Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hilltop Hoods Preparing to Get Back on the Road With “Show Business” Single

With fans already snapping up tickets to The Show Business Tour, there’s no better time to remind you that Hilltop Hoods are bringing new music to your ears and preparing to tour. If you thought their best music might be behind them, press play on their latest track “Show Business” immediately. With special guest vocals from Eamon (remember him?!), this feel-good single is a real crowd-pleaser.

With the pandemic slowing everyone down, Hilltop Hoods haven’t had the chance to headline shows since The Great Expanse World Tour in 2019. This time around they’re taking A.B. Original, Elsy Wameyo, and DJ Total Eclipse along for the ride. Fan club members could nab their tickets yesterday before Telstra Plus members get in on the action tomorrow. The general sale happens at 10 am on Wednesday 11 May. The last shows sold out, so you can expect these ones will too. Don’t say you weren’t warned!

27 August 2022 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
3 September 2022 – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
10 September 2022 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
17 September 2022 – RAC Arena, Perth
24 September 2022 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Enjoy Genes’ Sweet New Single, “Crumble”

Aussie pop act Genes has already amassed more than 50 million global songwriting streams and 5.5k TikTok followers. If like me you’re a little late to the party, it’s time to catch up. Her new single “Crumble” is a sweet delight that you’re going to want to savour.

“It’s about that overwhelming feeling right before the fall, before you crumble into someone for the first time,” Genes explained. “Do I catch myself in it, or do I let myself tip completely over the edge? It’s exciting and exhilarating and completely terrifying all at the same time. But, to Crumble is the best part.”

This is pitch-perfect pop, upbeat music that simply makes you feel good. More of this please! Genes will support Client Liaison at their Brisbane show on May 6 and play the Brisbane Broncos halftime show in June.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Georgia Wallace

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Turn Up the Volume on The Hard Aches’ “Party Ghost”

The Hard Aches celebrate finding comfort in the uncomfortable with their latest single “Party Ghost.” Featuring guest vocals from Cahli Blakers of Teenage Joans, it’s a real return to form for this iconic Aussie band.

“It’s all about finding yourself in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar smells and unfamiliar sounds … it’s about reflecting on your own existence, and your own experiences then learning from them, and doing everything you can to do better,” explained the band’s frontman, Ben David. “Most of all, it’s about trying to understand how it must feel to be an animal, moved away from your safe place, put through big changes, and unable to understand them.”

The fun doesn’t stop there though. The Hard Aches haven’t been on the road since they supported Grinspoon in 2019. The Black Summer bushfires and global pandemic has kept them grounded, until now. The Hard Aches will party all around the country in the middle of the year. Here are all the dates you need!

1 July 2022 – The Zoo, Brisbane
2 July 2022 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
3 July 2022 – Vinnie’s Dive Bar, Southport
7 July 2022 – Cambridge Side Room, Newcastle
8 July 2022 – Crowbar, Sydney
9 July 2022 – La La La’s, Wollongong
10 July 2022 – UC Hub, Bruce
13 July 2022 – Beer Deluxe, Albury
14 July 2022 – Tonic Bar, Bendigo
15 July 2022 – Barwon Club, Geelong
16 July 2022 – Volta, Ballarat
22 July 2022 – The Leadbeater, Richmond
23 July 2022 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
28 July 2022 – The Royal Oak, Launceston
29 July 2022 – Pub Rock Diner, Devonport
30 July 2022 – Republic Bar, Hobart
6 August 2022 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide (ALL AGES)

Image used with permission from Star Crossed PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

James Chatburn’s Soulful New Song is More Than Ok

Berlin-based Australian singer-songwriter James Chatburn has floored me with his new single “Ok Ok (Be a Man).” It’s a beautifully soulful song that explores concepts of masculinity and self-acceptance.

“For the last few years, I have been challenging my views on masculinity and how I have perceived myself and other people based on what I had learnt growing up,” James explained. “It’s like looking to the men that you have grown up with, hang out with now, how we have grown, how we haven’t, and who can we really look up to as a role models.”

This one is Good with a capital G. Stop what you’re doing and take a moment to really listen. I guarantee you won’t be sorry!

Image used with permission from KATSU.; credit: Shari Annabell Marks

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

JXCKY Celebrates Solitude With Pop Bop “Mad Invite”

Melbourne queer pop act JXCKY has just dropped his first track under TEAMWRK Records, and it’s an absolute banger. “Mad Invite” flips the script on a party snub, reminding us that a party without JXCKY isn’t a party worth having!

“The concept for Mad Invite stems from a lot of restless nights in high school where I had to watch all the popular kids create memories and feel like they could belong … and then walk into school the next day and hear all about it,” he admitted. “Growing up in that setting and still harbouring feelings of resent towards the idea of loneliness, Mad Invite is my way of sharing that story and learning to be comfortable with being by myself.”

Crank this one up loud next time you’re having a party for one and it’s bound to make you feel better!

Image used with permission from JXCKY

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out to Liquid Zoo’s New Track, “I Don’t Want to Be Me”

Newcastle’s Liquid Zoo hooked me in from the first second of their latest single “I Don’t Want to Be Me.” But this track has more than a killer bass line on its side. Its infectious sound is the perfect counterpoint to its self-deprecating lyrics.

“The song is about coming to the realisation that your past actions were wrong and how that affects those around you and pondering the idea of not wanting to be yourself as a self-punishment,” the band explained. “We wanted to present this melancholy idea in a happier contradictory light.”

Liquid Zoo have shared stages with local legends like Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Pacific Avenue, and King Stingray. It’s only a matter of time before they’re selling out their own headline shows, but before that they’ll join The Good Love at The Vanguard on May 19.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hayley Marsten Answers the Critics With “I’m Fine, Thanks”

I’ve got nothing but good vibes today with the weekend looming and Hayley Marsten’s latest track “I’m Fine, Thanks” on repeat. This super catchy pop number is the perfect clap back to people who questioned her resilience in the past.

“I sure was sick of people speaking for me about what my album Spectacular Heartbreak meant for my emotional state,” she said. “After it came out, there seemed to be this narrative that I was still spectacularly heartbroken and that I was ‘lucky’ that my ex had ‘given’ me an album. When actually that was not the truth. Never one to let somebody else have the last word, this chorus just fell out and Kieran [Stevenson] and I wrote it a week after we wrote ‘Drowning Myself’.”

Hayley is currently crowdfunding album number two. Head to Pozible to show your support. You can also catch her at one of her upcoming gigs:

29 April 2022 – Songs You Know and Love @ The Triffid, Brisbane (FREE)
30 April 2022 – Venue TBA, Brisbane (supporting Andrew Swift)
27 May 2022 – Holler (A Celebration of Americana Music) @ Home of the Arts, Gold Coast
28 May 2022 – Heartsville Hoedown @ Lefty’s Music Hall, Brisbane
3 June 2022 – Songs You Know and Love @ The Triffid, Brisbane (FREE)

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pacific Avenue Are Back With Smashing New Single, “Give It Up For Yourself” & Midyear Tour

Pacific Avenue really impressed me with their single “Easy Love” last year. In fact, it was my most-streamed track on Spotify. But I think the Gerringong band might have topped it with “Give It Up For Yourself”. It’s a bright, shimmery indie-rock banger that somehow fuses psychedelic and Brit-pop vibes.

“’Give It Up For Yourself’ is a song that acknowledges and celebrates your life, everything that you are, and everything that you have overcome,” the band explained. “When I was writing the lyrics, I wanted to keep in mind the importance of taking a step back and appreciating how far you have come, no matter how far along you are in achieving your dreams. This song is about giving yourself some credit because if the younger version of yourself could see you today, I’m sure you would be proud.”

A song this good is only going to sound better live, so Pacific Avenue are taking it to capitals all around the country in the middle of the year. Catch them near you, supported by last year’s Unearthed High Competition winners, The Rions.

17 June 2022 – Mojo’s, Perth
18 June 2022 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
24 June 2022 – The Brightside, Brisbane
25 June 2022 – Howler, Melbourne
2 July 2022 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Image used with permission from Good Intent; credit: Charlie Hardy

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Your Groove On to Heavy Wax’s “Can’t Shake the Thought of You”

With Silk Sonic scooping the Grammys, its clear music lovers have a taste for classic funk and soul. If tasty horns, a tight rhythm section, and soulful vocals are your idea of heaven, you’re going to love what Gold Coast outfit Heavy Wax serve up. One listen to “Can’t Shake the Thought of You” and you’ll be hooked too.

“It’s about the rush of feeling a connection with a new person for the first time and the excitement of what’s to come,” explained lead vocalist Quin Samin. “Where did it come from? Well, we’ve all felt it, so hopefully it resonates with the listener.”

“Can’t Shake the Thought of You” comes from Heavy Wax’s self-titled debut album, which drops on May 6. These guys are fast developing a reputation as one of Queensland’s hottest live acts. You can see what all the fuss is about at one of their upcoming shows:

7 May 2022 – Roots Festival @ Home of the Arts, Gold Coast
11 June 2022 – Melting Sunsets @ Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct, Kingston

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Euan Hart Releases Cool New Single, “Snowflake”

As cooler weather sets in, there’s no better time to listen to “Snowflake,” the latest track from indie-folk act Euan Hart. The melody is simple but the poetic lyrics take this song to the next level. Make sure you tap into them as you listen to this one.

“‘Snowflake’ is about wanting someone you can’t have, or more specifically haven’t had in a long while,” Euan explained. “Then when you think it might work out, they make you too damn nervous to be fully yourself, like you were before you met them. It’s quite funny because I wrote this a couple weeks before I met someone I was really attracted to, and didn’t quite understand my own lyrics, until the situation came to fruition. Be careful what you wish for!”

The song comes with a gorgeous video that Euan directed and produced alongside Jack Moran and Eddie Yabsley.

“Myself, Jack Moran and Eddie Yabsley went away to a lovely town called Sofala for three days to film this beauty,” Euan added. “We were massively inspired by the classic Australian film ‘Wake in Fright’, and Jack wanted to put a new spin on it. The feeling of being lost in the epic Aussie landscape in a beige suit is a funny one – it’s so clean and once it gets a mark on it, it’s pretty easy to let it get wrecked. I kept mine clean”.

Euan will celebrate the single release with a show at Sydney’s Golden Age Cinema & Bar on May 7. Get onto it!

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.; credit: Jack Moran