Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Inland Sea’s Jeremy Hunter Goes it Alone

Inland Sea cofounder Jeremy Hunter is stepping out on his own with the recent release of his debut self-titled EP. The EP is a collection of acoustic guitar-driven folk-rock tunes that should delight fans of the genre. It includes this gorgeous single, “Picking Up the Pieces”.

Less than a month after touring the United Kingdom with Inland Sea mid-2012, Jeremy holed himself up in the mountains outside Brisbane with his pal and producer Konstantin Kersting. They spent three days out of the bustle of the city, crafting the five songs that would become this release. Jeremy impressively played every instrument on the recording to ensure the tracks captured exactly what he hoped to express. Some might call him a control freak; I think the approach is genius.

Jeremy will launch the EP with a show for hometown fans at Brisbane’s Black Bear Lodge on May 26, and another at St Kilda’s Prince Public Bar on May 31.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mali Mali Bring Back Summer with “Song for the Sun”

As I’m shivering here with my fluffy dressing gown on and my heater blasting, the warmth of summer sun seems a distant memory. But Mali Mali have got me reminiscing with the release of their debut music video “Song for the Sun.”

This is a gorgeous folky number which hints at what’s to come on the curiously named album Gather ‘Round the Gooseclock, which was not so coincidentally released today. If you love what you hear, it’s available to download now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vaudeville Smash Does it Again

This isn’t the first time I’ve raved about Vaudeville Smash in the recent past but with the release of a new single “Don’t Say a Word” I see no reason to stop.

This song has all the nostalgia I embraced when I first heard the band. That sultry sax line, those sugary synths, Marc Lucchesi’s sweet vocals, those hooky melodies, it all adds up to heaven. I haven’t heard a pop band this good in decades.

If you’re flipping out over Vaudeville Smash, don’t you forget about those tour dates to support the release of their debut album Dancing for the Girl. I’ve posted them before, but one more time for good measure, hey?

8 June 2013 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
14 June 2013 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
21 June 2013 – UTS Glasshouse Bar, Sydney
22 June 2013 – The Beresford, Sydney
27 June 2013 – The Loft, Chevron Island
28 June 2013 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
29 June 2013 – The Joynt, Brisbane
30 June 2013 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Alpha Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Private Life Make Their Mark with “Mine”

Melbourne electropop duo Private Life are giving us a taste of their self-titled EP with the release of their first single “Mine”.

The track’s melodic synth score and Renee Anderson’s slightly raspy vocals take me right back to the 1980s. It’s so much fun, but there’s also an emotional sincerity that elevates it above your average pop song. Private Life has shared stages with Garbage, Sam Sparrow, and Owl Eyes, but with songs like this in their arsenal it’s only a matter of time before they get their own spotlight.

Private Life’s new EP, which features the fabulous “Mine”, hits stores on May 20.

Image used with permission from Eclectic People

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MDC Announce Long-Awaited Australian Tour

Do you remember when the word punk was never paired with the word pop? Do you long for the days when this genre of music was all about expressing social upheaval and political unrest? If you do, then chances are you’re going to care that punk pioneers MDC (Millions of Dead Cops) are heading to Australia for the very first time.

This tour is long overdue. MDC formed way back in 1979, and self-released their self-titled debut album in 1982. They raged about Reagan-era America and fought for freedom and equality until they split in 1995. They took a few years off before regrouping in 2000 to continue the fight.

The current lineup includes founding members David Dictor and Ron Poser, the band’s bassist since 2008 Mike Smith, and brand new drummer Jesse Cobb. See them celebrating their legacy at the following shows.

13 August 2013 – The Zoo, Brisbane
14 August 2013 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide
15 August 2013 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
16 August 2013 – Hermann’s Bar, Sydney

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Vanturas Rock Out with “Tightrope”

The Vanturas have knocked my socks off with their debut single “Tightrope”. Talk about making a great first impression!

The song takes me back to the Big Bad Voodoo Daddies with its driving rockabilly beat and deliciously dark lyrics. If you’re not tapping your foot along with this one by the end there’s something wrong.

The Melbourne act has coupled the song with an amazing clip, which is more short film than run-of-the-mill music video.

“It was an amazing experience watching the director Max Miller and director of photography Shelley Farthing-Dawe work through the scenes, creating a sort of ‘mini film’ for the clip,” said The Vanturas. “The concept was planned months before shooting. Producer Kali Bateman and the director story-boarded the whole thing and had a solid idea of what the final result would be.”

“Tightrope” is our first taste of The Vanturas’ debut album, which should hit stores late this year. The band will launch the single at Melbourne’s Cherry Bar on May 31.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Murlocs “Rattle the Chain”

The Murlocs make music like few others. It’s gritty, bluesy, ballsy, and honest. All those adjectives hold true for the Melbourne band’s latest single “Rattle The Chain.”

Those raspy vocals, the guttural moan of a harmonica, I’m in heaven. And to think its vocals and overdubs were recorded in bedroom studios. This is the best kind of raw. If you agree, make sure you catch The Murlocs launching the single around the traps late this month.

25 May 2013 – The Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
31 May 2013 – The Velvet Cave, Sydney
7 June 2013 – The Barwon Club, Geelong

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Busby’s Good Oak Hit the Road

When he’s not wowing crowds as one half of Busby Marou, Tom Busby is making beautiful music with his housemates Stephen Ryan and Brett Gibson. Together they are Good Oak, a three-piece creating some of the most gorgeous folk music I’ve heard in some time.

The Queensland band’s just released their debut self-titled EP which includes the beautiful single “The Bear Song”. The harmonies are exquisite, and while it’s gentle it’s definitely a song that stays with you. Songs don’t always need to scream loudly to make an impression, do they?

If you love what you hear, make sure you catch Good Oak supporting their EP’s release on The Big Strong Bear Tour.

23 May 2013 – Gov’s Espresso, Mermaid Beach
24 May 2013 – The Armidale Club, Armidale
25 May 2013 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
26 May 2013 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pigeon Release Top Track “Encounters”

Brisbane band Pigeon are back with another killer single, “Encounters”. They’ve brought back the sax that I loved in “All That Bad”, and a chorus you’ll find yourself singing along to by the time the video’s done. It’s not quite mellow enough to be chill-out music, but unless your head is really pounding you’ll find this is a perfect Sunday soundtrack.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Flume Remixes Gurrumul & Yolanda Be Cool Collaboration

I started this blog with the aim of celebrating Australian music inclusively. I don’t care what genre it is, if it’s mainstream or alternative; if it’s good it’s good. So I was excited to find a track that seems to celebrate the same ethos: Flume’s remix of Yolanda Be Cool and Gurrumul’s collaborative effort “A Baru in New York.” Gurrumul and Yolanda Be Cool wrote the song about Gurrumul’s totem animal, a baru or saltwater crocodile. Flume’s treatment has taken it to another level.

These are three acts that come from very different areas of the Australian music industry. Most of us wouldn’t expect any joint effort to work. But then you listen, and it does.

“Gurrumul is so impressed with how his song with Yolanda Be Cool was reinterpreted by Flume,” explained Gurrumul’s friend and collaborator Michael Hohnen. “Gurrumul and I listened together to the remix, sitting on the floor, in front of a huge stereo system. He proclaimed at the end of it – “that sounds like a crocodile movie”.

“Gurrumul has embraced this song ever since he created it with the Yolanda boys, and even appeared in the beautiful music video. Flume’s managed to create almost electro-orchestral backing, while retaining the sense of history and dignity which is such a quality of Gurrumul’s music.”

If ever there was a track to bridge the gap between indigenous music and more mainstream fare, this is it. Wow.

Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting