Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Remembering Dr G Yunupingu

Like so many music lovers, I was saddened to hear of the passing of Dr G Yunupingu this morning. He was one of our most special musical artists, who is just 46 years made his mark, first with Yothu Yindi and then with his solo career.

He was born on Elcho Island, off north east Arnhemland. Despite being born blind, music was in his veins and he taught himself how to play the drums, keyboards, guitar, and didgeridoo. But it was his voice that I’ll remember most. Though I didn’t speak a word of his Yolngu language, I felt like I understood his music. He communicated with us all with something more than words.

Dr G Yunupingu went on to sell over half a million copies of his albums across the world. He played for everyone from Queen Elizabeth to Barack Obama. Yet he remained connected his community. He passed away yesterday in Darwin Hospital after a long battle with illness.

I want to share this video with you, his music with you. Take a moment just to stop and appreciate the legacy he left for us.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Discover Whoa!

With a name like Whoa! you know the Gold Coast band behind the new single “Stay the Night” are going to bags of fun. The track is ridiculously catchy with a classic feel that makes it so accessible. Just see if this song doesn’t put a smile on your face.

These guys have become somewhat of an overnight sensation. They’d played just four gigs before their first headlining show, and more than 300 paying punters turned out to Miami Shark Bar to show their support. Almost selling out on your first headlining gig is no mean feat, but these guys make the music thing look so easy.

See for yourself when Whoa! plays the Great Northern at Byron Bay on September 2.

Image used with permission from RiSH Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Sea Gypsies Unleash Their “Demons”

It’s Thursday and the weekend is almost in sight. That makes me feel a little more chilled out, so it’s the perfect time for listening to “Demons,” the awesome new single from Central Coast outfit The Sea Gypsies. It has such a great groove. The instruments come together perfectly to support lead singer Luke Marlin’s killer voice.

Lead guitarist Dan Hoolihann describes the track as “A snapshot of the band’s influences, mixed together to express the relatable feeling of facing the fears and rigorous moments in your life that attempt to overcome you and put you down. It conveys the feeling, idea and emotion of stepping up to face your Demons and the struggle of embracing the difficult issues that life throws at you”.

Once the weather warms up, The Sea Gypsies are heading your way. Catch them at the following shows this spring.

7 September 2017 – Magnums, Airlie Beach (with Katchafire)
8 September 2017 – Kirwin Tavern, Townsville (with Katchafire)
9 September 2017 – Billabong, Kuranda (with Katchafire)
10 September 2017 – The Jack, Cairns (with Katchafire)
22 September 2017 – The Penny Black, Melbourne
7 October 2017 – Max Watts, Brisbane (with Katchafire)
8 October 2017 – The Wharf Tavern, Sunshine Coast (with Katchafire)
21 October 2017 – Swagger Festival, Wandiligon

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Guitar Show Gears Up For Big Third Year

The Melbourne Guitar Show is back for its third year, and it’s shaping up to be the best yet. Organisers have assembled some superb talent including Steve Hackett from Genesis, Nick Johnston, Alex Hutchings, Lloyd Spiegel, Nick Charles, and Bob Spencer.

In addition to live performances from guitar gods, you’ll also find a monster exhibition with electric and acoustic guitars, effects pedals, amps, and heaps more from Australia and around the world. There’ll be seminars, demos, Q&A sessions, and heaps more.

“We are looking forward to a show this year that builds steadily based on the merit and popularity of the first two and on the presentation of the best people we can find”, says AMA executive officer and MGS organiser, Rob Walker. “We will have more exhibitors this year, as well as bigger stand presentations by many brands.  We are in discussions with an increasing list of players who want to be a part of it, so we are sure this show will provide great value for guitar enthusiasts once again.”

The Melbourne Guitar Show is back at Caulfield Racecourse on August 5 and 6. Tickets are cheaper when you pre-order, so get yours online now.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Happy 10th Birthday Sounds of Oz!

Today Sounds of Oz turns 10. That seems like a milestone worth acknowledging. Ten years is longer than many marriages and prison sentences after all. It’s amazing scrolling back through the pages, looking at all the albums I’ve fallen for and the gigs I’ve seen since it all began.

I started this blog all those years ago because I felt there was a real division in Australia between the alternative music press and the commercial outlets. I wanted to carve out a place where great Australian music could be appreciated, regardless of its genre. Sadly I still feel that division. I also feel there’s a bunch of great music that doesn’t get any exposure on through big outlets, something I wasn’t aware of when I began this journey. I’m thrilled I have a platform to bring those superb songs to you.

I’m not going to write anything long and sappy, but I did want to take a moment to thank the promoters and record companies who’ve introduced me to so much great music and hooked me up with countless concert tickets over the years. Your support has been invaluable. Thank you to the musicians themselves for their kind words and for sharing their music with me. But mostly I want to thank you, the readers. Whether you’re been with me for years or you’ve just stopped by, I’m glad you’ve taken time to discover my little corner of the web.

Here’s to the next 10 and beyond!

Image source: Wwarby @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Royal Funk Party, Lake Minnetonka & More Celebrate Prince’s Birthday

More than a year since his passing, I am still processing the loss of Prince. There’s a giant innovative, flamboyant, shining, purple hole in the musical landscape that I don’t think anyone will ever fill.

As much as I miss him, I’m also grateful that he left us with so much positive music. It’s impossible to get too down when you’re listening to the funk-infused tunes from his back catalogue. So when Royal Funk Party, Lake Minnetonka, Mayfield, and DJ MzRizk get together at The Toff in Town to mark Prince’s birthday next month, you know you’re going to have a good time.

These guys channel the Minneapolis sound Prince pioneered. To see just how good they are, check out this performance of “Head” with Royal Funk Party and Lake Minnetonka going toe to toe.

It all happens at the Toff in Town in Melbourne on June 10. Tickets are on sale now through Moshtix.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bliss N Eso Unseat Ed Sheeran on the ARIA Albums Charts

It seemed like mission impossible, but Bliss N Eso have triumphed where many acts have failed and unseated Ed Sheeran from the top of the ARIA charts. The hip hop act’s latest album Off the Grid has claimed the number one spot on debut.

Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole’s latest collaboration, The Great Country Songbook Vol. II, has also made an impressive showing in its first week. It sits at number six, just ahead of Mark Vincent’s A Tribute to Mario Lanza.

Where are the Aussies in the singles charts though? Despite some great local releases in recent weeks, the best we can manage is Dean Lewis at number 14!

Top 10 Albums
1. Off the Grid – Bliss N Eso
2. ÷ – Ed Sheeran
3. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2 – Soundtrack
4. Humanz – Gorillaz
5. DAMN. – Kendrick Lamar
6. The Great Country Songbook Vol. II – Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole
7. A Tribute to Mario Lanza – Mark Vincent
8. Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 – Soundtrack
9. 25 – Adele
10. 24K Magic – Bruno Mars

Top 10 Singles
1. “I’m The One” – DJ Khaled feat. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne
2. “Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran
3. “HUMBLE.” – Kendrick Lamar
4. “Galway Girl” – Ed Sheeran
5. “Symphony” – Clean Bandit feat. Zara Larsson
6. “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” – Shawn Mendes
7. “Something Just Like This” – The Chainsmokers and Coldplay
8. “Stay” – Zedd feat. Alessia Cara
9. “Sign of the Times” – Harry Styles
10. “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

TAD App Gets Video Update

Way back in 2015 I wrote about TAD, a cool app which made it easy for musicians to create their own cover art. Technology has evolved at such a rapid pace since then, so TAD’s creators have updating the app with video functionality.

Now artists can use TAD to create awesome video content and add it to their Facebook profiles. Video content is a great way to announce gigs, tease your latest album, take fans into the studio, and heaps more. TAD also lets you brand these videos with you logo, text, and other design elements.

In time the indie musicians behind TAD hope their program will help fellow musos create online video album cover art. Video album covers might not be a thing yet, but folks working in tech always have to be thinking about the next big thing.

If you haven’t discovered TAD, there’s no better time!

Image used with permission from Apps for Musicians

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Warren Fu Speaking at CLIPPED for Vivid

With so much going on in Sydney for Vivid over the next couple of months, it can be difficult to figure out exactly how you’ll spend your time. If you only attend one event though, I suggest you make it CLIPPED, a music video festival returning as part of the Vivid Ideas program.

You’ll get to see some of the best Australian and New Zealand music videos and attend workshops, but the real drawcard for me is a keynote speech from visionary American music video director Warren Fu. This guy has created mindblowing clips for the likes of Daft Punk, Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg, and the Strokes. If his name doesn’t ring a bell, check out this video on the CLIPPED Facebook page for a refresher.

CLIPPED is at SUNSTUDIOS on Saturday June 3. Tickets are available now through the Vivid website.

Image used with permission via Inmocean

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

From Cruise Ships to Aussie Pubs: Meet Hunter deBlanc

I love so many things about cruising: alcoholic beverage packages, afternoon trivia, and having the freedom to do as much or as little as you like. I also love discovering talented musicians on board. The latest to catch my attention is Hunter deBlanc, who I’ve had the pleasure of checking out on my last two cruises on the Pacific Jewel. He hails from New Orleans, but he embraced Aussie tunes and delighted the masses in the Orient Bar with his stellar piano renditions of tracks from John Farnham, The Angels, and Daryl Braithwaite, to name a few. My husband and I were also thrilled with his knowledge of our favourite ’90s tunes. In amongst the covers, if you were lucky, he’d play one of his incredible original songs.

Which brings me to the point of this post. His contract on the Jewel is coming to a close, but he’s had such a blast with Australian audiences he’s already planning a return visit to play pub gigs in Melbourne, Sydney, and Newcastle. I’ll be sure to bring you the dates once they’re announced, but I just wanted to put him on your radar with my favourite of his originals, “California Orleans.”

Enjoy!