It’s been a little while since a song stopped me in my tracks. “It Wasn’t Enough”, by local singer-songwriter and producer PJ Harding, is one of those special, rare songs. On the surface, it’s a simple folky acoustic guitar number, but it’s so much more. Stop what you’re doing and take a listen.
‘”I think ‘It Wasn’t Enough’ is a song that gets to the heart of something very true about the human condition and doesn’t necessarily make a lot of sense. It’s really one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written,” PJ said. “I only recorded one take of this vocal and it was recorded seconds after I finished writing the song. There was something magic about that moment I didn’t want to mess with.”
“It Wasn’t Enough” comes from PJ’s debut EP To Fall Asleep, which drops on June 16. You can bet I’m listening as soon as it’s released.
Katie Wighton drops her debut solo album The End in just a couple of days’ time, but I just couldn’t resist giving you guys a little sneak peek. Her current single “Without You” is just so good, that I don’t want to risk it getting lost in all the other tunes. Although if you’re like me, hearing it will make you pretty excited about tomorrow’s release.
“This is definitely my favourite on the album,” Katie said of “Without You.” “It’s deeply personal and it still feels so real even when I listen to it now. When my partner and I split up, I remember missing him so much and thinking ‘I’m better off without you – I floss my teeth now, I don’t drink so much – we weren’t even that happy together towards the end … So why on earth do I miss you so much?!’ When you break up with someone, you become supremely irrational – remembering the good as even better than it was and the bad as not so bad. He and I became such better people because we broke up. We were more independent. Happier. But we still missed each other so much. Our hearts are funny little things aren’t they? (Spoiler alert: we did end up getting back together now and couldn’t be happier!)”
I really enjoyed Katie’s music with All Our Exes Live in Texas, but I think her solo stuff resonates even more with you. If you agree, remember to give The End a listen on June 2. You’ll also want to get yourself to the launch shows in the East Coast capitals.
8 July 2023 – Longplay, Naarm/Melbourne
13 July 2023 – The Great Club, Eora/Sydney
23 July 2023 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane
It’s hard to believe I’ve been writing about Eliott since 2019, but we still haven’t heard her debut album. But you know what they say about good things coming to those who wait. That album isn’t too far away, but she’s just dropped a fabulous new single to tide us over. If you’ve ever directed your affection toward someone who didn’t share your feelings, “Control” will resonate with you.
“Control is about unreciprocated love,” Eliott confirmed. “It is about feeling isolated and vulnerable and coming to terms with the fact that you can’t force someone’s affection when you have already given them everything”
Charles Buxton-Leslie directed the music video, which features 18-year-old Mexican-born Eora/Sydney dancer Diego Garcia Rendon.
“The song has such incredible build and release moments which we followed with the music video,” Charles explained. “We wanted to explore a story of emotional release and helping each other through shared experiences.”
Hold on just a little bit longer Eliott fans. Her debut album will be here before you know it.
Image used with permission from Island Records Australia; credit: Jess Brohier
Sundays are all about good vibes for me. They’re the days we spend having adventures, enjoying ourselves before the working week starts again. So since it’s Sunday, I figure it’s the perfect day to introduce you to “Feels Like Magic,” the latest single from the appropriately-named pop duo Have a Good Day.
You might remember me falling hard for Have a Good Day’s debut, “Somebody, Nobody.” Good news: this song is every bit as good. Crank it up and let the sugary sweetness wash over you.
Jem Cassar-Daley really impressed me with singles from her debut EP like “Oh No” and “Like It More.” So I’m thrilled she’s going from strength to strength with her first new music since that release. I must admit, while I enjoyed her past releases, I think her latest single “King of Disappointment” is my favourite yet. It’s so lyrically strong, with a stripped-back vibe that really showcases those powerful lyrics. If you’ve ever felt gaslighted and let down, you’re going to connect with this one.
“Before heading to Sydney to write with Brendon Boney in the “resonate” program, I had a situation where my shoes were on, makeup done and I was ready to head out the door when I got a “sorry, something came up” text,” Jem shared. “Instead of being sad, I decided to use it as inspiration in the studio.”
Fresh from shows in the United Kingdom, Jem has been announced as the support act for most of Busby Marou’s upcoming dates. Here are all the places you can catch this incredible line-up:
18 August 2023 – Harvey Road Tavern, Goeng Country/Gladstone
19 August 2023 – Moncrieff Theatre, Taribelang Bunda, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang, and Bailai Country/Bundaberg
26 August 2023 – Yamba Bowling Club, Yaegl Country/Yamba
27 August 2023 – Miami Marketta, Kombumerri Country/Gold Coast
1 September 2023 – The Gov, Tartanya/Adelaide
2 September 2023 – Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
9 September 2023 – The Princess Theatre, Meeanjin/Brisbane
10 September 2023 – Moonee Beach Hotel, Gumbaynggirr Country/Coffs Harbour
14 September 2023 – Anita’s Theatre, Dharawal Country/Thirroul
13 October 2023 – Riverside Precinct, Darumbal Country/Rockhampton
14 October 2023 – Harrup Park, Yuwibara Country/Mackay
20 October 2023 – Tanks Arts Centre, Gimuy-walubarra yidi Country/Cairns
21 October 2023 – The Mansfield (Warehouse), Bindal and Wulgurukaba Country/Townsville
Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity
“The song is a love letter to the parts of myself I sometimes forget about,” said singer Alex Moses, “I wrote ‘Feeling Alright Forever’ about mentally cutting the queue, moving past all the things holding you back and realising we deserve to have a good time.”
This song is a true collaboration, with TOWNS really putting their stamp on this track.
“They wrote parts, sung vocals and played drums,” enthused Sick Visor’s drummer Katie Lovelock. “We worked on every stage of the release with them, including bunching up on the floor and drawing the artwork.”
Sick Visor will launch “Feeling Alright Forever” for hometown fans at Bad Decisions Bar on June 11.
Boorloo/Perth-based indie pop artist Skyuka has won me over with her new single “Michael Cera.” I had high hopes for this one, given my own love of Michael Cera, but Skyuka exceeded them. Not only are the lyrics brilliant, it’s got this cool grungy pop vibe that I’m really digging.
“When I wrote ‘Michael Cera’ I was listening to a lot of Vampire Weekend and just really enjoying the playfulness of their earlier albums which influenced the writing process of this song,” Skyuka explained. “It felt refreshing to write something fun that people could clap and sing along to and have a laugh at, but still had a lot of heart. I was basically telling myself I didn’t want to see this person anymore because of their addictive tendencies…but at the same time I felt like a huge hypocrite as I was clearly addicted to them.”
Also, if you also love Michael Cera, this video is everything you hoped it might be. Short of having a cameo by the actual Michael Cera.
“Being a Michael Cera fan I knew I could have a lot of fun with this video. I found this Michael Cera mask on eBay and I think that was when I realised I was onto something. I wanted the video to be very narrative-driven and fun like the song,” said Skyuka. “I did a very detailed storyboard for this video and a lot of thought and attention to detail went into the props and settings as I really wanted to capture the 90s/early 2000s vibes that come to mind when I think of Cera. The first scene was actually shot in the lounge room at my parent’s house and I remember being up till 4am the day before the shoot decorating the entire wall with Michael Cera posters and rearranging all their furniture like a mad woman. I directed the video myself and Dylan Guy shot and edited the video.”
We’ll hear more from Skyuka when she releases her EP later this year.
Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Mark Francesca
Is Thursday too early for drinking songs? Maybe. But if your week has been anything like my week, then “Cold Beer Buzz,” the new single from Guruk/Port Macquarie-based country singer Chris Rose is right on time.
Chris is country born and bred, but I love the electronic beats and rock edge he’s brought to this party song. Apparently, it was produced with the vision to create a tune that’s “Billie Eilish Bad Guy, meets AC/DC with a southern country twist.” Mission accomplished!
Chris has a whole stack of dates coming up. Don’t miss him when he hits a town near you:
9 June 2023 – Hello Sailor, Guruk/Port Macquarie
1 July 2023 – Beach Hotel, Birpai Country/Bonny Hills
20 August 2023 – Kempsey-Macleay Bowling & Sporting Club, Thunggutti Country/Kempsey
3 September 2023 – Seabreeze Beach Hotel, Thunggutti Country/South West Rocks
15 October 2023 – Seabreeze Beach Hotel, Thunggutti Country/South West Rocks
12 November 2023 – Country Showcase @ Hat Head Bowling Club, Thunggutti Country/Hat Head
26 November 2023 – Seabreeze Beach Hotel, Thunggutti Country/South West Rocks
17 December 2023 – Hat Head Bowling Club, Thunggutti Country/Hat Head
Eora/Sydney act KHAOS EMERLD has made a big impression on me with his debut single “getting better.” The presser describes his music as hyperpop, but I’m definitely hearing some heavier punk and grunge influences in there.
“‘getting better’ was written in July 2022, after I had spent several months in an endless feedback loop of feeling bad about myself and feeling like I was pulling everyone down with me. There were many events that changed the pathway of my life, yet I hadn’t done anything to benefit from them. Suddenly, I realised half a year had gone by and I felt like I was exactly where I’d started,” KHAOS EMERLD explained. “The song is a mix of rage and derision, written in a genre I was just getting familiar with around the time, and funnily enough, became the start of an upward trajectory which led me to where I am now.”
I hear this is the first of several KHAOS EMERLD songs slated for release, so make sure you follow his socials to hear the new music as soon as it drops. KHAOS EMERLD will also launch the single for hometown fans at Goodspace @ The Lord Gladstone on June 10.
Image used with permission from Good Intent; credit: @yogapunkphotography
The Delta Riggs are bringing the good vibes to your midweek with their new single “Solutions.” If this one doesn’t put a smile on your face, you might be a lost cause!
“Taking from our experiences in life, as well as that of friends and strangers alike, instead of just seeing the negatives, we wanted to write about finding the positives in situations,” the band explained. “Finding a solution through banding together with friends, lovers, family or strangers you’re yet to meet, lifting each other up and sharing the weight together.”
I hear there’s plenty more new music from the Delta Riggs on the way, so we can expect the good vibes to keep on coming this year.
Image used with permission from Good Intent
