Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bully Hay Impressed Ahead of Album Release

With his new album set for release tomorrow, I figured it was about time I put Bully Hay on your radar. He recently released the song “Bushfire Moon,” inspired by the bushfires that tore through Paredarerme Country/Dunalley in Tasmania a few years ago. It tells the fictional love story of a firefighter searching for his love amongst the devastation around him. You know how the greats like Paul Kelly and Bruce Springsteen can sing you a song about fictional characters but there’s so much truth in their voices that you believe it all? Bully’s exactly like that.

“The fire wiped out most of the Tasman Peninsula and caused a lot of damage and disruption,” Bully recalled. “It ended up cutting off a lot of people from the rest of the island to the point where people could only get on and off the peninsula by boat. So, the community had to band together to get help to those that needed it. It felt like just about anyone that had a boat was ferrying supplies and people back and forth for days because the roads were all blocked with debris from the fires. I had this fictional story in my head inspired by those events of a volunteer firefighter right in the thick of it, fighting the fires and totally exhausted. At some point he knows it’s a lost cause. The situation is hopeless and too far gone and he needs to get out of there. All he can think of is finding his love and he sets out, determined to find her amongst all the chaos.”

“Bushfire Moon” comes from Bully’s album Black Dogs & Songbirds, which drops tomorrow. Inspired by artists as diverse as Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine, Jeff Buckley, Crowded House, and the Tea Party (Jeff Martin even recorded and mixed all the songs on this LP), it’s sure to be an interesting listen.

Photo credit: Eden Meure

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dana Gehrman Delights With “Let It Be You”

If you’re one of those old-school music fans who complain that all the best stuff is behind us, Dana Gehrman’s new single “Let It Be You” might just change your tune. Her sound is a total throwback to the 70s, in the best possible way. This song sounds like an instant classic, soulful, sultry, and incredibly smooth.

Dana has just wrapped up a string of cool shows including playing support for Charlie Musselwhite and gracing the Dashville Festival stage. While she’s taking some downtime for now, I can’t imagine she’ll be off the road for too long. Until then, make sure you give this song a spin.

Image used with permission from Jo Corbett Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joan & The Giants Channel the Rage With “How Could You?”

Everything Joan & The Giants touch seems to turn to gold, and their latest single is no exception. “How Could You?” is a fabulous indie-rock track that perfectly encapsulates the heartache that comes with a major betrayal.

“When a person breaks all the trust you once had in them it isn’t just sad, it’s completely chaotic,” vocalist Grace Newton-Wordsworth shared. “I was going through life still doing all the things I have to do like working multiple jobs, playing shows, seeing friends and family – whilst internally, I was screaming.”

If you love their music and want to get your hands on some exclusive merch, preorder a copy of their new limited edition vinyl. There’ll be just 100 copies of this exclusive 7-inch featuring Joan & The Giants and Seb Szabo’s Baked Sessions recorded in Collingwood in June. Pre-order a copy here to make sure you don’t miss out when they’re released on November 8. That same day they’ll also be part of Western Australia’s massive Blues at Bridegtown festival, which runs from November 8 to 10.

Photo credit: Isabelle Haubrich Photography

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

All Regards Tease New EP With “FALLBACK” Single

With a new EP scheduled for release next week, there’s no better time to tune in to All Regards’ monster new single “FALLBACK.”

“’FALLBACK’ is about hoping you’ve gotten away from your demons, whether that’s a toxic relationship with yourself, a friend, or a substance, but knowing deep down that you haven’t,” the band explained. “It’s about the feeling of knowing that despite your efforts or intentions, you’re going to fall right back into the same self-destructive patterns and being kind of resigned to it.”

All Regards’ new EP ALL OUR DREAMS TURN TO NIGHTMARES drops on November 1. All Regards will officially launch the EP with a show for hometown fans at Bergy Bandroom on November 22.

Photo credit: Act Four Photography

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dustyn Releases Spinetingling Solo Single, “Right Where You Are”

I have got chills listening to “Right Where You Are,” the first solo single from Tarntanya/Adelaide-based artist Dustyn. This is so good, soulful with a stirring, cinematic quality and one of the best falsettos you’re ever likely to hear.

“I was inspired by the moment in Wizard of Oz where Dorothy steps out of the fallen house and into munchkin land for the first time. As she opens the door to the technicolour world, the sound of the wind is an incredible vocal arrangement, alluding to different melodies and hook lines from the rest of the soundtrack. The way the vocals moved like the wind always blew me away and I wanted to emulate that somewhere in this song. So in the moment right before the final chorus I arranged my vocals in a similar way so that it feels like the song steps back into technicolour for the end.”

You might remember Dustyn’s voice from his time fronting Wanderers. It’s so exciting to hear the incredible music he’s making now on his own. And there’s more to come. “Right Where You Are” is the first track lifted from Dustyn’s debut EP, Midnight Movements.

Photo credit: Michelle Grace Hunder

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ziggy Alberts Releases Acoustic Charmer, “Where Does the Love Go?”

Ziggy Alberts has thoroughly charmed me with his gorgeous new single “Where Does the Love Go?” I’m not sure whether I love its laidback acoustic vibes or insightful lyrics that ruminate on the importance of self-love more!

“It’s a song I wrote about wondering where does the love go, when it’s not us? It’s a question I was asking myself when I was feeling a lack of self-love,” Ziggy explained. “Now that I’ve thought about it more, I think love disappears unless we embody it. And it is the responsibility of humanity, wherever possible, to keep it alive.”

“Where Does the Love Go?” comes bundled with a couple more tracks from Ziggy’s forthcoming album New Love, which drops on February 21. Listening to them all has definitely made me anticipate this release. Ziggy has a few shows coming up in Japan, but hopefully it won’t be too long before he’s playing shows for local audiences. If you’re in Japan, here are all the details.

26 October 2024 – Overview Coffee Ichinomiya, Chiba (FREE)
30 October 2024 – Nagoya Shangri-La, Nagoya (SOLD OUT)
31 October 2024 – Shibuya Club Quattro, Shibuya City (supporting Donavon Frankenreiter)
1 November 2024 – Umeda Shangri-La, Osaka (SOLD OUT – supporting Donavon Frankenreiter)

Photo credit: Janneke Storm

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

BESTIES and Yours Truly Drop “love bombs”

BESTIES have teamed up with Yours Truly for a truly epic new single, “love bombs.” This pop-punk-rock tune is the second song lifted from BESTIES’ forthcoming three-track EP, which will drop on November 23.

The track came out of some songwriting sessions between BESTIES and viral sensation Ula late last year, but it wasn’t fully realised until BESTIES guitarist Nat Sherwood went on tour with Yours Truly. They entered the studio together and rewrote, produced, and perfected it to sound like the killer release it is today.

“I loved working with Besties,” Mikaila Delgado of Yours Truly said. “Nat has worked with my band Yours Truly on live shows and even co-wrote on our new record so it was awesome to be involved in something for his project. I really believe in them so it was great to be a small part of their big journey.”

BESTIES will perform “love bombs” and other favourites for am//pm’s Halloween shows in the coming weeks. If they’re not coming to your hometown or you missed out on tickets, don’t stress. The band’s promising more gigs in 2025.

25 October 2024 – King Street Bandroom, Mulubinba/Newcastle
26 October 2024 – The Burdekin, Eora/Sydney (SOLD OUT)
2 November 2024 – The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from Capital Artist Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rocking New Terra Rouge Track Up for Song of the Year

Feeling a little angsty today? Then you’re going to love “Couch Song,” the latest track from Naarm/Melbourne-based rock princess Terra Rouge.

Don’t let its name fool you. This track is an energetic number with crunchy guitar chords and some biting lyrics from Terra. It’s an empowerment anthem that sends a big “fuck you” to her ex. Loving it!

If you love it as much as me, make sure you head to the Melbourne District Music Awards Insta page and click the voting link. Terra is up for song of the year, an honour she richly deserves for this one! Locals can also see her live at Terra Rouge’s Halloween House Party on October 31. The venue’s yet to be announced, but tickets are available now through Eventbrite.

Image used with permission from Ruckus PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sadie Mustoe Releases Relatable New Single, “I Find You Interesting”

I am lucky enough to be married to an interesting man. We’re 17 years into that marriage, but he still fascinates me. He’s also a bit more reserved than I am, a man of few words if you will, which probably keeps the mystery going. So “I Find You Interesting,” the latest single from Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Sadie Mustoe, has really struck a chord with me.

“‘I Find You Interesting’ was written in April last year when I was sick with a cold and itching to sing and write. Every moment that happens in this song I can picture in my head because the images are what I started with. Someone sitting at a bar, in a cinema, a locket necklace around their neck. To me, the song is incredibly visual,” Sadie explained. “The story ended up becoming one about curiosity. Centering around someone who is introverted, mysterious, and potentially a little lonely and the narrator who finds them so interesting yet struggles to form a connection.”

Sadie will play Maldon Folk Festival, which runs from November 1-4, and then a show for hometown fans at The Workers Club on December 21.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jesse Marantz Releases Pop Bop, “Feel Good ’24”

If you’re anything like me, you need a little something to get moving on this Monday. Where I am the weather’s gloomy and I’d much rather be snuggled up with a book and a blanket than doing anything productive. When that kind of inertia strikes, upbeat pop is always my go-to. Jesse Marantz is hitting the spot with his latest single “Feel Good ’24.”

This track, featuring vocals from Renee A, is so much fun and irresistibly catchy. We shouldn’t be surprised it’s an earworm though, as Jesse is behind major ad campaigns for Reebok, BMW, Myer, Subaru, Uber, and heaps more. It’d be easy to rake in the coin for jingles, but Jesse is ready to focus on music that reflects his artistry.

“I’m at a stage in my life where I’d like to get some of my songs out there and have a body of work that represents me and something I can look back on and be proud of,” he said. “Also, I’ve got two kids and I don’t want them growing up knowing me as only ‘that guy with that one song in the Myer ads’, if I can avoid it.”

The release of “Feel Good ‘24” is definitely a good way to convince us Jesse has much more than ad music in him!

Image used with permission from Hunger Digital