Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angus Legg Wows Me With “Drugs With My Friends”

Naarm/Melbourne singer-songwriter Angus Legg continues to impress with the release of his latest single “Drugs With My Friends.” Longtime readers will have heard me heaping praise on Angus’ music before … get ready to hear me do it all again. This song’s got a little more of an indie-pop vibe, but it’s anchored by the incredible lyrics that drew me in to Angus’ music. This track acts as a companion piece to “Spaceship,” which Angus released last year.

“‘Spaceship’ is about the sorrow surrounding the earliest stages of my breakup, whilst ‘Drugs With My Friends’ is representative of the genesis of my healing journey. The part where I realised I could begin to be myself again, reclaim my autonomy and freedom, simultaneously learning new things about myself,” Angus explained. “This is the exciting part of the healing journey with a chaotic counterpart, it can often be emotionally overwhelming and lonely, but mostly it’s playful and expressive.”

This is another stunner from Angus Legg. If he’s not already on your radar, he should be.

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The Folk Singer” – Kerryn Fields

Kiwi-born, Naarm/Melbourne based singer-songwriter Kerryn Fields has thoroughly captivated me with her new live EP The Folk Singer. This collection of songs is a powerful reminder of the value of simplicity.

In a world where music is often over-produced and over-manufactured, this EP really stands out. Kerryn presents these songs as purely as possible, typically just with her voice and an acoustic guitar. We hear a little harmonica now and again, but that’s it. No backing vocals, no ensemble of musicians, and definitely no studio wizardry. It’s so interesting that this approach is radical today, but I was so struck by the sound of the stillness in these recordings. When you strip away everything but what’s important, those crucial elements are left to shine. And shine they do. These songs are some of the most well-crafted I’ve heard in some time.

As the EP’s title suggests, this collection of songs focuses on the artist. I felt like I really got to know Kerryn through these songs. The EP starts with the title track, which establishes not just the EP’s genre but who Kerryn is as a performer. The tracks to come peel back the layers. The current single “Fork in the Road” is a heartbreaking response to a stranger questioning why she doesn’t have children. “Human Touch,” which explores the longing for human connection, also hits hard. After such deep material, Kerryn brings us back up with a more playful ditty, “I Know Nothing.” “Canadian Folk Song” has a similar upbeat feel, but its lyrics which capture a relationship lost resonate deeply. “Trains & Whistles” provides another perfect snapshot of a moment of connection. “Should I See You Again” brings the EP to a poignant close. It’s a song of love and longing, but also one of strength, of refusing to bend or break to fit into someone else’s mould.

I’ve listened to The Folk Singer several times over the last few days and every time I fall a little more in love with it. It’s an exceptional collection of songs that are honest, personal, and poetic. It’s available exclusively for fans on Kerryn’s Bandcamp page.

Image used with permission from Kerryn Fields

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fingerless Release Live Favourite, “Yes Today”

Meeanjin/Brisbane trio Fingerless have just dropped their epic new rock track “Yes Today.” This song has been a staple of the band’s live set for years, and now we finally get the chance to hear it in all its glory. Fingerless fans will notice it’s a little more mellow than the way the band play it on stage, but this take actually strikes the balance between the live version and the original home-recorded demo.

“The song is about being in emotional turmoil,” says Marc Cheeseman, the band’s lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter. “Going through something, but finding it really difficult to put that into words, to actually tell someone. “This line from Bram Stoker’s Dracula kept coming back to me while writing it – something about a ‘painted ship in a painted ocean’, it just fit so well and I felt that it summed up the feeling I was trying to put into the song.”

“Yes Today” is a classic psychedelic-inspired rocker that refuses to conform to modern standards. It’s been far too long since I’ve heard a rock track that runs longer than six minutes and has a killer guitar solo. I’m here for it.

Photo credit: Johnny Pickvance

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Band CAMINO @ The Metro, Eora/Sydney – 5 March 2024

I dragged my feet to see The Band CAMINO last night. The show was my third Tuesday night gig in as many weeks. I was off to The Metro, which really isn’t my favourite venue. They attract buzzy bands, but the sound quality is often subpar, the lighting feels like something from a Tim Burton film, and I’m too old for venues that don’t have a generous amount of seats. Any night out in Sydney usually means arriving home after 1am. I also wasn’t sure I was ready to switch gears after such an incredible time with Matchbox Twenty. But despite my reservations, I made another trip down the highway to Eora/Sydney. I am so glad that I did.

I swear, arriving to a line of 300 or so keen punters snaking around the block did nothing to quell my reservations. But then miraculously we found some seats by the bar, with a clear view of the stage, I got a Young Henrys in my hand, and I started to soften a bit. Support act Kian brought the energy, as did the crowd. I’d listened to a couple of his tracks on Spotify, but I think he’s much better in the live arena. He lapped up the enthusiasm of the crowd and was thoroughly enjoyable.

That crowd’s fervour hit another gear once The Band CAMINO took the stage, and didn’t the US band relish it. This was their first visit to Australia, one that was long-awaited if the audience’s reaction was anything to go by. They jumped around and sang out every lyric, whether the band played tracks from their new album The Dark or a song from their very first EP My Thoughts on You. This is the beauty of seeing a band at this stage of their careers. Plenty of people at the Matchbox Twenty shows probably enjoy singles on the radio so thought they’d come to the shows. I’m sure they had a great time, but most of them couldn’t match the enthusiasm of last night’s crowd. I love being a part of audiences like that, even if most of the punters there are less than half my age.

You can see the way the band appreciates it too. It must be surreal to travel half-way across the world, to a country you’ve never charted, to find such ardent support. They lapped it up and put on such a show. I found myself appreciating their musicianship more than ever before. The rock edge to their material came through a little more in the live space, with guitars taking precedence over the synths. Upbeat bangers dominated the set: I loved hearing songs like “1 Last Cigarette”, “Told You So”, and “What Am I Missing?” live. But honestly it was all so good.

I might have been reluctant to head into the city last night, but The Band CAMINO and their exceptional crowd made it easy to leave my misgivings at the door. I am so glad I pushed through that midweek funk, even if I am exhausted today!

Image source: own photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Oxford Art Factory Hosts ONES TO WATCH

The middle of the week is always a bit quiet on the gig-front, but it doesn’t have to be if you’re in Eora/Sydney. The Oxford Art Factory is hosting ONES TO WATCH Backed By VODAFONE tomorrow night, Wednesday, March 6. The event, hosted by Tait McGregor, showcases the talents of up-and-coming acts Phebe Starr, Adrian Dzvuke, and Chanel Loren.

ONES TO WATCH is a global phenomenon that’s helped launched the careers of acts like Dua Lipa, Halsey, and Olivia Rodrigo. Here at home, it’s been a valuable platform for acts like Teenage Joans, Forest Claudette, Carla Wehbe, Sophisticated Dingo, and Saint Lane.

“We’re thrilled to announce that Chanel Loren, Phebe Starr, and Adrian Dzvuke will be joining our upcoming Ones to Watch showcase in Sydney! We’ve been following these talented acts for some time now, so it’s fantastic to have them become part of the OTW platform,” said Paul Lynch of Live Nation Australia.

If you’d like to attend, simply send an email to rsvp@livenation.com.au to RSVP.

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gypsy Road Release Stellar Single, “The 7 Stages of Grief”

Naarm/Melbourne emo/post-punk act Gypsy Road have really impressed me with their latest single “The 7 Stages of Grief.” It’s a real emotional sucker punch, as any good song from this genre should be. But there’s a little more than that going on. When so many acts in this genre sound like they could be from anywhere, this track’s distinctly Australian sound really sets it apart. I also love the way that frontman Alex Centofanti’s raw voice sounds against the purer vocals from Peony Cain.

“This one is about mourning a breakup and feeling like someone you’ve loved has died,” Alex explained. “For the first time ever, we decided to include female vocals and screams, which was a new experience for us. I feel like it adds more depth to the intensity and passion.”

After releasing a trio of EPs, Gypsy Road are preparing to release their first album, Letters to a Friend, From Interstate. Listen out for it in the middle of the year.

Image used with permission from Ruckus PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

James Reyne Guitarist Josh Owen Impresses With “Hold Your Breath”

As a keen James Reyne fan, I’ve been impressed by the guitar prowess of Josh Owen for some time. So my hopes were high for the release of his new solo single, “Hold Your Breath.” Believe it or not, this bluesy rock is even better than I imagined.

If you like what you hear, strap yourself in for plenty more from Josh. He’ll release his debut album, As the Night Falls, in August. Before that he’s got a couple of headlining shows to support the singles. He’ll also play a solo set before rejoining James Reyne Band at all the upcoming Crawl File tour shows. Here’s everywhere you can see Josh in the coming months.

8 March 2024 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide (supporting James Reyne)
9 March 2024 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide (supporting James Reyne)
11 March 2024 – Anita’s Theatre, Dharawal Country/Thirroul (supporting James Reyne)
23 March 2024 – Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting James Reyne)
7 April 2024 – Northcote Social Club, Wurundjeri Country/Northcote (1pm single launch with Nick Barker)
11 April 2024 – Vanguard, Eora/Newtown (single launch)
12 April 2024 – Sunken Monkey, Darkinjung Country/Erina (supporting James Reyne)
13 April 2024 – Toronto Hotel, Awabakal Country/Toronto (supporting James Reyne – SOLD OUT)
27 April 2024 – The Forth Pub, Punnilerpanner Country/Forth (supporting James Reyne)
28 April 2024 – Longley Hotel, Muwinina Country/Longley (supporting James Reyne)
10 May 2024 – Dee Why RSL, Gadigal Country/Dee Why (supporting James Reyne)
11 May 2024 – Anita’s Theatre, Dharawal Country/Thirroul (supporting James Reyne)
24 May 2024 – Corowa RSL, Wiradjuri Country/Corowa (supporting James Reyne)
25 May 2024 – SS&A, Bungambrawatha/Albury (supporting James Reyne)
7 June 2024 – The Charles, Boorloo/Perth (supporting James Reyne)
8 June 2024 – The Charles, Boorloo/Perth (supporting James Reyne – SOLD OUT)
19 July 2024 – Moncrieff Entertainment Centre, Kabi Kabi Country/Bundaberg (supporting James Reyne)
20 July 2024 – Brolga Theatre, Kabi Kabi Country/Maryborough (supporting James Reyne)
26 July 2024 – Twin Towns, Bundjalung Country/Tweed Heads (supporting James Reyne)

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

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: own photos