Posted on by Lauren Katulka

ARIAs are Awesome, But Why the International Star Hysteria?

I’ve only just caught up with what down at the ARIAs last night. I have a Wednesday night date at the local RSL with the members of my trivia team Fusion, so I caught it on the DVR today.

Overall I enjoyed this year’s ceremony a lot more than last year’s. It was a joy to watch Neil Finn and Paul Kelly performing together, to be reminded of how good young things like Five Seconds of Summer and Sheppard are in the live arena, and to see Molly Meldrum and Countdown take their rightful place in the Hall of Fame. Chet Faker’s performance was also spellbindingly good. I like to think those squealing 5SOS and 1D fans in the front learned a few things watching this man play. Ditto Dan Sultan.

But I have to wonder, why do we insist on fawning over the international celebrities? Why do we hype up Katy Perry presenting an award, and give One Direction a plum spot on the running time? I’m probably more of a 1D fan than a woman in her mid-thirties should be, but it still felt a little odd to me. A show like last night reinforced yet again that Australia has such a rich, diverse array of talent. So why don’t organisers focus on that? It’s not like the addition of these big-name stars seemed to do much for the ratings after all.

Thoughts?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

British Folk Star John Smith Embarks on First Aussie Tour

The Brits have largely kept John Smith a bit of a national secret, until now. The revered singer-songwriter is set to make his first visit to Australia to play some headlining shows and slots at the Woodford and Cygnet Folk Festivals.

He’s here to promote his fourth studio album Great Lakes, which features the beautiful title track amongst other gems. This is really special music. While the Brits have to see him in big venues like Shepherd’s Bush Empire, we get gorgeous intimate pubs and clubs. These are going to be outstanding shows.

27 December 2014 to 1 January 2015 – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford
3 January 2015 – The Junk Bar, Brisbane
7 January 2015 – The Melbourne Folk Club @ Bella Union, Melbourne
8 January 2015 – Django Bar, Sydney
9-11 January 2015 – Cygnet Folk Festival, Cygnet

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Winterbourne Wow Me with “Cold”

In an age where so much music is overproduced and overblown, it’s so lovely to find a band like Winterbourne. The fact that they’re from my part of the world, the Central Coast of New South Wales, just makes it that much sweeter.

These guys make real music that’s so organic and real and beautiful. Take a listen to their first single “Cold” and just see if it doesn’t give you chills. Can you believe that a sound like that comes from just two guys? Rest assured, I’ll be tracking down a copy of the EP All But the Sun on the strength of this single alone. Wow.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Low Fly Incline Get Into the Groove with “Silver Cadillac”

Melbourne two-piece Low Fly Incline are rocking out with their new single “Silver Cadillac.” It’s grungy and raw and has such a great energy. Just see if you’re not grooving along by the end of it.

This was actually the first song that Low Fly Incline’s vocalist and guitarist Tarek wrote for this outfit, and it was also the first song recorded when the band headed into the study to record their album. That makes a lot of sense, because there’s none of the fatigue that you start hearing in some songs as the recording process drags.

Low Fly Incline will officially launch “Silver Cadillac” for hometown fans tomorrow night at Luwow.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Demokracy” – Citizen Kay

The Australian hip hop scene may be the strongest that it’s ever been in history. Where once there was a cultural cringe and artists were accused of simply copying the musicians in the United States, we’re realizing that many Australian hip hoppers have some really important, interesting things to say. Acts like Bliss N Eso and Hilltop Hoods dominate the charts, but personally the artist that’s impressed me most is Citizen Kay. As I listened to his long awaited mini-LP Demokracy today, I found myself falling even more in love with his music.

At eight tracks, the mini-LP tag is perfect. Far too long for an EP, too short for a regular album, Demokracy feels the ideal length. There are no filler tracks. Indeed, the first half have already been released as singles since the start of 2013. But the remaining four are definitely not just making up the numbers. While I already loved “Yes!,” “Raise a Glass,” “Manage,” and “Freedoom,” they were the songs that really confirmed to me that Citizen Kay is the real deal. “Chosen,” a collaboration with the velvety-voiced Benjamin Joseph, is particularly breathtaking. “Nice &” is such an unusual blend of cocktail jazz and rap. This is the real deal.

It’s Citizen Kay’s ability to move from party tracks to political songs to smooth romantic jams which I find most endearing. So many hip hop artists seem to exist in a box. They’re railing against the system or they’re hanging out with the honeys living large. Citizen Kay is unashamedly a hip hop act, but you gets the sense that he wants to push that label as far as he can. The result is a record that’s really diverse, but so well done that it works as a beautiful, complex whole. I feel like we’re only just starting to see the many facets of Citizen Kay.

Citizen Kay has two final shows to launch Demokracy. Catch him at Sydney’s Roller Den on November 28 on the CoLab Festival at Perth’s UWA on November 29.

Image used with permission from Shake Appeal

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

No Problem with Little Odessa

Little Odessa have made magic again with their latest single “Part of the Problem.” This is a foot stomping good time of a track with such a lovely raw, garage rock feel. That lack of polish makes it feel so spontaneous and organic and real. I love it.

The track came out of a writing week in Sydney that frontman Marlon Hickey recently indulged in. He penned it with Oceanics’ songwriter Tom Garnett before taking it back to his bandmates in Brissie.

Are you loving it as much as me?


Image used with permission from White Label Servicing

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Anja Nissen Underwhelms with “I’m So Excited”

I must admit, I’ve been giving Anja Nissen’s new music video a wide berth for a while. I’d spotted images of her, red lipped and pouting, and felt a bit cheated by her makeover. Where was the girl who enjoyed riding dirt bikes that we came to know on The Voice? But when the video was sent to me I figured I should stop jumping to conclusions and actually give it a look. God I wish I hadn’t.

The song is called “I’m So Excited,” yet Anja’s face never cracks a smile through the run-time of this clip. If she’s excited I really can’t tell. The track is really formulaic, but if it had an energy to match its lyrics I might not have minded too much. Instead this just feels like another song to roll off the will.i.am  production line.

It’s disappointing because I remember Will on the show championing acts like Gabrielle and Cecilia and ZK, exclaiming how different they were and how that excited him. Anja never felt very different to me. She felt like another diva with an impressive set of pipes and a gorgeous package. I felt she was very commercial, but she wasn’t for me. But the thing is, what Will’s done here is stamp out what little individuality she did have and make her some kind of robotic pop princess.

I’ve heard people trash The Voice, and they probably wonder why I expected better. But I did. Anja has real talent, even if it’s a little vanilla, but we see none of it here.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sleepy Dreams Launch Local Football

Melburnians, your Saturday night plans are sorted. Local indie-folk quartet Sleepy Dreamers will be officially launching their sophomore EP Local Football at The Penny Black in Brunswick on November 29, and they’d love to see you there.

The five-track recording features the stellar singles “Bike Song” and “Hunk.” Empty wallets are no excuse, as entry is free. The music kicks off at 9:30, so be there or be square!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Kelly Gets Soulful

If you’re stuck for Christmas gift ideas, either for your nearest and dearest or for yourself as a reward for all that time spent shopping, then consider some Paul Kelly swag. He’s about to release The Merri Soul Sessions, a soul and gospel album which sees Paul performing with some of his best friends in the business including Dan Sultan, Vika and Linda Bull, Kira Puru, and Clairy Browne. It’s something new for Paul, who’s better known for his folkier leanings, but with such talent on board you can’t go wrong.

The Merri Soul Sessions, Paul’s 20th studio release, is currently available for pre-order through his website, ahead of its December 12 release. However, if you really want to get something special I suggest heading to the PledgeMusic site where you can secure a 7” vinyl box set or 12” vinyl deluxe box set.

If you feel like buying a good night out, then why not grab some tickets for Paul’s national tour, happening this January? They’re on sale now.

9 January 2015 – Opening Party of Sydney Festival, Parramatta
10 January 2015 – Summer of Soul Festival, Mossvale
16 January 2015 – MONA FOMA @ Princes Wharf, Hobart
17 January 2015 – Sundown Sessions @ Scarborough Park, Scarborough
21 January 2015 – Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre, Tamworth
22 January 2015 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (seated)
23 January 2015 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (standing)
31 January 2015 – Norwood Concert Hall, Adelaide
6 February 2015 – Taronga Zoo, Sydney NSW
7 February 2015 – Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne VIC
10 & 11 February 2015 – Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Maples Cures Mondayitis with “Stars”

It’s notoriously difficult to get moving on a Monday, but “Stars,” the gorgeous debut single from Sydney songbird Maples, may add some spring to your step.

This is such a fun song. It’s unapologetically pop, but it’s also got a real theatricality about it that I love. I also love the lyrics, which speak about overcoming suppression and breaking free. Maples co-wrote “Stars” with Julian Hamilton of The Presets, which may explain why it’s got hit written all over it.

“Stars” is the first track to be lifted from Maples’ forthcoming debut album. Do you dig it?

Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado