Western Sydney’s own Cap Carter wowed me in January with his powerful song “Thrill.” His latest release “Worlds” shows he has many more stories to tell.
“Worlds” has hit me in the gut, just like “Thrill” did. It’s another emotional track, where Cap’s incredible voice interplays beautifully with delicate electronic instrumentation. His voice can seemingly do anything, moving effortlessly from a low rasp to soaring falsetto.
Cap Carter is writing music that matters because it moves you. I can’t wait to wrap my ears around his next release.
Image used with permission from The A&R Department
Any time I have any inkling that I might be cut out for motherhood, I think about how difficult it must be to hear a Wiggles album or the Frozen soundtrack for the umpteenth time. I feel for you parents of Australia, so I figure it’s my duty to put any good kids’ music on your radar. Wrap your ears around “Nali,” the first single from Dan Sultan’s soon-to-be-released kids album Nali & Friends.
Dan was inspired to write Nali & Friends with his longtime pal and collaborator, filmmaker Rhys Graham, after the pair trekked through Uganda and Kenya for their work with the Thin Green Line Foundation. During that journey Dan and Rhys spent a lot of time with baby animals, watching them play and observing their quirky personalities. The result is a collection of heart-warming songs about growing up, accepting differences, and protecting our natural world.
“It was one of the most rewarding musical experiences I’ve had to date. I like a lot of different types of music, and what was really refreshing for me was this opportunity to dip into so many musical styles, to represent the various characters’ stories,” Dan explained. “There’s everything from calypso to flat out honky-tonk to cinematic ballads with strings. Artistically it was very fulfilling. I’m in some rare form at the moment, I’m feeling really good.”
Nali, the album’s central character, is a baby Arctic bird with a crooked wing who loses her way migrating from the North to the South Pole. Her journey off course isn’t all bad though, because she meets animals from all around the world, from the jungles of Uganda to Australia’s deserts.
Normally I find children’s music a little grating on the ear, but “Nali” is every bit as cool as you’d expect from Dan Sultan. It’s the perfect gateway into his material for mini-music lovers out there. Nali & Friends hits stores on April 12.
It’s a very gloomy day in my part of the world but “Heart,” the latest synth-pop single from Sydney duo Froyo has come along to brighten it. This is such a shimmery, shiny track, with a killer sax line that is well worth waiting for. Seriously, why don’t more bands add sax solos these days?
“’Heart’ is about trying to do what your heart loves versus what your brain thinks”, explained the band’s keyboard player and joint vocalist, Michael. “In the bigger picture of the EP’s narrative, ‘Heart’ is about learning to love again and embracing the things you love.”
Divorce can be painful and emotional, but it can also be hilarious if you have the right perspective. Enter Benn Gunn, a true blue Aussie country singer who champions the lighter side of conscious uncoupling in his new single “I Got the Boat.”
During the song Benn admits that men can lose a lot of assets when they split from their other halves. However, so long as he’s got the boat, he’s got everything he needs!
Benn’s next show is at the Norfolk Island Country Music Festival on May 20.
Brisbane soul-rock outfit The Urban Sea has just released its cooler than cool new single “Underground Love.” It’s a slick offering from the six-piece which explores the seemingly limitless relationships options we have available at a swipe of our thumbs.
“Underground Love” has been a favourite among fans at The Urban Sea’s live shows, and it’s not hard to hear why. It’s got me really excited to hear what the band has in store on their next EP.
Wangaratta country artist Jade Gibson is making me want to pack my bags and take a road trip with her latest single “The Great Unknown.” It’s a classic country track with a distinctly Australian flavour which should see her graduate from playing local BnS balls to big stages.
“The Great Unknown” is the title track from Jade’s five-song EP, which drops on April 12. She’s playing plenty of regional gigs in the near future. Catch her at the following shows.
23 March 2019 – Euroa Rodeo, Euroa
6 April 2019 – Heyfield BnS Ball, Heyfield
13 April 2019 – ‘The Great Unknown’ EP Launch Party, Rutherglen
20 April 2019 – Omeo Rodeo, Omeo
27 April 2019 – Lava Blast BnS Ball, Dundonnell
4 May 2019 – Collie Hotel, Collie
11 May 2019 – Edward River Hotel, Deniliquin
18 May 2019 – Batlow RSL Club, Batlow
25 May 2019 – Henty Football Club, Henty
1 June 2019 – Precinct Bar & Restaurant, Wangaratta
22 June 2019 – Bright Football Club, Bright
I’ve found myself thoroughly charmed this morning by Here’s to Better Times & Seeing Better Places, the debut album from Victorian indie-pop act Rach Brennan & The Pines. There’s so much warmth and wisdom in this album, which dropped today. And with just nine tracks, the band’s ensured every one is flawless.
Choosing a favourite seems like choosing a favourite child, but current single “Hindsight” has really bowled me over. It’s got all that wisdom I mentioned wrapped up in an upbeat, feel-good poppy package.
“‘Hindsight’ is about a moment of clarity when you realise that you’re no longer young, but not yet old … but even though you might feel stuck or limited in experience, the world around you keeps moving at breakneck pace with no sign of slowing down,” Rach explained. “In this time in your life you either stay still and let it rush past you … or you let go, be kind to yourself and let the current take you.”
Rach Brennan & The Pines have been incredibly busy of late playing single release shows and festivals, but there’s no slowing them down. You can catch this exciting new act at the following shows celebrating the album’s release.
19 April 2019 – Halls Gap Hotel, Halls Gap
2 May 2019 – The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood
25 May 2019 – The Workers Club, Geelong
30 May 2019 – Marlborough Hotel, Newtown
31 May 2019 – Howlin’ Wolf Bar, Wollongong
Image used with permission from The Right Profile
Morgan Bain has floored me with his latest single “Blood.” It’s such a powerful, poetic track, a slow-burner with stunning lyrics and complex, powerful instrumentation. Morgan conceived the song when he was making the three-week car trip from his home city of Perth to his new home in Melbourne.
“On that drive I was contemplating a lot of things to do with my childhood, and instead of writing really angry songs, which I’ve done many times, I’m now taking a slightly philosophical approach,” he says.
The clip is a thing of beauty too. Director Annelise Hickey said she worked with Morgan to “create something that contrasted against the heavy lyrics, emotive chords and construct the clip to feel a little unconventional and strange. This video is all about Morgan being used as a lifeless prop to create new shapes and forms by the characters around him (almost like artworks). I wanted to use ordinary locations with interesting color palettes & shapes and try to transform the landscapes into something strange (using camera placement / framing and the movements from the characters).”
With the right sounds and visuals, “Blood” is such an exciting release.
Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia
There’s just no slowing down Alex Lahey. She’s been touring relentlessly here and abroad, yet she’s somehow found time to record a brand new album. “Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself” is the upbeat first single from her forthcoming LP, The Best of Luck Club.
“I wrote this song for my partner who was on tour and was feeling the fatigue and stresses of the road, as we all do,” she explained. “It doesn’t matter how capable or strong or resilient you may be, we all have bad days, and that’s OK. There’s nothing wrong with feeling tired after a hard day’s work and sometimes I have to remind myself of that too.”
The Best of Luck Club drops on May 17. She’ll take its songs on the road this June.
6 June 2019 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
7 June 2019 – Rock Rover, Fremantle
13 June 2019 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
14 June 2019 – The Basement, Canberra
15 June 2019 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
22 June 2019 – Forum, Melbourne
Canberra singer-songwriter MAXO should get your heart soaring with his new single “Light It Up.” It’s a uplifting song which MAXO says it “about leaving the 9-5 jobs, chasing my dreams, and bringing everyone along for the ride. To break their shackles. To chase their dreams. To feel ALIVE!”
I’ve written about MAXO a few times and I think he’s going from strength to strength. With one accomplished pop-rock song after the next, I can’t wait to hear his next release.
