Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melody Pool on Tour to Promote “Changing” Single

If the working week has ground you down, you’ve got to press play on Melody Pool’s gorgeous new single “Changing.” Listening to this uplifting folk track and its beautiful lyrics about evolution and growth, I instantly felt lighter.

Melody said the song “is really mostly about accepting that the only constant in life is change. ‘Changing’, to me, is about finding a way to make the heavy stuff worth it, allowing it to change you. And allowing the darkest parts of yourself their time in the light so you can hear their needs and shift them into a healthier space in your life.”

Melody embraced old-school techniques, recording “Changing” live as a band, to tape, with no isolation.

“The process seems to make everyone a little more on edge, which ups everyone’s game,” she enthused. “It’s a special thing to rely on each other throughout a take when you are all in the same room, but it helps you lean into everyone’s energy and I believe that’s where the magic happens.”

Fans living abroad can expect a little more of that magic when Melody kicks off a string of shows in Germany and England today. But don’t worry Aussie fans. She’ll be back with some local shows in Setepmber and October as she works towards the release of her third studio album.

23 August 2024 – Klein Klang Festival, Eisenach
24 August 2024 – Folk Im Viertel Festival, Osnabrück
30 August 2024 – Wohnzimmer Live I’m Piepenstock, Dortmund
1 September 2024 – Litfass, Bremen
3 September 2024 – Tonfink, Lübeck
4 September 2024 – MALT, London
6 September 2024 – Zur Scharfen Ecke, Sande
7 September 2024 – Filou Die Kneipe, Steinhude
25 September 2024 – Lyrics Underground, Boorloo/Perth
27 September 2024 – The York Festival, Ballardong Nyoongar Country/York
9 October 2024 – Jazzlab, Naarm/Melbourne
11 October 2024 – Trinity Sessions, Tarntanya/Adelaide
13 October 2024 – Smiths Alternative, Ngambri/Canberra
25-27 October 2024 – Nimbin Roots Festival, Whiyabul Country/Nimbin

Photo credit: Madeleine Becker

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Georgia Lines Ready for First Aussie Shows

Kiwi singer-songwriter Georgia Lines is making her visit to Australia next week to support her beautiful debut album The Rose of Jericho. I’ve returned to this album so many times since its release, and I fall a little more in love with it every time I hear it. Take a listen if you’re not already across it, because you don’t want to discover how good she is once she’s gone home!

“A few of you have been wondering when I’m coming across to finally play some shows in Australia,” she said. “I’m verrrryyyy excited to announce I’ll be jumping across the ocean and playing two shows for you very soon!”

In addition to those two headlining shows, Georgia will also appear at BIGSOUND. Check her out anywhere you can.

30 August 2024 – Waywards, Eora/Sydney
31 August 2024 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne
4 and 6 September, BIGSOUND, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sarah Blasko Releases “The Way” From Upcoming Album

It’s been six years since Sarah Blasko released her last album Depth of Field. I really appreciate it when artists take the time to find inspiration and craft music that matters. It’s always worth the wait. Just take a listen to Sarah’s latest single “The Way,” the opening track from her soon-to-be-released album I Just Need to Conquer This Mountain, and you’ll know I’m right.

“The Way” was inspired by Sarah’s strict religious upbringing and reflections on her decision to turn her back on her faith at the age of 17. “I had been feeling like turning my back on god may have contributed to misfortunes in my life,” she said. “Looking back upon the death of my mother, a failed marriage, and then a failed friendship during a time that felt like the apocalypse. Makes sense considering I was raised to believe in the apocalypse when I was a teenager.”

I Just Need to Conquer This Mountain sees Sarah exploring goodbyes, griefs, new beginnings, and an important friendship that underpinned her childhood. She says “This album was probably the most relaxed & free feeling record I’ve made.” Album preorders and presaves are currently available ahead of its November 1 release.

Photo credit: Mclean Stephenson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Velvet Bloom Releases Dreamy Soul Single, “My Love”

There’s nothing like some good classic-sounding soul music to make your day feel better. With her latest release “My Love,” Velvet Bloom delivers just that. This song pays tribute to the traditions of Motown, but it’s got some extra special sauce that helps keep things fresh.

Lead vocalist Maddy Herbert produced the track and engineered and mixed it with her long-time collaborator and bandmate Alex Marko to bring their artistic vision to life.

“‘My Love’ is about accepting and loving people for who they are, meeting them where they are at and growing together,” they explained. “We really wanted to capture that classic soul sound for this release, leaning into lots of techniques and production styles used by engineers in that era of music.”

The press release says this single “is the first taste of the band’s step into a new era of the project, carving out their celestial niche in the musical cosmos.” It’s a pretty grandiose statement, but if it means we get more music like this I’m here for it!

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hayley Mary Impresses With Latest Solo Effort, “The Lonely One”

In case you hadn’t heard, The Jezabels frontwoman Hayley Mary is gearing up to release her first solo album. But before she does, she’s dropped a fabulous new single, “The Lonely One”. This track has a cool retro feel that reminds me of strong female artists of the 80s like Chrissie Hynde, Kate Bush, and Annie Lennox.

Hayley co-wrote “the song”The Lonely One” at a house party with Reggie Goodchild of Confidence Man. She recalled “Goodchild and I started writing kinda by accident. We were partying and hanging out at the Con-man house a bit, and he had a few amazing demos that he thought would suit my 80s diva-style singing. We were jamming over this track, trying to flesh it out while everyone else was on the dance floor. It gave me the feeling of driving down a highway away from heartbreak, sadly but triumphantly.”

“The Lonely One” comes from Hayley’s solo album Roman XS, which drops on October 25.

Image used with permission from AAnthologies

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dylan Ollivierre Releases Debut Solo Single, “It’s Just a Shame”

Dylan Ollivierre, one-half of The Money War, is flexing his creative muscles with some new solo material. His debut single “It’s Just a Shame” is a fabulously nostalgic track with a cool Americana feel.

“The chorus just bubbled up one day when I was noodling on the guitar. It felt very personal, and I knew I had to go down the well myself to find the rest of the song and bring it to life,” Dylan said.

“It’s Just a Shame” was the first of several songs Dylan’s penned for an upcoming solo album. “The process of making these songs was as much for my own clarity and healing as it was about creating a song,” he explained.

Follow Dylan on Instagram to learn more about his solo material as his album release approaches.

Image used with permission from Blue Grey Pink

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nick Keogh Releases Comeback Single “Always Knew”

It’s been nearly two years since Nick Keogh graced us with new music, but it’s definitely been worth the wait. Listening to his bittersweet new single “Always Knew” has reminded me just how brilliant this Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter is. The track is a poignant exploration of heartbreak set to one of the catchiest melodies you’ll hear this year.

“I wrote ‘Always Knew’ looking back at a relationship and how I knew it was going to crush me,” Nick reflected. “For me, writing this song was a way for me to move past the heartbreak.”

“I really love making songs that are upbeat and something fun you could dance at a gig to but once you scratch away at the surface you see that there’s a whole lot of vulnerability lurking in the shadows,” he added.

After spending most of last year touring with his own band and as the guitarist for Suzi, Nick is fully focused on creating his next batch of new releases. Which of course means he won’t leave us waiting so long for the next single!

Photo credit: Chris O’Toole

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ama Impresses With “not ur fkn fan”

If you hoped for a happy ending after listening to Ama’s last single “How to Fall in Love,” I’m sorry to disappoint you. Her latest track “not ur fkn fan” was inspired by the same girl, so needless to say things didn’t go well!

While I’d hoped that the infatuation Ama captured so beautifully with her last release might blossom into something more, we would have missed out on this alt-pop belter. I love the way Ama’s emotions simmer under her delicate vocals. You can hear her frustration, and her heartache, with every line.

This song is still so fresh, but Ama’s already announced her follow-up “Sucks” will drop on August 23. Sounds like another angsty one from this Western Eora/Sydney talent. I can’t wait!

Image source: Ama’s website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Chainsmokers, Alesso, and More Headlining Palm Tree Music Festival

The weather warming up is a good reminder that sunshine’s just around the corner. And you know what that means. It’s time to start thinking about summer festivals. Before your social calendar gets crowded, I suggest locking in the Palm Tree Music Festival, which will make stops in the East Coast capitals this December. This year’s event is going to be epic, with The Chainsmokers, Alesso, Gryffin, Austin Millz, Daya, and Darley headlining. That lineup is already stacked, but there’ll be more announcements before these shows.

Alesso said “Can’t express how excited I am to come back to one of my favorite countries in the world. Every time I get invited back, it’s always a highlight of the year. Aussie crowds are no question one of the best and craziest crowds. I love audiences that aren’t shy to show their enthusiasm and ready to have a good time, plus, one of the funniest people I know is from Australia, and the seafood is awesome!”

“I’m so excited to play the Palm Tree Fest!! It’ll be my first time ever performing in Australia and to do it alongside so many old friends will be a dream,” added Daya. If she doesn’t get up and play “Don’t Let Me Down” during The Chainsmokers set, it’ll be a missed opportunity.

The first Palm Tree Music Festival went off last year, and you can almost guarantee organisers will take things up a notch this year. Get your tickets now before they sell out.

6 December 2024 – Sydney Showground, Eora/Sydney
7 December 2024 – Sandstone Point Hotel, Meeanjin/Brisbane
8 December 2024 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“In the Clear Light of Day” – The Holy Smoke

After eight years together, The Holy Smoke have called it a day. But not before releasing one more EP, In the Clear Light of Day. This five-track collection is a celebration of everything that makes this trio so special.

Something so magical happens when Karlee Rae, Delilah Rose, and Rose Parker sing together. Their harmonies are incredible and effortless. But you don’t just hear beauty as their voices come together. You hear their connection, which seems amplified by the recording process. It was mostly recorded live, sometimes through a shared mic, so it captures their spontaneous joy and unmistakeable bond so beautifully. I can almost hear them smiling as I listen to these songs.

These songs are the perfect selections. The Holy Smoke says they deal with “secret women’s business,” those concepts so many women struggle with but perhaps don’t talk about enough. I was so struck by the opening number “Little Light,” a song about stepping into your powers that so beautifully incorporates the timeless standard “This Little Light of Mine.” With just this one track, I was hooked. “Deeper Water” sees the trio resolving to keep moving forward, taking life’s challenges head-on and refusing to dwell on the mistakes of the past.

While the first two tracks celebrate internal strength, the EP’s heart comes from “My Mama.” We hear where the strength came from as we learn about the lessons passed down from generations. Its stunning acapella arrangement highlights the lyrics and The Holy Smoke’s incredible harmonies.

“Self Talk” is a courageous song about battling imposter syndrome. Hearing the trio tackle this song is inspiring. Imposter’s syndrome is a battle many face alone, but as the three voices come together it creates a shared understanding and resolve which is so powerful. This EP ends with the gentle piano ballad “Shine On,” which introduces us to a diverse cast of female-identifying characters telling their truths and forging their own paths. Exploring this central theme for The Holy Smoke through these characters is a beautiful way to end both this EP and the trio’s story.

In the Clear Light of Day is out now.

Photo credit: Bridget Julie-Anne