News – Page 8 – Sounds of Oz

Posted on 31/12/202030/12/2020 by Lauren Katulka

2020: Year in Review

What a year it’s been. I’ve written these end of year reviews since Sounds of Oz began, but they’ve never come together quite like this one.

Normally I look back with fondness on the gigs I saw, struggling to limit my choices to a top 10. This year sadly after so many cancellations and postponements, I can’t even name 10 shows I saw. Rest assured, the ones I caught were all worthy of their place.

The albums and EPs I choose always have a special place in my heart, but they have been my lifeline this year. I won’t pretend I’ve spent 2020 on an even keel, but I hate to think how unhinged I’d have felt without them.

This time last year I was getting ready to head to a local restaurant for a big disco party. This year I’m driving to Newcastle for a much more low-key celebration with my parents. I wish I could feel more optimistic that saying goodbye to 2020 will bring us all more joy. I guess we’ll just have to take it as it comes. But for now, I’m ready to let the bubbly flow and close this chapter. Who’s with me?

Top 10 Aussie Albums/EPs

Top 6 Aussie Tours

Image source: Bennilover @ Flickr

Posted on 25/12/202023/12/2020 by Lauren Katulka

Merry Christmas From Sounds of Oz!

I’m feeling very lucky to be enjoying a little normality right now. It’s been on hell of a year, and up until a couple of days ago I wasn’t sure I’d get back home for Christmas. I’m still very aware of the potential for even greater COVID numbers in Greater Sydney. Honestly I’m writing this ahead of time, so the numbers might already be through the roof. But right now, I’m refusing to think about it. Instead I’m thinking about the family who’ll be around me as this post goes live (all from a responsible social distance of course), the bubbles we’ve got chilling, and the presents under the tree. I am very conscious of the fact that many of my readers don’t get such a normal Christmas, whether it’s due to lockdowns, border closures, or household restrictions. I hope that if you are impacted by this virus right now, you can still carve out a little merry for yourself.

I’m sure I’ve posted Tim Minchin’s “White Wine in the Sun” before. If I haven’t, what an oversight. Regardless of the fact, I think it feels extra poignant this year. Much love to you all!

Posted on 26/11/2020 by Lauren Katulka

The 2020 ARIA Awards Wrap-Up

Judging by the fairly dismal ratings, it seems many of you missed the 2020 ARIA Awards last night. These nights are rarely ratings bonanzas, but there’s always some gold amongst the broadcast. I was also fascinated to see how this year’s awards would function given the current global pandemic. Funnily enough, crosses to artists around the country and a virtual mosh pit felt more natural than that year outside the Opera House. I could have done without the international acts, but I suppose they added a bit of glamour to proceedings.

Tame Impala continued their winning run, taking home five awards including album of the year. Major props to Sampa the Great who no doubt raised her profile with three ARIA wins. On a personal note, I was thrilled to see Miiesha take home the best soul/R&B release for Nyaaringu, one of my favourite releases of the last year.

I think the ARIA awards are a great platform for helping the average Australian catch up with the local music scene. Performances from Lime Cordiale and Amy Shark were especially stellar. But there were two moments for me that really hit my heart. Watching Archie Roach taking his place in the ARIA Hall of Fame, hearing him sing “Took the Children Away” with Paul Kelly, Linda Bull, and other real talents was so moving. The final number, a tribute to Helen Reddy, brought Australia’s leading female artists together for her feminist anthem “I Am Woman.” Generations of strong Aussie female performers were represented, from Marcia Hines and Kate Ceberano to Tones & I and Montaigne. A video wall brought more famous voices into the chorus. This was packed, and as a woman I’ve got to admit I got a little misty by all that strong feminine energy.

If you missed the show, I encourage you to check out these performances if nothing else. And listen to those albums and songs celebrated this year. Here are all the winners:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Tame Impala – The Slow Rush
BEST MALE ARTIST: Archie Roach – Tell Me Why
BEST FEMALE ARTIST: Sampa The Great – The Return
BEST DANCE RELEASE: Dom Dolla – San Frandisco
BEST GROUP: Tame Impala – The Slow Rush
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST: Lime Cordiale – 14 Steps To A Better You
BEST POP RELEASE: Amy Shark – Everybody Rise
BEST HIP HOP RELEASE: Sampa The Great – The Return
BEST SOUL/R&B RELEASE: Miiesha – Nyaaringu
BEST INDEPENDENT RELEASE: Sampa The Great – The Return
BEST ROCK ALBUM: Tame Impala – The Slow Rush
BEST ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM: Archie Roach – Tell Me Why
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM: Fanny Lumsden – Fallow
BEST HARD ROCK/HEAVY ALBUM: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Chunky Shrapnel
BEST BLUES & ROOTS ALBUM: The Teskey Brothers – Live At The Forum
BEST CHILDREN‘S ALBUM: Teeny Tiny Stevies – Thoughtful Songs for Little People
BEST COMEDY RELEASE: Anne Edmonds – What‘s Wrong With You?
BEST VIDEO: Guy Sebastian – Standing With You
BEST AUSTRALIAN LIVE ACT: Amy Shark – Amy Shark Regional Tour
SONG OF THE YEAR: 5 Seconds Of Summer – Teeth
BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTIST: Harry Styles – Fine Line
BEST COVER ART: WASHINGTON – Batflowers
ENGINEER OF THE YEAR: Kevin Parker for Tame Impala – The Slow Rush
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR: Kevin Parker for Tame Impala – The Slow Rush
BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM: Richard Tognetti & Erin Helyard – Beethoven & Mozart Violin Sonatas
BEST JAZZ ALBUM: Paul Kelly & Paul Grabowsky – Please Leave Your Light On
BEST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK OR MUSICAL THEATRE CAST ALBUM: Chelsea Cullen – I Am Woman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
BEST WORLD MUSIC ALBUM: Joseph Tawadros – Live at the Sydney Opera House

Posted on 18/11/202018/11/2020 by Lauren Katulka

King Canyon Release Old School Soul Single “Long Distance”

King Canyon are making me all nostalgic with their latest soul single, “Long Distance.” This retro track about yearning for a love that’s far away is sure to resonate with many during the pandemic. Lead singer Jimmy Cupples’ voice is full of yearning and tenderness. I love the way it matches with those electric guitar notes from James Ryan, who also produced and mixed the track.

“Long Distance” is my favourite song from the current single, but if you love its laidback vibes you might also appreciate the band’s cover of Stevie Wright’s classic, “Evie (Part 1).” This bluesy acoustic cover gives a brand new complexion to the timeless Aussie rock anthem.

King Canyon will play their first gig since Victoria’s lockdown at Arcobar on the 30th of November. If you can’t make it, make sure you follow the band’s Facebook page for livestreams every Saturday at 5 pm.

Image used with permission from Michael Matthews Media

Posted on 10/11/2020 by Lauren Katulka

Ausmusic T-Shirt Day is Just 10 Days Away!

Ausmusic T-Shirt Day is fast approaching, and it’s more important this year than ever before. More than just a chance to rep your favourite band, Ausmusic T-Shirt Day raises vital funds for Support Act. These guys have been there long before the pandemic assisting musicians, crew, industry workers, and their families doing it tough. As you might imagine with so many gig cancellations this year, they need your help now more than ever. Requests for Crisis Relief have increased by 883% since the pandemic began and calls to Support Act’s Wellbeing Helpline are up 52%.

So wear a T-shirt from one of your favourite Aussie bands on November 20. Might I recommend an up-and-coming act your friends might not know to spread the word about their music? If you’re not sure what to wear, check out Support Act’s premium T-shirt range, with exclusive, limited-edition designs from top Aussie acts including Amy Shark, Dope Lemon, Kate Miller-Heidke, and The Teskey Brothers. 100% of the net proceeds from all these shirts will go to Support Act. Alternatively, visit the merch section of your favourite bands’ websites. Use #ausmusictshirtday and tag @supportact, @triplej, and @aria_official to spread the word. And if you can (because I know many of us are hurting through this pandemic), give generously to Support Act. Their work will help our industry so much, ensuring it can return in full force once this nasty pandemic is over.

Isol-Aid will also run a very special Ausmusic T-shirt Day stream featuring Alex Lahey, Dave Graney and Clare Moore, Emily Wurramara, Gordon Koang, L-Fresh the Lion, Mahalia Barnes, Melinda Schneider, Memphis LK, Romy Vager (RVG), and Yirinda. Check that out from 3:55 pm on November 20.

Image used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM

Posted on 30/09/2020 by Lauren Katulka

Vale Helen Reddy

Australia has lost one of its true music icons. Helen Reddy passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 78, following a battle with dementia.
Her family wrote on her Facebook page, “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Helen Reddy, on the afternoon of September 29th 2020 in Los Angeles.

“She was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother and a truly formidable woman. Our hearts are broken. But we take comfort in the knowledge that her voice will live on forever.”

Helen is best remembered for her breakthrough feminist anthem “I Am Woman,” which earned her a Grammy award for best female pop vocal. However, she did so much more than that. It was one of five top 10 hits here in Australia. She also had more than a dozen U.S. Top 40 hits and a successful Broadway career. In 1974, she earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her life was celebrated in the recently released biopic I Am Woman, which is available now on Stan.

Public domain image from Wikimedia

Posted on 13/09/202013/09/2020 by Lauren Katulka

Cast Your Vote For the South Australian Music Awards

We might be in the midst of a global pandemic, but that won’t slow down the South Australian Music Awards. The annual celebration of SA’s finest musical talent will take place on November 3, in a yet-to-be-determined format. You can be a part of the action by casting your vote for the People’s Choice Awards.

These public-voted awards recognise the state’s best artists in a variety of genres. Will the awards go to big names like Horror My Friend, Cassidy Rae, or Neon Tetra, or one of this year’s promising up-and-comers. Cast your vote via The Music!

And keep an eye on the South Australian Music Awards page for more details of this year’s event as they come to hand.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on 21/07/2020 by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Music on Show in “Mint Condition” Webseries

Recently released webseries Mint Condition is a real treat for music lovers with a soundtrack featuring some of Melbourne’s best independent acts. Think Mick Thomas and the Roving Commission, Jade Imagine, The Meltdowns, Nat Vazer, Hearts and Rockets, and heaps more. The five-episode series follows single mum Audrey, played by Sibylla Budd, as she opens a new Fitzroy shop. She’s joined by Gary Sweet, Bernard Curry, and exciting newcomer Grace Champion.

“Mint Condition was a labour of love. We’re very proud of our amazing cast, our dedicated crew, and all the great local bands who contributed to the soundtrack,” said Gareth Calverley, the show’s co-writer and producer. “We know things aren’t easy right now. We decided to launch the show in the hope that it connects with an audience worldwide. It’s made for anyone who loves independent Australian music and for those who believe it’s important to support local filmmakers during a difficult time. Short-form content is taking off around the world. New international platform QUIBI is a great example, ‘quick bites’ of original new shows. Our audience can experience Series 1 of ‘Mint Condition’ in one hour.”

“We want the audience to really love the diversity of these great songs and get a good feel for the live music scene and the music community that we have in Melbourne,” added Lyndelle Wilkinson, the show’s co-producer and music supervisor. “Even though we are all currently in lockdown, we want to bring that passion for local music to the audience while we are currently unable to go out and be a part of it. Melbourne is the music capital of the world, with usually hundreds of gigs on weekly, so right now we have a huge opportunity to showcase this incredible community and comfort each other with what we have and remind ourselves how lucky we are. I hope the audience is hungry for it and will be inspired to get out and support local artists when things return to normal.”

Whether you’re in hard lockdown or just enjoying life at a slower pace, Mint Condition is perfect pandemic viewing. Check out all the episodes at mintconditiontv.com, Apple TV, Roku, iOS, Android, and Chromecast.

Image used with permission from Dave Laing Publicity

Posted on 05/06/2020 by Lauren Katulka

Become a Music Victoria Member For Free

Music Victoria understands everyone in the music industry is doing it tough right now, so it’s waiving all standard membership fees until the end of the financial year. There are memberships available for musicians, music fans, music industry professionals, venues, and festivals, and heaps more. Basically, if you’re involved in Victoria’s music industry in any way, you want to check this out.

Members receive a bunch of cool perks, including access to professional workshops, industry opportunities, discounts, and heaps more. Signing up gets you all this, plus you’ll feel good knowing that you’re building support for the Victorian music industry.

Visit Music Victoria today to learn more and sign up for your free membership.

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on 02/06/2020 by Lauren Katulka