Posted on by Lauren Katulka

PBS 106.7FM Announce Drive Live! Line-Up

PBS 106.7FM’s annual Drive Live! is approaching, and it looks like it might be one of the best yet. From February 1 to 5, some of the best musicians in Melbourne will perform live at PBS’ Collingwood studios between 5 pm and 7 pm. I’m talking The Drones, Sui Zhen, Jess Rebeiro, Mollusc, and heaps more. It’ll be a treat for music lovers across the Victorian capital and a real thrill for those lucky enough to earn a place in the studio.

If you want to be one of them, send an email to events@pbsfm.org.au with the subject line: NIGHT (Monday, Tuesday, etc.) YOUR NAME and MEMBER NUMBER (if applicable). It’s free to go, but capacity is limited so send off your requests ASAP.

Here’s the full program so you can decide what you want to see or hear.

Monday, February 1 – Zen Arcade
Taipan Tiger Girls
friendships
Mollusc

Tuesday, February 2 – Mixing Up The Medicine
The Drones
Deaf Wish
Deep Heat

Wednesday, February 3 – The Afterglow
Terrible Truths
Sui Zhen
Jess Ribeiro

Thursday, February 4 – Fang It!
Batpiss
Wet Lips
Grotto

Friday, February 5 – Stone Love
Little Desert
Waterfall Person
Drug Sweat

Image used with permission from Higher Plains

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Abraham Charms with “You and Me”

Ben Abraham wowed me when I heard his song “Speak” last year, so I’m thrilled to hear he’s released a single ahead of his album release in March. “You and Me” has all of the folkiness and heart that first attracted me to Ben’s music.

The clip’s also such a beautiful representation of the reality that creeps in after a night of celebrating. Perhaps not surprisingly it was also done by Oh Yeah Wow, the creative team behind Boy & Bear’s video that won me over yesterday.

“You and Me” is the first song lifted from Ben’s debut album Sirens, which will hit stores on March 4. The Herald Sun named Ben an artist to watch in 2016, and I can’t say that I disagree with their assessment!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy & Bear Kick Off Album Tour Tonight

It’s been a long while since a music video properly impressed me. However, I’m wowed by the visual spectacular that is Boy & Bear’s latest effort, accompanying their single “Limit of Love” from the album of the same name.

“We really love the Oh Yeah Wow guys,” lead singer Dave Hosking said of the creative team behind the clip. “This is our third time working with them and they never disappoint. This time it’s elegant, beautiful and hypnotic.”

It’s been a long time since Boy & Bear played local shows, but they’re kicking off a national tour this week, with Art of Sleeping and Montaigne as support. There are still a handful of tickets left for the following shows.

22 January 2016 – Odeon Theatre, Hobart
23 January 2016 – Festival Hall, Melbourne
29 January 2016 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
30 January 2016 – Red Hill Auditorium, Perth
12 February 2016 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
13 February 2016 – Riverstage, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Snowdroppers Set to Film Upcoming Tour

The Snowdroppers are starting the new year right with the announcement of a string of new shows. The Gluttons for Punishment tour promises to be a “ramshackle travelling rock ‘n’ roll circus” which will leave behind “a wake of broken bottles, patchy memories, and a cohort of very happy hungover people.”

The Snowdroppers will be on hand to record all of the drunken debauchery for a brand new documentary documenting what it’s like to be an Aussie touring band on the road. Fans who purchase golden tickets, which are still a bargain at $25 plus booking fee, will get a downloadable copy of the documentary as well as free live tracks.

Make sure you arrive early because The Hard Aches and The Strums will be warming up crowds at all the following shows.

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

Image used with permission from Rish Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wolfmother Make a “Victorious” Return

I must admit, I haven’t always been the biggest Wolfmother fan. While I appreciated the band’s classic rock sensibility, most of their stuff felt a little too derivative for me. So I was pleasantly surprised to hear how fresh the new single “Victorious” sounds.

The title track from the band’s highly anticipated new album has that same retro rock feel the band’s famous for, but it’s got a lightness and optimism that I’m really responding to.

“We wanted to get back to that big sound,” Andrew Stockdale said in a press release. “The album is a balance of garage-y energy and big production. It’s wild, energetic and,” he muses, “perfect for a festival main stage.”

If this single is any indication, fans are going to go nuts for the album Victorious when it hits stores on February 19.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Benji Lewis Makes His Mark with New Single “Never Leave You Lonely”

Apparently “Never Leave You Lonely” is the third single from Victoria’s Benji Lewis, which makes me think I must have been under a rock when he dropped the first two. I’m glad I’m on board now, because he’s got such a smooth voice that seems able to do just about anything and a real knack for creating a catchy tune. So often when a song has such a dance-worthy hook it misses the emotional mark, but Benji delivers this song with plenty of soul.

“Never Leave You Lonely” comes from Benji’s EP Hearts & Halos, which is set to drop in March. Word is we’ll see him playing his first live shows around that time.

Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Southern End Channel Classic Sounds with “Lost Girl”

I must admit, I typically struggle to embrace a song that doesn’t have strong lyrics. Perhaps it’s the writer in me, but if a song doesn’t have words that speak to me, then I probably won’t give it a second listen. However, every now and again I hear a song that I enjoy despite it falling flat in the lyrics department.

Let’s face it, “Lost Girl” by Newcastle band Southern End doesn’t say a whole lot. But what it lacks in story it makes up for with a great classic rock sound. I can hear a little Led Zeppelin and Neil Young coming through this track; that blend of blues and psychedelia is so appealing.

These guys have only been together since 2014, when they met in high school, so I can forgive them for not writing songs that speak to my heart. Hopefully that will come in time. Right now they’ve got the bare bones of something with real potential.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Canada’s Scott Cook Plays Just About Everywhere

You know your concert calendar is too crowded when for the fourth time you’ve had to knock back a show on one specific day. I have no idea why the world has conspired to put everything awesome on February 27, but there you have it. I even actually bought tickets for two shows on that night, forgetting when I bought the second that I’d already committed to something else.

So it looks like I’m not going to see Canada’s Scott Cook when he plays in my suburb, and I’m bummed because literally no one else plays here. So I’m writing this article in the hopes that maybe you can catch him live, because he’s a bit brilliant. If you like folky storytellers in the vein of Shawn Mullins you’re going to love this guy. He’s playing virtually everywhere to support the release of his album One More Time Around, which has been my soundtrack for the afternoon. Hopefully your calendar isn’t as crowded as mine and you can get to one of these gigs!

13 January 2016 – House concert, Wingham (email trishmob@yahoo.com or call 0448 973 994 to RSVP)
14 January 2016 – Sutherland Acoustic @ Gymea Tradies Club, Gymea
15 January 2016 – The Acoustic Picnic @ The Music Lounge, Brookvale
20 January 2016 – Canberra Musicians’ Club @ Smith’s Alternative, Canberra
21 January 2016 – Billyroy’s Blues Bar @ Goldmines Hotel, Bendigo
22-25 January 2016 – Newstead Live Music Festival, Newstead
31 January 2016 – Saints & Sailors, Portarlington
4 February 2016 – South Coast Folk Club, Port Noarlunga (supporting Liz Stringer)
5 February 2016 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide (supporting Liz Stringer)
7 February 2016 – Red Poles Café, McLaren Vale (12:30-3:30 FREE)
7 February 2016 – The Groove Garden McLaren Vale
12 February 2016 – House Concert, Eaglemont (Check Scott’s website for details closer to the show)
13 February 2016 –Tanswells Hotel, Beechworth (FREE)
14 February 2016 –Wandi Pub, Wandiligong (2-5 pm FREE)
17 February 2016 – House concert, Tilba Tilba (E-mail eagle_dreaming@hotmail.com or call 0422 690 670 to RSVP)
19 February 2016 – Kameruka Hall, Kameruka
20 February 2016 – House concert, Nowra (Email robcleary@yahoo.com to RSVP)
21 February 2016 – House concert, Picnic Point (3 pm. Email bvbyrn13@tpg.com.au or call 0421017975 to RSVP)
27 February 2016 – Troubadour Acoustic Club, Woy Woy
5 March 2016 – The Shack, Collaroy
6 March 2016 – Live in the Attic @ Hotel Blue, Katoomba
11-14 March 2016 – Burke & Wills Folk Festival, Mia Mia
17 March 2016 – The Lomond Hotel, Brunswick
18-20 March 2016 – Yackandandah Folk Festival, Yackandandah

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

STREWTH! The Elephant Hotel Celebrating Australia Day Weekend

I don’t know about you, but I’m a little over this working thing. The Christmas holidays seemed to fly by, and I’m still not feeling rested enough. Thankfully Australia Day is just around the corner.

If you’re looking for a great way to spend the Saturday before the public holiday, head to The Elephant Hotel in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley for their second annual Australia Day weekend party STREWTH. The line-up’s looking fantastic, with Velociraptor, Babganouj, and WAAX already announced and more bands on the way. The venue is also cooking up their famous spit roast rolls and you could win a BBQ by purchasing a schooner of Coopers on the day. How Aussie is that?

STREWTH hits The Elephant Hotel from 2 pm on January 23. It’s all completely free, so there’s really no excuse for missing out.

Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

BATTS Say Hello and Goodbye

Don’t you just hate discovering an act, only to have them up and leave? That’s the case with BATTS, a collaboration between Aussie musician Tanya Batt and British producer and instrumentalist Alisdair “Ficci” Mason. They’ve actually never played a show here, but they’re going to squeeze in just one before Tanya moves to the United Kingdom to work with Ficci full time.

If you like what you hear, head to BATTS’ debut and farewell show at the Shadow Electric on January 22. They’ll play with a superstar line-up including Hayden Calnin, Will Cuming (Lanks) and Lacklan O’Kane (Eagle and the Worm, Canary, Dorsal Fins). Canary and Zlatna will also provide support on the night. Tickets are just $10 on the presale or $15 on the door.