Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lucy Neville Makes Her Mark with “On My Own”

“On My Own” by Lucy Neville is one of those songs I’ve wanted to write about for a little while. I actually received a private stream in an email a couple of weeks ago, and while I dug her Ellie Goulding-esque vibe, I really hate writing about stuff that I can’t show you all.

So I left it until now, when the clip has been listed as a must see video on VEVO’s homepage. I’d really glad it’s getting some public exposure, because it’s a great song. I love Lucy’s voice, and the easy way she blends pop, folk, and electronica. The lyrics are also superb; little wonder it saw her placed as a finalist in the Vanda & Young Songwriting competition.

There’s definitely a bright future ahead for this 19-year-old from Sydney.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Beards Celebrate 10th Anniversary with Album & Tour

When The Beards formed back in 2005, they intended to play just one show. But now a decade on, the Adelaide quartet has released four albums, earned two ARIA nominations, played sold out shows in Australia, Europe, and North America, and spearheaded a beard revolution. They’re celebrating the milestone with the release of a special anniversary double album and an anniversary tour.

“When we started out, we didn’t anticipate just how much global demand there would be for songs about beards,” mused frontman Johann Beardraven. “It’s been really amazing to discover that so many other people around the world share our unwavering enthusiasm when it comes to beards.”

The ten-year retrospective album, which will be released soon, is a best of compilation including rarities packaged with a live album recorded at The Metro in Sydney earlier this year.

The Ten Long Years, One Long Beard tour will visit the following Aussie cities this October. Tickets are on sale now from The Beards’ website.

2 October 2015 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra
3 October 2015 – The Zoo, Brisbane
8 October 2015 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
9 October 2015 – The Pelly Bar, Frankston
10 October 2015 – The Village Green, Mulgrave
15 & 16 October 2015 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
17 October 2015 – Coopers Ale House, Wallaroo
23 October 2015 – Bondi Beach Rd Hotel, Sydney
24 October 2015 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
25 October 2015 – Rocks Brewery, Sydney

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rachel Costanzo Gets Pop Ballad Right with “Miles Away”

When my husband and I were dating, I lived here in Australia and he was in Philadelphia. For a little over two years it was all about too-short visits, phone calls lasting for hours, even longer instant message conversations, and stilted webcam chats. Oh how I wish we had the high-speed broadband and quality webcams we do today. He’s been here for nearly ten years now, but every now and again I hear a song that takes me back to that time we had apart. “Miles Away,” by Melbourne songstress Rachel Costanzo is one of those songs.

I think even if I hadn’t been in a long-distance relationship, I’d still love this song. It’s been a really long time since I’ve heard such a quality pop ballad. It seems like most modern pop singers want to trill all over songs, showing off their vocal acrobatics rather than really honing in on a lyric. There’s a purity to what Rachel does that I really warm to.

If you feel the same way, and you live in Melbourne, make sure you head out to support Rachel when she launches “Miles Away” at Soho Southbank on Friday, August 7.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Waifs Release Gorgeous New Single “6000 Miles”

The Waifs are offering up a sneak peek of their brand new album Beautiful You with the release of the single “6000 Miles.” What a stunning song that is, a country-folk ditty that contemplates the distance between Vikki Thorn’s old home in Western Australia and new digs in Utah.

While the band spends a lot of time in the States, this song and indeed the whole album was recorded in Byron Bay. It took just a few weeks to lay down, which speaks of the talent of this enduring Aussie act.

Beautiful You will hit stores on August 14. The Waifs will celebrate its release with a rare Australian tour. Tickets are on sale now from The Waifs website.

10 September 2015 – Goldfield Arts Centre, Kalgoorlie
12 September 2015 – Esperance Civic Centre, Esperance
13 September 2015 – Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany
15 September 2015 – Perth Concert Hall, Perth
16 September 2015 – Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton
17 September 2015 – Carnarvon Civic Centre, Carnarvon
20 September 2015 – Roebuck Bay Hotel, Broome
14 October 2015 – The Triffid, Brisbane
15 October 2015 – Nambour Civic Centre, Nambour
17 October 2015 – Townsville Civic Theatre, Townsville
18 October 2015 – Musica Botanica, Cairns
21 October 2015 – Bangalow Town Hall, Bangalow
22 October 2015 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
24 October 2015 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
25 October 2015 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide
28 October 2015 – GPAC, Geelong
29 October 2015 – Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury
31 October 2015 – Granite Town Festival, Mooruya
1 November 2015 – The National Theatre, Canberra
3 November 2015 – Anitas, Thirroul
4 November 2015 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
5 November 2015 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
7 November 2015 – Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs
8 November 2015 – Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“These Walls” – Anna Cordell

When I wake up in the morning, I don’t switch on the morning shows like so many Aussies. TV distracts my husband who commutes into the city, so instead I reach for music. Most often it’s too loud or obnoxious for the morning, but I try to persevere. However, this morning I found just the right music to gradually bring me into the Land of the Living. These Walls EP, from Melbourne songstress Anna Cordell.

You might remember me waxing lyrical about Anna’s single “I’ll Wait Here” a month or so ago. I was surprised to see that song’s not on the EP, but also excited because it meant I got to hear five brand new songs. Anna is an artist who really knows who she is. There isn’t a lot of variety in this recording in terms of sound, but each track gets its individuality because of the stories she tells. I love someone who goes beyond the standard tale of boy meet girl or girl loses boy with their music. Getting into specific stories about people and moments in time is the key to really engaging a listener, because they haven’t heard it all before.

I was particularly struck by the opening song “Michael,” which recalled a sweet childhood relationship, and “Blue Rose,” a poignant song about seeing beauty in our differences. The title track “These Walls” is a fitting end to this beautiful collection of songs.

Anna writes incredible folky songs, which are anchored beautifully by her angelic voice, the gentle strumming of a guitar, or the soar of a string line.

Anna Cordell’s These Walls EP is released today via Bandcamp. She’ll launch the EP with the following shows.

29 August 2015 – Little and Olver, Melbourne
3 October 2015 – Beyond Festival, Canberra
15 October 2015 – The Vanguard, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Photographer Releasing Music Festival Book

Sydney-born concert photograph Nic Bezzina is preparing to unleash Release the Crowd, a coffeetable book documenting his festival photos.

The book features images from local festivals like Big Day Out, Soundwave, Splendour in the Grass, and Future Music, as well as international events including Wacken in Germany, Sonisphere in the United Kingdown, Primavera Music in Spain, and Hellfest in Spain.

Nic’s looking to the support of passionate music lovers to support the book’s release. You’ve got just five more days to donate to the Kickstarter campaign. Donating could give you some really cool extras, including discounted copies of Release the Crowd, an invite to the book’s launch, prints from its pages, or a one-on-one photography class with Nic himself.

Release the Crowd will hit stores this November.

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Northlane Scores First Number One

Sydney metalcore band Northlane has made a big impact on the ARIA charts, debuting at number one on debut with the latest effort Node. It’s their first number one, and their first album featuring new frontman Marcus Bridge.

With Northlane and another strong debut from Lamb of God, last week’s number one, Tame Impala’s Currents, has been pushed down to number three.

Another previous number one, Two Strong Hearts from living legends John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John, has dropped a few spots to land at number 10 this week.

Delta Goodrem’s the lone Aussie representing us in the singles top 10. Her new single “Wings” sits at number eight, making it the week’s highest debut.

Click below for this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “Northlane Scores First Number One” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Funky with Electrik Lemonade

It’s the weekend! It’s the first weekend I’ve been able to take in a month, so I’m celebrating hard. That includes busting a move to “Electrik People,” the ridiculously funky new single from Gold Coast outfit Electrik Lemonade.

This seven-piece influences soul, blues, hip-hop, and electronic elements to create the ultimate party music. It sounds so polished that I couldn’t quite believe it’s their first single.
“Electrik People is inspired by ALL the people that dance at our shows,” explained Electrik Lemonade’s lead singer Muffins. “It encourages everyone to be dance the way they want and to be themselves. It doesn’t matter if you’re an old guy with a bottle cap covered stick or a drunk dude in a gorilla suit (both true stories).”

It sounds like those gigs can get pretty wild! If you want to be amongst it, make sure you catch Electrik Lemonade playing the following shows around Queensland.

21 August 2015 – Currumbin Creek Tavern, Gold Coast
18 September 2015 – Whitsunday Sailing Club, Whitsundays
19 September 2015 – Fishing Classic, Bowen
20 September 2015 – Grandview Hotel, Bowen

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bad Pony Make Exercise Bearable with “Down to You”

I’ve come to the realisation that roller skating once a week isn’t likely to shift my beer belly, so I’ve started to spend a little time on the elliptical machine my husband insisted we have. I figure if it’s going to clutter up my lounge room I should at least get some use out of it. When I say a little time, I mean three minutes whenever I finish an article until I’ve done that 30 minutes of exercise experts recommend. Honestly I’m not sure my sore legs can stand much more than that. I find it hard to keep going after the one minute mark, but if I find a good song, I can power through. And I just discovered the right song.

“Down to You,” the latest single from Sydney’s Bad Pony, actually made me enjoy my time on the elliptical machine. It got me in the right rhythm, and I actually found myself powering through the full four minutes. It’s so much fun, but I’m not at all surprised. You might remember me raving about their last single “White Russian.” I like this trend. And I like this band. A lot.

Bad Pony will launch the single in front of hometown fans at Brighton Up Bar tomorrow night.

Image used with permission from Bad Pony

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Groove Along to Meg Mac’s New Single “Never Be”

After wowing crowds at Splendour, Meg Mac’s dropped her latest single “Never Be.” This track just oozes cool. I love the keys and of course Meg’s flawless vocals.

If you want to see Meg perform the song live, I suggest you get tickets for her spring single tour pronto. Some dates have already sold out, and the others won’t be too far behind! Meg’s also spending most of her time in the US these days, so it may be your last chance to see her live this year. Tickets are available from Meg’s website.

4 September 2015 – Odd Fellow, Fremantle (SOLD OUT)
5 September 2015 – Capitol, Perth (SOLD OUT)
11 September 2015 – Metro, Sydney
24 September 2015 – Uni Bar, Adelaide (SOLD OUT)
26 September 2015 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
27 September 2015 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
29 September 2015 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
2 October 2015 – Max Watts, Brisbane