Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sheppard’s Bombs Away in Stores

Today is the day Sheppard fans have been waiting for. The band’s long-awaited debut album Bombs Away is in stores now. It features the number one smash single “Geronimo,” “Let Me Down Easy,” and the band’s newest cut “Something’s Missing.”

To celebrate the release, the Brisbane band will play a series of all-ages album launch shows in the East Coast capitals later this month.

“This year has been such a whirlwind and it was important to us that we take the time to get out there on the road and celebrate our album with the fans,” explained George Sheppard. “The release of a first album is an important milestone for any band and we’re just so happy that we can celebrate it with the people who have made it all happen for us.”

Sheppard should be in fine form after supporting Keith Urban around the country last month. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

25 July 2014 – Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane
26 July 2014 – Big Top Luna Park, Sydney
1 August 2014 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (Two shows: 4:30 pm under 18s; 8:30 pm over 18s)

Image used with permission from SCG Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Williamson Readies Album Number 50

Can you believe John Williamson is preparing to release his 50th album? Believe it or not, Honest People will hit stores on July 25, and it shouldn’t disappoint his legion of fans.

It’s a collection of tales inspired by John’s hometown of Quambatook, a tight-knit community full of “honest people.” The album recalls the innocence and spirit of small towns while lamenting the loss of community that comes with progress in many regional areas. Hear John talking about it in this album teaser video.

John fans are in for a big week at the end of the month. His biography Hey True Blue will hit shelves on July 23, two days before the release of Honest People on July 25.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hear Exciting New Indigenous Music on Song Nation Vol 1

In case you missed it, it’s NAIDOC week, a week which celebrates the culture, history, and achievements of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. So it’s only fitting that Friday sees the release of a new Indigenous hip hop compilation dubbed Song Nation Vol 1.

The album was created by Desert Pea Media, who helped oversee the creation of these songs through their unique dialogue-driven songwriting workshops held in remote communities around the country. Through the development of great music, Desert Pea Media aims to be a catalyst for change.

The songs on Song Nation Vol 1 were recorded by the exciting groups Desert Pea Media’ unearthed. They include the Cairns Murri Crew, the band behind the album’s lead single “Built to Last.” The group features students from Cairns High School, who wrote the song is collaboration with Desert Pea Media facilitators.

Support Desert Pea Media’s vital work and do your ears a favour when Song Nation Vol 1 hits stores on Friday July 11.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dance to Ella Hooper’s “The Red Shoes”

Ella Hooper doesn’t seem to be letting the news of her rebooted Spicks & Specks’ axing get her down. She’s just released one of her most upbeat songs in recent years, “The Red Shoes.” The melodic song has a darker edge with its fairytale inspired themes of obsession and possession.

“You can sometimes lose yourself in the pursuit of chasing a dream or ideal or person, becoming psychically bound to desire and perhaps risk being destroyed by it.” Ella explained. “But there’s also a weird alluring freedom in going 110% at something, knowing that you’ve probably lost perspective and control and just not caring. Dancing til your feet bleed, for example! When you’re lost in the moment, nothing else matters.”

To celebrate the release, Ella will play two intimate launch shows. Head to Newtown Social Club in Sydney on July 17 or Shebeen in Melbourne on July 18 to hear “The Red Shoes” and songs from Ella’s forthcoming album In Tongues.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Clockwise Back on my Radar with “Dancing World”

I remember when Clockwise went by the name Andy Clockwise and played countless shows around New South Wales in the early noughties. He disappeared from my radar, but it seems he’s been living in Los Angeles since 2007 and playing some pretty high-profile shows supporting the likes of Julian Casablancas, The Black Keys, Wolfmother, The Wailers, and INXS.

And on July 15, he’ll release a new EP Dancing World. If the title track’s any indication, it’s going to be something pretty special. The song’s got such a gorgeous pop sensibility but it’s also something really unique. Listening to it just feels good. The film clip is also stunning.

What a great set up for this EP, which is actually the first part of a two-part “ode to conflict, both internal and external.” To celebrate the release, Clockwise will be back on our shores for some shows later this year. Until then, we can enjoy this fabulous piece of music.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Justice Crew Make Chart History

I ordinarily try to write about the ARIA charts whenever an Aussie act’s on top. However, other work commitments have seen me missing a few of the weeks during Justice Crew’s impressive reign. It’d be remiss of me to not publish an article now though, as their song “Que Sera” has broken the record for the most number of weeks an Aussie act’s spent at the top of the ARIA Singles Chart. With nine weeks, they’ve gone one better than Austen Tayshus’ “Australiana,” Savage Garden’s “Truly, Madly, Deeply,” and Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know.” They’re still a few weeks away from equalling the overall record 13 weeks that Coolio spent on top with “Gangsta’s Paradise,” but very close to eclipsing the pre-ARIA record of 10 weeks that Daddy Cool’s “Eagle Rock” spent at number one in 1971.

Justice Crew have got some stiff competition in the form of fellow Aussie Sia, who’s having a comeback with “Chandelier.” After it appeared to be on the downslide, the song’s jumped six spots to land at number two.

Aussies are also seeing joy on the album charts, with 5 Seconds of Summer landing the number one spot with their self-titled album on debut. This album’s already spawned six top 20 hits, including the number one “She Looks so Perfect,” so its dominance was probably inevitable, but it’s still a real victory for the boys. They managed to head off the might of the Hillsong Church, who sit at number two in their first week with No Other Name.

Like Sia, Chet Faker’s also back on the upswing. His former number one album Built on Glass is back in the top ten for the first time since May. Clearly his current national tour is paying dividends!

And as if that wasn’t enough local love in the charts, 360’s also making his presence felt with his album Utopia. It sits at number eight this week.

Click below for all this week’s top 10s.

Continue reading “Justice Crew Make Chart History” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Josh Pyke @ Cessnock Performing Arts Centre, Cessnock – 28 June 2014

The first time I saw Josh Pyke live was an outdoor blues festival. The rain started up just before his set, and I remember shivering with a plastic bag over my head as I tried to wipe the water from my glasses and watch him in action. What a difference a few years makes. Last Saturday I was seeing him again, but tucked up warm and dry in the wonderfully intimate Cessnock Performing Arts Centre.

I must admit, before this tour I didn’t realise Cessnock had a performing arts centre. What an underutilised space it is, with excellent acoustics, comfy seats, and wine in the foyer. It was the ideal setting for such a show like this, where well-crafted songs were at the fore.

The first came from Jack Carty, a performer I’ve always loved but until this point had never seen live before. What a talent he is. Most of the audience probably had no clue who he was, but they were hushed. Such is the power of this captivating singer-songwriter. With just an acoustic guitar, an incredible voice, and songs written with such poetic lyrics, he captivated us all. His set seemed to fly by.

Josh was there to promote his latest album, The Beginning and the End of Everything, an intimate recording which suited this setting perfectly. Apparently last time he had the full band in tow, but this time it was just Josh, an acoustic guitar, and looping machines to add some extra depth. This is an added dimension I’d never seen from Josh, and it was fascinated watching him at work. He treated us to choice cuts from his new album, but carefully balanced them with old favourites. It was wonderful to have Jack back on stage for a fabulously fun rendition of “Make You Happy.” Josh’s beautiful version of “Blackbird” made me wish I’d invested in tickets to that White Album concert.

I’ve seen Josh perform a few times now, and he never fails to disappoint. In fact, I think he might be getting even better.

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melanie Safka @ Lizotte’s Newcastle, 22 June 2014

When I was a kid, we didn’t have massive children’s acts like The Wiggles and Hi-5. Children’s entertainment wasn’t really a thing, so we sought out our own songs that resonated. For me it was “Butterfly Ball” by Roger Glover, “House on Pooh Corner” by Loggins and Messina, and perhaps most importantly, “Alexander Beetle” by Melanie Safka. There were no convenient CDs or digital version in those days either. Playing it was a bit of a production. We’d beg Dad to bring out his copy of Candles in the Rain and he’d remind us that we had to stand still so the stylus didn’t jump. So we’d keep our feet planted while we made those little beetle noises and sang along to the beautiful tale of a runaway bug. As I grew older I discovered more Melanie music, but that song was always one I held a little bit closer to the rest. And it was that song that took me to Lizotte’s, Newcastle, on 22 June.

I’d told myself that “Alexander Beetle” was such a small song really that I wasn’t going to hear it. I was going to be happy with the big hits and whatever else she decided to play. And I probably would have been. There’s a wonderful aura about Melanie. She’s so warm and giving, and her voice has lost little over the years. Her band is stellar, especially her son Beau. His incredible guitar talents might only be matched by how sweet he is looking out for his mother.

I was so happy just soaking it all up in the intimacy of Lizotte’s, and then she asked us what we’d like to hear. “Alexander Beetle!” yelled out a voice from a few tables away, and a few other voices joined the chorus. It seems I wasn’t the only one so touched by that little song. A hand flew to my mouth in surprise, and my heart soared as I realised it was going to happen. I was going to hear that song live that had meant so much to me. Do you know what that feeling’s like? I sang along as I fought back happy tears and decided it didn’t matter what else happened; this was already an incredible show.

I told myself I didn’t care what else happened, but I guess there was a part of me that would have been disappointed had I not heard the hits. They were all there, “Look What They’ve Done to My Song Ma,” the delightful “Brand New Key,” her incredible cover of “Ruby Tuesday,” and the jubilant “Candles in the Rain,” sounding so perfect. I gained a new appreciation for these songs as Melanie told us tales of their history.

Melanie plays those songs because she knows we want to hear them. She’s such a generous, giving performer. But she’s also quick to tell you that she hasn’t been idle over the last few decades. Her set included a smattering of new songs too, with lyrics so thick with wisdom. She lamented the way radio is only interesting in playing young shit, and listening to her new material I had to agree with her. She’s an artist that still has so much to give to anyone willing to listen. Who needs radio though? Hearing her incredible songs, new and old, come alive in such a small venue was so much sweeter.

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Freedman Does Nilsson @ Lizotte’s Newcastle, 6 June 2014

I think it’s a good indication that a concert review is well overdue when you’re preparing to head out to another show and you still haven’t put your thoughts about the last one down. So a day before I venture back to Newcastle, I’m finally sitting down and casting my mind back to July 6 when I saw “Tim Freedman does Nilsson” at Lizotte’s.

Ordinarily, unless the venue forbids cameras, I take a photo to share with you. However, I decided not to this time around. What you would see is Tim Freedman, lead singer of The Whitlams and sometimes solo artist. A camera couldn’t capture the way that Tim channelled Harry Nilsson for this very special show. And so it felt more fitting, more in keeping with what Tim was trying to achieve, to post an image of that singer-songwriter instead.

What I didn’t realise when I stepped into Lizotte’s that night was that Tim Freedman wasn’t simply doing the songs of Nilsson. He was properly doing Nilsson, complete with a Brooklyn accent and the nervous presence of a man who was never comfortable up on the stage. He humbly told tales of his famous friends and life, and I found myself hanging on his every word. I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about music history, but I found myself learning plenty about his relationships with John Lennon, Mama Cass, and Keith Moon. Clearly Tim’s done his research.

And clearly he’s got a deep bond with Nilsson. He gave stunning performances of the hits and the lesser known tracks, even ones I didn’t realise Nilsson wrote like The Monkees’ “Cuddly Toy.” His voice was never quite going to hit the same heights, but a smart arrangement of “Without You” didn’t make me want more. It had the right emotional core, unlike that terrible Mariah Carey interpretation. “Everybody’s Talking” was another real highlight.

Tim could have left after performing Nilsson’s material and everyone would have been happy, but he took a brief intermission before returning with highlights from his own catalogue. My dad commented that listening to these songs again made him realise just how much Tim’s songwriting has been influenced by Nilsson’s music.  Tim spoke about how he was still perfecting his Nilsson show in preparation for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. If he can get it better, Adelaide’s in for a real treat, because I thought it was already a stunning homage to one of the world’s greatest songwriters.

Image source: Wikimedia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

David Campbell Sings John Bucchino – David Campbell & John Bucchino

Before David Campbell dazzled Australia with his turn as Johnny O’Keefe and his swinging standards, he was wowing crowds on Broadway. So it makes sense that he’s returned to musical theatre with his latest album, David Campbell Sings John Bucchino.

I consider myself a bit of a musical theatre nut, but I must admit that I wasn’t familiar with John Bucchino’s work. This album provides the perfect introduction to his music though. David didn’t simply take his songs and run with them. He enlisted John to play piano on all the tracks and the duo shares production credits.

There are a few other names in the album sleeve, but this album feels like a two-hander. If you were expecting big Broadway embellishments, you’d be disappointed. Personally I appreciate the simplicity of the delivery. Without frills, with only a tinkling piano as accompaniment, David’s voice and John’s lyrics shine. It’s a perfect marriage. Sometimes it can be difficult for an artist to inhabit someone else’s songs, but David’s connection to the material is obvious.

I felt invited into the intimate bond of these musicians as each track unfolded. I was captivated from the opening track “Sweet Dreams,” a tender ballad about a chance meeting between two broken-hearted souls and the different paths they ultimately take. It remains one of my favourite numbers on the album, but I was also swept away by the unbridled enthusiasm of “Taking the Wheel” and the romance of “Unexpressed.”

I don’t expect David Campbell Sings John Bucchino to set the charts on fire the way David’s swing albums did. He made a name for himself singing familiar songs, and it’s going to be tough to convince music lovers to work a little harder and embrace something new to them. But anyone who does will be richly rewarded, because the pairing of these stellar artists is truly something special.

Image used with permission from Jaden Social