Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jacob Fitzgerald Drops Pop-Rock Smash, “Shame On You”

After rocking out with his last single “Muse,” Jacob Fitzgerald has released his cool follow-up, “Shame on You.” This is classic pop-rock, the kind of music that you just don’t hear enough of these days. Hopefully he’s spearheading a revival!

“‘Shame on You’ is a heartbreak song through and through, and is based around those few days following a breakup,” Jacob explained. “It captures the regret; the things we’d wished we’d said and the desperation. It’s essentially saying, ‘I know that I agreed we’d go our separate ways, but I was speaking opposites; I don’t want this… what am I without you?’”

After touring the East Coast in August with Selfish Sons, Jacob is gearing up to do it all again with a new tour set to be announced in the coming weeks. Follow him on the socials to learn about his next shows the moment they’re announced.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Riley Catherall Wows Me With “Bark at the Moon”

Riley Catherall is one of those artists that makes you want to hear everything they’ve ever written. I intended to write about his new single “Bark at the Moon” hours ago, but then I found myself falling down the Spotify rabbit hole, becoming equally enamoured with every carefully crafted song in his catalogue. But back to matters at hand. “Bark at the Moon” is the first single Riley’s dropped after the release of his critically acclaimed debut album When I Go, and it shows its accolades were no fluke. The secret, it seems, is just letting the music flow.

“This song was a real exercise in not trying to overwrite new material,” Riley said, noting that he felt a real pressure to deliver something fresh. “This meant lots of unfinished songs abandoned and wondering whether I’d be able to write another good song.”
Rest assured, this song isn’t just good. It’s great.

“’Bark at the Moon’ was one of those magical instances where it sort of fell out in about an hour and with each line I grew more excited about it. I was so caught up in that once it was written, another hour went by, and I had demoed it using a basic recording set up in my room.”

The music video, shot by Tyler Ridgeway, features Riley cruising around the Dandenong Ranges in a classic 1989 Mitsubishi Magna. “I wanted to replicate that teenage dream era of driving around in the early hours, trying to find the best place to see the sunrise,” he explained.
Riley is doing a lot of travelling at the moment taking his music to the people of the eastern states. Here are all his upcoming shows:

22 September 2022 – The Citadel, Kalibai Country/Murwillumbah (supporting Charm of Finches)
24 September 2022 – Junk Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
24 September 2022 – Dust Temple, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast (supporting Charm of Finches)
25 September 2022 – Flow Bar, Biripi and Worimi Country/Old Bar (FREE)
5 October 2022 – The Midnight Special, Eora/Sydney
8 October 2022 – Shellharbour Rocks the Park Festival, Yerrowah/Shellharbour (FREE)
13 October 2022 – Little Alberts, Wiradjuri Country/Bathurst
14 October 2022 – The Front, Ngunnawal Country/Canberra
27 October 2022 – The Gasometer Upstairs, Naarm/Melbourne
28 October 2022 – The Taproom, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Castlemaine (FREE)
30 October 2022 – The Barwon Club, Djilang/Geelong

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Finn Marks 40 Years of “Six Months in a Leaky Boat” With New Versions

It’s been 40 years since Split Enz released their classic track, “Six Months in a Leaky Boat.” Tim Finn is celebrating the milestone with two new versions, available now on streaming services.

My favourite is the magical “Ono Marama Takerehāia-Ngawiri [Chill Mix]”, a Te Reo Maori translation of the original featuring the gorgeous vocals of Hana Mereraiha. I think Te Reo Maori is one of the most gorgeous languages on the planet. If you do too, you’re going to want to listen to this one. Then there’s the Aotearoa 2022 remix, a fresh new English-language version.

“Six Months in a Leaky Boat” was once voted the fifth best New Zealand song of all time. It had already accumulated more than 9 million streams globally, including 7 million from Australia. No doubt these new releases will give those numbers a nudge.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mardi Wilson Releases Raw New Single, “Chemically Enhanced”

Mardi Wilson has absolutely floored me with her latest single “Chemically Enhanced.” It’s an emotional, honest song recounting Mardi’s recent health battles. I love the way its stripped-back treatment lets those powerful lyrics shine.

“I wrote ‘Chemically Enhanced’ when I was not in a good way with my health. I was feeling pretty disheartened about some conditions that had been ongoing for a long time. I had countless tests, I had been prescribed many medications, but nothing sustainable had helped and I was at the point where I would try anything to get them to go away. One medication I was prescribed in mid 2021, led to me having my second grand mal (tonic-clonic) seizure,” Mardi recalled.

“I was feeling so many emotions after having that seizure, I felt weak and broken, like my spark was gone, or my spirit had been worn away a bit. That’s when I wrote ‘Chemically Enhanced’, it was an accumulation of all of these emotions. I didn’t feel like myself anymore and that was the worst part, I just wanted to be the old me, I could see people were worried.

“So I wrote this song to help people understand what I was going through and to apologise for not being the same ‘me’ I usually was. I know that all I can do is my best, I keep taking things one step at a time and trying not to let my health struggles get in the way of me doing what I love. I just feel grateful for all the things I can do and when there are difficult times, I work through them, because I know that there are so many beautiful days ahead”.

Mardi has a string of upcoming shows, including a gig at Yuin Country/Wallaga Lake today. Get yourself to one of these shows if you can.

17 September 2022 – Camel Rock Brewery Bar & Grill, Yuin Country/Wallaga Lake (FREE)
18 September 2022 – Bermagui Beach Hotel, Dyirringany Country/Bermagui
25 September 2022 – Tathra Hotel, Yuin Country/Tathra
29 September 2022 – Seeking Serendipity/Bar & Kitchen Milton, Yuin Country/Milton
7 October 2022 – Kingscliff Beach Hotel, Yugambeh Country/Kingscliff (FREE)
9 October 2022 – Phoebe’s Kingscliff, Yugambeh Country/Kingscliff
4-6 November 2022 – Airlie Beach Festival of Music @ Whitsunday Sailing Club, Ngaro Country/Airlie Beach
27 November 2022 – Bucca Hotel, Gurang Country/Bucca (FREE)

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bec Sandridge Delivers With “The Jetty”

A memorable travel moment inspired Bec Sandridge’s latest pop smash “The Jetty.” Featuring the equally-fabulous Andy Bull, it’s the perfect feelgood Friday tune.

“‘The Jetty’ was written about falling off a jetty in Naoshima, Japan. My ex-partner fell in and I attempted to pull her out. Hilariously, I also fell in (passports, phone, paper-money were all completely gone),” Bec recounted. “This felt like the perfect analogy for our relationship – losing ourselves and each-other, whilst trying to salvage every last water-damaged object that we had on us. I guess, this one asks the sea-sick question: ‘is there something (or someone) else out there?’

“Initially, Andy came into the studio to play synths on the track. I was beyond honoured when he asked if he could sing on the track as well. I’ve been a big Andy Bull fan for a very long time and completely adore what he does vocally, lyrically and in particular, all of the synth sounds he uses. Dave (Jenkins Jr) had the genius idea that we make the track a Joni Mitchell-esque ‘Snakes and Ladders’ duet whereby Andy kinda drops in and out of the second verse in a non-linear kinda of way – which I love. An old collaborator, Tony Buchen also did some additional production on the track, which was a nice full-circle moment.”

“The Jetty” is the second track lifted from Bec’s forthcoming EP, Lost Dog. Having recently wrapped up an Aussie tour, she’s set to dazzle the UK and Europe this month. It’s the first time Bec has toured these regions with her full band, so the shows are bound to be pretty special. If you’re lucky enough to be there, you can see Bec in action at the following venues:

21 September 2022 – Haldern Pop Bar, Haldern
23 September 2022 – THE AUSSIE BBQ @ Reeperbahn, Hamburg
24 September 2022 – Reeperbahn Festival, Hamburg
25 September 2022 – Indiestad Festival @ Paradiso, Amsterdam
27 September 2022 – The Hope & Ruin, Brighton
28 September 2022 – Sebright, London
30 September 2022 – Hug & Pint, Glasgow

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Sam Brumby

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dyan Tai Will Lift Your Spirits With “We Can’t Forget”

Eora/Sydney singer, DJ, music producer, radio host, and all-round super talent Dyan Tai has teamed up with award-winning Guzheng artist Mindy Meng Wang 王萌 on dance-pop anthem, “We Can’t Forget.”I love the way this track incorporates the classical sounds of the Guzheng, a traditional Chinese harp, with fresh pop beats. This upbeat number is just what you need to bounce back from hardships, whether you’re facing the kind of breakup that inspired it or simply the slog of the working week.

“”We Can’t Forget” is about rejection and heartbreak and how those feelings never truly leave,” Dyan explained. “It is also about finding comfort in your tribe and the (queer) community.”

Dyan features that community in the vibrant music video. As the founder of Worship Queer Collective, Dyan helped nurture all the emerging QTPOC artists featured in the clip. What a great celebration of their artistry! Dyan has several shows coming up over the coming months. Catch them at the following events:

16 September 2022 – Rina Sawayama Official Album Launch @ The Imperial Erskineville, Eora/Erskineville (Live & DJ Set)
1 October 2022 – Coastal Twist Dance Party & Fair Day, Darkinjung Country/Central Coast
14 October 2022 – Astronaughty, Pride of Our Footscray, Naarm/Melbourne (with Dirty Versachi)
22nd October 2022 – Dynasty: Drag & Dumpling @ Festival Hub: Trades Hall – ETU Ballroom, Naarm/Carlton (Naarm/Melbourne Fringe Premiere)
24 November 2022 – Powerhouse Museum, Eora/Ultimo (EP Launch with AnSo and Salllvage)

Image credit: Chris Quyen

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Vanns Impress Again With “Making It Out Alive”

Can The Vanns ever put a foot wrong? I’ve been a little slow to listen to their latest track “Making It Out Alive,” but I am so glad I’ve taken the time to listen this morning. Perhaps it’s that new-music rush talking, but this single might just be their best yet.

“Making It Out Alive’ is one of a bunch of songs we recorded with Chris [Collins, producer] earlier this year,” The Vanns explained. “The song wasn’t finished being fully written until the night before we tracked it, which is always a fun timeframe to record in. It also features some great saxophone work by Dusty Boots, who’s so talented and an absolute legend.”

Life’s been good for The Vanns, with the band selling out their entire Red Light national tour, recently wrapping up a successful regional run, and sharing stages with The Wombats. And they’re still not done. Check them out at the following shows:

4 October 2022 – The Fortitude Music Hall, Meeanjin/Fortitude Valley (supporting The Kooks)
6 October 2022 – Festival Hall, Naarm/West Melbourne (supporting The Kooks)
29 December 2022 – Lost Paradise, Darkinjung Country/Glenworth Valley
29-31 December 2022 – Falls Festival @ Pennyroyal Plains, Burai Gurray/Birregurra
31 December 2022-2 January 2023 – Falls Festival @ North Byron Parklands, Cavanbah/Byron Bay
7-8 January 2023 – Falls Festival @ Fremantle Park, Walyalup/Fremantle

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Todd Hardingham

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Steele Syndicate Drop Exciting New Single “Weekend’s Coming”

I promise it’s just a coincidence that I’m bombarding you with weekend-inspired tracks. The latest is “Weekend’s Coming,” the awesome new single from Meeanjin/Brisbane outfit The Steele Syndicate. This song defies genre, with elements of indie rock, funk, and soul. If those cool vocals don’t get you, the horns definitely will.

“The tune is a cathartic release from the day-to-day grind, and taps into the shared human experience of hard work for something important,” explained lead singer Steele McMahon. “Even in the hardest of times, what gets us through is knowing what we’re fighting for. And the weekend is always just around the corner.”

“Weekend’s Coming” is the title track from The Steele Syndicate’s forthcoming album. The band are currently playing shows along the East Coast. Catch them at the following venues:

17 September 2022 – Under The Trees Festival, Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng and Taribelang Bunda Country/Boyne Island
23-25 September 2022 – Wallaby Creek Festival, Gimuy-walubarra Yidi/Cairns
14 October 2022 – Eleven Dive Bar, Kabi Kabi Country/Maroochydore
5 November 2022 – The Princess Theatre, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joan & The Giants Encourage You to Shake Up Your Routine With “The Weekend”

Yes it’s Wednesday, but I can’t be the only one waiting for the weekend. I can’t make the week go any faster, but I can bring you the musical version of “The Weekend,” the dreamy new single from Boorloo/Perth act Joan & The Giants. This track challenges the “living for the weekend” mentality, encouraging us to see the magic in every day.

Vocalist Grace Newton-Wordsworth was inspired to write this song early in the pandemic, when lockdowns and a shift to working from home helped us all break out of our usual routines.

“There was an excitement and a lack of responsibility that was so refreshing and turbulent. I think when we started getting back to reality and going to work and grinding to push a music career again, that pressure and ‘baggage’ came back onto my shoulders, and I really didn’t want to live purely for ‘the weekend’ or wait for a Friday night to feel some kind of relief,” she explained.

“The Weekend” comes from Joan & The Giants’ debut EP Me & You. They’ll launch it for hometown fans at the Rosemount Hotel on September 30.

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ayla Channels “Bitterness” in New Pop Single

“Bitterness” has never sounded so good as when Ayla’s singing about it. The Kabi Kabi Country/Sunshine Coast native elevates the sweetness in the emotion with her latest alt-pop single. Don’t worry though; those lyrics have still got some bite.

“This song came out of one of the strongest heartbreaks I’d ever felt – a friendship. Writing it was a way to process the hurt I felt at the time,” Ayla explained. “Sitting with the song for around two years, I’ve been able to reflect on it as a sentiment of the darker elements I felt about the situation at the time. In a way I was embarrassed by the feelings I’d had, but I think that both listening to and writing music helps to process your thoughts and feelings – some of which you don’t want to carry around with you. You can get it out, and then let it go.”

After recently signing to Italian label Ego Records, Ayla might just be set for global domination. Watch this space!

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: She Is Aphrodite