Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Better Luck Next Time Bree De Rome

I normally don’t post clips that I’m not in love with. It’s my blog and I can do what I want after all. But I’m going to make an exception for Bree De Rome’s single “Better Luck”.

The danger in using a lot of bad luck clichés in your song is that the entire thing will come off as a bit of a cliché. The song writing feels a bit lazy honestly, and that really lets this sunny track down. That sunniness is also grating on me. I don’t mind a bit of positivity, but it’s almost like Bree hasn’t quite grasped the lyrics. When you’re saying goodbye to a failed relationship, shouldn’t there be just a little more edge?

Despite these failings, I find myself really liking Bree, even if I’m not mad about the song. She’s got a gorgeous voice and so much charisma. I like her so much that I think her debut EP Bag of Bones could be worth checking out. I might just skip this track. Bree’s promoting Bag of Bones with the following shows later this month.

20 September 2013 – The Waiting Room, Brisbane
21 September 2013 – The Loft, Gold Coast
4 October 2013 – Kittens, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

All in the Family for DASH

You might expect a band made up of two pairs of siblings to be a volatile mess. But Sarah-Rose and Luke McIvor and Chris and Brandon Li Wan Po seem to have gotten the balance right with their outfit DASH. The Melbourne quartet has just released a music video for their stunning new single “The World Behind”.

The animated clip, created by Melbourne’s Deva Chandra, is the perfect accompaniment to this gorgeous number. It feels like something you might listen to around a campfire on a clear, still night. There’s not a lot of trickery here: just soaring sweet vocal melodies, warm jangling banjos, and an intimacy that’s so compelling. It’s organic and real and beautiful.

“The World Behind” comes from DASH’s debut EP And Then There Were None, which hit stores in March. DASH are currently planning a summer tour and another EP, so it sounds like we’ll enjoy plenty more music from this exciting new act.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sheppard Release Fab Follow-Up Single

Pop songs are deceptively simple, but it takes real talent to craft a gem. Brisbane band Sheppard did it earlier this year with “Let Me Down Easy”, and they’ve proved that was no fluke with their latest single “Hold My Tongue”.

This is another slice of upbeat positivity from the band, so it’s unsurprising that it’s already become a fan favourite and a top 10 hit in Thailand.

“This is the track that’s the most fun to play live,” said George Sheppard. “It’s the one our fans love dancing to most at our shows. We asked Australia to sing along with us on Let Me Down Easy, and now it’s time to invite everyone up to shake it a little!”

“Hold My Tongue” is another stellar track that convinces me Sheppard’s debut album, which should hit stores in early 2014, will be something special.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy & Bear Release Second Album Single “Three Headed Woman”

Boy & Bear’s latest album Harlequin Dream is still doing great business in the charts. Perhaps that’s because this Aussie act is just so consistent. There’s no second–single syndrome going on with the latest cut “Three Headed Woman”. Perhaps it’s just because it’s new and shiny, but I think I like this track better than the first single “Under a Southern Sun”.

It was always going to take something to top that icy first film clip too, but this slow motion masterpiece might have just done it. Why does everything look so much cooler in slow mo? I don’t know, but this is one polished piece of video.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Toot Toot Toots are Twin Beasts

The Melbourne rockers formerly known as The Toot Toot Toots are back with a brand new name and a great new single. They’ve released their latest track “Badlove” under their new moniker Twin Beasts.

It’s a bit rough around the edges, but I think that’s one of the things I love most about it. It wears its heart on its sleeve, warts and all.

The song is the title track from the band’s follow-up to their debut album Outlaws. Its creation saw Twin Beasts in lockdown for a month with ARIA-nominated producer Burke Reid (The Drones, Oh Mercy, Gerling), focusing on their craft and the themes of love, lust, and infatuation. The album won’t hit stores until early 2014, but this song should help tide fans over.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Big Name Aussie Acts Plays Show for Casey Tutungi

You Am I Allstars (an all-star band featuring You Am I members and some special guests) will headline a fundraising event for Casey Tutungi, the quadriplegic former Geelong football player.

Paul Dempsey, Regurgitator, Lisa Mitchell, Adalita, The Bamboos, Dan Sultan, and Yacht Club DJs will also grace the stage at the event designed to raise funds for the care of the 28-year-old VFL player. Casey suffered a paralysing spinal injury during a game in the middle of the year. It left him in a wheelchair just months before the birth of his first child.

A Show for Casey will hit Simonds Stadium on Sunday 29 September from 1 pm. It’s an all-ages event, with kids 12 and under enjoying free entry. Just make sure you bring you ID if you plan on drinking. Tickets cost just $50 from the Show for Casey website and all Ghanda stores.

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

EMPRA Tour “Strange Condition”

After taking out a global LiveNation band competition and opening for Fall Out Boy abroad, EMPRA are stepping things up as headliners. The Melbourne band has just released their second EP Strange Condition, which features this killer title track “Strange Condition”.

The number sounds like it’s ready for the radio. It’s got a great rock feel with enough of a pop sensibility to make it instantly accessible. It might just be the thing to put EMPRA in the spotlight, which is a good thing for the band’s founder Sanny Veloo.

Sanny originally came from Singapore, where he was a member of the band Boredphucks. The conservative Singapore people didn’t take to the band’s on-stage swearing, and when it caused a riot at a local music festival Sanny and his bandmates were banned from performing anywhere in the country.

Determined to live out his musical dreams, Sanny packed his bags for the home of AC/DC, Melbourne. There he found Matt Agius, Mat Gault, and Matt Cattanach on an internet forum and EMPRA was born.

Strange Condition showcases a band that’s matured significantly since the release of their debut self-titled EP. It sees them breaking free of their influences and finding their own sound.

You can see how far EMPRA’s come when they take their live show around the country later this month.

21 & 22 September 2013 – The Workers Club, Fitzroy
29 September 2013 – The Rosemount Hotel, Perth
4 October 2013 – Newmarket Hotel, Bendigo
5 October 2013 – Crown and Anchor, Adelaide
10 October 2013 – The Annandale Hotel, Annandale

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mia Dyson, Liz Stringer, and Jen Cloher Tour Oz Together

Mia Dyson, Liz Stringer, and Jen Cloher — three of Australia’s brightest female talents — will hit the road together for a massive national tour next month.

Mia’s continuing to ride the wave of success that’s followed the release of her 2012 album The Moment, Liz has just returned from Europe where she toured her album Warm in the Darkness, and Jen is fresh from the release of her third album In Blood Memory.

The women will play their own songs and a few surprising, supporting one another on stage in a truly collaborative event. There are plenty of shows in capital cities and regional centres, so no one need miss out!

24 October 2013 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
25 October 2013 – The Sound Lounge, Currumbin
26 October 2013 – Judith Wright Centre, Brisbane
27 October 2013 – Woombye Pub, Eumundi
31 October 2013 – Byron Bay Brewery, Byron Bay
1 November 2013 – Panthers, Port Macquarie
2 November 2013 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
3 November 2013 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
5 November 2013 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
6 November 2013 – Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
7 November 2013 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
8 November 2013 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
9 November 2013 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
10 November 2013 – The Abbey, Canberra
13 November 2013 – Ararat Hotel, Red Room Ararat
14 November 2013 – Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh
15 November 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
16 November 2013 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne
17 November 2013 – Beav’s Bar, Geelong
22 November 2013 – Balnarring Community Hall, Balnarring
23 November 2013 – Butter Factory, Mornington
27 November 2013 – Red Hot, Devonport
28 November 2013 – Grand Poobah, Hobart
29 November 2013 – Barossa Regional Gallery, Tanunda (Candleight Concert)
30 November 2013 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide (Matinee & Evening show)
1 December 2013 – Singing Gallery, McLaren Vale
5 December 2013 – Fremantle Arts Centre (Inner Courtyard), Fremantle
6 December 2013 – The Bakery, Perth
7 December 2013 – Quindanning Inne, Quindanning

Image used with permission from SCG Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Download Rosie Catalano’s “Hearts” for Free

Rosie Catalano shows the beauty of simplicity with her stunning new single “Hearts”. Fellow Sydney singer-songwriter Jack Carty offers guest vocals on the dreamy number, which comes from Rosie’s sophomore EP, Dreams Are Just Movies.

Rosie must be in a generous mood, because she’s offering the song as a free download for a limited time. She seems to be good at giving back, because the song was actually written as a reward for a pledger who supported the Kickstarter campaign for her first debut EP way back in 2010.

Dreams Are Just Movies is another crowd-funded release, which we can expect to see in shelves in October.

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Busby Marou Back with Album Number Two

After enjoying some time making music with his housemates as part of Good Oak, Tom Busby is back to the duo that made him famous. Busby Marou will tour the country next month to celebrate the release of their second album Farewell Fitzroy, due out on October 4.

Personally I’m thankful for the release just because it gives my parents something new to play. I’m pretty sure Busby Marou’s stellar debut has found its way onto their stereo on every family get together in the last two years. Not just one spin either. I love that album as much as the rest of my clan, but it’s going to be awesome to hear something fresh!

We should expect a bigger sound this time around, as Busby Marou were joined in a Nashville studio by their touring buddies Damon DJ Syme, Vincenso Russo, and Vaughan Jones.

Busby Marou are so proud of their new songs that they’re wasting no time taking them to the people. They’ll kick off a national tour in Byron Bay on the same day as Farewell Fitzroy’s release.

4 October 2013 – Boomerang Festival, Byron Bay
5 October 2013 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra
12 October 2013 – Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton
24 October 2013 – The SoundLounge, Gold Coast
25 October 2013 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
26 October 2013 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
7 November 2013 – Zierholz @ University of Canberra, Canberra
8 November 2013 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
9 November 2013 – The Standard, Sydney
10 November 2013 – The Heritage Hotel, Bulli
13 November 2013 – Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre, Mackay (All Ages)
15 November 2013 – Flinders Social, Townsville
16 November 2013 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns (15+)
22 November 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
23 November 2013 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
29 November 2013 – Fowlers, Adelaide (All Ages)
30 November 2013 – Fly by Night, Fremantle

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music