Category: Film Clips

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Waxflower Embrace the Dark Side With “Soak”

Waxflower have ushered in a new sonic era with their latest single, “Soak.” The Brisbane pop-punk outfit has dabbled in electronic elements before, but this track really embraces layered synthy sounds. It’s a little darker and heavier than their usual fare, and those notes are perfect for continuing the band’s exploration of mental health issues.

“‘Soak’ is about the lowest of lows, standing before a hopelessness that feels insurmountable,” explained Waxflower’s frontman Tristan Higginson. “When my panic attacks were at their worst, I wanted a medicated lobotomy — I just wanted it to be done. The song zeroes in on those moments where you would give up anything for the pain to stop.

“The most intense struggles often feel the most insular. Being told “everything’s going to be ok” doesn’t do much when you’re gasping for air. Soak lives in those moments without an agenda, it’s just down there, feeling the pain with you.”

Waxflower were due to play EP shows in Melbourne last week, but that nasty coronavirus still has a way of ruining plans. Hopefully those gigs get rescheduled soon and we can look forward to welcoming Waxflower back to the stage.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co; credit: Mitch Lowe

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Greta Stanley Gives Taste of New Album With “Close Call”

The raw vulnerability of “Close Call,” the latest track from Cairns artist Greta Stanley, has really struck a chord with me right now. It’s the kind of song that stops you in your tracks, drawing you instantly with its vulnerable lyrics and gentle electronic melody.

“‘Close Call’ actually started as a set of lyrics that I’ve had for ages … years actually,” Greta admitted. “I always liked these words, so Tristan and I wrote new music to them. It’s about being frustrated with people’s egos, needing solitude and trying to step away to protect myself. It’s a reminder to myself not to be manipulated or get lost in someone else’s world. The chorus lyric – “draw those blinds, I need an honest light” is basically me saying you can’t hide in the daylight.”

“Close Call” comes from Greta’s forthcoming sophomore album which is due to drop early next year.

“Coming from Mena Creek, a tiny town south of Innisfail and being based in Cairns for most of my 20’s, I’ve felt so grateful to be able to collaborate with other local creatives for the recording of my new album,” Greta explained. “I believe Cairns hosts a lot of talent. The record was predominantly recorded with two Far North Queensland-based producers, Tristan Barton and Mark Myers, who I have been musically involved with since the beginning of my career in music. Tristan also plays drums in my band. I’ve also worked with two incredible female photographers who I plan to work with again for videography. I’m so proud to have the support of a great artist community up here. I can’t wait to share the album with everyone.”

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Columbus Releases Feelgood Pop-Punk Banger, “Temporary Summer”

Proving that long-distance relationships can really work in the music world, Columbus are rocking my world with their latest single “Temporary Summer.” These guys live in different East Coast cities and had just three days in person to rehearse and record the song. It brings a real spontaneous energy to this track which will make you want to listen again and again.

“I was listening to a lot of early The Killers when I wrote ‘Temporary Summer’, and I wanted to try and channel their uplifting indie-rock drive alongside Columbus’ heartfelt rock/punk style,” explained frontman Alex Moses. “It’s a song about escapism and being somewhere for a short while where everything feels good, and nothing can hurt you – a temporary summer.”

Expect to put “Temporary Summer” on high rotation as the weather warms up! Columbus will support Sly Withers at the Barwon Club Hotel in Geelong on March 31 next year. Keep an eye on their socials to see when they announce more gigs.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Afterthought Live Up to Early Promise With New EP and Single

Pop-punk seemed to fade away for a while, but it’s definitely back with a vengeance here in Australia. There are so many stellar pop-punk acts on the local scene, and Afterthought are up there with the best. Right now I’m really digging “Summerset Stunner,” the latest single from the band’s recently released self-titled sophomore EP. Everything on the EP is fantastic, so once you check this song out make sure you check out the rest.

Afterthought says “Summerset Stunner is about “wanting to tell someone that you love them but never finding the right time and fearing that you may never find that time.” And haven’t we all been there?

Expect to hear a lot more from these guys in the future. They’re generating a lot of buzz from tastemakers like triple j, 4ZZZ, HEAVYMag, and Milky, and their talent lives up to the hype.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Outfit Brighten Up the Day With “Sunny”

It’s a little grey and gloomy around my part of the country, but outfit are bringing the sunshine with their soulful debut single “sunny.” This cool bop from the Perth trio is so catchy, don’t be surprised if you’re humming it for the rest of the day. Tim Tan wrote the track after struggling to fall asleep.

“The concept surrounded the sentiment of ‘I woke up, but in a way I guess I could have kept sleeping’ describing the cyclical nature of day to day life at the time,” he explained. “We were in between houses, work in the music industry took a dive due to the pandemic and really we just needed a light at the end of the tunnel to move closer to. From there the song grew into a full concept dealing with issues around mental health and finding comfort in what and who you have around you to collectively move towards the sunnier, sunnier, sunnier place.”

Outfit might be brand new, but these guys are no strangers to the music industry. Tim’s songwriting work for local acts Jaguar Jonze and Enschway and K-Pop acts aespa and ENHYPHEN has accumulated around 200 million streams and more than 3 million physical unit sales. No wonder this track is such an earworm!

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Ciara Isabel Muscat

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

San Joseph Releases Moving Pop Single, “Everything in the Room”

Melbourne artist San Joseph casts a spell with his new single “Everything in the Room.” It’s only his second release, but the songwriting and vocals are so confident and capable. The month between this release and his debut “Blink Twice” haven’t been ideal thanks to the COVID pandemic, but San Joseph is navigating the conditions in the only way he can.

“I’ve been in lockdown since ‘Blink Twice’ came out,” he admitted, “so music for me has meant spending every day trying to figure out how to master social media in a way that feels like me.”

This song is his way of bringing that experience to life, transforming the contents of his bedroom into his own conscience as he struggles to let someone go.

“It’s been such a volatile state for me, mentally,” he confirmed. “I had the sudden realisation that I’d been writing the same song a million different ways about the same person. It explores a paranoia that inanimate objects were judging me for not having moved on from my ex.”

With lockdowns really testing San Joseph’s ability to connect with fans over his new music, hopefully it’s not too long before we see him playing shows. Keep an eye on his Facebook page for news of that as soon as it comes.

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

ILUKA Spreads Sunshine With “Get Free” Single

Weekends are all about freedom, especially now those lockdowns have lifted, so what better time to introduce you to ILUKA’s banging new single “Get Free.” This synthy poppy masterpiece is the perfect track to get you grooving on this Saturday morning.

“I think it was a confession of the journey I’ve been on over the years. A celebration of the messy and long-winded route I’ve always taken – always a little left of centre and always in reach of something but never quite getting there, wherever ‘there’ even is,” ILUKA said of the song’s inspiration. “I think it was a way for me to find joy in that path rather than frustration and loneliness and in turn, to hopefully bring some kind of joy to the listeners.”

The song comes with a beautiful video filmed on Gundungurra and Darug land in the Blue Mountains, choreographed by Matthew Gode, and directed by Sophia de Vries. She explained, “We wanted to create a visual journey that embodied the idea of feeling free. Expansive natural environments, vibrant colours, and expressive movement. I was particularly inspired by the French filmmaker Eric Rohmer and the feeling of long summer days with no place to be.”

Expect to hear a lot more from ILUKA really soon, as she’s currently putting the finishing touches on her long-awaited debut album.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute; credit: Vasili Papathanasopoulos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Heirloome Releases Special Single, “Flesh To Flower”

When you listen to as much music as I do, it’s rare to hear releases that are truly original. Queer/nonbinary artist Heirloome is one special soul who isn’t afraid to go their own way though. Their latest single “Flesh To Flower” is a hauntingly beautiful track that pays tribute to their late brother.

“Losing my little brother was the deepest grief of my life – it completely broke me,” Heirloome explained. “He was 23. I had to create this magical world to protect myself, and to grieve, or I just couldn’t cope. I saw a shaman ten days after he passed, and she said that his spirit was still in shock – so we sang to him, to help him understand and move on. That’s how this song happened. The shaman called in the spirit of a hummingbird to guide me, and the next day three birds appeared at my window and told me to write three songs for my brother. It’s really me singing to him – asking his spirit questions about life, about what it all means … and what it is to die.

“I didn’t want the song to be dark – I wanted it to be filled with the mysticism of this human experience we are having, to transform the pain into beauty somehow. I wanted to create a magical soundscape where it was safe enough to feel the loss, and begin to heal.”

This track is so special. Heirloome describes it as chamber pop/indietronica which gets close, but I’m not sure words quite capture the magic of it. And then you add in the gorgeous music video which adds a new cinematic dimension to the song.

It sounds like we’re in for more unique art when Heirloome releases their debut EP Cycles on November 19. Click here to sign up for the free interactive online experience.

Image used with permission from Heirloome

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Grace Cummings’ Latest Single is a Slice of “Heaven”

Grace Cummings has got one of those voices that stops you in your tracks. It’s like she’s smoked a thousand cigarettes and lived a life well beyond her tender years. She already sounds like one of the greats, but her new single “Heaven” comes from only her second album, Storm Queen.

“I wrote ‘Heaven’ in just about the same time it takes to sing,” she admitted. “I heard that you’d always know who the hero was in an old cowboy movie because they’d be wearing a ten-gallon Stetson. Heaven might be a person… or a place… or my father or a tiny little caterpillar or the sound of a kookaburra laughing. The kookaburra is a hero. I am not.”

Storm Queen drops on January 14. If this track is any indication, you’re going to want to hear it.

Image used with permission from Brain Drain PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angus Legg Drops Sweet Pop Bop, “3rd Grade Art”

If you love accessible folky pop bops from acts like Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes, I think “3rd Grade Art” by Melbourne’s Angus Legg will be right up your alley. It’s incredibly sweet with nostalgic lyrics that take listeners back to the simple days of childhood.

“The metaphorical undertone felt playful, light and energetic, however, I was having a tough time with my partner at the time and decided I would use this idea to frame our difficulties in a new, positive light,” Angus explained.

If you weren’t already in love with Angus, the music video might just push you over the edge. It’s cheeky, goofy, and impossibly endearing.
Remember the name, because I predict we’re going to hear a lot more about Angus Legg in the years to come.

Image used with permission from GYROstream