BESTIES and Between You & Me have joined forces for an epic new single, “two wrongs.” I’ve covered music from both these outfits before, so this track was always going to be up my alley. However, the collaboration is even better than I hoped for. Hit play and you’ll hear exactly what I mean.
“We wanted to write the soundtrack to a rom-com set during a global cataclysm,” admitted BESTIES’ vocalist Max Pasalic. “It’s Love Actually meets Day After Tomorrow.”
“two wrongs” is just the start of plenty of new music set to drop for BESTIES in the coming months. They’ve just wrapped up a tour supporting none other than Between You & Me, but they’re not going into hibernation just yet. They’re set to play the following shows for SXSW Sydney:
18 October 2023 – British Music Embassy @ The Soda Factory, Eora/Surry Hills (from 7 pm)
21 October 2023 – Dr Martens Presents @ The Chippo Hotel, Eora/Chippendale (from 3pm)
Image used with permission from Capital Artist Group
Sunday Lemonade usually charm me with their upbeat folk ditties, but they’re showing a different side with their latest single “I know it sounds simple.” This is a gentler, more contemplative number from this talented Bunurong Country/Mornington Peninsula-based duo, and I’m absolutely smitten.
“I know it sounds simple was written to process the unspeakable actions of one of my long-term friends. I really thought he would take responsibility for what he did, thought he’d do something as simple as apologise for what he’d done but instead he decided to bury it like it never happened,” explained Tyson, one half of Sunday Lemonade. “An apology wouldn’t fix it but would at least help all parties move forward and heal from it. I think we’re all guilty of taking the easy road sometimes instead of facing our issues and talking about them.”
Tyson and his partner in life and music, Loz, always seem to have a full touring schedule. Here are all the places you can hear them play “I know it sounds simple” and other fantastic songs in the coming months.
15 October 2023 – Main St Festival, Bunurong Country/Mornington Peninsula
21 October 2023 – Crack N Jack 2023, Woromi Country/Tanilba Bay
27 October 2023 – The Night Cat, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting CJ Commerford and the Supertones)
10-12 November 2023 – Blues at Bridgetown, Nyungar Country/Bridgetown
25 November 2023 – Always Good Nights @ Guppy Park, Noongar Country/Bunbury
2 December 2023 – Summer Swells @ Indian Ocean Hotel, Wadjak Nyoongar Country/Scarborough
Eora/Sydney artist Ama encapsulates all the uncertainty and complexity of modern connections in her gorgeous new indie-pop single “Car Sex.” The attention-grabbing title might convince you to press play, but her confessional lyrics and heartfelt vocals will convince you to put it on repeat.
“‘Car Sex’ is about a relationship that only existed within the confines of a car. I wrote it about getting too attached during a friends-with-benefits fling and all the feelings that come with a one-sided situationship,” Ama explained. “With these kinds of relationships you know what you’re getting yourself into, and yet when the inevitable downfall happens it’s like ‘woah, who could’ve seen this coming?’”
If you love acts like Olivia Rodrigo and Renee Rapp, I know you’ll adore Ama and this fabulous song.
Andy Martin’s latest single “Toothaches” is the musical warm hug you need on this Wednesday morning. Its laidback acoustic indie feel and quirky lyrics give it a quintessentially Aussie vibe.
“I wrote Toothaches in mid-2022 after an amazing holiday that my partner Maisy and I went on in Tasmania. I feel like the vocal hook in the chorus and the shimmery guitars and synths throughout really paint a picture of cruising along the Australian coastline,” Andy said. “I hope fans of Ball Park Music and Spacey Jane will really take a liking to this one!”
“Toothaches” is our first taste of a bigger body of music that Andy plans to release next year.
If your afternoon is dragging on, hit the volume on “Paperwings,” the latest single from Eora/Sydney pop-punk act ” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>Dial Denial. I guarantee this high-octane number will give you the energy you need to get through to the end of the day.
“‘Paperwings’ is an amalgam of everything I fear as I start to become an adult. I was afraid of a bunch of very small things that stacked up to create complete mental claustrophobia. Moving from home, losing self worth, change, losing my relationship, losing my friends, all that good stuff,” the band’s press release reads. “ The song’s about exhaustion from bending yourself to other peoples will, and saying ‘Fuck that! I worked hard to become who I am and I like who I am’. The chorus is coated with a thick lining of irony, directly pointing the finger at people who play the victim. Everyone goes through tough times, and it’s what makes us who we are. Don’t change who you are for others, change yourself for the better.”
Fresh from supporting Drastic Park, Dial Denial will headline their own show for hometown fans at The Chippo Hotel on November 18.
I must admit, when I heard that Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers had teamed up with The Grogans for their latest single, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I love the angsty energy of Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, but The Grogans’ music hasn’t been my cup of chai. However, the combination of these two acts is really something special. “Salt” is one of the standouts on Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers’ stellar debut album I Love You, which just dropped on October 6.
“During the three years we wrote this the lyrics changed so much, but I think what really pulled it all together was when we decided to have The Grogans join us on the track,” vocalist Anna Ryan shared. “It definitely shifted the energy from something so sad to something so beautiful and special.”
“Being a part of ‘Salt’ was pretty special,” The Grogans added. “It was something super different for us and it is an incredible song to have worked on. This was such a beautiful way for us to learn a lot about the Teen Jesus crew as well as ourselves. We felt that our role in this track was to add a sense of support for each other, musically and outside of the studio. The whole process was healing in a way. This track isn’t about our personal experience yet we find relevance in our own lives, we just hope we added something special. We are grateful to be let in and trusted with such a lovely song.”
Let this be your reminder that Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers are currently on the road playing heaps of shows to support their recently released album, including headlining gigs, festivals, and some stellar supporting slots. See them anywhere you can.
10 October 2023 – The Cube, Waywurru Country/Wondonga (supporting DMA’s)
11 October 2023 – Kambri at ANU, Ngunnawal/Canberra (supporting DMA’s)
13 October 2023 – Anita’s Theatre, Wodi Wodi Country/Thirroul (supporting DMA’s)
14 October 2023 – Yours & Owls Festival, Woolyungah/Wollongong
20 October 2023 – Bar on the Hill, Awabakal/Newcastle (supporting DMA’s)
21 October 2023 – Hoey Moey, Gumbaynggirr/Coffs Harbour (supporting DMA’s)
22 October 2023 – Kingscliffe Beach Hotel, Bundjalung/Kingscliff (supporting DMA’s)
27 October 2023 – The Triffid, Meanjin/Brisbane (Lic/AA)
28 October 2023 – Tanks Arts Centre, Gimuy/Cairns (supporting DMA’s)
29 October 2023 – Tanks Arts Centre, Gimuy/Cairns (supporting DMA’s)
2 November 2023 – UniBar, Tarndanya/Adelaide (Lic/AA)
3 November 2023 – 170 Russell, Naarm/Melbourne
10 November 2023 – The River, Wadandi Boodja/Margaret River
11 November 2023 – Port Beach Brewery, Walyalup/Fremantle
17 November 2023 – Metro Theatre, Eora/Sydney (Lic/AA)
4 December 2023 – AAMI Stadium, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Foo Fighters)
Image used with permission from Super Duper; credit: Neve Van Boxsel
Eora/Sydney pop-rock act Loretta have been releasing music at such a furious pace that I don’t blame you if you’re struggling to keep up. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, they’ve digitally bundled their latest track “Wish I Could Show You” with “All My Friends (Are Your Friends)”, which dropped in mid-September. The two tracks show different sides of this exciting ensemble.
“‘Wish I Could Show You’ is about the essence of growth, self-discovery, and profound changes and experiences that come with time and getting older. It offers a deeply personal perspective from us that acts as a love letter to the past, acknowledging the evolution of relationships, friendships and personal aspirations,” Loretta explained of the upbeat, nostalgic cut.
“‘All My Friends’ navigates the complexities that come with trying to maintain a friendship after a breakup, delving into the challenges that come with sharing a social circle with an ex,” Loretta said of this bittersweet ballad. “It is a portrayal of the stage immediately after a relationship ends, encapsulating the bittersweet reality of seeing your ex move on, whilst trying to focus on moving on yourself.”
We can look forward to more new music from Loretta when their new EP Never Thought of Growing Up drops on November 3. To celebrate the release, they’ll play the following East Coast shows:
4 November 2023 – Yah Yah’s, Naarm/Melbourne
9 November 2023 – Stranded Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
17 November 2023 – Towradji Beach Hotel, Warrang/Wollongong
23 November 2023 – Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney
25 November 2023 – King Street, Mulubinba/Newcastle
Woolyungah/Wollongong band Lizzie Jack and the Beanstalks have just dropped the video for their latest single “Dumb Decisions,” and it’s a love song with a different. Sweet without the saccharine, it celebrates the risky decision to get romantically involved with a friend.
This is the first song featuring the band’s new drummer Paul Pozzachio, who’s slotted in nicely alongside vocalist Lizzie Jack, lead guitarist Alex Fordyce, and bassist Jayke Beckette. I love the jangly 90s feel and relatable storyteller lyrics.
Lizzie Jack and the Beanstalks will open up the RAD Stage at the Yours & Owls Festival on October 15, so if you’re getting along make sure you catch their set!
Image used with permission from Lizzie Jack and the Beanstalks
If you’ve ever had it bad for someone who was yet to see your worth, I know you’re going to fall for Hattie Oates’ latest single “You Could Love Me Back.” This is a perfect piece of indie pop music, with a catchy melody and lyrics that speak right to your soul.
“I wrote this song early last year in Sydney, with one of my favorite co-writers/producers, Liam Quinn. It was our second session together, and we wanted to try something a bit more down-tempo and heartfelt. I had typed the first verse in my notes that morning, so once we’d settled on some chords, it all clicked into place fairly quickly; we were done in a few hours. I remember listening back to it on the drive home and thinking … ‘OMG, this needs to be in a movie scene!’ I felt like it held a sort of cinematic emotion; I may have cried a little haha!”
Hattie has been having a ball seeing the sights of London of late (follow her on Insta for all the pics!), but hopefully she’ll be back playing shows for us all really soon.
Highline found a special place in my heart with their EP Overrun last year. It’s taken some time for this Eora/Sydney band to regroup, but they’ve come back strong with “Exit A,” their first release for 2023. It’s a gorgeous indie-rock ballad which shows they’re a real force to be reckoned with.
“Exit A is a song about losing a friend. It’s reflecting on the loss and realising that the writing was on the wall so to speak ‘I should have seen this coming from miles away’. It’s frustrating losing people that once meant so much to you and this song expresses that frustration,” explained frontman Sam Rigney. “The song captures the sadness that comes with witnessing this happen and the reflective emotions that come with recognising things aren’t how they used to be, and wondering whether you could have stopped it from happening. This song was one of those tunes where the general premise was always there but no progress was really made for about a year then it all sort of wrote itself within a couple of hours. The title came about because the chords were E and A, so we just called the song EA, which is how we arrived at Exit A.”
There’s more new music from Highline on its way, with the band promising to release their next EP in 2024. They’ve also just been announced on the bill for the Good Gumnuts Festival in Pakana Country/Heybridge on January 5 and 6.
