Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hunter deBlanc Announces Aussie Bushfire Benefit Show

Widespread bushfires have devastated Australia, wiping out homes and entire towns, killing wildlife and some of the brave people working so hard to fight them. The bright light has been the way Australians and the people who care about this country have banded together to raise funds for the organizations truly making a difference. At home we’ve seen musicians staging benefit shows, from pub gigs to stadium spectaculars. Abroad we’ve seen high-profile celebs like Pink and Bette Midler writing sizeable cheques. Louisiana-based musician Hunter deBlanc is the latest international artists to throw his support behind the bushfire efforts.

Hunter spent a couple of years entertaining crowds on Australian cruise ships. During that time he developed a deep love for Australia, its people, and local music. He’ll dust off those Aussie classics for Hunter Down Under: A Benefit for Australia, at The Pearl in Lafayette on January 17. All money raised on the night will benefit the RFS.

If you’re in Australia or living somewhere else in the world, don’t worry. You can catch the show live online and donate via Hunter’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hunterdeblancmusic. It all kicks off at 9:30 pm US CST. That’s 2:30 pm AEDT for the Aussies on Saturday afternoon, January 18. Check it out and give generously!

Photo credit: Nicole Bell Photography

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cloe Terare Goes Acoustic For “Easy” Release

All too often production takes centre stage when electronic acts release singles. So it’s refreshing to hear Brisbane’s Cloe Terare strip her music back for her new single “Easy.” This treatment puts her heartfelt lyrics and soulful voice up front. Releasing a treatment that’s so raw might have been a difficult choice for other artists, but Cloe said it felt completely natural.

“We [Cloe and fellow electronic act DVNA] wrote it on the side of a big lake in the most beautiful rain forest area so whenever I sing it I picture myself there. It’s been produced a few times a few different ways but we decided it really sounds its most genuine and organic as the acoustic it was originally written as; so that’s how we are releasing it,’ she explained.

In keeping with the single’s no-frills release, the music video is a live-take studio session featuring the guitar skills of the Sunshine Coast’s Dorah Jacson. It’s got a beautiful, organic authenticity about it that I really warm to. With plenty of other collaborations in the works, we should be hearing a lot more from Cloe Terare.

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Megan Washington, Matt Corby & More For Brisbane Bushfire Fundraiser

Fire Fight Australia and Down to Earth: A Fire and Climate Relief Concert may have sold out in a red hot minute, but there are still tickets available for a host of fantastic bushfire fundraisers. One of the best that I wanted to put on your radar is Raise ‘Em Up, a Brisbane show aiming to raise $100,000 for the fire relief efforts.

The bill is stacked with local talent including Megan Washington, Matt Corby, The Kite String Tangle, Asha Jefferies, Ngaiire, and The Riot. These artists will donate their time to the event, ensuring 100% of all ticket, bar, and merch takings can be divided between Red Cross and WIRES.

“Both WIRES and the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal are hugely worthy causes and we hope that throwing this Raise ‘Em Up show provides people another way to support their critical work,” explained The Tivoli’s co-owner and creative director, Dave Sleswick.

“In return, we promise a jam-packed evening of live music which will kick off from 5pm with food trucks, a car park party and a great community raffle also taking place.”

Raise ‘Em Up hits The Tivoli on January 25. Tickets are all general admission and ranging from $50 to $200, so you can donate as much or as little as your budget allows and still see the show. Get yours from Ticketmaster while you can!

Image used with permission from Aruga

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Queen, Alice Cooper, and k.d. lang Lead Fire Fight Australia Line-Up

{TEG} Dainty and {TEG} Live promised us a big bushfire benefit show and they haven’t disappointed. This morning they dropped their star-studded line-up for Fire Fight Australia headed up by international acts Queen and Adam Lambert, Alice Cooper, and k.d. lang.

Of course, plenty of Aussies have also rushed to help including hot young things Amy Shark, Baker Boy, Conrad Sewell, and Illy, and absolute legends including Daryl Braithwaite, Icehouse, Olivia Newtown-John, and John Farnham. There are plenty more artists announced and others that will be added to the bill before the big event at ANZ Stadium on February 16.

Ticket sales benefit rural and regional fire services, Red Cross disaster relief, and the RSPCA Bushfire Appeal. You can get yours from Ticketek from noon today.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eli Dan Releases Beautiful New Single, “Treading Water”

Melbourne pop duo Eli Dan give voice to the helplessness many Aussies feel with their new single “Treading Water.” While it wasn’t written about the bushfire crisis, the track perfectly echoes the sentiment in Australia right now.

While “Treading Water” comes from a place of heartache and struggle, there is also hope in these lyrics. After all, while you’re treading water your head is still above the surface. Keeping it up, digging deep into your resilience, keeps you alive. The song was inspired by the band’s struggles to make an impact in the competitive music industry. While it was recorded in singer Elisha Apurado’s home studio it has a big epic sound. And don’t her vocals give you chills?

Eli Dan will launch “Treading Water” at Kindred Studios in Yarraville on February 8.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ocean Alley Drop New Music Ahead of Laneway Shows

Ocean Alley have kept a fairly relentless touring schedule over the last 12 months, but they’ve still found time to write and demo some new music. New single “Tombstone” is one of the latest tracks to come out of those creative stints. Its easy blend of funk, soul, and classic rock showcases everything that made Ocean Alley one of the hottest bands in the country.

Ocean Alley spent much of 2019 abroad playing shows in New Zealand, Bali, Canada, the USA, Europe, and the UK, but they’ll be back on home soil next month for the Laneway Festival shows. They’ll also support Six60 in New Zealand. Catch them at all the following gigs.

1 February – Laneway Festival, Brisbane
2 February – Laneway Festival, Sydney
7 February – Laneway Festival, Adelaide
8 February – Laneway Festival, Melbourne
9 February – Laneway Festival, Fremantle
22 February – Western Springs, Auckland (supporting Six60)
7 March – Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (supporting Six60)

Photo credit: Charlie Hardy

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Zac Eichner’s Double A-Side Single Twice as Nice

Adelaide indie-electronic act Zac Eichner delivers a double-dose of goodness with his new double A-side single, “Naked & Autumn.” The songs complement one another beautifully, showcasing Zac’s gift for creating electronic music with heart. I love the way his electro beats intertwine with his rough, yet tender vocals, and traditional instruments. “Naked” is a poignant piano ballad while “Autumn” is an uplifting number that Zac describes as a “bittersweet, coming-of-age movie track.”

Both songs are so different, but they’re the ideal introduction to what Zac brings to the local music landscape. When he’s not working on music, Zac devotes his time to helping the next generation.

“I work for the Carly Ryan Foundation, a non-for-profit organisation. I get to head around Australia and talk to primary and high school kids about online safety and wellbeing,” he explained. “I’m currently developing a holistic healing/song writing program to take to schools for kids to be able to express themselves through song, whether that be to capitalise on those songs, just have a voice or strengthen their mental health. It’s something I’m incredibly passionate about and is clearly very close to me.”

Zac is playing launch parties around the nation to celebrate the release of “Naked & Autumn.” Catch him at the following remaining gigs.

8 January 2020 – The Gasometer, Melbourne
10 January 2020 – Rye Hotel, Mornington Peninsula
11 January 2020 – Jive, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sienna Wild Releases Rocking Love Triangle Track, “You Wouldn’t Know”

Melbourne act Sienna Wild are giving me serious Eskimo Joe vibes with their latest single “You Wouldn’t Know.” It’s got a little more edge than your average pop-rock number, and that anthemic chorus really kicks things up a notch. To make sure you can sing along, the band has released a fantastic lyric video to compliment the song’s release.

“The sentiment behind the single came from me setting myself a challenge of writing from the perspective of a third-party in a break up,” explained Louis Goutus, Sienna Wild’s lead singer and bassist. “Up to that point, our writing had been about power within a relationship, whether it be during good times or bad. This time, I wanted to write a song about an outsider who becomes involved in a break up, as opposed to the two protagonists telling the story. It is essentially about a girl telling her boyfriend’s best friend she’s going to leave her man, but the boyfriend is too oblivious to realise. Hence, he ‘wouldn’t know’, but the friend does!”

The lads played a free show in Sydney last week, but there’s more where that came from.

“Fans can expect a tight rock performance full of swirling guitars, crashing choruses and compelling dynamics. You’ll see a band who have conviction and believe what they say, and mean what they do. A good time for all!”
If that sounds right up your alley, make sure you don’t miss the following Sienna Wild gigs.

9 January 2020 – Crown & Anchor, Adelaide
18 January 2020 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane (FREE)
31 January 2020 – The Tote, Collingwood

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Unbroken Expanse Will Rock Your Socks Off With “Go”

For many Aussies, today is the day we’ve been dreading, the day we head back to the office after that well-earned festive break. Days like that deserve rocking soundtracks to help fire us up. If you’re looking for a song that fits the bill, look no further than “Go,” the life-affirming new track from Northern Territory outfit Unbroken Expanse.

‘During the writing of ‘Go,’ my partner, Jess, was days from giving birth to our son, Elvis,” explained the band’s singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Wheezy. “His impending arrival made me think more and more about how his generation will need to connect with each other more than any generation before it … the song is a message to him, and to all of us, to maintain a progressive, positive view of the world as often as we can. To move forward. To ‘Go.’”

This band from Tennant Creek holds nothing back, and the song is richer for it. Turn it up loud and enjoy this one. Just don’t be surprised when you find yourself hitting play for another go round after it’s done. This is Aussie rock done right.

Unbroken Expanse will launch “Go” at Melbourne’s Gasometer Hotel on January 22.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fall In Love With CLEAR

There’s a lot of anger, frustration, and fear in Australia at the moment. Homes, human lives, and wildlife are under threat from bushfires, our PM and his cronies seem next to useless, and it’s impacting our collective moods. One thing I have noticed recently in my local area are love hearts spray-painted throughout the towns. On buildings, street signs, footpaths, just a constant reminder of the love we probably all need right now. If you could use a little more love in your life, take a couple of minutes to listen to “Always,” the beautiful new song from Hervey Bay act CLEAR.

It’s a beautiful ballad which creates a little bubble of romance and happiness. CLEAR’s voice is sublime and listening to it interplay with those gentle synths is just out of this world. It’s got an easy feel to it, perhaps because CLEAR wrote it in record time.
“’Always’ was one of those songs that happen on their own,” she explained. “It took 10 minutes at most to have all the lyrics down and know how the composition was going to be… which ultimately wasn’t too surprising, when the subject matter is about a love that came suddenly and quickly and fell into place with ease. Essentially the story of how the song came about matches the song’s subject matter, which I don’t believe is much of a coincidence.”

This isn’t the first track from CLEAR that’s won my heart. I can’t wait to hear more from this exciting Aussie act.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department