The Northern Folk Play Festivals For “Cold”

I was sure I must have written about “Cold,” the latest single from Melbourne 10-piece The Northern Folk, before. It’s such a cool song, a little brooding with stellar vocals and one of the best sax breaks you’ll hear. It’s so good that they sold out Northcote Social Club when they launched it. Yet I searched my archives and nothing. So I apologise for the oversight.

Now with the release of the clip’s music video, it seems a perfect time to correct my mistake. It was created by celebrated director and producer Mark Day in close collaboration with The Northern Folk. The band star alongside Michael Nikou and Tanya Alers is the clip which represents human consciousness in all its dark, flawed beauty.

“’Cold’ is about the insecurities that tie us down for fear of the unknown, and the emotional distance they create. Shot in the sparse Riverina landscape, a couple find themselves confronted by the manifestations of their insecurities, and must make the choice to be led by them, or to reject them and take control of what they want to be,” the band explains.

Fresh from Woodford and in fine form, The Northern Folk will play a swag of great festivals over the coming months. Here are all the places you can catch them.

25 – 28 January 2019 – Newstead Live Music Festival, Newstead
10 February 2019 – St Kilda Festival, St Kilda
15 – 17 March 2019 – Blue Mountains Music Festival, Katoomba
29 – 31 March 2019 – The Hills Are Alive Festival, South Gippsland

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Nautical Mile Announce Single Shows for “Regicide” Release

Perth punksters Nautical Mile are taking their music to fans around the country next month, following the release of their latest track “Regicide.”

“The title ‘Regicide’ comes from the act of killing a monarch; the betrayer is wanting to be someone’s queen and putting themselves on a pedestal, when in reality they’re just as likely to stab you in the back. The title can either be interpreted as this betrayal of the “king” or the act of killing the relationship (and thus the “queen”) and moving on,” explained frontman Brodi Owen. “The lyrics describe the almost cyclical nature of relationships like this, the back and forth of constantly trying to please someone only to be disappointed, and the process of coming to terms with this and breaking free of the toxic environment.”

Nautical Mile are going back into the studio after this tour, so it’ll be your last chance to see them for a while. Take advantage of the opportunity at the following shows.

1 February 2019 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
8 February 2019 – Enigma Bar, Adelaide
10 February 2019 – Bar Open, Melbourne
15 February 2019 – Rack Em Up, Lilydale
16 February 2019 – Whole Lotta Love, Melbourne
17 February 2019 – Hideaway Bar, Sydney
19 February 2019 – Club Azzurri, Newcastle
21 February 2019 – The Brightside, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Collision Course

Karise Eden on the Comeback Trail With “Born to Fight”

Karise Eden hasn’t released an album in four years. It’s been more than six years since she won The Voice. Taking time to create, avoiding becoming one of those reality stars that pumped up album after album, has been a good thing for Karise. She’s had time to reflect, grow, and release a stellar new album Born to Fight.

This is an album of warrior songs. Tracks like “Stop Fucking With My Head” and the title track are bold and defiant. More vulnerable numbers like “Hopeless” and “Ted” show there are chinks in the armour, but refuse to lie down. This is a special collection of songs that showcases one of the best soul and blues voices in the country.

Karise is celebrating the recent release of Born to Fight with shows all around the country. Catch her at one of the following venues in the coming months.

22 February 2019 – Twin Towns, Tweed Heads
23 February 2019 – Hamilton Hotel, Brisbane
27 February 2019 – Burrinja Place Theatre, Upwey
28 February 2019 – The Capital Theatre, Bendigo
1 March 2019 – Palms at Crown, Melbourne
2 March 2019 – SS&A Club, Albury
6 March 2019 – West Leagues, Newcastle
7 March 2019 – Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul
8 March 2019 – Bowral Bowling Club, Bowral
23 March 2019 – York Theatre (Seymour Centre), Sydney
24 March 2019 – Canberra Theatre Playhouse, Canberra
31 March 2019 – The Gov, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Asha Jefferies Releases Live Track Ahead of EP Release & Tour

I’ve admired Asha Jefferies music for so long that I was surprised to read she’s yet to release an EP. That will all change next month when her debut EP, Hold Yourself Together, drops. She’ll give us all an opportunity to learn the words to those new songs before hitting the road a week later.

If you’ve never seen Asha live, listening to her new live version of “Everybody Talks,” recorded at The Tivoli, might convince you to change all that. This stripped back version takes this song to the next level, encouraging you to hone in on those lyrics and the song’s meaning.

Hold Yourself Together drops on February 1. She’ll play the following EP launch show to celebrate its long-awaited release.

8 February 2019 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
9 February 2019 – Byron Bay Brewery, Byron Bay
14 February 2019 – Golden Age Cinema, Sydney
15 February 2019 – Retreat Hotel, Melbourne
16 February 2019 – The Espy, Melbourne
1 February 2019 – Nannup Music Festival, Perth

Shorelines Get Acoustic With New Single “How I Feel”

Brisbane’s Shorelines are showcasing a softer sound with their latest single “How I Feel.” It’s not just the bare-it-all emotion of this song that sets it apart. The gentle strumming acoustic guitar makes this a very different offering from one of the nation’s favourite punk rock bands.

Expect Shorelines to play “How I Feel” and all the hits at their shows around the country next month. All gigs are open to all ages and on sale now.

2 February 2019 – Fusebox, Sydney
3 February 2019 – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne
9 February 2019 – Nexus Arts Centre, Adelaide
16 February 2019 – East Brisbane Bowls Club, Brisbane

Phoebe Bridgers Ready for First Aussie Shows

Los Angeles singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers will play her first ever Aussie shows next month. Phoebe captivated me with her album Stranger in the Alps, a special collection of introverted, folky songs delivered in a voice that is delicate, yet powerful. The single “Motion Sickness” gives you a taste of what she’s all about, but I encourage you to head to Spotify or your favourite digital platform to hear the whole album.

This is the time to see Phoebe, while she can still play nightspots small enough to fully showcase these introspective songs. Catch her at the following East Coast venues next month.

13 February 2019 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
15 February 2019 – The Zoo, Brisbane
17 February 2019 – Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne

Listen to Dami Im Live With New EP & Tour

Dami Im is one of this country’s most talented vocalists, a singer who doesn’t need studio wizardry to sound sublime. She’ll prove just how good she is without the heavy production with the release of her new Live Sessions EP next year. Her new single “Dreamer” offers a taste of that six-track recording. You’ll get your own copy now if you preorder the EP.

“Dreamer is a really personal song for me,” Dami explained. “At the time I felt like there were so many opinions and voices around me and slowly I was getting lost. I wrote the first verse and chorus in fifteen minutes and it felt great to get it off my chest. It’s was the most empowering feeling.”

The EP celebrates Dami’s extraordinary gift for covering songs and her original material. Highlights include her take on “Amazing Grace” and her big Eurovision hit, “Sound of Silence.”

Dami Im’s Live Sessions EP will drop on January 11. She’ll get back on the road for her Dreamer tour next August. She’ll warm up those vocal chords supporting Human Nature on their A Little More Love: a 30-Year Celebration tour in April.

26 April 2019 – Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast (with Human Nature)
27 April 2019 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane (with Human Nature)
29 April 2019 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide (with Human Nature)
1 & 2 May 2019 – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne (with Human Nature)
4 May 2019 – Perth Area, Perth (with Human Nature)
6 May 2019 – AIS Arena, Canberra (with Human Nature)
7 May 2019 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong (with Human Nature)
9 May 2019 – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle (with Human Nature)
10 & 11 May 2019 – ICC Sydney Convention Centre, Sydney (with Human Nature)
2 August 2019 – Ballina RSL, Ballina
3 August 2019 – Saraton Theatre, Grafton
9 August 2019 – Orange Civic Theatre, Orange
10 August 2019 – Dubbo RSL, Dubbo
16 August 2019 – Armidale RSL, Armidale
17 August 2019 – Club Forster, Forster
23 August 2019 – Wagga Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga
24 August 2019 – Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury
30 August 2019 – Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul
31 August 2019 – Canberra Southern Cross Club, Canberra
6 September 2019 – The Art House, Wyong
7 September 2019 – Port Macquarie Panthers, Port Macquarie
27 September 2019 – The Palms at Crown, Melbourne
28 September 2019 – Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts, Wendouree
4 October 2019 – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool
5 October 2019 – Horsham Town Hall, Horsham
6 October 2019 – Capital Theatre, Bendigo
19 October 2019 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
24 October 2019 – The Metro, Sydney
25 October 2019 – Nelson Bay Diggers, Nelson Bay
26 October 2019 – Belmont 16s, Belmont
14 November 2019 – Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany
15 November 2019 – Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah
16 November 2019 – Astor Theatre, Mount Lawley

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Enjoy a Wild Ride With Donnarumma’s “Rollercoaster”

Strap yourself in for “Rollercoaster,” the latest single from Adelaide rockers Donnarumma.

Just like any good rollercoaster, this track starts small, with delicate vocals and guitar work. However, before too long it kicks in, launching the listener full throttle into its bold guitar riff and strong vocals. Once you’re in it you’ve got no choice but to just hold on and enjoy the ride.

“I based the narrative around the idea of being self-critical, almost like a person arguing with themselves in a mirror,” explained Louis Donnarumma, the man behind those amazing vocals. “At the beginning, I started with a lyric-less hook and developed the song from there over roughly a year. It took heaps of trial and error, loads of demos and fleshing out ideas with the band to get to the final product. We put heaps of ourselves into this track and it’s definitely the proudest we’ve been with our work.”

This song sounds awesome at home, but I imagine it’s going to be even better experienced live. You’ll get your chance when Donnarumma takes the single on tour in the New Year.

11 January 2019 – Crown & Anchor Hotel, Adelaide
17 January 2019 – Grace Darling Hotel, Melbourne
19 January 2019 – Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney
20 January 2019 – Hamilton Station, Newcastle
22 February 2019 – Heya Bar, Brisbane
23 February 2019 – Miami Shark Bar, Gold Coast

Image used with permission from GD FRNDS

Charlie Collins Ready for Laneway & Headline Shows

In August I predicted big things for Charlie Collins. Fast-forward just a few short months and she’s supporting Gang of Youths and preparing to play the St Jerome’s Laneway Festival dates and her own headlining shows. Somewhere in amongst all that touring she’s found time to release a great new single “Mexico.”

You might have heard the song on Double J, Triple J, FBi Radio, and Triple J Unearthed. It’s even found a radio audience in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and the United Kingdom. Digitally, “Mexico” featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist in Sweden, Denmark, and here at home.

Here are all the places you can catch this Tamworth talent doing her thing over the coming months. Note that all Gang of Youths shows are sold out; make sure you arrive early enough for her set if you’re lucky enough to have a ticket!

26, 27, 29, & 30 November 2018 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
2 February 2019 – St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Brisbane
3 February 2019 – St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Sydney
9 February 2019 – St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Melbourne
22 March 2019 – The Lansdowne, Sydney
29 March 2019 – Worker’s Club, Melbourne
30 March 2019 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Have/Hold Ready to Tour Epic New Album

When you Google Melbourne band Have/Hold, their genre is listed as alternative/indie. I’ve quickly learned that these are the kid of vague descriptors bands get when they can’t be put in neat boxes. The best way to figure out what these acts are all about is to listen. With Have/Hold just releasing their new album We Are a Ghost Now, You & I there’s no better time.

The album conveniently kicks off with the single “Keepsake,” perhaps my favourite song on this release. It’s a perfect snapshot of their epic sound, at parts tender, at parts anthemic. It’s quality stuff.