Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out With 90ivy’s New Single “Tiffany”

Sydney band 90ivy are taking me back to my angsty teenage years with their latest single “Tiffany.” If like me you loved nothing more than grungy, angry female-fronted acts like Alanis Morissette, Garbage, and PJ Harvey, you’re going to eat this up. And if you’re a fan of more modern acts like Middle Kids, The Beths, and Press Club, this one’s bound to resonate with you too.

Agnes O’Dwyer’s powerful vocals are heartbreaking, but you don’t have to feel too sorry for her. Rather than drawing on her own pain, she had some unlikely inspiration for the song during lockdown.

“Usually the story of the scorned woman is told one of two ways – either she is voiceless and passive or she is furious and directing her anger at “the other woman”. Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’ is so genius to me because it doesn’t subscribe to these cliches. She sings praise to the other woman and simply begs her not to take her man. It inspired me to write a song that tells the story of infidelity that looks at the relationship breakdown and the faults of the two in the relationship, rather than placing blame on the other woman,” she explained. “The idea was also brought on by watching one too many trashy, melodramatic TV shows over lockdown – TV and movies inspire my songwriting a lot.”

90ivy are at the top of their game after honing their live show on stages with Teenage Dads, CLEWS, Obscura Hail, Jess Day, and more. See what they can do when they launch “Tiffany” with a hometown show at Oxford Art Factory Gallery Bar on April 9.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co; photo credit: Cath Connell

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Platonic Sex Drop Rocking New Single “Disappoint Another” Ahead of Aussie Tour

Alt-rock group Platonic Sex have just released a bold new single “Disappoint Another.” It’s raw and rebellious, with a garage rock quality that really brings out the angst in its lyrics. The track is bound to strike a chord with the queer community and anyone who’s ever felt their happiness wasn’t a partner’s priority.

“When I wrote the song, I needed to release insecurities that stemmed from my relationship with somebody who wasn’t entirely ‘out’,” explained Platonic Sex’s lead singer, Bridget Brandolini. “My ex-girlfriend wanted to show her love for me in a different way than I wanted, and writing the song helped me separate my feelings for her from the way it felt to be kept a secret.”

“Choosing to come out can feel like dealing out a lot of disappointment – whether it’s to your parents, the parents of the kid you babysit, or other loved ones – and it’s hard to cope with, as a young person trying to present themself authentically,” they added. “As somebody who is openly queer, the song feels really liberating. It’s up-tempo, joyous, fun,” they say. “I’m so grateful that I have the privilege to exist as my true self in the world safely and without shame. At the end of the day, the joy that comes with discovering an accepting community gives you strength to reach the end of the tunnel and dust yourself off after you’ve disappointed the people whose boxes you can’t fit into.”

Platonic Sex are about to tour the country with Hope D and Noah Dillon. Catch them at the following venues:

8 April 2022 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney
9 April 2022 – Lion Art Centre, Adelaide
29 April 2022 – Altar, Hobart
6 May 2022 – The Northern, Byron Bay
7 May 2022 – The Princess Theatre, Brisbane
13 May 2022 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
27 May 2022 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast

Image used with permission from Aleisha McLaren; credit: James Caswell

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mathilde Anne Asserts Herself With “I’ve Had Enough”

Emerging Melbourne artist Mathilde Anne is hitting back against toxic relationships in her new single “I’ve Had Enough.” It sounds sweet, but there’s a tough centre under that sugary exterior.

“When you’re young and grow up in environments where you’re not shown healthy ways to behave in a relationship, it tends to warp your perception of what it means to be loved or be in love,” Mathilde admitted. “‘I’ve Had Enough’ stemmed from the realisation that I wasn’t doing what was best for me, because I wanted to feel ‘loved’ or ‘worthy’.”

Mathilde is inspired by an eclectic collection of artists including Lorde, Arctic Monkeys, Amy Winehouse, and Otis Redding, so I can’t wait to hear what she releases next. She’s planning to launch “I’ve Had Enough” with a few full-band shows around the country, so keep an eye on her Facebook page for the dates when they’re announced. She’ll also play the Gig Around the Green Mount Eliza Music Festival at the Canadian Bay Hotel on April 1.

Image used with permission from Sandhill Bookings

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paulini and Bradley McCaw Team Up For “Someone Like You”

I am a sucker for a great country duet. I don’t consider myself much of a country music fan, but put on a little Kenny and Dolly or Johnny and June and I’m all about it. The cheesier the better. So I’m totally smitten with “Someone Like You,” the brand new single from Bradley McCaw and Paulini. Sure it’s a little formulaic, but there’s no point reinventing the wheel. With stellar vocals and romantic sentiments, there’s a lot to like here.

“Paulini’s vocal is effortless. There’s a power and a playfulness that takes the song to a new place. It’s a positive love song, with is kind of rare for modern radio,” Bradley said. “Inspired by all the old school duets I have sung along to in my car!”

He originally wrote the song for one male singer but left the song unfinished for nearly a year until he realised what was missing. This needed to be a duet.
“We recorded the vocals in one session using two microphones, side by side in the one studio. It was very old school and because of this, we captured an innocence and joy in the performances,” he added. “Duets just have a different energy, combining two artists from different genres at the top of their game, and that sends the song into unexpected places.”

This is a total throwback, but I’m just optimistic enough to think it might inspire a revival. We can only hope!

Image used with permission from Bradley McCaw

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Storm & Stone Break the Mould With “Run”

Blue Mountains sibling band Storm & Stone have released their fabulous new single “Run.” This track defies genre. I thought I had it pegged as a sassy, Destiny’s Child-inspired soul track, but once that chorus kicks in it takes a dark country left turn. It’s unexpected, but a real delight. And can we just take a moment to appreciate those incredible harmonies? The way sisters August and Auriel and their brother Hallelujah come together is just so special.

“Auriel had started showing me murder ballads, and some of Dolly Parton’s darker stories,” August explained of the song’s inspiration. “When we were writing and working on it, I really wanted us to have the energy of a train leaving a station. A build-up of excitement and movement forward as the song came to its climax to bring the story even more to life.”

“Run” is also the first song that Auriel and August penned together.

“I think for me, when we were writing this song with August, I really wanted to express how it felt to be on the other side of a love song, in the desperate dark place the song talks to,” Auriel said. “I also wanted something with a beat that had a lot of movement, to sort of follow the emotional movement the song talks about.”

The song’s dark feel is perfectly matched by the video set in Heartly Vale Cemetery in the Blue Mountains.

“The story is one of a woman experiencing her partner being drawn to another woman, but what ensues after that is left somewhat up in the air. What happened? What is going to happen? That ambiguity was enthralling,” said Thomas Crnkovic of Cranky Dog Production, who directed and produced the clip. “Are we listening to someone’s internal torment from trying to keep a grip on a relationship that’s slipping away? Are we witnesses to the aftermath of a crime of passion? Both? I wanted to make a video that honours those stakes and that ambiguity. Maybe spirits can hear our darkest thoughts, maybe nothing can. Either way: Run.”

These guys are the real deal. I’m really looking forward to hearing more of what they can do.

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

VOH Releases Feel-Good Follow-up, “Amnesia”

VOH is back to brighten your day. Her new single “Amnesia” is pure shimmery sunshine, the kind of pop track that makes you want to dance the moment you hear it. The follow-up to “Away,” it cements her reputation as a pop act to watch.

“Amnesia” is the second track lifted from VOH’s EP, V Pop, scheduled for release later this year.

Image used with permission from KAOS

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alt Fiction on Comeback Trail With “Yesterday”

Gold Coast Alt Fiction has just dropped their new single “Yesterday,” their first release since 2020. This is a cracking track that effortlessly melds indie-pop influences with coastal rock. What a way to come back.

“It’s about understanding what goes up in a relationship must come down,” explained Alt Fiction’s singer and guitarist Will Tyler. “About remembering the best times to help you through the worst, and coming to grips with the fact that no relationship can stay perfect.”

The song’s coastal vibes are reflected in the lyric video for “Yesterday.” If you want to sing along, this one’s for you.

Alt Fiction say they’re ready to pick up where they left off before the pandemic. Keep an eye on their Facebook page to find out what comes next.

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cheap Date Take a Sonic Departure With “Honest”

Cheap Date are best known for creating acoustic pop-rock, so their latest single “Honest” is a real departure. This is a straight-up electro-charged dance-pop banger. If it’s a sign of the kind of new music we might expect from the band, I’m here for it.

Cheap Date’s frontwoman Lara Dee penned the song about an emotionally one-sided encounter. It explores the idea of finding connections and giving yourself to someone else wholeheartedly in such an eloquent, interesting way. It’s also fantastic for dancing.

With dancing back on the agenda, you can expect plenty of it when Cheap Date play the following hometown shows:

26 March 2022 – Super Fun Day @ Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane
23 April 2022 – The Brightside, Brisbane (supporting Concrete Surfers)
24 April 2022 – The Zoo, Brisbane (supporting The Courage Collective)

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Straight Girls is Your New Queer Pop Crush

Straight Girls reminds us just how good bedroom pop can sound with her new single “Best Friend.” The song beautifully captures the heady emotions of infatuation.

“’Best Friend’ is just about a crush I had on my friend’s best friend! It was never really a crush I shouldn’t have had or anything, it was just a funny situation to be in,” she recalled. “The song just kinda goes through how into this girl I was, and how long I was into her, and it’s also about it being reciprocated, and how we used to interact. It was just something that never fully happened, but it was known that I had a thing for her by basically everyone around either of us, never tried to hide it, even around her, and that’s what the song is about!”

With a new backing band set to help her bring her songs to life, Straight Girls is set for a big year in 2022. Definitely watch this space, because Straight Girls has the goods.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

RAGEFLOWER Bursts Onto the Scene With “Still Calling”

Sydney singer-songwriter RAGEFLOWER is making a splash with her debut single “Still Calling.” RAGEFLOWER’s moniker is so appropriate because this track has just the right combination of aggression and beauty.

“Essentially, ‘Still Calling’ is about the journey back to self and healing the inner child. It’s also about the consequences of suppressing trauma with destructive coping mechanisms,” RAGEFLOWER explained. “When I wrote the song I was in a dark place, I really felt that I had let myself down and that I had wasted my potential on temporary highs. At the time I was listening to a lot of music from my emo high school years (Bright Eyes, Tonight Alive, Sum 41) and connecting with the person I used to be, which really inspired the sound. I wanted to write a hyper dualistic song with verses that felt confessional and vulnerable but choruses that felt destructive and nihilistic.”

“Still Calling” sets the bar so high, so I can’t wait to hear what comes next for RAGEFLOWER. She’s definitely someone to watch.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Nicodemo Scali