Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Morgan Joanel Releases Cool New Single, “Disappear”

Perth singer-songwriter Morgan Joanel has given me goosebumps with her sultry new single “Disappear.” This track is a masterclass in restraint, with smoky vocals and a cool groove. I can’t help thinking of cool ‘90s outfits like Portishead and Mazzy Star when I listen to it.

Morgan’s far from a household name, but she’s working in the business for the last decade. It’s a labour of love that’s taken her around the world and seen her signed to one of the world’s biggest record labels. Like so many musical journeys, it hasn’t been a fairytale ride though. Morgan recently moved back to her hometown of Perth and it seems the change is doing her good. While her time with a major label left her feeling creatively confined, she wrote “Disappear” in just 15 minutes. Hopefully that’s a sign her creative juices are flowing again.

Image used with permission from Firestarter Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ali Barter & Oscar Dawson Release Iso Track for Support Act

Yesterday my husband and I marked one month since locking down. We’ve taken this shit pretty seriously, ordering our groceries and never stepping any further than the kerb to put the bins out. We’re getting a little sick of staring at the same four walls to be honest, something Ali Barter and her boyfriend Oscar Dawson of Holy Holy can undoubtedly relate to. They’ve just released a love song for the isolation age, “Four Days.”

Of course, any song written in the confines of the pandemic will hardly be roses and rainbows. This track addresses the frustrations that come from time trapped together. It came about after the pair spent two weeks together following Ali’s return from the USA. Triple J’s Hing and Hobba challenged them to write a song about the ordeal over 24 hours, including listener lyric suggestions. It’s all for a good cause, with proceeds from the song’s streams and sales going to Support Act’s COVID-19 Emergency Appeal.

”The crisis is having a massive effect on the music industry and especially the folks involved in touring – session musos, roadies, sound engineers who literally can’t work now,”Ali explained. “Support Act is the best way to get much-needed funds and assistance to those people. Super happy to put something out there to make people smile and raise some money!”

So get streaming or purchase the single to help the fundraising efforts! You can also make additional donations through the Support Act website.

Image used with permission from Inertia Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Running With the Wolves” – Azure Ryder

I might be in the minority, but I don’t mind this period of isolation. I am missing certain things of course, and I have my worries. But I’m enjoying the slower pace. Work has quietened, and rather than thinking too far ahead about that I’m relishing the opportunity to take a little more time for passions. I’m spending a lot of time with music, enjoying the kind of deep listening that comes when you’re not trying to get a million things done at the same time. Rather than listening once or twice, then moving on to the next thing, I’ve spent all day listening to Running With the Wolves, the debut EP from New South Wales’ Azure Ryder. It’s made my day that much brighter.

That I could listen to this EP on repeat when it has just four songs is a testament to their quality. Each one is a standout, anchored by Azure’s warm, husky tone and honest songwriting. The opening track “Dizzy” is a powerful meditation on the importance of being open, to relationships and life in general. “Wolves” is a delicate acoustic guitar ballad, a poignant moment that is much gentler than you might expect of a song referencing wild animals. We emerge from the dreamy “Wolves” with “Stir the Dust,” a call to arms that harnesses pain as a force for change and growth. The EP ends with “Crimson,” a poetic exploration of a complicated relationship. Azure weaves references to nature through her songs. The sky, the rain, the earth, fire, these elements ground these songs and give them an even greater, tangible beauty.

“This is really the beginning of my story,” Azure explained “these songs are my leap of faith, taking control over the way I choose to wear my heart over my chest. I believe that feelings know no limits and music allows for that freedom. I hope that this EP will remind whoever listening that it is okay to feel everything, it’s okay to be human, it’s okay to feel alive! Own it, every little piece of yourself, that’s yours and no one else’s.”

I am so impressed with Running With the Wolves. It’s an accessible collection of songs that gets richer with every listen. I can’t wait to hear the rest of Azure Ryder’s story unfold. Running With the Wolves is out now.

Image used with permission from Universal Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Baker Boy’s “Move” Is Here to Brighten Iso-Life

Remember that time when Saturday nights were the nights we’d let our hair down and dance ‘til dawn? We might not be hitting the clubs any time soon, but that doesn’t mean you need to give up the dancing. If you’re looking for the right tune for tonight’s dance party at home, wrap your ears around Baker Boy’s new track “Move.”

Its fresh, funky, feel-good groove is just the thing your heart and feet need to survive another weekend in iso.

“I wanted to write a song for my miyalk (girl) but also show appreciation to the women who taught me to respect everyone as my equals,” Baker Boy explained. “I grew up with beautiful spirited women and now I share my life with a strong, empowered woman so I wrote a song for her, and for all the strong-minded women out there.”

“To all my fans, friends and family affected by the uncertainty of COVID-19, I hope this track can help build your spirits, put a smile on your face and most importantly have a little dance. Be safe and keep positive!”

Who’s busting out some moves to this one?

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Liberosis” – Yorke

There’s something about Yorke’s debut EP, Liberosis, that keeps drawing me back in. I listened to an advanced stream weeks before it dropped near the end of March. I enjoyed it immensely, marvelling at her intimate vocals and introspective lyrics. I thought she was musically so interesting, with a natural flair for layering beats with accessible indie-pop melodies. Yet, strangely enough, I didn’t put my fingers to the keyboard and write a review.

The very best music isn’t there for us in mere moments. We return to it time and time again. Listening to the songs from Liberosis this morning felt like catching up with an old friend. My husband stopped to listen and asked me whether it was the new Taylor Swift album. There’s a similar sweetness about Yorke’s vocals, a comparable knack for killer pop melodies. Just like Taylor, Yorke isn’t afraid to write confessional lyrics either. Songs like the single “Nights We Waste” expose the mistakes, the drinking, the questionable relationship choices. It’s messy, but growing up always is. And when you have the right soundtrack, it’s a little easier to bear. As those of us who’ve lived through it understand, with the right tunes you can figure out who you are, and what you want.

With Liberosis, Yorke shows great potential. It’s pitch-perfect pop, the kind of music that’s easy to underestimate, especially if you’re an old, jaded listener. However, spend some time with it and you might just find it restores your faith in the genre.

Yorke has pushed back her Liberosis launch shows to October. Tickets are available now from her website. You know everyone will be desperate for live shows by then, so get in early to avoid missing out!

15 October 2020 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
16 October 2020 – Waywards, Sydney
17 October 2020 – Grace Darling, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out to Loose End’s New Single, “Discontent”

Melbourne’s Loose End speaks for Aussies everywhere with a brand new single “Discontent.” The track explores the idea of burnout and how it impacts your enjoyment of success. However, its aggressive sound, which sits somewhere between pop punk and metalcore, will help you exorcise any demons you’re feeling at this stressful time.

“The track is about a recent point in my life when I realised I had achieved a lot of personal goals, and even ticked a couple of dreams off my list. People began to really enjoy our music, we were selling out shows and writing even better songs. Outside of music I had also booked a couple of lead theatre roles and had worked on some fantastic short films,” explained Loose End’s front man, Ben Smalley.

“Unfortunately, I was working way too hard and was depriving myself of the time to reflect on or enjoy the process because of it. I couldn’t find the sense of fulfilment in my achievements – or not in the way that I thought I would or thought that I needed.”

You might not realise it on the first listen, but “Discontent” is also a love song.

“During this time, I had met a girl and quickly fallen head over heels for her,” Ben explained. “She really put everything into perspective for me, teaching me how to stop and enjoy the present moment.”

“Discontent” is one of those songs that refuses to be put in a box. It’d probably blow the lid off anyway! Crank this one up.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Greta Stanley Drops Super New Single, “Soak Into This”

Greta Stanley has been a little quiet this year, but isolation seems the perfect time for her to break her musical silence and share some more sweet indie-pop tunes. Her latest is “Soak Into This,” a real ear-pleaser with breathy vocals, lush synths, and an infectiously catchy melody.

“It’s about having fun and the exciting feeling you get when you enter a new relationship, whether it’s romantic or a friendship,” Greta explained. “I wrote it thinking about all the fun I’d been having in my new relationship, the nights out with friends, festivals … but then the slow and more intense moments [are] where you really feel something growing.”

Greta co-wrote and produced this track with Germany’s Tobias Kohn, who’s worked with talents like Milky Chance, Alec Benjamin, and Dean Lewis. Matthew Neighbour (Courtney Barnett, Matt Corby) mixed while Matt Agoglia (Cage the Elephant, Spoon) took care of the mastering. Talk about a dream team! Their expertise shows too, with “Soak Into This” being one of Greta’s best tracks yet.

If you like what you hear, tune in to The Kitchen Sessions featuring Greta Stanley on Saturday, April 18 from 7 p.m. You’ll find all the details in the Facebook event page.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

FANGZ Delivers Rocking New Single and Virtual Launch Party

My appetite for music swings wildly at the moment. I’m either listening to gentle folky tunes to stay calm or unleashing the beast with epic rock tunes. Today is a day where the music needs to be turned up to 11. It’s just the kind of day to crank our “Drifter,” the latest track from Sydney punk-rock act FANGZ.

If you don’t have the volume dial turned all the way up for this one, you’re missing the point. It’s aggressively cathartic, with a bold drums, chunky guitars, and take-no-prisoners vocals.

Like so many bands, FANGZ had to cancel a string of East Coast shows. These guys won’t let that stop them entertaining you though. They’ll live stream the set they intended to play at the “Drifter” single launch via the FANGZ YouTube channel at 1 p.m. this Friday, April 17. If you can’t tune in, the video will be available for 24 hours on YouTube.

Image used with permission from Good Intent; credit: Kim Quint

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Help the Music Industry Through COVID-19

If you thought your weekends were looking pretty bleak, spare a thought for our local musos. They are among the Australians hardest hit by the economic ramifications of COVID-19. They don’t just miss the social interaction and buzz of live shows. All those cancelled shows take money directly out of their pockets. Most don’t qualify for the government’s JobSeeker payments, due to the casual nature of their work, so they’re relying on the kindness of supporters like you to help get them through.

I understand many Australians are doing it tough. As a fellow creative freelancer, my income has certainly taken a hit right now. Some of us have to prioritise putting food on our own tables. However, if you can spare any money right now, there are a few things you can do to help support the industry you love. There are even many things that won’t cost you a cent.

  • Donate to Support Act. Support Act has worked for years to support the financial and mental wellbeing of our music industry. Right now, they’re making sure artists, crews, and other music personnel get the money they to weather this global crisis. If you can’t spare money from your own bank account, think about giving even a portion of the money from any refunded tickets their way.
  • Hold onto your tickets for postponed shows. Most promoters have done their level best to reschedule shows rather than cancelling them outright. In most cases, you can take the refund if you prefer. It might be tempting, especially if the show is a general admission gig you feel like you can easily buy tickets for later. However, if everyone pulls their money out, these events may not happen. Events companies will feel the strain, especially as they’ll need to find money to market the events all over again. Your patience now will help ensure we can all enjoy live music once the scene gets back up and running again.
  • Get some merch. The Sound of Silence website has links to the online stores of your favourite Aussie acts. Buy T-shirts. Buy vinyl. Buy a sticker or stubby holder if you’re short on dough. It all helps. Remember the little guys too who don’t have the profile to make Sound of Silence’s list.
  • Buy a Sound of Silence SOS T-shirt. Sound of Silence has its own merch benefitting Support Act. These tees will help you look your best during isolation!
  • Keep consuming music. Whether you’re buying hard copies or streaming digitally, the music you consume puts money in your favourite artists’ pockets. Keep tuning in!
  • Tune in to virtual concerts. Virtual concerts have been the silver lining for me through these last few weeks. So many musicians are bringing their tunes to you online. Enjoy them and remember to leave a tip in the PayPal or Venmo accounts of your favourites when you can. Just consider it a cover charge!
  • Share with your friends. This is the perfect time for turning people on to your favourite acts. Share their tunes and their streams with your mates to boost the signal.
  • Send messages of support. Your favourite musicians and venues would love to hear from you. Leave a message of support on their socials to let them know you’re there for them right now.

Got any other tips? How are you staying sane and entertained in isolation? Make sure you leave your comments!

Image used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Up in The Airlock Streaming Shows Help You Survive Quarantine

COVID-19 has killed our social lives and decimated the local music scene. However, while we can’t rub shoulders with other music fans in our favourite venues, the global pandemic hasn’t killed off music. It’s just forced our creative minds to get even more creative. I’ve relished the opportunity to see some of my favourite artists playing shows in their loungerooms and kitchens on the regular. Up in the Airlock is the latest local music initiative designed to bring sweet tunes into our homes and support the artists who need our help.

Up in the Airlock is a live performance series recorded and filmed at Ian Haug’s Airlock Studios in Brisbane. Each session lasts 15-45 minutes, allowing bands to showcase their original songs and really connect with audiences at home. You’ll find them all on Up in the Airlock’s YouTube channel, including the recently released first set, featuring Elko Fields.

Originally we weren’t set to see Up in the Airlock for a while, but the creators decided to push the launch forward to allow more local artists and crew who can’t currently work to put on shows for audiences at home. A donate button on the Up In the Airlock website lets you donate directly to the bands and crew.

Make sure you bookmark the website and subscribe to the YouTube channel because organisers promise a wide variety of live performances from acts of all genres. Think NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts for Australia. There’s not a lot to love in the time of COVID, but this is one of the silver linings.

Image used with permission from GYRO PR