Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ali Barter & Oscar Dawson Release Iso Track for Support Act

Yesterday my husband and I marked one month since locking down. We’ve taken this shit pretty seriously, ordering our groceries and never stepping any further than the kerb to put the bins out. We’re getting a little sick of staring at the same four walls to be honest, something Ali Barter and her boyfriend Oscar Dawson of Holy Holy can undoubtedly relate to. They’ve just released a love song for the isolation age, “Four Days.”

Of course, any song written in the confines of the pandemic will hardly be roses and rainbows. This track addresses the frustrations that come from time trapped together. It came about after the pair spent two weeks together following Ali’s return from the USA. Triple J’s Hing and Hobba challenged them to write a song about the ordeal over 24 hours, including listener lyric suggestions. It’s all for a good cause, with proceeds from the song’s streams and sales going to Support Act’s COVID-19 Emergency Appeal.

”The crisis is having a massive effect on the music industry and especially the folks involved in touring – session musos, roadies, sound engineers who literally can’t work now,”Ali explained. “Support Act is the best way to get much-needed funds and assistance to those people. Super happy to put something out there to make people smile and raise some money!”

So get streaming or purchase the single to help the fundraising efforts! You can also make additional donations through the Support Act website.

Image used with permission from Inertia Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Baker Boy’s “Move” Is Here to Brighten Iso-Life

Remember that time when Saturday nights were the nights we’d let our hair down and dance ‘til dawn? We might not be hitting the clubs any time soon, but that doesn’t mean you need to give up the dancing. If you’re looking for the right tune for tonight’s dance party at home, wrap your ears around Baker Boy’s new track “Move.”

Its fresh, funky, feel-good groove is just the thing your heart and feet need to survive another weekend in iso.

“I wanted to write a song for my miyalk (girl) but also show appreciation to the women who taught me to respect everyone as my equals,” Baker Boy explained. “I grew up with beautiful spirited women and now I share my life with a strong, empowered woman so I wrote a song for her, and for all the strong-minded women out there.”

“To all my fans, friends and family affected by the uncertainty of COVID-19, I hope this track can help build your spirits, put a smile on your face and most importantly have a little dance. Be safe and keep positive!”

Who’s busting out some moves to this one?

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out to Loose End’s New Single, “Discontent”

Melbourne’s Loose End speaks for Aussies everywhere with a brand new single “Discontent.” The track explores the idea of burnout and how it impacts your enjoyment of success. However, its aggressive sound, which sits somewhere between pop punk and metalcore, will help you exorcise any demons you’re feeling at this stressful time.

“The track is about a recent point in my life when I realised I had achieved a lot of personal goals, and even ticked a couple of dreams off my list. People began to really enjoy our music, we were selling out shows and writing even better songs. Outside of music I had also booked a couple of lead theatre roles and had worked on some fantastic short films,” explained Loose End’s front man, Ben Smalley.

“Unfortunately, I was working way too hard and was depriving myself of the time to reflect on or enjoy the process because of it. I couldn’t find the sense of fulfilment in my achievements – or not in the way that I thought I would or thought that I needed.”

You might not realise it on the first listen, but “Discontent” is also a love song.

“During this time, I had met a girl and quickly fallen head over heels for her,” Ben explained. “She really put everything into perspective for me, teaching me how to stop and enjoy the present moment.”

“Discontent” is one of those songs that refuses to be put in a box. It’d probably blow the lid off anyway! Crank this one up.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Greta Stanley Drops Super New Single, “Soak Into This”

Greta Stanley has been a little quiet this year, but isolation seems the perfect time for her to break her musical silence and share some more sweet indie-pop tunes. Her latest is “Soak Into This,” a real ear-pleaser with breathy vocals, lush synths, and an infectiously catchy melody.

“It’s about having fun and the exciting feeling you get when you enter a new relationship, whether it’s romantic or a friendship,” Greta explained. “I wrote it thinking about all the fun I’d been having in my new relationship, the nights out with friends, festivals … but then the slow and more intense moments [are] where you really feel something growing.”

Greta co-wrote and produced this track with Germany’s Tobias Kohn, who’s worked with talents like Milky Chance, Alec Benjamin, and Dean Lewis. Matthew Neighbour (Courtney Barnett, Matt Corby) mixed while Matt Agoglia (Cage the Elephant, Spoon) took care of the mastering. Talk about a dream team! Their expertise shows too, with “Soak Into This” being one of Greta’s best tracks yet.

If you like what you hear, tune in to The Kitchen Sessions featuring Greta Stanley on Saturday, April 18 from 7 p.m. You’ll find all the details in the Facebook event page.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

FANGZ Delivers Rocking New Single and Virtual Launch Party

My appetite for music swings wildly at the moment. I’m either listening to gentle folky tunes to stay calm or unleashing the beast with epic rock tunes. Today is a day where the music needs to be turned up to 11. It’s just the kind of day to crank our “Drifter,” the latest track from Sydney punk-rock act FANGZ.

If you don’t have the volume dial turned all the way up for this one, you’re missing the point. It’s aggressively cathartic, with a bold drums, chunky guitars, and take-no-prisoners vocals.

Like so many bands, FANGZ had to cancel a string of East Coast shows. These guys won’t let that stop them entertaining you though. They’ll live stream the set they intended to play at the “Drifter” single launch via the FANGZ YouTube channel at 1 p.m. this Friday, April 17. If you can’t tune in, the video will be available for 24 hours on YouTube.

Image used with permission from Good Intent; credit: Kim Quint

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Anna Waters Spreads the “Sunshine”

Sunshine is one thing my part of the country hasn’t seen a lot of lately. It’s also the name of Anna Waters’ latest single, which is every bit as positive and upbeat as you might expect. Such an optimistic number that I think it’s just what many of us need to hear as we face heading into an Easter of isolation.

This might not be the long weekend we’d hoped for, but as this song reminds us there is always another day, another sunrise.

Image used with permission from 5ive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reece Mastin On the Comeback Trail With “The River”

I’ve been eagerly awaiting new Reece Mastin material for two years. His last album Suitcase of Stories was one of my favourite releases of 2018. With every release he seems to grow into his sound a little more. That upward trajectory continues with “The River.” Reece wrote the song after drowning his sorrows at a local bar and deciding there was a better, more positive path for him to take.

“I’m in such a good place personally and professionally now,” he explained. “This song is important for me to share as it marks the end of that tough transition from manufactured popstar to independent rocker, where I finally feel my true self.

“I kind of did my career in reverse, starting with a record deal, instant fame and a career that was out of my control, to now being totally independent and responsible for every facet of my career, and I’m loving it!”

This is an epic piece of blues-rock. I’ve listened to it three times in a row, and I’m not sure I’m done. What a positive sign of the new music we can expect from the next Reece Mastin release.

Image used with permission from Kitty Kitty Bang Bang

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

ELEEA Shares Travel Tales With “Wasting Time”

Like so many Aussies, I’m feeling a little bit stir-crazy staring at the same four walls. Knowing that I was supposed to be in Melbourne today attending the comedy festival rubs salt in the wound. Best laid plans and all that. Considering none of us are going anywhere any time soon, all that we can do is live vicariously through the experiences of others. Today I’ve been spinning “Wasting Time,” a new track from Mullumbimby-born singer-songwriter ELEEA. I love its cool, bluesy feel. ELEEA’s voice is so strong and sultry too.

“Wasting Time” comes from ELEEA’s forthcoming release The Travel Collection, a selection of songs that share stories about the places she’s visited while backpacking around the globe.

“As I backpacked, busked and couch-surfed through my first trip to Europe, I set myself a challenge to write a song inspired by every country I went to. When I had a quick stopover in Slovakia, I figured I still technically had to write a song about it,” she explained.

“The only lines that came to mind were ‘passing through’ and ‘wasting time’ as I waited at the bus station, but then I related it to an experience with an ex who I never should’ve fallen for, and the song wrote itself. I picked up my travel guitar and everything poured out in 20 minutes. Then the bus arrived!”

It sounds like ELEEA’s music might be just what we all need to get through this lock-down! if you’re feeling some wanderlust too, make sure you check it out.

Image used with permission from Kitty Kitty Bang Bang

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

KG Celebrates Ladies With “Superwoman”

KG pays tribute to the ladies with his stellar new single “Superwoman.” The hip hop industry has a history of denigrating women, so it’s refreshing to see an artist like KG going his own way.

“The song ‘Superwoman’ was inspired to empower and uplift women, to acknowledge the importance of the women in our lives and what they do,” the Botswana-born, Canberra-raised rapper explained.

KG’s never been afraid to break the mould though. Past tracks have explored his family and cultural roots. This one was inspired by his mother, who raised him alone in a foreign country. The cover art features the image of another strong woman, Zozibini Tunzi. In 2019 she became the first black South African woman crowned Miss Universe.

“Zozibini depicts a modern-day superwoman. To think once black women were once not even allowed to vote because of the colour of their skin. Now they are being crowned Queens of the world. That gives young black girls so much hope to be anything they want to be.”

I love the way KG continues to innovate with every release. I can’t wait to hear what comes next.

Image used with permission from Freedom Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sparrows Spreading the Good Vibes With “Hide & Seek”

Gloomy weather, social isolation, and Monday is a pretty dire combination, but Sydney’s Sparrows is bringing a little cheer to your morning with her latest single “Hide & Seek.” Just see if you can resist smiling as you listen to this poppy ditty.

“Eating my lunch in the backyard turned into sampling the boy next door counting aloud, playing Hide & Seek. This then inspired me to write about a relationship that was following the narrative of a game of Hide & Seek. Thanks little boy!” said Sparrows. “I have never gone this far down the pop route, but so glad I have! Rob Amoruso and Gab Strum (Japanese Wallpaper) helped me go there! Grateful for the APRA songhub where we made it. Had Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie) not curated this session, this song would not exist.”

I’ve enjoyed Sparrows’ work before but I love this sound from her. Hopefully there are more pop bangers like this to come.

Image used with permission from Ditto Music