Aussie expat Teischa has just released her powerful new single “haunt me.” It’s an emotional sucker punch with layered electronic sounds and vulnerable, raw lyrics.
“’haunt me’ is about moving on and finding closure within yourself to let go of the lingering memory and feeling of a person once they are no longer in your life,” Teischa explained.
Based in Los Angeles since July, this Fremantle-born talent is taking more creative control over her work than ever before. She set up a small studio in Cypress Park where she’s been working with a creative community on the songs and sketches that will come together on an album next year. She also produced the music video and artwork for “haunt me” there.
“haunt me” is available on all your favourite streaming platforms now.
Image used with permission from Habit Music Company/Photo credit: Korey Waggoner
Men’s mental and physical health is in the spotlight this month as blokes all around the country get hairy for Movember. Men’s health is something we don’t talk about enough, especially in Australia where so many have an attitude they must be stoic, no matter what comes. Fanny Lumsden challenges this notion in her new single “Real Men Don’t Cry (War on Pride),” the third track lifted from her number one ARIA country album Real Class Act.
The song is a poignant country ballad with some of the most stirring lyrics you’ll hear all year.
“Pride is a funny thing. It makes us stand up for things and it also makes us hide. However, it can become a wall that’s prevents us asking for help, telling people we love them, letting loved ones know we are not okay, we need a little support, a little help. It prevents us showing our vulnerability,” Fanny explained.
“So, I call a war on pride. That type. The type that’s preventing a father telling his son he has done a good job. The type that stops you asking for a hand. That prevents you from showing that vulnerability.”
Fanny is currently playing shows around the country on her Under Our Hills Hoist tour. Catch her at the following venues over the coming weeks.
3 November 2018 – Lonsdale Reserve, Mulwala
10 November 2018 – Private show, Canberra
11 November 2018 – Smiths Alternative Book Store, Canberra (@1 pm)
18 November 2018 – Private show, Thurgoona
22 November 2018 – The Newsagency, Camperdown
23 November 2018 – On the Beach Sessions @ Franks Wild Years, Thirroul
6 December 2018 – The Lost Ones, Ballarat
7 December 2018 – Royal Oak Hotel, Penolasa (FREE)
14 December 2018 – Sandigo Hall, Sandigo
15 December 2018 – Cudgewa Hall, Cudgewa
Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute
Diamonds are created under pressure. It’s true in the world of science, but it’s often the case in the music industry too. A lesser band might have crumbled when challenged to complete 50 demos in a two-month period. But Melbourne punk rock act As a Rival thrived under the pressure, creating a rich collection of songs that honed their craft and helped them evolve their sound. Only the 12 best made it to their new album Griefers.
Having so many superb songs to select from ensures this album is one of absolute quality. No tracks feel like fillers. Every one is a stand out, from the bold opening track “Broken Compass” to the politically-charged closing number “Divide Us.” The anthemic single “What We Got” remains one of my favourite tracks, but it faces stiff competition from “Atom Bomb” and “Head in the Clouds.” Ask me next week after a few more listens and I might tell you I’m into something else, such is the quality of these tracks. Each one smacks you in the face with its frenetic drumming and big chunky guitar chords. They’re so insightfully written, with lyrics brought to life by the powerful vocals of frontman Pete Cerni.
Griefers is an album you just can’t ignore. It barely takes its foot off the pedal, whisking you along on a wild ride that you’ll want to take again and again. Forget about what you’ve heard about that Difficult Second Album Syndrome. As a Rival make it look easy here.
Griefers is available from your favourite digital retailers today.
Melbourne punk rock act Loose End show they’re going from strength to strength with the release of their latest single “Jordan Street.”
Loose End always had the makings of a great band, but their inexperience showed. This song has a much more mature sound, with smarter songwriting and more sophisticated production than we’ve seen in the past. Yet it’s kept the essence of what made this band so special. It wears its heart on its sleeve, and that moves ours too.
Frontman Ben Smalley says the song is “about chasing my dreams. Like everyone I have my days where I hang over my head. I have the sleepless nights where I feel alone and ridiculous. The mornings in the car and worry about my dignity and if I’ll have any left if I fail. When I was in early high school I use to play in a band called Geroff and we practiced at our drummer’s childhood home on Jordan Street. Maybe it is the nostalgia, but they seemed to be simpler times.”
“Jordan Street” is the first track lifted from Loose End’s second EP, Overthinking Everything I Know, which drops on November 30.
After several vocal surgeries and the traffic loss of her nephew, Tamma knows more about overcoming adversity than most. But rather than letting her struggles consume her, she’s channelled them into her feel-good new single “Beat You Down.”
“Music is my healer and I wanted to write something to make them feel uplifted – the way music does for me. I was thinking about my little nieces (and nephews) navigating through life at different ages and stages; it’s confusing enough as a young one, but then trying to understand that loss on top of that is so hard. I thought about my own journey, what it’s like to be a female today,” she explained of the song’s inspiration. “’Beat You Down’ came at the last minute, and it’s a message for my nieces: if they ever feel discouraged or hurt, don’t let it beat you down. Stay close to your loved ones … it’s a message for anyone who needs a pick-me-up. Life’s bigger than letting toxic people or trivial things get to you.”
The Melbourne-based singer combines pop, soul, and dance vibes into this summery track that should have you singing along before you too long. With much of Australia receiving gloomy, grey weather, Tamma headed to sunny Venice Beach for the film clip.
“Venice Beach is place close to my heart for many reasons: the warmth, the weirdness, the music, blue skies and palm trees, but mainly because of my awesome mates who live there, who also feature in the clip. We filmed some of it in their backyard in their amazing airstream caravan,” she said. “I picked skateboarding because I wanted a visual representation where persistence and resilience pays off. I have always loved and respected skateboarding since I was a kid; it’s an artform that requires courage to master it. You get physically hurt as well as rejected from society and little recognition, you eat shit and you get up again!”
No matter what you’re going through this Monday, crank this one and you’re bound to feel better.
Wollongong rockers The Vanns have been wowing crowds all around the country on their current tour promoting new single “How Was I Supposed to Know.” They’re playing pubs at the moment, but with a sound this big it’s only a matter of time before they’re in stadiums.
“How Was I Supposed to Know” has everything you want from a rock song: dirty, chunky guitars, powerful vocals, and a chorus that will have you pumping your fist in the air from the first listen.
The track explores the emotions swirling when a relationship breaks down, and the clip, which puts you in the middle of an uncomfortable and explosive dinner date, is the perfect accompaniment.
The Vanns have one more show on their current tour, their first since May. If you’re in the area, catch them at the Festival of Fisher’s Ghost celebrations in Campbelltown on November 3.
With equal measures of romantic charm and quirk, Zap brings you their latest single “Legs and Arms.” The release is a truly international one; Zap is made up of two Aussies and a Greek who found their artistic groove in their adopted home of Berlin. The film clip, which is sure to make you giggle and also encourage you to book a Mediterranean holiday, took them to the Greek Islands.
Zap have a couple of shows in Berlin, so if you’re spending time in the German capital make sure you check them out. They’ll play Yorckschlösschen on November 2 and Artistania on November 23.
Sydney electro-pop trio Glades has just dropped a killer new cut from their forthcoming debut album, their banging new single “Eyes Wide Shut.” The track comes with an awesome video shot in Los Angeles and directed by Grey Ghost.
“Eyes Wide Shut” is the fourth track lifted from Glades’ debut album To Love You, which will be released on November 2. Glades will celebrate its release with shows around the country at the following venues. Get your tickets while you can; I don’t think these guys will be playing venues as small as these forever!
24 November 2018 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
30 November 2018 – Jack Rabbit Slims, Perth
1 December 2018 – Jive, Adelaide
6 December 2018 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
7 December 2018 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia
Melbourne singer-songwriter-rapper Dylan Joel is wowing crowds with his sets supporting Ruel all around the country. Listening to his banging new single “Hollering Love,” it’s not hard to see why. The track reminds me of what Ed Sheeran and Justin Timberlake might release if they ever collaborated. It’s got such a great groove and positive vibe about it, you can’t help but like it.
“I’ve been told by people in the music industry, that it’s not cool to talk about positive things. That it’s cooler to act like you don’t care and instead, talk about the dark shit in our lives,” he admitted. “I feel sorry for the people who feel that way. I believe that in a world full of so much hate, loving is the biggest act of rebellion. This song is inspired by the incredibly talented, kind, loving and fly AF friends that I have, making this movement of love real.”
If you’ve got tickets to one of Ruel’s remaining shows, make sure you arrive early enough to catch Dylan’s set. Here are all the remaining gigs.
4 October 2018 – The Gov, Hindmarsh (Licensed ALL AGES)
5 October 2018 – 256 Wickham, Fortitude Valley (Licensed ALL AGES)
10 October 2018 – Enmore Theatre, Newtown (Licensed ALL AGES)
13 October 2018 – Meow, Wellington
14 October 2018 – Tuning Fork, Auckland
Brisbane singer-songwriter Clea has released a fantastic new single “Dreaming,” the latest cut from her forthcoming debut album Vermillion.
On the surface this song seems like an ear-pleasing pop ditty. Clea’s voice is so angelic and it’s got a gorgeous melody. But tune in to those lyrics and you’ll discover this song is an anthem for the Me Too movement.
For more pop with purpose, listen out for Vermillion on November 23.