Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Something Good Comes Out of Preston; Introducing Short Shadows

Andy Coates wowed crowds around Melbourne with his party-swing band Frankie Wants Out, but it seems he’s the one ready for something new. Now performing under the moniker Short Shadows, he’s blending genres and providing some witty commentary on suburban life. His lead single “Nothing Good Comes Out of Preston” is the perfect introduction to his music.

If you love Ben Folds and The Whitlams, you’re going to adore this song. The lyrics are on point and the sound so intriguing, with soulful horns, some jazzy keys, and a punk ethos. The song celebrates Short Shadows’ love of Melbourne’s north with its references to Preston Market, the 86 tram, and Cramers.

“Nothing Good Comes Out of Preston” is the lead single from Short Shadows’ EP War Anecdotes From the Northern Suburbs, out February 15. Short Shadows will celebrate its release with a launch show at the Northcote Social Club on February 17.

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Your Saturday Groove On to “Chalkline”

Sydney multi-instrumentalist A.D.K.O.B. is giving me series retro vibes with his upbeat new single “Chalkline.” While there’s a dark undercurrent to the lyrics, the synth-driven music will have you tapping your toes from the get go.

“It’s a song about what it means to learn from mistakes, or perhaps that sometimes you don’t learn at all,” explained Mark Piccles, the creative force behind A.D.K.O.B.

“Chalkline” is the first single lifted from A.D.K.O.B.’s sophomore EP Nothing is a Waste of Time. If the single is any indication, it sees him take production out of the bedroom. This single sounds totally slick, without losing heart. The EP should drop later this year. Before that, A.D.K.O.B. will play the following shows to launch the banging new single “Chalkline.” All shows are totally free, so there’s no excuse to miss them!

6 March 2019 – Brunswick Festival, Howler, Melbourne
10 March 2019 – North Wollongong Hotel, Wollongong
15 March 2019 – Vic on the Park, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Butler Trio’s New Single Another Reason to Catch Live Show

The hits keep coming from John Butler Trio’s critically acclaimed new album Home. I don’t mean hits in a commercial sense, because for some reason the singles aren’t climbing the charts any more, but hit in terms of hitting the target. With a fantastic sound and heartfelt lyrics and vocals, single number three “Miss Your Love” is another fantastic folk-rock number from one of the country’s most enduring acts.

“Certain relationship themes solidified into songs over the course of time” John Butler explained, “the boy walking around in the man’s body seemed to be the recurring archetype that I had been unpacking and exploring and ‘Miss Your Love’ was my way of processing my own journey.”

Last year with a big one for John Butler Trio, who sold out shows around the United States and Europe. But they were just warm ups. After Home hit the top spot on the ARIA charts last year, the current Aussie gigs really are the main event. There are just a handful of tickets left for the remaining dates, so if you want them stop procrastinating! Otherwise you just might miss out!

1 & 2 February 2019 – Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth (with Missy Higgins & Stella Donnelly)
7 February 2019 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne (with Missy Higgins, Dan Sultan, & Stella Donnelly)
9 February 2019 – A Day On The Green, All Saints Estate, Rutherglen (with Missy Higgins, Dan Sultan, & Stella Donnelly)
10 February 2019 – Stage 88, Canberra (with Missy Higgins, The Waifs, & Stella Donnelly)
14 & 15 February 2019 – Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney (with Missy Higgins & Stella Donnelly)
16 February 2019 – A Day On The Green, Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley (with Missy Higgins, Dan Sultan)
17 February 2019 – Park Beach Reserve, Coffs Harbour (with Missy Higgins, The Teskey Brothers, & Stella Donnelly)
20 February 2019 – Moncrieff Ent. Centre Bundaberg (with Stella Donnelly)
21 February 2019 – The Great Western, Rockhampton (with Stella Donnelly)
22 February 2019 – Riverstage, Brisbane (with The Teskey Brothers & Stella Donnelly)
23 February 2019 – Tolosa Park, Hobart (with Baker Boy & Stella Donnelly)

Image used with permission from KAOS

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

X Factor Star Big T Releases First Single “Paradise”

Cyrus might have taken out the X Factor Australia title in 2015, but Big T was a clear crowd favourite. Despite no formal training, the lovable railway worker reached the top four and won the hearts of the nation.

Since his reality TV stint, Big T has been honing his craft with support slots for Chris Isaak, Dragon, and Pete Murray, along with performances at high-profile events like Carols in the Domain, the NRL Auckland Nines, the Bledisloe Cup series, and Telethon 7. It’s been a long time coming, but his recently released debut single “Paradise” is worth the wait.

This is such a feel-good summery track with all the soul Aussies warmed to when they first heard Big T’s music. Produced and co-written with The Banton Brothers, I think Big T is sounding better than ever on this. Have a listen and fall for the charms of Big T all over again.

Image used with permission from August MGMT

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Yours Truly Releasing Killer New Music Ahead of Download UK

Yours Truly are your new favourite pop punk band. The Sydneysiders are poised for big things after being added to the bill of the United Kingdom’s Download Festival. Before playing that monster mid-year event, they’ll release their latest EP Afterglow on April 12. It features the current single “Circles,” a female power anthem that will have your hairbrush doubling as a microphone in no time.

These guys have been quietly working at their craft since forming in 2016, “a time when there were a lot of Australian bands getting their international breaks, and we were looking to them for motivation,” explained lead vocalist Mikaila. “Seeing bands you’ve seen in smaller venues have that success was inspiring.”

If this song is any indication, Yours Truly are bound to blow up and get that international success they’ve worked so hard for.

Image used with permission from the Unified Music Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Magnus Murphy Wants You To “Feel Something”

It might be early on a Friday morning, but Brisbane pop act Magnus Murphy has me anticipating the weekend with his new banger “Feel Something.” It’s a real toe-tapper backed by some poignant lyrics about making a connection in the digital age.

“A lot of our generation are all on dating apps with so many options and more opportunity to meet so many people yet not many people really know what they want,” Magnus explained.

Magnus is set for big things, booking shows in Europe and America from March to June. He’ll warm up with a hometown show at the Milk Factory Bar on February 8.

Image used with permission from Big Pigeon Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jack Gray Does It Again With “Drunk Talk”

Sunshine Coast teen Jack Gray wowed me with his single “My Hands” last year. Proving he’s no one-trick pony, his follow-up single “Drunk Talk” is every bit as impressive.

“Drunk Talk is a track I worked on late one night with my mates in the studio. We record songs in a converted caravan close to the Gold Coast and we just couldn’t help ourselves as the sessions always go late. One of us ends up drinking way too much and starts talking shit,” Jack recounted. “So, I wrote a song about it. It’s such a universal thing – waking up the next morning and wondering what complete nonsense came out of our mouths.”

“Drunk Talk” is the latest track lifted from Jack’s debut EP, which should drop in the first half of the year. He’s shared the stage with Dean Lewis, E^st, and Mahalia recently, but I’m sure headlining shows aren’t too far off.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jack Runaway Launch Comeback With “Ready to Know You”

Four years after a self-titled debut EP, Jack Runaway are back. New single “Ready to Know You” is the perfect reintroduction to this Western Australian band ahead of the release of their new EP.

It picks up right where the band left off, with Christopher Hoskin’s distinctive vocals laid over the easy grooves of bass and keyboardist Vaughan Wade and drummer Kris Savy. It’s incredibly cool, the kind of track meant to be paired with the beach and cold beers.

Jack Runaway will launch “Ready to Know You” at The Aardvark in Fremantle on February 2.

Image used with permission from Firestarter Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Busby Marou Ready to Tour Summer Anthem

We can always count on Busby Marou for folk-pop tracks that feel like instant classic. Their latest track “Sounds of Summer” is no exception. Expect to hear this gem played at barbeques for years to come.

“This is a big tune and feels like it could be our biggest yet,” said one half of the Queensland duo, Thomas Busby. “We’re always being told that we have a distinct sunshine sound, so it felt only natural as we were writing it, to let it become a summer anthem.”

The song was conceived when the band were touring across America a few months ago and recorded in a Los Angeles Airbnb before being mixed in Nashville. After those recent US and Canadian shows, Busby Marou are in fine form. Catch them at the following shows in Australia and New Zealand in the coming months.

23 January 2019 – The Longyard Hotel, Tamworth
7 March 2019 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
8 March 2019 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
9 March 2019 – Memo Music Hall, St Kilda
15 March 2019 – The Triffid, Brisbane
16 March 2019 – Kingscliff Beach Hotel, Kingscliff
28 March 2019 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
29 March 2019 – Bridge Hotel, Rozelle
30 March 2019 – Milton Theatre, Ulludulla
5 April 2019 – Galatos, Auckland
6 April 2019 – Blue Smoke, Christchurch

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Single Reminds Us Why We Love Betty Who

The more I hear from Betty Who’s forthcoming studio album Betty, the more excited about it I am. The Aussie expat is releasing some of the most polished, addictive pop music I’ve heard in some time. Her latest single “I Remember” is a case in point.

“‘I Remember’ is exactly the way I wanted to start my new year. It’s such a representation of the album and my obsession with making music that makes people feel good,” Betty explained. “The whole point of the song is about letting go of how hard life (and especially love) can be at times and remembering why you do it in the first place. Love is never going to be perfect. Sometimes it will be easy, most times it will be hard, but all the time it’s worth it because, when you’re with the right person, you are willing to work for it.”

You can hear more of Betty’s new tunes when her third studio album Betty drops on February 15.