Casey Donovan continues her musical comeback with her impressive new single “The Villain.” It’s such a powerful piece of music which isn’t afraid to leave the singer-songwriter exposed. I love its vulnerability and her vocals, as always, are on point.
Casey lets us interpret “The Villain” in two equally poignant ways. On one level, the titular villain is an ex-lover, but it’s also the anxiety that keeps her and a quarter of all Australians imprisoned at some point in their lives.
“The Villain” is incredible stuff from one of Australia’s best talents.
Holy Holy is one of those Aussie bands that doesn’t seem to put a foot wrong. Usually by the fourth single from an album some fatigue sets in, but that’s not the case with these guys. The new synth-heavy electro pop single “True Lovers” is something different from the band, but I’m digging it.
The single comes with a brand new clip directed by Aussie artist Erin Van Occi featuring footage from cinematographer Thom Neal.
Holy Holy is currently on tour around Australia. Many of these shows were sell outs, but if you’re lucky you’ll still find a ticket or two for the remaining gigs.
13 July 2017 – Mojos, Fremantle
14 July 2017 – Jack Rabbit Slims, Perth
15 July 2017 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
We might be shivering through winter, but Sydney band Wild Honey has come to spread some sunshine with its summery new single “Break Away.” It’s such a feel-good track with an inspiring message about doing what makes you the happiest.
“After my Nan died, I just couldn’t seem to adjust. I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life working in a job that failed to satisfy me, and really only served to cover the rent,” Wild Honey frontman Thom Moore explained of the song’s inspiration. “I want to believe there is more to life than that, and it’s up to us to go and make that happen.”
“Break Away” is the first song lifted from Wild Honey’s forthcoming debut album. Hometown fans will get to hear more tracks from the LP when Wild Honey launches “Break Away” at The Landsdowne Hotel on July 29.
Geelong pop-punk act Rose Avenue take me back to the ‘90s with their feel-good new single “Losing It.” This is a pop-punk anthem, with a strong driving beat and optimism that will have you punching your fist in the air.
These guys have worked hard to hone their craft, playing everywhere from local pubs to Melbourne hotspots since 2014. No doubt they’ll be in fine form when they launch the single at the Barwon Club Hotel on July 21.
Kim Churchill is preparing to release his long-awaited new album Weight Falls, but there’s a good reason fans have been left waiting.
Kim spent 18 months working on the album, his follow-up to Silence/Win. While the end result was polished and accessible, for Kim it just didn’t feel quite right. So he scrapped it and started anew.
“I worked really hard on the follow-up record for a long time,” he explained, “and it sounded good. But some very subtle layer of my consciousness was saying to me, ‘It’s not all that inspiring.’”
He picked up his guitar and created a new batch of songs in just one week. It took another two months piecing the new songs together with his producer Ian Pritchett in a Western Sydney garage. I’m a big believer that the best things happen when you’re not overthinking them, so I’m really excited by this album.
Kim’s new single “Second Hand Car” is one of the new songs that’s passed muster. It’s got a great easy vibe that feels perfect for long road trips.
Weight Falls is finally released on August 25. If you preorder it, you’ll get an instantly download of “Second Hand Car.” Once the album drops, you’ve got a few weeks to learn the lyrics before Kim sets off on a massive tour around the country. Tickets are on sale now through his website.
14 September 2017 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
15 September 2017 – Unibar, Wollongong
16 September 2017 – Street Theatre, Canberra
21 September 2017 – The Jack, Cairns
22 September 2017 – The Office, Townsville
23 September 2017 – Timberfest, Mackay
29 September 2017 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
30 September 2017 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
1 October 2017 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
5 October 2017 – Fat Controller, Adelaide
6 October 2017 – Waratah Hotel, Hobart
7 October 2017 – Royal Oak, Launceston
13 October 2017 – Fremantle Arts Centre Front Lawn, Fremantle
14 October 2017 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
15 October 2017 – Red Room @ Clancys Fish Pub, Dunsborough
20 October 2017 – The Factory, Sydney
26 October 2017 – Solbar, Sunshine Coast
27 October 2017 – Soundlounge, Gold Coast
28 October 2017 – The Triffid, Brisbane
Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia
Today Geraldton-born, Darwin-based singer-songwriter Sam Carmody unveils his debut solo single, “The Sea Has Risen.”
It’s a dreamy song that brings something fresh to the love song genre. We’ve heard these sort of sentiments before, but Sam’s poetic lyrics, original melodies, and power vocals make this well-worn subject seem brand new.
This might be Sam’s first solo song, but he’s no stranger to the music scene. He was part of Perth band Warning Birds, who took home a Song of the Year WAMi in 2012. His way with words is without question. Few singer-songwriters in this country release novels, let alone successful ones. But Sam’s first novel, The Windy Season, was shortlisted for the prestigious Vogel’s Award last year.
“The Sea Has Risen” comes from Sam Carmody’s forthcoming EP Shadow in the Dream. He’ll launch it with a six-piece band at Music NT’s Song of the Year Awards tomorrow night. The song has been nominated for the pop prize.
Matt Joe Gow has reminded me just how much I love his music with the release of a new music video for “Bottle It Up, Pass It On.” This song was one of the many standouts of his 2016 album Seven Years. I love its Springsteenesque vibe, with its raw lyrics, quietly powerful vocals, and that Americana feel to the instrumentation. This is quality stuff.
Matt Joe Gow will play Melbourne’s Northcote Social Club on July 22 and Geelong’s Pistol Pete’s Blues Bar in August (date TBC).
Tanzer has cast a spell over me with her truly original new single “Sleep.”
There isn’t a lot of music that’s as unique as this song. It defies convention. It’s like some kind of dark, trippy lullaby. I wasn’t sure I “got it” at first, and I’m still not sure I understand it completely but I’m drawn to it anyway. And Tanzer’s vocals, hushed and soothing at points, operatic at others, are undeniable. The film clip is also just as off-the-wall as the track.
Take a chance on this one. It’s really something special.
“Sleep” comes from Tanzer’s Four Love Songs by Tanzer EP, which is available for digital download or as a stunning red glittery heart-shaped vinyl album from Tanzer’s Bandcamp page.
Gippsland native Josh Cashman has released a superb new single, “Beauty in Grey.” This is one of those songs I hit play on the moment that I finish listening. I could wax lyrical about it, but I’d much rather you experience it for yourself.
Josh recorded “Beauty in Grey” at Brunswick’s Smooch Studios, and you can hear the character of that space coming out in the recorded. The high roof and open space create an amazing natural reverb, making the guitars and drums sound a little moodier.
Josh has already had a massive 2017 spending three months in the United States, where he showcased at South by Southwest, played shows with our own Tash Sultana, and performed at New York City’s Rockwood Music Hall. On the home front, he played local shows including a sold out gig at the Northcote Social Club.
Given how popular the last gig was, I wouldn’t wait to snap up tickets for Josh’s next Northcote Social Club gig on August 4.
Mondays are never kind at the best of times. But I’m having one of those Mondays that has me staring at my list of deadlines and thinking “Yeah, this cannot possibly get done.” If Monday is kicking your butt too, you’ll want to crank the Pierce Brothers‘ latest single.
“Take Me Out” is one of my favourite songs from The Pierce Brothers’ newie The Records Were Ours, a swampy, bluesy, foot-stomping track that has all the right ingredients to fire you up on this winter workday.
“We’ve been wanting to write a riff based blues track for a long time,” the Pierce Brothers said, “and ‘Take Me Out’ started with the riff first. We both got excited when we started it and we’re really happy with where we got it.”
The Pierce Brothers are just about the kick off their European tour. They’ll then head home for some shows before jetting off to the States. Where will you see them?
8 July 2017 – Cornbury Music Festival, Oxfordshire
9 July 2017 – Linton Music Festival, Ross-on-Wye
10 July 2017 – Thekla, Bristol
11 July 2017 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
13 July 2017 – Studio 2, Liverpool
14 July 2017 – The Deaf Institute, Manchester
15 July 2017 – Zwarte Cross 2017, Lichtenvoorde
16 July 2017 – 4 Daagse, Nijmegen
22 July 2017 – Colours of Ostrava 2017, Ostrava
27 July 2017 – Dr Koncerthuset, Copenhagen
29 July 2019 – Stonerock Festival 2017, Bad Bentheim
6 August 2017 – Festival Esperanzah! 2017, Floreffe
11 August 2017 – Fairports Cropready Convention 2017, Banbury
25 August 2017 – Mojos, Fremantle
26 August 2017 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
31 August 2017 – Rocket Bar, Adelaide
1 September 2017 – Uno Bandroom, Geelong
2 September 2017 – Studio Theatre, Darwin
7 September 2017 – The Northern, Byron Bay
8 September 2017 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
9 September 2017 – Solbar, Maroochydore
13 September 2017 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
14 September 2017 – The Grans, Mornington
15 September 2017 – 170 Russel, Melbourne
16 September 2017 – The Westernport Hotel, San Remo
22 September 2017 – The Warehouse, Newcastle
28 September 2017 – Danforth Music Hall, Toronto
29 September 2017 – Metropolis, Montreal
30 September 2017 – Paradise Rock Club, Boston
2 October 2017 – The Bowery Ballroom, New York
3 October 2017 – Brooklyn Steel, Brooklyn
5 October 2017 – Union Transfer, Philadelphia
6 October 2017 – 9:30 Club, Washington
7 October 2017 – Newport Music Hall, Columbus
9 October 2017 – Thalia Hall, Chicago
10 October 2017 – Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis
11 October 2017 – The recordBar, Kansas City
16 October 2017 – Ogden Theater, Denver
18 October 2017 – The Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix
20 October 2017 – Fonda Theater, Hollywood
21 October 2017 – The Fillmore, San Francisco
23 October 2017 – Wonder Ballroom, Portland
24 October 2017 – Neptune Theater, Seattle
25 October 2017 – Commodore Theater, Vancouver
