Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Pearce Flexes His Creative Muscles with “Broken Bones”

Most of us know Guy Pearce as Aussie acting royalty, but he’s actually a pretty decent musician. This Jack of all Trades has just released his debut album Broken Bones. It features a brand new single “Taste,” which showcases his husky vocals and knack for catchy melodies beautifully.

“‘Taste’ digs into that illusive thing we call “identity”, and who we think we are, versus who we actually are – whatever that even means,” he explained in a press release. “We’re so malleable and contradictory at times, it’s often hard to be objective.”

Guy will play two launch shows to promote the release of Broken Bones. Wednesday’s show at The Toff is all sold out, but there are a handful of general admission tickets for The Basement on Wednesday, November 19, still available.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Travis Lee Brings 90s Soul Back with “Next 2 Me”

Back in the ‘90s I listened to a lot of soul and R’n’B music. Acts like R Kelly, Jodeci, Keith Sweat, and Blackstreet were always in my stereo. I hadn’t heard music like that in a long time until I discovered Australia’s own Travis Lee. There haven’t been a lot of Aussie acts that make music quite like this, not even in the 90s. So I’m impressed that this Brisbane singer is bringing back that old school sound with his new single “Next 2 Me.”

“Next 2 Me” is your classic boy meets girl story with a little twist as it goes beyond that by touching on the complications of what comes next. It’s the first song lifted from Travis’ debut EP, which was released yesterday. What do you think of it?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Christine Anu Celebrates Festive Season with “Island Christmas”

I love Christmas. It’s only November but I’ve already started my Christmas shopping. I’ll be dragging out my decorations and Christmas CDs once my husband breaks down and decides it’s no longer too early. But I must admit, I feel about silly singing about winter wonderlands and sleigh bells in the snow when the mercury’s soaring. So I was thrilled to learn that Christine Anu is releasing her much more Aussie-friendly festive album Island Christmas tomorrow.

The album features duets with Steve Clisby and Jay Laga’aia, and even a cameo from her own kids Kuiam and Zipporah on the title track.

“I wrote the title track when my kids and their friends and cousins were quite young – we love singing – and I’d always get them to sing along with me. So even though they’re now a lot older, the inclusion of their voices on the album is incredibly nostalgic for me – it’s what Christmas is all about, in creating and recalling special memories each year,” said Christine in a press release.

“The song is a little tongue-in-cheek, with Aussie slang sound bites from Australian poetry and prose, conjuring up images of a unique summer Christmas spent at the beach, with family and friends, meeting up again for that one special time of the year.”

Look out for Island Christmas in stores tomorrow.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

DXHeaven Goes Old School with “All The Time”

I’m an unashamed child of the 80s. Modern music might have generally moved on, but when I hear some synths and some earnest pop vocals I get weak at the knees. DXHeaven has delivered all that and more with his new single “All The Time.” The track is lifted from the Melbourne muso’s debut EP Aftertouch, which drops tomorrow.

I love its lush layers and the way DXHeaven’s smoother than chocolate vocals anchors it so beautifully. If you like what you hear too, get out and support DXHeaven when he launches the EP for his hometown fans at Hugs & Kisses on November 20.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rubber Records’ Best Play 25th Birthday Shows

From humble beginnings in a Melbourne bedroom, Rubber Records are just about to clock up 25 years in the Aussie music business. That means they’re still young enough to let their hair down, but they’re probably starting to regret it a little in the morning. No doubt there’ll be a few sore heads when the label celebrates the milestone with a string of very special shows featuring some of their most revered artists this December.

“I’ve always preferred being in the background and just releasing records by artists that I love working with,” explained label founder David Vodicka. “This series of shows is just as much a celebration of being around a long time and sticking with those artists, as it is an excuse to try and get some of them to play again!”

It all kicks off with The Casanovas, who will play their first show in several years at Northcote Social Club on December 3. Then Melbourne legends bZARK will reform albeit briefly, at Northcote Social Club on the 10th. Next cab off the ranks is Hamish Cowan, the Cordrazine singer who’s been living in exile in Scotland for the last couple of years. He’s also at the Northcote Social Club, on the 17th.

The final two shows will take us to Howler. 1200 Techniques will remind us what we’ve been missing with their reunion show on December 12, before undergroundLOVERS wrap things up on December 19.

It’s one hell of a month of music, and a fitting celebration for Rubber Records’ big birthday bash.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Philadelphia Grand Jury Ready for Recording Fundraiser Tour

It was a sad day for local music lovers when Philadelphia Grand Jury parted ways. Their single “Good News” was one of my favourite feel-good tracks for 2009. So I was thrilled to hear that Simon Berkfinger, Dan W Sweat, and MC Bad Genius have kissed and made up, and are ready to do it all again.

The Philly Jays are preparing to tour along the East Coast this month. If you’ve missed them, you’re going to want to get to these shows, not just to bask in the nostalgia but to give them the funds they need to record a follow-up to Hope is for Hopers. So dig deep folks and get yourself along to these reunion shows.

8 November 2014 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
12 November 2014 – Beach Road Hotel, Bondi (FREE)
13 November 2014 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
14 November 2014 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane https://www.facebook.com/philadelphiagrandjury

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sean Kirkwood One to Watch

New Zealand born, Melbourne based singer-songwriter Sean Kirkwood released his debut EP Tales for the Barman way back in April, but it didn’t exactly break through. It’s a shame, because the songs I’ve heard are incredible, including the gorgeous “Don’t Want to Own You.” I just love the way he marries folk, roots, and blues, and his no frills vocals. There’s something so compellingly raw and organic about what he does. If you love it too, you can grab a free download on Sean’s Bandcamp page.

Hopefully more people will sit up and take notice when Sean takes his songs on the road this month. If you like what you hear check him out at the following venues.

13 November 2014 – Grace Darling, Melbourne
14 November 2014 – Exeter Hotel, Adelaide
15 November 2014 – Babushka Bar, Ballarat
17 November 2014 – The Phoenix, Canberra
22 November 2014 – Cambridge Sidebar, Newcastle
23 November 2014 – Pacific Hotel, Yamba
28 November 2014 – Cardigan Bar, Brisbane
29 November 2014 – Bohemian Bungalow, Eumundi (afternoon)
29 November 2014 – Upfront Club, Maleny (night)
30 November 2014 – Milk Factory, Brisbane
2 December 2014 – The Rails, Byron Bay
4 December 2014 – Seaview Tavern, Woolgoolga
7 December 2014 – Menagerie, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Caitlin Park Heads to the United Kingdom

Music lovers in the United Kingdom are in for a real treat. Sydney songstress Caitlin Park is winging her way to you to celebrate the release of her sublime new single “Hunt for the Young.” The song was the first written for her sophomore LP The Sleeper.

“‘Hunt for the Young’ is about fighting for someone you love – when you’ve stepped in the wrong direction and you anxiously grab at what you know you’re about to lose,” Caitlin explained. That passion that inspired it rings through this song which is so compelling and so beautiful.

If you’re in the United Kingdom, you don’t want to miss these shows.

17 November 2014 – The Islington, London
21-23 November 2014 – The End Festival, Crouch End
28 November 2014 – Union Chapel, London
29 November 2014 – Epic, Norwich
4 December 2014 – Oran Mor, Glasgow
5 December 2014 – Sage Gateshead, Gateshead
6 December 2014 – Gorilla, Manchester

Image used with permission from Secret Service Public Relations

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Miss Murphy Makes Us Fall For Her Again With New Single

I must admit to getting my back up a bit when the X Factor judges commented several times this year about how their show is the only program that creates artists that end up on the charts. It was such an obvious dig at the contestants on The Voice, and one that I think was completely uncalled for. While they might not be selling singles by the truckloads, in my opinion the stuff I’ve seen from these performers is much more interesting. That idea of choosing performers based solely on their voice rather than their pop package is always bound to get results. I profiled Julian Simonsz’s single recently, and now I can give Miss Murphy’s latest effort a plug.

“Don’t Let Go” is the first single lifted from her new EP Stride. It’s a heartfelt, groovy slice of soul that’s reminded me just how good she is. If it’s done the same for her you catch her playing a free show at the Djerriwarrh Festival in Melton on November 8 before she heads to the Australasian Worldwide Music Expo in Melbourne on November 13.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lucy Mason Covers “Amazing Grace” for Gallipoli

Ordinarily I tape shows and fast-forward through the ads, but the NRL Grand Final is one of those rare occasions where I watch it live. I just can’t risk hearing spoilers. And it’s a good thing too, because if I were skipping through I would have missed the ad for Channel Nine’s upcoming series Gallipoli. The war drama itself doesn’t really interest me, but I was struck by the haunting version of “Amazing Grace” playing during the commercial. I couldn’t wait to find out who was behind it.

Now I have my answer. The cover is by Lucy Mason, a local independent singer-songwriter who’s spent the last few years touring in the United Kingdom. This song is her first effort to break into the Aussie music scene.

“The opportunity to contribute to a piece of television that will likely embed itself as a piece of Australia’s history is something I am so grateful for,” she explained in a press release. “The story is integral to our nation’s story and to be given this platform to start introducing myself to my home market is really special to me.”

The song features on Lucy’s debut EP White as Snow, which is available now from iTunes.

Image used with permission from SGC Media