Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

From the Ashes of Command Q Comes Monsoon Moon

Shaun Pickett hasn’t sad idly since wrapping up Command Q in 2017. The Perth artist has thrown himself into songwriting and music. “Just Friends,” his debut single under his new moniker, Monsoon Moon, is the culmination of those efforts.

“I was once wildly in love, and like every love-drunk musician before me, I had the original idea of writing a song for my lover. But, like most good things, our love didn’t last and I was left with an unfinished song and a healthy plate of regret,” he explained of the song’s inspiration. “The song was now a lie! I started to think, ‘Wouldn’t it have been better if we never got together in the first place? Why couldn’t we have stayed Just Friends?'”

I absolutely love this track. It’s so incredibly catchy with immensely relatable lyrics. It’s a sign of things to come for the artist who has tired of the party scene Command Q was so much a part of.

“We felt tired and worn down by it, sensing a deeper need to express ourselves with greater emotional contrast,” he explained. “Maybe change is inevitable, as an artist you grow and evolve. All I know now is that I want to express myself beyond ‘dabs’ in an underground EDM dungeon with ravers. I hope I can give that to you with Monsoon Moon.”

“Just Friends” has whet my appetite for more. I can’t wait to hear what Monsoon Man has in store for us.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Doko Fight For Live Music Scene With “Borrowed Time”

Sydney’s live music scene is one of its most important assets, but it’s been under fire in recent years. Local band Doko give a voice to the struggles the scene faces with their fab new single “Borrowed Time.” It deals with some pretty serious stuff, but it’s wrapped up in such an upbeat package I wouldn’t blame you if missed the message and got carried away rocking out to it. After all, you can always give it another listen.

The music video for “Borrowed Time” combines footage of Doko’s Sydney shows and rehearsals with some trippy psychedelic visuals. The vintage lens reminds us of the time-honoured tradition of seeing live music we stand to lose if we don’t rise up.

Doko will naturally promote the single with live shows around NSW and Victoria next month. Many are free, so there’s no excuse for missing them!

3 August 2019 – The Vanguard, Sydney
4 August 2019 – El Sol, Cronulla
8 August 2019 – Franks, Wild Years, Wollongong (FREE)
9 August 2019 – Selina’s, Coogee (FREE)
16 August 2019 – Westernport Hotel, San Remo (FREE)
17 August 2019 – Wesley Anne, Melbourne

Image used with permission from ArowAgency; photo credit: Zana Rose

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jessica Mauboy Sets a New Bar With Latest Single, “Little Things”

The always outstanding Jessica Mauboy seems to be improving with age, like a fine wine. Her latest single “Little Things” may be her best work yet.

It’s intimate and powerful, with an emotional maturity that’s so compelling. Perhaps it’s so strong because Jessica co-wrote the track with powerhouse duo DNA and Chiara Hunter. You can certainly hear more of Jess’s heart in this song that some of the frothier pop fare in her back catalogue.

“This song is EVERYTHING we want to TELL our loved ones … to remind them that ALL we want is to be loved and appreciated in ALL of the things we do,” she explained. “This song could also be felt in a way that you could be an eight-year-old old girl or boy and want to feel loved by your parents, trying to catch their attention when your parents aren’t watching, to a 20-year-old sharing their deepest experience and not getting that back in return from the one they love, to a 50-year-old who could has lost their loved one and is haunted by memories of what was unsaid”

“Little Things” comes from Jessica’s new album Hilda. Look for it in stores this October.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Lazy Susans Get Honest With “Mutual Memory”

The Lazy Susans wear their heart on their sleeve in their latest single “Mutual Memory.” It’s a cathartic track about the pain someone can cause you and the acknowledgement that while it stings now, that hurt is sure to fade.

“I wrote the bare bones of this song when I was living in the Blue Mountains last year,” lead singer Antonia Susan explained. “Lyrically it’s a bit different. When we first started jamming as a band we laughed because I’ve never sang that many words so quickly as I do in the chorus. There’s definitely a bit of anger behind the lyrics, but inside that anger there is love and survival too.”

Like previous single “R U OK?,” “Mutual Memory” comes from The Lazy Susans forthcoming album Now That The Party’s Over, which drops on August 2. Check out the following shows and festivals to see The Lazy Susans doing what they do best.

21 June 2019 – UC Refectory, Canberra (with Spiderbait & Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers)
4 July 2019 – CHANGES x New World Artists showcase @ Laundry Bar, Melbourne (with Jordan Dennis, Ruby Gill, Kilns, and These New South Whales)
3 August 2019 – Woolly Mammoth @ Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide (with Press Club, Bugs, Bec Stevens and more)
5 & 6 October 2019 – Yours & Owls Festival, Wollongong

Image used with permission from Little Giant Agency; photo credit: Naomi Lee Beveridge

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fall in Love With Seaforth

You might not have heard of Seaforth yet, but they’re likely to be our next big Aussie export. Born and bred on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, the duo are now based in Nashville, where they have a worldwide deal with Sony Nashville. Their new single “Love That” is the perfect example of their ear-pleasing pop sound, which has just a sprinkling of Southern country flavour.

“We’ve always loved music videos that are a little outside the box or kind of different from the concept of the song and adds another layer of life to it, so that’s what we were going for,” Tom Jordan said of the song’s film clip.

“This is really our first introduction, so getting those moments of personality in there was key for us,” added Mitch Thompson. “We want people to know we don’t take ourselves too seriously, we’re just fun dudes, and I think we portrayed that pretty well.”

“Love That” comes from Seaforth’s debut EP. Expect to hear a lot more from these guys in the future!

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

GOSH Release Rocking New Single Ahead of Pacific Avenue Support Slots

Wollongong four-piece GOSH are firing me up this morning with their explosive new single “Say Another Thing.” It’s all big rock chords, evocative lyrics, and heartfelt delivery, just what you need to shake off those winter blues.

The song speaks to a generation striving to uphold their ideals against the crippling weight of consumerism. The film clip drives the point home.

GOSH are preparing to support Pacific Avenue on a couple of upcoming shows, but I don’t expect to see them in a supporting role for too long. A headline tour is in the works, but until then make sure you get along early to the following gigs!

22 June 2019 – Lord Gladstone, Sydney (supporting Pacific Avenue)
26 June 2019 – The Gasometer Hotel, Melbourne (supporting Pacific Avenue)

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out With the Dardi Shades New Single, “Yeah You’re Young”

Camden-indie rockers The Dardi Shades are here to brighten up your Monday with their stellar new single “Yeah You’re Young.” I’m taken back to bands like The Kooks and The Wombats when I hear this track, and it’s a very good thing.

’Yeah You’re Young (but not going to be forever)’ is generally a sentiment of encouragement for the listener to take chances in their immediate situation as nothing worth doing comes easy,” explained frontman Stewart Patterson. “I wanted to juxtapose the song sonically between specific influences such as The Kooks, Libertines and the Killers. I wanted raw, scratchy lead lines and tight rhythm sections that transform into a big-production, stadium rock styled chorus. Finishing with a rather personal and self-reflective “in-the-room” vibe for the song to finish on; and I really think we achieved what we set out to do with the help of Adrian Breakspear.”

The Dardi Shades will launch “Yeah You’re Young” with a show at UOW Bar in Wollongong on June 29 supporting Little May. Stay tuned for more tour dates really soon!

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tully John & Liza-Jane’s New Single “Embers” is Fire

I don’t know what’s happening in your life, but I’m pretty sure Tully John & Liza-Jane’s new single “Embers” is the cure for what ails you. This delicate pop-folk number is the latest track from the Gold Coast duo, and it’s really something special.

“Embers” wraps around you with its beautiful vocals and gentle instrumentation, soothing you and making you feel all warm and fuzzy. It’s the aural equivalent of chicken soup or big fuzzy slippers, therapy for the soul.

“The song begins with two souls divided before they begin to interweave and come together again. In the end it is a song of resolution and solace,” Liza-Jane explains, “The ember is the hope to which we cling when things are just a bit wobbly.”

With more music planned for 2019, this year should be a big one for Tully John & Liza-Jane. Hear a sneak peek of more new material when the duo launches “Embers” at the following shows.

3 July 2019 – House Concert, Gold Coast
4 July 2019 – Junk Bar, Brisbane
5 July 2019 – Dust Temple, Gold Coast
6 July 2019 – House Concert, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Winterbourne Provide Album Teaser Ahead of Long-Awaited Release & Tour

Central Coast duo Winterbourne has left us waiting far too long for an album. The EPs released since their formation five years ago just weren’t quite enough. However, our patience is soon to be rewarded with their release of their debut LP Echo of Youth on August 23. Get your fix of new Winterbourne music now with the release of the latest single “Too Many.”

“Too Many” is a little bit of a slow burner, but stick with it and see if you’re not punching your fist in the air by the time it’s through. The track builds beautifully to a triumphant climax. “Too Many” was one of the last songs Winterbourne wrote for their forthcoming album, proving that some things are worth waiting for.

“We didn’t realise until after the recording process but it’s the only song on the record that has a clear uplifting message, and it kind of serves as a response to a lot of questions throughout the album,” said one half of the duo, James Draper. “We recorded this one first when we arrived at the studio in Byron. It was night time by the time we got going and we all sat around in a small circle and just jammed on this song for a couple of hours until we felt we had it.”

Winterbourne will celebrate the release of their long-awaited album Echo of Youth with their biggest Aussie tour to date. Tickets are on sale now for the following dates.

25 October 2019 – Mojos, Fremantle (18+)
26 October 2019 – Jive, Adelaide (Licensed ALL AGES)
8 November 2019 – The Brightside, Brisbane (18+)
9 November 2019 – Howler, Melbourne (18+)
16 November 2019 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney (Licensed ALL AGES)

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out With Sinclaire’s New Single, “It’s Not Enough”

Sydney indie-rock act Sinclaire have me fired up this morning with their anthemic new single “It’s Not Enough.” If this doesn’t have you punching your fist in the air, I’m not sure what will! If you love acts like The Killers, The National, and our own Gang of Youths, this will be right up your alley.

“’It’s Not Enough’ is a self-reflection on my stubborn and argumentative personality and the toll it takes on my friends and family,” explained Sinclaire’s frontman Michael Cross. “It was a confronting song to write as I was already hyper-aware of how headstrong I was without bearing the truth in such a public way. Being open about my flaws was something I never really did but jumping in the deep end and revealing the truth about how I felt seemed like a necessary step forward for my own personal development. I hope listeners can appreciate the transparency and use it as a way to feel more comfortable with talking about their own issues as I believe it’s a very important part of self-development”.

“It’s Not Enough” comes from Sinclaire’s debut EP Now I’m Ready to Start, which drops on June 28.

Image used with permission from Good Intent