Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mayfair Kytes Release Amazing Animated Clip for “Sleepyhead”

Melbourne quartet Mayfair Kytes has released one of the most visually stunning film clips I’ve seen in some time to accompany their latest single “Sleepyhead.” It’s the work of Melbourne artist Thomas Russell, who storyboarded, hand-animated, filmed, and directed the video. Contemporary dancer Geoffrey H Watson also lends his talents to the clip.

The video’s blown me away, but the song’s pretty lovely too.

“Sleepyhead is a meditation on two themes, one being the creative process versus the logical world and how choosing your own destiny can lead you down a long road of self-discovery that might clash with more pragmatic streams of life,” explained Mayfair Kytes’ lead vocalist and songwriter, Matt Kelly, “and secondly, it is about dealing with the depression that often comes with such a way of being.”

“Sleepyhead” comes from Animus, Mayfair Kytes’ debut album, which hits stores on April 1. Mayfair Kytes will launch the album with a show at The Workers Club in Melbourne on April 8 and another at The Vanguard in Sydney on April 28.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Pretty Littles Rock Out with “Pride”

There’s something so special about hearing a track that’s a rough diamond, a song that hasn’t been smoothed out by a record company and stripped of all of its heart. That’s the way I feel about “Pride,” the latest track from Melbourne’s The Pretty Littles. It sounds like it was recorded in a garage in the best possible way.

I imagine it’d sound even better in the flesh, so if you’re lucky enough to be in the band’s hometown make sure you head to the John Curtain Hotel tonight for the official single launch. It’s going to go off!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harts Strikes Gold Again with “Peculiar”

Super groovy Melbourne funk-rock artist Harts is back again with another killer cut. His latest single “Peculiar” features the soulful vocals and awesome guitar licks I fell in love with on “All Rise (Play it Cool)” but it’s got a rougher edge that’s really working for me.

“I tested it out first live at the All Rise Tour shows last month and the response we got encouraged me to release it as a single,” Harts explained. “The idea for ‘Peculiar’ started with me coming up with the main guitar chords and riff jamming with my loop pedal at home one day. I was in a mood of questioning everything and I think that reflects in the lyrics. The song progressed quickly from there when I started to produce and arrange the instruments in the recording phase. It was all very natural.”

Harts is currently in the US for South by Southwest, but he’ll be back home in time to play Bluesfest and Groovin’ the Moo. If you’re going to either festival, make sure you don’t miss his set.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jo Kathleen Marie Releases Stunning New Single “The Next Step”

Melbourne singer-songwriter Jo Kathleen Marie has just released a beautiful new single “The Next Step.” Produced by Alexander Biggs, the quietly powerful song speaks battling through dark periods and taking steps towards the light. It’s a poignant song which helps raise awareness of mental health issues, something we as a nation still don’t talk enough about.

Jo Kathleen Marie will launch “The Next Step” with special guests Vinten at LongPlay on March 19.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Abraham Ready for Album Tour

“Speak” was the song that first introduced me to the beautiful music of Ben Abraham, so I’m thrilled to hear it’s got an official release. It seems I’m not the only one in love with this delicate folk track, because Ben says it’s also his favourite song from his debut album Sirens.

“The story of a writer wrestling with his muse felt like a more mature subject matter than some of the earlier work I had done,” he explained. “It’s also the perfect showcase of Jono [Steer] and Leigh [Fisher]’s production. I asked Wally De Backer [Gotye] to help me record the vocals on this particular song because I knew he would help me find the best way to tell the story through my performance. I’m really proud of the work we all did.”

With Sirens now in stores and a brand new single release, it’s the perfect time for Ben to hit the road and take his music to the people. You can catch him at the following venues over the coming weeks.

16 March 2016 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Perth (with Calexico)
17 March 2016 – Grace Emily, Adelaide
20 March 2016 – Howler, Melbourne
2 April 2016 – Junk Bar, Brisbane (matinee @ 3:30 pm; night show @ 7:30 pm)
3 April 2016 – Vanguard, Sydney

Image used with permission from Inertia Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Em George Blows Me Away With “The Grind”

If, like me, you love your music honest, folky, and without frills, “The Grind” by Sydney’s Em George is going to be right up your alley. This is one of those songs that I fell for within seconds and felt enamoured with right until the end. It’s beautiful.

“The Grind” is also the lead single from Em’s debut EP. If this song’s any indication, that release is going to be unmissable.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The Essential Alison MacCallum” – Alison MacCallum

We’re a bit spoiled in the modern musical era. We can head into our nearest JB Hi Fi and find just about any music on CD, whether it’s something from the vault or the latest release. We take for granted that we can find music from our favourite musical acts. So I was surprised to hear that Alison MacCallum, the first Australian female singer to ever have a charting album, has only just had her music available on CD. I’m also slightly ashamed to admit that until now, her music had passed me by.

I’ve righted that wrong though, listening to both CDs that make up The Essential Alison MacCallum this morning. Three years in the making, the album contains just about everything a fan could want, from “I Ain’t Got the Time,” her first chart hit with underground act Freshwater, the Vanda & Young penned “Superman,” and “It’s Time,” the campaign song which helped bring Gough Whitlam to power. There are also some stellar covers, including one of my favourite soul songs, “To Love Somebody” and Ted Mulry’s “Take Me Back.”

Apparently Alison was often compared to Janis Joplin. I can hear that. Few artists can be at one level with their voice, then effortlessly hit notes at the top end with so much heart and passion. But there’s a greater purity to Alison’s voice which is so lovely. I adore Janis’ gravelly delivery, but Alison’s voice somehow manages to be angelic, yet gutsy.

For fans, The Essential Alison MacCallum will be a welcome addition to their collection. I just hope I’m not the only one of the people too young to remember who discovers her music through this long overdue CD release.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Luke Yeoward Fronts The 131’s

After moonlighting for King Cannons, Luke Yeoward is back doing what he does best with his new outfit, The 131’s. Their lead single “This Ain’t Culture” is the perfect example of straight up punk music, the kind of tune that really means something and gets you in your gut.

Apparently a punter described this as “Bruce Springsteen singing for Rancid.” Despite all my years of training at this writing game, I couldn’t have said it any better myself. If that’s the kind of music you dig and you’re lucky enough to live in their home state of Victoria, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to catch The 131’s over the coming weeks. They’ve taken up residency at The Old Bar, plus they’ve got a couple of other gigs on the horizon.

13 March 2016 – The Old Bar, Fitzroy
20 March 2016 – The Old Bar, Fitzroy
27 March 2016 – The Old Bar, Fitzroy
31 March 2016 – 170 Russell, Melbourne (supporting Stiff Little Fingers)
1 April 2016 – The Bendigo Hotel, Bendigo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

R.I.P. Jon English

It seems the Australian music industry just can’t catch a break. Just days after the death of Daddy Cool’s Ross Hannaford, we’ve lost another of our legends, Jon English. At just 66 years old, in the middle of a tour, it just doesn’t seem fair.

Jon was hospitalised in Newcastle after suffering broken ribs. During surgery to correct the problem, doctors discovered an issue with his aortic valve. He suffered an aortic aneurysm from which he never recovered.
It was just days ago that Jon was apologising to his fans for postponing shows and posting that he couldn’t wait to be “rocking out on stage.” He was booked to be part of Cruise N Groove 2016 in October. This was a man who wasn’t supposed to be going anywhere.

We’ve all got our special memories of Jon English. For me he was a big part of my discovery of music theatre. I remember seeing him in Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore in the 90s. He had such charisma. He was larger than life up there on the smallish Civic Theatre stage.

Jon leaves behind his wife Carmen, four children, and a legion of fans. He will be missed.

Image source: Lynott88 @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tinpan Orange Announce Album Tour

Tinpan Orange are some of the true quiet achievers of the music world, releasing quality album after quality album with little fanfare. They’re just about to release their fifth studio album Love is a Dog, and if the lead single “Rich Man” is any indication it’s going to be another high quality collection of music.

This is such a beautiful, delicate song, with Emily Lubitz’s voice pairing beautifully with those soaring strings. Make sure you listen to those lyrics too, which are so delightfully dark. I really love guitarist Jesse Lubitz’s comment that “it could have been used as a Bond theme if David Lynch was directing.” Can we make that happen by the way?

Tinpan Orange will celebrate the April 8 release of Love is a Dog with a national tour. Tickets are available now for the following shows.

15-17 April 2016 – Fairbridge Folk Festival, Fairbridge
29 April 2016 – The Grand Poobah, Hobart
1 May 2016 – Fresh on Charles, Launceston
7 May 2016 – Toff in Town, Melbourne
8 May 2016 – Rattlers Hotel, Wallan
14 May 2016 – Civic Hall, Mullumbimby
15 May 2016 – Old Museum, Brisbane
20 May 2016 – The Vanguard, Sydney
27 May 2016 – The Workers Club, Geelong
28 May 2016 – The Railway Club, Darwin
4 June 2016 – Fly by Night, Fremantle
5 June 2016 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide