Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vinten Releases Comeback Single “Arrows”

Melbourne singer-songwriter Vinten stepped back from music two years ago to pursue other interests, but the lure of his craft proved too strong. After time away from the spotlight, Vinten marks his return to the scene with an impressive new single “Arrows.”

It’s a stripped back stunner written and recorded in a St. Kilda sharehouse. Unafraid of exploring some tough emotional ground, the track tackles the way we perceive the world and the strength required to stay the course even when life seems shaky.

What a welcome return this is. Vinten, it’s good to have you back.

Image used with permission from Vinten Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Conrad Sewell Strikes Gold Again With “Changing”

Conrad Sewell is asserting himself as one of Australia’s best new singer-songwriters. It seems like only yesterday he released “Healing Hands,” but he’s quickly followed it up with “Changing,” a track that is every bit as powerful as the one that came before.

“‘Changing’ is a super vulnerable and emotional record for me,” Conrad explained. “I wrote it right when I was deep in a relationship and realised that I was ruining it. My actions and my addictions were starting to affect her. I would come home and see her crying… she was always upset. She wasn’t the same person that she was when we first started dating and I felt like it was because of me and the way that I was acting. So this is really me apologising for everything I’ve done and telling her to never change for anyone – you’re perfect the way you are. Especially don’t change for me, because I wasn’t worth it at the time.”

I’ve always appreciated Conrad’s music, but his latest crop of songs, which are so confessional and confronting, really strike a chord with me. The sky is certainly the limit for this talented Aussie.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Courtney Marie Andrews Announces Aussie Shows

You know when you have those moments when you just think “What a song! What a voice!” The moments where you get goosebumps because what you’re hearing is so incredible? I just had one of those spine-tingling moments listening to “Heart and Mind,” the new single from American singer-songwriter Courtney Marie Andrews, who’s visiting our shores next month.

Courtney Marie said she “Wanted to write a song that embodies the importance of empowerment when you feel weakened by misrepresentation and/or sexual harassment. Even if our bodies have been misused or taken advantage of, we have the power to speak with our hearts and minds. The most powerful way to display that message is with simple conversations with those who love us. The mother/daughter bond is incredibly powerful, and I use that to embody protection and safety in this song and video.”

Courtney Marie Andrews is visiting Australia in October for shows with Margo Price and Joshua Hedley and an appearance at Out on the Weekend. Here are all the places you can see this amazing musician perform.

10 October 2018 – Caravan Club, Melbourne
12 October 2018 – Lefty’s, Brisbane
13 October 2018 – Out on the Weekend, Williamstown
16 October 2018 – The Factory, Sydney

Image used with permission from Inertia Music; credit: Laura E. Partain

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

As A Rival Release Rocking New Single Ahead of Album Number 2

Melbourne punk rockers As A Rival release their sophomore album Griefers on November 2, but they’re whetting our appetites with the release of the first single “What We Got.”

This is just the thing to wake you up on a sleepy Saturday, with big fuzzy guitars and a hard-hitting chorus that will soon have you singing along.

“There are times when we are tested – things that we love, that we live for are put to the sword and we’re left to question ‘is it all worth it’? It’s hard not to focus on the negative. It’s hard enough when it’s your own fight, but watching it happen to someone close to you can be debilitating and make you feel helpless. What We Got addresses the internal struggle that comes with failed attempts to try and comfort those in need,” explained As A Rival’s frontman, Pete Cerni.

If you’re getting a little Shihad vibe from this track, it’s little wonder. Tom Larkin recorded and produced the whole album, which came about after he challenged the band to write 50 songs in two months. Griefers is the best that came from that prolific creative period. Put in your pre-orders now at As A Rival’s website.

Image used with permission from Collision Course

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Missy Lancaster Strips It All Back for “Never In Love”

There’s no sign of fatigue showing in Missy Lancaster, who’s just released the third single from her debut album Piece of Me. “Never In Love” is a heartbreaking piano ballad about the realisation of the one-sided nature of a relationship.

“This is the most vulnerable song on the album, and I think anyone who has had their heart broken will connect with this on a very deep level,” says Missy. “This is a song I have to hold back the tears on!”

It’s a real departure for the CMC Music Awards New Australian Artist of the Year nominee, who’s previously bought us more upbeat country fare. I’ve enjoyed those songs, but this is the track that’s really blown me away. If you’re just as impressed, make sure you get out and support Missy at one of her upcoming shows.

23 September 2018 – Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Toowoomba
27 October 2018 – VDM Festival, Biloela
10 November 2018 – Christmas in Narellan, Narellan
1 December 2018 – Country at the Beach, Rainbow Beach
24 January 2018 – Moonshiners Honky Tonk Bar, Tamworth

Image usesd with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fields Enchants With “Neverland”

Dublin-born, Peth-based chanteuse Fields brings a fresh new flavour to Celtic sounds with her new single “Neverland.”

This is such an interesting track, with gentle stripped back moments giving way to the frenetic, fevered strums of an acoustic guitar. Fields’ enchanting voice anchors it all. It seems that voice can go anywhere, and no matter where it moves it’s just as beautiful and powerful.

Fresh from a European tour, Fields will play shows all over Western Australia over the new few months. Sit tight East Coast; Fields will play gigs in your part of the country next year.

22 September 2018 – Dunsborough Tavern, Dunsborough
10 October 2018 – Indi Bar, Scarborough (single launch)
11 October 2018 – Beaufort St. Songwriters Club, Mt Lawley
2 November 2018 – WAMFest, Belgian Beer Cafe, Perth
29 November 2018 – Folklore, Buffalo Club, Fremantle
13 December 2018 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
14 December 2018 – White Star, Albany
16 December 2018 – Taylor St Quarters, Esperance
20 January 2019 – Summer Series, Peel Estate Winery, Karnup
1-4 March 2019 – Nannup Festival, Nannup
23 March 2019 – Toodyay Music Festival, Toodyay

Image used with pemrmission from Firestarter Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Egoism Release Unapologetic New Single “Sorry”

Sydney duo Egoism are bringing an equal mix of sugar and spice into your Friday with their new single “Sorry.” It sounds like a light pop gem, but tap into those lyrics and you’ll hear a scathing critique.

“I wrote this song as a bit of a fuck you to the people who never say sorry for their own mistakes, but then always demand an apology, even if I’m the one who was hurt the most,” explained vocalist and guitarist Scout Eastment. “Easily the most empowering song we’ve ever written ha-ha. We were really going for a The Veronicas meets Slowdive kind of vibe, essentially blending the music of our childhood with the music of our teenage years.”

Egoism will celebrate the single’s release with shows along the East Coast with Sketch Jets and some other special guests.

29 September 2018 – Hamilton Station Hotel, Newcastle (with NTL Landmarks)
6 October 2018 – Waywards, Newtown (with Stream Lea)
11 October 2018 – Rad Bar, Wollongong (with Space Boys, Scab Baby)
12 October 2018 – Transit Bar, Canberra (with Elk Locker, Lost Coast, Hopeless Youth Group)
13 October 2018 – Yarra Hotel, Melbourne (with Endamame, The New Dregs)

Image used with permission from Jared King PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Liam Gale & The Ponytails Break Out of the Box With “Mountain Man, Lake Lady”

Moody alt-country meets surf rock in Liam Gale & The Ponytails‘ genre-bending new single “Mountain Man, Lake Lady,” the second lifted from the Sydney band’s forthcoming album The Desire Lines.

I must admit, I had to listen to this song a couple of times to truly appreciate it. It’s so out of the box, I didn’t quite know how to process it. Yet, with every subsequent listen I appreciated it a little more. Those female harmonies supporting Liam Gale’s voice are sublime and the surf rock guitar chords so appealing. I also appreciate that it’s so unashamedly bold, refusing to fit inside any neat holes and instead standing proudly on its own.

“You know when you’re too young to know how to end a relationship? All the social anxiety you didn’t know you had; the sexual tension you didn’t understand; the perspectives you weren’t aware of – this song is about that,” Liam explained. “I think what I was communicating was this pressure to be with someone I didn’t necessarily want to be with, but felt that I should be.”
Bands that make music like “Mountain Man, Lake Lady” are notoriously unpredictable, but that just makes seeing them live more fun. You can catch Liam Gale & The Ponytails doing their thing at the following venues.

23 September 2018 – Sydney Fringe Festival, Red Rattler Theatre
26 September 2018 – Royal Exchange Salon Theatre, Newcastle (with Cookie Baker; Liam Gale solo)
3 October 2018 – Cafe Lounge, Surry Hills

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Discover Where It All Began With Flow Commotion’s “Come Back Home”

Flow Commotion’s founding members Paddy Jenkins and Tim Russell penned their latest single “Come Back Home” while jamming in the summer of 2016/17, but it’s taken this long to hit your ears. Perhaps we just had to wait long enough for the lads to meet audio engineering student Jak Sherlock at the Australian Institute of Music Sydney. His mixing and mastering put the final polish on this acoustic guitar-driven earworm.

“We love ‘Come Back Home’ because it often reminds us of where we started and the journey it has been in getting to where we are today. We finished writing Come Back Home in Paddy’s living room almost 2 years ago and since then it has set the standard for the quality of music we want to write,” the band affirmed in a press statement. “The lyrics ring true to us as both artists and people and we hope they resonate with our listeners. We always get goose bumps listening to ‘Come Back Home’ because it makes us think of how far we have come – from two 20 year-olds jamming with a single acoustic guitar to the track you are listening to today.”

2018 has been a big year for Flow Commotion, who were the feature artist at RAW’s Envision showcase, an achievement which has come off the back of a steady schedule of innercity Sydney gigs. With quality songs like this in their back pocket, it’s only a matter of time before the rest of Australia pays attention.

Image used with permission from The A&R Department

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Barry Bays Gives More That Sound Gardening Advice With “Water Your Plant”

Barry Bays is growing more than plants around his garden shed. The Victorian act has turned his humble shed into a makeshift studio, and what it’s producing is pretty sweet. The latest offering is the appropriately titled “Water Your Plant.”

This song might not grab you right away, but give it a little time until it kicks into the chorus. That’s where the song really blooms into a colourful slice of summer surf-pop.

“Water Your Plant” comes from Barry Bays’ new album with the fitting moniker, Sheds.