News – Page 4 – Sounds of Oz

Posted on 04/04/202327/03/2023 by Lauren Katulka

The Lady Hampshire Brings Bands Back

With so many live music venues closing down, it’s refreshing to see one welcoming bands back. The Lady Hampshire in Eora/Camperdown will make its long-awaited return as a dedicated live music venue this month.

The venue has already booked some quality acts, including Pacific Avenue and Fangz for the opening weekend. Both days will also feature free nail art and a pop-up tattoo stall.

“Bringing The Lady Hampshire back to life with live music as the focus, is exactly what Sydney has been asking for,” said Elliott Harper, the entertainment and event manager at PUBLIC Hospitality Group. “When it comes to entertainment venues, we only want to foster growth and success across our city and think The Lady will be the destination for all types of musicians and patrons. The first month alone has some of the most exciting gigs Sydney has seen this year and we can’t wait to bring it to locals and gig-goers.”

Here are all the gigs announced. Head to Oztix to buy your tickets or reserve your spot for the free shows:

14 April 2023 – Fangz, Dedpan, and Wicked Envy (FREE)
15 April 2023 – Pacific Avenue, Juno, and Darcy Lane
21 April 2023 – Radicals and Dial Denial (FREE)
22 April 2023 – Bugs and Special Guests
28 April 2023 – Highline and Turpentine Babycino (FREE)
29 April 2023 – Starve, Outsider, Signvals, and Keepsake (FREE)
5 May 2023 – Abby Bella May and Special Guests (FREE)
6 May 2023 – Close Counters and Special Guests
12 May 2023 – Bootleg Rascal and Lyall Moloney
13 May 2023 – Bootleg Rascal and Lyall Moloney
19 May 2023 – These New South Whales and Special Guests
20 May 2023 – Good Lekker and Special Guests

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on 27/03/202327/03/2023 by Lauren Katulka

Congratulations to Royston Sagigi-Baira, Your New Australian Idol

Last night Australia crowned a new Australian Idol. In case you missed it (and given the ratings for the season, you probably did), Royston Sagigi-Baira took home the $100,000 cash prize and Sony Music contract over Phoebe Stewart. But of course, television isn’t just about ratings, or it shouldn’t be. While many media outlets will call the season a failure as it trailed behind reality juggernauts Married at First Sight and Survivor, I think Channel Seven has done a pretty good job revamping the original singing show.

Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, it showcased talent. Like, properly showcased talent. We saw these contestants sing at their auditions, the Sydney boot camp (several times), on live shows, and eliminations if they were in the bottom three. That’s a lot of exposure, and what I’ve always thought gave Idol contestants careers beyond the show. It’s not that the people who sing on The Voice are lacking, but consider just how often they sing in front of Australia. I really hope that exposure serves all these contestants well, because there were some real diamonds. I personally wish we could go back to the old days of eliminating just one contestant each show, but this is Idol for a different time, and the ratings probably don’t justify anything other than this shorter, snappier season. I think Seven got the balance right here.

Speaking of balance, I was pleasantly surprised by the judges. Yes, it was incredibly white-bread, but there was a good balance of intelligent critique and showmanship. Kylie Sandilands even played nice, for the most part. Even though there was reportedly some tension behind the scenes, they never let it overshadow the contestants or make the show feel awkward (anyone else remember that year of American Idol with Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj?). Professionals, every single one of them.

Only time will tell what happens with Royston, Phoebe, third-place getter Josh, and the rest of this year’s finalist, but I hope there’s been enough eyeballs on them for some doors to open. It’s a little unfair to compare ratings for the current incarnation to the original run, because it’s a vastly different television landscape. Those were the days before streaming, multi-channels, and the easy recording of PVRs. They were the days before sensational reality TV with its water-cooler moments. Some might say that means there’s no place for Idol any more, but I really hope we see it back on our screens next year. Congratulations to Royston and all this year’s Idol finalists. May they have every success. Here’s a throwback to Royston’s audition so you can see how his “Idol journey” began:

Posted on 15/02/2023 by Lauren Katulka

Two Times Shy Drop Pop-Punk Banger, “Tearing Up Inside”

If the pop-punk stylings of Meeajin/Brisbane band Two Times Shy don’t give you the energy you need to make it to quitting time, then nothing will. Their latest single “Tearing Up Inside” features the bold guitars, pounding drums, and emotional vocals you want in a pop-punk song.

“Tearing Up Inside is written about a relationship breakdown and how it feels to go through something so tormenting and heartbreaking,” the band explained. “Watching the one you love slip away, fall into the arms of someone else when there is nothing you can do about it; and although it tears you apart, you still love them and want to/will do everything you can to fix it. No matter how hard you try, the relationship meets its inevitable doom.”

There’s more to come from Two Times Shy, who will release their debut EP, It Looks Better Than it Sounds, on March 10.

Image used with permission from Ruckus PR; credit: Gabi Rankine Creative

Posted on 17/01/2023 by Lauren Katulka

Vale Renee Geyer

What a terrible shock to hear of the passing of Renee Geyer this afternoon. While in the hospital for hip surgery, doctors discovered inoperable lung cancer. She died peacefully with friends and family members around her. She was just 69.

Renee was a true pioneer and an absolute force of nature. Hits like “Heading in the Right Direction” and her incredible cover of James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s World,” saw her inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Music Victoria Hall of Fame in 2013. She also received the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award at the Australian Women in Music Awards in 2018. My dad likes to tell a story about the time he saw her play Cardiff Workers Club in the ’70s. She wore a sheer see-through top that left nothing to the imagination, flirted outrageously with all the men sitting in the front row, and tore the roof of the place with one hell of a performance. So much confidence, so sure of herself, with charisma and talent to burn.

I saw Renee play countless times over the years and was always so struck by her sensational voice. As this video from Bird’s Basement last year shows, it was so compelling right to the end. We won’t see another like her. She will be so missed.

Image source: Denise O’Hara @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on 31/12/202231/12/2023 by Lauren Katulka

2022: Year in Review

After a few years of disappointment, it feels like we’ve turned a bit of a corner in 2022. I’m still cautious about where I go and what I do, but at least concerts aren’t getting cancelled left, right, and centre. I came so much closer to compiling a top 10 of live shows! So while I’m keen to pop some bottles, I’m not doing so keen to put 2022 behind me. These are just some of the albums and concerts that put a smile on my face this year. What made your 2022 great? Be sure to let me know in the comments. Happy New Year!

Top 10 Albums of 2022

Top Shows for 2022

Photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash

Posted on 28/12/2022 by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Guitar Show Back in 2023

After the pandemic spoiled the fun over the last couple of years, the Melbourne Guitar Show is making its triumphant return to Caulfield Racecourse in March. As always, it’ll feature a who’s who of guitar talent including international acts Eric Bibb and Nick Johnston and local legends Steph Strings, Hussy Hicks, Lloyd Spiegel, and heaps more.

If you want to start playing the guitar or upgrade your set-up, this is the place to do it. There’ll be more than 50 exhibitors showcasing electric and acoustic guitars, amps, effects pedals, and so much more. With seminars, demonstrations, and plenty of live performances, no self-respecting guitar enthusiast can afford to miss it.

“The association is pleased to be able to announce the re-birth of our iconic show in 2023. The industry has missed the chance to meet face-to-face and talk to guitar enthusiasts about our great products,” said Alex Masso, the executive officer of the organising body, the Australian Music Association.

The Melbourne Guitar Show hits Caulfield Racecourse on March 4 and 5. Visit the website before February 14 to secure discounted early bird tickets.

Posted on 25/12/202223/12/2022 by Lauren Katulka

Merry Christmas from Sounds of Oz

By the time you read this, I’ll be very comfortably situated at my sister’s place, probably on my second beer, celebrating Christmas. Whether you celebrate the holiday or you’re simply enjoying the time off, I hope you’re having a marvellous time. I hoped to share another new Christmas song with you, but they’ve been a little thin on the ground this year! So instead I thought I’d rewind a couple of years to Kav Temperley’s “Christmas Lights”. As an album track from his brilliant All Your Devotion album, it probably didn’t get the love it deserved. But it’s a magic track, just perfect for your Christmas evening. Enjoy, and merry Christmas!

Image credit: Nick-K @ Flickr

Posted on 25/11/202225/11/2022 by Lauren Katulka

The ARIA Awards 2022 Wrap

So the dust has settled on the ARIA Awards for another year and it seems like everyone has an opinion. I can’t help but feel like most of those opinions come from people who haven’t taken the time to listen to a new Australian album in years who simply want to reminisce about the “good old days”. That’s not to say that the awards were perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but I hardly think they’re the shambles that many made them out to be. Most of the performances were solid and a fantastic showcase for the diversity of Australian music today. I also thought Natalie Imbruglia, G-Flip, and Ruel, who stepped in at the 11th hour when Lewis Capaldi pulled out, were personable hosts.

Having said that: Christian Wilkins and Froomes – you had one job. I don’t know whether a few glasses of vino made them a little too relaxed, but there’s really no excuse for getting album names wrong. Multiple times. While they got the tributes for Uncle Archie Roach and Judith Durham so right, Olivia Newton-John deserved better. It felt like a number from the Schools Spectacular, not a professional celebration of the life of one of Australia’s most loved artists. I was disappointed to see Gang of Youths go home empty-handed, but thrilled for Baker Boy and The Wiggles’ wins.

Anyway, if you missed the awards or you simply want to check the correct names of those albums, here are all the winners.

Album of the Year: Baker Boy – Gela
Best Solo Artist: Baker Boy
Best Group: Amyl and the Sniffers
Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist: King Stingray
Best Independent Release: Archie Roach – One Song
Best Pop Release: The Kid LAROI – “Thousand Miles”
Best Hip Hop Release: Baker Boy – Gela
Best Soul/R&B Release: Budjerah – Conversations
Best Dance/Electronic Release: Luude feat. Colin Hay – “Down Under”
Best Rock Album: Amyl and the Sniffers – Comfort To Me
Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album: The Chats – Get Fucked
Best Adult Contemporary Album: Julia Jacklin – Pre Pleasure
Best Country Album: Casey Barnes – Light It Up
Best Blues & Roots Album: William Crighton – Water And Dust
Best Children’s Album: The Wiggles – Rewiggled
Best Classical Album: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Sir Andrew Davis – The Enchanted Loom: Orchestral Works By Carl Vine
Best Jazz Album: Mildlife – Live From South Channel Island
Best Original Soundtrack/Musical Theatre Cast Album: Australian Chamber Orchestra and Richard Tognetti – River (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Best World Album: Joseph Tawadros with William Barton – History Has A Heartbeat
Best Video: William Bleakley – “Every Side Of You” (Vance Joy)
Best Australian Live Act: The Wiggles
Song of the Year: Tones and I – “Cloudy Day”
Most Popular International Act: Harry Styles
Music Teacher Award: Matt Orchard (Apollo Bay P-12 College)
Best Cover Art: Adnate – Gela (Baker Boy)
Best Mixed Album: Pip Norman, Andrei Eremin & Dave Hammer – Gela (Baker Boy)
Best Produced Album: RÜFÜS DU SOL – Surrender (RÜFÜS DU SOL)

Posted on 01/11/202229/10/2022 by Lauren Katulka

Nick de la Hoyde Wows Me With “Bulletproof”

Eora/Sydney-based alternative pop act Nick de la Hoyde shows the strength that can come from true vulnerability with his new single “Bulletproof.” The track explores themes of mental health, resilience, and the importance of human connection.

“I wrote Bulletproof about breaking out of a dark place mentally. Often it takes a special someone to shake you back to reality, and to them we owe everything. They make you feel like you are bulletproof, unstoppable, and most importantly loved. I wrote this song with my brothers in our home studio in Sydney,” he explained.

I’ve always maintained that magic happens when talented siblings make music together. This stellar track is just further proof.

Posted on 16/08/202215/08/2022 by Lauren Katulka

Kick Start Your Country Career With Kix-Start

Think you have what it takes to be the next big country music star? Then get your entry in to the Kix-Start competition. You could win some incredible prizes, including a slot at the Groundwater Country Music Festival alongside a who’s who of country music, a one-on-one mentoring session with Gina Jeffries, a songwriting session with Phil Barton, and studio time at The Music Cellar with Rod McCormack where you’ll record your very own single.

This isn’t one of those competitions where people win and you never hear from them again. Last year’s winner Bella Mackenzie has just dropped her latest track “1, 2, 3 You and Me,” which she recorded as part of her prize, and it’s a banger.

“Winning KIX-Start was such an honour boosting my career from the second I won,” said Bella. “The support from KIX Country, Groundwater Country Music Festival, and everyone else involved has been so amazing. I could never have imagined a year ago that I would have accomplished what I have today which includes releasing two singles and playing major festivals. I have had my biggest year yet with so much more to come and I urge anyone thinking about applying to just do it! You never know if you don’t have a go.”

You heard her! If you’re waiting for your big break, this competition might just be it.

Image used with permission from Sue Mac Media