Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kita Alexander Releases Beautiful Video for “Hotel”

Kita Alexander has just dropped the video for “Hotel,” the title track of her sophomore EP released earlier this year.

It’s a beautiful clip with dreamy footage shot on location in Byron Bay the perfect foil for Kita’s laidback synth-pop smash. It also captures the emotional connection of two sisters, fittingly considering “Hotel” is a song dedicated to Kita’s late sister Natassja Claire.

“There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted a sister love-story line to play out in my video for Hotel. I took this idea to one of my best friends who is also an amazing creative director. She knew exactly how to visually explore the relationship I had with my sister, perfectly. These movies I have in my mind of my sister and I together were never filmed in real life, so to be able to re-create the memories and be able to live them whenever I watch the video, is really special to me. Thank you to everyone who supported the process,” she said. “And thank you to my sister for living life to its fullest and always having fun no matter where or when, appropriate or inappropriate.”

It’s really the perfect marriage of song and videos. Amazing work from Kita.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian’s Going To Make You Dance With “High On Me”

Guy Sebastian is spreading plenty of good vibes with his latest single “High On Me,” the first cut from his 10th studio album Conscious.

After a few big ballads, it’s great to hear a party anthem from Guy. He can certainly tug at the heartstrings, but he’s always had a special knack for creating upbeat, feel-good numbers like this.

“I feel like I’ve had so many ah-ha moments this last year. One of the biggest is that every now and again everybody just needs a reason to let go, smile and dance,” Guy explained in the press release. “’High On Me’ poured out of me while I was in Bali on a writing trip, sitting back looking at the mountains, high on this life. I really wanted to create a soulful earworm that would make young and old want to get up out of their chair and enjoy the moment.”

Conscious hits stores on October 27, by which time this track should be absolutely everywhere. Guy is celebrating its release with shows around the country in November. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, September 8, for the following shows.
2 November 2017 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
3 November 2017 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
4 November 2017 – Newcastle Civic Theatre, Newcastle
6 November 2017 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
10 November 2017 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
11 November 2017 – Astor Theatre, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Karl S. Williams’ Kicks Off “Blood to Give” Tour Tonight

Queensland’s Karl S. Williams sings the blues like it’s supposed to be sung, with a swampy, rootsy grit that instantly draws you in. With his East Coast tour kicking off tonight, there seemed no better time than the present to show you his new video for single “Blood to Give.”

“When I started working on the video for ‘Blood To Give’, I knew that I wanted to convey something about being caught up in a destructive machine and seeking a way out of that while feeling uncertain whether indeed you have the capacity to escape something so omnipresent,” Karl explained.

“As I worked on the clip, saddeningly, the world began to be reflected more and more therein. The US/North Korea situation began to develop further, people elsewhere were waving nazi banners, xenophobia and exclusive policy here at home, death and terror ruling the news. The message of the clip felt increasingly urgent and (I hope) relevant.”

The clip was a real labour of love for Karl, who created the clip himself by animating his own drawings.

Karl’s no stranger to the stage after wowing crowds at Bluesfest, Woodford Folk Festival, Dark Mofo, and last weekend’s Wintermoon Spring Festival. Catch him at the following East Coast shows.

7 September 2017 – Leadbelly, Newtown
8 September 2017 – The Edwards, Newcastle
9 September 2017 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
10 September 2017 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
14 September 2017 – Bearded Lady, Brisbane
15 September 2017 – Soundlounge, Gold Coast
16 September 2017 – The Northern, Byron Bay
22 September 2017 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
23 September 2017 – Barwon Club, Geelong
30 September 2017 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra
1 October 2017 – Wildwood Music Festival, Port Macquarie
6 October 2017 – Music On The Hill, Red Hill
8 October 2017 – The Taproom, Castlemaine
21 October 2017 – Kyneton Music Festival, Kyneton

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ariela Jacobs Breaks the Rules for “Say So” Live Video

Melbourne songstress Ariela Jacobs seems so sweet and wholesome, I’d never have imagined her breaking the rules. Yet she snuck into a local pool to bring us this stunning acoustic live performance of her brand new single “Say So.”

The song has me even more excited about her second EP, also called Say So, which will be released in the near future. Before then, she’s got two big shows at Bigsound to think about. Brisbane, you can catch her tonight at the Empire Hotel and tomorrow at Laruche.

Image used with permission from Ditto Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stand Atlantic Drops “Sidewinder” Single Ahead of EP Release

Stand Atlantic has dropped brand new single “Sidewinder,” just in time to remind us that the EP of the same name isn’t too far away.

This is another gloriously gutsy slice of pop-punk from the Sydney outfit. Frontwoman Bonnie Fraser says the track “was written as a reminder that if you love someone, it’s important to acknowledge and accept differences between each other. Never compromise who you are just to try and change something you can’t.”

Stand Atlantic will release the Sidewinder EP on September 15. Until then, crank the title track up!

Image used with permission from Paris is Patient

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“In Colour” – King Social

King Social’s fans had such faith in the Townsville band that they donated nearly $28,000 through PledgeMusic for the debut album. The sum was more than any other Aussie act had ever raised through crowdfunding. The gesture humbled King Social and made this five-piece determined to create the best debut possible. With In Colour, King Social might just have achieved its goal.

What a great sound King Social has. Combining silky soulful vocals with rapid-fire rhymes isn’t anything new, but few bands achieve this mix as confidently as King Social. This band also has such a big, tight sound, it’s incredible to think there are just five members of the group.

In Colour bursts out of the gate with “Dance On Your Grave.” It’s such a funky number that’s all attitude. King Social are in their element with party music like this and other floor fillers like “Down With This” and “Watch Out.”

While those upbeat numbers are flawless, King Colour are one of those rare bands that seem just as comfortable when slowing things down. “She’s Gone” is a beautiful ballad about lost love. The single “Lemonade” continues to resonate with all its parental wisdom. King Social is such a tight band, even when it’s letting loose with wailing electric guitars, but it’s refreshing to hear the sound stripped back on the dreamy closer “I Had a Dream.” This is one of those acts that can truly do it all.

In Colour is in stores now. King Social is currently touring around the country. Here are the remaining dates.

9 September 2017 – New Globe Theatre, Brisbane
10 September 2017 – The Bearded Dragon, Tamborine
23 September 2017 – Longreach Cup, Longreach
29 & 30 September 2017 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra
1 October 2017 – The Salt House, Cairns
21 October 2017 – Darwin Railway Club, Darwin
25 November 2017 – Brews & Barbie Bash, Toowoomba
8 December 2017 – King’s Christmas, Townsville

Image used with permission from King Social

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Liv Cartledge Charms With “Heard Your Name” Ahead of EP Release

Two years ago Liv Cartledge took home the top prize in the Telstra Road to Discovery competition. This Melbourne singer-songwriter has made the most of the opportunities this competition provided and honed her craft over the years. Her new EP Timber, featuring the beautiful new single “Heard Your Name” is the culmination of those efforts.

Liv’s voice has such an appealing, huskiness to it. She’s also an excellent songwriter, so make sure you really listen to those lyrics.

“Heard Your Name started out as a grief-stricken heart pour onto paper not long after I lost my dad,” she explained. “Somehow after a few hours it had twisted itself into a song. I guess that’s the beauty of being a songwriter.”

Timber is released on October 6. Liv will take its tracks to the people with a string of shows in October and November.

7 October 2017 – Some Velvet Morning, Melbourne
11 October 2017 – Folkswagon, Sydney (FREE)
12 October 2017 – Porch Light Sessions, Sydney
13 October 2017 – Parlour Gig, Sydney
14 October 2017 – Parlour Gig, Central Coast
21-23 October 2017 – Swagger Music Festival, Wandiligong
3-6 November 2017 – Happy Wanderer Music Festival, Benalla
3 November 2017 – Parlour Gig, Beechworth
5 November 2017 – Parlour Gig, Wagga Wagga
10 November 2017 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide (FREE)
18 & 19 November 2017 – Brown Brothers Spring Festival, Milawa
24 November 2017 – Tap House, Bendigo

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Benny Walker Shows His Soul With “Ghost”

I haven’t heard any new music from Benny Walker in a couple of years. Back then he was impressing me with the bluesy rock of his album Through the Forest. Now he’s back with a new sound which will different is no less impressive. His latest single “Ghost” is a groovy, soulful number with silky smooth vocals and a powerful message.

Benny says “Ghost” is an “ode to all the greedy, power-hungry, shortsighted people trying to fuck up our world … this one’s for them.” He cowrote the track with ARIA award winning producer Jan Skubiszewski, who also helped produce Benny’s forthcoming six-track EP Undercover.

Before that drops, Benny will road-test his new material on his Wine, Women, & Soul tour. At intimate venues with Benny switching between the piano and guitar to bring his new songs to life, it’s bound to be something special.

15 September 2017 – Basement Discs Instore, Melbourne
6 October 2017 – Skylark Room, Upwey
7 October 2017 – Old Castlemaine Gaol, Castlemaine (with Alice Skye)
8 October 2017 – Turtles Bend, Teesdale, Geelong
13 October 2017 – Memo Music Hall, Melbourne (with Alice Skye)
15 October 2017 – The Mill, Echuca
22 October 2017 – Smiths Alternative, Canberra
28 October 2017 – Bendigo Bank Theatre at The Capital, Bendigo

Image used with permission from Little Giant Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Ghost Melodies” – Dan Flynn

The older I get, the faster time seems to pass. Two years felt like an eternity when I was younger, but now it seems to pass in the blink of an eye. When time appears to pass so quickly, hearing the music an artist you enjoyed a couple of years ago is making now can seem jarring. But as I’ve learned listening to Ghost Melodies, the latest effort from Dan Flynn, evolution can be a good thing.

I must admit, this isn’t an album I immediately warmed to. Dan’s mellow folky sounds seemed to be buried underneath synthesizers, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about. The electronic sounds seemed at odds with his hushed, soothing voice, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. Yet I found myself coming back to Ghost Melodies. It’s taken me about a week, but I think I’m on board.

That’s not to say that every song is a success for me. The opening songs, “Get Ready for a Fight” and “Everything He Does” still haven’t revved me. The music has such an energetic pop feel that Dan’s gentle vocals don’t quite match. But then with “Across the Wire,” a more mellow, dramatic number, I think everything fell into place. The following song, “This Too Shall Pass,” has a great groove reminiscent of The Temper Trap that I also love.

Dan hasn’t abandoned his folk roots completely. The songs still have a folk undercurrent, although often that gets lost in the instrumentation. “One Eye Open” is a return to the finger-picking acoustic driven songwriting I first fell in love with though. The Johnny Cash-inspired “Man I Have Become” is similarly stripped back. These songs have such a nostalgic feel, and I’m thankful for their inclusion, even if they don’t quite seem like they fit on this album.

“Last Waltz,” the final track on Ghost Melodies, is another daring left turn, a simplistic love song that you might imagine your grandparents slow dancing to. It’s an interesting progression from “This One’s For You.” On the surface, the two songs don’t seem to have a lot in common: one a lush synthesized charmer driven with big booming drums, the other much more restrained and nostalgic. However, at their core they’re both waltzes. Once you make peace with that, the juxtaposition makes so much sense.

Dan Flynn takes some real risks with Ghost Melodies. The results don’t always resonate with me, but when the gambles pay off it’s so rewarding. Listening to this album can be challenging, but I’d rather that than hearing something that plays it too safe. Ghost Melodies is available from September 15.

Image used with permission from Dan Flynn

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Empire Park Makes Strong Statement With “Weight”

If you have a sore head after a big Saturday night, I apologise. But if you want something big and bold to get through your Sunday, Melbourne-based alternative rock act Empire Park has you covered with “Weight.”

This is such a strong track, delivered with the confidence of stadium rock veterans. It’s already received praise from members of Gang of Youths and I Know Leopard. I’ll add my name to the list of supporters.

“The song is about the realisation that something you cared deeply about has to end, and you can’t pretend otherwise any longer,” explained Empire Park’s frontman and founder Harrison Manton. “It’s about change and loss, for better or worse, in my relationships and our lives in general since we’ve moved away from home.”

Hopefully we hear plenty more from these guys soon. I’m a fan.