Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amy Sheppard Goes Country With Solo Single, “Blue Guitar”

I’ve always appreciated artists who find success in groups, yet take time away from their bands to express themselves a little more. Amy Sheppard is best known as a member of sibling pop act Sheppard, but she’s now carving out an impressive country career in her own right. Her latest single “Blue Guitar” is bound to resonate with anyone who loved those big ‘90s country acts like LeAnn Rimes, Faith Hill, and Trisha Yearwood.

“I really leaned into the beauty of country music storytelling. Country music gives permission for songwriters to weave creative stories and this is where ‘Blue Guitar’ was born,” Amy explained. “The storyline follows a woman who returns to visit her small hometown. When she enters a local bar, she is taken aback by a familiar voice. The man singing on the stage is her former lover who never quite made the big time. She notices he is still playing his blue guitar- the same one he used to write love songs to her on. She is filled with the same old feelings she had for him and begins to wonder if the songs he is singing today are still about her.”

If you love what you hear, you’re in luck. Amy will release her debut solo EP Nothing But Wild on September 16. She’s also playing a few shows around Queensland, so get onto those!

10 September 2022 – Country Music Raceday @ Doomben Racecourse, Meeanjin/Brisbane
16 September 2022 – Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane (EP launch)
23 September 2022 – CMC Rocks QLD 2022, Tulmur/Ipswich
1 October 2022 – Savannah in the Round, Mareeba

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Georgia Wallace

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cinnamon Sun Drop Summery New Single, “Desires”

Mix some chilled reggae with EDM-style production and sexy lyrics and you’ve got “Desires,” the sultry new single from Far North Queensland act Cinnamon Sun.

The combination of classical guitar, a four-to-the-floor beat, and lush harmonies has no right to work this well, but somehow it all does. It’s also a pretty audacious move to release such a summery sounding song in the middle of winter, but here we are!

Cinnamon Sun will launch Desires tomorrow night, August 20, at Elixir Music Bar in Gimuy-walubarra Yidi/Cairns.

Image used with permission from Cinnamon Sun

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MOZЁ Floors Me With Soulful Single, “Saving”

I believe you should never be too quick to judge a song. “Saving”, the new single from MOZЁ, is one of those songs that takes a little time to warm up. But when it does, wow.

This song is the definition of a slow burner. I appreciated MOZЁ’s stunning vocals from the get-go, but I wasn’t sure where the song was heading. As it builds and the electronic beat and layered synths come in, it transforms from something pretty to something truly awe-inspiring.

Explaining the meaning behind the song, MOZЁ said “I wanted to allude to my ability to dream and wonder, a core part of my soul. The danger of this is its power to take you away from the present moment, to build expectations that are not balanced with certainty. When I perform ‘Saving’, my dream manifests itself at the moment and becomes real.”

Trust in the artist. Trust in this song. You’re going to want to hear it right to the end.

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Crank Up the Volume on Clay J Gladstone’s “Hate Club”

The press release calls “Hate Club,” the new single from Clay J Gladstone “a blistering two-minute wrecking ball, assailing with the emotional ingredients of angst and vitality.” Honestly, I couldn’t have said it better myself. So I won’t. Instead, I’m just going to instruct you to turn this one up. Oh, and maybe grab the headphones if you share an office with others. The swears are perfect for slogging through the working week, but I’m not sure your boss would agree!

“‘Hate Club’ is about a teenage relationship being torn apart by the jealous friends group, only to have those same jealous friends slide into your DMs months later,” Clay J Gladstone explained. “It is about standing your ground in a relationship and calling out poor behaviour when you see it; being comfortable hunted by the ‘Hate Club’.”

Clay J Gladstone are making waves in the live arena after wowing crowds when they toured with Hellions, Deadlights, and Ocean Sleeper. They’ve also sold out hometown gigs at The Burdekin Hotel and The Factory Floor. You can catch Clay J Gladstone doing what they do best at the Winter Music Festival in Kedumba/Katoomba on August 27.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Millar Jukes & the Muscle Release Instant Rock Classic, “Gittinit”

There’s only one way to listen to “Gittinit”, the new track from Millar Jukes & the Muscle: LOUD. I’m talking real loud. The sort of loud that makes those crunchy guitar chords vibrate in your chest. You know what I’m talking about. Give this epic soul-rock track the volume it deserves!

“Gittinit is about going out and losing it all on the dancefloor. Usually I write songs that are self-deprecating or about relationships, so I wanted to write one just about having a good time,” Millar Jukes explained. “I heard my mates say it when someone is feeling the music, like, ‘Ooh, he gittinit!’”.

Watching the video, you know seeing these guys live is a good time. Wouldn’t it be much more fun to experience it in person than through a screen? Mark your calendars Naarm/Melbourne, because Millar Jukes & The Muscle will hit the Evelyn Hotel on August 26 to celebrate the release of their new EP, Git It.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Lewis Robert

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kita Alexander Brings the Sunshine With “Ocean Blue”

Kita Alexander’s shimmery new pop single “Ocean Blue” brings the good vibes we all need in the middle of a working week. Take a moment away from your desk to dance along to this one. I swear you’ll feel better!

“This is probably the cheeky, playful side of me that people haven’t seen,” Kita admitted. “It’s just another example of what I can do and how different songs and sounds fit into my world.”

More new music from Kita isn’t too far away. Her new EP is scheduled for release later this year.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia; credit: Xinger Xanger

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Grace Amos Has Plenty to Say With New Single

Grab the hairbrush, crank up the volume, and enjoy the angsty pop-rock stylings of Grace Amos’ new single “Nothing to Say.” It’s a relatable track about someone who shoots their mouth off but doesn’t contribute anything of value. Grace cites Alanis Morrisette and Miley Cyrus among her musical heroes and you can certainly hear their influence on this track.

“The song was originally about someone I knew who thought they knew everything, always had to share their opinion and fill the silence but ultimately, they really had ‘nothing to say’. When working on the song six months after the original demo I realised I had this one person on my mind a bit and needed to vent! The lyrics are about someone who is all talk and no game basically — it’s all a bit of fun really,” Grace explained.

Grace drops her debut EP, ALL ABT U, on September 2. She’ll also play her first festival, Valleyways, in Benkennie/Camden on September 10.

Image used with permission from Star Cross PR; credit: Bruno Stefani

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kick Start Your Country Career With Kix-Start

Think you have what it takes to be the next big country music star? Then get your entry in to the Kix-Start competition. You could win some incredible prizes, including a slot at the Groundwater Country Music Festival alongside a who’s who of country music, a one-on-one mentoring session with Gina Jeffries, a songwriting session with Phil Barton, and studio time at The Music Cellar with Rod McCormack where you’ll record your very own single.

This isn’t one of those competitions where people win and you never hear from them again. Last year’s winner Bella Mackenzie has just dropped her latest track “1, 2, 3 You and Me,” which she recorded as part of her prize, and it’s a banger.

“Winning KIX-Start was such an honour boosting my career from the second I won,” said Bella. “The support from KIX Country, Groundwater Country Music Festival, and everyone else involved has been so amazing. I could never have imagined a year ago that I would have accomplished what I have today which includes releasing two singles and playing major festivals. I have had my biggest year yet with so much more to come and I urge anyone thinking about applying to just do it! You never know if you don’t have a go.”

You heard her! If you’re waiting for your big break, this competition might just be it.

Image used with permission from Sue Mac Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Thundamentals Back on the Scene With “Top of the World”

Thundamentals have kept fans waiting four long years for new music, but their patience has been rewarded. Their latest track “Top of the World” is a feel-good number that celebrates life’s small wins. The band created the song as an ode to their youth, but I don’t think you’re ever too old for this brand of positivity.

Thundamentals have been together 15 long years. As they reach this milestone, it’s only fitting that they’re looking back on where they’ve come from. Let’s hope there’s plenty more from these guys. Hopefully they don’t leave us waiting so long next time.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ella Hooper Starts New Chapter With “Old News”

You never know quite what you’re going to get when Ella Hooper releases music. She was a rock chick with Killing Heidi, country-folk goddess as part of The Verses, and she’s dabbled in pop more than once. Her latest single, her first in four years, is “Old News.” If you loved the music she made in The Verses, you’ll adore this one. Ella penned the track with American country artist Sara Douga, who she met in Nashville in 2017.

“Sara and I have a similar energy – we’re both motor-mouthed brunettes,” Ella laughed. “And she’s the real deal when it comes to traditional country. I bring the alt and she brings the country. I had a great Nashville experience, meeting so many incredible people. It was so inspiring. I felt like I saw my future.”

Ella says “Old News” is the start of a new chapter for her music, so perhaps we can expect her to stay in this alt-country space for a while longer. Honestly, I’m not going to mind one bit.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute