Baker Boy and G Flip’s New Track “My Mind” Is Every Bit as Good As You’d Expect

You probably know before pressing play that “My Mind,” the new single from Baker Boy featuring G Flip, is pretty awesome. I’m not sure two such talented people could collaborate and produce something mediocre. So you don’t need me to convince you. Just hit that play button!

“Working with G Flip was a real privilege,” Baker Boy confirmed. “We’ve known each other for a while through touring, but it was mad to see them in their element in the studio. G is a real talent, not only their voice, but their songwriting is like no other! My Mind is a fun tribute to the incredible women in both of our lives, we’re both really lucky to have incredible support networks so really it’s a song for those people too!”

The feeling is mutual, as G Flip gushed, “I’ve always been a big fan of Danzal. We met on the festival circuit over the years and our time slots were always back-to-back, so we’ve had a lot of hang time and a lot of beer time together! I’ve even jumped up and played drums on a track with him before so a song collab was always on the cards. We met up at the studio sometime in 2019 and ‘My Mind’ was written in a day. It’s a song about appreciating the beautiful women in our lives.”

“My Mind” is the latest track lifted from Baker Boy’s highly anticipated debut album Gela. The album title is Baker Boy’s “skin name,” so it’s the perfect choice for his introductory body of work. It drops October 15, but you can preorder your digital, CD, or vinyl copy now.

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Ryan Meeking Drops Hot New Single, “Endless Run”

It’s always exciting to check in with an old favourite. Ryan Meeking and The Few were hot property in the early 2010s, playing shows with Rob Thomas, Diesel, Angus and Julia Stone, and Gossling. But Ryan dropped off my radar … until now. With the release of his latest single “Endless Run,” I’m right back on board.

As you might imagine, a lot has changed in the last decade. Ryan’s music has developed a more modern sound with an electro-pop feel that reminds me of Gotye and Benee. Ryan’s songwriting skills are even stronger and that voice that drew me to his music in the first place is every bit as enticing.

Ryan sets the scene for the song, noting “You’re in the festival crowd. Drink it in. Your friends, thousands of others, the music, the party, the complete loss of any sense of time and space – and who cares: the community in that. Everything is now, everything is amazing and it’s just the beginning. Welcome to your Endless Run.”

The colourful music video, directed by filmmaker and photographer Rick Clifford (Ainslie Wills, Bad Pony, Tori Forsyth), is also absolutely stunning. Just see if you can take your eyes off it.

Making plans is tricky these days, but at this stage Ryan will play a launch show at Small Time in Brunswick on August 12. The show will also be streamed for everyone who can’t be there in person. Follow Ryan Meeking on Facebook to learn more about that!

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: @rcstills

Gia Darcy Releases Empowering New Single, “I’m Not Sorry”

Sydney singer-songwriter Gia Darcy’s latest single “I’m Not Sorry” is an unapologetic anthem that should strike a chord with anyone who’s been told they’re too much. I love the lyrics which celebrate being all parts of yourself, whether other people like it or not!

This is Gia’s third single, and I honestly think it’s her best. It’s got a great pop sound and a real confidence about it that is so endearing. It sounds like she might just be taking her own lyrics to heart and being every bit as bold as she can be.

Image used with permission from KAOS

LA Faithfull Spreads Good Vibes With “Anywhere We Want”

As Victoria gets confirmation of lockdown extensions and Greater Sydney prepares for at least the next two weeks of the same, most of us are dreaming of seeing something beyond our four walls. LA Faithfull’s poptastic new single “Anywhere We Want” is the perfect track to beat your lockdown blues. We might not be heading anywhere in the near future, but for just a few minutes this feel-good anthem from one of Melbourne’s best new singer-songwriters lets you indulge your fantasies.

LA Faithfull actually wrote the track about taking a mental vacation from her anxiety. In the song, she describes the battle inside her head and the moments that lift her up and “escape that reality for a bit.” The pandemic has certainly brought mental health issues to the fore. It might seem like a simple solution, but listening to upbeat, uplifting tracks like this are great therapy.

Image used with permission from KAOS

Nicholas Hamilton Reminisces With EP Title Track, “Pretty Young”

I don’t know about you, but the COVID pandemic has me in a nostalgic mood. I’m locked down here in New South Wales, but my Facebook memories make sure I remember the concerts I’ve been to, holidays I’ve taken, and great nights out I’ve shared with my friends. Nicholas Hamilton’s latest single “Pretty Young” reflects my current mood. In this track, he looks back at his own transition from teenager to twentysomething, a period that saw him moving halfway across the globe to pursue his passion for acting.

“I remember feeling pretty down when I wrote the first stanza. It was one of those days where you just cry behind a piano and hope a song comes out. There was a moment where I realised how silly it was for me to be writing a song about my childhood, when I definitely wouldn’t consider myself an adult yet … That’s how the second stanza came about, starting with ‘and I’m still pretty young’,” he explained. “I drew the rest of the lyrics from a ton of childhood memories I thought I’d forgotten, and recent memories I hope I don’t forget.”

This adorable music video features home movies capturing moments from Nicholas’s childhood.

“Pretty Young” comes from the EP of the same name, which we’ll hear on August 13. Like the single, this EP features acoustic pop tracks exploring nostalgic subject matter. Nicholas currently divides his time between Los Angeles and his hometown of Byron Bay. With the EP on the way and some TV and film projects in development, expect to hear a lot more about this talented Aussie in the near future.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Mike Falzone

Karen Harding Releases Powerful Pandemic Plea, “I Heard Somebody Talking”

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought out the best and worst of human behaviour. So often I’ve found myself shaking my head at the actions of others. Singer-songwriter Karen Harding has channelled the frustration many of us have felt into her latest single “I Heard Somebody Talking,” a song inspired by anti-mask rallies.

“The beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic was an emotive and scary time for everyone. I was sitting, watching the news about an anti-mask rally, when a man ran across the screen. I immediately sat down at my piano and wrote a song about what I would have liked to say to this man … how he would feel if his decisions led to his family becoming unwell,” she explained.

Producer Joshua Hennessy ensures Karen’s pure vocals and powerful words really shine on this release. She might be relatively new on the scene, but she has a long musical history, learning piano from age six and taking singing lessons from 14. She played in a covers duo in her early 20s, but has just begun finding her own voice.

“It wasn’t until Covid-19 began that I really had the space to see what was possible with my music,” she explained. “I had the opportunity in lockdown, to speak with musicians and music industry experts through my platform, Sounds On The Couch, and as a result, I am now honoured to be sharing my own music with the world.”

If you want to keep up to date with Karen’s musical journey, make sure you follow her Facebook page.

Image used with permission from Karen Harding

Snark Drop Rocking New Single, “Pressure”

Melbourne band Snark are here to shake up your Thursday with their latest track “Pressure.” With elements of pop-punk and indie-rock, this is one of those songs that demands to be cranked up loud.

Frontman Stefan wrote the song dealing with the pressures of Melbourne’s second lockdown last year. As someone living in New South Wales right now, it’s definitely striking a chord with me at the moment!

“I wrote the song in the middle of Melbourne’s second, seemingly never-ending lockdown, as all of life’s stresses really began to pile up and take a toll,” he explained. “I realised that without the outlet or release valve of time with friends and loved ones, I found myself crumbling. I channeled that hopelessness and frustration into this song, as well as a sense of longing for better times. I’m really hoping it can resonate with people and be as cathartic for them as it has been for me.”

Melbourne music lovers, save the date for Snark’s single launch on August 7. They’ll name the venue once they finalise the details, so make sure you give them a follow on Facebook to learn more.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co; credit: Act Four Photography

Roy Bing Celebrates Sports Legend With Absolute Banger, “Rabs”

I pride myself on appreciating music of all genres, but every now and then I find myself getting into something that even surprises myself. That’s the case with “Rabs,” a high-energy new electro-dance number from Sydney producer Roy Bing.

Now you wouldn’t think that Ray “Rabs” Warren’s enthusiastic commentary would be a natural marriage for the genre, but here we are. Somehow, someway, it works. The track is a celebration of the colourful commentator’s prowess calling rugby league and Australian swimming. I honestly think it’s genius. It’s even been endorsed by the man himself!

“I will not be dancing – but maybe you might have a boogie!” he said.

Roy Bing said “I made this bass-line in Ableton which I had looping in my headphones. For some reason, I went on YouTube (with the loop still playing) and opened a video of ‘State of Origin highlights’ that I was watching the night before. Suddenly, two worlds collided … I heard Rabs’ voice singing over the bass-line – and it blew my mind. I love tech-house beats, and I also love Rabs – so it felt right to do to put them together.”

Ray Warren calls his 99th State of Origin tonight. Cranking this one up is the perfect way to celebrate the milestone. Go the Blues!

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

BARKAA Releases Powerful New Single, “King Brown”

Proud Malyangapa, Barkindji woman BARKAA proves she’s an absolute queen with her new single “King Brown.” I love this track’s empowering lyrics and the way she’s effortlessly married hip hop sounds with some Latin flavour. This is absolute fire.

“I was in a very toxic relationship for years and it did its toll on my confidence and my self-esteem was really low,” BARKAA explained. “I believed in my head I deserved that kind of love at one point. But then after relearning, getting to know myself again and seeing my worth I could never look back. King Brown is just a f*ck you to my ex basically, it’s cheeky, it’s comical and it’s fun … I guess with King Brown I wanted to show that side of me. I made the decision to cut a lot of ties not only for my mental health and well-being, but for my babies. Love is a doing word and if it isn’t actioned it has no room in mine or my babies’ lives. This is a track for my sisters to keep their head up too, to feel good again, and to put their middle fingers up at those who don’t deserve us.”

BARKAA filmed the music video in Sydney with Paven Gill of Sonder Films.

“As soon as we heard the song we knew we wanted strong scenes/visuals to match the energy of the song, especially the vibe of the production,” said Paven. “After listening to the lyrics we wanted to focus on the visuals that show strength, confidence, family, culture while still keeping the overall vibe to be fun and energetic.”

“King Brown” gives us our first taste of BARKAA’s debut EP Blak Matriarchy. And what a taste it is!

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia; credit: Luke Currie-Richardson

Get Your Groove On With Emma Donovan & The Putbacks’ New Single, “Out The Door”

Emma Donovan & The Putbacks have just dropped their funky new single “Out The Door,” giving us an exciting taste of things to come.

“Out The Door reflects our return to the studio and realigning as a band coming out of some very dark and tormenting times. We literally ran out the door from lockdown and jumped deep into the studio,” Emma explained. “When The Putbacks and I are in the studio, we jam, we write and there’s a lot of trust for me to play with lyrics and melody. This single shows our strength as a musical unit, our relationship and trust with one another, and marks my return to the Melbourne community”.

“Out The Door” is the first track lifted from the outfit’s new album Under These Streets, which drops on September 17 as part of the City of Melbourne’s Flash Forward program. The album was written and recorded on Wurundjeri Country, home of the Kulin Nation. It features eight tracks lifted from The Putbacks’ vault and given Emma Donavan’s unmistakeably soulful treatment. And if this first track is any indication, it’s going to be sensational.

Image used with permission from Brain Drain PR