Tag: Christmas

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Merry Christmas to All!

Merry Christmas Sounds of Oz readers! While many of us are sweltering in the Southern Hemisphere, we’re also conscious of the Winter Wonderland our loved ones enjoy on the other side of the planet. Local indie-pop artist Katie Wighton celebrates the different ways we celebrate the season with her latest single “Other Side of the World.” I love the way this track has an old-timey festive feel despite its references to modern traditions like playing backyard cricket and listening to Paul Kelly.

“I wrote Other Side of the World with my friend Kai during the height of summer in Nashville last year. It was absolutely sweltering and my friends back in Australia were freezing. It got me thinking about how differently we Australians experience things in the land “down under”…!” Katie said. “Our Christmases are usually hot – with Paul Kelly on the radio and pavlova and an esky full of beer (you might have to Google what an esky is…) And every Christmas song or movie I’d ever seen always had these Christmases full of snowmen and ice storms and someone drinking cocoa in the “den”. So we sat down and brainstormed all of the quintessential things about our respective Christmases and this is where we ended up! I really hope this song conjures up the nostalgia I feel every Christmas – on the other side of the world.”

I hope no matter how you’re celebrating the holidays, this song brings you a little cheer.

Photo credit: Studio Sarah Lou @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Freya Josephine Hollick Does Christmas Her Way With New Single and Show

Fresh from the recent release of her third album The Real World, Freya Josephine Hollick has delivered a Christmas single with a difference. “Spend Your Christmas with Rita” is far from your traditional Christmas song, but no less irresistible. It comes packaged with Freya Josephine’s stunning stripped back take on Elvis’ “Blue Christmas.”

You can stream both songs now, but if you’re a real fan you’ll want to buy the limited edition coloured 7-inch vinyl. Also make sure you get along to Freya Josephine Hollick’s special Christmas show at Northcote Social Club on Christmas Eve.

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission Covers Cold Chisel For Christmas

I love Christmas. While I don’t believe in decorating your tree before December 1, you also won’t catch me playing Whamageddon either, because I can’t imagine spending this month trying to avoid this and other glorious Christmas songs. So now that it’s December, I’m probably going to bring you plenty of new Christmas music. Deal with it. The first is Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission’s delightful cover of Cold Chisel’s “Home and Broken Hearted”. Lifted from Chisel’s debut album, it’s a track that many Aussies are unfamiliar with, so I’m thrilled that Mick and his crew are bringing it to audiences.

“Brooke [Taylor, who takes lead vocals on the song] wanted a Christmas song she could sing and I thought this is one people constantly overlook and one I was eager to have a crack at. And what a song it is. The first Cold Chisel album is one that had a major effect on me and one I think still stands up after all this time. So many good songs,” Mick enthused. “We toyed with the idea of changing the protagonist’s gender, or even name (‘Dear Jimmy it’s over, goodbye’), but there’s something timeless about the way the words cascade and people know it as it is, so we thought better of it. I guess the mandolin could never really replace Don Walker’s frantic piano in the chorus but you can’t say I haven’t given it my best shot.”

This song comes from Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission’s latest EP Back in the Day, which features some originals and other choice covers. They’re supporting its release with plenty of shows all around the country.

4 December 2022 – Leftys, Meeajin/Brisbane (with Full Power Happy Hour)
11 December 2022 – Longley International, Muwinina Country/Longley (with Teresa Dixon)
13 December 2022 – Grace Emily, Kaurna/Adelaide (with Cookie Baker)
14 December 2022 – Grace Emily, Kaurna/Adelaide (with Tom Redwood)
15 December 2022 – Grace Emily, Kaurna/Adelaide (with Mark Curtis and the Flannelettes)
16 December 2022 – River Hotel, Kaartdijin Noongar/Margaret River (with Carla Geneve)
17 December 2022 – Navy Club, Waylyup/Fremantle (with Carla Geneve)
18 December 2022 – The Oxford Hotel, Boorloo/Leederville (with Carla Geneve)
21 December 2022 – Shotkickers, Wurundjeri Country/Thornbury (with Skyscraper Stan)
22 December 2022 – Shotkickers, Wurundjeri Country/Thornbury (with Alana Jagt and the Monotremes)
23 December 2022 – Shotkickers, Wurundjeri Country/Thornbury (with Maggie Alley Band)
1 January 2023 – Archies Creek Hotel, Gunai Country/Archies Creek (with Sherry Rich and the Grievous Angels)

Image used with permission from Dave Laing Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“A Kingswood Christmas” – Kingswood

When I heard Aussie rock act Kingswood released a Christmas album, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The tracklist was traditional, but I was sure there had to be a modern, subversive twist. So I resisted for weeks, sticking to my reliable playlist of Christmas favourites rather than trying something new. Now that I’ve finally pressed play, I wonder why I didn’t do it sooner. A Kingswood Christmas is a festive feast of nostalgia.

From the opening piano notes of their jazzy take on “White Christmas” I realised I’d misjudged our Aussie rock legends. While their originals have rock edge, these Christmas covers pay loving homage to influences including Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Nat King Cole.

The piano is a strong presence throughout this album. It reminds me a lot of Vince Gauraldi and his A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack. It also gives these tunes a really festive feel. You can just imagine the lads from Kingswood singing around that piano on Christmas Day, with martinis in hand. The album moves from swinging tunes like “Let it Snow” and “Winter Wonderland” to more poignant moments such as “The Christmas Song” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” While secular music dominates, Kingswood still found a place for traditional carols. Classic Christmas tunes like “O Holy Night” and “Silent Night” don’t usually do much for me, but Kingswood’s reverent versions are unexpectedly moving.

If all of that hasn’t convinced you to ditch Michael Buble this year and give our local lads a try, consider this. Profits from all sales of A Kingswood Christmas will benefit Beyond Blue’s Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service. Christmas is such a tough time for so many people, but the pandemic will no doubt make it harder. Knowing Kingswood are helping out puts another big tick beside this album for me.

A Kingswood Christmas is out now.


Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Sounds of Oz readers! If your ears need a break from the overplayed Mariah Carey and Wham! Numbers, I’ve got you covered. Wollongong’s Kay Proudlove has released a somewhat more cynical track delving into the more cynical parts of the holiday. “Gift Card” has enough wit and wisdom that it’s not as dour as it seems on paper!

“The inspiration for ‘Gift Card’ came on a day when three separate people told me they couldn’t believe it was nearly Christmas. This was in October. It struck me that it’s something people say every year, which got me thinking about what people go through around Christmas – good and bad,” she explained. “I feel like there’s always this sense of time slipping away and that no one is ever prepared. But it can still be kind of exciting, which is where the lyrics ‘magical and desperate’ come from. There are so many mixed feelings about the festive season and I tried to capture some of those in this song. It’s very much a biographical track and I have definitely attended church straight after Christmas Eve drinks before.”

I hope you all have more of the magic than the stress this Christmas, and that you enjoy the final days of 2018 before another big year of music. If your concert calendar is looking a little bare, don’t worry; Kay Proudlove will play the following shows through the New Year.

31 December 2018 – 19-twenty NYE Party @ Shoalhaven Heads Bowling and Recreation Club, Shoalhaven Heads
6 January 2019 – Summer Meadow Music @ Marakoopa Cafe, Mole Creek
11-13 January 2019 – Cygnet Folk Festival, Cygnet
19 January 2019 – Illawarra Folk Festival, Bulli
23 January 2019 – Rad Bar, Wollongong (with Wolf and Willow + Rob Edwards)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Baby It’s Christmas” – David Campbell

I read somewhere recently that once Halloween is over, it’s time to embrace the festive season. I haven’t trimmed my tree yet, but I’m almost done with Christmas shopping (yes, I’m one of those stupid organised people) and I’ve been happily blasting David Campbell’s new holiday album, Baby It’s Christmas since its release a couple of weeks ago.

I honestly wonder why it’s taken so long for DC to release a Christmas album. His performances at the Melbourne Carols by Candlelight are among the show’s highlights each year. And I’ve always seen him as our answer to Michael Buble, an artist who regularly tops the Aussie charts each year with his own Christmas release. He’s got a similar old-school sensibility, with bucket loads of charisma and a smooth, effortless voice.

Baby It’s Christmas is a wonderful collection of seasonal favourites delivered flawlessly. Cheery opening track “Holly Jolly Christmas” sets the scene, putting a smile on your face before the swinging title track, “Baby It’s Christmas,” penned by our own Rick Price, kicks in. Originals are always a bit risky on a Christmas album, but this one already feels like a classic. Anyone who loved David’s Swing Sessions albums will appreciate the inclusion of classic material in a similar vein like Dean Martin’s “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” and Harry Connick Jnr’s “When My Heart Finds Christmas.” Most of the album keeps things light, with upbeat favourites like “Jingle Bells,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” and “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” But purists will appreciate the inclusion of some traditional carols. Tracks like his gospel-inspired “Silent Night” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” let DC really showcase his vocal prowess.

I think Michael Buble’s Christmas album is getting a little tired after seven years. I think it’s about time his annual silly season stint at number one came to an end. Baby It’s Christmas is a worthy successor. It’s in stores and your favourite digital outlets now.

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Davey Lane Disses Christmas

I know that not everyone loves Christmas as much as me. Some folks out there are just gritting their teeth trying to wait it all out. So this song is for them. The bah-humbuggers as my mum likes to call them. Davey Lane’s spoken for you all with his new single “Wake Me Up When Christmas Ends.” The song might be a bit grinchy, but Davey’s showing he’s got some Christmas spirit by giving it away!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Central Rain Releases “Cold Turkey on Christmas Day”

We’re officially in the home stretch. Can you believe that this time next week, Christmas will be done and dusted for another year? Right now I’m turning into the Christmas Monster, cranking carols and wrapping gifts and getting far too excited for someone my age. The thing is though, there are only so many versions of “Winter Wonderland” you can hear. So I’m always excited when something new crosses my path, especially something Australian. And if it doesn’t get overly sappy and sentimental, so much the better.

So without further ado, I bring you “Cold Turkey on Christmas Day,” the new track from Melbourne’s Central Rain. It name checks Santa and the turkey, but it’s not your run-of-the-mill song for the season.

“Cold Turkey on Christmas Day” is the lead single from Central Rain’s debut EP, which is slated for a 2015 release. What do you think of it? If you love it, check out Central Rain’s Bandcamp page for a free download.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Christine Anu Celebrates Festive Season with “Island Christmas”

I love Christmas. It’s only November but I’ve already started my Christmas shopping. I’ll be dragging out my decorations and Christmas CDs once my husband breaks down and decides it’s no longer too early. But I must admit, I feel about silly singing about winter wonderlands and sleigh bells in the snow when the mercury’s soaring. So I was thrilled to learn that Christine Anu is releasing her much more Aussie-friendly festive album Island Christmas tomorrow.

The album features duets with Steve Clisby and Jay Laga’aia, and even a cameo from her own kids Kuiam and Zipporah on the title track.

“I wrote the title track when my kids and their friends and cousins were quite young – we love singing – and I’d always get them to sing along with me. So even though they’re now a lot older, the inclusion of their voices on the album is incredibly nostalgic for me – it’s what Christmas is all about, in creating and recalling special memories each year,” said Christine in a press release.

“The song is a little tongue-in-cheek, with Aussie slang sound bites from Australian poetry and prose, conjuring up images of a unique summer Christmas spent at the beach, with family and friends, meeting up again for that one special time of the year.”

Look out for Island Christmas in stores tomorrow.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Scott Russo & Phil Jamieson Announce Acoustic Christmas Shows

It might seem a little early to start thinking about Christmas, but Unwritten Law’s Scott Russo and Grinspoon’s Phil Jamieson want to make sure you know about their shows before your December calendar fills up. After performing two sold out gigs earlier this year, the lads are doing it all again with a more extensive nationwide Christmas tour.

I can’t imagine we’ll hear too many carols but there should be plenty of hits at these stripped back, acoustic concerts. Tickets are on sale through Oztix for all the following shows.

17 December 2014 – The Gov, Adelaide
18 December 2014 – Republic Bar, Hobart
19 December 2014 – The Corner, Melbourne
20 December 2014 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
21 December 2014 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
22 December 2014 – The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
23 December 2014 – Waves, Wollongong

Image used with permission from Recon Music