Eliza Hull Launches Echoes Ahead of New York Trip

Melbourne songstress Eliza Hull offers us an early taste of her sophomore EP with the release of the lead single “Echoes”.

This track is so beautifully haunting. I’ve always been a fan of Eliza’s unique tone, and she uses her voice to great effect here. The song’s a welcome return to the music scene, and a hint that her new EP is going to be something special.

We’ll need to wait a little while for that though. Eliza will travel to New York in April to workshop the final tracks with producer Pat Dillett (David Byrne, Sia). The finished product should be released this July.

Before the Big Apple beckons, Eliza will launch “Echoes” for hometown fans at The Workers Club on March 1.

Image used with permission from Eliza Hull

Bill Parton Trio Release Stellar Single

The Bill Parton Trio have blown me away with the release of “Going Away,” their very first single from their first EP. This South Australian act has such a polished sound, I’m stunned to hear this is their debut!

It seems that polish comes from their extensive live experience. While they’ve only just stepped into the studio, they’ve notched up more than a thousand shows at some 250 venues. They’re South Australian festival favourites too after making appearances at Music in The Gardens, Cellar Door Sessions, A Day on the Grass, and the Whitmore Square Arts Fair.

Frontman William Parton says “’Going Away’ is all about forever being in stuck in an undesirable place but then making the necessary changes to break free to find a place where you’re more accepted and will have more success at life. The idea is that the changes are made no matter what it costs, no matter what anyone says and no matter that you can’t be found but comes at the ultimate price of having to leave everything and everyone including loved ones behind.”

“Going Away” is the first single from Bill Parton Trio’s debut EP. It’s available from iTunes and other major online digital musical retailers.

Dan Webb’s Monthly Song Impresses

Dan Webb has done it again with “Shadows of a Maniac,” the second track released as part of his 12 Songs, 12 Months project.

This song is so unique. It’s funky and soulful with a psychedelic twist that I didn’t see coming. The Bamboos’ Kylie Auldist, who shared vocal duties on Dan’s January release “Departure” is on back-up duties this time around. The track also features The Cat Empire’s hornsmiths Keiran Conrau and Ari Farrar, driving beats from drummer Peter Marin, and some mean bass licks from Joshua Jones.

You can download this song, and enjoy all the music to come this year, at Dan Webb’s website.

Call The Shots Release Fun Single

Brisbane quintet Call the Shots have served up a feel-good slice of power pop-punk with their brand new single “Alexis Texas.”

This fun track which takes a light-hearted look at unrequited love is our first taste of the band’s sophomore EP When Everything Goes Wrong. It sounds like everything is going right for these guys though. They recently made the top 10 of Dolly magazine’s hottest 100 bands and they scored the support slots for Nine Sons of Dan’s Brisbane gig at The Zoo on March 14.

If you like what you hear, it’s worth noting that Call the Shots are offering it as a free digital download via their Triple J Unearthed page.

Julia and the Deep Sea Sirens Release Single Ahead of Album Launch

Canberra’s alt-folk darlings Julia and the Deep Sea Sirens are giving us one more sneak peek at their self-produced sophomore album Family Pets before it drops on February 22. It comes in the form of new single “Adeleine,” a warm, organic number which should put a smile on your face.

Julia and her seven Deep Sea Sirens have supported the likes of Tim Rigers, Lanie Lane, and Kate Miller-Heidke in the past, but they’ll be the headliners at a string of album launch shows this autumn. See Julia and the Deep Sea Sirens up close and personal at the following shows.

22 February 2013 – The Newsagency, Sydney
3 March 2013 – The Workers Club, Melbourne
28 March-1 April 2013 – The National Folk Festival, Canberra
5 April 2013 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
7 April 2013 – Lass O’ Gowrie, Newcastle
21 April 2013 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane (FREE)

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

The Lamplights Raise Funds for Fires

We’ve all been touched by the nation’s bushfires in some way, so The Lamplights are bound to strike a chord with their latest single “The River.”

The single came about when the boys from the band were touring Victoria and stumbled across the bushfire devastated region of King Lake. A year after blazes ravaged the town, the lads were shocked by the ruin they still saw. The landscape was black as far as the eye could see. However, The Lamplights saw more than that. They saw a community that refused to give up, one which had such a connection to this place they called home that nothing could drive them away.

It’s only fitting that all proceeds from “The River” will benefit the Warrambungle Shire Mayor’s Bushfire Appeal. No doubt The Lamplights will sell plenty of copies when they tour the single at the following shows.

23 February 2013- Bleach Festival, Gold Coast
2 March 2013 – Eumundi Markets, Sunshine Coast
8 March 2013 – The Hideaway, Brisbane
13 March 2013 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
14 March 2013 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
21 March 2013 – The Joynt, Brisbane
24 March 2013 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

The Model School Releases Retro Music Video

Sydney band The Model School takes us on a trip down memory lane with the nostalgic film clip for their latest single “Pictures of Summer.”

The retro clip was directed by HW Wheelie, who previously collaborated with the band on the music video for “Streets I Left Behind.” This time around he’s sourced some amazing BMX footage from the ’70s. I was so entranced by it that I had to give it a second spin to listen to the song! The track’s perfect for summer, very chilled and easily accessible. It doesn’t push the boundaries, but it’s a very likable.

“Pictures of Summer” comes from The Model School’s third album Backwards Down the Highway. They’re hard at work on the release, but the band assures me it should be in stores in a few months.

Amanda Merdzan’s Stellar New Single

I hear a lot of new artists writing this blog, so it takes a lot for one to stick into my mind for any period of mind. Yet Amanda Merdzan is one of those acts I’ve thought of on and off over the years. I heard this Western Australian songstress’ debut album Into the Gallery way back in 2010, and wondered what she was doing. So I was thrilled to see she has a new single, and an EP on the way.

That EP The Map Has Been Redrawn will be released in March, but until then we’ve got the lead single “Afraid” to tide us over. It’s everything I loved about Amanda’s first release, but with a bit more refinement. The sound is larger, but it doesn’t overwhelm the song’s strong emotional core. Once again her lyrics are right on point. Put simply, I’m in love.

Amanda will launch the EP for her home state at North Fremantle’s Mojo’s Bar on March 2. After that she’s flying off to play Canadian Music Week. No doubt the Canucks will see something just as special in this exciting singer-songwriter. Expect to hear big things from this real talent.

Jordan Millar Impresses With Awesome Summer Single

If the lead single “Walking on Me” is any indication, music lovers are in for a real treat when Jordan Millar releases his album Cold Lights on Curious Minds next month.

This is such a feel-good song, with a great marriage of pop, folk, and blues. I love the acoustic guitar that anchors the easy vocals. This is really great stuff that takes me back to some of John Mayer’s early material. And as anyone who knows me knows, that’s a very good thing.

Jordan Millar’s Cold Lights on Curious Minds hits stores on February 15.

Nick Pes Releases Summery Solo Single

Since the disintegration of Sydney pop-rock act Leechwife, founding member Nick Pes has been finding his feet as a solo artist. A couple of years later it seems the singer has well and truly found his own sound.

Gone are the rock stylings, replaced with heavy synths and summery electro-pop melodies. Nick’s first single “I Remember” is just what I needed to get through this unreasonably hot January.

“I Remember” hits iTunes tomorrow.

Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment