Trains.” And that TLC medley had me wanting to violate that covid-safe no singing rule!

The Art House is showcasing the talents of other Central Coast talents like Greg, Mel, and Andrew at its The Stage Door Cabaret Sessions every Friday and Saturday night for the next few weeks. Tickets are incredibly limited to keep the events covid-safe, but I thoroughly recommend them if you’re anywhere near the coast! Head to The Art House website for all the details.

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

EGOISM Delights With “Here’s The Thing”

2019 was a massive year for Sydney duo EGOISM. They played Bigsound, because triple j Unearthed’s 11th most played artist, earned plenty of airplay on FBi and other community radio stations, received song of the year and next big thing nominations in the FBi radio SMAC awards, and co-headlined an East Coast tour with Pinkish Blu. Then 2020 happened, but don’t think this band has been sitting idle. Instead, they’ve recorded some new songs in their bedrooms, including their latest single “Here’s the Thing.” It’s a charming shoe-gazey track that explores the emotions of a relationship breaking down so beautifully.

“I wrote ‘Here’s the Thing’ in the middle of winter while I was housesitting my friend’s studio apartment in the city while they went to Europe. At the time I was dropping out of TAFE, my relationship was falling apart, and it wouldn’t stop raining outside. It felt like the world was caving in on itself,” explained one half of the duo, Olive Rush. “It was hard to finish this one; listening to a past version of myself singing about feeling absolutely heartbroken over and over again – it’s totally draining. I like it now, but it took some time. I don’t think I’ve ever captured a moment through lyrics that intensely before.”

I love the way Olive’s voice marries with Scout Eastment’s on this track. It’s not a perfectly harmonious blend, but there’s something so special about the combination of their sounds. The duo describes its tunes as “headphones on the train” music, and I think that’s just about perfect.

“Here’s The Thing” comes from EGOISM’s long-awaited EP On Our Minds, which drops on November 6. If all goes according to plan, EGOISM will play the following shows to support its release.

4 December 2020 – The Vanguard, Sydney (supporting CLEWS)
5 December 2020 – Grace Darling, Melbourne (supporting CLEWS)

Image used with permission from The Right Profile

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

SoSo Release Epic New Single “Skywriter”

Sydney pop-punk act SoSo continue their winning form with the release of their third single “Skywriter.” It comes bundled with the previous two singles “The Henry Lawson Jive” and “(Shit) Love Story,” making it easy for the uninitiated to catch up. But back to the new track.

“Skywriter” has such an epic feel to it thanks to those chunky guitar chords, big booming drums, and Rhys de Burgh’s soaring vocals. These guys are at a relatively early stage in their careers, but I can already imagine this in a big stadium setting.

“It’s easy to become disillusioned and assume you’re alone in times of tragedy. Understand that it’s a shared experience everyone can relate to regardless of social status, age, circumstances etc. ‘Skywriter’ is a gentle reminder that we’re not alone in that experience and I think that sometimes, that’s reason enough to wake up each morning,” Rhys said.

Sydney’s live music scene doesn’t look like opening up any time soon, but SoSo will be ready when it happens. They’re spending their time writing and recording more new music set for release later this year and beyond.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aodhan Releases Nostalgic New Single, “Twelve Again”

He’s still a teenager, but Aodhan is already feeling nostalgic for his youth. The winner of JJJ’s Unearthed High Indigenous Initiative, the talented 16-year-old from Dharawal country recalls those good old days with his new single “Twelve Again.”

“Twelve Again is a song the reminisces on the carefree days of being a twelve year old. The song mentions things about me missing the best friends I ever had, acting careless and fracturing a bone for the first time, just all sorts of things having to do with that time of my life. Although it may have not been too long ago, I do really miss it,” Aodhan admits.

Aodhan recorded the track at Sydney’s Hercules St Studio. It was the first time he’s ever worked in a studio, but he seems to have taken to it like a duck to water. He plays acoustic, electric, and bass guitars and synths on the track, as well as handling the vocals like a champ.

“I had a really good time making it,” he said. “This was the first time I got to make some music in an actual studio so it was pretty awesome to have access to a range of amps and instruments I could just mess around with as well as an awesome producer [Ryan Miller] and an awesome drummer [Grant Garethy] to throw ideas around.”

He’s at such an early stage in his career, but already the future looks pretty bright for Aodhan.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sia and David Guetta Spread the Love with New Single

Sia produces such consistently great music, that I sometimes forget to take the time to appreciate one of our country’s best exports. However, now that she’s teamed up with David Guetta again, I’m not about the let the chance go by.

Only time will tell whether their new track “Let’s Love” reaches the dizzying heights of “Titanium,” but I can tell you it’s just the kind of positive banger we need in our lives right now.

The pair recorded the single during isolation to deliver a message of hope and love around the world. And don’t we need that right now! Let’s love indeed!

Image used with permission from Neighbourhood PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dana Crowe’s New Single “Anchor in the Blue” Worth the Wait

Melbourne singer-songwriter Dana Crowe has released a stellar new single “Anchor in the Blue.” It’s got such a cool sound. I love the rock edge in Alana’s voice and the bluesy instrumentation. Dana actually recorded the track a while back, but it hasn’t seen the light of day until now.

“I’ve had this song completed and shelved for what feels like forever as I wanted it on the now delayed EP,” Dana said. “With so many people separated from their loved ones it seems like a perfect time to release it.”

If all the music is this good, hopefully we can all hear the rest of Dana’s new EP material soon!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elana Stone Takes a Left Turn With “Permanent Limbo”

I’ve heard Elana Stone creating jazz music, the folky ditties with her group All Our Exes Live in Texas, but I’ve never heard her quite like this. Her current single “Permanent Limbo” is pure electronic pop. And while it’s different, it’s actually pretty amazing. Is there anything this woman can’t do?

This is such a fun dancy number, but it came from a difficult place. Elana wrote the track as her long-distance relationship was breaking down during an All Our Exes Live in Texas tour. If these things have to happen, at least you can get a great song out of them, right?

“I am so excited about this release because it’s fun and danceable but it has its roots in a story of love and loss. It was cathartic to write and it will be cathartic to release and share during this moment of historic uncertainty. It is essentially a danceable electronic pop anthem to accompany the merging of humans and technology and potentially the end of life as we know it.,” Elana explained.

Live music is such a rare joy these days, so it’s exciting to see Elana has a few gigs coming up. Bookings are essential during the pandemic, so visit her Facebook page for all the details. Elana will play the following venues:

16 October 2020 – Venue 505, Sydney
4 November 2020 – Mary’s Underground, Circular Quay

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MANE’s “Over & Over” is the Next Track You’ll Play on Repeat

Adelaide indie songwriter MANE has really impressed me with her current single “Over & Over.” It’s an introspective track about overcoming difficult times, but despite its heavy subject matter, it’s also a total bop.

MANE said she wrote the song in the hope it might help someone else struggling through their own adversities.

“‘Over & Over’ was written in a moment of strength during a really difficult time. I think, when things are tough, you can choose to sit in sadness or you can choose to push forward; this song is a little reminder to myself to continue to persevere and to fight for my happiness and peace, despite how hard it may be to do so at times. I hope it can bring a moment of strength to those who feel similarly,” she said.

“Over & Over” comes from MANE’s forthcoming EP Coping Mechanisms, which is scheduled for a November 13 release.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Billie Rose Shows Her Strength With “Superwoman”

“Superwoman,” the latest track from North West Queensland singer-songwriter Billie Rose, feels like an instant classic. There’s just something about it that feels so familiar and timeless. Her warm, slightly husky tone draws listeners. I love when it’s low and soft, but hearing her vocals soar is something special too. I couldn’t quite believe Billy Rose is only 19, because she really does sound wise beyond her years.

Superwoman is the first song Billie ever wrote and it still holds a special meaning to her.

“It’s about finding your inner strength to take back power when going through a breakup; rising up and becoming ‘Superwoman’,” she explained.

Billie will head back into the studio next year to record some new tunes. Until then, make sure to crank this one up!