If you’re catching RedHook this month, make sure you get there early enough for Belle Haven’s set. If their nostalgic new single “Grimace” is an indicator, you won’t want to miss it. The song explores the insecurity and uncertainty that comes from working in the music industry.
“It is a brutal yet brilliant world to work in, and it takes a certain amount of resilience to be a part of sometimes which is something I think we’ve struggled with over the years.” explained vocalist David De La Hoz. “There’s a sort of irony to this song; we are more excited than ever to be releasing this music.”
If you haven’t got tickets for the Postcard From a Living Hell tour yet, what are you waiting for? Here are all the remaining dates for these massive shows featuring RedHook, Belle Haven, Bad Love, and Grenade Jumper.
11 May 2023 – Prince of Wales Hotel, Goomburrup/Bunbury
12 May 2023 – Amplifier, Boorloo/Perth
13 May 2023 – Enigma Bar, Tandanya/Adelaide
19 May 2023 – UC Hub, Ngunnawal/Canberra
20 May 2023 – The Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
25 May 2023 – La La La’s, Dharawal/Wollongong
26 May 2023 – The Cambridge, Mulumbinba/Newcastle
27 May 2023 – Crowbar, Eora/Sydney
Image used with permission from Bigmouth PR; credit: Oversimplified Complications
Siobhan Cotchin has returned with her defiant new single “If God Is a Man.” It’s got a fabulous country-rock sound, but make sure you tap into those lyrics. This is a passionate anthem of opposition to the discrimination she’s recently witnessed in the United States, including the banning of abortions across after the overturning of Roe vs. Wade and attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights. We haven’t heard Siobhan tackle such meaty political topics before, so it’s exciting to hear her delivering such powerful lyrics!
“‘If God is A Man’ is a song with a super strong message, and one that is important to me. It’s about rejecting forced conformity and celebrating who you are and not wanting to change for other people. It’s also a song about losing faith and hope, and I feel as though that’s extremely relevant to the times we are living in. I want to be on the right side of history and stand up for what I believe in. I’m grateful to have a platform like music to spread this message. There’s no room for hatred and discrimination at my shows, and I want people of all walks of life to know that my music is a safe place and they are heard.” Siobhan explained.
“I wrote this song with Dylan and Carmen from The Money War and Paige Valentine. Paige, Carmen, and Dylan came up with the concept of the song and I fell in love with it, especially that chorus. Dylan and I wrote the verses and bridge together, and we sat on it for a while. I left it on the back burner for about a year and waited until it was the right time. I knew I wanted to record this song when I revisited the song and showed it to the band. They got the vibe straight away and it all fell into place. I feel like this song is still super relevant to the times we’re living in, maybe now more than ever, so it felt right to record and release it.”
“If God Is a Man” is the third single lifted from Siobhan’s sophomore EP Miss Reckless, which drops on May 31. She’s about to start touring with Kingswood before headlining her own shows.
25 May 2023 – Dunsborough Tavern, Quedjinup/Dunsborough (with Kingswood)
26 May 2023 – Mojos Bar, Walyup/Fremantle (with Kingswood)
27 May 2023 – The Rosemount, Boorloo/Perth (with Kingswood)
28 May 2023 – The Carine, Mooro Country/Carine (with Kingswood)
1 June 2023 – Nannup Town Hall, Wardandi & Bibbulmun Country/Nannup (with Kingswood)
2 June 2023 – The River, Noongar Country/Margaret River (with Kingswood)
3 June 2023 – Six Degrees, Kinjarling/Albany (with Kingswood)
4 June 2023 – Farm Hotel, Binjareb & Wardandi Noongar Country/Treendale (with Kingswood)
7 June 2023 – Sound City, Galinyala/Port Lincoln (with Kingswood)
8 June 2023 – Sound City, Galinyala/Port Lincoln (with Kingswood)
9 June 2023 – Fat Controller, Tartanya/Adelaide (with Kingswood)
10 June 2023 – Western Hotel, Curdnatta/Port Augusta
11 June 2023 – Hotel Victor, Wirramulla/Victor Harbour (with Kingswood)
15 June 2023 – The Royal, Gadigal Country/Bondi
16 June 2023 – The Retreat Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
17 June 2023 – Felons, Meeanjin/Brisbane
23 June 2023 – The Rosemount, Boorloo/Perth
Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Jarrad Levy
I might be a little biased, but I think the country music scene in Australia is at least the equal to the scene over in the United States. It might not get the same international attention, but we’ve got so many superb artists telling authentic stories in this genre. The latest to really impress me is Brad Cox. Today he dropped his third studio album, Acres, and it’s an absolute cracker.
This is a guy with so much to say. The album features 17 songs, so you might expect a few filler tracks. Not even close. Every one is a winner. Trust me. Perhaps that’s because Brad took his time with this release, recording the songs after two years in Kabi Kabi Country/Gympie, Eora/Sydney, and Nashville. I encourage you to listen to the whole thing, because it’s just that good. But if you’re short on time, try the current single “Now She Ain’t.” As a bit of a grammar Nazi, the song title made me bristle. But it didn’t take long before I softened. It’s such a sweet song about stepping up and being the person someone else needs you to be.
“‘Now She Ain’t’ is “a song for the girls!,” Brad said. “Have hope and believe that person is out there. Stop crying into your pillow, strap on your can-do attitude, and get after it. We have been playing this one on the road for a few months now and it’s a super fun one to play live.”
Speaking of the road, Brad will be embarking on his biggest headline tour to date next month to support the release of Acres. Tickets are on sale now, so get onto it:
1 June 2023 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Tartanya/Adelaide
2 June 2023 – Rosemount Hotel, Boorloo/Perth
8 June 2023 – Kings Beach Tavern, Kabi Kabi & Jinbara Country/Sunshine Coast
9 June 2023 – Kingscliff Beach Hotel, Bundjalung Country/Kingscliff
10 June 2023 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane
16 June 2023 – The Gateway Hotel, Djilang/Geelong
17 June 2023 – Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne
22 June 2023 – The Cambridge Hotel, Mulubinba/Newcastle
23 June 2023 – Manning Bar, Eora/Sydney
24 June 2023 – Anita’s Theatre, Thurraral Country/Thirroul
Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia; credit: Brad Elder
I love falling down a musical rabbit hole. I intend on listening to a band’s current single, but end up devouring their entire back catalogue. The latest band to fire me up that way is Franjapan. Trust me, if your Hump Day is anything like mine, they’ll give you the pick-me-up you need to make it through. Sitting somewhere between The Strokes and Sam Fender, they make some of the catchiest rock music I’ve heard in some time. Take a listen to their new single “Lucy,” but don’t be surprised if like me you find yourself tuning in to the rest of their songs.
“The song was written about a night I had at a party,” explained the Naarm/Melbourne band’s guitarist and vocalist, Rhys Fraser-White. “It’s simply an observation of the activities or values that are ever-present in the youthful nightlife. I believe the essence of the song is an attempt to capture the lustful innocence of our youth before its impending end. A snapshot of a moment in time.”
“The guitar riff and chord progression came first. They’re heavily inspired by Sam Fender’s guitar playing (very tasty). We love Sam and his band. The verse lyrics followed shortly after. Once I had the riff and verse lyrics down, I showed Spencer [Ward, guitar/vocals] the song and we constructed a chorus and bridge in a matter of minutes. We brought the finished song to Dennis [Sehovic, guitar], Oli [Collins, drums], and Oscar [Macalpine, bass] who each added their own unique touches. The finished product is ‘Lucy’.”
Franjapan are currently touring the East Coast, headlining shows for the very first time. You can still catch them at the following gigs:
28 April 2023 – The Barrie, Eora/Sydney (FREE)
30 April 2023 – The North Gong Hotel, Dharawal Country/Wollongong (FREE)
Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Jontee Langton
Jeremy Beggs has blown me away with his latest single “Hurtful Ways.” I’m not surprised though, as Jeremy cowrote the song with one of Sounds of Oz’s favourite local artists, Matt Joe Gow.
“I feel so fortunate to have met Matt and am grateful for all the things I have learnt from him so far,” Jeremy enthused. “Before being thrust up on stage with Matt & The Dead Leaves in Tamworth last year, my music was really just floating around like a dream. Sharing the stage and watching and meeting wonderful artists made me really understand what this journey is all about.”
He said they wrote “Hurtful Ways” about the search for balance as a travelling musician.
“My family always comes first but the reality is as a musician, sometimes we are taken away from the ones we love. I’m constantly trying to find and keep that balance but unfortunately that sometimes tilts too far one way and requires recalibration.”
You can see Jeremy perform “Hurtful Ways” at the following shows:
6 May 2023 – Daylesford Hotel, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Daylesford
13 May 2023 – Red Door Pizza, Wathaurrung Country/Buninyong
28 May 2023 – Cinnamon Grove Cafe and Catering, Nillumbik/Greensborough
4 June 2023 – Edinburgh Castle, Bulleke-bek/Brunswick
Image used with permission from Chris Familton Publicity
I’m convinced the Pierce Brothers can do no wrong. Their latest single “In the Water” is another stellar indie-folk track that perfectly showcases their gift for building melodies.
“As a major third wheel in the twin brother dynamic, we found pretty quickly that my main role was actually that of a casting vote between Pat and Jack,” said Dara Munnis, who played keys on and cowrote the song with the Pierce Brothers. “Whenever there were different options on the table for the direction the song was taken, I have 100% let this newfound power go to my head.”
Dara also co-directed the music video with Patrick Pierce, who said “I have wanted to shoot at these locations for a while, and I saw the work of Alicia Brown which got me thinking about using those designs and ideas in a music video about a child’s imaginary friend. Once that was in my head, I just began thinking of all the beautiful locations in Victoria and just wanted to get on the road to start filming them. I reached out to Maryanne Lea to help with the costuming and she took the idea and really ran with it!”
The concept was originally meant for another release, but due to lockdowns in 2020 the performance aspect become impossible. However, now the time is right.
“We had to shelve the project until a new project that fit the song came along. Since then Dara has become a keys player in the band and this was our first song we wrote together. It just made sense that we release this music video we’d worked on for so long together”
Pierce Brothers will celebrate the release of “In the Water” with long-awaited shows allong the East Coast.
“It’s been such a long time since we’ve played headline metro shows, so I’m just really excited to get back out there and play to some of our most excellent hometown fans,” Jack Pierce enthused. “Melbourne is where we honed our craft and where our oldest fans are from, so we’re just really excited to see them all again.”
Tickets are on sale now for all the Pierce Brothers’ single tour shows:
12 May 2023 – Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney
13 May 2023 – The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane
19 May 2023 – Corner Hotel, Quo-yung/Richmond
27 May 2023 – Tropic Sounds @ Reid Park, Gurrumbilbarra/Townsville
9 June 2023 – Sooki Lounge, Wurundjeri Country/Belgrave
10 June 2023 – Haba, Bunurong Country/Rye
11 June 2023 – Torquay Hotel, Wadawurrung Country/Torquay
1 July 2023 – Western Port Hotel, Bunurong Country/San Remo
5 July 2023 – Big Red Bash @ Big Red Dune, Wirrarri/Birdsville
11 August 2023 – Seabreeze Hotel, Yuwibara Country/Mackay
12 August 2023 – Village Festival, Darumbal Country/Yepoon (FREE)
19 August 2023 – Mundi Mundi Bash, Wilyakali Country/Mundi
Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Dara Munnis
Nathan Seeckts delivers raw, alt-country music the way it’s supposed to be with his new single “The Wildest Thing.” It’s all heart that refuses to simply imitate American acts. I absolutely love Nathan’s husky, soulful tone.
“This song is about the wildest girl that I ever met,” Nathan said. “It was a whirlwind romance borne under neon and moonlight.”
“The Wildest Thing” is the first single from Nathan’s forthcoming 2023 album. Featuring many of the musicians that played on his 2019 debut, The Heart of the City, it seeks to capture the sound and energy he delivered with his first release. Expect a sneaky listen to more new material as Nathan tours “The Wildest Thing” all around the country. Here are the remaining dates:
22 April 2023 – Stars and Bars Festival, Nira-Balluk, Heathcote
23 April 2023 – Shiraz Republic, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Yorta Yorta Country/Cornella
29 April 2023 – The Retreat Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
6 May 2023 – Pistol Pete’s, Djilang/Geelong
Image used with permission from Chris Familton Publicity
DICE have already sold out plenty of shows on their upcoming tour, but the release of their fabulous new single “Stockholm” should move the rest of those tickets. You know what to do. Press play and enjoy three minutes of exquisite surf rock. Then point your browser to snap up tickets to a show near you, if you haven’t already done so!
“Our latest single, ‘Stockholm’ is a Gen-Z take on the concept of Stockholm Syndrome. The track’s lyrics delve into the intrusive thoughts that arise when you feel trapped within a group of people whose morals and values don’t align with yours and you feel unable to escape the situation yet are forced to be around them,” the band explained. “The process of making this track felt a lot more thought out and perfected than our previous songs. The foundation for the track was made 6 months ago while touring however we continued to work and refine the song to really hone in on the cohesiveness of all the parts. Taking more influence from Brit-Pop we are finding our sound is maturing with each release all while learning that sometimes overthinking parts of a song can hinder our momentum.”
“Stockholm” gives us another taste of DICE’s sophomore EP Time Will Tell, which drops on May 4. You can count on the band playing songs from that release and old favourites at the following gigs:
11 May 2023 – Burleigh Bazaar, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast (SELLING FAST)
12 May 2023 – Beach Hotel, Cavanbah/Byron Bay (FREE)
13 May 2023 – Spaced Out Festival, Meeanjin/Brisbane
17 May 2023 – La La Las, Dharawal Country/Wollongong (SOLD OUT)
18 May 2023 – Waywards, Eora/Sydney (SOLD OUT)
19 May 2023 – Waywards, Eora/Sydney (SOLD OUT)
20 May 2023 – Cambridge Hotel, Mulbinba/Newcastle (SOLD OUT)
25 May 2023 – Republic Bar, Nipaluna/Hobart
26 May 2023 – Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
27 May 2023 – Crown & Anchor, Tartanya/Adelaide (SOLD OUT)
28 May 2023 – Crown & Anchor, Tartanya/Adelaide
10 June 2023 – The Rechabite, Boorloo/Perth
It was the single release that had to happen. A month out from the start of their Way Out West tour, James Reyne and Ella Hooper have teamed up for a new version of The Dingoes track, “Way Out West,” which James famously covered in the ‘90s with James Blundell.
“When James came to me with this idea – I was like – hell yeah! I’ve always adored that song, it’s got such a lovely, laconic feel to it and it’s such a unique Australian song too,” Ella gushed. “I used to belt out this song growing up in the country, it’s a dream to be doing it for real with James! It definitely deserves another spin!”
They haven’t reinvented the wheel, but that’s as it should be. This take is pure nostalgia that’s bound to resonate with fans of the original and people like me who remember it from the ‘90s. If you haven’t jumped on tickets to James and Ella’s upcoming shows, let this release be a reminder to get onto it!
If Frank Ocean and Lenny Kravitz ever had a baby, they might sound a little something like Naarm/Melbourne act Forest Claudette. I think I’m a little late to the party, but the sexy new single “Mess Around”, featuring U.S. hip-hop duo EARTHGANG, has put Forest well and truly on my radar.
“Before anything else about the song, I need to acknowledge the EARTHGANG feature. I still can’t really believe it. I’ve been a fan of theirs for a hot minute, so for them to be a part of this track is just very special,” Forest gushed. “Around the time I wrote ‘Mess Around’ I was going on dates and exploring LA for the first time as an adult. I met some incredible people and they helped me learn a lot about myself. Even though it has this real f**k boy energy, to me the song is about feeling confident in what you want and feeling comfortable to communicate that with whoever, knowing they might not feel the same. But that’s life bbyyyy.”
EARTHGANG aren’t the only big-name talents Forest has worked with. The single was also produced by Paul Meany, known for his work with Yungblud, Twenty One Pilots, and LANY.
“Mess Around” is Forest’s first release of 2023, and a natural progression from their debut EP The Year of February. Forest is currently touring the country with Ruel. After that, they’ll join Lastlings on their Perfect World album tour. Make sure you arrive early if you’ve got tickets for any of these shows:
21 April 2023 – MCA, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Ruel)
22 April 2023 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Walyalup/Fremantle (supporting Ruel)
28 April 2023 – Aware Super Theatre, Eora/Sydney (supporting Ruel)
30 June 2023 – Forum, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Lastlings)
1 July 2023 – Princess Theatre, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Lastlings)
8 July 2023 – Metro Theatre, Eora/Sydney (supporting Lastlings)
15 July 2023 – Jack Rabbit Slims, Boorloo/Perth (supporting Lastlings)
