Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Ransom Releases Feelgood Country Single, “High on Life”

Listening to Ben Ransom’s new single “High on Life”, I’m having a bit of an Inception moment. I’m listening to it anticipating how I’ll feel when you see this article that you’re reading. I’m actually writing it a couple days ahead of a trip to New Zealand, so when you see it I’ll be chilling in Dunedin with my husband. “High on Life,” right? Even if you can’t enjoy the rest and relaxation I’m lapping up, I trust you’ll enjoy this stellar country song.

Ben said his latest single “is a song that truly speaks from the heart about the things in life that are actually important for success and happiness.”

“High on Life” comes from Ben’s forthcoming album, Sonic Manna. There’s no release date yet, but as it’s been two years in the making surely it’s not too far off. I’m sure that when it does drop, it’ll be worth the wait.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Venice Qin Releases Sexy New Earworm, “Rodeo Star”

You know those songs you start out hating but realise you love by the end? Usually ultra-poppy and infectiously catchy? “Rodeo Star” by Eora/Sydney-based Kiwi Venice Qin is a song exactly like that. I’m not sure exactly when my brain made the switch and embraced it, but I was definitely bopping along long before the final notes. Think of this track as a queer, spicy, local version of Steps’ “5, 6, 7, 8”.

Venice said that “‘Rodeo Star’ is all about the surge of energy I feel when that perfect, super c***ty song comes on at a house party. It’s me, moving my hips, making eyes at all the hot, sexy people around, totally caught up in the moment. This track celebrates confidence and the joy of exploring your sexuality, all wrapped up in the drop-a** Y2K vibe. It’s about letting loose, embracing the playful side of life and not being afraid to show who you really are.”

This single probably won’t be for everyone, but that message definitely is! I also love the video, which Venice shot after performing at the 41st Rocky Mountain Regional Gay Rodeo in Denver, Colorado, earlier this year. As I say, I expect this song will be a bit polarising, but the best art usually is!

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Daryl Braithwaite Releases Super-Catchy Single, “It’s You”

I wasn’t going to write about Daryl Braithwaite’s newest single “It’s You.” While it’s Dazza’s first release in four years, it’s not exactly groundbreaking. It’s a love song by the numbers if you will, and those kinds of songs are easy to dismiss. But it’s such an earworm. I’ve found myself singing the chorus randomly at all times of the day since I heard it, so I’m relenting. Because while it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it’s super catchy, and that’s not nothing.

“The first time I heard ‘It’s You’ was when Michael Fatkin, who wrote ‘Love Songs’, sent it to me maybe a year or so back and I started playing it live to a very warm reaction,” Daryl recalled. I hope that as people continue to discover ‘It’s You’ it will resonate with them and bring them the same joy it brings me to play it live on stage!”

And who can argue with that? If you need a slice of feelgood pop today, you’ve found it. Not every song has to be “The Horses.” This one is pretty fun. You can see Daryl play this track and all your old favourites at one of his upcoming shows:

23 November 2024 – Seppeltsfield Wines, Peramangk, Ngadjuri and Kaurna Country/Seppeltsfield (with Tina Arena and Richard Marx)
29 November 2024 – Frankston Art Centre, Monmar/Frankston
30 November 2024 – Sandstone Point Hotel, Ningy Ningy Country/Sandstone Point (with Tina Arena and Richard Marx)
6 December 2024 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Balaarat/Ballarat
7 December 2024 – Mornington Racecourse, Bunurong Country/Mornington (with Tina Arena and Richard Marx)
14 December 2024 – Torquay Hotel, Wadawurrung Country/Torquay
15 December 2024 – The Longley International, Nipaluna/Longley
20 December 2024 – Events Centre Caloundra, Cullowundoor/Caloundra
21 December 2024 – Twin Towns Services Club, Goodjinburra Country/Tweed Heads

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Skyscraper Stan Tackles Conspiracies With “Talk to Me”

Skyscraper Stan is spreading all the good vibes with his fabulous new single “Talk To Me.” If your day’s off to a rough start, this soulful little ditty is just the stuff to turn things around. Make sure you tap into those lyrics too which explore conspiracy theories and how we can help our nearest and dearest separate fact from fiction.

“I’ve had friends fall down the rabbit hole and it can be alarming. This tune is for anyone out there trying to save a loved one from the loonysphere,” he said. “Don’t turn your back on them. Have a chat. That might be all they need!”

Skyscraper Stan is currently touring around the country with his band The Commission Flats to celebrate the release of “Talk To Me.” Here are all the remaining dates:

29 November 2024 – Bergy Bandroom, Naarm/Melbourne (with Al Matcott + Quality Used Cars)
14 December 2024 – Smith’s Alternative, Ngambri/Canberra
15 December 2024 – Petersham Bowling Club, Eora/Sydney (with Charlie Finn and Band)
18 January 2025 – Grace Emily Hotel, Tarntanya/Adelaide

Image used with permission from Chris Familton Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Helen Shanahan Releases Beautiful Cover of Tim Minchin’s “The Aeroplane”

Tim Minchin’s well-recognised for his hilarious tunes and musical theatre contributions, but many people don’t realise he’s just an incredible songwriter, period. So I’m glad that fellow Western Australian Helen Shanahan is shining a light on one of his more serious, brilliant songs with her cover of “The Aeroplane.” Her voice has the perfect storyteller quality for this incredible track.

“The song resonates deeply with me, especially now, with my second baby due just weeks after its release,” Helen explained. “The lyrics, ‘any fuel or any fire will do / I will fly to you,’ carry a special meaning for me.”

Take a moment to properly listen to this one. Trust me, you don’t want to miss a lyric. It’s really something special.

Photo credit: Tanya Voltchayanska

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Have A Good Day and Drea Join Forces for “Floating”

Boorloo/Perth talents Have A Good Day and Drea have teamed up for a feelgood new single “Floating.” I love the retro 80s feel that the sax line gives this one. It’s a total bop.

Have A Good Day will bring their good vibes to Beerfest in Walyalup/Fremantle this Saturday, November 16. Catch them alongside Sneaky Sound System at Esplanade Park this weekend!

Photo credit: Marcus Wong

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kiwat Kennell Releases Powerful Single “The Moment”

Kiwat Kennell, a proud Eastern Torres Strait Islander musician from the islands of Ugar/Stephens and Erub/Darnley, has one of those voices that captures your attention from the first note. It’s so rich and textured, and perfectly showcased on his latest single “The Moment.” Kiwat was inspired to write the track after watching a friend struggle with their mental health.

“’The Moment’ is a song that speaks to the balance of fear-inducing anxiety that the future can bring, and the overwhelming depression of living in the past,” Kiwat explained. “Sometimes our thoughts speak so loud, we cannot see the other side of the coin we are currently spinning on.”

Kiwat cowrote this song with Joel Quartermain of Eskimo Joe. It’s one of several new tracks he’ll release in the near future.

“The Moment’ is my first single from a series of new works from my latest project, Love & Hate, a depiction of what life is like in this colony as a Black Man who was raised to respect law enforcement, whilst simultaneously witnessing the systemic injustices Indigenous people are faced with. This track is the beginning of something truly special,” he promised.

I love music with meaning, especially when it’s coming from a singer-songwriter that sounds this good. Needless to say, I’m pretty excited to hear what comes next!

Photo credit: Benny Clark

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fingerless Impress With Powerful Ballad, “Monster”

Fingerless’ new single “Monster” proves the old adage that the best things are worth the wait. This track has long been a highlight in the Meeanjin/Brisbane band’s sets for some time, but now the rest of the country gets to hear how good it is.

“It’s a pretty simple song, but a deeply personal one,” Fingerless frontman Marc Cheeseman said. “We’ve been playing this live for a long time, but I resisted recording it. Basically it’s about self-doubt. Maybe that’s why I didn’t want to record it…”

“Monster” is the latest track lifted from Fingerless’ as-yet-untitled fifth album. And the band’s already planning a sixth, which promises to see them experimenting with electronica. It sounds like we’ll have plenty of exciting and eclectic releases from this outfit in the future.

Photo credit: Jonny Pickvance

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wafia Releases Beautiful Single for Sister, “Say It To The Moon”

Wafia’s dreamy new single “Say It To The Moon” is the perfect antidote to the grind of the working week. Press play and just let your mind drift for a few minutes. I swear it’s more soothing than meditation.

Wafia said she wrote the song for her sister. Wafia writes from the perspective of the moon, which both Wafia and her sister would see at night, just from different vantage points.

“This is a song I wrote inspired by all the nights my little sister tried to call me from Brisbane
while I was in LA but she didn’t quite understand time zones,” Wafia explained. “I wanted to write her something from the perspective of the moon, in a way that made her feel like I was always listening and always there.”

“Say It To The Moon” is the latest track from Wafia’s debut album Promised Land, which will arrive on January 17.

Photo credit: Sherrie Garcia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angie Colman Wows Me With “Out of the Headlights”

Angie Colman has floored me with her new single “Out of the Headlights.” It’s such a dynamic, original track, with plenty of musical twists and turns and powerful, introspective lyrics.

Angie says the single “is about being directionless, untrusting, and cold for a long period of time and then meeting someone who’s unwavering kindness enables you to feel more whole again.”

She added that “The ‘headlights’ is an image that used to come to my mind of being frozen emotionally, riddled with fear that if I showed myself to people they would run me down and leave
me in the dark.”

“Out of the Headlights” comes from Angie’s forthcoming debut EP. If this song is any indication, that release will be something special. You might hear more music from it when Angie launches the single at The Bird in Noongar Country/Northbridge on November 30.

Photo credit: Sarah Gelmi