Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ashley Iona Takes Control on “Leaving”

Ashley Iona wears her heart on her sleeve with her beautiful new single “Leaving.” She wrote the track about finding the courage to leave a bad relationship while living in Los Angeles.

“I wrote leaving when I knew I had to get out of a toxic relationship but the other person didn’t want it to end. I felt trapped and like I was fighting for what I wanted every day,” she recalled. “This song came out of that exhaustion and needing to find more strength. The opening lyrics, ‘Feels like I’m losing a battle’ was where I was started and by the end of the song I’ve found my feet again. Writing it helped me actually get there.”

You don’t want to trust such a personal song with just anyone, so Ashley co-produced the track herself, marking her first time in the producer’s chair.

“I’ve always hired a producer, but then felt like by the end of the process, I was negotiating for what I wanted,” she said. “I already knew how I wanted this song to sound, so I decided to ask Johnny [Romeo, her guitarist and co-producer] if he’d help me make it.”

She also worked closely with recent Sydney College of the Arts graduate Harry Klein on the clip.

“I had this image of being a dark space, so you could barely see me. The video is an intimate journey through that dark place.”

Ashley is currently studying speech pathology at the University of Sydney. If she keeps producing music of this quality, she’s not going to need that degree!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Acclaimed Violinist Emma Beau Goes Solo

Gympie girl Emma Beau might be a new solo artist, but she delivers “Wild Heart” the first single from her forthcoming self-titled debut album with all the confidence of a seasoned professional.

She’s got no reason for nerves though. While she hasn’t played solo for very long she’s no stranger to crowds, spending the last five years as a violinist for artists like Kasey Chambers, Jon English, Sara Storer, and Shane Nicholson. It also seems plenty of people are behind her, which must do wonders for her confidence! Fans generously donated the $13,000 she needed to record this LP through a crowdfunding campaign.

“I’m so grateful to my crowdfunding team for making this album possible – they are my record label,” Emma gushed. “It’s always in the back of my mind when I make clips, music and do photoshoots … I want my fans to be part of every bit of the process and I think we’ve achieved that.”

The clip for her beautiful new single “Wild Heart” is close to her own heart, as it was shot around her hometown. The video was also directed and produced by local filmographer Jazmyn Smith.

“We shot the video in and around Gympie – the pine forests you see in the clip are exactly as I dreamt when I was writing ‘Wild Heart’ when I was in a Melbourne hotel room playing fiddle for Jon English,” she explained. “I was homesick and kept thinking about how I wanted to drive through the pines again – so here we are!”

Emma Beau’s self-titled album will be released early next year. Until then, give “Wild Heart” another listen!

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Teischa Wears Heart on Her Sleeve With “haunt me” Single

Aussie expat Teischa has just released her powerful new single “haunt me.” It’s an emotional sucker punch with layered electronic sounds and vulnerable, raw lyrics.

“’haunt me’ is about moving on and finding closure within yourself to let go of the lingering memory and feeling of a person once they are no longer in your life,” Teischa explained.

Based in Los Angeles since July, this Fremantle-born talent is taking more creative control over her work than ever before. She set up a small studio in Cypress Park where she’s been working with a creative community on the songs and sketches that will come together on an album next year. She also produced the music video and artwork for “haunt me” there.

“haunt me” is available on all your favourite streaming platforms now.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company/Photo credit: Korey Waggoner

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fanny Lumsden Declares War on Pride With New Single

Men’s mental and physical health is in the spotlight this month as blokes all around the country get hairy for Movember. Men’s health is something we don’t talk about enough, especially in Australia where so many have an attitude they must be stoic, no matter what comes. Fanny Lumsden challenges this notion in her new single “Real Men Don’t Cry (War on Pride),” the third track lifted from her number one ARIA country album Real Class Act.

The song is a poignant country ballad with some of the most stirring lyrics you’ll hear all year.

“Pride is a funny thing. It makes us stand up for things and it also makes us hide. However, it can become a wall that’s prevents us asking for help, telling people we love them, letting loved ones know we are not okay, we need a little support, a little help. It prevents us showing our vulnerability,” Fanny explained.

“So, I call a war on pride. That type. The type that’s preventing a father telling his son he has done a good job. The type that stops you asking for a hand. That prevents you from showing that vulnerability.”

Fanny is currently playing shows around the country on her Under Our Hills Hoist tour. Catch her at the following venues over the coming weeks.

3 November 2018 – Lonsdale Reserve, Mulwala
10 November 2018 – Private show, Canberra
11 November 2018 – Smiths Alternative Book Store, Canberra (@1 pm)
18 November 2018 – Private show, Thurgoona
22 November 2018 – The Newsagency, Camperdown
23 November 2018 – On the Beach Sessions @ Franks Wild Years, Thirroul
6 December 2018 – The Lost Ones, Ballarat
7 December 2018 – Royal Oak Hotel, Penolasa (FREE)
14 December 2018 – Sandigo Hall, Sandigo
15 December 2018 – Cudgewa Hall, Cudgewa

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jack Gray Ready to Hit the Big Time With “My Hands”

If Sunshine Coast teen Jack Gray isn’t already on your radar, prepare for all that to change. This talented singer-songwriter-producer is set to hit the big time with his irresistible new electronic-pop single “My Hands.”

Jack has spent the last year performing shows in the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, and here at home. He’ll also join Dean Lewis and E^ST on one of the biggest Aussie tours of the summer.

With so much happening at just 19 years of age, expect big things to come from Jack Gray!

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Loose End Take it To the Next Level With “Jordan Street”

Melbourne punk rock act Loose End show they’re going from strength to strength with the release of their latest single “Jordan Street.”

Loose End always had the makings of a great band, but their inexperience showed. This song has a much more mature sound, with smarter songwriting and more sophisticated production than we’ve seen in the past. Yet it’s kept the essence of what made this band so special. It wears its heart on its sleeve, and that moves ours too.

Frontman Ben Smalley says the song is “about chasing my dreams. Like everyone I have my days where I hang over my head. I have the sleepless nights where I feel alone and ridiculous. The mornings in the car and worry about my dignity and if I’ll have any left if I fail. When I was in early high school I use to play in a band called Geroff and we practiced at our drummer’s childhood home on Jordan Street. Maybe it is the nostalgia, but they seemed to be simpler times.”

“Jordan Street” is the first track lifted from Loose End’s second EP, Overthinking Everything I Know, which drops on November 30.

Image used with permission from Collision Course

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Leonie Kingdom Wows Me With “So Much More”

Leonie Kingdom has one of those voices that stops you in your tracks. Like Laura Marling or even Joni Mitchell, there’s a great beauty in her simple approach to music. New single “So Much More” is, excuse the pun, so much more than the sum of its parts. Tracks with delicate acoustic guitar and piano instrumentation, gentle vocals, and simple melodies are a dime a dozen, but this track is so impressive. It captured my heart from the first listen, and compelled me to press play when it was done.

“I’ve always taken experience from the darker side of life. This is where most of my experience in song writing comes from. I like to write about things that are important, and people can relate to. I thought it would be refreshing to put a bit of a lighter and positive feel into a song with a big meaning. Encouraging people to keep going when life gets tough and remember there are other people going through their own struggles in life. We are not alone,” explained Leonie of the song’s inspiration.

As one of this year’s finalists, Leonie will play the Listen Up Song Writers Festival Grand Final at Sydney’s Factory Theatre on November 15.

Image used with permission from The A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tamma Overcomes the Odds With “Beat You Down”

After several vocal surgeries and the traffic loss of her nephew, Tamma knows more about overcoming adversity than most. But rather than letting her struggles consume her, she’s channelled them into her feel-good new single “Beat You Down.”

“Music is my healer and I wanted to write something to make them feel uplifted – the way music does for me. I was thinking about my little nieces (and nephews) navigating through life at different ages and stages; it’s confusing enough as a young one, but then trying to understand that loss on top of that is so hard. I thought about my own journey, what it’s like to be a female today,” she explained of the song’s inspiration. “’Beat You Down’ came at the last minute, and it’s a message for my nieces: if they ever feel discouraged or hurt, don’t let it beat you down. Stay close to your loved ones … it’s a message for anyone who needs a pick-me-up. Life’s bigger than letting toxic people or trivial things get to you.”

The Melbourne-based singer combines pop, soul, and dance vibes into this summery track that should have you singing along before you too long. With much of Australia receiving gloomy, grey weather, Tamma headed to sunny Venice Beach for the film clip.

“Venice Beach is place close to my heart for many reasons: the warmth, the weirdness, the music, blue skies and palm trees, but mainly because of my awesome mates who live there, who also feature in the clip. We filmed some of it in their backyard in their amazing airstream caravan,” she said. “I picked skateboarding because I wanted a visual representation where persistence and resilience pays off. I have always loved and respected skateboarding since I was a kid; it’s an artform that requires courage to master it. You get physically hurt as well as rejected from society and little recognition, you eat shit and you get up again!”

No matter what you’re going through this Monday, crank this one and you’re bound to feel better.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Vanns’ Rock Out With “How Was I Supposed to Know”

Wollongong rockers The Vanns have been wowing crowds all around the country on their current tour promoting new single “How Was I Supposed to Know.” They’re playing pubs at the moment, but with a sound this big it’s only a matter of time before they’re in stadiums.

“How Was I Supposed to Know” has everything you want from a rock song: dirty, chunky guitars, powerful vocals, and a chorus that will have you pumping your fist in the air from the first listen.

The track explores the emotions swirling when a relationship breaks down, and the clip, which puts you in the middle of an uncomfortable and explosive dinner date, is the perfect accompaniment.

The Vanns have one more show on their current tour, their first since May. If you’re in the area, catch them at the Festival of Fisher’s Ghost celebrations in Campbelltown on November 3.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kodey Brims Recalls Memories of Home With New Single “Bundaberg Rum & Coke”

She might be based in Nashville these days, but it seems home isn’t too far from Kodey Brims’ mind. Her new single “Bundaberg Rum & Coke” is a tender nostalgia-tinged ballad about her formative years and the memories one of Australia’s favourite drinks evokes for her.

“On one of my first nights in Nashville I picked up my guitar and wrote this song when I was feeling particularly homesick. One thing I’ve learned about living overseas is that the feeling of homesickness doesn’t really go away, you just find new ways of being okay with it,” Kodey explained. “This song was my way of capturing the good memories of my family staring out onto the sugarcane fields in Maryborough, QLD, all drinking the same Australian rum.”

The heartfelt lyrics of “Bundaberg Rum & Coke” are impressive, but I’ve also fallen for Kodey’s sound, which is like some unique blend of Tori Amos and Natalie Merchant. If you loved these ‘90s songstresses too, this track will be right up your alley.