Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

BESTIES and Yours Truly Drop “love bombs”

BESTIES have teamed up with Yours Truly for a truly epic new single, “love bombs.” This pop-punk-rock tune is the second song lifted from BESTIES’ forthcoming three-track EP, which will drop on November 23.

The track came out of some songwriting sessions between BESTIES and viral sensation Ula late last year, but it wasn’t fully realised until BESTIES guitarist Nat Sherwood went on tour with Yours Truly. They entered the studio together and rewrote, produced, and perfected it to sound like the killer release it is today.

“I loved working with Besties,” Mikaila Delgado of Yours Truly said. “Nat has worked with my band Yours Truly on live shows and even co-wrote on our new record so it was awesome to be involved in something for his project. I really believe in them so it was great to be a small part of their big journey.”

BESTIES will perform “love bombs” and other favourites for am//pm’s Halloween shows in the coming weeks. If they’re not coming to your hometown or you missed out on tickets, don’t stress. The band’s promising more gigs in 2025.

25 October 2024 – King Street Bandroom, Mulubinba/Newcastle
26 October 2024 – The Burdekin, Eora/Sydney (SOLD OUT)
2 November 2024 – The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from Capital Artist Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rocking New Terra Rouge Track Up for Song of the Year

Feeling a little angsty today? Then you’re going to love “Couch Song,” the latest track from Naarm/Melbourne-based rock princess Terra Rouge.

Don’t let its name fool you. This track is an energetic number with crunchy guitar chords and some biting lyrics from Terra. It’s an empowerment anthem that sends a big “fuck you” to her ex. Loving it!

If you love it as much as me, make sure you head to the Melbourne District Music Awards Insta page and click the voting link. Terra is up for song of the year, an honour she richly deserves for this one! Locals can also see her live at Terra Rouge’s Halloween House Party on October 31. The venue’s yet to be announced, but tickets are available now through Eventbrite.

Image used with permission from Ruckus PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sadie Mustoe Releases Relatable New Single, “I Find You Interesting”

I am lucky enough to be married to an interesting man. We’re 17 years into that marriage, but he still fascinates me. He’s also a bit more reserved than I am, a man of few words if you will, which probably keeps the mystery going. So “I Find You Interesting,” the latest single from Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Sadie Mustoe, has really struck a chord with me.

“‘I Find You Interesting’ was written in April last year when I was sick with a cold and itching to sing and write. Every moment that happens in this song I can picture in my head because the images are what I started with. Someone sitting at a bar, in a cinema, a locket necklace around their neck. To me, the song is incredibly visual,” Sadie explained. “The story ended up becoming one about curiosity. Centering around someone who is introverted, mysterious, and potentially a little lonely and the narrator who finds them so interesting yet struggles to form a connection.”

Sadie will play Maldon Folk Festival, which runs from November 1-4, and then a show for hometown fans at The Workers Club on December 21.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jesse Marantz Releases Pop Bop, “Feel Good ’24”

If you’re anything like me, you need a little something to get moving on this Monday. Where I am the weather’s gloomy and I’d much rather be snuggled up with a book and a blanket than doing anything productive. When that kind of inertia strikes, upbeat pop is always my go-to. Jesse Marantz is hitting the spot with his latest single “Feel Good ’24.”

This track, featuring vocals from Renee A, is so much fun and irresistibly catchy. We shouldn’t be surprised it’s an earworm though, as Jesse is behind major ad campaigns for Reebok, BMW, Myer, Subaru, Uber, and heaps more. It’d be easy to rake in the coin for jingles, but Jesse is ready to focus on music that reflects his artistry.

“I’m at a stage in my life where I’d like to get some of my songs out there and have a body of work that represents me and something I can look back on and be proud of,” he said. “Also, I’ve got two kids and I don’t want them growing up knowing me as only ‘that guy with that one song in the Myer ads’, if I can avoid it.”

The release of “Feel Good ‘24” is definitely a good way to convince us Jesse has much more than ad music in him!

Image used with permission from Hunger Digital

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Slowly Slowly Release Rock Banger “Forgiving Spree”

Naarm/Melbourne outfit Slowly Slowly have knocked it out of the park with their fantastic new single “Forgiving Spree.” It’s such a great rock tune with fabulous lyrics and a catchy AF chorus that should have you singing along and punching the air soon enough. It’s such an earworm, I must have listened to it at least five times straight and I’m definitely preparing for round six.

“Forgiving Spree” is the title track from Slowly Slowly’s forthcoming fifth album, which drops on January 24. “‘Forgiving Spree’ was written at the end of the writing period for the album,” explained the band’s frontman and songwriter Ben Stewart. “It’s a song about moving on, real deep lasting change, and the act of forgiveness as a tool to achieve it. It is also a reminder that forgiveness can be a tool used to move forward, let go, grow, and not look back.”

Slowly Slowly have bundled “Forgiving Spree” with a couple of other album tracks on the streaming services, so make sure you give those a listen too. They’ve certainly got me anticipating this release!

Fresh from European and UK shows supporting Stand Atlantic, Slowly Slowly have announced a stack more. Aussie dates are a little light on, but watch this space and I’m sure they’ll announce some more local gigs soon enough.

2 December 2024 – SWG3 Warehouse, Glasgow (supporting Crawlers – SOLD OUT)
3 December 2024 – Gorilla, Manchester (supporting Crawlers – SOLD OUT)
4 December 2024 – O2 Academy, Liverpool (supporting Crawlers)
6 December 2024 – O2 Institute 2, Birmingham (supporting Crawlers – SOLD OUT)
7 December 2024 – The Dome, London (supporting Crawlers – SOLD OUT)
6-9 February 2025 – Party in the Paddock @ Quercus Park, Lutruwita/Tasmania
9 March 2025 – Limestone Coast Beer & BBQ Festival, Bungandidj Country/Mount Gambier
14 March 2025 – Academy 2, Dublin
16 March 2025 – Cat House, Glasgow
18 March 2025 – Key Club, Leeds
19 March 2025 – Deaf Institute, Manchester
20 March 2025 – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
22 March 2025 – Camden Assembly, London
24 March 2025 – AB Club, Brussels
26 March 2025 – Supersonic, Paris (FREE)
27 March 2025 – Rotown, Rotterdam
29 March 2025 – Artheatre, Cologne
30 March 2025 – Badehaus, Berlin

Photo credit: Kane Hibberd

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nocturnal Delivers 80s Vibes With “Cold Hearts”

When I find myself saying “They just don’t write songs like that anymore,” I hear my dad’s voice ringing in my ears. I enjoy listening to the evolution of music, but there’s an irresistible pull to those tunes that sound like throwbacks to my youth. So you can bet that “Cold Hearts,” the latest track from Boorloo/Perth-based act Nocturnal is right up my alley. It’s got a classic ‘80s pop-rock sound that I’m convinced will never really go out of style.

The production values could go toe-to-toe with any of the era’s popular tunes, so it’s impressive to learn that Nocturnal recorded and produced it in his home studio. The song was later mixed by Dave Parkin at Blackbird Studios, followed by a mastering session with Simon Struthers at Forensic Audio.

“Cold Hearts” comes from Nocturnal’s forthcoming EP HEARTATTACK, which will be released really soon.

Image used with permission from Nocturnal

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jake Whittaker Celebrates Kiwi Heritage With “Coming Home”

Local country artists are absolutely killing it at the moment. It was only yesterday I was raving about Braeden Faint, and now I want to put another name on your radar: Jake Whittaker. Jake hails from Southern Queensland, but his latest track “Coming Home” is about his father’s hometown, Eltham, Aotearoa/New Zealand.

“I was having a chat with my co-writer, producer and best friend Jared Adlam about how I have this intrinsic feeling that every time I head back to Eltham, that I’m coming home,” Jake explained. “I didn’t grow up there, but I know all the stories of him growing up, all his friends are still there, my Kiwi family are still there and it feels like home. I feel like everybody has that town or place that when they spend time there, it feels like second nature going there whether it’s your favourite camping spot, grandparents’ place, or somewhere you used to holiday. It’s that place when you head there, it’s like coming home.”

Jake will play for his own hometown when he takes to the stage at the Monte Music Muster in Mungaree/Slacks Creek on November 23.

Image used with permission from Bec Gracie Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Saif and Samin Al Sabah Collab on “Celebration”

Saif has teamed up with fellow Eora/Sydney-based Samin Al Sabah, the lead singer of Packing Dhaka, for a fabulous new single “Celebration.”

This is such an exciting fusion of genres. Saif brings his signature hip-hop rhymes which somehow pair beautifully with Samin’s cool jazzy neo-soul sound. And then when you dig into those lyrics, which look to empower the oppressed and encourage them to embrace their inner strength and rise up, you start to realise how truly special this single is.

“Power to you, my music for you, be liberated,” Saif enthused.

“Celebration” is such an exciting release from Saif. I can’t wait to hear what he does next.

Image used with permission from Saif

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Baeden Faint Releases Mental Health Anthem “A Whole Lot More”

Baeden Faint has just released “A Whole Lot More,” a powerful and uplifting anthem for rising up when mental health issues take their toll. They’re themes that hit home for Baeden, who’s battled his own mental health issues and seen friends lose their fight.

“I was struggling, feeling isolated from friends and family” Baeden recalled of writing the song. “I tracked back home for a bit of a birthday bash to get my head straight and to see my friends, but sadly woke up the night after to find out that one of my mates had lost the battle himself.”

He wrote it with a melancholy tone in mind, but it shifted once producer Garth Porter got involved. “Garth saw it as a more hopeful and uplifting song, and so the music steered in that direction,” he said.

Baeden will bring his message and some great tunes to towns in regional and rural NSW at the following shows:

11 October 2024 – MusicNSW Outback Tour @ Wilcannia Golf Club, Barkindji Country/Wilcannia
12 October 2024 – MusicNSW Outback Tour @ Palace Hotel, Wilyakali Country/Broken Hill
22 February 2025 – Country Sounds Festival, Wiradjuri Country/Parkes

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Whiskey Jack Comes Up Trumps With “Wild Card”

I’ve had one of those days where the music just doesn’t seem to stick. Every song either made me turn up my nose or just washed over me without making an impression. And then I heard “Wild Card,” the charming new single from Boorloo/Perth singer-songwriter Whiskey Jack. It’s a gentle, folky ditty that has a warm, nostalgic air that’s cast a spell over me. Amazing poetic lyrics, a distinctive, special voice; I’m sold.

“This song is about the highs and lows of going through things together, and being there for someone even while watching them repeat the same mistakes,” Whiskey Jack explained.

This is so special, hopefully we’ll be hearing a lot more from Whiskey Jack in the future.

Photo credit: Emma Smart