Hayden Phillis shows maturity beyond his years with his latest single “Lies.” The insightful track sees Hayden questioning the religious teachings he’s absorbed since childhood as he searches for the truth. He worked the concept with his mentor Kevin Welch before cowriting “Lies” with Michelle Cashman.
“I was really happy with the song after we wrote it,” Hayden said. “It already felt like an accomplishment and it’s about those moments of realisation we all have when we start questioning the things we’ve been told.”
“Lies” comes from Hayden’s forthcoming EP, which we’ll hear later this year.
Image used with permission from Bec Gracie Publicity
Ruby Gill has absolutely floored me with their latest single, “Touch Me There.” This intimate exploration of sensual awakening and coming out is a real revelation. Take a few moments just to listen to this one. It’s subtle, but if you give it your full attention I know you’ll fall as deeply in love with it as I have.
“During the longest dry spell of my life, I came out to myself,” Ruby recalled of the song’s inspiration. “The first time I said it out loud was in this song – all that sitting by a river waiting for the truth to come out led to me being honest for the first time about who I was attracted to and what kind of sex I wanted in my life. It took almost two years of zero kissing to get to that point of self-knowledge. Not intentionally – everything just felt so wrong and scary after being touched in really unsafe ways before that. I was numb for years, but I finally felt sensation in my body again after writing ‘Touch Me There.’ It broke me open. I hope it breaks other people open too, whether it’s about queerness or otherwise. You have a say over your love and pleasure.”
“Touch Me There” comes from Ruby’s sophomore album Some Kind of Control, set for release on March 28. They’ll play the following shows through March and April to celebrate the new music:
“Love On The Loose” is a song for rock music fans who crave classic sounds. Delivered with plenty of swagger, big crunchy guitars, and even bigger vocals, Willie J’s 6v6s’ latest track is making me nostalgic for the crowded pubs with sticky floors of my youth.
This song already sits at 11, but I have a feeling that Willie J’s 6v6s can turn the voltage up even higher. Find out when they launch “the single”Love On The Loose” at The Gem Bar in Yálla-birr-ang/Collingwood on March 15.
In the meantime, if you want more rocking tunes check out my playlist Sounds of Oz Loves Rock. It’s got a bunch of new Aussie rock music featured on this blog including “Love On The Loose”. I’m adding new songs all the time, so give it a follow to listen to the latest.
Image used with permission from Dave Laing Publicity
Rachael Coltrona has just dropped “Everybody’s Doing It” a fresh floor-filler for your Friday. Whether you love clubbing or those days are long behind you, I think you’ll vibe with this empowering dance anthem.
Rachael says “It’s about owning who you are, no matter what everyone else is doing.”
Like so much of the best music, this “Everybody’s Doing It” came together quickly. Rachael actually wrote and recorded it, with the help of Eora/Sydney-based producer Phil Anquetil, in just two days. Talk about talent! Turn this one up loud and it just might give you the energy you need to make it to the weekend!
Last February, Melanie Cowmeadow brought a tear to my eye when she paid tribute to her late father with the single “Dear Dad.” This year she’s making me smile with her latest release, “Snakes & Ladders.” It’s a much more upbeat number that stays true to the country sound Melanie’s known for.
“I wanted to write something that captured how life can sometimes feel like a game,” she explained. “Sometimes you’re climbing that ladder, other times you slip down a snake, but you keep going. This song is my way of making light of those moments that can feel heavy.”
“Snakes & Ladders” is the title track from Melanie’s forthcoming debut EP which tells relatable stories of love, loss, and personal growth. Follow her on the socials to hear more about it ahead of its release later this year.
For someone who doesn’t consider themselves a country music fan, I’m sure enjoying a lot of it lately. Or maybe there’s just a glut of outstanding country music coming out of this country. The latest track to delight my ears is Andrew Swift’s new feelgood single, “Nothing Better.” Andrew drew from his own experiences of a life that couldn’t be panning out any better!
“It feels like not long ago I was mentally preparing to be fixing caravans and living life as a single man until the end of my days,” he admitted. “I didn’t think that being a full-time musician, homeowner, having a loving partner and a baby on the way would be on the cards, but here we are. Sometimes life blindsides you in the best way possible.”
Recording “Nothing Better” saw Andrew reunite with his long-time collaborator, the multi-award-winning Matt Fell.
“Having previously worked together on the last three albums, I feel like we’re on the same page now more than ever,” Andrew said. I love being able to get down to his new studio, Wilder Studios, in remote Tasmania. It feels like you’re a million miles away from the real world and you can really focus on the recording process.”
You can hear Andrew’s authenticity in his lyrics and vocals, so it’s only right that the music video features the real people and places that shaped him rather than actors and fancy locations. Jeremy Minnett of Eyes and Ears Creative captured footage of Andrew’s childhood home and real-life partner Simone.
Country artists are some of the hardest working musicians in the nation, and Andrew is no exception. Even though he’s got a baby on the way, it’s on the road and playing shows all over this wide brown land. Make sure you catch him anywhere you can.
Major Zulu was born and raised in Zambia and lived in the United Kingdom and France before settling in Australia. She’s celebrating her new homeland with her smooth new soul single, “Down Under.” The song joyously pays tribute to the natural wonders and cosmopolitan culture of her new home in Eora/Sydney.
“It was as if I was returning to my essence, reconnecting with the vibrant, adventurous spirit that had always been a part of me. The vibrant community, the simple joys of sharing a meal outdoors, and the embrace of the natural world mirrored the carefree spirit of my Zambian childhood.”
Major Zulu’s vocals are off the charts. She reminds me a lot of artists like Sade and Anita Baker. Aren’t we lucky that she now calls Australia home? Hometown fans can see Major Zulu at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on April 12.
I’ve got chills listening to “Space for You,” the gorgeous new single from Laura Hill. Her soulful voice really casts a spell as this stunning number plays out. Those vocals stopped me in my tracks, but as I listened longer I was struck by the song’s vulnerable lyrics.
“Most of us are trying to understand or navigate something internally,” Laura explained. “Holding space for someone is about creating a small corner of your heart where they can share their feelings without judgement, while also being mindful of your own emotions. It’s messy, sometimes awkward, but always worth it.”
Laura recorded “Space for You” at Wundenberg’s Studios with live-tracked orchestration, an inspired choice that gives the song such a warm, spontaneous energy.
“The energy of tracking live is magical—you never know what’s going to happen, but when it clicks, it’s like catching lightning in a bottle. Everyone held space for me, and I’m so grateful for the care and talent they brought to this track.”
Laura and her band will launch “Space for You” at Big Easy Radio in Ngaltingga/Aldinga on February 28. Doors open at 6 pm and music lovers are encouraged to pay what they can.
Image used with permission from Pretty Good Thanks
After a pretty stressful few months dealing with the aftermath of my car accident, Lucy Korts latest single “Stronger” is exactly what I needed to hear. This authentic girl power anthem sees the Meeanjin/Brisbane artist reclaiming her own power, and hopefully inspiring a few listeners to do the same. I know she’s got me fired up!
“I hope that ‘Stronger’ can give you the same strength that I found writing it,” she confirmed. “I hope that it can pick you up when you don’t know how to get up. And I hope that it can help to push you forward when you don’t know which way forward is. I hope that ‘Stronger’ can remind you to be stronger than whatever it is that hurt you.”
For more pop goodness, check out my Spotify playlist, Sounds of Oz Loves Pop. It features plenty of fabulous new pop music from local artists including Lucy. I’m always adding new music so make sure you follow me to stay up-to-date!
Harry Carman’s new single “It’s All Good” is the musical equivalent of a warm hug. Whether you need a little sonic support or just want to chill out today, you’ve got to hear this sweet indie-folk song.
“This song was originally written when my ex was going through pregnancy with our youngest son,” Harry recalled. “I wanted to make a song that was reassuring and comforting in the hardest of times. It’s now become a song I play for my two boys (they already know all the words) whenever we’re in the car or before bed. Myself and my producer, Josh Richens, made the production of the song evolutionary to capture how the song evolved from a simple phone recording, to a demo for SoundCloud, all the way to what it is now.”
If you want to hear more from Harry and you’re around Ngambri/Canberra, treat yourself to lunch at Ballyhoo today. He’s playing from midday to 4 pm, so get out and show your support.
