Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Free TAD App Makes Cover Art Easy

Unless you’ve got the backing of a big studio, releasing an EP or album can take some serious coin. After you’ve paid for studio time and professional mixing and mastering, there’s little left over for things like cover art. However, cover art is so important because it gives music lovers their first impression of your work.

Your cover art needn’t let you down with TAD, a brand new and totally free locally made cover art app created by indie musicians, for indie musicians. TAD, which stands for Thumbnail Art Design makes it easy to create high-quality cover art for Soundcloud, Bandcamp, iTunes, Spotify, and other popular platforms. Check out the video to see a demonstration of TAD in action.

TAD is available for free download for iOS devices from iTunes now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Eager Hearts” – Hollywood Heartache

It might come as a surprise considering that I run a music blog, but I believe music doesn’t need to be taken too seriously. Of course I love music that gets you in the gut and really moves you to the core. But I can also appreciate music that just feels good to listen to. It might be dismissed as lightweight and overly commercial by other music blogs, but I think there’s certainly a place for music that’s nothing but fun. So while an overly critical music blogger might scoff at the pop-rock stuff Hollywood Heartache has put together for their debut EP Eager Hearts, I can get on board.

With song titles like “High School Sweetheart” and the single “Summer Romance,” you kind of know what you’re getting here. The songs are aimed squarely at a tween to teen audience, predominantly female, who’ll happily sing along to all those “woah ho hos” and “yeah yeahs.” They plumb familiar ground of falling in love and getting your heart broken. These aren’t the kind of songs that are going to change the world. But they’re bound to worm themselves into the hearts of the listening public who can hear their own stories in the tracks.

I think what I love most about Hollywood Heartache is the truth that comes through what they do. On the surface the music they’re making might not seem too dissimilar from what One Direction have been doing, and what the Jonas Brothers did before them, and what countless other groups of cute young things did before that. But this Gold Coast four-piece have written these songs, played their own instruments, and laid it all down in a home studio. Engineering, mixing, and mastering; again it was all them. This is a band not put together and moulded by a corporate music giant, but just a group of guys creating music for the love of it.

Hollywood Heartache might just look back at Eager Hearts and cringe at its sentimentality, but I think it perfectly captures a moment in time that even older cynics can remember. It’s not earth-shattering music, but it shows the bare bones of a band that have the talent to evolve into true musical forces.

Eager Hearts is out now. Hollywood Heartache is supporting its release with the following all ages shows.

12 December 2015 – The Lab, Brisbane
19 December 2015 – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne
20 December 2015 – The Bluebee Room, Adelaide
22 December 2015 – The Bald Faced Stagg, Sydney

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Liv Cartledge and Merpire Take Out Telstra Road to Discovery

Acoustic pop-rocker Liv Cartledge of St Kilda and ukulele loving Merpire of Redfern were named winners of this year’s 2015 Telstra Road to Discovery competition at a ceremony in Sydney overnight hosted by Ella Hooper.

The pair each won a $15,000 music development package, return trip to the United States (where they’ll perform at the Americana Music Festival), mentoring with some of the Australian music industry’s most influential names, local gigs, and ongoing education and support to kick-start their musical careers.

“Each year we are incredibly impressed by the talent that comes through this program and I’d like to congratulate Liv and Merpire on this outstanding achievement,” said Telstra’s Nick Adams. “We look forward to watching their music careers develop in the years to come,” said Mr. Adams.

It’s also worth mentioning the achievements of Will Anderson, who bagged a $1,000 prize after being named the 2015 People’s Choice winner.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Image used with permission from Edelman

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get On Your Feet for Harts


You know you’re doing something right when the likes of Prince sing your praises. But that’s just the position that Melbourne funk-rock act Harts finds himself in thanks to killer cuts like his latest single “All Rise (Play it Cool).” If this song doesn’t get your toes tapping then nothing will.

“I really wanted to write an up-tempo classic rock and roll tune,” explained Harts. “With whatever we may be going on in life, just a little reminder for us to turn off our minds for a moment and have a good time while we’re here.”

And doesn’t it deliver. “All Rise (Play it Cool)” is our first taste of Harts’ sophomore album, which is scheduled for a March 2016 release.

Harts will launch the single with intimate shows in the East Coast capitals. Mark them in your calendars music lovers because you won’t want to miss them.

14 January 2016 – Howler, Melbourne
15 January 2016 – The Foundry, Brisbane
16 January 2016 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Image used with permission from A&R Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tinpan Orange Give First Taste of Forthcoming Album

I’m a firm believer in the idea that the week must be approached delicately. Even though I find myself working a lot of weekends, there’s something about a Monday morning that still rattles me. Perhaps it’s that alarms go off, so I’m shaken out of my slumber instead of coming to the land of the living naturally. Perhaps it’s that my husband goes off to work and we get into that weekend routine. Either way, Mondays are different, and they need a gentle song to help you ease into it.

I’ve got you covered with “You’re Not There,” the latest single from Tinpan Orange. This delicately melancholic alt-country folk song is our first taste of Tinpan Orange’s fifth studio album, which is scheduled for release in early 2016.

Tinpan Orange will launch the single for hometown fans next month. They’re also currently playing the festival circuit. Catch them at the following dates.

13 December 2015 – Melbourne Folk Club, Melbourne (single launch)
8-10 January 2016 – Cygnet Folk Festival, Cygnet
11-14 March 2016 – Port Fairy Folk Festival, Port Fairy

Image used with permission from Chrissie Vincent Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

brash THE EMPIRE Releases Superb New Single

Last week I heard the most amazing song, but it was from one of those pesky private Soundcloud link. And so I waited patiently, determined to share this song with you at the first opportunity I got. Well now, “The Empire,” the stunning new single from Melbourne’s brash THE EMPIRE has finally been released, and I get to be one of the first people to let you hear it.

This is the first track from brash’s forthcoming EP A New Country. It was slated to drop in October, but an unfortunate accident that’s seen her rocking a moon boot has pushed that release to early 2016. I’m sure once she’s recovered we can look forward to some shows too. Until then, listen to this. And listen to it again. What a way to kick off a week, hey music lovers?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tame Impala & Courtney Barnett Clean Up at ARIAs

Tame Impala and Courtney Barnett were the big winners at this year’s ARIA Awards, taking home three awards in major categories each. Tame Impala were named best group and received best rock album and album of the year for Currents. Courtney Barnett claimed best female, breakthrough artist, and best independent release (Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit) gongs.

Like so many people, the highlight for me was watching The Veronicas and Jessica Mauboy join Hall of Fame inductee Tina Arena for her 90s hit “Chains.” It was such a powerful reminder of what incredible female vocalists we have in this country. I’ll take these ladies over Beyonce, Mariah, and Christina any day of the week. I also loved Tina’s speech. What a way to claim that Hall of Fame spot.

Anyway, if you couldn’t be bothered sitting through the hours of Channel Ten footage, here are all the winners for your browsing pleasure.

Album of the Year: Tame Impala – Currents
Best Independent Release: Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
Best Female Artist: Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
Best Male Artist: Vance Joy – Dream Your Life Away
Best Group: Tame Impala – Currents
Breakthrough Artist: Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
Best Dance Release: Rüfüs – ‘”You Were Right”
Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album: Northlane – Node
Best Pop Release: Jarryd James – “Do You Remember”
Best Rock Album: Tame Impala – Currents
Best Urban Album: Seth Sentry – Strange New Past
Best Adult Contemporary Album: Oh Mercy – When We Talk About Love
Best Blues And Roots Album: C.W. Stoneking – Gon’ Boogaloo
Best Comedy Release: Matt Okine – Live at the Enmore Theatre
Best Australian Live Act: 5 Seconds Of Summer – Rock Out With Your Socks Out Tour
Best International Artist: One Direction
Best Video: Matt Sharp & Daniel James for The Veronicas – “You Ruin Me”
Song Of The Year: Conrad Sewell – “Start Again”

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Indigo Provide Your Summer Soundtrack with New Single

It might technically still be spring, but it feels like summer in my part of the world. Some scorching hot temperatures have me feeling a little cruisy. It’s the perfect mindset for approaching “Moving On,” the stellar new single from WA four-piece Indigo.

It’s a totally accessible slice of alternative soft rock that’s perfect for all this warm weather. The message about putting the pain of the past behind you and moving forward it perfect for this time of year.

“I started writing ‘Moving On’ around 2013 after being unemployed for a few years, at a time where I solely depended on music,” the band’s lead singer Christopher Kinna explained. “It was in summer I think, I was sitting at a mate’s with a Roland Juno I had just purchased playing around with chords I started coming up with the structure of the song a few days later I wrote the words jamming on my acoustic guitar it was the easiest song I had ever wrote the words just flowed straight from my mouth. It felt very effortless I think because of the emotional detachment I felt from myself feeling like I was stuck and needed the motivation to move on from all the negativity that overwhelmed me.”

“Moving On” is the first track lifted from a new Indigo EP which we’ll see in early 2016.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reece Mastin Announces Acoustic Shows

Reece Mastin sent a clear message that his days of throwaway pop are far behind him with the release of Change Colours earlier this year. So it’s only fitting that he’s doing what all serious musicians do and playing acoustic on his next tour. The Down to Earth tour will take in coastal New South Wales towns over the festive season.

Reece will be joined by Nashville-based, Sunshine Coast-born singer-songwriter Alys Ffion. The pair met earlier this year for a songwriting session, which actually produced the ballad “Down to Earth” featured on Change Colours. They’ve performed the song together at instores around the country, so hopefully we’ll see them playing it together again the following intimate and acoustic shows. All gigs are all ages, although people under 18 must be with a parent at all times.

27 December 2015 – Ballina RSL Club, Ballina
28 December 2015 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour (FREE)
29 December 2015 – Club Forster, Forster
30 December 2015 – Laurieton United Services Club, Laurieton
3 January 2016 – Batemans Bay Soldier’s Club, Batemans Bay
8 January 2016 – Oaks Hotel, Albion Park Rail
9 January 2016 – Toukley RSL Club, Toukley
10 January 2016 – Ettalong Digger’s Club, Ettalong Beach

Image used with permission from Ferris Davis PRM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Wheatley Back Home for Single Tour

It hasn’t been too long since Los Angeles-based Aussie Tim Wheatley was on home soil, but he’s back again for a New South Wales tour to support his bluesy new single “The Heathen,” the latest release from one of my favourite albums of the year, Cast of Yesterday.

The track draws on Tim’s early days in LA and the seedy characters he met during this time. The video has garnered some massive attention, scoring more than 26,000 views via Facebook in just a week.

If you’re in New South Wales, here are all the places you can catch Tim in the coming weeks.

28 November 2015 – Laycock Street Theatre, Gosford
2 December 2015 – Panthers, Penrith
3 December 2015 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
4 December 2015 – Dee Why RSL, Dee Why
5 December 2015 – The Basement, Sydney