Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Essie Rocks with “Someone”

There are few things I enjoy more than a strong female rock voice. So I’m all over “Someone,” the new single from Perth indie act Essie.

There’s a great earthy bluesiness about her brand of rock. And that voice, wow! Essie wrote the track while at university, and while it traverses familiar themes of the aftermath of a breakup, I find it so compelling.

Despite being a Perth girl, Essie has become a staple on the UK club scene. If you’re living in London, you can catch her at the Islington tonight or Vinyl Bar on May 19.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Lee, Carlotta, and More Heading to Port Douglas Carnivale

I swear no sooner I’m back from a holiday I’m itching to go on another one. If I could convince my husband to get away again, a trip to the Port Douglas Carnivale in Tropical North Queensland next month would be high on my list.

Now in its 23rd year, the family-friendly event continues to attract impressive musical talent like this year’s headliners Ben Lee, Carlotta, Leanne Tennant, and Hillbilly Goats. Other highlights include the Macrossan Street Parade, the Family Beach Day, performances from theatrical troupe La Soiree, and the Tropic Destinations Photographic Exhibition.

Port Douglas Carnivale runs from May 26 to 28. Learn more about this vibrant event at the Port Douglas Carnivale website.

Image used with permission from Encore PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Megan Washington, Neil Finn, and Jack Carty Line Up for Music Therapy Fundraiser

Art of Music Live is a unique celebration of Aussie music for a good cause. Jenny Morris will curate the biannual event which brings acclaimed musicians including Megan Washington, Neil Finn, and Jack Carty together to pay tribute to some of our most beloved songs. No two shows will ever be the same, so if you’re not there you’ll miss out.

Proceeds from the event go to Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, an organisation that transforms lives through music therapy. The group has helped mute children speak and given others that couldn’t move their arms fine motor skills. It’s also helped elderly Australians struggling with dementia. This is truly an organisation doing good.

Art of Music Live hits the Sydney Opera House on 4 May. Tickets cost $195 and are on sale from the Art of Music website.

Image used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Joe Gow Drops Clip For “Flowers In Your Hair”

Matt Joe Gow’s Seven Years was one of my favourite albums released in 2016. So I’m thrilled to see he’s released one of the tracks from this impressive release, “Flowers in Your Hair.” Featuring guest vocals from Katya Harrop, a member of Matt Joe’s touring band, this song is a real charmer.

The video is lovely too, with Matt Joe and Katya both starring as they sing about a relationship that’s broken down. It was shot in North Melbourne last year and directed by Joanna Strong.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Xavier Rudd Live Album On the Way

Xavier Rudd is set to release his brand new concert album Live in the Netherlands, which features the entire set from Xavier’s show in Utrecht last year, the last night of his 28-date sold-out European tour.

I received a stream of a few songs from the album and fans are in for a real treat. These live recordings really capture that special bond Xavier develops with his audience and the chemistry between him and his band, featuring Charles Wall and Ant Aggs.

“The energy at those European shows was huge and there was a really strong thread of positive intention running through the communities,” Xavier said in a press release. “Aussie shows for us are fairly rare these days, so I’m really excited to share this live album and the European vibes with the homeland. We captured a pretty special one!”

Live in the Netherlands will be released on April 21 as a digital download, a double CD, and a limited edition 180g triple vinyl LP produced in three colours. Vinyl fans, you’re going to want to pre-order to get your hands on that limited edition album!

Image used with permission from Jones PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sandy Realms Releases Relatable New Single “Jackets”

I’ve been struggling with adulting this week. I always feel an inevitable “come down” after a cruising holiday. When I’m away I can be young again, drinking past midnight and not doing much of anything during the day. But then I arrive home and I’ve got deadlines and bills to pay. And money spent on new tyres, tax repayments, and vet visits just isn’t a lot of fun.

If you agree with me that adulting bites, you’re going to love “Jackets,” the debut single from independent Melbourne band Sandy Realms. The duo recorded this folky lo-fi pop song and others from their forthcoming EP in the back den of the house they share in Northcote. I just love how organic it sounds.

We’ll hear more from Sandy Realms when the EP Coming Together drops later this month.

Image used with permission from Sandy Realms

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Thomas Oliver Releases New Single “Losin'” Ahead of Album Releases

Aussie-born, New Zealand-based muso Thomas Oliver has delivered a taste of his forthcoming new album Floating in the Darkness. The single “Losin’” is a poignant track about loss with an easy, relaxed groove and some of the most sublime vocals you’ll hear all year.

“‘Losin’ is a lonely song about feeling someone you love slip away,” Thomas explained in a press release. “But it’s intentionally juxtaposed with a bouncy rhythm and sweet melodies. This is meant to represent being so acquainted with hurt that you hardly feel it anymore.”

Floating in the Darkness is scheduled for an April 28 release. Thomas will promote the album with the following shows here at home.

7 June – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
9 June – The Milk Factory, Brisbane
10 June – Wesley Anne, Melbourne
11 June – Leadbelly, Sydney
15 June – Babushka, Leederville

Image used with permission from This Much Talent; photo by Terry Longley and Michelle Davies

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amy Shark Impresses Me With “Weekends”

Amy Shark is back with a brand new single, “Weekends,” the follow-up to her smash “Adore.” That earlier single went gangbusters, but personally I think “Weekends” is a stronger song.

“Weekends is an extremely personal song,” Amy said in a press release. “I actually wrote the guitar part about 5 years ago which sounds crazy, but I couldn’t think of any lyrics good enough to match the guitar so I let it go for so many years, until now!”

If you like “Weekends,” make sure you pre-order her EP Night Thinker, which is set to drop on April 21. The track is yours free with purchase to tide you over to the release date.

Amy has an exciting couple of months ahead, with appearances at the Groovin the Moo festival, support slots with Milky Chance, and a North American promotional tour all scheduled. Here are all the places you can see her play in the coming months.

28 April 2017 – Groovin the Moo, Wayville
29 April 2017 – Groovin the Moo, Maitland (SOLD OUT)
30 April 2017 – Groovin the Moo, Townsville
2 May 2017 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (with Milky Chance)
3 May 2017 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (with Milky Chance)
4 May 2017 – Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne (with Milky Chance)
6 May 2017 – Groovin the Moo, Bendigo (SOLD OUT)
7 May 2017 – Groovin the Moo, Bruce (SOLD OUT)
10 May 2017 – Metro City, Perth (with Milky Chance)
13 May 2017 – Groovin the Moo, Bunbury
20 May 2017 – Bass in the Grass, Darwin City
31 May 2017 – Adelaide Hall, Toronto
1 June 2017 – DC 9, Washington D.C.
2 June 2017 – Boot & Saddle, Philadelphia
4 June 2017 – 3rd and Lindsley, Nashville
5 June 2017 – Babys All Right, Brooklyn
6 June 2017 – Mercury Lounge, New York
8 June 2017 – Great Scott, Allston
12 June 2017 – Bardot, Los Angeles
13 June 2017 – Echo, Los Angeles
16 June 2017 – Popscene @ Rickshaw, San Francisco
17 June 2017 – Doug Fir Lounge, Portland
19 June 2017 – Barboza, Seattle
20 June 2017 – The Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver
23 July 2017 – North Byron Parklands, Yelgun

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Tailored for Now – Eleven R&B Super Jams” – CDB

I’ve been conspicuously absent after taking another cruise. I know I just took one, but I’ve definitely been bitten by the bug. It’s easily my favourite way to travel. Only problem is, I end up feeling pretty flat when I come home.

It can be hard to shake me out of my funk, but if anything was going to do it it would be the advance stream of Tailored for Now – Eleven R&B Super Jams, CDB’s latest album waiting for me in my inbox when I returned home. Speaking of conspicuous absences.

Like so many Australian teenage girls of the ’90s, CDB were a significant part of my coming of age. I remember queuing to get their autographs one day at Sound World in Newcastle. So many things date that sentence. Does anyone do instore signings any more? And why have so many of the independent music stores closed? At any rate, I loved CDB as well as so much of the R&B music of the time. So to have the original members of this iconic Australian boy band back together paying tribute to that period in music, it’s the dream album I never knew I wanted. But does it deliver?

In a word, yes. If you loved the original songs, the music of CDB, or like me, both, you’re going to eat this up. Opening with “If I Ever Fall In Love,” Shai’s breakthrough a capella hit, is such a smart move. It makes the strong statement that CDB is back, sounding just as tight as ever. Without any music you can really appreciate just how insanely good the vocals are.

From there the party gets started, with floor fillers like “She’s Got That Vibe” and “Every Little Step.” There are softer moments too with hits like “End of the Road” and an a capella version of “All My Life” which in my opinion outshines the original. The final cut “90s Chill Medley,” featuring a little Tevin Campbell, Janet Jackson, Hi-Five, and Soul For Real, is a master stroke.

Under the wrong hands this album could so easily sound dated. But instead it feels fresh and so funky, a fitting tribute to the ’90s with slick production that makes it feel current. And CDB has lost nothing over the years. Their voices mesh as if they never went away. These guys could give any modern boy band a real run for their money.

Tailored for Now – Eleven R&B Super Jams drops on April 28. I hear word the lads intend to play some reunion shows to celebrate the album’s release, so I’ll let you know when those dates are locked in!

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MDRN LOVE Releases Fantastic Debut Single

With a classic rock sound that hearkens back to INXS and Powderfinger comes MDRN LOVE. The Geelong quintet has just released the debut single “Bring Me Down” and it’s a cracker. Instantly accessible with a melody you’ll be humming for days, it’s the first taste of the band’s forthcoming EP.

If you like what you hear, make sure you get out and support these guys as they travel around Victoria in the coming months.

8th April 2017 – The Courthouse, Geelong
19th April 2017 – The Workers Club, Fitzroy
22nd April 2017 – The Barwon Club, Geelong
5th May 2017 – The Loft, Warrnambool
9th May 2017 – UMSU, Melbourne
20th May 2017 – The Torquay Hotel, Torquay
7th June 2017 – The Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave