Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alice L Drops Personal Pop Ballad, “Hailey (Do You Know)”

If you’ve ever found yourself competing with another person for someone’s affection, “Hailey (Do You Know)” by up-and-coming singer-songwriter Alice L is bound to strike a chord with you. The lyrics really struck me, but I’m also enchanted with Alice’s gorgeous voice.

“I was aware that both myself and the other girl knew what was going on, but I guess we were both so convinced we were number one that we both continued,” Alice admitted. “I sort of became a bit fixated on her because we could not have been more different –I never met her though the whole time!”

That relationship might be long gone, but at least Alice got an awesome song out of the ordeal!

Image used with permission from Capital Artist Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aurateque Release Cathartic New Single “Renegade”

I probably don’t review enough metal acts on my blog. And I definitely don’t shine the spotlight on enough female-fronted metal acts. But after hearing “Renegade,” the new single from Eora/Sydney act Aurateque, I knew I couldn’t let it slip through the cracks. Frontwoman Lauren Coleman drew me in with her incredible vocals, but her bandmates definitely hold their own on this one.

“‘Renegade’ is about violence, anger and the pain behind the violent masque,” the band said in a shared statement. “Lauren grew up in a very hostile environment as a child and although she left quite young, she didn’t leave completely unscathed. As she grew older, it was a harder pill to swallow to see a human being behind the abuser and to understand that the violence only came from a deep sadness that her family could never escape. The only way to escape these cycles of pain is to truly face yourself. ‘Renegade’, much like every Aurateque song, has helped heal these scars.”

The song comes with a striking video directed, filmed, and edited by Dunelabs’ Jack Fontes. Shot at Sydney Props Studios and Marrickville Graffiti Wall, the clip is rich in symbolism.

“The constant theme of fire in the video is representative of anger,” Aurateque added. “Lauren experienced a lot of violence as a child and this song is about the constant raging fire that burns inside of her because of it. The two themes of light and dark also represent that rage and violence are not a part of who we are, it’s just that sometimes it is all we know.”

“Renegade” comes from Aurateque’s debut EP The Dragonfly Pursuit, which drops on July 28.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Forever Ends Here On the Comeback Trail With “Cherry Chapstick”

After a five-year hiatus, Eora/Sydney act Forever Ends Here are making a return to the music scene. Their comeback single “Cherry Chapstick” is an infectious pop-punk track that you’ll find yourself singing long after its last notes fade out.

“The reunion has been in the works for quite some time now,” explained the band’s songwriter and vocalist, Luke McChesney. “We always thought we’d do some kind of one-off club show to celebrate 10 years of our second EP, but we got talking last year about all the things we miss about the band and all the possibilities if we reopened the door. We’ve done a lot of growing since the band split, not only as people but as songwriters too and it seems a shame not to share that growth with the people who stuck by us.”

Talking about “Cherry Chapstick,” he explained that “lyrically the song is about being involved with someone who you know is playing you, and playing them right back – ‘I can be your cherry chapstick, pressed against your lips ’til you lose me. You can keep me in your pocket, you always look your best when you use me’”.

If you like what you hear, make sure you check out Forever Ends Here wrapping up their comeback tour at The Brightside in Meeanjin/Brisbane tonight, with support from Those Who Dream and bellehaven.

Image used with permission from Bigmouth PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out With Sunset Avenue’s Crowd-Pleasing New Single, “Change It Up”

Fridays call for feel-good music like “Change It Up,” the latest single from Dharawal Country/Sutherland Shire band Sunset Avenue. It’s such a catchy indie-rock tune with relatable lyrics calling for freedom from the grind. If that sentiment’s not appropriate for the end of your working week, I don’t know what is!

Sunset Avenue filmed the video when they recently headlined a sold-out show at the Caringbah Hotel. The night was so much fun that it inspired the band to take on music full-time. So it sounds like we’ll be hearing a lot more from them!

Image used with permission from Sunset Avenue

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Elsewheres Surprise With “Run Away With Me” Single

With whisky-soaked vocals reminiscent of Tom Waits coupled with the folky energy of acts like Mumford & Sons and Of Monsters and Men, there’s a lot to like about The Elsewheres’ new single “Run Away With Me.” I was firmly on board from the first finger-picking notes, but the unexpected blast of horns and female vocals tipped me over the edge. This track has more twists and turns than the average, but you’ll want to hang on for the ride.

“Run Away With Me captures a fantasy I’ve always had of an unexpected meeting between two unlikely lovers who, although uncertain, long to abandon their mundane lives,” explained the band’s frontman and songwriter, Oliver Northam. “For me, it is a story of freedom and the beauty of a recklessly romantic love. Although fictional, Run Away With Me does draw from real moments and memories. The inspiration for the ‘topless bar’ in which our characters meet in the opening verse comes from my first job out of high school as a pianist at a burlesque bar. It’s within that smoky, sordid world that I see these characters breathing.”

“Run Away With Me” comes with a beautiful film clip that showcases the Victorian countryside. What more could you want? Maybe a single launch? Don’t worry, that’s happening too. Catch The Elsewheres at The Curtin Hotel in Naarm/Melbourne on August 10.

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joe Mungovan Ushers in New Era With “Handmidowns”

Southern New South Wales singer-songwriter Joe Mungovan blew me away with his debut album A Flower in the Weeds a couple of years back. Now he’s regrouped and dropped a fabulous new single “Handmidowns.” I must admit, it took me a little while to embrace as it’s a bit more sonically layered than the music that came before, but now I’m on board I really appreciate his evolution. Perhaps a new sound is only natural, as Joe took a different approach to recording this time around.

“This is the first time I’ve ever had other musicians in the studio with me,” he explained. “Prior to ‘Handmidowns’, I’ve always recorded all the parts by myself. It was awesome to hear other musicians play the parts and bring their own flavour to the track.”

“I want this song to empower whoever listens to it to believe they can do exactly what they want and to tread their own path in life,” he added. “Writing this song has had a strong impact on my outlook and I hope it can help others.”

Fresh from shows supporting The VANNS, Joe is playing the following gigs in the coming weeks:

15 July 2023 – Suburban Vibes, Walyalup/Fremantle
20 July 2023 – Sofar Sounds, Boorloo/Perth
22 July 2023 – Little Village, Wadandi Country/Metricup
29 July 2023 – General Assembly, Naarm/Melbourne
12 August 2023 – Ryans Hotel, Dharawal Country/Thirroul

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Emma Yue Drops “Letters to My Exes”

Emma Yue is letting her “psycho-drama queen tendencies” show with her fun new single “Letters to My Exes.” The track also looks to normalise the idea of getting to know lots of people, because how are you supposed to know who’s right for you if you don’t have other experiences to compare them to? With addictive pop hooks and some serious rock edge, “Letters to My Exes” is a whole lot of fun.

When talking about her music, Emma says “These are the vibes: think wine drunk on the floor with your closest friends, speaking about taboo topics, stomach sore from laughing while knowing you need to be up early the next morning for work.”

If you like what you hear, there’s more to come. Emma will release her next single “Lonely Lover” really soon.

Image used with permission from Emma Yue Management

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jay Wood Releases Bittersweet Folk-Pop Single, “Oh Well”

Jay Wood has thoroughly charmed me with her new single “Oh Well.” With its sweet ukelele melody and romantic lyrics, it quickly won me over. But this folk-pop song isn’t quite as light as it first seems. It’s a bittersweet number of love but also of loss penned at a time before same-sex marriage was legal in Australia.

“[The song] began as a cute upbeat song professing heartfelt intentions toward her but morphed into more of an optimistic song with a lament of the love gone by, hence the weaving of the phrase “oh well” throughout,” Jay explained.

Ultimately “Oh Well” is a song of resilience, something Jay knows about all too well following a devastating car accident seven years ago. She was revived at the scene but told she would never regain her full function. Against all odds, she taught herself how to walk and play music again. With that sort of determination, you know she’s got a bright future ahead of her.

Jay Wood will treat us to more new music soon when her EP, Respire, drops on September 1.

Image used with permission from Rise Indie

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Something Rare and Beautiful” – Nathan Seeckts

I love hearing voices that draw me in instantly. I’m with them from the first note, hanging on their every word, relishing their unique tone. Nathan Seeckts has one of those voices. I fell for that voice when he released his single “The Wildest One” a few months ago, and I’m thrilled to hear more of what it can do with the release of Something Rare and Beautiful.

Listening to the album, I discovered that Nathan really can do it all. “The Wildest One” was a love song, but it soon becomes apparent that Nathan isn’t just another country crooner. Anyone that’s encountered a dickhead on a night out will relate to the scathing “King of the Room.” “Cassette in the Tapedeck,” featuring guest vocals from Gretta Ziller, is a nostalgic ballad celebrating his dad’s LC Torana. And that’s just the first three songs. In truth, I could wax lyrical about every one, but I’d rather you discover them for yourself. Every song tells a story so vividly you feel like you were there. Nathan is a master at bringing characters and moments to life.

The title of Nathan Seeckts second album couldn’t be more appropriate. His voice is so unique and so compelling. His songwriting is worldclass. And when you put them together, the music is indeed something rare and beautiful. Nathan will showcase his incredible music at these upcoming shows:

7 July 2023 – Pot Belly Bar, Ngunnawal Country/Canberra
8 July 2023 – The Curious Rabbit, Wiradjuri Country/Wagga Wagga
15 July 2023 – Bird Rock, Wadawurrung Country/Jan Juc
16 July 2023 – The Eastern, Ballaarat/Ballarat

Images used with permission from Chris Familton Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tyne-James Organ Drops Vulnerable New Single, “Blue”

The always stellar Tyne-James Organ is back with a fantastic new single “Blue,” the first new music we’ve heard from him since he dropped his critically acclaimed album Necessary Evil in 2021. It’s a powerful track with intimate lyrics that explore his close bond with his mother and the way she helped him navigate his grief after the loss of his father.

“Throughout that challenging time, my mum was my unwavering support, and the song captures our conversations,” he said. “There was something extraordinary about the origin of the song—the day we wrote it, the atmosphere in the room.”

Tyne-James will no doubt introduce fans to more new music when he plays headlining shows in some of the capitals this August. Catch him if you can!

4 August 2023 – Adelaide UniBar, Tartanya, Adelaide
5 August 2023 – The Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
12 August 2023 – The Zoo, Meeanjin/Brisbane
20 August 2023 – Icebreaker Festival @ Factory Theatre, Eora/Sydney
11 November 2023 – Clearly Festival @ Kiama Showground, Wodi Wodi Country/Kiama

Image used with permission from Dew Process; credit: Marcus Milostic