I’ve got goosebumps this morning listening to “Puppet,” the latest single from Melbourne electronic act Youthfire. This is really stunning stuff, minimalist with beautiful, haunting vocals. Tune out everything else and let it wash over you.
“Puppet” is the first track from Youthfire’s self-titled debut EP, which we’ll hear this November.
Category: Single Releases
Guy Sebastian’s Going To Make You Dance With “High On Me”
Guy Sebastian is spreading plenty of good vibes with his latest single “High On Me,” the first cut from his 10th studio album Conscious.
After a few big ballads, it’s great to hear a party anthem from Guy. He can certainly tug at the heartstrings, but he’s always had a special knack for creating upbeat, feel-good numbers like this.
“I feel like I’ve had so many ah-ha moments this last year. One of the biggest is that every now and again everybody just needs a reason to let go, smile and dance,” Guy explained in the press release. “’High On Me’ poured out of me while I was in Bali on a writing trip, sitting back looking at the mountains, high on this life. I really wanted to create a soulful earworm that would make young and old want to get up out of their chair and enjoy the moment.”
Conscious hits stores on October 27, by which time this track should be absolutely everywhere. Guy is celebrating its release with shows around the country in November. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, September 8, for the following shows.
2 November 2017 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
3 November 2017 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
4 November 2017 – Newcastle Civic Theatre, Newcastle
6 November 2017 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
10 November 2017 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
11 November 2017 – Astor Theatre, Perth
Karl S. Williams’ Kicks Off “Blood to Give” Tour Tonight
Queensland’s Karl S. Williams sings the blues like it’s supposed to be sung, with a swampy, rootsy grit that instantly draws you in. With his East Coast tour kicking off tonight, there seemed no better time than the present to show you his new video for single “Blood to Give.”
“When I started working on the video for ‘Blood To Give’, I knew that I wanted to convey something about being caught up in a destructive machine and seeking a way out of that while feeling uncertain whether indeed you have the capacity to escape something so omnipresent,” Karl explained.
“As I worked on the clip, saddeningly, the world began to be reflected more and more therein. The US/North Korea situation began to develop further, people elsewhere were waving nazi banners, xenophobia and exclusive policy here at home, death and terror ruling the news. The message of the clip felt increasingly urgent and (I hope) relevant.”
The clip was a real labour of love for Karl, who created the clip himself by animating his own drawings.
Karl’s no stranger to the stage after wowing crowds at Bluesfest, Woodford Folk Festival, Dark Mofo, and last weekend’s Wintermoon Spring Festival. Catch him at the following East Coast shows.
7 September 2017 – Leadbelly, Newtown
8 September 2017 – The Edwards, Newcastle
9 September 2017 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
10 September 2017 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
14 September 2017 – Bearded Lady, Brisbane
15 September 2017 – Soundlounge, Gold Coast
16 September 2017 – The Northern, Byron Bay
22 September 2017 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
23 September 2017 – Barwon Club, Geelong
30 September 2017 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra
1 October 2017 – Wildwood Music Festival, Port Macquarie
6 October 2017 – Music On The Hill, Red Hill
8 October 2017 – The Taproom, Castlemaine
21 October 2017 – Kyneton Music Festival, Kyneton
Image used with permission from Habit Music Company
Ariela Jacobs Breaks the Rules for “Say So” Live Video
Melbourne songstress Ariela Jacobs seems so sweet and wholesome, I’d never have imagined her breaking the rules. Yet she snuck into a local pool to bring us this stunning acoustic live performance of her brand new single “Say So.”
The song has me even more excited about her second EP, also called Say So, which will be released in the near future. Before then, she’s got two big shows at Bigsound to think about. Brisbane, you can catch her tonight at the Empire Hotel and tomorrow at Laruche.
Image used with permission from Ditto Music
Stand Atlantic Drops “Sidewinder” Single Ahead of EP Release
Stand Atlantic has dropped brand new single “Sidewinder,” just in time to remind us that the EP of the same name isn’t too far away.
This is another gloriously gutsy slice of pop-punk from the Sydney outfit. Frontwoman Bonnie Fraser says the track “was written as a reminder that if you love someone, it’s important to acknowledge and accept differences between each other. Never compromise who you are just to try and change something you can’t.”
Stand Atlantic will release the Sidewinder EP on September 15. Until then, crank the title track up!
Image used with permission from Paris is Patient
Liv Cartledge Charms With “Heard Your Name” Ahead of EP Release
Two years ago Liv Cartledge took home the top prize in the Telstra Road to Discovery competition. This Melbourne singer-songwriter has made the most of the opportunities this competition provided and honed her craft over the years. Her new EP Timber, featuring the beautiful new single “Heard Your Name” is the culmination of those efforts.
Liv’s voice has such an appealing, huskiness to it. She’s also an excellent songwriter, so make sure you really listen to those lyrics.
“Heard Your Name started out as a grief-stricken heart pour onto paper not long after I lost my dad,” she explained. “Somehow after a few hours it had twisted itself into a song. I guess that’s the beauty of being a songwriter.”
Timber is released on October 6. Liv will take its tracks to the people with a string of shows in October and November.
7 October 2017 – Some Velvet Morning, Melbourne
11 October 2017 – Folkswagon, Sydney (FREE)
12 October 2017 – Porch Light Sessions, Sydney
13 October 2017 – Parlour Gig, Sydney
14 October 2017 – Parlour Gig, Central Coast
21-23 October 2017 – Swagger Music Festival, Wandiligong
3-6 November 2017 – Happy Wanderer Music Festival, Benalla
3 November 2017 – Parlour Gig, Beechworth
5 November 2017 – Parlour Gig, Wagga Wagga
10 November 2017 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide (FREE)
18 & 19 November 2017 – Brown Brothers Spring Festival, Milawa
24 November 2017 – Tap House, Bendigo
Image used with permission from Beehive PR
Benny Walker Shows His Soul With “Ghost”
I haven’t heard any new music from Benny Walker in a couple of years. Back then he was impressing me with the bluesy rock of his album Through the Forest. Now he’s back with a new sound which will different is no less impressive. His latest single “Ghost” is a groovy, soulful number with silky smooth vocals and a powerful message.
Benny says “Ghost” is an “ode to all the greedy, power-hungry, shortsighted people trying to fuck up our world … this one’s for them.” He cowrote the track with ARIA award winning producer Jan Skubiszewski, who also helped produce Benny’s forthcoming six-track EP Undercover.
Before that drops, Benny will road-test his new material on his Wine, Women, & Soul tour. At intimate venues with Benny switching between the piano and guitar to bring his new songs to life, it’s bound to be something special.
15 September 2017 – Basement Discs Instore, Melbourne
6 October 2017 – Skylark Room, Upwey
7 October 2017 – Old Castlemaine Gaol, Castlemaine (with Alice Skye)
8 October 2017 – Turtles Bend, Teesdale, Geelong
13 October 2017 – Memo Music Hall, Melbourne (with Alice Skye)
15 October 2017 – The Mill, Echuca
22 October 2017 – Smiths Alternative, Canberra
28 October 2017 – Bendigo Bank Theatre at The Capital, Bendigo
Image used with permission from Little Giant Agency
Empire Park Makes Strong Statement With “Weight”
If you have a sore head after a big Saturday night, I apologise. But if you want something big and bold to get through your Sunday, Melbourne-based alternative rock act Empire Park has you covered with “Weight.”
This is such a strong track, delivered with the confidence of stadium rock veterans. It’s already received praise from members of Gang of Youths and I Know Leopard. I’ll add my name to the list of supporters.
“The song is about the realisation that something you cared deeply about has to end, and you can’t pretend otherwise any longer,” explained Empire Park’s frontman and founder Harrison Manton. “It’s about change and loss, for better or worse, in my relationships and our lives in general since we’ve moved away from home.”
Hopefully we hear plenty more from these guys soon. I’m a fan.
PLTS Celebrate Signing With “Spill” Single Release
It’s an exciting time for Byron Bay band PLTS. The group has just released a killer new single “Spill,” an anthemic slice of indie-rock that I can’t stop playing. They’ve also just signed up with Collective Artists Agency and announced a string of new shows. Music lovers can catch them in the coming months headlining their own shows at Bigsound and supporting Hands like Houses in the Eastern states.
But back to “Spill,” which saw the band teaming up again with Sydney producer JP Fung, whose credits include Art VS Science and Josh Pyke.
“With ‘Spill’ we again worked with JP Fung due to his intelligent approach to songwriting. His polished execution worked wonders for this track,” explained vocalist Kit Bray. “Lyrically, ‘Spill’ is an examination of the modern love story and how it’s somewhat failing. Taking in to account social pressures, anxieties, drugs and alcohol – the song deals with the letting go and moving on from relationships, capturing that fragile period of acceptance.”
If you love the song, make sure you don’t miss the chance to hear more from PLTS at the following shows.
5 September 2017 – The Zoo, Brisbane
7 September 2017 – The Brightside, Brisbane
6 October 2017 – 170 Russell, Melbourne (with Hands like Houses)
7 October 2017 – UC Refectory, Canberra (with Hands like Houses)
13 October 2017 – Metro Theatre, Sydney (with Hands like Houses)
14 October 2017 – The Triffid, Brisbane (with Hands like Houses)
Image used with permission from Habit Music Company
Missy Lancaster Offers Taste of Album Debut With “Forget”
Aussie country songstress Missy Lancaster gets nostalgic with her new single “Forget.”
Country isn’t widely embraced in this country, but if it was I could see this song going gangbusters. It’s not surprising really though, because Missy co-wrote it with Josh Kerr, a Nashville songwriter and producer with a string of hits to his name. Missy’s spent plenty of time in Nashville over the last 12 months, perfecting her sound with the assistance of Josh Kerr and Aussie-born producer Lindsay Rimes.
“Forget” is the first single from Missy’s debut album, which is scheduled for a 2018 release.