Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

JHM and Fractures Team Up For “Fever Dream”

It’s not even lunchtime yet, but I’m already anticipating letting my hair down at the end of the working week. If you’re feeling those Friday vibes, take a listen to “Fever Dream,” the latest single from up-and-coming artist JHM and acclaimed producer Fractures. It’s a match made in heaven, with JHM’s incredible soul vocals the perfect foil for Fractures’ sound. It’s so fresh, but there’s a cool disco funk about it that makes it feel totally nostalgic.

“‘Fever Dream’ captures the feeling of locking eyes with a stranger and knowing something is about to happen between you” JHM explained. “It was inspired by a movie I saw about fairy rings and being tricked into dancing all night. In my head it was like the idea of how sometimes being around that person can feel like you almost can’t look away.”

After supporting acts like Hiatus Kaiyote, PANIA, Queen P, and Kira Puru, you can guarantee we’ll be seeing a lot more of JHM really soon. Follow her on the socials to learn all about her gigs and new music first.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Seb Szabo Drops Empowering Pop Anthem, “She’s a Mirror”

If you need a little extra energy to make it through the week, click play on “She’s a Mirror.” The latest single from Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Seb Szabo, it’s a total bop. With unashamed pop vibes a hint of rock edge, it’s perfect for those impromptu dance breaks. You know you want to.

“The song was inspired by workplace bullying a friend of mine had experienced working for a makeup company. The boss made a number of shitty and gaslighting comments about her appearance and personality, saying she had a ‘resting bitch face’, encouraging her to be more extroverted and loud (which went against her natural personality-type) and encouraging her to wear red lipstick like in her interview because she thought it made her look more confident,” Seb recalled. “She went so far as to say the lipstick had made her think my friend was ‘this confident person… where’s she gone?’ All of this was completely unprompted and frankly just mean.”

Hearing about his friend’s experience brought back a flood of memories for Seb, who had his own struggles with bullying.

“I was bullied in my early years of high school for refusing to fit into a box and for having a more sensitive personality that didn’t align with a lot of the uber-masculine attitudes prized at my high school,” he explained. “This song is for anyone who’s copping shit for existing as themselves, and turning the fight back on anyone who’s trying to make someone else feel small.”

Seb has an exciting couple of months ahead with shows lined up in the United States, the United Kingdom, and a special showcase at home. No doubt this guy is going to be big! Here are all the dates you need!

11 August 2023 – Sofar, Milwaukee
20 August 2023 – Sofar, Chicago
25 August 2023 – UW Madison’s The Terrace, Madison
25 September 2023 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne
3-30 November 2023 – Sofar London Artist Residency

Image used with permission from Sandhill Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Northern Folk Wow Me With “Keep On Coming Over”

Bungambrawatha/Albury-born, Naarm/Melbourne-based band The Northern Folk has blown me away with their new single “Keep On Coming Over.” We’re used to music that’s a little gentler from this awesome act, but they’ve brought a rock edge to this song. It’s fabulous. I love a band that can keep us guessing while continuing to deliver fantastic music. Some acts struggle when they play with genre, but it seems like The Northern Folk really can do it all. The punchier sound reflects the darker themes of isolation brought on by mental illness that the song explores.

“’Keep On Coming Over’ was written in a particularly turbulent period,” explained songwriter Paul Dyason. “It captures moments in a fledgling love where the facade falls away and you hope that what is left is enough. It is a plea for persistence and patience, a snapshot of the hope that accompanies an honest revelation and ultimately an ode to those who feel like their baggage is too much for others to handle.”

The song comes with a gorgeous music video produced by The Northern Folk vocalist Georgie Currie and directed and filmed by the band’s long-time collaborator Mark Day of Another Life Productions. There’s so much to love about this release.

Image credit: Simon Pickering

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

TALLOU Not Playing Games With “marco polo” Release

TALLOU might be a new name on the scene, but she’s no novice. Under her birthname Tiana Dennis, she signed one of her originals to Sony ATV at the tender age of 14. She also played big events like the Woodford Folk Festival and Tamworth Country Music Festival. Then as part of the duo Oh Harlow, she supported Sheppard and Taylor Henderson and even took home a Queensland Music Award. It’s all led her to this moment. Now she’s recording under her new moniker TALLOU and embracing more of an indie-pop sound. Her latest single “marco polo” is fresh and fabulous. Take a listen.

“‘marco polo’ was inspired by a close friend and his constant journey of losing and finding himself through different relationships,” she explained. “We were at the gym one day debriefing about the latest heartbreak and he literally said “I feel like I’m playing Marco Polo with myself”. I thought it was great and immediately wrote it down in my notes app.”

TALLOU will show what she can do live when she supports Sarah Yagki at Black Bear Lodge in Meeanjin/Brisbane on September 10.

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

IRFXXN Gets Me Grooving With “Time”

It’s been far too long since I’ve heard a great old-school R&Pop jam. So I’m pretty excited to get my ears around “Time,” the latest single from Eora/Sydney act IRFXXN. Turn this one up and settle into the groove. I guarantee it’ll make your day better.

“It’s something almost every relationship can relate to, those times where you wish you could do more and everything seems to weigh you down,” IRFXXN said. “Sometimes you just need to let it out, but as easy as that sounds is just how difficult it is. When you’re completely devoted to someone and all you want to do is make it work, being the only one that feels like they’re putting in the effort is probably one of the worst things you can feel in life. Even though you know the relationship will work because of all the effort you’re giving to it, you know that it’s only happening because of how hard you are working and how little effort the girl is giving.”

IRFXXN is starting to establish a fan base here, but I hear he’s got even more listeners in North America and Europe. With songs like this, it’s only a matter of time before he blows up.

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Aiz

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gretta Ziller Releases Fabulous Single “Bones” From New Lockdown Album

If the first songs released are any indication, Gretta Ziller’s new album will be fantastic. She’s dropped her powerful new single “Bones,” but that’s not all. Stream it online and you can also hear the exquisite ballad “Dear Damascus” and another sassy new song, “Ain’t Even Your Lover.” Gretta penned “Bones” during a songwriting exercise for Song Club, a group she joined in 2020 to get through the pandemic lockdowns.

“Bones’ is about my love of music. Playing instruments, songwriting and singing isn’t something I have chosen to do. It was never one of many options for my life. It is the only thing I have ever planned, dreamed & wished to do in my life. From a kid with a violin, that loved to create. To a teenager who played any instrument she could and sung all the time in all the choirs and musicals and everywhere else. To releasing my first EP to now, where I’m touring and performing my own music all over Australia…. Music is in my bones.”

Gretta wrote and recorded all the songs that make up her third studio album All These Walls during the many lockdowns in Naarm/Melbourne. They explore the emotional walls that are put up while we’re confined by physical walls, but she promises it won’t get you down.

“All These Walls is my joy album. I spent the past few years healing and growing, I feel like I am finally back to the place I was when I first started playing music just for the love of it. Many of the tracks on the album are about my loves, for music, for singing, for my family, for my partner. Of course they are disguised in the expected minor rock infused sounds.”

Gretta releases All These Walls on August 25. She’s got a bunch of dates before and after it drops, so make sure you see her wherever you can!

4 August 2023 – The Old Presbyterian Church, Oryang-Ora Country/Springwood
5 August 2023 – Humph Hall, Dharug Country/Allambie Heights
12 August 2023 – Star Hotel, Dhudhuroa/Yackandandah
13 August 2023 – Hydrant Food Hall, Wadawurrung Country/Ballarat
19 August 2023 – Smiths Alternative, Ngambri Country/Canberra
20 August 2023 – The Curious Rabbit, Wiradjuri Country/Wagga Wagga
25 August 2023 – The Noojee Hotel, Wurundjeri Country/Noojee
26 August 2023 – George Lane, Euro Yuroke/St Kilda
27 August 2023 – Bayview Country Arts Club, Bunurong Country/Bittern
19-23 September 2023 – Americana Fest, Nashville
29 September 2023 – Deni Ute Muster, Wamba Wamba and Perrepa Perrepa Country/Deneliquin
16 November 2023 – Qirks, Awabakal Country/Kurri Kurri
17 November 2023 – Wingham House, Birrbay Country/Wingham
19 November 2023 – Can You Keep A Secret, Meeanjin/ Brisbane
1 December 2023 – The Palais, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Hepburn Springs

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hattie Oates Releases Poptastic Single, “Buy Me a Dream”

Maybe it’s the opening of the Barbie movie this week, or the hot pink boots I just received in the mail, but I’m in a bit of an upbeat poppy mood. If you are too, you’re going to love Hattie Oates’ latest single “Buy Me a Dream.” It’s not all sweetness and light though. While it’s got an effervescent energy, its lyrics have some real edge.

“I wanted to write a song about the times you feel like you are giving so much to something or someone, without receiving anything in return,” Hattie explained. “Whether it’s generosity that goes unnoticed or just feeling like you are always the one trying to reach out or check in or make plans.”

More like this please!

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Radical Son Drops Powerful New Single, “Elder”

Don’t you just love those songs that stop you in your tracks? That make you forget about everything except for the music you’re listening to? Those songs are so rare, but “Elder,” the new single from Radical Son, aka David Leha, is one of them. It delivers a powerful and deeply personal statement of David’s devotion to country and his Kamilaroi and Tongan heritage. Honestly, I’ve got goosebumps.

“Elder is a song I began three or four years ago when I was working on country in Moree and Armadale, New South Wales,” he recalled. “I was working on a program with emerging artists called Yanayai, which means ‘returning’. I was helping these artists to create a piece in a genre of their choice and the conditions were that they had to have three generations of their family help them, and they also needed to incorporate some language into that as well. The bones of the song were there then. The language section from Jida Gulpilil (son of David), that came later. It’s quite simple. It’s just saying, ‘Let’s move, let’s dance and celebrate’.”

“Elder” is the first taste of Radical Son’s highly anticipated sophomore album, Biliyambil (The Learning), which features guest performances from David Bridie, Emma Donovan, and Jida Gulpilil. Listen out for that one when it drops in September.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Cameron Bloom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

SANNIA Stuns With “travelling”

SANNIA has one of those voices that just cuts through. Her vocal abilities are only matched by her fantastic songwriting skills. She showcases both those talents in her new single “travelling,” a synth-pop song with true depth.

“I wrote travelling before the pandemic when I was essentially disassociating instead of confronting difficult emotions. It’s about feeling like a passenger in a relationship, you’re just tagging along for the ride, without genuine connection or companionship,” SANNIA explained. “The highlight of the whole song is the guitar solo – recorded by my partner Jason. We set the chord progression to loop, gave him a beer or two and let him fly and what came out had all of our jaws on the ground. I absolutely love playing this one live just for that moment.”

SANNIA is currently writing and recording music in South Carolina, but hopefully it won’t be too long before she’s back home playing for us all.

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

A Swift Farewell and Cassie Jade Join Forces For “FWMH”

Eora/Sydney emo act A Swift Farewell have teamed up with Cassie Jade from Terra for their latest single “FWMH.” Just a tip, if you’re in the office you may want to grab the headphones before you hit play on this one. You’ll figure out what that acronym stands for soon enough! I love the way the male and female voices really bring this song, which deals with reclaiming your power after ending a toxic relationship, to life.

“’We really wanted a second voice, a feature to emphasise the feeling of this song being about a relationship. Cassie’s voice ended up being perfect for it,” said A Swift Farewell guitarist Sarah Bonnet. “Ryo [Sprott, A Swift Farewell frontman] was so nervous on asking Cassie, but as soon as he asked, she immediately said yes without listening to it. When we heard the first mix we knew we created something amazing, and had to show the world.”

I’m a sucker for a male-female duet, but usually they celebrate coupledom instead of independence. I love hearing the way A Swift Farewell and Cassie Jade have flipped things for “FWMH.” This is a fantastic joint release that helps cement A Swift Farewell and Cassie Jade as some of the most exciting acts on the scene.

Image credit: Yoga Punk Photography