Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elisa Kate Shows Pop Matters With “Now or Never”

Frustrated with meaningless pop music, Elisa Kate proves the genre still has plenty to say with her new single “Now or Never.” It’s an optimistic ditty which lifts you up and charms you with smoky vocals and honest lyrics. Not bad for a performer once told she couldn’t sing!

The Newcastle singer-songwriter really proves her critics wrong here. Her voice is beautiful and the essence of the song is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. It’s the kind of track you want to slip on in the moments you need a little extra confidence to step outside your comfort zone.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Million Lives” – Julie Kember

Julie Kember’s album Million Lives resonates with truth. Her voice has a seasoned wisdom in it, a break that betrays some pain, a lightness that shows she’s still full of optimism about what’s to come. She’s more than a singer, she’s a storyteller who wears her heart on her sleeve with this stunning collection of songs.

Julie has taken home country music awards, but elements of rock and blues add flavour for listeners like myself who don’t always warm to the genre. It’s that voice though that really captivated me from the first notes of the opening track “Lived a Million Lives.” Upbeat numbers like “Ain’t No Love Affair,” “Can’t Go Back,” and “Long Way Round take us to an outback honky-tonk bar. But it’s the more reflective moments, tracks like “Order You Now,” “Mary Go Round,” and “Can I Wear Your Dress” that show Julie’s quiet power. She’s so compelling in these moments where the material is just a little rawer and more emotional.

A proud Western Australian, Julie will officially launch Million Lives with a show at The Aardvark in Fremantle on April 25. Million Lives is out now.

Image used with permission from Firestarter Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Young Monks Bring Back Summer With “Good Morning”

Summer might be behind us, but Young Monks don’t care. The Canberra funk act are spreading sunshine with their cheerful new track, “Good Morning.” It’s an ear-pleasing ditty about starting your day right. It’s Sunday on a long weekend too, so I know you’re already halfway there!

“’Good Morning’ came from an all-killer-no-filler jam session in the now abandoned Steed Space MachineTM – we peppered in all the right spices to make this sonic delight as delectable as a stack of pancakes on a Saturday Morning, and it’s going to excite and entice your groove moves,” Young Monks exclaim.

Too right! Young Monks will play Hotel Steyne in Manly on May 16.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sasha March Releases Beautiful New Track, “Ten Days”

With a rich, resonant voice and smart musical instincts, Sasha March has really impressed me with her new single “Ten Days.” I must admit, this song was a slow burner for me. But slowly but surely, it got underneath my skin. Right now, I can’t seem to shake its impact, and I don’t want to.

Sasha hails from Adelaide but she now calls Sydney home. She started as a folk singer, and she hasn’t totally shaken off that influence. But this song takes the genre into a new, more dramatic place. I hear a little Florence and the Machine and even Marina and the Diamonds in her music. It’s exciting stuff.

“‘Ten Days is probably the most upbeat and lyrically straight forward song I’ve written,” Sasha explained. “It’s optimistic but maintains a dark yearning which always creeps in because it’s strangely comforting. It’s not only about falling in love with someone, it’s also about falling in love with places and the feeling of something … letting it consume you even though it will end, it might hurt, or you might get completely lost and never be able to quite find that same place or feeling again.”

She played a few shows earlier this month, and according to her Facebook page there’s more on the way. Watch this space!

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The Kite Machine” – The Kite Machine

Proving that the best things take time, The Kite Machine has just released their long-awaited debut album. Their self-titled LP has been three years in the making, but it’s certainly worth the wait.

This is one of those albums that took me by surprise. I thought I knew what I was in for when I head the classic pop-rock sound of opening track “The Only One.” It was instantly accessible with chunky guitar riffs and singalong chorus. What fun! “Charlotte” brings a little more funk though, with a dirty bass line, jazzy sections, a wild guitar solo, and a sprinkling of falsetto vocals for good measure. While I enjoyed the easy listenability of “The Only One,” this was the track that made me sit up and take notice.

Once my ears were locked in, they didn’t lose focus. The Kite Machine kept surprising me, proving they’re far more than the radio-friendly band I took them for. Instrumental tracks are so rare on contemporary albums, but I’m glad The Kite Machine aren’t afraid of going their own way. “Larry The Bird” is a killer take which bridges “Charlotte” and the groovy “Top of the Hill” beautifully. “Walls” is a fantastic ballad, a summery chill-out tune that gives us all a moment to catch our breath before The Kite Machine amps up again with “Makeshifter,” “All in My Head,” and “Sinister Sound.” They’re such bold, energetic tracks, with great grooves that keep you on your toes. The Kite Machine reminded me again that they’re capable of taking it easy with “Paper Plains.” It’s even more subdued than “Walls,” the kind of track that sneaks up on you and gets underneath your skin without your realising it. It’s a thing of understated beauty, another moment to catch your breath before The Kite Machine bring it on home with “The Crook and the Skank.”

For fans of the band, The Kite Machine’s self-titled debut is the perfect reward for their patience. But for newcomers to their sound like me, it’s the ideal introduction. Just ten tracks has made me a fan. If you are too, you can catch the band playing a string of East Coast shows in the coming weeks.

26 April 2019 – Geddes Lane Ballroom, Melbourne
27 April 2019 – Mt Beauty Music Fest
16 May 2019 – The Marlborough Hotel, Newtown
17 May 2019 – Howlin Wolf, Wollongong
1 June 2019 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
7 June 2019 – Halls Gap Hotel, Halls Gap
14 June 2019 – Barwon Club Hotel, South Geelong

Image used with permission from The Right Profile

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Josh Alexander Explores Long-Distance Love in “Closing”

Sydney singer-songwriter Josh Alexander eases you into the long weekend with his dreamy new single “Closing.” As someone who spent a few years in a long-distance relationship, this track really hits home for me. Josh perfectly explores the beauty and pain that come with navigating distance, different time zones, and a longing for intimacy and connection when you live a world away from someone you love. He penned the track about his girlfriend who lives in The Netherlands, where he based himself last year.

“Seeing this song come to fruition was a long time coming. ‘Closing’ came really naturally to me when I began writing it and I knew I had to use it somehow. My girlfriend and I had been apart for a while, and it was becoming more apparent to formulate lyrics around the struggles of long-distance relationships,” he explained. “Peter and I thought we would just do a short acoustic version and smash it out in a day, but five days in the studio later, we had a full and final version that we couldn’t have been any happier with.”

It’s hard to find the silver lining in a long-distance relationship, but surely if there is one it’s the inspiration it gives for music as wonderful as this.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cap Carter Takes Me To Another Place With “Worlds”

Western Sydney’s own Cap Carter wowed me in January with his powerful song “Thrill.” His latest release “Worlds” shows he has many more stories to tell.

“Worlds” has hit me in the gut, just like “Thrill” did. It’s another emotional track, where Cap’s incredible voice interplays beautifully with delicate electronic instrumentation. His voice can seemingly do anything, moving effortlessly from a low rasp to soaring falsetto.

Cap Carter is writing music that matters because it moves you. I can’t wait to wrap my ears around his next release.

Image used with permission from The A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bon But Not Forgotten Announce Bon Scott Birthday Tour

If you’re like me you’ve got only the fuzziest idea of what you’ll be doing next week, let alone in a few months’ time, but if you’re an AC/DC fan, this is a tour worth putting on your calendar. Bon But Not Forgotten, Australia’s most star-studded AC/DC tribute act will hit the road mid-year to celebrate the one and only Bon Scott’s birthday.

Made up of members of The Angels, The Poor, and Baby Animals, these guys know a thing or two about rocking out. If anyone can do the legacy of Bon Scott and the boys justice, it’s this supergroup. The set will feature all the hits plus some rare gems for the true fans.

Catch Bon But Not Forgotten at the following venues.

28 June 2019 – Charles Hotel, Perth
29 June 2019 – This Life Music Festival, Carnarvon
6 July 2019 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
12 July 2019 – Bridge Hotel, Sydney
13 July 2019 – Panania Hotel, Panania
19 July 2019 – Chardon’s Corner, Brisbane
20 July 2019 – Parkwood Tavern, Gold Coast

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tomtom Wins GYRO Big Boost With “Better Know Better”

Tomtom is better known as a producer, but he’s stepping out from behind the boards for the release of his new single, the ultra-catchy rock banger “Better Know Better.”

The track has already attracted the attention of GYRO PR, who named it the winner of their recent GYRO Big Boost competition. That saw tomtom take home a massive prize pack worth $10,000. It helped tomtom take the song from rough demo to polished single and will also help him record and release his first EP. With the support of GYRO PR and killer tunes like this in her arsenal, the sky is the limit for tomtom.

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Plotz Lighten the Mood With “Baby Shakes”

Melbourne’s Plotz are back to charm you with a cool new single “Baby Shakes.” On the surface it seems like a romantic ditty, but listen to those melancholy lyrics and you’ll hear some sadness.

Frontman Yonatan Rotem wrote the song “in a fairly dark period with the idea of lightening up my mood and trying to see things in a more balanced way. At the time he was struggling with an ailing roommate and long-distance relationship. “There was no help on the way, but I chose to make the lyrics of the song ironic, hoping that in time I could reflect back on the period as transitional, rather than definitive.”

Plotz will celebrate the release of “Baby Shakes” with a launch party at the Grace Darling Hotel on April 13.

Image used with permission from GYRO PR