Real life couple Tobi Tobi inject some romance into their new single “Ice & Rum.” It floats along with a beautiful delicate daydream quality that really sucks you in. Make sure you really listen to those poetic lyrics. They’re something special. No wonder the original Bachelor Tim Robards handpicked this Melbourne duo to sing when he tied the knot with Anna in Italy last year!
While this is Tobi Tobi’s first single, they come to it with a wealth of experience. Renee Anderson had a deal with Universal when she was younger but left the major label to pursue independent music with Jamie Barlow. Their previous band Private Life garnered plenty of airplay and key support slots for bands including Garbage and Sticky Fingers. Now onto their next adventure, “Ice & Rum” is an exciting sign of what’s to come.
Image used with permission from the A&R Department
I first saw Ray LaMontagne live in 2005. Around a year had passed after the release of his breakthrough debut album Trouble, and the Gaelic Club was packed to the rafters with people keen to hear this American troubadour in person. His set was understated, something I expected knowing how painfully shy he was. But beautiful, so beautiful that I didn’t miss the banter musicians ordinarily deliver because I felt he spoke to us through his music.
It took him 14 years to make the return journey to us. He’s released so many albums since then. The venues have been upgraded. The State Theatre is a much more refined joint. If he had a support act back then I can’t remember them, but I have a feeling Tori Forsyth will be etched into my mind. She has one of those voices that just grabs you and doesn’t let go. I wasn’t familiar with her material but I was instantly captivated, so glad I’d followed a friend’s advice and arrived early enough for her performance. She’s a performer not too dissimilar to Ray really, with a voice wise beyond her years, an old soul and style to her Americana tunes that makes them accessible on the first listen. The obvious appreciation she had for our beautiful theatre earned her a few brownie points too.
Ray wasn’t alone with his acoustic guitar this time. Wilco’s bassist John Stirratt joined him, bringing another dimension to the music. Like a modern-day Simon and Garfunkel they gently strummed and harmonised, creating some of the most beautiful folk music you’re likely to hear. I must admit, I lost touch with Ray’s new recordings somewhere along the way, but it was a real treat to hear so many new songs with such a respectful crowd. However, the songs from Trouble were real highlights for me. I even had to brush away a tear during “Burn.” He’s probably lost count of the number of times he’s sung it since 2004, but all the pain that fuelled its creation still felt so raw. And the title track, the jubilant chorus, was so stirring.
Someone who was unfamiliar with Ray might have felt disappointed by his quiet demeanour. He managed little more than a mumbled “Thank you Sydney” between songs. But knowing how shy he is, I can forgive a lack of showmanship. I was even surprised when returned to the stage for a lengthy encore. Even if performing is a little difficult for him, clearly he wanted to show us how much he appreciated our support.
Seeing Ray live wasn’t like your typical concert experience. It was without witty banter, without theatrics we were left to focus on arguably what matters most: the music. And it was flawless.
Sydney five-piece Milo Viti are giving me serious nostalgic vibes with their high-energy new pop-punk single “Be Cool.” It reminds me a whole lot of something a ‘90s act like Jimmy Eat World, Lit, or Simple Plan might have released back in the day. And I’m totally here for that.
“‘Be Cool’ is about enjoying the extreme highs of having a good time in spite of the major come down that follows,” the band explained. “It’s about understanding the bad that comes with the good and choosing to forget about it all for a moment before it inevitably catches up with you.”
And what could be cooler than that? Keep your ears to the ground Sydneysiders because Milo Viti regularly plays local gigs. Hopefully it won’t be too long before they take their music all around the country.
Some artists have voices that stop you in your tracks. From the moment you hear them you know, you just know, they’re special. Jackson Carroll has one of those voices.
It’s showcased beautifully in his new single “Holy Hell.” It’s hard to believe this haunting track is actually his debut, because it sounds so accomplished. It’s polished yet raw, emotional yet just restrained enough. I can’t help thinking of the late great Jeff Buckley as I listen to it. It’s more than just that falsetto, which is flawless by the way. It’s something about the connection Jackson forges with the listener, despite seemingly being in his own world.
“It never really feels finished until you’re hearing [it] in a studio or with a band, with all the instruments in. I have an idea of what I want it to sound like, or some references I can point at and show to people and say, ‘I want it to sound like this,’” he explained. “It’s tricky to temper expectations when you’re comparing your stuff to stuff that already exists, but we did a good job of it!”
This song has me excited. I can’t wait to hear more from Jackson really soon.
As the morning get colder and gloomier, it takes a little more to fire me up. Catalyst CT deliver just what I need with their new single “It’s Like Fire.”
It’s a brutally honest relationship post-mortem with big crunchy guitar chords and vocals reminiscent of original Barenaked Ladies singer Steven Page. If you were around to appreciate the rock and pop-punk bands of the ‘90s like I was, I think you’re going to love this.
“It’s Like Fire” comes from Catalyst CT’s new EP Set You Free.
Image used with permission from the A&R Department
Many of us fall apart after break-ups, hibernating on the couch and eating too much ice-cream. But not Leeroy. This Perth singer-songwriter has released one of the most cheerful break-up songs I’ve ever heard, “Screwed Me Over.”
“I was going through a hard time with a girl that left me and decided to travel and I was stuck in a job I hated, I decided to quit my job and just focus on music … I got the point where I had nothing to lose and if I didn’t play music I wouldn’t wake up. ‘Screwed Me Over’ came to me and was a true in every way,” explained Leeroy of the song’s inspiration.
I love this track’s cool Michael Franti Ben Harper vibe. Hopefully we hear Leeroy release more like it soon!
Often city dwellers like me struggle to relate to country music. I don’t know what it’s like to love a truck or feel the beat-your-chest patriotism of American acts. I don’t drink whisky or live in a wide open space. So it’s refreshing to hear a country song like Josh Setterfield’s new track “Broke,” an all-too-relatable tale of not having enough cash to do what you want to do. We’ve all been there!
Josh is kicking some serious goals with his music, playing major country events like the Gympie Muster and Rockin Rocky. This song actually went to number one on Australian Country Radio, but I think it deserves a little mainstream love.
Josh has a couple of gigs coming up. See him at Eaton’s Hill Hotel in Brisbane tomorrow night, May 3 or a Sydney Harbour Cruise on September 21 and help him earn a little extra coin!
Bonnie Anderson will hope she can follow in Delta Goodrem’s footsteps with the release of her new single “Sorry.” She’s certainly following the Delta blueprint, singing a little on her Neighbours as her character Bea and releasing music in tandem. Just like Delta, she’s also got some serious chops, as her new single “Sorry.”
Of course, her stint in Neighbours isn’t the first time we’ve seen Bonnie on our TV sets. At the tender age of 12, she became the first winner of Australia’s Got Talent. She’s released a few songs since then, but really struggled to make that transition from child star to serious adult talent. With the help of Neighbours and this beautiful track, she might just be on her way.
Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute
Merpire is back with a brand new single and a whole bunch of shows. The Sydney chanteuse’ brand new track is called “Lately,” and it’s a tune that showcases her rich voice and songwriting prowess beautifully.
Merpire has already started 2019 with a bang, playing A Festival Called Panama, Brunswick Music Festival, and By the Meadow. There’s more where that came from though. See her at the following gigs in the coming months.
4 May 2019 – The Northern Republic, Euroa
18 May 2019 – Howler, Melbourne (supporting City Calm Down)
13 June 2019 – School Night @ Noisy Ritual, East Brunswick
11-14 July 2019 – Bello Winter Music Festival, Bellingen
Local sister act The Little Stevies can do no wrong. Their latest studio album Stopped Wishing I Was Somewhere Else is a delight from start to finish, with irresistible vocals, quirky lyrics, and genuine charm. It’s like aural sunshine, guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step.
If you only listen to one song though, make it “Break Your Heart.” It seems wrong to play favourites when an album is such quality, but this song has a special place in my heart. Listen and just see if you’re not tempted to snap up tickets to one of their upcoming shows.
Catch The Little Stevies promoting their new album at the following gigs.
3 May 2019 – Smiths Alternative, Canberra
18 May 2019 – The Spotted Mallard, Melbourne
24 May 2019 – Factory Floor, Sydney
26 May 2019 – The Milk Factory, Brisbane
