Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tori Forsyth Covers Lil Peep’s “Falling Down”

I’m sure we can all agree, 2020 has been a crazy year. I’ve gotten to the point where nothing really surprises me anymore. So when I heard Hunter Valley country-rock act Tori Forsyth had covered Lil Peep and XXXTENTACION’s track “Falling Down,” I didn’t ask myself why. I asked myself why not?

Tori was inspired to cover the track after watching the documentary, “Everybody’s Everything.”

“After watching the documentary about the life of Lil Peep his story left me incredibly moved but also incredibly sad. Some of the greatest minds can burden the bodies they inhabit,” she admitted. “We’ve seen the story, it’s much too common and my heart goes out to his family and loved ones. Some of my most favourite artists have taken the same path. Have written the story of the all too overwhelming mind to try to ease that pain through substance. Mental illness is such a confronting and all too real reality for so many artists. A topic that hurts and cuts deep. I’m a huge advocate for talking and normalising this conversation, hopefully so much so that by the time I have a daughter or a son, mental health is just another thing we get checked on regularly like a casual dentist looks over.”

Strangely this cover feels really natural, but she certainly had her reservations about taking this song on.

“Recording a Lil Peep song is something completely out of my comfort zone but as Covid19 would have it, this is a theme of the year. Myself Zach (Miller, her bandmate and producer) and Reece (Baines, drummer) all contributed from corners of the country and globe to bring this to life. My first engineering experience was done in my bedroom closet and a lot of makeshift swaps. Lil Peep’s ethos was to always be creating and making and collaborating. We live in a world of high demands and forget that making music is fun, because it moves, because it evokes something. This is the only way I create music. Full Stop. This whole story moved me and in turn pushed us to create something that moved us as a team. I hope you like it and remember that there’s always help and someone to talk to no matter where you are mentally.”

I’ve always believed that there’s no point delivering a cover that’s a carbon copy of the original. You need to bring something new to the game, or what’s the point? I wasn’t familiar with the Lil Peep track, but going back to it after hearing Tori’s grungy take made me appreciate her work even more. This is a total, spectacular reinvention.

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cry Baby Turns Tears Into Strength

Sunshine Coast alt-pop artist Cry Baby has reclaimed the time-honoured insult. She performs under the moniker, which is also the name of her new single. By embracing the nickname, Cry Baby sends the message that it’s more than OK to cry and be in touch with your emotions. I think that’s something we could all stand to hear right now!

“This first song introduces who I am. Once upon a time, being called a ‘cry baby’ used to break me. It made me feel weak, but now I’ve turned it into my superpower,” she said. “I don’t want anyone else to be held back because they’re sensitive or emotional. We shouldn’t see feelings as flaws, but as badges of honour. No one should ever have to apologise for being connected with their emotions and for essentially being human.”

As someone who was often accused of being too sensitive and emotional, I love the sentiment behind this track. But I also really dig its sound. It’s so catchy I’m sure I’ll be humming it around the house. Cry Baby’s voice is so compelling and that melody is first-rate. I can’t wait to hear more from this exciting new artist!

Image used with permission from Kitty Kitty Bang Bang

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Let Nick Marcus’ “Falling” Capture Your Heart

Sydney singer-songwriter Nick Marcus has me swooning with his latest single “Falling.” It’s a gorgeous track anchored by the guitar, but with some cool electronic beats for freshness. Its lyrics about falling too fast, and too deep are bound to strike a chord with all you hopeless romantics out there.

“I wanted to express the feeling of someone who has fallen in love and the other person doesn’t feel the same way,” he explained. “I hope I expressed this with the acoustic nature of the piece and mellow percussion. I wanted to challenge myself vocally and I feel that this song brings out the emotions of heartbreak and longing for someone.”

“Falling” comes from Nick’s self-titled EP, which will be released on October 18.

Image used with permission from GenMusic

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Stevie & The Sleepers” – Stevie & The Sleepers

Stevie & The Sleepers’ debut album has been a long time coming. The band released their debut EP Shake It Up back in 2013. Their recent 12-month hiatus might have made some fans doubt this album would ever see the light of day. But it’s here now, and it’s glorious.

The opening guitar notes of “In the Delta,” transport us back in time. This classic blues number sets the scene, ensuring we know this is music steeped in tradition. The addition of wailing electric guitars adds some modern flavour, but like the most timeless music these songs shine without heavy production. They’re anchored by this tight band of musicians and Stevie Joy’s compelling voice.

If you enjoyed the band’s recent single “Favourite Song,” you’ll love this album. The high-energy party numbers combining soul and blues influences come thick and fast. Along with the single, “Jimmy” and “Shouldn’t Of” are standouts. There is so much energy and attitude in Stevie & The Sleepers music, but the band gives us a chance to catch our breath every now and again. The gospel-infused “Young Again” and tender “Save You” reveal a softer side. These soulful ballads really make an impression among the more upbeat numbers.

Few debut albums are as polished or self-assured as Stevie & The Sleepers self-titled work. This is a band that knows exactly who they are and delivers their own brand of music with so much confidence. Was it worth the wait? Hell yes.

Image used with permission from Stevie & The Sleepers

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sarah McLeod Releases Beautiful Dog Tribute “Chachi’s Theme” For RSPCA

I’m not sure anything hurts quite like losing a pet. My 18-year-old family dog Charlie died a couple of years ago and I’m not even close to over it. So my heart goes out to Sarah McLeod, who recently lost her beloved pooch Chachi. He was a proper part of Sarah’s touring crew, and he will be so missed. I have no idea where she found the strength, but she’s managed to put her grief into a beautiful new song, “Chachi’s Theme.” All money raised by the single will benefit the RSPCA.

“Chachi has been my everything for 15 years, she came with me on almost every Australian tour and everyone loved her. She recently passed away and I’ve been trying to work out how to live without her. I found myself going a bit nuts, asking all the birds if they had a message from Chachi, then I thought instead of sitting waiting for a message from her, I’ll send her one from me,” Sarah explained.

“I read this poem about the rainbow bridge by Paul C Dahm that comforted me so much. They say that’s where animals who were especially close to their owners go after passing, it’s a beautiful utopia of love and sunshine and all the sick are healed. Here they wait for their special friends, and when it’s our time to pass, we meet them and cross the bridge to eternity together. I’ve taken great comfort in this poem and I wanted to make sure Chachi knew what to do. I figure if I’m singing this song night after night she will undoubtedly hear me and get the message. It was so hard to write because I did it the week she passed, it was all so raw and I cried all the way through it, but I had to push through because I knew I needed it to heal. Now, besides a piano covered in tears, I have this song, I have something solid I can connect with her through, forever, she will be with me always but especially when I sing this song. I wrote it to heal my heart and to let her know that everything is OK. Then I thought, it may heal other hearts in similar situations so I thought I should release it and donate the proceeds to the RSPCA.”

I’m warning you now, if you’re still grieving a pet, this one is likely to get to you. I couldn’t listen to it without ugly crying. Honestly, I’m still wiping tears away as I type this. Don’t say you didn’t have notice. But this piano ballad is a beautiful, cathartic piece, a fitting tribute to Chachi. How amazing to create something that can make other people feel so deeply.

Sarah was all set to play electric solo shows before COVID hit. She’s just announced details of her post-pandemic tour, but it’ll be a little bit different. The first set will be electric, but the second will be a more intimate piano-based one. Sarah learned how to play the instrument in lockdown and she’s keen to show off her new skills. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

25 February 2021 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
26 February 2021 – Workers Club, Geelong
5 March 2021 – Ballina RSL, Ballina
6 March 2021 – The Lounge, Nundah
7 March 2021 – Wallaby Hotel, Mudgeeraba (FREE)
11 March 2021 – The Vanguard, Newtown
12 March 2021 – Royal Hotel, Queanbeyan
13 March 2021 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla (Early and late shows)
19 March 2021 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide

Image used with permission from On The Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Caitlyn Shadbolt Drops New Single “Edge of the Earth” Ahead of Album Release

Caitlyn Shadbolt was one of the standout contestants in the sixth series of The X Factor. If you haven’t been watching her career since then, it’s time to come back up to speed. She’s just dropped a new single “Edge of the Earth,” which gives you a taste of the kind of crowd-pleasing country-pop you’ll hear on her forthcoming sophomore album. Caitlyn co-wrote the song with Sarah Buckley of The Buckleys.

“Sarah and I wrote this song after learning that we both love to push the boundaries in life and in music. I feel like this song sums me up well: free-spirited, adventurous and … stubborn!” Caitlyn explained. I recorded it with Stuart Stuart during lockdown and engineered all my vocals and acoustic guitars in my home studio, then sent them to Stuart in Brisbane and we collaborated over the phone.”

“Edge of the Earth” comes from Caitlyn’s album Stages, which will be released on November 6.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

L-Fresh the Lion Puts Fresh Spin on Nardean’s “aux cord”

There’s a real art to remixing. A remix shouldn’t just sound different; it should enhance the original recording and bring something new to the table. It’s rare that I think a remix outshines the original, but this new version of Nardean’s “aux cord” is incredible.

Nardean’s been smart here, working with fellow Western Sydney artist L-Fresh the Lion. Their common backgrounds gives them a shares perspective that really enhances this song. His verse is stellar, and the paired back instrumentation really makes sure all the rhymes take centre stage.

“Having L on this song is such an honour. He’s an exceptional MC, and he added so much depth and detail to the story I tell in my first verse,” Nardean said. “We don’t hear these stories and perspectives in the mainstream narrative. That’s why this song is so important to me. Because our stories are so often ignored or simplified and parodied. To be able to tell them with our own voice is so necessary. It helps the migrant community to make sense of our collective experience.”

Enjoy this, then go back and give the original version of “aux cord” a listen. It’s so exciting listening to the evolution of this really special song.

Image used with permission from Ditto Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Chutney” – Chutney

The influence of early 2000s British indie-rock acts like the Arctic Monkeys, the Kooks, and the Wombats can be heard clearly throughout Chutney’s self-titled EP. The roughened vocals and guitar-driven melodies are dripping in nostalgia. But when it sounds this good, it’s hard to get too critical.

With just five songs, Chutney keep things short and snappy. Opening track “Consolation Prize” is a mid-tempo charmer that eases us into the recording. It gives us a great taste of what Chutney are all about before they pick up the pace with “Genie’s Lamp.” It might sing about a relationship that’s “far away from love,” but I found the relaxed earnest pleas of “Sleep With Me” irresistible. “Outcast” is a bold floor-filler that makes me crave live gigs even more. I can just imagine how this would go off in some sweaty pub. Chutney hails from the Gold Coast, but the EP ends with an ode to South Australia’s capital. “Adelaide” is a fairly gentle outro, the sort of track that might play as the party winds down.

Chutney might not be able to leave the Sunshine State, but they’re organising some local gigs until those borders open up. Home state fans can catch them with Selfish Sons at Vinnie’s Dive on September 26.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cast Your Vote For the South Australian Music Awards

We might be in the midst of a global pandemic, but that won’t slow down the South Australian Music Awards. The annual celebration of SA’s finest musical talent will take place on November 3, in a yet-to-be-determined format. You can be a part of the action by casting your vote for the People’s Choice Awards.

These public-voted awards recognise the state’s best artists in a variety of genres. Will the awards go to big names like Horror My Friend, Cassidy Rae, or Neon Tetra, or one of this year’s promising up-and-comers. Cast your vote via The Music!

And keep an eye on the South Australian Music Awards page for more details of this year’s event as they come to hand.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chris Rose Releases Strong Single “Keep Me Believing”

The global pandemic and R U OK? Day have put mental health matters firmly in the spotlight. Slowly but surely it feels the stigma is breaking down. Songs like “Keep Me Believing,” by Port Macquarie musician Chris Rose, are helping us feel more comfortable having those hard conversations.

This track talks about grappling with anxiety and negative thoughts, yet pushing through them in pursuit of a better life. You might have heard it on a recent Home & Away commercial, but I prefer listening to it in this context, away from those distractingly perfect people.

Chris hasn’t let the global pandemic slow his creativity. His Facebook page reveals he’s been songwriting over Zoom, so hopefully it won’t be too much longer until we hear more new music from him.

Image used with permission from Play MPE