Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tropical Zombie Rock Out with “Call The Police”

Sydney six-piece Tropical Zombie have won me over with their brand new single “Call The Police.”

Apparently the band recorded it in the back of a Central Coast café; that’s certainly given it a more spontaneous energy than so many recordings. It feel like one of those classic singles that was recorded in one take, capturing a moment where the stars aligned perfectly.

“Call the Police” comes from Tropical Zombie’s debt album, which should drop in the middle of the year. You can hear some of the tracks when the band plays shows all around the country over the next couple of months. Many of the gigs are free, so there’s no excuse for staying home!

10 March 2016 – Noosa Festival of Surfing, Noosa (FREE)
11 March 2016 – Quicksilver Boardriders, Coolangatta (FREE)
12 March 2016 – Mojo Burning Festival, Brisbane
12 March 2016 – The Northern, Byron Bay (FREE)
18 March 2016 – Club 54, Hobart
19 March 2016 – Republic Bar, Hobart
1 April 2016 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
2 April 2016 – Festival of the Stone, Torquay (FREE)
8 April 2016 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
9 April 2016 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Twin Fires Get Toes Tapping with “Two Hands”

With Twin Fires kicking off their East Coast tour tomorrow night in support of The Snowdroppers, it seemed the perfect time to introduce you to their debut single “Two Hands.”

It’s got such a great folk-rock feel to it. I can imagine cranking this up in my car on a road trip. The Snowdroppers might be the main event at the shows, but with music like this I imagine Sydney act Twin Fires is going to get a lot of love. If you’re going to the shows, make sure you arrive early to catch this exciting new band.

20 February 2016 – The Foundry, Brisbane
26 February 2016 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
4 March 2016 – Howler, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hugh Sheridan Reinvents Swing With California Crooners Club

When I heard Hugh Sheridan was performing in a new act called California Crooners Club, I thought I knew what to expect. I was sure I’d hear music that faithfully plays tribute to music’s golden age a la Michael Buble. But what I got was something much more original and innovative.

Along with musical partners Emile Welman and Gabe Roland, Hugh Sheridan is creating music which melts jazz and crooning with more modern musical influences including R ‘n’ B, rap, and pop. The current single “Just a Little More” captures this fusion perfectly.

After selling out shows in Adelaide earlier this month, California Crooners Club has announced new shows in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Given the popularity of the previous dates, I wouldn’t wait too long to get your tickets.

26 February 2016 – The Toff, Melbourne
4 March 2016 – The Beresford, Sydney
8-14 March 2016 – The Octagon @ Gluttony, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sweaty Palms Gets Bigger

The Central Coast’s newest music party Sweaty Palms just got a whole lot cooler with the addition of Perth indie rockers Tired Lion, indie pop act ADKOB, and local darlings RedHook, Elaskia, and DJ Bobbie Derwin.
They join already announced acts Kingswood, Ocean Alley, the Lulu Raes, and Bootleg Rascal.

Sweaty Palms hits the Entrance Leagues Club at Bateau Bay on March 19. Tickets are affordably priced, but if you are one of the first 25 to turn up with a palm tree organisers will accept that as payment. That makes it the world’s first live music event accepting palm trees as currency. Only on the Central Coast!

Image used with permission from Kingdom Sounds

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joel Adams Wows Me With Perfect Pop Song “Please Don’t Go”

I’m predicting massive things for Joel Adams, a 19-year-old soul artist from Brisbane. Apparently he released his debut single “Please Don’t Go” in December, and it’s starting to generate some serious buzz around the world.

It’s charted on the iTunes Australian pop daily charts nearly every day since the first month of its release, despite not receiving a lick of airplay. It also reached number five globally on Spotify’s Vital 50 charts after streaming in Australia, France, South Africa, Norway, and many more country. It’s even hit number 54 on Billboard Canada’s Hot 100 tracks.

It’d be too easy to dismiss Joel as just another pretty young thing. He’s very cute, and the girls are going to eat that up, but there’s much more to this young man than that. He wrote and composed “Please Don’t Go” himself, and also co-produced and recorded it. Never underestimate how hard it is to make pop music that’s this good. Joel Adams is definitely a name to watch.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Liam Gerner Tours Australia

After making a splash at the Woodford Folk Festival, South Australian-born world traveller Liam Garner is returning home for a string of shows right across the country. This is the first time he’s toured Australia since he supported Paolo Nutini last year, and his first local headlining tour in ages.

Liam promises to share old and new songs at the shows, including the incredible “Hank and Tammy.” Take a listen and tell me that you don’t want a ticket to these shows.

Tickets are on sale now for the following gigs.

18 February 2016 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
19 February 2016 – Royal Oak Hotel, Launceston
3 March 2016 – Four5Nine, Perth
4-6 March 2016 – Nannup Music Festival, Nannup
9 March 2016 – Ararat Live, Ararat
11 March 2016 – Billy Roy Blues, Bendigo
16 March 2016 – Petersham Bowling Club, Sydney
17 March 2016 – The Stag, Newcastle
18 March 2016 – Flow Bar, Old Bar
20 March 2016 – Leftys Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane
8 April 2016 – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide (with Tim Moore)
15 April 2016 – Spotted Mallard, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Abraham Does Bjork

When I was a teen, all the girls in my peer group seemed to be obsessed by Bjork. I never quite got it. Her music seemed so weird to me, lacking in melody and focus. It really takes an amazing artist to make me appreciate music that had passed me by, but Ben Abraham has done just that with his incredible cover of “Hyperballad.”

I was so surprised when I heard the first of these covers. I loved it. Ben’s treatment really brought out the lyrics, and there’s a lighter, more delicate touch than I remember in the original. I decided I’d post my favourite of the two version I received, but as I listened to the second I realised I just couldn’t choose. They’re both so beautiful and special in their own right.


So tell me readers, can you pick? Do you prefer the version with Luke Howard or Tim Shiel?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Molly, Flume Top the Charts

For the first time in a long time, local releases are sitting at the top of the albums and singles charts. As I predicted, the screening of Molly gave the soundtrack a big boost. In its eleventh week in the top 50, the biopic’s soundtrack has jumped from number nine to the top spot. No doubt we’ll see a similarly strong result next week since the show just wrapped up.

Meanwhile on the singles chart, Flume has clawed his way to the top with “Never Be Like You.” The track featuring Kai is Flume’s first number one single.

Molly’s success has pushed Sia’s latest album This is Acting from number one down to number five this week. Another recent number one, Bloom by RÜFÜS, sits at number nine.

Here’s a full run-down of this week’s top tens.

Top 10 Albums
1. Molly – Soundtrack
2. 25 – Adele
3. Nothing Has Changed (The Best of David Bowie) – David Bowie
4. Purpose – Justin Bieber
5. This is Acting – Sia
6. A Head Full of Dreams – Coldplay
7. Blackstar – David Bowie
8. Anti – Rihanna
9. Bloom – RÜFÜS
10. Nine Track Mind – Charlie Puth

Top 10 Singles
1. “Never be Like You” – Flume feat. Kai
2. “Pillowtalk” – Zayne
3. “Stressed Out” – Twenty One Pilots
4. “One Call Away” – Charlie Puth
5. “Gold” – Kiiara
6. “Love Yourself” – Justin Bieber
7. “Fast Car” – Jonas Blue feat. Dakota
8. “Lush Life” – Zara Larsson
9. “All My Friends” – Snakehips feat. Tinashe & Chance the Rapper
10. “Roses” – The Chainsmokers feat. Rozes

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mia Simonette Stuns at Just 17 with “Can’t Shake You”

Perth songstress Mia Simonette has one of those voices that stops me in my track. It’s so warm and soulful, jazzy with just a hint of grit. I could listen to her sing the phone book. Thankfully she’s released something a little more entertaining than that in the form of her brand new single “Can’t Shake You.”

It’s Mia’s first single, as you might expect from an artist who is just 17. I can hardly believe it either. If she’s this good at such a tender age, she’s going to be phenomenal with a few years’ experience under her belt.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jason Owen Hits His Stride With “Run”

When Jason Owen appeared on The X Factor, he was a diamond in the rough. He did well on the TV talent show, but I honestly thought he wasn’t ready for the big time. He seemed so unsure of himself, and his voice had some growing to do.

However, Jason’s worked hard on his craft since leaving the show and he’s now producing country-rock music equal to anything coming out of Nashville. His latest single “Run,” the first lifted from his third album Proud, has a real Keith Urban vibe that really resonates with me. I think it’d be the perfect road trip soundtrack, with its rollicking guitar chords and message of escaping the day-to-day humdrum of life.

Proud hits stores in April. If “Run” is any indication, it could be Jason Owen’s best work yet.