Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Johnny Hunter Address Toxic Masculinity With “Cry Like a Man”

Sydney band Johnny Hunter makes a real impact with their latest single “Cry Like a Man.” This track has the cool retro indie rock vibes they’re famous for with thoroughly modern lyrics that explore what it means to really be a man.

“Men often abuse their masculinity to shield their vulnerability, in doing so they jeopardise the balance of the two dualities, they lose their sense of humanity and sense of self, to satisfy the self-aggrandising fallacy that the world belongs to them,” explained lead singer Nick Hutt. “I had been placed in the unfortunate position of witnessing someone shrink into very selfish and abusive behaviour. It had been my first encounter with such an event and it shook me to my core. After the dust had settled, I couldn’t help but dissect it. A special song as it was written the first time I interacted with our producer Jack [Moffitt]. The violent lyrics set the tone for the song and unravel the events that took place on that fateful night, written in a six-hour brainstorm with Jack as I manically yelled lyrics whilst he then pulled them apart.”

2021 was an impressive year for Johnny Hunter, who sold out shows at leading East Coast venues including The Lansdowne, Cherry Bar, and O’Skulligans. They also made some progress towards their long-awaited debut album. If this single release is any indication, 2022 could be even brighter for this awesome act from the New South Wales capital.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dear Sunday Tackle Big Issues With “Knock Knock”

Perth act Dear Sunday have just dropped a powerful new single “Knock Knock.” Don’t let the retro Home Alone-inspired cover art fool you. This track is serious business with lyrics exploring mental illness and grief.

Lead vocalist Ben Swanson sings from the heart on this one. He explained the song’s origins, noting “The song is actually about depression and the feeling of being haunted by dark, sad thoughts. A few years ago I lost two of my best mates, only months apart, to their own battles with mental health. It’s something that is so incredibly common these days, but it’s still so hard to comprehend the internal battle that those people are going through … I lost friends because they found it hard to express how they felt, so here I am, sharing my experiences, my dark times and my fight with depression through a song that could be heard all over the world. Hopefully, I’m doing them proud.”

2022 is set to be a massive year for Dear Sunday, with Ben revealing “We’ve got heaps of new music coming out, collabs with artists we couldn’t have even dreamed of a year ago, and even jumping on some festival lineups. She’s gonna be a busy year. We can’t wait.”

The busy-ness starts soon, with Dear Sunday playing three shows in the coming weeks:

12 February 2022 – Badlands Bar, Perth (supporting South Summit)
18 February 2022 – Indian Ocean Hotel, Perth (supporting Great Gable)
19 February 2022 – Heatwave Mini-Fest @ Clancy’s Fish Pub, Fremantle

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jason Owen’s “Sing Australia” is How an Anthem Should Sound

Every now and again, we talk about changing the national anthem. “Advance Australia Fair” has served us well since 1974, but it was written by a Scot. And even with the recent lyric change, it still doesn’t really represent who we are as a nation. I think a much worthier option is “Sing Australia,” the latest single from proud Wiradjuri man, Jason Owen.

Yes, it’s a bit cheesy. But just see if you’re not feeling all patriotic by the end of it. I love that it highlights so many of the people and places that make Australia home. It celebrates unity and what we can do working together. I’d feel pretty proud belting this out. What about you?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lemaire Releases the Perfect Aussie Rap Song, “Ford Laser”

If you’ve ever struggled to connect with American rappers bragging about their sweet rides, Lemaire has the track for you. The Gold Coast rapper’s new single “Ford Laser” is one for all the Aussies who can only dream about a luxury sports car. He might have a “shitbox car” with “no aircon,” but he’s not going to let that dampen his mood! Add a funky beat to those hilarious lyrics and you’ve got a recipe for a good time.

Listening to the lyrics, you should know this song has come from a real place. But just in case you thought he was putting it on, Lemaire’s music video features his now-famous Ford Laser.

“I have always wondered if owning an expensive car, as opposed to my piece of shit Ford Laser, would make me any happier in my day-to-day life,” Lemaire admitted. “I feel like the satisfaction associated with buying things (like cars, clothing, phones) is a very short-lived, fleeting happiness, and before long they just become standard. I wrote this song to express my content with what I have already: friends, family, time, music, and an absolute lemon of a Ford Laser.”

Lemaire will celebrate the release of “Ford Laser” with a hometown show at Miami Marketta on February 25.

Image used with permission from GYROstream

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out With The Faim’s Latest Track “The Hills”

The Faim have got to be one of the best Aussie rock acts most locals haven’t heard of yet. Every song they release is a winner, and their latest track “The Hills” is no exception. Crank it up, because this is one of those numbers best experienced loud.

“’The Hills’ is a song which touches on anxiety and the desire to go back to that place where you can reconnect with yourself and take a breath,” explained guitarist and songwriter Sam Tye. “For Josh and I, the Perth hills is one of these places and after two years of being on the road, coming home gave us a moment to reflect on the sometimes-overwhelming experiences you have whilst touring. I hope this song helps people find that place for themselves.”

If like me you’re still dreaming of a WA holiday, The Faim’s new music video can take you there. It features beautiful footage of the Perth landscape alongside footage of the band doing what they do best.

“’The Hills’ music video involves a stylistic representation of life inside the band,” added Sam, who created the video’s concept. “The driving connects to life on the road and experiencing the world through a moving window as they travel to their next destination. In certain moments we see live performance represented and in others we see snapshots of personal creativity, drawing back the curtains of life in a band and its perpetual motion.”

2022 is set to be a big year for The Faim. Their new album will drop and they’ve already earned spots on the lineups of some of the United Kingdom and Europe’s hottest summer festivals. They’re also preparing to announce headlining shows in the United Kingdom and Europe really soon.

3 June 2022 – Rock am Ring, Mendig Deu
5 June 2022 – Rock in the Park, Mendig Deu
11 June 2022 – Download Festival, Leicestershire
18 June 2022 – Rock for People, Hradec Kralove

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Good Lekker Releases Awesome New Single, “Belligerence”

Start your day off right with “Belligerence,” the latest track from Wollongong indie-rockers Good Lekker. I love the contrast of the fresh, boppy instrumentation with those cutting lyrics. Make sure you take a break from the dancing to listen to them, because they are absolutely stellar.

“The song is inspired by a real-world run-in with a character that no one wants to deal with. An arms-crossed, explosive ball of masculine narcissism,” explained co-frontman Joshua Fahy. “Because of its inspiration, the song aims to satirise and critique the caricature of a violent male – a person all too prevalent in our world. They’re not worth challenging on their own terms – because as an over-quoted author has said: ‘Never wrestle with a pig – you both get dirty, and the pig likes it.’ ‘Belligerence’ aims instead to highlight the absurdity of charging at life fists first. The message is generalisable to all those who are insecure enough to resort immediately to violence and aggression when challenged or confronted.”

In case you didn’t catch the message the first time, Good Lekker are about to drop “Don’t Be a Dickhead” T-shirts. You can get one at one of the band’s upcoming shows. Catch them supporting Bootleg Rascal or headlining their own gigs really soon. Here are all the dates you need!

17 February 2022 – La La La’s, Wollongong (with Bootleg Rascal)
18 February 2022 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (with Bootleg Rascal)
24 February 2022 – The Leadbeter Hotel, Melbourne
26 February 2022 – O’Skulligans, Brisbane
4 March 2022 – Vic on the Park, Sydney
26 March 2022 – Red Steer Hotel, Wagga Wagga
2 April 2022 – Yours & Owls Festival, Wollongong

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Patrick James Releases Romantic New Single, “Into Your Arms”

Prepare to swoon over Patrick James’ latest ditty, “Into Your Arms.” It’s a tender love ballad about being totally open and vulnerable to the right person. If like me you find nothing sexier than someone who’s honest about their emotions, you’re going to fall hard for this one.

“The song is loosely about male vulnerability and the idea of feeling your true emotional self around people you let into your life,” Patrick explained. “We wanted the recording to be both delicate and powerful and I think the pay off with the entrance of full-band towards the end brings the song together in that intended way.”

If you love this, there’s more on the way. Patrick will release his new album, I’ll Take Care of Music If You Take Care of Yourself on March 4. He’ll play a string of East Coast shows to support its release.

3 March 2022 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
10 March 2022 – Leadbeater, Melbourne
12 March 2022 – The Great Club, Sydney

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bailey Judd Contemplates Consumerism With Indie Pop Banger, “Brand New Car”

With Bailey Judd kicking off his month-long residency at The Retreat tonight, there’s no better time to bring you his latest single. “Brand New Car” is an effervescent pop bop that’s delivering only the good vibes to your Wednesday. Despite its upbeat feel, there’s a dark undercurrent to the lyrics, as Bailey explains.

“The song was written during lockdown about the frustration of being a freelance musician making just enough money to make rent while watching your friends buy new cars and live an unattainable life. It is also about the societal voice telling you that your youth is running out, prescribing conformity in order to be loved and taken seriously in the capitalist world. The lockdown caused me to reflect on my parent’s paradoxical attitude towards money – striving to be rich but being irresponsible with the money they had.”

Now that we’re free of lockdowns, Bailey is making the most of his time with a residency at The Retreat in Melbourne starting tonight. You can catch him every Wednesday this month with some of Melbourne’s hottest up and comers.

2 February 2022 – supported by Moze and Eli
9 February 2022 – supported by Pricilla Stanley and Jay Gabriel
16 February 2022 – supported by DANDECAT and AstroVillian
23 February 2022 – supported by Ella Clair and Half The Andes

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wake Up to DICE’s “Double Espresso”

I am not an early riser. Normally my husband’s alarm goes off at 7 and I sleep for a couple more hours. So I’m as surprised as anyone that I was wide awake at around 6:30 this morning, obsessing about the work on my agenda today. I don’t do coffee, but I figure DICE’s new single “Double Espresso” is the musical equivalent. Just like the best coffee, or so I’ve been told, it’s totally smooth without a hint of bitterness.

“‘Double Espresso’ explores the exhaustion that results from partying too hard going hand in hand with playing consecutive shows and the consequences of relying on coffee to get through the seemingly never-ending weekend resulting in countless sleepless nights,” the band explained.

After releasing six singles now, DICE promise that their debut EP isn’t too far away. In the meantime, they’ll launch this track at Mojo’s Bar in Fremantle on February 18.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Michael Tartiglia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Christina Castle Drops Pop Banger, “FFFree”

Sydney-based pop artist Christina Castle is rubbing shoulders with all the right people. Matt Pauling, who’s worked with blink-182, 5 Seconds of Summer, and Twenty One Pilots, produced her latest single “FFFree” in Los Angeles. She’s also collaborated with blink’s Travis Barker and Linda Perry of 4 Non Blondes and toured internationally with Run The Jewels, Yelawolf, and Mikey Mike. Taking a listen to that single, I can understand why she’s generating such buzz. It’s so much fun. I love the rebellious pop vibe that doesn’t take itself too seriously. This is the sort of music that makes you want to grab a hairbrush and belt it out.

“It’s about freedom – in a time where the world can feel like a crazy overwhelming place to live in, finding comfort in the fact that true freedom is found within yourself,” Christina explained.

Christina will play the following shows next month:

4 February 2021 – West HQ, Rooty Hill
25 February 2021 – West HQ, Rooty Hill
26 February 2021 – Mounties Terrace Bar, Mount Pritchard

Image used with permission from Good Intent