Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

All in the Family for DASH

You might expect a band made up of two pairs of siblings to be a volatile mess. But Sarah-Rose and Luke McIvor and Chris and Brandon Li Wan Po seem to have gotten the balance right with their outfit DASH. The Melbourne quartet has just released a music video for their stunning new single “The World Behind”.

The animated clip, created by Melbourne’s Deva Chandra, is the perfect accompaniment to this gorgeous number. It feels like something you might listen to around a campfire on a clear, still night. There’s not a lot of trickery here: just soaring sweet vocal melodies, warm jangling banjos, and an intimacy that’s so compelling. It’s organic and real and beautiful.

“The World Behind” comes from DASH’s debut EP And Then There Were None, which hit stores in March. DASH are currently planning a summer tour and another EP, so it sounds like we’ll enjoy plenty more music from this exciting new act.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sheppard Release Fab Follow-Up Single

Pop songs are deceptively simple, but it takes real talent to craft a gem. Brisbane band Sheppard did it earlier this year with “Let Me Down Easy”, and they’ve proved that was no fluke with their latest single “Hold My Tongue”.

This is another slice of upbeat positivity from the band, so it’s unsurprising that it’s already become a fan favourite and a top 10 hit in Thailand.

“This is the track that’s the most fun to play live,” said George Sheppard. “It’s the one our fans love dancing to most at our shows. We asked Australia to sing along with us on Let Me Down Easy, and now it’s time to invite everyone up to shake it a little!”

“Hold My Tongue” is another stellar track that convinces me Sheppard’s debut album, which should hit stores in early 2014, will be something special.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy & Bear Release Second Album Single “Three Headed Woman”

Boy & Bear’s latest album Harlequin Dream is still doing great business in the charts. Perhaps that’s because this Aussie act is just so consistent. There’s no second–single syndrome going on with the latest cut “Three Headed Woman”. Perhaps it’s just because it’s new and shiny, but I think I like this track better than the first single “Under a Southern Sun”.

It was always going to take something to top that icy first film clip too, but this slow motion masterpiece might have just done it. Why does everything look so much cooler in slow mo? I don’t know, but this is one polished piece of video.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Toot Toot Toots are Twin Beasts

The Melbourne rockers formerly known as The Toot Toot Toots are back with a brand new name and a great new single. They’ve released their latest track “Badlove” under their new moniker Twin Beasts.

It’s a bit rough around the edges, but I think that’s one of the things I love most about it. It wears its heart on its sleeve, warts and all.

The song is the title track from the band’s follow-up to their debut album Outlaws. Its creation saw Twin Beasts in lockdown for a month with ARIA-nominated producer Burke Reid (The Drones, Oh Mercy, Gerling), focusing on their craft and the themes of love, lust, and infatuation. The album won’t hit stores until early 2014, but this song should help tide fans over.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

EMPRA Tour “Strange Condition”

After taking out a global LiveNation band competition and opening for Fall Out Boy abroad, EMPRA are stepping things up as headliners. The Melbourne band has just released their second EP Strange Condition, which features this killer title track “Strange Condition”.

The number sounds like it’s ready for the radio. It’s got a great rock feel with enough of a pop sensibility to make it instantly accessible. It might just be the thing to put EMPRA in the spotlight, which is a good thing for the band’s founder Sanny Veloo.

Sanny originally came from Singapore, where he was a member of the band Boredphucks. The conservative Singapore people didn’t take to the band’s on-stage swearing, and when it caused a riot at a local music festival Sanny and his bandmates were banned from performing anywhere in the country.

Determined to live out his musical dreams, Sanny packed his bags for the home of AC/DC, Melbourne. There he found Matt Agius, Mat Gault, and Matt Cattanach on an internet forum and EMPRA was born.

Strange Condition showcases a band that’s matured significantly since the release of their debut self-titled EP. It sees them breaking free of their influences and finding their own sound.

You can see how far EMPRA’s come when they take their live show around the country later this month.

21 & 22 September 2013 – The Workers Club, Fitzroy
29 September 2013 – The Rosemount Hotel, Perth
4 October 2013 – Newmarket Hotel, Bendigo
5 October 2013 – Crown and Anchor, Adelaide
10 October 2013 – The Annandale Hotel, Annandale

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Download Rosie Catalano’s “Hearts” for Free

Rosie Catalano shows the beauty of simplicity with her stunning new single “Hearts”. Fellow Sydney singer-songwriter Jack Carty offers guest vocals on the dreamy number, which comes from Rosie’s sophomore EP, Dreams Are Just Movies.

Rosie must be in a generous mood, because she’s offering the song as a free download for a limited time. She seems to be good at giving back, because the song was actually written as a reward for a pledger who supported the Kickstarter campaign for her first debut EP way back in 2010.

Dreams Are Just Movies is another crowd-funded release, which we can expect to see in shelves in October.

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

RubyIce Show Aussies Can Make J-Pop Too

I’d always assumed that being Japanese was a prerequisite for creating J-Pop. I mean, that’s the J part, right? But the press releases are insisting differently, hailing the identical twin sisters of RubyIce as pioneers of the genre Down Under. They’re stepping out of the Asian Pop underground scene and heading into the mainstream with the release of their new single “Can’t Nobody”.

All that energy was a bit jarring as first, but as the track unfolded I found it infectious. It’s little wonder really, as the song was penned by legendary K-Pop producer Teddy Park. The flame-haired Canberra sisters Courtney and Brittany definitely do their part to make the number come alive too.

“Recording ‘Can’t Nobody’ was the absolute experience of a lifetime for us,” they said in a press statement. “This song is about not giving up, and not allowing people’s false ideas to destroy your dreams. It’s all about standing tall, holding your head high and living your dream”.

“Can’t Nobody” is officially released on September 6. RubyIce will launch the single at the free KWave Festival at Melbourne’s Federation Square on September 7.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eskimo Joe “Got What You Need” With New Single

Eskimo Joe smashed records when they appealed to their fans to fund their new album Wastelands through a crowd-funding campaign. Now those fans get a chance to see what their money’s bought with the release of the first single “Got What You Need”.

This synth-laden number is a real departure from the rock sound we’re used to. However Kav Temperley’s awesome vocals and the catchy melody should be enough to help fans embrace this new direction. Honestly I’m still making up my mind about “Got What You Need”, but I think it might be a bit of a grower.

When Eskimo Joe fans pre-order the Wastelands album, which hits stores on September 20, they’ll receive a free copy of “Got What You Need”. Alternatively the single is available as a standalone track.

Image used with permission from Alpha Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hoy Release Single Ahead of Basics Tour

Hoy are offering us a sneak peek at their forthcoming debut album Aquaslum with the release of the lead single “Get Some Sleep”. It’s a haunting, folky ballad that should get underneath your skin from the first listen.

All that atmosphere might come from Hoy’s unconventional approach to recording. Rather than heading to a studio, the Melbourne trio chose to lay down their tracks in a Gothic church. I guess that means we can expect more magical numbers when Hoy release Aquaslum early next year.

Until then Hoy will be honing their live show when they play support for The Basics’ forthcoming tour.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Little Stevies Give Away Single Ahead of Album Release

Sibylla and Beth Stephen, better known as The Little Stevies, are back with a brand new single and an album to come. The joyous “Diamonds for Your Tea” is the title track for their third album, which is scheduled to hit stores on October 3.

If you love the song, make sure you head to The Little Stevies’ website. These lovely ladies are giving a free digital copy of the song to anyone who signs up to their e-mail list.

As they’re being so generous, you might want to give something back. The Little Stevies are encouraging anyone who loves their sound to pre-order their new album through their Pozzible campaign. With seven days to go, the sisters are less than a thousand dollars shy of their target. This money will help them promote the heck out of this release and ensure it ends up in as many music lovers’ hands as possible.