Releases – Page 50 – Sounds of Oz

Posted on 30/01/202530/01/2025 by Lauren Katulka

Daphnie Channels ’90s Nostalgia With Latest Single “Wanna Be (with) You”

Alistair Hayes of Daphnie and Max Jacobs of Loretta are some of the hottest up-and-coming pop artists in the country, so I knew anything they wrote together would be a total bop. I wasn’t wrong. Wrap your ears around “Wanna Be (with) You”. It’s the perfect mid-morning pick-me-up.

“It’s inspired by the classic story of not knowing if you wanna be with someone, or if you just want to be them. Obsessing over them to an unhealthy degree, wanting to steal their perfume or clothes, date them, or just be as cool as they are,” Alistair explained. “It pays homage to classic ‘90s rom-coms like Ten Things I Hate About You (the famous bleachers scene), and makes fun of other tropes like somehow running through the airport without getting caught. We even played the movie on mute in the background while writing it to make sure it matched that ridiculous and nostalgic ‘being way too in love with someone’ energy.”

So crank that volume. “This one”Wanna Be (with) You” is a real vibe.

Image used with permission from Alistair Hayes

Posted on 29/01/202529/01/2025 by Lauren Katulka

Ama Drops Latest Perfect Pop Track, “Employee”

Prolific local pop act Ama continues to pump out the tunes, yet the quality never seems to dip. Her latest single “Employee” is an ultra-catchy bop that’ll resonate with anyone who’s suffered through a one-sided relationship.

“It’s the perfect soundtrack for anyone desperately giving their constant attention to a person; kinda like a full-time job,” Ama explained.

“Employee” is just one of the fresh tunes featured on my playlist Sounds of Oz Loves Pop. Stream them all on Spotify.

Image source: Ama’s website

Posted on 29/01/202528/01/2025 by Lauren Katulka

Kora Naughton Releases Gorgeous Country-Pop Single, “Last Call”

If you’ve ever felt like someone’s backup plan, I know you’ll connect with Kora Naughton’s latest country single “Last Call.” It’s a poignant track that exploration of what it feels like to be in a situationship with someone putting in the bare minimum.

While the song’s definitely bittersweet, its lyrics also encourage listeners to reflect on their self-worth and prioritise self-love over being in the wrong relationship. Because no one deserves to be anyone’s last call!

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on 29/01/202529/01/2025 by Lauren Katulka

Talented Teen Natasha Kate Releases “Chore”

The future of Aussie music is in safe hands with talents like Natasha Kate coming through the ranks. The 16-year-old from Bunurong Country/Mornington Peninsula has blown me away with her angsty new single “Chore.”

“‘Chore’ is about knowing your worth and not giving a second chance to someone who didn’t know what they had until it was gone,” Natasha said.

You can hear more of Natasha’s original music when she plays the Waterfront Festival in Monmar/Frankston on 8 February.

Photo credit: Natasha Kate Fraker

Posted on 28/01/202528/01/2025 by Lauren Katulka

Precious Mess Show They’re a Creative Force With “Rainbows”

Turn the volume all the way up to 11 and rock out with local outfit Precious Mess and their latest single “Rainbows”. Their big riff-heavy sound has really impressed me, especially considering Precious Mess are a duo. You don’t often hear two-piece outfits creating such a full, powerful sound, but guitarist and vocalist Peter “Reggie” Bowman and drummer and artist Nate Hill are nailing it.

Precious Mess came about when Reggie and Nate started discussing how music in the audio realm moves hand in hand with art in the visual world. Through this project, they aim to combine music and art in a fully immersive creative experience. “Rainbows” is one of 10 songs the pair wrote and recorded in the same room. Once they laid down the tracks, they started pushing paint around on canvases to represent each album tune. Check out the film clip for “Rainbows” to understand more about what this colourful two-piece is about.

Image used with permission from Precious Mess

Posted on 28/01/202528/01/2025 by Lauren Katulka

Among the Restless Release “Running Away” Ahead of East Coast Tour

Naarm/Melbourne rockers Among the Restless have really impressed me with their latest single “Running Away.” The band is a three-piece, but they’ve got such an epic sound that wouldn’t be out of place in any stadium. If you love acts like The 1975 and Nothing But Thieves, I know you’re going to crank the volume on this one.

“The lyrics are vulnerable and honest, recounting the emotions felt during parting ways with someone close to you, whilst regrettably feeling happy about the outcome,” Among the Restless explained. “Running Away has a sense of tragic hope that almost all of us have felt at some point in our lives.”

Among the Restless will close out the summer with shows all along the East Coast. Catch them at the following venues:

28 February 2025 – The Railway Friendly, Cavanbah/Byron Bay (FREE)
1 March 2025 – The Tomcat, Meeanjin/Brisbane
8 March 2025 – The Trocadero Room, Eora/Sydney
15 March 2025 – Bergy Bandroom, Naarm/Melbourne
29 March 2025 – The Swan Hill Club, Wamba Wamba, Latji Latji, Tatti Tatti, Wadi Wadi and Barapa Barapa Country/Swan Hill
5 April 2025 – Unibar, Tarntanya/Adelaide

Image used with permission from Among the Restless

Posted on 28/01/202528/01/2025 by Lauren Katulka

Charlie Bedford Drops Off-the-Wall Single “(The Out of Town) Laundromat Blues”

If think if you’re talented enough, you can write a great song about anything. Charlie Bedford proves my theory with his latest track “(The Out of Town) Laundromat Blues.” This tongue-in-cheek blues-rock number perfectly showcases his incredible guitar chops and knack for writing quirky lyrics.

“I’ve always listened to and enjoyed many different styles of music,” Charlie said. “Growing up there was a lot of the alt pop rock world playing – everything from ‘90s Australia over to David Bowie and The Clash. My real connection with blues music started from getting guitar lessons. My good friend Phil Smith took me under his wing at an early age and invited me to one of his jam nights in the Dandenong Ranges. It was there I discovered blues music, the rawness, grit and honesty. A local blues legend named Billy Kavanagh blew my mind and I was hooked. They told me about the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society and their Youth In Blues program – and it all snowballed from there, from trips to America through to representing Australian youth and starting my first bands – and so much more! I’m now finding through my original music a bizarre blend of all of these sounds and I’m loving it. The more of a mix focused into one song the better I reckon!”

Charlie will release his new album, Daydream, next month so expect to hear a lot more from this local bluesman really soon. If you’re around Victoria or outback New South Wales, you can also see him playing the following shows:

31 January 2025 – Music In The Hargreaves Mall, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Bendigo (from 11 am)
1 February 2025 – American Hotel, Yorta Yorta Country/Echuca (from 4:30 pm)
15 February 2025 – Broken Hill Pub, Willyama/Broken Hill (time TBA)
28 February 2025 – American Hotel, Yorta Yorta Country/Echuca (from 5 pm)
14 March 2025 – American Hotel, Yorta Yorta Country/Echuca (from 5 pm)

Photo credit: Nate Hill

Posted on 28/01/202528/01/2025 by Lauren Katulka

Fall in Love With Nick Cunningham’s Stripped-Back Single “With You”

Meeanjin/Brisbane-based indie-folk artist Nick Cunningham turns up the charm with his latest single “With You.” An intimate romantic number inspired by a new relationship, “With You” its authenticity cuts through.

“I wrote the finger-picked guitar riff to this song in a hotel room in Adelaide the morning after meeting my now partner,” Nick recalled. “We met while we were performing at an event in Adelaide of all places, and happened to live two suburbs apart in Brisbane. We had this trip away to the coast after a few dates and the lyrics really came from that.”

After releasing his No Flowers, No Rain EP last April, “With You” ushers in a new chapter for this local talent. I can’t wait to hear what 2025 holds in store for him.

Photo credit: Nick Manuell

Posted on 28/01/202529/01/2025 by Lauren Katulka

Fool Nelson Ready to Headline Shows All Around Oz

Boorloo/Perth-based indie rock trio Fool Nelson are preparing to embark on their first headlining tour of the country on the back of their latest single “Don’t Feel Right.” Despite its name, listening to this ultra-catchy track feels so very right! It’s a cracker of a song that begs for repeat plays.

“‘Don’t Feel Right’ is about not taking the people around you for granted,” the lads from Fool Nelson said. “It touches on the idea of growing apart from friends and forgetting about how important certain people are in your life.”

After playing plenty of shows in 2024 supporting the likes of Ball Park Music, The Grogans, and Old Mervs, Fool Nelson are thrilled to finally take top billing.

“We’re super excited to be doing our first ever headline Australian tour finally. It’s a big effort to do coming from WA, but now that we’ve got a bit of a taste for it, we’re definitely keen to keep the ball rolling with playing as many shows around the country as we can!”

No doubt as the year progresses we’ll see these guys playing larger venues, so make sure you catch them at these more intimate shows while you can!

21 February 2025 – Crown & Anchor, Tarntanya/Adelaide
22 February 2025 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne
27 February 2025 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane
28 February 2025 – Waywards, Eora/Sydney
1 March 2025 – King St Bandroom Warehouse, Mulubinba/Newcastle
7 March 2025 – The River, Wooditchup/Margaret River
8 March 2025 – Six Degrees, Kinjarling/Albany
15 March 2025 – Freo Social, Walyalup/Fremantle
29 March 2025 – HYPERFEST 2025 @ Locale, Whadjuk Noongar Country/Midland

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on 27/01/202524/01/2025 by Lauren Katulka

Bootleg Rascal Releases “Drip Your Love” Ahead of Booty Block Party Shows

No one does a summer tune quite like Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast trio Bootleg Rascal. For their sexy new single “Drip Your Love,” they’ve enlisted the help of South Summit’s Zaya. The result is a smooth soul number that’s perfect for pool parties and summer road trips.

“It’s long, hot summer days spent by the pool sipping ice cold, extra strong, homemade margies,” Bootleg Rascal guitarist and dad-bod extraordinaire Jimmy Young said of the single’s inspiration. “It’s steamy nights spent with your new flame, picture the love scene from the OG Top Gun movie, ‘Take My Breath Away’ playing on cassette tape. It’s traffic jams spent sweating it out in your 1986 Toyota Corolla with busted A/C. It’s pretending to drown at the community pool just so you can get resuscitated by the hot lifeguard on duty, see Squints Poladoris in the ‘Sandlot Kids’. It’s trying to finish your Frosty Fruit before it melts in the blazing hot sun (aka impossible). It’s necking your first cold beer of the day so fast it feels like the liquid just evaporates before it even touches your lips. It’s slamming chip sambos at the beach, white bread/chicken salt/extra sauce. It’s hanging for summer to come around just to complain every day about how hot it is, then lament it when it’s all over for another year. It’s summer lovin’ just the way Olivia and John boy would want it.”

Bootleg Rascal will keep the summer vibes flowing after the season ends with their mini-festival, Booty Block Party. It’ll feature a revolving roster of guest artists including Dante Knows, Dear Sunday, Dizzy Days, and Tasman Keith. They’ve also got a few shows before that happens supporting Steel Pulse, so see them anywhere you can!

Photo credit: Jared Hinz