Posted on by Lauren Katulka

No Case of “Burnout” With New The Phase Single

Thursdays can be so tough. The weekend is approaching, but it still feels too far away. What you need is some music to put a spring in your step and a smile on your dial. Hit play and take a little time out to listen to “Burnout,” the latest single from Sydney alternative pop-rock act The Phase.

This is such an endearing song with a great summery vibe sure to get your toes tapping. It reminds you to stop sweating the small stuff and start enjoying what really matters, a lesson we probably all need to remember during our working weeks!

The band’s founder Luke Mangraviti says “This song is for all the people working hard to make money but are always too burnt out after working so hard to ever enjoy it.”

Catch The Phase supporting Gaspar Sanz at The Vic on the Park in Enmore on November 30.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

National Live Music Awards Hits Venues Around the Country Next Month

The Australian music industry was built on live music, on the bands that slogged it out in pubs with sticky floors night after night. Today too many live music venues seem to close their doors, yet the cream of Australian talent continues to find stages and bring their music to the people. The efforts of these tireless musicians and the venues, events, and industry members who support them will be recognised with National Live Music Awards events throughout the country next month.

The nominees are in, with Gang of Youths leading the charge with six nods across national and state categories including Live Act of the Year and Live Voice of the Year (for frontman David Le’aupepe). Julia Jacklin, Camp Cope, and Amy Shark are nipping at their heels with five nominations a piece, while All Our Exes Live in Texas, Stella Donnelly, and St Jerome’s Laneway Festival have all garnered four nominations.

“Over the last couple of months, our group of almost 100 judges have been tasked with crafting a list of nominees who are as diverse as they are eclectic,” National Live Music Awards director Larry Heath declared. “While I’m sure some will debate the absent nominees who were just as deserving, I don’t think the judges could have done a better job at creating a more exciting, nor a more deserving and representative list of nominees. These are the artists, venues, events and industry professionals who make Australia one of the live music capitals of the world.”

Unlike so many awards, the National Live Music Awards aren’t about the critics. They’re about the ordinary Aussies who support our live scene every weekend when they walk through the doors of venues throughout the country. So it’s only fitting that the award ceremonies are, by and large, open to the public. With the exception of the invite-only gala in Melbourne, National Live Music Awards events are free for music fans to attend. Also unlike so many “national events,” no state or territory is forgotten. National Live Music Awards events will happen at the following venues on December 7.

Melbourne, VIC: Grace Darling
Sydney, NSW: Leadbelly
Brisbane, QLD: Lefty’s
Fremantle, WA: Mojos
Adelaide, SA: Grace Emily
Launceston, TAS: Club 54
Alice Springs, NT: Epilogue Rooftop
Canberra, ACT: Smith’s Alternative

You can RSVP to the event via National Live Music Awards’ official ticketing partner Oztix. Entertainment for each venue is under wraps, but considering the calibre of artists nominated you can expect some top talent at all these events. If you miss out on the Oztix allocation, don’t worry. A limited number of tickets will be available on the night in exchange for a $5 donation to Support Act, a charity supporting the mental health of Australian musicians. $5 from the sale of every ticket to the Melbourne gala will also go to Support Act. A great night for a great cause; what’s not to love?

Image source: Krists Luhaers @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Andrew Samuel Releases Fantastic New Single “Luck Feels Good”

To me, the very best music is the stuff that moves you. I don’t care how well you can sing or how proficient you are on an instrument. If you’re not making me feel something, I don’t want to know. That’s why I’m really excited about Sydney singer-songwriter Andrew Samuel and his new single “Luck Feels Good.”

The track recounts a night so many of us can relate to, where an unexpected blossoming romance manages to turn a terrible house party around. There’s an optimism to it, but also a sense of melancholy, almost as if the good mood could turn at any moment.

“Luck Feels Good” comes from Andrew’s forthcoming EP Enmore Road. Sydneysiders can hear more from it when Andrew launches the single at Lazybones in Marrickville on November 8.

Image used with permission from Maths and Magic

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rick Price & Jack Jones Announce “California Dreaming” Tour

California Dreaming is one of my favourite albums of the year. Bringing together two of the country’s most superb voices, Rick Price and Jack Jones, for some of the best songs ever written was pure genius. So I was thrilled to hear they’ll bring the album to venues around the country next year. Sure I’ve already bought tickets to eight 2018 gigs already, but why not?

“We have been blown away by the reaction to the album and how these songs and our take on them, have resonated with the public,” Rick said. “It’s an amazing opportunity to showcase them on a big stage, with a phenomenal band, in such a vast spread of locations.”

“Rick and I have been talking about doing something for close to two decades,” Jack added. “It was a great opportunity to work together and celebrate great artists, some great songs and a certain time and genre. That period in music will never be repeated again. And now we get to play them live!”

Tickets go on sale at midday on Friday, November 10.

3 May 2018 – The Concert Hall, Brisbane
10 May 2018 – Anita’s Theatre, Wollongong
11 May 2018 – Tamworth Entertainment Centre, Tamworth
12 May 2018 – Narrabri Crossing Theatre, Narrabri
17 May 2018 – AEC Theatre, Adelaide
18 May 2018 – Geelong Arena, Geelong
19 May 2018 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne
24 May 2018 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
25 May 2018 – Star Theatre, Gold Coast
26 May 2018 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
27 May 2018 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordan Rakei Releases Live Spotify EP Ahead of Aussie Tour

Brisbane’s Jordan Rakei isn’t yet a household name, but his exciting neo-soul sound is gaining some serious attention here and abroad. If you’ve never seen him live, his recently released Spotify Live session, recorded at Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London, lets you experience the magic of his music.

The four-track streaming EP features Jordan’s pal, the equally talented Alfa Mist, for a sublime cover of Frank Ocean’s “Lost.” If you’re impressed by what you hear, make sure you see Jordan when he returns to our shores to support his recently released album Wallflower next year. Since he’s living in London at the moment, we don’t get so many opportunities to see him live. Tickets are on sale now for all these shows.

29 December 2017 – Here’s To Now @ Coriole Vineyards, McLaren Vale
1 January 2018 – Freedom Time Melbourne @ Coburg Velodrome, Melbourne
5 January 2018 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
11 January 2018 – The Triffid, Brisbane
12 January 2018 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
13 January 2018 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hands Like Houses Covers Silverchair, Announces Acoustic Shows

Cover versions are a tricky business. When you take a song beloved by many, it’s often judged more harshly than any original. And when you take on an iconic Aussie band like Silverchair, the knives are likely to come out. As a born and bred Novocastrian, I might be a harsher critic than most. I haven’t like everything I’ve heard from Spawn (Again): A Tribute to Silverchair, but Hands Like Houses has risen to the occasion with a cover of “Ana’s Song (Open Fire).”

This is probably my favourite Silverchair song, and the Canberra band brings just the right mix of pathos and aggression to it.

“It’s impossible to be an Australian band and not have some recognition and appreciation for the huge role Silverchair has played in Aussie music, and the pathway it created for rock in particular,” Hands Like Houses frontman Trenton Woodley explained. “Daniel Johns has such a strong songwriting style, so when were were asked if we were interested in this compilation, it was an intimidating but exciting prospect to try and bring in our own take on their music, while still retaining and respecting what made them such massive hits. We’re stoked on how it came out and hope it, along with the rest of the compilation, does justice to the significance of Silverchair’s role in Australian music history!”

Spawn (Again): A Tribute To Silverchair hits stores on November 17. Hands Like Houses will remind Australia of its own original talents with an acoustic tour next year. It’s something we don’t often see from bands that rock as hard as Hands Like Houses, so if you’re a fan you’ll want tickets to these shows.

18 January 2018 – The Toff In Town, Melbourne
19 January 2018 – The Basement, Sydney
20 January 2018 – The Foundry, Brisbane
21 January 2018 – Capital Brewing Co, Canberra

Image used with permission from Unified Music Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harry James Angus Releasing Ambitious EP

In a couple of weeks Harry James Angus will release his highly anticipated new EP I Saw Red, featuring songs from his latest musical project, a show called Struggle With Glory. If the title track is any indication, it will be truly spectacular.

The EP, which is released on November 16, features four original gospel jazz tracks inspired by Greek mythology. The trumpet sounds we love in Harry’s most famous project, The Cat Empire, are there, married beautifully with the double bass, piano, and a soaring gospel choir. Is it ambitious? Absolutely! But do the risks pay off? After watching this video of the title track performed live, I’m sure the answer will be a resounding yes.

If you didn’t catch Struggle With Glory at The Church of Bang Bang Boogaloo or at one of Harry’s Parlour Gigs earlier in the year, don’t worry. He’ll take the show to music and arts festivals and other major events over summer. With a nine-piece band and a gospel choir in tow, these performances should be epic. More dates will be announced soon, but the following are already locked in:

18 & 19 November 2017 – Mullum Music Festival, Mullumbimby
21 November 2017 – Melbourne Music Week, Melbourne
14 & 15 March 2018 – Adelaide Festival, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Keira Releases Infectious New Single “Make You Mine”

Born and raised in country Victoria, Keira is living out her dreams as a travelling musician, touring the world and recording music in Los Angeles. Her latest effort is “Make You Mine,” a catchy country-pop track penned during Keira’s American tour earlier this year.

The single gives us a taste of the music Keira’s making to follow up her breakthrough debut EP Forever Roam. I can’t wait to hear more!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ayla Headlins Rare Finds East Coast Tour

Sydney’s boutique PR and artist management company Rare Finds wants more Aussies to see some of the talented up-and-coming musicians on its roster. So it’s announced three East Coast shows this summer, featuring the super-talented Ayla and a host of other new acts.

This tour is the next natural progression for an organisation who’s already showcased emerging musicians at special gigs in Sydney and Brisbane.

“The Rare Finds nights serve to foster a scene within the Australian indie community and provide a strong live platform for outstanding emerging artists,” explained Rare Finds managing director, Rob Carroll. “One of the biggest challenges faced by artists, managers and agents at the early stages of an artist’s career, is developing a live following. With the launch of our Melbourne event, we’re now able to provide an East Coast touring platform to new acts, so they can play to ready-made crowds, which largely consist of industry, tastemakers and the core local indie community.”

The Rare Finds tour kicks off on January 12, the same day Ayla releases her sophomore EP Let’s Talk Monday. That collection of songs features the superb new single “Porcelain Doll.” See Ayla and a revolving door of exciting new acts on the Rare Finds tour.

12 January 2018 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
19 January 2018 – The Penny Black, Melbourne
20 January 2018 – OAF Gallery Bar, Sydney

Image used with permission from Rare Finds

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Maya Releases Bold New Single “What We Are Worth”

Melbourne-born soul singer Maya has had a big 2017, dividing her time between Los Angeles, New York, and her Australian home, all the time writing, performing, and honing her craft. Those experiences help inform her exciting new single “What We Are Worth.”

This song feels so fresh and original. It’s got a strong message, equally powerful vocals, and a really unique sound that helps set it apart. It’s the sort of track that could establish Maya as one of our most promising young talents.

“What We Are Worth is a conversation with myself about my constant questions about humanity – it’s a song about respecting yourself and the earth we live on,” Maya explained. “My music has to inspire people to reflect on both our actions and reactions to life,” MAYA passionately explains. “The song was made to shock and excite, while also opening up and expressing my feelings with intensity. This song was made to spread a message – to wake up and understand what we are worth to this earth.”

Maya will play a couple of shows around Melbourne to launch the single. Catch her at Ferdydurke in Melbourn on November 30 or The Night Cat in Fitzroy on December 1.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR