Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Iluka Does It Again With “Fall Apart Again”

Iluka continues her winning ways with her latest single “Fall Apart Again.” This is another retro pop gem from the Sydney singer-songwriter, the kind of track that tugs at your heart while compelling you to reach for your hairbrush and sing it out. Shimmery synths and rich guitars wrap around her distinctive voice so beautifully.

Iluka says it’s “A song I am a little terrified to release into the world because it is so painfully close to my heart. What to say … heartbreak, love lost. There’s no human words to articulate it. To do it justice. I wrote this on the eve of the end. When I knew it was over but I couldn’t say those words.”

Iluka seems to go from strength to strength. I’ll have this song on repeat for a while, but I can’t wait to hear what’s next from this local talent.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bootleg Rascal Drop “Yin & Yang”

Bootleg Rascal get the party started with their stellar new double A-side single, “Yin & Yang.” As its name suggests, this release showcases two sides of this quality Australian outfit.

“Get Over Myself” is a hard-hitting urban explosion which takes its cues from the music of Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Outkast. “Tryin’ to Run” is a real floor-filler with one of the funkiest grooves you’ll hear all year. They’re both such fabulous tracks, I’m not sure I can pick a favourite! Listen to both, and repeat.

If you think these songs sound good at home, just wait until you experience Bootleg Rascal live. They’re coming at you with shows around Australia and New Zealand later this year.

31 August 2019 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
6 September 2019 – The Foundry, Brisbane
7 September 2019 – Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney
11 September 2019 – Yonder, Queenstown
12 September 2019 – U-Bar, Dunedin
13 September 2019 – Blue Smoke, Christchurch
14 September 2019 – Neck of the Woods, Auckland
15 September 2019 – Totara Street, Tauranga

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ellery Cohen Releases Touching New Single “Read Your Mind”

Melbourne musician Ellery Cohen has been earning a reputation for creating pop music with serious soul. His latest effort is “Read Your Mind,” and if you’re feeling raw from a relationship gone bad you might just need to grab some tissues.

“Read Your Mind” took shape both before and after a breakup, and it takes us back to that point of pre-empting the heartache you know is coming, yet you’re powerless to stop.

Listening to this song may be painful, but it’s also so cathartic. If you want to wallow, mend, move on, or just enjoy some music that hits you in the feels, head to The Toff in Town in Melbourne on July 13 for the “Read Your Mind” launch show.

Image used with permission from ArowAgency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paradise Club Take New Single “Above Me” on the Road

Paradise Club’s latest single “Above Me” is a dreamy slice of indie-pop guaranteed to brighten up your day. This is a real toe-tapper from the Adelaide act which perfectly balances feel-good melodies with poignant lyrics.

“It’s about working extremely hard, feeling incredibly helpless, and learning how to give your everything to save a relationship, whether it be platonic or romantic,” explained Paradise Club’s front man, Gere Fuss.

Paradise Club will take the song on the road next month with a string of dates culminating with a big hometown show. Check them out one of the venues below.

2 August 2019 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
3 August 2019 – Vic On The Park, Sydney
4 August 2019 – Yours & Owls Sunday Session @ North Gong Hotel, Wollongong
9 August 2019 – The Old Bar, Melbourne
23 August 2019 – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Deathproof PR; credit: Kyle Davis

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eliott Impresses With “Shaking My Hips”

I’m not entirely sure where I was when Eliott was earning acclaim for her debut EP, getting rave reviews for her BigSound shows, or touring with Matt Corby, No Mono, or Dean Lewis. I feel really late to the party! However, as they say, it’s better late than never. I’m firmly on board with “Shaking My Hips,” an intimate track about getting your confidence knocked around when you see an ex moving on.

“Written in my cousin’s garage at about 2am, to put it simply, ‘Shaking My Hips’ is about the first time I saw an ex out with his new ‘fling.’ It’s about losing yourself and your confidence completely after a breakup, then finally regaining it,” she explained.

“It took me a while to gain the confidence to even sing this song for other people, but about 6 months after writing it, I was at a writing camp in Adelaide with 4 of my favourite collaborators, (Sam Burt, Xavier Dunne, Nick Aquoff & Al Wright) sitting at a grand piano, all harmonizing with one another, and the song just really came to life. I finished the track off while in Paris last year with my dear friend Jack Grace, who has been with the project from the start, and always has a way of bringing out the best in my songwriting.”

Eliott has been touring the single around the East Coast, and there is just one show left. This one’s for you Sydney. Catch her at the Vanguard this Thursday, July 11.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Johnny Ruffo Launches Beautiful Comeback Single

Johnny Ruffo seemed destined to take the path so many good looking young things discovered on reality TV have taken. After his stint on X Factor came a few catchy pop tunes, a turn on Dancing With the Stars, and a role on Home and Away. However, everything changed in August 2017 when Johnny was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. He’s cancer free now, but the diagnosis seems to have shaped him into a more mature artist.

His new single “Broken Glass” feels like an introduction to Johnny’s music, it’s so dramatically different to what came before. This self-penned track is the first ballad he wrote and it’s one with plenty of heart. Johnny’s always shown so much swag, but here he’s vulnerable, really letting the audience in to the uncertainty that must have plagued his last few years. He’s also releasing it as an independent artist.

“It’s great to finally be back on the music scene. Having full creative control has allowed me to write music that is closer to my heart and far more vulnerable” he explained. “I can’t wait to show you all what I have been working on, and I hope you enjoy it.”

Johnny will stop by radio stations this month to play the song acoustically live in the studio, so listen out for him on the airwaves!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mwansa & Lauren-Joy Make Beautiful Music Together

Perth-based producer Mwansa has teamed up with South African songwriter Lauren-Joy for his new single “Wildest Dreams,” and the results are simply stunning.

What a beautiful voice Lauren-Joy has, rich and soulful. This song gives that heaven-sent voice space to breathe, moving along at a leisurely pace allowing the emotion to build naturally. Lauren-Joy approached the project with some trepidation, unsure how collaborating with someone a world away might work. However, I’m so glad she took a chance on this.

“At first I was pretty nervous, when I eventually received the track, I followed the same process that seems to work for me,” she explained. “Blasted the track with my body stretched out on the floor. Immersing myself in the track, reaching for the words and images it throws my way. What I love most about my process is that, as much as the process remains the same almost sacred, the words and images that every song gives me is a new story to tell. A story you can relive to your hearts content.”

Every so often you hear musicians working together and creating real magic. This is one of those times. Get your ears around it!

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hallie Wears Her Heart on Her Sleeve With “Nice Like Rice”

Brisbane singer-songwriter Hallie makes a splash with her stellar new single “Nice Like Rice.” It’s got a sweet, melodic sound, but listen to the lyrics and you’ll soon discover its dark underbelly. She gives voice to the emotions so many of us have felt walking away from a relationship that doesn’t serve us any more.

“’Nice Like Rice’ is about losing a friend,” she explained. “It’s about realising a friendship has been one sided, and finally allowing yourself to let go and move on from someone who you once considered to be close to you. When I wrote it, I was angry and finally felt I had the strength to say exactly how I had been feeling about the situation.”

“Nice Like Rice” comes from Hallie’s debut EP Wink Wink Nudge Nudge, which drops on September 27. Hear a sneak peek of more new material at one of her upcoming shows.

5 July 2019 – Vinnie’s Dive, Gold Coast (supporting Eliza & The Delusionals)
1 August 2019 – The Junk Bar, Brisbane (supporting Gena Rose Bruce)
13 September 2019 – Nimbin Roots Festival 2019, Nimbin

Image used with permission from Habit Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Isaiah Gets Spiritual With New Single and Tour

Isaiah seemed to have the world at his feet, a young artist with a voice beyond his years introduced to a national audience through the X Factor and an international one through Eurovision. But all that hasn’t quite equated to chart success. I’m not sure fame and fortune matters quite as much as releasing quality music, and I think his latest single “Spirit” is one of his best. Penned by Isaiah and Andrew Lowden, this beautiful ballad speaks of rediscovering your spiritual side after time in the emotional wilderness.

“‘Spirit’ is such a special song for me and I am so happy that I get to share it with the world,” he said. “The song is about coming out of a difficult and dark time and being able to reconnect with yourself, which I think everyone can relate to. The last year has been a year of self-discovery for me and I hope that my fans enjoy this song and all of the new music I will be releasing soon. ’Sprit’ is very close to my heart and I’m sending it into the world with love…”

Isaiah kicks off his Spirit and Beyond tour tomorrow. It’s an extensive tour which skips the capitals and touches regional centres around the nation. Catch him at one of the following shows.

6 July 2019 – Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre, Wonthaggi
7 July 2019 – The Bowery Theatre, St Albans
9 July 2019 – Mount Isa Civic Centre, Mt Isa
13 July 2019 – World Theatre, Charters Towers
26 July 2019 – Moncrieff Theatre, Bundaberg
29 August 2019 – Gladstone Civic Centre, Gladstone
31 August 2019 – Events Centre, Caloundra
1 September 2019 – Darebin Community Festival, Darebin
6 September 2019 – Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany
12 September 2019 – Bunbury Entertainment Centre, Bunbury
14 September 2019 – Cummins Theatre, Merredin
17 September 2019 – Moora Performing Arts Centre, Moora
20 September 2019 – Carnarvon Civic Centre, Carnavon
24 September 2019 – Broome Civic Centre, Broome
12 October 2019 – Paramount Theatre, Echuca
19 October 2019 – Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs
26 October 2019 – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Superjesus Back on the Road for Live SUMO Album Release

More than 20 years have passed since The Superjesus released their debut album Sumo, but this groundbreaking Aussie act rocks just as hard as ever. They’re heading back out on the road in September to celebrate the release of a new double live album Sumo 20 LIVE, recorded during their massive 20th anniversary tour.

“2018 was the year that marked the 20-year anniversary of our debut album Sumo. To celebrate, we put together a show that encompassed a jurassic back catalogue of material that rolled out a two-and-a-half hour show. After smashing this set out night after night, it became obvious to us that we had become a pretty good band!” frontwoman Sarah McLeod reminisced. “Three-quarters of the way through the tour we decided that we should document where we were at, because it was surprising even us! Also, and more importantly, the crowds were singing along with us with enthusiasm like we’d never heard before. This shit needed to be recorded, so we set it up to film and record two shows. We were playing two sets per night, set one was Sumo, set two was hits and rarities. We recorded set one at the Manning Bar in Sydney and set two at The Zoo in Brisbane and were stoked with how it came up.”

Sumo 20 LIVE hits stores and your favourite digital outlets on September 6. All the hits are there, alongside the B-sides and other rarities diehard fans love. It’s the sort of album that reminds you just how good these guys are on stage and why you need to see them again. Purchase it on vinyl, buy a ticket to the show, or get a ticket and vinyl bundle and you’ll receive a free download of a brand new, never-before-heard song called “The Impossible.” Get onto it Superjesus fans! Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 am from the Superjesus website and Oztix outlets.

6 September 2019 – Badlands, Perth
7 September 2019 – The Gov, Adelaide
20 September 2019 – Max Watts, Melbourne
21 September 2019 – Crowbar, Sydney

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Nix Cartel