Category: Single Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

SANNIA Releases Powerful Single “trigger”

SANNIA’s latest single “trigger” is the break-up anthem anyone nursing a broken heart needs right now. It’s an explosive indie-pop song that perfectly expresses the sudden pain an unexpected relationship breakdown can cause.

“This song basically wouldn’t leave me alone until I wrote it. I kept hearing the chorus round in circles in my head like some sort of nursery rhyme that never ended,” SANNIA explained. “I wanted to get the feeling of ‘suddenness’ and a jolt the way that a gunshot cuts through sound because that’s what this break up felt like. I wrote this song as a means of healing and I wasn’t even sure I’d ever release it but I’ve grown to really love it. If anything this song should come with a ‘don’t try this at home kids’ label slapped on it.”

“trigger” is the latest song lifted from SANNIA’s debut album James, which drops in November. She wowed me with “travelling” as well a couple of months ago, so I expect this album will be something special. If you live around Boon Wurrung Country/Mornington, you can get an early sneak peek when SANNIA plays the album in its entirety at Beleura House on October 13.

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

jnr. Brings the Rock Edge With “nervous”

I’m really digging the sonic journey that Eora/Sydney artist jnr. is taking us on with his music. The catchy pop vibes of his new single “nervous” are front and centre, but it’s a rock song at heart.

No doubt the influence of Daphnie (Alistair Hayes) as producer has helped jnr.’s evolution along. jnr. has taken care of production for most of his career, but collaborating with his good friend has brought a new voice to this music. Daphnie also plays drums while Max Jacobs of Loretta handles guitar duty in the live performance video, shot at Odd Assembly in Eora/Redfern.

jnr. will celebrate this new chapter of music when he debuts his new three-piece band to support Last Dinosaurs at the Factory Theatre on September 23.

Image used with permission from .jnr mgmt

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

King Ibis Playing WA Shows to Support “Patience” Single

Boorloo/Perth indie-pop band King Ibis are about to treat music lovers in their home state to a string of shows supporting the release of their latest single “Patience.” This track is the perfect slow-burner, a song that gently sneaks up on you until it’s right under your skin.

“‘Patience’ takes you through the confusion, frustration and rage of finding out a rumour had been circulated about you by someone you believed to be a friend. A plea to understand and be understood, the beginning attempts to open dialogue with the betrayer,” the band explains. “In a final roar of all-consuming anger, any patience that remained has been spent and the song draws to a moody, sultry close.”

King Ibis are proving to be one of WA’s top live acts after sharing stages with talents like Spacey Jane, Jebediah, Dulcie, Sly Withers, and heaps more. Catch them at the following shows:

22 September 2023 – The Bird, Boorloo/Perth
23 September 2023 – Settlers Tavern, Wooditchup/Margaret River
24 September 2023 – Bungalow Neighbourhood, Wooditchup/Margaret River
25 November 2023 – Balmy Nights @ Cannery Arts Centre, Kepa Kurl/Esperance

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sweet Temper Drop “Better Than You” Ahead of EP Launch

Naarm/Melbourne based neo-soul act Sweet Temper have blown me away with their latest single, “Better Than You.” It’s so sonically intricate, but an absolutely beautiful listen. It reminds me a little of the very best jazz. And Abbey Green’s voice is absolutely other-worldly. You know you want to press play.

“‘Better Than You’ is about the feeling of weightlessness and peace after walking away from a toxic relationship and realising you are better off,” the band explained. “It is about acknowledging that in order to see a manipulator for who they truly are, you need to step away and separate yourself from repeating the cycle of forgiveness that leads to repeatedly being deceived and hurt. It’s about the desperation of manipulators who cling to relationships, when they have a lot of control.”

“Better Than You” is from Sweet Temper’s upcoming debut EP. They’ll launch that release for hometown fans at Bar Open on September 29.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paper Lane Make Strong Statement With First Single, “Better in my Head”

If you have a tendency to put your foot in your mouth when you’re getting to know someone new, you’re going to love “Better in my Head,” the relatable debut single from Meeanjin/Brisbane-based indie rock act Paper Lane. I love the warm, earthy tone of vocalist Taleena Peck’s voice and their cool vintage feel. Consider them one to watch.

I get so excited when I hear bands releasing music that’s so good right off the bat. Something tells me you’ll want to get in on the ground floor, because Paper Lane deserves to be massive. Follow them on their socials to learn all about what they’re doing next.

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR; credit: Dan Vonhoff

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

PRETTY BLEAK Tackle Addiction With “do you feel the same?”

It’s a dark gloomy day in my part of the country, perfect for some new PRETTY BLEAK material. This Naarm/Melbourne emo/pop punk act delivers the right balance of happy-sad with their latest single “do you feel the same?”

“The song is about the human tendency to placate our emotions with menial pleasures, which develop into addictions or dependencies,” explained vocalist Sam Thomas. “The specific nature of the addiction is dependent on the listener’s interpretation, whether it be drugs, or laughter, or the amount of times you look in the mirror each day.”

Fresh from their debut appearance at BIGSOUND, PRETTY BLEAK will launch the single for hometown fans at The Gasometer Hotel on September 28.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co; credit: Tom Thomas

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ghost Care Release Fun New Synth-Pop Single, “Arcade”

I didn’t expect indie-pop act Ghost Care to get turned on by classic rockers Creedence Clearwater Revival, but inspiration often comes in the most unlikely of places. Their latest single “Arcade” is more synth-driven pop than swamp rock, but Ghost Care found themselves inspired by the lyrical content of the classic band.

“The original idea was named ‘Dance’ on our voice memos, but when we dove into the lyrics we found that the name ‘Arcade’ fit the theme of love and a relationship being likened to a game. Inspired by a Creedence Clearwater Revival song, I loved the idea of not wanting to be on the bench and that if you want to win you have to feel like everyone is giving their all and that you are working as a team,” explained the band’s vocalist and guitarist, Beau Torrance. “We were playing this song originally as a guitar heavy driven song and it felt like it could stay there or we could take it somewhere we haven’t really been before. When we got to the studio, our producer Dave Parkin had the exact same mindset and it was then decided we should take it into the synth world.”

The music video, directed by fellow Western Australian Stephanie Senior, sees Beau and fellow vocalist Tanaya Harper duking it out in a video game arcade.

“We love this video clip so much! We knew we wanted fun whilst not being too funny, and Steph totally nailed the vibe,” Tanaya said. “We really had this idea of making a video that had this funky, neon atmosphere. Steph really took it to another level for us and we feel like we chose the perfect person for capturing the song’s energy!”

After recently touring in support of Spacey Jane, Ghost Care are packing up their tour bus and playing shows that kick off in their hometown tomorrow night. Catch them where you can:

8 September 2023 – Badlands, Boorloo/Perth
21 September 2023 – Workers Club, Naarm/Melbourne
22 September 2023 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane
23 September 2023 – Waywards, Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Aref Rashidan

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

GANGgajang Support Yes Campaign With “Speak To Me”

Much has been made of John Farnham lending his smash hit “You’re the Voice” to the Yes campaign for the Voice referendum. And quite rightly so. John is an icon and his endorsement might just be enough to encourage some uncertain members of the community to vote yes. But he’s not the only local artist who’s getting behind the Yes campaign. GANGgajang have also offered their support, rerecording their ‘90s hit “Hundreds of Languages” with William Barton and Jack Thompson as a new single, “Speak to Me”.

GANGgajang were pioneers in the Australian music scene, campaigning for the rights of the First Nations community long before the term “woke” even existed. The process of creating this song stretches back to conversations they had with members of First Nations communities back in 1989. Now, they say, is the time for everyone to listen to what those communities are saying. They note that in 2012, before he passed, their friend Uncle Jimmy Little wrote to every politician in the Federal government asking them to listen to Indigenous people on matters that impact them. Now more than a decade later, they say they “stand with Uncle Jimmy and say Yes to the Voice.”

Image source: PeterTea @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vermont Rock Out With “Regretting Me”

Naarm/Melbourne emo-rock act Vermont has really impressed me with their latest single “Regretting Me.” Its vocals and lyrics hit hard, but it’s got a catchy melodic core that makes it an accessible and addictive listen.

The single comes with a cool, quirky collage-inspired video clip directed by “good bloke” Andrew Vaughan. Vermont have supported the likes of Clay J Gladstone, Reside, Sleep Talk, and more. With awesome songs like this in their repertoire, expect more headlining gigs in the near future. Follow their socials to learn about them as soon as they’re announced.

Image used with permission from Bigmouth PR; credit: Justin Wiraldi

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Laurie Cave Releases Heartfelt New Single, “Perfect Lover”

British-born, Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Laurie Cave has wowed me with his latest single “Perfect Lover.” Written shortly after his relationship with his fiancé ended, this is a powerful snapshot of the grief so many of us feel when we’ve lost someone who has a massive piece of our hearts.

“This song was incredibly hard to write … I wrote it shortly after my relationship with my fiancé ended which was the hardest thing I have ever done as she is the most beautiful and wonderful woman I have ever met,” Laurie shared. “I wrote this song on an acoustic guitar in my bathroom, where the acoustics amplify and reverberate my voice and guitar, and I felt safe to bare my soul.”

From these humble beginnings, Laurie worked with producer James Seymour to transform the song into the indie rock-folk powerhouse it is today.

“James helped me to realise this song exactly as I imagined, from the slow and tender start building to the climatic and epic release of raw energy that are the constant waves of realisation of a beautiful partnership now ended,” Laurie explained. “There is a sound reminiscent of a hospital life support machine that was inspired by Bon Iver’s ‘Hey Ma’ which is symbolic of the incredibly painful decision to turn off the machine. Bon Iver’s influence is also omnipresent in the song, they were a seminal band for me and continue to be to this day.”

With the release of “Perfect Lover,” Laurie is now focused on bringing his live music to stages around the country. Follow his socials for news of his upcoming gigs as they’re announced.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.; credit: Rick Clifford