Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Buckleys are Incredible Over Achievers

I watched the excellent Irish movie Sing Street on the weekend. It tickled my funny bone, moved me as I haven’t been moved by a film in years, and also made me feel woefully inadequate. The kids in the movie are a fraction of my age yet capable of making the kind of music I can only dream of. Those feelings of inadequacy are creeping in again now that I’ve discovered The Buckleys.

The Buckleys are three siblings: 17-year-old Sarah Grace Buckley on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, 15-year-old Lachlan Buckley on bass and electric guitars, and 14-year-old Molly Buckley on vocals and mandolin. Their most recent single “Would You Like to Dance” is amazing. They’ve worked a who’s who of songwriters in Nashville, and they’ve signed an international deal with Aussie label Golden Robot Records. They’re returning to the US next week to meet with publishing and management companies in Nashville. While they’re there, they’ll play Music City Roots in Franklin, Tennessee on December 14. Seriously, could they cram any more accomplishments into their young lives?

Before they go, the Buckleys will play the Mullum Music Festival in Mullimbimby on Saturday, November 19. Get on board now, because these guys are going to be big.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Husky Returns With New Single and Tour

After spending a year in Berlin, Melbourne band Husky is back on our shores and back with a brand new single “Late Night Store.”

“Late Night Store” is the first track lifted from Husky’s third album, which will drop later this year. It’s got such a striking blend of guitars and keys, with a steady groove that keeps the listener engaged right to the end. I also love the poetry of the lyrics.

In a couple of days Husky will hit the road for their first national tour since 2014. If you’ve been hanging out for a Husky gig, make sure you don’t miss one of these shows.

17 November 2016 – Artbar Art Gallery of WA, Perth
19 November 2016 – Lighthouse Folk Festival, Norah Head
3 December 2016 – The Foundry, Fortitude Valley
7 December 2016 – Newtown Social Club, Newtown
8 December 2016 – Fat Controller, Adelaide
15 December 2016 – Howler, Brunswick

Image used with permission from Guerilla Music Promotion

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Emma Anglesey Casts a Spell with “Mary-Anne”

Prepare to get swept up in the beauty of “Mary-Anne,” the new single from Tassie songbird Emma Anglesey.

I love her voice, which is reminiscent of Delores’ O’Riordan’s haunting tone. Her angelic vocals seem to float over the track’s driving drums and lush strings. I’ve also decided I should stop procrastinating and book that Tassie holiday after taking in the gorgeous music video for “Mary-Anne,” which celebrates the beauty of Emma’s home state.

Emma is currently on tour to support the release of “Mary-Anne.” There are two remaining shows: one at Melbourne’s Open Studio on November 30 and another at Sydney’s Gasoline Pony on December 7.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Silver Birch” – Little Wise

After falling for Little Wise’s single “Don’t Hurry Back,” I couldn’t wait to wrap my ears around her album Silver Birch. My expectations were high, but this beautiful collection of folky acoustic songs certainly met them.

The album opens with “Sometimes,” a summery folk-pop number about leaving the negative forces behind and moving forward. The lyrics of “Grab a Hold,” which contain so much wisdom, really resonated with me. The title track “Silver Birch” is an absolute standout. The lyrics which reveal the loss of a father touch on the sadness but also celebrate the strength and wisdom gained from tragedy. “Favourite Song,” featuring guest vocals from Sal Kimber, has such a great groove that reminded me a little of something Rickie Lee Jones might write. The final track “Stairs” is the perfect way to end. This isn’t one of those albums that has big production, but it’s still refreshing to hear what is there stripped away until we’re just left with the gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar and Little Wise’s angelic vocals singing an honest, moving lyric. This is music at its most pure, and it’s a beautiful thing to witness.

Little Wise has a gorgeous voice with such an earthy, authentic quality. I believe her as she tells stories of the people she’s known. Each track is a beautiful snapshot of moments that are personal, yet touch on themes we can all relate to. While this gentle album would make the perfect music for those quiet nights chatting with friends over glasses of red wine, the listening experience becomes so much richer when you tap into the lyrics and really listen to what each song has to say.

Silver Birch is out now. You’ll find it on iTunes, Spotify, and Bandcamp, which has both digital and physical versions. Little Wise is currently touring the country to support its release.

15 November 2016 – House Concert, Nambucca Heads
17 November 2016 – Petersham Bowling Club, Sydney (with Rosie Burgess)
18 November 2016 – Smith’s Alternative, Canberra (with Rosie Burgess)
19 November 2016 – Commonground Festival, Seymour
24 November 2016 – The Bella Union, Melbourne (with Rosie Burgess)
25 November 2016 – Martians Café, Deans Marsh (with Rosie Burgess)
27 November 2016 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide (4pm – with Rosie Burgess)
9 December 2016 – Basement Discs, Melbourne (FREE @ 12:45pm)
10 December 2016 – Brookfield Shed, Margate (with Rosie Burgess)
11 December 2016 – Marakoopa Café, Mayberry (2pm with Rosie Burgess)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Battlehounds Rock Out with “Good Man”

After 12 months of hibernation, Adelaide’s Battlehounds is back with a brand new single “Good Man.” This is a straight-up dirty slice of rock music that packs a real punch.

“Good Man” is our first taste of Battlehounds’ debut EP, which should drop early next year. Until then, fans will no doubt get to hear more songs from that release at the following shows.

19 November 2016 – The Ed Castle, Adelaide
26 November 2016 – Reverence Hotel, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Masters of Sgt Pepper Heading to Melbourne in 2017

Here’s an early heads up for Beatles fans because I have a feeling this is one of those events that’s going to sell out quickly. In February, a music panel event called The Masters of Sgt Pepper will hit Melbourne to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Bank.

The panel features Sgt Pepper’s engineers Geoff Emerick and Richard Lush chatting with former Herald Sun editor Alan Howe, an acoustic performance from Davey Lane, and an audience Q&A session moderated by Leo Sayer. Attendees will get an incredible insight into what went into the recording of this ground-breaking album and the legacy of the Beatles.

The Masters of Sgt Pepper will hit Planetshakers in Southbank on February 23 and 24. Places are limited, so make sure you buy your tickets soon from Showbiz Tickets.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kerser Ready to Drop Sixth Album

Kerser is on target to achieve his goal of releasing ten albums in ten years with the impending launch of album number six, Tradition, on November 18. He’s released a new LP every year since his debut, The Nebulizer, dropped in October 11.

After working with Sinima Beats on his last record, the  MC from Campbelltown was keen to have the producer back on board for his latest release.

“We wanted to make it a lot more versatile and I think we’ve done that,” he enthused in a press release. “We’ve covered heaps of styles and a bit of dance, a bit of boom bap, a bit of original stuff … There’s a bit of everything on it.”

One of those tracks, “Bad Habits,” almost didn’t make the cut, but when fans swamped his YouTube channel Kerser knew this brutally honest song deserved its place on Tradition.

“Every album, I move up,” Kerser insists. You can find out if he’s right when Tradition hits stores on November 18.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Daggy Man Continues Winning Streak With “Dumb Bird”

The music of Daggy Man is just so good for the soul. I eagerly await this Brisbane singer-songwriter’s every release, and find myself falling in love with his music all over again.

His latest single “Dumb Bird,” the fourth track lifted from the upcoming album A Lazy Kind of Pain continues the trend. Just take a moment from the hustle and bustle of Friday and let its delicate acoustic strummings and gentle vocals wash over you. I know you’re going to adore it.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Foreign Bodies” – The Iron Eye

With all the confidence and prowess of global names like Queens of the Stone Age and A Perfect Circle comes Brisbane rock act The Iron Eye and its brand new EP Foreign Bodies.

The EP bursts out of the gate from the first track and lead single “Culpa.” I love its driving drums and singalong chorus. “Just Started” continues the fun with its dirty, sexy groove and fuzzy guitars. The title track “Foreign Bodies” is another high-octane rock hit, with big chunky guitars and big vocals from Nick Lythall to match. “Where Do You Go” had me bobbing my head in time with its energetic beat. The closing track “Silence” is perhaps the EP’s most ambitious number. It’s menacing and dark, without the obvious hooks of the songs that came before. This song shows that The Iron Eye is a band that’s not afraid to take some risks. While it wasn’t my favourite song on Foreign Bodies, I appreciate the statement it makes.

The Iron Eye makes music that rocks hard with a great melodic core which endears it to listeners from the first spin. Foreign Bodies gives an exciting snapshot of a rock act that deserves to make a splash on the local music scene.

Foreign Bodies drops on November 18.

Image used with permission from Collision Course

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Be Transported by Deer Prudence’s “Sam’s Lament”

Deer Prudence has thoroughly charmed me with the impending release of “Sam’s Lament,” a folky ditty which takes me to the misty landscapes of Ireland with its sweet, ethereal harmonies and plaintive violins.

The lasses from Deer Prudence actually grew up in regional Victoria, and relocated to Melbourne to study and pursue their musical careers. The song touches on the changes they’ve made during that time.

“For us, Sam’s Lament is a piece that signifies our last five years – writing, recording, finishing a music degree and leaving our hometowns – an epic ode to the good that’s happened and to some of the bad,” they explained in a press release. “We drew parallels between someone travelling a great distance; a mystical tale – and landed on Frodo and Sam’s trek to Mount Doom bearing the weight of the Ring of Power … Life is a bit like that.”

Deer Prudence will officially launch this gorgeous single with a free show at Clifton Hills’ Some Velvet Morning on November 19. Forever Son will support.