There’s really no one making music quite like Howlite. The Melbourne trio cast a spell with their sounds, creating music that is sheer magic. Their latest track “Reducer” is another stellar example of what this outfit is capable of.
I love the way Howlite use samples and loops here to create an ethereal electronic soundscape. Those vocals from Alison Thom are so haunting and achingly beautiful.
“‘Reducer’ has a noticeable pop edge to it, which was a decisive choice. We wanted to strip away the layers, and really focus on the things that we felt defined our soundscape,” the band noted.
Howlite will launch the single for hometown fans at Cactus Room on August 30.
Kate Hindle is a woman who knows a thing or two about determination. Her latest track “One Step Away” is a powerful song about moving on from a bad relationship, but it could easily be a song about moving forward in her own life.
Kate has spent much of her life in hospital beds, unable to walk. She had to relearn that skill, pushing past the chronic pain of a degenerative disc disease. Yet this strong country singer keeps smiling. Keep her powerful story in mind when you’re listening to this poptastic country single.
Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Rya Park slays with her latest single “Bitch.” It reminds me a little of the powerful female anthems I listened to in the ‘90s with its fuzzy guitars and dark, honest lyrics about mental health struggles. I’ll give you a language warning if you’re at work, but once you head home, I suggest blasting this one.
“Releasing this kinda feels like a sigh of relief,” Rya admitted. “When I first wrote it, I felt scared and sad … but I’ve managed to pick myself up a little bit and push through. I want this song to be there for someone else that may be going through something similar, to feel like they aren’t entirely alone.”
Rya has toured with Clews and Motor Ace, but she’s about to headline her own shows. Aussies can catch her next month before she heads to London for more soon-to-be-announced dates.
20 September 2019 – Grace Darling, Melbourne
28 September 2019 – Oxford Art Gallery, Sydney
Sydney based singer-songwriter Eliott is in fine form with “Find a Way,” the follow-up to her single “Shaking My Hips.” Just like her last release, this song has a beautiful vulnerability and heart to it. But while “Shaking My Hips” saw Eliott’s confidence rocked, “Find a Way” is about picking up the pieces and moving forward. I know there’s someone who needs to hear it today!
“Find a Way” is Eliot’s first track released through Downtown Music Publishing.
“So excited to be teaming up with Downtown music alongside so many talented artists and such a passionate team,” she said of recently being signed to the label. “I write music because it’s what I love to do, so thank you so much for helping my voice be heard on a larger scale.”
Eliot is currently working on the songs that will form her debut album, which will be released all around the world through Island Records.
Sydney neo-soul act imbi the girl have released a super-impressive new single “Our Room.” This is one of those songs that draws you in and truly captivates. It’s poetic, its got smooth soulful vocals, it’s unique, it’s got something to say, it’s special. It’s one of those songs that doesn’t deserve analysis, because rather than reading about you should just be experiencing it.
Imbi the girl is playing two headline shows in November, but I’m putting them on your radar now because you want to get yourself organised. Their last headline gigs sold out, so you can bet these ones will do the same.
7 November 2019 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
9 November 2019 – Red Rattler Theatre, Sydney
Image used with permission from Bianca Blancato; photo credit: Seamus Platt
Australia’s coolest 16-year-old Ruel is back with a another sweet, soulful single, “Face to Face.” This song goes down smoothly with a killer hook and earnest lyrics. Is it just me or does this kid just keep getting better and better?
“Face to Face” comes from Ruel’s forthcoming EP Free Time, which drops on September 13. Ruel will celebrate its release with all ages shows in most Aussie capitals and New Zealand. Tickets will not last, so get on them now!
19 September 2019 – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane
22 September 2019 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
24 September 2019 – Festival Hall, Melbourne
28 September 2019 – Shed 10, Auckland
1 October 2019 – Odeon, Hobart
4 October 2019 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Melbourne punksters Press Club might be conquering the world right now, but they don’t want us to forget them here at home. They’ve just released a brand new video for the ballsy single “Thinking About You” and their new album Wasted Energy drops tomorrow, August 16.
“The idea for the ‘Thinking About You’ video clip came to me as we touched down from a 20-plus hour transit home from our first European tour in May this year,” explained guitarist Greg Rietwyk. “I pictured a surreal retelling of the story of a stalking stranger that is told within the song lyrics, with [vocalist] Nat [Foster] being tormented by masked freaks. We enlisted the help of our good friend and filmmaker Gina Somfleth from Popcandi productions. We are all massive fans of Gina’s keen eye for cinematography.It was shot on location at Nat’s parents farm outside of Ballarat in North Western, Victoria. We particularly enjoyed being able to feed our inner pyromaniacs in what was to become the climax of the film. We’ve thrown a few DIY festivals at the farm where it was shot so the location holds a special place in our collective hearts”
It’s no coincidence that on album release day, Press Club will play an instore in Melbourne before jetting off for more UK and European dates. With appearances at Reading and Leeds festivals and stacks more, if you’re living abroad you don’t want to miss this.
16 August 2019 – Oh Jean Instore, Melbourne
22 August 2019 – The Parish, Huddersfield
23 August 2019 – Reading Festival, Reading
24 August 2019 – Leeds Festival, Leeds
25 August 2019 – Greenbelt Festival, Northamptonshire
27 August 2019 – Redrum, Stafford
28 August 2019 – Bodega, Nottingham
29 August 2019 – Surf Cafe, Newcastle
30 August 2019 – Broadcast, Glasgow
31 August 2019 – Night People, Manchester
3 September 2019 – Annie’s, Worcester
4 September 2019 – Bermuda Bob’s Hi-Fi, Norwich
5 September 2019 – New Cross Inn, London
6 September 2019 – Prince Albert, Brighton
8 September 2019 – Cinetol, Amsterdam
10 September 2019 – Haldern Pop Bar, Haldern
11 September 2019 – Sonic Ballroom, Cologne
12 September 2019 – Alte Hackerei, Karlsruhe
13 September 2019 – Dynamo, Zurich
14 September 2019 – Strom, Munich
15 September 2019 – Cross Club, Prague
18 September 2019 – Stengade – Copenhagen
19 & 20 September 2019 – Reeperbahn, Hamburg
21 September 2019 – Vera, Groningen
Image used with permission from Little Giant Agency; photo credit: Ian Laidlaw
Sydney act Sunscreen are taking me back to the hey days of 80s New Romantic sounds with their poppy new single, “Think About You.” It’s an old-fashioned love song at its core, with Sunscreen’s own spin.
“This song is reminiscent of all things new, bright, and exciting,” explained lead vocalist and guitarist Sarah Sykes. “The feeling when you just can’t get close enough to someone.”
Sunscreen recently travelled all over the East Coast with their High Over Love tour, but they’ve got a few more shows left in them. Hear this track and more songs from the band’s forthcoming Falling in an Elevator EP at the following shows.
16 August 2019 – Week.End Club, Sydney (FREE)
23 August 2019 – UOW Unibar, Wollongong
Do you ever feel like bad luck follows you? Then you’ll relate to “Not My Fault,” the fun new single from Melbourne indie rock act Mylk.
This track is the perfect introduction to Mylk. It’s got a healthy dose of humour, an approachable sound, and a groove that won’t quit.
“It feels great to be releasing this track after working so hard on it for such a long time. We love the song, and to finally be able to show it to the world is exciting and relieving, hopefully it gets stuck in people’s heads!” said the group’s front man, Nathaniel Peacock. “It was while jamming the song instrumentally that we just happened to sing the words ‘it’s not my fault’ to the tune of the chorus and the rest of the lyrics just came together. The lyrical content of the song is not meant to be taken super seriously at all, with the track aiming to be fun and catchy, and something to make people move.”
Mylk will celebrate the release of “Not My Fault” with a hometown launch show at the Grace Darling Hotel on August 23.
If Kings of Leon and Paulo Nutini had a lovechild, he might sound something like Jack Runaway. Drinking Alone is the Western Australian act’s debut EP, but it’s delivered with all the confidence of seasoned pros.
At just five tracks, the band makes sure there are no fillers here. We already got a taste of Jack Runaway with the singles “Ready to Know You” and “Never Know,” and they’ve wasted no time releasing another single, “Dijonnaise” in tandem with this EP. Any one of the songs on Drinking Alone could be a single though. Each one has a cool, sexy self-assuredness about it, a real rockstar vibe that simmers just below the surface.
I don’t think it’s any coincidence “Ready to Know You” is the EP’s opener. It’s the song that made me fall for Jack Runaway. Hearing it again reminds me just how much I dig the band and primes me for what will come next. “Moonblocks” is such a natural second track, with the easy groove of its verses and the anthemic chorus. There’s a freedom to it that makes me want to pack up my car and drive somewhere, anywhere. “Never Know” and “Dijonnaise” are straight-up rock tracks, with fuzzy guitars and unbridled choruses. The title track has a real pathos about it, so it’s a curious choice for a closer. However, Jack Runaway aren’t an act that likes to play by the rules. Perhaps ending on a downer was a strategic decision though, as it compels the listener to hit play once again.
Like the best EPs, Drinking Alone is a collection of songs that leaves us wanting more. It’s out now. See Jack Runaway play Clancy’s Fish Pub in Fremantle on August 31.
If Kings of Leon and Paulo Nutini had a lovechild, he might sound something like