Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sia & Dolly Parton Release Song For Netflix Film

Country legend Dolly Parton has teamed up with our own Sia for “Here I Am,” the ultimate torch song and first track lifted from the upcoming Netflix film Dumplin’.

Released on November 30, Dumplin’ tells the story of a plus-size teen who signs up to her mum’s beauty pageant to protest the impossible beauty standards and starts a revolution in her small Texas town. The soundtrack also sounds incredible, with Dolly collaborating with other celebrated acts like Mavis Staples, Elle King, Alison Krauss, and Miranda Lambert.

The soundtrack will certainly be worth checking out, but until then, how do you think Sia sounds with Dolly?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Robbie Miller Back to His Best With “Baby”

Robbie Miller wowed me with his folky sound when he burst onto the scene in 2013. While I appreciated his exploration of electronic sounds in 2016, I’m glad to hear he’s returned to his roots for his latest single “Baby.”

“[‘Baby’] is a song about seeing someone in a room and falling for them,” Robbie explained. “And it’s a true story! It’s my story. It is exactly the kind of thing I was never okay singing about before, but now being that honest and open is something I have become much more comfortable with.”

“Baby” is our first taste of Robbie’s long-awaited debut album, due in early 2019. He recently played BIGSOUND. Hopefully it’s not too long before we see him back on stages around the country.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Trey Cooper Wows Me With “Howling”

Sunshine Coast muso Trey Cooper has thoroughly charmed me with his new single “Howling.” If you love a good acoustic-driven pop-rock track, you’re going to eat this up too.

It’s got a great radio-friendly sound, but tap into those lyrics and you’ll hear a little darkness. Trey has flipped the classic love song on its head here, turning it into something a bit moodier and more haunting. And can we just take a moment to appreciate his voice, which seems to have no barriers. His effortless command of his instrument is reminiscent of Jeff Buckley or Matt Corby. I love that rather than releasing a fancy video where he lip-synced, Trey has released a back-to-basics live studio video as the official film clip.

Trey regularly gigs around Southeast Queensland. Hopefully it won’t be too long before he ventures out for a national tour.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bligh Impresses With Bold New Single “Mrs Jones”

Sounding like the musical offspring of The Whitlams and Panic! At the Disco, Bligh have dropped their smashing new single “Mrs Jones.”

It’s such a cool mix of retro synthpop and retro rock sounds, with a hook you’ll have stuck in your head for days and deliciously dark lyrics. It’s bold, it’s brash, and probably the best thing to come out of a Midsummer Murders binge-watching session.

“Our goal was always to write one song, pop music operettas,” explained Elliott, the band’s frontman. “To try and give the character or narrator, generally me, a fully-fledged narrative that builds with the music; like a movie that only exists in my head.”

Bligh will play a secret release party for “Mrs Jones” at Miami on the Gold Coast on September 27.

Image used with permission from WHO Collective

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dragon Does Countdown Hits at Crown

Legendary adopted Aussie act Dragon are ringing in the silly season with a very special show at Melbourne’s Palms on Crown. Called The Best of Countdown Chartbusters, the gig will take the audience on a trip down memory lane with songs from the Countdown era. Songs like this!

Along with all your favourite Dragon hits, you can expect to hear covers of some smash singles from the United Kingdom, America, and Australia. Think the songs of Michael Jackson, The Knack, David Bowie, Little River Band, and Madness, to name just a few, done as only Dragon can.

“When we go to the merch desk and talk to the crowd and do photos, everyone is so connected to Countdown,” explained bassist Todd Hunter. “You can really see how the show affected their lives.”
There’s not a lot of lead time on this one, with tickets going on sale tomorrow morning at 9am from Ticketmaster for the December 21st gig.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Thum Releases Fascinating New TEDx Talk

Do you know who’s behind the most watched TEDx talk ever? A politician perhaps, or social activist? No, it’s Brisbane beatboxer Tom Thum, who clocked up more than 66 million views on his first TEDx talk. With his first talk going gangbusters, expect a lot of eyeballs on his latest TEDx talk “What Happens in Your Throat When You Beatbox.”

The talk sees Tom teaming up with Dr Matthew Broadhurst for an up-close and personal look on what the body does when it’s beatboxing. It’s the first time in the world a doctor has ever performed a live on stage laryngoscopy on a beatboxer, a practice that will reveal more about Tom Thum than you’ve ever seen before!

Tom’s own curiosity inspired the presentation. “Basically I wanted to get a deeper understanding (in the most invasively literal way) of how my artform worked,” he explained. “I realised that beatboxing had been relatively understudied compared to other vocal styles and I wanted to be part of the story in my own weird way.”

Turn it on and I promise you won’t be able to look away! Science meets music in this fascinating TEDx talk.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Pierce Brothers Announce Headlining Shows for Debut Album

The Pierce Brothers are giving their loyal fans plenty of opportunities to see them live this summer. Not content with supporting Rodriguez at his Day on the Green Shows, the Melbourne folk-pop duo have announced a string of headlining shows to support their upcoming debut album, Atlas Shoulders.

The Pierce Brothers created the songs that would form Atlas Shoulders while traveling Australia, South Africa, America, and Europe over the last year. It touches on the experiences they’ve had on the road and pressing social issues, including the impact of depression and anxiety.

Atlas Shoulders is set for release on October 26. Order early to receive a special limited edition 7-inch vinyl copy of the current single “Back End Roads” and the dreamy album track B-side “Juno.”

These guys are in demand, so you won’t want to miss The Pierce Brothers while they’re back home for the following shows.

9 November 2018 – The Forum, Melbourne
16 November 2018 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
17 November 2018 – The Zoo, Brisbane
9 February 2019 – Sirromet Wines, Mt Cotton (with Rodriguez, Xavier Rudd, Busby Marou, and Alice Skye)
16 February 2019 – Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley (with Rodriguez, Xavier Rudd, Busby Marou, and Alice Skye)
23 February 2019 – Peter Lehmann Wines, Barossa Valley (with Rodriguez, Xavier Rudd, Busby Marou, and Alice Skye)

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

KG Inspires “Change” With Brand New Single

Ever since I heard his politically-charged single “Mabo Martin Mandela” last year, I was eager to hear what Canberra-based, South African-born hip hop artist KG would do next. Hip hop isn’t my favourite genre, but I find it so powerful when it’s got something important to say. More social commentary, less bitches and hoes. KG hasn’t let me down with his latest cut “Change,” a track inspired by his father Seretse Ratlhagne, a freedom fighter who campaigned alongside Nelson Mandela and his recent experiences in Indigenous communities.

KG says “‘Change’ is about inspiring social change in our community for everyone. Also, by doing one thing to help someone disadvantaged is better than doing nothing at all. The song is designed for the everyday person struggling and how they can overcome life struggles by making a change in their lives.”

KG is the voice the hip hop community needs right now, a man who’s not afraid to speak out for the marginalised and inspire us to do better. This is another stellar track from this up-and-coming, but already so important, local artist.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Motor Ace Reunion Shows On the Way

The early 2000s were such a fertile time in Aussie music. As a young 20-something I had a limited income, so there were a bunch of great acts I didn’t see. It was also a pre-Spotify era. Kids, you don’t know how good you’ve got it, being able to listen to whatever album you want without investing money at your local Sanity or JB Hi-Fi. So at that time a few great Aussie acts invariably slipped through my net. Bands like Motor Ace. After hearing the band is touring the country again, I’m making up for lost time. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve listened to Five Star Laundry since I got that tour announcement. What a great album that is.

Motor Ace’s forthcoming Five Star Reunion national tour celebrates the band’s 20-year anniversary. It seems plenty of music fans are hungry for it, because shows are already close to selling out, despite the gigs being around six months away. Don’t delay in snapping yours up if you’re ready for another helping of this beloved Aussie rock band.

29 March 2019 – The Gov, Adelaide (18+)
30 March 2019 – Capitol, Perth (18+)
5 April 2019 – Factory Theatre, Sydney (18+)
6 April 2019 – The Triffid, Brisbane (18+)
12 April 2019 – 170 Russell, Melbourne (18+)

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vinten Releases Comeback Single “Arrows”

Melbourne singer-songwriter Vinten stepped back from music two years ago to pursue other interests, but the lure of his craft proved too strong. After time away from the spotlight, Vinten marks his return to the scene with an impressive new single “Arrows.”

It’s a stripped back stunner written and recorded in a St. Kilda sharehouse. Unafraid of exploring some tough emotional ground, the track tackles the way we perceive the world and the strength required to stay the course even when life seems shaky.

What a welcome return this is. Vinten, it’s good to have you back.

Image used with permission from Vinten Music