Kingswood Announce Tasty New Single “Bittersweet” and Aussie Tour

Kingswood have delivered our first taste of their third studio album, Juveniles, and it’s absolutely delicious. The new single “Bittersweet” has an irresistible rock flavour that leaves you satisfied, yet just a little hungry for more.

“The thing that makes us who we are is the fact that we can do whatever we want, musically,” acknowledged lead guitarist Alex Laska. “We’re not doing it to be vindictive or to piss people off. We’re [just] not being confined. It’s like we’ve opened Pandora’s Box and have looked in every room; it’s mental.”

Juveniles hits stores and streaming services on March 13, the day after Kingswood’s latest Aussie tour kicks off. Tickets for that go on sale tomorrow at 11 am local time via Live Nation and the band’s website.

12 March 2020 – Barwon Club, Geelong
13 March 2020 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
14 March 2020 – Volta, Ballarat
18 March 2020 – Kambri ANU, Canberra
19 March 2020 – UOW Unibar, Wollongong
20 March 2020 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
21 March 2020 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
26 March 2020 – The Gov, Adelaide
27 March 2020 – The Rosemount, Perth
28 March 2020 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
29 March 2020 – Freo Social, Fremantle
2 April 2020 – The Triffid, Brisbane
9 April 2020 – Republic Bar, Hobart
11 April 2020 – Saloon, Launceston
12 April 2020 – Forth Pub, Devonport
16 April 2020 – The Northern, Byron Bay
17 April 2020 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
25 June 2020 – The Jack, Cairns
26 June 2020 – Otherwise Bar, Townsville
27 June 2020 – CBD McGuires Hotel, Mackay

The Vanns Drop Alternate Version of “Jules Said” Ahead of Red Eye Tour

I loved The VannsThrough the Walls so much that I named it my favourite album of the year. Several months after its release, I still have it on regular rotation. I love the big rock numbers, but I have a special spot in my heart for one of the more reflective songs, “Jules Said.” Perhaps it’s because The Vanns first hit my radar when Jules showed off the tattoo he got celebrating the band on The Bachelorette. Maybe it’s just because it’s beautiful to hear a softer side to their music. At any rate, it’s a top song and I’m so thrilled to see it released as a single. Not content to rest on their laurels, the single is a brand new version of “Jules Said” recorded with Grammy-nominated, ARIA Award-winning producer Adrian Breakspear (Gang of Youths, Pharrell Williams).

“Jim (Vann) and I wrote ‘Jules Said’ in my bedroom in under an hour. It was the first song we finished writing for Through The Walls. We were doing a lot of writing on Logic and trying to come up with ‘cool sounds’ for a while, and then we went out to lunch and were like, ‘When we get back, let’s just try and write something with two guitars and no computer,’” explained guitarist Cameron Little.

A new single release is as good a reason as any to gig, so The Vanns have also announced their Red Eye tour. Catch them at the following venues this autumn.

19 March 2020 – Altar Bar, Hobart
20 March 2020 – Howler, Melbourne
21 March 2020 – Unibar, Adelaide
27 March 2020 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast
28 March 2020 – Crowbar, Brisbane
3 April 2020 – Unibar, Wollongong
4 April 2020 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
17 April 2020 – Indian Ocean Hotel, Perth

MOBS Drops New Single Ahead of North American Shows

Melbourne indie-pop act MOBS are preparing to play shows in North America and they’ve got a new single to celebrate. “I’ll Be Back” is pure pop pleasure, with ‘80s inspired orchestration and a finger-clicking chorus. Just don’t blame me if you’re humming it for the rest of the day.

“This is based on the character Kyle Reese coming back in time to protect Sarah Connor from the Terminator,” explained lead singer Jordan Clarey. “It’s about loving someone despite the space, time or distance between them. It’s still subtle enough to feel like a love song, while also giving props to the characters from the film.”

Fresh from playing shows in China, MOBS can’t wait to bring their brand of retro pop to American and Canadian audiences.
“The nostalgic pop sound that we have created is something that we have been working on for a long time and it’s amazing that we have the opportunity to take these songs overseas and showcase them to people on the other side of the world,” said bass player, Scott MacDougall.

Check MOBS out at the following shows.

9 February 2020 – Phantasy Niteclub, Lakewood
11 February 2020 – Majestic Theatre, Madison
12 February 2020 – The Music Venue, Dilworth
13 February 2020 – The Park Theatre, Winnipeg
15 February 2020 – The Rec Room, Calgary
16 February 2020 – Temple, Edmonton
18 February 2020 – The Bitmore Ballroom, Vancouver
19 February 2020 – Holocene, Portland

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Bootleg Rascal Back With “Lonely Times” and Tour

It wasn’t so long ago that Bootleg Rascal were wowing me with their double A-side single “Yin & Yang.” Now they’re back with a track that’s every bit its equal, “Lonely Times.” It’s fresh and funky, with reggae, hip hop, and dub influences combining to create an irresistible summer feel.

It wouldn’t be a Bootleg Rascal release without a tour to match. You’ll have plenty of chances to see these guys bring the party vibes in the coming months. It all kicks off tonight at Miranda Hotel with a bushfire benefit show. 100% of the profits will go to the NSW Rural Fire Service, so get along and support it!

17 January 2020 – Miranda Hotel, Miranda (with A.Girl and Timi Temple)
w/ A.GIRL + TIMI TEMPLE
18 January 2020 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (with A.Girl and Timi Temple)
19 January 2020 – Park House, Mona Vale (with A. Girl and Grace Grove)
24 January 2020 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast (with Drop Legs and Saint Lane)
25 January 2020 – The Northern, Byron Bay (with Drop Legs and Saint Lane)
26 January 2020 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore (with Saint Lane and Venice Queens)
30 January 2020 – Jive Bar, Adelaide (with Richysand and Alex Hosking)
31 January 2020 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River (with T$oko and The Bambuseae Rhythm Section)
1 February 2020 – Indi Bar, Perth (with T$oko and The Bambuseae Rhythm Section)
2 February 2020 – Mojos, Fremantle (with T$oko and The Bambuseae Rhythm Section)
7 February 2020 – The Beery, Terrigal (with Nelipot, Saint Spook, and Deadshowws)
8 February 2020 – Transit Bar, Canberra (with Liv Li and Muddy Wolfe)
21 March 2020 – A Day on the Lawn, Hobart (with Boy and Bear and Meg Mac)
27 March 2020 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane (with Shag Rock and Scabz)
2 April 2020 – Marrickville Bowls Club, Sydney (with Shag Rock and Scabz)
3 April 2020 – Howler, Melbourne (with Shag Rock and Scabz)

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Cloe Terare Goes Acoustic For “Easy” Release

All too often production takes centre stage when electronic acts release singles. So it’s refreshing to hear Brisbane’s Cloe Terare strip her music back for her new single “Easy.” This treatment puts her heartfelt lyrics and soulful voice up front. Releasing a treatment that’s so raw might have been a difficult choice for other artists, but Cloe said it felt completely natural.

“We [Cloe and fellow electronic act DVNA] wrote it on the side of a big lake in the most beautiful rain forest area so whenever I sing it I picture myself there. It’s been produced a few times a few different ways but we decided it really sounds its most genuine and organic as the acoustic it was originally written as; so that’s how we are releasing it,’ she explained.

In keeping with the single’s no-frills release, the music video is a live-take studio session featuring the guitar skills of the Sunshine Coast’s Dorah Jacson. It’s got a beautiful, organic authenticity about it that I really warm to. With plenty of other collaborations in the works, we should be hearing a lot more from Cloe Terare.

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Eli Dan Releases Beautiful New Single, “Treading Water”

Melbourne pop duo Eli Dan give voice to the helplessness many Aussies feel with their new single “Treading Water.” While it wasn’t written about the bushfire crisis, the track perfectly echoes the sentiment in Australia right now.

While “Treading Water” comes from a place of heartache and struggle, there is also hope in these lyrics. After all, while you’re treading water your head is still above the surface. Keeping it up, digging deep into your resilience, keeps you alive. The song was inspired by the band’s struggles to make an impact in the competitive music industry. While it was recorded in singer Elisha Apurado’s home studio it has a big epic sound. And don’t her vocals give you chills?

Eli Dan will launch “Treading Water” at Kindred Studios in Yarraville on February 8.

Ocean Alley Drop New Music Ahead of Laneway Shows

Ocean Alley have kept a fairly relentless touring schedule over the last 12 months, but they’ve still found time to write and demo some new music. New single “Tombstone” is one of the latest tracks to come out of those creative stints. Its easy blend of funk, soul, and classic rock showcases everything that made Ocean Alley one of the hottest bands in the country.

Ocean Alley spent much of 2019 abroad playing shows in New Zealand, Bali, Canada, the USA, Europe, and the UK, but they’ll be back on home soil next month for the Laneway Festival shows. They’ll also support Six60 in New Zealand. Catch them at all the following gigs.

1 February – Laneway Festival, Brisbane
2 February – Laneway Festival, Sydney
7 February – Laneway Festival, Adelaide
8 February – Laneway Festival, Melbourne
9 February – Laneway Festival, Fremantle
22 February – Western Springs, Auckland (supporting Six60)
7 March – Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (supporting Six60)

Photo credit: Charlie Hardy

Zac Eichner’s Double A-Side Single Twice as Nice

Adelaide indie-electronic act Zac Eichner delivers a double-dose of goodness with his new double A-side single, “Naked & Autumn.” The songs complement one another beautifully, showcasing Zac’s gift for creating electronic music with heart. I love the way his electro beats intertwine with his rough, yet tender vocals, and traditional instruments. “Naked” is a poignant piano ballad while “Autumn” is an uplifting number that Zac describes as a “bittersweet, coming-of-age movie track.”

Both songs are so different, but they’re the ideal introduction to what Zac brings to the local music landscape. When he’s not working on music, Zac devotes his time to helping the next generation.

“I work for the Carly Ryan Foundation, a non-for-profit organisation. I get to head around Australia and talk to primary and high school kids about online safety and wellbeing,” he explained. “I’m currently developing a holistic healing/song writing program to take to schools for kids to be able to express themselves through song, whether that be to capitalise on those songs, just have a voice or strengthen their mental health. It’s something I’m incredibly passionate about and is clearly very close to me.”

Zac is playing launch parties around the nation to celebrate the release of “Naked & Autumn.” Catch him at the following remaining gigs.

8 January 2020 – The Gasometer, Melbourne
10 January 2020 – Rye Hotel, Mornington Peninsula
11 January 2020 – Jive, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Sienna Wild Releases Rocking Love Triangle Track, “You Wouldn’t Know”

Melbourne act Sienna Wild are giving me serious Eskimo Joe vibes with their latest single “You Wouldn’t Know.” It’s got a little more edge than your average pop-rock number, and that anthemic chorus really kicks things up a notch. To make sure you can sing along, the band has released a fantastic lyric video to compliment the song’s release.

“The sentiment behind the single came from me setting myself a challenge of writing from the perspective of a third-party in a break up,” explained Louis Goutus, Sienna Wild’s lead singer and bassist. “Up to that point, our writing had been about power within a relationship, whether it be during good times or bad. This time, I wanted to write a song about an outsider who becomes involved in a break up, as opposed to the two protagonists telling the story. It is essentially about a girl telling her boyfriend’s best friend she’s going to leave her man, but the boyfriend is too oblivious to realise. Hence, he ‘wouldn’t know’, but the friend does!”

The lads played a free show in Sydney last week, but there’s more where that came from.

“Fans can expect a tight rock performance full of swirling guitars, crashing choruses and compelling dynamics. You’ll see a band who have conviction and believe what they say, and mean what they do. A good time for all!”
If that sounds right up your alley, make sure you don’t miss the following Sienna Wild gigs.

9 January 2020 – Crown & Anchor, Adelaide
18 January 2020 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane (FREE)
31 January 2020 – The Tote, Collingwood

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Unbroken Expanse Will Rock Your Socks Off With “Go”

For many Aussies, today is the day we’ve been dreading, the day we head back to the office after that well-earned festive break. Days like that deserve rocking soundtracks to help fire us up. If you’re looking for a song that fits the bill, look no further than “Go,” the life-affirming new track from Northern Territory outfit Unbroken Expanse.

‘During the writing of ‘Go,’ my partner, Jess, was days from giving birth to our son, Elvis,” explained the band’s singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Wheezy. “His impending arrival made me think more and more about how his generation will need to connect with each other more than any generation before it … the song is a message to him, and to all of us, to maintain a progressive, positive view of the world as often as we can. To move forward. To ‘Go.’”

This band from Tennant Creek holds nothing back, and the song is richer for it. Turn it up loud and enjoy this one. Just don’t be surprised when you find yourself hitting play for another go round after it’s done. This is Aussie rock done right.

Unbroken Expanse will launch “Go” at Melbourne’s Gasometer Hotel on January 22.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department