Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Violet Daze Releases Fab Debut, “Across the Bay”

Violet Daze knocks it out of her park with her debut single “Across the Bay.” It’s a folk-tinged pop track that has me thinking of acts like Maggie Rogers, Laura Marling, and Ella Henderson. It’s rare to hear such a polished track from a new artist, but Violet is no stranger to the music industry. She’s worked behind the scenes for the past three years, but is finally ready to step into the spotlight.

“I want people to hear this song and not feel alone. I want them to feel seen,” the Sunshine Coast artist said. “It takes courage to delve into the self-reflective process of a break-up and come out the other side.”

The single is accompanied by a music video that captures some of Violet’s favourite places.

“It was filmed in locations that are significant to me personally and I feel that energy carries through the music video. The premise of the video is going on a trip that you had planned to do with your significant other, that you are now having to do by yourself and exploring the wave of emotions that go along with that,” she explained. “It was filmed by Dale from Whaley Films and Rachael Baskerville who is the face behind all of the Violet Daze press images. They brought the concept together seamlessly”

Violet Daze has got one of those voices that you just want to keep listening to. I can’t wait to hear more from this exciting new artist.

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Witching Hour Takes Back Her Power With “Queen of Wands”

Grab your hairbrush and enjoy a private karaoke sesh with Witching Hour’s new single, “Queen of Wands.” This is a sublime slice of punky power-pop in the vein of Paramore or Press Club. It deserves to be played loud and often.

“‘Queen Of Wands’ distills the precious, potent magic that comes from finally choosing yourself,” she said. “After experiencing one damaging relationship after another, I had at last let go of the desire I had to swiftly and effectively find the right person to spend my life with, and the tendency to contort the wrong people into that vision.

“Once I released my grip on that outcome and sat with the fear and uncertainty of not having control over that part of my future, I felt life and vibrance rush back to my body. I finally felt like my truest and most authentic, colourful self again. I was living alone in a wonderful apartment with my cat, I was taking myself out on dates, and it was such a restorative and special time in my life. I felt totally renewed, and the little haven I’d created for myself served as a kind of cocoon, fostering my transformation. The song is an ode to that apartment, and that revelation.”

Hell yeah sister!

If you want to hear more from Witching Hour, there’s good news. Her debut EP Book of Shadows drops on July 30.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co; credit: Giulia McGauran

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bootleg Rascal and Saint Lane Team Up For “All About You”

You know when some of our best and brightest join forces, magic is bound to happen. Bootleg Rascal and Saint Lane’s new collaboration, “All About You,” had me from the first note. The cool, catchy track is just what you need to take you to the weekend.

“’All About You’ is the first Bootleg Rascal song entirely produced by Jim and myself. As we’ve spent more time off the road than ever before, we’ve shifted our attention to being more hands-on in the studio,” said Bootleg Rascal frontman, Carlos Lara. “The song itself is about love in the modern era, and how technology plays an integral role into shaping our behaviours and the way we interact with one another.” he continues.

Bootleg Rascal will play two shows in Queensland in the coming months. Will Gold Coast-based rapper Saint Lane join them at any of the shows? I guess you’ll just have to head along to find out!

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

NIDALA Celebrates Quiet Moments With “One of Those Days”

Proud Djungun artist NIDALA is giving us a taste of her forthcoming EP with the release of her superb new single, “One of Those Days.” It’s such a cool track with a laidback folky feel and powerful emotional core. The stripped-back instrumentation is the ideal showcase for NIDALA’s incredible vocals. The lyrics are also a great reminder that rest can be just as vital as activism.

“This track is my ode to slowness,” NIDALA explained. “It’s about the days you can’t quite get to where you want to be, and everything feels foggy and hard. It’s a reminder that we all deserve some rest. I wrote this song after hitting a point I think all of us have felt through COVID. After routine went down the drain and we all tried to pretend like we could still match the outputs we achieved. It’s about the realisation that maybe it was time for us to just sit down and rest.”

“One of Those Days” comes from NIDALA’s EP Colours of My People. The release will be entirely carbon neutral and benefit some vital charities. NIDALA will donate 20% of proceeds to tree-planting initiatives and 20% to Indigenous initiatives including mental health services and creative mentoring programs.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Clay J Gladstone Go Hard With “People Like You”

Sydney punk rock act Clay J Gladstone have released their fantastic new single “People Like You.” Its verses creep along, lulling you into a relaxed mood before the chorus comes out swinging. This is a track that goes for the jugular with its big crunchy chords and powerhouse vocals.

“The track is about escaping an abusive relationship and going out in a blaze of glory,” explained lead singer Clay J. “Being told you’re not good enough only to realise you’ve been bullied into submission and need to cut them loose.”

The track comes with a cinematic music video filmed, directed, and edited by AWOL Productions’ Adam Williamson.

“The storyline follows the concept of the track: breaking free of an abusive relationship,” Clay J explained of the video’s concept. “There are three locations to depict the relative stages in the relationship. Firstly, the light box to depict being stuck in cage; secondly, the dark bedroom with photos on the wall acting as memories; and thirdly, the bright park to represent breaking free.”

As you might imagine listening to this track. Clay J Gladstone are earning a reputation as one of the most explosive bands on the live circuit. Catch them at the following venues to see what the hype is all about:

26 June 2021 – AM//PM Emo Night Sydney @ Burdekin Hotel, Darlinghurst
10 July 2021 – The Lansdowne, Sydney (supporting FANGZ)

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Chris Commerford Band Delivers Sweet Soul Music With “Sugar”

Cooler than cool soul-rock act The Chris Commerford Band hit all the right notes with their latest single “Sugar.” Capturing those heady days of early infatuation, this track is silky smooth, an absolute delight to listen to.

“The track always felt good when we played it live and even in rehearsals Sugar still had that great feeling, so after a lot of encouragement I knew I could trust what I felt deep down that we could make it into something special,” Chris Commerford said.

Special is right. It sounds effortless, but this track was actually four years in the making, with multiple demos, several mixes, and seemingly endless hours in production. The best part though is that it doesn’t sound like hard work. The final recording feels like a jam session, with every musician feeding off one another to create something so sublime. More like this please!

The Chris Commerford Band love playing live, so there are always plenty of opportunities to catch them. See them do their thing at the following shows:

26 June 2021 – TAR BARREL Brewery and Distillery, Mornington (7 pm)
27 June 2021 – Project Brewing Company, Rowville (2:30 pm)
8 August 2021 – Dainton Brewery, Carrum Downs (3 pm)

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fall Head Over Heels for Buttered’s New Single, “Love”

As days of the week go, Mondays aren’t very sexy. Usually. But like me, you might just change your mind once you wrap your ears around “Love,” the super-smooth new single from Gold Coast duo Buttered. This one takes me right back to the ‘90s, when slow jams from acts like Boyz II Men, Jodeci, and Dru Hill were in regular rotation on my stereo.

“Love blends groove and emotion leaving the listener feeling elevated. “Love” is about the beginning of true commitment. The excitement and possibilities that come with creating a life with someone. It’s also about how that feeling translates universally. The shape and size of our love in every part of our lives colour and intensifies everything we are,” Buttered explained. “The classic Wurlitzer drives through the entire song accompanying the strong vocal hooks and delicate guitar parts. Picture yourself dancing softly with your partner reminiscing on many years of joy. That’s how the listener will feel at the end of this track. good luck getting it out of your head!”

You’ll get the chance to dance along to their music in person soon, with Buttered heading out on a single tour next month. Catch them at the following venues this July:

2 July 2021 – Solbar, Maroochydore
15 July 2021 – The Bearded Lady, Brisbane
16 July 2021 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
30 July 2021 – The Northern, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from GD FRNDS

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Press Play, Then Play Again on Figurehead’s “On Repeat”

Fremantle five-piece Figurehead have been a force out west for some time, but they’re ready to let the rest of the country know what they’re all about. Their new track “On Repeat” is the ideal introduction, a laidback indie-rock banger that goes down easy. Despite its relaxed groove and summery melody, the track has some intense lyrics which explore drug-induced paranoia and entrapment.

“The main riff that initiated the song was the first thing I played when I picked up my new Fender Telecaster and the lyrics followed,” explained frontman Joe Caddy. “The song initially had a longer run time and a different structure, but the short poppy skeleton of the song was in part, the vision of Dave Parkin of Blackbird Studios, who produced the song.”

Figurehead will launch “On Repeat” for hometown fans at Clancy’s Fish Pub on July 3. They’re also scheduled to play Perth’s Under the Southern Stars gigs next year.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hattie Oates Wows Me With “Waste My Time”

Hattie Oates has given me chills with her latest single “Waste My Time.” It’s a gorgeous stripped-back ballad with minimal production ensuring your focus is solely on Hattie’s delicate voice. Her vocals drip with emotion, ensuring listeners feel the heartbreak behind her bittersweet lyrics.

“This song is about the emotional journey you take when ending a relationship,” she explained. “And then getting to the other side, where you suddenly see all the wasted time you spent stuck in the past with them, instead of just moving on.”

Every time I hear a new song from Hattie I marvel at what she’s achieving at such a young age. This is another stellar single from one of the country’s most exciting talents.

Image used with permission from Popcom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Caught Up With A Swift Farewell’s New Single, “Mousetrap”

Sydney pop-punk band A Swift Farewell have been doing great things over the last few years, earning praise from tastemakers like Alternative Press, idobi Radio, triple j, and Wall of Sound and supporting the likes of Hands Like Houses and FANGZ. If you’re not already across their music, you soon will be. Their latest track “Mousetrap” is bound to make you sit up and take notice.

“Mousetrap” is such a ballsy track, with insane vocals from Emma Mather and dynamic instrumentation that matches her intensity. Its lyrics are so relatable. The film clip, which shows the band finding themselves at the mercy of evil scientists, is also a stroke of genius.

“’Mousetrap’ is about feeling trapped in a relationship in which you are not able to give someone the time and attention they demand from you and feeling burnt out from trying,” explained the band’s bassist, Sarah Bonnet. “In the end, the person doesn’t notice they are asking too much from you and you feel yourself grow emotionally distant from them.”

It’s been a couple of months since A Swift Farewell played live, but hopefully the release of this single inspires them to get out in front of punters again. Give their Facebook page a follow to learn all about any gig announcements as they happen.

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