Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Delta Goodrem Releases Fire New Single, “Hearts on the Run”

Delta Goodrem is one of the most consistent talents in our country. What she releases is always good, so good that perhaps it doesn’t get its due. But every now and then she releases something that’s not just good: it’s great. Her latest single “Hearts on the Run” is one of those special tracks, a high-octane anthem that you’re going to be humming for the rest of the week.

“I wrote ‘Hearts on the Run,’ as a message that it’s possible to tap into an unyielding positivity,” Delta explained. “I wanted to create a high-energy feeling with so much momentum, that you can’t help but run. That feeling when you’re in the middle of a marathon, when your legs ache, when your breath is running out, and you question how much further you can go… It’s precisely in that moment that the song insists you can go further, driven by a combination of love and an unbreakable spirit. The song urges you to discover what you’re truly made of by pushing your own boundaries. This song was made to make me run! Your heart is on the run!”

Delta has a handful of shows in different parts of the world in the coming months, so catch her anywhere you can:

23 March 2024 – Centennial Vineyards, Gundungurra/Bowral (supporting Tom Jones)
18-25 May 2024 – Holiday Inn Resort, Kandooma
2 June 2024 – Mighty Hoopla Festival @ Brockwell Park, London (SOLD OUT)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Emma Yue Releases Powerful New Single, “Lonely Lover”

Naarm/Melbourne artist Emma Yue recently dropped her new single “Lonely Lover,” a song of resilience and self-reliance. The lyrics are so strong, and I love its folk meets rock vibe. You can hear the influence of local acts like Spacey Jane and The Backseat Lovers along with some of Emma’s longest music loves like the Cranberries and early Taylor Swift.

“When I wrote the song it was after a night out with a friend of mine and her long-time childhood friend who had come to visit her,” Emma recalled. “I had such a lovely time with them both, but seeing their familiarity and effortless closeness made me feel incredibly lonely and got me thinking about my friendships and how moving countries at age 10 and 12 had played its role in them. That was about three years ago now, and since then the meaning of the song has very much changed to being about the loneliness of having a difficult emotional relationship with my parents. I was also reflecting on other parts of my life so far where I had felt lonely, growing up as a woman of colour in a predominantly white society, being a member of the LGBTQ community and being neurodivergent were all things that had made me feel socially isolated at various points too. While the song sounds upbeat and defiant and like an anthem of independence, it really is just about a girl who has a soul-deep loneliness and realises the only way that’s going to change is to become everything she needed for herself.”

Emma will celebrate the release of “Lonely Lover” with a hometown show at The Gasometer on March 28. Her first headline show last June sold out, so don’t sleep on these tickets.

Photo credit: Sara Regan (Elytssara)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Confessions of a 40-Something Fangirl

I recently shared my jubilation after attending Matchbox Twenty’s first Eora/Sydney show on the long-awaited Slow Dream tour. That was one of three Matchbox shows I attended in just eight days this tour. I considered writing a review of each one, as each was special in its own right, but instead, with the dust settling on that frenetic, fantastic period I thought instead I’d write a post about embracing your deep passion for a band.

Twelve years is an awfully long time to be without live shows from your favourite band. It’s what inspired me to buy tickets to several concerts this tour. Depending on your perspective, three shows in a single tour might be a lot or it might be fairly conservative for a hardcore fan. For me it was the sweet spot. In 2012, the last time Matchbox played Australia, I bought tickets to a single show. I reasoned that I was a wife now, we were saving for a house, I had more important things to spend my money on. In truth though, nothing is more important than embracing a deep passion. I saw my single show and I loved it, but then I crashed hard. So much build-up to a tour and then it was all over in a matter of hours. I swore I’d never just do a single show for this band or Rob solo again.


I haven’t done three shows in a tour since Matchbox came out here for their More Than You Think You Are tour in 2003. I haven’t seen a local show and still travelled interstate since John Mayer came out for his Room for Squares tour in 2002. Back then I was a single woman, still living with my parents. I had no responsibilities beyond a retail job, so I thought nothing of just taking off for a little “me” time. What I learned this tour is that you’re never too far away from that person, no matter how years pass. And you owe it to yourself to nurture that part of you when you can.

So this time, three shows. A couple of days in between each one to catch my breath and get excited about the next one. I’m so glad I did it. The first show totally overwhelmed me. It was a whirlwind, with my emotions just on the surface through the whole thing. It was beautiful, but I was so glad I had Mulubinba/Newcastle a few days later to enjoy a little more calmly. I was a couple of rows further back, so I felt I could take that one in a little more, without all my heightened emotions getting in the way. In Meeanjin/Brisbane a few days after that I had second row seats, so I was just in it. I allowed myself to take photos in just two songs and put my camera away for the rest of it. In Mulubinba/Newcastle, without my husband there, I felt pressure to capture all the moments and that took me out of songs. In Meeanjin/Brisbane, I told myself just to remember them, feel them. They’re all in there. I danced hard, I sang loud (the evidence it all over my friend’s videos!), I was there.

Oh, and somewhere in there, I happened to catch a flight with my favourite band. I’m not a great believer in manifesting or things of that nature, but I’m thrilled I got some time to chat to them, to thank them for returning after all this time, to get signatures on my favourite album 15 years after my original signed copy was stolen. It really made this tour better than I could have ever hoped it to be.

The beautiful thing about seeing more than one show on a tour is that every extra gig feels like a bonus. I have had the most wonderful, exciting, week or so of my life, but I’m not crashing as I rejoin the real world. I’m holding memories close and they’ll satisfy me until the next time, whenever that may be. I know with the cost of living, not everyone is in the position to see multiple shows on a tour, to travel interstate. Not everyone has friends and family willing to put them up or drive them around when they’re there. Not everyone has a spouse willing to support them taking time out from their adult responsibilities for a while or a job that’s as flexible as mine. But if you CAN do it, I definitely recommend that you do. It’s good for the soul. As Rob Thomas encourages in one of their new songs “Rebels”, “Let go and be yourself right now.” Believe me, it’s really good advice.

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Worm Girlz Release Latest Power Punk Anthem “Cool Girl”

Crank up your speakers and then press play. Worm Girlz’ latest single “Cool Girl” demands to be played loud. It’s a fierce, frenetic rocker that is bound to put a smile on your face and your fist in the air. If this is the new wave of grrrl power, I’m here for it!

“We wrote ‘Cool Girl’ as a call to action to hold your mates responsible and call them out when you witness inappropriate behaviour,” explained vocalist Lauren. “Again and again we’ve had to sit and listen while people we know attempt to justify the manipulative, discriminatory, or even abusive acts of their shitty friends and there’s not much more we can take, so we channelled our upset and frustrations into writing this song. We urge listeners to raise the bar by being better bystanders and speaking up in abusive situations or else the consequences can be deadly.”

Worm Girlz recently declared on social media that 2024 is the Year of the Worm, and with strong tunes like this in their arsenal it’s hard to disagree!

Photo credit: Georgia Griffiths

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Moments Between Dreams” – Ella Haber

Eora/Sydney-based singer-songwriter Ella Haber has wowed me with her new EP, Moments Between Dreams. It’s an exquisite collection of songs so that are both expertly crafted, yet so heartfelt.

It’s one of those EPs that transfixed me from the first atmospheric notes. The opening track “Hynogagic Bloom,” is so unique and dreamy, I felt like it cocooned me in a beautiful bubble. Its lyrics and gentle melody just wrapped me up and held me. I was in. It’s special, but so is every song on this EP. They explore relationships, from the paternal in “My Father” to the romantic “My Lover” and “Good For Me.” Ella’s voice is so striking and it can seemingly do anything. It’s got a great storyteller quality which is perfect for these revealing songs conceived in bedrooms on her piano. They’re often quiet, drawing you in and capturing you with their intimacy.

On writing this material in the summer of 2021-2022, Ella said “I needed to release myself from my own numbness, isolation, inactivity and loneliness induced by successive lockdowns, a long-term relationship coming to a close and a disconnection from my own body and heart. As soon as lockdown ended, I found new love, threw myself into activism and connected deeply with new friends for the first time in years. I felt a profound hope for the future, and I felt a restlessness to dive into the next chapter of my life with all senses open and alive with feeling.”

Moments Between Dreams is the sort of EP that deserves to be savoured. So make yourself a cup of tea. Grab a blanket. Turn it on. Take time to listen to every lyric, to catch every note. You can thank me later. You’ll find it on all the streaming services and you can buy a limited edition vinyl copy here. Ella will celebrate its release with a sold-out show supporting CYMANDE at Liberty Hall in Eora/Sydney on March 4.

Main photo credit: Thea Elder

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jake Davey Releases Feelgood New Single “Second Chance”

If you’re need a little pick-me-up today, look no further than “Second Chance,” the latest single from Jake Davey. It’s an upbeat country-pop anthem about moving forward, despite the odds. Just see if you’re not feeling inspired by the time the song ends.

If you want to keep the good times flowing, make sure you grab a ticket for the Viper Creek Band’s Sydney Harbour Cruise on November 2. Jake will be one of the special guest entertainers on what’s sure to be a stacked event.

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sin City Rock My Socks Off With “Candy”

Sin City, a Naarm/Melbourne-based Kiwi band formed in Spain, are making the kind of country-rock that we just don’t hear enough of. Their latest single “Candy” is a raucous track that’s all the better for being a little rough around the edges. It was recorded on an analogue reel to reel tape, which gives it such a cool vintage feel. Singer and keyboardist Nick Armstrong said the band wrote the song about a romance cut short due to the demands of being a travelling musician.

“When you eventually see they’ve moved on and are happy, you can’t help but be a little bit disappointed!” he admitted. “But passing flings can’t last, and you have to accept it. That’s what this song is about.”

You can hear more from Sin City when they release their sophomore album Another Round in April.

Image used with permission from Chris Familton Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joe Mungovan Critiques Modern Life With “Cyclone”

Joe Mungovan continues his musical evolution with the release of “Cyclone.” It’s a world away from the laidback romantic tunes that turned me on to his music, but it’s so cleverly written and sonically interesting that I just don’t care. I’m sure it’ll turn off some of the fans he made in the start of his career, but I love listening to the twists and turns his career’s taking.

“Cyclone” comes from Joe’s forthcoming album SUGAR, CANDY, LIPS, which drops on March 15. He’ll waste no time taking these songs on the road.

“We knew (the band and I) that we couldn’t wait to get these songs in front of a crowd as soon as we were recording them – they’ve got big, electric energy that screams for a live audience to get amongst it and have a boogie,” Joe enthused. “We’re stoked to return to some old haunts on this East Coast line up, and play some new venues too. The boys in the band absolutely kill it and while this is our most ambitious headline tour yet, and we are itching to get on the road and bring the show to a city near you.”

Joe will play a string of shows with The VANNS before kicking off his headlining tour. Here are all the dates. You know what to do!

29 February 2024 – Sooki Lounge, Wurundjeri Country/Belgrave
1 March 2024 – Torquay Hotel, Wadawurrung Country/Torquay
3 March 2024 – Volta, Ballaarat/Ballarat
5 April 2024 – Stag and Hunter, Mulubinba/Newcastle
6 April 2024 – La La La’s, Woolyungah/Wollongong
19 April 2024 – Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney
20 April 2024 – The Gasometer, Naarm/Melbourne
28 April 2024 – The Gum Ball Festival, Wonnarua Country/Hunter Valley
3 May 2024 – It’s Still A Secret, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Photo Credit: Ben Develin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Baeden Feint Makes Strong Debut With “Hometown Fantasy”

Baeden Feint had me at the harmonica opening of his debut single “Hometown Fantasy.” He’s a classic country troubadour, the kind of artist who paints a story with his words and brings it to life with honest vocals. This single is about the little “map dot” where he grew up, the place where he learned to love people and music.

“This song is essentially me reminiscing on past relationships where it seemed everything was laid out. Ready for the white picket fence and kids. But also, that it was like having blinders on, as to whether it was a good thing or not,” he explained. “I wrote this song like a lot of other songs – with a bottle port, smoking alone late at night, with too much time for thinking.”

If you’re into the current wave of American country artists like Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers, I know you’re going to be into this. If you want to hear more, catch Baeden performing at Mount Hope’s The Royal Hotel on March 3.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melanie Cowmeadow Releases Heartfelt New Single, “Dear Dad”

After losing a loved one, most of us would do almost anything for one last conversation. Melanie Cowmeadow used that desire as the inspiration of her latest single “Dear Dad.” Melanie penned this tender ballad two years ago after the unexpected death of her father.

Hailing from Tarntanya/Adelaide, Melanie has explored everything from alt-rock to music theatre. However, her voice and ability to paint vivid stories with her lyrics really suit this acoustic, singer-songwriter vibe. Hopefully this is just the start of many exciting releases from Melanie in the coming year.

Image used with permission from Melanie Cowmeadow