Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rackett Goes Their Own Way With “Alive”

With a big, bold sound, there’s no ignoring Rackett and their new single “Alive.” It’s a song that sounds truly original, perhaps because this all-female quartet made it a truly independent release. The women wrote, recorded, and produced it at Forces & Fury Studios, owned by the band’s drummer Astrid Holz and vocalist and guitarist, Kat Ayala.

“When deciding what recording process would best serve this song and the band’s overall sound, we realized that we had all the skills and resources to record and produce this entirely ourselves. Of course, we had our doubts in the beginning but we pushed forward and created what we feel is our best record so far,” Kat explained.

It’s not just the sound that’s unique, but also the song’s lyrics. It’s not often we hear singles tackling material mortality and its link to pop culture!

“Alive is about the material reincarnation of oneself. Alive celebrates the life and death cycle of an adopted trend and empowers you to re-decide your identity and to let go of the past,” vocalist and guitarist Rebecca Callander explained.

Rackett are currently on the road bringing their music to the masses. You can still catch them at the following venues.

9 February 2018 – The Foundry, Brisbane
10 February 2018 – Hotter Than Hell, Ipswich
10 February 2018 – Northern Byron Bar, Byron Bay
16 February 2018 – Selina’s, Coogee Bay
17 February 2018 – New Victoria Hotel, Wetherill Park
18 February 2018 – North Gong Hotel, Wollongong
23 February 2018 – Cherry Bar, Melbourne
24 February 2018 – Pier Street Party, Frankston
1 March 2018 – Moonshine, Manly
2 March 2018 – Waywards, Sydney
9 March 2018 – O’Donoughues, Emu Plains
10 March 2018 – Daisy Went Crazy, Gold Coast
24 March 2018 – Dicey Rileys, Wollongong
29 March 2018 – Gateway Hotel, Newcastle
31 March 2018 – Captain Cook Hotel, Sydney
7 April 2018 – Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney

Image used with permission from Minor Major

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hurst Impresses With New Single “Rattle Kids”

Hurst have a couple of singles under their belt which earned some airplay on community radio, Triple J, Triple M, and other channels, but they’ve escaped my attention until now. There’s no chance they’ll stay under the radar though with the release of “Rattle Kids,” a bold alterna-pop track that takes me right back to the ‘90s. And can I just take a moment to praise those insane vocals from Ana Veira?

The Western Sydney four-piece releases “Rattle Kids” on February 9. See Hurst at one of the following upcoming gigs.

27 April 2018 – The Hideaway Bar, Sydney
10 May 2018 – Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney
11 May 2018 – Lass O’ Gowrie, Newcastle
12 May 2018 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Jared King PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

YouTube Sensations Maari Release Stunning New Single “Heartbreaker”

After wowing fans with their YouTube covers, Sydney duo Maari are showing us just how good their originals are. Their latest single “Heartbreaker” packs a real punch with its powerful blend of R’n’B, electronica, and indie pop. Its musical strength is matched with emotionally charged vocals.

“At first listen, HeartBreaker comes across as a powerful declaration of independence and sexuality… but the song is littered with confessions of pain, loss and insecurity,” the Sydneysiders explained. “We wanted to create an erratic fusion of aggression and vulnerability, which is accentuated in the intense highs and lows of the production.”

We’re clearly dealing with a band with a strong musical vision here, as Maari recorded and self-produced the track in their home studio, dubbed The Maari Kitchen. Hopefully we hear them cook up more music soon!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Camp Cope Release Stand-Out Album Title Track

I’m working on a Saturday. On a long weekend nonetheless. Despite resolving to get better work-life balance this year. It’s frustrating that after working myself into the ground last year, taking Friday afternoon and tomorrow off seems like some kind of balance. Also, my air-conditioner is broken so my husband and I are fighting over possession of the tower fan. Anyway, long story short hearing the new Camp Cope track “How to Socialise & Make Friends” is just what I needed right now.

I love the heart of this band. They’re so good at speaking of life’s frustrations, yet expressing hope and defiance at it all. This track was recorded in just three takes, which gives it this delicious spontaneous energy.

“How to Socialise & Make Friends” is the title track from Camp Cope’s forthcoming album, due March 2. They’ll tour the album after its release, but if you haven’t got your tickets, good luck. Many shows are already sold out, and the rest are selling fast!

14 March 2018 – Republic Bar, Hobart
15 March 2018 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
16 March 2018 – – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
17 March 2018 – Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane
20 March 2018 – Jive, Adelaide (SOLD OUT)
21 March 2018 – Basement, Canberra
22 March 2018 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli (SOLD OUT)
23 March 2018 – The Metro, Sydney (All Ages)

Photo credit: Naomi Beveridge; used with permission from Super Duper

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

LA Faithfull Releases Power Synth-Pop Single, “Heart Back”

Melbourne singer-songwriter LA Faithfull bares her soul on her brand new single “Hear Back.” On the surface is sounds like a sweet electro-pop song, but the lyrics and LA’s powerful vocal delivery help it back a real emotional punch. Anyone who’s ever felt vulnerable is sure to relate to this gut-wrenching track.

“Heart Back is about the moment when you fall apart and realise that maybe no one will ever be able to put back together those tiny pieces of your heart that feel like they are lost when tragedy strikes,” LA explained. “ I actually wrote the lyrics the night I found out my dad had prostate cancer…I was going through the motions of looking at my dad’s face when he had to tell us, and watching my mum’s reaction of pure fear – and then feeling that it will never be the same again…even when you have good days, you’re always worried about the next bit of bad news.”

LA Faithfull can’t wait to show Australia what she can do in person, with a tour set to be announced really soon. Until then, give this great song another listen.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cog Release Long Awaited New Single, “The Middle”

Cog haven’t dropped any new music since the Sharing Space album in 2008, but fans have been rewarded for their patience with the release of their latest track, “The Middle.”

Don’t be fooled by its delicate folky intro. The Sydney trio haven’t forgotten how to rock. Once this track kicks in, there’s nothing left to do but enjoy the ride.

Cog will play shows to support the highly anticipated release of “The Middle” next month. Here are all the dates you need.

2 February 2018 – Chelsea Heights Hotel, Melbourne
3 February 2018 – Croxton Hotel, Melbourne
4 February 2018 – HQ Complex, Adelaide
9 February 2018 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
10 February 2018 – The Tivoli, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mallrat On the Up

She might be just 19, but already emerging MC Mallrat has achieved more in her career than many people twice her age. Her debut EP Univited clocked up 14 million streams, she’s played every Aussie festival that matters including Splendour, Falls, Beyond the Valley, and Come Together, and she’s supported heavy hitters like Post Malone, Peking Duk, and the man who inspired her to make her own music, Allday.

As the story goes, the talented Brisbane teen was so inspired by an Allday concert that she headed home and started to make her own music. She connected with Allday’s producer and collaborator Tigerilla, recorded her debut EP, and the rest is history.

The hype around Mallrat shows no signs of slowing down either. She’s currently wowing crowds on her sold out all ages tour promoting her new single “Better,” which already has more than two million streams. With youth on her side, expect even bigger things from Mallrat.

Image used with permission from Universaal Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker Announce First Aussie Shows

British folk duo Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker have announced their maiden Australian visit on the back of the release of their new album Seedlings All. It’s a landmark release for the pair, their first album of entirely original material.

“For the first time I’m out there alone with a bunch of songs that expose my insecurities, fears of failure and inflated pride,” Josienne explained. “They deal with my own specific thoughts and feelings about the reality of pursuing this kind of career, the cost to personal relationships, circumstance and lifestyle, and asking the question – “Is this still worth it?” They’re about trying to find an inner balance in an environment that doesn’t provide any balance or certainty. Where one day everything is brilliant and the next day it could all be over. Where one night ends in a standing ovation and the next starts by playing to an empty room.”

The album features the gorgeous new single “Chicago,” about a night in the Windy City that was memorable for all the wrong reasons.

“We drove all day to get to Chicago, we got to our hotel on the outskirts of town and had five minutes to drop our bags and then get back in the car to drive another hour into the centre of Chicago to sound check. We did that, soundcheck went fine, but then NO ONE came to the gig. There was a support act that night who despite being local didn’t appear to have any friends,” she remembers. “It was one of those gigs where you wonder whether it’s even worth going on, but we’re sticklers for a contractual obligation, so we played. After our set one of the guys from the support band said to me that he thought an hour set of our music was “a bit long” because “it’s the kind of music you have to listen to and think about and it’s Saturday and no one wants to do that”. So I was sitting at the bar drinking my quadruple Bulliet bourbon thinking “fuck this, I’m not doing it anymore, the world is not made for my gift!” and then I realised that I was being a knob and that’s just how it is, we’re not the fucking Beatles and we have to start somewhere, we played to no one in the UK and we’d have to get used to it here too. So I wrote this song mainly to have a word with myself about not being a massive diva….”

Hopefully they have a better turn-out on their Aussie dates! Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker will play some of the country’s key folk festivals and a Melbourne show while they’re on Australian shores. Seedlings All hits stores on March 23.

10 & 11 March 2018 – Port Fairy Folk Festival, Port Fairy
14 March 2018 – Modern Folk from Britain at Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne
17 & 18 March 2018 – Blue Mountains Music Festival, Katoomba

Image used with permission from Remote Control

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Gypsy Scholars’ Cold Hands Tour Kicks Off Tonight

It’s a big day for Canberra indie folk outfit The Gypsy Scholars. Their brand new single “Cold Hands” has just hit digital outlets and they’re wasting no time promoting it, kicking off their tour in Melbourne tonight.

“Cold Hands” showcases a more mature sound for the band, although they’ve sacrificed none of the quirkiness that has endeared them to fans around the country. The big chorus should see fans singing along at the following shows.

19 January 2018 – Bar 303, Melbourne
27 January 2018 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
2 February 2018 – The Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
9 February 2018 – Moonshine Bar @ The Steyne Hotel, Manly
10 February 2018 – Untapped Festival, Goldcreek
16 February 2018 – Australian National University O-Week, Canberra
24 February 2018 – The Polish Club, Canberra

Image used with permission from RISH Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get to Know Jeremy Romeo


Townsville singer-songwriter Jeremy Romeo has charmed me with his new latest single “All You’re Meant to Be.” Its release has been some time in the making, as Jeremy penned it in 2012, but this radio-friendly pop-rock tune is worth the wait.

“’All You’re Meant to Be’ is something I’ve had in the works for the last three or four years now. I actually wrote the title track back in 2012 when I was going through a tough time emotionally, financially and physically. I was down in the dumps but I came to a crossroads where I felt that I had two options, I could sit in my room and feel sorry for myself or I could get out in the world and make positive changes, so that’s exactly what I did,” he explained.

“Every song on this EP is really a different phase of my life along the footpath of this journey I have been on the last couple of years. It’s a kind of reminder to myself that no matter how hard life gets, look at where I was then and how far I’ve come. I feel that a lot of people will resonate with that also.”

We’ll get to hear the rest of those songs when the All You’re Meant to Be EP drops on February 9.

Image used with permission from The A & R Department