Few debuts are as confident as Nyassa’s first single “Ghost”. If she had any nerves recording this number, I can’t detect them. It’s a bold introduction to her talent, with catchy indie-pop hooks and effortless vocals that capture the joy she feels creating her music.
“Making music feels like being in love – you’re in another world, a beautiful one,” Nyassa gushed. “I want to make people feel something that they can’t explain… I naturally put a piece of my soul into my songs.”
Director Richy Sandham and cinematographer Nick Stevens translated Nyassa’s creative vision in the beautiful film clip, shot at South Australia’s Mintaro Maze and historic Martindale Hall (which you may recognise from the classic film Picnic at Hanging Rock).
Something tells me we’ll hear a lot more from Nyassa in the future.
Image used with permission from Island Records Australia; credit: She Is Aphrodite
Naarm/Melbourne rock act Catholic Guilt usher in a new era today with the release of their latest single “Live For the Rush.” It’s the first song from the band’s sophomore album, due later this year, and the first featuring new guitarist and vocalist Megan Sidwell. Some bands have teething issues when they alter the line-up, but Catholic Guilt have never sounded better.
“‘Live For The Rush’ is a song about wanting to feel truly ‘alive’ again, after a prolonged period of emotional paralysis. It is about holding an insatiable desire to experience the sensation of life, yet at the same time living in fear of the risks and changes that might be required to do so,” explained vocalist Brenton Harris. “It is a very human thing to want to feel everything, all at once, to want to explore all that this finite existence can offer, yet it is also a very human thing to want to protect the status quo because the status quo offers the safety and the surety of knowing, even if what we know isn’t providing fulfilment. ’Live For The Rush’ is an anthem about rediscovering the joy of the unknown and in the process learning to feel again.”
This song really strikes a chord to me as I anticipate jetting off to Brisbane next week, taking my first flight since the pandemic began. I’m also really digging the video, which takes us through a day in the life of the cutest sauce bottle around.
“The premise of this video at first glance is silly, funny and kinda weird. But when you delve into the bright, shiny world that Sauce lives in, there’s a whole lot more to it,” explained Sophia van Doorn, who directed the video. “Given that Sauce is depicted in an overly saturated, orange-hued world, their life is a vibrant, action-packed and fulfilling existence. Its stark contrast to the initial band shots of gloomy, lacklustre monotony creates a juxtaposition of light and dark. The band’s jubilant facial expressions upon Sauce’s arrival are the hero of this video and really tie back to the incredible lyrics, uplifting the viewer. It was hilarious running around town shooting the Sauce scenes and the band nailed all their shots in every aspect – the fun and ridiculousness shines through in the video. As a first-time director of a music video, I’m thrilled with the outcome, it looks awesome. Awesomesauce.”
You can see Catholic Guilt’s brand new line-up at the Last Chance Rock N Roll Bar in Naarm/Melbourne on March 3.
Belle Haven have just dropped their new emo anthem “I Can’t Find the Words” in time for their tour with Banks Arcade. If you’ve ever felt powerless as your relationship ends, this one’s for you.
Belle Haven have been together since 2010, but this is first release in nearly two years. Talk about a comeback!
The Future Lovers Australian Tour with Banks Arcade kicks off tomorrow night in Meeanjin/Brisbane. Limited tickets are still available for all shows but selling fast. You know what to do!
4 February 2023 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane
10 February 2023 – Factory Floor, Eora/Sydney
11 February 2023 – Transit Bar, Ngambri/Canberra
17 February 2023 – Stay Gold, Naarm/Melbourne
25 February 2023 – Enigma Bar, Tarntanya/Adelaide
Image used with permission from Bigmouth PR
Crank that volume right up, press play, and experience “Overtime”, the fantastic new single from Eora/Sydney-based pop-punk band Dial Denial. Fergus Harley-MacDonald’s vocals grab you from the jump. By the time the full band kicks in, I’ll be surprised if you’re not punching your fist in the air too.
“‘Overtime’ is the rejection of fitting in a box,” Fergus explained. “We live in a time where living is full of deadlines, panic, and fitting within the cookie-cutter roles placed upon individuals. The talk downs, the ‘real job’ you need, how you need to go to university or college. Dial Denial believes that everyone these days are overwhelmed, living life faster and faster with no time to slow down as if they’re working overtime on just… living.”
“In its purest form, ‘Overtime’ is about slowing down, appreciating the simple things, being happy, and living for yourself. Most importantly, the world in which we live is in desperate need of kindness. My dad used to say, ‘be half as smart and twice as kind’. This one simple phrase shaped the main themes and messages of this song through Fergus’ worldview. You’ll find the simple things in life more joy than overtime.”
The video, shot on Eora/Sydney’s North Shore, gives a hint at just how good this band is live.
“The ‘Overtime’ video reflects the themes of the music,” explained lead guitarist and backing vocalist Owen Borg. “The main messages of appreciating the smaller things, happiness, and kindness are shown through a house party and hanging out with your mates. The process of filming the clip was spontaneous and just super chill.”
Hopefully it’s not too long before we see these guys on the road. Until then, I’m sure “Overtime” will give you that extra shot of adrenalin you need to get through Tuesday.
James Johnston is spreading positive vibes with his latest country-rock single, “GOT IT GOOD.” It’s all about celebrating the simple things in life, which comes pretty naturally for this husband and father of two boys.
“’GOT IT GOOD’ is about appreciating the simple things in life and being grateful for what you have as you realise, these are the big things worth celebrating,” James revealed. “The perfect lives of others is just a perception and when you stop to acknowledge the little things you have in your life – a roof over your head, a job that pays the bills and a love waiting for you at home, you realise you’ve GOT IT GOOD.”
Fresh from playing a capacity crowd at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, James will play Meatstock in Toowoomba on April 14 and 15 alongside country icons like Kasey Chambers and Brad Cox.
Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity
As a John Mayer fan, I was instantly drawn to NedR’s new single “Stood Here Too.” The warm guitar tones bear more than a passing resemblance to a John Mayer jam, but when it’s this good that’s not a bad thing. NedR also has his own voice, which seems like it can do just about anything. Those falsetto notes are so compelling.
“Stood Here Too was inspired by a mate who was in the midst of packing up her late grandfather’s house. It talks about the memories that are attached to said place and the hope of seeing him again someday,” NedR explained. “I wrote this song with Dominik Dale who wrote and made the first initial demo with me and also mastered the final track. Through winning the Fender Players Plus competition, in collaboration with Studios 301, I got to work with Jesse Deskovic who recorded and mixed the track. And my drummer Matthew Ferguson who really enhanced the groove of this song.”
NedR also teamed up with Pat Taylor from Hustle Media for the gorgeous film clip.
“My videographer Pat really wanted to focus in on the image of the sun which is the main illustration throughout the song which was represented by the single spotlight featured in the video,” he added. “Our aim was to show a time of reflection that we go through when a loved one passes. A time to be by yourself and process your loss.”
NedR has such a gorgeous sound and real depth behind his music, so I hope we hear a lot more from him this year.
Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Pat Taylor
Sometimes you hear about a song and you know it’s going to be good before you even hit play. “High & Unsteady” is one of those songs. A collaboration between Pierce Brothers and Tash Sultana, how could it be anything but brilliant? My expectations were sky-high, but this track is everything I hoped it’d be. Pure feel-good indie-folk goodness with all the energy you need to get moving on a Monday.
“I really enjoyed working with the guys,” Tash enthused. “We’ve been working together for years on the road, so I had a great idea on how to capture their sound.”
The admiration is mutual, with Jack commenting “We’ve loved everything that Tash has done over the years, and when they had the idea to collaborate, we jumped at the opportunity! Pat and I put together the bones of the track so when we got into Tash’s studio we had a base from which to create and explore new sounds. Tash is one of the most talented producers we’ve had the pleasure of working with, they brought so many new sounds to mix that we would never have even thought of. I didn’t know what a mellotron was before that day!”
“High & Unsteady” comes with a cool animated music video directed and edited by Patrick Pierce, who combined 35mm analogue and digital footage.
“About 12 months ago I found a video featuring this rare Japanese film camera from the 90s. It has 16 separate frames across two rows on it, and was used for things like shooting a golf swing. I was searching for about 8 months before I could find one and start testing it out,” he explained. He edited the clip in-house over a painstaking summer, noting that “Easily the biggest hurdle in this music video was the edit. I had to develop, scan, separate and animate over 3,000 individual images. It took months, and I’m certain that the response from the general public will be ‘Huh … nice filter.’ That said, I’ve had this idea for ages now, so I’m really happy I’m finally getting it out of my head and onto a screen.”
Pierce Brothers plan on starting work on their next album this year, but you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to see them play. They’ve announced a bunch of festivals and single launch shows, and have plans to tour Australia, South Africa, and Europe to boot. Get your tickets for the following events:
4 February 2023 – Music in the Vines, Baragil/Macarthur
11 February 2023 – Hello Sunshine Festival, Wurundjeri and Bunurong Country/Scoresby
25 February 2023 – Tumbafest, Ngarigo Country/Tumbarumba
10 March 2023 – Cambridge Warehouse, Mulubinba/Newcastle
11 March 2023 – Lighthouse Festival, Darkinjung Country/Norah Head
24 March 2023 – Marlo Hotel, Marloo/Marlo
27 May 2023 – Tropic Sounds, Thul Garrie Waja/Townsville
5 July 2023 – Big Red Bash, Wirrarri/Birdsville
19 August 2023 – Mundi Mundi Bash, Wilyakali Country/Broken Hill
Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Dara Munnis
Not a lot of bands survive 20 years. Fewer still rock just as hard as they always did. But the release of The Go Set’s new single “West Into the Sun” proves they’re doing just yet. I also have it on good authority that their new album The Warriors Beneath Us, which drops on March 17, is one of their best.
“We have done it the hard way,” admitted The Go Set’s frontman, Justin Keenan. “I don’t know a band that has slept on as many floors as we have. We have done 1,500 shows and played in 27 or 28 different countries, and you are always building from scratch every night when you do that.”
But of course, struggle builds greatness. Such is the case with The Warriors Beneath Us, which came out of a brand new challenge for the band: the COVID pandemic.
“We weren’t playing live so revenue was down but during COVID we discovered we could record ourselves at home without being on the clock in a big studio,” Justin explained. “An idea for a song would come from me and we would send it around to our home studios. We could add, subtract, layer, and that became the creative process. That was new for us. We didn’t have a budget but we had all the time we needed to make the record we wanted.”
The Go Set will mark the release of The Warriors Beneath Us with their first tour in three years.
“It’s exciting to be reconnecting with people and getting out on the road. We’ve had limited opportunities over the last couple of years and we’re really excited about sharing the new material at these shows. It was something I think we may have taken for granted a while back, but a couple of years of lockdowns and unprecedented difficulty has actually made us realise how much we truly appreciate each other, playing live, and sharing our music with people around the world”.
Tickets for all those Go Set shows are on sale now, so grab yours before they sell out!
31 March 31 – Vinnies Dive, Bundjalung Country/Gold Coast
1 April 2023 – The Zoo, Meeanjin/Brisbane
2 April 2023 – Platform 5, Turrbul Country/Nundah
14 April 2023 – TBC, Naarm/Melbourne
15 April 2023 – Crown and Anchor, Tarntanya/Adelaide
21 April 2023 – The Founders Room, Salamanca Arts Centre, Nipaluna/Hobart
22 April 2023 – The Royal Oak, Therrernotepanner, Leterrermairrener and Panniher Country/Launceston
23 April 2023 – Kindred Hall, Tommeginne Country/Kindred
28 April 2023 – Moshpit Bar, Eora/Sydney
29 April 2023 – Dicey Rileys, Woolyungah/Wollongong
Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute
Ngambri/Canberra rapper YNG Martyr is one of those young acts that has kind of passed me by. I know he’s played hot festivals like Falls, Spilt Milk, and Lost Paradise, and gone viral with his meme-powered single “Nike Ticks”. But he hasn’t really been on my radar, until now. Hearing his latest single “WAIT!” featuring Naarm/Melbourne artist Logan M, I can definitely hear what the fuss is all about.
“’WAIT!’ is about acknowledging the pain of an impending break up and wishing for things to go back to the way they were,” YNG Martyr explained.
This track effortlessly blends hip-hop and indie-pop influences to create a sound that’s fresh and instantly accessible. I can imagine this one blowing up, and with YNG Martyr’s massive online following it just might.
Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia; credit: She is Aphrodite
The music scene has been a little quiet as everyone’s taken time off for the festive season, so I’m pretty excited to hear my first great new release for the year. LOSER have just dropped “Only One”, their third song from their Stadium Dreams on a Bedroom Budget EP, and it continues the trend of quality releases from this alt-rock act.
It’s more of a ballad than the EP’s previous songs, but you could hardly accuse it of being gentle. If those powerful, heartfelt vocals don’t wake you up from your mid-afternoon slump, nothing will.
“The ballad of the EP, this song took ages to get right. We recorded it multiple times and I doubted it for a while but eventually, we got the right sound. ‘Only One’ is one of the first love songs I have written,” Tim Maxwell admitted. “No matter how many times you fuck up in life there will always be someone by your side to support you and give you hope.”
The music video sees the band playing live, giving fans a little taste of what they’re in for when they come to a LOSER show.
“We wanted all the music videos for the release to be live performances. This was to create a different reason to watch the video, because you are getting an actual live take audio performance and not the audio from the EP,” the band explained. “We also wanted to show people that we can actually play our own instruments. It’s funny that in 2023 that has become a point of difference, but we don’t wanna hide behind technology, because when it comes to performing we’re the real deal.”
You’ll get a chance to see LOSER playing live when they launch the single at Yah Yah’s in Naarm/Melbourne on February 17. The next track from their EP drops on February 24.
Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Ian Laidlaw
