Posted on by Lauren Katulka

James Vincent McMorrow Returning to Oz For Debut Album Shows

My husband often jokes about my love for what he calls “whisper music.” He refers to that gentle folk music that wraps around you like a blanket, instantly making you feel calm and comforted. Or at least that’s what it does to me. So I’m pretty excited that James Vincent McMorrow is coming out to Australia to celebrate the 15th anniversary of his acclaimed debut album, Early in the Morning.

James promises to play this album in its entirety solo with just a guitar, which sounds like my idea of heaven. He’ll also treat audiences to some new music and choice covers.

“Honestly, when the idea of these shows was pitched to me I wasn’t really into it. I make music in order to push myself forward, the idea of looking backwards at something I made at the very beginning felt a bit odd,” he said. “Then late last year I was in the studio working on some new ideas and I found myself sitting playing songs off Early in the Morning, ones I hadn’t played in over 10 years. I sat in front of the mic and recorded the entire album from memory, just to see how it felt. I’d forgotten how much I loved that record. I had no clue what I was doing when I made it, it wasn’t profound, it was just someone hanging on for dear life and trying to will it into existence. The naivety of it all came flooding back to me, I didn’t realise how much I missed the naivety.”

It remains to be seen whether I can convince my husband to indulge me with a night of “whisper music” … I’ve got a couple of months to work on him. Tickets are on sale now for these shows in June.

3 June 2025 – Metro Theatre, Eora/Sydney
5 June 2025 – Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne
7 June 2025 – Princess Theatre, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Daphnie Releases Latest Pop Bop, “Alive (not dead)”

Daphnie has got me buzzing with his latest single “Alive (not dead).” Daphnie mastermind Alistair Hayes cowrote and produced this poppy gem with Vera Blue bassist Ross James before giving it the final mix in his bedroom.

“This one touches on the classic burnout and being ground into the capitalist machine of constant output, driving out actual feelings and relationships,” he said. “I’m someone who has to actively pay attention to my feelings or I don’t feel them and just exist. I’d rather not be boring, and try being alive.”

“One of my fav things about writing it, was that the guitar part in chorus 2+3 is so ridiculously fast and just isn’t humanly possible, so I’m strumming as fast as I can higher on the guitar neck, while Ross also strummed at the same time but lower down. Absolutely ridiculous.”

I’ve just added “Alive (not dead) to my Spotify playlist, Sounds of Oz Loves Pop. If you love pop music too, make sure you give it a follow!

Image used with permission from Alistair Hayes

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Brave Mistakes Release Two-Track EP, Heavy Idle

Tarntanya/Adelaide DIY band Brave Mistakes are back with a fabulous new mini EP, Heavy Idle. It features just two tracks: “Lie For My Love” and “Lines Around Colour.”

It’s a smart release which shows us a couple of different sides of this exciting act. “Lie For My Love” is a dark and brooding. It reminded me a little of early Nick Cave with its raw, post-punk intensity. “Lines Around Colour” is much lighter and more melodic. With more tenderness in Garrett R. Cooper’s vocals, it reminded me a little of a lost Roxy Music tune.

I was drawn to “Lines Around Colour” instantly, but now I’ve sat with Heavy Idle for a little while Lie For My Love has gotten under my skin. Listen to both songs on your favourite streaming platform now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ama Shows Her Teeth With “Bite”

There’s something so special about hearing an artist step into their power. I’ve been a long-time fan of Ama’s music, but she takes it up a few notches with the release of her latest single “Bite.” Just wait until that beat drops and you hear her unleash on this angsty tune.

This song is a bit of a different vibe for Ama. Her previous releases have seen her squarely in the pop lane, but “Bite” has much more of a rock edge. Something tells me we’re just starting to get a taste of everything this talented local artist is capable of. Follow Ama on her socials to learn more about her new music as it drops.

Image source: Ama’s website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Deadshowws Impress With “I Should”

Hit that volume and take a moment to rock out to “I Should,” the latest single from Darkinjung Country/Central Coast alternative-rock act Deadshowws. This is an anthemic single which takes its cues from 2000s emo music but reinterprets the sound for modern listeners. In short, it’s bloody good.

“It’s a song about battling yourself to get better,” the band explained. “It’s a short version, recounting my experience with the people I love begging me to seek help and my struggle in doing so while wallowing in a self-made pit of hopelessness.”

Deadshowws will launch the single with a string of shows around their home state this April. Here are all the dates you need music lovers:

11 April 2025 – Lass O’Gowrie, Mulubinba/Newcastle
12 April 2025 – Gallery Bar @ Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney
25 April 2025 – La La La’s, Dharawal/Wollongong

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Local Pop-Punk Act The Ritzy Kids Drop Single “Lately” Ahead of Album Release

I love discovering fabulous new music right in my own backyard. The latest Darkinjung Country/Central Coast act to make my ears prick up are The Ritzy Kids, who’ve knocked it out of the park with their latest single “Lately.” If you’re into ultra-catchy pop-punk tunes as much as me, this will be right up your alley. The track gives us a taste of The Ritzy Kids’ debut album High Side of Town, which drops on April 18.

“Our debut album really is a mixed bag,” singer Sean Frazer said. “There are songs about mates who’ve passed away, mental struggles, relationships, moving away, and getting older. I guess it’s a snapshot of the things we all face growing up—and a reflection of overcoming it all. This is our best music to date. It’s a true reflection of us as a band right now—it feels like the start of something really special.”

The Ritzy Kids recorded High Side of Town at Ignite Studios in Eora/Sydney and their own recording space on Darkinjung Country/Central Coast. They produced it themselves but enlisted the talents of Luca Incerti, of Italian pop-punk band WEL, for mixing and mastering duties.

High Side of Town will be all over the streaming services, but if you’re old school you can pre-order a vinyl copy here.

Image used with permission from The Ritzy Kids

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Survival” – Harry Cleverdon

It feels like Harry Cleverdon’s album, Survival, has been a long time coming. He released an experimental psychedelic album under the moniker SonofHarry in 2023, but Survival is the first released under his own name. It’s also the first featuring the sweet country-folk-pop sound I’ve enjoyed from Harry since 2022. But you know what they say about good things coming to those who wait.

Now that it’s out in the world, I appreciate that Harry took his time. He’s still a young artist, but the experience and wisdom he’s gained through the last few years I’ve spent following his career shows. Songs like the incredibly catchy album opener “House of Cards” and the stirring title track, which you can listen to below, are among the best he’s released. I love the cheekiness of “Empty Bottles,” but I’m also glad Harry balances it with more vulnerable numbers like “Nothing For Myself” and “Superman (Late Night Trance).” He shows more of his heart with “The Best That I Can,” an earnest love song that’s sure to leave most listeners swooning.

There’s also an ease about Harry’s music that only comes with growing comfortable in your own skin. When so many new releases rely on heavy production, Survival comes as a breath of fresh air. Harry’s not afraid to buck the trends and get back to basics with his music. With acoustic, organic instrumentation in support, his sweet vocals are never overpowered. We can hear every lyric, which is such a blessing when the songs are so well-crafted. Listening to these tunes you get the sense that they’d sound the same live as they do on the recording. There’s no tricks or wizardry here, and the music is better for it.

Survival is the perfect showcase for Harry’s talents as a singer and songwriter. The songs are instantly accessible, but spend a little more time with them and know you’ll fall as deeply in love as I have. Stream it on your favourite platform now. You can also hear Harry and other fantastic Aussie country acts on my Spotify playlist, Sounds of Oz Loves Country.

Images used with permission from Lambing Flat Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tune in to Mika James and Her “Nonna’s Trolley”

Mika James has stepped out from behind the drum kit of Naarm/Melbourne punk act The Vovos to launch her solo career. Her first single “Nonna’s Trolley” is a joyous folk song with a splash of punk sensibility. Just see if you can resist singing along to those “la la las”!

“’Nonna’s Trolley’ is a song that was written out of the feeling you get when you overestimate how many things you can carry when you’re walking down the street – when you have to get from A to B but everything you’re carrying is impossibly balanced across bags strung on both shoulders, jean back-pockets and two waiter-style-full hands,” Mika admitted. “You’re in a target stare of the destination but you can feel something slipping – it’s a panic laugh in a La la la. I wrote it in a time of my life where everything was a bit off-kilter and retrospectively wild, but when I looked down at all the things I was carrying, and the people who were at the A and B – I think of it as a highly special time in my life. ‘Nonna’s Trolley’ is for the people who run into door frames and make Bolognese for their friends who come over and eat it in their bath, for champagne in the shower – It’s for the laugh when everything falls out of your arms after you try to pick up what fell out of the bag over your left shoulder.”

I’m obsessed with this song and the sentiment behind it and I can’t wait to hear more from Mika.

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Nethersole Releases New Queer Love Song, “Ardmona Rd”

I’ve been thoroughly charmed by “Ardmona Rd,” the latest release from local independent folk-pop act Tom Nethersole. An exploration of young queer love, it’s brimming with optimism and nostalgia. Take a listen and I know you’ll be smiling by the time the chorus kicks in.

“It’s deeply personal but also relatable, especially for queer listeners who are searching for that fairytale moment we don’t always see reflected in music,” Tom said.

Tom is definitely an artist on the rise. He’s graced the stages of Midsumma Pride Street Party, Always Live, and the Rockhampton River Festival and amassed more than 180k streams. No wonder major media outlets like Rolling Stone, JOY FM, FBi Radio, and this blog are starting to take notice.

Image used with permission from Tall Poppy MGMT

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

’80s Icon Midge Ure Announces Aussie Tour

‘80s music fans have been well and truly spoiled by recent tours from the likes of OMD, Human League, and Wang Chung. The goodies keep on coming with the recent announcement that Midge Ure will be heading our way later this year.

These shows will celebrate Midge’s illustrious career including his solo material and work with Ultravox, The Rich Kids, and Silk.

“I performed live long before I was ever allowed anywhere near a recording studio and as much as I love spending time writing and recording, live music remains my first love,” Midge said. “ This Catalogue tour will allow me to not only play a wide selection of hits from my past but perform some of the most requested favourites. Revisiting these moments from my musical life is something I am really looking forward to sharing.”

Tickets are on sale now for all the following shows:

9 October 2025 – Astor Theatre, Boorloo/Perth
11 October 2025 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide
12 October 2025 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane
14 October 2025 – Odeon Theatre, Nipaluna/Hobart
16 October 2025 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney
17 October 2025 – Palais Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne

Photo credit: Andy Siddens