Timothy and The Apocalypse is the solo musical project of Timothy Poulton, who rediscovered his love of music through the COVID pandemic. The project became an outlet for his frustrated creativity. His latest single “Start Again” gives us a taste of what’s in store with his second release Ethereal Event.
“Start Again” fuses classic rock influences with a little 90s rave and modern electronica. It’s a mishmash of sounds that somehow works. I can’t stop listening.
If you love this, you don’t have too long to wait to hear more. Ethereal Event drops on September 17.
Image used with permission from the A&R Department
If there was ever a time for an artist making what the press release called “emo-pop,” it’s now. With New South Wales and Victorian lockdowns dragging on, I’ll bet that AViVA’s new single “Melancholy” will resonate with more than a few of you.
“Seemingly cheerful and upbeat from the outside, it doesn’t matter what makes you feel that way, sometimes feeling down is the only way you can feel, but the power of the last line ‘it will never be the same’ is where the core message of the song lies,” AViVA explained. “Even though after negative experiences things often aren’t the same, we are always free to learn and grow from our experiences. Feeling melancholy, like so many feelings, is just a temporary state. Things will, as they always do, get better.”
AViVA is giving us all something to look forward to once lockdown ends with shows all around the country. She’s also scheduled to play Spain’s Mad Cool Festival next year. It’s ambitious to announce an Aussie tour right now, let alone international plans, but I have to admire her optimism! If you’re keen on some gigs, put these ones on your radar.
12 Nov 2021 – Enigma Bar, Adelaide (All Ages)
13 Nov 2021 – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne (All Ages)
20 Nov 2021 – Factory Floor, Sydney (Afternoon All Ages)
20 Nov 2021 – Factory Floor, Sydney (Evening 18+)
21 Nov 2021 – The Brightside, Sydney (Afternoon All Ages)
6-9 July 2022 – Mad Cool Festival, Madrid
Image used with permission from Island Records Australia; photo credit: MataisC
Kiwi-born, Melbourne-based artist Dansy serves up plenty of attitude with her latest single “Wish U Could.” The track has a real rock edge, but I can also hear Dansy’s pop influences peeking through. Dansy cites The Pussycat Dolls and My Chemical Romance as influences, so it shouldn’t be any surprise that this is powerful track doesn’t sit neatly in any genre box.
I love the song, but imagine hearing it live would be even better. Can you imagine the explosive energy Dansy would bring when she’s feeding off the crowd? Her press release says she loves performing, so hopefully it’s not too long before we can see her up on stage where she belongs. Until then, crank this one up.
Boo Seeka has dropped a very un-Boo Seeka track, and I love it! The acoustic-driven “Tripwire” is such a departure from the act’s electronic party numbers, but I think it might just be what most of us need in our lives right now. The song mourns the loss of normalcy so many of us are experiencing right now.
“The songwriting for Tripwire is really direct, I’m wearing my heart on my sleeve with this one,” Boo explained. “I realised I was writing about myself, and the stuff I was going through, which was hitting me pretty hard if I’m being honest. Writing on an acoustic guitar has always been a part of my process and usually, it would just be used to figure out the chords and structure of the song, and then it would be built into an electronic track. With ‘Tripwire,’ we used the same template, but nothing we built sonically got close to the emotion, and the rawness of the acoustic version. It’s super different to the typical Boo Seeka sound, but the diversity of the upcoming album is something I’m very proud of, and releasing it as the first single is the perfect way to kick it off”.
Covid also got in the way of Boo’s music video plans, but he was not to be deterred.
“Originally I was going to fly to WA to shoot this clip but Covid once again got in the way. My manager Cohen and his mate, Lachlan Ross (of production company Halves and Quarters) set out with Meg Charnaud (actor) on a last-minute adventure to shoot the clip on a farm close to Margaret River, Western Australia. Lachy is the mastermind behind the whole thing, and I love the beauty of it. It’s a simple yet effective clip capturing the emotion of trying to run away from all things negative. Something myself and everyone around me is going through right now.”
If you’re craving a little bit of normal, catch Boo Seeka on The Trip tour. Some shows are being rescheduled given all the current COVID dramas, but at this stage, the following gigs are going ahead as planned.
“When people come to a Boo Seeka live show, I really want to put on a night where people can leave their troubles at home, smile, and just have a whole heap of fun,” Boo said. Leave your troubles behind at the following shows.
25 September 2021 – The Triffid, Brisbane
2 October 2021 – Republic Bar, Hobart
3 October 2021 – The Royal Oak, Launceston
16 October 2021 – Magnet House, Perth
Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: @natimgraben
Aussie punk-rock act Between You & Me are set to inject some energy into your weekend with their bold new single “Deadbeat.” The track sees frontman Jake Wilton coming to terms with his own shortcomings.
“Being in a band, I am often away from home for long periods of time. Whilst at home, I also found myself prioritising my own endeavours over my relationship. During the pandemic, I was able to spend a lot more time with my girlfriend and I felt a sense of remorse for the unwavering support that she gave me whilst I was absorbed in my own career. ‘Deadbeat’ is a self-reflection of my behaviours as a boyfriend and how I recognised I needed to do better.”
“Deadbeat” comes from Between You & Me’s sophomore LP, which is coming at you really soon. With three years passing since their debut Everything is Temporary, fans will be fired up for new material, especially if it’s all as good as this track!
Life’s been pretty stressful for many Aussies, but Brisbane alt/pop hip-hop act Cinnamon Sun is bringing the chill with their latest single “Fly.” Like a big sonic hug, which is the safest kind of hug right now, this laidback single hits all the right notes.
The band says “‘Fly’ is a gentle reminder that we need to lift each other up, be the change we want to see and spread a message of love for our fellow earth-dwellers.” Amen!
This is the third single from Cinnamon Sun. Their previous releases, “If You Call” and “Goosebumps” premiered on Triple J and clocked up more than 65,000 streams on Spotify. They were also featured in Beat Magazine, AU Review, Australian Music Scene, Forte, and StereoFox. No doubt “Fly” will bring the band continued success. While so much of the rest of the country is locked down, Cinnamon Sun is making the most of the latest eased restrictions in their part of the country. Enjoy a dance at the following “Fly” single launch parties:
11 September 2021 – Laneway, Cairns
24 September 2021 – Tanuki Lounge, Brisbane
Music can be so vital to recovering from trauma. I’m not saying that it removes your scars or patches you up, but gentle music can certainly act like a soothing ointment, keeping your symptoms at bay for a while. I’ve just experienced some of the hardest days of my life after my cat Gizmo passed away. I’m in the sort of dark place where even listening to music is hard. I was glad I had a few posts prewritten, because I couldn’t muster the enthusiasm to write new ones. But Neeko’s breezy, folky new single “How Deep?” managed to cut through all of that and bring a little sunshine to my life for a little while. The press release calls it a “heartwarming pick-me-up for lost souls and awakened lovers alike.” If like me, you’re in one of those camps, I’m sure you’ll love it too.
“How Deep is a triumphant love song! It was written in a moment where I felt an overwhelming amount of gratitude, excitement and well, love for the person whom this song is about. It was one of those experiences of such immense feeling that I had to do something with it, hence came this song,” Neeko explained. “It poured out of me in a matter of hours. I then quickly recorded a demo with all the backing vocal arrangements the next day so I could really capture the emotion. All of the arrangements in the final recording are the same so it really is true to the feeling I had upon writing it.”
Neeko will release her debut album this spring, so stay tuned for details!
Brisbane trio Bugs are back with their new single “Decisions, Commitments & Plans.” A live favourite (remember when we could see bands live?!), this song starts fairly mellow for a Bugs track before erupting with raw emotion around the two-minute mark. It’s a trip!
“I wanted to write a song that talks about the chaotic emotional pressure of making choices, one that represents the full spectrum of confusion that comes to mind when faced with evolving responsibility and change-forced growth,” explained frontman Connor Brooker. “It can be daunting (or empowering) when you realise you’re the one writing your own script; but with more gained wisdom you learn to realise you’re not alone in that journey. It’s okay to be afraid, we all get scared sometimes.”
The band intends to wrap up their sold-out “Diamond” single tour in Melbourne later this month. Whether it happens or not, it’s all sold out so if you missed out on tickets, it’s time to look at the next thing. If you’re craving some live Bugs, you can (hopefully) catch them at the following shows:
16 October 2021 – STONEFEST, Canberra
6 November 2021 – Open Season @ The Princess Theatre, Brisbane
Image used with permission from Habit Music Co; credit: Nikita Oliver
Newcastle four-piece Dancer have just dropped their new track “Dreamer,” and it’s the perfect track to chase away those pandemic blues. With an uplifting electro indie pop feel, its slick sound is made even more impressive when you realise the band recorded it in bedroom studios and Airbnb properties.
“The song focuses on the identity of a dreamer, an individual who follows the big ridiculous ideas inside of them,” the band explained. When so much of the world feels hopeless right now, the positive lyrics in this song are a great reminder that there’s so much more out there for us all.
After Dancer recently signed with Mirror Records, the group who’s represented the likes of Gang of Youths, Middle Kids, and Sloan Peterson, we can probably expect big things from these guys.
Image used with permission from Mirror Records; credit: Charlie Hardy
In June, Brisbane act Cheap Date delivered their debut song “Beside Me.” New track “Woman to You” is the sequel, a companion piece that reveals the next chapter of frontwoman Lara Dee’s story.
“‘Woman To You’ is a song that I wrote as a way to express and come to terms with my sexuality as a young adult. I had spent my whole teenage life convinced that I would grow up, get a job, find a husband, build that white picket fence and have kids. ‘Beside Me’ was written about the last real relationship I had with a man before coming out as bisexual. This song is the follow up to that,” she explained. “It is really an expression of obsession. Which sounds a bit creepy … but I mean it in the most innocent way. I was suddenly allowing myself to feel and think about women in a way that felt natural and inherently like my true self.”
This song features beautiful lyrics and melody, with dreamy vocals that are sure to get under your skin. If you like what you hear and you’re living in Queensland, you can see Cheap Date at the following shows:
12 September 2021 – The Courage Collective @ The Zoo, Brisbane
5 November 2021 – Solbar, Maroochydore (supporting Teenage Dads)
6 November 2021 – O’Skulligans, Brisbane (supporting Teenage Dads)
7 November 2021 – Burleigh BBQ Bazaar, Burleigh (supporting Teenage Dads)
