Every now and again, we talk about changing the national anthem. “Advance Australia Fair” has served us well since 1974, but it was written by a Scot. And even with the recent lyric change, it still doesn’t really represent who we are as a nation. I think a much worthier option is “Sing Australia,” the latest single from proud Wiradjuri man, Jason Owen.
Yes, it’s a bit cheesy. But just see if you’re not feeling all patriotic by the end of it. I love that it highlights so many of the people and places that make Australia home. It celebrates unity and what we can do working together. I’d feel pretty proud belting this out. What about you?
If you’ve ever struggled to connect with American rappers bragging about their sweet rides, Lemaire has the track for you. The Gold Coast rapper’s new single “Ford Laser” is one for all the Aussies who can only dream about a luxury sports car. He might have a “shitbox car” with “no aircon,” but he’s not going to let that dampen his mood! Add a funky beat to those hilarious lyrics and you’ve got a recipe for a good time.
Listening to the lyrics, you should know this song has come from a real place. But just in case you thought he was putting it on, Lemaire’s music video features his now-famous Ford Laser.
“I have always wondered if owning an expensive car, as opposed to my piece of shit Ford Laser, would make me any happier in my day-to-day life,” Lemaire admitted. “I feel like the satisfaction associated with buying things (like cars, clothing, phones) is a very short-lived, fleeting happiness, and before long they just become standard. I wrote this song to express my content with what I have already: friends, family, time, music, and an absolute lemon of a Ford Laser.”
Lemaire will celebrate the release of “Ford Laser” with a hometown show at Miami Marketta on February 25.
The Faim have got to be one of the best Aussie rock acts most locals haven’t heard of yet. Every song they release is a winner, and their latest track “The Hills” is no exception. Crank it up, because this is one of those numbers best experienced loud.
“’The Hills’ is a song which touches on anxiety and the desire to go back to that place where you can reconnect with yourself and take a breath,” explained guitarist and songwriter Sam Tye. “For Josh and I, the Perth hills is one of these places and after two years of being on the road, coming home gave us a moment to reflect on the sometimes-overwhelming experiences you have whilst touring. I hope this song helps people find that place for themselves.”
If like me you’re still dreaming of a WA holiday, The Faim’s new music video can take you there. It features beautiful footage of the Perth landscape alongside footage of the band doing what they do best.
“’The Hills’ music video involves a stylistic representation of life inside the band,” added Sam, who created the video’s concept. “The driving connects to life on the road and experiencing the world through a moving window as they travel to their next destination. In certain moments we see live performance represented and in others we see snapshots of personal creativity, drawing back the curtains of life in a band and its perpetual motion.”
2022 is set to be a big year for The Faim. Their new album will drop and they’ve already earned spots on the lineups of some of the United Kingdom and Europe’s hottest summer festivals. They’re also preparing to announce headlining shows in the United Kingdom and Europe really soon.
3 June 2022 – Rock am Ring, Mendig Deu
5 June 2022 – Rock in the Park, Mendig Deu
11 June 2022 – Download Festival, Leicestershire
18 June 2022 – Rock for People, Hradec Kralove
Start your day off right with “Belligerence,” the latest track from Wollongong indie-rockers Good Lekker. I love the contrast of the fresh, boppy instrumentation with those cutting lyrics. Make sure you take a break from the dancing to listen to them, because they are absolutely stellar.
“The song is inspired by a real-world run-in with a character that no one wants to deal with. An arms-crossed, explosive ball of masculine narcissism,” explained co-frontman Joshua Fahy. “Because of its inspiration, the song aims to satirise and critique the caricature of a violent male – a person all too prevalent in our world. They’re not worth challenging on their own terms – because as an over-quoted author has said: ‘Never wrestle with a pig – you both get dirty, and the pig likes it.’ ‘Belligerence’ aims instead to highlight the absurdity of charging at life fists first. The message is generalisable to all those who are insecure enough to resort immediately to violence and aggression when challenged or confronted.”
In case you didn’t catch the message the first time, Good Lekker are about to drop “Don’t Be a Dickhead” T-shirts. You can get one at one of the band’s upcoming shows. Catch them supporting Bootleg Rascal or headlining their own gigs really soon. Here are all the dates you need!
17 February 2022 – La La La’s, Wollongong (with Bootleg Rascal)
18 February 2022 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (with Bootleg Rascal)
24 February 2022 – The Leadbeter Hotel, Melbourne
26 February 2022 – O’Skulligans, Brisbane
4 March 2022 – Vic on the Park, Sydney
26 March 2022 – Red Steer Hotel, Wagga Wagga
2 April 2022 – Yours & Owls Festival, Wollongong
Prepare to swoon over Patrick James’ latest ditty, “Into Your Arms.” It’s a tender love ballad about being totally open and vulnerable to the right person. If like me you find nothing sexier than someone who’s honest about their emotions, you’re going to fall hard for this one.
“The song is loosely about male vulnerability and the idea of feeling your true emotional self around people you let into your life,” Patrick explained. “We wanted the recording to be both delicate and powerful and I think the pay off with the entrance of full-band towards the end brings the song together in that intended way.”
If you love this, there’s more on the way. Patrick will release his new album, I’ll Take Care of Music If You Take Care of Yourself on March 4. He’ll play a string of East Coast shows to support its release.
3 March 2022 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
10 March 2022 – Leadbeater, Melbourne
12 March 2022 – The Great Club, Sydney
With Bailey Judd kicking off his month-long residency at The Retreat tonight, there’s no better time to bring you his latest single. “Brand New Car” is an effervescent pop bop that’s delivering only the good vibes to your Wednesday. Despite its upbeat feel, there’s a dark undercurrent to the lyrics, as Bailey explains.
“The song was written during lockdown about the frustration of being a freelance musician making just enough money to make rent while watching your friends buy new cars and live an unattainable life. It is also about the societal voice telling you that your youth is running out, prescribing conformity in order to be loved and taken seriously in the capitalist world. The lockdown caused me to reflect on my parent’s paradoxical attitude towards money – striving to be rich but being irresponsible with the money they had.”
Now that we’re free of lockdowns, Bailey is making the most of his time with a residency at The Retreat in Melbourne starting tonight. You can catch him every Wednesday this month with some of Melbourne’s hottest up and comers.
2 February 2022 – supported by Moze and Eli
9 February 2022 – supported by Pricilla Stanley and Jay Gabriel
16 February 2022 – supported by DANDECAT and AstroVillian
23 February 2022 – supported by Ella Clair and Half The Andes
I am not an early riser. Normally my husband’s alarm goes off at 7 and I sleep for a couple more hours. So I’m as surprised as anyone that I was wide awake at around 6:30 this morning, obsessing about the work on my agenda today. I don’t do coffee, but I figure DICE’s new single “Double Espresso” is the musical equivalent. Just like the best coffee, or so I’ve been told, it’s totally smooth without a hint of bitterness.
“‘Double Espresso’ explores the exhaustion that results from partying too hard going hand in hand with playing consecutive shows and the consequences of relying on coffee to get through the seemingly never-ending weekend resulting in countless sleepless nights,” the band explained.
After releasing six singles now, DICE promise that their debut EP isn’t too far away. In the meantime, they’ll launch this track at Mojo’s Bar in Fremantle on February 18.
Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Michael Tartiglia
Sydney-based pop artist Christina Castle is rubbing shoulders with all the right people. Matt Pauling, who’s worked with blink-182, 5 Seconds of Summer, and Twenty One Pilots, produced her latest single “FFFree” in Los Angeles. She’s also collaborated with blink’s Travis Barker and Linda Perry of 4 Non Blondes and toured internationally with Run The Jewels, Yelawolf, and Mikey Mike. Taking a listen to that single, I can understand why she’s generating such buzz. It’s so much fun. I love the rebellious pop vibe that doesn’t take itself too seriously. This is the sort of music that makes you want to grab a hairbrush and belt it out.
“It’s about freedom – in a time where the world can feel like a crazy overwhelming place to live in, finding comfort in the fact that true freedom is found within yourself,” Christina explained.
Christina will play the following shows next month:
4 February 2021 – West HQ, Rooty Hill
25 February 2021 – West HQ, Rooty Hill
26 February 2021 – Mounties Terrace Bar, Mount Pritchard
Most albums have a few strong singles and a whole lot of filler. So it’s impressive that Mermaid Avenue are still delivering the goods with “Prisoner,” the sixth (yes, sixth!) single from their soon-to-be-released album Sugartown.
This track has got everything you want to hear. Incredible multipart harmonies, a soaring slide, killer guitar solos, incredible lyrics about the human condition. It’s all here, and it’s glorious.
Mermaid Avenue have definitely left us waiting a long time for Sugartown, but they should stop teasing us soon. I hear it’s dropping sometime early this year.
In their press release for their latest single “Worth Your While,” Melbourne five-piece Raging Hormones encourage you to “Check your baggage at the door. Or, drag it in and destroy it altogether.” Either way, the bold energy of this track is all you’re going to need to forget about your problems, at least for a little while. It’s so much fun, so press play and turn that volume right up.
The press release also shares the urban legend that seeing Raging Hormones live “gets you the equivalent of 12 hours sleep, a shot of adrenaline to the heart, a two-week beach holiday, and a giant bear-hug.” I understand the source is a little biased, but until I see them live I’m just going to believe it.
Raging Hormones were all set to take over a Lygon Street shopfront and write and record an EP in front of passers-by this month, but COVID got in the way. Give their Facebook page a follow to find out all about other exciting plans they’re making as they’re announced.
Image used with permission from Little Giant Agency; credit: Nick Manuell
