Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordan Merrick Releases Emotional Ballad, “The Painting”

Jordan Merrick has got me right in the feels with his latest single “The Painting.” It’s a simple song on the surface, with a fairly basic melody and just a little acoustic guitar and harmonica keeping Jordan’s voice company. But that’s a blank canvas for Jordan to tell a gorgeous story about a painting his father gifted him, and about his relationship with the man who raised him. Jordan’s father gave him one of his artistic creations as a gift. After a bad day, Jordan found himself admiring that painting.

“I sat staring at it for what felt like an eternity,” he admitted. “It now stands as a stern reminder of the need to rebel through creation, to remain true to the soul that writes prose or wields a brush. It [‘The Painting’] is a conversation with an alternate version of myself who lets life beat the art out of me. It isn’t a song of hate or anger, but of love.”

“The Painting” comes from Jordan’s recently released album Winner Take Nothing. It’s all good stuff, but I think this simple, poignant song is the standout. After supporting acts including C.W. Stoneking, Alex the Astronaut, and Mia Dyson recently, he’ll headline the following shows in Queensland.

18 November 2023 – Stranded Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
1 December 2023 – Home of the Arts, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pierce Brothers Impress With First Self-Produced Single, “Studio”

Naarm/Melbourne indie-folk duo Pierce Brothers are one of those outfits who never seem to put a foot wrong. Their latest single “Studio” sees the lads producing their music for the first time, in partnership with longtime collaborator Phil Threlfall, and the results are simply brilliant. Their trademark harmonies and acoustic guitars are showcased so beautifully on this track, the first lifted from their next album.

“We first jammed this track onstage during soundcheck in Marlo, East Gippsland, and wrote the lyrics while sitting in a hotel room in Johannesburg,” Jack said. “I was feeling particularly disconnected from home when we came up with the idea for the lyrics, I missed my family, my kids. The idea of being so caught up in music that I would lose them haunted me, and this song was an exploration of those emotions.”

Pierce Brothers also recorded the song in Jack’s home studio.

“I have to say the best part was the commute!” he enthused. “We’re just so stoked that this is the start of something new here. We have this incredible space at our disposal all the time now! We can’t wait to just write album after album!”

Pierce Brothers will return to Europe next February. If you’re living over there, make sure you grab yourself a ticket.

13 February 2024 – The Garage, London
15 February 2024 – Reflektor, Liege
16 February 2024 – Badehaus Szimpla, Berlin
17 February 2024 – Nochtspeicher, Hamburg
18 February 2024 – Artheater, Cologne
20 February 2024 – Rotown, Rotterdam
21 February 2024 – Vera, Groningen
22 February 2024 – Doornroosje (Purple Room), Nijmegen
23 February 2024 – Paradiso – Tolhuistuin, Amsterdam
25 February 2024 – Strom, Munich
27 February 2024 – Supersonic Records, Paris
28 February 2024 – Paard Van Troje, The Hague

Photo credit: Dara Munnis

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Buoys and Sløtface Release Online Collaboration, “Fight Back Time”

The pandemic showed us that distance needn’t be a barrier to creating great art. Most artists have gotten back to collaborating in person, but it’s refreshing to see some still making use of the technological tools at their disposal to create exciting new works. Thanks to Zoom, Aussie band The Buoys and Norway’s Sløtface have teamed up for their fabulous new single “Fight Back Time.” If you love acts like Wet Leg and Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers, I know this will be right up your alley.

“Fight Back Time for me is about feeling way too caught up in everything you’re doing when you have too much going on, and desperately trying to grab some pieces of your life back so that you feel in control.” Explained Haley Shea of Sløtface, who wrote the bones of the song with collaborators and producers Michael Champion and Paul Whalley. She ended up shelving it, but found new inspiration after connecting digitally with The Buoys.

“Zoe [Catterall, The Buoys’ vocalist] and I met up on Zoom from our wildly different time zones and I instantly felt the connection. We had so much in common when it came to the theme of the song, and it felt extra fitting to be having that conversation early morning my time, and late evening Zoe’s time,” Haley recalled. “We bonded over the struggle of making time for everything as a working musician and songwriter.”

“Time is a concept I write about a lot! Balancing your day job with a hectic touring schedule is no piece of cake and it was really cool to talk at length about this with Haley at the end of my working day in Australia when her day was just starting in Norway,” Zoe added. “I feel like we’re all trying to fit in what we want to do around our responsibilities while also making time for family and friends. What’s left in the end is a dose of exhaustion and the feeling that sometimes time is getting away from you and that’s definitely what resonated with me the most.”

It may have started online, but Sløtface has been enjoying time in Australia meeting The Buoys in person and participating in songwriting sessions with local artists this month. It sounds like we’ll hear a lot more Aussie collaborations from Sløtface in future. Until then, follow them on the socials to see all their local adventures.

Photo credit: Jess Gleason

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Zachary Leo Gets Me Grooving With “Time After Time”

A little funk never goes astray on a Sunday morning, right? If you’re still coming down from the night before, you’ll appreciate the smooth vibes of “Time After Time,” the latest track from Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Zachary Leo. It sounds every bit as cool as he looks!

“‘Time After Time’ is a song about a conflict that has arisen between two people in a relationship, when one person isn’t being the best version of themselves,” Zachary explained. “The song is sung from that person’s perspective as they try to piece together what has caused these problems and how they can make amends. The song constantly shifts between external and internal dialogue and is a mirror into overthinking and overanalysing situations.”

Zachary will perform a couple of shows for hometown fans in the coming months to support his release. You know you’ll have a good time at one of the following gigs:

4 November 2023 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Great Gable)
8 December 2023 – The Gasometer, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ridzyray Drops Inspiring Single “Keep Ya Head Up” As Part of Singing Our Futures Program

Such amazing music is coming out of the Singing Our Futures program. If you’re not already across is, the Archie Roach Foundation initiative pairs emerging First Nations artists with more established mentors for songwriting and recording sessions. The latest track released as part of the program is “Keep Ya Head Up,” a feelgood song of hope from Wemba-Wemba MC Ridzyray, who worked with hip hop act DOBBY.

“I don’t really know how to describe it; music is still such a new thing for me so most of the time I just throw some sounds and words together till I feel good about it so I guess it’s a ‘feel good sound’,” Ridzyray admitted. “’Keep Ya Head Up’ is kind of like a message and reminder to myself to be proud of the things I’ve over come in life, what I have accomplished and who I am and to not let that self-doubt and negativity consume my brain. And I’m hoping that people can relate. Plus, all the family always ask for a shout out in the songs so I threw in as many as I could at the end there.”

Speaking of working with DOBBY, Ridzyray said “The experience was so simple and smooth. I had an idea of what I wanted and shared it with him. It’s like he knew exactly what I wanted and what it needed to bring it to life and next thing I know we had a track there ready to go.”

“For me, Uncle Archie Roach stands as a symbol of what is possible for Indigenous artists,” he added. “He’s paved the way for so many of us, and I’m honoured to be mentioned in the same sentence. I was always playing sport and was sure that would be what I’d end up doing but injuries led to mental health issues which led to addictions and substance abuse and the only way out of that hole for me seemed to be music. I’m just doing what brings me joy, I feel very, very lucky.”

The program’s music will come together with the release of the Singing Our Futures Vol. 1 EP, slated for release on November 17.

Photo credit: Jacinta Keefe

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Emma Donovan Goes Solo With “Blak Nation”

It seems like Emma Donovan has been a force forever, so it’s surprising to see that she’s only just released her first solo single. It’s worth the wait though, with her latest track “Blak Nation” making a really strong statement. This soulful single, in every sense of the word, celebrates the contributions of emerging First Nations voices in the music biz and the strides that have already been made to bring all Australians together, even as there’s so much yet to do.

“Lyrically Blak Nation is about a cultural practice called back burning, we make a cool fire to promote regrowth. The ‘cool fire’ is reference to the new generation,” she explained. “Bringing the Blak Nation to front of this nation, new artists continuing to tell their powerful stories. That ‘cool fire’ is new generation of Blak voice in Music industry today. I’m proud of the progress we have made as a nation. Seeing Aboriginal names of Country & People shared. To see all kinds of people acknowledging traditional places where they live and work. This didn’t happen for my old people and even me growing up, it’s good to see it more now.”

Emma will play Brunswick Ballroom in Naarm/Melbourne on December 3 as part of the Always Live Ballroom Mixtape Series. Tickets are on sale now from Moshtix.

Photo credit: Ian Laidlaw

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

SOULSLEEP Impress on Debut With “Glass Heart”

Eora/Sydney-based alt-rockers SOULSLEEP have just dropped their debut track “Glass Heart,” and I can’t stop listening. It’s so innovative, blending elements of alternative metal, emo, pop-punk, and dance together for a really fresh sound.

SOULSLEEP guitarist Jayden Zago got raw when explaining the inspiration and meaning behind “Glass Heart.” “When the COVID pandemic began, my mental health deteriorated. I was depressed and angry and felt like I had no quality of life. I was encouraged to see a psychologist and was lucky to get an appointment. I ended up on medication, and for someone who always thought things like that were ‘all in your head’, it was a huge reality check, and I am now aware of how naive I was,” he said. “Music is how I express myself. With all of the lockdowns and restrictions, my outlet was taken away. Like glass, we are breakable, not indestructible, and speaking up and getting help is not weak.”

The music video, directed by Colin Jeffs, was filmed at a warehouse and SOULSLEEP keyboardist Jimi Fischer’s home studio.

“We built a stage out of an MDF board, which we found quite challenging, as we had to design it in a way that it could be put together and dismantled in a time efficient way and still be able to hold the weight of all of us and our equipment,” Jayden recalled.

If the release of “Glass Heart” is any indication, SOULSLEEP will be a band to watch.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Concrete Gold Rock Out With “Over the Edge”

Concrete Gold are ushering in a new era with the release of their latest single “Over the Edge.” It sounds good on them.

““Over The Edge” is the first song that we wrote with our current band lineup, and is the mark of a new era of exploration for us,” they explained. “This song was an idea that Cameron brought into our rehearsal (conjured by watching videos of Nirvana as inspiration) and was then fleshed out by the band together in our first rehearsal with Will [Bainbridge] as our drummer – the result was a more alive and nuanced sound than our previous creative efforts.”

The track was also self-produced by the band at SSL Studio at Cavanbah/Byron Bay. Frontman Cameron Lockwood engineered all but the vocals, which Sam Harris of Elaborate Productions handled. Cameron also took care of the mix before Sam mastered it.

Concrete Gold will take their new lineup on the road next week when they play a string of East Coast shows supporting the release of “Over the Edge.”

2 November 2023 – Australian Hotel, Bundjalung Country/Ballina
3 November 2023 – Greaser Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
4 November 2023 – Vinnie’s Dive Bar, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast (FREE SHOW; Doors open 1 pm)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Night Terrors Release Spooky Single, “Levitation”

As Halloween approaches, it seems like the perfect time to introduce you to “Levitation,” the latest release from The Night Terrors. I can guarantee it’s like nothing you’ll hear today.

Firstly, The Night Terrors are one of the only bands in the world making original music featuring theremin up front and centre. Miles Brown’s theremin takes the spotlight, but it’s complemented so beautifully by Sarah Lim’s synthesizer. This track is so unique, but it’s got a fantastic cinematic quality that I’m really digging.

“Levitation” comes from The Night Terrors’ forthcoming album HYPNOTICA – Composition For Theremin And Electronic Music Synthesizer, which drops on November 3.

Image credit: Nicole Reed

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lara Villani Makes Powerful Debut With “STOP”

Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Lara Villani has just dropped her debut single, “STOP,” and it’s really something special. Through its deeply personal lyrics, Lara shares the physical and mental challenges she’s overcome to emerge the artist she is today. While it deals with darkness, it’s ultimately so uplifting.

“‘STOP’ is a very important track for me,” Lara shared. “Not only is it my first single, but it is a deeply personal song which is drawn from a really difficult and personal experience I had in my life. When I was 19-20 years old, I was in a really bad place. I had just been through an extremely awful experience and found myself severely lonely and left badly hurt. ‘STOP’ is about this journey and the mental and physical battles that I was overcoming.”

That journey is brought to life in the music video for “STOP”, directed by Mertcan Damoglu and produced by Tier One Productions’ Caleb Keyte. In it we see scenes of Lara at her piano juxtaposed with a car crash victim, a physical representation of her pain and hurt.

Lara plans to release several more songs through 2024, so make sure you keep an eye on her socials to learn about them first.

Image used with permission from Lara Villani