Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Soldier’s Wife Delivers Songs of Women and War

If you want to experience a musical performance with a difference, get yourself to Canberra Street Theatre or the Opera House. These are the only places you’ll see The Soldier’s Wife, a special show developed by a group of singer-songwriters inspired by the time they spent talking to the wives and widows of Australian servicemen. The artists listened to their stories and turned them into song, creating a work which is a unique snapshot of Australia’s history.

The project aims simply to give women touched by war a voice. Through the songs you’ll learn about their sacrifice, their pain, their joy, and much more.

Headed up by The Soldier’s Wife’s musical director Deb Suckling, the production also features the talents of Jackie Marshall, Bertie Page, Sahara Beck, Emma Bosworth, Roz Pappalardo, Lydia Fairhall, Leah Flanagan, and Kristy Apps. Miss Murphy will be a special guest performer at the Sydney show.

The Soldier’s Wife will play Canberra Street Theatre on August 6 followed by Sydney Opera House on August 7. If you can’t get along, or you simply want to relive the show, a full-length album featuring the songs will be released later this year. Proceeds from the album’s sale will benefit Legacy and the Partners of Veterans Association of Australia.

Image used with permission from SCG Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sans Releases Awesome Single “Torquay”


Melbourne indie pop act Sans have released their new single “Torquay,” and I can sum it up in three words: fast, furious, and fun. It’ll probably make your head spin, but like any good ride you’ll be desperate to repeat the experience after it’s done.

Sans will launch “Torquay” and their forthcoming EP Adolescence for hometown fans at The Toff on August 8.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Major Leagues Releases “Someone Sometime” Single

Brisbane band Major Leagues has taken me right back to the 90s with their brand new single “Someone Sometime.” The sweet vocals remind me a little of Juliana Hatfield’s, and those fuzzy guitars are so reminiscent of the garage bands that dominated the airwaves at the time.

“Someone Sometime” is lifted from Major Leagues’ sophomore EP, which was mixed by Jacob Portrait from Unknown Mortal Orchestra. It’ll be released later this year, but you needn’t wait that long to hear more from this band. They’ll play the following shows later this month to support the single’s release.

16 July 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
17 July 2015 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
25 July 2015 – Curtin Bandroom, Melbourne

Image used via permission from Rare Finds

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Queensland’s Red Deer Fest Back

After a one-year hiatus, Red Deer Fest is back in Queensland, bigger and brighter than ever. This year’s event will see Frenzal Rhomb, Andy Bull, Salmonella Dub Soundsystem, Ayla, Hey Geronimo, and heaps more taking over the natural amphitheatre beneath the D’Aguilar range in the Samford Valley.

This is a festival that loves being different. Tickets are strictly limited to create an intimate atmosphere, there are food and market stalls, and camping is encouraged. If you do have your heart set on a night under the stars, be warned though. Organisers have reduced the number of camping tickets available to ensure this beautiful site stays at its best.

Red Deer Fest hits Mt Sampson on October 3. Tickets are available now from the festival website.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Addicted to Nussy’s “My Heroin”

Melbourne synth-pop act Nussy has reunited with her favourite collaborators Michael Paynter and Michael Delorenzis for her brand new single “My Heroin.”

The drug reference is sure to raise a few eyebrows, but I love the way her sugary sweet vocals juxtapose with the dark subject matter. It really helps it stand out from so much mainstream pop.

“My Heroin is about being involved in a toxic relationship,” explained Nussy. “It’s like an addiction where something else within you takes over and you can’t make logical decisions – hence the reference to the drug heroin – that even at the very lowest of the low points, you convince yourself that the highs are worth it.”

Nussy will launch the single with a show at Melbourne’s The Shadow Electric on July 17 and one at the Gallery Bar at Sydney’s Oxford Arts Factory on August 13.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ngaiire Launches New Single “Once”

I’m a bit torn about “Once,” the latest single from Ngaiire. I really love the song. I think it could be the best thing Ngaiire’s ever released. I feel it, which is honestly the highest compliment I can give a song. The lyrics are so relatable (thanks to cowriters Megan Washington and Paul Mac) and Ngaiire’s voice is like honey.

So why am I feeling torn? I’m just not feeling the instrumentation. I’m no producer, but I honestly feel the song would have more impact without the beats. Something simpler and purer would have worked in so much more harmony with the core of this song. I honestly find all the electronic stuff a bit distracting.

“Once” isn’t perfect, but there’s an awful lot to like about it. If you like it, make sure you get along to the single launches. Ngaiire will play Melbourne’s Show Electric on July 31 and Sydney’s Newtown Social Club on August 6.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Drones Celebrate “Wait Long’s” 10th Anniversary

The Drones’ Sydney Opera House gig celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their critically acclaimed album Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of your Enemies Float By went so well in May, the Melbourne band’s decided to take the show on the road. They’ll play songs from the album, some other old favourites, and some new stuff too at intimate venues across the country this August and September.

To celebrate the album’s milestone, Wait Long will be released as a deluxe double 180g vinyl LP with a digital download an unreleased live album. You can preorder your copy now from The Drones’ website.

Tickets are on sale now for the following anniversary shows.

20 August 2015 – Darwin Festival, The Lighthouse @ Festival Park, Darwin
22 August 2015 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
28 August 2015 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
29 August 2015 – Triffid, Brisbane
4 September 2015 – The Gov, Adelaide
5 September 2015 – The Forum Theatre, Melbourne
6 September 2015 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine

Image used with permission from Secret Service Public Relations

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

San Cisco, Stonefield, and More Play Port Macquarie’s New Memory Lane Festival

Port Macquarie is a lovely place but the residents are a bit starved for live music. The occasional big name act plays The Glasshouse or the local pubs, but most often the people of Port have to make the long drive to Newcastle to see their favourite bands. So I was thrilled to see that Port’s getting a brand new festival, called Memory Lane, this October.

The line-up’s awesome, with San Cisco, Patrick James, Stonefield, and Zefereli playing alongside local heroes Bear in a Man Suit, Plebeian Groove, and Withernecks. There’s also going to be plenty of awesome food on sale and heaps more.

The event welcomes music lovers of all ages, and it’s entirely drug and alcohol free so parents can breathe easy. Something tells me we’re going to see plenty of young things blowing off steam before their end-of-year exams.

Memory Lane hits the laneway behind Port Central on October 18 between noon and 7 pm. Tickets go on sale tomorrow from Oztix.

Image source: MJR Presents

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Patrick James Covers The Church

Patrick James is one of my favourite Aussie singer-songwriters, so when I saw he’d covered The Church’s Under the Milky Way I just had to share it with you.

It’s a tender respectful rendition that should please music purists and encourage more people to check out the talented Aussie.

What do you think of Patrick’s take on The Church?

Image used with permission from Title Track

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Little May Give Us “Home”

Sydney’s Little May are offering a sneak peek of their forthcoming debut album with the release of new single “Home.” The song speaks of the longing that this band must feel for familiarity when they’re jetsetting around the world.

“Home’ was one of the first songs we recorded with Aaron [Brooking Dessner of The National]. It’s an old song, revisited,” Little May explained. “It had been written three years prior, from a place where a sense of belonging was being constantly chased. I think we will always associate this song, and this whole album, with Hudson and the time we all spent there.”

The clip’s also very cool. It was recorded in Future Past Studios, in Hudson, New York. The building was one a 19th century church, but it’s now thoroughly modern with a CCTV network allowing producers in the basement control room to watch and communicate with the musicians in the studio upstairs. I love the way the studio footage is paired with images of New York neighbourhoods.

It seems like Little May’s debut album has been a long time coming. Are you excited for this release?