Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Crooked Saint Gets Set for Summer with Sweating Bullets

Just six months after the release of his debut EP Every Angry Inch, Crooked Saint is preparing to unleash his follow-up, Sweating Bullets, on November 4. You can’t say this singer-songwriter isn’t working hard!

I always appreciate a tune with a steel guitar, so the title track is predictable right up my alley. This alt-country song has got a tangible summer vibe to it; I can almost feel that oppressive Australian humidity as I listen to the song unfolding.

To celebrate the release Crooked Saint will play shows down the east coast, culminating in a big final performance at the V8 Supercars final in Sydney. Here are all the places you can see this talented singer-songwriter performing, both in acoustic and full-band modes.


21October 2011 – Revolver Upstairs, Melbourne (EP Launch)
4 November 2011 – The Beresford Hotel, Sydney (Solo Acoustic – with Dirty Little Rebels and The Delta Riggs)
9 November 2011 – The Study @ The Gaelic Hotel, Sydney (Solo Acoustic)
19 November 2011 – Beaches, Thirroul (Solo Acoustic – supporting Dragon)
30 November 2011 – Rock Lily @ The Star, Sydney (solo acoustic)
3 December 2011 – The V8 Supercars @ ANZ Stadium, Sydney (with Noiseworks, John Farnham, and James Reyne)

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Short Stack at the Movies

The boys from Budgewoi hope to make a real splash with their brand new movie The Story of Short Stack. Before it hits your favourite DVD store, the flick will screen at movie theatres around the country on October 27.

While the film will hit various cinemas around the country, fans at Sydney’s George Street cinema are in for an extra special treat. The band will walk the red carpet, play an acoustic live set, and field questions from fans in a special Q&A session.

Considering how devoted Short Stack’s lovers are, I don’t expect the tickets for the events to stick around for long. They’re available through the CinemaLive website.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Corby Plays Gardens

A brand new Matt Corby song “Brother” will hit radio next week. It’s the first track from the Australian Idol graduate’s new EP, Into the Flame. Or if you don’t want to sit patiently by your radio, you could just listen to it here!

I haven’t always enjoyed Matt’s music, but this track feels like his most mature work to date. While many of his tunes have seemed to meander without purpose, this one’s really compelling. If this is a sign of what’s to come this time around perhaps I’d better give him another listen.

To celebrate the EP’s November 11 launch, Matt headed out on the road this week for one of his most extensive tours to date. Called the Secret Garden tour, the shows see Matt playing in some of the country’s most beautiful gardens. These tranquil settings sound a lot more inviting than sweaty pubs with sticky floors!

Tickets are allocated on a first come, first served basis; fans just need to e-mail mattcorbysg@gmail.com with details of the shows they want to go and the friends they want to take (there’s a maximum of four names per e-mail to keep things fair). Tickets cost $20 per person and will be collected upon entry to the event. That money will help Matt continue to do what he does, and help the hosts cover their costs.

It all sounds like such a great concept, the sort of thing we don’t often see in the modern music world. The remaining dates are below if you want to get to one of the gardens, or Matt’s EP launch shows.

15 October 2011 – Salisbury, QLD (18+ BYO)
16 October 2011 – Forest Lake, QLD (All Ages)
18 October 2011 – Palm Beach, NSW (All Ages)
19 October 2011 – Ingleside, NSW (All Ages)
20 October 2011 – Pennant Hills, NSW (All Ages)
21 October 2011 – Kings Langley, NSW (18+ BYO)
22 October 2011 – Ashfield, NSW (18+ BYO)
23 October 2011 – Leumeah, NSW (15+)
26 October 2011 – Hopetoun, VIC (All Ages)
27 October 2011 – Kyabram, VIC (All Ages)
28 October 2011 – Niddrie, VIC (18+ BYO)
29 October 2011 – Donvale, VIC (All Ages)
30 October 2011 – Ringwood North, VIC (All Ages)
3 November 2011 – Crawley, WA (All Ages)
4 November 2011 – Como, WA (18+ BYO)
5 November 2011 – North Perth, WA (All Ages)
6 November 2011 – Carramar, WA (All Ages Morning Show)
6 November 2011 – Carabooda, WA (18+ BYO Night Show)
11 November 2011 – Campbelltown, NSW (All Ages)
24 November 2011 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
30 November 2011 – The Toff In Town, Melbourne
2 December 2011 – Blakeview, SA (18+ BYO)
3 December 2011 – Stirling, SA (All Ages)
4 December 2011 – Evanston Park, SA (18+ BYO)

Image used with permission from Pod Artist Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Home” – Adrian Deutsch

Adrian Deutsch serves up something different with his new solo effort Home. It’s a far cry from the music he created with the now defunct Sydney rock band Red Riders, but that’s just why I like it.

In his press release Adrian tells readers the album came about a time when he was turning away from the indie rock he’d made a living from. Instead he found himself inspired by the sounds of Steely Dan, Hall and Oates, Michael McDonald, and other more mainstream fare. I could certainly hear the Steely Dan coming through from the opening strains of “Follow the Dream.” I also detected a touch of Elvis Costello in “For You, The War.”

But rather than sounding derivative, Adrian’s used the best elements from his favourite acts to inspire his sound. It’s all very smooth, with a great melodic focus. That makes the tunes instantly accessible, although there are more layers than the average Top 40 pop song. You can dig as deep as you like here. It’s easy to appreciate the quirky melody of “The Arms of America,” or the sheer joy of “By the Hand.” But listen to the lyrics and you’ll develop an even more profound sense of what Adrian’s trying to do.

Your average Top 40 artist wouldn’t dare take Adrian’s risks either. It’s eclectic, with some really interesting choices. “Yr Philosopher” really comes out of left field. It’s so deliciously dark and dramatic. The maudlin “Nothing I Can Do” is also an interesting choice, particularly for a parting track. However it’s such an achingly beautiful tune. Perhaps on such a diverse record it’s only fitting that even the final song sees the disc making a sharp left turn.

I liked Home from the first listen, but I have a feeling I’m going to embrace it even more weeks or even months from now. This is really smart music, and it sounds amazing. That’s a pretty heady combination.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Convair Impress with Retro EP

Sydney’s Convair have wormed their way into my heart with their fun new EP The New You. The title track has won me over with its retro synth sounds and loved-up innocence. It takes me back to my youth, the time when I first got excited about music. It has me wanting more; something tells me an EP’s not going to be quite long enough!

It’s all we’re getting for the meantime though, so at least Convair have done it right. The New You will be available in standard EP format and a special vinyl package, just as any good 80s inspired music should be! Look for it in stores on November 7.

Image source: Soundcloud

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Audio Vixen Out of X Factor Race

Tonight’s X Factor elimination saw Johnny Ruffo and Audio Vixen battling it out. After Johnny Ruffo murdered some Meat Loaf, I was happy to see him doing time. However it seems perhaps the judges were on to something when they accused Audio Vixen of being boring.

Johnny Ruffo reinforced everything I thought about him with his performance of “Just the Way You Are.” He’s really pretty, but I don’t feel anything beyond the surface. His vocals were also pretty shaky for the most part. Bruno Mars he ain’t.

Audio Vixen slayed him with Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” It wasn’t perfect, but it was a damn sight better than Johnny’s performance. And at the end of the day, that should be enough.

Clearly though my opinion doesn’t matter. After the judges were deadlocked the public had their say, and young girls will always vote for pretty boys. It’s sad when a talent competition comes down to that.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Starlight Theatre Tours “Castles, Clocks & Cathedrals”

Brisbane pop rockers Starlight Theatre are hitting the road this week to support their brand new EP Castles, Clocks & Cathedrals.

The band recorded the four-tracker in an old Queensland church earlier this year. It sounds like the spiritual location rubbed off on the lads as drummer Paul Bradshaw said the cording process was “such a positive experience. Everyone was so at ease.”

The EP showcases a sound that’s much closer to Starlight Theatre’s live show than they’ve committed to record before. The band has been working hard on that live act, with more experimentation and a greater emphasis on flow. You can see the fruits of their labour at the following shows.

14 October 2011 – The Uni Bar, Lismore (18+)
15 October 2011 – The Globe Theatre, Brisbane (18+)
21 October 2011 – Neverland, Coolangatta (18+)
22 October 2011 – On The Pulse Festival @ Fortitude Valley PCYC, Brisbane (All Ages)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Does the 90s

I’ve been complaining about all those modern but fairly inconsequential song choices on The X Factor, so I was thrilled to see the show going back into the vault for 90s night. The decade might not be music’s strongest, but there were certainly some gems that I hoped to hear trotted out.

When I spotted on the ad that someone was doing Meat Loaf, I was thrilled. I was also convinced we’d hear the Meat number coming from Andrew Wishart, as my husband and I have been comparing their vocals for weeks now (good Meatloaf, not AFL Grand Final era). But sadly it was Johnny Ruffo that trotted out “I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That),” and he made it some weird electro pop number. I hated the treatment. I thought the whole thing made him seem even soulless than last week’s performance. This song should never, ever sound like this.

Mitchell Callaway showed his tender side with REM’s “Everybody Hurts.” He had his reservations, but I think this was the perfect song for him. I’m not sure I saw the brilliance the judges’ seemed to see, but I do think this was miles better than he’s been in recent weeks.

Three Wishez stepped things up again with “Ghetto Superstar.” This band has really hit its stride; everyone worked together so well, and they were all stellar in their own right. I think we’re finally starting to see their potential, and it’s exciting.
Continue reading “The X Factor Does the 90s” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordie Lane Plays Live for “Annabelle Marie” Music Video

All too often film clips seem so fake. The vocals are lip-synched, and the footage so staged that it really undermines the heart of the music. So I was thrilled to see Jordie Lane take a very different tact with his new music video for “Annabelle Marie.”

The film clip sees Jordie perched atop a Byron Bay hill, playing the song live. It captures a moment in time, and a moment in music that’s completely real.

If you’re as moved by this video as I am you can catch Jordie at the following shows over the coming months.

9 October 2011 – Indi Bar, Scarborough (with Jeff Lang)
13 October 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart (with Jeff Lang)
14 October 2011 – Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh (with Jeff Lang)
15 October 2011 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne (with Jeff Lang)
16 October 2011 – Way Out West Blues Club, Williamstown (with Jeff Lang)
21 October 2011 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast (with Jeff Lang)
22 October 2011 – Judith Wright Centre, Brisbane (with Jeff Lang)
23 October 2011 – Mullumbimby Civic Hall, Mullumbimby (with Jeff Lang)
24 October 2011 – Chapel Theatre Live, Glen Innes (with Jeff Lang)
28 October 2011 – Waves, Wollongong (with Jeff Lang)
29 October 2011 – The Clarendon, Katoomba (with Jeff Lang)
30 October 2011 – Sydney Blues Festival, Windsor
4 November 2011 – Meeniyan Hall, Meeniyan (with Henry Wagons and Joe Pug)
5 November 2011 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne (with Henry Wagons and Joe Pug)
24-27 November 2011 – Mullumbimby Music Festival, Mullumbimby

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Howl at the Moon Launch New “Sword Fighting” Single


When the weather is dark and gloomy, as it is on my side of the country, I love music that matches. I found it today with Howl at the Moon’s newie “Sword Fighting.” Is it any wonder they’re from Melbourne?

While the track is certainly dark and moody, its melodic core and sublime vocals from Katie Scott ensure it doesn’t ever feel too gloomy. The song is the first track to come from the band’s as yet untitled debut album, which is scheduled to hit stores early next year. We thankfully won’t have to wait that long to see Howl at the Moon doing their thing live; the band will launch the single “Sword Fighting” at Melbourne’s Old Bar on November 4.

Image used with permission from Show Off Services