Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Clews Rework “Hollywood” and It’s Amazing

It’s amazing how a different treatment can help you hear a song in a brand new way. I didn’t mind “Hollywood” on its release, but Clews’ song didn’t excite me enough to encourage me to put fingers to keyboard. Now that the Aussie sisters from Mollymook have stripped the song back for “Hollywood II,” I’m firmly on board.

This acoustic treatment really brings out the poetry and pain in the lyrics. I kind of missed the pathos in this track about that tricky transition from youth to adulthood before.

Clews will treat local fans to their Spooky Pageant tour before heading off to the UK for the first time, then returning home for some summer festivals. Catch them at all the following shows.

25 October 2019 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
1 November 2019 – Foundry, Brisbane
2 November 2019 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
23 November 2019 – The Wardrobe – Live at Leeds, Leeds
24 November 2019 – Castle Hotel, Manchester
25 November 2019 – The Poetry Club, Glasgow
26 November 2019 – The Crofters Rights, Bristol
27 November 2019 – The Waiting Room, London
6 December 2019 – Fairgrounds Festival, Berry
8 December 2019 – Summer Salt, Glenelg
21 December 2019 – Summer Salt, Cottesloe

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kwame Forges Ahead With “Stop Knockin’ @ My Door”

Ghanian-born, Sydney-based urban artist Kwame ushers in a new chapter with the release of “Stop Knockin’ @ My Door!” The track continues the trajectory Kwame set with 2018’s Endless Conversations and gives us our first taste of his new project, set to drop next year.

“The use of the repetitive sample chop on the line ‘Stop Knocking’ is meant as a constant force, a shield and message for any trouble, negativity and sadness to steer clear from my presence,” he explained, adding that his message is to “never, EVER allow someone’s dark thoughts to cloud over you. We do exactly what we want, when we want, how we want. We now embark on a new culture forming right in front of our eyes.”

“Stop Knockin’ @ My Door!” is more straightforward than his previous releases, with less of the new wave sonics that can distract from the message. Personally, I feel it’s his strongest track to date. It makes me so excited to hear what comes next.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

JANEY Releases Stunning New Single “Hurts Me Like Hell”

Sibling duo JANEY hit all the right notes with their latest single “Hurts Me Like Hell.” It’s got a beautiful lush synth-pop sound and some angelic vocals from Sarah Otto. Then you’ve got those lyrics, which so eloquently explore the idea of moving forward in life, even if it hurts the ones you care about.

“The song was birthed from a moment of disconnect with a family member of ours,” explained Sarah’s bro Billy. “It’s incredible how much body language can tell so much about how a person feels about you, not to mention when you’re a hypersensitive melancholy artist.”

The last time JANEY played a show it sold out. Hopefully it’s not too long before they’re back on stages for us!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Shag Rock Single Worth the Wait

Shag Rock have kept us in suspense all year, but they’ve finally dropped their first single for 2019. “Old School Lover” is worth the wait, an instantly likeable pop-rock number full of optimism and irresistible harmonies.

“‘Old School Lover’ is a track that’s definitely outside of our ordinary safe-haven of laid back tunes – but it’s one we’re really proud of,” guitarist/vocalist Al Wilson explained.

Shag Rock have had a wild couple of years, selling out shows here and in New Zealand and amassing more than 15 million global streams. They’ve spent the last few months in the studio, but they’re itching to get back out in front of audiences. Welcome them back to the live scene at the following upcoming shows.

12 October 2019 – The Foundry, Brisbane (Under 18s)
19 October 2019 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
20 October 2019 – Lansdowne, Sydney
25 October 2019 – The Foundry, Brisbane
6 December 2019 – elsewhere, Gold Coast
12 December 2019 – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury (FREE)
13 December 2019 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River (FREE)
14 December 2019 – Indi Bar, Scarborough

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jeffe Teams Up With Australian Ballet For Beautiful Video

Take one beautiful song, add some incredible dancers, and you’ve got a recipe for something special. If you need a pick-up me, look no further than the launch clip for the Australian Ballet’s 2020 season, featuring Jeffe’s new song “Motionless.”

Of course, that minute and a half is a bit of a tease, so I’ve posted the full track too. “Motionless” seems super-chilled and breezy on the surface, but tap into those lyrics and you’ll hear their dark undercurrent. The song reflects on the darker corners of our mind and embracing all parts of ourselves, including the turmoil and struggle.

Jeffe spends most of her time in the UK now, but she’s got one more show for the Listen Out Festival, the Sydney date on Saturday, before she jets back. If you’ve got Listen Out tickets, make sure you don’t miss her set!

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get to Know Hallie Ahead of EP Tour

If you saw Holy Holy on their recent tour, you may be wondering who was the incredible young support act with the Joni Mitchell-esque vocals. That’s Hallie, and with her EP set to drop on Friday, there’s no better time to get across the music of this Brisbane-based artist.

I featured her single “Nice as Rice” a few months back, but if you missed that make sure you don’t miss her latest single “Stuck In Mud.” It’s a powerful ballad with such a strong emotional core, a fact that’s made all the more surprising when you understand it’s the only song on the EP that wasn’t inspired by Hallie’s own experiences.

“It’s about two people in a relationship that just stay because it’s comfortable, which at the time it was written, I saw a lot of in my friends’ relationships,” she explained. “I think I didn’t realise it then, but looking back this song was a bit of a metaphor for my relationship with life. I was in a bit of a lull and felt safe, but not satisfied. For me ‘Stuck in Mud’ is a reminder to get out of my comfort zone and that constant security can’t teach you much. It’s a piece full of angst, frustration and muffins, and I am so connected and proud of this piece.”

“Stuck in Mud” comes from Hallie’s debut EP, Wink Wink Nudge Nudge. To celebrate its release, Hallie will get back in the tour bus. If you missed her supporting Holy Holy or are in the mood for a second helping, these are all the dates you need.

19 October 2019 – The Retreat Hotel, Melbourne
25 October 2019 – Vic On The Park, Sydney (supporting Annie Hamilton)
26 October 2019 – The Foundry, Brisbane (supporting Asha Jefferies)
31 October– Strawberry Boogie @ Unibar, Wollongong

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

GraceJean Send Spirits Soaring With “Turn Away”

The working week seems to be dragging on, but Melbourne indie folksters GraceJean are here to lift your spirits with their romantic new single “Turn Away.” Take a listen and I’m sure you’ll be captivated by their sublime harmonies and organic sound.

“Turn Away” is the first single lifted from GraceJean’s debut album Long Black Road, which drops on October 4. They’ll celebrate its release with shows in Victoria and Queensland, including a very special hometown launch show on October 5. Here are all the dates you need music lovers!

5 October 2019 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne
19 October 2019 – One Tree Hill, Spring Gully
25-27 October 2019 – Tablelands Folk Festival, Yungaburra
1-3 November 2019 – Happy Wanderer Festival, Benalla
23 & 24 November 2019 – Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Charge Your Glass and Listen to Sketchy Fancy’s “Pub Rock”

With their new album Good. Bad. Happy. Sad available on all major streaming services now, it seemed like the perfect time to introduce you to South Sydney quartet Sketchy Fancy. The five-piece has got me grooving with the album’s lead single “Pub Rock.”

I love the vibrant horns, the wailing electric guitars, and the old-school storyteller vibe of the lyrics. If you’re vibing it too, make sure you dive into the rest of Good. Bad. Happy. Sad. It’s an eclectic collection of songs, but I guarantee it’s got plenty more gems. If you like what you hear, catch Sketchy Fancy at Bulli’s Heritage Hotel on September 27.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Joe Gow Delivers Stunning Kate Bush Cover

I love a great cover. They started to get a bad wrap around the height of the reality TV singing contest craze, but I think it takes real skill to interpret a song everybody knows and put your own stamp on it. Matt Joe Gow’s take on Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” is the latest cover to delight my ears.

It’s more subtle and sultry than Kate’s version, with a great Americana feel that really brings out the emotion behind the lyrics. If you want to hear it and his fantastic originals live, make sure you catch Matt Joe Gow at one of his upcoming performances.

15-17 November 2019 – Healesville Music Festival, Healesville
7 December 2019 – Bayview Country Art Club, Bittern (with Andrew Swift)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Millington Releases Positive New Single, “I Am That”

Life’s good for Millington, who is currently touring Europe and the United Kingdom with fellow Melbourne act Pierce Brothers. In that spirit of celebration comes his latest single “I Am That,” a life-affirming ditty all about embracing yourself and your voice. It’s a topic Millington understands all too well, as he used music to overcome a pronounced stammer.

“Music gave me the opportunity to communicate and express myself deeply, work things through whilst telling myself to sort my shit out when things got/get challenging and difficult,” he explained. “I have been speaking and thinking in rhythms for as long as I can remember.”

Millington hopes to tour Australia really soon, but in the meantime if you’re abroad, do yourself a favour and check him out with Pierce Brothers at the following shows.

25 September 2019 – Rotown, Rotterdam
26 September 2019 – 013 Jupiler Zaal, Tilburg
27 September 2019 – Melkweg, Amsterdam
28 September 2019 – La Madeleine, Brussels
29 September 2019 – Le Gibus Club, Paris
1 October 2019 – Doornroosje, Nijmegen
3 October 2019 – O2 Academy, Oxford
4 October 2019 – Thekla, Bristol
5 October 2019 – O2 Institute, Birmingham
7 October 2019 – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
8 October 2019 – Òran Mór, Glasgow
9 October 2019 – The Deaf Institute, Manchester
11 & 12 October 2019 – The Garage, London

Image used with permission from the A&R Department