A collaboration between Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast rock act Peach Fur and rapper Saint Lane doesn’t sound like a natural marriage on paper, but their new single “Bloom” is something special. This track brings all the good vibes you deserve at the end of the working week.
“Bloom is about the feeling of freedom after going separate ways in a relationship and having that new sense of self-discovery,” explained Peach Fur’s frontman Denny Hilder. “Bloom touches on the diversity of the album ‘Earth Radio’ has to offer.”
“Bloom is our first rap song. Although there’s similar elements instrumentally, vocally we’ve explored new areas we previously hadn’t. This is heard not just with the rapping but also the hooks and chorus. Earth Radio is a compilation of some of our favourite flavours of music into one body of work, we’re seeking a connection between a range of different listeners and the music.”
Earth Radio is coming really soon, signalling big things to come from Peach Fur in 2023.
It feels like Siobhan Cotchin really arrived this year. I couldn’t stop listening to her solo singles “Fill My Cup” and “Growing Pains” and I loved her work on Kav Temperley’s album, Machines of Love & Grace. She also wowed at BIGSOUND and earned a stack of nominations at the WAM Awards. So I’m thrilled that she’s delivering one more single this year, the gorgeous new cut “How Does It Feel?” It’s got more of a rock edge than her previous releases. I really hope she leans more into that genre, because her voice is perfect for it.
“I had the lyrics for a while and wrote the melody and chords after watching a Baby Animals documentary. I was so inspired by Suzie DeMarchi and her powerful vocals and just pure rock n roll energy, so I wanted to recreate it in my own way,” Siobhan explained.
“‘How Does It Feel’ is about being with someone that doesn’t give you exactly what you deserve. Instead of returning the love you give them, they just take it and take you for granted. The message I want listeners to take away from this song is to never change for someone else and know your worth.”
Siobhan is currently on tour to support the single’s release. Catch her at one of the remaining shows:
16 December 2022 – Mojos Bar, Walyalup/Fremantle
30 December 2022 – Settlers Tavern, Wooditchup/Margaret River (FREE)
1 January 2022 – Clancy’s, Quedjinup/Dunsborough
Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Jarrad Levy
Fresh from the recent release of her third album The Real World, Freya Josephine Hollick has delivered a Christmas single with a difference. “Spend Your Christmas with Rita” is far from your traditional Christmas song, but no less irresistible. It comes packaged with Freya Josephine’s stunning stripped back take on Elvis’ “Blue Christmas.”
You can stream both songs now, but if you’re a real fan you’ll want to buy the limited edition coloured 7-inch vinyl. Also make sure you get along to Freya Josephine Hollick’s special Christmas show at Northcote Social Club on Christmas Eve.
Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity
Most of us hate cleaning our cars. Procrastinating on this necessary evil can lead to some unexpected discoveries. If we’re lucky, we might find a few coins we’d forgotten we’d stashed in the glovebox. If we’re unlucky, we might find a long-lost letter from our ex like Eora/Sydney muso Nicole Issa. Ouch. She channeled all the emotions from that fateful discovery into her latest single “Notes in My Car.”
“My ex-partner knew I hated cleaning my car, so he would write little love letters and plant them in secret spots in my car … once every couple of months when I finally built up the energy to clean, I would find these little cute notes,” she explained. Nicole’s car sat neglected during the lockdowns, so when she emerged back into the world, six months after they broke up, the discovery of one of these notes took a toll.
“It shattered me,” she recalled. “ It said something like when you find this I hope you know there is someone out there that always loves you. I remember finding it ironic as when we had separated he had told me he had fallen out of love with me.”
While the pain of finding the note was hard, Nicole sees the silver lining that at least this song came out of it. I couldn’t agree more. This heartfelt piano ballad hits all the right notes. What a beautiful, cathartic track that is going to resonate with anyone who’s ever found their feelings for someone in their past brought back to the surface.
If you’re feeling a little flat this Monday arvo, never fear. “Morphine,” the latest track from Queensland indie-punk outfit Friends of Friends, is just what you need. It’s an awesome upbeat song, but tap into those lyrics and you’ll appreciate it even more. Frontman Barnaby Baker wrote the song about his mother’s cancer diagnosis.
“I remembered how hard it was to see her in hospital, not sure how it would end,” he said. “There was morphine for her pain, and I leaned on my relationship for mine. This song is an apocalyptic look on my life as it feels as though I’m slowly spiralling downwards. I think we all are at times. It’s that feeling of chasing the light at the end of the tunnel, and hoping to reach it in time.”
Hearing the energy in this song, I’m sure Friends of Friends are fantastic live. If you want to see them, keep an eye on their socials for details of some capital city shows early next year. They’ve already been announced as part of Slowly Slowly’s mini-festival Easylover on June 10 at Northcote Theatre in Naarm/Melbourne, and there’s a lot more to come.
Image used with permission from Habit Music Co; credit: Bowen Hopper
Gold Coast/Yugambeh Country artist Eimhin has had a varied musical journey, transitioning from a musical theatre teen to playing punk rock and emo tunes. Now his sound has evolved into the beautiful folk-rock you hear in his latest single “She Met My Eyes.” If this one doesn’t give you chills, I’d suggest checking your pulse.
“It’s about the liminal period in a relationship when you’re still in denial that things are falling apart,” Eimhim admitted. “Instead of facing the truth you find yourself placating each other, you still say ‘I love you’ but it doesn’t feel the same in your heart. You’re still planning for the future, but that future is no longer a reality, at least not with one another.”
Victorian singer-songwriter Nigel Wearne has teamed up with UK songstress Lauren Housley for “To the Edge,” one of the coolest duets I’ve heard in some time. When I say cool, I mean cool. Smoky bars in the American Wild West kind of cool. Americana with a hint of jazz kind of cool. Horns, minor keys, and just the right amount of tension kind of cool. Just listen and you’ll hear what I mean.
The pair met in early 2019 at the Arts Café in Montreal when they were both in town for the Folk Alliance International. With a mutual respect for John Prine and some dry witty banter, they became firm friends. After reconnecting in New Orleans in early 2020, they began working together remotely during the pandemic and this fantastic song was born.
Nigel has a couple more Victorian dates before he flies out to the United Kingdom to play shows with Lauren. UK music lovers, you are in for a treat! Then he’ll jet to the US for the Folk Alliance International showcase MerleFest, the country’s top roots festival. Here are all the dates you need:
10 December 2022 – Odessa at Leaver’s Hotel, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Creswick
11 December 2022 – Union Hotel Brunswick, Bulleke-bek/Brunswick
13 January 2023 – West End Centre, Aldershot (Lauren Housley)
14 January 2023 – Chapel Arts, Bath (Lauren Housley)
15 January 2023 – Edge of The Wedge, Portsmouth (Lauren Housley)
17 January 2023 – The Witham, Barnard Castle (Lauren Housley)
18 January 2023 – The Crescent, York (Lauren Housley)
19 January 2023 – The Met, Bury (Lauren Housley)
20 January 2023 – Philharmonic, Liverpool (Lauren Housley)
21 January 2023 – Alder Bar, Sheffield (Lauren Housley)
22 January 2023 – The Hive, Shrewsbury (Lauren Housley)
24–25 January 2023 – OFFICIAL SHOWCASE UK Americana Music Week, London
27 January 2023 – The Stables, Milton Keynes (Lauren Housley)
28 January 2023 – Thimblemill Library, Birmingham (Lauren Housley)
2-5 February 2023 – Folk Alliance Showcase, Kansas City
27-30 April 2023 – MerleFest USA, Wilkesboro
Image used with permission from I Hear Django; credit: Ian Laidlaw
Kaypo wowed me a few months back with his gorgeous single “Empty Highs”. His newie, “Help Me Out” is every bit as impressive. If you love artists who tell stories through their songs and favour the simple strum of an acoustic guitar to studio wizardry, this will be right up your alley.
“‘Help Me Out’ is slightly more driven/higher energy production compared to the last two songs which have been slower/more ‘ballady’,” Kaypo explained. “The track itself was inspired by a conversation with someone who at the time wasn’t doing great and had developed an unhealthy dependence on both alcohol/substances as well as an ongoing love interest.”
A young talent with the world at his feet, Kaypo will relocate to London early in 2023.
Image used with permission from Footstomp Music
I don’t know about you, but I think Hump Days become more challenging as the year wears on. You’re so ready for a Christmas break, but it seems there’s always a mad rush before you can take it. Thankfully I’ve found something that takes the edge off: “Say (Light Me Up)”, the latest single from self-produced Eora/Sydney artist jnr.
This is such good pop music. It’s fresh and fun, with an accessible sound that’s sure to win over fans of acts like LANY and Conan Gray. If that’s you, you won’t want to miss this one. A little birdie tells me jnr. will release several more singles in 2023, which is definitely something to look forward to.
Born in London but raised in Naarm/Melbourne, Thomas Headon is bringing a little sunshine to your Tuesday arvo. If you’ve lost your mojo, press play and turn his latest single “Georgia” up. I swear it’ll make you feel better about the world.
“We’ve actually been sitting on this song for over a year now,” he admitted. “I wrote it by myself with my little acoustic guitar in London, then finally produced it up into 100 different versions with my friend Stephen months later, finally landing on this one. It’s actually not even about someone called Georgia, it’s more pointed towards the US state … also which I have nothing to do with, but it’s a metaphor. Anyway, it’s my favourite song of mine to date. I hope people like it.”
Since moving back to the UK in 2020, Thomas has been doing big things. Like supporting Elton John big. He’s also just announced he’ll be part of the Are You Listening? Festival in Reading on 6 May 2023. Hopefully a return visit to Oz isn’t too far away.
Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia
