Bri Clark Releases Beautiful Ballad “Giving Up”

Perth singer-songwriter Bri Clark has given me goosebumps with her gorgeous new single “Giving Up.”

This heartfelt ballad is just beautiful, a fitting nominee in the 2019 Vanda and Young Songwriting Competition. Bri has recently taken part in the APRA AMCOS Songhubs workshop and BIGSOUND songwriter showcase, a testament to her commitment to creating songs of substance. While the simple but powerful lyrics are what really got to me, her voice is every bit as compelling. It all just amounts to the perfect package.

“Giving Up” is a stunning track that’s well and truly put Bri Clark on my radar.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Robbie Miller Back to His Best With “Baby”

Robbie Miller wowed me with his folky sound when he burst onto the scene in 2013. While I appreciated his exploration of electronic sounds in 2016, I’m glad to hear he’s returned to his roots for his latest single “Baby.”

“[‘Baby’] is a song about seeing someone in a room and falling for them,” Robbie explained. “And it’s a true story! It’s my story. It is exactly the kind of thing I was never okay singing about before, but now being that honest and open is something I have become much more comfortable with.”

“Baby” is our first taste of Robbie’s long-awaited debut album, due in early 2019. He recently played BIGSOUND. Hopefully it’s not too long before we see him back on stages around the country.

Trey Cooper Wows Me With “Howling”

Sunshine Coast muso Trey Cooper has thoroughly charmed me with his new single “Howling.” If you love a good acoustic-driven pop-rock track, you’re going to eat this up too.

It’s got a great radio-friendly sound, but tap into those lyrics and you’ll hear a little darkness. Trey has flipped the classic love song on its head here, turning it into something a bit moodier and more haunting. And can we just take a moment to appreciate his voice, which seems to have no barriers. His effortless command of his instrument is reminiscent of Jeff Buckley or Matt Corby. I love that rather than releasing a fancy video where he lip-synced, Trey has released a back-to-basics live studio video as the official film clip.

Trey regularly gigs around Southeast Queensland. Hopefully it won’t be too long before he ventures out for a national tour.

Bligh Impresses With Bold New Single “Mrs Jones”

Sounding like the musical offspring of The Whitlams and Panic! At the Disco, Bligh have dropped their smashing new single “Mrs Jones.”

It’s such a cool mix of retro synthpop and retro rock sounds, with a hook you’ll have stuck in your head for days and deliciously dark lyrics. It’s bold, it’s brash, and probably the best thing to come out of a Midsummer Murders binge-watching session.

“Our goal was always to write one song, pop music operettas,” explained Elliott, the band’s frontman. “To try and give the character or narrator, generally me, a fully-fledged narrative that builds with the music; like a movie that only exists in my head.”

Bligh will play a secret release party for “Mrs Jones” at Miami on the Gold Coast on September 27.

Image used with permission from WHO Collective

The Pierce Brothers Announce Headlining Shows for Debut Album

The Pierce Brothers are giving their loyal fans plenty of opportunities to see them live this summer. Not content with supporting Rodriguez at his Day on the Green Shows, the Melbourne folk-pop duo have announced a string of headlining shows to support their upcoming debut album, Atlas Shoulders.

The Pierce Brothers created the songs that would form Atlas Shoulders while traveling Australia, South Africa, America, and Europe over the last year. It touches on the experiences they’ve had on the road and pressing social issues, including the impact of depression and anxiety.

Atlas Shoulders is set for release on October 26. Order early to receive a special limited edition 7-inch vinyl copy of the current single “Back End Roads” and the dreamy album track B-side “Juno.”

These guys are in demand, so you won’t want to miss The Pierce Brothers while they’re back home for the following shows.

9 November 2018 – The Forum, Melbourne
16 November 2018 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
17 November 2018 – The Zoo, Brisbane
9 February 2019 – Sirromet Wines, Mt Cotton (with Rodriguez, Xavier Rudd, Busby Marou, and Alice Skye)
16 February 2019 – Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley (with Rodriguez, Xavier Rudd, Busby Marou, and Alice Skye)
23 February 2019 – Peter Lehmann Wines, Barossa Valley (with Rodriguez, Xavier Rudd, Busby Marou, and Alice Skye)

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

KG Inspires “Change” With Brand New Single

Ever since I heard his politically-charged single “Mabo Martin Mandela” last year, I was eager to hear what Canberra-based, South African-born hip hop artist KG would do next. Hip hop isn’t my favourite genre, but I find it so powerful when it’s got something important to say. More social commentary, less bitches and hoes. KG hasn’t let me down with his latest cut “Change,” a track inspired by his father Seretse Ratlhagne, a freedom fighter who campaigned alongside Nelson Mandela and his recent experiences in Indigenous communities.

KG says “‘Change’ is about inspiring social change in our community for everyone. Also, by doing one thing to help someone disadvantaged is better than doing nothing at all. The song is designed for the everyday person struggling and how they can overcome life struggles by making a change in their lives.”

KG is the voice the hip hop community needs right now, a man who’s not afraid to speak out for the marginalised and inspire us to do better. This is another stellar track from this up-and-coming, but already so important, local artist.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

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

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.

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

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