Author: Lauren Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kingswood Releases “Why Should I Let You Go?” During Massive Aussie Tour

Kingswood are one of those Aussie bands that do great things with very little fanfare. So you might have missed their fabulous new song “Why Should I Let You Go,” which features gorgeous vocal harmonies and a one of the most beautiful country melodies I’ve heard in some time. I love it just a little more with every listen.

“’Why Should I Let You Go?’ was recorded on an impromptu and inspired sojourn in Paris, France where we wanted to capture the progression of the song as it developed across Nashville dive bars and the mountains of Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland and the Czech Republic,” The band explained. “The original was written in solitude, lamenting over a Nashville skyline but very quickly developed a new life on the road with a refreshed and hopeful energetic lift, echoing the reinvigorated musical take that band naturally fell into as we experienced audiences all over the world. The resounding nature of the chorus, pushing the idea that love has a journey for us all seemed to resonate across all environments and languages.”

You also might have missed that Kingswood are in the midst of a record-breaking Aussie tour that will see them play more than 100 shows, with more to come. They’re taking their self-made bus Peggy on the road to make sure they can visit towns that most acts never get to. You won’t want to miss them when they pull in to your local area, so here are all the remaining dates:

5 June 2023 – Rocky Ridge Brewing, Undalup/Busselton
7 June 2023 – Sound City, Barngarla Country/Port Lincoln
8 June 2023 – Sound City, Barngarla Country/Port Lincoln
9 June 2023 – The Fat Controller, Tartanya/Adelaide
10 June 2023 – Western Hotel, Boandik Country/Mt Gambier
11 June 2023 – Hotel Victor, Ramindjeri and Ngarrindjeri Country/Victor Harbour
16 June 2023 – Big Easy Radio, Ngaltingga/Aldinga
17 June 2023 – The Setts, Latje Latje and Barkindji Country/Mildura
18 June 2023 – The Cordial Factory, Ngiyampaa Wangaaypuwan Country/Grenfell
21 June 2023 – La La La’s, Dharawal Country/Wollongong
22 June 2023 – Royal Hotel, Ngambri and Ngunnawal Country/Queanbeyan
23 June 2023 – The Lansdowne Hotel, Eora/Sydney
24 June 2023 – Stag & Hunter, Mulubinba/Newcastle
25 June 2023 – Brass Monkey, Gweagal Country/Cronulla
29 June 2023 – Gnomom Room, Palawa Country/Ulverstone
30 June 2023 – Royal Oak, Palawa Country/Launceston
1 July 2023 – Republic Bar, Nipaluna/Hobart
2 July 2023 – Republic Bar, Nipaluna/Hobart
6 July 2023 – Lambys, Djilang/Geelong
7 July 2023 – Gods Bandroom, Bunurong Country/Mornington
8 July 2023 – Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
8 September 2023 – Kenilworth Showgrounds, Hinka Booma/Kenilworth

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Michelle Grace Hunder

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cassian Gives “Great Southern Land” The Dance Treatment

I know before I post this one that not everyone is going to like this version of “Great Southern Land.” But it’s so fantastic I had to share it anyway. And since it gets Iva’s seal of approval, shouldn’t you at least give it a listen?

This reimagining is the brainchild of Cassian, a Grammy award-winning DJ and producer who emerged from the dance scene of Eora/Sydney. He was the first artist signed to RÜFÜS DU SOL’s Rose Avenue label way back in 2018, and he’s gone on to play seats at Coachella, Superior Ingredients in New York and Sound Nightclub in Los Angeles. This take on the ICEHOUSE classic might make my parents cringe, but it’s a stone cold banger.

“As an Australian, I was born with this song in my blood,” Cassian enthused. “I dreamed about making my own version for 10 years before reaching out to see if it was possible. Having full approval from Iva Davies/ICEHOUSE and being involved with the legacy of this song is probably the greatest honor of my career thus far, one that I don’t take lightly. After I was given the stems I spent the past year slowly, carefully & respectfully piecing it together. Around 100 versions later I’m proud to present the final, which I even mastered myself. Huge thank you to management, to Simon Moor and of course to Iva and his team for making the impossible possible.”

When you think about it, this makes perfect sense. ICEHOUSE were originally a pub rock band and I’m sure they lost a few fans when they started playing new wave and synth pop. This kind of floor-filling electro-dance music isn’t a million miles away from those genres. Listen with an open mind and this cover might just surprise you.

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Joe Gow and Kerryn Fields Team Up For “Your Heart of Gold”

After wowing me with his stellar catalogue of solo songs, Matt Joe Gow is taking on a new challenge and teaming up with Kerryn Fields. “Your Heart of Gold” is their first single as a duo, and it’s just as fabulous as fans of these artists, who’ve both won Music Victoria Awards for their solo material, might expect. I’ve always loved the interplay between starkly different male and female voices on a good duet, and that’s exactly what we get here.

Matt Joe Gow and Kerryn Fields have already been named finalists in the New Zealand MLT songwriting awards for three more songs of their upcoming album, so it sounds like we’ve got plenty of quality material on its way. Tomorrow they’ll play the Tussock Stage: Moonlight Session in Gore before heading to Hawke’s Bay for the Small Halls Sessions from June 9 to 11, so if you’re in that part of Aotearoa/New Zealand make sure you don’t miss these gigs.

Image used with permission from Matt Joe Gow

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bree Rusev Drops Beautiful Indie-Folk Single, “One Last Dance”

I don’t know about you, but I look back on my creative output in high school and cringe. But not Bree Rusev, who penned her gorgeous new single “One Last Dance” for her HSC music composition in 2021. Colour me impressed.

“The song is about how things in life can change rather quickly and to remember to stay present in the moment and to appreciate and enjoy these moments by being aware and mindful of the present,” she explained.

Fresh from sharing the stage with Pete Murray and Pierce Brothers at this year’s Lighthouse Festival, Bree Rusev will support Jordy Maxwell at his upcoming shows.

14 July 2023 – The Chippo Hotel, Eora/Sydney
16 July 2023 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Enjoy Top Electronic Music Without Phones at This Never Happened

I’m probably showing my age, but phones at concerts are one of my bugbears. I don’t mind people taking photos or even recording songs with their phone cameras or using them as makeshift lighters in epic ballads, but I bristle every time I see people taking selfies, scrolling through social media, and texting while the bands play. If you’re like me and think more people should be in the moment, you’re going to love This Never Happened, a new series of phone-free electronic dance festivals.

Attendees will have their phones taped upon arrival, ensuring they can live in the moment and appreciate what’s going on around them. Organisers have assembled a line-up worthy of disconnecting including American electronic artist Le Youth, Canadian duo Sultan & Shepard, and Eora/Sydney-born DJ and producer, PARIS. If you don’t capture an event, did it even happen? We’re about to find out.

Tickets for This Never Happened are on sale right now for the following events:

14 July 2023 – 170 Russell, Naarm/Melbourne
15 July 2023 – Metro Theatre, Eora/Sydney
16 July 2023 – Brightside Outdoors, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from the Untitled Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

PJ Harding Stuns Me With “It Wasn’t Enough”

It’s been a little while since a song stopped me in my tracks. “It Wasn’t Enough”, by local singer-songwriter and producer PJ Harding, is one of those special, rare songs. On the surface, it’s a simple folky acoustic guitar number, but it’s so much more. Stop what you’re doing and take a listen.

‘”I think ‘It Wasn’t Enough’ is a song that gets to the heart of something very true about the human condition and doesn’t necessarily make a lot of sense. It’s really one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written,” PJ said. “I only recorded one take of this vocal and it was recorded seconds after I finished writing the song. There was something magic about that moment I didn’t want to mess with.”

“It Wasn’t Enough” comes from PJ’s debut EP To Fall Asleep, which drops on June 16. You can bet I’m listening as soon as it’s released.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Katie Wighton Releases Smashing Single “Without You” Ahead of Solo Debut

Katie Wighton drops her debut solo album The End in just a couple of days’ time, but I just couldn’t resist giving you guys a little sneak peek. Her current single “Without You” is just so good, that I don’t want to risk it getting lost in all the other tunes. Although if you’re like me, hearing it will make you pretty excited about tomorrow’s release.

“This is definitely my favourite on the album,” Katie said of “Without You.” “It’s deeply personal and it still feels so real even when I listen to it now. When my partner and I split up, I remember missing him so much and thinking ‘I’m better off without you – I floss my teeth now, I don’t drink so much – we weren’t even that happy together towards the end … So why on earth do I miss you so much?!’ When you break up with someone, you become supremely irrational – remembering the good as even better than it was and the bad as not so bad. He and I became such better people because we broke up. We were more independent. Happier. But we still missed each other so much. Our hearts are funny little things aren’t they? (Spoiler alert: we did end up getting back together now and couldn’t be happier!)”

I really enjoyed Katie’s music with All Our Exes Live in Texas, but I think her solo stuff resonates even more with you. If you agree, remember to give The End a listen on June 2. You’ll also want to get yourself to the launch shows in the East Coast capitals.

8 July 2023 – Longplay, Naarm/Melbourne
13 July 2023 – The Great Club, Eora/Sydney
23 July 2023 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eliott Drops Stunning Single “Control” Ahead of Album Release

It’s hard to believe I’ve been writing about Eliott since 2019, but we still haven’t heard her debut album. But you know what they say about good things coming to those who wait. That album isn’t too far away, but she’s just dropped a fabulous new single to tide us over. If you’ve ever directed your affection toward someone who didn’t share your feelings, “Control” will resonate with you.

“Control is about unreciprocated love,” Eliott confirmed. “It is about feeling isolated and vulnerable and coming to terms with the fact that you can’t force someone’s affection when you have already given them everything”

Charles Buxton-Leslie directed the music video, which features 18-year-old Mexican-born Eora/Sydney dancer Diego Garcia Rendon.

“The song has such incredible build and release moments which we followed with the music video,” Charles explained. “We wanted to explore a story of emotional release and helping each other through shared experiences.”

Hold on just a little bit longer Eliott fans. Her debut album will be here before you know it.

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia; credit: Jess Brohier

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Have a Good Day Have Me Spellbound With “Feels Like Magic”

Sundays are all about good vibes for me. They’re the days we spend having adventures, enjoying ourselves before the working week starts again. So since it’s Sunday, I figure it’s the perfect day to introduce you to “Feels Like Magic,” the latest single from the appropriately-named pop duo Have a Good Day.

You might remember me falling hard for Have a Good Day’s debut, “Somebody, Nobody.” Good news: this song is every bit as good. Crank it up and let the sugary sweetness wash over you.

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jem Cassar-Daley Releases Powerful New Single, “King of Disappointment”

Jem Cassar-Daley really impressed me with singles from her debut EP like “Oh No” and “Like It More.” So I’m thrilled she’s going from strength to strength with her first new music since that release. I must admit, while I enjoyed her past releases, I think her latest single “King of Disappointment” is my favourite yet. It’s so lyrically strong, with a stripped-back vibe that really showcases those powerful lyrics. If you’ve ever felt gaslighted and let down, you’re going to connect with this one.

“Before heading to Sydney to write with Brendon Boney in the “resonate” program, I had a situation where my shoes were on, makeup done and I was ready to head out the door when I got a “sorry, something came up” text,” Jem shared. “Instead of being sad, I decided to use it as inspiration in the studio.”

Fresh from shows in the United Kingdom, Jem has been announced as the support act for most of Busby Marou’s upcoming dates. Here are all the places you can catch this incredible line-up:

18 August 2023 – Harvey Road Tavern, Goeng Country/Gladstone
19 August 2023 – Moncrieff Theatre, Taribelang Bunda, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang, and Bailai Country/Bundaberg
26 August 2023 – Yamba Bowling Club, Yaegl Country/Yamba
27 August 2023 – Miami Marketta, Kombumerri Country/Gold Coast
1 September 2023 – The Gov, Tartanya/Adelaide
2 September 2023 – Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
9 September 2023 – The Princess Theatre, Meeanjin/Brisbane
10 September 2023 – Moonee Beach Hotel, Gumbaynggirr Country/Coffs Harbour
14 September 2023 – Anita’s Theatre, Dharawal Country/Thirroul
13 October 2023 – Riverside Precinct, Darumbal Country/Rockhampton
14 October 2023 – Harrup Park, Yuwibara Country/Mackay
20 October 2023 – Tanks Arts Centre, Gimuy-walubarra yidi Country/Cairns
21 October 2023 – The Mansfield (Warehouse), Bindal and Wulgurukaba Country/Townsville

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity