Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Josh Setterfield Brings New Party Anthem To CMC Rocks 2024

CMC Rocks 2024 kicks off tonight! While international acts like Lainey Wilson and Chris Young will grab the headlines, I’m music more interested in up-and-coming local talents like Josh Setterfield. He’s just released a cool new party anthem “Something That You Just Might Like” which is perfect for the occasion.

“I wrote a pretty laidback party track to get myself out of writer’s block, I played it at some shows and people went WILD for it, singing along before it had even ended,” he said. “It’s been the best response I’ve EVER had for an unreleased song and people have said it reminds them of early Florida Georgia Line vibes. Bro country revival 2024, what’s good!? Haha!”

Josh will play the tailgate stage at CMC Rocks 2024 tonight exclusively for campers before taking the event’s main stage on March 17.

Image used with permission from DWM Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angus Legg Wows Me With “Drugs With My Friends”

Naarm/Melbourne singer-songwriter Angus Legg continues to impress with the release of his latest single “Drugs With My Friends.” Longtime readers will have heard me heaping praise on Angus’ music before … get ready to hear me do it all again. This song’s got a little more of an indie-pop vibe, but it’s anchored by the incredible lyrics that drew me in to Angus’ music. This track acts as a companion piece to “Spaceship,” which Angus released last year.

“‘Spaceship’ is about the sorrow surrounding the earliest stages of my breakup, whilst ‘Drugs With My Friends’ is representative of the genesis of my healing journey. The part where I realised I could begin to be myself again, reclaim my autonomy and freedom, simultaneously learning new things about myself,” Angus explained. “This is the exciting part of the healing journey with a chaotic counterpart, it can often be emotionally overwhelming and lonely, but mostly it’s playful and expressive.”

This is another stunner from Angus Legg. If he’s not already on your radar, he should be.

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fingerless Release Live Favourite, “Yes Today”

Meeanjin/Brisbane trio Fingerless have just dropped their epic new rock track “Yes Today.” This song has been a staple of the band’s live set for years, and now we finally get the chance to hear it in all its glory. Fingerless fans will notice it’s a little more mellow than the way the band play it on stage, but this take actually strikes the balance between the live version and the original home-recorded demo.

“The song is about being in emotional turmoil,” says Marc Cheeseman, the band’s lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter. “Going through something, but finding it really difficult to put that into words, to actually tell someone. “This line from Bram Stoker’s Dracula kept coming back to me while writing it – something about a ‘painted ship in a painted ocean’, it just fit so well and I felt that it summed up the feeling I was trying to put into the song.”

“Yes Today” is a classic psychedelic-inspired rocker that refuses to conform to modern standards. It’s been far too long since I’ve heard a rock track that runs longer than six minutes and has a killer guitar solo. I’m here for it.

Photo credit: Johnny Pickvance

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gypsy Road Release Stellar Single, “The 7 Stages of Grief”

Naarm/Melbourne emo/post-punk act Gypsy Road have really impressed me with their latest single “The 7 Stages of Grief.” It’s a real emotional sucker punch, as any good song from this genre should be. But there’s a little more than that going on. When so many acts in this genre sound like they could be from anywhere, this track’s distinctly Australian sound really sets it apart. I also love the way that frontman Alex Centofanti’s raw voice sounds against the purer vocals from Peony Cain.

“This one is about mourning a breakup and feeling like someone you’ve loved has died,” Alex explained. “For the first time ever, we decided to include female vocals and screams, which was a new experience for us. I feel like it adds more depth to the intensity and passion.”

After releasing a trio of EPs, Gypsy Road are preparing to release their first album, Letters to a Friend, From Interstate. Listen out for it in the middle of the year.

Image used with permission from Ruckus PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

James Reyne Guitarist Josh Owen Impresses With “Hold Your Breath”

As a keen James Reyne fan, I’ve been impressed by the guitar prowess of Josh Owen for some time. So my hopes were high for the release of his new solo single, “Hold Your Breath.” Believe it or not, this bluesy rock is even better than I imagined.

If you like what you hear, strap yourself in for plenty more from Josh. He’ll release his debut album, As the Night Falls, in August. Before that he’s got a couple of headlining shows to support the singles. He’ll also play a solo set before rejoining James Reyne Band at all the upcoming Crawl File tour shows. Here’s everywhere you can see Josh in the coming months.

8 March 2024 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide (supporting James Reyne)
9 March 2024 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide (supporting James Reyne)
11 March 2024 – Anita’s Theatre, Dharawal Country/Thirroul (supporting James Reyne)
23 March 2024 – Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting James Reyne)
7 April 2024 – Northcote Social Club, Wurundjeri Country/Northcote (1pm single launch with Nick Barker)
11 April 2024 – Vanguard, Eora/Newtown (single launch)
12 April 2024 – Sunken Monkey, Darkinjung Country/Erina (supporting James Reyne)
13 April 2024 – Toronto Hotel, Awabakal Country/Toronto (supporting James Reyne – SOLD OUT)
27 April 2024 – The Forth Pub, Punnilerpanner Country/Forth (supporting James Reyne)
28 April 2024 – Longley Hotel, Muwinina Country/Longley (supporting James Reyne)
10 May 2024 – Dee Why RSL, Gadigal Country/Dee Why (supporting James Reyne)
11 May 2024 – Anita’s Theatre, Dharawal Country/Thirroul (supporting James Reyne)
24 May 2024 – Corowa RSL, Wiradjuri Country/Corowa (supporting James Reyne)
25 May 2024 – SS&A, Bungambrawatha/Albury (supporting James Reyne)
7 June 2024 – The Charles, Boorloo/Perth (supporting James Reyne)
8 June 2024 – The Charles, Boorloo/Perth (supporting James Reyne – SOLD OUT)
19 July 2024 – Moncrieff Entertainment Centre, Kabi Kabi Country/Bundaberg (supporting James Reyne)
20 July 2024 – Brolga Theatre, Kabi Kabi Country/Maryborough (supporting James Reyne)
26 July 2024 – Twin Towns, Bundjalung Country/Tweed Heads (supporting James Reyne)

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Delta Goodrem Releases Fire New Single, “Hearts on the Run”

Delta Goodrem is one of the most consistent talents in our country. What she releases is always good, so good that perhaps it doesn’t get its due. But every now and then she releases something that’s not just good: it’s great. Her latest single “Hearts on the Run” is one of those special tracks, a high-octane anthem that you’re going to be humming for the rest of the week.

“I wrote ‘Hearts on the Run,’ as a message that it’s possible to tap into an unyielding positivity,” Delta explained. “I wanted to create a high-energy feeling with so much momentum, that you can’t help but run. That feeling when you’re in the middle of a marathon, when your legs ache, when your breath is running out, and you question how much further you can go… It’s precisely in that moment that the song insists you can go further, driven by a combination of love and an unbreakable spirit. The song urges you to discover what you’re truly made of by pushing your own boundaries. This song was made to make me run! Your heart is on the run!”

Delta has a handful of shows in different parts of the world in the coming months, so catch her anywhere you can:

23 March 2024 – Centennial Vineyards, Gundungurra/Bowral (supporting Tom Jones)
18-25 May 2024 – Holiday Inn Resort, Kandooma
2 June 2024 – Mighty Hoopla Festival @ Brockwell Park, London (SOLD OUT)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Emma Yue Releases Powerful New Single, “Lonely Lover”

Naarm/Melbourne artist Emma Yue recently dropped her new single “Lonely Lover,” a song of resilience and self-reliance. The lyrics are so strong, and I love its folk meets rock vibe. You can hear the influence of local acts like Spacey Jane and The Backseat Lovers along with some of Emma’s longest music loves like the Cranberries and early Taylor Swift.

“When I wrote the song it was after a night out with a friend of mine and her long-time childhood friend who had come to visit her,” Emma recalled. “I had such a lovely time with them both, but seeing their familiarity and effortless closeness made me feel incredibly lonely and got me thinking about my friendships and how moving countries at age 10 and 12 had played its role in them. That was about three years ago now, and since then the meaning of the song has very much changed to being about the loneliness of having a difficult emotional relationship with my parents. I was also reflecting on other parts of my life so far where I had felt lonely, growing up as a woman of colour in a predominantly white society, being a member of the LGBTQ community and being neurodivergent were all things that had made me feel socially isolated at various points too. While the song sounds upbeat and defiant and like an anthem of independence, it really is just about a girl who has a soul-deep loneliness and realises the only way that’s going to change is to become everything she needed for herself.”

Emma will celebrate the release of “Lonely Lover” with a hometown show at The Gasometer on March 28. Her first headline show last June sold out, so don’t sleep on these tickets.

Photo credit: Sara Regan (Elytssara)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Worm Girlz Release Latest Power Punk Anthem “Cool Girl”

Crank up your speakers and then press play. Worm Girlz’ latest single “Cool Girl” demands to be played loud. It’s a fierce, frenetic rocker that is bound to put a smile on your face and your fist in the air. If this is the new wave of grrrl power, I’m here for it!

“We wrote ‘Cool Girl’ as a call to action to hold your mates responsible and call them out when you witness inappropriate behaviour,” explained vocalist Lauren. “Again and again we’ve had to sit and listen while people we know attempt to justify the manipulative, discriminatory, or even abusive acts of their shitty friends and there’s not much more we can take, so we channelled our upset and frustrations into writing this song. We urge listeners to raise the bar by being better bystanders and speaking up in abusive situations or else the consequences can be deadly.”

Worm Girlz recently declared on social media that 2024 is the Year of the Worm, and with strong tunes like this in their arsenal it’s hard to disagree!

Photo credit: Georgia Griffiths

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jake Davey Releases Feelgood New Single “Second Chance”

If you’re need a little pick-me-up today, look no further than “Second Chance,” the latest single from Jake Davey. It’s an upbeat country-pop anthem about moving forward, despite the odds. Just see if you’re not feeling inspired by the time the song ends.

If you want to keep the good times flowing, make sure you grab a ticket for the Viper Creek Band’s Sydney Harbour Cruise on November 2. Jake will be one of the special guest entertainers on what’s sure to be a stacked event.

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sin City Rock My Socks Off With “Candy”

Sin City, a Naarm/Melbourne-based Kiwi band formed in Spain, are making the kind of country-rock that we just don’t hear enough of. Their latest single “Candy” is a raucous track that’s all the better for being a little rough around the edges. It was recorded on an analogue reel to reel tape, which gives it such a cool vintage feel. Singer and keyboardist Nick Armstrong said the band wrote the song about a romance cut short due to the demands of being a travelling musician.

“When you eventually see they’ve moved on and are happy, you can’t help but be a little bit disappointed!” he admitted. “But passing flings can’t last, and you have to accept it. That’s what this song is about.”

You can hear more from Sin City when they release their sophomore album Another Round in April.

Image used with permission from Chris Familton Publicity