Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sloan Peterson Rocks Out With “Wear My Heart Out”

After experimenting with electro-pop, Brisbane singer-songwriter Sloan Peterson has brought back the guitars for her latest single “Wear My Heart Out.” A collaboration with her best friend and fellow music Pearl, Sloan says the track is a product of her most authentic self.

“I tend to be a lone wolf, spending a lot of time struggling to socialise or even attend events. Music was one of the only communities I had been a part of or known, and so it was a no brainer – I wanted my next single to have my best friend featuring on it, bringing some girl power and community back into my life!” she affirmed. “Pearl and I wrote this song one morning over a cuppa in Rose Bay, after dissecting our most recent experiences in life, and relating them to other stories we had heard from people in lockdown.”

The song comes with a fun clip loosely inspired by the opening scene of Guardians of the Galaxy, where Star-Lord dances freely to “Come and Get Your Love.”

“We only had a small team of four, including Pearl and myself, so we had freedom to run around the city with no restrictions,” Sloan added. “This was one of the most enjoyable, easy going video clips I’ve been a part of and watched, as it captures the raw, uninhibited dynamic/relationship Pearl and I share together. She’s one of my closest friends so it’s been the best to share this journey with her.”

Welcome back Sloan Peterson! The music scene has missed you!

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia; credit: Joe Brennan

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Carry on Dancing With Xani’s Disco-Inspired Single, “Dreaming of You”

Enjoy a couple of minutes of bliss listening to Xani’s new track “Dreaming of You”. It’s a sugary blend of disco and pop lifted from Xani’s upcoming concept album, An Inaccurate History of Electronic Music. This track and others from the album ponder the question of what it might be like to never dance again.

Like many of us during last year’s lockdowns, Xani contemplated the idea as dancing with others was something she desperately craved. Through this album, she created her own fictitious world of dance, a place where movement, connection, and music lived on. An Inaccurate History of Electronic Music is a party album that tells the (inaccurate) history of dance music in this imagined universe. It sounds fascinating!

There’s no release date for An Inaccurate History of Electronic Music yet, but Xani has announced some Victorian shows. You may just get to hear more music from the forthcoming album at these gigs.

9 July 2022 – Major Tom’s, Kyneton
15 July 2022 – Terang Live, Terang
16 July 2022 – Apollo Bay Hotel, Apollo Bay (FREE)
30 July 2022 – Merri Creek Tavern, Northcote

Image used with permission from This Much Talent; credit: Oli Sansom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matthew Gilbert Impresses with Epic Single, “Out of the Contempt”

Matthew Gilbert has really impressed me with “Out of the Contempt,” an epic slice of indie-folk. It’s got a soaring score, created by overlaying more than a hundred audio tracks sourced from around the world. Its introspective lyrics anchor this beautiful song written and recorded last year during Melbourne’s stage four lockdowns.

“‘Out Of The Contempt’ is the crowning jewel of my upcoming album Getting Over All Of It,” Matthew admitted. “It completes the story of moving through the last five years of my life. Filled with depression, relationships, church hurt and restoring faith. ‘Out Of The Contempt’ sings about moving on from all the hurt, regardless of getting closure, for the sake of healing. ‘Out Of The Contempt’ is an alternative cinematic soundscape full of orchestral elements and authentic ambient tones.”

If you love what you hear, you won’t have to wait too long for more. The album, Getting Over All of It, drops on June 23. Matthew will celebrate its release with a launch show at The Wesley Anne in Melbourne on June 30.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

P.Smid Drops Awesome New Single, “WESSIDE”

Campbelltown Art Centre’s Conscious program is delivering the goods, nurturing fresh talents like P.Smid. Otherwise known as Perrie Florian E’E’, P.Smid is a proud Polynesian artist who hopes her music will inspire other Pacific Islander youth. Her latest track “WESSIDE” articulates her hope that the Polynesian community of Western Sydney can come together and live in harmony.

“A Polynesian being by the shore is a Polynesian being in their element, and unfortunately in Australia living close to beaches is a luxury not many can afford,” she explained. “Being by the shore seemed to be the only place many of my people – who live by a postcode – set down differences and realise they are one and the same. I want my people to feel this moment and understand the violence that revolves around postcode wars and area beef is unnecessary, especially when looking at the bigger picture in life.”

While P.Smid hopes her music will inspire the next generation, she’s inspired by fellow Conscious artist A.GIRL.

“Having witnessed A.GIRL’s strong work ethic and drive, I’m inspired by her vision of Western Sydney,” P.Smid added. “I am also driven by the trials and tribulations that I have had to overcome in my life to get to where I am now.”

The Conscious program is bringing some great Western Sydney artists to the fore. I can’t wait to see who the program unearths next.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.; credit: Jade D’Amico

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boo Seeka Drops Awesome New Dance Track, “Real”

It’s an exciting couple of months for Boo Seeka fans. He’s just dropped a killer new single “Real”, and his new album and tour supporting Hayden James are mere weeks away.

“’Real’ is definitely one of my favourites on the record for me and has so many different messages embedded in the meaning. I wrote this song at a bit of a low point, with the idea of creating a song that can be a bit of a sing-a-long wherever the listener may be,” Boo Seeka explained. “My album, Between The Head & the Heart, is twelve separate messages that I wrote throughout the COVID period. I really needed to do this for myself, and it has undoubtedly helped me get through the last 12 months. I never want to give away the exact message or meaning of why I wrote a song, firstly, because some things are incredibly specific and personal, but mainly, I love the idea of a listener creating their own meaning to the track. That’s the most important thing about art and music to me.”

Between The Head & the Heart drops on June 30. That’ll give fans a few weeks to familiarise themselves with the new material before Boo Seeka joins Hayden James on his Aussie tour in August.

12 August 2022 – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane
19 August 2022 – John Cain Arena, Melbourne
20 August 2022 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
27 August 2022 – Redhill Auditorium, Perth
3 September 2022 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Ned Kelly

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

GENIIE BOY Brings Good Vibes With “Shaky Ground”

Gold Coast act GENIIE BOY have delivered the goods with their latest track “Shaky Ground.” From the quirky percussion to lead singer Alisha Todd’s sunshiny vocals, this is a song guaranteed to put a smile on your face as you race towards the weekend. Just see if you’re not joining in with a jubilant “Woohoo” by the end! This is a song about embracing life’s joys before they fade away.

“Ever felt like one day you just woke up from a dream, a really good dream, and ever since you woke up, you keep losing fragments of that dream somewhere in your mind?” the band ask. “Sometimes little rays of sunshine from that dream replay in your memory then you snap back to the moment. You think to yourself, wow we had it so good, then you release that the moment right now isn’t that bad either … just different.”

GENIIE BOY have some big gigs coming up. Queenslanders can catch them at the following events.

18 June 2022 – The Golden Weekend @ Mo’s Desert Clubhouse, Burleigh Heads
26 June 2022 – Creekfest @ Currumbin RSL, Currumbin
7 July 2022 – Big City Lights, Mr PP’s
4 September 2022 – Springtime Festival, Surfers Paradise

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Peach Fur Release Tasty New Single, “Yummy”

From the moment that cool bass line kicks in, you’ll be hooked on “Yummy,” the delicious new single from Peach Fur. These guys have come a long way since 2015, when they were high school students who started jamming at lunch to pass the time.

“‘Yummy’ is a colourful disco-funk number that explores the chemistry between two people that have a connection beyond words; on a physical, mental and spiritual level,” explained the band’s frontman, Denny Hilder. It’s been over two years since we’ve released music, our last release was an EP called Awake, which was dropped the week before we all ended up in lockdown. Like I think every single human on this planet experienced, we went through so many changes over the last two years individually and as a band, which has proved very challenging. With the leading single ‘Yummy’ off our debut album, we really wanted to come out with something that was fun and light-hearted that people can groove to. I guess, with this one, we have attempted to deviate from the pensiveness and chaos of the world just for a second – or four minutes and three seconds to be exact.”

You can see why Peach Fur recently took out Live Act of the Year at the recent Gold Coast Music Awards when the band hit the following East Coast venues in June and July.

24 June 2022 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
26 June 2022 – The Zoo, Brisbane
1 July 2022 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast
9 July 2022 – Burleigh Bazaar, Burleigh Heads
29 July 2022 – The Basement HOTA, Gold Coast (UNDER 18s)
30 July 2022 – Tomcat, Brisbane (UNDER 18s)

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Good Lekker Releases Retro Single, “Pretty Boys”

If you love all things ‘80s, you’ll appreciate the retro vibe of Good Lekker’s latest single “Pretty Boys”. It’s a synthy pop-rock banger that will have you busting out those old-school dance moves before you know it.

“‘Pretty Boys’ is our reflection on narcissists and their impact on those around them,” the Sydney band explained. “It quietly frowns at those who continually seek to benefit themselves at the expense of others. By going after these people, we hope to motivate ourselves and others to interact with one another in more healthy ways and, ultimately, create awareness through our music and shows.”

Good Lekker expands on the theme with their fantastic new music video, which was shot across Sydney and Wollongong with director Nicholas Isaksson. The clip highlights the narcissistic stereotype with its two protagonists.

“Their relationship throughout the film highlights the ups and downs that many people have with partners, friends and family,” the band added. “We see that these events shouldn’t define us nor stop us from moving on with our lives. The film clip inspired the meaning and the lyrics of the track. Nicholas came to us with the storyline, and then we wrote the song; usually, it’s the other way round. This was a challenge when it came to re-writing the song in the studio and keeping the message coherent.”

Good Lekker are currently travelling all around the East Coast and Tassie supporting local legends Shag Rock and British India. You can still catch them at the following venues:

17 June 2022 – Crowbar, Sydney (supporting British India)
18 June 2022 – Uni Bar, Wollongong (supporting British India)
24 June 2022 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast (supporting Shag Rock)
25 June 2022 – The Triffid, Brisbane (supporting Shag Rock)
26 June 2022 – Eleven Dive Bar, Maroochydore (supporting Shag Rock)
2 July 2022 – Altar, Hobart (supporting Shag Rock)

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fall For The Buckleys’ Latest Single, “Oops I Love You”

Country-pop sibling trio The Buckleys are spreading sunshine with their charming new single, “Oops I Love You”. Recorded in Nashville’s legendary East Iris Studios earlier this year, this track delivers two-and-a-half minutes of pure joy.

“Interestingly, this song started out on bass,” explained vocalist Sarah Buckley. “I was jamming with our youngest brother Dylan on drums just for fun and I started playing this bassline which you hear in the song. We kept jamming and when I brought it to Lachlan and Molly as just a bass and drum groove, they loved the direction, so we all started playing around with some ideas and the melodies started to take form.”

“Oops I Love You” comes from The Buckleys forthcoming EP Take It As It Comes. Set to drop on August 5, the release showcases the songs they laid down in Nashville with producer Chad Carlson, known for his work with Taylor Swift, Lady A, and Trisha Yearwood. The trio hope that releasing this new music will open a new chapter in their careers.

“It feels like a natural evolution from where we left things off with Daydream in 2020,” said keyboardist Molly.

Lachlan, the band’s guitarist, added “We’ve all grown a lot as individuals, songwriters, musicians and together as a band since recording our debut album. We are experiencing a new chapter in our lives, which you hear in the music.”

“We really want to get out on the road, play as much as we can, meet as many people as we can and soak in all the experiences,” Sarah confirmed.

The Buckleys will play the Fresh Country Festival at the NightQuarter on the Sunshine Coast on June 18.

Image used with permission from Identity PR; credit: Kimberley Vecsei

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darren Hayes Back to His Best With Stunning New Single “Poison Blood”

As one half of Savage Garden, Darren Hayes created some of the world’s most iconic pop songs. Tracks like “Truly, Madly, Deeply,” “I Knew I Loved You”, and “To The Moon and Back” are the ones that are encouraging people to buy those tickets to his upcoming shows. While those tracks sold truckloads, many of his solo singles failed to chart. However, it’d be a mistake to think Darren’s best music is behind him. In fact, his new single “Poison Blood”, may be his best solo effort. Its stripped-back sound ensures we can hear every intimate lyric and the quality of Darren’s trademark falsetto.

“’Poison Blood’ is a song about choosing to stay when everything else in your life is telling you to leave. I have a family history of depression and suicide and I talk openly about my own diagnosis it in the hope that I might inspire someone who is struggling to seek help, as I have proudly done many times throughout my life,” he explained. “I describe my depression as a blessing, a gift, and a curse all at once. I wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy and yet I’m aware I am a deeply sensitive person, and that my unique brain allows me to feel depths of emotions that many people don’t experience. So I have learned to use those moments to channel melodies and stories that I hope are so real and so relatable they might reach someone else who is in pain, like me, and remind them to stay, like I choose to, every single day.”

Darren will play his first Australian shows in more than a decade next year. No doubt the fans will scream for those Savage Garden hits, but I hope this special song gets a warm reception. Tickets are available now for the following shows:

31 January 2023 – RAC Arena, Perth
4 February 2023 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
7 February 2023 – Aware Super Theatre, Sydney
8 February 2023 – Entertainment Centre, Newcastle
11 February 2023 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
12 February 2023 – Convention & Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast

Image used with permission from Beehive PR