Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Neighbourhood Youth Get Me Rocking With “Hugo”

I don’t know about you, but I’m in the mood for big anthemic rock music today. “Hugo,” the latest track from Brunswick band Neighbourhood Youth, fits the bill. It might be far too early for such behaviour, but it has me punching the air in solidarity.

“’Hugo’ tells the story of an old man reminiscing about the war, and his feelings and regrets from that experience. It also touches on how humans don’t learn from their past mistakes,” the band’s bassist and the wordsmith behind the song, Sam Nathan, explained in a press release.

Neighbourhood Youth will play a couple of shows to celebrate the release of “Hugo.” Keep in mind that these guys sold out the Workers Club last year when they launched their sophomore EP, so you can expect these shows to be big! Catch them at Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory in the Gallery Bar on May 26 and at Melbourne’s Yah Yah’s on June 2.

Image used with permission from Habit

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Andy Ward Releases Haunting Single “Let Me Down”

Sometimes songs draw you in immediately. Others are slow burners that sneak up on you when you least expect it. “Let Me Down” by Andy Ward fell into the latter camp for me. I heard it last week and thought it was a little sleepy. On receiving another email about it, I thought perhaps I should give it another chance. I’m so glad I did.

It’s such a haunting song, mesmerising in its stillness. Brisbane singer Andy’s voice is so beautiful, and the restraint with which he delivers this song is magic. I have no idea why I didn’t hear all this before!

Andy Ward will soon announce some live show for later this year, which will feature “surprising visual elements.” Colour me intrigued!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Polish Club Wows Me With “Divided”

It was just a couple of months ago that I was sharing Polish Club’s pub rock tune “Come Party.” Now I’ve discovered a very different side of the band with their latest single, “Divided.”

While I loved “Come Party,” I think “Divided” is so much better. It’s soulful with a rock edge, passionate and raw. I played it once, then again, then again. Then I shared it on my personal Facebook page while I played it again. And now I’m here, telling all of you about it.

“It’s about being stubborn and internalising in a relationship. Not being able to admit things aren’t working and lying to yourself,” explained singer-guitarist Novak in the presser. His vocals are sublime here, but don’t underestimate the impact of drummer John-Henry and those crashing cymbals.

I should also take the opportunity to remind you that Polish Club is touring the country. Here are the remaining dates. Plenty of shows have sold out now (you should have got on it when I told you about the gigs in March!), but there are limited tickets for the remaining dates. They’ve also just announced some New Zealand dates, so Kiwis take note!

11 May 2017 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
12 May 2017 – Rad Bar, Wollongong (SOLD OUT)
13 May 2017 – Republic Bar, Hobart
19 May 2017 – Rocket Bar, Adelaide (SOLD OUT)
20 May 2017 – Amplifier, Perth
25 May 2017 – The Foundry, Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
26 May 2017 – Elsewhere, Gold Coast
27 May 2017 – Big Pineapple Festival, Woombye (SOLD OUT)
1 June 2017 – The Transit Bar, Canberra
2 June 2017 – Workers Club, Geelong
3 June 2017 – The Corner, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
4 June 2017 – The Corner, Melbourne
30 June 2017 – Whammy Bar, Auckland
1 July 2017 – Meow, Wellington

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Segers Charms With “The Wandering”

Perth indie pop act Segers has made my ears prick up with her latest single “The Wandering.”

Make sure you tune in to the lyrics, because they contain so much wisdom. It’s all wrapped up in such a radio-friendly package, I’m surprised the commercial stations don’t already have it on high rotation.

If she keeps producing smart, pop music like this, Segers has got a big future ahead of her.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Áine Tyrrell Works With Glen Hansard For New Single

I am a massive fan of Glen Hansard’s music. So when I heard he’d been collaborating with Aussie-based Irish lass Áine Tyrrell, I couldn’t wait to give her new songs a spin.

“Don’t Be Crying” is her latest single, and it’s every bit a special as I’d hoped for. It stays true to her folk roots but the big brassy hooks give it a soulful flavour. It comes from Áine’s new EP Fledgling Fall, which will drop in August.

After working with Áine on this batch of song, Glen is keen to continue their connected. Aine will travel to Ireland later this year to record with him and The Frames.

“It has been such an amazing opportunity for me to work with one of my songwriting heroes,” Áine said in a press release. “He is a warrior of poetry and people. I feel blessed to have made such an inspiring friend and kindred spirit musically and being able to bounce ideas and share songs with him has been phenomenal for my songwriting and my soul.”

I can’t wait to see where their creative partnership takes them next!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Basics Drop “With This Ship” Ahead of Live Album Release

Anyone who sees them knows that the best way to experience The Basics is to see them live. So it’s pretty exciting news that the Melbourne trio will release a brand new live album, In The Rude, on May 27.

Recorded at Melbourne’s legendary Howler, In The Rude is the band’s first release since Age of Entitlement in 2015. It features a bunch of killer tunes including the lead single “With This Ship.”

There’s no word about shows yet, but surely we deserve a run of dates to coincide with the release of this live treat!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Localles Rock My Socks Off With “Wishing Well”

It takes me a bit to get moving on a Monday. So rather than the mellow music that helps me cruise through the weekend, I like to fire up some dirty rock and roll. If that’s your thing too, fire up “Wishing Well,” the latest single from Melbourne’s Localles.

“Wishing Well is about always wanting what you don’t have, a grass is always greener type thing,” the band said in a press release. “But it is also a statement about positivity, about how things can be better if people work together.”

The track is ridiculously catchy will still maintaining a sense of rock and roll rebellion. Who else is feeling this one?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Busby Marou Pays Tribute to Aussie Soldiers With “Paint This Land” Video

When you’re a writer blogging on your own, it’s easy for some stories to fall through the cracks. I’d intended to write about the video for “Paint This Land,” Busby Marou’s latest single on its ANZAC Day release, as the clip serves as a timely reminder of the contributions of Australian soldiers, particularly the Indigenous men and women that served who weren’t recognised for their efforts until far too late in my opinion. However, I was too busy playing Two Up and drinking schooners of beer, like all good Australians should, to get there. And now it’s May and the moment has well and truly passed.

But no matter what the time of year, this is a pretty awesome clip, co-directed by Wayne Blair who made Redfern Now, The Sapphires, and Cleverman. The video also features Wayne’s father Bob Blair, a Vietnam War vet and the first Aboriginal Regimental Sergeant Major, and actor Tony Barry. And it’s one of my favourite songs from Postcards From the Shell House. So is there really a wrong time to share it? I think not.

Besides, it serves as a timely reminder that Busby Marou will be loading up their van and touring the country in the next couple of weeks. These guys are sensational live, so if you haven’t seen them yet or you’re ready for another serve, make sure you head along.

25 May 2017 – 48 Watt Street, Newcastle
26 & 27 May 2017 – Leadbelly, Sydney
28 May 2017 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
1 June 2017 – Southern Cross Club, Woden
2 June 2017 – Launceston Country Club, Launceston
3 June 2017 – Wrest Point Casino, Hobart
8 June 2017 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
9 June 2017 – Triffid, Brisbane
10 June 2017 – Sea & Sound Festival, Sunshine Coast
11 June 2017 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
15 June 2017 – Fat Controller, Adelaide
16 June 2017 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
17 June 2017 – Workers Club, Geelong
18 June 2017 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
22 June 2017 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
23 June 2017 – Northshore Tavern, Hillarys
24 June 2017 – Mundaring Weir Hotel, Mundaring
25 June 2017 – The Boston, Perth
30 June 2017 – Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin
1 July 2017 – Triffid, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aurelia Kicks Butt With “Are We Losing”

Most singers rely on musicians to support their vocals. But not Aurelia, who uses the sound of her own martial arts practice as the background for her new single “Are We Losing.” It’s a fitting way to combine the passions of this musical songstress who competes in martial arts at an international level.

Listening to the track, it’s so easy to forget that the background music is a woman working out. It’s unique, sure, but it sounds far more beautiful than anything I’ve heard in a gym! Aurelia’s layered the sound of her training with her own vocal samples to create a really wonderful soundscape. I also love Aurelia’s voice. It has such a special, hypnotic tone which also helps set this song apart.

“Recording the Are We Losing demo was a pivotal experience for me of how magical I think making music should feel,” she explained. “This, and the fact that Are We Losing is essentially about freedom and abandon, lead me to the realisation that I’m free to release whatever I want, so I am.”

After discovering such an original single from Aurelia, I can’t wait to hear what she surprises us with next!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bliss N Eso Unseat Ed Sheeran on the ARIA Albums Charts

It seemed like mission impossible, but Bliss N Eso have triumphed where many acts have failed and unseated Ed Sheeran from the top of the ARIA charts. The hip hop act’s latest album Off the Grid has claimed the number one spot on debut.

Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole’s latest collaboration, The Great Country Songbook Vol. II, has also made an impressive showing in its first week. It sits at number six, just ahead of Mark Vincent’s A Tribute to Mario Lanza.

Where are the Aussies in the singles charts though? Despite some great local releases in recent weeks, the best we can manage is Dean Lewis at number 14!

Top 10 Albums
1. Off the Grid – Bliss N Eso
2. ÷ – Ed Sheeran
3. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2 – Soundtrack
4. Humanz – Gorillaz
5. DAMN. – Kendrick Lamar
6. The Great Country Songbook Vol. II – Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole
7. A Tribute to Mario Lanza – Mark Vincent
8. Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 – Soundtrack
9. 25 – Adele
10. 24K Magic – Bruno Mars

Top 10 Singles
1. “I’m The One” – DJ Khaled feat. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne
2. “Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran
3. “HUMBLE.” – Kendrick Lamar
4. “Galway Girl” – Ed Sheeran
5. “Symphony” – Clean Bandit feat. Zara Larsson
6. “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” – Shawn Mendes
7. “Something Just Like This” – The Chainsmokers and Coldplay
8. “Stay” – Zedd feat. Alessia Cara
9. “Sign of the Times” – Harry Styles
10. “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber