Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Myers Wows Me With “How It’s Meant To Be”

Trigger warning: “How It’s Meant To Be” explores the aftermath of a friend’s suicide.

Newcastle’s Tom Myers has cast a spell with his latest song “How It’s Meant To Be.” This is such an achingly beautiful track, so unique with its haunting backing vocals and the music that ebbs and flows in intensity.

Make sure you tap into the lyrics, which express how Tom, the drummer for Papa Vs. Pretty, felt when his friend and bandmate Luke Liang committed suicide.

“‘How Itʼs Meant’ to be is a song written about the sudden and traumatic death of a friend. It explores the immediate aftershocks of death by suicide from multiple perspectives, as a way of finding peace with the ultimate decision,” he explained. “Without sounding too morbid, I wanted to provide an accurate snapshot of my own personal grief in the immediate days after such loss. It was all about me coming to terms with it, if it helps someone else Iʼm really happy.”

Along with his work in Papa Vs. Pretty, Tom has toured as a session drummer with Jack River, Thelma Plum and Kim Churchill. Now with his own solo material, he’s stepping into the spotlight. Follow his Facebook page for details of his gigs as they’re announced.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darling James Confronts Toxic Behaviour in “Make the Grade”

Trigger Warning: “Make the Grade” describes aggressive and manipulative behaviour.

Darling James has taken a swipe at toxic masculinity with his powerful new single “Make the Grade.” This is a confronting but intelligent piece of pop-rock that puts us in the shoes of a male predator. It makes for an uncomfortable listen, but that’s the point.

“The consultation process in making the song and clip needs to be emphasised,” he stressed. “In writing the lyric in the first person it hopes to shed light on the mindset of someone who is engaged in this behaviour. It aims to demonstrate to male listeners how insidious and creepy this behaviour is, perhaps helping them to identify it in their peers and maybe even themselves.”

“Importantly the song doesn’t attempt to speak for women, or interpret other people’s experiences or pain,” added filmmaker Domini Marshall, who brought the music video to life. “Singing as a character conducting this behaviour allows Darling James to articulate it while also fully recognising that he is part of the main demographic that engages in it.”

Give “Make The Grade” a listen. And then listen again. All streaming royalties will benefit Support Art, whose 24-hour wellbeing helpline offers assistance to people in the music industry experiencing hardships, including victims of sexual harassment and misconduct. If you need that service, call 1800 959 500.

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tayla Young Drops Sublime New Single, “Lorelai”

Brisbane Tayla Young has won my heart with her new single “Lorelai.” This is such a gorgeous track, full of vulnerability and longing. The stripped-back acoustic sound ensures you can really tap into those flirty, honest lyrics.

“Lorelai is a lot more light-hearted than what I usually write about. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s about a one-night stand or casual hook-up, there’s a bit more to the story. But it’s definitely about having very little expectation of somebody. It’s basically just me trying to convince someone cool and uncomplicated that I’m cool and uncomplicated too, which is definitely a lie but one I probably believed at the time,” Tayla explained. “We had a lot of house parties in 2020, which is how I imagine the context of the track, so I wanted the mix to sound fun and summery, like a Hottest 100 party type of vibe. I really like the bridge; the bridge is cool; I reckon I nailed It lyrically.”

Tayla has cemented her reputation as a talented performer playing her own headline gigs and supporting talents including Kim Churchill and Emily Wurramurra. Give her Facebook page a follow for details of more shows from her really soon.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Teak Gets Nostalgic With “Seventy Five”

My dad insists there’s been no good music released after the 1970s. I’ve challenged him on this point several times, but I must admit I kind of admire the old man’s dedication to the music he loved in the years BC (before children). And while I was slow to embrace the ‘70s as a kid, I’ve inherited his fondness for the decade. So I can certainly appreciate “Seventy Five,” a long song that celebrates the best of the era from Queensland singer-songwriter Teak.

Like me, Teak has inherited a love of the decade’s music which really shines through in this nostalgic number. She says she was “an 11-year-old kid who would lock herself in the bedroom, light a candle and listen to the likes of led Zeppelin, Frank Sinatra and Patsy Cline … I never really thought it was strange until I looked back and thought, what 11-year-old locks herself in the bedroom with a guitar lit candle and jams out to ‘Going to California’? So, this song in some ways hints at my love for music, anything vintage, and my struggle in the ever-evolving music industry.”

Teak is a regular on the touring circuit who’s made appearances at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, the Gympie Music Muster, and Road to Roma. She was even handpicked to support ‘70s legend David Gates. You can see her next at Springsure Rugby League Ladies Day at the Springsure Senior Football Grounds in Springsure on June 19.

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Discover the Dark Brilliance of Melbs bb’s “Witches”

Melbs bb has just dropped their latest indie-pop single “Witches,” and I can’t stop listening. This track reminds us just how great a bedroom recording can be. Even though it was created far from a big studio, it sounds brilliant. I also love its unique take on mental illness.

“I had the idea that if a child witnessed someone experience depression and only had Disney movies and fairytales as a frame of reference, they would probably think the logical conclusion was that the person has obviously been hexed or cursed by some evil witches,” Melbs bb revealed. “At its core, ‘Witches’ is about seeing a loved one struggle with their mental health and asserting that you see their struggle and would do anything to help them (including battling some evil witches as needed).”

After listening to this song, I went down a Melbs bb rabbit hole, devouring everything they’ve ever recorded. If you’re yet to discover this Melbourne-based artist, what are you waiting for?

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

ELEEA’s “Red Wine” Offers a Taste of Spain

Like so many Aussies, I’m craving travel at the moment. With gloomy winter weather setting in, I find myself longing to leave all this behind for somewhere warm and wonderful. It’s off the table while the borders remain shut, but we can take the journey in our minds with “Red Wine,” the latest single from ELEEA.

Lifted from ELEEA’s forthcoming album The Travel Collection, the Latin-inspired beats and fingerpicked guitar should transport you to Spain. While it conjures up the Mediterranean, it was actually inspired by a classic cinematic romance.

“Red Wine was initially inspired by one of my guilty pleasures, The Notebook. That movie really sold the narrative that sees young, complicated love win,” said ELEEA. “But in my experience, when reality kicked in, so did imposter syndrome and the realisation that we simply hadn’t grown into the right people at the right time. Even the romantic fantasies about all of the places we could go together weren’t enough to make it work.”

ELEEA loved her own travels in Spain, even if she didn’t have someone special by her side.

“When I backpacked through Spain, it felt like a dream. Seeing the sunset at San Sebastian beach, passionate flamenco performances in Madrid or Gaudi’s incredible creations, it brought up all those old fantasies. But in the end, I lived them out solo, which was much more satisfying.”

If you’re mentally planning your next getaway too, “Red Wine” is the ideal soundtrack.

Image used with permission from Kitty Kitty Bang Bang

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

DL and Nathaniel Spread Good Vibes With “LOVE”

Melbourne rapper DL has teamed up with Nathaniel for his latest feel-good single “LOVE.” This song is pure sunshine, with pure confessional lyrics and a hooky chorus.

“’LOVE’ is a song I wrote about a woman and the feels I got even before meeting her,” DL admitted. “There was just that something about her; and yeah, we ended up walking down the aisle together, and we’ve created two beautiful daughters since. They’ve straight up given ‘LOVE’ more than one definition. This song is celebrating all of it. I’m legitimately thrilled and so proud to share it.”

If you need something to lift you up from your midweek slump, this is it.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Down For Tomorrow Cure the Winter Blues With “Sentimental”

The chilly winter weather has well and truly set in. If you’re looking for a way to warm up, may I suggest jumping around to Down For Tomorrow’s latest single “Sentimental.” This is another quality cut from the Sydney indie-punk act, with powerful vocals from Cody Stebbings supported by fuzzy guitars and relentless drums.

“I had just finished rehearsal with everyone. On the way home I began to question my own song writing methods and the value behind the lyrical subjects. I felt I was dramatising and overstating everything I wrote about in some strange attempt to overcompensate for a lack of musical and emotional diversity. I said to myself what would later become the hook: ‘when am I ever not sentimental?’ I wrote the song that night, and we workshopped it with Stevie; sensibly crafting the dynamic push and pull, going over the melody until it was true to the theme. The song emphasises the satire in trying not to be so sentimental about the things that should matter,” Cody explained.

Down For Tomorrow will take the song on the road next month. Catch them at The Workers Club in Melbourne on July 9 or Waywards in Sydney on July 24.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Discover Montana Sharp’s “Power”

Montana Sharp first hit my radar last year with her beautiful single “Greenhouse.” She impressed me then, but her latest single “Power” might be even better. Like Kate Miller-Heidke, Montana channels her classical training into a sound that’s contemporary, theatrical, and ultimately so powerful. If you’ve ever set yourself free from a relationship to reclaim your strength, for better or worse, this song is bound to speak to you.

“I think I grew up sold on the idea that my life would be magically ‘fixed’ once a man came to rescue me … I’d get into a relationship and expect the guy to ‘save’ me from my problems, and I’d be so disappointed and bitter when they inevitably couldn’t – so I’d cut them off abruptly in order to regain a sense of control,” she explained. “I know people will listen to this song and think it’s empowering, and perhaps it was when I wrote it – but I think the head that wears the crown was very heavy, and there’s a lot more subtext within the story.”

You can find this song on all the major streaming platforms, but I think it’s best discovered on YouTube. The film clip is dazzling, with Montana taking on the role of the Queen of Hearts. Just like Alice in Wonderland, it’s whimsical with a dark undercurrent bubbling just underneath the surface.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit Charlie Ashfield

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

GENIIE BOY Releases Cute and Quirky Love Song, “Bruises”

Gold Coast duo GENIIE BOY are making your weekend brighter with their cool new single “Bruises.” As catchy as it is relatable, this track from singer-songwriter Alisha Todd and producer and multi-instrumentalist Scott French is a love song for all the late bloomers out there.

“Bruises is a love song for people who have been a little slow in finding the human they could never get sick of, and also a song for people who don’t fit into the ‘norm’ of societal structure,” they explained. “It’s a bit cute, a bit rock-y, a bit silly. It’s pretty much Alisha’s self-reflection on meeting Scott, their relationship and the reality of their surrounding social groups.”

If you dig it, you’ll be happy to know the band has an EP on the way.

Image used with permission from GYRO PR