Between You & Me have gone old-school with their latest single “YEAH!” and I’m here for it. With its nostalgic feel, you’ll want to add this track to your favourite summer playlist.
“I imagine this song playing in the montage scene of an early 2000s bratty comedy film,” admitted BYAM frontman Jake Wilson. “Stylistically it’s a big shift for BYAM, but we wanted to bring beachy summer vibes to a fun and carefree song.”
Their sound might have evolved, but this track sees BYAM collaborating again with Canadian producer Sam Guaiana, who flew to Australia earlier this year to record with the band.
BYAM have just announced a UK tour, but don’t stress if you’re a homegrown fan. I hear we can expect more new music and new local shows really soon, so there’s a lot for BYAM fans to look forward to! If you are in the UK, here’s those brand new dates:
16 February 2024 – Thekla, Bristol
17 February 2024 – Key Club, Leeds
18 February 2024 – Cathouse, Glasgow
19 February 2024 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
20 February 2024 – Rebellion, Manchester
22 February 2024 – Joiners, Southampton
23 February 2024 – Underworld, London
24 February 2024 – Asylum, Birmingham
Matt Corby is bringing some serious summer vibes with his latest track “Desert Land.” It’s a cool, breezy number that makes me think of sipping cocktails and relaxing in the sun. It takes its cues from classic yacht rock, but there’s a modern freshness that I know you’re going to love.
Matt says the song was “inspired by the close relationships we have that operate in tandem with our vices and addictions, and how both of those things influence each other”.
Matt wrote this one with his good friends and regular collaborators Chris Collins (Gang of Youths, Middle Kids, Skegss) and Nat Dunn (Rita Ora, Charli XCX, Tkay Maidza). Matt and Chris also produced “Desert Land.”
Following recent shows in the United Kingdom, Europe, and North America, Matt should be in fine form when he plays some solo shows and festivals here and in New Zealand in the coming months.
Naarm/Melbourne indie-folk duo Pierce Brothers are one of those outfits who never seem to put a foot wrong. Their latest single “Studio” sees the lads producing their music for the first time, in partnership with longtime collaborator Phil Threlfall, and the results are simply brilliant. Their trademark harmonies and acoustic guitars are showcased so beautifully on this track, the first lifted from their next album.
“We first jammed this track onstage during soundcheck in Marlo, East Gippsland, and wrote the lyrics while sitting in a hotel room in Johannesburg,” Jack said. “I was feeling particularly disconnected from home when we came up with the idea for the lyrics, I missed my family, my kids. The idea of being so caught up in music that I would lose them haunted me, and this song was an exploration of those emotions.”
Pierce Brothers also recorded the song in Jack’s home studio.
“I have to say the best part was the commute!” he enthused. “We’re just so stoked that this is the start of something new here. We have this incredible space at our disposal all the time now! We can’t wait to just write album after album!”
Pierce Brothers will return to Europe next February. If you’re living over there, make sure you grab yourself a ticket.
13 February 2024 – The Garage, London
15 February 2024 – Reflektor, Liege
16 February 2024 – Badehaus Szimpla, Berlin
17 February 2024 – Nochtspeicher, Hamburg
18 February 2024 – Artheater, Cologne
20 February 2024 – Rotown, Rotterdam
21 February 2024 – Vera, Groningen
22 February 2024 – Doornroosje (Purple Room), Nijmegen
23 February 2024 – Paradiso – Tolhuistuin, Amsterdam
25 February 2024 – Strom, Munich
27 February 2024 – Supersonic Records, Paris
28 February 2024 – Paard Van Troje, The Hague
Remember Lenka? Even if you don’t remember the name, I know you’ll remember her smash 2008 single “The Show.” It’s been a long time since she made an impact on the charts, but if there’s any justice she should do it again with her latest single “Silhouette.” This nostalgic 80s throwback is so much fun, just like the best pop songs should be!
“This song is my delicious 1980s pop jam about being worn down by life to the point where you feel like you’re disappearing and becoming numb. Almost a nihilistic feeling, but in a joyful way!” Lenka enthused. “It’s fun to get creative with your more negative emotions and wear them like a costume, turn them into armour.”
The video continues the 80s vibes, with Lenka taking inspiration from pop icons like Annie Lennox, Whitney Houston, and Madonna.
“This was such a fun video to shoot. The goal was to evoke the feel of 80s glamour, the nostalgia, but without the cheese,” explained Lenka’s director, Adam Jordan. “Lenka absolutely smashed it with the clothing options, my favourite shots became the black sparkly top with the backlight, the perfect mix of the glamour and nostalgia vibe we were going for.”
And if that wasn’t enough, Lenka is playing shows just about everywhere. She’s just played a string of shows in China. The US comes next before Lenka arrives home for some local gigs in November. Get on it!
1 October 2023 – City Winery, New York
8 October 2023 – Resident, Los Angeles
17 November 2023 – The Gaso, Naarm/Melbourne
24 November 2023 – Valley Loft, Meeanjin/ Brisbane
25 November 2023 – Great Club, Sydney
Image used with permission from This Much Talent; credit: Tanja Bruckner
MID CITY might be the next big Aussie success story. The Naarm/Melbourne outfit has been releasing music together since 2018, but they’ve taken their time in releasing an album. The wait was worth it. Happy Ever After is one of the best albums I’ve heard all year.
I’d already raved about the title track, which opens the album with a flourish. It’s the perfect introduction to this energetic rock act, but they’ve got a lot more in their arsenal. The tracks that follow hit just as hard, with powerful lyrics that pack an emotional punch that’s every bit the equal to those big guitar riffs and driving drums. MID CITY doesn’t take its foot off the throttle until the fourth track in, and even then we’re only shifting down a gear or two. This is an album that gets you moving, whether you’re punching your fist in the air or letting the sound take over your whole body. Not that MID CITY is all one note. While they love a big rock anthem, big ballads like “Someone Like You” and “Lover Again” will have you reaching for the cigarette lighter.
“Touring in Europe really informed what we wanted; playing some great festival stages and watching people react – or not – to the things we thought were important in creating the perfect hard-hitting banger,” the band explained. “What was surprising though, was the quieter side we found on some songs. We always wanted the album to be a little journey, not just a 170 bpm sweat fest, but we didn’t realise how satisfying it would be to create some songs with different tempos and feels. We’re really proud of the balance we found between bangers and more heartfelt quieter moments. Perhaps we’re maturing? I hope not.”
I found myself thinking of several big stadium acts as I listened to Happy Ever After. The Killers. Arctic Monkeys. Our own Gang of Youths and the Temper Trap. There’s a little of these bands in MID CITY, but there’s also a unique flavour that sets them apart. Just like those acts, I can picture MID CITY packing out stadiums all around the world. It’s already starting, with MID CITY playing dates in Europe and the United Kingdom next month. Expect those venues to be upgraded next time they travel. Until then, enjoy seeing the at the small spots while you can.
3 October 2023 – Galao, Stuttgart
4 October 2023 – Helios 37, Cologne
5 October 2023 – Pop Bar, Haldern
6 October 2023 – Molotow, Hamburg
8 October 2023 – Badehaus, Berlin
10 October 2023 – Nachtleben, Frankfurt
17 October 2023 – The Victoria Dalston, London
18 October 2023 – 33 Oldham Street, Manchester
Images used with permission from beehive; main image credit: Richard Clifford
If you need a little extra energy to make it through the week, click play on “She’s a Mirror.” The latest single from Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Seb Szabo, it’s a total bop. With unashamed pop vibes a hint of rock edge, it’s perfect for those impromptu dance breaks. You know you want to.
“The song was inspired by workplace bullying a friend of mine had experienced working for a makeup company. The boss made a number of shitty and gaslighting comments about her appearance and personality, saying she had a ‘resting bitch face’, encouraging her to be more extroverted and loud (which went against her natural personality-type) and encouraging her to wear red lipstick like in her interview because she thought it made her look more confident,” Seb recalled. “She went so far as to say the lipstick had made her think my friend was ‘this confident person… where’s she gone?’ All of this was completely unprompted and frankly just mean.”
Hearing about his friend’s experience brought back a flood of memories for Seb, who had his own struggles with bullying.
“I was bullied in my early years of high school for refusing to fit into a box and for having a more sensitive personality that didn’t align with a lot of the uber-masculine attitudes prized at my high school,” he explained. “This song is for anyone who’s copping shit for existing as themselves, and turning the fight back on anyone who’s trying to make someone else feel small.”
Seb has an exciting couple of months ahead with shows lined up in the United States, the United Kingdom, and a special showcase at home. No doubt this guy is going to be big! Here are all the dates you need!
11 August 2023 – Sofar, Milwaukee
20 August 2023 – Sofar, Chicago
25 August 2023 – UW Madison’s The Terrace, Madison
25 September 2023 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne
3-30 November 2023 – Sofar London Artist Residency
Image used with permission from Sandhill Records
Tones and I may never have a hit as big as “Dance Monkey.” A song that cuts through like that all over the world is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. However, that doesn’t mean we should label Tones a one-hit-wonder. It also doesn’t mean that her best music is behind her. While “Dance Monkey,” was fun, it’s also a bit gimmicky. I much prefer more recent releases like her latest single “I Am Free.” With powerful lyrics and a soaring chorus, it’s an impressive song from this local talent.
“’I Am Free’ is a song about relationships in my life, that have ended,” Tones shared. “It’s about self-reflecting on those relationships, acknowledging that I still carry parts of them with me and taking my share of responsibility for what happened. I wrote the song, composed it, co-produced it and recorded it with my choir and an orchestra. I also wrote and co-directed the film clip and wanted it to be powerful, joyful and anthemic.”
Tones and I is supporting Macklemore on his UK and European headline tour. If you’re abroad, you can catch them both at the following international shows. Tones will also come back for a couple of local festivals before heading back to Europe for more festivals there.
21 April 2023 – Lanxess Arena, Cologne
22 April 2023 – Verti Music Hall, Berlin
24 April 2023 – Zenith, Munich
25 April 2023 – Stadthalle Offenbach, Offenbach AM Main
27 April 2023 – Edel-Optics.DE Arena, Hamburg-Mitte
29 April 2023 – Warsaw Expo XXI, Warsaw
30 April 2023 – Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna
2 May 2023 – The Hall, Dubendorf
3 & 4 May 2023 – Alcatraz, Milan
7 May 2023 – Vega, Kobenhavn
9 May 2023 – Sentrum Scene, Oslo
20 May 2023 – Bassinthegrass, Larrakia Country/Darwin
27 May 2023 – Tropic Sounds 2023, Gurrumbilbarra/Townsville
20 July 2023 – Das Fest 2023, Karlsruhe
23 July 2023 – Deichbrand Festival 2023, Cuxhaven
11 August 2023 – Stars in Town 2023, Schaffhausen
Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia
Aussie pop-punk outfit Between You & Me are going from strength to strength, and it’s time for the world to know it. They’ve just dropped their fantastic new single “Nevermind” and announced U.S. dates with Real Friends and Knuckle Puck. After taking America by storm for the second time (they toured the country with State Champs in the back end of 2022), they’ll be back on local soil for their own shows.
“We knew that the next song we released after Armageddon was going to be tough because we put all that we had into the album and are very proud of what we were able to create together,” explained frontman Jake Wilson. “Since our band is now independent, there felt like a lot of added pressure to prove a lot of people wrong and remind everyone that we’re still here and we aren’t dropping off anytime soon.
“As we’re growing in our career and as individuals we’ve enjoyed playing with different genres and finding our niche. ‘Nevermind’ is the next chapter for BYAM that perfectly captures the spirit of our band and our live show.”
“Nevermind” is the first single lifted from Between You & Me’s EP, which will drop in September. They’ll announce dates for their world tour, including headlining shows around Australia, really soon, so keep an eye on their socials.
14 April 2023 – Varsity Theater, Minneapolis (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
15 April 2023 – The Waiting Room, Omaha (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
16 April 2023 – Beer City Music Hall, Oklahoma City (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
18 April 2023 – Mohawk, Austin (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
19 April 2023 – Vibes, San Antonio (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
20 April 2023 – Sunshine Theater, Albuquerque (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
22 April 2023 – Nile Theater, Mesa (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
23 April 2023 – House Of Blues, San Diego (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
25 April 2023 – The Observatory, Santa Ana (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
26 April 2023 – Tioga Sequoia Brewery, Fresno (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
27 April 2023 – The Ritz, San Jose (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
28 April 2023 – The Crocodile, Seattle (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
30 April 2023 – Hawthorne Theatre, Portland (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
2 May 2023 – Soundwell, Salt Lake City (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
4 May 2023 – The Black Sheep, Colorado Springs (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
5 May 2023 – Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
6 May 2023 – The Truman, Kansas City (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
7 May 2023 – The Riff, Springfield (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
9 May 2023 – The Castle Theatre, Bloomington (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
10 May 2023 – Elevation @ The Intersection, Grand Rapids (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
11 May 2023 – Bogart’s, Cincinnati (supporting Real Friends and Knuckle Puck)
18 May 2023 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide (with Slowly Slowly)
25 May 2023 – Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane (with Slowly Slowly)
26 May 2023 – Forum, Naarm/Melbourne (with Slowly Slowly)
27 May 2023 – Roundhouse, Eora/Sydney (with Slowly Slowly)
10 June 2023 – EasyLover Fest @ Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne (with Slowly Slowly)
Image used with permission from Capital Artist Group; credit: Lars Juveland
LGBTQIA+ indie pop artist MANE has floored me with her beautiful new single “Breathing Again.” Giving us our first taste of her sophomore EP, this stunning track makes me pretty excited about what comes next. It’s anthemic and dramatic while being rooted in honest emotions.
“I distinctly remember writing this song with Charlie (McClean, cofounder of She Writes) at Kobalt studios in LA and feeling overwhelmed by a waterfall of happy/sad emotions … Charlie really gently helped coax them out of me in a way where I didn’t need to be specific or elaborate into any detail which was really nice,” she said. “The song to me is about a moment of clarity or relief in the midst of healing from something – the sometimes fleeting feeling that it is in fact going to be OK, for me those moments provide a lot of hope. It’s refreshing, relieving and sometimes exciting to feel, especially if it’s felt heavy and dark for so long. I think finding a space where you can genuinely smile, breathe and just exist after a grief is a testament to your own resilience, because even though you may still be going through it your finding room around it to seek hope and happiness and I think that’s brave as hell!”
A true creative, MANE also produced and edited the music video for her latest single.
“The footage of the dancer was filmed by Omri Ohana and although the choreography was not intended for my song it was really special editing it myself and seeing how well it came together,” MANE added. “The dilapidated settings of the dancing scenes had a real sense of finding beauty in the ugliness and heaviness that some of us face daily which is kinda what Breathing Again is about … so it just felt really right
The release of “Breathing Again” is the start of an exciting new chapter for MANE. Not only is her new EP on the way, she’s heading to the United States for festivals and a string of headlining shows. America, you are in for such a treat.
8-11 March 2023 – New Colossus Festival, New York City
12 March 2023 – Beerburg Brewery Festival, Austin
13-18 March 2023 – SXSW, Austin
19 March 2023 – New New Festival, Dallas
22 March 2023 – The East Room, Nashville
24 March 2023 – The Monarch, Louisville
25 March 2023 – TBA, Cincinnati
1 April 2023 – Plan 9 Records, Richmond (Acoustic Pop-Up Show)
4 April 2023 – The Camel, Richmond
12 April 2023 – TBA, Los Angeles
Image used with permission from Pretty Good Thanks; credit: Friends on Film
I think there’s just enough summer left for a summer anthem, right? Jack Botts has dropped one of the season’s best, “All Day,” ahead of the independent release of his debut album Sucker for Sunsets. The eclectic release sees Jack exploring genres and pushing himself as a songwriter.
“There are some styles I had just never given a shot before, like country,” he laughed. “I wondered ‘it’s one of the biggest genres in the world, but why is it so big?’ So I really dove in and started to appreciate why people relate to it. It became a personal challenge for me then… if I wanted to keep writing the same songs, I guess I could, but there’s no growth in that. I want to keep growing and surprising myself and others.”
Jack is currently supporting Vance Joy in North America, but he’ll be back on home soil soon enough for his own headline shows supporting the March 31 release of Sucker for Sunsets. Just days after appearing at BASSINTHEGRASS, he’ll be in Europe for some more headlining shows. No matter where in the world you are, here are all the dates you need:
15 February 2023 – FirstOntario Concert Hall, Hamilton (supporting Vance Joy)
17 February 2023 – Kemba Live!, Columbus (supporting Vance Joy)
18 February 2023 – Chicago Theatre, Chicago (supporting Vance Joy)
19 February 2023 – State Theatre, Minneapolis (supporting Vance Joy)
3 March 2023 – Paramount Theatre, Seattle (supporting Vance Joy)
4 March 2023 – Paramount Theatre, Seattle (supporting Vance Joy)
9 March 2023 – Fox Theatre, Oakland (supporting Vance Joy)
10 March 2023 – Fox Theatre, Oakland (supporting Vance Joy)
11 March 2023 – YouTube Theatre, Los Angeles (supporting Vance Joy)
16 March 2023 – SOMA, San Diego (supporting Vance Joy)
18 March 2023 – Arizona Financial Theatre, Phoenix (supporting Vance Joy)
21 March 2023 – Austin City Limits Live @ The Moody Theatre, Austin (supporting Vance Joy)
23 March 2023 – Coca-Cola Roxy, Atlanta (supporting Vance Joy)
24 March 2023 – The Fillmore Charlotte, Charlotte (supporting Vance Joy)
25 March 2023 – The Anthem, Washington, D.C. (supporting Vance Joy)
31 March 2023 – Lion Arts Factory, Tartanya/Adelaide
1 April 2023 – The Rosemount, Boorloo/Perth
14 April 2023 – The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane
15 April 2023 – Factory Theatre, Eora/Sydney
28 April 2023 – 170 Russell, Naarm/Melbourne
20 May 2023 – BASSINTHEGRASS, Larrakia Country/Darwin
23 May 2023 – Nochtspeicher, Hamburg
24 May 2023 – Privatclub, Berlin
25 May 2023 – Jaki – Klub im Stadtgarten, Cologne
26 May 2023 – Muffatwerk, Munich
8 June 2023 – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh
9 June 2023 – Cluny 2, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
10 June 2023 – The Castle Hotel, Manchester
11 June 2023 – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
14 June 2023 – Bergenfest, Bergen
21 June 2023 – Patronaat, Haarlem
22 June 2023 – Cafe ‘t Rozenknopje, Eindhoven
23 June 2023 – Theater Walhalla, Rotterdam
12 July 2023 – The Louisiana, Bristol
14 July 2023 – The Prince Albert, Brighton
15 July 2023 – The Lexington, London
28 July 2023 – The Watering Hole, Perranporth
Image used with permission from Cult Logic; credit: Kieran Tunbridge
