Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chelsea Berman Releases New Party Anthem, “Tastes Like a Hangover”

Central Coast country darling Chelsea Berman has released, in her words, “the drinking song you never knew you needed,” her latest single “Tastes Like a Hangover.” And with so much of the country in lockdown right now, I think it’s just what the doctor ordered. Although, I have no medical training, so take my health advice with a grain of salt!

“This song is inspired by my own hangovers,” Chelsea admitted. “At 23 you wouldn’t think they would be that bad – but as the song says, I definitely spend the next day on the bathroom floor after a few too many Fireball shots.”
Chelsea wrote the track with local country music star Troy Kemp.

“I came to Troy Kemp with the idea for the song and he loved it, so we wrote the song and he added a different angle of ‘making the night worthwhile’ so the next day you can remember all of the fun you had the night before!” Chelsea added. ”The track was produced by Rod McCormack who did an amazing job and gave the song a pop/country feel that is sure to help you dance the night away!”

Chelsea has played shows all across the East Coast, including dates with Travis Collins, Amber Lawrence, and Brad Cox. Hopefully it won’t be too long before the lockdown lifts and we see her back on the stage.

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aaron. Rocks Out With “Notice”

The coolest artists need only one name: Prince, Madonna, Cher, and now … Melbourne act Aaron. The music Aaron. makes has more of a rock feel than most mononymous artists, but I’m really digging the raw energy of his latest single, “Notice.” Aaron’s fourth single celebrates being able to love yourself completely, without the doubt and criticism that can so often hold us back from living our dreams. It’s a message that Aaron. takes to heart as he forges ahead in his music career.

“Aaron. allows me to express myself fully no matter how I am feeling or what I am going through,” he explained. “I always struggled to express myself in general and music allows me to do so in the most accurate and truthful way.”

Aaron. plans to release a “steady stream of emotionally-charged singles,” so it sounds like we’ll be hearing a lot more from him really soon.

Image used with permission from Aaron.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out to The Crookeds’ “State of Panic”

These pandemic days are pretty stressful for many of us. When you feel that funk setting in, sometimes you’ve just got to crank the music and let all that frustration out. Thankfully The Crookeds’ new single “State of Panic” is just the kind of song that deserves maximum volume. With bold guitars and killer rock vocals, it’s everything you’ve been looking for.

“‘State of Panic’ is the second single in the lead up to our debut EP ‘Dead Eye’ and is a real showcase of our musical diversity,” The Crookeds’ drummer Oscar Linkson explained.

“The track centres around driving 7-string guitar lines, backed by almighty grooves, while stripped back verses give an air of sensuality, and the chorus/finale showcase our signature heavy rock energy. With a hook that will stay with you forever, the song’s lyrics eloquently discuss the modern day ‘state of panic’ we find ourselves in. Mainstream media controls our minds as we get our daily ‘fix’ from our phones – always searching for more.”

These guys are earning a reputation as one of the best live acts in the business. They’ve sold out their last five shows. Let’s hope those lockdowns and border closures are behind us soon, because I want to see bands like this again.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Emmagan Rain Impresses With “For You”

After hitting the spotlight as a contestant on The Voice last year, teen country-pop act Emmagen Rain has really grown as an artist. Her latest single, “For You,” might just be her most accomplished yet. The lyrics, which Emmagen cowrote with Erin McKellar and Bread + Butter, are so relatable. She turns out such a solid vocal performance here too.

“It’s a song about meeting the right person at the wrong time!” Emmagen said. Haven’t we all been there!

The Voice Australia has long been criticised for failing to make stars of its contestants. However, Emmagen shows you that it’s possible to run with the exposure from the show and release some quality music after it wraps.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Casey Barnes Gets Romantic With “God Took His Time On You”

Last time we heard new music from Casey Barnes, he was rocking out with the sexy “Come Turn Me On.” But he reveals a more tender side with his latest single “God Took His Time On You.” It’s another confident country-crossover track that should make listeners swoon. It also proves that a pandemic and its border closures don’t have to stand in the way of creating a great song with people on the other side of the world.

“I’ve absolutely loved teaming up with my US buddies in Brown & Gray co-writing tracks for this next album and when we worked on this single we knew straight away it was something really special. Every lyric in this song is a dedication to the one you love. Using the metaphor in the line ‘when heaven dreamt you up, God took his time on you’ I think is the ultimate tribute of how perfect you feel your partner is.”

“God Took His Time On You” is the latest track from Casey’s next album, which will drop early next year. Hopefully the country will be a little more open and Casey can tour it as planned. Before that, Casey will defend his Artist of the Year title and hopefully pick up Song of the Year, Release of the Year, and Live Act of the Year at the 2021 Gold Coast Music Awards on September 4.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Turn Up Bellwether’s New Track, “Shortsighted”

Perhaps it’s Monday or the umpteenth day of lockdown getting to me, but the angsty punk of “Shortsighted,” the latest track from Sydney act Bellwether, is really resonating with me today. It’s an all-out assault on the senses with big chunky chords and all-too-relatable lyrics.

“‘Shortsighted’ is, in essence, a song about self-acceptance. It’s about confronting and admitting your own flaws, while at the same time accepting yourself for who you are and abandoning the expectations imposed onto you by others,” explained Bellwether’s guitarist and songwriter, Heath Joukhadar. “That all being said, the song doesn’t take itself seriously, which is not only reflected by the message of the lyrics but also the numerous pop culture and meme references included throughout the track.

“We took a lot of inspiration from BoJack Horseman when we were writing ‘Shortsighted’, as he was a character we could all empathise with,” Heath added. “BoJack personifies the feeling of never being good enough and we tried channelling that energy into the song. Sometimes you feel like a piece of shit and that’s alright.”

You might not have heard of Bellwether yet, but a lot of influential people are sitting up and taking notice. They’ve played shows with American acts Four Year Strong and Knocked Loose, British bands WSTR and Trash Boat, and our own Between You and Me and Yours Truly. This track also premiered on leading USA outlet Substream Magazine. It sounds like this is one local act destined for big things in the not-too-distant future.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Sunday Estate Deliver With “When You Get Home”

I’ve been a little quiet lately. It’s not like I haven’t been listening to music, but I have been searching for something that really hits. Writing posts about music that doesn’t impact me seems a bit disingenuous. I know there are plenty of media outlets out there who just post about everything, but if I wouldn’t share it with a friend, I can’t see the point in wasting my time writing about it. I was starting to think maybe I was just being too picky, and then I heard The Sunday Estate’s new EP When You Get Home. This Sydney five-piece have got something really special. But if you’ve had your ear to the ground, you knew that already. If not, prepare to discover why tastemakers are raving about them.

The Sunday Estate have already released three singles from the EP: “Pray for Rain,” “Fight Me,” and “Bike Thief,” which I’ve already written about. Those tracks have enjoyed airplay on triple j, Beats I, and KCRW. So rather than going over old ground and writing a traditional EP review, I thought it better to highlight the latest single, “We Were Kids.” It’s a nostalgic track with cool indie pop-rock vibes that really hit the spot. Lead vocalist Conor O’Reilly calls it “another song about the trials of getting older,” but it’s a little more than that. The personal lyrics help it stand alone.

“I wanted to really lean into those bittersweet feelings that come with past love/friendship,” he explained.

If you’re not already across The Sunday Estate’s music, check out When You Get Home on your preferred streaming platform. Then if you’re near Sydney, snap up some tickets for their launch show. The gig at The Lansdowne on November 7 is something to look forward to once we (hopefully) get out of lockdown.

Image used with permission from Mirror Music Group; credit: Maclay Heriot

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Camille Trail Embraces Unpretty With New Single, Album

Camille Trail isn’t like other female country acts, and she’s proud of it. While other performers embrace pretty things, she doesn’t want a bar of them. It’s an approach that made her recent studio sessions with producer Shane Nicholson a little out of the box.

“I don’t like pretty things,” she confessed. “He’d play a guitar and say is that too pretty and I’d say yep, too pretty. I don’t like shiny things, I like it to be raw and vulnerable and I wanted to make my debut album a bit more of a statement.”

I’ve had her debut album, River of Sins, on repeat for the last couple of days, and I think the unconventional approach works. These songs are honest and unashamedly real. She calls it “a sit down with a whiskey kind of album,” and that’s a description I can really get behind. It’s also a country album that refuses to play with the classic tropes.

“It never really occurred to me to write about [utes and boots] because it was my everyday life,” explained the Rockhampton native. Instead she took inspiration from the classic rock, blues, and gospel she grew up on.

“I think I’ve always loved vulnerable music. There’s something really beautiful about just a piano and lyrics and space,” she said. “I’ve always loved those darker themes and I’m a big believer in what goes around comes around.”

You can dip your toe into Camille’s music with the new single “I Don’t Like You,” a track that provides a counterpoint to all those sappy songs of yearning that flood the airwaves. But I recommend just diving in and listening to River of Sins from start to finish. If you like what you hear, you can see her perform at the following shows, unless COVID spoils the party!

23 September 2021 – Oodies Café, Bundaberg (with Michael Waugh)
24 & 25 September 2021 – Outback By The Sea Festival, Karumba
2 & 3 October 2021 – Savannah in the Round, Mareeba
9 October 2021 – The Barn at Wombat Flat (with Michael Waugh)
10 October 2021 – Trinity Sessions, Adelaide (with Michael Waugh)
17 October 2021 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle (with Shane Nicholson and Michael Waugh)
22 October 2021 – Junk Bar, Brisbane
3 December 2021 – Murray Delta Juke Joint, Goolwa (with Shane Nicholson)
5 December 2021 – Trinity Sessions, Adelaide (with Shane Nicholson)
20 January 2022 – Wests Leagues, Tamworth
21 January 2022 – Wests Leagues, Tamworth (with Michael Waugh)
4 February 2022 – Railway Hotel, Macedon (with Shane Nicholson)
11 February 2022 – Factory Floor, Sydney (with Shane Nicholson)
12 February 2021 – Bowral Bowling Club, Bowral (with Shane Nicholson)

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Taylor Moss Releases Bluesy and Boozy Break-Up Anthem, “Chaser”

If getting over an ex ever felt like a hangover for you, you’ll love Taylor Moss’s new single “Chaser.” With this track, the Ulladulla-based singer-songwriter compared to ex to low-grade, bottom-shelf booze. Haven’t we all had one of those! I love the way Taylor combines blues, country, and pop influences here so effortlessly.

“This is the most amazing song to sing,” she gushed. “I feel like it’s showing people another side to me, to my vocal, but it’s still got sass and attitude. ‘Chaser’ is all about finding light at the end of the tunnel … someone might leave a bad taste in your mouth, but you can always have a sweet chaser to wash it down. I think most people will find my song relatable, we’ve all had a bad shot with someone!”

Fans can see Taylor playing live in Mackay later this week at the NQ’s Rock’n Country festival.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dani Teveluwe Drops Beautiful New Single, “Movin’ On”

The global pandemic has encouraged so many of us to look inside for what we need to be truly happy. In that current climate, “Movin’ On” by Dani Teveluwe, a singer-songwriter living on Yugambeh Country, really strikes a chord.

Releasing music is one of the things Dani’s realised makes her happy. A professional school teacher, she started releasing music last year. While the process was confronting, the positive feedback she received has helped her feel more confident sharing her music with others. Her new single “Movin’ On,” her third release for the year, celebrates living for yourself instead of existing to please others. The stripped-back instrumentation showcases Dani’s pure voice and stellar lyrics so beautifully. Dani wrote the song after visiting someone and deciding she needed to “move on” from relationships that no longer served her.

“I had just gotten back from catching up with someone who I thought was a friend and our time together that had left a real sour taste in my mouth. There was this feeling of resentment, judgement, disappointment that had reared its head during my visit. When I left, I didn’t feel like I had gotten to catch up with a friend, it was more of an obligatory visit to keep someone happy,” she explained.

“The real problem was me though. I had become such a people pleaser. I was so desperate for everyone to like me that I had become a chameleon, morphing and shifting my personality, opinions, and actions to meet their needs, to keep them happy. Stepping back from myself I saw how I’d change my personality around specific people, mirroring them, purely from a place of wanting to be liked. However, ‘they’ always changed, the goalposts always shifted and moved. It was impossible, exhausting and I wasn’t being me. I am forever grateful for that catch-up because it gave me this song and a valuable lesson.”

“Movin’ On” is out today.

Image used with permission from Dani Teveluwe; credit: Lauren Hooper