Get Ready to Fall For “Love” by The Avenue

The Avenue have me punching my fist in the air with the release of their awesome new synth-rock anthem “Love.”

This song is seriously catchy, with killer vocals from Sam Thomas and lyrics about desire that are so relatable.

“’Love’ is by far our heaviest and most punk/grunge song,” Sam explained. “It’s about the feeling of your body screaming out for a person but your mind detesting the thought of them.”

“Love” is the first track lifted from The Avenue’s sophomore EP, Names. They’re currently on the road celebrating its release. You can catch The Avenue at Ric’s Bar in Brisbane on March 3 before the big EP launch at the Evelyn Hotel in Melbourne on March 10.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Reichelt Releases “Seduced By the Light Side”

Monday might have kicked my arse, but Tuesday has me feeling back in my groove. While it can’t be held entirely responsible, I do think discovering “Seduced by the Light Side,” the title track from Queensland multi-instrumentalist Reichelt’s new album has something to do with the spring in my step.

This is such a joyful retro track guaranteed to put a smile on your dial. It explores themes of reluctantly doing what’s right with its mellow verses and epic singalong chorus. The scenery in the video is also stunning. What do you think of it?

Image used with permission from the A&R Department

Hellions Back With New Single “X (Mwah)”

Hellions haven’t released any new music since 2016’s ARIA-nominated Opera Oblivia, but the Sydney hard-core punk act is back with a bang. New single “X (Mwah)” is just what the doctor ordered.

“X (Mwah)” is a defeatist ode to recklessness which premiered to rapturous applause at UNIFY 18. Fans in the band’s hometown have a chance to see Hellions do it live again when they official launch the single at the Lansdowne Hotel on March 9. Apparently a few surprises are in store, including some appearances by special guests, so you probably don’t want to miss this one!

Image used with permission from We Are Unified

Hazlett Wows Me With “First World Problems”

Brisbane talent Hazlett recently made a pilgrimage to Sweden. He locked himself in a Stockholm studio where he poured his heart out for three months. “First World Problems” is one of the products of that intense recording session.

Once a touring musician and ghostwriter for hire, “First World Problems” makes the sort of strong musical statement that should see Hazlett stepping into the spotlight. I love everything about this powerful indie folk track.

Hazlett says “First World Problems” is about disconnection, tolerance and human behaviour.

“I was on the train and realised everyone just sits there, looks at their phone and doesn’t communicate. They get nervous around or put off by other people. We get scared of what we don’t understand, and it wouldn’t happen if we talked to each other more,” he explained. “It was a very small snapshot of a bigger problem.”

This track sets the bar so high. I can’t wait to hear what Hazlett releases next.

Tom Lee-Richards Charms Me With Amazing New Single “Out of the Oddness”

Aussies have a habit of claiming any talented Kiwi as our own. And when they base themselves here and they’re as amazing as Tom Lee-Richards, I think it’s totally justified. I’ve raved about his previous releases “Madness” and “What Could Otherwise,” and I’m every bit as enamoured with his latest effort, “Out of the Oddness.”

I love Tom’s uniqueness. He has such an original, haunting sound. “Out of the Oddness” is a mesmerising song. I’m well and truly under its spell.

This is the title track from Tom’s first mini LP, which drops on February 23. He’ll kick off an Australian tour on the same day before heading to New Zealand and Europe.

23 February 2018 – Flow Bar, Old Bar
1 March 2018 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast
3 March 2018 – Sheoak Shack, Fingal Head
4 March 2018 – Milk Factory, Brisbane
10 March 2018 – Smiths alt, Canberra
11 March 2018 – Birdhouse, Wagga Wagga
16 March 2018 – The Exeter, Adelaide
21 March 2018 – The Gasometer, Melbourne

Busby Marou Inspires Island Envy With “Got Your Back” Clip

After being back on dry land for more than a month now, I’m already itching to go on my next holiday. Watching the beautiful new video for Busby Marou’s single “Got Your Back,” I think Great Keppel Island would be the ideal destination. Knowing this talented twosome live in this island paradise has got me jealous!

Busby Marou will leave behind their island home next month to tour the wineries with James Blunt and Pete Murray. What a hard life they lead! Catch their A Day on the Green show at the following vineyards.

10 March – Bimbagden Estate, Pokolbin
11 March – Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton
17 March – All Saints Estate, Wahgunyah
20 March – Kings Park, Perth

Helena Pop Speak to the Broken Hearted With New Single

If you’ve ever suffered a broken heart (and let’s face it, who hasn’t?) you’re going to find yourself clapping along to the chorus of “How to do a FOLEY break and repair yourself,” the brilliantly raw new single from Canberra-based folk-punk band Helena Pop.

I love the unpolished, gut-wrenching emotion of this one. The band balances things beautifully, with tear-your-heart-out lyrics tempered by an upbeat, stomp-along melody.

“The song is a lot about repairing, so I think the ideas came from reflecting on a period of my life where things were changing and I had to reset and redo my life,” explained the band’s singer-songwriter Jack Livingstone. “I was 21 years old and I’d ended a long-term relationship and I had to figure out what life was after that.”

“How to do a FOLEY break and repair yourself” comes from Helena Pop’s forthcoming EP, You Said You Loved Them, due out next month.

Image credit: Dave McCarthy

Rapaport Lays Down Cool Grooves With “Don’t Sweat It” Single

Rapaport offers words to live by with the release of his catchy new single, “Don’t Sweat It.” While the track could be a mantra for life, it was inspired by a chance encounter with an ex.

“I wrote ‘Don’t Sweat It’ after running into an ex-girlfriend, thinking it might cheer me up,” Rapaport said. “It didn’t. But now it’s fun to annoy my new girlfriend by playing it.”

“Don’t Sweat It” is the latest single from Rapaport’s sophomore album Village Idiot, set to drop on March 2. Rapaport will join Butterfingers on their Bullet to the Head tour, an opportunity that he calls “an honour.” Make sure you arrive early enough for his set at the following shows:

29 March 2018 – Club 54, Launceston
30 March 2018 – Republic Bar, North Hobart
31 March 2018 – Ed Castle, Adelaide
1 April 2018 – Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood
5 April 2018 – The Basement, Belconnen
6 April 2018 – Gearin Hotel, Katoomba
7 April 2018 – Factory Floor, Marrickville
13 April 2018 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
14 April 2018 – The Brightside, Fortitude Valley
19 April 2018 – Settler’s Tavern, Margaret River
20 April 2018 – The Sewing Room, Perth
21 April 2018 – Prince of Wales Hotel, Bunbury
4 May 2018 – Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heights
5 May 2018 – Miami Tavern, Miami

Thomas Keating Flies Solo With “Begin Again”

Sydney singer-songwriter Thomas Keating honed his craft with the bands Thieves and Good Counsel. Now we get the chance to hear what he can do solo with the release of his first single, “Begin Again.” It’s a beautiful modern folk-rock track which hints at a promising solo career ahead.

If you like what you hear, there’s plenty more where that came from. Thomas Keating will hit the road this autumn with a full band and a backlog of great new tunes. Catch him at the following shows this March.

23 March 2018 – The Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
24 March 2018 – The Factory Marrickville Floor, Sydney
31 March 2018 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Abbe May on Tour With “Seventeen” Single and “Fruit” Album

Abbe May isn’t afraid to lay her heart and life bare in her new single “Seventeen,” an intimate reflection on her formative years and the experiences that shaped her.

I love this track’s dark brooding grittiness. Its sultry groove and Abbe’s vocals are also right on point. “Seventeen” was the first song written for Abbe’s new album Fruit, which is in stores now. It sets the theme for her first release since coming out last year.

“It took 30 years to be in a position to write this song. It’s intended as a letter for my niece to read when she turns 17, 21 and 28. It’s a love letter detailing all the stupid and wonderful things I’ve done in my life,” Abbe explained. “If she ever doubts herself, she’ll have this song to remind her everyone struggles but that it is finding purpose, not pleasure or happiness that makes life worth living.” said Abbe.

Abbe is currently touring Fruit around the country. Here are all the remaining dates.

16 February 2018 – Ed Castle, Adelaide
17 February 2018 – Clancy’s, Dunsborough
23 February 2018 – Yah Yah’s, Melbourne
24 February 2018 – Hobart Brewing Co, Hobart
8 March 2018 – Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney
10 March 2018 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle

Image used with permission from Minor Major