Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Coin Banks Releases Soulful New Single “Forgive Us”

Perth MC Coin Banks has joined forces with the mighty WAAPA Gospel Choir for his latest single “Forgive Us.”

I love the way Coin Banks’ rhymes works with the choir’s slick soulful harmonies and the band’s tight horns. Combining genres doesn’t always work, but this is pretty special. If it doesn’t put a smile on your face this Humpday, I don’t know what will!

“I think something that holds us back as a society is the inability to apologise and forgive, it is something so simple but something we all struggle with. Pride and fear hold us back from apologising, and at the same time holds us back from forgiving the people that have wronged us,” Coin Banks explained. “The song takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to this fairly serious issue.”

“Forgive Me” comes from Coin Banks’ new EP Outside Looking In, which drops on June 30.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fallin’ For Jessica Mauboy

Jessica Mauboy is one of those rare entertainers who never seems to put a foot wrong. Whether she’s behind the microphone or the camera, she dazzles. I’m always impressed by her musical output, but I think her latest single “Fallin’” is just a cut above the rest. It’s musically so interesting and her vocals, as always, are on point.

If you love the song, make sure you tune in to The Voice this Sunday to catch her performing it live.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Meg Mac Does It Again With “Maybe It’s My First Time”

If the singles she keeps releasing are any indication, Meg Mac’s forthcoming album Low Blows is going to be really something. The latest single is “Maybe It’s My First Time,” a soulful number with a charming vintage feel.

Meg recorded the track in Fort Worth, Texas at Niles City Sound, set up by the producers and players behind the music of Leon Bridges. Mixing at Electric Lady in New York completed this slick soul song.

“’Maybe it’s My First Time’ is about trying to get through a bad time. When you’re hurt, you can keep going over and over the pain in your head and drive yourself crazy,” Meg explained. “I wanted to stop all that and only look back once and be done with it. To cruise past my pain instead of living in it”.

Low Blows drops on July 14. Meg will tour the album, but tickets are selling fast so don’t delay if you want some!

23 July 2017 – Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay
8 September 2017 – The Forum, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
9 September 2017 – The Forum, Melbourne
22 September 2017 – The Enmore, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tempus Sun Wins Me Over With “Owls”

When I attempted to stream “Owls,” the new single from last year’s Bank of Melbourne ‘Melbourne Music Bank’ winners Tempus Sun, on Spotify, it came up on an album called Listen Up Australian Volume 1, which was listed as “featuring the top ten songwriters in Australia.” As you can imagine, my curiosity was piqued and my expectations set high!

At first I wasn’t sure about the song. It was quite nice, with its gentle acoustic guitar and delicate vocal delivery, but I wasn’t really seeing what distinguished from the glut of solid folk music we have in this country. But I gave it time, as you should with any song, and it built into something exceptional.

So I urge you, give it time. This song just keeps getting stronger as the harmonies kick in and the instruments intensify. The message is also one that anyone who’s battled mental illness or been close to someone who has will identify with.

“Owls is about speaking up about our struggles. It’s a tune relatable to anyone with troubles, be it in the past or ongoing,” explained Tempus Sun’s lead guitarist Ed Borreomeo. “It was created with mental illness in mind and the intention of influencing people to just have a chat about it with someone. Coming from personal experience, something as simple as having a chat is very easy to disregard as helpful, or is easy to procrastinate on, but I found it to be the first step in combatting almost anything.”

“Owls” is the first single from Tempus Sun’s self-titled debut EP, which will drop on August 4. The band will launch “Owls” with a show for hometown fans at The Toff in Town on June 30.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Anita Lester Lays It All Bare With “Last Day”

I love a performer who has the confidence in her voice to have it exposed. Artists like this don’t hide behind a symphony of sound or studio wizardry. They’re comfortable with delicate arrangements, because they know their talent speaks for itself.

Anita Lester is one of those special artists. Her voice is accompanied by just a gentle piano for much of her new single “Last Day.” The effect is mesmerizing. Even when the strings kick in, her voice stands proud, anchoring the track so beautifully.

Anita penned “Last Day” at the beginning of a goodbye, and its lyrics so effectively explore the emotions that come when you know the end is near. The video, directed by her brother Yoav, is the ideal accompaniment to this song about emotional struggle.

Anita originally hails from Melbourne but she’s currently making waves in her adopted city of London. “Last Day” comes from her soon-to-be-released debut album.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

ZK’s Kristal West Goes Solo

ZK was one of my favourite acts on The Voice a couple of years ago. So I’m thrilled to see one half of the duo, Kristal West, has just released a brand new single. “Nibe Nibe” is the first lifted from her EP Remembering Ata, a collection of songs paying tribute to Kristal’s grandfather Eddie Mabo on the 25th anniversary year of the High Court native title ruling.

This beautiful song was penned by Torres Strait Island singer-songwriter King Kadu. Kristal’s worked with the Hummingbird Collective, a group of first nations women. Ruth Ghee, Hummingbird Collective’s musical director, notes “Nibe Nibe highlights the importance of the reviving, maintaining, preserving and sharing languages and culture through music and story-telling with ‘one voice.’” She said the song “was a fitting collaboration as most of the Collective also have family connections to Mer [the native language Kristal speaks]”.

Kristal has spent the last six months working on Remembering Ata to pay tribute to her grandfather and reconnect with her heritage.

“I felt a strong desire to get back to my cultural roots and to find my ‘real’ voice, a voice that is rooted in family, history and culture,” she explained. “After seeking counsel from my grandmother, Bonita Mabo, I felt a deep pull to tell the story of my grandfather and our family and felt that was the best starting point.”

“Nibe Nibe” is such a beautiful song. We need more of this on Australia’s musical landscape, don’t you agree?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Taxiride’s Jason Singh Releases New Single “Strangers”

You probably know Jason Singh as one quarter of Taxiride. The ‘90s pop-rockers have played plenty of shows of late, but somehow Jason has managed to squeeze in some solo work too. He’s just dropped his latest solo single “Strangers,” a beautiful piano ballad that should make any listener swoon.

Much of Jason’s solo material has been floor-filling synth pop, so this more vulnerable and emotional track marks a real departure for his sound. I personally love the new direction. “Strangers” feels like it’s come from a very honest place. You can listen here or check out the lyric video on Jason’s Facebook page.

If you’re seeing Hanson this week, make sure you get there on time. Jason is warming up the crowds for Taylor, Zac, and Ike at the following shows.

18 & 19 June 2017 – Forum Theatre, Melbourne (with Hanson)
21 & 22 June 2017 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (with Hanson)
24 June 2017 – The Star, Gold Coast (with Hanson)
25 June 2017 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (with Hanson)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Blinded By Didirri’s Sweet Folk Single

His name might be unusual, but Didirri is one name you’ll want to remember. He’s the voice behind “Blind You,” an amazing folk song that sits a cut above the rest.

With simple acoustic strumming, his incredible vocal tone, and accessible but emotive lyrics, Didirri has quickly won me over. You might have caught him recently supporting quality acts like Jordie Lane, Tash Sultana, and the Pierce Brothers. But Didirri is ready to step into the spotlight. Catch him headlining the following single launch shows next month.

6 July 2017 – Junk Bar, Brisbane
13 July 2017 – Golden Age Cinema, Sydney
11 August 2017 – The Workers Club, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Title Track

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Stars Cover “You’re The Voice” For Domestic Violence Charities

Domestic and family violence are some of the most pressing issues facing our society today. A host of talented local musicians are doing the bit to raise awareness with the release of a cover of John Farnham’s smash “You’re The Voice.”

The track features some of the biggest names in music today: Katie Noonan, Kate Ceberano, Isaiah, Troy Cassar-Daley, Montaigne, and Archie Roach.

“I’m so proud of the positive response from the Australian community and music industry in rallying together to support this initiative. It is a testament to the power of music being able to make a difference,” Katie said. She’s the artistic director of this year’s Queensland Music Festival. As part of the program, a 2000-strong choir will come together to sing “You’re The Voice” at South Bank Piazza. It happens at 5 pm on July 29, so check it out if you’re in the area.

All money raised from iTunes sales of the “You’re The Voice” single benefits the Sony Foundation and DV Connect, a Queensland-based 24/7 crisis response group. One thing I personally like about DVConnect is that it doesn’t discriminate. It understands that people of both genders can be victims of domestic violence, so it has a womensline (1800 811 811) and a mensline (1800 600 636). After watching The Red Pill this week, that sort of real gender equality matters to me. If you want to support it to, you know where to find the single!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Let The Lovely Days Brighten Your Friday

Winter has well and truly set in, but you can shake off the gloom with “Mornington,” the shiny new single from The Lovely Days.

The band, who come to us from Melbourne by way of Mullumbimby, has such a great psychedelic pop sound. Think ELO mixed with a smattering of Tame Impala and Alabama Shakes.

The Lovely Days hadn’t crossed my radar before, but apparently the band’s self-titled EP garnered praised in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as here at home. “Mornington” comes from The Lovely Days’ new EP Arms Wide Open, which they’re currently touring around the country. Check the band out at the following venues!

17 June 2017 – The Exeter Hotel, Adelaide
22 June 2017 – Oxford Art Factory (Gallery Bar), Sydney
23 June 2017 – Vic on the Park, Sydney