Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paulina Drops Beautiful New Single, “Nobody”

At just 17 years of age, Brisbane singer-songwriter Paulina is releasing music so good that it’d make many artists more than twice her age jealous. Her latest single “Nobody” is an exercise in restraint, a gorgeous ballad that showcases Paulina’s gift for songwriting and her sultry voice. When so many young artists go overboard with runs, it’s so refreshing to hear a song like this, presented so simply and beautifully.

“’Nobody’ is an exploration of happiness which can be found within oneself. It also delves into the envy and frustration other people have of those individuals who find true happiness for themselves,” Paulina explained. “The lyrics centre around someone who has found that joy within their life but must continue to watch others suffer in their own anguish and fake their so-called ‘happiness’. As much as you can sometimes dislike a person, I personally find there’s always a part of me that still wants the best for them and doesn’t want them to fall deeper and deeper into their own self-inflicted misery.”

Paulina is currently a finalist in the 2022 Queensland Music Awards for her song “Parasite,” which I previously raved about. This release proves the talent she showed there was no fluke. We can expect big things from this Queensland artist.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bellwether Will Lift You Up With “Halfway Happy”

Sydney’s Bellwether prove they’re one of the most consistent up-and-comers around with another fantastic single, “Halfway Happy.” With big guitar chords, an anthemic chorus, and angsty lyrics, it’s everything you want in a pop-punk track.

“Halfway Happy comes from a place of being trapped in the company of someone that makes you feel like you’re always falling short,” the band explained. “The song focuses a lot on this pattern of constantly questioning every part of ourselves and feeling like we’re simply not good enough – for ourselves or those around us. When we’re with someone that is always making us doubt ourselves, it’s easy to fall into that mindset and second guess every aspect of ourselves. Reflecting on these kinds of experiences, we see our past mistakes and regrets take shape in the form of insecurities that impact us every day, even years on.”

It’s set to be a big couple of weeks for Bellwether. They will celebrate the release of “Halfway Happy” with a big show at Crowbar on March 25 supporting FANGZ. Then on April 8, they’ll release their debut EP Impermanence. If tracks like this are any indication, it’s going to be brilliant!

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jem Cassar-Daley Releases New Single “Like It More”

There’s only one way for a musician to step out of the shadows of a famous parent: release your own fabulous tunes. That’s just what Jem Cassar-Daley, the daughter of country legend Troy Cassar-Daley, is doing. Her first two singles “Letting Go” and “Changes” got plenty of support from Triple J Unearthed and Spotify, and her third track “Like It More” is likely to be every bit as popular.

I love this song’s authenticity. It doesn’t try too hard to win us over. Jem’s vocals are understated but gorgeous. She simply tells the story of how to move on and find strength in yourself. That’s a message that so many of us need to hear now and again.

“Tia Gostelow and I started writing this track last year and had so much fun with it. ‘Like it More’ captures the moment of realisation after a breakup that you can be happy with your own company. I was going through a really tough time last year with my boyfriend at the time, and I was able to do a lot of writing and collaborations which was such a great outlet for me,” she said. “For anyone going through a breakup, this song is a how-to guide on how to back yourself and learn to be your own best friend.”

If you like what you hear, you’ll be thrilled to learn there’s more to come. Jem will release an EP in the not-too-distant future. Expect to hear more songs from the EP at the following shows:

22 April 2022 – Tamworth Town Hall, Tamworth (supporting Busby Marou)
1 May 2022 – Jungle Love Festival, Imbil
30 July 2022 – Live! At the Baptist @ Studio 188, Ipswich

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fall in Love With Abi Muir’s “Story of You”

After revealing her inner rock chick with “Stockholm,” Abi Muir embodies sweetness and light with her charming new single “Story of You.” This dreamy indie-pop number is perfect for slow dancing with someone special. Abi loves experimenting with her music, and this single is no exception.

“On my previous singles I worked with electronic beats but this single is one of five off my debut EP that is a collaboration with members of a progressive rock/post-hardcore band!” Abi admitted. “Quite a challenge to pop-ify them but we developed quite a creative instrument sound, highlighting drums, keys and strings.”

“Story of You” is the first track on Abi’s debut EP, To You, which drops on March 25. She’ll launch it tomorrow night at BAR36 in Cairns.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ella & Sienna Impress With “Next to Mine”

Ella & Sienna are teen sisters from the Adelaide Hills destined for big things. Their beautiful harmonies and songwriting skills are on show with the release of their new single “Next to Mine.” If you love the blend of country-pop music and heartfelt lyrics that typified Taylor Swift’s early music, this will be right up your alley.

“’Next To Mine’ was written during the first pandemic lockdown in 2020. I wanted to create an energetic, up-tempo reflection of our love and care for family and friends,” Sienna explained.

“We were inspired by the shared feeling of heartache and longing to be close to loved ones through the uncertain and devastating times,” added Ella.

Underestimate this talented twosome at your peril. They write their own music, sing like angels, and play their own instruments (Ella’s on guitar while Sienna takes bass). See for yourself what they can do at one of the following shows:

26-27 March 2022 – 2022 Country by the River @ Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge
3-4 December 2022 – 2022 Mornington Country Music Festival @ The Briars, Mount Martha

Image used with permission from Checked Label Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

NECTAR Drops Cool New Single, “Waiting on the World (Won’t Work)”

Get your groove on with NECTAR’s tasty new slow jam, “Waiting on the World (Won’t Work).” It’s got a cool laidback vibe, but this track has a serious message about the importance of taking action to inspire change. Ella Pilcher lends her stunning vocals to the recording.

“‘Waiting on the World (Won’t Work)” is a statement towards the manifestation of excuses by placing blame on the world around you,” Nectar explained. “If you want things to happen in your life you have to work for it and make the change, which we have been noticing a lot amongst our day-to-day lives especially as we are emerging as young artists. The song is particularly relevant at the moment as it is easy to find yourself in a stagnant state of life. It also reiterates that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that it’s okay to be at that stagnant point.”

NECTAR will launch “Waiting on the World (Won’t Work)” at Mojo’s Bar in Fremantle on April 2.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Spici Water Reminisce With “GOOD NIGHT”

I regularly look back at Facebook memories and marvel at the world of a few years ago. I see myself with my friends or in packed stadiums and can’t believe how carefree it all was. While some people are back into socialising, some of us still find ourselves holding back due to those high case numbers. And others find that their friends have moved on in the last two years and things aren’t quite the same. Spici Water capture the nostalgia of days gone by with their rocking new single “Good Night.”

“’Good Night’ is a “Yeah the girls” anthem about missing going out and hitting the town with your friends,” Spici Water said. “Due to covid, nightlife came to a halt for many months since the nation was in lockdown. Singer AJ loved going out with her friends but by the time lockdown ended they all got full time jobs, one of them becoming a registered nurse and so they didn’t get to go out as much anymore. AJ reminisced on all the good times they had together and wanted to find a way to immortalize their friendship and memories and so ’Good Night’ came to exist.”

There are plenty of good nights ahead for Spici Water and their fans. Western Australians can catch them at the following events:

26 March 2022 – Hyperfest, Midland (supporting Spacey Jane)
2 April 2022 – World’s Greatest Shave Fundraiser @ YMCA HQ, Perth
30 April 2022 – Badlands Bar, Perth (supporting DICE)
20 May 2022 – Freo Social, Fremantle (supporting Ra Ra Viper)

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit Mitch Love

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hit the Bussell Hwy with Ghost Care

With the Western Australian borders now open to triple-vaxxed travellers, many of us are thinking of a getaway to the Wildflower State. If you’re looking for a little inspiration, or a killer song for your playlist, check out “Bussell Hwy,” the latest track from Perth indie-rock trio Ghost Care.

“Bussell Hwy is all about the classic road trip! It’s where you’d rather be, and where you need to be and sometimes don’t realise,” the band said. “This song is about convincing your friends, and yourself, to get away from it all and just take a breather. This song is the nostalgia that we need, and the motivation to get back out there. We hope it can be everyone’s new road trip anthem for the future!”

Those open borders should help Ghost Care have a big 2022. They’ve just inked a deal with Tiny Triumphs management, and it shouldn’t be too long before we see them touring all over. Until then, local crowds can catch them launching “Bussell Hwy” at Scarborough’s Indian Ocean Hotel on April 8.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Howie Ng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

You’ll Be “Better Off” For Hearing Josh Setterfield’s Latest Single

Listening to Josh Setterfield’s new single “Better Off,” it’s hard to believe that before 2016 he was fronting a pop-punk band. These days he’s a bona fide country artist, although he does bring a little more edge to his tunes than the average country star. This track is pure feel-good fun, with a hooky chorus that should have you singing along before those final guitar chords.

“We all know something we could be better off without, whether it’s a toxic relationship, friendship, bad habit or even in 2022 … Covid! I hope this song sparks something in people to help make the change or decision they need to improve their own lives … to be better off,” Josh said.

Josh is joining Casey Barnes on plenty of shows over the next few months. If you love modern country, you won’t want to miss these shows.

11 March 2022 – Yamba Bowling Club, Yamba
23 April 2022 – Longyard Hotel, Tamworth
29 April 2022 – Harvey Road Tavern, Gladstone
30 April 2022 – Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton
6 May 2022 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
14 May 2022 – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville
20 May 2022 – Racehorse Hotel, Ipswich
21 May 2022 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
19 August 2022 – NQ’s Rockin’ Country, Mackay

Image used with permission from DWM Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

A Swift Farewell and Clay J Gladstone Team Up For “Stressed Out”

Sydney punk acts A Swift Farewell and Clay J Gladstone have joined forces for the collaboration of your dreams. Their new single “Stressed Out” perfectly showcases everything that makes these two local acts so special. If you’re feeling frustrated or struggling in any way today, you’re going to want to turn the volume all the way up on this one.

“The song is about not expressing emotions and often hiding and burying feelings until it gets too much.” A Swift Farewell explained. “We wanted to show our darker side with this track, as we felt our two previous singles were a fair bit more pop-influenced and mid-tempo. Funnily enough, its working title was actually ‘angry boi’.”

Creating the film clip at Marrickville’s Sydney Props Studio was a labour of love, according to A Swift Farewell frontwoman Emma Mather.

“We built the set ourselves,” she said. “It was a hustle! First, we had to build huge panels of fake grass. It represents the chaotic ‘inside’ of that same person who’s pretending they’re fine but hiding all their bad feelings. Then, at the end of the video, we tried representing ‘getting buried’ by having people throw gardening soil at us while we played. We thought this was a good idea, but it was so painful as the soil was getting into our eyes and mouths and clothes.”

A Swift Farewell will support the release of “Stressed Out” with a show at the Burdekin Hotel on March 27 supporting Heroes for Hire. If you heard the buzz when they supported FANGZ, Headstrong, or Cambridge, you’ll want to check this gig out.

Image used with permission from Good Intent; photo credit: Robbie Walcott