Category: Single Releases

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Monatomic Move Me With “Breathe”

Heart and exquisite harmonies combine for Monatomic’s new single “Breathe.” It’s a bittersweet ballad that’s perfectly imperfect, perhaps because it was recorded in a bedroom studio with a broken microphone!

“This particular song gets deep into the despair and darkness you can feel when you’re totally in love with someone but they don’t love you back but just use you. It was written when I was suffering from depression and it all came out in one stream of consciousness”, explained one half of the duo, Steffan Lazar.

Take a moment out of your day and just listen to this one. It’s such a stunning track, it deserves your full attention.

Monatomic will support Peach Fur on the Sydney show of their Awake tour. Catch them at the Chippo Hotel on March 27.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bajillionaire Addresses Social Anxiety With “I Feel So Alone In This Club RN”

You might expect Sydney producer Bajillionaire to feel right at home in a nightspot, but he touches on the loneliness that can creep in with his latest single “I Feel So Alone In This Club RN.” With its gentle groove, it’s the kind of track you might play when you’re in recovery from the night before.

“This song is just me being very honest about my anxieties,” Bajillionaire explained. “I don’t really like clubs, I don’t really like the idea of clubbing, and going out just makes me wish I had a vice of some sort. I hope you like it. It really is just me on a page (or in a song). Honest, dumb and slightly inappropriate.

“Sonically, I wrote this song initially assuming it would just never come out, but as time passed and I realised ‘I want to sing and perform and keep making songs like this,’ it became almost this little joke that I was only going to make this kind of music going forward, that slowly became more and more serious, until it informed the sound of everything else coming.”

Providing the perfect counter-balance to the club scene, Bajillionaire is a producer to watch.

Image used with permission from Gyro PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alexander Biggs Scrubs Up for New Single Ahead of SXSW

Melbourne singer-songwriter Alexander Biggs has dropped a new single to celebrate his forthcoming shows at Austin’s prestigious South by Southwest festival. “Laundromat” delivers more of the mellow vibes and sweet, poetic lyrics we’ve come to expect from Alexander.

Listening to “Laundromat” is the perfect antidote to the stress of the working week, with all its hustle and bustle. The single version is on your favorite digital streaming services, but I thought I’d share this live version with you. Recorded at Paste Studio in New York City, this video gives you a little taste of what you can expect at Alexander’s shows.

Alex will warm up for his next U.S. dates with a single launch show for hometown fans at Common Rooms on February 21. Americans and expats can catch him in Austin from March 16 to 22.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sage Releases Sweet Debut, “From Dust”

From the Mornington Peninsula comes the sweet folk sounds of Sage. This local singer-songwriter and cellist has just dropped her debut single “From Dust,” and it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard. With angelic vocals and introspective lyrics, it’s the perfect treat for fans of Joni Mitchell and Laura Marling.

“This song is about soulmates, innocence, memories, and endless love,” she explained. “It’s one of those miracle songs that was written in no time at all by myself in my run-down apartment. When I sing this song, I think about the movie Stardust. At the end of the film the two star-crossed lovers, having lived a full and beautiful life together, pass away and become stars in the sky, their love living on forever and shining over everyone. There’s longing involved, but also hope.”

“From Dust” is our first taste of Sage’s EP Tethered, which will be released on February 27.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

King River Rising Unleash Powerful Single, “Pull You Closer”

“Pull You Closer,” the latest track from Melbourne reggae outfit King River Rising, is one of those tracks that sneaks up on you. It’s enjoyable from the get-go, but it builds to a crescendo so emotional that it’ll make your heart soar.

“Writing this song was all about being sincere, I needed to hear it coming from myself,” explained the band’s vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Ward Hancock. “Music to me is all about healing, learning and seeing a situation from a different angle – often over time, developing perspectives, at times moving away from others.”

“Pull You Closer” comes from King River Rising’s forthcoming EP. Hear this track and other newies at their launch show tonight at The Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Parker Impresses With “Become the Fool”

Tasmanian artist Parker creates the kind of music that stops you in your tracks and forces you to listen. She wowed me with her last single “Can’t Keep Waiting” and she’s done it again with her latest release “Become the Fool.”

The term artist gets bandied around a little too freely in the music world for my liking, but Parker is one talent deserving of the title. She’s a musician, songwriter, and visual artist who uses her creative abilities to create truly transformative works. Listening to “Become the Fool” is arresting, but when you take it in while watching the music video the experience becomes even richer. You feel the heartbreak while listening to her achingly angelic vocals and poignant lyrics.

“This is the first song that was co-written with my writing and production team, Hans Van Vliet (QLD) and Becki Whitton (VIC), across three states and I’m really excited about it,” Parker said. “When a relationship ends it can be devastating. But what happens afterwards can be a beautiful mess of experiences and vivid feelings. When I got to the end of my longest relationship, I realised I had lost so much of myself. I had been living for someone else and their dreams for so long I didn’t know who I was without them. But through this experience, I was set free to find myself again, to pursue my creative practice with all my heart.”

And yes, you read that right, this is only the first song to come out of this creative partnership. I can’t wait to hear what else it brings.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR