In 1999, a who’s who of the Australian entertainment industry descended on Dili to entertain our troops. Australian Road Crew Association has now released a recording of their star-studded concert. Tour of Duty Live at National Stadium’s release marks the first time that people could enjoy this concert since it originally aired on Channel Seven and Nine.
GuriNgai and Darug Country/North-West Sydney-based indie-rock outfit In Good Hands have just dropped their debut EP, Daylight. The title reflects the feel-good tunes the band showcases on this six-track release.
Grace Cummings is an artist like no other. No one sounds like her, no one is making music like her; she’s simply in her own lane. Listening to her third album Ramona gives you a deep appreciation for that.
With the rain well and truly setting in this week, it’s hard to believe that just a few days ago I was kicking back at James Taylor’s Bimbadgen Estate show. The last time I attended a Day on the Green show we were evacuated, so I felt blessed that Saturday’s conditions were perfect. The cool but not cold weather was such a welcome change from the 40-degree day I experienced last time. Maybe we need more Day on the Green seasons stretching into autumn. At any rate, I couldn’t have asked for better weather for an outdoor show.
I’ve been championing The Dreggs since they released their debut EP Seas Embrace back in 2018. They’ve never put a foot wrong, but like a fine wine, they’ve gotten better over time. Now with the release of their long-awaited debut album Caught in a Reverie, I think this Kabi Kabi Country/Sunshine Coast duo is truly stepping into their powers.
Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits impressed me with their single “Paper Boats” last month, raising my expectations for their sophomore album sky-high. There are so many bands that drop incredible tracks, but their albums just don’t meet your expectations. With Say What You Mean, Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits prove they’re one of the most exciting bands around.
The Pierce Brothers have been one of Australia’s finest indie-folk acts for more than a decade. With the release of their third album Everything is Bigger Than Me, brothers Jack and Patrick Pierce are showing they can do more than simply write and perform incredible songs. They’ve co-produced this album alongside longtime collaborator Phil Threlfall and recorded it at Jack’s home studio. The resulting collection of songs may just be their best yet.
Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Leo has really impressed me with their debut EP Please Leave Quietly. The five-track EP delivers the perfect combination of infectious melodies and lyrics that speak from the heart.
Between You & Me are ushering in a new chapter with the release of their first independent body of work, SH!T YEAH. Made of six absolute pop-punk bangers, this release shows these guys are more than capable of forging their own path in the music scene.
I’m pretty late to the Bad Dad Orchestra party. They’ve been dropping EPs since 2016, but they’d slipped underneath my radar until late last year when they released the fabulous single “Birds of Prey.” “Makin’ Me Wild” came next, and my enthusiasm for the band was in full force. With expectations sky high, I pressed play on their long-awaited debut album, also called Makin’ Me Wild. So often when a band’s set the bar so high with stellar singles, an album falls a little short. Not here. It’s every bit as good as I hoped for.