I’m a sucker for a tender indie-folk ballad, so I’m really digging “Cry With Me,” the latest single from German-born, Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Robin Sellin aka Nature in the City.
He wrote “Cry With Me” while living with his wife, Kiana, in her childhood home in regional Victoria. He watched the challenges Kiana faced trying to reconnect with her father after living abroad and realised how they echoed the distance between his own family. He explores both narratives and the idea of bridging that gap through vulnerability in this song.
“Cry With Me” sets the tone for more new music from Nature in the City, including an EP later this year.
Emerging talent Lana Karlay continues her musical evolution with the release of her latest single, “For The Weak.” This one has more of a pop-rock edge than previous releases, sitting somewhere between The Veronicas and Michelle Branch. Personally, I love this new direction and hope we hear Lana releasing more tunes in this vein. Although she’s still in high school, I bet many of my listeners can relate to this song inspired by a week-long situationship.
“’For the Weak’ is basically about a situationship that burns out almost as fast as it starts, like a full-on week of lovebombing and mixed signals,” Lana said. “It kind of reflects how fast and intense relationships can feel now, but also how quickly they fall apart. The song moves through each day of the week, showing that shift from excitement to confusion, to finally seeing it for what it actually is. It’s really just calling the whole thing out, no romanticising, just honesty.”
Lana wrote “For The Weak” with Aussie expats Mason & Julez during a trip to Los Angeles this January.
“’For the Weak’ was super spontaneous, working alongside Mason & Julez for the first time, we weren’t overthinking it, we just started getting thoughts out and followed the beat and vibe we were all feeling,” Lana recalled. “Once we locked into the storyline, everything flowed really naturally, and the song kind of wrote itself from there.”
The release of “For The Weak” continues to move Lana closer to dropping an album and a couple of EPs. And she’s somehow finding time to wrap up her high school studies. Expect big things to come from this Naarm/Melbourne-based talent.
An industry veteran with more than 40 years’ experience, Paul Louis Villani is refusing to mellow out or simply trade on nostalgia. He shows there’s still plenty of fight left in him with his latest single, “Who Do You Belong To Now? (Great Southern Land),” a brooding rock song with insightful lyrics that explore modern-day Australia. I caught up with him to chat about his latest release, his years in the industry, and the music that’s inspired him along the way.
You’ve just released your latest single, “Who Do You Belong To Now? (Great Southern Land),” which explores some really topical themes like economic pressure and social tensions. What inspired you to write it?
Confusion and frustration probably pushed me into writing it. I reached a point where I was looking around at the country, I’ve lived in my whole life and thinking, “Why does everything feel so tense now?” People are financially exhausted, socially divided, permanently angry online, and constantly being told what they should think or should accept as “the norm.” I’m not sitting here pretending I’ve got political solutions or strategies of resolve, because I don’t. The song was more about documenting the feeling of disconnection and uncertainty that’s been rattling around inside my head and heart for quite a while.
It’s so different from the usual songs we hear referencing Australia, which tend to be very patriotic. How has it been received so far?
Yeah, it’s definitely not “wrap yourself in the flag and crack a beer” type material. But interestingly, a few people have connected with it, and I feel it’s because it doesn’t pretend everything’s perfect. The responses I’ve received have mostly been people saying, “Mate… I’ve felt some of that too,” or “I know what you mean.” There are others who probably hate it, and that’s OK. I’d rather create something people react to than something they forget 30 seconds later. I’ve been really lucky to have some constant support from local and independent Aussie radio stations who have already given the song some airtime.
You’ve released a lyric video to coincide with its release. How important was it for you to make sure people listened to the lyrics of this song?
Massively important. These lyrics took time. I’m usually a five-to-10-minute lyric-writing guy, but these I wanted to be expressive but not intrusive. It would be so easy to write about issues that I’m concerned about and get my own political beliefs thrown into view and forced down listeners’ throats. But, that then would not leave room for listeners to consider what they are feeling or interpreting what they see around them and how it is impacting their worlds. Visually, the lyric video was designed to feel chaotic, fragmented, uncomfortable… almost psychologically intrusive at times. At this stage of my life, things already feel like an overload of noise, headlines, outrage, and pressure, so the visuals needed to reflect that tension rather than soften it.
You’ve been very clear that releasing “Who Do You Belong To Now? (Great Southern Land)” isn’t about telling people what to think. What do you want people to take away from hearing this single?
I don’t want blind agreement. That would defeat the point. I just want people to sit with it for a few minutes and think honestly about how they feel about the world around them. Especially here in Australia. If someone listens and goes, “Nah mate, you’re completely wrong,” that’s still engagement. That’s still thought. I’m tired of everything becoming tribal warfare where people instantly sort each other into teams before listening and thinking for themselves.
Your press release says that this single “steps into unfamiliar territory” for you. Why is that?
Because I normally write more emotionally abstract, psychologically charged material rather than songs directly tied to social, political, or cultural unease. This song is just me basically saying, “Something feels off and I can’t pretend otherwise anymore.”
While “Who Do You Belong To Now? (Great Southern Land)” doesn’t present the most favourable perspective on modern Australia, criticism often comes from a deep passion and love. What do you love about Australia today?
First and foremost, for me, the landscape is where I originally “fell in love”! I’ve had the privilege of getting to drive through five of our states and see a lot of this country. Secondly, the people. Genuine, fair dinkum Aussies are incredibly warm, generous, funny, and whole-heartedly welcoming. I think part of why I wrote the song is because I do care about this place. If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t have bothered writing anything at all.
The single has a dark, brooding rock sound, but you’re an artist who refuses to be pigeonholed. A deep dive through your discography reveals you’ve dabbled in country, folk, funk, and more. I imagine you must listen to an eclectic mix of music. What artists have been enjoying lately?
My taste is all over the shop! Let me be a little self-indulgent here… Andre Segovia, Guns N’ Roses (Appetite for Destruction) Mr. Bungle (Mr. Bungle 1991) Placebo, Mauro Giuliani, Slayer (Reign in Blood) KISS & Ace Frehley (Destroyer & Ace Frehley’s Solo LP 1978) Yngwie Malmsteen (Rising Force), David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Jeff Buckley, The Cult, Pearl Jam (Yield), Metallica (Justice for All), Prince, Steve Vai, The Smashing Pumpkins (Machine / The Machine of God) Living Colour, Adam and The Ants, Rage Against The Machine, Russell Morris, Tim Buckley, Sepultura (Chaos AD), Faith No More, Powderfinger (Internationalist), Ren, Jimi Hendrix, Angie de Poitrine & The Velveteers.
You’ve been recording music since the ’80s. What’s it like making music now compared to those early days?
Completely different universe! Back in the ’80s, recording felt expensive, inaccessible. You needed studios, equipment, people, permission. Yes, I did have a 4-track Tascam Cassette Home Recording Unit, but it had limitations! Now, someone can sit alone in a room with a laptop and create an entire world. That freedom is incredible, but it’s also overwhelming because there’s almost a tsunami of new music now. Ironically, technology has made creating music more accessible while simultaneously making it harder to genuinely connect with people through it.
What are some of the key things you’ve learned through your decades in the business?
Firstly, the industry owes you nothing. Absolutely nothing. If you create purely for external validation, you’ll eventually become bitter or broken. Secondly, trends are temporary, but authenticity tends to last longer. Creativity needs protecting. The older I get, the more I realise not everyone deserves access to your inner world. Sometimes working quietly and creating honestly is healthier than constantly chasing approval.
Finally, do you have a message for your fans out there?
Yeah! To those who do, thank you for taking the time to have a listen. There’s so much music, chaos and distraction in the world now that anyone giving their time to any independent music, means a lot to me. Whether people agree with every song, lyric, or opinion doesn’t really matter. Art is supposed to make you feel something. If my work has connected with anyone, challenged, unsettled, comforted you, or even just kept you company for a few minutes somewhere along the line, then I’m so grateful for that.
“Who Do You Belong To Now? (Great Southern Land)” is out now on all your favourite streaming services. To learn more about Paul Louis Villani and his music, follow him on Facebook or Instagram.
Ahead of the release of their debut EP, Naarm/Melbourne alternative rockers divedown have dropped a fantastic new single “Calm Me.” This one’s bound to resonate with anyone who’s struggled with their mental health.
“It’s about anxiety, depression and how I tend to be really hard on myself in all aspects of my life,” explained frontman Sam Bianco. “From my own mental health, to my interactions with others, and the standards I set for myself.”
“Calm Me” comes from divedown’s debut EP Where They May, which they’ll release on May 29. That gives you a little time to get your ears around the tunes before the official EP launch for hometown fans at Bar Open on June 13.
Bundjalung Country/Mullumbimby-born singer-songwriter Finn Wheatley delivers an exciting taste of his upcoming EP with the release of his latest single “Better Days.” It’s a back-to-basics sentimental slice of acoustic pop reminiscent of tracks by Ed Sheeran and Xavier Rudd.
“Better Days is a sentimental acoustic pop song I wrote reflecting on my early childhood and a longing for innocence,” Finn explained. “I see this song as a love letter to all that was good in those times, and I suppose, as the world seems to become more and more a force of chaos. ‘Better Days’ is an ode to the simplicity of playing outside without a care for anything beyond the joy of the moment.”
With this song, Finn continues the musical legacy of his famous family name while forging his own identity. Finn said his uncle, the late Glenn Wheatley, played a key role in shaping his early connection to music.
“My dreaming of music was seeded when I was very young,” Finn said. “I can remember being in awe of all that my family achieved in music as a child.
“Better Days” comes from Finn’s forthcoming debut EP Hearth, which he’ll launch for hometown fans at the Mullumbimby Drill Hall on June 12.
Meeanjin/Brisbane emo rockers Bad Neighbour have blown me away with “Mean Faces,” the opening track from their forthcoming sophomore album Burns From the X-rays. It starts at barely a whisper, drawing you in until those electric guitars kick in and the emotional intensity lifts.
“I wanted this song to be like a letter to myself … I love the line ‘it’s not gonna do what you need it to’, because sometimes we place unrealistic expectations on things, wanting them to happen the way we so badly want them to,” said Bad Neighbour’s vocalist Cooper Riley. “But more often than not you get what you need instead of what you want.”
We’ll hear more from Bad Neighbour when Burns From the X-rays drops on June 5. You can preorder a copy and associated merch, including some fabulous bundles, from Imprint Merch now.
After choice collabs with Urthboy, A.B. Original, Hilltop Hoods, and heaps more, MARLON has finally unveiled his debut solo single “Blood in the Water.” It’s an R&B-infused pop banger in the vein of The Weeknd and Jason Derulo. But beyond that infectious sound, there are some serious lyrics worth listening to.
“’Blood in the Water’ speaks to the age-old analogy of ‘out of sight, out of mind’ making reference to the human habits of not acknowledging and speaking to things that do not affect us,” MARLON explained. “As humans, many of us walk, play, live in multimillion-dollar cities, and walk past homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, and disadvantage. More often than not, it is the disadvantage of my people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that we remain to be silent on, in a system designed to break them.”
MARLON has had an incredible journey to this point. Hailing from the tropics of the Larrakia in Garramilla/Darwin, he had a professional AFL career playing for Port Adelaide before he started cowriting and performing with some of the country’s biggest names in hip hop.
With his debut album on the way later this year, it sounds like we’ll be hearing a lot more from MARLON.
The press release for STOW’s new single “Feels Like” says “Most pressers bore you with too many details. I’m going to keep this short and let you listen to the track.” And it’s probably right. How music makes you feel is much more important than the details about how it came to be.
And so in that spirit, I’m just going to tell you that this song is pretty awesome. Take a listen and enjoy Sounds of Oz readers!
I can never resist some quality angry girl pop. So you can bet I’m blasting “TINY TSHIRTS,” the latest single from queer Western Australian artist Rosalie Chilvers. It’s angsty, energetic, and oh so good!
“’TINY TSHIRTS’ is a song about moving on from a toxic relationship dynamic, not only with your ex but with their family,” Rosalie explained. “The song was directly inspired by the night two years after our breakup, my ex’s mum accidentally liked an Insta photo of mine and it brought me right back into those feelings of judgement…Sometimes the ultimate answer to your problems is to put on a tiny t-shirt and go out with your friends.”
Rosalie is halfway through their TINY TSHIRTS tour. Here are the remaining dates, music lovers!
If you’re not already across Laura Adeline’s music, her latest single “Acquainted” is the perfect introduction. A sublime mix of R&B and pop sounds, this track shows off Laura Adeline’s heavenly voice and knack for relatable storytelling.
“Acquainted is about looking back on something and thinking that I wish this person the best… but I’m actually still mad,” she admitted. “But then they probably have the right to be mad at me, too… but I’ve changed. Have they changed? I don’t want to ever see them again, but if I do… I hope I can find out. And then this process repeats itself.”
“Acquainted” has such a chill feel, I think it’s perfect for a cruisy weekend. I hope it’s providing the perfect soundtrack for your Saturday.
