Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Leaps and Bounds Announces Show For Nursing Home Residents

We often hear of the importance of making music accessible to young people who can’t visit the country’s pubs and clubs. But what about people on the other end of the age spectrum? Our senior population is often ignored by concert organisers, so I’m thrilled to see the good folks behind the Leaps and Bounds Music Festival is doing something about it with “I’ve Been Everywhere,” a free concert for residents of aged care homes, their friends, families, and carers.

The show features music from The Band Who Knew Too Much, who promise to play all the seniors’ favourites with accordions, washboards, and other classic instruments.

“I’ve Been Everywhere” hits the Melba Spiegeltent in Collingwood on Friday July 21. It runs from noon to 3 pm, the perfect time for Victoria’s elderly residents. Register your seats for free at the Leaps and Bounds Music Festival website.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Coin Banks Releases Soulful New Single “Forgive Us”

Perth MC Coin Banks has joined forces with the mighty WAAPA Gospel Choir for his latest single “Forgive Us.”

I love the way Coin Banks’ rhymes works with the choir’s slick soulful harmonies and the band’s tight horns. Combining genres doesn’t always work, but this is pretty special. If it doesn’t put a smile on your face this Humpday, I don’t know what will!

“I think something that holds us back as a society is the inability to apologise and forgive, it is something so simple but something we all struggle with. Pride and fear hold us back from apologising, and at the same time holds us back from forgiving the people that have wronged us,” Coin Banks explained. “The song takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to this fairly serious issue.”

“Forgive Me” comes from Coin Banks’ new EP Outside Looking In, which drops on June 30.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fallin’ For Jessica Mauboy

Jessica Mauboy is one of those rare entertainers who never seems to put a foot wrong. Whether she’s behind the microphone or the camera, she dazzles. I’m always impressed by her musical output, but I think her latest single “Fallin’” is just a cut above the rest. It’s musically so interesting and her vocals, as always, are on point.

If you love the song, make sure you tune in to The Voice this Sunday to catch her performing it live.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Meg Mac Does It Again With “Maybe It’s My First Time”

If the singles she keeps releasing are any indication, Meg Mac’s forthcoming album Low Blows is going to be really something. The latest single is “Maybe It’s My First Time,” a soulful number with a charming vintage feel.

Meg recorded the track in Fort Worth, Texas at Niles City Sound, set up by the producers and players behind the music of Leon Bridges. Mixing at Electric Lady in New York completed this slick soul song.

“’Maybe it’s My First Time’ is about trying to get through a bad time. When you’re hurt, you can keep going over and over the pain in your head and drive yourself crazy,” Meg explained. “I wanted to stop all that and only look back once and be done with it. To cruise past my pain instead of living in it”.

Low Blows drops on July 14. Meg will tour the album, but tickets are selling fast so don’t delay if you want some!

23 July 2017 – Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay
8 September 2017 – The Forum, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
9 September 2017 – The Forum, Melbourne
22 September 2017 – The Enmore, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tempus Sun Wins Me Over With “Owls”

When I attempted to stream “Owls,” the new single from last year’s Bank of Melbourne ‘Melbourne Music Bank’ winners Tempus Sun, on Spotify, it came up on an album called Listen Up Australian Volume 1, which was listed as “featuring the top ten songwriters in Australia.” As you can imagine, my curiosity was piqued and my expectations set high!

At first I wasn’t sure about the song. It was quite nice, with its gentle acoustic guitar and delicate vocal delivery, but I wasn’t really seeing what distinguished from the glut of solid folk music we have in this country. But I gave it time, as you should with any song, and it built into something exceptional.

So I urge you, give it time. This song just keeps getting stronger as the harmonies kick in and the instruments intensify. The message is also one that anyone who’s battled mental illness or been close to someone who has will identify with.

“Owls is about speaking up about our struggles. It’s a tune relatable to anyone with troubles, be it in the past or ongoing,” explained Tempus Sun’s lead guitarist Ed Borreomeo. “It was created with mental illness in mind and the intention of influencing people to just have a chat about it with someone. Coming from personal experience, something as simple as having a chat is very easy to disregard as helpful, or is easy to procrastinate on, but I found it to be the first step in combatting almost anything.”

“Owls” is the first single from Tempus Sun’s self-titled debut EP, which will drop on August 4. The band will launch “Owls” with a show for hometown fans at The Toff in Town on June 30.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Anita Lester Lays It All Bare With “Last Day”

I love a performer who has the confidence in her voice to have it exposed. Artists like this don’t hide behind a symphony of sound or studio wizardry. They’re comfortable with delicate arrangements, because they know their talent speaks for itself.

Anita Lester is one of those special artists. Her voice is accompanied by just a gentle piano for much of her new single “Last Day.” The effect is mesmerizing. Even when the strings kick in, her voice stands proud, anchoring the track so beautifully.

Anita penned “Last Day” at the beginning of a goodbye, and its lyrics so effectively explore the emotions that come when you know the end is near. The video, directed by her brother Yoav, is the ideal accompaniment to this song about emotional struggle.

Anita originally hails from Melbourne but she’s currently making waves in her adopted city of London. “Last Day” comes from her soon-to-be-released debut album.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Illy Playing Regional Australia

After lapping the capital cities several times, Illy is finally taking his music to Australia’s regional centres. His Two Degrees Regional Tour, which kicks off in August, will be his most extensive local tour to date.

Illy hasn’t visited regional Australia since he was part of the Groovin’ The Moo Festival in 2014. No doubt his fans in the regional towns and cities will be itching to see him finally headlining.

Illy says he’s “Really psyched to get back on the road for such a huge run. It’s been a couple years since last time, and this will be the biggest I’ve ever done. Let’s get loose.”

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows. There are plenty of dates, so there’s bound to be one near you!

3 August 2017 – Players Bar, Mandurah
4 August 2017 – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury
5 August 2017 – Dunsborough Hotel, Dunsborough
8 August 2017 – Wintersun, Geraldton
10 August 2017 – Pot Shot, Exmouth
11 August 2017 – Dampier Mermaid Hotel, Karratha
12 August 2017 – Pier Hotel, Port Hedland
13 August 2017 – Roebuck Bay Hotel, Broome
17 August 2017 – Judds, Kalgoorlie
18 August 2017 – Pier Hotel, Esperance
19 August 2017 – White Star, Albany
25 August 2017 – Kay St, Traralgon
26 August 2017 – The Pier, Frankston
1 September 2017 – Odeon, Hobart
2 September 2017 – Club 54, Launceston
7 September 2017 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast
8 September 2017 – Mills Precinct, Toowoomba
9 September 2017 – Night Quarter, Gold Coast
10 September 2017 – The Northern, Byron
14 September 2017 – The Jack, Cairns
15 September 2017 – Dalrymple, Townsville
16 September 2017 – Magnums, Airlie Beach
17 September 2017 – Harvey Rd Tavern, Gladstone
21 September 2017 – Wool Exchange, Geelong
22 September 2017 – Whalers, Warrnambool
23 September 2017 – Shadows, Mt Gambier
29 September 2017 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
1 October 2017 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
6 October 2017 – Setts, Mildura
7 October 2017 – Karova’s Car Park, Ballarat
3 November 2017 – Port Panthers, Port Macquarie
4 November 2017 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
24 November 2017 – SSA Club, Albury

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

ZK’s Kristal West Goes Solo

ZK was one of my favourite acts on The Voice a couple of years ago. So I’m thrilled to see one half of the duo, Kristal West, has just released a brand new single. “Nibe Nibe” is the first lifted from her EP Remembering Ata, a collection of songs paying tribute to Kristal’s grandfather Eddie Mabo on the 25th anniversary year of the High Court native title ruling.

This beautiful song was penned by Torres Strait Island singer-songwriter King Kadu. Kristal’s worked with the Hummingbird Collective, a group of first nations women. Ruth Ghee, Hummingbird Collective’s musical director, notes “Nibe Nibe highlights the importance of the reviving, maintaining, preserving and sharing languages and culture through music and story-telling with ‘one voice.’” She said the song “was a fitting collaboration as most of the Collective also have family connections to Mer [the native language Kristal speaks]”.

Kristal has spent the last six months working on Remembering Ata to pay tribute to her grandfather and reconnect with her heritage.

“I felt a strong desire to get back to my cultural roots and to find my ‘real’ voice, a voice that is rooted in family, history and culture,” she explained. “After seeking counsel from my grandmother, Bonita Mabo, I felt a deep pull to tell the story of my grandfather and our family and felt that was the best starting point.”

“Nibe Nibe” is such a beautiful song. We need more of this on Australia’s musical landscape, don’t you agree?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Taxiride’s Jason Singh Releases New Single “Strangers”

You probably know Jason Singh as one quarter of Taxiride. The ‘90s pop-rockers have played plenty of shows of late, but somehow Jason has managed to squeeze in some solo work too. He’s just dropped his latest solo single “Strangers,” a beautiful piano ballad that should make any listener swoon.

Much of Jason’s solo material has been floor-filling synth pop, so this more vulnerable and emotional track marks a real departure for his sound. I personally love the new direction. “Strangers” feels like it’s come from a very honest place. You can listen here or check out the lyric video on Jason’s Facebook page.

If you’re seeing Hanson this week, make sure you get there on time. Jason is warming up the crowds for Taylor, Zac, and Ike at the following shows.

18 & 19 June 2017 – Forum Theatre, Melbourne (with Hanson)
21 & 22 June 2017 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (with Hanson)
24 June 2017 – The Star, Gold Coast (with Hanson)
25 June 2017 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (with Hanson)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Guitar Show Gears Up For Big Third Year

The Melbourne Guitar Show is back for its third year, and it’s shaping up to be the best yet. Organisers have assembled some superb talent including Steve Hackett from Genesis, Nick Johnston, Alex Hutchings, Lloyd Spiegel, Nick Charles, and Bob Spencer.

In addition to live performances from guitar gods, you’ll also find a monster exhibition with electric and acoustic guitars, effects pedals, amps, and heaps more from Australia and around the world. There’ll be seminars, demos, Q&A sessions, and heaps more.

“We are looking forward to a show this year that builds steadily based on the merit and popularity of the first two and on the presentation of the best people we can find”, says AMA executive officer and MGS organiser, Rob Walker. “We will have more exhibitors this year, as well as bigger stand presentations by many brands.  We are in discussions with an increasing list of players who want to be a part of it, so we are sure this show will provide great value for guitar enthusiasts once again.”

The Melbourne Guitar Show is back at Caulfield Racecourse on August 5 and 6. Tickets are cheaper when you pre-order, so get yours online now.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR