Tori Forsyth proves she’s a force to be reckoned with through the release of her brand new track “Nothing At All.” It’s a beautiful piano-driven ballad with powerful lyrics that really shine through the simple orchestration. Tori has a gorgeous haunting, husky voice, but her songwriting prowess is really something special.
“’Nothing At All’ is a song about grappling with your mind but still clinging onto hope,” Tori explained. “I wrote this whilst in Tamworth during festival season from my caravan home. We’d been on the road for a month and it was an incredibly hot day. I remember being super agitated and uncomfortable for more reasons than the heat. I was listening to a lot of Lana del Rey at the time.”
“Nothing At All” comes from Tori’s sophomore album Provlépseis, which drops on May 21. It’s the fifth track we’ve heard from this album, but something tells me there are still plenty of surprises in store.
Image used with permission from Island Records Australia
Melbourne alternative rock act Bad Juju are showing a slightly softer side with their latest single “In the Clouds.” The track’s still got a hard rock edge, but its lyrics are a little more sentimental than we’re used to. Just see if you can resist singing along to its anthemic chorus.
“The song is about ignoring people who tell you your dreams are out of reach and pursuing your goals regardless of what others say about them,” explained frontman Russell Holland.
Bad Juju will launch the single for their hometown fans at The Workers Club on June 5. If you’ve ever caught these guys live, you know you won’t want to miss it. After COVID lockdowns wrote off live music for 2020, they’ll be itching to put on a show for a local audience.
Perth singer-songwriter Cameron Alexander has just dropped his second single “Sugar Bones,” and it’s well worth a listen if you like your music folky with a rock edge. Raw and passionate, this is the kind of song that makes me want to hit the open road in search of adventure.
“It is the first time that I incorporated acoustic guitar fingerpicking as well as a bit of electric into a song,” Cameron explained. “My skills were still really raw when I first wrote this song but I still managed to write it in 30 minutes. It then took another two years to put it together with a band and record it. Now looking back, it has grown so much from me dotting down the first lines in my childhood bedroom, to now having a fleshed-out recorded track with so many layers.”
“’Sugar Bones is a crowd favourite,” he added. “It is one of the songs in our regular set that gets the audience dancing and people have even started to sing the lines back to us, before it has even been released. It gives me goosebumps every time.”
Cameron will launch “Sugar Bones” at Milk Bar in Perth on April 25. Before that, you can catch him supporting Michael Dunstan at Scarborough’s Indian Ocean Hotel on April 17.
Image used with permission from the A&R Department
With its effortless blend of smooth R’n’B and modern electronica, Billy Fox’s latest single “Neighbourhood” is like nothing else you’ll hear today. Wrap your ears around it and I’m sure you’ll agree, that’s a really good thing.
“There’s been a period recently where a lot of us have gone back to close quarters, spent more time at home and had more of an obvious connection to local neighbourhoods and communities. In this space, it also allowed us to reflect on and think about some pretty big issues and ideas, collectively, as a society. It feels like an important time so this song is a reflection on that,” Billy explained of the track’s inspiration.
Billy Fox is one of those exciting artists who relishes taking musical risks. I won’t say I’ve been on board with all of his releases, but I can always appreciate his artistry. And when those risks come off as well as they do here, it’s a real joy.
Sayah’s latest single “Fruit” is a sassy slice of soulful pop bound to resonate with anyone struggling to move on from their ex. She says the track is about those times “When you’ve got an insane connection with someone but you know they’re not good for you, so you try everything to move on including seeing new people. But no matter what, they’re always on your mind and it’s so freaking annoying! At the same time, you also kinda love it. Ughhh the confusion!”
You might not know her name yet, but chances are you already know Sayah’s voice. She has performed as a feature vocalist for Peking Duk, Cosmo’s Midnight, and Set Mo. She’s also provided backing vocals for acts including Safia, Thandi Phoenix, and KLP. However, over the last two years she’s also focused on her own writing and recording.
Sayah has several upcoming dates, including a headlining show at the Oxford Art Factory and sets with Cosmo’s Midnight.
18 April 2021 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong (with Cosmo’s Midnight)
13 May 2021 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
13 August 2021 – Fresh Produce, Townsville (with Cosmo’s Midnight)
27 August 2021 – Fresh Produce, Maitland (with Cosmo’s Midnight)
3 September 2021 – Fresh Produce, Coolangatta (with Cosmo’s Midnight)
10 September 2021 – Fresh Produce, Hobart (with Cosmo’s Midnight)
17 September 2021 – Fresh Produce, Canberra (with Cosmo’s Midnight)
24 September 2021 – Fresh Produce, Bendigo (with Cosmo’s Midnight)
1 October 2021 – Fresh Produce, Adelaide (with Cosmo’s Midnight)
27 December 2021 – Wildlands, Brisbane (with Cosmo’s Midnight)
Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Ashley Lim
Perth indie-rock act Sly Withers have dropped an epic new single ahead of their Aussie tour. “Clarkson” is just what the doctor ordered, with an anthemic, singalong chorus and bold, chunky guitars. Crank up the volume, press play, and enjoy this one.
“Clarkson” comes from Sly Withers’ new album Gardens, which is scheduled for a June 11 release. Expect to hear a few more tracks at the following shows. Note that most have already sold out, but there are a few tickets remaining for the rest if you’re quick!
6 May 2021 – Jive, Adelaide (SOLD OUT)
7 May 2021 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth (SOLD OUT)
8 May 2021 – The River, Margaret River
13 May 2021 – Newcastle Hotel, Newcastle (SOLD OUT)
14 May 2021 – Crowbar, Sydney (SOLD OUT)
15 May 2021 – UC Hub, Canberra
20 May 2021 – Vinnie’s Dive Bar, Gold Coast (SOLD OUT)
21 May 2021 – The Brightside, Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
22 May 2021 – Solbar, Maroochydore (SOLD OUT)
27 May 2021 – Altar Bar, Hobart (SOLD OUT)
28 May 2021 – Barwon Club, Geelong
29 May 2021 – Howler, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
Image used with permission from Deathproof PR
At just 16 years old, Brisbane singer-songwriter Paulina has managed to really make her mark on the music industry. She’s already been a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition and seen her music featured on Spotify’s Chill Tracks playlist and ABC Brisbane. Now with the release of her gorgeous new single “Lonely Drives,” you can bet she’ll hit even greater heights.
The first thing that struck me listening to this song is the maturity in her voice. Her tone is so rich and resonant, it’s a joy to listen to. Zeroing in on those lyrics which explore themes of anxiety and the importance of mindfulness, I understand why her songwriting has been celebrated. Unlike so many teen artists, Paulina again shows maturity beyond her years.
“’Lonely Drives’ addresses how cruel your mind can be sometimes, how anxious and upset you can often feel and how mad you can be at the world for things not going the preferred or ‘right’ way,” Paulina explained. “However, this song then also expresses the true beauty of simply going on drives, alone. Being alone, is the most beautiful thing you can do, to sit with and acknowledge your feelings, but also to then let go of them and look forward to what’s next in life, in this case, letting yourself go and driving wherever you truly desire.”
“Lonely Drives” is out now. Look out for the music video which will drop in the next couple of weeks.
The murder of George Floyd and subsequent protests around the world shone a light on the systemic racism BIPOC face every day. Brisbane trio THE RIOT give voice to the frustration many of us still feel with their latest single “See it Believe it.” The band’s Triple J Unearthed profile calls THE RIOT a rock band, but this single refuses to sit neatly in that box. With rap and hardcore influences, this is an anthem for the marginalised.
The press release insists “See it Believe it” isn’t a protest song in the traditional sense. It also notes that while BIPOC were at the front of the band’s minds, it’s for all persecuted people, including the LGBTQIA+ community, underpaid workers, women who feel diminished by society, and anyone who’s ever felt unseen. The song is accompanied by a music video directed by Xinger Xanger (aka Jordan Kirk).
“The music video captures the final feeling that ties this song together as a whole,” said frontman JD. “Jordan instantly shared the same vision as us and was able to portray it in a way we could have only wished for.”
It might seem strange to release a song like “See it Believe it” now, eight months after the events that sparked its creation. However, that’s no accident. The band’s message is clear: suffering is ongoing and something we should all keep at the front of our mind long after people stop using the hashtags.
THE RIOT will launch “See it Believe it” at Mo’s Desert Clubhouse in Burleigh Heads on April 23.
Image used with permission from Island Records Australia
Hump Days are hard, but Cairns singer-songwriter LT has you covered with her uplifting new pop single, “Hold Ya.” This track is so good for the soul, with a sweet melody and angelic vocals from LT. If you’re struggling to make it to lunchtime, this song can give you at least a few minutes of joy.
“’Hold Ya’ was written during a pretty turbulent time,” LT explained. “It’s a story about two people in love, however through the struggles they’ve endured they begin to drift apart. Neither of them want to leave, but both of them are desperately seeking reassurance that the other wants them to in fact stay and it turns out they both do.”
The song has a beautiful nostalgic quality, so it’s only fitting that the film clip is set at her local roller-skating rink. LT was full of praise for her collaborator, emerging filmmaker and fellow Cairns artist Chelsey Johnston.
“Chelsey had the beautiful idea of capturing moments of connection between people. Mothers and daughters, best friends and lovers all connecting in different ways. She messed around with the speed of the track during the filming process, which really signified to me the changes of pace we all experience in any relationship. Relationships change, move, disappear and reinvent themselves all the time and our life can be quite tough if we don’t allow them to do that. Sometimes you’ve got to try harder, and sometimes you have to let go. We chose to film at the Cairns Roller Skating Rink as it’s dear to the community and holds so many memories and stories of connection within its 1980s decor.”
Like many of us, LT simplified her life last year. For her, that meant rebranding herself from using her full name Leanne Tennant professionally to the catchier LT.
“I rarely ever get called by my full name, and I really felt that after such a complicated year it was time to simplify my life and go by the name most know me by and start 2021 with a fresh outlook. LT feels so right to me,” she said.
After taking time for quiet in 2020, LT is thrilled to get back in front of music lovers. Queenslanders can catch her at the following upcoming shows.
17 April 2021 – Bearded Lady, Brisbane (supporting Roz Pappalardo)
22 April 2021 – Brother Jenkins, Cairns (supporting Roz Pappalardo)
1 & 2 May 2021 – Sunshine Sounds Festival, Eumundi
Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Bridie Jane Eagen
Melbourne trio Cannon are back with a rocking new track “Light in the Fog” which takes me right back to the turn of the century. This one hooked me in from that single guitar note. It’s moody and dirty, with a nod to artists like Kasabian and Primal Scream. Its nostalgia makes it sound instantly familiar from the first listen, an instant classic.
“‘Light in the Fog’ is a song inspired by absurdist philosophy, and the tension between a desire to find meaning for our existence where no such meaning exists,” explained frontman Mitch McIvor. “‘Fog’ is about making the most of any situation and seeing beauty within darkness, and doing so despite a lack of ‘true meaning’ being attached to our being.”
Perhaps it’s no surprise that this song sounds like a bit of a throwback because Cannon were a permanent fixture on the live music scene in the mid-2000s. They played with bands like The Black Keys, Tenacious D, JET, You Am I, and Dallas Crane before they went their separate ways and worked on other projects. However, a desire to catch up over a few beers led to jamming which led them to remember just how much fun they have making music together.
There’s more where this came from, with Cannon preparing to release their long overdue debut album Connexion on June 4.
Image used with permission from This Much Talent
