Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Occupants Release Single for Asylum Seekers

Aussie band The Occupants penned their latest single “Alison” for the recent Gallipoli miniseries. It didn’t make the soundtrack, but the band were so proud of the song that they decided to release it anyway. I’m so glad they did.

The Occupants were irked by the way the ANZAC story has been commoditised, appropriated, co-opted, and over-marketed, especially by government officials, and the song is a response to that.

“I guess we, as a band, like to think that if there is a genuine stand to make now, then it’s in helping people who are fleeing war, violence, conflict and persecution overseas in this day and age. That might be something worth fighting for, even if our current government doesn’t think so,” explained frontman Flynn Gower.

In light of that, The Occupants will donate half of the proceeds from the single’s sales to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, an organisation that delivers health, legal, counselling, casework, food, and material aid services to thousands of asylum seekers.

You can support the single and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre’s work by downloading “Alison” through iTunes.

Image used with permission from Secret Service Public Relations

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bonjah On Fire with “Burn”

Bonjah have just released their killer new single “Burn.” Its lyrics have so much wisdom and they’re backed up beautifully by an easy guitar groove.

The Melbourne-based, Kiwi-born band is heading to Canadian Music Week in May, but they just have time to squeeze in the majority of their national tour dates to promote the single. Catch them play at the following venues.

2 April 2015 – Easter Festival, Bendigo
3 April 2015 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
24 April 2015 – Howler, Melbourne
1 May 2015 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
2 May 2015 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast
6-9 May 2015 – Canadian Music Week
10 May 2015 – Surfers Paradise Festival, Gold Coast

Image used with permission from Remedy PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Courtney Barnett Wins Me Over with “Depreston”

It’s taken a long time for me to “get” Courtney Barnett. I’d see her kicking goals in the U.S. and people raving about her here, but couldn’t quiet see what they saw. I appreciated her quirky songwriting and musicality, but I was missing the emotional connection I need to get really invested. However, I found it with her new single “Depreston,” an ode to a bargain-priced estate sale home and the memories it holds in Preston, Victoria.

“Depreston” is the follow up to “Pedestrian At Best,” and both tracks are lifted from her long-awaited debut album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, which hits stores tomorrow. Courtney’s playing SXSW, but she’ll be back on home soil to promote the album with a national tour in May. Teeth & Tongue will support Courtney at the following shows.

24 April 2015 – Wrestpoint, Hobart
1 May 2015 – The Gov, Adelaide
2 May 2015 – The Bakery, Perth
8 May 2015 – The Metro, Sydney
9 May 2015 – The HiFi, Brisbane
15 & 16 May 2015 – The Forum, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Money Go Round Release Winning Clip for “Velvet Sky (Reprise)”

Bondi band The Money Go Round have just released the video for the new single “Velvet Sky (Reprise),” and it’s an early contender for best video of the year. Its magical animation thoroughly charmed me. I’ll never look at the little men on signs quite the same way again!

This song is well overdue, as the band haven’t released anything since 2013. Releasing a claymation video which took more than a year to complete might have something to do with it, but that’s not the whole story. They also had a string of lineup changes in the last couple of years, so it’s great to see them back on track.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Prog Rock Royalty Becomes Three Tonne Deep

Local progressive rock act Three Tonne Deep are making a splash with their debut single “Time.” Perhaps that’s not surprising though, as the band are something of a supergroup: Forbes McKail (Rook, The Khyber Belt), Clint Vincent (Dead Letter Circus, Melodyssey), Scott Davey (ex-Dead Letter Circus, Mr Hyde) and Govinda Doyle (ARIA Award winning producer).

The song’s as epic as you’d expect from musicians of this pedigree. I love the way it blends Eastern influences with those delay-soaked guitar melodies. The empassioned vocals are also some of the best you’ll hear. If you’re a drummer, you can play along at home, as the band’s made the drum chart available for free download.

Are you excited to hear more from these talented prog rockers?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Isaiah B Brunt Brings Back Real Blues

With a name like Isaiah B Brunt, it’s not surprising that the Sydneysider is making blues the way it was supposed to be. He’s got this mellow Delta groove in his music that hearkens back to the greats. When he set about recording his debut album Just the Way That it Goes, he knew New Orleans was the only place to be. I haven’t been lucky enough to hear any of the album tracks, but his cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Hear My Train A Comin’” is pretty magical.

The album drops on March 26, when he’s launch it at Spring Street Social in Bondi Junction. The album launch is set to be a pretty special night with Isiah performing some acoustic songs along with tracks with a full band. Be there or be square!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Asta Embraces Inner Diva with “Dynamite”

Triple J Hugh School Unearthed graduate Asta is moving up to the big leagues with the release of her new single “Dynamite.”

It’s ridiculously catchy, which should come as no surprise because it was co-written by Andrew Klippel who had a hand in hits from Human Nature, Euphoria, and Lash back in the day. Andrew also worked with Chaka Khan and Earth Wind & Fire, which explains the single’s disco diva vibe.

That 80s soul influence is tempered by guest rapping from Allday. It’s an unlikely pairing, but one that works brilliantly here.

You can find out more about what Asta’s all about when she launches “Dynamite” at the following shows.

26 March 2015 – Tasmanian International Arts Festival Spiegeltent, Hobart
27 March 2015 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
28 March 2015 – The Hills are Alive, Kernot
2 April 2015 – Newtown Social Club, Newtown

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

YouTube Sensation BriBry Announces Aussie Tour

I must admit, I’m a little out of the YouTube loop. I’m fascinated by the fact that people can become celebrities and amass thousands of followers because they post amateur videos, but I couldn’t tell you the handles of any of them. So when I discovered that Irish YouTube sensation BriBry was planning to tour the country, I figured I’d check him out. Apparently he’s been here twice before when he sold out shows, so it seems I might be one of the last ones to discover his genius.

I intended to watch just one video to get a taste of what he does, but I think I’ve watched around 10 clips now: original songs, cover version, and candid clips where he speaks to his future child and shows viewers his apartment. I’m thoroughly charmed, both by his music and his personality. Knowing that he donates all his YouTube revenue to charity just makes him that much sweeter. He actually founded his own non-profit #CutCakeNotWrists to help young people dealing with depression. Could he be any more wonderful?

BriBry will tour Australia with his equally talented fiancé Candice and fellow YouTube sensation Dodie Clark. Here are all the places you can see him play.

26 June 2015 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide
27 June 2015 – Old Museum, Brisbane
28 June 2015 – The Lair @ Metro Theatre, Sydney
29 June 2015 – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Columbus Tour East Coast

Brisbane punk band Columbus have really impressed me with the heartfelt vocals and razor-sharp lyrics showcased on their new EP Home Remedy. It seems I’m not the only one, as the band has just signed a deal with North American booking agency The Agency Group, who represent guys like Less than Jake and Anti Flag.

But before the boys take off to the States, they’ll play some local shows along the East Coast. Entry is $10 for all gigs except for Toowoomba which is free.

17 April 2015 – Captain Cook Hotel, Sydney
18 April 2015 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
23 April 2015 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
1 May 2015 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba (FREE)
9 May 2015 – The Foundry, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Skipping Girl Vinegar Encourage Us to Dance

After a massive week, I feel like I’ve well and truly earned my weekend. Skipping Girl Vinegar have created the perfect soundtrack for today’s revelries too: their latest single “Dance Again.” It’s such a great high-energy, positive song that encourages you to get on your feet and jump around.

It’s our first taste of Skipping Girl Vinegar’s forthcoming album The Great Wave. Punters will get a sneak peek of more material when the band takes to the Bluesfest stage this April.