Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mia Dyson Sings About Forced Adoptions in “Jesse”

Those stellar singles just keep coming from Mia Dyson’s latest album The Moment. The newest is “Jesse,” a gut-wrenching song which shines a light on forced adoptions. Mia was moved to write the song after a fan, Lesley Pearse, poured her heart out after a show.

“Lesley’s story had a profound effect on me,” said Dyson. “As an unwed mother in the early 70s, she was sent to live out her pregnancy away from family and friends, told she was an unfit parent and coerced by social workers into signing papers to hand her baby over under immense pressure,” Mia explained.

“The idea that this was not just a one-off, but a systemic atrocity that has affected both mothers and their children for decades after really shocked me,” said Dyson. “I was driven to write Jesse as I think that understanding and sharing their story is the best tribute we can give to these brave women as we move towards a national apology in 2013.”

I’m so impressed with the way Mia has tapped into the soul of this story. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear she’d lived it herself. This is one of those songs that really makes you sit up and pay attention.

Mia will support the release of “Jesse” with the following shows.

9 December 2012 – Courthouse Arts, Geelong
10 January 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
11 January 2013 – Sound Lounge, Gold Coast
12 January 2013 – Woombye Hotel, Sunshine Coast
25 January 2013 – Portsea Hotel, Portsea
17 February 2013 – Riverboat Festival, Echuca

Image used with permission from SCG Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Staffords Rock Out with New Single

Melbourne rock act The Staffords have created a real gem in their sophomore single “Love Your Job.”

This song is unashamedly catchy with just the right amount of rock edge. You just see if you’re not singing along to the chorus by the end of it! The B-side “All Your Dead Heroes” is another crowd pleaser. You can hear both tunes now on The Staffords’ Bandcamp page.

These tracks have all the mainstream appeal of something coming from a major label, so I was impressed to read the band’s independent and self-managed. Clearly they’ve got a real ear for the kind of music that makes people happy. However the dark cynicism showcased in their lyrics ensure they’re not just another cookie-cutter pop-rock act.

Hometown fans can catch The Staffords playing the new single and other tracks at The Cornish Arms in Brunswick on December 15. Hopefully it’s only a matter of time before we see them travelling around the rest of the country!

Image source: The Staffords Bandcamp page

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Full Tote Odds Go Retro

Full Tote Odds step back in time with the video for “Adrenaline,” the latest single from their debut album Place Your Bets.

The Adelaide outfit are proud of their hip hop sound, but they’ve given it a soulful edge with this fun film clip. With its irresistible vocal hook and persistent guitar line, it wouldn’t have sounded out of place on a real 60s variety show!

If you like what you hear, make sure you check out the rest of Place Your Bets which is in stores now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cordrazine Announce Rare Melbourne Show

Cordrazine fans have never had it easy. The band’s debut album shot its way into the top ten back in 1997, around the same time the group disbanded.

A little more than a decade later, frontman Hamish Cowan found a new crew and released the band’s long awaited follow-up Always Coming Down. They played three shows to support the release, and then Hamish went AWOL.

You can hardly blame the guy. After suffering an accident at work and the breakdown of his marriage, he escaped to Europe. He worked as a lifeguard at a Bulgarian summer camp, became passionate about running triathlons, and found a new home in Edinburgh.

It seems the hiatus has done Hamish some good, because he’s returning home for one very special show at the Northcote Social Club in Melbourne on December 20. This is the first gig Cordrazine have played in two years, so it’s a must-attend for fans. The band has also just released the video for the album’s title track that they shot way back in February of last year. It’s a timely reminder of just how talented this band is.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ginger & The Ghost Release Stunning New Single

Ginger & The Ghost have really impressed me with “One Type of Dark,” the first single lifted from their forthcoming EP.

The title really clues you in to what kind of track this is. It’s brooding and moody, the kind of song that takes me back to my days as an angsty teenager listening to too much Tori Amos. It’s not simply a gloomy song though. There’s a lovely interplay of light and shade, with the steady minimalist finger-picking rhythm juxtaposed with pounding percussion. You rarely hear songs with this much drama.

Ginger says it’s a song about her “inner child’s imagination. As she leaves a subconscious dream state in bed, she floats out of the window and into thoughts of otherworldly places. Questions with infinite possibilities are asked while visions of herself play out fantastical adventures across far away galaxies. It’s a celebration of our imagination and the importance of keeping it.”

Whatever it is, it’s beautiful. Don’t you agree?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Christo Jones Impresses with “Anyway”

Sydney solo act Christo Jones makes a big impression with his debut single “Anyway.”

This is such a rich, lush song created with Christo’s unique towering rig which features guitars, keyboards, samplers, and pedals. I love the way he literally builds his music, adding layer upon layer. His eclectic influences also make his music something really different. “Anyway” starts off with an African tribal chant and closes with a gentle Irish waltz. Who else is making music like this?

It’s so exciting to uncover an artist who’s truly shaking things up. Expect to hear big things from Christo Jones.

Image used with permission from Tiny Monster

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Northmost Making Homegrown Music

Northmost are a band doing it their way. The housemates from the New South Wales North Coast recorded their debut single “One More” in their own home studio, and shot the video in their backyard.

Understandably without the backing of a big production house, things are a little rough around the edges. However Northmost show a real pop-rock sensibility that’s infectious. According to their YouTube page they “have a lot more music coming soon,” so watch this space!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Navy Spread Good Vibes with “Regular Town”

It might be grey and miserable in my part of Australia, but New Navy have reminded me that summer is on its way with their brand new single “Regular Town.”

This is the ideal warm weather soundtrack, with its African-inspired percussion and cheerful, upbeat melody. It also marks the first official performance from the band’s brand new frontman Luke O’Loughlin. His warm vocals show he’s a worthy replacement for Ben McInerny.

“Regular Town” is released digitally today.

Image used with permission from Remote Control Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tom Busby and Pals are Good Oak

When he’s not singing with his mate Jeremy Marou in the acclaimed folk outfit Busby Marou, Tom Busby is playing music with his housemates in the brand new band Good Oak.

Good Oak began when Tom, Brett Gibson, and Stephen Ryan began jamming over a couple of beers. They soon realised they had something pretty special, so now they’re taking their music to the masses.

This is pure music, without the technology or modern frills. Their three-part harmonies are sublime.

In this electronic press kit you can hear a bit of Good Oak’s first single “Fill My Cup.” It gives us a taste of what’s in store when Good Oak release their debut EP early next year. If this EPK’s any indication, that recording’s going to be something special.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Expat Jess Harlen’s “Weaving”

Jess Harlen is another Aussie making good abroad. She’s currently splitting her time between Brisbane and Boston, but Jess filmed her latest clip in Chinatown, New York.

“Weaving” doesn’t exactly jump out at you, but it’s got a cruisy soulfulness that gets underneath your skin. I found myself humming along by the end of it. The appearance of acclaimed krump dancer HallowDreamz earns the clip extra points.