Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jack Carty and Jordan Miller Reunite for National Tour

Jack Carty and Jordan Millar enjoyed playing shows together in March so much that they’re set to do it all again with an acoustic tour this August.

Jack should be in fine form because he’s currently touring his latest album Esk across the United Kingdom and Europe. Meanwhile, Jordan will be taking a break from recording his next album for this tour. After time spent in the studio, he’s probably itching to get back out on stage!

If you’re on the fence about the shows, take a look at this video capturing one of their performances together in March. Do you really want to miss two singer-songwriters of this calibre playing together? I think not!

It’s also worth pre-ordering your tickets, as every one bought on presale comes with an 11-track digital live album Jack Carty & Jordan Millar – Live @ The Front Gallery. Tickets are available from Jack Carty’s website.

1 August 2015 – The Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
6 August 2015 – The Commons, Newcastle
7 August 2015 – The Street Theatre, Canberra
8 August 2015 – Venue 505, Sydney
14 August 2015 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane
15 August 2015 – Rous Mill Hall, Rous Mill
20 August 2015 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
21 August 2015 – Grace Darling Hotel, Melbourne
22 August 2015 – The Grand Poobah, Hobart

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lime Cordiale Will Make You Feel Alright

I’ve had one of those weeks. You know the ones, when there’s too much to do, not enough time to do it in, and far too many interruptions. But thankfully it’s Friday, there’s a weekend just around the corner and I have awesome tracks like Sydney duo Lime Cordiale’s new single “Feel Alright” to listen to.

“Feel Alright” has got such an easy groove and those horns are killer. If you’re digging it too, you can catch Lime Cordiale promoting the tour with an all ages show at Sydney’s Metro Lair on July 11 and an over 18s gig at Melbourne’s Shebeen on July 16. They’ve earned rave reviews for shows here and abroad, including gigs with The Griswolds, Ball Park Music, and sold out American dates with The Delta Riggs, so they’re sure to be in fine form.

Image used with permission from Rare Finds

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hockey Dad Get Me Grooving with “Can’t Have Them” Ahead of East Coast Tour

Hockey Dad are putting a smile on my face with their fun single “Can’t Have Them.” It’s a great feel-good jangly number with a surf rock influence that has me craving warmer weather.

Hockey Dad have been honing their craft as the support act of DZ Deathrays recently, so they’re sure to be in fine form when they tour “Can’t Have Them” along the East Coast next month.

4 June 2015 – Shebeen, Melbourne
5 June 2015 – Shebeen, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
6 June 2015 – Brighton Up, Sydney (SOLD OUT)
7 June 2015 – Brighton Up, Sydney
12 June 2015 – Elsewhere, Gold Coast
13 June 2015 – Trainspotters, Brisbane
14 June 2015 – Rad, Wollongong (SOLD OUT)
20 June 2015 – Rad, Wollongong (3pm SHOW – SOLD OUT)
20 June 2015 – Rad, Wollongong (SOLD OUT)

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Fifth in Eurovision

I’m sitting here bleary eyed and bursting with pride following this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. I’m an unashamed Eurovision tragic, and I’ve been up at 4:55 am three times this week (just enough time to grab a piece of paper to take notes to remember who to vote for and a Coke to wake up). This was the big one though, Guy Sebastian’s appearance, the first time Australia has competed and voted in the competition’s 60 year history.

Other singers got pitchy as the nerves caught up with them, but not Guy. A consumate professional, he truly did Australia proud with “Tonight Again,” a song that had me grooving around the loungeroom. But of course, a great song and performance is no guarantee of Eurovision success. There was a part of me before the event that worried that there might be some backlash from people who thought Guy and Australia had no place in Europe’s contest. I feared we might end up getting no points at all. Instead we got 196, including two douze points (that’s the maximum of 12 for those playing at home). Thanks Sweden and Austria! That put us in fifth place, behind the winner Sweden, Russia, Italy, and Belgium.

Fifth is more than credible in a field of 27, especially considering some of my favourites Lithuania and Cyprus were number 18 and 22 respectively. It’s not enough to see us back next year, but more than enough for us to hold our heads high. Personally I’ve had so much fun voting and even getting up early for it. It was amazing to feel part of a contest that’s been one of my year’s highlights for more than two decades.

Thank you Austria for including us in the celebrations. And thank you Guy for doing this country proud.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Society of Beggars Release Rocking First Single

There’s something so appealing about straight up rock and roll. And that’s what Melbourne band Society of Beggars give us with their debut single “Hyena.”

There aren’t any bells or whistles here. It’s rough around the edges, and it looks like the clip was probably made on a shoestring. But there’s real heart here. And I love the huskiness of the lead singer’s voice. It doesn’t have the spit and polish of big label releases, but it’s also got a bit more soul than many of them do.

What do you think of “Hyena”?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Little Sleeper Moves Me with “Middle of the Night”

It’s been an awfully long time since I pined over a guy. I celebrated my ninth wedding anniversary last week, which makes me feel very old. It’s funny though, even though it’s been a long time since I hurt like that I was taken back to my early twenties and all of the tears I cried then with Little Sleeper’s angsty debut “Middle of the Night.”

I will warn you that this Gold Coast songstress is fond of a four-letter word, so this isn’t the track to play in a conservative office environment. But if you are in the comfort of your own home or you have headphones, let this one and all its pain wash over you. “Middle of the Night” is one of those songs that just begs to be felt. Even if you’re not in Little Sleeper’s situation, I’ll bet that you’ll be as moved as I am by this one.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jeremy Neale and Phoebe Imhoff Team Up for Retro Duet

As far as I’m concerned, the ‘80s was the golden era of the duet. George and Aretha, Don and Stevie, Jennifer Warnes or Peabo Bryson and just about anyone. The songs would be romantic, the singers would undoubtedly sing “oohs” or “woahs” so that anyone who didn’t know the words could join in, and there’d definitely be a saxophone solo. In that tradition comes “Hold On Together,” which sees Brisbane singers Jeremy Neale and Phoebe Imhoff taking us back to my favourite decade.

This isn’t their first time working together. Phoebe also appeared on Jeremy’s song “In Stranger Times,” which has only enhanced their chemistry this time around.

Jeremy’s going to tour the single through May and June. There’s no word yet on whether Phoebe will join him, but I’m crossing fingers she makes an appearance!

29 May 2015 – Waywards, Sydney (FREE)
30 May 2015 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
19 June 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
20 June 2015 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Your Little Trick” – Travis Caudle

For a while there pop-rock became a bit of a dirty word associated with commercial success but a lack of soul. Personally, I always enjoyed pop-rock. It was comfortable, instantly accessible, and in my opinion never given enough credit. It takes skill to create something that can appeal to the masses, and that’s exactly what Perth singer-songwriter Travis Caudle has done with his forthcoming EP Your Little Trick.

The title is interesting for me, because there’s really not a lot of trickery about it. It’s good honest Aussie pop rock with a little hint of country. That genre twist makes sense as the album was recorded in Franklin, Tennessee, just outside Nashville. Working so close to one of the world’s music capitals has given this album a bit of polish, but the production hasn’t completely smoothed out Travis’ appealing edges.

Its opener “Outta My Head” sounds like it could be added to Triple M playlists tomorrow. I found myself singing along to the chorus and loving the big guitar chords from the first listen. The energy’s still turned up for the second song, “Something’s Gotta Happen.” But there’s more to Travis than high-energy music. He shows a softer side with the beautiful ballads “Wide Open” and “Heart and Soul.” The EP ends with my favourite song from the release, “Never Quite Enough.” I could feel the frustration in the lyrics and vocals, and I really responded to it.

Your Little Trick is an easy listen, but don’t underestimate the skill it takes to create something so comforting and familiar. It feels good for a reason. Because it is.

Your Little Trick will be released on May 27, but you can pre-order your copy now from Travis’ website. He’ll launch is officially in his hometown on May 31 as part of the City of Perth’s Sunday Sounds concert series.

Image used with permission from Capture Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harts Ready to Tour Bluesy “Breakthrough” EP

Killer guitarist, skilled songwriter, talented producer, and all-round good guy Harts is set to release a brand new EP, appropriately titled Breakthrough.

The EP doesn’t drop until June 5, but it seems Melbourne’s Harts might have already made his breakthrough. He released his debut album Daydreamer last year, which saw him invited to play with Prince at Paisley Park. It doesn’t get much bigger than that folks. And with tracks like the bluesy original “Red & Blue” under his belt, it’s not hard to see why he’s impressing all the right people.

To coincide with Breakthrough’s release, Harts will undertake his largest local tour to date. Once that wraps up he’s got plans to head to New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom, so who knows when we’ll get him back. See him while you can at the following shows.

5 June 2015 – CATS @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide
6 June 2015 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
7 June 2015 – The Loft, Warrnambool
12 June 2015 – Amplifier, Perth
13 June 2015 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River (FREE)
14 June 2015 – The Newport Hotel, Fremantle
19 June 2015 – Republic Bar, Hobart
20 June 2015 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
25 June 2015 – Moonshine, Manly (FREE)
26 June 2015 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
27 June 2015 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
3 July 2015 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
4 July 2015 – Transit Bar, Canberra
9 July 2015 – The Gapview Hotel, Alice Springs
10 July 2015 – The Foundry, Brisbane
11 July 2015 – The Great Northern, Byron Bay (FREE)
12 July 2015 – Broadbeach Tavern, Gold Coast (FREE)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bad Pony Get Toes Tapping with “White Russian”

Sydney indie-pop act Bad Pony have grown from a duo to a quintet since they released of their debut single “Sucker.” So we hear a much fuller sound on their new single “White Russian,” the first single lifted from their forthcoming EP.

I’m not quite sure what the song has in common with my husband’s favourite drink, but I do know that I like how it goes down. It’s so damned catchy, with beautiful harmonies and more hooks than a fisherman’s tackle box.

I had the Soundcloud link, but I think I prefer the energy of this video recorded in the studio. It gives just a hint of what they’re going to unleash at the following shows.

5 June 2015 – Worlds End Brewpub, Sandy Bat
7 June 2015 – Republic Bar, Hobart
12 June 2015 – Standard Bowl, Sydney