Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harry Heart Rocks Out with “Baby Calm Down”

Critics around the world have been losing their minds over Sydney’s Harry Heart. Indie Shuffle praised his “emotive lyrics, the driving guitar riffs, and the loose percussion breakdowns,” while The Wild Honey Pie declared “his music is sure to tug at your heartstrings.” If you haven’t heard of Harry, his new single “Baby Calm Down” might help you understand why he’s generating such buzz.

It’s got a great dirty retro vibe which reminds me a little of Death Cab for Cutie and Arctic Monkeys. Harry explained the song “is really a track about frustration. About being a twenty-something year old male in a world of Mark Zuckerbergs and Justin Biebers, where everyone’s a bloody rock star; no one cares about the lovers and thinkers of the world. Emotions are discouraged and abrasiveness championed. Baby Calm Down is about taking that frustration out on those you love. It was one of those songs where I had about six verses and had to choose the best ones – I had a lot to say.”

Harry Heart will launch “Baby Calm Down” at the Rare Finds event at Sydney’s OAF Gallery on August 12.

Image used with permission from Rare Finds

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ryan Morgan Offers Soulful Take on Time Travel With New Single

Most songs we listen to tend to be about love and loss. So when I find a track about time travel, it instantly gets my attention. If you think the music industry needs more songs with sci fi leanings, then you’re going to adore “Time Machine,” the latest track from Aussie expat Ryan Morgan.

Ryan’s recorded the song with his sister Liya and released it through Bluprint Records, the siblings own label. It’s incredibly funky, with a sound that hearkens back to the classic tunes of Michael Jackson and early Prince.
The music video was shot in London and Sydney, their new home cities, and gives viewers an insight into how they create music together despite living so far away.

“Time Machine” is officially released on August 15.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Montaigne Releases Killer New Single Ahead of Album Tour



I think Montaigne is one of the most exciting acts to emerge from Australia in recent times. I must admit, some of her singles haven’t been to my tastes. But true artists don’t just create songs that please everyone all of the time. They push the boundaries and dare to be different. When her songs have connected with me, I’ve fallen head over heels. That’s the case with Montaigne’s latest single, “Because I Love You.”

It’s as catchy as any pop song, but under its upbeat tune there’s the dark postmortem of a relationship gone wrong. And Montaigne’s voice, always on point, is shown off to full effect here.

“Because I Love You” is the latest cut from Montaigne’s debut album Glorious Heights. She’s hitting the road next month to bring its songs to fans around Australia.

13 September 2016 – The Spiegeltent @ Brisbane Festival, Brisbane (ALL AGES)
16 September 2016 – Carnival of Flowers, Toowoomba (ALL AGES)
23 September 2016 – Fat Controller, Adelaide
24 September 2016 – Jack Rabbit Slims, Perth
1 October 2016 – Beyond Festival, Canberra (ALL AGES)
2 October 2016 – Wildwood Festival, Port Macquarie (ALL AGES)
3 October 2016 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra (ALL AGES)
7 October 2016 – Uni Bar, Wollongong
8 October 2016 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
9 October 2016 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle (ALL AGES)
14 October 2016 – Workers Club, Geelong
15 October 2016 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Human Nature Earn First Number One in 10 Years

I’m properly chuffed to see Human Nature sitting at the top of the albums charts with their latest release, Gimme Some Lovin’: Jukebox Vol. II. This is the first time Human Nature have had a number one album in 10 years. It couldn’t happen to better blokes.

Human Nature’s efforts have kept Flume from the top spot. Skin has jumped 13 spots after Flume’s recent performance at Splendour.

That’s pushed last week’s number two, Wildflower by The Avalanches, down one spot to number three. Wings of the Wild, Delta Goodrem’s latest release, has also fallen one spot to land at number five.

Ripcord is showing real staying power. Keith Urban’s latest album hasn’t left the top 10 since it debuted at number one in May. It’s also rising again, jumping from 10 to seven this week.

Meanwhile on the singles charts, Illy’s track “Papercuts,” featuring Vera Blue, has risen from number eight to number two. Will it topple Major Lazer’s star-studded single “Cold Water” next week?

The Veronicas are also continuing to chart with “In My Blood.” It’s at number eight this week.

Here are this week’s top 10s.

Top 10 Albums
1. Gimme Some Lovin’: Jukebox Vol. II – Human Nature
2. Skin – Flume
3. Wildflower – The Avalanches
4. 25 – Adele
5. Wings of the Wild – Delta Goodrem
6. Lemonade – Beyonce
7. Ripcord – Keith Urban
8. Periphery III – Select Difficulty – Periphery
9. The Getaway – Red Hot Chilli Peppers
10. California – Blink-182

Top 10 Singles
1. “Cold Water” – Major Lazer feat. Justin Bieber and MO
2. “Closer” – The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey
3. “This is What You Came For” – Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna
4. “One Dance” – Drake feat. Wizkid & Kyla
5. “Treat You Better” – Shawn Mendes
6. “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” – Justin Timberlake
7. “Too Good” – Drake featuring Rihanna
8. “In My Blood” – The Veronicas
9. “Don’t Be So Shy” – Imany
10. “Alarm” – Anne Marie

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Greg Steps Blows Me Away With “Early Hours of Morning”

I’m really excited to share “Early Hours of Morning,” the latest single from Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Greg Steps with you.

The recording is one of those low-fi, home studio jobs, but the quality of the song shines through. You don’t need bells and whistles to make something so pure and special sound good. I love the way it captures a moment in time, the simple act of walking around the neighbourhood in the early hours of the morning, so vividly and eloquently. I am head over heels for this track.

Greg is planning to release an EP before the year’s end, which is good news because I need to hear more of his music.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dead Letter Circus Donating Portion of Ticket Sales to Sea Shepherd

Dead Letter Circus’ national tour is fast approaching, and tickets are still available. If you’ve been on the fence about catching them this time around, it’s worth noting the band will donate one dollar from every ticket sold to Sea Shepherd.

This money will help fund fuelling vessels for South Sea missions, feed the Sea Shepherd crew, and raise awareness about the importance of ocean conservation. If you’re passionate about the cause, you’ll also have the opportunity to match Dead Letter Circus’ donation when you purchase your ticket.

“It never ceases to amaze me the level of support Sea Shepherd receives from caring, compassionate people like Dead Letter Circus,” said Jeff Hansen, Sea Shepherd’s managing director. “Without this selfless support, our ships would remain idle at dock and not be able to defend our oceans. Sea Shepherd is delighted to have the support and on board partnership of Dead Letter Circus with a dollar from each ticket sold going straight to our fuel tanks, plus stalls at all their gigs that we encourage all to get along and see.”

And let’s not forget that your ticket also buys you a cracking night out. Dead Letter Circus is at the top of its game, with tracks like “The Burning Number” helping to propel the band’s most recent album Aesthesis to number two on the ARIA Charts. Add in Clint Boge, the former lead singer of The Butterfly Effect, appearing everywhere but WA and Melbourne band Rival Fire warming up the crowds every night and it’s an irresistible bill for hard rock fans.

18 August 2016 – The Gov, Adelaide
19 August 2016 – 170 Russell, Melbourne
20 August 2016 – The Metro, Sydney
21 August 2016 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
25 August 2016 – Brunswick Heads Hotel, Brunswick Heads
26 August 2016 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast
27 August 2016 – The Triffid, Brisbane
1 September 2016 – Players Bar, Mandurah
2 September 2016 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
3 September 2016 – Capitol, Perth
4 September 2016 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

GiggedIn Like Netflix for Live Music

We’re used to paying for our TV and movie viewing habits via subscription now, so why not live music? GiggedIn is revolutionising the way we experience concerts with its unique subscription service.

For the small monthly membership fee of just $35 a month you’re free to attend as many participating shows as you like. Think of it like an ongoing fringe festival for which you hold a golden ticket.

Once you sign up you can browse all the shows in your local area for free for 21 days. New shows are announced every day and most are available to RSVP at midday three days out from the event. When you RSVP you’re added to the show’s guest list. Then you just show your ID to gain entry.

This unique concert model isn’t just good news for you, but also for the bands who slog it out in local venues every week. Currently 98 percent of shows don’t sell out. GiggedIn hopes members will be encouraged to get out and take a chance on more new acts, which will in turn help musos increase their earnings.

Just like Netflix produce their own TV shows, GiggedIn is also curating their own shows exclusively for its members. So your membership could be the only way you’ll get to see certain events.

Currently GiggedIn is only available in Sydney and Melbourne, but hopefully we see it expanding to other parts of the country soon. There’s no ongoing commitment, so if you decide GiggedIn isn’t for you, you can cancel at any time. So what have you got to lose?

Image used with permission from Chrissie Vincent Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Residual Ready to Rock at Upcoming Live Shows

Melbourne rock act Residual has really impressed me with their latest single “All For You.”

It’s one of those songs that grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go. Sam Burtt’s vocals are so powerful and the driving music just hits you in the gut.

“All For You is about a relationship I was in,” Sam explained. “We had both recognised that the end was nigh, but loved each other too much to ever call it a day. However, that day came a day before we started tracking vocals. I remember sitting in the courtyard at the studio and giving the lyrics a pretty substantial re-write. This song is really about giving yourself to someone, despite the knowledge that it will soon end.”

The film clip is also killer, the perfect foil for the track’s angsty lyrics.

“All For You” comes from Residual’s EP Haunt, which is slated for release on August 26. The band will celebrate the release of the single and EP with a swag of shows in their home state, including a residency at The Workers Club, and a special Sydney gig.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been properly playing shows. We’ve done a lot of travelling whilst simultaneously preparing for this release, so there’s already a real sense of natural excitement for us – and if we do our job right, that will really rub off on the audience,” Sam said in a statement. “We just want to show everyone how much growing up we’ve done.”

Witness Residual’s evolution for yourself at the following shows. Tickets are available from the band’s website.

8 August 2016 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
12 August 2016 – Kubu Studio, Geelong
13 August 2016 – Tap House, Bendigo
15 August 2016 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
18 August 2016 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
20 August 2016 – The Loft, Warrnambool
22 August 2016 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
25 August 2016 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
29 August 2016 – The Workers Club, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harts Does It Again With “Power”

Harts shows he just can’t put a foot wrong with the release of his latest single “Power.” This is another killer cut from the Aussie youngster, with dirty guitar chords, velvety vocals, and a serious funk sensibility.

I’ve gushed about what this guy is doing so much that I’m starting to sound like a broken record. But he’s just that good. The rest of the world is starting to pay attention too, after critically acclaimed performances at the Pink Pop Festival in Netherlands, shows in the United Kingdom and Europe, homegrown events like Groovin’ the Moo, Falls Festival, and Splendour in the Grass.

Seriously, just listen. He’s amazing.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Corby, Peking Duk Headline Maroochy Music and Visual Arts Festival

The highlight of the Sunshine Coast’s cultural calendar, the Maroochy Music and Visual Arts Festival, is fast approaching. Now in its second year, the event has attracted an impressive line-up, with Matt Corby, Peking Duk, Allday, George Maple, Ngaiire, Boo Seeka, Vera Blue, and heaps more all set to entertain crowds.

In addition, an array of local visual artists will create works on the day. The latest work in Amanda Parer’s acclaimed “Fantastic Planet” series will also make its debut before travelling all around the globe.

The Maroochy Music and Visual Arts Festival hits the old Horton Park Golf Course on Saturday September 10. Tickets are on sale now from the festival’s website.

Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado