Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Imogen Clark Releases Fantastic New Christmas Single

I love Christmas music, but I’m a bit picky about it. Every year there are plenty of new Christmas songs released, but most of them are overly cliché and cloying. They feel like a cash grab rather than an honest contribution to the canon of Christmas music. So when I do bring you a Christmas song, you know it’s good. Wrap your ears around “Not Christmas Here,” the latest singer from Imogen Clark. Penned with acclaimed singer-songwriter Steve Poltz and recorded with an all-star cast of musicians at Peter Frampton’s Studio Phenix in Nashville, it manages to be sweet without being schmaltzy.

“I went to the US to write and record earlier this year, and while I was there, I decided this was my last visit and the next time I came back would be me moving there” Imogen recalled. “I was so excited but also overwhelmed and terrified about moving to the other end of the Earth. I thought of my Aussie Christmases, visiting my family home in Western Sydney and taking stock of what I’ve learned, achieved and overcome in the last twelve months. This song is me projecting ahead to how I’ll feel on my first Christmas living in America, without my family close by, and without all the trappings of an Australian Christmas – the sweltering heat, seafood dinners and white wine.”

“It was so much fun writing this song with Imogen,” Steve added. “She’s a great collaborator and a wonderful songsmith with great instincts. It put us in the Christmas spirit while we were smack dab in the middle of a heatwave in Nashville. Honored to be a part of the whole shebang.”

She might be based in the United States now, but Imogen won’t stay away for too long. She’ll play a string of shows as a special guest of BOWEN * YOUNG in January. If you’re stuck for Christmas gift ideas, might I suggest some tickets?

12 January 2024 – Barwon Club, Djilang/Geelong
13 January 2024 – Thornbury Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne
14 January 2024 – Theatre Royal, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Castlemaine
19 January 2024 – Factory Theatre, Eora/Sydney
20 January 2024 – Lizotte’s, Mulubinba/Newcastle
21 January 2024 – Capitol Theatre, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth
27 January 2024 – IMB Theatre, Woolyungah/Wollongong
28 January 2024 – The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Photo used with permission from Chinwag PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Josh Setterfield Drops Smash New Single “Stay” Ahead of First Local Headlining Show

Rising country artist Josh Setterfield has impressed me time and again with his releases. His latest single “Stay” is another banger which infuses country with a hint of rock edge. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself humming this one for the rest of the day. It’s a serious earworm!

“Stay” comes from Josh’s EP Rise, which is full of those tracks that had me raving. If you’re already a fan like me, it’s a great reminder of just how much awesome material he’s released. And if you’re new to the party, consider this your introduction. Josh will play his first ever Aussie headline show in his hometown of Meeanjin/Brisbane at the Arcana Empress Theatre on January 13 as part of his Kinda World Tour. Tickets are on sale now from Eventbrite.

Image used with permission from DWM Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Anna Smyrk Releases Anti-New Year Single, “January Makes Me Sad”

There are plenty of songs about holiday cheer, but not everyone is buzzing with excitement about the festive season. If the thought of the new year ahead makes you feel melancholy, Anna Smyrk’s poignant new single “January Makes Me Sad” is for you. She recorded the track in Nashville with producers Jake Finch and Collin Pastore, known for their work with boygenius and Lucy Dacus. I can definitely hear their influence here, although it’s still got that recognisable Anna stamp.

“This is a song about the pressure that comes with the start of a new year,” Anna explained. “We have this culture of resolutions and renewal buzzing around in January and I always get sucked into it, thinking that this year I’m going to reinvent myself into a shiny new person. But inevitably the weeks go by and I’m still the same as I was last year.”

Anna should shake off the blues just in time for her first US tour in February. If you’re Stateside, here are all the dates you need:

1 February 2024 – Funk N Waffles, Syracuse
3 February 2024 – One Broadway Collaborative, Lawrence
4 February 2024 – Brick Hill House Concerts, Orleans
9 February 2024 – The Drum Roll, Rochester
10 February 2024 – Abilene, Rochester
11 February 2024 – Pittsburgh Winery, Pittsburgh
12 February 2024 – The Sharon Apollo Maennerchor Club, Sharon
13 February 2024 – The Treelawn Social, Cleveland
14 February 2024 – Grounds for Thought, Bowling Green
15 February 2024 – Natalie’s, Columbus
16 February 2024 – Hirth Happenings, Maineville
18 February 2024 – Bad Branch House Concerts, Whiteburge
21-25 February 2024 – Folk Alliance International Official Showcase, Kansas City

Photo credit: Jeff Andersen Jnr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

AYLA Drops Relatable Indie-Pop Banger, “Should’ve Been Fine”

We’ve all had those moments where we question what might have been. Perhaps it was the case of the wrong timing or we were just too scared to make the leap, but we can’t help replaying situations in our minds and asking what could have been. AYLA explores one of her greatest “what ifs” in her fabulous new single “Should’ve Been Fine.”

“I wrote this song about being in love with my best friend, who loved me back, but we knew it wouldn’t work out,” she recalled. “’Holding off on happiness cause some stupid little things didn’t line up’ is a line in the chorus that pretty much sums it up! I was really feeling like life was too short to let anything get in the way of two people loving each other and being together”.

I’ve written about so many AYLA singles over the years, but this one might just be my favourite. I’m going to sit with this one for a bit, but I can’t wait to hear what comes next.

Photo credit: She is Aphrodite

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan Keyes + The New Rides Off to Strong Start With “London”

“London,” the latest single by Dan Keyes + The New Rides, is one of those songs that sneaks up on you. I thought it was nice on the first listen, but before long I realised I’d played it three times straight. I’m pretty sure I’ll be humming its chorus for the rest of the day.

The outfit is fronted by Dan Keyes, who was born and raised in Texas but now splits his time between Australia and Los Angeles. While this is his new outfit’s first single, Dan’s every bit as experienced as his voice suggests. He began touring at just 18 when his former band Recover, a post-hardcore act, inked a deal with legendary label Fueled by Ramen. He then went on to form the dance rock project Young Love in the mid-2000s, but felt unprepared for the fame and all that came with it. And so, he left Young Love behind and headed west, which ultimately led to the birth of Dan Keyes + The New Rides.

Dan, who collaborated with local songwriter and producer Tim Metcalfe on the track, said, “We wanted it to sound classic, familiar and new all the same time. A modern, Aussie take on Americana, if you will … The song lyrics are quite intentionally vague; it’s how you interpret it. Do I sound like I come from London? No. Does Tim, who I co-wrote the song with, sound like he is? Maybe. It’s about wanting to walk, or run to someone, in the middle of the night, for no real reason other than wanting to be with them; in that moment.”

“London” isn’t just the first song from Dan Keyes + The New Rides. It’s also the first release from the newly revived Wheatley Records. First established in 1980 by the late, great Glenn Wheatley, Wheatley Records nurtured the careers of John Farnham, Real Life, Pseudo Echo, and heaps more. I for one can’t wait to see what comes next for this independent label.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rosa Mack Wows Me With “When I’m Alone”

The release of “When I’m Alone,” the debut single from Meeanjin/Brisbane artist Rosa Mack shows she’s a force to be reckoned with. This is one of the strongest debuts I’ve heard in some time, a soaring, soulful number that effortlessly combines blues, soul, and jazz influences into a song that’s timeless, yet fresh. You’ll feel this one while you’re marvelling at her impressive pipes.

“’When I’m Alone’ reveals the tension of journeying from the confines of a toxic relationship into the liberating freedom of aloneness. The desire for connection is juxtaposed with desperation for solitude and inner peace, having found loneliness in partnership and empowerment through new-found independence,” Rosa explained. “’When I’m Alone’ is a reclamation of one’s self, defining and celebrating the distinction between loneliness and the joy of being alone.”

Rosa Mack and her seven-piece band have already played their last show of the year, but you’ll want to follow her on the socials to see what they do next.

Photo credit: Jax Oliver

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Bad Dad Orchestra Wow Me With “Birds of Prey”

The Bad Dad Orchestra are a bit of a local secret, beloved in their native Lutruwita/Tasmania but largely unknown on the mainland. Listening to their latest single “Birds of Prey,” which features Julian Moss, the song of living legend Ian Moss, I’m convinced they should be every bit as big as the Teskey Brothers. They’ve got a similar classic soulful sound, but for some reason they just haven’t broken through.

They’re hardly newcomers either. They’ve released three EPs since 2016 and received extensive support from community radio and ABC’s regional channels. They’ve even played top national festivals like Blues on Broadbeach, Caloundra Music Festival, and Queenscliff Music Festival.

The Bad Dad Orchestra deserve all the accolades. We’ve all been sleeping on them. That’s on us. I’m not sure when we’ll see them on the mainland next, but they’ve got a stack of gigs booked in their home state. Catch them anywhere you can:

9 December 2023 – Forth #151, Punnilerpanner Country/Forth
16 December 2023 – Royal Oak, Kanamuluka/Launceston
31 December 2023 – Beerfest NYE, Royal Park, Kanamuluka Country/Launceston
21 January 2024 – Tamar Valley Festival, Kinimathatakinta/George Town
28 January 2024 – Mona Lawns @ Mona, Nipaluna/Hobart
2 February 2024 – Festival of King Island, Erobin/Currie
8-11 February 2024 – Party in the Paddock @ Quercus Park, Kanamuluka Country/Carrick
24 February 2024 – Love It Music Festival, Kanamuluka Country/Sassafras
2 March 2024 – Spoke Music Festival, Paredarerme Country/Swansea
3 March 2024 – Shearwater Resort, Tommeginne/Shearwater (supporting Rose Tattoo)
16 March 2024 – Forth Valley Blues Festival, Punnilerpanner Country/Forth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Neilson Releases Feelgood Folk Ditty, “Lifted”

Former Standby Empire frontman Tom Neilson has totally reinvented himself, trading in his electronic music for sweeter folk-pop sounds. After listening to his latest single “Lifted,” I can’t imagine him doing anything else. This is such a heartwarming number that celebrates the people whose love helps us move through this thing called life.

“Love. Life. Hope and loss. ‘Lifted’ is my ode to our resilient beating hearts. Our connection to one another. Our intrinsic willingness to love again and again,” Tom explained. “It’s love in the face adversity, love in the face of doubt, love in that face of fear and love in face of pain. From gentle beginnings this song builds towards its joyful finale, a celebration of our loving hearts and their capacity to lift us all.”

Take a listen and I swear you’ll feel better about the world. And maybe feel inspired to call some of the special people in your life. I hear Tom has plenty of new music ready to go, so make sure you follow him on the socials to learn all about it as soon as it drops.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Andy Martin Charms With “I Don’t Wanna Go Out”

Andy Martin has just dropped his fabulous new single “I Don’t Wanna Go Out” It’s an upbeat indie-pop earworm that should strike a chord with anyone who’s felt hibernating at home was the best option!

“I wrote ‘I Don’t Wanna Go Out’ back in February last year. Due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19, I began getting more and more socially anxious and I wrote this song around that central theme,” Andy recalled. “I’m constantly stuck in my head and when I wrote this, I felt stuck in my house as well (but didn’t know what to do). I feel like some people will be able to relate to this one closely. It’s hooky, fun, and playful, and Aidan [Hogg, producer] and Brock [Weston, mastering] really brought this one to life!”

Fresh from supporting PAIGE and Pacific Avenue, Andy will embark on a quick tour to support the recent release of “I Don’t Wanna Go Out”. All shows are free, so there’s no excuse for staying home in your PJs!

8 December 2023 – Solbar, Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country/Sunshine Coast (FREE)
9 December 2023 – The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane (FREE)
17 December 2023 – Hotel Brunswick, Durring/Brunswick Heads (FREE)

Photo credit: Darcy Goss

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ella Haber Releases Beautiful Single “My Father” Ahead of EP Launch

Multi-talented Eora/Sydney based artist Ella Haber has just dropped her breathtaking new single “My Father.” This is the lead single for Ella’s EP Moments Between Dreams, to be released on February 16. It sets the tone, as one of six songs conceptualised and written entirely on bedroom pianos that explore the theme of familial love.

“I needed to release myself from my own numbness, isolation, inactivity and loneliness induced by successive lockdowns, a long-term relationship coming to a close and a disconnection from my own body and heart. As soon as lockdown ended, I found new love, threw myself into activism and connected deeply with new friends for the first time in years. I felt a profound hope for the future, and I felt a restlessness to dive into the next chapter of my life with all senses open and alive with feeling,” Ella recalled. Of the EP, she says “It represents a maturation in songwriting and production for me as an artist. I feel the scope of my songwriting has expanded significantly on this record, much past the confines of Clay. The record draws from folk, indie, pop and rock but still to me is founded in the bedrock of soul and jazz.“

While the EP will have a digital release, it’s always much better to have something to hold. Ella will release her EP on standard vinyl and a limited-edition clear vinyl. Both are available to preorder now.

Photo credit: Thea Elder