Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

LOSER Shows a Different Side With New Ballad, “Only One”

The music scene has been a little quiet as everyone’s taken time off for the festive season, so I’m pretty excited to hear my first great new release for the year. LOSER have just dropped “Only One”, their third song from their Stadium Dreams on a Bedroom Budget EP, and it continues the trend of quality releases from this alt-rock act.

It’s more of a ballad than the EP’s previous songs, but you could hardly accuse it of being gentle. If those powerful, heartfelt vocals don’t wake you up from your mid-afternoon slump, nothing will.

“The ballad of the EP, this song took ages to get right. We recorded it multiple times and I doubted it for a while but eventually, we got the right sound. ‘Only One’ is one of the first love songs I have written,” Tim Maxwell admitted. “No matter how many times you fuck up in life there will always be someone by your side to support you and give you hope.”

The music video sees the band playing live, giving fans a little taste of what they’re in for when they come to a LOSER show.

“We wanted all the music videos for the release to be live performances. This was to create a different reason to watch the video, because you are getting an actual live take audio performance and not the audio from the EP,” the band explained. “We also wanted to show people that we can actually play our own instruments. It’s funny that in 2023 that has become a point of difference, but we don’t wanna hide behind technology, because when it comes to performing we’re the real deal.”

You’ll get a chance to see LOSER playing live when they launch the single at Yah Yah’s in Naarm/Melbourne on February 17. The next track from their EP drops on February 24.

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Ian Laidlaw

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Find Yourself Under Bumpy’s Spell With “Hide & Seek”

What better way to kick off the New Year than with one of the country’s very best voices? Bumpy, a Naarm/Melbourne artist and proud Noongar woman, is about to release her debut EP, but before that she’s treating us to a sumptuous new single, Hide & Seek”.

“‘Hide & Seek has lived in many different forms in this project. From playing it solo, duo, trio to full band it has been a really enjoyable time arranging it to be recorded, trying to reflect more of the live band’s sound,” Bumpy explained. “Hide & Seek follows the playfulness of desire and the feelings of getting caught up in temptation.”

This track showcases Bumpy’s sublime vocals perfectly. Her soulful voice is just exquisite, and she knows how to use it just right. She isn’t one of those artists who litters her songs with runs and trills, preferring instead to use her voice to tell stories. It’s so authentic and honest, ensuring her message cuts through.

“Hide & Seek” comes from Bumpy’s EP Morning Sun, which drops on January 27.

Image used with permission from [PIAS] Australia; credit: Feign Jima

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Casey Donovan Drops NYE Anthem “Shake It”

With the end of the year just a day away, Casey Donovan has dropped the ultimate party anthem. Once you hear “Shake It” once, I’m pretty sure you’ll add it to your NYE playlist. This is Casey’s first original single since she dropped her Eurovision entrant back in 2020, and it’s well and truly worth the wait.

A song this fun could only come with an equally entertaining music video. The clip, which stars some elite ballroom dancers, was filmed at the Revesby Community Centre, in the Bankstown LGA where Casey grew up.

“I’m proud of who I am and where I come from both heritage and the place, I grew up in,” Casey confirmed. “I will never mask or shy away from the suburbs, we all start from somewhere and everything and anything is possible”.

You can watch Casey debut this song tomorrow night at the ABC’s New Year’s Eve concert at the Sydney Opera House. She’ll be back there on January 26 for the network’s Australia Day concert. She’ll also appear on ABC’s Sydney World Pride concert at the Domain on February 24 and the Sydney World Pride First Nations Concert at the Opera House on March 2. Then on March 9 she’ll begin her starring run in & Juliet. It’s not even 2023, but already it’s shaping up to the be a big year for Casey Donovan!

Image used with permission from Karen-Lee Goody

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Michael Carpenter & The Banks Brothers Drop Bluegrass Banger, “If You’d Have Told Me”

I’m not sure I’ve ever written about a bluegrass track on Sounds of Oz before. After listening to “If You’ve Have Told Me”, the latest single from Michael Carpenter & The Banks Brothers, I’m convinced I need more music from this genre in my life. Michael said it wrote the song about the “hidden extras” that often reveal themselves in relationships once you’re in them.

With so much country music focused on crossing over to the mainstream, it’s refreshing to hear something so pure. If you dig it too, you’ll be as excited as I am to hear there’s more where this came from. Michael Carpenter & The Banks Brothers have recorded a whole bluegrass album, to be released early next year. Fans might get an early listen to some of that material when Michael Carpenter & The Banks Brothers play the Hunter Valley’s Dashville Skyline festival from February 25 to 27.

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Sunday Estate Back With “Lost and Disappointed”

After impressing me with singles “Bike Thief” and “When You Get Home” in 2021, The Sunday Estate fell off my radar. It turns out they spent much of this year writing so they could end the year on a high. “Lost and Disappointed” is everything I love about these guys. It’s got a great pop-rock sound and super relatable lyrics.

“‘Lost and Disappointed’ is about being stuck in a loop of negative thought patterns, constantly overanalysing, overthinking and replaying everything you do in your head,’ explained the band’s frontman, Conor O’Reilly.

The good news is that this is just the first of three songs The Sunday Estate wrote with Xavier Dunn, who’s worked with the likes of Jack River, Gretta Ray, and Peking Duck. It sounds like we’ll be hearing a lot more from The Sunday Estate in 2023.

Image used with permission from Mirror Music Group; credit: Jess Gleeson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

LOSER Continue Hot Streak With “Hold On You”

LOSER’s EP Stadium Dreams on a Bedroom Budget is shaping up well with the release of their latest single “Hold On You”. This fabulous rock track is a worthy follow-up to last month’s release, “Heaven Can Wait”.

“This is probably my favourite song on the EP,” said frontman Tim Maxwell. “I started listening to heaps of Aerosmith and this song just fell out in one day. Usually the songs that take less effort are the ones I think are special because your consciousness is running in a way unlike any other. This song is about having a deep connection with another human being who you never want to let go of.”

LOSER will continue releasing songs from this EP every month or so, like episodes from an addictive Netflix series. If they’re as good as the ones that have already dropped, we’re in for a real treat.

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Ian Laidlaw

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jack Hudson Drops Catchy New Single “One Way Ticket”

You know those songs that you hear that seem instantly familiar? “One Way Ticket” by Queensland country-rock act Jack Hudson is one of those songs. It was only released this month, but its easy harmonies, big guitars, and punchy drums pay homage to the radio-friendly rock of the early 2000s. I never mind a throwback done well, and this is done really well.

“Have you ever found yourself feeling like you were at the lowest crossroads in life, yet the only direction to travel is up? ‘One Way Ticket’ is a song about exactly that!” Jack explained. “At the apex of 2021, I found myself between relationships, isolated from friends and family and stuck in a permanent rut.”

Music has been one way that Jack’s gotten out of that rut. After spending 10 years as a “gun for hire” sideman and musical director, he’s now focusing on sharing his own original songs with the world.

“This project is about sharing my experiences, thoughts and beliefs as a young man, through songs I birthed on my acoustic guitar. The thrill of the project has been taking my raw tracks to the studio to collaborate in real-time with some of my best friends and favourite players. It felt like the right time and place to make music with the people I have in my circle. Whilst it is early days for this project, I am excited as I know a lot more music is to be written and released. After the events of 2020 and 2021, I just can’t wait to get out on the road and share this project with the world”.

Hopefully that means we’ll see him gigging around the country, and perhaps the planet, next year!

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Piper Butcher Makes Strong Statement With “Unconscious Mind”

Piper Butcher proves she’s one to watch with her bold new single “Unconscious Mind.” It’s a gritty anthem, a call to arms that encourages people to seize their opportunities to carve out the life they want.

“People crave freedom in their own lives, but sometimes the only person blocking that is themselves”, said Piper of the song’s inspiration.

After enjoying some downtime for Christmas, Piper will head to Tamworth for the Country Music Festival followed by Thredbo’s Blues Festival. Mark these dates in your calendar fans!

14 January 2023 – The Welder’s Dog, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth (FREE)
15 January 2023 – Fanzone Stage, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth (10:30 am)
19 January 2023 – Maton Showcase @ West Blazes, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth (10 am)
19 January 2023 – West Diggers, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth (with Melanie Dyer)
27-29 January 2023 – Thredbo Blues Festival, Monero – Ngarigo Country/Thredbo

Image used with permission from Red Rebel Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lewis McKee Releases Super Sophomore Single, “Coming Home”

With Christmas looming, many of us are travelling home to be with family and other loved ones. So it seemed like the perfect time to introduce you to “Coming Home,” the fantastic new single from Lewis McKee.

You might not have heard Lewis’ name before, but it doesn’t take long listening to this song to realise he’s a real pro. He’s played in pubs and clubs for a decade, but this is just his second single. Maybe he was just taking the time to get it right. You can hear the experience in his voice. You know you’re in good hands listening to it.

“’Coming Home’ was written to illustrate the uplifting feeling of returning to your hometown, knowing the people that you love are on the other side of the journey and that return is always filled with emotions of nostalgia, reverence and fond memories,” he explained. “I hope when people listen to this song it can bring back the memories! Whether you’re on your way home these summer holidays to visit family, or missing loved ones while you’re away, use this song to help think of all the good times. I know I do!”

After so long on the pub circuit, you know Lewis has some serious live chops. You can see him do his thing at Agnes Water Tavern on New Year’s Eve.

Image used with permission from Footstomp; credit: Nathan Benjamin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The VANNS Strike Gold Again With “Haunted”

I’m not sure there’s a more consistent Aussie outfit than The VANNS. I know before pressing play I’m going to dig their releases, and they never let me down. Their latest single “Haunted” continues the trend with its emotive vocals from Jimmy Vann and powerful themes.

“Haunted is another taste from our forthcoming album,” the band said. “The song is about dealing with some tough mental health issues and coming out the other side of it learning to acknowledge it’s OK to feel like absolute shit and there are heaps of people around you who give a fuck.”

The VANNS haven’t been in the spotlight much this year, as they’ve been working hard on that new album. Before it’s release though, they’ll let their hair down with a few summer festival sets. Make sure you don’t miss them at these events.

29 December 2022 – Lost Paradise, Darkinjung Country/Glenworth Valley
31 December 2022 – Falls Festival, Naarm/Melbourne
1 January 2023 – Fall Festival, Cavanbah/Byron Bay
8 January 2023 – Falls Festival, Walyalup/Fremantle

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Todd Hardingham