Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dermot Kennedy @ Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Eora/Sydney – 7 December 2023

As an Aussie Dermot Kennedy fan, I’ve felt incredibly blessed by his time in our country. A few weeks ago, I got the opportunity to see him play at the Doss House, a venue so small he didn’t even need to use a microphone. After this acoustic teaser, I got to see him again last week in the Sydney Opera House forecourt. While the room he played in the Doss House would have been lucky to hold 50 people, the Opera House forecourt holds thousands. And he sold it out. Twice.

It’s a testament to the quality of Dermot’s music that it can work in any setting. In a place like the Doss House, you can reflect on those personal lyrics. At the Opera House forecourt, backed by a full band, his words become battle cries. They come from such a deep place, and I was thrilled to yell them out as Dermot encouraged us to sing louder. Dermot is a performer that sings from his gut. He leaves nothing on the stage, delivering passionate vocals that connect and resonate.

The night was a fitting farewell to the promotion for Dermot’s album Sonder. Songs from his sophomore LP book-ended the set. While “Blossom” ends the album, it was a fantastic opener. Those newer songs were balanced by the old favourites from Without Fear. The fans who’ve been there from the beginning were even treated to “Glory,” from his debut EP, Doves and Ravens.

While I hold my memories of the Doss House show so close, it was missing one major thing for me: my husband. It was so special to see this show with him, to sing along to songs like “Outnumbered” and “Homeward” as we held hands and thought about how far we’ve come. I also thought about how lucky we were to do this during “Better Days,” a lockdown anthem that has now become so life-affirming. Last time I saw Dermot was at an indoor venue, so I didn’t feel comfortable removing my mask. Sitting on the steps of the Opera House, enjoying this fabulous music, the pandemic was the last thing on my mind. Instead, I revelled in singing the song together, to paraphrase the lyrics.

After experiencing the intimacy of the Doss House, I marvelled at the numbers who’d gathered for this show. While I always prefer a small gig, there’s certainly something special about coming together with so many people who are passionate about an artist’s music. Hearing our voices, seeing the lights of our phones, watching us move together to the beats of these songs we all carry in our hearts, was special. Doing it at an iconic place like the Sydney Opera House was the icing on the cake of this fantastic tour. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’ll miss having Dermot in our country, but we take some comfort knowing that he had such a great time that he probably won’t stay away for too long.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rosa Mack Wows Me With “When I’m Alone”

The release of “When I’m Alone,” the debut single from Meeanjin/Brisbane artist Rosa Mack shows she’s a force to be reckoned with. This is one of the strongest debuts I’ve heard in some time, a soaring, soulful number that effortlessly combines blues, soul, and jazz influences into a song that’s timeless, yet fresh. You’ll feel this one while you’re marvelling at her impressive pipes.

“’When I’m Alone’ reveals the tension of journeying from the confines of a toxic relationship into the liberating freedom of aloneness. The desire for connection is juxtaposed with desperation for solitude and inner peace, having found loneliness in partnership and empowerment through new-found independence,” Rosa explained. “’When I’m Alone’ is a reclamation of one’s self, defining and celebrating the distinction between loneliness and the joy of being alone.”

Rosa Mack and her seven-piece band have already played their last show of the year, but you’ll want to follow her on the socials to see what they do next.

Photo credit: Jax Oliver

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Bad Dad Orchestra Wow Me With “Birds of Prey”

The Bad Dad Orchestra are a bit of a local secret, beloved in their native Lutruwita/Tasmania but largely unknown on the mainland. Listening to their latest single “Birds of Prey,” which features Julian Moss, the song of living legend Ian Moss, I’m convinced they should be every bit as big as the Teskey Brothers. They’ve got a similar classic soulful sound, but for some reason they just haven’t broken through.

They’re hardly newcomers either. They’ve released three EPs since 2016 and received extensive support from community radio and ABC’s regional channels. They’ve even played top national festivals like Blues on Broadbeach, Caloundra Music Festival, and Queenscliff Music Festival.

The Bad Dad Orchestra deserve all the accolades. We’ve all been sleeping on them. That’s on us. I’m not sure when we’ll see them on the mainland next, but they’ve got a stack of gigs booked in their home state. Catch them anywhere you can:

9 December 2023 – Forth #151, Punnilerpanner Country/Forth
16 December 2023 – Royal Oak, Kanamuluka/Launceston
31 December 2023 – Beerfest NYE, Royal Park, Kanamuluka Country/Launceston
21 January 2024 – Tamar Valley Festival, Kinimathatakinta/George Town
28 January 2024 – Mona Lawns @ Mona, Nipaluna/Hobart
2 February 2024 – Festival of King Island, Erobin/Currie
8-11 February 2024 – Party in the Paddock @ Quercus Park, Kanamuluka Country/Carrick
24 February 2024 – Love It Music Festival, Kanamuluka Country/Sassafras
2 March 2024 – Spoke Music Festival, Paredarerme Country/Swansea
3 March 2024 – Shearwater Resort, Tommeginne/Shearwater (supporting Rose Tattoo)
16 March 2024 – Forth Valley Blues Festival, Punnilerpanner Country/Forth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Neilson Releases Feelgood Folk Ditty, “Lifted”

Former Standby Empire frontman Tom Neilson has totally reinvented himself, trading in his electronic music for sweeter folk-pop sounds. After listening to his latest single “Lifted,” I can’t imagine him doing anything else. This is such a heartwarming number that celebrates the people whose love helps us move through this thing called life.

“Love. Life. Hope and loss. ‘Lifted’ is my ode to our resilient beating hearts. Our connection to one another. Our intrinsic willingness to love again and again,” Tom explained. “It’s love in the face adversity, love in the face of doubt, love in that face of fear and love in face of pain. From gentle beginnings this song builds towards its joyful finale, a celebration of our loving hearts and their capacity to lift us all.”

Take a listen and I swear you’ll feel better about the world. And maybe feel inspired to call some of the special people in your life. I hear Tom has plenty of new music ready to go, so make sure you follow him on the socials to learn all about it as soon as it drops.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Andy Martin Charms With “I Don’t Wanna Go Out”

Andy Martin has just dropped his fabulous new single “I Don’t Wanna Go Out” It’s an upbeat indie-pop earworm that should strike a chord with anyone who’s felt hibernating at home was the best option!

“I wrote ‘I Don’t Wanna Go Out’ back in February last year. Due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19, I began getting more and more socially anxious and I wrote this song around that central theme,” Andy recalled. “I’m constantly stuck in my head and when I wrote this, I felt stuck in my house as well (but didn’t know what to do). I feel like some people will be able to relate to this one closely. It’s hooky, fun, and playful, and Aidan [Hogg, producer] and Brock [Weston, mastering] really brought this one to life!”

Fresh from supporting PAIGE and Pacific Avenue, Andy will embark on a quick tour to support the recent release of “I Don’t Wanna Go Out”. All shows are free, so there’s no excuse for staying home in your PJs!

8 December 2023 – Solbar, Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country/Sunshine Coast (FREE)
9 December 2023 – The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane (FREE)
17 December 2023 – Hotel Brunswick, Durring/Brunswick Heads (FREE)

Photo credit: Darcy Goss

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ella Haber Releases Beautiful Single “My Father” Ahead of EP Launch

Multi-talented Eora/Sydney based artist Ella Haber has just dropped her breathtaking new single “My Father.” This is the lead single for Ella’s EP Moments Between Dreams, to be released on February 16. It sets the tone, as one of six songs conceptualised and written entirely on bedroom pianos that explore the theme of familial love.

“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,” Ella recalled. Of the EP, she says “It represents a maturation in songwriting and production for me as an artist. I feel the scope of my songwriting has expanded significantly on this record, much past the confines of Clay. The record draws from folk, indie, pop and rock but still to me is founded in the bedrock of soul and jazz.“

While the EP will have a digital release, it’s always much better to have something to hold. Ella will release her EP on standard vinyl and a limited-edition clear vinyl. Both are available to preorder now.

Photo credit: Thea Elder

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harley Alaska Releases Stellar Pop Single, “Deja Vu”

Eora/Sydney bedroom pop act Harley Alaska has impressed me with his latest single “Déjà Vu.” This upbeat bop is absolutely infectious, in the best possible way.

“I loved the idea of writing a song about the saying ‘right place, wrong time’ but in a really tangible way – like this house is THE house / the right place, but I can’t tell whether the time I’m here is the right one – and it’s messing with me,” Harley said. “It’s like, when the person you’re with keeps reminding you of someone from your past, what does that mean? Is that a good or bad thing?”

“Déjà Vu” came out of a fairly intense period for Harley following an ADHD diagnosis. He spent the time honing his songwriting while adjusting his sleep schedule, habits, and medications to find the right combination.

“Being told I had ADHD didn’t feel too crazy at the time, but the ways in which that knowledge has changed my life since then has been actually quite profound,” Harley explained. “All these habits and behaviours are things that have been compounded over the years of my life… Now I understand so much of my self-sabotaging was essentially the result of parts of my brain. Having that knowledge means I can allow more freedom in where a song goes and how I feel about it – to me, there is nothing standing in my way anymore.”

“Déjà Vu” and Harley’s previous single, “Lose You Too”, are both set to appear on his EP, which is due next year.

Photo credit: Sam Cooper

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alex Lahey and Gordi Launch Over Our Dead Body

We’ve all heard the collective frustration of artists who say it’s so difficult to break into the industry. Now Alex Lahey and Gordi are doing something about with the launch of their live music initiative, Over Our Dead Body.

“We keep hearing the same thing – it’s harder than ever to break artists in Australia at the moment. Triple J’s Australian Artist Survey showed that nearly half of all Australian artists have thought about quitting the industry in the last few years, in part because there aren’t enough opportunities to perform. So, we started thinking – what can more established artists do to help lift up emerging artists?” the pair said.

Every Wednesday night leading up to Christmas you can enjoy artist-curated residency events at Shotkickers in Naarm/Melbourne. Here’s the full line-up; get out and support these artists and this cool initiative if you can:

6 December 2023 – June Jones, Katie Dey, The Vovos (curated by Georgia Maq)
13 December 2023 – Pisco Sour, Obscura Hail, Leo (curated by Gordi)
20 December 2023 – The Belair Lip Bombs, Eaglemont, Harris (curated by Alex Lahey)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ellie Lovegrove Releases Debut Single “I’m Gonna Fly” Featuring Archie Roach

When we lost Archie Roach last July, we lost one of the country’s great talents. He might be gone, but there are plenty of new exciting projects that keep his memory alive. I’ve already told you about all the incredible songs released as part of the Singing Our Futures initiative developed by the Archie Roach Foundation. All those songs saw established First Nations artists performing with up-and-coming Indigenous acts they mentored. Mentorship was something Archie was so passionate about, so it’s only fitting that we get to hear his voice one last time duetting with Ngarrindjeri singer-songwriter Ellie Lovegrove on her beautiful debut single, “I’m Gonna Fly.”

“After sharing some time touring with Uncle Archie and listening to his stories, I had commuted back to Adelaide and written the song in a time of deep reflection,” Ellie recalled. “With just the first verse and the chorus, I wasn’t sure as to where to go next and humbly asked if Uncle Archie would be interested in hearing what I had and if he would be interested in collaborating on the piece. I had no expectations, if anything I just wanted to share with him as he had with me and I was deeply taken back when I was told Uncle had included a verse to the song. To then be able to intertwine our voices together in the last chorus was a really special moment for me. ‘I’m Gonna Fly’ is a song I wrote about breaking free from things I felt were holding me back from being true to myself. It’s about personal growth and being in alignment with my miwi (Spirit) and trusting that despite the trials and tribulations I may face, if I am true to myself and my spirit, I will prosper, spiritually, mentally and therefore physically. This song is very sentimental, and it is about growth, letting go and overcoming those heavy feelings change can bring. I feel as though it will create a life of its own as different people interpret the lyrics to their own circumstances.”

If you’re an Archie fan (and let’s face it, who isn’t?) you should also get yourself a copy of Songs from the Kitchen Table, a new book commemorating the lives of Archie Road and his beloved Ruby Hunter through songs, stories, photographs and tributes. It’s also out now.

Photo credit: Archie Roach – Phil Nitchie https://www.threads.net/@nitchphotography
Photo credit: Ellie Lovegrove – Colleen Stangways https://www.instagram.com/nharla_photography/

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Order of Owls Get Real With “Speak Up”

Naarm/Melbourne alt-rock act Order of Owls have fired me up with their latest single “Speak Up.” In just their second release, Order of Owls show they can release anthemic rock tracks with the best of them. The band drew on their own experiences battling depression to create a vivid picture of how mental health struggles can impact your worldview.

“Depression isn’t just a feeling of bad, it’s an exhausting cycle of dis-regulation,” said the band’s guitarist, Nathan M. “Feeling fine or even euphoric at one point and utterly hollow at another. Vacillating between these extremes in a debilitating parade of moments towards an erosion to the sense of self. Preferring the allure of a permanent ends to a seemingly endless drudgery. An inability to find any breadcrumbs leading back to connection with others.”

“My goal is to put into words what others struggle to articulate. Help them realise that they are not alone in the way they feel and encourage them that it’s okay to seek help so they can become their best selves,” added vocalist Tim L. “The amount of time and work that might be required will seem like a small trade for the reward of happiness and finding mechanisms towards those ends is the strongest thing a person can do. Doing so myself provided a mechanism that has vastly improved handling my day to day.”

The band has also put together a fabulous music video, conceived by bassist Johnny M, which puts the lyrics of “Speak Up” front and center. I love this release, not just because of how it sounds but also what it says. Great work from Order of Owls.

Image used with permission from Order of Owls