Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Brayden Sibbald Shines With “Thin Air”

Up-and-coming producer Brayden Sibbald has got a big future ahead of him if his latest single “Thin Air” is any indication. It’s a beautiful ballad that showcases Brayden’s haunting vocals so perfectly.

“’Thin Air’ is a track about letting go of the self-created things that hold you back, and prevent you from moving forward,” he explained. “I find it really easy to create things or situations in my head which hold me back from further development. I think writing about it is my way to make myself really aware of that, and try and catch myself doing it.”

After supporting The Temper Trap in February, Brayden is back headlining gigs around his native Western Australia. Catch him at Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough, on March 15 and follow his Facebook page to learn about more gigs happening really soon.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Esimorp Bassist Paul Roth Goes Solo With “Still”

Esimorp was one of my favourite musical discoveries last year so I was keen to discover what the solo music from bass guitarist Paul Roth sounded like. I got my first taste recently when the Central Coast-born Hong Kong-based singer-songwriter released his first single of the year, “Still.”

“Still” is such a cool track. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but you just see if you’re not tapping your toes in time as it builds. I hear a touch of gospel and soul influences that add richness to the track’s infectious groove.

“This was one of those songs that really all just came together in one sitting, I instantly fell for the rhythm and harmony combo and each melody flowed exactly how I would like,” he explained.

“Still” is the first of several songs Paul plans to release this year. I can’t wait to hear what else he’s got in store for us!

Image used with permission from Paul Roth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Raise a Glass to New Material From Ella Fence

It’s Saturday, time to put the stresses of the working week and the woes of the world to the back of our mind and kick up our heels. For many of us, our merry-making might involve a cocktail or two. No judgement! However you’re celebrating, “Pink Mojitos” by Ella Fence goes down just as easy as the beverage it’s named after! Sublime vocals, an infectious groove, and the kind of NSFW lyrics that you can crank up now the office is a distant memory!

“Pink Mojitos” is the opening track from Ella’s new mini-EP All I Do is Think. With just three tracks it shows so many sides of this exciting singer-songwriter. “She’s Looking Pretty” is as poignant and heartbreaking as “Pink Mojitos” is frothy and feelgood. “Japan” rounds out the trio on a sombre, introspective note. It’s beautiful.

Ella will play a stack of gigs over the coming months to support her new material. Get out and support her at the following venues.

8 March 2020 – Southport Sharks, Gold Coast (2-6 pm)
14 March 2020 – Brisbane City Sounds, Queen Street (12-2:30 pm)
17 March 2020 – Cambus Wallace, Gold Coast (7 pm)
20 March 2020 – Post Office Hotel, Sandgate (6:30-9:30 pm)
22 March 2020 – Scottish Prince, Gold Coast (7 pm)
27 March 2020 – Burleigh Brewing Co., Gold Coast (4-8 pm)
28 March 2020 – Rics Bar, Brisbane (supporting Cheeky Velvet @ 7 pm)
5 April 2020 – Brunswick Hotel, Brisbane (1-4 pm)
16 April 2020 – The Archive (7-10 pm)
17 April 2020 – Scottish Prince Friday (7 pm)
18 April 2020 – The End, Brisbane (7 pm)
25 April 2020 – Burleigh Brewing Co., Gold Coast (4-8 pm)
28 April 2020 – Cambus Wallace, Gold Coast (7 pm)
3 May 2020 – Komune, Coolangatta (late afternoon, time TBC)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fall For DRESS CODE’s “Candy Heart”

With gloomy weather in New South Wales and the threat of coronavirus looming, I think our worlds could all use a little brightening up. Enter Adelaide act DRESS CODE and their shimmery new synth-pop single, “Candy Heart.” It’s just as sweet as it sounds with lyrics that explore all the electrifying emotions that surround falling in love.

“‘Candy Heart’ is a song about falling in love, and all the fear, uncertainty, and confusion that goes along with that. Love is weird and takes you by surprise sometimes, but there’s an almost childlike determination that parts the curtains of crushing anxiety and shows you the reason you drag yourself out of bed each morning,” explained lead singer Ollie Miller. “To feel loved and to help someone else feel the same, even when it’s hard. Life is sometimes a bitter pill to swallow but some people make it seem like a candy heart.”

After a recent hometown launch, hopefully a national tour from DRESS CODE isn’t too far away!

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