Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cry Club Drops Indie-Pop Banger “Nine of Swords” Ahead of Album Release

Melbourne indie-pop act Cry Club are just about to drop their debut album God I’m Such a Mess. Before they do, the duo is giving us a taste of their new music with the release of single “Nine of Swords.”

This track is so much fun. It’s the kind of music that has you reaching for a hairbrush mic and bouncing around your bedroom, dancing like no one’s watching. Or maybe that’s just me? Either way, it’s such an upbeat ditty that celebrates overcoming personal anxieties and developing healthier coping mechanisms. Yay for that!

“I have a habit of running from the bad things happening in my life, ignoring them or blaming them on mercury retrograde,” explained vocalist Heather Riley. However, being so honest about her challenges might not have been the hardest thing about the single release.
“This entire single release has been a test of our creativity in lockdown. When it became clear we probably wouldn’t have access to a studio because of lockdown, we worked with our director, Jack (Alexander), to come up with a super DIY concept which we could shoot on an iPhone, and put it together with a little help from Spotlight and our housemates.”

God I’m Such a Mess drops on November 13. Until then, crank this one up and reach for that hairbrush!

Image used with permission from Future Popes; credit: Giulia McGauran

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vale Helen Reddy

Australia has lost one of its true music icons. Helen Reddy passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 78, following a battle with dementia.
Her family wrote on her Facebook page, “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Helen Reddy, on the afternoon of September 29th 2020 in Los Angeles.

“She was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother and a truly formidable woman. Our hearts are broken. But we take comfort in the knowledge that her voice will live on forever.”

Helen is best remembered for her breakthrough feminist anthem “I Am Woman,” which earned her a Grammy award for best female pop vocal. However, she did so much more than that. It was one of five top 10 hits here in Australia. She also had more than a dozen U.S. Top 40 hits and a successful Broadway career. In 1974, she earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her life was celebrated in the recently released biopic I Am Woman, which is available now on Stan.

Public domain image from Wikimedia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Meet The Bonnie Doons’ New Baby, “Fred”

When I discover a band with a great name, I want to like them. My hopes were high for The Bonnie Doons, but this Brisbane band did not disappoint. Their unassumingly titled new single “Fred” is a funky, yet laidback slice of surf rock in the vein of Ocean Alley and some of the material from frontman Torian Brewer’s other act, Bootleg Rascal.

The Bonnie Doons released their debut EP last year, so this song is our first taste of the new chapter. If it’s all this delicious, I say bring it on.
“In this track I talk about staying true to who you are and not letting your emotional attachments to things or people keep you from doing what’s right for you. Breaking down the barriers of guilt, letting something go and moving on,” Torian explained.

The Bonnie Doons are itching to get back out in front of audiences. Until then, let this track whet your appetite!

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Waxflower Releases Powerful New Single, “Getting Better”

The lads from Waxflower are best known for rocking out, but the Brisbane pop-punk act are showing their softer side with the release of their new single “Getting Better.” The sensitive ballad sees frontman and songwriter Tristan Higginson in an honest, introspective mood.

“‘Getting Better’ was me tying a bow on a dark period of my life. A particularly long and intense panic attack had landed me in the hospital. Every attack at the time felt like a failure, as if it were erasing any hard-earned progress on a long journey to betterment,” he admitted.

“I noted the impact of that night on the people around me – we all felt defeated. I felt ashamed. The song catalogues that period and its aftermath, the breakdown of a relationship. It helped me to explore the roots of my feelings at the time and work towards accepting the outcome was for the best of everyone involved.”

This isn’t the first time Waxflower have tackled big issues. It wasn’t too long ago they were supporting the Black Lives Matter movement with the release of “Sixteen Floors.” I love the way this band sounds, but it’s the thoughtful nature of their music that has me coming back for more.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Thom Lion Bowls Me Over With “Scattered Words”

Adelaide singer-songwriter Thom Lion has knocked it out of the park with his latest single “Scattered Words.” I can’t even tell you how good this indie-pop track is. It’s got a joyous energy about, superb lyrics, it’s such an enjoyable listen. I’m hearing nods to The Preatures, The Cure, and Vance Joy in here. It just makes you want to move your feet and learn the lyrics so you can sing along. Just listen and you’ll soon figure out why I’ve had this song on repeat.

“’Scattered Words’ is a celebration of that love induced anxiety you get when you fall for someone at the local front bar – yet can’t construct a proper sentence when they speak to you,” Thom explained. “For whatever reason, when feelings are involved – I always seem to overcompensate with more scattered words.”

Thom recently launched the single at The Wheatsheaf Hotel and he promises he’s got more gigs in the pipeline. Give him a follow on Facebook to learn more about them as they’re announced.

Image used with permission from Sylvan Arts

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Will Clift Reminds Us Of The Joy of Being Alone With “Get By”

I’m not sure he had the global pandemic in mind when he penned this track, but Will Clift’s latest single “Get By” is the perfect iso anthem. If you’re getting by on your own these days, this laidback funk track is bound to resonate.

Rather than dwelling on the isolation, Will revels in the space that solitude brings. It’s the perfect song about reclaiming your power, whether you’re living in lockdown, you’re enjoying the single life, or both!

“All of my close friends know that I love Tom Misch and ‘Get By’ is definitely my Tom Misch inspired song. It’s really about being comfortable on your own and not relying on others for your happiness,” Will explained. “Julian Steel and Ben Oldland did an amazing job working on the production and if you listen carefully you can hear some cheeky BV’s from JAYDEAN. I’m incredibly happy with how it turned out!”

“Get By” is the latest track lifted from Will’s forthcoming EP Coast, which will drop real soon.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Zellda Releases Stunning Sophomore Single, “Like I Do”

Western Australian singer-songwriter Zellda has touched my heart with her gorgeous new single “Like I Do.” If you’ve ever wrestled with jumping into a new relationship, this song will definitely resonate with you.

“My few steps back into the dating pool were misguided, feeling that familiar flicker begin to spark only to be left a little burned by it. These feelings aren’t always easy to navigate,” she admitted. “Sometimes previous experiences – good and bad – can leave such a lasting influence on our self-confidence and ability to trust that it’s often easier to avoid feelings all together.”

She’s new on the music scene but Zellda has been writing songs for a decade. Last year she decided to release her first single “When I Was Younger,” and the rest is history. Given WA is smashing the pandemic, Zellda has played a couple of shows in the recent months. Give her a follow on Facebook for details of her next gigs as they’re announced.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dami Im Drops “Paper Dragon” Single Ahead of Queensland Shows

Dami Im’s career trajectory has really impressed me. She burst onto the scene in 2013 when she won the X Factor crown. She released the inevitable fluffy singles, but in recent years her songwriting talents have really shone. Her latest single “Paper Dragon” is the perfect example of the kind of empowering, honest music she’s creating right now. It’s her first single released via her new musical home, ABC Music.

“’Paper Dragon’ marks the beginning of the most exciting and authentic chapter in my career and it deserves the best partner to take it out into the world,” Dami said. “I’m feeling the most creative and free right now and I’m thrilled to be working with the team at ABC Music who truly support my vision as an artist.”

The Queensland artist will play some shows around her home state in the coming weeks, starting with a gig at The Triffid tomorrow night. Tickets are still available but limited, so get on it!

25 September 2020 – The Triffid, Brisbane
26 September 2020 – Ipswich Civic Centre, Ipswich
9 October 2020 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
18 October 2020 – Solbar, Maroochydore

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kinkora Releases New Single From Lockdown, “Set Me Free”

Releasing new music during a pandemic presents a challenge, but Melbourne soul-pop act Kinkora won’t let the virus slow her career down. She recently dropped a brand-new single “Set Me Free,” and it’s got just the kind of upbeat vibes we all need right now.

“Set Me Free is about being in a relationship with someone that you know isn’t good for you, but feeling trapped and unable to find a way out. It’s about that toxic, helpless kind of love that keeps pulling you back in,” Kinkora explained. “Whilst I wrote the song over a year ago, the release has coincided with the current shared experience we have of feeling confined – so I think everyone will be able to relate to the general sentiment of wanting to be set free in some way!”

It sounds so slick, but Kinkora actually recorded the song in her bedroom before letting master mixer Matthew Hadley work his magic. Recording the video took some lateral thinking, but it’s pretty brilliant. Check out the clip which sees Kinkora’s dancing flash mob unexpectedly crashing some Zoom calls.

“It was a massive project to coordinate. Each of the dancers learnt the dance via video and we had one run through on Zoom. On the day of the flash mob we used a group text to send cues such as “Go Group 1”, “Go Group 2” etc to notify the dancers to enter the zoom call at the right moment – the whole thing was done completely live. It was chaotic but absolutely hilarious.”

“Set Me Free” is the first of several songs Kinkora will release this year and into 2021, so watch this space!

Image used with permission from Kinkora; photo credit: Naomi Lee Beveridge

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

HANNAH and JAYDEAN Team Up for “I Wanna”

Melbourne acts HANNAH and JAYDEAN have joined forces for a funky new slice of neo-soul, “I Wanna.” The song sees the pair trading extravagant daydreams, much like so many Victorians are doing in lockdown I imagine!

“The track is merely about wanting to escape everyday life, and live up to your best self…realising that life is yours to design and you can really do anything you want with it if you let yourself,” HANNAH explained. “I’m so thankful to have had JAYDEAN join me on the track. We recorded with Julian Steel, who turned my vision for the track into something really special. It has this reggae vibe to it, much more upbeat to what I usually write, but the sound perfectly captures what I had in mind whilst writing.”

Before COVID hit, HANNAH was making her mark gigging around Melbourne at buzzy venues including the Gasometer and Workers Club. Hopefully it’s not too long before she’s back in action!

Image used with permission from GYRO PR