Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bumpy Releases Soulful New Single, “Overdrawn”

Ultra-cool Naarm/Melbourne-based Noongar superstar Bumpy is back with her latest single “Overdrawn.” I’m not sure if it’s Bumpy’s incredible vocals or that horn section, but this one’s given me goosebumps.

“‘Overdrawn’ draws parallels between self-indulgence, overexertion and projected expectations. Too many times (especially as blak women) we are told how to present and provide, often pushing our boundaries to accommodate others,” she admitted. “I wanted to create a playful world for me to take back ownership and reflect on my capacity and where it should be directed. Allowing myself to indulge a little, knowing that we are worthy of taking up space and learning how to juggle expectations vs. capacity”.

Bumpy is making the most of the summer festival season with some really cool slots in the coming months. Make sure you check out her set at one of the following events:

27 December 2023 – Woodford Folk Festival, Mulgumpin/Moreton Bay
30 December 2023 – 1 January 2024 – NYE on the Hill, Gunaikurnai Country/South Gippsland (SOLD OUT)
8-11 March 2024 – WOMADelaide @ Botanic Park, Tarntanya/Adelaide

Photo credit: James Morris

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Morgan Evans Releases Another Festive Bop, “Christmas in the Backyard”

Morgan Evans loves a Christmas song. In 2021, he dropped his Aussie-flavoured festive fave, “Christmas in the Sun.” Now he’s released a follow-up “Christmas in the Backyard.”

It’s a little by the numbers, with a simple melody and more references to Aussie Christmas traditions than you can poke a stick at. But there’s also something comforting about a song that encourages you to start singing along to the chorus from the first run-through. And Morgan is an absolute charmer.

“Christmas in the Backyard” is a worthy addition to your holiday playlist this year.

Image used with permission from Chugg Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

BOY SODA Releases New Single & YouTube Series Episode

BOY SODA is quickly establishing himself as a real force on the local music scene. Fresh from his showcase at SXSW Sydney, he’s just dropped a fabulous new single “Company.”

“Making this song was a really cathartic experience as I was basically journalling about my personal boundaries with people, and a sense of self-respect,” he explained. “I think there’s always a balance in life of empathy for others and respect for your own time and energy and learning where those lines begin and end is extremely important for your inner peace.”

BOY SODA has also recently launched a collaborative new series, dubbed SODA SESSIONS, in partnership with Converse. The series sees SODA BOY chatting and performing music with fellow artists. The latest episode, featuring Boomchild, is out now on YouTube.

I’m not sure what 2024 holds for BOY SODA, but with his talent and work ethic, it’s bound to be another big one.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Northern Folk Explore New Sound With “Thank God”

The Northern Folk have charmed me with their gorgeous new single, “Thank God.” It’s a bit of a departure from the sound we’re used to from this Naarm/Melbourne-based ten-piece, more pop ballad than alt-folk, but I think it sounds good on them. And you can’t go wrong when their instruments and harmonies combine.

“’Thank God’ is about trusting yourself, an anthem to self-assurance,” explained the song’s co-writer, Paul Dyason. “It explores the idea of being so lost in a relationship that you begin to forget your own voice. But it doesn’t hide from all the ruminating and ruin that may come with finding your way back to clarity; rather, it turns up its collar and leans into the blizzard, knowing there will be better days ahead.”

Take a moment to stop what you’re doing and really appreciate this song. It deserves better than simply becoming the background to your daily tasks. You can thank me later.

Photo credit: Simon Pickering

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harry Cleverdon Has Me Swooning With “Late Night Trance”

I’m convinced Harry Cleverdon can do no wrong. Every song he releases is the perfect blend of country, folk, and pop. If you go wild for singer-songwriter types like me, I know you’re going to flip for his dreamy new single “Late Night Trance.”

Harry says “It’s a song for anyone who’s ever felt lost, out of control, or in search of their purpose.”

Harry has released so many great songs in 2023, I can’t wait to hear what he’s got in store for us in the New Year.

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ama Releases Relatable New Bop, “Unavailable”

If you’ve ever found yourself inexplicably drawn to someone that’s emotionally unavailable, you’re going to love Ama’s new song “Unavailable.” It’s got a bit of a rock edge with all the pop vibes that made me love her last track “Car Sex.” Because if you’re going to torture yourself over someone, you at least want to have a good time singing about it, right? Whether you’re still pining over the wrong person or glad you’ve cut ties, you’ll want to turn “Unavailable” up.

Image source: Ama website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Xavier Rudd Charms With “High Times”

Xavier Rudd turns the romance all the way up to 11 with his new single “High Times.” It’s a tender acoustic guitar ballad which celebrates the beauty of long-term love.

“I’m stoked to release this song for summer,” Xavier enthused. “No matter what’s going on in our lives we can be thankful for the natural beauty that surrounds us and the freedom to take a breath in those spaces when we can find a little time. The high times.” 

After recently touring around Europe, Xavier is back on home soil. Make sure you catch him at one of his local shows before he jets off again.
6 January 2024 – Ocean Sounds Festival, Moonahmia/Churchill Island
1 March 2024 – Fremantle Prison, Walyalup/Fremantle
2 March 2024 – SummerSalt @ Castelli Estate, Koorabup/Denmark
3 March 2024 – SummerSalt @ Castelli Estate, Koorabup/Denmark

Photo credit: Nathan Hughes

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mathilde Anne Teams Up With Des Cortez Frontman For “Break”

Mathilde Anne has a knack for creating indie pop music with real depth. Her latest effort is “Break,” a super catchy number with some of the most vulnerable lyrics you’re likely to hear and special guest vocals from Des Cortez’ Sam Knight.

“I wrote ‘Break’ in my shower at 12am after a Finneas concert. I was sitting in the shower listening to my “depressing hot girl heart-break” playlist and thinking about a conversation I’d had with my partner,” Mathilde recalls. “In that conversation we came to the conclusion that both of us (me in particular) had a lot of walls up and had kept myself somewhat reserved for fear of having my heart broken again. I wrote it as a way to come to terms with this idea I had during my sad-girl shower that I didn’t want him to not really know me or the way I love”.

Mathilde Anne has had a massive year releasing a stack of new material, scoring a Music Victoria Award nomination, and sharing stages with Cub Sport and Telenova. She’s hitting the ground running in 2024 with a couple of shows in the first week of January. Add these to your calendar, and save room for the other dates that will inevitably follow:

13 January 2024 – Coastal Jam Festival @ Rosebud Village Green, Boonwarrung/Mornington Peninsula
19 January 2024 – The Toff, Naarm/Melbourne (co-headline with Des Cortez)

Photo credit: Max Fairclough

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Sooks Release Summer Smash, “Never Gonna Go”

If The Wombats and The Kooks had a lovechild, it might sound something like The Sooks. Their new single “Never Gonna Go” is absolutely infectious. I know you’ll want to crank this song up and put it on repeat.

“This song is about a girl I saw at the beach a few months back. I was with some mates at the beach and I saw this really pretty girl. I didn’t have a guitar or anything but the song just seemed to write itself in my head,” said the band’s guitarist, Keenan Fitzsimons. “Naturally it has a really surf-rock, summer-pop kinda vibe, a contagious chorus that anyone can sing along to and a groovy riff. The first time we played the song at a show, the crowd was already singing along to the chorus by the end which is something we tried to go for. We really like the sing-alongy vibe of the chorus.”

You can guarantee you’ll be humming this one for the rest of the summer.

Photo credit: Tom Wilkinson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

COTERIE Release Summer Anthem, “Paradise”

Your favorite summer party band COTERIE have released a new anthem for the season, “Paradise.” I know you’ll want to crank this one up loud!

This song sounds fire coming out of your speakers, but you know it’ll be even better live. Consider this your reminder that COTERIE are touring all over the country on their Lush Leopard Regional Summer Tour real soon.

27 December 2023 – Waihi Beach Tavern, Waihi
30 December 2023 – The Good Home Ferrymead, Christchurch
31 December 2023 – The Buxton, Nelson
3 January 2024 – Shake & Bake @ Brewton, Maidstone
8 January 2024 – Totara St, Mount Maungaunui
11 January 2024 – Leigh Sawmill, Leigh
12 January 2024 – Opononi Hotel, Opononi
13 January 2024 – Mangawhai Tavern, Mangawhai
19 January 2024 – Black Barn Vineyards, Havelock North
25 January 2024 – Tanks Arts Centre, Gimuy/Cairns
26 January 2024 – The Seabreeze Hotel, Yuwibara/Mackay
27 January 2024 – Solbar, Kabi Kabi/Maroochydore
2 February 2024 – Froth Craft Brewery, Goomburrup/Bunbury
3 February 2024 – Indian Ocean Hotel, Boorloo/Perth
4 February 2024 – The River Hotel, Wooditup/Margaret River
15 February 2024 – King Street Bandroom, Mulubinba/Newcastle
16 February 2024 – Hello Sailor, Guruk/Port Macquarie
29 February 2024 – Pelly Bar, Boon Wurrung/Frankston
1 March 2024 – The Westernport Hotel, Mellow/San Remo
2 March 2024 – Torquay Hotel, Wadawurrung/Torquay
8 March 2024 – Label., Dharug/Brookvale
9 March 2024 – The Pavilion, Kiama, Dharawal/Kiama

Image used with permission from Good Intent