Category: Single Releases

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.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Northern Folk Play Festivals For “Cold”

I was sure I must have written about “Cold,” the latest single from Melbourne 10-piece The Northern Folk, before. It’s such a cool song, a little brooding with stellar vocals and one of the best sax breaks you’ll hear. It’s so good that they sold out Northcote Social Club when they launched it. Yet I searched my archives and nothing. So I apologise for the oversight.

Now with the release of the clip’s music video, it seems a perfect time to correct my mistake. It was created by celebrated director and producer Mark Day in close collaboration with The Northern Folk. The band star alongside Michael Nikou and Tanya Alers is the clip which represents human consciousness in all its dark, flawed beauty.

“’Cold’ is about the insecurities that tie us down for fear of the unknown, and the emotional distance they create. Shot in the sparse Riverina landscape, a couple find themselves confronted by the manifestations of their insecurities, and must make the choice to be led by them, or to reject them and take control of what they want to be,” the band explains.

Fresh from Woodford and in fine form, The Northern Folk will play a swag of great festivals over the coming months. Here are all the places you can catch them.

25 – 28 January 2019 – Newstead Live Music Festival, Newstead
10 February 2019 – St Kilda Festival, St Kilda
15 – 17 March 2019 – Blue Mountains Music Festival, Katoomba
29 – 31 March 2019 – The Hills Are Alive Festival, South Gippsland

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nautical Mile Announce Single Shows for “Regicide” Release

Perth punksters Nautical Mile are taking their music to fans around the country next month, following the release of their latest track “Regicide.”

“The title ‘Regicide’ comes from the act of killing a monarch; the betrayer is wanting to be someone’s queen and putting themselves on a pedestal, when in reality they’re just as likely to stab you in the back. The title can either be interpreted as this betrayal of the “king” or the act of killing the relationship (and thus the “queen”) and moving on,” explained frontman Brodi Owen. “The lyrics describe the almost cyclical nature of relationships like this, the back and forth of constantly trying to please someone only to be disappointed, and the process of coming to terms with this and breaking free of the toxic environment.”

Nautical Mile are going back into the studio after this tour, so it’ll be your last chance to see them for a while. Take advantage of the opportunity at the following shows.

1 February 2019 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
8 February 2019 – Enigma Bar, Adelaide
10 February 2019 – Bar Open, Melbourne
15 February 2019 – Rack Em Up, Lilydale
16 February 2019 – Whole Lotta Love, Melbourne
17 February 2019 – Hideaway Bar, Sydney
19 February 2019 – Club Azzurri, Newcastle
21 February 2019 – The Brightside, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Collision Course

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Asha Jefferies Releases Live Track Ahead of EP Release & Tour

I’ve admired Asha Jefferies music for so long that I was surprised to read she’s yet to release an EP. That will all change next month when her debut EP, Hold Yourself Together, drops. She’ll give us all an opportunity to learn the words to those new songs before hitting the road a week later.

If you’ve never seen Asha live, listening to her new live version of “Everybody Talks,” recorded at The Tivoli, might convince you to change all that. This stripped back version takes this song to the next level, encouraging you to hone in on those lyrics and the song’s meaning.

Hold Yourself Together drops on February 1. She’ll play the following EP launch show to celebrate its long-awaited release.

8 February 2019 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
9 February 2019 – Byron Bay Brewery, Byron Bay
14 February 2019 – Golden Age Cinema, Sydney
15 February 2019 – Retreat Hotel, Melbourne
16 February 2019 – The Espy, Melbourne
1 February 2019 – Nannup Music Festival, Perth