Category: Reviews

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Home” – Ben Witkowski

2020 might have put us through the emotional wringer, but it’s been an incredible year for art. We might not have been able to see our favourite performers in the flesh, but the lockdown has forced many musicians to slow down and get introspective. That is a recipe for songwriting gold. “Home,” the debut EP from Melbourne singer-songwriter Ben Witkowski, is the latest lockdown-inspired release to capture my heart.

The EP’s name has two meanings for Ben. Of course, there is the physical place, the four walls that made us feel safe, yet imprisoned when the pandemic struck. But home is much more than that, as he explained.

“In 2020 I was feeling very lost with myself and my identity. I thought about the places where I felt most comfortable, relaxed, and the truest version of myself. These feelings didn’t necessarily come from when I thought about the house that I lived in. They were more from a whole range of experiences in my life. Experiences like when I was travelling and exploring through my incredible home country of Australia; when I was with my family, friends, and intimate relationships; and when I was discovering things about my identity by taking chances and embracing the adventure of life. With so many people taking 2020 to reassess what makes them truly feel at ‘home,’ everything just felt right to release these tracks together under that name.”

These folk songs are powerfully understated. The power comes not from big belty vocals or dramatic instrumental sounds, but from incredible, honest songwriting. Ben’s vocals are raw and heartfelt. His phrasing is deliberate, ensuring we don’t miss a word. His lyrics take center stage, cradled by beautiful piano melodies on “Who I Am” and “Rosemary,” by the delicate strains of an acoustic guitar on “Don’t Look Down.”

There’s no filler here. Every song on this five-track collection feels so cathartic. It gives voice to the experiences so many of us have had this year. It also showcases what a special talent Ben Witkowski is.

“Home” is available on all major digital platforms now.

Images used with permission from Ben Witkowski

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Icehouse Plays Flowers Live” – Icehouse

Icehouse released their debut album the year I was born, so it seems like they’ve always been a part of my life. I’m sure the tracks seeped into my subconscious as they blared from my parents’ radio. We didn’t own an Icehouse album though. While I liked them well enough, I didn’t consider myself a fan until I saw them support Hall & Oates in 2012. They blew the roof off the Sydney Entertainment Centre, outshining the headliners and making me appreciate them in a way I never had before. That’s how good this band is live, even now so many years past their heyday. So I was pretty excited to see Iva and the lads release a new live album to brighten up the horror that is 2020. Celebrating 40 years since the band released their debut album, Icehouse Plays Flowers Live delivers what it says on the tin, and then some.

It’s amazing to think this album was recorded at the St Kilda Music Festival on 9th February 2020. It doesn’t seem like so long ago, but listening to the rapturous crowd captured on this recording made me wistful. The band is so tight and Iva’s voice strong as they deliver those songs that made their first album one of the best debuts in history. Not just the big singles including “We Can Get Together,” “Walls,” and the iconic closer, “Great Southern Land,” but those album tracks that really deserve a spot on live sets. I wasn’t exaggerating when I told you there’s a little more to this live album though. Choice covers of David Bowie’s “The Jean Genie,” T. Rex’s “Get It On,” and Sex Pistols’ “Pretty Vacant,” three songs they used to play as an up-and-coming band, are an absolute joy.

If you’ve experienced Icehouse live, you know what a gift this album is. If you’re yet to have the pleasure, you’ll want to wrap your ears around this to understand what you’ve been missing all these years. Either way, let this album tide you over until gigs of this calibre return.

Images used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Songs for a Long Walk” – Jack Davies & The Bush Chooks

I expected Jack Davies & The Bush Chooks to be a novelty act. The Western Australian band’s EP Songs for a Long Walk features tracks like “Loving You’s Like a Mouldy Cup of Tea” and “Half Frozen Beer.” However, I quickly learned this act shouldn’t be underestimated.

As those song titles suggest, there’s certainly humour in these tracks. The lyrics are infused with a uniquely Australian voice, that blokey one that speaks to the heart but uses laughs to make sure things never get too heavy. The walls come down completely on tracks like “Broken Glass” and the closer “Michael,” two powerful songs played straight for maximum impact.

These guys also sound like a serious band. This was my introduction to their music, but their folky sound felt instantly familiar to me. In a world where so much music is overproduced, there’s something so refreshing about a band that simply sounds like they’re jamming. There’s a warmth about the way the harmonica, piano, acoustic guitar, and other instruments come together. It’s so natural, so organic and comforting.

“Each time Jack brings the band a song, it’s like greeting an old friend you haven’t seen in a very long time; joyous, surprising, exciting and feels so right. Like a piece of you you didn’t realise you were missing,” explained one of the Bush Chooks, Elise Hiatt. “They’re raw, jangly and full of love. It’s our cup of tea made just the way we like it, mould and all. We hope it’s yours too.”

It most certainly is. Songs For A Long Walk is out now.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Greg Gould @ The Art House, Wyong – 9 October 2020

It has been far too long since I’ve posted a concert review. The last time I went seven months without a concert I was probably in my early teens. I’m not sure I’ve ever gone that long without going out somewhere fun and social, but my husband and I have been hermitting hard during the pandemic. I wasn’t sure what it’d take to give me the confidence to venture out, but The Art House nailed it with The Stage Door Cabaret Sessions.

Before I talk about the Greg Gould show, I want to let you know all about the excellent measures The Art House has in place. The show was limited to just 45 attendees. We sat at tables on the stage in our ticket bubbles, further apart than the minimum 1.5 metres required. That left plenty of space for the venue’s staff to walk to deliver drinks and plates of cheese and antipasto to our tables. You could order them from a pop-up bar in the loading dock or via SMS from our table. We loved this option as it let us avoid bar queues. We were allowed inside as soon as we arrived and exiting was staggered to help us all maintain that vital social distance when we left.

The tables on the stage weren’t the only thing topsy turvy for this show. We entered and exited via the stage door, rather than the main entrance. A red carpet laid out for us made us all feel like VIPs. We used the bathrooms in the dressing rooms rather than those in the foyer. These changes made this show feel so special and gave us a new perspective of the theatre we all love.

The show started with a speech from Art House executive director, Anne-Marie Heath welcoming us back to the theatre and explaining the tradition of the ghost light, a light that traditionally stays on while a theatre is unoccupied. The Art House’s ghost light has lit up the theatre for seven months as the staff cancelled and postponed shows. What a thrill to toast to the Art House as that light went out.

And what a show to open the Art House with. Greg Gould has such an incredible voice, which could really shine in this intimate setting. It was his show, showcasing music from his current covers album 1998 and a few other choice cuts, but his special guests Andrew Worboys and Melanie Lewin were every bit a part of the show. Andrew Worboys provided piano accompaniment but also showed off his own vocal chops when Greg decided to tinkle the ivories. Melanie sang with Greg on his cover of “How Do I Live” on this album, but she showed her talent singing the parts of some of Australia’s most acclaimed female vocalists including Tania Doko and Prinnie Stevens. Greg and Mel are old friends, and their chemistry on stage really made the night something special.

1998 was an exciting time for me. It was my first year of university, that time when I really felt I was leaving my childhood behind and discovering my independence. Listening to songs from that period is such a nostalgic experience. Greg’s covers are so clever. He gives each song a new identity without straying too far from what made it great. And he’ll always out-sing a Britney Spears! I particularly loved his versions of “Together Again” and “Buses and Trains.” And that TLC medley had me wanting to violate that covid-safe no singing rule!

The Art House is showcasing the talents of other Central Coast talents like Greg, Mel, and Andrew at its The Stage Door Cabaret Sessions every Friday and Saturday night for the next few weeks. Tickets are incredibly limited to keep the events covid-safe, but I thoroughly recommend them if you’re anywhere near the coast! Head to The Art House website for all the details.

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Stevie & The Sleepers” – Stevie & The Sleepers

Stevie & The Sleepers’ debut album has been a long time coming. The band released their debut EP Shake It Up back in 2013. Their recent 12-month hiatus might have made some fans doubt this album would ever see the light of day. But it’s here now, and it’s glorious.

The opening guitar notes of “In the Delta,” transport us back in time. This classic blues number sets the scene, ensuring we know this is music steeped in tradition. The addition of wailing electric guitars adds some modern flavour, but like the most timeless music these songs shine without heavy production. They’re anchored by this tight band of musicians and Stevie Joy’s compelling voice.

If you enjoyed the band’s recent single “Favourite Song,” you’ll love this album. The high-energy party numbers combining soul and blues influences come thick and fast. Along with the single, “Jimmy” and “Shouldn’t Of” are standouts. There is so much energy and attitude in Stevie & The Sleepers music, but the band gives us a chance to catch our breath every now and again. The gospel-infused “Young Again” and tender “Save You” reveal a softer side. These soulful ballads really make an impression among the more upbeat numbers.

Few debut albums are as polished or self-assured as Stevie & The Sleepers self-titled work. This is a band that knows exactly who they are and delivers their own brand of music with so much confidence. Was it worth the wait? Hell yes.

Image used with permission from Stevie & The Sleepers

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Chutney” – Chutney

The influence of early 2000s British indie-rock acts like the Arctic Monkeys, the Kooks, and the Wombats can be heard clearly throughout Chutney’s self-titled EP. The roughened vocals and guitar-driven melodies are dripping in nostalgia. But when it sounds this good, it’s hard to get too critical.

With just five songs, Chutney keep things short and snappy. Opening track “Consolation Prize” is a mid-tempo charmer that eases us into the recording. It gives us a great taste of what Chutney are all about before they pick up the pace with “Genie’s Lamp.” It might sing about a relationship that’s “far away from love,” but I found the relaxed earnest pleas of “Sleep With Me” irresistible. “Outcast” is a bold floor-filler that makes me crave live gigs even more. I can just imagine how this would go off in some sweaty pub. Chutney hails from the Gold Coast, but the EP ends with an ode to South Australia’s capital. “Adelaide” is a fairly gentle outro, the sort of track that might play as the party winds down.

Chutney might not be able to leave the Sunshine State, but they’re organising some local gigs until those borders open up. Home state fans can catch them with Selfish Sons at Vinnie’s Dive on September 26.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Everything” – CAMP 8

New Zealand-born, Melbourne-based artist CAMP 8 has set the bar high with his beautiful debut EP, Everything. This five-song collection is haunting, hypnotic, and just what your soul needs right now.

This EP had me from the title track’s gentle opening strains. There’s a real quiet strength about this music. It’s subtle, but so moving. CAMP 8 creates lush, atmospheric soundscapes that sit so perfectly with his poignant vocals. As each song builds, the emotions behind it are palpable. I can’t remember feeling so moved by a collection of songs in a while. It’s life-affirming listening to something so stirring.

Perhaps it’s not surprising that these songs hit so hard right now, against the backdrop of the pandemic, because CAMP 8 wrote them when he was also struggling through a difficult time.

“I wrote all the songs in the couple the months before, during and after I found out that my ex-partner was cheating on me with my sister’s boyfriend at the time,” he revealed. “We all lived in a house together which all went to shit in a very chaotic 24 hours. Two months later I met my now fiancé.”

Listening to the songs, you can hear when those emotions shift. There a dark melancholy about the opening songs, but by the time “Happier” rolls around things get a little lighter. There’s still lingering sadness, but there’s an optimism about this song too. While it was inspired by very different circumstances, the hope that springs from it really resonates right now as I contemplate what the future might look like. By the time “Shudder” rolled around, I felt lighter, healed.

Listening to Everything is such a cathartic experience. It demands shutting the world out and just sitting with it for a while. How fortunate we are that CAMP 8 has released these special songs right now, when it’s just that little bit easier to do just that.

Images used with permission from Habit Music Co.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Rome” – Josh Pyke

Josh Pyke has kept us waiting five years for a new studio album, but I can’t imagine a better time for his latest collection of songs to enter the world. Rome is a welcome return for this acclaimed Australian singer-songwriter.

There’s a great nostalgia in these songs and a whole lot of love. Tracks like “Still We Carry On” and “You’re My Colour” conjure memories and speak of moments with family and friends. However, they also remind us that nothing lasts forever. Moments pass quickly, and while we hang onto the memories for a time, even they will fade as we do. That might seem bleak, but Josh suggests it can also encourage us to make the most of the time we have. Josh celebrates the passing of time in “Doubting Thomas,” encouraged that “Something good will come around again.” “Where Goes the Girl” is a tale of love lost that constantly reminds us that “It’s all over now,” yet the song still refuses to dwell. The sweet guitar melody and fond lyrics recall with tenderness that at least it happened.

Most Josh Pyke tracks are slow burners, but “I Thought We Were a River” has hit written all over it. Listening to this number, and singing along to those cheery “oo-ahh-oohs,” is an absolute joy. A brassy fanfare makes “Don’t Let It Wait” another song that’s bigger than many fans might expect. However, its message is so crucial, I appreciate the Beatles-esque symphony of sound driving it home. This album has more sonic flourishes than many of his earlier works, but the sound is considered. Everything is exactly where it’s meant to be, enhancing Josh’s message.

Josh’s unmistakable tone, introspective, wise lyrics, and warm, organic tunes feel like the musical equivalent of a big hug right now. They’re comforting, calming, and just what the world needs.

Rome will be released this Friday, August 28. At this stage, Josh still plans play his Fans First shows in October. All shows are for punters 18+:

1 October 2020 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
2 October 2020 – Old Museum, Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
8 October 2020 – The Toff, Melbourne
9 October 2020 – Volta, Ballarat
10 October 2020 – The Toff, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
11 October 2020 – The Toff, Melbourne
15 October 2020 – Mojos, Fremantle
16 October 2020 – Mojos, Fremantle
17 October 2020 – Lion Arts Factory (Front Deck), Adelaide
28 October 2020 – Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney (SOLD OUT)
29 October 2020 – Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney
30 October 2020 – Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney (SOLD OUT)

Images used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Demons” – Nathan Cavaleri

It’s been nearly 26 years since local guitar whizz Nathan Cavaleri released an album. Back then he was just 12 years old, a cute kid known for his cancer battle, appearances on Hey Hey It’s Saturday, and of course that talent beyond his years. His whirlwind childhood took a toll and Nathan stepped back from the spotlight to regroup and reassess. Thankfully, after some soul searching, he’s ready to share music with us again. The result is Demons, an album that represents Nathan’s journey and the adult performer he is today.

With the album’s first single, the title track “Demons,” and his latest release, “Before You Check Out,” Nathan shows he’s unafraid of tackling the tough issues. Both songs are introspective explorations of mental illness. Sensitively handled, there’s an optimism about both numbers that balances their dark themes.

The same could be said for the whole album really. While those songs have a suitably sombre tone, they’re balanced with more upbeat tracks like the funky, psychedelic inspired “Castles in the Sky” and flirty “Crush.” A swampy cover of Cold Chisel’s classic, “Rising Sun,” is so much fun. “Drifter” is another standout. Nathan’s voice is solid throughout this album, but this instrumental number lets us focus on his sublime guitar playing. This is where he really shines. The album closes with “Chucky,” a largely instrumental classic blues number that feels so fitting. While it has some vocals, reminding us that Nathan is much more than a guitar prodigy, it’s his skills with his axe that leave the lasting impression.

With Demons, Nathan Cavaleri shows himself to be a master musician, skilled at his craft and unafraid to take risks and innovate. The album roots itself in blues traditions, but Nathan isn’t afraid to take these classic sounds in new directions. A generation of Australians fell in love with Nathan Cavaleri, the child star. Now with the release of Demons, they get the chance to fall in love with Nathan Cavaleri, the man.

Nathan can’t wait to play these songs live, so he’s working with the following venues to play shows in line with each state and territory’s COVID-19 regulations. Hopefully all these shows will go ahead with safe social distancing and other COVID-19 safety procedures in place.

2 October 2020 – The Rhythm Hut, Gosford (All ages; minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
3 October 2020 – Stag & Hunter, Newcastle (18+)
9 October 2020 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla (18+)
16 October 2020 – The Pepper Tree, Aldinga (18+)
17 October 2020 – The Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide (18+)
30 October 2020 – Camelot Lounge, Sydney (All ages; minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
31 October 2020 – Smiths Alternative, Canberra (All ages; minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
1 November 2020 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli (18+)
12 November 2020 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave (18+)
13 November 2020 – The Catfish, Fitzroy (18+)
14 November 2020 – Live at the Bundy, Bundalaguah (All ages; minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
27 November 2020 – The Baroque Room, Katoomba (18+)
3 & 4 April 2021 – Bluesfest, Byron Bay (All ages)

Images used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Live” – Ian Moss

Like many music lovers, I miss attending concerts most of all in these pandemic times. Live streams fill the void somewhat, but who knows how long it’ll be until I’m sitting in a room with other music lovers watching one of my favourite artists perform once again. The cravings are real, but Ian Moss has gone some way towards satisfying them with the recent release of his live album, simply called Live.

Recorded over two shows at Canberra’s Playhouse and Sydney’s Enmore Theatre in July 2018, the album captures all the electricity of one of Mossy’s live sets. The tracklist balances popular Cold Chisel and solo singles with some unexpected gems. Well-known tracks like “Choir Girl” and “Tucker’s Daughter” are perfect for singalongs while the less familiar numbers give Mossy space to spread out and experiment. I found myself marvelling as he jammed out with his six-piece band on tracks like “Janelle” and “One Long Day.” This album captures so beautifully those moments that would floor you in the room, where the musicians are so totally caught up in the groove.

“It was great to be back out and touring Australia with a big band full of extraordinary talent and exceptional musicians and playing to some of the best audiences I’ve ever played to,” Ian reminisced. “The crew we had on the road with us were some of the best in the business and of course, having the new studio album, Ian Moss, full of songs, with me at the helm of the songwriting to play was fantastic”.

Ian Moss’s Live is exclusively available from digital services including Spotify and Apple Music. If you love what you hear, remember Ian Moss will be back on the road next year. Here are all the shows we can look forward to in early 2021.

24 & 26 February 2021 – Jetty Theatre, Coffs Harbour
27 February 2021 – Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree
5 March 2021 – The Art House, Wyong
6 March 2021 – The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie
26 March 2021 – Latrobe Performing Arts Centre @ Town Hall, Traralgon
27 March 2021 – The Wedge @ Performing Arts Centre, Sale
7 April 2021 – Swan Hill Town Hall, Swan Hill
9 April 2021 – Mildura Arts Centre, Mildura
10 April 2021 – Broken Hill Civic Centre, Broken Hill
16 & 17 April 2021 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
23 April 2021 – Dubbo Regional Theatre & Convention Centre, Dubbo
24 April 2021 – Tamworth Town Hall, Tamworth
1 May 2021 – Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga

Images used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM; header image credit: Daniel Boud