Eora/Sydney pop-punk trio A Swift Farewell are back with their killer new single “Salt.” If you’re running low on energy today, this anthemic track, co-written by Yours Truly’s former guitar Lachlan Cronin, will give you the kickstart you need. Hit that volume, because this one sounds best loud.
“’Salt’ is the first track we worked with someone externally, and we were so excited when Lachlan Cronin wanted to work with us,” explained A Swift Farewell’s vocalist Ryo Sprott. “I’ve held on to these lyrics for a while now, and it was a time where I was constantly told I was weird, and no one liked me. But I realise why should I change to someone’s needs?”
Fresh from performances at Perish Fest and supporting acts like Yours Truly, Rumours, and Clay J Gladstone, A Swift Farewell will play AM/PM’s 6th Birthday show at the Burdekin Hotel in Eora/Sydney tomorrow night, April 29.
We’re always encouraged to take the high road, but as YARA reminds us, it can be cathartic to get a little bitter! Her new single “Bad Behaviour” sees her embracing the devil on her shoulder and really speaking her mind about someone who did her wrong.
“When I wrote this, I enjoyed the freedom of thinking negatively about this person without limiting myself to being the bigger person (which I usually try to be),” she admitted.
This is a very different side of YARA than we heard in her dreamy single “Back of the Uber,” but I like it! Her vocals on this are just as sublimely soulful too. Couldn’t you just listen to her all day?
You’ll get a chance to hear more when YARA releases her debut EP, Lonely Love Affair, on May 3.
Image used with permission from Stagedive; credit: @clairegiuffre
Naarm/Melbourne rapper DL has teamed up with local talent SB90, L.A. singer-songwriter Jackie’s Boy (Madonna, Chris Brown, Flo Rida), and Grammy award-winning producer Corbett (Big Sean, Anderson Paak, Nas) for his latest single “Freedom.” Inspired by COVID-19 lockdowns, this vibey track is an empowering celebration of living your best life. The R&B influence reminds me of the jams I used to listen to in the mid- to late-90s, in the best possible way.
After winning Los Angeles Film Awards and Europe Music Awards for the music video for his previous single “Lost an Angel,” DL might just break internationally. Releasing world-class singles like this should help propel him into the global spotlight.
I love falling down a musical rabbit hole. I intend on listening to a band’s current single, but end up devouring their entire back catalogue. The latest band to fire me up that way is Franjapan. Trust me, if your Hump Day is anything like mine, they’ll give you the pick-me-up you need to make it through. Sitting somewhere between The Strokes and Sam Fender, they make some of the catchiest rock music I’ve heard in some time. Take a listen to their new single “Lucy,” but don’t be surprised if like me you find yourself tuning in to the rest of their songs.
“The song was written about a night I had at a party,” explained the Naarm/Melbourne band’s guitarist and vocalist, Rhys Fraser-White. “It’s simply an observation of the activities or values that are ever-present in the youthful nightlife. I believe the essence of the song is an attempt to capture the lustful innocence of our youth before its impending end. A snapshot of a moment in time.”
“The guitar riff and chord progression came first. They’re heavily inspired by Sam Fender’s guitar playing (very tasty). We love Sam and his band. The verse lyrics followed shortly after. Once I had the riff and verse lyrics down, I showed Spencer [Ward, guitar/vocals] the song and we constructed a chorus and bridge in a matter of minutes. We brought the finished song to Dennis [Sehovic, guitar], Oli [Collins, drums], and Oscar [Macalpine, bass] who each added their own unique touches. The finished product is ‘Lucy’.”
Franjapan are currently touring the East Coast, headlining shows for the very first time. You can still catch them at the following gigs:
28 April 2023 – The Barrie, Eora/Sydney (FREE)
30 April 2023 – The North Gong Hotel, Dharawal Country/Wollongong (FREE)
Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Jontee Langton
Hayley Marsten takes inspiration from the iconic Cher for her latest single “I Am a Rich Man.” Hayley wrote the song with Imogen Clark, celebrating the diva’s quote “I don’t need to marry a rich man, Mom, I am a rich man”. That’s right, these women can buy their own flowers too!
“I grew up in a very strong Cher fandom household,” Hayley explained. “I remember having my tiny mind blown listening to ‘Believe’ when I was five. I had always loved the interview she gave talking about how her mum said to her once that she should settle down and marry a rich man and she said ‘Mom, I am a rich man’. For me, I have been asked for so long ‘when am I getting married?’ and although I’m not against the concept I always thought it was weird because I was doing so many other exciting things that I thought were huge achievements and were just as valuable of milestones but weren’t celebrated in the same way. And in my opinion, whether or not a woman has a ring on her finger, she can have a whole and fulfilling life, and be her own rich man to settle down with”.
Hayley also created the concept for the video, which was directed by Jazmyn Produces.
“I really wanted to celebrate different versions of myself as a ‘successful woman’ – in the video I am the Stepford wife that many people in my life wanted me to grow up to be, I am rich enough to roll around on a bed covered in money with my face on it! I am a fangirl, writing in my diary and singing into my hairbrush fully embracing the things that I love and then I’m the version of me now that I worked really hard to become. A woman that my younger self could look up to,” she added. “We took some editing inspiration from Miley Cyrus’ ‘Mothers Daughter’ video and really leant into the Stepford wife trope with the manic hedge trimming. Everything for this video was really DIY with it all being shot at my house or family member’s homes, pulling costuming from my wardrobe and I did my own hair and makeup, very rich man to do it all that way I think! I loved this song from the moment I wrote it with Imogen Clark but this video is easily my favourite to date and I think my best work yet!”
“I Am a Rich Man” is also Hayley’s first release through Cheatin’ Hearts Records. It gives us an exciting taste of what’s to come on Hayley’s sophomore album.
Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute
When my husband and I got together in the early noughties, online dating was a bit taboo. We were always reluctant to divulge the way we met because we wanted to avoid the judgement. Now online dating is mainstream we’re proud of being pioneers, and also thankful we did it way back when. With catfishing, cloaking, and submarining all common, is it any wonder many people want to go back to the good old days? Independent Eora/Sydney artist Ama has channelled her experiences with the apps into her debut single “Love Online.” If you’ve ever looked for love, or something like it, in the digital world, this one’s for you.
“In a nutshell, ‘Love Online’ explores the familiar struggle of online dating and the many complications associated with trying to connect with people through a screen,” Ama explained.
This is such a strong debut from Ama. It’s incredibly catchy, with a great groove and relatable lyrics. Expect big things from this local talent!
I aim to cover all genres in this blog, as I’ve got pretty eclectic taste and I believe all music deserves to be celebrated. However, I probably cover a lot less metalcore than I should. It’s not often a genre that resonates with me, but sometimes a band cuts through. Naarm/Melbourne act The Motion Below are rising stars who’ve won me over with their new single “Colour in The Grey.” If you usually don’t go for metalcore either, I urge you to press play. The strong melodic core and emotion vocals make this song a winner.
“This song explores an individual’s experience with slowly losing touch with their childhood friends as they grow older, and the bittersweet rumination that follows,” explained the band’s heavy vocalist, Thomas Katgert. “The single is a reflective tune with a core theme of kinship, driving home the sentiment that not all bonds fade with time.”
The Motion Below have resolved to make 2023 their best year yet. With the release of “Colour in the Grey,” it’s off to a great start.
Jeremy Beggs has blown me away with his latest single “Hurtful Ways.” I’m not surprised though, as Jeremy cowrote the song with one of Sounds of Oz’s favourite local artists, Matt Joe Gow.
“I feel so fortunate to have met Matt and am grateful for all the things I have learnt from him so far,” Jeremy enthused. “Before being thrust up on stage with Matt & The Dead Leaves in Tamworth last year, my music was really just floating around like a dream. Sharing the stage and watching and meeting wonderful artists made me really understand what this journey is all about.”
He said they wrote “Hurtful Ways” about the search for balance as a travelling musician.
“My family always comes first but the reality is as a musician, sometimes we are taken away from the ones we love. I’m constantly trying to find and keep that balance but unfortunately that sometimes tilts too far one way and requires recalibration.”
You can see Jeremy perform “Hurtful Ways” at the following shows:
6 May 2023 – Daylesford Hotel, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Daylesford
13 May 2023 – Red Door Pizza, Wathaurrung Country/Buninyong
28 May 2023 – Cinnamon Grove Cafe and Catering, Nillumbik/Greensborough
4 June 2023 – Edinburgh Castle, Bulleke-bek/Brunswick
Image used with permission from Chris Familton Publicity
I’m convinced the Pierce Brothers can do no wrong. Their latest single “In the Water” is another stellar indie-folk track that perfectly showcases their gift for building melodies.
“As a major third wheel in the twin brother dynamic, we found pretty quickly that my main role was actually that of a casting vote between Pat and Jack,” said Dara Munnis, who played keys on and cowrote the song with the Pierce Brothers. “Whenever there were different options on the table for the direction the song was taken, I have 100% let this newfound power go to my head.”
Dara also co-directed the music video with Patrick Pierce, who said “I have wanted to shoot at these locations for a while, and I saw the work of Alicia Brown which got me thinking about using those designs and ideas in a music video about a child’s imaginary friend. Once that was in my head, I just began thinking of all the beautiful locations in Victoria and just wanted to get on the road to start filming them. I reached out to Maryanne Lea to help with the costuming and she took the idea and really ran with it!”
The concept was originally meant for another release, but due to lockdowns in 2020 the performance aspect become impossible. However, now the time is right.
“We had to shelve the project until a new project that fit the song came along. Since then Dara has become a keys player in the band and this was our first song we wrote together. It just made sense that we release this music video we’d worked on for so long together”
Pierce Brothers will celebrate the release of “In the Water” with long-awaited shows allong the East Coast.
“It’s been such a long time since we’ve played headline metro shows, so I’m just really excited to get back out there and play to some of our most excellent hometown fans,” Jack Pierce enthused. “Melbourne is where we honed our craft and where our oldest fans are from, so we’re just really excited to see them all again.”
Tickets are on sale now for all the Pierce Brothers’ single tour shows:
12 May 2023 – Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney
13 May 2023 – The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane
19 May 2023 – Corner Hotel, Quo-yung/Richmond
27 May 2023 – Tropic Sounds @ Reid Park, Gurrumbilbarra/Townsville
9 June 2023 – Sooki Lounge, Wurundjeri Country/Belgrave
10 June 2023 – Haba, Bunurong Country/Rye
11 June 2023 – Torquay Hotel, Wadawurrung Country/Torquay
1 July 2023 – Western Port Hotel, Bunurong Country/San Remo
5 July 2023 – Big Red Bash @ Big Red Dune, Wirrarri/Birdsville
11 August 2023 – Seabreeze Hotel, Yuwibara Country/Mackay
12 August 2023 – Village Festival, Darumbal Country/Yepoon (FREE)
19 August 2023 – Mundi Mundi Bash, Wilyakali Country/Mundi
Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Dara Munnis
Is it just me, or does Dami Im seem to keep getting better and better? With every release it seems she’s opening up more, showing more vulnerability and stepping into her power. She sets the bar so high for herself, but her latest single “Collide” may just be her best yet.
“Collide is about life transitions. It’s about grieving the roads not taken and embracing the one that you’ve chosen,” she explained. “I started working on Collide with my co-writer Tom Eggert while I was pregnant. I wanted to write about losing my identity and heading into a new season of life.
“Initially the song was written just on the piano, but with Andy Mak coming on board to produce the track, it took a lot of experimenting to land on a production that had enough power and angst while preserving the raw fragility.”
“Collide” is our exciting first taste of Dami’s forthcoming new album, which is scheduled to drop in the second half of the year.
Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute
