For a big, ballsy rock number, you can’t do much better than “Balance,” the first cut from Sydney band Clay J Gladstone’s upcoming debut EP. It’s got everything you want from a rock track: crunchy guitar chords, relentless drums, and gritty vocals. There’s an awful lot to like.
“I wrote this song for our guitarist, Johnny. It’s about struggling to find balance in life, and how the grass is always greener until you get there,” Clay explained. “It deals with anxiety, depression, and drug addiction.”
Clay J Gladstone’s debut EP Dead Friends will drop soon. Until then, crank this up to 11!
The 2019/2020 Woodford Folk Festival was a big event for the Holy Rollercoasters for many reasons. They played six shows in seven days, they camped near Emma Wiggle, and they spent the week collaborating with Asha Jefferies.
One of the tracks they performed together was Asha’s own song “Absence & Copyright,” which was transformed from a quiet, delicate number to a powerful soul song. They planned to record the song together, but then the pandemic happened and things took a little longer to come together. In the meantime, they decided they should also lay down one of Asha’s unreleased songs, “Don’t Do Cocaine.” The Holy Rollercoasters’ frontman Jimi Beavis took lead vocal duties and the artists gave the track a fresh and funky makeover.
“It seemed right,” Jimi said. “I had been thinking about going to see her single launch and then with recording for our album about to start, I began to plan with Andrew. Later that day I bumped into Asha at the shops and I was going to call her but … we just ended up discussing it right there in the health food aisle in Coles and here we are.”
As it turns out, Jimi actually inspired the song “Don’t Do Cocaine,” as he gave Asha that sage advice before she played her first BigSound appearance. Their history goes right back, with Asha and Jimi attending the same English class at Music Industry College and the Holy Rollercoasters’ guitarist Chris Bancroft playing in Asha’s band.
Asha and the Holy Rollercoasters won’t play any launch shows for the double A-side single as the Holy Rollercoasters are focused on their new album and Asha’s got a full touring schedule. However, if you want to see them perform together, you might want to get along to the Holy Rollercoasters’ next few shows, just in case. Their next show is supporting Cigány Weaver at Brisbane’s West Room on May 28.
I’m used to Anna Smyrk creating sweet folky ditties, but she’s embracing her inner rock chick with her new single “Human Condition.” There’s an appealing edge to this track which came out of the Melbourne lockdowns. The perfect pandemic anthem, it explores the way we connect, or don’t connect, in the modern age.
“The song is like a mash-up of experiences that me or my friends have been in. Seeing an old friend for the first time in a while and being shocked by how much they’re struggling, someone picking at their skin until it bleeds, someone presenting a beautiful life online while they’re actually being crushed by loneliness – these are all examples taken from real life,” she admitted.
“Human Condition” gives us our first taste of Anna’s forthcoming third EP. Hear a little more music from that release and her back catalogue at the following single launch shows:
29 May 2021 – Red Hill Hotel, Chewton (FREE 2 pm)
4 June 2021 – The Retreat Hotel, Melbourne (7:30 pm)
11 June 2021 – Handle Bar, Bendigo (FREE 8pm)
13 June 2021 – Tanswell’s Commercial Hotel, Beechworth
Image used with permission from This Much Talent; credit: Giulia McGauran
Jade MacRae takes us on a sonic trip back in time with her gorgeous new single “Weather The Storm.” It feels like an instant classic, the kind of poised ballad that Dionne Warwick or Anita Baker may have released back in the day. Jade recorded the song just before the pandemic hit. It was a challenging time for everyone, but especially Jade who has spent the last four years touring the United States with Joe Bonamassa.
“Spending the duration of the pandemic in the USA was a challenging and eye-opening time,” she admitted. “The tension due to racial injustice and the political climate being so heated only added to the stress of Covid-19 and our industry being completely shut down. I don’t do so well being idle, but some of my peers managed to channel their creative energy into other projects and that was inspiring for me through a difficult time.”
However, if not for the pandemic Jade may never have discovered Kate Ceberano’s gift for the visual arts. She enlisted Kate to create the artwork for her new single.
“I started seeing Kate posting incredible art that she was creating every day – drawings, paintings, guitars she was decorating. One series she created (her ‘space’ series) really spoke to me, and I asked if she would consider creating something for me for the cover art of Weather The Storm, which I had recorded pre-Covid” Jade explained. “She was generous enough to agree and I couldn’t be more thrilled with what she presented to me. She really captured the essence of the song and transformed it into something visually beautiful. I’m hoping to do a 7” vinyl release to really honour what she has created in a physical form.”
After spending so much of the pandemic locked down in the US, Jade is itching to get back in front of local audiences. You can catch her at the following venues over the coming months:
27 May 2021 – Lizotte’s Newcastle
5 June 2021 – Cronulla Jazz and Blues Festival @ The Brass Monkey (with Ray Beadle, Jonathan Zwartz, Andrew Dickeson, and Clayton Doley)
6 June 2021 – Camelot Lounge, Marrickville NSW
18 June 2021 – The Great Club, Marrickville (with Karen Lee Andrews)
5 July 2021 – Starfish Club @ Clovelly Bowling Club, Clovelly
24 July 2021 – The Jazz Lab, Melbourne
Darlinghurst keeps it short but not so sweet with their latest single “Unfaithful.” Proving that some of the best things come in small packages, the single is just over two and a half minutes. But its sublime harmonies and irresistibly catchy melody help it punch well above its weight.
“Unfaithful is a song about the betrayal of one’s trust, caused by another’s ulterior motives. The inspiration came from a walk-through Palm Springs, California – surrounded by the concept of beauty and contentment; but to then have a self-realisation that what we consider paradise, beautiful and everlasting – may not be what they’re perceived to be,” explained lead vocalist Jason Resch.
It’s pretty heavy subject matter, but Darlinghurst’s light touch balances the darkness. Just see if you can resist tapping your toes along to the beat. If you love what you hear, make sure you catch Darlinghurst at one of the following venues in the coming months:
27 May 2021 – Up Close @ Temperance Hotel, South Yarra
3 July 2021 – Bush To Bay Festival, Pialba
15 July 2021 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
16 July 2021 – arcobar, Heatherton
26 August 2021 – Gympie Music Muster, Amamoor
16 September 2021 – Lizotte’s, Lambton
1 October 2021 – Deni Ute Muster, Deniliquin
2 October 2021 – Savannah In The Round, Mareeba
Is there anyone cooler in the Australian music industry than Tex Perkins? If there was any doubt, the release of his latest double A-side single with The Fat Rubber Band should put an end to the argument.
First up we’ve got a cover of Allen Toussaint’s “Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky (From Now On)” which is every bit as funky as it sounds. The next track, a rendition of Bobby Charles’ “I Must Be In a Good Place Now” is a total 180, showing Tex and his band’s softer side.
The new music is a sign of things to come, with the band confirming these are two tracks that helped shape the direction of their forthcoming album. Hear a little more when Tex Perkins and The Fat Rubber Band launch the single at Hotel Westwood in Melbourne on May 23.
Miriam Lieberman has captivated me with her gorgeous new single “Infinite We Are.” There’s a delicate, ethereal beauty about this one. Miriam’s voice is hypnotic and otherworldly. The strings and lush background harmonies only add to the magic.
“This song is about the power of imagination,” Miriam said. “It’s about sharing our dreams, stories and imaginings as a way to go beyond our own limitations, and the benefit of dreaming.”
The track comes with a poignant animated music video featuring the work of artist Aidan Judd.
“I had an idea that I wanted the video to begin in black and white, with a feeling of separation and alienation that through the characters allowing themselves to dream would turn into a colourful, nature inclusive space where the characters reconnected with each other,” Miriam explained of the clip’s inspiration.
“Infinite We Are” comes from Miriam’s new album Transforming, which drops on May 28. She’s currently touring the single around the East Coast. Both remaining shows are all-ages gigs, so take the whole family along to experience this incredible artist.
30 May 2021 – Django @ Camelot Lounge, Marrickville
26 June 2021 – The Base, Newcastle
Potsville/Brisbane act Eliza & The Delusionals have just dropped their new indie pop-rock track “You,” and I can’t stop listening. It’s instantly accessible, with a radio-friendly familiarity that quickly forges a connection with listeners. But once you tap into the lyrics, you’ll start to appreciate just how special this song is.
“‘You’ was written as a point of view type situation of any type of relationship where you just can’t possibly do enough for a person, only to have them give nothing in return and pretty much throw it back in your face,” explained the band’s guitarist Kurt Skuse. “Essentially watching someone fall apart and knowing there’s nothing more you can do to help. That’s why it’s called ‘You’, it’s for you.”
For the music video, Eliza & The Delusionals worked with Nick Maguire, who’s also created clips for Cub Sport, Ball Park Music, and Last Dinosaurs.
“We were lucky enough to be able to film the video in a warehouse at Screen QLD, which was really handy as we had multiple large sets to build. It was great for that because we had more than enough space to work out of,” the band said. “We wanted it to be inspired by the 90’s/2000’s outfit and style-wise, and we wanted it to have something that was nostalgic but with a fresh feel to it.”
Eliza & The Delusionals are touring almost everywhere in June and July supporting The VANNS. If you’re lucky enough to have tickets already, make sure you arrive early to catch their set at the following shows. Some limited tickets are still available for selected shows.
10 June 2021 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast
11 June 2021 – Felons Barrell Hall, Brisbane
12 June 2021 – Felons Barrell Hall, Brisbane
17 June 2021 – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide (Early Show)
17 June 2021 – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide (Late Show – SOLD OUT)
18 June 2021 – Indian Ocean Hotel, Perth
19 June 2021 – Indian Ocean Hotel, Perth (SOLD OUT)
25 June 2021 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (SOLD OUT)
26 June 2021 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney (Early Show – SOLD OUT)
26 June 2021 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney (Late Show)
2 July 2021 – Uni Bar, Wollongong (SOLD OUT)
3 July 2021 – Altar, Hobart
4 July 2021 – Forth Pub, Forth
15 July 2021 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
16 July 2021 – The Forum, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
24 July 2021 – Kambri @ ANU, Canberra
Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit Kurt Skuse
Port Macquarie country-pop artist Brock Colley is sure to get into the good graces of fans with his new single “No Mascara,” a track that celebrates the natural beauty of females everywhere.
“Ladies, this will let you know that no matter what the world says, you rock!” he said. “Fellas this will pump you up to let her know the truth!”
This is such a sweet song with an infectious melody that I can’t stop humming. It’s no wonder, as Brock is a prolific songwriter who enjoys working with a range of artists from around the globe.
“I love the fact that it opens a door to see other cultures and work in different genres that continually push me to evolve not only as an artist but as a person,” he said.
No doubt his own music will be the focus for a while though, as Brock can’t wait to play for audiences again after the pandemic shut down the live music scene. With a brand new show up his sleeve, we should see plenty of Brock in 2021. Give his Facebook page a follow to learn when he’s near you first.
Aussie singer-songwriter TRENTAN has got me grooving through Hump Day with his dreamy new indie-pop track “Good Things.” It’s a feel-good track that surprisingly came out of the upheaval of the COVID pandemic. Last year the pandemic forced TRENTAN to leave his adopted home of Nashville, where he’d worked as a touring and session guitarist for the last decade, and return to Australia.
“The final version of the song lyrically finished with a slightly lighter hue, dancing more with the idea of knowing a ‘good thing’ in terms of the initial spark of relationship with someone new, and the exciting moment of chasing that down,” TRENTAN explained. “But I think there’s still a lot of one-liner type lyrics scattered throughout the song that speak to any situation where chasing a good thing usually comes with the understanding that you’ll have to push through some resistance”.
This song feels so fresh, but it’s got some real experience behind it. While it’s TRENTAN’s first single, he’s worked in the business for more than a decade. George McArdle of Little River Band also lends his bass talents to the track. It was mixed in Los Angeles by Nicolas Essig, who’s worked with Post Malone, Lane Del Rey, and Calvin Harris, and co-mastered by Grammy-winning engineers Emily Lazar and Chris Allgood. No wonder it sounds so good!
Image used with permission from Trentan Kruger
