Byron Bay siblings The Buckleys have got me grooving with their feelgood new single “Money.” This is a fabulous slice of country-pop, infectious and accessible from the first listen.
The song’s actually been around for a little while, after featuring on the band’s debut album Daydream. American Songwriter actually named it among its top 20 songs of 2020. However, a new remix by Charlie Holmes has made the track feel brand new.
Daydream will soon get a new lease on life too. Look out for the deluxe version hitting stores shortly. And if you’re in Brisbane, check them out supporting Casey Barnes at Hamilton Hotel on February 12.
Mid-North Coast artist Jake Davey has served up a little slice of country-pop heaven in the form of his latest single “The Way She Does.” It’s a lot more country than the tunes I usually listen to, but I knew it was a bop when I saw my husband shaking his hips to the beat in the hallway. A real celebration of women, Jake penned the track with Canadian singer-songwriter Lydia Sutherland.
“The Way She Does” is just one of the many tracks Jake penned during the pandemic. That creative period ensures he’s got plenty of top-shelf tunes just like this in store for us in 2021.
Pete Murray burst onto the music scene with the release of his debut album Feeler in 2003 and has earned acclaim from devoted fans and critics alike since that time. Except for this one. I’ve got to admit, I’ve just never warmed to his music. I’ve certainly been exposed to it; his tracks dominate radio and he’s supported my favourite singer Rob Thomas on a couple of tours. But I’ve always found his music a little pedestrian, until now. I was prepared to yawn through his latest single “If We Never Dance Again” too, but I’ve got to admit, I like it. A lot.
Pete wrote the track in Los Angeles in May 2019 with songwriter and producer Morgan Dorr.
“Morgan had the first line of the chorus written when I got to his place, which was, “If you never see my face again” and the three chords that played over this. We worked on the song all day and I even cancelled another session that I had booked in just so I could finish this song as it felt like this had so much potential,” he explained.
When Pete returned to Australia, they continued refining the track across continents to produce what you hear today. I’m so glad they stuck at it, because I honestly believe this is the best thing he’s ever done. It’s got real heart, and I love the piano instrumentation.
“If We Never Dance Again” comes from Pete’s forthcoming release, The Night EP. Will it contain more Pete Murray tracks that I actually enjoy? We’ll find out when it drops on March 5. Fans should hear some of the new material when Pete plays the following shows.
Canberra’s own Rafa is taking you into your weekend the right way with his groovy new single “Forever Love.” Featuring the vocal stylings of Sam Welch, this upbeat track is the perfect party starter.
This track is the follow-up to Rafa’s debut single “Fight No More,” which gained plenty of support on community radio and personal playlists. Personally, I think this song is even better, with such exciting instrumentation and a really great groove. Rafa credits his Dutch and Colombian parents for his natural sense of melody and rhythm. Whether that’s true or he’s simply being modest I’m not sure, but this track proves he’s definitely got the gift. Rafa is currently content working as a concreter but with tracks like this, it might not be too long before he gives up his day job.
Image used with permission from the A&R Department
Like so many people around the world, Melbourne singer-songwriter Ellery Cohen spent most of 2020 locked down. Before the world shut his borders, he enjoyed a trip to Vietnam and made a connection that inspired his poppy new single “Waiting.”
“I wrote this song about a girl I met in Vietnam while travelling, she told me that she had left her boyfriend and her life for a year, leaving her life behind. I thought it was so interesting and I wrote a song about what she would say to her boyfriend,” he explained. “It’s a song about love and complexity of relationship and how life can be sometimes. She asks the question ‘Will you be waiting.'”
Jessie Monk has bowled me over with her gorgeous new single “Lonesome Winter Blues.” This delicate folk ditty has such an elegant ease about it. Her voice is effortlessly angelic, the perfect foil for those gentle guitar licks. She reminds me a lot of Joni Mitchell with her poetic lyrics and pure voice, which seems to slide so easily from low notes to the higher register. Trust me, that’s a very good thing.
Jessie comes from GunaiKurnai Land and writes songs inspired by the people she meets and the stories she hears. Now based in Berlin, her forthcoming EP Here, Now shares those stories. Listen out for it when it drops on February 26.
Image used with permission from the A&R Department
Perth-based singer-songwriter Reuben De Melo has properly charmed me with his dreamy new single “How Does It Feel.” It’s a romantic ditty with soulful vocals, honest lyrics, and a healthy dose of ukulele for good measure.
Unlike so many love songs, it sounds like it comes from such true place. And it’s little wonder, when Reuben writing the song about his then-girlfriend, who has since become his wife and the mother of his new baby boy. Awwww!
According to his Facebook page, Reuben’s next gigs will be in March, so it won’t be too long before he’s back in front of audiences doing what he does best!
Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute
Proving it’s no flash in the pan, Midnight Drags has released another banging single “It’s True (I Can’t Stand Myself).” It’s such a worthy follow-up to “Ronnie,” with hooks that are every bit as infectious as the last release. It’s a little darker lyrically, but I just love the fuzzy guitars and Lucas James’ rich, rocking vocals. And can we just talk about that cowbell? If this song is any indication, it may be time for a comeback.
“It’s True is really a song about self-loathing and being in an emotionally dark place. It’s about not feeling worthy of being in a relationship and pushing somebody you really care about away,” admitted Lucas James. “It’s another dark song that I loved sweetening up with some bigger pop-rock elements.”
If, like me, you can’t get enough of Midnight Drags, I’ve got some good news for you. Listen out for the act’s album, Bad Business, out on February 26.
If you’ve ever felt addicted to someone else, especially if it wasn’t good for you, Sydnee Carter’s new track “Drug Was You” is sure to strike a chord. This vulnerable pop single explores the addictive nature of the most powerful narcotic on the planet: love.
“I wanted to write a song about longing for a lifetime past, after the love that is supposedly gone,” she explained. “Instead of drawing to a close, the hurt keeps brewing into a driving infatuation, culminating into an emotional cataclysm and realisation. My drug was always you. But of course, listeners can interpret how they like.”
Since winning the prestigious Western Australian Music Song of the Year at the age of 17, Sydnee has rubbed shoulders with the right people, including Duke & Jones, Paces, 360, Slumberjack, and her “Drug Was You” collaborators Wasteland and Justin Martins. Now at 23, Sydnee’s showing she’s got some serious talent. See her launch the single at The Aardvark in Fremantle on February 6.
The last year has taught us all to pivot as we’ve attempted to thrive in this new normal. If you’ve had told me 12 months ago that The Smith Street Band were planning semi-acoustic seated shows I’d have laughed, and yet here we are. And funnily enough, it all makes perfect sense.
As soon as Victorian restrictions were eased, the band set about rehearsing and rewriting many of their songs to suit a more mellow, COVID-safe environment. The band will take these reworked tracks to fans across Victoria and New South Wales in the coming months.
The shows coincide with an album of those reworked tracks, Unplugged in Wombat State Forest. The first single, “It’s OK” isn’t too dramatic a departure from the original, but I expect we’ll hear a few left turns when the album drops on March 5. If you love what you see, you can also stream a video featuring all the songs here. And remember to get on to those The Smith Street Band Unplugged shows. With limited capacity in all venues and some shows already sold out, the remaining tickets won’t last long.
26 February 2021 – Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo
27 February 2021 – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool
4 March 2021 – The Forum, Melbourne
5 March 2021 – The Forum, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
6 March 2021 – The Forum, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
12 March 2021 – The Enmore, Sydney
17 April 2021 – Yours + Owls Festival, Wollongong
Image used with permission from Little Giant Agency; credit: Ian Laidlaw
