Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Basia Bulat Ready for Aussie Sideshows After Woodford

Canadian sensation Basia Bulat is currently wowing crowds at Woodford Folk Festival, but if you haven’t got a ticket, you’re in luck. She’ll also play sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne once the festival wraps up.

If you’re not already acquainted with Basia’s music, let her latest single “Your Girl” be your introduction. Our first taste of her forthcoming album Are You in Love? it oozes with warmth and optimism. There’s a light about Basia’s voice that shines through, even when her songs have an element of pathos as this one does. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be hooked after one listen.

“I wrote ‘Your Girl’ during a snowstorm in Montreal and recorded it under the warm desert sun in Joshua Tree,” she recounted. “Someone once told me you can’t sing and cry at the same time but that wasn’t true for me when we were recording this one. There’s joy in finally being free from a painful situation, relief, laughter—even as it feels impossible to ever forget the pain or understand why that storm came through your life the way it did. And so, light on your feet, you dance with the memory instead. If you’re listening to this song and understand what I mean, know that I’m singing with you as we’re dancing in that swirling wind.”

Basia Bulat will play the following local venues while she’s in Australia. Don’t miss this superb Canadian act while she’s on our shores!

2 January 2020 – Low 302, Sydney
4 January 2020 – Wesley Anne, Melbourne
5 January 2020 – Esplanade Hotel, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out With Concrete Surfers’ “Shattered Thoughts”

I intended to take a few weeks off over the festive season, but you know what they say about the best laid plans. So it’s little wonder that “Shattered Thoughts,” the latest track from Brisbane’s Concrete Surfers is resonating with me. It’s got the right amount of grit and angst, with a surf-rock bent that’s encouraging me to knock off early and hit the beach.

“The concept of the video appeared when we were showing our friends tech deck videos to another friend and they struck the idea that we should do a film clip based off that, which we thought was really neat!” explained the band’s guitarist and vocalist, Jovi Brook. “We just got some cardboard boxes some paint and dollhouse furniture from Kmart and made little sets which was actually really fun and cool seeing it all come together.”

Concrete Surfers were scheduled to play Falls, but with its cancellation fans will just have to wait a little longer to see them live. As they were planning a summer tour before they got the call from festival organisers, hopefully some more shows will be announced soon.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ryan Edmond Sings of New Home in “Stockholm”

Australian-born singer-songwriter Ryan Edmond sings of his experiences making a new life in Sweden in his gorgeous new single “Stockholm.” I love its delicate folky feel and Ryan’s beautiful vocals.

“’Stockholm’ is about the similarities and differences of living in two different parts of the world. From the beaches and relaxed vibes of Australia to the mountains, forests and historical architecture of Sweden,” he explained. “I want people to be able to interpret the song in their own way although for me ‘Stockholm’ is also about being in a relationship with someone from another country and the beauty of being able to live in different cities and countries but also about the challenges that come up. Such as trying to find a place that feels like home for both of you.”

Ryan is coming home for a string of shows to support the single in the New Year, including some supporting slots with Tijuana Cartel. Catch him at the following venues while you can!

2 January 2020 – Mojo’s Bar, Fremantle
9 January 2020 – Junk Bar, Brisbane
11 January 2020 – Golden Age Cinema, Sydney
17 January 2020 – The Gasometer Upstairs, Melbourne
23 January 2020 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River (supporting Tijuana Cartel)
24 January 2020 – Clancy’s, Dunsborough (supporting Tijuana Cartel)
25 January 2020 – Freo Social, Fremantle (supporting Tijuana Cartel)
26 January 2020 – Indi Bar, Scarborough (supporting Tijuana Cartel)

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Clio Releases Stunning Solo Single, “Slow Burn”

Clio is a familiar face for music fans, part of the RocKwiz band and playing with local musical royalty including Angus and Julia Stone, Deborah Conway, Tim Rogers, Killing Heidi, and heaps more. However, she’s much more than simply one of the country’s most in-demand session pianist. She’s also an impressive solo artist. Her latest single “Slow Burn” is a testament to her talent.

Clio says the song was “Written from the perspective of a close friend who was struggling to let go. Knowing that forgiveness and acceptance takes time is one thing, it’s the waiting that kills us. For me it also coincided with a different sort of waiting, or my unwillingness to wait for that matter. Either way, life’s too short! I co-produced this with Lawrence Folvig (Ainslie Wills), a collaboration I’m very excited about. The palate of sounds takes my music in a new direction, with brooding synths and layered guitars. Of course it wouldn’t be a Clio piece without a dashing display of vocal harmonies too!”

The name of the song is somewhat apt, because it really crept up on me. I thought it was beautiful at first, but with every subsequent listen I appreciated “Slow Burn” just a little more. Take a listen and let it work its magic on you!

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Merry Christmas From Sounds of Oz!

It makes me feel old to say it, but every year Christmas seems to roll around a little faster. As a kid I used to count down the days, yet now there never seems to be enough time to buy and wrap presents and make all the food for the big celebration.

I know I’m pretty lucky to be able to head to Newcastle every year to hang out with my family. There’s always plenty of wine, food, and daggy Christmas music, at least until we wrestle Mum’s Peppermint Candy Kids CDs out of the stereo. But many Aussies aren’t so fortunate. Alison Newman, a singer-songwriter from Mount Gambier, touches on what Christmas is like when you’re missing someone with her recently released Christmas song “It’s Not Christmas Without You.” Her voice has a beautiful bluesiness, and honestly something fresh goes down pretty well after a month of the same old Christmas fare.

No matter what you’re doing today, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! May it be filled with good tunes and whatever else makes you smile.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hattie Oates’ “Bad” Is So Good

Hattie Oates first hit my radar back in February with the funky “She’s All Yours.” The 16-year-old has done a real 180 with her latest single “Bad,” proving that she’s far from a one-trick pony.

You need real talent to go from upbeat soul to dark, brooding alt-pop as Hattie has done, but she’s got skills to spare. I can’t say it won’t alienate some of the people who liked her debut, but it’s strong enough to win her some new fans.

“This song is about that undeniable feeling of temptation that takes over when you have two options, a good one, and a bad one,” she explained. “It’s the compelling danger and mystery beneath that choice that makes you feel like you don’t have one.”

A Tamworth local, Hattie will play a special Christmas Eve show tonight at Manny’s on Marsh in Armidale.

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Beachwood Releases Spine-Tingling Cover of “God Only Knows”

It takes real balls to take a classic song like “God Only Knows” and really play with it. But that’s what Melbourne’s Beachwood have done with their cover, released simultaneously with another new track “Marbles,” and I’ve got to say, I’m a fan.

I must admit, I wasn’t instantly on board. I thought the band might have gone too far, but then those angelic vocals from Angeline Armstrong kicked in and it all made sense. Yes, it’s a little eerie and dark, but it’s also so fresh. And if you’re not going to bring something new to the table, why cover a song at all?

“God Only Knows is such a sweet, romantic sounding song – but when you dig deeper and pay attention to the lyrics, it’s quite bittersweet and dark – there’s a real desperation and longing in it,” Angeline, who makes music with her bandmate Jarrad Rogers, explained. “That same longing and bittersweet feeling exists in both of our new tracks: hidden beneath pulsating pop beats and big progressive sounds, there’s the raw voice of a desperate longing for a relationship that won’t spoil or break. I think that taps into something very personal for all of us, no matter how deeply buried.”

It’s unusual to release two singles simultaneously, but it’s a decision that made sense for Beachwood.

“It’s always nice to give people more,” Angeline said. “As artists we’re always so hungry to release our music faster than is sometimes possible – it feels really good to just let go and hand these two over to the world all at once. We wanted to do something a little different – there’s a big focus on releasing one single at a time these days, but we felt that there was a bit of a story here in releasing both together. We love re-imagining songs, especially ones as amazing as ‘God Only Knows.’”

If you love your music a little left of centre, you’re going to adore Beachwood.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Izellah Shines With “Glow”

Transitioning from the world of musical theatre isn’t easy, but young Gold Coast talent Izellah shows she’s got what it takes with her latest single “Glow.” In 2016 she caught Australia’s attention as one of the plucky young girls playing the title role in Tim Minchin’s musical adaptation of Matilda. Now she shows she’s got some serious pop skills.

Izellah’s voice is undeniable, pure and compelling. She’s also clearly a learned a lot from time in the United States last year working with producers and writers for Kylie Minogue, Celine Dion, and Dua Lipa. This track is super catchy and commercial, but it’s also got an individuality about it that sets her apart.

With tracks like “Glow” in her arsenal, I predict we’ll hear a lot more about Izellah in 2020.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ali Barter Covers Julia Michaels Ahead of Summer Gigs

Ali Barter has wowed music lovers with the tracks from her sophomore album Hello, I’m Doing My Best, but she’s also capable of releasing a stunning cover. She recently released her take on Julia Michaels’ “Issues,” and it’s really something special.

It’s a beautiful, delicate reworking that doesn’t stray so far from the original that it’ll alienate listeners. You’ll find it on Spotify, but I think there’s something magical about watching it take shape at Prime Recording in Nashville.

Ali is spending more and more time Stateside as her star rises. She’s got a couple of local gigs lined up next year before she returns to the US for South by Southwest.

3 January 2020 – Espy Gershwin Room, St Kilda
5 January 2020 – Summer Sundays, Ballarat
13-22 March 2020 – South by Southwest, Austin

Image used with permission from Inertia Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Benny Nelson Blows Me Away With “Bad Man”

I listen to a lot of music. A lot of it is really good music. When I’m lucky though I find great music, like “Bad Man,” the latest single from Sydney-based Benny Nelson. This track is next level. It starts out as a gentle, introspective ditty before building into an explosive anthem of defiance.

He says it’s “a reflection on decisions and actions I’ve made that I’m not too proud of. Some actions have consequences, and sometimes I felt like I deserved the worst, and it’s been really hard for me to not think that when bad things would happen to me.”
There’s such a spontaneous energy about this single, perhaps because it was recorded in just one day. And if you hear a bit of pain in the vocals, it might not just be a reflection of those personal lyrics. Benny had a toothache, but pushed through to make sure “Bad Man” came out sounding just right.

“I decided to wait until I had recorded the single before getting my tooth pulled the next day in case it interfered with my voice, so that was a painful but memorable experience,” he admitted.

We are pretty lucky we can hear Benny play this track and others live, as his musical career was almost cut short after recording “Bad Man.” He tripped up some stairs while holding a glass, which sliced through the nerves in his hand. Now eight months after the doctors told him his loss of movement and feeling may be permanent, he’s back to doing what he loves. He’s got one last show for 2018. Catch him at Keppel Vibes II, on Great Keppel Island on December 29, with Busby Marou, Christine Anu, and a bunch of other talented acts.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music