Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Blinded By Didirri’s Sweet Folk Single

His name might be unusual, but Didirri is one name you’ll want to remember. He’s the voice behind “Blind You,” an amazing folk song that sits a cut above the rest.

With simple acoustic strumming, his incredible vocal tone, and accessible but emotive lyrics, Didirri has quickly won me over. You might have caught him recently supporting quality acts like Jordie Lane, Tash Sultana, and the Pierce Brothers. But Didirri is ready to step into the spotlight. Catch him headlining the following single launch shows next month.

6 July 2017 – Junk Bar, Brisbane
13 July 2017 – Golden Age Cinema, Sydney
11 August 2017 – The Workers Club, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Title Track

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Party in Kings Cross With Keep Sydney Open Music Festival

Like so many other cities, Sydney has lost many of its great live music venues. Keep Sydney Open is fighting back with Meet Me In The Cross, a big musical party staged at seven of the Cross’s most beloved venues on July 1.

One $30 ticket will grant you entry to Kings Cross Hotel, The World Bar, Candys Apartment, Potts Point Hotel (formerly Kit & Kaboodle ), Crane Bar, Jangling Jack’s, and Sweethearts Rooftop. You’ll also get some great deals from awesome food vendors and traders plying their wares through the night. You can bounce between the venues, taking in the great music across all stages, until it wraps up at 3 am.

“We’re super excited to be partnering with Keep Sydney Open and the rest of the Kings Cross Precinct,” says Greg Turton of The World Bar. “A music festival is a great opportunity to highlight just some of the awesome talent that is on show every weekend in Eastside Sydney. Hopefully this will be the first of many.”

Tickets are on sale now from Eventbrite.

Image used with permission from Keep Sydney Open

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Stars Cover “You’re The Voice” For Domestic Violence Charities

Domestic and family violence are some of the most pressing issues facing our society today. A host of talented local musicians are doing the bit to raise awareness with the release of a cover of John Farnham’s smash “You’re The Voice.”

The track features some of the biggest names in music today: Katie Noonan, Kate Ceberano, Isaiah, Troy Cassar-Daley, Montaigne, and Archie Roach.

“I’m so proud of the positive response from the Australian community and music industry in rallying together to support this initiative. It is a testament to the power of music being able to make a difference,” Katie said. She’s the artistic director of this year’s Queensland Music Festival. As part of the program, a 2000-strong choir will come together to sing “You’re The Voice” at South Bank Piazza. It happens at 5 pm on July 29, so check it out if you’re in the area.

All money raised from iTunes sales of the “You’re The Voice” single benefits the Sony Foundation and DV Connect, a Queensland-based 24/7 crisis response group. One thing I personally like about DVConnect is that it doesn’t discriminate. It understands that people of both genders can be victims of domestic violence, so it has a womensline (1800 811 811) and a mensline (1800 600 636). After watching The Red Pill this week, that sort of real gender equality matters to me. If you want to support it to, you know where to find the single!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Let The Lovely Days Brighten Your Friday

Winter has well and truly set in, but you can shake off the gloom with “Mornington,” the shiny new single from The Lovely Days.

The band, who come to us from Melbourne by way of Mullumbimby, has such a great psychedelic pop sound. Think ELO mixed with a smattering of Tame Impala and Alabama Shakes.

The Lovely Days hadn’t crossed my radar before, but apparently the band’s self-titled EP garnered praised in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as here at home. “Mornington” comes from The Lovely Days’ new EP Arms Wide Open, which they’re currently touring around the country. Check the band out at the following venues!

17 June 2017 – The Exeter Hotel, Adelaide
22 June 2017 – Oxford Art Factory (Gallery Bar), Sydney
23 June 2017 – Vic on the Park, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Happy 10th Birthday Sounds of Oz!

Today Sounds of Oz turns 10. That seems like a milestone worth acknowledging. Ten years is longer than many marriages and prison sentences after all. It’s amazing scrolling back through the pages, looking at all the albums I’ve fallen for and the gigs I’ve seen since it all began.

I started this blog all those years ago because I felt there was a real division in Australia between the alternative music press and the commercial outlets. I wanted to carve out a place where great Australian music could be appreciated, regardless of its genre. Sadly I still feel that division. I also feel there’s a bunch of great music that doesn’t get any exposure on through big outlets, something I wasn’t aware of when I began this journey. I’m thrilled I have a platform to bring those superb songs to you.

I’m not going to write anything long and sappy, but I did want to take a moment to thank the promoters and record companies who’ve introduced me to so much great music and hooked me up with countless concert tickets over the years. Your support has been invaluable. Thank you to the musicians themselves for their kind words and for sharing their music with me. But mostly I want to thank you, the readers. Whether you’re been with me for years or you’ve just stopped by, I’m glad you’ve taken time to discover my little corner of the web.

Here’s to the next 10 and beyond!

Image source: Wwarby @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Billy Billy” – Donnarumma

The musicians from Adelaide band Donnarumma are no shrinking violets. The music they create is bold and confident. It forces you to pay attention, with big brassy hooks and driving drumbeats. With their new EP Billy Billy, they show why they should be on your radar.

The single “Love Your Man” kicks things off in all its unapologetic glory. “Into The Moss” keeps the energy levels up. Its jazzy Latin vibe had me grooving in my seat. “The Anxious Dance” is epic in the best possible way, very left of center but delightful because of its difference. Speaking of difference, it’s rare that we hear a song as brutally honest “All Night Long.” I love its rebellious heart. With the title track “Billy Billy,” Donnarumma closes its EP with a bang. “This is the end” frontman Louis Donnarumma sings, and for the EP that’s true. But for Donnarumma, I have a feeling things are only just beginning.

Billy Billy drops on June 30. Donnarumma will tour the EP next month.

1 July 2017 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
7 July 2017 – Whole Lotta Love, Melbourne
13 July 2017 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
14 July 2017 – The Townie, Sydney (FREE)

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Lyrical Touring New EP

I reviewed it last month, but The Lyrical drops his fantastic new EP King of Me tomorrow. The EP features incredible songs brimming with wisdom, including the awesome new single “Teach Me.”

“Some of us, as artists and musicians, don’t have all the answers or knowledge about things happening around us, but we need to be open to learn,” he explained of the song’s message. “There is a world full of important issues, and powerful stories to tell. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the entertainment side of things, that we forget about the message … Which, in my humble opinion, is just as important.”

The Lyrical will bring music from his EP to the masses later this month with shows on the East Coast and South Australia.

22 June 2017 – The Jack, Cairns
23 & 24 June 2017 – Magnums, Airlie Beach
30 June 2017 – Alex SLSC, Alex Head
1 July 2017 – Mt Gravatt Marketta, Brisbane
2 July 2017 – Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads
8 July 2017 – The Penny Black, Melbourne
12 July 2017 – The Bridge Hotel, Langhorne Creek
13 July 2017 – Beach Hotel, Seaford
14 July 2017 – The Elephant British Pub, Adelaide
15 July 2017 – Slug n’ Lettuce, Parafield Gardens
21 July 2017 – Moonshine Bar, Manly Sydney
22 July 2017 – Tapp Bar Panthers, Port Macquarie
28 July 2017 – Pacific Hotel, Yamba

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Georgia State Line Nail Americana Sound With “Older Than I Am”

Georgia State Line sounds like it’s emerged from the American heartland, but the band was actually born and bred in regional Victoria. Now based in Melbourne, this local six-piece showcase its authentic Americana sound with the new single “Older Than I Am.”

The song is an ode to innocence and the way so many of us have felt like old souls in our formative years. With its jangly guitar hooks and driving drum beat, it sounds like the perfect soundtrack for those long road trips across our nation.

While the band sounds great on the single, I hear Georgia State Line is even better live. After wowing big crowds at Australia’s National Folk Festival and Terang Country Music Festival, they’re ready for something a little more intimate.

Georgia State Line will launch the single for hometown fans at Melbourne’s Union Hotel on June 17.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tami Neilson Heading to Australia

She’s Canadian-born, now based in Auckland, and she’s bringing her live show to Australia. Meet Tami Neilson, the powerful voice behind the new single “Holy Moses.”

“Holy Moses” is just one of the retro-inspired tracks from Tami’s killer new album Don’t Be Afraid. It effortlessly crosses genre, with soul, blues, and jazz influences combined in the best possible way. After acclaimed performances at Woman NZ, Auckland City Limits, and Nashville Americana Fest recently, Tami is in fine form.

She’ll play just three shows along the East Coast in August. Discover her before the rest of the world knows what a talent Tami is!

18 August 2017 – The Flamin’ Galah, Brisbane
19 August 2017 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
20 August 2017 – The Basement, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sia Shines With Kanye West Collaboration “Reaper”

I’m not sure Sia is capable of writing a bad song. The ones she records herself are always a cut above in my opinion. Why would you want to pass your best material on to someone else? While everything she does is gold, I’ve got a special place in my heart for her latest single “Reaper.”

Sia cowrote and produced the track with Kanye West, yet it feels more personal than so many collabs. What a quality track.

Given I’m sharing the single with you, it’s probably a good time to remind you Sia is touring the country later this year. This is a big deal, as Sia hasn’t toured Australia for six years. Since then she’s become an international megastar, scoring Grammy Award nominations and working with the likes of Adele, David Guetta, and Kendrick Lamar. She was Spotify’s most streamed female Aussie artist last year and “Cheap Thrills” was the most streamed song by a female artist in the streaming site’s history.

At the height of her popularity and with stellar support acts Charlie XCX, MØ and Amy Shark locked in, these shows will sell out. Catch Sia at Melbourne’s AAMI Park on November 30 or Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on December 2. She then heads across the ditch to play Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on December 5.