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

Doko Rock Out With “Maybe Leave a Light On”

Is time in iso getting you down? Sydney band Doko is here to lift your spirits with its feelgood new indie-rock track “Maybe Leave a Light On.” The track is a real banger with lyrics exploring how to successfully navigate the darkness of a tumultuous relationship. Listen to it just once and I bet you’ll be singing it for the rest of the day. It’s just that catchy.

The creepy music video was inspired by the band members’ time watching the iconic performances of Countdown in their youth. They had a blast making it, just as you will watching it.

“This was definitely the most fun we’ve had shooting a video, miming along to the song the way bands did back in the ‘80s, on a stage blanketed in smoke.” explained Doko.

These guys are most at home on stage and have already supported big names like Eskimo Joe, Alex Lahey, and Ali Barter. The band was all set to embark on their biggest tour to date but then COVID-19 came and put those plans on the back burner. Doko promises to get back on the road as soon as it’s safe. Until then, crank this one up!

Image used with permission from Arow Agency

Annie Hamilton Shows Creativity With Solo Music and Fashion Line

A singer-songwriter, musician, visual artist, and fashion designer, Sydney’s Annie Hamilton is a true creative talent. After making waves as the guitarist of Little May, she’s going it alone with her self-titled first solo EP. The release, which drops on May 1, features the brand-new single “Panic.” It’s a cool, retro-sounding song that Annie describes as a conversation with her anxiety. The new lyric video really lets you home in on those powerful words.

Along with previous releases “Kitchen” and “My New Tattooed Chameleon,” Hamilton reveals the journey of an artist navigating and documenting her personal journey. The songs examine everyday experiences, both profound and mundane, to create a portrait of this exciting Aussie talent.

“This EP is the culmination of the last few years spent finding my voice as a solo artist. These songs have come from a place of introspection and experimentation, following my intuition while improving my production and engineering skills in the process,” Annie explained.

Along with the EP, Annie Hamilton is also releasing a limited-edition capsule fashion collection. You can pre-order the first piece, the shirt worn in her “Kitchen” music video, now.

Image used with permission from Inertia Music; credit: Rosie Fitzgerald

Rock Out to Loose End’s New Single, “Discontent”

Melbourne’s Loose End speaks for Aussies everywhere with a brand new single “Discontent.” The track explores the idea of burnout and how it impacts your enjoyment of success. However, its aggressive sound, which sits somewhere between pop punk and metalcore, will help you exorcise any demons you’re feeling at this stressful time.

“The track is about a recent point in my life when I realised I had achieved a lot of personal goals, and even ticked a couple of dreams off my list. People began to really enjoy our music, we were selling out shows and writing even better songs. Outside of music I had also booked a couple of lead theatre roles and had worked on some fantastic short films,” explained Loose End’s front man, Ben Smalley.

“Unfortunately, I was working way too hard and was depriving myself of the time to reflect on or enjoy the process because of it. I couldn’t find the sense of fulfilment in my achievements – or not in the way that I thought I would or thought that I needed.”

You might not realise it on the first listen, but “Discontent” is also a love song.

“During this time, I had met a girl and quickly fallen head over heels for her,” Ben explained. “She really put everything into perspective for me, teaching me how to stop and enjoy the present moment.”

“Discontent” is one of those songs that refuses to be put in a box. It’d probably blow the lid off anyway! Crank this one up.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co