DOWNGIRL Drops Rocking New Single “Manic”

Femme nu punk/grunge act DOWNGIRL prove they’re a real force with their latest single “Manic.” The press release says “the song hits like shots of cinnamon whisky – hard, fast and to dizzying effect, with a sweet but spicy aftertaste.” Honestly, I couldn’t have said it better myself.

“‘Manic’ was written during Sydney’s last pandemic lockdown as a back and forth via the WWW,” the band said. “It explores mental health issues and the responsibility we must take for them during a time which is insular and introspective.”

DOWNGIRL will take their “Manic” tour to The Lass in Mulubinba/Newcastle on November 12 before wrapping things up at Cherry Bar in Naarm/Melbourne on November 19.

Image used with permission from Ruckus PR

Sophisticated Dingo Start Your Week Right With “The Job I Took”

If you’re finding it a little hard to get moving this Monday morning, Sophisticated Dingo’s new high-energy rock single “The Job I Took” is just what you need. The track sees the duo encouraging listeners to focus on what’s important and follow their passions.

“We wanted to celebrate choosing simplicity in a life that is inexplicably confusing… When pouring yourself into something, you might come to realise that you’re no longer doing it out of passion, but instead for the greater good,” explained vocalist Lewis Matte. “It can make sense to follow a path of idealisation when forging ahead however this path may well fall apart as one discovers what is most important. Don’t chase ideals, focus on what is real and present.”

Fresh from supporting Dear Seattle, Sophisticated Dingo will headline their own national tour in November. Catch them in a city near you:

5 November 2022 – Singing Bird Studios, Bunurong Country/Frankston (ALL AGES)
18 November 2022 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne
24 November 2022 – Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mulubinba/Newcastle
26 November 2022 – Botany View Hotel, Eora/Sydney (FREE)
27 November 2022 – North Gong Hotel, Woolyungah/Wollongong (FREE)
1 December 2022 – Crowd & Anchor Hotel, Tarndanya/Adelaide
2 December 2022 – Gage Roads Freo Brewery, Walyalup/Fremantle (FREE)
3 December 2022 – Indian Ocean Hotel, Boorloo/Perth
8 December 2022 – Vinnie’s Dive Bar, Kombumerri Country/Gold Coast
9 December 2022 – King Lear’s Throne, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from Habit Music; credit: Will Bush

Satin Cali Drop Your New Favourite Rock Song, “One of These Days”

There’s nothing quite like hearing a really good rock song. The epic vocals, soaring electric guitars and driving rhythm section just make you feel alive. I know you’re going to get that feeling listening to Satin Cali’s new single “One of These Days.” Crank up the volume and give this one the treatment it deserves.

“One of these days is about believing in your goals and sticking to your guns, no matter what obstacle is in front of you,” explained the band’s lead vocalist Zac. “We decided to chill this song out sonically a bit more than some of our previous releases, while keeping that Satin Cali grit relevant throughout. A lot of that magic we can credit [producer and mixing engineer] Jack Nigro for too. Super pumped for this next release! Easily our best work yet.”

The film clip sees the lads raising hell around their local area of Woolyungah/Wollongong.

“I had such a good time shooting the music video for ‘One of these days’, getting to shred my axe and cause a bit of chaos around Wollongong,” added Gordo. “The video shows that we are truly willing to play anywhere to have our music heard. A bookstore, intersection of a busy street, etc. Also, being able to showcase some of the epic locations our local community has was special. Super keen to show the world this one”

Satin Cali have been touring along the East Coast in recent weeks. They’ll wrap up the tour with a show at The Gasometer Hotel in Naarm/Melbourne on October 22. Get on down and make it a big one!

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Chris Frape

NEAV Shares Powerful Single “Say Goodbye”

Central Coast artist NEAV has wowed me with her latest single “Say Goodbye”. It’s a haunting modern pop track that reminds me of other local talents Vera Blue and Gretta Ray. I love the way NEAV’s gorgeous voice blends with the piano and beats on this one. The confessional lyrics charting the 18-year-old singer-songwriter’s personal journey are also so insightful.

“Transitioning into adulthood has been as exciting as it has been terrifying,” NEAV admitted. “During my experience of shifting in every facet of my life I’ve encountered the strange and emotional, yet therapeutic process of letting go of your past self. Say Goodbye channels this experience of the fear of the unknown, grieving our past selves and the sense of hope we cling onto to get through it and progress into a new stage in life. I have found the song to represent my feelings deeply, expressing my internal monologues melodically, lyrically and even rhythmically.”

If you love “Say Goodbye,” you won’t be waiting too long to hear more fresh music from NEAV. Her debut EP ELEGY drops on November 3.

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Nick Langley

Ken Paolo & The Space Cadets Drop Stellar New Single, “Natural Ways”

Ken Paolo & The Space Cadets are here to ease you into your weekend with their jazzy and oh-so-soulful single “Natural Ways.” It’s effortlessly cool, with Ken and Persia’s vocals bending beautifully against that fanfare of horns. It’s the sort of song that once you hear it inspires you to spend time digging around their back catalogue. Hot tip: it’s worth doing.

“‘Natural Ways’ is a high-energy affirmation about moving on from toxic situations,” Ken explained. “It is our most ambitious track with an addiction of a horn section.”

I just hope those horns become a permanent addition, because they really turn this song into something special. It’s hard to believe these guys only formed last year, because they are creating some of the slickest music I’ve heard in some time. Fan in their hometown of Boorloo/Perth can catch them at the In Dreams Festival at Rosemount Hotel on November 5.

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Cass Evans-Ocharern

Illy Drops Latest Banger “Like You”

Back in the Warner Music Australia stable, Illy has just dropped his feelgood new single “Like You”. If you’re looking for a pick-me-up this Wednesday, you can stop searching. This is everything you need.

We shouldn’t be surprised it’s so catchy though, as “Like You” comes from Illy collaborating with Johnny Took from DMA’s, Reuben Styles and Adam Hyde from Peking Duk, Styalz Fuego, and Black Summer. That’s a lot of different voices involved, but this song comes together beautifully.

“I’m stoked to be releasing new music, especially after the last few years,” Illy said. “I wanted to kick off the new era with a bang, and ‘Like You’ was the perfect fit for that. Working with some of my favourite Australian artists and producers made the process a lot of fun, and something to be excited about. This really shines through in the track. I’ve listened to this song 1000 times and still, I love this song.”

Illy has just dropped a few dates and he swears there’s more to come. If he’s not visiting you yet, just sit tight.
18 November 2022 – Torquay Hotel, Wadawurrung Country/Torquay
19 November 2022 – Volta, Wadawurrung Country/Ballarat
2-4 December 2022 – VANFEST, Wiradjuri Country/Bathurst
8-12 June 2023 – Dream Machine, Bali

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia; credit: Giulia McGauran

Chloe Kay & The Crusade Wows Me With “Broken Woman”

Don’t you just love finding those voices that stop you in your tracks? That you fall in love with instantly, hanging on every single word they sing? It’s rare and difficult to describe exactly what draws you to them, but when it comes it’s like lightning in a bottle. Chloe Kay, of Chloe Kay & The Crusade, has one of those voices. Press play on their latest single “Broken Woman” and I know you’ll fall in love too.

This song is a bit of a departure from the upbeat blues-rock the band usually delivers. There’s still that strong blues spirit, but it’s more vulnerable and intimate. You can hear how cathartic singing this song is for Chloe, who wrote the song after getting out of an unhealthy relationship.

“‘Broken Woman’ was my chance to say what I’d been holding inside,” she admitted. “This track is for those who have been taken advantage of, lied to and disrespected in a relationship and who so badly want to be seen and heard. ‘Broken Woman’ will be a little slice of therapy for some and serve as an anthem for those who have felt broken. I hope it will give them a chance to feel empowered, even just for a few minutes.”

Chloe Kay & The Crusade will close out the year playing Australian Blues Music Festival in Mulwaree Country/Goulburn on November 18 to 20.

Image used with permission from Hunger Digital

Rachael Fahim Celebrates City Roots With “City Girls in the Country”

Eora/Sydney artist Rachael Fahim busts the stereotypes and shows you don’t need a rural upbringing to make killer country music. Her latest single “City Girls in the Country” is an anthem for all the city slickers who love country music.

“As a city-born country artist of Lebanese decent, I’ve constantly been challenged about my country music eligibility, but for me, country music has always been a place of storytelling, a platform of the underdog to speak out and a place to connect with real people,” she explained. “Country music is evolving and becoming the most adored genre across the globe, a voice for everybody, no matter what your background or story is! This song is an anthem for doing what you love, being who you want to be, embracing what is different and not really caring about what other people think or say! Fuck yeah, city girls can be country too.”

Fuck yeah indeed! She may have faced her fair share of criticism, but it seems the country music scene is coming around. After her 2021 single “Middle Ground” spent five weeks at number one on the Australian Country Singles Airplay Chart, Rachael became the second-most streamed female country artist of all time, just behind Kasey Chambers. She’ll also play some of the biggest country music festivals in the country over the coming months.

14 & 15 October 2022 – Channel Country Music Muster, Thargomindah/Bulloo River
3 December 2022 – Capital Country, Nugunnawal/Canberra

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Jacqui Lumsden Releases Amazing New Pop Single, “Closer”

As the working week wears on, it’s easy for the grind to get you down. If you need a lift right now, press play on “Closer”, the latest track from Jacqui Lumsden. It’s a sparkly, synth-soaked pop banger penned about a bittersweet love affair Jacqui had as a teenager on exchange overseas.

“The song is about separation. At 16, I fell desperately in love with someone on the other side of the world,” Jacqui explained. “He was my best friend and the only person I felt understood me truly. We spent a year together and then I went back to my small country town in Victoria, and that was that. It felt like the world was crashing down around me. Ultimately this song is about long-distance relationships and the trauma of being separated from the person you love.”

The retro sound of “Closer” perfectly evokes the nostalgia of teenage love and loss. It makes me remember how much bigger and more intense everything felt at 16. It also doesn’t hurt that it sounds a lot like a Carly Rae Jepsen song, and I’ve been bingeing her music pretty hard of late! If you’ve got your own workspace, this song is the perfect soundtrack for a well-earned dance break.

Image used with permission from StarCrossed PR

Younger Than Me Delights With “Robomash”

After impressing me a couple of months ago with “Hallucination,” Younger Than Me has charmed me again with “Robomash.” It’s another piece of experimental pop music that is totally enchanting. It’s a real gift to create music that’s out of the box, yet so appealing. When you take risks invariably you’ll fall short from time to time, yet it seems like this Eora/Sydney duo can’t put a foot wrong. It’s so exciting.

Emma Davis said the song was inspired by a time when the duo wasn’t sure their music dreams would get off the ground. “It was a time where Annie [McKinnon] was trying to juggle her interaction design with teaching, music and everything else that comes with life, and I think it just all felt too much,” she explained. “We’ve never wanted this project to feel like a burden so it’s been so important to be honest and try to fit it into life in a way that works.”

Thankfully, all’s well that ends well. After losing themselves in a day of recording, Emma and Annie agreed to stop stressing about the outcome and take things as they came. They shared a bottle of red, or maybe more, and created this track to celebrate their collaboration, friendship, and belief that things always work out in the end.

“It’s the first track where we let go a little and started to trust ourselves more as producers” Annie added. “We stopped being so afraid of trying weird things, so there are lots of wacky synths, and vocal sounds acting as drum beats that somehow find their place. I think it’s a good precursor of what’s to come.”

After they’ve released such beautiful and unique singles, I can’t help wondering what’s next for Younger Than Me. But rather than focusing on the future, I’m going to take a lesson from them and just sit with this gorgeous track for a while.

Image credit: Marcus Coblyn