Ziggy Alberts has thoroughly charmed me with his gorgeous new single “Where Does the Love Go?” I’m not sure whether I love its laidback acoustic vibes or insightful lyrics that ruminate on the importance of self-love more!
“It’s a song I wrote about wondering where does the love go, when it’s not us? It’s a question I was asking myself when I was feeling a lack of self-love,” Ziggy explained. “Now that I’ve thought about it more, I think love disappears unless we embody it. And it is the responsibility of humanity, wherever possible, to keep it alive.”
“Where Does the Love Go?” comes bundled with a couple more tracks from Ziggy’s forthcoming album New Love, which drops on February 21. Listening to them all has definitely made me anticipate this release. Ziggy has a few shows coming up in Japan, but hopefully it won’t be too long before he’s playing shows for local audiences. If you’re in Japan, here are all the details.
26 October 2024 – Overview Coffee Ichinomiya, Chiba (FREE) 30 October 2024 – Nagoya Shangri-La, Nagoya (SOLD OUT) 31 October 2024 – Shibuya Club Quattro, Shibuya City (supporting Donavon Frankenreiter) 1 November 2024 – Umeda Shangri-La, Osaka (SOLD OUT – supporting Donavon Frankenreiter)
Naarm/Melbourne outfit Slowly Slowly have knocked it out of the park with their fantastic new single “Forgiving Spree.” It’s such a great rock tune with fabulous lyrics and a catchy AF chorus that should have you singing along and punching the air soon enough. It’s such an earworm, I must have listened to it at least five times straight and I’m definitely preparing for round six.
“Forgiving Spree” is the title track from Slowly Slowly’s forthcoming fifth album, which drops on January 24. “‘Forgiving Spree’ was written at the end of the writing period for the album,” explained the band’s frontman and songwriter Ben Stewart. “It’s a song about moving on, real deep lasting change, and the act of forgiveness as a tool to achieve it. It is also a reminder that forgiveness can be a tool used to move forward, let go, grow, and not look back.”
Slowly Slowly have bundled “Forgiving Spree” with a couple of other album tracks on the streaming services, so make sure you give those a listen too. They’ve certainly got me anticipating this release!
Fresh from European and UK shows supporting Stand Atlantic, Slowly Slowly have announced a stack more. Aussie dates are a little light on, but watch this space and I’m sure they’ll announce some more local gigs soon enough.
It’s taken some time, but King Stingray have finally given us a love song. “Cat 5 (Cyclone)” comes from the band’s highly anticipated sophomore album, For the Dreams. Like the other songs on that album, and indeed the album before, “Cat 5 (Cyclone)” is a joyous track that celebrates life.
“Nothing’s changed in the sense that we’re still who we are, we’re still playing music and enjoying things. But what I think is different about this one is there’s a little bit more lived experience,” the band explained. “We wanted a lot of singalong moments … We were thinking a little bit more about getting everyone in on the party.”
I definitely found myself singing along to this track by the end, so I’d say job done! King Stingray’s new album For the Dreams drops on November 8. You can preorder it now from various retailers by clicking this link. The band have got some American shows with King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard coming up, but Aussies won’t need to wait too long to see them. They’ll play their biggest local shows to date in March. The pre-sale kicks off on Thursday, the same day the band will release “Light Up the Path,” another track from the album. Exciting times for King Stingray fans ahead! Whether you’re in the States or here in Oz, here are all the dates you need:
News of Those Who Dream’s upcoming tour has me deep-diving into their back catalogue this afternoon. The Boorloo/Perth emo-pop-rock act conceived by siblings Josh and Hazel Meyer are making the long trip to the East Coast to play the capitals following the October 11 release of their new EP Therapy Machine.
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring our upcoming EP Therapy Machine to intimate venues around the East Coast and have a crazy once-in-a-lifetime experience that leaves all of us fundamentally changed as people,” the band said. “Expect 117% energy, alt-rock with sprinklings of nu metal, pop and 15 other genres, a LGBTQ+ safe space, and inescapable infectious joy.”
Who could resist that, right? Those Who Dream have supported some massive acts like Mayday Parade, Nothing But Thieves, and our own Short Stack. They even played Good Things in 2022. They’re the real deal, so make sure you catch them at those intimate venues when you can!
Brad Cox is loading up his Mack truck and heading out to play the biggest shows of his career to celebrate the release of his fantastic new single “Everything I’ve Got.” The shows will see Brad play capital cities and major regional centres along the East Coast.
“I can’t wait to bring the Brad Cox roadshow to these cities to play some absolute milestone rooms,” Brad said. “I’ve spent months working on how to bring the fans together to make this tour one to remember. I’m loading this trailer full of surprises that’ll make this tour unlike any Brad Cox shows.”
Brad’s sandwiched the single tour dates in amongst a bunch of other shows including some fabulous festivals. And after that, this hardworking Aussie will make his way to Europe and the United Kingdom. Make sure you see him anywhere you can:
Eora/Sydney alt-rock act RedHook has teamed up with the UK’s Holding Absence for a massive new single “Dr. Frankenstein.” If you’ve ever found yourself in a toxic love story that has you questioning everything, I know listening to this one’s going to be cathartic.
“‘Dr. Frankenstein’ tells the story of a fairytale romance that rapidly devolves into a nightmare as one partner displays increasingly more possessive and controlling behaviour. But the bridge then hits us with a plot twist by suggesting that this emotional abuse may have spawned from the other partner being dishonest and unfaithful, thus posing several questions for us to consider: who is the real monster in this situation? Does making mistakes and hurting each other (emotionally) make us monsters? Or does it make us human?,” mused RedHook frontwoman Emmy Mack. “Ultimately, this song is about me owning my shit and taking accountability for my role in a past relationship that became toxic as all hell. During the breakup, I was guilty of privately indulging that kind of ‘victim’ mentality, but now that I’m a bit older and wiser, I feel like it’s important to take responsibility for the mistakes that I made too.”
“Holding Absence are one of our favourite bands in the world right now, and Lucas [Woodland]’s vocal talents are unparalleled,” she enthused. “I wrote this song with a male feature in mind, and Lucas was #1 on the list! We cheered so hard when he said he loved the song and was keen to jump on board!”
Lucas added, “I’m super hyped to be featured on this song! I knew from the moment I heard it that I had to get involved. ‘Dr. Frankenstein’ is a total rager with hooks galore, and RedHook are a great band. I can’t wait for people to hear it!”
This is the latest track released from RedHook’s forthcoming album Mutation, which drops on November 22. The band will head to the United Kingdom and Europe next month to support Welsh band Dream State. If you’re attending one of these shows, make sure you arrive early enough for their set!
I meant to write about the upcoming As December Falls tour yesterday. But instead of putting fingers to keyboard, I found myself falling further and further down a Spotify rabbit hole enjoying the music from this Nottingham act. I’m new to their tunes, but I’m putting them on rotation. If you love pop-punk, make sure you’re across their stuff before they touch down for their first Aussie tour next year.
The tour announcement comes at the perfect time, because the band just released The Live Album, filmed on their Join the Club tour last year.
“Over the years a lot of fans have asked for a live album, either because they can’t make a show or because they want to relive the experience!” enthused As December Falls frontwoman Bethany Hunter. “We ended up recording every show on the Join The Club tour and cut it down to 1 dope live record and we can’t WAIT to share it with everyone in September!”
If you love the live recording or their studio albums, make sure you don’t miss As December Falls’ local shows next year.
ISHAN initially won me over with fun acoustic pop ditties like “My Mouth (la la la)” and “Supernova.” He’s switched gears with his latest single, “A Song For My Brother.” It’s still got the acoustic core I love, but it’s much more sombre than his previous efforts. You might want to reach for the tissues before you press play.
“‘The song is not actually about my brother, but someone else I love very much,” ISHAN explained. “For years I’d watched his sense of self-worth and excitement for life eroded by so-called friends who’d take advantage of his kindness and ability to always see the best in others.”
ISHAN’s been incredibly busy lately playing the All About Music conference in India and showcases at BIGSOUND here at home. But he’s definitely not done gigging this year. Catch him at the following shows in the coming months.
Two of America’s most exciting emerging country artists are teaming up for one big tour this October. Arkansas “punk cowboy” Nick Shoulders and Columbia River native Margo Cliker will join forces for some performances at the Out on the Weekend festivals and a very special show in Eora/Sydney.
I’m especially excited about Margo gracing our shores after listening to her OurVinylSessions EP a few times this morning. She’s really something special. I imagine her gentle folky sound will be a great foil for Nick’s darker, grittier music.
Clay J Gladstone have come to kickstart your Wednesday with their rocking new single “Talk of the Town.” This angsty track about struggling to break through in the music industry sounds best loud, so crank that volume!
“Talk Of The Town is my uppercut to the business side of the music industry,” vocalist Tim Wisbey explained. “Targeting those elitists and gatekeepers that decide whether your social media is vogue and colossal enough to give you a shot. It makes me sick thinking how tough it is for younger bands coming through, or any band really.
“It’s not just about the music – though I guess it never really has been. You basically need to be an expert in marketing, sales, relationship management, bookings, or even dance choreography to cut through the fog. Anyway, I’m not whining. I could die tomorrow and be happy that I got to write this song, pretending I’ve made it and giving the middle finger to any creature that’s tried to cut us at the knees along the way.”
“Talk of the Town” is the latest single lifted from Clay J Gladstone’s forthcoming debut album, set to drop later this year. The band have a stack of shows coming up supporting Sienna Skies all around the country, where you just might hear some of those new songs.
