Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paige Valentine Celebrates Life of Late Friend With “Cloud Dancing”

Songs dealing with grief are often sombre affairs, but Western Australian singer-songwriter Paige Valentine has flipped the script with her latest single, “Cloud Dancing.” Written after the loss of a close friend, this song celebrates moving through grief and reconnecting with the experiences that give you joy.

“The power of her friendship will never leave me,” Paige confirmed. “She loved swimming so much, living across the road from one of the most beautiful beaches in Western Australia…When she found out she couldn’t swim anymore it absolutely crushed her. She asked me to swim every day for her. We knew she had a few months left. So, rain, hail and shine I drove to the nearest beach daily. Often it was beautiful, but some days I had to laugh as I was trotting down into the freezing cold Southern Ocean cursing her name that she wanted me to swim. It turned out to be the best therapy and it was a way I could connect with her from afar.

“When I returned home after her funeral, I didn’t want to go to the beach, I didn’t want it to be real…After some time, I felt I should return. I was ready. When I walked over the hill to get to the ocean, I saw something I’d never seen before. From the furthest corner of the sky to the other, one amazing, beautiful cloud, with all the lights running through it, it took up the entire sky like a blanket. When I went to the sea I looked up from the water and it was the most incredible sight. I felt so held by the water and the sky. I thought to myself, I bet she’s dancing up there. Cloud Dancing.”

This is such a fun, optimistic song with real heart. It marks a bit of a sonic shift for Paige, whose music doesn’t normally have such a pop vibe, but I appreciate her evolution. She’ll play a stack of shows in the coming months. Check her out at all these venues:

8 August 2023 – Sofar Sounds @ Escape Reality – Escape Rooms Newcastle, Mulubinba/Newcastle
10 August 2023 – Sofar Sounds, Gadigal/Sydney
11 August 2023 – Sofar Sounds @ humii, Woolyungah/Wollongong
13 August 2023 – Sofar Sounds @ Sounds of Melbourne, Naarm/Melbourne
2 September 2023 – Beats in the Bay, Gutharraguda/Shark Bay
11 September 2023 – Wildflower Festival, Wudjari/Ravensthorpe
8 October 2023 – Out of the Woods Festival, Walyalup/Fremantle
25 November 2023 – Balmy Nights Festival, Kepa Kurl/Esperance

Image used with permission from Nettwerk Music Group; credit: Cedric Tang

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

LANY @ Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney – 6 August 2023

We’ve all got those bands we wish we knew when they were playing tiny venues. We rarely get the chance for a do-over, but LANY treated Aussie fans to just that when they decided to return to the very first venues they played in this country last weekend. The shows were announced less than a week before they happened and LANY fans were quick to jump on the very limited tickets. I couldn’t quite believe I scored two, especially when I read that they sold out in minutes.

The Oxford Art Factory has a listed capacity of 500, but I’m not sure it held even that. It certainly felt very intimate as we shuffled into this warehouse-style room for the show. There was such a buzz in the air, like we all knew how special this was going to be. And special it was. A short, stripped-back set that celebrated the new material while paying homage to their back catalogue. The tracks from LANY’s upcoming album, i really really hope so, came out early. The beautiful thing about playing such a small gig before an album release is that the people that are there love you. They won’t criticise you like those Red Hot Chilli Peppers fans who wanted the old favourites. They’ll be thrilled to hear these songs live for the first time. And they’ll sing along to every damn word. Even to “XXL”, which dropped on Friday. The smile on lead singer Paul’s face as we joined him in those new lyrics was everything.

This was always advertised as a half-hour show, so I wondered what old favourites might make the cut. When you’re performing for such die-hard fans, you really get the opportunity to play anything that moves you after all. Fittingly for this venue, LANY took it right back, playing “pink skies” from the kinda EP and “Super Far,” “13”, and the predictable but perfect closer, “ILYSB”, from their self-titled debut album. I tried to hang onto every moment, but soon enough the fans down the front were throwing roses on the stage and Paul was assuring us they’d be back early next year. I can’t wait. Until then, I’ll hold my memories of this very special night in Eora/Sydney with LANY close to my heart.

Image source: own photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

bella amor Drops Tinder-Inspired Bop, “does it get boring”

I’ve often said to my husband that I’m so glad we’re happily coupled up, because I’d hate to go back to the dating pool. We met online, but long before it was mainstream. While we had our challenges living on opposite sides of the world, it almost seems easier than trying to find a real connection online today. “Does it get boring,” the latest single from bella amor, provides another reminder that I’m super lucky to have the relationship I’m in. But this indie-pop song with edge is one hell of a tune!

“This song is about someone I met on Tinder and was seeing casually on and off,” bella explained. “They always complained about being single and never finding love but they were very self-destructive. They had people lining up at their feet and it made me question if it was boring doing the same old thing but longing for something else. And that’s how ‘does it get boring’ was created, out of a genuine curiosity.”

Bella amor will play The Lansdowne Hotel in Eora/Sydney on August 24. It’s a free gig, but you can RSVP via Moshtix.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bronte Alva Lays Past Bare With “Taylor Swift”

Dharawal/Wollongong-based indie-rock artist Bronte Alva has wowed me with her new single “Taylor Swift.” It’s a deeply personal song that recounts Bronte’s own experiences dating someone ten years her senior as a teenager.

She says the song captures “Heartbreak and growing pains within the power imbalance of dating an older man in my teens. I was 17. He was 27. He was my gym instructor. A week before my 18th birthday he ghosted me. I felt angry, sad, betrayed, played, manipulated and pretty damn stupid. It wasn’t until later with a lot of reflection that I realised it wasn’t my fault. One song in particular that connected to me was ‘All Too Well’ by Taylor Swift. It follows her reminiscing on her experiences dating an older man and all that comes with it. I wrote the song when I was 18, ruminating and reminiscing on the experience. It taught me my worth and ultimately those were growing pains that got me to where I am.”

Bronte has a stack of gigs coming up. Catch her at the following venues:

11 August 2023 – Botany View Hotel, Gadigal/Sydney
18 August 2023 – The Basement, Ngunnawal/Canberra
19 August 2023 – The Alley Band Room, Gadigal/Sydney
20 August 2023 – Icebreaker Festival, Gadigal/Sydney
26 August 2023 – Stag and Hunter, Mulubinba/Newcastle
1 September 2023 – Klok Fest @ La La La’s, Dharawal/Wollongong
14-15 October 2023 – Yours & Owls Festival, Dharawal/Wollongong

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joan & The Giants Impress With “Sleep Alone” Single

I think Joan & The Giants are one of the best bands on the local music scene. I seem to fall a little more in love with them with every release. “Sleep Alone” is no exception. If you’re yet to discover how brilliant this band is, let yourself get swept up in this dreamy rock ballad. Vocalist and songwriter Grace Newton-Wordsworth said the song was inspired by the repression she felt growing up.

“I loved most of my childhood, but there were definitely some difficult times where I felt quite trapped in my body – I grew up in a loving but intense Christian home and while I still hold onto a lot of the core kind values, there were some parts of my childhood experience that were incredibly suffocating,” she admitted. “I spent years hiding my sexuality, and parts of myself that I still struggle to be open with. The line ‘You take me back to when I was a kid, begging for someone to save me. It leaves me frozen, trapped in the morgue again’ – I feel like sometimes relationships can bring a lot of sadness to the surface of things you’ve been holding onto your whole life. When you finally meet someone who you open up to, a lot of wounds can be opened with that.”

Joan & The Giants are just about the wrap up their first headlining tour, but you can catch the at their final show tomorrow night at The Bird in Boorloo/Perth.

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Ashlyn Burley

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kee’ahn & Emma Donovan Team Up For First Archie Roach Foundation Single

Australia lost one of its brightest stars when it lost Archie Roach last year. But his legacy lives on through the Archie Roach Foundation Singing Our Futures program, which pairs emerging First Nations artists with Indigenous mentors. The first release from the program is “Take No More,” a powerful collaboration by up-and-coming North Queensland talent Kee’ahn and acclaimed Indigenous singer Emma Donovan. It’s a true First Nations anthem celebrating how elders across time have stood strong in the face of ongoing challenges so that hopefully the path will be easier for future generations.

“We started writing ‘Take No More’ around Invasion Day Jan 26th. Both of us were feeling a lot of emotions that come with the date and feeling inspired by grassroots mob who organise to educate and liberate our peoples,” Kee’ahn recalled. “We spoke about how our leaders across generations stand strong and staunch against ongoing challenges, the act of carrying the torch forward passed down from your elders so our future generations can do the same or ideally won’t have to at all. We spoke about solidarity and how liberation is a joint fight with many hands needed. It also feels like this song has grown over the year, during which time beautiful Black leaders and changemakers have passed on into dreaming – this song feels dedicated to them. To Uncle Archie Roach and Aunty Ruby Hunter and to Uncle Jack Charles. They inspire me/us to sing our truth for our past, present and futures.”

“Take No More” is the first track lifted from the Singing Our Futures EP, which will drop later this year.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Jacinta Keefe

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sonora Studios Launches on the Central Coast

I’m pretty proud of my part of the world, so I’m always excited to hear of new developments on the Central Coast. The latest is the launch of Sonora Studios, the brainchild of acclaimed Aussie producer Jack Nigro. Jack’s worked with talents like DMA’s, Dune Rats, The Amity Affliction, Middle Kids, and stacks more, so it’s exciting to hear he’s set up shop here on the Coast.

His Sonora Studios is a two-story, purpose-built recording facility featuring Sound Space A’, an impeccably treated live room, alongside ‘Sound Space B’, a secondary production and mixing space. It hosts world-class recording equipment, including hardware from Neumann, Avalon, SSL, and Universal Audio, and in-house backline from Orange, VOX, Fender, Ampeg, and a 1975 Ludwig drum kit. In other words, it’s got the goods.

“Building my own studio was something I first wanted to do when I was about 15 years old,” Jack said. “Having my own space that I, and hopefully others, love creating in every day is a very special experience. I have always liked studios to feel relaxed, intimate and calm. I feel like this is the best environment to foster creativity and become completely immersed in what you are doing. We built the studio to cater for bands to be able to record live, a process I find very important for many of the artists I work with, and ensured our main live room space has a lively, organic sound to best capture acoustic instruments.”

Sonora Studios also offers mixing and mastering services. You can learn more about Sonora Studios, including how to use its services, at the website.

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Machine on a Break Releases Strong Single “Honestly”

Meeanjin/Brisbane act Machine on a Break has made a big impression on me with her latest single “Honestly.” It’s bold and epically cinematic with lyrics that really speak to the heart.

“Honestly is about finding out your partner holds wildly different political views to yourself, those which you consider to be harmful,” she explained. “I wrote ‘Honestly’ as I was realising, I wasn’t going to be able to stay in the relationship and I think differences of opinion are important for us to grow as people, but being closed-minded about topics that have the ability to be harmful to others is where I take issue. I was so genuinely blindsided by his opinions when he first told me because he seemed like such an open-minded person and politics had just never come up in our earlier conversations. I’ve learned my lesson and I always ask early on when I’m getting to know someone now.”

Machine on a Break shot the single’s video with director and editor Luke Agius.

“The storyline is a fight playing out via a game of chess after my partner reveals he has a different political view by the addition of a blue tie to his outfit while we are out together. I am wearing red to symbolise an opposing political view.”

Machine on a Break will support Wicked Envy at The Duke of Enmore in Eora/Sydney on August 11. It’s a free gig, so if you’re local there’s no excuse for missing it.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sarah Yagki Raises Mental Health Awareness With New Single “Just Like Me”

Eora/Sydney alternative-pop artist Sarah Yagki has just dropped a powerful new single “Just Like Me.” Make sure you listen to the lyrics which come from such a personal place.

“The song is written about my experiences watching a friend last year harm themselves in a manic episode and raises awareness for mental health and suicide prevention,” Sarah explained. “The song explores watching a loved one go through their lowest points of mental health and trying not to lose yourself in the process of helping them.”

Sarah is so committed to the cause that when she launched the single recently at Oxford Art Factory, she donated more than $1,000 in ticket sales to Beyond Blue. Don’t worry if you missed it; Sarah is playing a stack of shows all around the country in the coming months:

5 August 2023 – The Front, Ngunnawal/Canberra
6 August 2023 – Birdhouse, Wiradjuri Country/ Wagga Wagga
18 August 2023 – Kelly’s on King, Eora/Sydney (supporting Abbey Lane)
31 August 2023 – Beach Hotel, Cavanbah/Byron Bay
1 September 2023 – Finnian’s Irish Tavern, Guruk/Port Macquarie
2 September 2023 – Flow Bar, Biripi Country/Old Bar
3 September 2023 – Sauce Brewery, Eora/Sydney
6 September 2023 – UNSW, Eora/Sydney
10 September 2023 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane
20 September 2023 – The Hamilton Station, Mulubinba/Newcastle
21 September 2023 – Royal Bondi, Eora/Sydney
28 September 2023 – The Old Bar, Naarm/Melbourne
1 October 2023 – The Workers Club, Naarm/Melbourne
20 October 2023 – The Hamilton Station, Mulubinba/Newcastle
22 October 2023 – Birdhouse, Wiradjuri Country/ Wagga Wagga
25 October 2023 – UNSW, Eora/Sydney
26 October 2023 – The Hamilton Station, Mulubinba/Newcastle
29 October 2023 – North Gong, Dharawal/Wollongong
17 November 2023 – The Bird, Boorloo/Perth
25 November 2023 – Waywards, Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

BESTIES Drop “racecar” Single Ahead of Big Supports

If the caffeine hasn’t quite kicked in yet, press play on BESTIES’ new single “racecar.” I guarantee this energetic pop-punk track will wake you up.

“Nat and I wanted to distill all the fear and frustration of growing up so desperate for success that it can completely distort how you interact with the people around you — as if you’re already carrying around the regret and shame of being a failure before you’ve even given up,” explained BESTIES’ vocalist Max Pasalic. “’racecar’ is all about those anxieties coalescing in a sort of ‘dinner party from hell’ scene that I’m singing about in the song (‘dinner party, gin, barcadi, tell me what’s new with you, I’m sorry but I seem to have misplaced what I gotta prove’).”

BESTIES have got some choice support slots coming up in the coming months. Make sure you arrive early enough for their sets at the following gigs:

17 August 2023 – Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney (supporting Somber Hills)
30 September 2023 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Between You and Me)
1 October 2023 – Crown & Anchor, Tartanya/Adelaide (supporting Between You and Me)
6 October 2023 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Between You and Me)
7 October 2023 – Waywards, Eora/Sydney (supporting Between You and Me)

Image used with permission from Capital Artist Group