Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sam Fischer Kicks Off Aussie Tour Next Month

Sam Fischer’s homecoming tour is just around the corner. Now based in Los Angeles, there just aren’t enough opportunities to see this local success story in our backyard. He’s back on our shores to promote his fabulous debut album I Love You, Please Don’t Hate Me, which I’ve had on repeat for the last week on so.

If you haven’t already taken a listen, make sure you do. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better pop album released in recent years. It features some fantastic collaborations with Demi Lovato, Meghan Trainor, and Amy Shark and some incredible solo material. The title track and “Watching My World Fall Apart” have become firm favourites for me.

You can almost guarantee that Sam won’t be playing such small intimate venues next time he’s in town. Take the opportunity to see him up close and personal while you can and snap up one of the last remaining tickets for these shows:

9 May 2024 – The Zoo, Meeanjin/Brisbane
10 May 2024 – Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney
11 May 2024 – Howler, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

GRXCE Rocks Out With “Gravel Rash”

I am loving the grungy indie-rock goodness that GRXCE are serving up. I got right into their past singles “Everything I Wanted”, “Wasted On You”, and “What U Want”, and I’m every bit as enamoured with their newie “Gravel Rash.” Vocalist Jamila wrote the track about the time her ex-partner had a car crash when he sped away from an argument. That was the final nail in the coffin of this destructive relationship, but at least she got out of it with a fantastic song.

“‘Gravel Rash’ is about the breakdown of an imbalanced relationship,” explains Jamila. “It’s the toxic nature of never having a balance between two partners, which ultimately ends in one person being torn apart and the other making it out with barely any effect on their life.”

“The track deals with a lot of dark imagery from toxic relationships and emotional manipulation, to dealing with suicidal ideation, gaslighting and abuse in relationships which is something I really wanted to be blunt about,” opens up Jamila. “A part of writing and releasing this music was about being honest to myself and embracing and moving past some of the harder parts of my past.”

“Gravel Rash” is actually the first single to make the cut for GRXCE’s debut EP. You know what that means? There’s more new tunes on the way. I cannot wait. Fans might hear a little sneak peek when GRXCE plays shows along the East Coast.

2 May 2024 – Hamilton Station Hotel, Mulubinba/Newcastle (FREE)
11 May 2024 – The Hoey Moey, Gumbaynggirr Country/Coffs Harbour (FREE)
17 May 2024 – Bootleggers Newtown, Gadigal Country/Newtown (supporting Friends of Friends)
25 May 2024 – La La La’s, Woolyungah/Wollongong
30 May 2024 – Banshees Vol. 6 @ Stay Gold, Brunswick
2 June 2024 – Banshees Vol. 7 @ The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Photo credit: Zosia Francka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hayley Marsten Releases QMA-Nominated Single, “Getting Better”

Sometimes it takes a single release to put a song back on your radar. I reviewed Hayley Marsten’s fabulous sophomore album Girlhood last June. One of the songs that struck me most was the album’s opening track “Getting Better”. Hayley’s just released it as a single and I’m relishing rediscovering it. It was recently nominated for a Queensland Music Award in the country category, and while Hayley ultimately lost the title to Tori Forsyth she was thrilled by the acknowledgement.

“Getting Better’ is a song I wrote the night before we started recording Girlhood,” Hayley recalled. “I wrote it for me as a satirical version of how I think about my mental health. I thought it was a huge underdog when I submitted it so getting a QMA nomination is a really lovely pat on the back from the industry!”

“We shot the music video in Brisbane at the end of last year with my long-time collaborator Jazmyn Prodcues. I really wanted what I perceive to be the two parts of me in the song represented in the video. So we have me in my ‘therapy’ session kind of poking fun of the awkwardness that sometimes permeates that experience. We also re-created the album cover just for me to rip it all down in reference to the bridge line ‘and I hate every one of my songs’. Then the shots of me in Ezymart without a care in the world and the shots with my guitar and me surrounded the disco balls and glitter is representative of the feeling of perfection that I feel I’m constantly trying for that doesn’t really exist. The shots in the convenience store were filmed in a real and open EzyMart in Southbank with other customers milling around, so I had to park my embarrassment at the door for that one!”

Hayley will play the following shows to celebrate the release of “Getting Better.”

28 April 2024 – Cruisin’ Caboolture @ James Street Precinct, Kabi Kabi Country/ Caboolture (FREE)
3 May 2024 – Hunting Ground Studios @ 5/32 Baldock St, Jagera Country/Marooka
17 May 2024 – Town and Country Weekend 2024 @ Regatta Hotel, Turrbal Country/Toowong (FREE)
18 May 2024 – City Sounds @ Wintergarden Stage, Meeanjin/Brisbane (FREE)
15 June 2024 – In Store Birthday Party @ Sonic Slopes, Meeanjin/Stone’s Corner (FREE)

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Caught in a Reverie” – The Dreggs

I’ve been championing The Dreggs since they released their debut EP, Seas Embrace, back in 2018. They’ve never put a foot wrong, but like a fine wine, they’ve gotten better over time. Now with the release of their long-awaited debut album Caught in a Reverie, I think this Kabi Kabi Country/Sunshine Coast duo is truly stepping into their powers.

The album opens with “Peeps With the Goods,” a recent single that wowed me so much that I wondered whether the band might have set the bar too high. It’s brilliant, but so is every song that follows it. Every single song. Paddy Mccrae and Zane Harris know how to craft a song. Their voices seem to complement one another effortlessly. They’ve got a strong instinct for indie folk. It runs through every track, through every note of the duo’s acoustic guitars. While this is clearly the place they feel most comfortable, the soulful notes of “Peeps With the Goods” and rock vibes of “She Picks Flowers” show they’ve got more to explore.

While I think The Dreggs have matured as a twosome, they haven’t ventured too far from what first captured my attention. When I wrote about Seas Embrace, I noted the way the music helped me through a loss, and how I was sure it would make others feel better. This album is a little darker, with songs exploring grief in a very real and unfiltered way, however ultimately the duo still arrives at a positive place. The Dreggs might be older, wiser, but they don’t sound jaded yet. Their music still feels hopeful, it still has the power to bring a smile to your face and nurse you through whatever you’re facing. It just has a little more substance behind it these days.

Caught in a Reverie is out now. The album launch parties are already sold out, but if you missed out, don’t worry. After playing shows in Europe, The Dreggs will do another lap of the country in June before heading to New Zealand. Just like those launch parties, tickets probably won’t last, so make sure you get them while you can.

26 April 2024 – Miami Marketta, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast (SOLD OUT)
27 April 2024 – Kings Beach Tavern, Sunshine Coast (SOLD OUT)
28 April 2024 – The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
1 May 2024 – Torquay Hotel, Wadawarrung Country/Torquay (SOLD OUT)
2 May 2024 – Northcote SC, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
10 May 2024 – Oran Mor, Glasgow
11 May 2024 – Eiger Music Studios, Leeds (SOLD OUT)
12 May 2024 – Whelan’s, Dublin
15 May 2024 – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham (SOLD OUT)
16 May 2024 – Lafayette London, London (SOLD OUT)
17 May 2024 – Tunes in the Dunes 2024 @ Perranporth Beach, Perranporth
21 May 2024 – Kavka, Antwerp
22 May 2024 – Melkweg, Amsterdam
24 May 2024 – Artheater, Cologne
25 May 2024 – Bahnhof Pauli, Hamburg
27 May 2024 – Privatclub, Berlin
29 May 2024 – Café V lese, Praha
30 May 2024 – Fluc und Fluc Wanne, Vienna
1 June 2024 – Strom, Munich
2 June 2024 – Papiersaal, Zurich
3 June 2024 – Muhle Hunziken, Rubigen
14 June 2024 – Hindley Street Music Hall, Tarntanya/Adelaide
15 June 2024 – Metro City, Boorloo/Perth
21 June 2024 – The Fortitude Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane
28 June 2024 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney
29 June 2024 – Forum, Naarm/Melbourne
26 July 2024 – The Church Pub, Christchurch
27 July 2024 – U Bar, Dunedin
28 July 2024 – Yonder, Queenstown
1 August 2024 – San Fran, Wellington
2 August 2024 – The Tuning Fork, Auckland

Main photo credit: Jordy Wydra

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jacob Vincent Honours the ANZACs With “What Would I Say”

ANZAC Day is a day for reflection, whether you gather with others at our dawn services or pubs or take a moment for yourself away from the nine-to-five grind. Whatever you’re doing this public holiday, make sure you take a few minutes to listen to “What Would I Say.” Jacob Vincent co-wrote this beautiful new single with poet Colin Defries, who he met at a DAG Sheep Station songwriting retreat.

“He presented a poem at a co-write on Easter Sunday,” Jacob recalled. “The first few chords I picked along felt good and we spent the afternoon figuring out a chorus and refining the lyric to fit my voice and style. We both believe it’s really important to understand the legacy of the ANZACs, the conditions they endured & sacrifices they made.”

Multi-award-winning producer Shane Nicholson helped bring the song to life in his Sound Hole Studios.
“It’s been really amazing to work with Shane, I’ve admired his work from a young age,” Jacob added. “He brought some great ideas to the song and I couldn’t be happier with how he realised my vision for the track.”

The music video, created by Jay Seeney of Blacklist Productions, is the perfect accompaniment for the song.

“We filmed early one morning amidst Tamworth Country Music Festival earlier this year,” Jacob said. “He was able to work through archival footage from WW1 to help tell the story of the fighting in Gallipoli.”

Jacob will play the Story Bridge Hotel in Meeanjin/Brisbane tonight alongside Dan Munn.

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Say What You Mean” – Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits

Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits impressed me with their single “Paper Boats” last month, raising my expectations for their sophomore album sky-high. There are so many bands that drop incredible tracks, but their albums just don’t meet your expectations. With Say What You Mean, Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits prove they’re one of the most exciting bands around.

Say What You Mean is one of those albums that grabs you from the first note. The music feels classic, and those textured vocals with just a hint of yodel are so compelling. I can imagine listening to “Misery Queen” at a smoky bar somewhere, whiskey in hand. It’s so much fun, but there’s a darkly humourous underbelly that runs through so much of Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits’ music. Their tongue-in-cheek lyrics bring to life the flush of infatuation in “Arrowhead”, the agony of terrible dates in “The Tallest of Tales,” and the difficulty of dealing with problematic people in “Bullseye”. It’s left of centre, and one of the big reasons that the music Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits creates it’s so appealing. This twosome knows how to create those sassy singalong songs so well, but everyone now and then they switch gears. Quieter moments like “Insomniacrobat” and “Tether” show a fragility that’s so compelling. These women might be bad-arse, but they’re not afraid to lay their hearts bare.

Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits sit in a rare space on the Australian music landscape. There aren’t too many acts making this kind of music. There are even fewer female duos delivering it here in this country. It’s alt-country, with rock and roll swagger, a dash of honky-tonk, and the heart of the blues. It’s authentic, without pretension, as good country should be. It’s organic. You get the sense that you could see them live and their harmonies would be just as flawless, the musicians would be just as tight.

Say What You Mean is available now digitally, and there’s a vinyl and CD to come. Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits will give us a chance to see just how good they are live when they play shows across four states this May and June.

27 April 2024 – Castlemaine Pride Festival @ Mechanics Lane, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Castlemaine (FREE)
3 May 2024 – The Eastern, Ballaarat/Ballarat
4 May 2024 – Trashcult Records, Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country/Bendigo
9 May 2024 – The Royal Oak Hotel, Kanamuluka/Launceston (FREE – duo show)
11 May 2024 – MONA, Nipaluna/Hobart (FREE – duo show)
17 May 2024 – The Grace Emily, Tarntanya/Adelaide
18 May 2024 – The Stone Pony, Wirruwarrungga/Willunga
24 May 2024 – Tanswells, Baarmutha/Beechworth (FREE)
25 May 2024 – The Old Bar, Naarm/Melbourne
30-31 May 2024 – Cronulla Jazz & Blues Festival, Gweagal Country/Cronulla
1 June 2024 – The Golden Barley, Eora/Sydney (FREE)
2 June 2024 – The Junkyard, Wonnarua Country/Maitland (FREE)
15 June 2024 – Memo Music Hall, Euroe Yroke/St Kilda
22 June 2024 – Odessa Leavers Hotel, Dja Dja Warrung Country/Creswick (duo show)

Image used with permission from Jo Corbett Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reckless Coast Pay Tribute to Sharehouse Living With “Burn Street”

I’m feeling pretty nostalgic listening to Reckless Coast’s new single “Burn Street.” It’s indie-rock with a dash of pop, the sort of track that used to be all over radio in the 90s. I’m more than ready for this sound to return!

“‘Burn Street’ is the location of my first share house,” shared Reckless Coast’s lead vocalist Jaeden Ogston. “It was like a little family… picture the most ideal and perfect home/living situation and that’s what it was like. However, after only eight months, the lease came up for renewal and we all parted our separate ways. The share houses that followed never came close to being like Burn Street, and I realised that it would be the closest thing to a home I had.”

“Burn Street” comes from Reckless Coast’s debut EP, which is slated for a May 3 release. The band will waste no time bringing their music to the people; their Naked & Famous tour kicks off the following day.

4 May 2024 – The Catfish, Naarm/Melbourne
10 May 2024 – Elsewhere, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
11 May 2024 – Tomcat, Meeanjin/Brisbane
24 May 2024 – MoshPit, Eora/Sydney (supporting Starcrazy)
25 May 2024 – Stag and Hunter, Mulubinba/Newcastle (FREE)

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

LEF. Celebrates Heritage With “Ephesus”

Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter LEF. has teamed up with UK-based expat Chris Hyson (Jordan Rakei) for a dreamy new single “Ephesus.” It’s a beautiful soul-pop track about seizing happiness today rather than waiting for a payoff in the future.

“During my journey through Turkey, amidst the familiar quirks of family dynamics and the intricate layers of my relationship with my mum, I stumbled upon unexpected inspiration in the rhythmic hum of travel and the soothing aroma of Turkish tea, deeply intertwined with my cultural roots away from Australia,” LEF. explained. “It was within these ordinary yet profound moments that I crafted the initial beat and demo, laying the foundation for the genuine tone of my EP. I was extremely motivated creatively but also had a deep longing to reconnect with my family after a prolonged four years of separation, each lyric emerged as my most authentic and vulnerable expression, reflecting the complexities of our shared journey in a hopeful manner. The lyrics symbolise my visit to ancient Ephesus and the essence of my family ties.”

“Ephesus” is the second single lifted from LEF.’s debut EP, which he’ll release in the middle of the year.

Image used with permission from LEF.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bud Rokesky Breaks the Country Mould With “Newtown”

Country music can be a bit hit and miss for me. I’ve found plenty of local artists I love through this blog, but there are probably just as many that don’t gel with me. Someone I’m really excited about is Bud Rokesky. There’s something so subtle and honest and what he does. There’s a folky vibe to his brand of country, a focus on telling stories with his lyrics that resonates with me. His latest single “Newtown,” which comes with the also excellent B-side “Oars,” is the perfect gateway into his material.

“Newtown is about leaving something behind and letting go – even though you may not want to,” Bud explained. “In the end you can only control how you react at the time, and the perspective with which you look back at it. I truly believe you can learn from every experience and turn it into a positive.”

If you love this, there’s more where it came from. Bud plans on releasing two tracks a month in this A-side/B-side format for the foreseeable future.

“When thinking about a follow-up album to Outsider I had a list of 24 or so songs to choose from, except they seemed so varied from one another that I found it difficult to find a common selection, not to mention I really wanted to release them all. I thought- what would be the best way to introduce them to everyone, in a way they could follow along with the different changes in sound or style from song to song?” he said of the plan for monthly releases.

Bud is currently supporting Brad Cox on his Aussie tour. There are limited tickets available for all the remaining shows:

9 May 2024 – Broken Hill Civic Theatre, Wilyakali Country/Broken Hill (supporting Brad Cox)
10 May 2024 – Mildura Arts Centre, Latji Latji Country/Mildura (supporting Brad Cox)
11 May 2024 – Swan Hill Town Hall, Matakupaat/Swan Hill (supporting Brad Cox)
14 June 2024 – Northern Festival Centre, Tarparrie/Port Pirie (supporting Brad Cox)
15 June 2024 – Chaffey Theatre, Erawirung Country/Renmark (supporting Brad Cox)
16 June 2024 – Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Berrin/Mount Gambier (supporting Brad Cox)
22 August 2024 – Gympie Music Muster, Kabi Kabi Country/Amamoor

Photo credit: Maclay Heriot

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lauren Daigle Adds Aussie Dates to World Tour

Lauren Daigle is a true force of nature. Very few Christian artists have ever been able to cross over into the mainstream charts, not just in their homeland but all around the world. “You Say” was her biggest hit here, propelling her 2018 album Look Up Child into the ARIA top 50. And in case you missed it, she’s coming out way.

Lauren will play four capital city shows in Australia this November after dates in New Zealand on her Kaleidoscope Nights tour. Expect to hear all your favourites from Lauren’s albums, including her self-titled third album released last year. Tickets are on sale now but will not last, so get onto it!

9 November 2024 – BCEC, Meeanjin/Brisbane
12 November 2024 – Margaret Court Arena, Naarm/Melbourne
14 November 2024 – Aware Super Theatre, Eora/Sydney
17 November 2024 – Riverside, Boorloo/Perth

Image used with permission from beehive