Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nick Keogh Amps Up His Sound With “Ketamine”

Nick Keogh charmed me with the folky, acoustic-driven songs on his debut EP, 20 & Bored. He’s kicked things up a few notches with his latest single “Ketamine,” and I’m here for it. Switching his acoustic guitar for a telecaster has made his sound much bigger. The witty lyrics are also brilliantly biting, with Nick checking his privilege and in the process reminding others to do the same.

“I wrote Ketamine after I watched a Tik Tok by Lucy Holz where she discusses people at Melbourne Uni ‘fetishising poverty’ and I had a bit of a ‘woah’ moment because that’s something that I do,” he admitted. “It was around the time where I was reassessing my privilege as a white cis-het man in the music industry and didn’t really know what to say. So, I decided to write about just that, from the perspective of a lad in the style of music they’d probably listen to.”

Nick will launch the single for hometown fans in Naarm/Melbourne at NoNo (formerly Penny’s Bandroom) on December 8.

Image used with permission from Nick Keogh

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Cornell on Solo Comeback Trail With “Stick Around

It’s been five years since his last solo single, but five-time Golden Guitar nominee Matt Cornell is coming back with a vengeance. After focusing on his work with duo Cornell & Carr and playing with acts like Shannon Noll and Adam Brand, Matt’s latest track “Stick Around” is a real return to form. It’s a country-rock anthem with a classic feel that draws on Matt’s love of ‘80s music.

“‘Stick Around’ explores the weird phenomenon that True Love often strikes when we least expect it,” Matt explained. “The idea that something so solid and long lasting can be borne out of one boozy fleeting flirty moment. I feel in a way, where I’m at in my life, ‘Stick Around’ is kind of a wish for me personally, I’m currently single, & wanting to settle down to start a family one day, in this song, the guy meets his life partner, has the two kids & a dog, there’s hope for me yet.”

On the back of the single, Matt will play a string of big shows in 2023. Check him out at the following events:
18 February 2023 – Sydney Harbour Cruise, Eora/Sydney
11 March 2023 – The Stock Route Country Music Festival, Wiradjuri Country/Dubbo
14 July 2023 – Country on Keppel, Woppa/Great Keppel Island

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stormy-Lou Exorcise Their Demons With “Nothing To Me”

Kaurna Land/Adelaide four-piece Stormy-Lou are bringing a little angst to your day with their new single “Nothing To Me”. It sounds like a classic alternative rock track, but tap into those lyrics and you’ll hear the optimism coming through. It might be a breakup song, but it reminds us that an ending is so often a new beginning.

“Nothing To Me is our way of saying “f*** you, we’re better now,” the band explained. “All four of us have experienced awful relationships in some shape or form and so this was a really collaborative song for us to express the post-breakup feels. We’re all super confident, bubbly people and that has come from beating hardships and kicking out bad ties in life.”

After wowing hometown crowds with a recent headlining show at the Crown and Anchor, Stormy-Lou will return to the venue to support Sophisticated Dingo on December 1.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co; credit: Eve Burner

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Queency Releases Retro Single, “Purple Diamonds”

I miss Prince terribly. The world is a little darker without him. His legacy extends beyond the music he left to the artists he influenced. One such artist is Queency, a Boorloo/Perth-based singer-songwriter who isn’t afraid to wear his influence on his fabulous sleeve. His new single “Purple Diamonds” is as close to a new Prince song as we’re ever going to get. While it’s pretty derivative, it’s also a whole lot of fun.

“Purple Diamonds is a metaphor for what you have most precious to give to someone you find irresistibly attractive. You know, when they’re just your type and the chemistry is right, you just wanna give that person purple diamonds all night!” Queency enthused. “This song is about feeling so in tune with your partner that you’re ready to truly express yourself in the intimacy you have built and may even fall if you keep entertaining this situation. It’s about being vulnerable, yet insatiable! Look, let’s stop sugar coating: it’s a booty song! And surprise, surprise, I wrote it as I was falling in love with my partner, so he’s definitely inspired it. It’s a shameless synth heavy and vocally stacked retro pop track modernised to 21st Century’s flavours. It’s definitely an ode to 80s pop, but I wanted it to be seasoned to the taste of today! And I like it extra spicy – so we turned the heat all the way up!”.

“Purple Diamonds” is the title track from Queency’s forthcoming EP, which drops on November 24.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Jeff Ettridge

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jessey Napa Drops Cool New Single, “Only Thing I Needed”

Eora/Sydney singer-songwriter Jessey Napa has released his summery new single “Only Thing I Needed.” With a groove that just won’t quit and uplifting lyrics about following your bliss, it’s bound to make you feel better about the world.

“I was in a bit of rut songwriting-wise when a friend of mine encouraged me to change up the way I was writing,” Jessey explained about the song’s creation. “That night I put down the guitar (my usual instrument of choice) and laid down a bass, drum, and piano groove on my laptop. The instrumental must have opened something inside me because the lyrics poured straight out of me. The song remained quite bass and piano heavy until I decided I wanted to up the energy of the track for the live show. By adding guitars reminiscent of Kings of Leon and Catfish and the Bottlemen, I was able to take the energy of the song to a new level”

“Only Thing I Needed” is such a great follow-up to Jessey’s last single “Dixie.” I’ll be listening to this one for a while, but I also can’t wait to hear what comes next.

Image used with permission from Jessey Napa

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Crystal Cities Make Welcome Return With “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore”

After a hiatus of almost a year, Crystal Cities are back with a bang. Their latest single “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” is a big anthemic rock track that ticks all the boxes. In fact, it might just be the best thing they’ve ever released. It’s amazing to think when you realise just how close frontman Geoff Rana came to leaving the industry for good.

“I happened to be going through one of those ‘down’ moments where giving up music and writing songs seemed like the best option for moving forward with my life… Wild peaks of motivation followed by troughs of listlessness are simply part of the experience of being a creative person struggling to find some semblance of success in an ever-changing world… Ironically, it was when I was feeling at my lowest that I happened to sit down with my guitar and start strumming the opening chords for ‘Love Don’t Live Here Anymore’,” he explained. “It was through this song that I found myself reuniting with why I write songs and why I love it so much. ‘Love Don’t Live Here Anymore’ is about the experience of losing something or someone you once loved and then the joy you get from reconnecting with, or rediscovering that something or someone.”

This song is also the first featuring Crystal Cities’ newest member, drummer Neel Shukla who replaced Daniel Conte. Opening with “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore”, this new Crystal Cities’ chapter seems pretty bright.

Image used with permission from The Right Profile

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darcy Lane Celebrates Single Status With “2022 Without You”

For many of us, 2022 has been a year of celebration. With lockdowns seemingly behind us, the world opening up, and the live music scene getting back to some kind of normal, we’ve all had some highlights. For Eora/Sydney Darcy Lane, her single status has been reason alone to embrace this year. “2022 Without You” is an upbeat ode to saying goodbye to relationships that don’t serve you and embracing life unencumbered.

“‘2022 Without You’ is ultimately a celebration of being single in 2022. I started writing it in January and have been adding to it throughout the year,” Darcy explained. “Initially inspired by the aftermath of a breakup, this song is about embracing the changes that life throws at you, moving on, and caring less. In a world where we receive constant reminders of our ex’s existence, it can be hard to ignore what they are doing and who they are doing it with. However, this song is a reminder to me, and hopefully some other people, that it actually does not matter what they are doing as long as you are living your best life.”

As we start gearing up to bid 2022 farewell, this fun track is a great reminder of the year that was. Hopefully we’ll hear a lot more from Darcy Lane as we kick off 2023.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bella Deer Blossoms With Debut Solo Single “Bloom”

Bella Deer is one of those rare artists who sounds like a seasoned pro straight out of the gate. “Bloom” is her debut single, but you wouldn’t know it by listening to it. Her vocals are powerful and confident, and the song’s lyrics are outstanding. I’m going to be humming that melody for the rest of the day too.

Bella isn’t quite a novice though. She’s shared stages with Husky Gawenda, Thando, and Emma Donovan and The Putbacks. However, this is her first time stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist. Listening to “Bloom”, I’d say it’s about time.

“This song is about struggling with self-confidence and mustering the courage to simply be yourself and accepting who you are and what you stand for,” Bella explained. “When you start to do this, you find that you’re accepted despite those fears. It also explores the frustrations with the lack of meaningful human connections in our society in a tech-obsessed world.”

Bella will play Door Gallery Café in Wathaurong/Fyansford on November 19.

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Lucinda Goodwin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jelly Oshen Releases Your Summer Soundtrack, “Good Days”

It’s starting to feel like summer is approaching. The days are longer, the warm weather seems like it’s sticking around, and I’m enjoying sticking my toes in the ocean and having weekend brunches at outdoor cafes. If you’re celebrating an early summer too, you’re going to love Jelly Oshen’s new track “Good Days.” This one is all about the good vibes, with a cool reggae-tinged R&B groove that I know you’re going to love. Jelly was inspired to write this after watching the last episode of The Office.


“There was a quote from the character I hated the most which said, ‘I wish there was a way to tell that you are in the good ole days, before you’ve actually left them…someone should make a song about that quote’, so I made a song about it. But in general, it’s about enjoying the moments before they pass,” he explained. “I used the usual process of thinking about the topic and emotions, creating the music to set the mood/tone and then write the lyrics as I go along. The difference in this song is that I didn’t line it with any lesson to learn besides that life can just be sad and hard and confusing and that’s just how it is sometimes, which in itself is still an important lesson I guess”.

Jelly will play Rolling Hills at Eatons Hill Hotel in Meeanjin/Brisbane on November 19 and Reggaetown Festival in Ngunbay/Kuranda on November 20.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Seb Szabo Releases Fantastic New Track, “Leading on You (Wrecking Ball)”

Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Seb Szabo has just dropped his funky new single “Leading on You (Wrecking Ball)”. If you know Seb’s material, I think this one might surprise you. It’s a world away from his folky singles, but I absolutely love its bold attitude.

“The song has had a long journey, but it’s evolved into something super polished without losing any of the teeth or groove it’s had since its raw beginning,” said Seb.

Seb is currently on the road supporting this single’s release. You can still catch him at one of the following venues:

12 November 2022 – O’Skulligan’s, Meeanjin/Brisbane
25-27 November 2022 – Queenscliff Music Festival, Wadawurrung Country/Queenscliff
3 December 2022 – The Toff In Town, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from Habit Music; credit: Lucinda Goodwin