Victorian duo Since the River are behind the haunting new song “Ithaca.”
This beautifully dark track took me back to the time I spent devouring Tori Amos music in my late teens. It’s so moody and brooding and mournful, but there’s something quite romantic amongst all that tragedy. It’s only enhanced by the gorgeous video, which was directed and produced by the talented band. They transformed Victoria’s Half Moon Bay and South Gippsland region into a place I didn’t even recognise. Wow.
Since the River are a band that’s definitely piqued my interest. How about you, dear readers?
I was so impressed last year when I heard “Armour Weight”, the first single from Tim Guy’s fourth album Dreaming of a Night Mango. It was laid back, free of pretention, and just beautiful. We get more of the same with Tim’s latest single “Many People I Know” You know what they say about not fixing what ain’t broke!
The song is a gentle number which Tim penned way back in 2011. He’d just moved back to Melbourne after living in Auckland, and he felt somewhat displaced in this town he once called home. It’s a slow burner, but a stunner nonetheless.
If you love these songs you’ll want to grab the album and see the shows. Dreaming of a Night Mango hits stores on April 5, which is not so coincidentally around the same time he’s setting off for a national tour. Here are all the places you can see him play!
4 April 2013 – Lock n Load Bistro, Brisbane (FREE)
5 April 2013 – Sol Bar, Maroochydoore (FREE)
6 April 2013 – Gov’s Espressso, Gold Coast
11 April 2013 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
12 April 2013 – The Green Room Lounge, Sydney
13 April 2013 – The Front Gallery & Cafe, Canberra
14 April 2013 – Albion Hotel, Albury
18 April 2013 – The Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
19 April 2013 – The Old Mt Gambier Gaol, Mt Gambier
24 April 2013 – Grace Darling, Melbourne
The track’s spiky guitars and whirling synthesizers combine with a sing-along chorus to create a perfect pop number. You just see if you don’t have a smile on your face by the time its three minutes are up.
Loon Lake’s songwriter and lead singer Sam Nolan says the track marks a return to the band’s “rocky side”. When it sounds this good, I hope we see this act revisiting their rock roots more often!
This month we’re treated to a sultry, keyboard driven number that might sound like the kind of riots that occur in smoky jazz clubs. Dan’s ably supported on this number by drummer Peter Marin (Passenger, Bertie Blackman) and bassist Joshua Jones (Dan Sultan, Gossling).
Dan continues to impress with these monthly releases. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for April!
This is music people. It’s got all the right ingredients: a warm, welcoming voice, honest lyrics, great melodic hooks, all pulled together with the gentle strum of an acoustic guitar. It’s perfectly complemented by the retro-style clip, which takes us on a journey around the world through the lens of a Super 8 camera.
I have to get my hands on Jordan’s album Cold Lights On Curious Minds. If those singles are any indication, it’s shaping up to be one of 2013’s breakthrough albums. And remember, Jordan’s kicking off his tour with Jack Carty tonight. Here are all the places you can see these hot young talents playing!
22 March 2013 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
23 March 2013 – The Loft, Warnambool
24 March 2013 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
28 March 2013 – Manhattans Wine Bar, Launceston
30 March 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
3 April 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
4 April 2013 – Cafe Le Monde, Noosa Heads
5 April 2013 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba (FREE)
6 April 2013 – The Loft, Gold Coast
11 April 2013 – The Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (FREE)
12 April 2013 – Lennox Hotel, Lennox Head (FREE)
13 April 2013 – 5 Church St, Bellingen
14 April 2013 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour (FREE)
18 April 2013 – Lizotte’s Restaurant, Newcastle
20 April 2013 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
26 April 2013 – The Aztec, Forster (FREE)
27 April 2013 – The Pier, Port Macquarie (FREE)
28 April 2013 – The Fig, Port Macquarie (FREE)
3 May 2013 – Yours and Owls, Wollongong
4 & 5 May 2013 – Front Gallery, Canberra
I love the way that the angelic voices of the Melbourne a capella trio complement Tomas’ rawer, more masculine tone. The melding of these very distinctive sounds adds an extra rich layer to the exquisite lyrics and pretty melody of this new single. It’s not a song that screams the loudest, but it’s really something special.
If you like what you hear, make sure you head to Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides’ Bandcamp page. This generous band is giving the track away for free! If you’d prefer an old fashioned, physical copy, make sure you get to the band’s single launch at Melbourne’s Workers Club on March 27. All tickets come with a complimentary copy of “Broken Road.”
Image used with permission from Tomas Strode & The Tour Guides
Melbourne act Pretty City are encouraging us to sit up and take notice with their double A-side debut single “Part Of Your Crowd/Ignoring My Friends.”
In the absence of big label backing, Pretty City are making music the best way they know how. “Part Of Your Crowd” was recording entirely on a iPhone rather than sophisticated studio equipment. It’s not fancy, but raw talent shines through here.
Often music videos must wait until a band’s established, but they’ve created one of those too thanks to up and coming young filmmaker Pete Schand. It’s nothing that we haven’t really seen before, but it does give us some insight into the band’s work on their forthcoming EP, which should hit stores mid-year.
Pretty City will take time out of the studio to promote their new single at Fitzroy’s Gasometer on March 24.
Bobby Alu is bringing good vibes to your Sunday with his brand new single “You Know.”
This laidback slice of rootsy soul-pop is the first track to come from Bobby’s highly anticipated sophomore album, Take It Slow. Given the leisurely pace of this number, that might be a pretty apt title.
Bobby wrote the tune while reconnecting with his heritage in sunny Samoa. It sounds very mellow, but it also has a pretty important message about accepting the truth, no matter how much it hurts.
If you love what you hear, make sure you get out and see Bobby when he launches “You Know” at the following shows.
17 March 2013 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough (4 pm – FREE)
5 April 2013 – Nayri Niara Festival, Bruny Island
14 April 2013 – Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick Heads (FREE)
19 April 2013 -The Joynt, West End
20 April 2013 – Big Pineapple Festival, Woombye
26-28 April 2013 – Apollo Bay Music Festival, Apollo Bay
4 May 2013 – Mandala Arts Café, Mermaid Waters
Feel like getting fired up? Then wrap your ears around the aptly named “Fire!”, the explosive new single from Riki and the Rants.
This is so much fun with its spandex and feathers and blue-faced men. It’s old school rock and roll, dynamic and theatrical with a spirit that Freddie Mercury would be proud of.
And best of all, it’s just been released digitally today. If you’re in Melbourne I suggest you get to The Toff on March 19 for what’s sure to be an entertaining launch show!
Our very ownGuy Sebastian has lent his voice to “Bed of Clouds,” the debut solo single from Montreal rapper Swift K.I.D.
“Bed of Clouds” is the follow-up to “Hey Hey Hey”, a triple-platinum collaboration between Swift K.I.D., Laurent Wery, and Dev. Guy said he “really loved that track,” so he jumped at the chance to be involved with Swift K.I.D.’s next musical venture.
“He is a cool cat and got some good things coming,” Guy said.
I really love the way Guy’s soulful voice works with Swift K.I.D.’s rapping. There’s also great potential here. “Hey Hey Hey” chalked up more than eight million views online. Can you imagine what it’d do for Guy’s career abroad if this song got similar attention?
“Bed of Clouds” is available for digital download now.
If you like what you hear, make sure you head to 