Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Glenn Richards Releases Single Ahead of Solo Album

I’ve always been a fan of Glenn Richards work in Augie March, so I was keen to see what his solo music brought.

Solo projects are usually a bit of a departure, allowing musicians to explore genres and techniques they can’t within the constraints of their band, and it seems Glenn’s is no different. So far I’ve only listened to the single “Torpor & Spleen,” but it’s got a lovely organic quality to it which veers dangerously close to bluegrass. Don’t worry; that’s a good thing.

It’s definitely the kind of tune that makes me want to hear more of Glimjack, the solo album Glenn Richards has worked on with his friends Dan Luscombe, Mike Noga, Ben Bourke, and brother Chris. They’re a talented bunch, and no doubt this album, which will hit stores on November 5, is going to be critically acclaimed. That’s high praise indeed coming from just one single, but it’s just that good.

Image source: Jeanie Mackinder @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The Murders” – Davey Spicer and the Creatures of Habit

Brisbane band Davey Spicer and the Creatures of Habit deliver groovy organic music with edge with their debut album The Murders.

It’s an ominous sounding title, and one which is perhaps eerier than the album warrants. However, these tunes are a lot darker than your average roots music from Byron Bay. These musicians are no hippies.

The album starts with “Waste of Beautiful,” a groovy tune with biting lyrics. It’s followed up with “Sinner/Saint,” with is so hooky and summery that you almost forget about the sharp words behind it.

Things take a turn for the eerie with “Bad Dream.” It opens to the sound of a sharpening knife, an effective tool for creating that sense of foreboding. Again, the instrumentation is so jaunty that unless you’re listening to the lyrics you might miss the darkness. But it’s there, deliberately underpinning that lightness.

From here the album gets a bit darker and more rock focused until “Love is Insane” brings it back to a less brooding place. The song is playful, despite its harsh truth.

I listened to The Murders a few times on a few different days before it really stuck with me, but when I got it I really got it. This album is full of melodic hooks yet deliciously dark, a wonderful anecdote to so much of the sleepy music around.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Celebrate Halloween in Sydney at The Metro’s Monster Mash

As a woman married to an American, I’ve always felt a wee bit jealous when he’s talked about Halloween. I remember once trying to trick or treat as a child with a couple of school friends, but as no one really expected us we only bagged health food bars and lollies that had sat in cupboards for years.

If you’ve waited all your life to celebrate this ghoulish holiday, you’ll want to get to The Metro in Sydney on October 30 for the Halloween Monster Mash. It’s going to be great fun with a witch cave, vampire bar tenders, and even a graveyard!

And it wouldn’t be The Metro without music. Artists like Dappled Cities, Last Dinosaurs, and SPOD will take the stage dressed as their favourite dead bands. Add some fire breathers, giant spiders, and a human vending machine and you’ve got a night guaranteed to raise the hairs on the back of your neck.

So make sure you dress up in your spookiest costume and embrace this American holiday at The Metro. There are still some early bird tickets available at $25. Otherwise you’ll pay $35 before the event or $40 at the door. Gets yours from the Halloween Monster Mash website.

Image source: Nvadim @ Stock.xchng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The X Factor” Wash Up

I was waiting until the live shows to write about The X Factor, but after spending last night screaming at my television I figured I’d fast track some posting.

The X Factor has had its critics, especially those who applauded the “resting” of Australian Idol, but I was thrilled to see another musical talent show on Aussie television. I’d watched all the auditions and picked my favourites, and was really enjoying the process. At least I was until last night, when it seemed that the best performers wouldn’t make it to the live shows after all.

With the exception of Natalie Imbruglia, every judge had a few dog acts. I just didn’t expect them to make the final cut.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: (L-R) The cast of 'The X Factor' Guy Sebastian, Natalie Imbruglia, Ronan Keating and Kyle Sandilands pose during a media call on July 30, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mike Flokis/Getty Images)


My first disappointment came when Guy Sebastian cut Jahmaking it Funky, a band that hadn’t put a foot wrong in the competition thus far. Criticising them for sticking to reggae seems a bit hypocritical to me when bands like Mahogany and Kharizma are sticking to R ‘n’ B. But there were more shocks to come when Guy opted to put Luke and Joel into the finals over Lazy J and Big Guy. I wanted to get behind Luke and Joel as a fellow Novacastrian, but they just haven’t delivered. Lazy J and Big Guy had their flaws too, but at least they showed some originality. As far as I can see it, Guy has one serious contender in Mahogany. Kharizma aren’t bad, but everything they can do Mahogany simply do better.

There were more shocks to come when Ronan Keating decided to give Altiyan Childs yet another chance. I just don’t get it. He hasn’t remembered the lyrics once, and even when he does perform he seems like a bit of a poser. I couldn’t believe he made it through the auditions, so I’m shocked to see him get to the main event. Something tells me he’s going to go pretty early.

But my biggest shocks came when Kyle did the culling. I don’t claim to know everything there is to know about music, but I know what I like. And what I liked was Darcy, TJ, and George. Three of my favourite competitors, now all gone. Kyle has a snowball’s chance in hell of winning this thing.

Which left Natalie, who couldn’t put a foot wrong because her group was so strong. Still, I was thrilled to see her put through the stand-outs, Sarah and Hayley. Any one of the other girls could have easily got that third place, so I’m happy there.

I was excited about The X Factor, but after last night’s show I’m feeling deflated. We were meant to be looking for performers with something special, and there seems to be only a handful left that fit the bill. What do you think of the judges’ decisions?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Funk N Grooves @ Pokolbin, 11 September 2010

On Saturday I made a pilgrimage to the Hunter Valley to attend my third Funk N Grooves Festival. It’s a festival that’s been in a state of flux since I first attended, an event which seems like it’s ever changing in attempts to find its feet. And at its new home next to Tyrell’s Winery, I think it’s getting there.

The new venue gave us all plenty of space to spread out with our picnic lunches and fold-up chairs. It also made it much easier to get a drink. You might remember my complaints last year about the incredible queues, but this time around the organisers got it right. With separate lines for wine and beer/spirits, no one was really left waiting too long. The drink was flowing, but the limits on what we could buy and the ever watchful security staff ensured no one got too obnoxious.

The food too was a marked improvement on last year. I devoured my cumin dusted calamari and the gorgeous chunky chips with rosemary salt. If only all festival food could be this good!

But these kinds of shows are all about the music, and this year the event delivered more than ever before. Bands played on two stages for a good nine hours, several hours longer than in previous years. The kind of music the event hosts is also evolving, perhaps with the involvement of new sponsor Triple J. While earlier festivals focused on blues and roots, now we see more rock and hip hop. I suppose this is what the kids want; there were definitely plenty of enthusiastic fans down by the stage, but I preferred the artists we were served in years gone by.

That’s not to say there wasn’t some brilliant music. I couldn’t wait to see Washington, and she didn’t disappoint. The crowd was attentive when she sang her most poignant of ballads, and rapturous when she treated us with a playful cover of The Divinyls “I Touch Myself.” The singles “Rich Kids” and “Sunday Best” also went down a treat.

Continue reading “Funk N Grooves @ Pokolbin, 11 September 2010” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Split Seconds Tours Western Australia

Split Seconds, the latest outfit for Perth singer-songwriter Sean Pollard, is preparing for the release of their debut EP with a swag of headlining gigs and festival appearances around their home state.

The EP was recorded in Perth with producers Steve Bond (The Panics, Snowman, The Bank Holidays) and Benjamin Golby, before Aussie expat Aaron Cupples (The Drones, Dan Kelly) added the finishing touches in London. It should get a release next year, but we get a taste of it with the debut single “Bed Down.”

If you’re not in Western Australia don’t worry. A national tour is in the works, so the rest of Australia will be able to see this exciting new band soon.

17 September 2010 – The Norfolk Basement, Fremantle (with Red Jezebel and Emperors)
18 September 2010 – Amplifier Bar, Perth (with Red Jezebel and Emperors)
25 & 26 September 2010 – Wave Rock Weekender Festival, Hyden
6 October 2010 – One Movement, WA Showcase @ Capitol, Perth
1-3 January 2011 – Southbound Festival, Busselton

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Hit the Bottom” with Lucy’s Crown

I always admire a band that shows some real ambition. And ambitious is the only word that springs to mind on viewing the video for “Hit the Bottom,” the new song from Melbourne indie act Lucy’s Crown.

I’m still trying to work out if I like it, but I know there are certainly parts that resonate. Cowboys, muscle cars, and straightjackets are always winners (unless you happen to be wearing one of the white suits I suppose), and I love the Tori Amos-esque harpsichord interlude in the song. But just like anything that’s a bit left of centre and surreal, it’s not going to please everybody.

But it probably will challenge you, and for that reason alone I think it’s worth a look. So check it out and tell me, what do you think? I think it’s going to take a couple more viewings before I understand it all, and even then I’m not sure!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Loose Change Launch Debut Album in Melbourne

They might hail from Sydney, but hip hop outfit Loose Change is heading down south to launch their self-titled debut album.

The disc combines laidback hook-laden beats, and honest emotive raps. With samples from jazz music, a splash of romance, and witty lyrics, these guys deliver hip hop that’s a cut above the average.

Loose Change will take the stage at Melbourne’s Miss Libertines on December 18 to celebrate the album’s release. It’s a bit of a belated party, as the complete album is actually available as a free download now from the Loose Change website. But it’s better late than never, right?

Image used with permission from Other Tongues

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Atira Ready to Fire “Butterfly Rocket”

Soulful double act Atira are preparing to release their debut album Butterfly Rocket.

Founding members Melissa Erpen and Chris Targett are the heart of this band, but they’ve enlisted a who’s who of Aussie talent on this album, including Thirsty Merc’s bassist Phil Stack, Marcia Hines’ percussionist Tony Azzopardi, and fellow Perthite Howie Morgan.

They recorded the album at Sydney’s Electric Avenue Studios with ARIA award winning engineer Paul McKercher (Eskimo Joe and Sarah Blasko), and sent it off to Los Angeles for final mixing and mastering by Matt Marrin (Chaka Khan, Usher) and Gavin Lurssen (Robert Plant and Alison Krauss).

Of course, all the talent in the world won’t help you if you don’t have a solid core. Melissa and Chris deliver on that score too with their easy blend of smooth soul, R ‘n’ B, and funky grooves.

The album will hit stores on October 14, the same day they’ll launch it for their home town audience at Perth’s Fly By Night.

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment