Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Georgia Fair Release “Blind”

Fresh from touring the country’s best churches with Lisa Mitchell, Georgia Fair are hitting the road again as the headlining act. The Sydney duo will play the major capitals to support the release of their new single “Blind.”

“Blind” has long been one of the highlights of the band’s set, so I’m thrilled to see it’ll hit a wider audience. I love the way the track builds to a dramatic crescendo. That’s helped in no small part by the appearance of Band of Horses’ Bill Reynolds on the recording.

“It’s once in a blue moon that I come across a group with such great harmonies and great songs,” he explained. “When my manager sent me the demos for the LP I knew I had to find a way to work with them.”

Georgia Fair will launch “Blind” with a hometown show on July 6 at The Standard before playing Melbourne’s Toff in Town on July 12.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Peep Tempel Releases Scary New Single

The Peep Tempel have gotten underneath my skin with their gritty new single “Mister Lester Moore.”

This is a really big song, frenetic, wailing, and delightfully dark. It’s a bit more chaotic than the tracks I usually go for, but there’s just something about it that’s charmed me in spite of myself.

What do you think of the song?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cyber Duo Collarbones Launch “Missing” Single

As someone who’s happily married to a man I met online, I know all too well the power of a cyber-connection. So I was thrilled to discover Collarbones, an electronic duo featuring online pals Travis Cook from Adelaide and Marcus Whale from Sydney. Though dividing by some 1150 kays the lads began to create beautiful music together.

Their latest offering is the haunting “Missing,” a track from their forthcoming second album scheduled for release later this year. This is a really powerful tune, with a heartbreaking falsetto, lush orchestration, and some of the most plaintively simple lyrics I’ve heard in some time.

Collarbones are bridging the distance and touring “Missing” this month. The run of dates kicks off tomorrow in Melbourne before taking in capital cities and regional towns along the East Coast.

16 June 2012 – The Gasometer, Melbourne
23 June 2012 – The Gate at Pablos, Epping (All Ages)
24 June 2012 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
28 June 2012 – Terrace Bar, Newcastle
29 June 2012 – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
5 July 2012 – FBi Social, Sydney

Image used with permission from Remote Control Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Deer Republic Give Us “The Score”

DeerRepublic have put a smile on my face with their anthemic new single “The Score.”

The infectiously catchy single gives us a taste of what’s to come from the band’s forthcoming debut EP The Sweet Resistance. Click here to listen to it on deerRepublic’s Facebook page!

It’s surprising to hear this is deerRepublic’s first single, as they’ve enjoyed plenty of airplay on FBi radio over the years with their demo tracks. They also generated plenty of buzz when they beat out thousands of other local acts to take out the uncharted National Band Competition.

If you like what you hear make sure you get down to Upstairs Beresford next month. The band has a residency that will see them making regular appearances at the Surry Hills club during July.

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Penny Hewson Comes Home

After spending the last decade soaking up the Los Angeles sun and thriving music scene, Melbourne singer-songwriter Penny Hewson has returned home.

She’s wasted no time since touching down. She signed a deal with Popboomerang Records, and released this sweet single “This One’s For You,” which gives us our first taste of her forthcoming album It’s An Endless Desire.

Don’t mistake Penny’s sweetness for saccharine. While she sings like an angel there’s a real truth and vulnerability to her lyrics that ensure she’s not just another pop princess. It’s catchy, but it’s not throw-away music.

Hometown fans can catch Penny playing at the Grace Darling in support of Kellie Lloyd’s album launch on June 15. She promises more shows will come as that disc drops this winter.

Image used with permission from Penny Hewson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Stanleys Rock the Globe, Retro Style

The Stanleys are set for world domination with their feel-good retro power pop anthem “Always.”

The irresistible single is the handiwork of Aussie’s Mark De Renzo and Jamie Horsburgh and their Norwegian buddy Norway. Fittingly the trio visited studios in Oslo, Paris, Perth, and Sydney to lay down the EP which features the title track.

The Stanleys laid a solid foundation last year with shows in Europe, North America, Japan, and Australia. This summer they’ll cement their reputation as a band to watch with shows in China, North America, and Australia.

Has this song put a smile on your dial?

Image credit: Lisa Businovski

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elephant Eyes Wow with “Mother Said” Single

I’m not sure what it is about Australian songstresses naming themselves after the peepers of our animal friends, but following Owl Eyes comes new Melbourne band Elephant Eyes.

The moniker’s a bit left of centre but you’ll soon forget all that on listening to the outfit’s dark new piano pop single “Mother Said.” The track comes from the Elephant Eye’s forthcoming debut album, which should be killer if this song’s any indication.

Elephant Eyes will celebrate the digital release of “Mother Said” with a hometown show at The Grace Darling on Friday, June 8. Be there or be square!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Blanche Dubois Tour “The Sum of My Parts”

Perth sister act Blanche Dubois are hitting the road to support the release of their latest single “The Sum of My Parts,” the third from their acclaimed third studio album Young Heart.

The girls are taking some of Australia’s hottest young independent talent along for the rides. They’ve handpicked a swag of promising new acts, including Jack Carty, Whitaker, and Echo and The Empress to serve as supports.

Make sure you arrive at the following shows early to discover some great new bands!

25 May 2012 – The Palais, St. Kilda (with Whitaker)
27 May 2012 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne (with Whitaker)
9 June 2012 – The Basement, Sydney (with Jack Carty)
10 June 2012 – The Promethean, Adelaide (with Southie)
17 June 2012 – The Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane (with We The Ghosts and Echo and the Empress)
5 July 2012 – The Ellington Jazz Club, Perth (with Jessica Morhall)

Image used with permission from Alpha Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Liz Martin Wants Us to Dance a Little, Live a Little

Sydney’s Liz Martin charms with her jaunty new single “So Long,” the latest cut from her brand new album Dance a Little, Live a Little.

I love the track’s playfulness and Liz’s husky vocals. It’s pop music with a hard attitude that’s so compelling. The album promises more of that alongside some moving ballads and whimsical instrumental numbers.

It’s a little strange that this song is so much fun, because Liz wrote the album while recovering from hip surgery. When you’re bedbound for five months, what else is a musician to do but create? It would have been easy to pour her pain into the record, but instead Liz opted to create songs filled with joy and good humor.

Now that she’s back on her feet, Liz is taking Dance a Little, Live a Little on the road with an all-star band featuring Elana Stone and Jacqueline Amidy. Catch Liz at the following shows:

10 May 2012 – Gold Coast Arts Centre, Gold Coast
11 May 2012 – The Waiting Room, Brisbane
18 May 2012 – The Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
19 May 2012 – Notes Live, Sydney
25 May 2012 – Cuda Bar, Lorne
27 May 2012 – The Grace Darling, Melbourne
31 May 2012 – Yours and Owls, Wollongong
1 June 2012 – Front Gallery, Canberra
8 June 2012 – Metro, Adelaide
16 June 2012 – The Waratah Bandroom, Hobart

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sophie Koh Releases Stunning “I Understand” Single

Sophie Koh has captivated me with “I Understand,” the second single lifted from her forthcoming album Oh My Garden.

So many songs have been written about break-ups, but few are quite as searing as this one. There are no hysterics or desperate pleas, simply a resignation and sadness for love lost. Ben Lee and Brad Wood helped Sophie pen the track that she calls “one of the most personal songs” she’s ever written.

I remember catching Sophie Koh supporting Howie Day a few years ago. Her name stuck with me, and I’m thrilled to see the way she’s maturing as an artist. This song is stellar. She’ll launch it for her hometown fans in Melbourne at The Toff in Town on May 31.

Image used with permission from Show Off Services