Bec Sandrige Releases Wild New Single, “Animal”

Bec Sandridge is giving me serious retro vibes in the best possible way with her new single “Animal.” The synth-drenched track has an edgy pop sensibility with stellar vocals that skirt dangerously close to the edge.

Bec describes the track as “the only true(ish) love song I’ve ever written.”

“Occasionally I resort to sort of weaponising my emotions which this song is probably a testament of. I felt out of control in love with an ex (now partner) and I needed to be okay with that and somewhat confess that in this song.”

Bec will play a bunch of shows over the next couple of months to celebrate the release of “Animal.” Catch her at the following gigs.

11 October 2018 – 107 Projects, Sydney
12 October 2018 – UC Refectory, Canberra
19 October 2018 – Schoolhouse Studios, Collingwood
24 November 2018 – Shakafest, Gold Coast

John Butler Trio Drops New Single Ahead of Album & Aussie Tour

With just a fortnight until their highly-anticipated new album Home hits stores and with an Aussie tour just announced, it’s the perfect time to introduce you to John Butler Trio’s latest single “Just Call.”

This is the kind of track that reminds you of everything you love about John Butler Trio. It’s super catchy, with its jangly guitar and simple melody, and it’s full of heart. You honestly don’t need any more than that.

“’Just Call’ is an earnest love song I’ve had for 13 years which I was finally able to finish in these sessions,” John explained. “This is the story of how I found my best friend and partner, out in a small town in the middle of nowhere, in a world of 7 billion people.”

John Butler Trio’s forthcoming Aussie tour is bound to be something special, with a host of talented musicians joining John and the lads for these gigs. Think Missy Higgins, Stella Donnelly, The Teskey Brothers, Dan Sultan, The Waifs, and more. Line-ups will vary throughout the tour, just to keep crowds on their toes.

Tickets for the Coming Home Australian Tour shows go on sale at noon on Friday, September 21. Home hits stores on September 28.

25 January 2019 – Wignalls Winery, Albany (with Missy Higgins and Carla Geneve)
27 January 2019 Leeuwin Estate, Margaret River (with Missy Higgins and Carla Geneve)
1 February 2019 – Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Perth (with Stella Donnelly)
7 February 2019 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne (with Missy Higgins and Stella Donnelly)
9 February 2019 – A Day on the Green @ All Saints Estate, Rutherglen (with Missy Higgins, Stella Donnelly, and Dan Sultan)
10 February 2019 – Stage 88, Canberra (with Missy Higgins, Stella Donnelly, and The Waifs)
14 February 2019 – Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney
16 February 2019 – A Day on the Green @ Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley (with Missy Higgins, Stella Donnelly, and Dan Sultan)
17 February 2019 – Park Beach Reserve, Coffs Harbour (with Missy Higgins, Stella Donnelly, and The Teskey Brothers)
20 February 2019 – Moncrieff Theatre, Bundaberg (with Stella Donnelly)
21 February 2019 – The Great Western, Rockhampton (with Stella Donnelly)
22 February 2019 – The Riverstage Brisbane (Guests TBA)
23 February 2019 – Tolosa Park, Hobart (with Missy Higgins, Stella Donnelly, and Baker Boy)

Image used with permission from Roundhouse Entertainment

Late Grandmother Inspires Rich Latimer’s Latest Single, “Sweet September”

Byron Bay’s Rich Latimer has just dropped his emotional new folk single, “Sweet September,” the latest from his forthcoming album Dreamer, due for release next year.

The track recalls the last words Rich’s late grandmother ever said to him: “Everyone’s time must come.” Rich spent his days and nights by her bedside in her final days, looking after her as she’d done so often during his life. In his song “Sweet September,” Rich explores the deep interconnection we feel to the ones we love, the notion that we’re never alone, even when we’re making our final journey.

Rich is more than just a singer-songwriter though. He’s the brains behind musical awareness shows, which visit high schools and help teenagers feel connected and supported during this challenging time of their lives. Inspired by his brother, who miraculously survived after a car crash put him into a coma for three months, these live concerts truly change lives. Rich was also named one of the top marketers in the world by Facebook. When he’s not playing his original songs, he’s running a successful digital marketing agency.

A man of many talents, Rich Latimer is certainly someone to put on your radar.

Image used with permission from The A&R Department

Sam Carmody Continues Winning Ways With “Shadow in the Dream”

Darwin-based singer-songwriter Sam Carmody has just dropped his new EP Shadow in the Dream and its title track. And if you love classic Aussie acts like Crowded House and The Go-Betweens, it’ll be right up your alley.

I’ve already waxed lyrical about the previous two singles: “The Sea Has Risen” and “Sharks.” The newie is every bit their equal, with jangly guitars and haunting vocals from Sam. There’s a dreamy quality about this ode to lost love that’s really gotten underneath my skin.

With his EP out now, hopefully it’s not too long before Sam packs his bags and plays some shows around the country.

Image used with permission from Firestarter Music

Drought Breakers Help Farmers With Rocking “Rain” Cover

Indigenous musician Scott Darlow has enlisted a few of his famous mates for a cracking cover of Dragon’s “Rain” to help Aussie farmers in this time of need. And what talented mates they are. Sarah McLeod, Adam Brand, Jack Jones, and Todd Hunter all lend their talents to this smash single under the supergroup name Drought Breakers.

All money raised from sales and streams of “Rain” will benefit the Buy a Bale Project. Let’s get behind this one Aussies. This single surely deserves a place at the top of the ARIA charts.

Graace Gets Honest With “Last Night” Single

Sydney singer-songwriter Graace lays it all bare with her stunning new single “Last Night.” It’s an intimate piano ballad which confessional lyrics that are so relatable.

“‘Last Night’ came together while sitting at my piano one night,” she explained. “I realised I’d been writing about the same situation for years but with different people. I was managing to recreate the same scenarios in other relationships because I wasn’t fully in love with myself before committing to somebody else.”

Graace is one of Sony Music Australia’s latest signings. Company chairman and CEO Denis Handlin says “Graace is an extremely talented and unique songwriter and artist who has an incredibly fresh and exciting sound.”

Sony Music Australia will release Graace’s debut EP, Self Sabotage, on October 26.

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

The Buoys Touring Ace New Single “Arm Wrestle”

I’ll warn you; once you listen to “Arm Wrestle,” the latest track from Sydney femme four-piece The Buoys you’ll be singing it all day. It’s irresistibly catchy, with grungy guitars and raw lyrics contrasting with those sweet vocals.

“‘Arm Wrestle’ came to be when I had to address the reality of a situation. I had to explore if my thoughts were rational, or if I was making things up in my head and self-sabotaging,” The Buoys’ frontwoman Zoe explained. “It details that inner voice argument of, ‘something really bad is going down’ vs ‘don’t be silly, it’s all in your head, you’re crazy’. It’s an exploration of what it’s like to gaslight yourself really, only to find out your gut was right and you weren’t paranoid after all.”

The Buoys might just be the best band to come out of a failed Tinder date. Zoe didn’t meet her match, but the date’s cousin Tess was the perfect drummer. They found guitarist Anthea through Gumtree, bassist Ros jumped on board, and the rest is history.

“Arm Wrestle” comes from The Buoys’ sophomore EP Split Lip, which will be released later this year. You’ll get a taste of the new material and all your old favourites from Soft Boy at the following shows.

24 October 2018 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
25 October 2018 – The Lansdowne, Sydney
28 October 2018 – Transit Bar, Canberra
10 November 2018 – Psyched As Festival, Sydney
11 November 2018 – Factory Floor, Sydney (with Rackett)

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Family Fold Remember Countdown With “Molly Meldrum’s Eyes” Single

Gathering around the TV to watch Countdown is a ritual many Australians still hold dear. Family Fold have celebrated that beloved time Aussie music history with their new song “Molly Meldrum’s Eyes.”

Family Fold frontman Paul Andrews actually wrote the song in his mid-twenties but rediscovered in just a couple of years ago.

“I was clearly pining for the old days when I was in my 20s! My old band Lazy Susan did an online release in 2016 of a couple of unreleased/demos/live albums and I rediscovered ‘Molly Meldrum’s Eyes’ when I was sorting through old boxes of tapes and CDs,” he explained. “I thought it was too good to throw away on a demos album, so put it aside for consideration for Ashfield Skyline and it ended up making the cut.”

Something tells me that if Countdown were still alive, Molly would give the clip a spin. It’s a gentle homage to Cold Chisel’s “Cheap Wine” video, filmed in a 1970s fibro house in Sydney’s west.

“Molly Meldrum’s Eyes” comes from Family Fold’s forthcoming sophomore album, Ashfield Skyline. They’ll launch the single tomorrow night in Marrickville, then play shows in New South Wales in the coming months, including some album launch dates.

15 September 2018 – Gasoline Pony, Marrickville (single launch)
30 September 2018 – Dashville Skyline Festival, Belford
4 October 2018 – Some Velvet Morning, Melbourne (album launch)
13 October 2018 – The Noble Hops, Redfern
25 November 2018 – The Union Hotel, Newtown (album launch)

SarahJ Releases “Safe” Single That’s Anything But

Following in the footsteps of strong female-fronted pop-punk acts like Paramore and Tonight Alive comes Sarahj, an exciting five-piece from Melbourne. “Safe” is the band’s heavy-hitting new single and our first taste of their EP Reaper.

“Safe” is only the band’s second single, but they’ve been honing their craft in pubs around Melbourne for the last year and a half. That experience shows in this confident track, which explores the security that comes from a good relationship.

“The songs on our EP are very personal, but every song our listeners will be able to relate to,” explained the band’s frontwoman. “We like to talk about the ups and downs of love and heartbreak. Discussing mental illness is really important to us as well.”

Reaper drops on September 19. Hopefully the band will announce some dates to support its release so we can catch their much-lauded live show.

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Brayden Sibbald Releases Beautiful EP Title Track, “Float”

Western Australia’s own Brayden Sibbald has been a regular on the West Coast wedding and winery circuit for some time, but I can’t imagine he’ll be playing covers for too long. I’m so impressed with his dreamy new single “Float,” pulled from his forthcoming EP of the same name.

“Float” provides the perfect introduction for his EP, recorded with Matt Gio (Troy Sivan/Rudimental) as Brayden explained.

“’Float’ was the first song we worked on together, around mid-last year. It’s the title track of the EP, as it’s the most reflective of the central theme of the release – which is that if you are down, you can always get back up. It’s not too late to get help, or help yourself, no matter how hard things may seem.”

Brayden Sibbald’s EP drops on September 28. He’ll support its release with shows on the East and West Coast. Catch him at the following gigs.

4 October 2018 – The Bird, Perth
10 October 2018 – The Toff, Melbourne
14 October 2018 – The Record Crate, Sydney
3 November 2018 – WAMfest 2018 Lot Party, Perth

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company