Category: Tour Announcements

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joel Leggett Drops Indie-Folk Gem, “Losing My Mind”

Hailing from Darkinjung Country/Central Coast artist Joel Leggett will warm your frozen heart with his gorgeous new single “Losing My Mind.” It’s the perfect blend of happy-sad, with lyrics exploring feelings of social isolation and a bright folky sound. This one had me at the banjos!

“The track was recorded over two days and depicts a specific time in my life when I suffered from social anxiety due to the pandemic. Not being able to leave the boundaries of my home was almost impossible due to lockdowns and curfews,” Joel recalled. “During and after the pandemic, I struggled with getting out and meeting people. Catching up with friends and being in large groups was hard because I had this mind chatter telling me I shouldn’t be doing these things. I got so used to spending time with my own thoughts, and sometimes it felt uncomfortable. I felt stuck in my own home and stuck in my head; that is where this track came from.”

The clip sees Joel travel to scenic Cavanbah/Byron Bay, where he produced the track with long-time friend Manning Allen-Scott.

“I thought dancing around paddocks and hanging out around freshwater streams would be a beautiful way to spend your day if you weren’t stuck at home. Funnily enough, we also ran into Pete Murray while recording this; very inspiring!”

Joel is currently touring around the country. Catch him at the following capitals next month:

1 July 2023 – Livid Skateboards, Boorloo/Perth
6 July 2023 – The Workers Club, Naarm/Melbourne
20 July 2023 – Grace Emily Hotel, Tandanya/Adelaide
28 July 2023 – Low 302, Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jacob Fitzgerald Back With “Hurt Me Harder”

Jacob Fitzgerald released one of my favourite EPs of 2022, so I’m thrilled to see this Naarm/Melbourne-based musician back on the scene with the release of “Hurt Me Harder.” This is another stellar effort from Jacob. I can’t wait to crank it up on long car trips. And you can never go wrong when you add a sax solo!

“I find that the deepest forms of love can at times drive you a little crazy. For good or ill. These feelings are usually exacerbated in times of heartbreak and loss, also for good or ill. That’s the throughline of ‘Hurt Me Harder’,” Jacob explained. “It’s about neglecting your feelings of pain to the point of insanity. The whole chorus is a message of ‘nothing you could do would ever hurt me… I’ll always love you’ whilst the heartache is dominating your world. It’s about putting someone on a pedestal, blaming yourself, bottling the pain, and using love as the excuse.”

Jacob Fitzgerald is about to wrap up his Three’s Company tour with Cheap Date and False London. Catch these three amazing talents while you can!

23 June 2023 – The Lady Hampshire, Eora/Sydney
24 June 2023 – Stay Gold, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Girlhood” – Hayley Marsten

Australia’s female country artists are releasing some incredible music at the moment. Just days after discovering Sammy White’s fantastic debut album Dirty Laundry, I’m getting swept up in Hayley Marsten’s sophomore album Girlhood.

Dramatic strings introduce us to the opening track “Getting Better”, indicating that this is no ordinary country song, or country album. Hayley has always had crossover appeal and she continues playing with genre here. While country sounds anchor the album, “Getting Better” has a classic rock feel made for long drives. The synth sounds of the next track “Drowning Myself” give it more of a pop feel. And then she delivers “Teen Movie,” a tender country ballad with lyrics that reference ‘80s cinematic legend John Hughes. I was once a shy teen who spent too much time hoping for my own Jake Ryan or a friend like Ferris Bueller to make my life more exciting, this one really resonated with me.

From rock to pop to pure country in just three tracks. Hayley Marsten isn’t an artist who likes to stand still. She’s a smart musician, adept at identifying the right sound to tell her stories. She turns up the energy for songs of strength like “I Am a Rich Man” and “I’m Fine, Thanks”. But then she can slow things down for more poignant moments, ensuring we catch every lyric of incredible, intimate songs like “I Knew the Pain” and “My Body Was Not My Own.”

I love Girlhood for similar reasons that I love Dirty Laundry. Both albums unfold like diaries, telling the stories of the strong women at their centre. There are light moments of cheeky humour and darker moments that reveal anger, pain, and loss. In the case of Hayley, her latest release shows a natural evolution. Her debut Spectacular Heartbreak was excellent, but I think Girlhood is even better. Take a listen and check her out on one of the remaining shows on her Girlhood tour, which continues tomorrow night.

23 June 2023 – Low 302, Eora/Sydney
24 June 2023 – The Servo Bar, Dharawal and Dhurga Country/Port Kembla
31 August 2023 – Oodies Café, Taribelang Bunda, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang, and Bailai Country/Bundaberg

Images used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

FLETCHER Bringing Shows Down Under

Try as I might, I struggle to keep abreast of all of the great music that’s released. Focusing on Australian artists in my blog helps me keep my finger on the pulse of the local industry, but I often miss awesome international acts until they announce they’re touring. While I missed New Jersey native FLETCHER when she dropped her debut album, GIRL OF MY DREAMS, I’ve been making up for lost time in the last 24 hours. If you love great pop music in the vein of Olivia Rodrigo and Due Lipa, you’re going to love FLETCHER.

The good news is that there’s still time to come up to speed, and nab some tickets for her upcoming Australian tour. While the first Melbourne show has sold out, she added another one in Victoria’s capital. That means there are still tickets in every city available, but they won’t last long. Get onto it music lovers:

2 December 2023 – Hordern Pavilion, Eora/Sydney
4 December 2023 – Forum, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
5 December 2023 – Forum, Naarm/Melbourne
7 December 2023 – Fortitude Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane
9 December 2023 – Metro City, Boorloo/Perth

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Dirty Laundry” – Sammy White

I’m not interested in artists with a lot of polish. I want to know about the good, the bad, and the ugly. I want it raw and real. And that’s exactly why Dirty Laundry, the debut album from country singer-songwriter Sammy White, is so appealing.

As the title of her album suggests, Sammy isn’t afraid to tell it like it is. This is a confessional body of work with songs that touch on Sammy’s sense of self and her relationships, especially with fellow country artist Brad Cox. He guests on the romantic ballad “Love on the Line,” which touches on the challenges of sustaining a relationship as travelling musicians. Songs celebrating the strong women in regional areas like “Country as Cow Shit”, “Diamonds and Dolly”, and “You Sound Like Me” are bound to resonate with her fans. However, you don’t need to be from the country, or even a fan of country music, to appreciate this music. I really related to the picture of a peaceful, uncomplicated love she draws in “Countryside.” “I’ll Do Me, You Do You,” the beautiful ballad of acceptance featuring Brad Butcher which closes the album, is another stunning song.

Listening to Dirty Laundry, it’s difficult to believe that Sammy was nominated for New Talent of the Year at the 2022 Golden Guitar Awards. Just a year on she sounds so seasoned, confident in her vocals and her message. This album paints a picture of a performer who knows herself and is unafraid to share that with the world. It’s refreshing and so exciting to hear. Dirty Laundry is out now. Sammy is currently supporting Brad Cox on his Australian tour, so make sure you get there early if you’ve got tickets to the remaining shows:

22 June 2023 – The Cambridge Hotel, Mulubinba/Newcastle
23 June 2023 – Manning Bar, Eora/Sydney
24 June 2023 – Anita’s Theatre, Thurraral Country/Thirroul

Images used with permission from Sammy White

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joan & The Giants Release Nostalgic New Anthem, “Cool Kid”

Boorloo/Perth alt-pop act Joan & The Giants have just dropped their fabulous new single “Cool Kid,” and I know you’ll want to listen. The fabulous nostalgic ‘90s sound grabbed me from the get-go, but it’s the powerful lyrics exploring frontwoman Grace Newton-Wordsworth’s feelings about coming out that have really stayed with me.

“Coming out as bisexual was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done as I grew up with a lot of shame surrounding my sexuality. I was raised in a loving home, but my parents also had intense Christian beliefs, and I was taught that being gay or queer is a sin and could lead to serious consequences. Thankfully I met some queer friends who encouraged me to open up to who I am and be proud of my sexuality,” she explained.

“I think my entire life I have always been a bit of an outsider and gravitated towards people that feel the same. I grew up on an organic and bio-dynamic farm, my parents are Christian hippies and weren’t very accepted in the town I grew up in. My life was unconventional and other kids just didn’t really understand me. I was rejected, left out and bullied and definitely never a ‘Cool Kid’.”

Joan & The Giants are touring all over the country next month to support the release of “Cool Kid.” Check them out at a venue near you:

5 July 2023 – Hamilton Station Hotel, Mulubinba/Newcastle (FREE)
6 July 2023 – Royal Hotel, Gadigal Country/Bondi (FREE)
7 July 2023 – Towradgi Beach Hotel, Woolyungah/Wollongong (FREE)
8 July 2023 – Bucketty’s Brewery, Garigal Country/Brookvale (FREE)
9 July 2023 – Yulli’s Brews, Gadigal Country/Alexandria (FREE)
12th July 2023 – The Retreat, Bulleke-bek/Brunswick (FREE)
14th July 2023 – The Espy Basement, Euro Yuroke/St Kilda
15th July 2023 – Gods Bandroom, Boon Wurrung Country/Mornington
16th July 2023 – Post Office Hotel, Arrarrkbi Country/Coburg (FREE)
21 July 2023 – Froth Brewery, Noongar Country/Bunbury
22 July 2023 – Hally’s Bar, Undalup/Busselton (FREE)
23 July 2023 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Quedjinup/Dunsborough (FREE)
5 August 2023 – The Bird, Boorloo/Perth

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

GRXCE Drops Angsty New Single, “Wasted On You”

Originally a solo project for frontwoman Jamila Grace, GRXCE has evolved into one of the most exciting up-and-coming rock acts on the scene. Now a four-piece, they’ve just dropped their new single “Wasted On You.” This track builds to an epic crescendo, so it’s perfect for releasing any frustration you’re feeling this Friday.

“‘Wasted on You’ is about unconsciously waiting for someone to come back for you and how isolating that feeling is,” Jamila explained. “I was seeing someone who kept swearing the timing wasn’t right and I told myself that I wouldn’t wait for him and I would move on, but then I was kinda paralysed. Without even trying I was turning down advances from other people, isolating myself, staying in his peripheral in case he changed his mind. It put me in this weird stalemate where I didn’t really know who I was if I didn’t want him.”

GRXCE will support Eagle Eye Jones on the Central Coast tonight before heading to Queensland and back to New South Wales. Catch them wherever you can.

16 June 2023 – Wamberal Ocean View, Darkinjung Country/Wamberal (supporting Eagle Eye Jones)
6 July 2023 – Tom Cat, Meeanjin/Brisbane
7 July 2023 – Burleigh Town Hotel, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
16 July 2023 – North Wollongong Hotel, Woolyungah/Wollongong (FREE – supporting Squid the Kid)

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.; credit: Sammy Lee

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eliza Hull Releases Powerful New Single “Running Underwater”

After years of keeping her degenerative nerve disorder hidden, Eliza Hull has laid her feelings about her condition bare in her powerful new single “Running Underwater.”

“For a long time, I hid my disability, especially in the music industry. This was due to under-representation of disabled musicians and I was constantly shown that disability was a deficit or something that should be feared and hidden. It was such a heavy weight holding onto these beliefs, it was exhausting to constantly hide,” she admitted. “This song is about pushing up against society’s view of disability, it’s about letting go of the fear and being authentic and true to myself and showing that it’s OK to be different.”

The single’s power is matched by the video, which features dancer roya the destroyer, a fellow disability advocate and creative force.

“The music video features my very good friend ‘roya the destroya’. She is a brilliant disabled dancer who moves like nobody I know. She actually started busking with an early version of the song and sent me a video of her performing with it. When I watched that video I knew I had to collaborate with her on the official music video,” Eliza added. “She has a beautiful ability to inhibit what I am feeling in my music and then express that through movement. In the music video she is like my alter-ego, almost like the spirit part of what I am feeling in the lyrics. Keiran Watson-Bonnice is the director of the music video. We have worked together in the past on the ABC Kids TV show And Then Something Changed, which I produced and wrote the music for. We shot the clip in one day, in mostly one take in the Goods Shed on a freezing winter’s day. “

Fresh from dates in the United Kingdom, Eliza will play the following local shows in August and September.

26 August 2023 – Melbourne Recital Centre, Naarm/Melbourne
10 September 2023 – Riverside Theatre, Eora/Sydney
22 September 2023 – Undercover Festival, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Michelle Grace Hunder

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Noah Dillon Makes a Big Impression With “Drip Dry”

I have no idea where I was when Noah Dillon released his debut album Kill The Dove last year, but I’m making up for lost time streaming it now. That’s all thanks to Noah’s latest single “Drip Dry,” a boisterous and bold pop song that encouraged me to listen to the rest of his material. If it doesn’t hook you in too, I’m a poor judge.

“This song was probably my favourite to record and write,” Noah said. “It encapsulates the sonic and lyrical style that I’ve aimed for with this album, contrasting the light of love and the darkness of loss. Lyrically it’s about learning to lean on loved ones through hard times and finding solace in friends and family when relationships end. I wrote the chorus melody on the toilet one day and couldn’t stop whistling it so I stayed up all night and the song just came through that melody.”

Noah will celebrate the recent release of “Drip Dry” with shows in the East Coast capitals and two massive hometown gigs. Catch him in a city near you.

22 June 2023 – The Lansdowne, Eora/Sydney
23 June 2023 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne
24 June 2023 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
30 June 2023 – Mojo’s, Waylyup/Fremantle
1 July 2023 – Mojo’s, Waylyup/Fremantle (SOLD OUT)

Image used with permission from Footstomp

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Katie Wighton Releases Smashing Single “Without You” Ahead of Solo Debut

Katie Wighton drops her debut solo album The End in just a couple of days’ time, but I just couldn’t resist giving you guys a little sneak peek. Her current single “Without You” is just so good, that I don’t want to risk it getting lost in all the other tunes. Although if you’re like me, hearing it will make you pretty excited about tomorrow’s release.

“This is definitely my favourite on the album,” Katie said of “Without You.” “It’s deeply personal and it still feels so real even when I listen to it now. When my partner and I split up, I remember missing him so much and thinking ‘I’m better off without you – I floss my teeth now, I don’t drink so much – we weren’t even that happy together towards the end … So why on earth do I miss you so much?!’ When you break up with someone, you become supremely irrational – remembering the good as even better than it was and the bad as not so bad. He and I became such better people because we broke up. We were more independent. Happier. But we still missed each other so much. Our hearts are funny little things aren’t they? (Spoiler alert: we did end up getting back together now and couldn’t be happier!)”

I really enjoyed Katie’s music with All Our Exes Live in Texas, but I think her solo stuff resonates even more with you. If you agree, remember to give The End a listen on June 2. You’ll also want to get yourself to the launch shows in the East Coast capitals.

8 July 2023 – Longplay, Naarm/Melbourne
13 July 2023 – The Great Club, Eora/Sydney
23 July 2023 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane