Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boo Seeka Drops “Come With Me” Ahead of Album Release and Tour

Boo Seeka has just released his hypnotic new single “Come With Me,” and I just know you’re going to love it. It’s such a cool slow burner, the kind of song that sneaks up on you as it builds so beautifully. It’s got a great chill vibe that makes me think of kicking back with drinks and friends by a pool or on some happening rooftop bar.

“Come With Me” will feature on Boo Seeka’s new album Midnight Highlight, which drops on January 19.

“Midnight Highlight means a new chapter has been written for me personally, and I can’t wait to go share it with people who want to be part of it,” Boo Seeka said. “I’m not saying we are reinventing the wheel here, but I don’t think anyone can say we sound exactly like any other artist, which is what I think any creative person should strive for. Each album (and each track to be honest) will change, and we are not going to put ourselves in a box for the years to come. What sounds good to us in that moment is what we write and record!”

After playing a bunch of summer festivals and supporting Boy and Bear around Europe and the United Kingdom, Boo Seeka will head out on a massive Aussie tour. I know that sounds like ages away, but the shows are in such small venues I’d probably grab my tickets now while you still can.

16 February 2024 – Solbar, Jinbara Country/Maroochydore
17 February 2024 – The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane
23 February 2024 – Metro Theatre, Eora/Sydney
24 February 2024 – King Street Bandroom, Mulubinba/Newcastle
25 February 2024 – Miami Marketta Laneway, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
1 March 2024 – Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
2 March 2024 – HABA, Bunurong Country/Rye
3 March 2024 – Sooki Lounge, Wurundjeri Country/Belgrave
8 March 2024 – Lion Arts Factory, Tarntanya/Adelaide
9 March 2024 – Uni Bar, Nipaluna/Hobart
15 March 2024 – The River, Wooditup/Margaret River
16 March 2024 – Froth Craft Bunbrewery, Goomburrup/Bunbury
17 March 2024 – Freo.Social, Walyalup/Fremantle
21 March 2024 – Seabreeze Hotel, Yuwibara Country/Mackay
22 March 2024 – Otherwise Bar, Thul Garrie Waja/Townsville
23 March 2024 – Gilligans, Gimuy/Cairns

Photo credit: Ned Kelly

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Grace Sanders and Padmanabham are Scratching

I am swooning over “Peter,” the first single from Grace Sanders and Ezekiel Padmanabham’s new creative project Scratching. In the past few years we’ve seen this duo release a couple of EPs and support diverse artists including Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Winston Surfshirt, Katy Steele, and Boo Seeka. Their experience shows in this release, which was inspired by the story of Peter Pan, but the new direction for their music adds some real excitement. It’s cinematic, a little folky, a little orchestral, and just downright beautiful.

“This song was initially written as a poem and was inspired by old soundtracks from musicals such as The Sound of Music and the woeful crooning of singers such as Doris Day, Skeeter Davis and the Mellowmen,” Grace explained. “We wanted to create something floaty and dreamlike that referenced that feeling of dissociation within the naive optimism of music from the 50s/60s. The song later became much more influenced by artists such as Lana del Rey and beach house as we put our own modern spin to those initial references and discovered how the story wanted to be told.”

After one release, I’m hooked. I can’t wait to hear more from Scratching.

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kobie Dee and Stan Walker Team Up For “Father’s Eyes”

Gomeroi man Kobie Dee channels the frustrations and lessons learnt from his childhood into his powerful new single “Father’s Eyes.” Featuring former Australian Idol champ Stan Walker, the lyrics touch on breaking familiar cycles, creating generational change, and beating the system. It’s hard-hitting, but ultimately so uplifting.

Kobie and Stan traveled to unceded Bidjigal Lane for the video, directed by Kieran Satour of GARUWA, who is a Gurindji, Pertame Arrernte, and Worimi man.

“Working with Kobie and Stan on this clip was such a blessing,” Keiran said. “This special song, deeply grounded in their own experiences as Indigenous fathers and sons, is about highlighting the strength and resilience of all the families out there striving to break cycles.”

“It was really important to me to work with someone I trust and have a Creative Director like Kieran lead this project and help apply a cultural lens and make sure both our Aboriginal and Māori cultures were represented appropriately and in a strong, beautiful way,” Kobie added. “It was a great collaboration and I feel everyone that was involved really resonated with what the track was about and really captured the vision for the video clip.”

“Father’s Eyes” is Kobie’s first solo release since he dropped “Basics” in 2022. Way to come back to the game!

Photo credit: Tristan Stefan Edouard

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

King Ibis Drop “Watch My Mind Bend” Ahead of Coldplay Support

Boorloo/Perth-based indie-rock act King Ibis are poised for the big time after winning Coldplay’s recent competition for a local support act. These guys have been playing local pubs and clubs supporting local legends like Spacey Jane, Jebediah, and Dulcie, but those stages are much smaller than the one at Optus Stadium that awaits them. Listening to their new single “Watch My Mind Bend” though, I know they’ve got the goods. Controversial opinion, but I like them a lot better than Coldplay!

“‘Watch My Mind Bend’ is about trying to quit a bad habit,” the band explained. “In this case, the habit is a friends-with-benefits situation that you know will end in tears, but the allure of that physical connection is still too powerful to resist.”

Along with that Coldplay support, King Ibis are supporting Green Pools and playing slots at the Balmy Nights Festival later this month. Catch them anywhere you can:

11 November 2023 – The Bird, Boorloo/Perth (supporting Green Pools)
19 November 2023 – Optus Stadium, Boorloo/Perth (supporting Coldplay)
24 November 2023 – Balmy Nights Festival @ Youth and Arts Space Hopetoun, Boorloo/Perth
25 November 2023 – Balmy Nights Festival @ Cannery Arts Centre, Kepa Kurl/Esperance

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

SANNIA Slays With “august”

SANNIA is serving up a serious dose of nostalgia with her latest single “august.” It’s a beautiful track about how first love often lingers no matter how many years pass. If you still think about the one that got away, you’re going to connect with this song.

“‘August’ is the quintessential love letter to your teenage flame. It’s a song about the one that got away; the high school boyfriend that deserved better; the one you thought you’d spend forever with; you never forget your first,” said SANNIA. “I wrote ‘august’ in the middle of that Melbourne lockdown during August itself when I was looking back to better times perhaps with rose tinted glasses on. It’s a windows down, driving down the coast, wind in your hair, jasmine in the air sort of song. As a self-appointed sad girl, it’s been liberating and exciting to write my first ever love song.”

This is the third song released from SANNIA’s forthcoming debut album, James, which I’m anticipating more and more with every single I hear. We’ll get to listen when it drops on November 17.

Image used with permission from Gyro PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Corby Releases Smooth Summer Anthem, “Desert Land”

Matt Corby is bringing some serious summer vibes with his latest track “Desert Land.” It’s a cool, breezy number that makes me think of sipping cocktails and relaxing in the sun. It takes its cues from classic yacht rock, but there’s a modern freshness that I know you’re going to love.

Matt says the song was “inspired by the close relationships we have that operate in tandem with our vices and addictions, and how both of those things influence each other”.

Matt wrote this one with his good friends and regular collaborators Chris Collins (Gang of Youths, Middle Kids, Skegss) and Nat Dunn (Rita Ora, Charli XCX, Tkay Maidza). Matt and Chris also produced “Desert Land.”

Following recent shows in the United Kingdom, Europe, and North America, Matt should be in fine form when he plays some solo shows and festivals here and in New Zealand in the coming months.

1 December 2023 – Powerstation, Auckland
2 December 2023 – Anderson Park, Wellington (with Allen Stone)
8 December 2023 – Fremantle Prison, Walyup/Fremantle
10 December 2023 – Fremantle Prison, Walyup/Fremantle
14 January 2024 – SummerSalt @ Mornington Racecourse, Bunurong Country/Mornington
28 March – 1 April 24 – Bluesfest 2024, Cavanbah/Byron Bay

Photo credit: Matt & Madeline Johnson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Live Like Animals Pull Out All the Stops With “Modern State of Mind”

Eora/Sydney-based band Live Like Animals will release their debut album Modern State of Mind tomorrow, but I couldn’t wait to share something with you. The single “Bloom” is probably my favourite track from the album, a big rousing number which combines pop, rock, emo, and metal sounds with style. Just see if you’re not punching your fist in the air by the time the chorus rolls around.

This genre-bending track goes some way towards telling you what you can expect when Live Like Animals’ album, Modern State of Mind, drops tomorrow. The band’s press release describes them as a pop-rock band, but that doesn’t tell half the story. These guys love playing with genre. There are some serious twists and turns as the band’s high-level concept plays out.

“Modern State Of Mind is about six different rooms of the mind,” they explained. “Visually, the concept centres around the mind being like an multi-levelled office suite with the first track, Modern State of Mind being like the elevator music as you take it up to the different songs, the different states of mind, if you will.”

This album is so bold that I can really appreciate the attempt, even if the music isn’t all to my taste. When you take risks like Live Like Animals does, you’re probably never going to please people all of time, but you will create art.

You can hear for yourself when Live Like Animals release Modern State of Mind tomorrow. They’re also embarking on a mini-tour next week to support its release.

10 November 2023 – Stay Gold, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting RinRin)
15 November 2023 – Hamilton Station Hotel, Awabakal/Newcastle (FREE)
16 November 2023 – The Basement, Ngunnawal/Canberra
18 November 2023 – The Burdekin Hotel, Eora/Sydney (supporting The Last Martyr)

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Daniel Trakell Charms With Folky New Single, “Waves”

Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Daniel Trakell offers a taste of his forthcoming sophomore album with the release of his beautiful new single “Waves.” This is one of those delicate folky songs whose beauty might just pass you by if you’re not paying attention. I must admit, it didn’t quite hit for me either the first time, as I was listening while doing a million other things. But on the second listen, on an early morning where I was a little more focused and receptive, it swept me away.

“Waves is a song about what comes after reaching a point where you can’t go on anymore, that feeling of completely surrendering, giving in and letting go,” Daniel explained. “One of the last songs written for the album, the demo was very basic guitar and vocals. When we got into the studio we ran through it a couple of times live as a band with drums, pedal steel, guitar and upright bass, piano and horns added in a later session.”

“Waves” comes from Daniel’s album, Into the Blue, which drops on November 24. He’ll celebrate its release with a show for hometown fans at Lulie Tavern on December 3.

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Moonsea Celebrates Emotional Side With “Sensitive”

Like so many women, I’ve been called “too sensitive” more than once. So I really connect with moonsea’s moving new single “Sensitive,” which celebrates this tendency to feel things deeply.

“I grew up as a pretty sensitive kid,” moonsea recalled. “I would cry readily, laugh unreservedly and feel things fully and deeply. This got the well-meaning adults in my life worried. If I cried every time I heard a sad story, saw a bug get squashed or got told off by a teacher, how would I make it through this life in one piece?”

Over time she came to discover that “being sensitive could possibly be a good thing, a superpower even. Some of the strongest and most empathetic women were sensitive kids. Feeling deeply allows you to experience the depth of the human experience and connect with other people in a really meaningful way.”

“Sensitive” is paired with a heartwarming music video, which sees the character of Cece Moon enter the Moonville Talent Show ten times, persevering until she finally wins the judges over. Watch it and I know you’ll feel better about the world and your place in it.

Photo credit: Barbara Luyza

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Route 33 Bring the Sunshine With “Summer You”

You know summer can’t be too far away when acts are dropping songs like “Summer You”. From South Queensland duo Route 33, this is a straight-up feelgood country party anthem. Turn it up, grab yourself a cold beer, and let the it do its magic. This song is so much fun.

Trent McArdle and Jock Barnes, the lads from Route 33, cowrote the song based on Jock’s memories of his teenage years. Now a married man with kids, he recalls a more carefree time surrounded by mates, where his key concerns were the next wave and next beer. It’s pure nostalgia and so enjoyable to listen to, no matter what stage of life you’re in.

Image used with permission from Rock This Country