Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Brandon Dodd Drops Stellar Debut Album Featuring Kasey Chambers Duet

Brandon Dodd has just dropped his debut album What a Way to Die, and it sounds far more accomplished than any first effort from a millennial really should. Brandon is an old soul who’s making the kind of rootsy, real music most musicians many years his senior can only dream of.

I could wax lyrical about the entire album, but frankly I don’t want to unpack it. I’d much rather you discover it yourself, then tell your friends about it. If the current single, “Like a Diamond,” doesn’t compel you to listen to the rest of it at your leisure I’ll be shocked. The track is a duet with Kasey Chambers, who gave Brandon his start when she handpicked him to play guitar in her band when he was still a teenager. Brandon also recorded this album at The Rabbit Hole Recording Studio, which he runs on the Central Coast with Kasey. You can hear the chemistry that only comes when you’re working with someone you know well in this recording. It’s really special.

As is the rest of the album. So what are you waiting for? Fire What a Way to Die by Brandon Dodd up on your streaming service of choice!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Regime Drops Classic Soul Groove, “Never Gonna Stop”

The Regime sounds like they’ve come out of Detroit or Memphis, but this 16-piece funk collective is entirely homegrown. If you love old-school soul sounds, you’re going to fall hard from the Sydney act’s latest single “Never Gonna Stop.” Just see if you can resist tapping your toes to this effortless groove!

“The whole song was recorded in my bedroom,” explained vocalist and producer Liam Stacey, “all except the drums which were done in Julian Joseph’s (vocals) room, and the house is metres away from the Sydenham train lines, 24-hour railway construction, and right under the flight path. So, obviously we left the windows open during recording!”

Newly signed to New World Artists, The Regime has a string of shows scheduled including three shows at the prestigious Byron Bay Bluesfest. Catch them at one of the following gigs near you.

8 March 2020 – Big Gay Day, Wickham
22 March 2020 – The Boogiemanz Ball, The Factory Theatre, Sydney
26 March 2020 – Beer Deluxe, Albury
27 March 2020 – The Cheeky Squire, Frankston
9, 10 & 13 April 2020 – Bluesfest, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Parker Sounds Drops Strong Debut Single, “Something Heavy”

Parker Sounds is one of those artists who is instantly familiar. I couldn’t quite believe I hadn’t covered him before, yet listening to his debut single “Something Heavy” is the aural equivalent of slipping on a favourite T-shirt. It’s so comfortable you want to keep going back to it.

I’m impressed, but it doesn’t sound like the song’s inspiration was won over as easily!

“I was super hung up on this girl who couldn’t figure out whether she wanted to go steady with me or not,” he explained. “I wrote the song to try and communicate what I was feeling and sung it to her over the phone. She didn’t like it and we ended up calling it quits that afternoon.”

If you want to show Parker some love, head to Nightcap on the Gold Coast for the “Something Heavy” single launch on March 19.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Down With The Chris Commerford Band

Mornington Peninsula outfit The Chris Commerford Band has me grooving this morning with their stellar new single “The Way You Treat Me Right.” There’s an awesome rock-funk vibe that takes its cues from Lenny Kravitz and Prince. You’re going to love those down and dirty vocals, the killer guitar riffs, and those big bold horns.

“This song is about the way infatuation isn’t actually always bliss but instead can drive you to the point of feeling lost in your own kind of crazy,” Chris Commerford explained.

“The Way You Treat Me Right” gives us a delicious taste of what we can expect when The Chris Commerford Band drops its debut album later this year. You can hear a little more at the band’s upcoming shows.

28 February 2020 – Victoria Hotel, Woodend
29 February 2020 – Knox Festival @ Wally Tew Reserve, Ferntree Gully
7 March 2020 – Music on the Hill @ Red Hill Pavillion, Red Hill
8 March 2020 – The Catfish, Fitzroy
14 March 2020 – Bendigo Craft Beer & Cider Festival @ Tom Flood Sports Centre, Bendigo
15 March 2020 – Aireys Inlet Music Festival @ Aireys Pub, Aireys Inlet
28 March 2020 – Dainton Brewery, Carrum Downs
5 April 2020 – The Heritage Balnarring, Balnarring
21 June 2020 – Acoustic Sessions @ Frankston Library, Frankston

Image used with permission from Arow Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Carlos Lara Launches Soulful Solo Project, JUNIE

Not content with fronting one of the coolest bands around Bootleg Rascal, Carlos Lara has unveiled a new solo project, JUNIE. Bootleg Rascal has soul, but Carlos has turned it up a notch for the debut solo single “Exercise.” It certainly goes down easier than a CrossFit sesh!

“Anyone can obsess over certain emotions especially with people you like,’ Carlos explained of the inspiration behind “Exercise.” “This song is a sneak peek into some of those moments for me”

JUNIE has already performed alongside Down for Tomorrow, A.GIRL, Nelipot, Wolfjay, and at King St. Crawl. Sydney gets its next chance to see JUNIE at Free at Upstairs Live at The Beresford on March 6.

Image used with permission from Carlos Lara

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Perth Brother Act Coterie Stuns With “Salvation”

Perth act Coterie speaks to the heart with their moving sophomore single “Salvation.” This band of brothers was raised on a musical diet of R’n’B mixtapes and Jimi Hendrix, but this song reminds me of Hozier or Rag’n’Bone Man with its bluesy gospel feel.

The music video for “Salvation” was filmed at Fremantle Prison, and it has just the right mix of darkness and hope.

Coterie might be relatively new on the scene, but these guys have the kind of chemistry that comes from jamming together your whole life. Discover why they might just be your new favourite band at one of their upcoming shows.

26 February 2020 – El Grotto, Perth
16 April 2020 – Waywards, Sydney
17 April 2020 – The Penny Black, Melbourne
19 April 2020 – Tattersalls Hotel, Goulburn
23 April 2020 – Waywards, Sydney
24 April 2020 – The Penny Black, Melbourne
26 April 2020 – North Gong Hotel, Wollongong
30 April 2020 – Waywards, Sydney
1 May 2020 – The Penny Black, Melbourne
7 May 2020 – Waywards, Sydney
8 May 2020 – The Penny Black, Melbourne
10 May 2020 – Beach Road Hotel, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hayley Marsten Drops Title Track From Stellar Debut, “Spectacular Heartbreak”

Formative years on the music scene don’t get much bigger than Hayley Marsten’s 2019. The Queensland country singer released her first album, earned Qld Music Awards and Golden Guitars nominations, and self-booked a 20-date tour around the country. Just in case you missed it all, Hayley has just dropped the title track from that album, “Spectacular Heartbreak.”

The track shows Hayley’s crossover appeal. “I had spent so much time writing about all the hurt and sadness that had inspired the album that I was feeling disappointed and regretful, but writing this song made me come to terms with everything and realise that I don’t want to be scared to open my heart in case it doesn’t work out,” she explained of the track’s inception. “So instead I focused on the stuff that happens on the other side of heartbreak, the spectacular stuff.”

If you love it, make sure you check out the rest of the track from Hayley Marsten’s debut album, Spectacular Heartbreak on your favourite streaming service now.

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Human Nature Return to Form With “Nobody Just Like You”

Most boy bands fade away but Human Nature have been killing it in recent years. They’ve chalked up their 2000th show in Las Vegas, been inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, received the Medal of the Order of Australia, and celebrated three decades together. However, despite all the success, there’s been something missing for me in recent years. While those Motown hits sell, I’ve missed good original music from these guys who used to make teenage me squeal. They’ve released the occasional original song over the years, but it’s always felt stuck in the past. I almost didn’t listen to the new single “Nobody Just Like You” because I thought it’d be more of the same.

Surprisingly though, this track feels really fresh. I can imagine Ed Sheeran or Justin Bieber recording it and going right to the top of the charts. It’s the perfect songs to encourage lapsed fans like myself to snap up tickets to their forthcoming tour.

What’s more, there’s more where this came from. “Nobody Just Like You” comes from the band’s upcoming EP, Good Good Life, which features five new original songs. I can only hope the rest of the songs are of a similar calibre.

And then there’s that little matter of the tour. In case you missed it, these are all the places you can catch Human Nature mid-year. Local shows made up of predominantly original content have been few and far between, so if you’re a fan from way back you won’t want to miss these dates.

21 July 2020 – Festival Theatre, Adelaide
24 July 2020 – Crown Theatre, Perth
29 July 2020 – Concert Hall @ QPAC, Brisbane
31 July 2020 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
1 August 2020 – The Star Events Centre, Sydney
4 August 2020 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
6 August 2020 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
7 August 2020 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eilish Gilligan Releases Sweet New Single, “I Just Want to Look at You”

Eilish Gilligan captures a moment of romance in her sweet new synth-pop single, “I Just Want to Look At You.”

“I’ve always thought that writing a song is like putting a beautiful frame around what could be considered an otherwise flippant or casual moment in time,” explained Eilish of the song’s inspiration. “‘I Just Want To Look At You’ started as a throwaway phrase that someone said to me once. I couldn’t get it out of my head for days afterwards. If you think about it, it’s actually such a nice thing to have someone say to you.”

Eilish has lined up a couple of gigs for music lovers in her hometown of Melbourne next month. Catch her at the following venues.

16 March 2020 – Estonian House, Brunswick (supporting Elizabeth)
21 March 2020 – Longplay, North Fitzroy (acoustic)

Image used with permission from Future Popes; credit: Giulia McGauran

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers Out on Debut Tour For “Desk Chair”

Canberra act Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers deliver plenty of angst and attitude with their new single “Desk Chair.” The press release calls is “a youthful, glittering anthem for the dramatic high school student in all of us” and I’m not sure any other description has felt more apt.

“’Desk Chair’ is a tribute to teenage feelings, and the problems that seem life-changing but turn out to be insignificant,” noted guitarist Scarlett McKahey. “It’s about self-sabotage and wanting what you don’t have.”

They’ve cut their eye teeth with support slots and key festival appearances, including sets at Groovin’ the Moo, Spilt Milk, and Falls Festival, and now Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers aren’t ready for the big stage. They’ve just kicked off their first national tour with a hometown show last night, so it’s about time the rest of the country discover what they’re all about. Check them out at the following shows.

28 February 2020 – Oxford Art Factory (Gallery Bar), Sydney
29 February 2020 – The Bearded Lady, Brisbane
6 March 2020 – Gasometer Upstairs, Melbourne
7 March 2020 – Exeter Beer Garden, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Habit Music; photo credit: Claire Warren