Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

South Summit On the Rise With “Givin’ It Up”

I’ve been following South Summit’s music journey for a couple of years now, and it’s been pretty exciting watching them go from strength to strength. As their new single “Givin’ It Up” shows, their music is maturing, without losing the easy, breezy surf vibes we all know and love. They’re also playing some pretty iconic venues on their upcoming tour. Hello Opera House! But more about that later.

The band says their latest single “tells the story of South Summit! Illuminating the everyday life for us, Sharing the best of times where we as a band, find ourselves at our happiest. We cherish blissful vibes and whanau, and really capture the feeling of sharing stories and having a jam in the backyard over a couple drinks and a bbq. This is elevated through reggae chops and singalong melodies where everyone can feel a part of what makes us, South Summit. The things we give up and the sacrifices we make to reap certain rewards, come in all different shapes and sizes. But at the end of the day, we can all relate to what we are sacrificing for.”

South Summit have built a reputation as one of the best touring acts in the country, and they can’t wait to get back in front of audiences.

“Playing the iconic Sydney Opera House is a huge milestone achievement for the band, we’re so stoked to be given the opportunity! We’ll also be heading back to our favorite spots Brisbane and Melbourne, while finishing off the run with an Indi Bar show in our hometown of Perth. We’ve got a lot of new music coming out soon, and we can’t wait for you all to hear them. These will be some of the biggest shows we’ve ever done around the country, and we can’t wait to see you all there.”

South Summit will play the following shows later this month:

23 May 2024 – Valley Loft, Meeanjin/Brisbane
24 May 2024 – The Espy, Euro-Yroke/St Kilda
25 May 2024 – Opera House (Vivid Festival), Eora/Sydney
31 May 2024 – Indian Ocean Hotel, Whadjuk Country/Scarborough

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Heath Burdell Drops Awesome Rock Single, “No Promised Land”

Don’t you just love those songs that sound like classics from the first listen? Heath Burdell’s latest single “No Promised Land” is one of those special songs. It’s radio-friendly rock that simply makes you feel good.

Heath’s based in Eora/Sydney now, but grew up around the sugar cane fields of Northern Queensland. I can definitely hear a lot more of that influence in Heath’s music. Could he be Australia’s answer to John Mellencamp? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

AYLA Gives Album Sneak Peek With “I Liked You Better When You Were On My Side”

AYLA is one of those fabulous artists that always keeps you guessing. Her music is always quality, but you can never put her into a box. Her latest offering is “I Liked You Better When You Were On My Side,” a cool, brooding pop track that you’ll be humming long after the music stops.

She co-wrote this song with Ed Quinn of Telenova, who also produced it. “’I Liked You Better When You Were on My Side’ started as a topline on a production track, and with Ed’s help, we refined the structure and added new elements to take the song to the next level,” AYLA shared. “It was a collaborative effort that brought a real effortless groove to the production.”

“I Liked You Better When You Were On My Side” comes from AYLA’s long-awaited debut album DOPAMINE, which drops on July 12. AYLA will give fans a preview of her new material when she plays Solbar Playhouse in Maroochydore on July 7.

Photo credit: Is Aphrodite

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Greg Gould Aims to Break Stigma Around Sexual Assault With “Who Gave You Permission?”

Australian powerhouse Greg Gould is bravely sharing his experiences with sexual assault with his incredible new single “Who Gave You Permission?” A potent mix of pop and soul, the anthemic song calls out his abusers and reveals his own strength. He hopes the track might empower other survivors on their own journey through the trauma.

“To be honest I’m only just starting to feel comfortable to talk about this,” he shared. “The first time I performed the song live I burst into tears. I have been a victim of sexual abuse on four separate occasions in all very different circumstances from when I was 10 years old, right up until I was 30. Each time left me feeling so violated, so powerless, paralysed. Nobody has the right to touch you without permission. No means no. It was a very emotional, heart-wrenching, and confronting experience to write this song to be honest as I’d pushed a lot of those feelings and experiences down and hadn’t dealt with them – it took a while for me to be OK to admit it. There is a stigma around sexual abuse in general, and I do think it can be really difficult for men who are the victim – whether it be at the hands of another man or a woman. In my case, it was both on separate occasions. I want other men to feel comfortable to talk about this and speak up too.”

Greg has a string of shows happening over the next few months, including several where he’ll play this stirring single.

“Whether the subject matter is darker or lighter, guests at my shows can expect big vocals, big moments and a lot of fun,” he enthused. “I love to perform and I’m excited for the next 12 months! I’ve got big plans and even bigger dreams. I am so proud that ‘Who Gave You Permission?’ is out now and I’m moving forward both personally and professionally! I would love if even one survivor of abuse feels stronger as a result of hearing this song. I want people to know they are seen, they are heard and they are believed. We won’t be broken.

You can see Greg at the following events.

10 May 2024 – Greek Legends of the 20th Century @ Palais Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne
18 May 2024 – Keep the Faith – George Michael & Whitney Houston @ Royal Brighton Yacht Club, Naarm/Melbourne
1 June 2024 – Gippsland Pride Gala @ Lardner Park, Gunai Country/Gippsland
7 June 2024 – Synthony @ Carriageworks, Eora/Sydney (SOLD OUT)
8 June 2024 – Synthony @ Carriageworks, Eora/Sydney

Photo credit: Cain Cooper

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ruu. and Chelle Tamika Team Up for “WORTH”

“WORTH”, an exciting new collaboration from African-Australian hip hop artist Ruu. and R&B act Chelle Tamika, is this year’s first release from Campbelltown Art Centre’s Conscious program. This professional development program first came to my attention when P.Smid released “WESSIDE” in 2022. It’s fabulous to hear it’s still supporting and elevating local artists.

“This song is about my experience growing up Black in South-West Sydney, being (and feeling like) the only Black person in my area and experiences on Black culture and how it has been perceived and taken advantage of as I continue to live life,” Ruu. explained. “I hope the song allows the African-Australian community to embrace their culture stronger, and brings more internal discussion and support for each other, as it is needed as the music scene in Australia continues to grow.”

If you like what he does, make sure you catch Ruu. at one of his gigs this month:

3 May 2024 – 4INTHECUT Release Party @ Burdekin Hotel, Gadigal Country/Darlinghurst
25 May 2024 – PULSE @ Botany View Hotel, Gadigal Country/Newtown

Photo credit: Jay Patel

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mt. Nadir Releases Stellar New Single “Knife’s Edge”

Meeanjin/Brisbane dream rock act Mt. Nadir have gotten under my skin with their latest single “Knife’s Edge”. It took me a few listens to fully appreciate it, but once it clicked for me I was all in. This track has been a staple in Mt. Nadir setlists for some time now, and I can see why.

“For my whole life, I’ve been someone that falls in love hard and fast, and once I’m with someone, I never want to leave. ‘Knife’s Edge’ is about the year I was 24, when this changed,” admitted the band’s frontperson, Frankie Rosbrook. “I would fall for people hard and fast, but lose interest within weeks, and my mind would inevitably wander back to my first love. I upset a few really lovely people and it made me feel really awful. It was a stressful, confusing, sometimes fun time of my life. I was living on a knife’s edge.”

After recently launching the single for hometown fans, Mt. Nadir will support The Vaccines before heading south for a string of New South Wales shows in a couple of weeks. Here are all the places you can catch them on their A Slightly Smaller Tour.

10 May 2024 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting The Vaccines)
17 May 2024 – Vic On The Park, Eora/Sydney (FREE)
18 May 2024 – Shark Bar, Gayemagal Country/Manly (FREE)
19 May 2024 – North Gong Hotel, Woolyungah/Wollongong (FREE)

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Neilson Releases Exquisite New Single, “Minefield”

Tom Neilson strips things right back for his breathtaking new single “Minefield.” Inspired by the music of Regina Spektor, it shows us that a great song needs little more than top-notch lyrics, vocals, and melody.

This is a bit of a left-turn from Tom’s previous works, but I’m here for it. He described the songwriting process as “a transformative creative journey” akin to “falling deeper into wonderland.”

I want to sit with this gorgeous song just a little bit, but Tom is already looking forward to his next project: the release of his debut EP on May 3.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

RedHook Release New Rock Anthem, “Breaking Up With”

Who said saxophones and hard rock don’t mix? Never one to play by the rules, RedHook are pushing the boundaries yet again with their latest single “Breaking Up With.”

“This song is pretty much the antithesis of our most popular single ‘Bad Decisions’. Rather than revelling in being a total piece of shit, this one is about breaking that cycle of self-hate, forgiving your past mistakes, and just deciding to be bloody kinder to yourself,” explained the band’s frontwoman Emmy Mack. “Lyrically, it takes the piss out of break-up cliches to signify ending that toxic relationship (with, you know, yourself) and starting fresh. I hope everyone who vibed with ‘Bad Decisions’ will also be shaking their hips in the moshpit to this one.”

Emmy also conceptualised the music video, which features a cavalcade of superstars from Pro Wrestling Australia.

“Last year, I was lucky enough to live out my WWE Attitude Era dreams at Sydney’s PWA Colosseum event, so I figured – why not throw the party inside a wrestling ring and get a bunch of my PWA superstar mates involved?” she said. “The shoot was bloody insane. I got to bust a hurricanrana on myself in the perfect visual metaphor for laying the smackdown on all of my toxic traits once and for all – RedHook 3:16 says I just whooped my own ass!”

“Breaking Up With” gives us a taste of a larger release set to be announced in the coming months. Watch this space!

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ry X and Blick Bassy Make Beautiful Music Together With “Mbondi”

Aussie talent Ry X has teamed up with French-based Cameroonian singer-songwriter Blick Bassy for a dreamy new single “Mbondi.” Mbondi means flower in the Bassa language, which is only fitting as this track is as mesmerisingly beautiful as a fresh bloom.

I hear this is the first of several collaborations that Ry X and Blick Bassy plans to release. This one is so unique and special, I can’t wait to hear what their creative pairing brings next. Ry X will also play the following European shows in November:

8 November 2024 – Compessa Concert Hall, Vilnius
9 November 2024 – Inside Seaside, Gdansk
11 November 2024 – Teatro Dal Verme, Milan
12 November 2024 – Largo Venue, Rome
14 November 2024 – Club Mixtape 5, Sofia
15 November 2024 – Slovensky Rozhlas, Bratislava
17 November 2024 – Halle E Im MQ, Vienna
18 November 2024 – Posthof, Linz
19 November 2024 – Les Docks, Lausanne
20 November 2024 – Volkshaus, Zurich
21 November 2024 – Le Bikini, Toulouse
22 November 2024 – Sala Apolo, Barcelona
24 November 2024 – Sala But, Madrid
26 November 2024 – Theatro Circo, Braga
27 November 2024 – LAV 1, Lisbon
29 November 2024 – Gagarin 205, Athens
30 November 2024 – TBC, Instanbul

Image used with permission from beehive