I must admit, I typically struggle to embrace a song that doesn’t have strong lyrics. Perhaps it’s the writer in me, but if a song doesn’t have words that speak to me, then I probably won’t give it a second listen. However, every now and again I hear a song that I enjoy despite it falling flat in the lyrics department.
Let’s face it, “Lost Girl” by Newcastle band Southern End doesn’t say a whole lot. But what it lacks in story it makes up for with a great classic rock sound. I can hear a little Led Zeppelin and Neil Young coming through this track; that blend of blues and psychedelia is so appealing.
These guys have only been together since 2014, when they met in high school, so I can forgive them for not writing songs that speak to my heart. Hopefully that will come in time. Right now they’ve got the bare bones of something with real potential.
If you like Florence and the Machine, you’re going to love the Sunshine Coast’s own Taylor Payne.
With her debut single “Outsider,” this Queensland musician shows a similar knack for blending dark, moody lyrics with driving drum beats and toe-tapping melodies. Her voice also seems to have no limitations, twisting and turning up to those falsetto notes and back down again with ease.
Apparently Taylor’s set to play some local venues in 2016, so look out for those.
When I hit play on “Piano Dance,” I was struck by its grandeur. This sounds like the sort of thing a full flamenco band would play to accompany some gorgeous young dancers. But it’s actually the work of just one guy, Sydney multi-instrumentalist Byron Mark.
Apparently Byron’s been gigging and collaborating with people for years, but he decided it’s about time he released some music of his own. And so “Piano Dance” was born, a purely instrumental track featuring his handiwork on the piano, cajon, and dun-duns. It’s a really strong effort that is a real step up from most debut singles. More of this please!
In my mind, Josue has been one of the finds of the year with his old school sensibility and swag. His EP Bad News was a throwback to the 90s R’n’B in the most delicious of ways. So I’m excited to see he’s hitting the road this summer off the back of his latest single release “Closure.”
If you need more soul in your life, you won’t be disappointed with these shows, featuring Josue backed up by his band The Soulbenders.
20 January 2016 – Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
21 January 2016 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
22 January 2016 – Brooklyn Standard, Brisbane
23 January 2016 – Treehouse on Belongil, Byron Bay
24 January 2016 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane
I just love hearing a rock band strip things back. So while I appreciate Tonight Alive’s rebellious, rocking studio version of their single “Drive,” I actually prefer this acoustic version recorded for Triple M.
I think this take brings those lyrics about breaking away from society’s expectations and expressing your own truth. It also really lets you appreciate Jenna McDougall’s stellar voice. You can hear that in person when Tonight Alive embark on their single tour next year. After that Tonight Alive are heading to Europe, the UK, and the US, so these might be our last local shows for a while. Don’t say you haven’t been warned fans!
16 January 2016 – Unify Festival, Gippsland
17 January 2016 – Max Watts, Melbourne
21 January 2016 – The Triffid, Brisbane
29 January 2016 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
I fell in love with Saskwatch when they first hit the music scene, but I fell out of love with them somewhere along the way. While the last couple of singles haven’t revved me, I think they’re back to their best with their latest single “Everyone’s Giving Up.”
It’s a much mellower sound from this funky Melbourne act than I’ve come to expect, but I appreciate it. With all those brassy notes it reminds me a little of something Prince might slip in to his set. “Everyone’s Giving Up” comes from Saskwatch’s third studio album Sorry I Let It Come Between Us, which is slated for release next year.
Saskwatch will support its release with the following shows just about everywhere in 2016.
9 January 2016 – Summer Of Soul Festival @ Mossvale Park, Berrys Creek
21 January 2016 – Australian Open Sessions @ Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Melbourne
23 January 2016 – Ozfest @ Miami Tavern, Gold Coast
24 January 2016 – Ozfest @ Waterfront Hotel, Sunshine Coast
4 February 2016 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
5 February 2016 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough
6 February 2016 – Summerset Arts Festival, Carine Open Space, Carine
7 February 2016 – Mojos, Fremantle
25 February 2016 – UC Refectory, Canberra
2 March 2016 – Studio Six, Sutherland
3 March 2016 – The Basement, Sydney
4 March 2016 – Baroque, Katoomba
5 March 2016 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
6 March 2016 – 5 Church Street, Bellingen
12 March 2016 – The Triffid, Brisbane
18 March 2016 – The Jack, Cairns
19 March 2016 – Street Party, Townsville
20 March 2016 – Magnums, Airlie Beach
26 March 2016 – Fat Controller, Adelaide
1 April 2016 – Club 54, Launceston
2 April 2016 – Republic Bar, Hobart
6 April 2016 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
7 April 2016 – Workers Club, Geelong
8 April 2016 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
9 April 2016 – Theatre Royale, Castlemaine
14 April 2016 – The Loft, Warrnambool
15 April 2016 – The Grand Hotel, Mornington
16 April 2016 – Westernport Hotel, San Remo
29 April 2016 – The Gap View, Alice Springs
30 April 2016 – The Railway Club, Darwin
Illy may have to make use of his own virtual swear jar following the release of his new single of the same name. I wouldn’t advise listening to “Swear Jar” while you’re at work or around the oldies, but if you’ve got some time to yourself this tongue-in-cheek track which hits back at some people we’ve all come across in our time.
“Swear Jar is a light hearted take on two very serious issues: that rare breed of dickhead artist who thinks they’re God’s gift to the world, and the far more common breed of dickhead that you find dwelling online, hurling abuse at others. They both suck. I wanted to write a song for them, and here it is. I hope they don’t like it. ” Illy said in the press release.
To coincide with the release, Illy’s encouraging all of his fellow potty mouths to dig deep and donate to his virtual swear jar. The online initiative is raising money for the vital work of beyondblue.
Illy’s also preparing to hit the road to promote the single. Good pals Dylan Joel and Citizen Kay will appear at all but the Darwin gig.
12 February 2016 – Discovery, Darwin
13 February 2016 – Capitol, Perth
19 February 2016 – 170 Russell, Melbourne
20 February 2016 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
26 February 2016 – The Triffid, Brisbane
27 February 2016 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
4 March 2016 – Academy, Canberra
12 March 2016 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
One third of Thundamentals, Tuka is showing us his sensitive side with his latest single “Right By You.” I’ve heard a few tracks from his best-selling album Life Death Time Eternal, but this is the only one that’s captured my heart. I think this more laidback, romantic side of Tuka suits him, don’t you?
I am really enjoying the wave of new songs that seem to embody summer. The latest is “Travelling Song,” an energetic folk-infused track from Queensland five-piece Timber Bones.
The song celebrates those festival romances that come about in the steamy weather after you’re full of the euphoria of seeing some great bands and drinking one too many alcoholic beverages. Its driving beat makes it the perfect song to slip on if you’re heading to a festival of your own this summer.
There are no dates announced as yet, but I hear they’ll be playing some summer shows along the East Coast, so make sure you look out for them in a venue near you soon.
Most of us think of roses as delicate flowers, feminine and gentle. But they also have thorns, something Brisbane band The Comfort remind us of with their new single called “Roses.”
This song starts off sweetly enough but it’s not too long before we’re aurally assaulted by the passion chorus. The band, which was born out of a love of punk and hardcore music, has a really big sound for a trio. I’m told they were originally a five-piece, but in slimming down they’ve found a slightly cleaner rock sound with those big soaring vocals and epic hooks. I haven’t heard their early stuff, but I love what they’re doing now. What about you?