Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Musicians Behaving Badly in Melbourne

Melbourne might be known as Australia’s culture capital, but it’s also the place where plenty of musicians behave badly. These are just some of the musical stars whose behaviour we’d all rather forget.

Solange Knowles: Diva Behaviour on Derby Day

Photo by kileeTRAVELS via Trover.com

She has her own musical career but Solange Knowles surely knows she’ll always be more famous as Beyonce’s little sister. Given her station in life, you’d think she’d know better than to act like a total diva. But that’s just what she did when she visited Derby Day, part of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, last November.

Rachel Finch was set to interview Solange at 1pm when PR informed her Solange was still in her accommodation and the interview would have to be pushed back. Solange reportedly arrived at 2:30 and word quickly spread she wasn’t in one of the hotels in Melbourne at all, but its shops.

But the problems didn’t stop there. She also insisted she wasn’t asked about Beyonce or her family issues (the two things anyone really cares about), and refused to pose with a Lavazza cup in the Lavazza marquee.

She’d originally agreed to play an hour-long DJ set in the marquee, but after arriving more than two hours late punters enjoyed just 20 minutes of music.

Marilyn Manson: Delivers Drunken Soundwave Set

I’m not a wowser by any means. I don’t mind a musician having a drink or two or even more before or during their set, so long as they can still deliver on stage. When things get messy and the audience doesn’t get the show they paid for, I take serious issue with the behaviour. Plenty of musicians have been drunk and disorderly on Melbourne stages, but Marilyn Manson’s Soundwave 2012 performance was one of the worst.

His set’s late start time in Melbourne was an indication of what would follow. He stumbled over lyrics and ended up mumbling most of them. The audience tried to fill in the blanks, but it was a trainwreck. Between songs Marilyn insisted he wasn’t drunk, adding he’d been sober for 15 whole minutes. He also expressed his respect for Aussie drug laws as he pulled out a white packet which he proceeded to throw to the crowd.

Marilyn’s always been a controversial figure, but “At Soundwave,” according to Vulture Magazine, “he was an offence to himself and also to those who had expected so much more from him.”

Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston: Kicked Out of Crown Towers

Is there anything more rock and roll than trashing a hotel room? It might be a music scene staple, but Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston’s antics at the Crown Towers won them no favours. During their time as soul music’s most controversial couple the pair trashed their Melbourne suite, including covering its carpets with merlot. Needless to say, hotel management didn’t care much for their star status and quickly sent them packing.

We might hate the way these celebs behave but we have plenty of #HipmunkCityLove for Melbourne. Can you remember any other bad star behaviour in the city I’ve forgotten?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

NUYON Channels 90s Vibes with “Your City”

I’m enjoying a lot of the new hip hop coming out, but there’s a bit part of me that longs for the good old days. So I’m really excited by NYUON, who’s brand new but with skills that 2Pac, Public Enemy, or Naughty by Nature would be proud of. Even the film clip for his single “Your City” feels like it stepped out of the 90s.

NUYON is a proud Melbourne resident who was born to Sudanese parents in an Ethiopian refugee camp. His family moved to Australia to escape the civil war, and our country has helped him nurture his gift.

“Just a few months ago I was in the crowd at the ‘Yeezus’ concert daydreaming about one day being the headline of my own events and now it’s actually happening,” he said recently. “Maybe I’m still daydreaming? I’m simply blessed to have all these opportunities pop up.”

“Your City” will come from NUYON’s album, which should hit stores later this year.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dusty Boots Sings About Simpler Life

After a year-long hiatus which saw him recovering from a head injury, Dusty Boots is back with his sweet new single “By the Ocean.” It’s a simple song about living by the water and getting back to nature.

For the majority of Australians that organic lifestyle is just a pipedream, but Dusty’s living it thanks to his network Rebel on a Rainbow. He was inspired to create the group after the expectations of full-time employment in a money-hungry society wore him down. Along with a collective of like-minded individuals, he spends his time traveling, camping, jamming, hiking, and appreciating what’s around him. The group recently teamed up with RAW Impact, a collaboration which sees him giving 50 percent of their merchandise profits to this worthy cause.

You might not get to live Dusty Boots’ reality, but you can let a little of his spirit rub off on you while listening to this song.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Gareth Jay” – Gareth Jay

It’s been a little while since I’ve heard any really great new blues music. You know the stuff, the music that feeds you soul and bubbles over with passion and heart. So I was really excited to stumble across the self-titled EP from Sydney’s Gareth Jay.

The opening track “Fiend” had me from its intro with its acoustic guitar and rich harmonica. Once his husky voice entered the mix I was sold. This song just oozes sex.

The follow-up number, “Crave,” kept me enamoured. If the lost love this song was written about didn’t go back to Gareth after hearing it she’s crazy. I think I’d forgive almost anything if anyone was inspired to write a song like this for me.

The heartbreak continues with “It’s Not Me, It’s You.” It covers familiar ground but Gareth is so talented that it feels fresh.

“Why Don’t You Just” feels like it’s come out of America’s Deep South rather than the streets of Sydney. It’s swampy and raw and oh so good.
The closing track “Tempt Me” has a real organic, spontaneous energy. It feels like the sort of thing you might expect Gareth to improvise on stage with his bandmates, unpolished and honest.

After listening to all five tracks I had to play them again. And then again. What a wonderful introduction to this talented musician. I expect massive things when Gareth Jay releases his first full-length album this May.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Daniel Lee Kendall Eases Your Worries with Chilled New Single

It’s quitting time on a Friday. Time to pour yourself a drink and chill out with some sweet tunes. Daniel Lee Kendall’s gorgeous new single “Don’t Worry Darlin’” is the perfect soundtrack as you get yourself into that weekend mindset. I can just imagine Daniel wearing a Hawaiian shirt strumming a ukulele as I listen to this and sip a cocktail. Or maybe that’s just me?

“This is a very old song,” Daniel explained. “I wrote this before Lost In The Moment had been released, and always liked it, but felt guilty at the thought of releasing it, because I wrote it about my then girlfriend. Key word: then. It’s really a song about me trying to convince myself about a relationship that wasn’t working.”

If you’re doing Mountain Sounds tomorrow, remember to check out Daniel’s set which is sure to be a festival highlight.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amber Lawrence Spreads the Love

I know plenty of people who take umbrage with the whole concept of Valentine’s Day. We should express our love all year round they insist. So it’s for these people that I decided to hold off posting Amber Lawrence’s new video for “I Will Love You.” She released it to time with Valentine’s Day, but it might have just been a little too sugary for that Hallmark holiday. Why not show it to someone you love today to remind them that it’s not just February 14 that gets you sentimental?

Post by Amber Lawrence.
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

cln Gets it Right with Katie Noonan Remix

It’s fascinating the way that remixes can change a song. I’ve been sitting here listening to a variety of remixes of Katie Noonan’s new single “Peace is My Drug,” and marvelling at the way the treatments have brought new aspects of the lyrics and Katie’s stunning voice to light.

Personally, this version remixed by cln is my favourite. It just gives the song a little more room to breathe than the others I listened to by Oisima and Inkswel. I believe there’s another two on the Peace is my Drug EP, which is available now exclusively through PledgeMusic.

Katie is such a chameleon that it’s always exciting to see what she does next. Fans can get a taste of her new musical direction and enjoy some old favourites at the following shows promoting the single.

12 March 2015 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
13 March 2015 – Wellers Restaurant, Kangaroo Ground
14 March 2015 – Aurora Spiegeltent, Garden of Unearthly Delights, Adelaide
18 March 2015 – Lizotte’s Restaurant, Dee Why
19 March 2015 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
20 March 2015 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
21 March 2015 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
22 March 2015 – Lizotte’s Restaurant, New Lambton
27 March 2015 – Ipswich Civic Centre, Ipswich
28 March 2015 – The Triffid, Brisbane
29 March 2015 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Uncle Jed @ Lizotte’s, Kincumber – 15 February 2015

As I sat in Lizotte’s Kincumber on Sunday night, I couldn’t help but do it with a twinge of sadness. It was the second-last show I had booked before the venue’s closing. I thought about that as I ordered the tempura prawns and herby battered fish and chips, two of my favourite items from Lizotte’s ever-changing menu. I poured over the wine list and figured it was time to try the Lizotte’s label sav blanc, knowing that I’d soon to have to drive to Newcastle for a glass. I thought about it as I watched the bands play intimate music so close to me, so easy to hear in this crowd of music lovers. The Central Coast is very lucky to have this venue which always makes a concert just that little bit better.

After all, I have only a vague recollection of Michael Duchesne’s time on The Voice, yet as he graced the Lizotte’s stage I was captivated from the first note. I think a venue like Lizotte’s encourages you to listen to lyrics and subtle nuances. Small songs work well here as opposed to network TV, and that’s where Michael excels. I could have listened to his voice all night, its warm richness and its raspy breaks. His originals were so impressive and his covers of songs by Bread and the Doobie Brothers were inspired. Needless to say, I left with his EP.

I was there to see another TV show success, Uncle Jed. I’ve actually never watched a full episode of Australia’s Got Talent, but they captivated me on the ads so I’d religiously get on YouTube and see what they were doing. They were one of those bands that I always meant to see, but hearing they were wrapping up Uncle Jed to launch another musical project gave me the impetus I needed. Again, Uncle Jed is a band that really deserves a space like Lizotte’s. Their songs are intimate and personal. They draw you in with lyrics that perfectly match their sublime harmonies. I knew I’d enjoy the songs they did on AGT like “Brother” and “Give Me Love,” but covers I hadn’t heard like “Latch” and “Everybody Here Wants You” were revelations. New songs from their next band Luna Grand ensure that this isn’t the last we’ll see of this talented act.

I wondered as I left where bands like this will play on the Coast when Lizotte’s Kincumber closes its doors. It’d be a shame to put them into pubs with inattentive patrons and poker machines. Perhaps bands will just start bypassing my local area and only playing Newcastle and Sydney. Whatever happens, I’m just glad I could see artists of this calibre playing at Lizotte’s Kincumber one last time.

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Little Earthquake” Release Life-Affirming “I Am Alive”

Fellow Coasties Little Earthquake have struck gold with their new single “I Am Alive.” It’s such a jubilant, positive piece of pop with lush harmonies and a beautiful synthscape.

The film clip, directed by Rob Sherwood, is pretty fabulous too. The stunning homegrown landscapes and surf footage is just the cure for whatever’s ailing you this Humpday.

Little Earthquake are currently touring the single around the country, giving fans a sneaky listen to songs from their debut album which will hit stores later this year.

20 February 2015 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
21 February 2015 – Mountain Sounds, Kariong
25 February 2015 – Newcastle Uni, Newcastle
25 February 2015 – Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
28 February 2015 – Sly Fox, Enmore
6 March 2015 – Penny Black, Melbourne
7 March 2015 – Baho Tacos, Rye
12 March 2015 – Bull and Bush, Windsor
13 March 2015 – Tattersall’s, Penrith
14 March 2015 – Good God Small Club, Sydney
18 March 2015 – Bald Faced Stag, Leichardt