Phia Releases First Music Video for “Do You Ever?”

Phia has been releasing music for around five years now, so it’s surprising that this video for her new single “Do You Ever?” is actually her first. It’s a thoroughly charming affair, with enough paint, tinsel, and glitter to appeal to any serious craft addicts.

“Do You Ever?” comes from Phia’s upcoming debut album The Ocean of Everything. She’ll promote the single’s release with the following shows, including a residency at Some Velvet Morning which starts tomorrow night.

3 February 2016 – Some Velvet Morning, Melbourne
10 February 2016 – Some Velvet Morning, Melbourne
17 February 2016 – Some Velvet Morning, Melbourne
20 February 2016 – Carpark Fest 2016, Bendigo
24 February 2016 – Some Velvet Morning, Melbourne
25 February 2016 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
2 March 2016 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
3 March 2016 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
6 March 2016 – Sydney Road Street Party, Brunswick

Evol Walks Bring Back the Power Ballad with “Without Me”

Gold Coast band Evol Walks are taking me back to the glory days of real rock power ballads with their new single “Without Me.” It’s so refreshing to hear a track like this, with big vocals by the flame-haired Leah Martin-Brown and great big wailing guitars.

“‘Without Me’ isn’t your typical ballad,” Leah explained in the press release. “It’s a farewell song to someone whom you used to care about very much but have now fallen out of love with”.

They haven’t broken the big time yet, but Evol Walks seem destined for greatness. They’ve been spending most of their time in Los Angeles, where they’ve performed at legendary venues like House of Blues and the Viper Room. They also played on the mainstage at Przystanek Woodstock in Poland, which is Europe’s largest music festival.

If you’re in California next month, you can catch Evol Walks at the following shows.

3 February 2016 – The Other Door Bar, Los Angeles
7 February 2016 – The Mint, Los Angeles
27 February 2016 – Amplyfi, Hollywood

Jade Alice Releases Catchy Single “Kick Drum”

Jade Alice has finally released the song that earned her the 2015 Melbourne Music Bank title, “Kick Drum.” It’s a ridiculously catchy and quirky slice of indie pop. Personally I could have done without the trippy bits at the end, but its catchy melody is so addictive that I can overlook its flaws.

It turns out that melody actually came to Jade in a dream. She says “The song is simply about a feeling of uncontrollable happiness; a feeling I hope resonates with others when they listen to it…. The greatest reward for me as a musician is evoking the same emotion in people as the one you felt when you created that song. If you listen to the music I’ve written and you see me, then you aren’t really getting much out of it, but if you listen to that music and you see yourself, then you may learn things about yourself and the song’s purpose.”

A student at the Victorian College of the Arts studying Interactive Composition, Jade Alice has a big future ahead of her. She’ll launch “Kick Drum” at Shebeen in Melbourne on February 18.

Sons of East Ready to Embark on Aussie Tour

Sons of the East slipped under my radar last year when they released their EP Already Gone and beautiful single “Into the Sun.” And apparently when they were releasing other stuff for the past four years. But you know what they say about things being better late than never, right?

These guys are making such quality modern folk music. Their experience shows, as it no doubt will when they hit the stage on their upcoming Australian tour. Here are all the places you can see them doing their thing over the coming months.

28 January 2016 – Moonshine Steyne, Manly (FREE)
29 January 2016 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
31 January 2016 – Open Air Cinema, Canberra
3 February 2016 – The Foundry, Fortitude Valley
5 February 2016 – Sound Lounge, Gold Coast
6 February 2016 – Sol Bar, Noosa Heads
20 February 2016 – RadLivin, Sydney
21 February 2016 – Open Air Cinema, Bondi
23 February 2016 – Factory Theatre, Marrickville (supporting JD McPherson)
24 February 2016 – Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul (supporting JD McPherson)
28 February 2016 – Porch Sessions, Adelaide
4 March 2016 – Hotel Great Northern, Byron Bay
5 March 2016 – Noosa Surf Festival, Noosa Heads
19 March 2016 – Party in the Park, Sydney
1 April 2016 – The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood

Broadhurst Stuns with “Little Lover” Single

Sydney-based musician Broadhurst actually dropped this single “Little Lover” online before Christmas, but it’s only come to my attention on its official release. I’m kind of glad I waited though, because now I don’t get just an incredibly powerful song but also a stunning video. It’s such a moving combination that I’m glad I experienced this song in this way.

Given the creative vision Broadhurst has shown here, the live show he’s currently developing should be truly something special.

Ben Abraham Charms with “You and Me”

Ben Abraham wowed me when I heard his song “Speak” last year, so I’m thrilled to hear he’s released a single ahead of his album release in March. “You and Me” has all of the folkiness and heart that first attracted me to Ben’s music.

The clip’s also such a beautiful representation of the reality that creeps in after a night of celebrating. Perhaps not surprisingly it was also done by Oh Yeah Wow, the creative team behind Boy & Bear’s video that won me over yesterday.

“You and Me” is the first song lifted from Ben’s debut album Sirens, which will hit stores on March 4. The Herald Sun named Ben an artist to watch in 2016, and I can’t say that I disagree with their assessment!

Boy & Bear Kick Off Album Tour Tonight

It’s been a long while since a music video properly impressed me. However, I’m wowed by the visual spectacular that is Boy & Bear’s latest effort, accompanying their single “Limit of Love” from the album of the same name.

“We really love the Oh Yeah Wow guys,” lead singer Dave Hosking said of the creative team behind the clip. “This is our third time working with them and they never disappoint. This time it’s elegant, beautiful and hypnotic.”

It’s been a long time since Boy & Bear played local shows, but they’re kicking off a national tour this week, with Art of Sleeping and Montaigne as support. There are still a handful of tickets left for the following shows.

22 January 2016 – Odeon Theatre, Hobart
23 January 2016 – Festival Hall, Melbourne
29 January 2016 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
30 January 2016 – Red Hill Auditorium, Perth
12 February 2016 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
13 February 2016 – Riverstage, Brisbane

PLTS and Pro Vita Team Up for Summer Tour

Fresh from the release of their epic summer anthem “On & On”, PLTS are set to follow the sun along the East Coast with a string of shows next month.

The Byron Bay band will take Brisbane rockers Pro Vita along for the ride for all but the Broadbeach gig. With two of Australia’s most exciting up-and-coming acts on the bill, you can expect good times from the following shows.

22 January 2016 – The Northern, Byron Bay (FREE)
24 January 2016 – Broadbeach Tavern, Broadbeach
29 January 2016 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
30 January 2016 – The Foundry, Brisbane

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Sounds of Oz readers! I hope that like me you’re lucky enough to be spending the day with family, some good booze, and pork crackle. All the essentials. Thanks for allowing me to share my passion for all things on the Aussie music landscape with you for another year.

I always like to share a Christmas song with you on December 25, but I was feeling like I’d already showed you all the best ones, until Rage played this last Saturday morning. I was a wee young thing in 1985, so I actually don’t remember The Incredible Penguins. Apparently this Aussie supergroup, featuring John Farnham, Angry Anderson, Jim Keays, Brian Mannix, Colin Hay, Bob Geldof (gee he loves a charity single doesn’t he?), and so many more superstars released this cover of “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” to raise funds for fairy penguin research. I just love listening to a version of this song that doesn’t have Yoko warbling all over it. The mullets are also incredible.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Byron Mark Shows He Can Do It All with “Piano Dance”

When I hit play on “Piano Dance,” I was struck by its grandeur. This sounds like the sort of thing a full flamenco band would play to accompany some gorgeous young dancers. But it’s actually the work of just one guy, Sydney multi-instrumentalist Byron Mark.

Apparently Byron’s been gigging and collaborating with people for years, but he decided it’s about time he released some music of his own. And so “Piano Dance” was born, a purely instrumental track featuring his handiwork on the piano, cajon, and dun-duns. It’s a really strong effort that is a real step up from most debut singles. More of this please!