Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Thompson Springs Announces Australian Shows

Chicago band Thompson Springs are heading Down Under in the New Year to play a stack of shows in New South Wales, Victoria, and the ACT. That means there’s no better time than the present to get acquainted with their music.

On their recently released EP Fond Regards, the band explores the classic sounds of the ‘60s and ‘70s. There’s some trippy psychedelic stuff on here, but I prefer Thompson Springs best on folkier numbers like “Dandelion Queen.”

You can discover more when Thompson Springs touch down in Australia next month.
5 January 2018 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
6 January 2018 – The Phoenix, Canberra
10 January 2018 – Hamilton Station Hotel, Newcastle
18 January 2018 – The Old Bar, Fitzroy
24 January 2018 – Cafe Lounge, Surry Hills
25 January 2018 – Staves Brewery, Sydney
28 January 2018 – Upstairs at Fred’s @ Live n Lounging, Camden
3 February 2018 – Red Dog Sessions, Randwick
4 February 2018 – The Record Crate, Glebe
8 February 2018 – Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney
9 February 2018 – The Townie, Newtown

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kitty, Daisy & Lewis Drop Christmas Clip Ahead of Aussie Tour

British siblings Kitty, Daisy & Lewis are getting fans into the festive spirit and excited about their upcoming Aussie tour with the release of the new video for single “Just One Kiss.” The simple clip sees the trio playing live at their home studio, which is appropriately decorated for the holidays.

This is a stripped back version of the track that appears on Kitty, Daisy & Lewis’ Superscope album, and I think I love it even more. It’s closer to how the track was originally conceived, with just Kitty singing and her guitar, before Lewis suggesting adding the piano and strings.

“The song’s about how a magic kiss can change your life,” the band said. “Kitty wrote it one night sitting in front of the fire playing guitar – perfect for all the lovers out there at Christmas time!”

Their Aussie tour is one for all the lovers too. It kicks off in Sydney on Valentine’s Day.

14 February 2018 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
15 February 2018 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
16 February 2018 – Perth Festival, Perth

Image used with permission from Inertia Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tonight Alive Lay Heart Bare With Sensational New Single

Never one to take a backwards step, Tonight Alive have released a powerful new single “Crack My Heart.” With emotional lyrics and a killer vocal performance from Jenna McDougall, this is one track that knows how to leave an impression.

“The concept of cracking the heart is to allow the precious, vulnerable self to come through and be free. The painful, yet liberating experience involves the emotional and energetic decalcification of the hardened heart,” Jenna explained. “The lyrics follow my conversation with a ‘winged man’, a conscious figure, who offers space and safety to do my healing with. In my experience, when you are seen as your authentic self by another, you come to recognise your reflection more accurately and lovingly. ‘Crack My Heart’ is a tribute to the way that love from the divine masculine elevates and holds space for the divine feminine to flourish.”

“Crack My Heart” comes from Tonight Alive’s new album Underworld, which will drop on January 12.

Image used with permission from the Unified Music Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sunset Sounds Bringing Free Summer Gigs to Melbourne

At this time of year, many of us are feeling the pinch. The organisers of Sunset Sounds understands this, so they’re brightening your summer with a series of hot free gigs across Melbourne.

The three free gigs will see the likes of Saskwatch, The Bamboos, and Jazz Party playing for local music lovers. Some of Melbourne’s most popular food trucks will also attend to keep everyone well fed.

“Stonnington has some of the most sensational parks and gardens, and it brings me great joy to see residents and visitors enjoying them” Mayor Stefanopoulos said. “Pack a picnic basket, and your dancing shoes, and head down for a summers afternoon with some of Australia’s finest talent.”

Sunset Sounds 2018 kicks off on January 7 and runs every Sunday for three weeks.

7 January 2018 – Saskwatch & Alexander Biggs, Victoria Gardens @ Prahran
14 January 2018 – The Bamboos & Jazz Party, Central Park @ Malvern East
21 January 2018 – Hot Potato Band & 30/70, Malvern Gardens @ Malvern

Image used with permission from Little Giant

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Thundamentals and More Play Frankston’s Pier Street Party

A who’s who of the Aussie music industry are heading to Frankston for the annual Pier Street Party. Thundamentals, Art vs Science, Gyroscope, The Getaway Plan, Rackett, and Jesswar will all take the Pier Street Party stage. There’ll also be food trucks and pop-up bars to keep the crowd well fed and hydrated.

“Frankston City is ready to rock as the Pier Street Party prepares for its second year,” said Frankston’s mayor Colin Hampton. “Council is delighted that our city will be hosting world class acts at this fantastic event for the community and visitors to enjoy.”

The Pier Street Party will take over the area outside the Pelly Bar & Pier Bandroom in Frankston on February 24. Tickets are on sale now through Oztix. Note that even though it’s held outside, it’s still an adults-only event.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shed Seven Finally Announce Australian Tour

While Britpop bands like Blur and Oasis enjoyed great chart success in Australia during the ‘90s, there was another band gaining a more underground following. Perhaps avoiding the glare of an international spotlight helped Shed Seven, because they’re still together and making fantastic music while the other bands have folded. As one of the last bastions of Britpop, they’re also set to make their long-awaited visit to Australia.

If you have already cottoned on to how great Shed Seven are, you probably snapped up tickets to the shows when they went on sale this morning. If not, you might want to take a listen to their new album Instant Pleasures. It’s the first album they’ve recorded together in 16 years, but it sounds like nothing has changed. Everything clicks here. The album has that classic Britpop feel, yet there’s nothing tired about these songs. Expect that same energy when the York lads touch down next year.

“Playing live in Australia has been right at the top of our bucket list for years” the band said in a statement. “It eluded us in the ‘90s so we are ridiculously excited to finally be coming over to play these shows. We get so many great messages from fans in Australia and can’t wait to finally bring our show over for you … bring your best singing voices! ”

Expect new tracks and plenty of the old hits when Shed Seven visit Australia in April.

17 April 2018 – Capitol, Perth
19 April 2018 – The Triffid, Brisbane
20 April 2018 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
22 April 2018 – Metro Theatre, Sydney

Image used with permission from SCG Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nothing Like You Delivers New Rock Anthem “Clouds”

There’s nothing like a great rock song to wake you up and make you feel energised for the day ahead. Sydney outfit Nothing Like You has delivered one with their latest single “Clouds.”

It’s got everything covered here, from big, beefy riffs to powerhouse vocals. It’s got a classic rock sound with a little extra edge that I’m really digging. It explores some pretty meaty themes too, reflecting on love and loss and the bittersweet pain we feel through it all.

Sydneysiders, you’re in luck. Nothing Like You will play Valve Bar tonight. Friday entertainment sorted!

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Iluka Gets Me Grooving With “Sympathy”

Sydney songbird Iluka is back with a groovy new single “Sympathy,” the latest lifted from her forthcoming EP Ritual. This song has such a positive vibe, with rich horns, a clap along chorus, and powerful lyrics about social change.

“Sympathy is a song that’s been sitting in my drawer for a couple of years now,” Iluka explained. “When it was written I had this real sense of impotence and apathy within my generation. That willing or not, so many of us were becoming slaves. Slaves to technology, to consumerism, to authority, to an ideology, to expectation, to our own bodies, and to our own minds. Rather fittingly I didn’t really know what to do with the song at the time. But I feel like with all that is happening in the world right now people are being shaken awake, whether we like it or not. Silence is being broken, indifference is turning to dissidence, people are speaking up and being heard, and the time felt right to bring this song to life, to add my voice to the cause. To celebrate defiance, to champion self-expression, to promote self-belief, and to reclaim our power. As the song choruses… we want it back.”

Iluka will launch the single at the Coven Christmas Party at The Lansdowne in Sydney on December 21.

Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Soul Mumma” – Rochelle Pitt Watson

Rochelle Pitt Watson first hit my radar during her time on the X Factor. Those sorts of shows are a great way to gain exposure, but they don’t really tell you a lot about a musician. I feel like I hadn’t really met Rochelle until I listened to her new EP Soul Mumma.

On a gloomy day here in NSW, the great grooves and the textures of Rochelle’s vocals on the opening track “Should We” are like sunshine. But listen a little closer and you’ll hear this is more than just a funky song. Its politically charged lyrics are inspiring. This is soul music the way the pioneers like Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye intended it to be.

“I Believe” has a great gospel vibe. Fittingly, Rochelle’s powerhouse vocals take it to church. “Challenge the Exclusion” is a hard-hitting title, but Rochelle takes a softly-softly approach with this song. It’s thematically powerful, but it speaks of unity rather than division and mutiny. It’s a beautiful ballad that moves the heart and mind. “Jimbaraal” is the most hard-hitting track on the album, a swampy, bluesy number with a driving drum and bass beat and squealing guitars. “Resilience” has a great reggae-inspired groove and more dynamite vocals and lyrics. It’s everything Rochelle does best.

The final track “Maudie” is beautiful, a tender track which seems to tell a very personal story. It’s so delicate compared to other the EP’s other songs, with Rochelle reining in her vocals and letting the lyrics do the talking. It’s such a simple but powerful love song that speaks to the heart.

Rochelle Pitt Watson’s Soul Mumma tackles some important issues with the insight her Indigenous heritage affords. Those issues can be confronting, but Rochelle’s sublime vocals and groovy sound help the message go down easily. It’s an EP which shows that really introduces us to the reality TV graduate, proving that she has much more than a killer voice on her side.

Image used with permission from August MGMT

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“What We Do” – Lou Scarrs

As the guitarist for Money for Rope, Lou Scarrs appeared to be at the top of his game. The band played Glastonbury and South by Southwest, to say nothing of the leading festivals here in Australia. But he risked it all to follow his own musical vision and go solo. If he felt any nerves, they don’t seem to show in his first EP, What We Do.

The music of this EP reminds me a little of the sounds of Robbie Williams or the Kaiser Chiefs. There are vocal similarities with both these British acts, but also a similar rebellious attitude and cockiness that makes Lou’s music irresistible.

The EP bursts out of the gate with the bold title track. I love the deep thumping drums and confident lyrics. “All I Ever Knew” is brooding and intense, and above all totally compelling. “Lapdog” is a song of such strength, an anthem for emotional independence. Lou Scarrs keeps his foot on the pedal for the closing track “Measure Up.” It’s got a similar anthemic quality that’s so satisfying.

The songs of “What We Do” are punchy, with all tracks around that magic three-minute mark. It takes considerable skill to create tracks in that perfect pop form, but this is more than the disposable pop so many commercial radio stations flog. Elements of rock and electronica influence this music, helping it sound fresh and dynamic. Lyrically it’s also so strong. In just four tracks, Lou Scarrs has left his mark.