Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sahara Beck and Asha Jefferies Headline Brisbane’s Bloom Festival

When I cast my mind back to my teenage years, my biggest frustration was missing gigs. I didn’t want to go to pubs and clubs to drink; I just wanted to experience the music. Under 18s gigs are still in relatively short supply, so I wanted to put Bloom Festival on your radars. The event is for kids and organised by kids from Fortitude Valley’s Music Industry College, with the support of industry professionals and the Brisbane City Council.

Sahara Beck and Asha Jefferies will headline this year’s multi-day, multi-venue event. These talented women and other local acts will play venues like The Triffid, MIC, Phase 4, Winn Lane, Bakery Lane, California Lane, and the 4ZZZ car park.

“I can’t wait to play Bloom in support of the school that helped me find the courage to do what I do today,” said Sahara Beck. “The fact that it will be all ages is so great; it’s important that young people get to attend shows that will inspire them. I know I am lucky to have seen all ages shows when I was a kid, if not maybe I wouldn’t even thought about becoming a musician.”

If you know young music fans in Queensland, make sure you tell them about Bloom Festival. It hits Fortitude Valley from July 26 to 28. It’s all free, ensuring kids all across Brisbane and surrounding areas can soak up as much of this great live music as they can.

Image used with permission from Starving Kids

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Lazy Susans Get Honest With “Mutual Memory”

The Lazy Susans wear their heart on their sleeve in their latest single “Mutual Memory.” It’s a cathartic track about the pain someone can cause you and the acknowledgement that while it stings now, that hurt is sure to fade.

“I wrote the bare bones of this song when I was living in the Blue Mountains last year,” lead singer Antonia Susan explained. “Lyrically it’s a bit different. When we first started jamming as a band we laughed because I’ve never sang that many words so quickly as I do in the chorus. There’s definitely a bit of anger behind the lyrics, but inside that anger there is love and survival too.”

Like previous single “R U OK?,” “Mutual Memory” comes from The Lazy Susans forthcoming album Now That The Party’s Over, which drops on August 2. Check out the following shows and festivals to see The Lazy Susans doing what they do best.

21 June 2019 – UC Refectory, Canberra (with Spiderbait & Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers)
4 July 2019 – CHANGES x New World Artists showcase @ Laundry Bar, Melbourne (with Jordan Dennis, Ruby Gill, Kilns, and These New South Whales)
3 August 2019 – Woolly Mammoth @ Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide (with Press Club, Bugs, Bec Stevens and more)
5 & 6 October 2019 – Yours & Owls Festival, Wollongong

Image used with permission from Little Giant Agency; photo credit: Naomi Lee Beveridge

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fall in Love With Seaforth

You might not have heard of Seaforth yet, but they’re likely to be our next big Aussie export. Born and bred on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, the duo are now based in Nashville, where they have a worldwide deal with Sony Nashville. Their new single “Love That” is the perfect example of their ear-pleasing pop sound, which has just a sprinkling of Southern country flavour.

“We’ve always loved music videos that are a little outside the box or kind of different from the concept of the song and adds another layer of life to it, so that’s what we were going for,” Tom Jordan said of the song’s film clip.

“This is really our first introduction, so getting those moments of personality in there was key for us,” added Mitch Thompson. “We want people to know we don’t take ourselves too seriously, we’re just fun dudes, and I think we portrayed that pretty well.”

“Love That” comes from Seaforth’s debut EP. Expect to hear a lot more from these guys in the future!

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

GOSH Release Rocking New Single Ahead of Pacific Avenue Support Slots

Wollongong four-piece GOSH are firing me up this morning with their explosive new single “Say Another Thing.” It’s all big rock chords, evocative lyrics, and heartfelt delivery, just what you need to shake off those winter blues.

The song speaks to a generation striving to uphold their ideals against the crippling weight of consumerism. The film clip drives the point home.

GOSH are preparing to support Pacific Avenue on a couple of upcoming shows, but I don’t expect to see them in a supporting role for too long. A headline tour is in the works, but until then make sure you get along early to the following gigs!

22 June 2019 – Lord Gladstone, Sydney (supporting Pacific Avenue)
26 June 2019 – The Gasometer Hotel, Melbourne (supporting Pacific Avenue)

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The McClymonts Announce Acoustic Tour

Beloved country trio The McClymonts are stripping things back for their upcoming One Acoustic Night tour. Expect to hear Brooke, Sam, and Mollie’s harmonies come to the fore when they perform acoustic arrangements of all their most popular songs.

The tour has been a long time coming for the sisters, and they can’t wait to get out there and share their stripped back songs with fans.

“It’s been five years since we’ve done an acoustic tour,” Sam commented. “We’re looking forward to taking the songs back to where they started, as ideas on acoustic guitars and bringing a different level of intimacy between the audience and us.”

Before these acoustic shows, you can see The McClymonts at several upcoming festivals. Where will you catch them?

27 July 2019 – QLD Music Festival, Brisbane Convention Centre, Brisbane
3 August 2019 – Tara Festival of Culture & Camel Races, Tara
24 August 2019 – Gympie Music Muster, Gympie
28 September 2019 – C2C Festival, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
29 September 2019 – C2C Festival, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
31 Oct 2019 – Saraton Theatre, Grafton
1 November 2019 – United Services Club, Laurieton
2 November 2019 – Ex Services Club, Armidale
15 November 2019 – Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave
16 November 2019 – Workmens Club, Wonthaggi
29 November 2019 – Dubbo RSL Memorial Club, Dubbo
30 November 2019 – Wenty Leagues Club, Wentworthville
6 December 2019 – Young Services Club, Young
7 December 2019 – Bargo Sports Club, Bargo

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Megan Hilty @ Opera House, Sydney – 17 June 2019

I looked back at my first review of a Megan Hilty concert before writing this one. It’s been roughly three years to the day since she first wowed me with her show. Little has changed in terms of what Megan does, but this time around she’s doing it on a much grander scale.

Like the first tour, Megan’s set drew heavily from Broadway standards and the music of her own hit shows, Wicked on Broadway and Smash on the small screen. Like that first tour, “Heart of the Matter,” her Don Henley cover, seemed a little out of place. Yet again though, I could forgive that because it’s such a beautiful song. She even finished on the same song for the same reason. She’s played “Rainbow Connection” for her daughter at the close of each show since she was in the womb. It’s such a lovely tradition that I didn’t mind the degree of predictability the second time around.

The scale of this production really made this show something special though. Staging anything at the Sydney Opera House brings a certain level of gravitas. The 40-piece orchestra made songs like “Let Me Be Your Star” from Smash and Gershwin’s “Someone to Watch Over Me” really soar. Her beautiful sparkly dress, which would have been right at home on any red carpet, was so fitting for a show like this.

Now after three years and with so many shows in between, my memory of that first Sydney gig is a little foggy. So I can’t remember if she was so animated, so charismatic, the first time around. If she was, Megan, I apologise. But this time I was so struck by her charm. Whether she was joking about her time at university dying to land those lead parts or gushing about her love for our country, she was so warm and genuine. A beautiful voice is one thing, and she has that in spades, but charm like hers can elevate any concert experience.

The final element of any concert is the audience. Sydney, you outdid yourself. Megan was greeted with such rapturous applause she begged us to not make her cry. Not yet, not at the beginning. We sat respectfully for the songs, hanging on their every note, then erupted with appreciation when every one was done. I felt true electricity and appreciation in the room, and I’m sure she did too.

Monday was one of those concerts where everything came together so beautifully. Megan said she was anticipating this show for such a long time, so I hoped it lived up to her expectations. It certainly did for me.

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out With the Dardi Shades New Single, “Yeah You’re Young”

Camden-indie rockers The Dardi Shades are here to brighten up your Monday with their stellar new single “Yeah You’re Young.” I’m taken back to bands like The Kooks and The Wombats when I hear this track, and it’s a very good thing.

’Yeah You’re Young (but not going to be forever)’ is generally a sentiment of encouragement for the listener to take chances in their immediate situation as nothing worth doing comes easy,” explained frontman Stewart Patterson. “I wanted to juxtapose the song sonically between specific influences such as The Kooks, Libertines and the Killers. I wanted raw, scratchy lead lines and tight rhythm sections that transform into a big-production, stadium rock styled chorus. Finishing with a rather personal and self-reflective “in-the-room” vibe for the song to finish on; and I really think we achieved what we set out to do with the help of Adrian Breakspear.”

The Dardi Shades will launch “Yeah You’re Young” with a show at UOW Bar in Wollongong on June 29 supporting Little May. Stay tuned for more tour dates really soon!

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tully John & Liza-Jane’s New Single “Embers” is Fire

I don’t know what’s happening in your life, but I’m pretty sure Tully John & Liza-Jane’s new single “Embers” is the cure for what ails you. This delicate pop-folk number is the latest track from the Gold Coast duo, and it’s really something special.

“Embers” wraps around you with its beautiful vocals and gentle instrumentation, soothing you and making you feel all warm and fuzzy. It’s the aural equivalent of chicken soup or big fuzzy slippers, therapy for the soul.

“The song begins with two souls divided before they begin to interweave and come together again. In the end it is a song of resolution and solace,” Liza-Jane explains, “The ember is the hope to which we cling when things are just a bit wobbly.”

With more music planned for 2019, this year should be a big one for Tully John & Liza-Jane. Hear a sneak peek of more new material when the duo launches “Embers” at the following shows.

3 July 2019 – House Concert, Gold Coast
4 July 2019 – Junk Bar, Brisbane
5 July 2019 – Dust Temple, Gold Coast
6 July 2019 – House Concert, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Winterbourne Provide Album Teaser Ahead of Long-Awaited Release & Tour

Central Coast duo Winterbourne has left us waiting far too long for an album. The EPs released since their formation five years ago just weren’t quite enough. However, our patience is soon to be rewarded with their release of their debut LP Echo of Youth on August 23. Get your fix of new Winterbourne music now with the release of the latest single “Too Many.”

“Too Many” is a little bit of a slow burner, but stick with it and see if you’re not punching your fist in the air by the time it’s through. The track builds beautifully to a triumphant climax. “Too Many” was one of the last songs Winterbourne wrote for their forthcoming album, proving that some things are worth waiting for.

“We didn’t realise until after the recording process but it’s the only song on the record that has a clear uplifting message, and it kind of serves as a response to a lot of questions throughout the album,” said one half of the duo, James Draper. “We recorded this one first when we arrived at the studio in Byron. It was night time by the time we got going and we all sat around in a small circle and just jammed on this song for a couple of hours until we felt we had it.”

Winterbourne will celebrate the release of their long-awaited album Echo of Youth with their biggest Aussie tour to date. Tickets are on sale now for the following dates.

25 October 2019 – Mojos, Fremantle (18+)
26 October 2019 – Jive, Adelaide (Licensed ALL AGES)
8 November 2019 – The Brightside, Brisbane (18+)
9 November 2019 – Howler, Melbourne (18+)
16 November 2019 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney (Licensed ALL AGES)

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out With Sinclaire’s New Single, “It’s Not Enough”

Sydney indie-rock act Sinclaire have me fired up this morning with their anthemic new single “It’s Not Enough.” If this doesn’t have you punching your fist in the air, I’m not sure what will! If you love acts like The Killers, The National, and our own Gang of Youths, this will be right up your alley.

“’It’s Not Enough’ is a self-reflection on my stubborn and argumentative personality and the toll it takes on my friends and family,” explained Sinclaire’s frontman Michael Cross. “It was a confronting song to write as I was already hyper-aware of how headstrong I was without bearing the truth in such a public way. Being open about my flaws was something I never really did but jumping in the deep end and revealing the truth about how I felt seemed like a necessary step forward for my own personal development. I hope listeners can appreciate the transparency and use it as a way to feel more comfortable with talking about their own issues as I believe it’s a very important part of self-development”.

“It’s Not Enough” comes from Sinclaire’s debut EP Now I’m Ready to Start, which drops on June 28.

Image used with permission from Good Intent