Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Middle Names Celebrates TV’s Past with New Music Video

Hobart five-piece The Middle Names appeals to our inner couch potatoes with the video for their latest single “Full Friends”. The clip splices together scenes from some of the best TV programs of the past, including The Drew Carey Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Seinfeld. The track’s not bad either!

It comes from The Middle Names forthcoming debut album “I Need Space”, a record which almost didn’t happen. Five days before the band planned to head to Brisbane to record it, a fire ripped through their rehearsal space. All that survived was the band and their guitars. To add insult to injury, the band was stranded on the way to Applewood Lane Studios after their tyre was punctured. You know what they say about bad luck happening in threes though. Their producer Magoo suffered the last blow of bad luck when his house was burgled.

If they were a superstitious lot they might have abandoned the project altogether. But then we wouldn’t have this fun single, the album to come, and the tour which kicks off in their hometown tonight. Here are all the places you can catch The Middle Names over the next month.

20 July 2013 –Waratah Hotel, Hobart (supporting Gold Fields)
1 August 2013 – AFTR DARK @ Curtin Hotel, Melbourne
10 August 2013 – KITTENS @ Spectrum, Sydney
23 August 2013 – The Butter Factory, Burnie
30 August 2013 – The Ironhorse, Launceston
31 August 2013 – The Waratah Hotel, Hobart

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Illy Impresses with “On & On”

Melbourne hip hop act Illy is giving us a tempting taste of his forthcoming album with the irresistible new single “On & On”.

I love this track. How could anyone dislike anything that combines such wisdom and good vibes? It’s got a much greater pop sensibility than most hip-hop tracks, and that makes it accessible from the first spin.

It’s already a firm favorite amongst fans, who launched a Twitter campaign for a digital release ahead of its official release. They won, and saw #onandon and @illyal trending nationwide.

“On & On” comes from Illy’s fourth album, which is scheduled to hit stores in late 2013. Illy will play the following shows to support the single with special guests Tuka, Allday and Elemont.

13 September 2013 – Oh Hello, Brisbane (18+)
14 September 2013 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney (Licensed All Ages)
20 September 2013 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
27 September 2013 – The Gov, Adelaide (Licensed All Ages)
28 September 2013 – The Villa, Perth (18+)
29 September 2013 – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury (18+)

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lee’Mon Muses About Universe & Monkeys in “Albert, Adam & Eve”

If there’s one thing that you can say about Lee’Mon, it’s that you never know quite what you’re going to get.

You might expect his new track “Albert, Adam & Eve” to contain a deep philosophical discussion about the creation of the universe, but you’re only half there. While it touches on the idea of creationism versus evolution, Lee’Mon’s also thrown in a few aliens to keep things interesting. The Albert of the title is also, as Lee’Mon tells the story, the first monkey in space!

The lyrics are off the wall, but they’re anchored beautifully by strings and bells and a dirtied-up Rhodes piano. The track’s Lee’Mon’s third offering, and it shows us that while he might have grown up, he hasn’t grown any more mainstream!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ngaiire Shows a New Side with “Around”


If you thought you knew Ngaiire, think again. She’s followed up her fierce debut single “Dirty Hercules” with something much more subdued. The new single’s called “Around”, and it’s a gentle, almost hypnotic affair. It seduces you and creeps under your skin before you’ve even realised it.

It’s a gorgeous song which explores the idea of the push and pull that occurs in so many relationships. It’s not the most glowing endorsement of love, but like so many tracks that delve into the darker side of human emotion it’s incredibly powerful.

Ngaiire will launch “Around” at Sydney’s Venue 505 on June 27 and Melbourne’s Ding Dong Lounge on June 28 ahead of the release of her highly anticipated debut album Lamentations on July 12.

Image used with permission from Heapsflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Skyways Are Highways Release Single for Marriage Equality

Eli J Hood and Angie Rose Brown of Skyways Are Highways are adding their voices to the marriage equality debate with their debut single “Let’s Run Away”.

The track, which was not so coincidentally released last month on International Day Against Homophobia, reminds us that we should all have the right to run away and marry the one we love, no matter what their gender. And what better way to do that than with a ridiculously catchy melody and a video featuring some hot snogging?

With parliament preparing to take a conscious vote on the issue in a couple of days, let’s hope some of the country’s politicians are listening.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lenka Does Lullabies

You might remember Lenka from the early noughties outfit Decoder Ring, or that irresistibly catchy pop song from 2008, “The Show”. Either way, you’re likely to be surprised by the sweet tunes she’s showcasing on her third solo album Shadows.

This album is sure to answer the prayers of parents across the nation. It’s a collection of lullabies that don’t suck! Penned while Lenka was pregnant with her first child, the disc includes the hand-clapping new single “Heart to the Party.” The film clip with footage of a childhood birthday party sets the scene. Lenka’s bound to find a brand new audience with Shadows, which hits stores on June 7.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mustered Courage Wow with “Standing By Your Side”

Melbourne bluegrass outfit Mustered Courage challenge preconceptions of their much-maligned genre with their exquisite new single “Standing by Your Side”.

Now exquisite isn’t an adjective that I use lightly. However, I just can’t think of another word to describe the rich vocal harmonies and finger-picking guitar melodies celebrated on this track. Sublime? Delicious? I always thought bluegrass was the genre of inbred American Southerners, but this stunning track has seen me change my tune.

The quirky clip only adds to the song’s appeal. Seriously, who can resist a music video that puts street performers in the spotlight?

“Standing By Your Side” is the latest single lifted from Mustered Courage’s brand new album, Powerlines. The band is currently touring the album around the country. Here are all the places you can still see them play, including plenty of free gigs!

31 May 2013 – Clancy’s Fish Bar, Fremantle (FREE)
1 June 2013 – Indi Bar, Scarborough
2 June 2013 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River (FREE)
7-10 June 2013 – Perisher Snowy Mountains of Music, Perisher Valley
15 June 2013 – Royal Mail Hotel, Goodna (12:30 pm – FREE)
15 June 2013 – The Joynt, Brisbane (8 pm)
16 June 2013 – Nimbin Hotel, Nimbin (FREE)
26 June 2013 – Yinnar Pub, Yinnar (SOLD OUT)
28 June 2013 – Molly Malones, Devonport (FREE)
30 June 2013 – Brookefield Margate, Margate (3 pm)
30 June 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart (9 pm)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Messrs Make Me Smile

Messrs help you get through your humpday with their latest retro-inspired pop single “Desert.” If the band’s name sounds familiar, you were probably tuning in to Big Brother last season to watch the antics of frontman Josh Moore. Happily this is a band that deserves the exposure a platform like the reality TV show affords. This is a perfect slice of synth-saturated pop that could easily have been produced in the middle of the New Wave movement. As a child of the 80s, I am lapping it up. Are you?

“Desert” comes from Messrs’ Welcome to Nowhere EP.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Andrew Stockdale Rebrands Wolfmother

Wolfmother’s Andrew Stockdale is heading in a new direction with “Long Way to Go”, the first track from his forthcoming album Keep Moving. The album, which will hit stores on June 7, is the follow-up to Andrew’s album teaser, the Keep Moving EP.

I’ve honestly never been a Wolfmother fan. They always seemed too derivative for me, a bunch of Led Zeppelin wannabes. Andrew still wears his classic rock influences on his sleeve here, but this track’s easy groove at least feels a bit more original. There’s nothing wrong with delving into the past for inspiration, but it seems Andrew might finally have the balance right.

The new direction and Andrew Stockdale name out front makes this seem like a solo endeavour, but Andrew is actually still working with all his current Wolfmother bandmates on this new project.

They’re exploring new territory, but they’ll still play all the Wolfmother hits fans know and love at their upcoming album launch shows. This will be our last chance to see Andrew play for a while, as he’ll head to Southeast Asia, the United States, South America, and Europe to promote the album’s international release once this tour wraps.

6 June 2013 – Bar On The Hill, Newcastle University
7 June 2013 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney
8 June 2013 – Waves Nightclub, Wollongong
13 June 2013 – The Ferntree Gully Hotel, Melbourne
14 June 2013 – The Hi Fi, Melbourne
15 June 2013 – The Wool Exchange, Geelong
16 June 2013 – Pier Live, Frankston
19 June 2013 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
20 June 2013 – The Bakery, Perth
21 June 2013 – Fly By Nightclub, Fremantle
22 June 2013 – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury
27 June 2013 – The Hi Fi, Brisbane
28 June 2013 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
29 June 2013 – The Northern, Byron Bay

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Spirit Faces Bring Back Soft Rock with “Moose Mountain Medicine Wheel”

Sydney’s Spirit Faces takes us back to the seventies with their very mellow new single “Moose Mountain Medicine Wheel.” The trippy title’s only the start of this song’s retro vibe. Its sound reminds me of the soft folk-rock my dad used to play me. I can’t believe something so chilled out was recorded in the heart of Sydney!

If you still bust out James Taylor and Neil Young on vinyl, you’re going to love this. And if you do, make sure you catch Spirit Faces celebrating their single launch for hometown fans at Brighton Up Bar on May 30.