Brisbane band Rude Rum released some of my favourite rock songs of the last few years. So I was thrilled to hear they’re back with a brand new name, a fabulous new track, and an East Coast tour. Now known as Reckless Coast, these guys are impressing me all over again with their latest single “Do You Want Me?” It’s rock music the way it’s meant to be, a little rough around the edges but irresistibly catchy. Hit that volume button and crank it up to really appreciate its brilliance.
“I was sick of it that night … running around collecting glasses, handling the TAB, trying to serve, all without any help in sight,” he recalled. “I was often burnt out which affected my music, and I just wanted to focus on what I love. The thoughts going through my head on that shift pretty much wrote the song.”
He added that the name change was necessary as the band enters a brand-new chapter.
“The old name didn’t portray us properly,” he explained. “Plus, we’ve grown so much sonically and personally, so a fresh name was needed. We’re three kids who grew up on the coast, and love a good rock show … Reckless Coast sums us up perfectly”
With songs like “Do You Want Me?” in their arsenal, you know Reckless Coast will go off live. Discover for yourself at one of the following shows:
27 April 2022 – Mumbo Jumbo’s, Terrigal
28 April 2022 – Hamilton Station Hotel, Newcastle
29 April 2022 – MoshPit Bar, Sydney
6 May 2022 – Vinnies Dive Bar, Gold Coast
20 May 2022 – Eleven Dive Bar, Sunshine Coast
21 May 2022 – Tomcat, Brisbane
Image used with permission from High Tides Agency; credit: Gabi Rankin
Motor Ace Releases Comeback Single, “Knock Knock”
Don’t mistake Motor Ace’s return to the music scene as one resting on nostalgia. The release of their new single “Knock Knock” proves these guys have got more hits left in them. With hard-rocking riffs and solid vocals from Patrick Robertson, this track might just be worth the 17-year wait.
“It’s an idea that was kicking around back in the day, but we never got around to finishing it,” Pat admitted. “We’d always loved the sound, but it was written between the first and second records and didn’t really fit with what we were aiming for on the second. Probably should have finished it then!”
Motor Ace are gearing up to tour the country to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Five Star Laundry. Tickets are selling fast, so get them while you can!
10 June 2022 – Freo Social, Fremantle
11 June 2022 – Badlands, Perth
16 June 2022 – The Triffid, Brisbane
17 June 2022 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney
18 June 2022 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
23 June 2022 – The Gov, Adelaide
24 June 2022 – 170 Russell, Melbourne
Image used with permission from One the Map PR; credit: Rhys Graham
Racing Birds Release Stellar Debut Single, “Rarely Never Loaded”
Racing Birds have burst out of the gate with their debut single “Rarely Never Loaded.” It might be their first musical foray together, but this duo are industry stalwarts. Bobbie Lee Stamper has performed with Guy Sebastian, Human Nature, and Matt Corby, while Jeremy Strother has shared stages with Stellar Perry and I Am Apollo. This song is a foot-stomping good time, a killer alt-country track with a swampy blues-rock sound. If you love acts like Black Keys, Alabama Shakes, and old-school Creedence Clearwater Revival, you’ll dig this.
“I think we were still in Bob’s garage when we started working on ‘Rarely Never Loaded.’ I was playing back a voice memo of the writing session and I heard Bob’s swampy lead guitar hook that eventually became the biggest part of the song,” Jeremy recalled. “Once we got our heads around that it all came together pretty quickly. Shakers, tambourines, kick drums, hand claps etc. I was reading about the Hells Angels in the ‘70s and looking at some old photographs while I was finishing off the lyrics for the song. There was a particular photo that I found of a girl waving her hand around with a cigarette that inspired the character in the song.”
“Everything was done with just the two of us, a couple guitars, a laptop and whatever we could find around the garage to bang on. I didn’t have a proper studio at the time so we set up in the front half of my garage, and there was a sheet hung up to hide the lawnmower … you could see daylight coming in through cracks in the walls, there were possums walking around in the rafters at night, and it was either boiling hot or freezing cold depending on the weather,” Bobbie added. “But we used that DIY feeling to give the record a bit of edge and energy. I tried not to use many samples or edit the takes much.”
If you love “Rarely Never Loaded”, you won’t have to wait too long to hear more. Racing Birds will release their debut EP Lonesome Blue on April 14.
Image used with permission from Beehive PR
Downsyde, Harts, and Flewnt Team Up For Chess Records Tribute Album
The more I hear from this upcoming Chess Records tribute album, Everybody Knows I’m Here, the more excited about I am. If you flipped over imbi’s take on “Mannish Boy,” take a listen to the latest take, Downsyde, Harts, and Flewnt’s collaboration on a cover of Howling Wolf’s “Poor Boy.” Their version, called “Po’Boy”, brings an urban edge to the track. If you prefer a more traditional cover, the double A-side single also features Harts’ solo version.
I really like what the version with Downsyde and Flewnt brings to the song though. I’m pretty sure if Howling Wolf were still alive, he’d embrace the rap and beats that freshen up his iconic tune and bring the message into the 21st century.
Downsyde member Optamus says their version delves into the “connection with young people through hip-hop and youth culture,” and the “importance of representing a young voice and, particularly, a young voice and struggle,”
“It’s really important and unique that we are able to do the song that tells a similar story to that of my people, but from the other side of the world how many years ago,” added Flewnt. “That is a big, major part of us doing the song and what will draw attention to it.”
“Particularly First Nations’ youth in this country are more likely to go to prison than to graduate high school, and we have systemic problems that are not being fixed and are not being faced,” Downsyde said. “I believe our job as hip hop artists from years ago … and having a voice … is that we have to bring that discussion to the table.”
“I hope that it challenges a few perspectives of what people might think of Australia or what they even think goes on or what the society looks like,” confirmed Flewnt. “There are a lot of hard challenging moments, for a lot of different people, from a lot of backgrounds … I think having that sort of story being out on an international level is more than important and vital to the survival of our culture.”
Everybody Knows I’m Here drops on May 6. Given what we’ve heard so far, it’ll be epic. Visit the album’s website to preorder your copy.
Image used with permission from Chester Records
Pale Spells Make Their Mark With “Wallow”
Pale Spells is an emerging Melbourne band, but they’re not to be underestimated. Featuring members from the UK’s Sirens and Melbourne acts The Valley Ends, Idle State, This Town, and A Forest, their experience really shines through their new single, “Wallow.” Channelling the emo, post-hardcore sounds of acts like Deftones and AFI, this track is really something special.
“Wallow” is the first single lifted from Pale Spells upcoming EP, Carelessly Designed. Listen out for it on May 2. We’ll get another sneak peek when Pale Spells releases the second single, “Kerosene”, on April 14.
Image used with permission from Pale Spells
Justin Miller Launches New Musical Project, JSTNXMLLR
ISOTOPES frontman Justin Miller is striking out on his own under the moniker JSTNXMLLR. His debut single “Fake Fcuk” is a modern pop-punk anthem. I love the way that electronic beat sits underneath the classic early ‘00s pop-punk sound. If you were cranking Blink-182 and Good Charlotte back in the day, you’re going to love this one.
“Fake Fcuk is about shadowing your problems from everyone like it’s all a big charade,” Justin explained. “You can run, but you’re still going to have to come home and face them one day.”
“Fake Fcuk”’s release ushers in a new era of music for Justin.
“I feel like ISOTOPES helped me touch on some real personal subjects whereas JSTNXMLLR is the side of my personality I feel like I’ve lost since my teenage years. So, it’s almost as if I’ve had all these ideas brewing in the whole process and I finally get to be myself again. I think the most interesting thing about this project is that myself and Stevie [Knight, his long-time collaborator] have been mates for around 10 years and we’ve always spoken about doing something like this. I guess the one good thing about COVID was allowing us to really knuckle down on bringing this idea to life.”
Watch this space. With a debut single this strong, there’s bound to be more great music to come.
Image used with permission from Good Intent
Mia Lovelock Drops Stunning New Single, “Winter Comes”
With a cool sound reminiscent of ‘90s acts like Massive Attack and Portishead, Mia Lovelock makes a big impression with her latest single “Winter Comes.” The haunting sound initially captured my attention, but it’s the lyrics that reference Mia’s Indigenous heritage that stay with you.
“This song is about the fragile nature of sovereignty, the scars of stolen generations, and the beauty of healing,” Mia explained.
Mia will play for hometown audiences tomorrow night at Torch Fest Sydney. The show at The Factory Theatre in Marrickville is more than a typical gig. A true celebration of the arts, Mia’s performance will combine her music, visual art, and fashion talents. The art she creates live on stage will be auctioned off at the festival, with all money raised benefiting mental health music charity, Listen Up Music. Torch Fest Sydney also features performances from Bec Sandridge, Joe Mungovan, Amy Vee, Elysaé, and heaps more. You can read more about Torch Fest Sydney and get your tickets here.
Image used with permission from Mia Lovelock
Rock Out With 90ivy’s New Single “Tiffany”
Sydney band 90ivy are taking me back to my angsty teenage years with their latest single “Tiffany.” If like me you loved nothing more than grungy, angry female-fronted acts like Alanis Morissette, Garbage, and PJ Harvey, you’re going to eat this up. And if you’re a fan of more modern acts like Middle Kids, The Beths, and Press Club, this one’s bound to resonate with you too.
Agnes O’Dwyer’s powerful vocals are heartbreaking, but you don’t have to feel too sorry for her. Rather than drawing on her own pain, she had some unlikely inspiration for the song during lockdown.
“Usually the story of the scorned woman is told one of two ways – either she is voiceless and passive or she is furious and directing her anger at “the other woman”. Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’ is so genius to me because it doesn’t subscribe to these cliches. She sings praise to the other woman and simply begs her not to take her man. It inspired me to write a song that tells the story of infidelity that looks at the relationship breakdown and the faults of the two in the relationship, rather than placing blame on the other woman,” she explained. “The idea was also brought on by watching one too many trashy, melodramatic TV shows over lockdown – TV and movies inspire my songwriting a lot.”
90ivy are at the top of their game after honing their live show on stages with Teenage Dads, CLEWS, Obscura Hail, Jess Day, and more. See what they can do when they launch “Tiffany” with a hometown show at Oxford Art Factory Gallery Bar on April 9.
Image used with permission from Habit Music Co; photo credit: Cath Connell
Platonic Sex Drop Rocking New Single “Disappoint Another” Ahead of Aussie Tour
Alt-rock group Platonic Sex have just released a bold new single “Disappoint Another.” It’s raw and rebellious, with a garage rock quality that really brings out the angst in its lyrics. The track is bound to strike a chord with the queer community and anyone who’s ever felt their happiness wasn’t a partner’s priority.
“When I wrote the song, I needed to release insecurities that stemmed from my relationship with somebody who wasn’t entirely ‘out’,” explained Platonic Sex’s lead singer, Bridget Brandolini. “My ex-girlfriend wanted to show her love for me in a different way than I wanted, and writing the song helped me separate my feelings for her from the way it felt to be kept a secret.”
“Choosing to come out can feel like dealing out a lot of disappointment – whether it’s to your parents, the parents of the kid you babysit, or other loved ones – and it’s hard to cope with, as a young person trying to present themself authentically,” they added. “As somebody who is openly queer, the song feels really liberating. It’s up-tempo, joyous, fun,” they say. “I’m so grateful that I have the privilege to exist as my true self in the world safely and without shame. At the end of the day, the joy that comes with discovering an accepting community gives you strength to reach the end of the tunnel and dust yourself off after you’ve disappointed the people whose boxes you can’t fit into.”
Platonic Sex are about to tour the country with Hope D and Noah Dillon. Catch them at the following venues:
8 April 2022 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney
9 April 2022 – Lion Art Centre, Adelaide
29 April 2022 – Altar, Hobart
6 May 2022 – The Northern, Byron Bay
7 May 2022 – The Princess Theatre, Brisbane
13 May 2022 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
27 May 2022 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
Image used with permission from Aleisha McLaren; credit: James Caswell
Mathilde Anne Asserts Herself With “I’ve Had Enough”
Emerging Melbourne artist Mathilde Anne is hitting back against toxic relationships in her new single “I’ve Had Enough.” It sounds sweet, but there’s a tough centre under that sugary exterior.
“When you’re young and grow up in environments where you’re not shown healthy ways to behave in a relationship, it tends to warp your perception of what it means to be loved or be in love,” Mathilde admitted. “‘I’ve Had Enough’ stemmed from the realisation that I wasn’t doing what was best for me, because I wanted to feel ‘loved’ or ‘worthy’.”
Mathilde is inspired by an eclectic collection of artists including Lorde, Arctic Monkeys, Amy Winehouse, and Otis Redding, so I can’t wait to hear what she releases next. She’s planning to launch “I’ve Had Enough” with a few full-band shows around the country, so keep an eye on her Facebook page for the dates when they’re announced. She’ll also play the Gig Around the Green Mount Eliza Music Festival at the Canadian Bay Hotel on April 1.
Image used with permission from Sandhill Bookings