Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cap Carter Releases Beautiful New Single, “Home”

I’ve been sitting on Cap Carter’s new single “Home” for a little while now. I received an early private stream and fell in love with this powerful guitar ballad instantly, so I’ve sat quietly biding my time waiting for it’s official release. I am so glad it’s out in the world so you can hear it.

In this raw, intimate song, Cap gives voice to a close friend’s abusive relationship. It’s an unflinching look at the physical and emotional toll of partner violence which is every bit as potent as his other releases.

Every time I hear something else from this Western Sydney-based singer-songwriter, I fall a little more in love with his music. “Home” is the latest in a line of stellar releases from this exciting new talent.

Image used with permission from Cap Carter Management

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Australian Women in Music Awards Returns to Brisbane

Australian women are kicking some serious arse in the music industry right now. Amy Shark, Courtney Barnett, and Eurovision queen Kate Miller-Heidke are all making their mark on the international scene, and we’re got a host of fresh new talent coming up the ranks. So it’s only fitting that the Australian Women in Music Awards are returning for a second year in October.

Last year’s event saw performances from the likes of Kate Ceberano, Katie Noonan, Adalita, Do Re Mi, and Emily Wurramara, and you can bet organisers will have more special acts in store this year. There’ll also be brand new forums including Visibility in Hip Hop – Women on the Front Line, The Art of Rebellion – The Intersection of Music and Politics, and Image Making – The Changing Face of Music, which will help ignite the conversation about women and their place in the local music industry. There are new award categories too recognising Excellence in Classical Music, Music Journalist Award, and Excellence in Image Making.

“We have so many wonderful people committed to the work we are doing,” explained the awards’ founder and executive director, Vicki Gordon. “The AWMAs will keep getting bigger and more powerful; we are providing recognition for many women in the industry that have been ignored for far too long.”

The second annual Australian Women in Music Awards returns to the Brisbane Powerhouse on October 8. Without any television coverage, buying some tickets is the only way to see what goes down. They’re on sale now from Ticketek.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; photo credit: Cheryl Gray (Mulberry Seed)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Discover Bruno Major Before He Hits Our Shores

British R&B star Bruno Major is making his very first trip Down Under next month. I must admit, I wasn’t across Bruno’s work before this morning but I’m an instant fan.

This guy does R&B a little differently to many of the modern chart toppers. As his most recent single suggests, he’s a little old-fashioned, with a delicate touch and a chocolatey smooth voice. There’s no bravado or swag about him. Just classic charm. Take a listen to that single “Old Fashioned” and just see if you don’t want to listen to his breakthrough album A Song For Every Moon. Then see if you can resist buying some tickets.

Bruno is playing small local venues, which are the perfect setting for his intimate style of soul music. You don’t want to wait until he blows up and is forced into larger venues folks. Catch him this September at the following shows.

17 September 2019 – The Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney
19 September 2019 – Brisbane Festival Spiegeltent, Brisbane
21 September 2019 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Montaigne Releases “Ready” Ahead of New Album & Tour

It feels like far too long since the ever-fabulous Montaigne graced us with new music. So I was thrilled to wrap my ears around her latest track “Ready.”

“Ready” is a stirring call to arms, a heady pop anthem about taking part in social change, come what may.

“To me the song is about this political moment, where humanity is starting to realise how actually cooked this planet is, that it never had to be like this, and that we have the power now to overthrow those who’ve forced us into this corner,” Montaigne explained. “It’s music that I’m proud of representing, because I think that it reflects the feelings swirling around the current political shitfest my generation is facing, and it attempts to transform the anxiety amongst those feelings into angry power. It’s like a fuel source.”

The good news for Montaigne is that there’s more where this came from. “Ready” is the first track lifted from Montaigne’s brand-new album Complex, which hits stores on August 30. Along with the CD, a spiffy limited-edition red vinyl version will also be available. Get them both and you’ll score a free eco-friendly tote bag. Fans who pre-order Complex will also score an illustrated poster.

With the album dropping in late August, Montaigne will give us just the time to familiarise ourselves with the new material before she sets off on her national tour in November. Montaigne has teamed up with PLUS1 to make sure a dollar from every ticket supports Bush Heritage Australia’s efforts to conserve the nation’s biodiversity. Tickets go on sale tomorrow from Oztix for the following dates.

7 November 2019 – The Gov, Adelaide
8 November 2019 – Badlands, Perth
9 November 2019 – Mojo’s Fremantle
14 November 2019 – Solbar, Maroochydore
15 November 2019 – The Zoo, Brisbane
16 November 2019 – The Northern, Byron Bay
17 November 2019 – The Zoo, Brisbane
21 November 2019 – Tap House, Bendigo
22 November 2019 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
23 November 2019 – The Croxton, Melbourne
28 November 2019 – UC Hub, Canberra
29 November 2019 – The Metro, Sydney
30 November 2019 – UOW Unibar, Wollongong

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Celebrate Life With The Skelton Collective

Perth quartet The Skelton Collective are spreading good vibes with their latest single “All I Wanna Be.” It’s a jazzy, funky little number about embracing life, the opportunities it presents, and positivity.

This is the second single from The Skelton Collective’s new EP Choosing Happy. A largely self-recorded and produced venture, it’s been a labour of love for this talented local band.

The Skelton Collective will showcase songs from the EP and a few surprises at their upcoming shows. Catch them tomorrow night at Fremantle’s Sonar Room or on June 22 at Studio 9 in Kelmscott.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Guitar Show Announces Top Acts for 2019

You can always count on the Melbourne Guitar Show to deliver a stellar line-up of talent, and this year’s event is no different. We’ve got local legends Ash Grunwald, Sarah McLeod, Stars (featuring Mal Eastick, Nick Charles, and Roger McLachlan, Dave Leslie, and Lloyd Spiegel along with American guns Keith Merrow and Dennis Jones, plus stacks more. And that’s all just in the first announcement!

In addition to performances from all these acts, attendees can browse the massive guitar gear expo, attend information seminars and demonstrations, and so much more. There are always some surprises too. Last year Harts, Darren Middleton, Bec Sandridge, and Dan Sultan made unannounced appearances. Getting some tickets is the only way to see what happens this year!

“It’s exciting to see the show develop each year and add value to the live music industry,” confirmed one of the show’s organiser, Rob Walker. “We are proud to present such a broad range and quality of guitars, amps and gear from the big brands to local artisans. And each year we get to put together a program of live music featuring the considerable talents of our guitar community. It’s a great weekend for anyone into music, particularly guitars.”

The Melbourne Guitar Show will rock Caulfield Racecourse on August 3 and 4. Tickets are on sale now via the show’s website. As it’s run by the not-for-profit Australian Music Association, any proceeds will help provide services to the Australian music industry.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

CASA X Releases Hot New Single, “Lighting Fires”

Sydney rapper CASA X shows he can write rhymes with the best of them with the release of his sophomore single “Lighting Fires.” In a world where so many rappers put on a front, CASA X’s honest, introspective lyrics, which show real life is often far from the glitz and glamour they portray, really stand out.

“I want to give people an insight of what a struggling artist lives through,” he explained. “The highs and lows, the torment of success, and to consider what the price of fame is really worth.”

CASA X’s thought-provoking approach to his artistry extends to the music video, as he explains. “We used multiple symbolic transitions such as water to fire, industrial to nature, and disoriented to a clear state, in order to show the rebirth of an artist.”

CASA X will soon release his upcoming album 100Faces. Until then, why don’t you give this stellar single another listen?

Image used with permission from Stimulated Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jack Jones @ Lizotte’s, Newcastle – 9 June 2019

Jack Jones insists he isn’t a nostalgic person. But on the 30-year anniversary of the reformation of his breakthrough band Southern Sons, he admits he’s looking back on their body of work with fondness. That affection he has for his early work and so much great music of the past made Sunday’s show at Lizotte’s a celebration of what could only be called nostalgia.

Decades have passed since the Southern Sons hey-day, yet the rapturous reception to the opening strains of “Always and Ever” are a testament to the place those songs still have in the hearts of the packed-out Newcastle venue. Stripped back and acoustic, Jack’s incredible voice really came to the fore. He’s lost nothing over the years. It wasn’t just the big hits that earned applause though. Album tracks like “Something More” and “Wildest Love” were received just as rapturously. I marvelled at the way the human mind works. These songs aren’t on Spotify and my cassettes have long since given up the ghost, so at least 20 years must have passed since I heard these songs. Yet I still found myself singing along to every word without missing a beat. I guess the music you listen to in your formative years really doesn’t leave you.

Jack punctuated the songs with tales of his own formative years in music and caught us up on his what he’s been doing since the band parted ways. He joked that there’s never a quick story where he’s concerned, and I sensed some of the crowd getting restless as he reminisced, but I hung on his every word. I’ve always felt like if you simply want to hear the music, you could stay home with a CD. Lizotte’s has always given audiences a little more than that, and I relished the opportunity to learn more than those Smash Hits magazines of my youth ever taught me.

While Southern Sons’ music was the focus, Jack also took time to celebrate the classics. “Norwegian Wood” and “Blackbird” were a nod to his recent Beatles tribute shows. Covers of over iconic songs including “Stairway to Heaven,” “Dear Prudence,” and “Satisfied Mind” were less predictable and greatly received.

I was just 10 when Southern Sons released their debut album, so I was too young to join in when they played the pubs and clubs in the ‘90s. This show gave me a chance to experience the music I loved, and then some, as I couldn’t before. Thankfully, I’m not done. When Southern Sons announced their reformation for the upcoming One Electric Day shows, I snapped up tickets for Sydney in the presale. Seeing Jack at Lizotte’s on Sunday put on such an amazing show has made me only more excited for the band’s return.

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Latchy Brighten Up Back-to-Work Tuesday With “Just Call”

Going back to work after a long weekend is never easy, but Sydney’s Latchy is here to make your day a little brighter with his new synth-pop gem, “Just Call.”

I’m getting serious Passion Pit and LANY vibes from this feelgood track. Latchy originally conceived it as a break-up song, but somewhere along the line it morphed into a poignant love letter to Australia. After working for an airline for several years, Latchy knows all too well the emotions that can come with leaving this beautiful country of ours time and time again!

2019 is set to be a big year from Latchy, with several singles in the pipeline and, if we’re really lucky, a tour.

Image used with permission from GD FRNDS

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Pays Tribute to a Life Cut Short With “Choir”

Guy Sebastian seems to always have a smile on his face in his new role as mentor on The Voice, but he’s had a hard year. In 2018 he lost his good friend and bandmate Luke Liang. But never one to dwell in the darkness, he’s created one of the most positive tributes you’re ever going to hear, his new single “Choir.”

“Luke made my life better and made life more fun. When I first sat down I was grieving and started writing a ballad and it was slow and it was just not Luke Liang, so I ripped it up and started again,” Guy explained. “I wanted to write something that was more joyful and that made people want to think of his life and celebrate it rather than feel grief, because I know he wouldn’t want that.” Sebastian laughs fondly. “So that’s where ‘Choir’ was born, which is poignant but fun and uptempo.”

This song is such a fitting tribute to a man who brought laughter and light to those around him. I always appreciate Guy’s work, but I think this track is one of the best he’s released in a couple of years. He’ll play it, all the songs you know and love, and new music ahead of its release later this year on his upcoming Ridin’ With You tour. Tickets go on sale on June 14 for the following shows.

6 September 2019 – Festival Theatre, Adelaide
7 September 2019 – Regal Theatre, Perth
12 September 2019 – Wrest Point Casino, Hobart
14 September 2019 – The Arts Centre, Melbourne
21 September 2019 – The Star, Gold Coast
22 September 2019 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
3 October 2019 – The Star, Sydney