Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Double Vanity Brings the Feels With “Escalator”

Melbourne trio Double Vanity has given me chills with the release of its new track “Escalator.” The lush synths and Kate Bush-esque vocals give it a cool retro feel, but there’s an immediate emotional intensity that grounds it in the now.

“Escalator thematically questions the daily espresso grind and the linear metal stairs of a bustling escalator, appearing and disappearing like a horizontal rotisserie,” explained Double Vanity singer Zec Zechner.

The film clip is also worth a few minutes of your time. It’s the brainchild of Melbourne-born, New-York based filmmaker Stephanie Gould and local painter and performance artist Billi Lime.

“Escalator” is the latest release from Double Vanity’s full-length vinyl album, which should drop later this year. While you’re waiting for that, you can show your support and score Double Vanity T-shirts from the trio’s Bandcamp page.

Image used with permission from Psychic Hysteria; credit: Kalindy Williams

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Benjamin Trillado Wows Me With “Worth”

Melbourne singer-songwriter Benjamin Trillado recently released his brand new single “Worth,” and it’s the kind of song that demands a few minutes of your time.

Don’t just press play and go back to your day, or you might miss the beauty of this subtle song. It’s definitely a slow burner, but if you tune in to those lyrics and the gentle music that surrounds it, you’ll understand why I’m raving about this song. Those lyrics explore Benjamin’s need for acceptance as a queer person from the people around him and himself. It should resonate with anyone who’s struggled finding their place in the world.

“This song is about understanding your own self-value and accepting that you deserve a place in this world,” Benjamin explained. “As a queer person, I grew up struggling to come to terms with my sexuality and often resented myself for it. ‘Worth’ shares the struggles I faced in accepting myself and the empowerment that lies in embracing one’s identity. This song is a love letter to the LGBTQIA+ community and goes out to anyone who needs a reminder to love and accept themselves for who they truly are.”

This is Benjamin’s first release of the year, his follow-up to the 2019 tracks “Glue” and “First Kiss.” Hopefully it won’t be the last.

Melbourne might be in lockdown, but Benjamin won’t let that stop him playing for fans. Catch him on Instagram playing the following shows. Both virtual events start at 8 pm AEST.

30 July 2020 – Songwriters of Melbourne Live (@rsomelbourne)
31 July 2020 – Benjamin’s Kitchen (@benjamintrillado)

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Locked in Lummo Releases Stellar Second Single “Main Thing”

Sydney band Locked in Lummo prove they’re no one-trick ponies with the release of their sophomore single “Main Thing.” Just like the band’s debut “Two Shoes,” this track is super catchy with irresistibly warm vocals from Hayden Smith. The four-piece insists “raw emotion” is their fifth member, and listening to the way this track builds I can’t dispute it.

“‘Main Thing’ was written from the perspective of my girlfriend as she arrives to my house feeling like I’ve been treating her like a chore and not making any space in my schedule for her. Highlighted by the lyric ‘If the screen door’s left shut, this is on, this is it,’” Hayden explained. “She’s taken it, as I haven’t even left enough time to make sure the screen door is open for her to let herself in and she will be literally left outside in the cold as I’m too busy doing other things to run to the door straight away. As I realise my actions, even though not meant to be hurtful, can still cause REAL hurt.”

I am so into everything these guys release. While it frustrates me that opportunities to see bands like this are few and far between, the music coming from Locked in Lummo is a great reminder of what awaits us when this pandemic is over. Until then, crank this one up.

Image used with permission from Firestarter Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Witkowski Drops Superb Single “Lucky Land”

Melbourne singer-songwriter Ben Witkowski has knocked it out of the park again with his second single of the year “Lucky Land.” The follow-up to the fabulous “Mountain Man,” this track is an epic slow-burner that reminds me of Gang of Youths and Bon Iver. When those vocals really kick in, I swear it’ll give you chills.

Ben wrote this track two years ago after taking a “life-changing” journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway.

“I was sitting alone on the longest train journey in the world, watching the world go by, thinking how unbelievably lucky I was to be enjoying such a moment. Travelling through Siberia gave me time to think about what I really wanted in life, and allowed me to make some decisions to change it for the better. As we travel, not only do we get to experience new people, places, and cultures, but sometimes we also discover a new, pure side of ourselves. I wanted to capture that moment forever, and that’s how ‘Lucky Land’ was born.”

Remember travel folks? Thankfully we at least have great music like this to take us away while we’re waiting for the borders to open up again. The release of “Lucky Land” also brings us one step closer to the release of Ben’s debut EP, which should drop later this year.

Image used with permission from Ben Witkowski

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

FEKI Teams Up With LANKS & Sloan Peterson For “Golden Remedy”

I knew I was going to love FEKI’s latest single “Golden Remedy” before even hearing it. When you collaborate with talented people like LANKS and Sloan Peterson, magic is bound to happen. This track’s shimmery upbeat vibe is just what we all need as the weekend approaches.

“Golden Remedy” has spontaneous energy about it, but it certainly didn’t come together quickly. In fact, it’s been percolating for three years!

“Since the original session in 2017, Feki would come back to me every few months about ‘Golden Remedy,’ and while it always ‘still wasn’t quite right’, each time it edged closer,” LANKS explained. “No one could really sum up why, but when Sloan Peterson and [mixer] Cassian came on board, it really reached its final form.”

Maybe the track was just waiting for the right time to reach the world, as FEKI acknowledged “We are in a really uncertain time right now. I hope this song gives people a bit of hope that we can get through it together.”

The final release of “Golden Remedy” is one of those cases where the waiting was certainly worthwhile!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elaskia Releases Another Pop Banger, “I Will Do Anything”

Central Coast talent Elaskia continues to impress with her latest single “I Will Do Anything.”

Hot on the heels of recent release “Calling Out My Name,” this is another impressive slice of upbeat indie-pop. It’s very reminiscent of HAIM with its melodic hooks and upbeat vibe.

Cold weather and the threat of the pandemic might loom large, but this track should help you forget all of that gloominess for a few minutes.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Baby Shakes Covers The Angels Classic in Lockdown

Doc Neeson and the Brewster brothers could never have imagined COVID-19 when they penned the classic Aussie rock song “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again.” However, it’s the perfect anthem for our times. New York punksters Baby Shakes first covered The Angels’ hit for their 2019 album Cause a Scene, but they’ve revisited it in a new lockdown video.

Baby Shakes filmed the clip on their phones, mostly within their Brooklyn apartments. Its release has been a great way for the band to communicate with their fans and make some new ones.

“The news has been pretty gruesome and many friends outside of NY have expressed their concern. We thought it was important to show everyone how we’ve been living our common everyday lives from the safety of our homes,” explained the band’s bass player, Claudia Gonzalez.

“Some people said it made them cry and some laughed and said it cheered them up. We were thrilled that so many Australians expressed pride and nostalgia overhearing a classic song from their youth. Overall, most people said that they felt the same way,” added lead guitarist Judy Lindsay.

I love the energy Baby Shakes breathed into their take on “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again.” Their cover makes it sound so fresh and edgy. What do you think of it?

Image used with permission from Dave Laing Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

CVIRO and GXNXVS Take Us Way Back With “Stay With Me”

Gold Coast singer CVIRO and his producer buddy GXNXVS for a slamming new single “Stay With Me.” It’s giving me old-school R’n’B vibes. If you were listening to Boyz II Men, Dru Hill, or Jagged Edge back in the day like I was, or you stole their albums from your mum’s record collection, you’re definitely going to dig this.

No wonder these guys are already generating plenty of buzz. They’ve got fans in the United States and United Kingdom, not to mention right here at home, and they’ve been championed by tastemakers including Vice, Clash, and the OVO team (who have incidentally never featured an Aussie act before). They’ve also clocked up 38 million streams!

CVIRO and GXNXVS will drop a few more singles before releasing an EP in the last quarter of the year. That means there’s plenty of new music for anyone else loving their sound.

Image used with permission from Universal Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mick Thomas Releases New Pandemic-Inspired Folk Charmer, “See You When I’m Looking at You”

Former Weddings, Parties, Anything frontman Mick Thomas is back with a whole swag of new tunes for your isolation playlist. The new Mick Thomas & The Roving Commission album See You On the Other Side: A Postcard from April 2020 features a selection of choice cuts written and recorded in lockdown. They might be apart, but Mick couldn’t have done it without the help of his famous friends. The album features appearances from Angie Hart (Frente), Nick Barker, Vikki Thorn (The Waifs), Darren Hanlon, Shelley Short, Alana Jagt, Brooke Russell, Van Walker, Ron S. Peno (Died Pretty), Alannah Russack (The Hummingbirds), Ben Salter, Dana Gehrman, Cam Butler, and Jen Anderson. Talk about star power.

You’ll see many of them on my favourite track from the album, “See You When I’m Looking at You.” But there’s plenty more where that came from. All the new music is available now on all the best streaming platforms. If you prefer something more tangible, check out the Mick Thomas Bandcamp page.

Gigs are few and far between these days, but Mick is making the most of the streaming technology available. Fresh from his own virtual album launch, he’ll take part in Memo Music Hall’s “Keep the Circle Unbroken” streaming show tomorrow night. Visit Memo Musical Hall’s website for ticket details.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paige Black Reminds Us Of the Silver Linings With “Rebuild”

If there are any upsides to the pandemic, it’s hearing all the beautiful music it’s inspired. One of the latest additions to our pandemic playlists is “Rebuild,” a beautiful single from Yarra Valley native Paige Black.

“Rebuild” is a gentle folky number, the kind of song that would go down a treat while you’re enjoying a glass of red in front of a crackling fire.

“I wrote this song about hope, while reflecting on the current pandemic we are all going through,” Paige explained. “It captures the way our reality suddenly changed overnight and how communities throughout the world were compelled to band together to overcome the devastating loss and forthcoming challenges, some worse than others.”

“As time went on in isolation, I began to reflect on the silver linings that have transpired as a result of staying put in our homes. Mother Nature has had a chance to breathe and bloom and our consumerist and workaholic behaviours were forced to alter. Maybe this has created an opportunity to change our habits for the greater good of the human race and the environment. A chance to “shape a world that matters”, slow down and think about our values.”

That new lockdown might not be easy Victoria, but perhaps you can hear this song and reframe your thinking. Stay safe everybody!

Image used with permission from Arow Agency