Simon Paparo Sings of New Love in “Gold at Midnight”

Perth-born folk act Simon Paparo has charmed me with his new single “Gold at Midnight.” It’s such a sweet song, full of the hope and optimism you feel when a new love grows. The Claire Nica-directed clip, featuring a young couple basking in the sun and one another, is also so endearing.

“Gold at Midnight is inspired by my fiancé. She is a truly beautiful soul,” Simon gushed. “It is about us, a couple on their journey in the younger stages of courtship. It dives into my emotions early on in the relationship when I couldn’t talk about the feelings I felt for her, as it was too early and may have caused conflict.”

Simon will launch his single at the Workers Club in Melbourne on May 13. He says “Fans can expect a full and rich sound – I’ve been working closely with Charlie Heart who is a great songwriter, pianist and vocalist and have guitarist Paul Mason, bass guitarist David Kean and drummer Jon Ritchie ready to keep the fans ears alight. I’m really looking forward to hitting the stage with these amazing musicians. All of these guys are accomplished vocalists too, so I can’t wait to unleash these new tunes to everyone.”

Tickets are available now from Oztix.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

“Pressure” Makes a Pop Gem For Georgia June

Sydney five-piece Georgia June is back with their new single “Pressure,” an irresistible slice of pop that speaks to anyone who’s ever felt pressured to choose a life path that wasn’t right for them.

“None of us ever want to be stuck in an office, yet I think when you’re young and trying to do music, everyone around you expects you to just be ‘realistic’ and have a backup plan of some sort,” explained the band’s eponymous frontwoman, Georgia June. “Which is why the video is set in a setting which we all are so scared of ending up in, just caving into what we should do and what’s expected. James Adams shot and edited the video, he created exactly what we had in our head and is always so on board with our ideas.”

This is such a fun track. It’s got a great retro sensibility that makes you want to reach for your hairbrush-microphone and take time for a dance break, no matter what you’re doing.

“Pressure” is set to appear on George June’s first full-length album later this year. They’ll play the Red Earth First Birthday Party at The Lady Hampshire in Camperdown on May 19.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Nothing Fishy About Neon Tetra’s New Single

Funky Adelaide outfit Neon Tetra are spreading good vibes with the release of their single “The End Begins Again.”

Taken from their forthcoming EP Pollen, “The End Begins Again” showcases the band’s commitment to feel-good music with infectious grooves. Josh Allen’s vocals seem to be able to go anywhere and that sax line is irresistible.

The music video sees Neon Tetra joining forces with Mickey Mason of Corduroy Productions.

“As soon as the music is ready, Mickey gets a first listen. Coming up with some wonderfully bizarre concepts that make the process a lot of fun. We’re big fans of his fresh produce,” the band said in the presser. “The music video is an expression of what the record is all about. Dancing, love and expressing yourself. Not taking life too seriously. The entire clip was shot on Super 8 film, creating a warming tone that ties in with the late ‘70s, early ‘80s pop feel of the release.”

Neon Tetra will celebrate the single’s release with the following shows, kicking off in their hometown this week.

5 May 2018 – Chateau Apollo, Adelaide
25 May 2018 – Elsewhere Bar, Gold Coast
26 May 2018 – Netherworld, Brisbane
27 May 2018 – The Evelyn, Melbourne (MATINEE)

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Andrew Samuels Does It Again With “New India Times”

Last year Sydney-based singer-songwriter Andrew Samuel wowed me with his single “Luck Feels Good.” It’s taken some time for the follow-up, but “New India Times” is worth the wait.

This track has such a great lazy groove and all the heart and soul that won me over the first time I discovered Andrew’s music. The dirty guitar solo is also right on point.

“New India Times” comes from Andrew’s forthcoming EP Enmore Road. Listen and fall in love!

Kasey Chambers Forms The Fireside Disciples for New “Campfire” Album

Kasey Chambers is embracing her roots with her latest album Campfire, recorded with her new band The Fireside Disciplines. The Fireside Disciples are some of Kasey’s favourite musicians: longtime touring mate Brandon Dodd, longtime family friend and Indigenous elder Alan Pigram, and her dad and greatest musical inspiration Bill Chambers.

“I grew up in the remote outback of Australia living a unique lifestyle isolated from civilisation. The campfire was the heart of our existence: for survival, creativity, inspiration,” Kasey explained of the album’s inspiration. “We hunted all our own food and then cooked it on the campfire. My brother and I did all our schooling via correspondence around the campfire. We used the campfire for warmth and light. We gathered around the campfire at night to play songs together as a family. Our connection to music and the land has developed through and around the campfire since I was born, so it has always stayed with me as a special part of my life.”

“The Campfire Song” gives us our first taste of the album. It’s such a beautiful, raw piece of music which makes you feel nostalgic from the get-go.

Campfire drops on April 27. Kasey Chambers and the Fireside Disciples will play shows just about everywhere to support its release.

23 May 2018 – Casino RSM, Casino
24 May 2018 – Coffs Ex-Services Club, Coffs Harbour
25 May 2018 – Club Forster, Forster
26 May 2018 – Laurieton United Services Club, Laurieton
31 May 2018 – Griffith Regional Theatre, Griffith
1 June 2018 – Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga
2 June 2018 – Swan PACC, Swan Hill
3 June 2018 – Mildura MAC, Mildura
14 June 2018 – Mingara Recreation Club, Tumbi Umbi
15 June 2018 – The Cube, Campbelltown
16 June 2018 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
17 June 2018 – Ulladulla Services Club, Ulladulla
21 June 2018 – Seymour Centre, Sydney
22 June 2018 – Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul
23 June 2018 – Panthers, Bathurst
24 June 2018 – Canberra Playhouse Theatre, Canberra
28 June 2018 – The Event Centre, Caloundra
29 June 2018 – Twin Towns, Tweed Heads
1 July 2018 – Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane
5 July 2018 – The Desert Cave, Coober Pedy
7 July 2018 – Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs
11 July 2018 – Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston
12 July 2018 – Burrinja Theatre, Upwey
13 July 2018 – The Palms at Crown, Melbourne
14 July 2018 – The Playhouse GPAC, Geelong
19 July 2018 – Albury Theatre, Albury
21 July 2018 – Dubbo RSL, Dubbo
2 August 2018 – Northern Festival Theatre, Port Pirie
3 August 2018 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
4 August 2018 – Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Mt Gambier
5 August 2018 – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool
9 August 2018 – Tanks, Cairns
15 August 2018 – West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warrigal
17 August 2018 – Regent Theatre, Yearram
18 August 2018 – Wonthaggi Arts Centre, Wonthaggi

Nighthawk Channel Classic Sounds for “Right Time” Single

From the ashes of Motor Ace comes Nighthawk, the latest musical venture from Damian Costin and Patrick Robertson. The new Melbourne band, which also features Flynn Wheeler and Rhys Thompson, is making its mark with the retro influenced single “Right Time.”

I love the classic, synth-saturated sound of this track. It reminds me of something Simple Minds or U2 might have released back in the day. Its timeless sound makes it such an easy listen. I have actually hit the play button a few times before getting my thoughts down.

More like this please!

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Rachel Caddy Lays Soul Bare in “Reach For You”

Victoria’s Rachel Caddy casts a spell with her beautiful new single “Reach For You.”

This is the kind of song that passed me by at first. It had it on while I was working, and it faded into the background a little. It’s not a song with big notes or catchy choruses to sweep you away. But there was something about Rachel’s voice that drew me back in, so I listened again. I turned up the speakers, put down my work, and just listened. That’s when it hit me. That’s when I heard all the nuances and the pain and the beauty in this song. Honestly, if you can spare a few moments I encourage you to do what I did and give it your full attention. “Reach For You” deserves that.

If you like what you hear, make sure you catch Rachel at Whole Lotta Love in Brunswick East on April 22.

Image used with permission from The A&R Department

Melbourne’s Howlite Impress With “Orchestra”

Melbourne’s Howlite have captured my heart with their exquisite new single “Orchestra.”

This is one of those tracks that just stops you, no matter what else you’re doing. It’s a captivating soundscape, so mesmerising and haunting it’ll leave an impression on you long after the music fades away.

Howlite have a couple more shows lined up in their hometown before they take off to Toronto for Canadian Music Week. Catch them at The Tote Front Bar tonight and again on April 24.

Liam Gale & The Ponytails Go Their Own Way With “It’s Alright, Speak Nice”

Liam Gale & The Ponytails are offering an exciting taste of their upcoming release “’The Desire Lines,” dropping the single “It’s Alright, Speak Nice” for your listening pleasure.

This is such an original track, with a trippy psychedelic rock feel meeting some sexy jazz grooves. Rosie Jackson brings some soul to the track, which touches on reckless drinking, religion, forlorn love, and bushfires.

Liam Gale & The Ponytails are playing several shows around Sydney over the coming weeks, including one in Marrickville tonight. Here are the places you can catch this talented band.

17 April 2018 – Lazybones Lounge, Marrickville
29 April 2018 – Upstairs at Fred’s, Camden
11 May 2018 – Sofar Sounds, Sydney (secret show)

Mitch King’s New Single Will Make You a Believer

“Believe,” the new single from Queensland indie folk singer Mitch King is like chicken soup for this cold-ridden music blogger. It’s got a beautiful message delivered so sweetly with an acoustic guitar and Mitch’s superb vocals.

“The more you believe the more you’ll create what you want out of life,” Mitch explained of the song’s inspiration. “Sometimes you have to let go of old ways of thinking and ingrained programs in the mind to sincerely believe in yourself, goals and passions.”

Amen. This stunning song is paired perfectly with the film clip, shot in picture-perfect New Zealand.

Mitch plans to spend the rest of 2018 recording, writing, releasing, and playing live gigs. He’ll play BBQ Bazaar at Burleigh tomorrow night from 7 pm.