Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bad Juju Ready to Rock for EP Shows

With their debut EP Hidden Desire recently released and a headlining tour kicking off in a couple of weeks, there’s no better time to get to know Melbourne punk rockers Bad Juju.

You might have caught the fantastic single “Moving On” on Triple J. But there’s more where that came from though; another five heavy-hitting tracks make up this stellar EP.

“Hidden Desire explores how people deal with loss, anxiety, and depression, but moves into pushing these issues aside and trying to change our lives for the better, thinking positively going forward,” Bad Juju explained. “The record is themed around the idea that you can never truly know what is happening inside another person’s head. They can seem fine on the outside and hide their true self.”

Fresh from their EP launch party with Trophy Eyes, Bad Juju will play Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney in the coming weeks.

17 August 2018 – Foxxy Dolphin, Melbourne
18 August 2018 – West Thebby, Adelaide
30 August 2018 – Marly Bar, Sydney

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chill Out With Black Bird Hum’s Newie “Say You Want”

Is there anything more appropriate for a lazy Saturday than some sweet reggae tunes? If you’re chilling out too, wrap you ears around “Say You Want,” the cooler-than-cool new single from Sydney’s own Black Bird Hum.

“The lyrics start off from a pretty standard boy meets girl angle, but the story had a bit of a mind of its own and by the time the bridge comes around, it’s pretty clear our hero just isn’t getting the message that the girl’s not vibing on him. You want him to move on but he doesn’t,” explained singer Jon Panic. “ And then we’ve run out verses to write his redemption in, so we have to leave him hanging with that tension. Maybe there needs to a Part 2 to this track where he comes good.”

Fresh from shows around the snowfields, Black Bird Hum are preparing to play in warmer cities in New South Wales and Queensland. Chase away the winter chills with Black Bird Hum at the following shows.

10 August 2018 – Venue 505, Sydney
26 August 2018 – Liverpool Street Festival, Liverpool
26 August 2018 – Steyne Hotel, Manly
14 September 2018 – Nimbin Roots Festival, Nimbin
14 September 2018 – SOL Bar, Maroochydoore
15 September 2018 – Royal Mail Hotel, Goodna
16 September 2018 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bobby Alu on Tour for Summery Single “Move”

Aussie chillster Bobby Alu is giving me serious weekend vibes with his new single “Move.” The cruisy drum rhythms, tropical ukulele, and Bobby’s soulful voice give the song such a relaxed, summery feel.

It’s beautifully paired with a colourful clip created by Johnny Moubarak of Moubment. Bobby said “This was a fun clip to make! I feel like there are many parts that make up my personality, so I tried to go there in this clip. Putting on whatever hat is necessary is a big part of how I make music; I can be a drummer, bass player, guitarist, uke guy, singer or roadie – whatever the team needs. Sometimes I pick the wrong guy … but they all have their place.”

Bobby has spent the better part of the year behind Xavier Rudd’s drum kit, but he’s stepping back into the spotlight and chasing that endless summer on his current European tour. Here are all the remaining dates.

3 August 2018 – Degginger, Regensburg (supporting The Beautiful Girls)
4 August 2018 – Sound of the Forest Festival, Beerfelden
8 August 2018 – O2 Islington Academy, London (supporting The Beautiful Girls)
10 August 2018 – Boardmasters, Cornwall
11 August 2018 – Zandstock Festival, t’Zand
12 August 2018 – Rock Les Bains Plombieres, Les Bains
14 August 2018 – Chill Hill, Graz (supporting The Beautiful Girls)
15 August 2018 – Privatclub. Berlin (supporting The Beautiful Girls)
16 August 2018 – Prinzenbar, Hamburg
17 August 2018 – Enter the Wave Festival, Le Pin Sec Noord

Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Love Monster” – Amy Shark

Amy Shark’s Love Monster may be the most anticipated Aussie album of the year. Every single she released quickly climbed the ARIA charts, attracting airplay and accolades along the way. Those songs set the bar so high, I wondered whether her debut LP could possibly match my expectations. But the Gold Coast singer-songwriter delivers here.

Love Monster was destined to be one of the biggest releases of the year, but its sound is refreshingly small and intimate. While Amy plays with beats and electronic sounds, she doesn’t overdo it. That ensures we can really hone in on the lyrics, which is where Love Monster really excels. The songs feel like diary entries, intimate confessions about relationships and moments in time that she’s sharing with us. Coupled with Amy’s honest vocal delivery, these songs move you. And isn’t that really the most important thing?

Every track here is so, so good. I didn’t quite expect that. When singles shine so brightly you expect the album they’re lifted from to contain some fillers. But I can honestly say that I love every track on Love Monster. I ordinarily pick out standouts and wax lyrical about them, but singling songs out would seem unfair to the ones I didn’t mention. I will say that I was pleasantly surprised by “Psycho,” the song she recorded with Mark Hoppus of Blink-182. I can hear the Blink-182 influence, but it’s restrained in this delicate number. I’ve always been a sucker for a great duet, and this is a great duet.

Love Monster is a beautiful album, raw, real, and relatable. It’s in stores and all your favourite digital retailers now. She’s touring almost everywhere over the coming months. Here are all the dates you need!

3 August 2018 – Osheaga, Montreal
4 August 2018 – Lollapalooza, Chicago
24 August 2018 – HQ, Adelaide (SOLD OUT)
25 August 2018 – Metropolis, Fremantle (SOLD OUT)
30 & 31 August 2018 – The Forum, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
1 & 2 September 2018 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (Limited tickets for 2nd)
6 & 7 September 2018 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (Limited tickets for 6th)
8 September 2018 – Nightquarter, Gold Coast
13 September 2018 – Powerstation, Auckland
14 September 2018 – Foundry, Christchurch
15 September 2018 – Hunter Lounge, Wellington
21 September 2018 – Life is Beautiful, Las Vegas
23 September 2018 – Wonder Ballroom, Portland
24 September 2018 – Neptune, Seattle
25 September 2018 – Imperial, Vancouver
26 September 2018 – Capital Ballroom, Victoria
28 September 2018 – Great American Music Hall, San Francisco
1 October 2018 – House of Blues, San Diego
2 October 2018 – El Rey, Los Angeles
5 October 2018 – Amsterdam Bar & Hall, St. Paul
8 October 2018 – Paradise Rock Club, Boston
10 October 2018 – Underground Arts, Philadelphia
12 October 2018 – Irving Plaza, New York
13 October 2018 – Danforth Music Hall, Toronto
3 November 2018 – This That Festival, Newcastle
16 January 2019 – Knust, Hamburg
17 January 2019 – Festsaal Kreuzberg, Berlin
19 January 2019 – Strom, Munich
20 January 2019 – Plaza, Zurich
21 January 2019 – Nachtleben, Frankfurt
23 January 2019 – Luxor, Cologne
24 January 2019 – Badaboum, Paris
25 January 2019 – Paradiso, Amsterdam
27 January 2019 – Rotonde Botanique, Brussels
29 January 2019 – O2 Institute 3, Birmingham
30 January 2019 – Heaven, London
1 February 2019 – Gorilla, Manchester

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dave Wells’ New Single “Run Free” Worth the Wait

Hunter Valley singer-songwriter Dave Wells has taken his time releasing new music after his acclaimed debut EP Carrington Street dropped in 2014. Now four years later, he’s treating our ears to his gorgeous new single “Run Free.”

I really love everything about this song. I love his organic, acoustic feel. His soaring vocals are right on point. Lyrically, it’s powerful stuff. And make sure you take a moment to appreciate the film clip, which captures the beauty of the bushland at Barrington Tops.

Dave says “’Run Free’ is a call-to-arms for anyone boarded between four walls, allowing time to slip through their fingers. Whether it be physically, spiritually or creatively, the message of ‘Run Free’ is crystal clear – take a chance.”

“Run Free” comes from Dave Wells’ first album. The self-titled LP is scheduled for release later this month.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

OptiMystic Releases Powerful Single “Dreams Alive”

Perth MC OptiMystic has dropped a hot new single “Dreams Alive” which demands to be heard.

This is one hip hop track you can’t ignore, with its powerful anecdotes and passionate delivery. Guest vocalist Tenette Smith’s soulful voice is sublime, the perfect foil for the rapid-fire rhymes of MCs OptiMystic and his mates Sickflo and Mic Handz.

“Dreams Live” comes from OptiMystic’s forthcoming collaborative album Salty Waterz.

Image used with permission from Australian Radio Promotion

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sydney’s S3 Saba Brothers Release Poppy Debut “Walk Away”

Sydney siblings The Saba Brothers are making a splash with their ultra-catchy debut single “Walk Away.”

Released under the moniker S3, the track is one of those perfect pop songs, full of hooks and clocking in at a radio-friendly three-and-a-half minutes. The lads penned the song themselves and take care of both vocal and instrumental duties. With Raymond on lead guitar, Nathan on bass, and Steve on drums, they’ve got all the right ingredients here. They’re also working with the right people. “Walk Away” was produced and arranged by Steve Peach, known for his work with Kylie Minogue, Icehouse, and Gwen Stefani.

“Walk Away” should hit the airwaves on August 10. It comes from S3’s debut EP Life, which is on all your favourite streaming services now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tash Sultana Drops Stunning “Harvest Love” Single

Tash Sultana has floored me with her latest single, “Harvest Love.” This is a beautiful track about losing a loved one which packs a serious emotional punch.

“I wrote this song a little while back. People kind of assume that I only write songs with live looping but I actually write in all different ways. This is a piece I’m super proud of,” Tash explained. “I unlocked a little part of me to completely simplify the story I was trying to tell. I think you kind of get that way when you have a moment in your life when the entire world is just too hard to comprehend. So this is what came from that.”

“Harvest Love” is the latest cut from Tash Sultana’s debut album Flow State, which will drop on August 31. She’s currently touring the world, but she’ll play Lost Picnic Festival here in October and headline a gig on the Sunshine Coast in January. This is her first local headlining show in more than a year, so expect tickets to get snapped up. Here are all the places you can see her play around the world in the coming months.

3 August 2018 – Hinterland Music Festival, St Charles
4 August 2018 – Lollapalooza, Chicago
5 August 2018 – Osheaga, Montreal (SOLD OUT)
7 August 2018 – RBC Echo Beach, Toronto
9 August 2018 – Edmonton Folk Fest, Edmonton
11 August 2018 – Outside Lands Festival, San Francisco
6-8 September 2018 – Palladium Koln, Cologne (SOLD OUT)
10 & 11 September 2018 – Columbiahalle, Berlin (SOLD OUT)
15 & 16 September 2018 – Afas Live, Amsterdam-Zuidoost (SOLD OUT)
20-22 September 2018 – O2 Academy Brixton, London (20th & 21st SOLD OUT; Limited tickets for 22nd)
25 September 2018 – l’Olympia, Paris
28 September 2018 – Samsung Hall, Zurich (SOLD OUT)
29 September 2018 – Fabrique, Milan, Italy
7 October 2018 – Lost Picnic Festival, Melbourne
13 October 2018 – Lost Picnic Festival, Sydney
1 November 2018 – UBC Thunderbird Arena, Vancouver
4 November 2018 – Grey Eagle Event Centre, Calgary
6 November 2018 – Burton Cummings Theatre, Winnipeg
7 November 2018 – Palace Theatre, St.Paul
10 November 2018 – The Filmore Detroit, Detroit
16 November 2018 – House of Blues, Boston
17 November 2018 – Terminal 5, New York
20 November 2018 – Stage AE, Pittsburgh
21 November 2018 – The Anthem, Washington D.C.
23 November 2018 – War Memorial Auditorium, Nashville
24 November 2018 – The Tabernacle, Atlanta
26 November 2018 – Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland, Kansas City
27 November 2018 – The Fillmore Auditorium, Denver
1 December 2018 – Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles
2 January 2019 – Bay Dreams Festival, ASB Baypark, The Mount
4 January 2019 – Bay Dreams Festival, Trafalgar Park, Nelson
12 January 2019 – Big Pineapple Fields, Woombye

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Neon Tetra Touring Pollen EP

Adelaide’s grooviest four-piece Neon Tetra are hitting the road to celebrate the recent release of their EP Pollen.

At just three tracks, Pollen is the kind of EP that leaves you wanting more, in the best possible way. It features the super-catchy single “The End Begins Again” along with two more tracks for your listening pleasure.

“Dan wrote a lot of tunes while listening to artists like Miles Davis, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes … the soul funk shines through with Josh’s gospel-like vocals lending themself passionately to the feelings of the Motown era,” the band explained. “The use of synth and strong grooves links the band’s more experimental beginnings with current pop tones of the music.”

Get ready to get your groove on at the following Neon Tetra shows.

3 August 2018 – Rocket Bar, Adelaide
11 August 2018 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne
17 August 2018 – Botany View Hotel, Sydney
24 August 2018 – Netherworld, Brisbane
25 August 2018 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
26 August 2018 – Shark Bar, Gold Coast
1 September 2018 – Crown & Anchor Hotel, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Thelma Plum Releases Latest Pop-Folk Smash Single

Thelma Plum is giving me nostalgic ‘80s vibes with her poppy new single “Clumsy Love.” It’s the sort of song that will have you reaching for your hairbrush and bopping around your bedroom, but its lyrics should resonate with anyone who’s ever felt their current love pining for someone from their past.

“The year just gone has been a really rough one for me and ‘Clumsy Love’ is my reflections on that – and I have to say I am far happier with the song than with the memories,” she confirmed.

Thelma will tour around the country in August and September to celebrate the release of “Clumsy Love.” Catch her at all the following venues.

31 August 2018 – The Foundry, Brisbane
1 September 2018 – Solbar, Maroochydore
6 September 2018 – Mojo’s, Fremantle
7 September 2018 – The River, Margaret River
8 September 2018 – Amplifier, Perth
14 September 2018 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
15 September 2018 – Howler, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia