Tim Wheatley Home to Release “78 Benz”

Cast of Yesterday was one of my favourite albums of 2015. I’d forgotten just how much I love it until I revisited one of the tracks today, the current single “78 Benz.” If you still haven’t listened to this album from Aussie expat Tim Wheatley, this song should give you every indication of why you should.

Tim wrote the track about his own vintage Mercedes and about the way you’ve got to follow your passions in life, no matter how difficult that might be.

“I had been in LA nearly a year, playing shows, writing, and turning my hand to other things like modelling and acting,” he explained in the press release. “I was juggling three passions, in which rejection is an integral part, and really struggling with it … ironically, as much as it was taking its toll on me, ‘78 Benz,’ my favourite song on the record, would never have come about with the absence of struggle.”

Tim will play one more local show, at Collingwood’s Grace Darling Hotel on June 10, before heading back to the U.S. If you get the chance, you don’t want to miss it.

The Hard Aches Rock Out with “Glad That You’re Gone”

Adelaide rockers The Hard Aches have served up a superb slice of angst with their latest single “Glad That You’re Gone.” I can’t help thinking of You Am I when I listen to this track. There’s a similar crunchy, organic truth to what they’re doing which is really exciting.

“Glad That You’re Gone” is getting some airplay on Triple J and The Hard Aches are making the most of it. They’ve just wrapped up a tour supporting Tired Lion, and in a couple of months’ time they’ll be out again supporting Luca Brasi and playing Poison City Weekender. No doubt it’s only a matter of time before we see these guys headlining.

17 August 2017 – The Basement, Canberra
18 August 2017 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
19 August 2017 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
20 August 2017 – The Zoo, Brisbane
25 August 2017 – Jack Rabbit Slims, Perth
26 August 2017 – Fat Controller, Adelaide
27 August 2017 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
28 August 2017 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
9-11 September 2017 – Poison City Weekender @ Max Watts, Melbourne

Georgia Fields and Phia Collaborate on “Open Orange”

Melbourne songbird Georgia Fields has enlisted the help of Phia and her kalimba for her new dreamy new single “Open Orange.” Phia also lends her vocals and songwriting skills to the track, which is the second to come from Georgia’s forthcoming album Astral Debris.

If you love this song and you’re lucky enough to live in Melbourne, make sure you get to the single launch. Phia will also appear at the July 3rd show at The Gasometer, part of the Leaps and Bounds festival.

American Expat Danielle Deckard Making Beautiful Music in Sydney

New Jersey’s loss is Sydney’s gain. Danielle Deckard used to live in America’s Garden State, but now she’s proudly based in New South Wales capital. She’s also just released her new music video for “I Lied,” which is one of the most stunning piano ballads I’ve heard in some time. It was filmed at Sydney’s Hibernian House, a place where Danielle has played many shows since relocating to the Harbour City.

“‘I Lied’ is about missing someone and never fully getting over that person,” Danielle explained. “Having these triggers that always remind you of them and hopelessly wondering, but never knowing if they still think about you too.”

And haven’t we all been there!

“I Lied” comes from Danielle’s End of the World EP, which is available for download from most digital music providers.

Bad Pony Announces Biggest Aussie Tour for “Sideways” Single

The always reliable Bad Pony is back with a brand new single, “Sideways,” and their biggest tour to date to support it. The latest track is a self-produced party anthem recorded at guitarist Cron Van Niekerk’s home studio.

This is just the kind of infectiously upbeat music Bad Pony makes so well. A combination of cold weather and Wednesdayitis has made it hard for me to get moving today, but “Sideways” has given me the lift that I need.

You can expect plenty more killer tunes like this when Bad Pony take to stages almost everywhere, starting with Launceston on Friday. Here are all the places you can catch them playing over the coming month.

27 May 2016 – Club 54, Launceston
28 May 2016 – Republic Bar, Hobart
3 June 2016 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
4 June 2016 – OAF Gallery Bar, Sydney
10 June 2016 – Lady Lismore Loft, Lismore
11 June 2016 – New Globe Theatre, Brisbane
12 June 2016 – Sounds of Sunday, Gold Coast
23 July 2016 – House Show, Jindabyne
29 July 2016 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
30 July 2016 – Moonshine Bar, Manly
11 August 2016 – The Pier, Port Macquarie
12 August 2016 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
13 August 2016 – The Aztec, Forster
19 August 2016 – Waywards, Newtown
26 August 2016 – The Sandbar, Mildura
27 August 2016 – Broken Hill Fringe Festival, Broken Hill
2 September 2016 – Mynt Lounge, Werribee
3 September 2016 – Secret Show, Melbourne
17 September 2016 – Transit Bar, Canberra
18 September 2016 – Birdhouse Bar, Wagga Wagga
22 September 2016 – Unibar, Lismore
23 September 2016 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
24 September 2016 – Federal Hotel, Bellingen

Image used with permission from Rare Finds

Alexander Biggs Releases “Out in the Dark”

There’s a time and place for big production, but there’s something so appealing about old school musicians like Alexander Biggs, a Melbourne folk act who recorded, mixed, and mastered his new single “Out in the Dark” from his bedroom.

“Out in the Dark” is a gorgeous song, a slow burner that’s perfectly executed and beautifully written. It’s the second track lifted from Alexander’s debut EP, which will be released later this year.

Alexander will launch the single for hometown fans at Some Velvet Morning on June 23. Entry is free, so there’s no excuse not to get out and support this talented new artist.

The Evening Cast Releases “Gang of Fools”

It’s been a long time since I’ve heard new material from The Evening Cast, but it’s been well and truly worth the wait. Their new single “Gang of Fools,” reminded me just how much I love this five-piece from Geelong.

It’s got a great groove and some beautiful harmonies. I love the way the Evening Cast never overdoes things. The song is delicate and restrained, and the sort of thing that makes me hungry for more.

That’s coming soon. “Gang of Fools” is the first track lifted from The Evening Cast’s sophomore LP Belong, which will be released on May 11. A national tour will follow in June.

Rock Gods TASTE on Comeback Trail

After a hiatus of nearly 40 years, TASTE are back. However unlike so many bands, they haven’t reformed to cash in on the nostalgia of the past or fund their retirements. Instead they’re doing it because they never got the chance to fulfil their potential.

Rewind to the ‘70s and TASTE were poised to be the next big thing. They were the first band to appear on Countdown, their song “Boys Will Be Boys” was going gangbusters, and they were set to tour the United States with Queen. Then their parents charged into their management office demanding they disband. Sadly, they listened to their mums and dads.

However, they’re looking to put all that behind them. The band’s back together, with the addition of new drummer Michael Corniola, and they’ve got a brand new single “I Am God.” It’s just as grandiose and it rocks just as hard as a proper glam rock track should. The clip is also brilliant.

The track comes from TASTE’s latest album Life on Earth, which drops on May 27. They’ll celebrate its release with shows in capital cities around the country.

1 July 2016 – Crowbar, Brisbane
9 July 2016 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide
14 July 2016 – Frankie’s Pizzeria (FREE)
16 July 2016 – The Corner, Melbourne

Wilder Lee Wows Me with “Into the Wild”

Don’t you just love that feeling you get when you discover a voice that stops you in your tracks? I’ve just experienced it listening to Wilder Lee’s first single “Into the Wild,” and I think you will too.
I love the mix of husky rawness and sweet falsetto in his voice. And I am such a sucker for an acoustic guitar. The track is potent, organic goodness.

“The song was birthed out of a lot of tough crap in my life, and pretty much sets the tone for the upcoming EP later this year,” he explained in a press release. “’Into the Wild’ is an intrinsic and very intimate look into the wars I have with my own heart – shows you how not all battles can be won.”

Wilder Lee has a few upcoming shows. If you’re in the Sydney area, here are all the places you can catch him.

19 May 2016 – Newtown Social Club, Newtown (supporting Sahara Beck)
24 May 2016 – The Bald Faced Stag, Sydney
11 June 2016 – The Record Crate, Glebe
3 July 2016 – The Soda Factory, Surry Hills