Fresh indie tunes with catchy pop hooks are the signature style of emerging Brisbane artist Katanak. Known for his infectious indie rock/pop groove-inducing earworms that fans of The 1975, The Wombats and Sam Fender will appreciate, Katanak brings colour to your world. Fresh off playing Brisbane Festival, Katanak says don’t try to define him or his genre as he’s shown he’s able to break out and comfortably straddles genre’s grey-area of rock & pop. Katanak only cares if it’s a good song.
Katanak catapulted into 2022 with his eighth single ‘Weigh Down’. Written after spending time on set shooting the Baz Luhrmann movie ELVIS, playing Jerry Scheff - bassist from the TCB band (Elvis’ Vegas years) - it was the emphasis Katanak needed to get back into writing music. “Being surrounded by such amazing musicians on set each day just had the juices flowing” says Katanak.
To date his music has been played on major stations Triple J Unearthed, Double J Radio, ABC Radio, BBC Introducing Radio Solent (UK), BBC Radio nan Gaidheal (Scotland), Amazing Radio (both UK & US) and 4ZZZ with Sunday’s video clip added to rotation on MTV Upload across Australia and New Zealand. Gathering praise from Music is My Muse, Happy Mag, LivewireAU and Good Call Live, Katanak is establishing himself as an exciting indie newcomer.
With music “oozing the charm of a 90s boy band dipped in a delicious sugar-pop sound” (Music is my Muse), the young musician shows no sign of slowing down any time soon!
“This one is just a straight up good time! Kooks, San Cisco sorta vibes that'll have you moving no matter where you are”.
"Ever the sonic chameleon, he's proven time and time again that he can't be pinned to just one genre and only continues to grow, surprise and impress."
At first listen, you may fall into this trap, trying to pinpoint who Katanak sounds like. Stop yourself. That’s the beauty of the artist’s vocals – they’re homegrown, Aussie and uniquely his own.
It is a super catchy song and the music video is very creative and fun to watch. This guy is a real up and comer with an incredible talent. We are keeping an eye on him and expect big things in the near future.
Underscored by a boppin’ beat that’ll have you tapping your feet, Take Us Back is a feel-good ditty that will help you dance your worries away, leaving you feeling like it’s the weekend with every play.
Astronomy – Released 5th February 2020
“I love Astronomy! Absolutely adore that track. It’s commercial as hell. If there is any justice in this pop oriented world, that will be a worldwide hit.”
Andy Gee, Bridge FM (UK)
Awards
• QUBE Effect 2020 – The People’s Choice
• Finalist International UK Songwriting competition 2022
• Semi-finalist International Songwriting competition 2020, 2021, 2022
• Semi-finalist UK Songwriting competition 2022, 2021
Festival / Support Slots
• Brisbane Festival playing on the BOQ Gardens Festival Stage.
• NRL Grand final fan fest supporting Sheppard in King George Square, Brisbane – Oct 2021
• Opening support for Pete Murray’s PM3 summer sessions (January 2019) for Gold Coast & Kingscliff leg of tour.
• Micro Festival at Lefty’s Music Hall supporting High Tropics with 10 other bands
• Micro festival at Solbar, Maroochydore
• Valley Fiesta – 2017
• Teneriffe Festival 2018
• Morningside Festival 2018
• Redfest 2018
Career Highlights
Jan 2023
-
Finalist UK Songwriting Competition 2022
June 2022
-
Played the role of Jerry Scheff in the BAZ Luhrmann movie ELVIS.
Apr/May 2022
-
Queensland Regional Tour
-
Released 'Weigh Down'
Mar 2022
-
Baz Luhrmann shared the ELVIS movie trailer and I was able to mention my role as Jerry Scheff from The TCB Band.
Jan 2022
-
Sunday gained the #24 spot in the 4ZZZ Hot 100 2021 Countdown
-
Semi-finalist UK Songwriting competition 2021 with Pinch Grip.
Oct 2021
-
NRL Grand Final Fan Fest in King George Square, Brisbane. Played before Sheppard's set.
September 2021
-
Released 'Pinch Grip'
July 2021
-
'Sunday's video chosen for MTV upload and is on rotation in Australia & New Zealand.
June 2021
-
Triple J Unearthed - 'Valentine' played on Unearthed Radio
-
BBC Music Introducing - Given a spin on Radio Solent & Rapal
May 2021
-
Released 'Sunday (feat. Koolz)'
Feb 2021
-
Released 'Valentine'
July 2020
-
Announced as The People’s Choice winner for QUBE Effect 2020, an initiative of the Brisbane City Council
-
Media Coverage in The Courier Mail dated 3rd July 2020.
-
Announced as Never Enough Music Indie artist of the Month
May 2020
-
Spins in Australia on 4zzz, 2RRR, Fbi, Triple R, SYN, 2SER, 89.3FM 2GLF, 96.5 Inner FM, Radio Adelaide, Bay FM, Aussie Music Weekly
-
Spins on international internet radio programs in UK, US, Ireland & Germany
April 2020
-
Released third single ‘Take Us Back’.
March 2020
-
Semi-finalist International Songwriting Competition 2020
February 2020
-
Released ‘Astronomy’.
-
Added to Spotify Playlist Fresh Finds: Poptronix
-
Announced as one of 24 Brisbane artists in the QUBE Effect 2020
September 2019
-
Released ‘Life’ first single under Katanak
2019
-
Collaboration with Keir Nuttall to produce 'Astronomy'
-
Supporting Pete Murray on his 'Summer Sessions' Tour