Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Roof Raisers” – Keith!Party

I mentioned when I reviewed Class A’s album Me, Me, Me & Him: The Secret Life of a Receptionist last month that I don’t listen to a lot of rap. Since then more music of this genre has been passing my desk and changing the way I think about rap. The latest is Roof Raisers, the sophomore album of Melbourne’s Keith!Party.

The name is pretty appropriate. This is the kind of album that you’d put on at your next bash to make sure everyone’s dancing and having a good time. It works as a cohesive unit rather than a collection of disparate songs, taking you from crazy floor fillers to songs that are a bit smoother and sexier.

Adding to the party atmosphere is a host of special guest artists. This is nothing new for a rap album, but here it seems less about proving who you know than creating that celebratory vibe.

I love the old school naughtiness of “Sexy is What People Call HD” and the chilled out ambience of “Miracle Flow.” At more than six minutes the closer “The K-Team” drags a bit, but considering the group claims to be the last ones to leave the party perhaps that’s appropriate!

Roof Raisers has a fun, positive vibe with clever lyrics that are definitely worth listening out for. It’s available now through the band’s MySpace page, but will officially launch in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane soon, so keep reading Sounds of Oz for all those details.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Top 9 Do Party Anthems

I’m back home and back to The X Factor blogging with the Top 9 taking on party anthems.

India Rose Madderom kicked off the night with “Jai Ho.” It was a left of centre song choice, but I think the risk paid off. This is a tough song to sing, but she nailed it. The choreography was also great; it created a real sense of occasion without compromising her vocals. And she looked stunning. What a great start to the night!

My love of The Eagles might be swaying my opinion of Andrew Lawson’s performance of “Heartache Tonight,” but I didn’t like this. It felt a bit cheesy and contrived, like a Broadway number from a musical flop. He did look a lot more comfortable on stage than he has in the past, but I also felt that he didn’t really connect with the lyrics or song. It’s about more than performance after all. Maybe he can put it all together next week?

Amanda Grafanakis took on The Black Eyed Peas “I’ve Got a Feeling,” and delivered a fairly lackluster performance. I just didn’t feel it. She sang it well, except for a few shaky high notes, but there wasn’t enough conviction behind it. I also found all of the background movement a bit distracting, especially those flipping shirtless men!

Luke and Joel got the party started with Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” For me this was the best performance to that point, simply because it was so much fun. Yes it had vocal flaws, but it was so enjoyable that it just didn’t matter. There was not a person in their seats while they were on stage, and that’s a party.
Continue reading “The X Factor Top 9 Do Party Anthems” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Israel Cannan’s Epic Aussie Journey Inspires Amazing Album

Israel CannanI love discovering new music that really revs me. The latest act to get me excited is Israel Cannan, a young singer-songwriter who’s taken a long literal and metaphorical journey to reach the place he’s at today.

Israel released his debut EP at the tender age of 18, but after a few successful tours and radio attention he soon became disillusioned by the corporate machine. And so earlier this year he decided to leave his home in coastal New South Wales and travel around the country.

With little more than a guitar, a beat up old van, and a great friend by his side Israel travelled to some of Australia’s most remote towns, using the money he made from busking to get from one spot to the next. He offered free singles to the people who came to hear him play, and learned a lot about Australia and himself.

From this epic journey came Walk, Israel’s debut album. It’s an impressive piece, especially considering that he wrote all the tracks, engineered them, and played all the instruments.

Israel documented his travels through a series of 22 video blogs, which you can now see on his YouTube page, along with this film clip for the incredible song “Letting Go.” If you love gentle indie folk in the vein of Iron & Wine and Ben Harper, you need to check this out.

Walk is currently available through Israel Cannan’s website and digitally from iTunes. Check it out!


Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hear Galleon “In Stereo”

My affinity for all things Adelaide doesn’t appear to be waning. Today I’m fawning over “In Stereo,” the new single from the city’s four-piece rockers Galleon.

You might remember the song “Kamikaze” which these lads released a few months ago. I liked that but I love this; it starts gently but builds to a lovely epic crescendo. The band’s front man Nick Deegan says the song “questions the conventional 9-5 lifestyle and attempts to somewhat justify and even glorify the lesser travelled path of being an artist, and in particular a musician.”

And isn’t that what we all need on a weekend?

“In Stereo” comes from Galleon’s forthcoming album which was engineered and mixed by Jimi Maroudas (Eskimo Joe, The Living End) and produced by Patrick ‘Patch’ Robertson of Motorace.

If you’re digging the song make sure you catch Galleon at one of their upcoming shows!

9 Oct 2010 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
22 Oct – Melt Bar, Kings Cross
Date TBA – Ding Dong, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Catherine Britt and Chris Pickering Pair Up for Aussie Tour

Newcastle’s country superstar Catherine Britt and Brisbane’s singer-songwriter Chris Pickering are joining forces for their co-headline Fact or Fiction tour.

Catherine will tour in support of her self-titled album, while Chris will showcase tracks from his album Work of Fiction, which will hit stores on October 1. The pair are a natural fit, after both honing their crafts in Nashville before recently returning home.

“I’m a big fan of Chris’s music and I’m very excited to get out on the road together with him and his fabulous band,” gushed Catherine. “Chris is a gifted singer-songwriter and I can’t wait to see his songs played live.”

No doubt he’s just as enthusiastic!

The pair will play the following shows later this year. Tickets are available from the venues.

4 November 2010 – The Club House, Armidale
5 November 2010 – The Coast Hotel, Coffs Harbour
6 November 2010 – The Beachcomber Hotel, Toukley
7 Nov November 2010 – Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor (Chris Pickering only)
9 November 2010 – The Brass Monkey , Cronulla
10 November 2010 – The Vanguard, Sydney
11 November 2010 – Home Tavern, Wagga Wagga
12 November 2010 – O Malleys, Mildura
13 November 2010 – The Front Gallery, Canberra (Chris Pickering only)
18 November 2010 – The Empress, Melbourne
20 November 2010 – Baby Black Café , Bacchus Marsh
24 November 2010 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
27 & 28 November 2010 – @ Queenscliff Festival
2 December 2010 – Club Envy, Sunshine Coast
3 December 2010 – The Globe, Brisbane

Image used with permission from a Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

David Campbell @ Mingara Recreation Club, Tumbi Umbi – 7 October 2010

Longtime readers of my blog will have heard me wax lyrical about David Campbell before. He’s one of those rare artists that encourages me to get out and see him each and every time he tours. Even rarer, he does so because he always delivers an amazing performance. And it was no different when last night I caught his On Broadway show at Mingara Recreation Club.

After several very successful albums, David has an extensive and eclectic back catalogue to play with. There’s the music from Shout, the swing songs, old 60s rock and roll, and now showtunes in his repertoire. It takes a skillful performer to deliver such variety without alienating his audience, but David had us there with him through it all.

The first portion of the show concentrated on those Broadway numbers, which really came to life on stage. David’s always been such a theatrical performer, who no doubt learned a thing or two during his time in New York, so tunes from Chicago and Boy from Oz were an easy fit. I enjoy the On Broadway album, but was surprised by some of the disc’s more obscure song selections. Given that, I was thrilled that in the live arena he focused on those tunes we all know, encouraging us to sing along and ensuring we all had a fabulous time. “Bring Him Home,” the showstopper from Les Miserables was incredible, and we all had fun when he played with those high-tech recording pedals in Guys and Dolls’ “Horse Right Here.”

He kicked things up a notch in the second half, and it didn’t take long before I joined the women enthusiastically dancing on the sides of the auditorium. Songs like “Yeah Yeah,” “She’s My Baby” and “Suspicious Minds” are just so much fun, and we lapped them up. Not that it was all light-hearted. David brought tears to a few eyes with his incredible renditions of “Mr. Bojangles” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

It takes a truly special performer to breathe new life into songs we’ve all heard many times before. David Campbell is definitely that, a genuine showman who can move his audience to tears and have them in fits of laughter on a whim. Rest assured, I’ll front up for tickets when the next tour rolls around.

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Ingrid Michaelson

New York’s Ingrid Michaelson has shared the stage with the likes of Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews Band, and Keane, and next month she’ll bring her original brand of acoustic power-pop to Australia for the first time. Before she packed her bags for the land Down Under I caught up with her to chat about her upcoming shows, the importance of MySpace, and love of the ukelele.

I know this is your first time touring Australia. Have you ever visited here before? And what are you looking forward to about your stay?
I have never been to Australia. I have always wanted to go but it is so far that it seems impossible. So I am delighted that my work is allowing me to see this amazing place that I have only heard about.

You’re playing a different city each night. Will you have any time for sightseeing while you’re here?
We have one day off in Melbourne. I have to do some research to find out where I should go!

You live in New York, which is such an intense city. How do you think you’ll adjust to our laid back Australian attitude?
I live in New York but I can turn off the “intensity” when needed. I look forward to experiencing this laid back atmosphere! Maybe I will even bring some home with me.

While you’ve created some real buzz back home, you haven’t released any music here in Australia. How would you describe your sound to people who aren’t in the know?
I’m not even in the know! I never know how to explain my own music. Poppy? Folky? Ingridy?

What can Australian fans expect when they come to see you live?
I love playing music and singing but I also love making people laugh. Hopefully my sense of humour will come across.

Continue reading “Q & A with Ingrid Michaelson” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Hoodoo Gurus Tour Purity of Essence, Release Limited Edition CD

The Hoodoo Gurus’ ninth studio album Purity of Essence will get a rerelease next month to coincide with the band’s national tour.

If you haven’t picked it up already, or you’re a hard-core fan, make sure you visit your local record store on November 12 to grab the special edition CD and DVD. It will feature the six-part Must Travel On Wheels mockumentary, which you might have caught online earlier this year.

The Hoodoo Gurus toured this album earlier the year, but after taking the show to Europe, the UK, and America in recent months the end of year shows are sure to be pretty tight. They’ll be ably supported on most nights by surf rockers The Break, featuring Midnight Oils’ Rob Hirst, Martin Rotsey, and Jim Moginie alongside The Violent Femmes’ Brian Ritche.

Expect to hear all the classics and new songs too at the upcoming Hoodoo Gurus shows!

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Australian band Hoodoo Gurus arrive at the ARIA Hall of Fame at the Regent Theatre on July 18, 2007 in Melbourne, Australia. This year's event inducts Radio Birdman, Brian Cadd, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons, the Hoodoo Gurus, Marcia Hines and Frank Ifield into the Australian Recording Industry Association's Hall of Fame, reflecting the rich tapestry of Australian music. (Photo by Simon Fergusson/Getty Images)


17 November 2010 – Settlers Tavern, Mildura
19 November 2010 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
24 November 2010 – Fisho’s, Manly
26 November 2010 – Revesby Workers
27 November 2010 – The Forum, Sydney
28 November 2010 – Sharkies, Cronulla
1 December 2010 – York on Lilydale, Mt Evelyn
3 December 2010 – Hotel Shoppingtown, Doncaster
4 December 2010 – Chelsea Heights Hotel
5 December 2010 – Macs Hotel, Melton
8 December 2010 – Queensland show TBA
10 December 2010 – Twin Towns Ex Services Club, Tweed Heads
11 December 2010 – HiFi Bar, Brisbane
12 December 2010 – Redlands Multi Sports Club, Birkdale
17 December 2010 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
18 December 2010 – Ferntree Gully Hotel

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” – David Campbell

I’m heading home today, so I figured it was only fitting to end this little snapshot of Adelaide music on the artist I’m seeing live on Thursday night: David Campbell. Anyone who’s been reading this blog for a while knows how much I adore David, and I’m definitely looking forward to hearing him playing the tunes from the new Broadway album including “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Thanks for your patience while I’ve been away. Regular blogging resumes tomorrow!