Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bad Juju Delivers Good Juju With “Moving On” Single

If you haven’t heard it on Triple J yet, make sure you wrap your ears around “Moving On,” the new single from Melbourne’s Bad Juju. It’s a ball-tearer of a track, full of punk attitude and catchy hooks.

“Moving On” comes from Bad Juju’s debut EP Hidden Desire, which isn’t too far away! It’ll drop on July 13, the same day the band kicks off a series of capital city shows. After honing their live show supporting acts like Dream On Dreamer, Trophy Eyes, and Columbus, Bad Juju are in fine form. Get in on the ground floor, because these guys could be big.

13 July 2018 – The Workers Club, Melbourne (with Trophy Eyes)
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

Jacob Lee Floors Me With “With You”

Gold Coast singer-songwriter Jacob Lee has gotten well and truly under my skin with his beautiful new single “With You.” It’s such an intimate song full of the advice he hopes to impart to his future daughter one day. Awww.

“With You” is the latest cut from Jacob’s forthcoming debut album Philosophy. Fresh from shows in the United Kingdom and Ireland, he’ll be back on home soil soon. Hometown fans can see Jacob at Q1 on August 11.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

PLTS Pulls Me In With “Maelstrom”

With Byron Bay band PLTS kicking off their East Coast single tour tonight, I figured I’d better introduce you to their kick-arse new song! “Maelstrom” is such a great indie rock anthem which sees the lads wearing their hearts on their sleeves and being a little more vulnerable than we’ve seen in the past.

“Writing this track proved the most challenging process we’ve navigated as a group to date, this shines through in a strong theme of melancholy,” they explained. “We chose to focus on a water theme, it’s such as significant theme in our personal lives and also is a great representation of the unpredictable nature and challenges in navigating the creation of music and in particular, this track. It’s a high-energy song and we can’t wait to convert that energy in to the live space. Delve beneath the surface and see things from the other side. Let the Maelstrom pull you in.”

If you like what you hear, make sure you get up close and personal with the band at one of their intimate single shows.

6 July 2018 – Bloodhound Bar, Brisbane
12 July 2018 – Waywards Bar, Sydney
14 July 2018 – The Brewery, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harts Goes Back to His Roots For “Consciousness of What You Think”

I’m getting serious Lenny Kravitz vibes from “Consciousness of What You Think,” the latest single from Harts. The track sees the Australian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist getting back to his bluesy, rock and roll roots, and I love it.

“Consciousness of What You Think” is the first track from the latter of two new Harts albums scheduled for release this year. Most albums won’t even drop one album in the next six months, so knowing he’s got two in the pipeline is so impressive.

“I’ve always loved writing different styles of music and working on different songs simultaneously,” Harts explained of his unconventional approach. “I love all kinds of music and I love to create. This is a song about freedom. Feeling free to be who I want to be and create what I want to create.”

Expect to hear some of that new material Harts is so excited about when he plays Howler in Melbourne this Saturday, July 7.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Win a Spot on VB’s Hard Yards Tour

Getting a leg-up in the music industry is tough. If your band is waiting for its big break, Victoria Bitter wants you!

Through its Hard Yards initiative, Victoria Bitter is offering three talented local acts an all-expenses paid East Coast tour alongside some of the country’s biggest modern musicians. It’s a great opportunity to get your music in front of punters, learn from established acts, and see some of the country. The prize also includes $5,000 cash and pre-paid time in a rehearsal space before the tour so you can hone your live set.

Entries close on July 15. Music lovers can then vote on the shortlisted bands before the full Hard Yards line-up is announced in August. Head to the Victoria Bitter page for your chance to win your spot on the tour. The VB Hard Yards East Coast tour will make the following pit stops this October.

3 October 2018 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
4 October 2018 – The Foundry, Brisbane
5 October 2018 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
6 October 2018 – The Lansdowne, Sydney

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Screaming Jets Interpret Aussie Classics for “Gotcha Covered”

Now here’s an album to get excited about. The Screaming Jets have always had a knack for making a cover version their own, from their spine-tingling version of Roland Howard’s “Shivers” to their irreverent take on Barry Maguire’s “Eve of Destruction.” Now approaching their 30th anniversary, The Jets are releasing the covers album that’s been missing from our lives.

Gotcha Covered features cover versions of the band’s favourite Aussie radio hits of the last 50 or so years. Think The Easybeats, Men at Work, You Am I, Hoodoo Gurus, INXS, and AC/DC, just to name a few.

“What we came up with was a great Aussie party album. Covering songs that have shaped us; songs from our youth; songs that have been written and performed by contemporaries and songs that will make even the most loyal fan go “what the” … I can’t wait to get out with the boys and belt these songs out with the rest of Australia…” said frontman Dave Gleeson.

I am looking forward to devouring this from front to back, but I’m most excited about their take on “Guitar Band,” primarily because they’ve assembled what might just be the greatest line-up of guitarists to ever play together. Along with the Jets’ own Scott Kingman and Jimi Hocking, the track includes the musical stylings of Rick Brewster (The Angels), Nat Allison (Suzi Quatro), Tim Henwood (SuperJesus/ Palace Of The King), Cam McKenzie (Horsehead/ Mark Seymour band), Bob Spencer (The Angels/ Rose Tattoo), Dave Leslie (Baby Animals), Brett Kingman (James Reyne), Brett Williams (the Choirboys), Warwick Scott (Skunkhour), Ronnie Simmons (Richie Ramone), Danny Spencer (Jimmy Barnes/ Richard Clapton), Chris Hawker (Taxiride), Pete Wanno (Suzi Quatro/ Josie Jason), Stuart Fraser (Noiseworks/ John Farnham), Stu Marshall (Empires Of Eden) and Zakk Zedras (Chocolate Starfish). Get excited people.

Gotcha Covered hits stores on July 27. To celebrate, The Screaming Jets will play a triple-shot of shows at The Bridge Hotel, where they’ll play the album in full before launching into all your favourites, before teaming up with Boom Crash Opera for gigs around the country.

3 – 5 August 2018 – Bridge Hotel, Sydney
10 August 2018 – Shoppingtown Hotel, Doncaster
11 August 2018 – Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave
17 August 2018 – Kingsford Juniors, Sydney
18 August 2018 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
24 August 2018 – Parkwood Tavern, Gold Coast
25 August 2018 – Hamilton Hotel, Brisbane
31 August & 1 September 2018 – The Gov, Adelaide
7 September 2018 – Ravenswood Hotel,
8 September 2018 – Charles Hotel, Perth
14 September 2018 – Miranda Hotel, Sydney
15 September 2018 – Revesby Workers, Sydney

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sannia Slays With “Go and Get Over”

Melbourne chanteuse Sannia wears her heart on her sleeve with her debut single “Go and Get Over.” I feel this one to my bones. It’s got so much soul, so much raw passion, so much honesty. It’s also so perfectly measured, without vocal acrobatics and unnecessary frills.

“This song developed really organically for me,” recounted Sannia. “I was actually driving home late one night and just sort of started singing the first words that came to mind to keep myself awake … ‘Go And Get Over’ is about literally just that, the cyclical process of moving on from someone while at the same time reminiscing on everything that was and what it’s become now, which I think a lot of people can relate to. You almost go through these sort of seven stages of grief – leaving them, missing them, going back, getting hurt, and trying to exact change – it takes its toll.”

Sannia will celebrate the release of “Go and Get Over” with an intimate show for hometown fans at the Wesley Anne on July 13.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out With Eliza & The Delusionals

Queensland band Eliza & The Delusionals are delivering equal measures of sugar and spice with their rocking new single “Half Empty Girl.”

“Half Empty Girl is written about feeling confused with yourself and your decisions in life,” frontwoman Eliza Klatt explained. “I really relate to this as a young person making a career in music where a lot of people can second guess you and tell you how you should do things, which can sometimes make you second guess yourself. The song captures these feelings and the pursuit of better self-understanding.”

Eliza & The Delusionals will play Beach Sounds before joining Luca Brasi on their upcoming national tour. Make sure you arrive early enough to catch them at the following shows.

14 July 2018 – Beach Sounds, Lennox Head
11 August 2018 – Club 54, Launceston (supporting Luca Brasi)
17 August 2018 – The Triffid, Brisbane (supporting Luca Brasi)
18 August 2018 – Manning Bar, Sydney (supporting Luca Brasi)
23 August 2018 – The Gov, Adelaide (supporting Luca Brasi)
24 August 2018 – The Croxton, Melbourne (supporting Luca Brasi)

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Michael Burrows Releases Folk-Rock Gem, “Please Don’t Cry”

Melbourne singer-songwriter Michael Burrows has impressed me with his debut single “Please Don’t Cry.” The title might seem sweet, but this jangly ear-pleaser is really more of an anti-love song about a girl who falls for the wrong guy.

Take a look at the lyric video, which was shot by Peter Leininger during a 30-minute Uber ride in Nashville.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Songs From The Village” – Jess + Matt

The X Factor Australia is becoming a distant memory and I’ve forgotten most of the acts that graced its stage over the years. But not Jess + Matt, who charmed me with their beautiful harmonies, their folky sound, and the romance of their real-life relationship. Something special happens when people in love make music together and that goes double when they’ve got some serious music taste. Over the years they’ve released covers and originals, which didn’t all hit the mark for me. Songs From The Village is the album I’ve been waiting for them to make, a celebration of classic folk music.

This album starts so strong with a jubilant version of “The Times They Are A-Changing.” Their take on “The Boxer,” the second track is another stunner. It builds to an epic vocal crescendo that makes your heart soar. The danger with bringing us so many folk songs though is that the music can become background. It’s admittedly a very gentle record, and there are a few slow spots. However, whenever it starts getting a bit sleepy, Jess + Matt deliver a knockout. Their rollicking version of “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” hits all the right notes. “Leaving on a Jet Plane” is so special. Jess + Matt are at their best when they get to play off against one another as they do here. It’s so beautiful and believable. Their version of “Both Sides Now” is exquisite.

Jess + Matt are such talented vocalists with an innate musical sensibility. They clearly have fantastic music taste and they know what will work well for their voices. They’re also such natural storytellers, ensuring their takes on songs from Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, and other American folk pioneers don’t feel like pale imitations. I had high expectations for this release. While I wasn’t wowed by every song, there’s plenty here to get excited about.

Songs From The Village is in stores now. Follow Jess + Matt on Facebook to learn about their pop-up appearances promoting the album.