Papa vs Pretty founding member Tom Myers is striking out on his new solo single “On My Head.” This track feels like an instant classic. Those fuzzy guitars, driving drums, and edgy vocals are taking me back to a time when bands like Silverchair and Something for Kate ruled the airwaves.
It’s a rocking song that exorcises some of the demons Tom’s felt in recent years. He penned the track just after Papa vs Pretty went their separate ways in 2014, although he admits it also addresses some of the feelings brought up by the unexpected deal of his bandmate Luke Liang in 2018.
“The song touches on the anxiety and disillusionment I felt during this period,” he said.
“On My Head” is the second track lifted from Tom’s forthcoming EP. If it’s full of bangers like this, I’ll be one happy listener.
Sydney indie-punk act Down For Tomorrow espouses key life lessons in their latest single “Good Person.” It doesn’t rock quite as hard as many of the band’s other material, but it’s great to hear a slightly softer side. There’s also some stirring instrumentation and powerful vocals from frontman Cody Stebbings to satisfy faithful fans.
“’Good Person’ is about coming to terms with the fact that we are responsible for our own lives,” he explained. “It traverses that understanding that we are a manifestation of our knowledge and experiences, and that life’s content reflects our truest thoughts.”
As an added bonus, “Good Person” comes packaged with a B-side, “Full Circle.” This track returns to Down For Tomorrow’s roots, with all the angst the punk band has built their reputation on.
“’Full Circle’ is a quick return to the feelings that gave life and blood to our earlier offerings” Cody noted. “A reminder that it is possible to progress and see improvement by visiting the past from time to time.”
Down For Tomorrow will celebrate the release with a string of shows with labelmate FANGZ. Check them out at the following venues:
10 April 2021 – La La La’s, Wollongong
16 April 2021 – The Basement, Canberra
7 May 2021 – The Baroque Room, Katoomba
Image used with permission from Good Intent; credit: Robbie Walcott
I was instantly struck by the beauty of Eli Dan’s new single “Just Another Love Song.” Much more than its title suggests, the track is romantic without feeling tired, with fresh electronic flourishes and beautiful vocals from Elisha Apurado.
She’s the Eli part of Eli Dan, who brings a modern pop sensibility to the folkier style of her collaborator Danny Hacket. Together they create music that the press release calls a mash-up of the sounds of Sara Bareilles, John Mayer, and LANY. No wonder I’m all about it.
This is just the second single from Eli Dan, who burst onto the scene in 2019 with “Treading Water.” Thankfully the duo won’t leave us waiting another couple of years for more music. There are more singles to come, leading up to the release of Eli Dan’s first EP in October.
Image used with permission from Eli Dan
Ben Mastwyk releases his album Livin’ in Gold Street this Friday, but the Melbourne artist couldn’t resist the chance to offer just one more taste of the music to come. “Trouble’s What I Found” is the fifth single from the album and perhaps his strongest yet.
I love this song’s cool alt-country feel. The press release describes it as “Dwight Yoakam pushed through a blender and sprinkled with rhinestones,” and that is just so perfect there’s no point in me trying to come up with my own analogy.
“I had just come off the back of a long-term relationship. I was distraught and vulnerable but also excited for new possibilities. Heading out into the world with that kind of energy opens you up to all kinds of people and experiences,” Ben explained of the song’s inspiration. “This song has me questioning my motions. Was I blurring lines between my friendships? Was I being responsible? It’s incredibly autobiographical, but hopefully, also universal. I think we all go through emotionally vulnerable times where we might take missteps in our lives … lean a little too hard on our friends … open ourselves up to people and experiences that may not be completely healthy for us or other parties involved. This song has me looking back, checking in on myself and the way I played during one of my most vulnerable moments. It’s jam-packed full of intensity.”
With so much country crossing over with pop, it’s refreshing to hear music like this which fuses the genre with something darker and more soulful. I can hear a little Chris Isaak, a little Flying Burrito Brothers, and a whole lot of talent in this. If you can too, check out Livin’ in Gold Street when it drops on Friday and experience what Ben is all about in person at one of the following shows.
24 March 2021 – Blue Door Dinner, The Freedom Hub (FREE acoustic show)
25 March 2021 – The Midnight Special, Newtown (Acoustic show)
26 March 2021 – Dashville Nights, Lower Belford
27 March 2021 – Tamworth Hotel, Tamworth, NSW (Album launch – FREE) *
28 March 2021 – Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern, Sydney (FREE)
Henry Alexander has got me grooving with his optimistic new pop-soul single “Tell The Future.” It’s got a great ‘80s vibe and the sort of positive, hopeful message we all need during these challenging times. This song sounds so tight so it’s impressive to hear it was created during challenging circumstances.
“This song evolved greatly during the COVID lockdown in Melbourne, Australia,” Henry explained. “Being forbidden from meeting in person for an extended period of time, we could not have created this track without today’s music recording technology. Bouncing tracks back and forth between the band members, we deeply connected and channelled our feelings in what has been the most challenging times of our lives.”
“Tell The Future” is the latest in a string of singles that have enjoyed strong support on local community radio and college stations in the U.S. With this new release, Henry is cementing his reputation as one of the most exciting young talents around.
Image used with permission from the A&R Department
Delta Goodrem has really surprised me with the latest track from her Bridge Over Troubled Dreams album. Billionaire sounds like it could come from the soundtrack of a classic Western. It’s like nothing we’ve heard from her before. While it’s sonically very different, the deeply personal lyrics are a Delta trademark. She wrote and produced this one, so its creation has clearly been a labour of love.
“‘Billionaire’ is one of my favourite songs on the record. It’s gritty, unfiltered girl power,” she explained. “I’ve always been about leading with my heart and soul, and this song is about flipping social constructs on their head and saying, ‘I’m going to stand on my own two feet. I’m going to make things happen for myself.’”
Bridge Over Troubled Dreams will drop on May 14. That gives fans plenty of time to familiarise themselves with the songs, as Delta’s moved dates for the album tour from April and May to September and October. If you got tickets already, they’re valid for the rescheduled shows. However, there are still good seats available if you haven’t secured yours yet.
24 September 2021 – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle
25 September 2021 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
30 September 2021 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
2 October 2021 – Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach
6 October 2021 – Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre, Townsville
8 October 2021 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
9 October 2021 – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
13 October 2021 – RAC Arena, Perth
15 October 2021 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
16 October 2021 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
21 October 2021 – Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland
22 October 2021 – Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington
23 October 2021 – Christchurch Town Hall, Christchurch
Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia
If you’re struggling to get through the remnants of the working week, Reuben Koops has the perfect remedy. The gentle acoustic guitar and deceptively simple melody of his new track “Oblivious” is so satisfying and soothing.
This single marks somewhat of a departure for Reuben. His guitar and vocals are still front and centre, but there’s a little more production on this one than we normally hear.
“This was a fun one to work on. It had a strong personality before production; after working with Jack [McClaine] it went to another level sonically that I’m really happy with,” Reuben said. “I love the beats that Jack framed around the acoustic and vocal. Ben Edgar (Angus & Julia Stone, Passenger) played the stunning guitar parts; they add so much vibe. The heavier production on this track is eluding to where I see my sound heading in the future.”
It ushers in a fresh new chapter for Reuben, but the song has actually been around for some time, just waiting for the right moment.
“This track is another one I’ve had with me for quite a while. It’s about losing someone or something important to you. Maybe someone or something you knew wouldn’t last forever, but when that time comes, it’s always harder than you expect,” Reuben explained.
As for what’s to come, Reuben says “more music is my plan. There are many more songs to come and I’m excited to be in the mode of making and releasing music again. I’m hoping to continue being productive and purposeful in releasing more singles this year.”
Timothy Wolf is a brand new soul artist, but you wouldn’t know it listening to his new single “In Your Arms Again.” There’s a real old-school sensibility to this one, and I can’t get enough. From those restrained horns to Timothy’s incredible falsetto, it’s the best kind of throwback.
He recorded the track in Byron Bay at Bernard Fanning and Nick DiDia’s famed La Cueva Studios, enjoying a moment of respite before lockdowns in his hometown of Melbourne kicked in.
“It was such a special time away. We didn’t know we were within the eye of the Covid 19 hurricane or that we’d head straight back into a gruelling stage 4 Melbourne lockdown. Timing came together for us perfectly as we were gifted the opportunity to hide away in the Byron Bay Hinterland, connect as the musical family we’d always seen the potential for and bring these songs to life,” he explained.
As you might expect, Timothy grew up around music from Otis Redding, Etta James, and other classic acts.
“It inspires me that they came from a time where they literally founded and defined the rules of balladry and songwriting. I think ‘In Your Arms Again’ is pretty true to some of these classic influences whilst lending itself to a contemporary soundscape. I’ve been quite ambitious pushing the boundaries yet trying to serve this song with the influences it deserves whilst also incorporating the sound and identity myself and The Howlers have to offer,” he said. “The song comes from a dreamy, old soul, rosy-eyed state. I’m lucky enough for all of my grandparents to have had 50+ year marriages. This song highlights the commitment relationships like this take whilst also drawing from within my own rosy-eyed beginnings. There’s also a chance it might have come from one of the weddings I’ve played trying to support my original project.”
The video captures Timothy Wolf and his band The Howlers playing a sold-out debut show at the Night Cat last month. If it looks like a lot of fun, make sure you catch Timothy at Northcote Social Club in Melbourne on May 6. It’s still more than a month away, but given how quickly tickets for his last local show sold, I’d jump on this one now!
Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Mike Ridley
Country darling Casey Barnes is dabbling in pop with his latest single “Come Turn Me On.” The country influence in the violin and steel guitar is unmistakable, but those catchy hooks and upbeat energy should give this track plenty of crossover appeal.
“I’d like to think that we’re trying to shape our own unique sound at the moment. I don’t really want to sound like anyone else,” Casey explained. “With this single, it has that blend of modern country meets commercial pop which I’ve really connected with over the last few years. The song is about a guy who’s basically travelled around the world, seen his fair share of girls but nothing compares to coming home to the one he loves.”
The clip is also Casey’s most ambitious.
“We’ve gone all out with this video and I think it’s easily the most expensive clip I’ve shot to date – but we wanted to make sure this one was pretty special,” he enthused. “My wife Michelle is a creative genius and the whole concept for this video has been her baby. Colin Jeffs from Ten of Swords Media has brought it to life. We found this incredible venue in Brisbane called Smoked Garage which is a multi-level event space where each floor has a completely different look to it, so it was the perfect place to shoot. The concept is that it’s one big party and everything has been made to look like it was shot in one take within the venue, culminating in a big high energy finale out in the side street at the end.”
Casey hasn’t let the global pandemic slow him down. His latest album Town Of a Million Dreams topped the country charts and earned him an ARIA nomination. This track’s already clocked up more than 100,000 Spotify streams just a couple of weeks after its release and been featured on the platform’s Fresh Country and New Music Fridays playlists. He’s also just announced a bunch of festival and headlining dates.
“I can’t wait to add ‘Come Turn Me On’ into the set for all our upcoming shows!” he said. “We’ve actually created a brand-new live show for 2021, and it’s great to finally see some major festivals and events coming back after the pandemic, which we’re thrilled to be playing at in the weeks and months to come.”
Check him Casey’s brand-new set at the following venues.
25 March 2021 – Prince Bandroom, Melbourne (18+)
27 March 2021 – Mathinna Country Club, Mathinna (18+)
10 April 2021 – Winton’s Way Out West Fest, Winton (ALL AGES)
24 April 2021 – Gippsland Country Music Festival, Mossvale Park (ALL AGES)
30 April 2021 – Highfields Tavern, Toowoomba (18+)
26 & 27 August 2021 – Gympie Music Muster (ALL AGES)
1 October 2021 – Savannah in the Round, Mareeba (ALL AGES)
Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Luke Marsden
Saint Lane has reminded me why I fell in love with his music earlier this year with the release of a video for his current single “The Water.” The clip’s Somerset Dam setting is the ideal backdrop for this laidback but insightful cut from his brilliant debut EP If I Leave You In the Fire.
“I was going for a Chance the Rapper meets Harry Styles things both sonically and with the outfit,” Saint Lane said of the video. “We wanted the location of the track to feel as big as the song. Massive mountains, huge river, full of life. Lots of brightness.”
Saint Lane will support Bootleg Rascal at their upcoming April 9 show at Sunshine Coast’s Sol Bar.
