Matt Joe Gow and The Weeping Willows Join Forces For “Too Far To Go”

Before we all hit pause for the pandemic, singer-songwriter Matt Joe Gow laid down some music with his pals The Weeping Willows. He planned to release the song at the start of his next tour, but of course COVID-19 put the kybosh on those plans. Understanding that we need good music now more than ever, Matt Joe and The Weeping Willows have decided to release the track anyway.

“Too Far To Go” is a beautiful, gentle piece of folk music, perfect for calming your fears and soothing your soul. With its delicate layered vocals and subtle slide guitar, it reminds me of a lullaby for grownups, or those kids you wish would just get to bed already. The poetic lyrics add to the beauty of this subtle but arresting single. “Too Far To Go” is available on all your favourite streaming platforms now.

PLGRMS on Comeback Trail With “Disappear”

With singer-songwriter Jacob Pearson battling chronic pain and associated mental health problems, his musical project PLGRMS hit pause in 2019. However, he’s back working with fellow songwriter Jonathan Bowden and sounding better than ever. The Sydney duo’s new single “Disappear” is a triumphant return, with a dark and brooding sound you won’t quickly forget.

The duo said the track is like a “note to self,” adding “You want to take the first step, dive towards something new, but it’s so easy being resistant to change. Sometimes almost drowning is what it takes for us to learn how to swim.”

According to PLGRMS’ Facebook page, more new music is on its way sooner than we think. I can’t wait!

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co; photo by Emily Treacy

Skyepaint Hits the Sweet Spot With “Where The Heart Is”

Newcastle act Skyepaint serves up good vibes with his latest single “Where the Heart Is.” It’s just the kind of honest indie pop music we need in our lives right now. I just love those lush synths and Skyepaint’s on-point vocals. This song goes down easy, and when so much of the world is complicated right now that kind of accessibility is a very good thing.

“It’s a heartfelt synthpop song that encapsulates the idea of home, and the ways in which our sense of home develops as we navigate life’s peaks and valleys,” Skyepaint explained. I’d love for you to take a listen and let me know what you think.

Making music videos in the time of COVID-19 isn’t easy, but Skyepaint got creative.

“I wanted to make a music video for “Where the Heart Is”, but self-isolating made that a little tricky to organise,” he admitted. “So, I found a stranger on Fiverr and paid him to do a single-take interpretive dance to the song on his Las Vegas rooftop.”

I think it was money well-spent. What about you?

Image used with permission from Skyepaint; credit Kristen Olson

The Milkshakes Release Summery Single “Sacred Ritual”

Sydney band The Milkshakes are making me nostalgic for summer with their latest track “Sacred Ritual.” These guys have a cool, laid back surf rock vibe that transports you to a time before social distancing and winter chills. The song itself was also inspired by the band’s own preshow rituals, something I’m sure they can’t wait to resume!

“The song was written and partially recorded while touring and playing shows in Thailand. In essence, it’s about the band’s silly yet sacred ritual of first lugging equipment to the show, then plugging in and then having the freedom to ‘chug’ a drink at the bar or the green room after soundcheck,” they explained.

Listen out for the sweet sounds of flamenco singer Pablo Fernandez Potillo De La Oliva on this one. The next summer might be a long way off, and it might not look the way we hope when we get there, but “Sacred Ritual” is the ideal soundtrack for imagining what is hopefully just around the corner.

Bee Virginia Releases Buzzy Single “Won’t You”

Melbourne chanteuse Bee Virginia recently dropped her latest single “Won’t You.” Her name might be unfamiliar, but don’t mistake her for an industry newcomer. She’s previously released material under the romantic moniker Lover. The new name marks the start of a new chapter for this talented Aussie.

“’Won’t You” is definitely my official transition from Lover to Bee Virginia. It oozes lust and flirtation and will be the perfect soundtrack to bring listeners out of the winter blues and into warmer, easier days,” she explained. “There’s still electronic vibes in there (from Lover days) but more soul to introduce the new Bee.”

If you like what you hear, make sure you check out Andy Bull’s stellar remix. Personally I prefer the original, but I also appreciate the new complexion his “housey poolside jam” gives.

Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado

No Frills Twins Release New Pop Bop, “Paper Love”

If you’re a fan of the Veronicas, you already recognise the magic that happens when musical twins join forces. Sydney-based twins Arna and Vanessa Rogers are the latest twin duo to knock my socks off. Known as the No Frills Twins, they’ve just released a fantastic new single electro-pop “Paper Love.”

“‘Paper Love’ salutes a connection between people that is far deeper than any monetary or material exchange” the sisters explained. “It’s about loving someone so much that you feel inexpressibly content just in their company without needing anything else.”

While the song sounds romantic, it was actually inspired by the bond the sisters share, which came into focus when they made their way from a small town to Sydney last year.

“At this time all we really had was each other, which was not much but enough, so it sparked inspiration for a song,” they added.

I love the ‘80s influenced sound of this track and those sublime harmonies. Hopefully we hear a lot more from No Frills Twins once iso is over!

Image used with permission from Arow Agency; credit Giulia McGauran

The GrandParents Club Releases New Iso Anthem “Hey There”

Most Australians are struggling with missing people right now. Whether you’re yearning for someone living in another state or abroad or you just don’t feel comfortable with the easing of restrictions allowing social visits just yet, it can be a difficult time. If you do see loved ones, the need to social distance can also be very painful. Some of the people hit hardest are the grandparents missing all the kisses, cuddles, and visits from their grandchildren. In light of that a team of local entertainers have formed The GrandParents Club, a social media hub where the grandparents can share their stories, jokes, and music with other like-minded people. The first song to come out of the initiative is “Hey There,” written by ARIA Award-winning performer “Poppa” Tony Williams.

“In these extraordinary times I was wondering how other grandparents might be feeling being cut off from their grandkids, and also how grandkids, who can’t see their nannas and granddads are feeling,” Poppa Tony explained. “I know personally how this feels as my grandson Max lives in Austria. So the song and emotions came naturally to me. I wanted to write a song that was heartfelt, but also uplifting; to share that this is only for a time and that things will get better.”

“Hey There”, produced by John Field and released through ABC Music, is the first of many that will come from the GrandParents Club. It’s incredibly sweet, and I think it has something for everyone right now, whether you’re a grandparent or not!

Eliott Shows Her Heart With “Circles”

Stop what you’re doing and take a moment. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing; it can wait. Just hit play and take a moment to listen to “Circles,” the latest single from Eliott.

“Circles” is the sort of song that doesn’t deserve to be relegated to the background. It’s so vulnerable, so insightful, and so powerful.
“It navigates through a lot of my life,” Eliott explained of the song’s lyrics. “Dropping out of university, letting down my parents, always being on diets, and ultimately living in this cycle of making mistakes and hating who I am. Those things have made me confident and strong though, and make me love who I am. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

It’s been nearly two years since Eliott dropped her stellar debut EP Bold Enough. Hopefully the release of “Circles” means there’s more great music on the way from this talented Victorian singer-songwriter.

Rock Out With Ragdoll’s New Track, “Follow the Leader”

Perth rock band Ragdoll has just dropped an electric new single “Follow the Leader,” and it’s a straight-up instant classic. It’s got that timeless feel of an anthemic stadium rock track with a little ‘90s grunginess and a fresh feel that ensures it never feels like a throwback. I can also attest that it sounds at its very best when you crank your speakers way up.

“Musically we wanted Follow the Leader to capture the live energy of a Ragdoll show, and that has as much to do with the way the song sounds as the way it feels,” explained the band’s guitarist Leon Todd. “I personally feel these are some of the very best vocals Ryan has done to date, and the way he and Cam play together as a rhythm section really gets to shine on this song. Plus, I’m totally addicted to that main riff!”

Ragdoll aren’t used to sitting still. They played countless shows since setting out in 2015, including the Rocklahoma festival, a support slot for Skid Row at the Whisky a Go Go, and gigs in Europe and Australia. Hopefully it won’t be too long before we see them back on stages doing what they do best.

Image used with permission from Firestarter Music

Guadion Takes “TV Shows” Launch Online

With Ed Sheeran stepping back from the music business, there’s a vacancy for an acoustic-guitar playing singer-songwriter. Enter local lad Guadion, he’s stepping up with his folky pop to fill the void. He recently dropped his single “TV Shows,” and it goes down pretty easily.

You might actually think you were listening to the latest Ed Sheeran track if not for the reference to Kyle and Jackie O on the radio. Guadion has a similar storyteller quality and an ease about his music that draws you in.

“TV Shows is a small part of my life,” he explained. “I began writing the tune when I was working on a small farm in a rural area in Canada’s Saskatchewan. In this place I was turbulent. I never knew what I wanted to do. So I taught myself to play guitar and sing inside a grain silo every day after work. I was also going through a difficult stage of adolesence; through this song I was aiming to express my current feelings with music. Every time I’d think of the things I was going through I’d write a little bit more of the song. It’s not the first song I ever wrote, and definitely not the last, but it holds a long journey of my emotions, my memories and my thoughts.”

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Guadion has decided to take the single launch online. He’ll play an intimate set streamed via YouTube and Guadion’s Instagram page (@guadion_music) tomorrow night at 7:30 pm AEST.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR