Category: Reviews

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Human Nature @ The Art House, Wyong – 4 June 2022

I think most teenage girls need a boy band in their life. A bunch of good-looking, nice guys creating fun songs that can alleviate some of the angst that inevitably comes with that period. If they’re talented, well that’s a bonus. I like to think I had discerning taste even back then because my boy band of choice was truly talented. While many of my peers were swooning over Backstreet Boys, Take That, and East 17, I was mad for Human Nature. I moved on as so many of us do as we age, but with the fabulous foursome promising a night of greatest hits on the Central Coast, I couldn’t resist taking a trip down memory lane last weekend.

I must admit, as Human Nature began their signature acapella rendition of Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready” I was transported back. I was sitting next to my husband now, but my heart still skipped a beat marvelling at these men who had meant so much to me as a teenager. This was a night when we revelled in nostalgia. Andrew, Mike, Toby, and Phil took turns sharing stories of their journey from the 4 Trax singing at local RSLs to the Las Vegas strip. Their jokes were cornier than I remembered, but the songs still stack up. “Whisper Your Name”, “Wishes”, “Don’t Cry”, “Last to Know” … the hits that had me lining up at countless shopping centre instores kept coming.

Motown has dominated the last few Human Nature shows I’ve seen, so to enjoy a set that celebrated the original music I loved most was thrilling. Back in the day, the sections of Human Nature shows where they stripped the songs back were always my favourites, so I was in raptures to see so many songs get that treatment. Acoustic versions were balanced by big danceable numbers. And in case you’re wondering, these guys still have the moves to match. I found myself squealing as they ripped off their jackets to reveal rippling biceps while performing the dance steps I still know by heart. Sorry, husband.

The night leaned heavily on those nostalgic originals, but after intermission they proved they’re still much more than a covers band. A string of new originals, sadly ignored by radio but every bit as good as their early hits reminded me I really need to dig into their new music. They’ve still got those songwriting chops.

However, as we all know it was covers that gave Human Nature’s careers a shot in the arm and took them to the Las Vegas strip. While it’s incredibly popular, I must admit that I’ve never been a big fan of their Motown material. I always felt there was just a little more heart when they were performing their own songs. However, in a show like this, we got the best of those soul covers. I also can’t deny the power these songs have on the audience. The aisles were filled with people dancing.

This was a night for the fans, whether you were there screaming along at the shopping centre instores or you jumped on the Motown train. Human Nature evoked memories and reminded us all that 30 years on, they’ve still got it. Human Nature have plenty of local shows before Mike, Andrew, and Toby return to the US. If you’ve ever been a fan, you don’t want to miss this:

11 June 2022 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
14 June 2022 – Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Brisbane
15 June 2022 – Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Brisbane
16 June 2022 – The Events Centre, Caloundra
17 June 2022 – The Events Centre, Caloundra
18 June 2022 – Brolga Theatre and Convention Centre, Maryborough
21 June 2022 – Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra
22 June 2022 – WIN Sports & Entertainment Centres, Wollongong
24 June 2022 – Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub, Springwood
25 June 2022 – Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub, Springwood
26 June 2022 – Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub, Springwood
28 June 2022 – Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga
29 June 2022 – Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga
30 June 2022 – Griffith Regional Theatre, Griffith
1 July 2022 – Griffith Regional Theatre, Griffith
2 July 2022 – Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury
3 July 2022 – Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury
8 July 2022 – Twin Towns Services Club, Tweed Heads
9 July 2022 – Twin Towns Services Club, Tweed Heads
21 July 2022 – Glasshouse, Port Macquarie
22 July 2022 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
23 July 2022 – The Star Event Centre, Sydney
24 July 2022 – The Star Event Centre, Sydney
26 July 2022 – Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany
27 July 2022 – Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury
28 July 2022 – Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah
29 July 2022 – Crown Theatre, Perth
30 July 2022 – Crown Theatre, Perth

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Into the Black” – Karise Eden

While the country is captivated by the search for the next Voice superstar, Australia’s original winner Karise Eden has dropped a brand new EP, Into the Black. Its release doesn’t have the same fanfare as tonight’s winner’s announcement inevitably will, but it’s a timely reminder that it’s worth looking back at some of the talents who’ve come through the competition rather than simply seeking out the next big thing.

Into the Black is officially called an EP, but at seven tracks it feels more like a mini-album. And just like an album, this is a collection of songs with something to say. It starts strong, with rock-blues numbers “Beast” and “Black Crow”. They’re unflinching, uncompromising, the perfect vehicles for her trademark gravelly vocals. Karise reveals a more tender side with singles “My Old Friend” and “Gone”. No matter what type of song she’s singing, it’s all heart. This is a longer EP than most, but when the final note of “So Far” faded away I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. That’s a testament to the quality of every song included here.

Into the Black is Karise’s first collection of songs since 2018’s incredible Born to Fight album. Like a fine wine, she’s becoming even more compelling as time goes on. This is a brilliant collection of songs that reminds listeners of her unparalleled vocal talents and stellar songwriting ability.

Karise will play River Heads Rocks 2022 on June 25 and The Gathering of the Goddesses festivals in Victoria and Tasmania next year, but that’s not all. Expect a national tour announcement really soon.

Images used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“20 and Bored” – Nick Keogh

I’m not sure there’s any feeling greater than falling in love with new music. You know the feeling, that head over heels sensation that makes you want to stand on a street corner and tell everyone they need to listen to it. That’s the way I feel about Nick Keogh’s debut EP, 20 and Bored.

I’m not always so quick to impress. Sometimes it takes me a few listens to really gel with new music. But when I hear something this good, it’s like a bolt from the blue. I was hooked from the folky acoustic guitar intro of “Sweater Weather.” It’s such a beautiful song, but there’s more where that came from. As I continued listening, I fell just a little more in love.

This kind of folk-pop music is right up my alley. It’s introspective, with lyrics that are powerful in their relatable simplicity. The acoustic melodies are so gorgeous. Nick’s voice is warm and welcoming. It stands up on its own, but I also love hearing it contrast with the sweet, feminine tones of his special guest vocalists. Nancie Shipper joins him for “Red Flags,” an uplifting track that looks back on mistakes made in past relationships. Another stunning duet, “Let Me Let You Down” with Stella Who follows. Nick has a knack for creating these songs that sound so optimistic sonically, but the lyrics reveal darker truths. There’s heartache, regret, shame, the whole messy human experience.

“Baby Blue” continues the trend. The first part sounds like the sort of song you might sing along to with your drinking parties on a fun night out, but the cutting lyrics swipe at an old love. Part two is softer, the other half of the story, more reflective, the sort of song that might come out when the friends have gone home and the booze is wearing off. The simple, unadorned acoustic guitar melody and heart-on-sleeve powerful vocals of the final track “Outliers” is everything I love about Nick’s music.

Naming your EP 20 and Bored hardly raises expectations. But this music is anything but boring. This special collection of songs has quickly made Nick Keogh one of my favourite Aussie artists. If you’re near Albury, click through for tickets to his show tomorrow night in Birddog.

Image credit: Mike Ridley

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

LANY @ Hordern Pavilion, Sydney – 25 May 2022

Midweek gigs are tough! You get to a certain age and it takes a lot to get you out in your local area, let alone make the trip from the Central Coast to Sydney for a show. But LANY put on one of the greatest live shows I’ve ever witnessed. I might be hurting now, but I was not going to miss it. So back to the Hordern I trudged, ready to back up the weekend’s Dermot Kennedy gig.

Adelaide act Bjéar were a late addition to the line-up after the original support act Sasha Alex Sloan couldn’t make the trip. The enthusiastic crowd didn’t mind the last-minute change one bit. The applause when they took the stage was so rapturous my husband asked me whether the crowd knew this wasn’t the main act. I can’t say, but I can say the young crowd ate up what they did. Meanwhile, I sat there feeling every one of my 42 years. There were moments I enjoyed, especially when the bassist took the mic and we discovered she has the most gorgeous voice. Overall though, the ambling songs and overuse of the vocoder left me feeling a bit disconnected. But as I say, the majority of the young crowd loved it, so maybe there’s something there I’m missing.

While Bjéar weren’t my cup of tea, LANY were all that and more. Near the top of the show, frontman Paul Klein told us we were going to have the best night of our lives. It’s an audacious claim, but I’m not sure he was wrong. I can’t honestly remember a time when I had more fun. Paul has such relentless energy. He’s a born performer, on the whole time whether he’s dancing about or jumping on platforms during upbeat numbers or taking us on a more emotional journey with a tender ballad. As an audience member, it’s infectious. It might have been late on a school night, but we were all partying along with him.

In the three years since LANY last played here, they’ve released two albums. I wondered whether old favourites might be sacrificed for new material, but this set was perfect. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a band get the balance so right. New favourites like “never mind, let’s break up”, “ex i never had”, and “cowboy in LA” took their place against classics like “Thick and Thin” and “Super Far”. I was thrilled to hear so many songs from Malibu Nights, the album that turned me onto the band, make the set. And then there were the deep cuts! After a band releases four albums, you don’t expect to hear early EP tracks like “pink skies” make the set. What a treat!

Speaking of fans, what a joy they are. I must admit, it’s still a little weird to go to concerts where most members of the audience are less than half your age. But after being annoyed by the incessant chatter at the Dermot Kennedy show, I appreciated these fans even more. They were so respectful of the artists, not just the headliner but the support act too. They were properly in it, singing along to every lyric, holding their phones aloft like cigarette lighters, soaking up every moment. No wonder by the end of the show Paul told us that we were the best audience of the Australian tour. He might say that in every city, but we’ll take it. He also assured us they’ll be back next year, the year after that, and every year for the rest of their lives. If they do, so will I. Because nothing is more fun than a LANY show.

LANY will play Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne tomorrow night and Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane on Sunday night before they head to New Zealand. If you’re on the fence about a weeknight gig, just buy the tickets. Life is too short to miss shows this good.

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dermot Kennedy @ Hordern Pavilion, 21 May 2022

If there was ever a sign that Australia’s moving into a new phase of pandemic life, it’s the steady stream of international performers arriving on our shores. I finally broke my international gig drought on Saturday night when I caught Dermot Kennedy at the Hordern Pavilion.

I was thrilled to see Miiesha named as the support on this tour. Her album Nyaaringu was one of my favourites of 2020, so I was pretty excited to finally see her live. That album, released as the Black Lives Matter movement gained traction made such insightful comments about culture, race, and division. What a shame the sound mix didn’t do her justice. While her band was fire, the mix which put their instruments over Miiesha’s vocals was disappointing. Miiesha’s words deserve to be heard. She gave such energy and swagger, but it couldn’t quite make up for the mess coming out of the speakers. I’m going to have to catch her again some other time.

Thankfully those sound issues were sorted by the time Dermot took the stage. I’m not sure my heart could have taken having this moment tainted by sound issues. According to my Spotify stats, Dermot was my most-streamed artist of 2021. There’s something special about musical pandemic discoveries. At a time when so much of the world seemed dark and grey, finding the right music can bring colour. Seeing that person who lifted you up delivering the songs that you felt right down to your bones is special. He started with “Lost,” a song that reminds me so much of my husband and the dark time he went through stressed about a job that he eventually lost. I sang along with every fibre of my being, feeling such jubilation and joy. I’m sure we’ve all had those experiences, where someone comes on stage and you just feel such overwhelming happiness. What a rush.

The beautiful thing is that it happened so many times. Those moments with those songs that were just so perfectly exquisite. Me connecting with the songs, as so many people in the sold-out room did. Dermot connecting with the people in the room and his own songs. The emotion in his voice attested to that. What a thing to witness.

While Dermot was perfect and I’m sure a great proportion of the crowd was too, unfortunately, my experience was marred by some punters. I’ve always been a really attentive concertgoer. You’re there to listen. Sing along, absolutely, but it’s not the place to have a conversation. Especially not in the quiet moments. I cringed as I tried to listen to Dermot’s words between songs, hoping he couldn’t hear the chatter as he explained their inspiration. I tried desperately to drown the murmur of voices out as he so beautifully sang “For Island Fires and Family” acapella. Maybe it makes me a stick in the mud, but there are plenty of other places to chat with your mates, double-fist booze, and take selfies. We’ve been without international artists for so long. How about we just soak up the moments we have with them?

That annoyance aside, Dermot was everything I hoped he would be. His voice was spinetingling. I found myself wiping away tears more than once. He’s such a special performer. I only hope that next time he tours he plays venues where the whole crowd gives him the attention he deserves.

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Now and Then” – Eliza & The Delusionals

It feels like I’ve been waiting forever for Eliza & The Delusionals to release an album. I started writing about the band way back in 2018 and singles from this album like “You” and “Save Me” have been out in the world since 2021. However, as the old saying goes, good things come to those who wait. My expectations were high, but Now and Then exceeds them.

It’s hardly the band’s fault that this music has taken so long to reach us though. There was that little matter of the pandemic which made moving forward on so many projects challenging. It was made during the pandemic, but don’t mistake it for a “pandemic album”. It’s far more upbeat than that, focusing on the personal strength and resilience gained during the period than pervading doom and gloom.

Sitting with so many of these songs for so long makes the album feel instantly familiar. We’ve already fallen in love with Eliza’s powerful vocals and the way the band combines rock edge with catchy pop vibes. If you’ve somehow missed all those singles, it won’t take you too long to come up to speed. This music is so accessible, with nods to acts like Michelle Branch, The Cranberries, and even Taylor Swift. Album tracks that are brand new to me like “Lonely” and “All The Time” have become firm favourites.

Now and Then might have taken some time to reach us, but its shimmering optimism is the ideal antidote for the gloomy winter weather setting in. Before the season leaves us, they’ll be spreading their good vibes with capital city shows around the country. Catch them at the following venues:

6 August 2022 – Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney
11 August 2022 – Crown and Anchor, Adelaide
12 August 2022 – Mojos Bar Fremantle, Perth
26 August 2022 – The Zoo, Brisbane
3 September 2022 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Luke Henery

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“What Did You Expect?” – Lemaire

Lemaire really impressed me a few months ago with his relatable single “Ford Laser”. He’s dishing out more rhymes with an Aussie flavour in his new EP What Did You Expect?

In truth, if you’ve listened to “Ford Laser”, you know exactly what to expect from this EP. And it’s fabulous. The rap scene is full of posers, up-and-comers who believe in faking it until they make it and established artists keen to flaunt their wealth. But you’ll never catch Lemaire being anything other than authentic. He celebrates his “shitbox” Ford Laser. “Shiraz” tells us he’d rather sip on an Aussie red than Cristal. There’s no coincidence that “Be Myself”, a collaboration with BOY SODA, sits square in the middle of this EP, anchoring it with its theme of self-acceptance. Lemaire knows where he came from. Rather than avoiding Australianisms that might not translate to a global audience, he’s happy to namecheck everything from that iconic car to Queensland’s premier. These are songs written with tongue planted firmly in cheek. International music fans might not quite catch or understand the humour, but as an Aussie listener, I had a blast with these songs.

What Did You Expect? didn’t just meet my expectations, but exceeded them. This collection of songs is so much fun. Lemaire represents the new breed of Aussie rappers well. Like Illy and Baker Boy, he’s creating music that’s so positive and proudly rooted in our culture. With his first EP, Lemaire shows us who he is and that he’s got a bright future ahead.

Images used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Everybody Knows I’m Here” – Various Artists

As every new single dropped, I got a little more excited about Everybody Knows I’m Here. Albums of cover versions are a dime a dozen. Usually they’re designed simply to sell. Gather up some popular artists, get them to record some popular songs, and you’ve got a recipe for success. Now that it’s finally dropped I can confidently say, this album doesn’t play it so safe. It’s so much better for it.

Of course, the music from Chess Records is enduringly popular. Songs like “Johnny B. Goode”, “Mannish Boy”, and “Susie Q” are pop culture staples. But the versions on this album aren’t karaoke covers. Each one is thoughtful and considered. The diverse artists featured use these songs from the great American songbook as a platform to say something about their own experiences. They’re First Nations people, immigrants, gender-diverse acts, people who know what it’s like to walk outside privilege. I’d wager their names aren’t familiar to many Australians, but their insightful interpretations and new rap sections breathe new life into these songs.

If you don’t know your history, Chess Records was established in Chicago in 1950. For two and a half decades it gave black American artists a voice. It launched as a blues label but the stable grew to celebrate soul, gospel, jazz, and early rock and roll. Today this album celebrates its legacy and gives our marginalised artists their chance to speak up. These songs were recorded in a different time and place, but listening to these songs you understand a lot hasn’t changed. Themes of struggle, independence, identity, pride, and love still resonate.

Everybody Knows I’m Here is an exciting and important piece of work. It pays loving tribute to the legacy of Chess Records and reinterprets the music to make powerful statements about life for Australian black, Indigenous, and people of colour today. Make sure you take a listen.


Images used with permission from Chester Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Real Love in Real Life” – Greta Stanley

Greta Stanley is an artist who refuses to be pigeonholed. Just when you think you’ve got her figured out, she takes a left turn. It’s exciting. She showcases the full breadth of her artistry on her sophomore album Real Love in Real Life.

Real Love in Real Life seems like a pop record at first. The upbeat vibes of tracks like “Plant My Feet” and “Keep My Cool” match the vibrant pinks and purples on the album cover. It’s incredible pop music, energetic and fun and fresh. And then just like that, we’re on track six, “Heartbeat Harbour”, and everything changes. It’s darker, bluesier, more raw. “Hold on You” brings back the pop beats, but doesn’t shake that darkness. We’re getting to know another side of Greta. It’s different but so compelling. As the album progresses, it seems like Greta Stanley peels back more layers. “Favourite Songs” and “Close Call” are some of my favourite songs. The instrumentation is pared back, giving the honest lyrics space to breathe. They’re confessional, like diary entries, giving us real insight into the artist and her experiences. The current single “Red Earth Dirt” sees Greta return to pop princess mode, bringing the album full circle … or so I thought. However, Greta leaves us with the title track, a beautiful country song that sounds like it’d be at home in a honky tonk bar.

I must admit, it took me a little time to warm up to Real Love in Real Life. All the twists and turns took me by surprise. While I heard flashes of brilliance on the first couple of listens, I needed a little time to embrace the album as a whole. However, by the third listen, I was hooked. This is an album that challenges the listener, but since when was that a bad thing?

Real Love in Real Life is out today. She’s giving us a couple of months to familiarise ourselves with the songs before she hits the road for her headlining tour. Check her out at the following venues:

7 July 2022 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
9 July 2022 – Waghorn to West Festival, Ipswich
14 July 2022 – La La La’s, Wollongong
15 July 2022 – Waywards, Sydney
16 July 2022 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
22 July 2022 – Suburban Vibes, Western Australia
23 July 2022 – Four5Nine, Perth
30 July 2022 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
5th August 2022 – Otherwise Bar, Townsville
6 August 2022 – Tanks Art Centre, Cairns

Images used with permission from Six Boroughs

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Lonesome Blue” – Racing Birds

Just a couple of weeks ago I was raving about Racing Birds’ single “Rarely Never Loaded”. The reason I was so excited is that I already knew these guys weren’t just a flash in the pan. I was already listening to their debut EP Lonesome Blue, anticipating the day when I could tell you all about it.

I love the upbeat energy of “Rarely Never Loaded”, but the EP shows this duo has more than one gear. They seem more comfortable taking things at a slower pace, where their brand of bluesiness has time to marinate. They linger over lyrics, wringing every bit of emotion out of them. It ensures we feel the yearning in that title track, that we can see the beautiful imagery of “Silver Sun Bohemian” and “Vampires and LSD” coming to life without missing a detail. The raw, honest vocals from Jeremy Strother are a revelation, the perfect foil for Bobbie Lee Stamper’s rootsy blues rhythms. Together they’re creating some of the best alt-country music I’ve heard in some time.

I can’t wait to catch these guys live, because something tells me these tunes will sound even better experienced in a crowd of enthusiastic music fans. Until then, I’ve got this EP on repeat. Lonesome Blue is out today.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR