Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gareth Leach Releases Bold New Single “Habitual Line Stepper”

If you love your country with some grit, check out Gareth Leach’s new track “Habitual Line Stepper.” We’re all familiar with heavy rock and heavy metal; this single introduces you to a new genre: heavy country. It’s a hard-hitting song about toxic relationships that puts its foot on the throttle and stays the course.

The music video gives you an insight into what it’s like seeing Gareth live. It also features great rodeo footage captured when Glen and his band played the Bendigo M5 Pro Rodeo.

“Habitual Line Stepper” is the third track lifted from Gareth Leach and the Narratives of Hope’s third album, scheduled for released next year. In the lead-up, Gareth has booked plenty of festival performances. Catch him at the following events:

18 & 19 November 2022 – Sale Country Music Festival @ Sale Racecourse, Wayput/Sale
4 & 5 March 2023 – Country by the Bay @ Frankston Foreshore, Bunurong Country/Frankston
1 & 2 April 2023 – Goulburn Country Music Festival, Kanny-goopna/Shepparton

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Embrace Your Country Side With Jade Gibson’s “Country Mile”

If Channel Seven doesn’t use Jade Gibson’s latest track “Country Mile” on their promos for the final eps of Farmer Wants a Wife, they’ve missed an opportunity. This is such a happy, catchy country song that it’s even won over this city slicker.

We shouldn’t be surprised considering the team behind it though. Nashville native Tyler Bank penned it with Melbourne’s MSQuared (Michael Paynter and Michael DeLorenzis). No wonder it sounds like a hit! It celebrates the touring lifestyle that Jade knows all too well. She always seems to be on the move, but you can see her at the following shows:

1 November 2022 – Wangaratta Racecourse, Bpangerang Country/Wangaratta
5 November 2022 – Gerogery Hotel, Wiradjuri Country/Gerogery
6 November 2022 – Balldale Hotel, Wiradjuri Country/Balldale
19 November 2022 – Precinct Bar & Restaurant, Bpangerang Country/Wangaratta
25 November 2022 – The Caledonian Hotel, Boonwurrung Country/Wonthaggi
10 December 2022 – Wangaratta Racecourse, Bpangerang Country/Wangaratta
7 January 2023 – Wangaratta Rodeo, Bpangerang Country/Wangaratta

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Talk Heavy Drop Single Ahead of First EP Release

If their latest single “Mixing Pictures” is any indication, the debut EP from Meeanjin/Brisbane punk-rock outfit Talk Heavy is going to be big. This single gives us big chunky guitar riffs, big drums, and a big singalong chorus. It was the last song recorded for the EP, and it’s quickly become a personal favourite for each member of the band.

“Lyrically, it’s about how you can’t force things to work,” explained Talk Heavy’s frontman Matt Cochran. “There’s unfortunately always going to be some things beyond your control in life that you just need to accept and learn from. We’re so proud of how it turned out.”

Talk Heavy’s debut EP Jump Into Nothing drops this week on September 29. Hometown fans can catch them at the Scorched Festival on October 29.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co; credit: Luke Henry

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Yorke Releases Ultimate Road Trip Track, “i’ll keep driving”

I’ve been a Yorke fan since she dropped the singles from Liberosis back in 2020, and it seems she just keeps on getting better. If you’re a fan too or you’re yet to discover her brilliance, wrap your ears around her new single “i’ll keep driving.” I swear this pop banger will make your Monday feel better.

Yorke says she wrote the track about “the realisation that the concept of home can be whatever you want it to be, even a person. I was constantly on the move and craving stability so it took me some time to realise that a healthy relationship can also ground you in a similar way.”

If you’re a Yorke fan like me, you’ll love the visualiser.

“We shot the visualiser at this random cabin in regional Victoria and gave the place a temporary makeover. It’s still in the same world as ‘next life’, just a bit of time has passed… consider it the bridge between the last video and what’s to come. There are also lots of little Easter eggs hidden in the background too. What you can’t see is me shivering, it was eight degrees and the heater didn’t work. I had my hot water bottle on me at all times!”

Yorke’s new EP ten feet tall drops in November. Before that, she’ll appear at Oxford Art Factory in Sydney on October 1 supporting Peach PRC.

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia; credit: Jess Gleeson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Turpentine Babycino Coming At You With “Write a Song Sounds Shit” Single and Tour

And the award for best band name I’ve heard in a while goes to Turpentine Babycino. But this Mulubinba/Newcastle rock act doesn’t just have a great name going for them. They’ve got an infectious energy that’s pretty hard to resist. I’ve currently got their debut single “Write a Song Sounds Shit” on repeat.

“’Write A Song Sounds Shit’ is about the aftermath of a break-up. Big parties, loud music, long nights, and writing shitty break-up songs are often on the cards to help ‘forget’ about an ex. As a songwriter it’s easy to dismiss a great song due to self-doubt and judgment and after a break-up, these insecurities are heightened. ‘Write A Song Sounds Shit’ is that shitty break-up song that nobody’s supposed to hear, except people will this time,” Turpentine Babycino said. Only thing is though, it’s not shitty. Not even a little bit. Trust me. Have a listen.

After spending most of the year supporting such diverse acts as Bad Dreems, The Screaming Jets, and Mia Dyson, Turpentine Babycino are ready for the spotlight. They’ll travel to capital cities and regional venues in the Eastern states to support the release of “Write a Song Sounds Shit”. Every show is free, so there’s no excuse for staying home.

5 October 2022 – Retreat Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
8 October 2022 – Botany View Hotel, Eora/Sydney
9 October 2022 – The North Wollongong Hotel, Dharawal Country/Wollongong
14 October 2022 – Wave Bowl, Birpai Country/Port Macquarie
16 October 2022 – Hamilton Station Hotel, Mulubinba/Newcastle
28 October 2022 – Last Rites Bar, Yaygir Country/Yamba
29 October 2022 – Eddie’s Grub House, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Wanagi

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Grace Sanders Explores “Attachment Theory” With New Pop Single

Boorloo/Perth pop act Grace Sanders has released her dreamy new track “Attachment Theory”. This single is the epitome of cool, with a slowly-unravelling melody that Grace’s voice snakes around. And when those horns drop in, wow. The production is also top-notch thanks to the collaborative efforts of Ezekiel Padmanabham and Grace herself.

Grace was inspired to write the song after exploring the popular psychological theory that the relationships we form as children inform the way we form attachments as we get older.

“The way our relationships and breakups in adulthood can mirror some of those early experiences and become an avenue for reflecting on the version of ‘self’ we become in the context of ‘others’,” Grace explained.

“Attachment Theory” comes from Grace’s new EP Nothing is Personal, slated for release on October 28.

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR; credit: Emma Daisy

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Discover the Talents of Vivien Aisi

Vivien Aisi may just be the best singer that you’ve never heard of. Born in Papua New Guinea and now living in Gimuy-walubarra Yidi/Cairns, her latest single “Take Me There” is the perfect showcase for her sultry, soulful voice.

“Take Me There is written about my love for music and where I want it to take me,” Vivien explained. “All my hopes and aspirations, in line with my relationship with music, have been a rollercoaster where I have struggled to fit into the industry, juggle a healthy balance of work, family, and at the same time stay true to who I am as a performer/singer/songwriter. I enjoy a variety of genres and don’t really write to suit a particular style. I allow creativity to take me there and produce what is authentic to me at the moment. It was a good break from all the heavy emotional stuff I generally express through my songwriting.”

With talent to spare, no doubt music is going to take Vivien exactly where she wants to go.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kaypo Drops Beautiful New Single, “Empty Highs”

Meeajin/Brisbane artist Kaypo has totally won me over with his charming new single “Empty Highs.” It’s honest and earnest, just the sort of gentle folk-pop ditty we need when our week is winding down. It sounds sweet, but listen to those lyrics and you’ll hear the pathos coming through.

“I was sitting outside the morning after a bad first date. I’d just arrived back home from a week away on holiday where we were partying almost the entire time. In retrospect, it wasn’t even that bad of a night (just no chemistry there) – but it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. All the subconscious thoughts and doubts that had been brewing came front of mind and I wrote the track then and there,” he explained.

Kaypo has been doing some great things of late, playing six slots at the Ekka and opening for Hein Cooper. He’s also a semifinalist in the national Songwriting Prize 2022. Talk about a star on the rise. Kaypo is definitely someone to watch.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Able Joseph Charms With “Lonely LA”

If you love a tender, stripped-back ballad as much as I do, Able Joseph’s new single “Lonely LA” will be right up your alley. This song is the classic case of less is more, with a simple acoustic guitar melody wrapping around gorgeous lyrics and Able’s voice. I’m in.

“There’s a beautiful side to two people having to adjust to life’s curveballs and facing change as a team — be that changing dreams, homes, realities … this isn’t a love song, it’s a relationship song,” Able explained. “This song is a homage to songwriting. We wanted to keep the structure as simple as possible but still weave in different moments and transitions that take you somewhere unexpected. The outro is a deeply honest conversation between two people and the production reflects that; it’s closer to the mic, more intimate and raw. I’m really proud of the story we tell.”

More like this please!

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Trevor Conrad

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bel Kil Surprises With “Backup Plan”

If Katie Melua explored her dark side she might release a song like “Backup Plan,” the cool new single from Bel Kil. This brooding follow-up to “Escaping” is a real departure from her summery debut, but I love an artist that keeps us guessing. The song proves that great things can come out of life’s disappointments.

“I was walking home from the studio on a balmy Friday afternoon, excited to have a beer with a friend, only to receive a text saying he couldn’t make it,” Bel recalled. “I can remember feeling the let down and then when I walked past the pub we were meant to meet at, I started singing voice memos into my phone.” By the time she arrived home, Bel had the lyrics and melody ready to go.

This track isn’t just a sonic departure for Bel. It also gave her the opportunity to hone her production skills.

“I was a lot more focused on guitar and bass tones with this track than in the past. It was nice to take a step away from producing more electronic songs in Ableton and go back to how I used to write with a guitar before I knew how to produce,” she added. “I wanted to capture a slower, contemplative, dreamy and slightly psychedelic feel. I started with the guitar chords and built the production around there, using midi drums originally and my guitar as the bass. I added virtual strings, synths and layers of vocals. I played around with panning and effects. I worked backwards producing the whole track in the box and then overdubbed my friends Tristan Courtney on bass guitar and John Vassallo on drums to achieve more of a ‘live feeling’. In a way, the outro feels climatic and chaotic but it’s intentionally ordered chaos, the way my head was feeling as I reasoned with myself and didn’t let the disappointment get me down. I wanted it to feel like a journey. The song starts out reflective but by the time we reach the peak, there’s this epic hopefulness.”

With such diverse releases, I’m not quite sure what to expect from Bel’s debut EP My Year when it drops in early November. However, as I mentioned before, I love an artist who keeps me guessing. Whatever that release holds, I’m ready for it.

Image used with permission from Hunger Digital