Tag: Amy Shark

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gang of Youths, Amy Shark, Paul Kelly Big Winners at ARIAs

Often I spend the ARIA Awards feeling a little out of step with the industry voters, because the acts I feel passionate about aren’t often the ones who come home with the trophies. Not last night though, where Gang of Youths, Amy Shark, and Paul Kelly took home some of the top prizes. I was also thrilled to see Jimmy Barnes taking out the Best Children’s Album category (who would have thought he could beat out The Wiggles?) and Kasey Chambers recognised for her wonderful album Dragonfly. 2017 has been such a great year for local music and last night’s event was a fitting celebration of that.

Sure, it wasn’t a perfect awards night. Without a host, the night seemed to lack a little direction. Some of the banter felt forced, like the section with the stars of Pitch Perfect 3 and Joel Creasey’s awkward conversation with Jillian Michaels. The sound also left a lot to be desired, at least on the television broadcast. I hope it sounded better in the room. But the performances were all outstanding. It seems wrong to single anyone out, but Jimmy Barnes’ rendition of “High Voltage” was such a fitting tribute to Malcolm and George Young. If you weren’t excited by new Hall of Fame inductee Darryl Braithwaite teaming up with Vera Blue and Guy Sebastian for “The Horses” you’re probably not Australian. I thought Paul Kelly’s new take on “Dumb Things” with A.B. Original and Dan Sultan was inspired. Gang of Youth’s performance showed just why they were so dominant this year.

If you didn’t catch the ceremony, at least make sure you look up some of the performances on YouTube. Here’s one to get you started.

And here are all the winners!

Album Of The Year: Gang Of Youths – Go Farther In Lightness
Best Male Artist: Paul Kelly – Life Is Fine
Best Female Artist: Sia – “The Greatest feat. Kendrick Lamar”
Best Dance Release: Pnau – “Chameleon”
Best Group: Gang Of Youths – Go Farther In Lightness
Breakthrough Artist: Amy Shark – Night Thinker
Best Pop Release: Amy Shark – Night Thinker
Best Urban Album: A.B. Original – Reclaim Australia
Best Independent Release: A.B. Original – Reclaim Australia
Best Rock Album: Gang Of Youths – Go Farther In Lightness
Best Adult Contemporary Album: Paul Kelly – Life Is Fine
Best Country Album: Kasey Chambers – Dragonfly
Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album: Northlane – Mesmer
Best Blues & Roots Album: All Our Exes Live In Texas – When We Fall
Best Children’s Album: Jimmy Barnes – Och Aye the G’Nu!
Best Video: Bliss N Eso – “Moments” (feat. Gavin James)
Best Australian Live Act: Illy
Song Of The Year: Peking Duk – “Stranger” (feat. Elliphant)
Best International Artist: Harry Styles

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amy Shark Hits Another Home Run With “Drive You Mad”

Amy Shark continues to prove she can’t put a foot wrong with the release of her new single “Drive You Mad.” This is yet another stellar cut from Amy’s debut EP Night Thinker.

The searingly honest lyrics, penned by Amy, really cut through. Dann Hume’s production helps realise Amy’s vision, taking this song to the next sonic level.

Amy has just completed her first North American tour and played Splendour in the Grass. Next stop, her own tour. If you can find some tickets, which are getting rare as hen’s teeth, you can catch her in major cities on the following dates before she supports Sia later this year.

17, 18. 19, 20 & 21 August 2017 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
24 August 2017 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
25, 26 & 28 August 2017 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
31 August, 1 & 3 September 2017 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
8 September 2017 – The Gov, Adelaide
9 September 2017 – The Capitol, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amy Shark Impresses Me With “Weekends”

Amy Shark is back with a brand new single, “Weekends,” the follow-up to her smash “Adore.” That earlier single went gangbusters, but personally I think “Weekends” is a stronger song.

“Weekends is an extremely personal song,” Amy said in a press release. “I actually wrote the guitar part about 5 years ago which sounds crazy, but I couldn’t think of any lyrics good enough to match the guitar so I let it go for so many years, until now!”

If you like “Weekends,” make sure you pre-order her EP Night Thinker, which is set to drop on April 21. The track is yours free with purchase to tide you over to the release date.

Amy has an exciting couple of months ahead, with appearances at the Groovin the Moo festival, support slots with Milky Chance, and a North American promotional tour all scheduled. Here are all the places you can see her play in the coming months.

28 April 2017 – Groovin the Moo, Wayville
29 April 2017 – Groovin the Moo, Maitland (SOLD OUT)
30 April 2017 – Groovin the Moo, Townsville
2 May 2017 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (with Milky Chance)
3 May 2017 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (with Milky Chance)
4 May 2017 – Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne (with Milky Chance)
6 May 2017 – Groovin the Moo, Bendigo (SOLD OUT)
7 May 2017 – Groovin the Moo, Bruce (SOLD OUT)
10 May 2017 – Metro City, Perth (with Milky Chance)
13 May 2017 – Groovin the Moo, Bunbury
20 May 2017 – Bass in the Grass, Darwin City
31 May 2017 – Adelaide Hall, Toronto
1 June 2017 – DC 9, Washington D.C.
2 June 2017 – Boot & Saddle, Philadelphia
4 June 2017 – 3rd and Lindsley, Nashville
5 June 2017 – Babys All Right, Brooklyn
6 June 2017 – Mercury Lounge, New York
8 June 2017 – Great Scott, Allston
12 June 2017 – Bardot, Los Angeles
13 June 2017 – Echo, Los Angeles
16 June 2017 – Popscene @ Rickshaw, San Francisco
17 June 2017 – Doug Fir Lounge, Portland
19 June 2017 – Barboza, Seattle
20 June 2017 – The Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver
23 July 2017 – North Byron Parklands, Yelgun

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Busby Marou Scores Number One Album

I’ve had such a busy day, but I couldn’t leave it before congratulating Busby Marou on claiming the number one spot with Postcards from the Shell House. I love this album, as I do everything Busby Marou has released, so I’m thrilled to see the Queensland duo claiming their first number one. It’s a good thing they were representing the Aussies too, because they’re the only local act in the top 10 albums charts.

Ed Sheeran’s dominance doesn’t leave a lot of space for too many other acts, but we do have a few Aussies on the singles charts. Pnau leads the charge with “Chameleon” at number eight, just a couple of spots ahead of “Adore” by Amy Shark.

Top 10 Albums
1. Postcards from the Shell House – Busby Marou
2. Fifty Shades Darker – Soundtrack
3. Prisoner – Ryan Adams
4. 25 – Adele
5. Trolls – Soundtrack
6. X – Ed Sheeran
7. Human – Rag’n’Bone Man
8. Greatest Hits – Guns N’Roses
9. Moana – Soundtrack
10. 24K Magic – Bruno Mars

Top 10 Singles
1. “Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran
2. “How Would You Feel (Paean) – Ed Sheeran
3. “Castle on the Hill” – Ed Sheeran
4. “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” – Zayn and Taylor Swift
5. “Issues” – Julia Michaels
6. “Chained to the Rhythm” – Katy Perry feat. Skip Marley
7. “Paris” – The Chainsmokers
8. “Chameleon” – Pnau
9. “It’s Ain’t Me” – Kygo & Selena Gomez
10. “Adore” – Amy Shark

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

I “Adore” Amy Shark!

Gold Coast songstress Amy Shark has been doing some amazing things of late, including winning the best pop release title for her song “Golden Fleece” at the Queensland Music Awards this year and supporting the likes of Matt Corby, The Delta Riggs, and Dylan Joel. However, I must admit she hasn’t been on my radar until now.

What an introduction “Adore” is though. The production by M-Phazes and Cam Bluff is first class, but it’s the song beneath all of the lush soundscape that really gets me excited. Amy’s vocals are gorgeous, with just the right amount of vulnerability for this confession of longing. The words are so on point.

“Adore” is the first single from Amy’s forthcoming EP The Little Sleeper, which will drop on September 16. She’ll tour the country in October to celebrate its release.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amy Shark Are Your Saturday Soundtrack

It’s Saturday! If that’s not enough to put a smile on your face, this charming folk number from Amy Shark should do it. The back and forth vocals and big brassy instrumentation of “Weight of the World” are just delightful!

Amy Shark will play their first ever show to launch their EP at The Loft Chevron Island on September 13. If you’re in the area, make sure you get on down to support this feel-good band!