After a pretty stressful few months dealing with the aftermath of my car accident, Lucy Korts latest single “Stronger” is exactly what I needed to hear. This authentic girl power anthem sees the Meeanjin/Brisbane artist reclaiming her own power, and hopefully inspiring a few listeners to do the same. I know she’s got me fired up!
“I hope that ‘Stronger’ can give you the same strength that I found writing it,” she confirmed. “I hope that it can pick you up when you don’t know how to get up. And I hope that it can help to push you forward when you don’t know which way forward is. I hope that ‘Stronger’ can remind you to be stronger than whatever it is that hurt you.”
For more pop goodness, check out my Spotify playlist, Sounds of Oz Loves Pop. It features plenty of fabulous new pop music from local artists including Lucy. I’m always adding new music so make sure you follow me to stay up-to-date!
Harry Carman’s new single “It’s All Good” is the musical equivalent of a warm hug. Whether you need a little sonic support or just want to chill out today, you’ve got to hear this sweet indie-folk song.
“This song was originally written when my ex was going through pregnancy with our youngest son,” Harry recalled. “I wanted to make a song that was reassuring and comforting in the hardest of times. It’s now become a song I play for my two boys (they already know all the words) whenever we’re in the car or before bed. Myself and my producer, Josh Richens, made the production of the song evolutionary to capture how the song evolved from a simple phone recording, to a demo for SoundCloud, all the way to what it is now.”
If you want to hear more from Harry and you’re around Ngambri/Canberra, treat yourself to lunch at Ballyhoo today. He’s playing from midday to 4 pm, so get out and show your support.
As we inch closer to the weekend, it’s time to put the working week behind us and drop some party tunes. “VIP,” the latest single from Stephen Royale has me buzzing. It’s a total 2000s throwback that reminds me a bit of classic Chris Brown and Jason Derulo tunes, and I’m personally here for it. Crank this one and I’m sure you’ll be grooving along in no time!
“VIP is an electro RnB/pop song designed to get everyone on the dance floor,” Stephen explained. “It’s got that throwback flavour but feels fresh enough to own today’s scene. We poured so much into this track, and I just want people to feel it, vibe to it, and party with it. Let’s gooooo!”
“VIP” comes from Stephen’s debut EP, so we can expect plenty more tunes from him in the near future.
Canadian indie folk duo The East Pointers are heading to Australia on the back of their recently released single “Anniversary.” This beautiful song honours their late bandmate Koady Chaisson, who died suddenly in January 2022.
“When Jake [Charron, keys, guitar, and vocals] and I sat down to write, ‘Anniversary’ was the first song that came out—it was as if Koady was in the room with us, it flowed so fast,” said Koady’s cousin and East Pointers vocalist, fiddler, and guitar player Tim Chaisson. “We want this song to give anybody permission to give themselves a pat on the back, for any of the wins or positive changes in their life. A celebration you continue to honour, especially when times get tough.”
“‘Anniversary’ is a song about how making one positive decision can change the rest of your life,” Jake added. “11 years ago today (on his birthday) our late band member Koady made some major changes to his life to improve his mental health, one of which was becoming sober. This is a song to celebrate fresh starts, milestones, and the wins that we have along the way, big or small.”
The East Pointers will play some of the country’s leading folk festivals and headlining shows in the coming months. Tickets are on sale now for all the following shows.
Music lovers are in for a real treat when Andrew Blanch, Vladimir Gorbach, and Slava and Leonard Grigoryan take their Bach, Bossa and Beyond show to the major capitals next month. These guys are all exceptional individually, but when they join forces as the Australian Guitar Quartet magic happens. Check out this video for just a taste of what you’re in for.
The quartet promises to play music spanning almost 300 years in these not-to-be-missed shows. They’ll take you on a journey through genres including classical music, opera, Latin, and modern jazz, so there’s bound to be something for everyone. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows:
Meet your new indie-pop obsession, The Stamps. Originally beginning as a folk trio, Scarlett Graham, Rubina Bertolini, and Sofia Hourani showcase a more upbeat sound with their latest single “Slow Burn.” This super catchy song showcases their sublime harmonies and nostalgic sound.
Scarlett, who was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, explained the song’s inspiration, noting “I was missing the younger aspect of myself that existed in Canada; the carefreeness of being a child, and the many friends I left behind. One childhood friend of mine was on my mind after we caught up on Facetime. After weeks of missing each other’s phone calls, leaving ‘life update’ voice notes, we were finally able to find moments to connect. It was written when I was feeling frustrated about how difficult it is to keep in touch and the pride I can often have to not be the first one to call. I am guilty of how often I never want to be the ‘needy’ one.”
Scarlett met her fellow Stamps as an exchange student at a Walyalup/Fremantle high school. They formed an immediate bond and remained close even once Scarlett returned home, sending letters via snail mail. After years apart, they decided to start together afresh in Naarm/Melbourne. Their band name celebrates the way they stayed in contact despite their physical distance.
The Stamps will next play Hepburn Mineral Springs as part of Hepburn Shire Council’s free Sunset in the Springs concert series. Catch them alongside Dayfever and Sasha Taylor on Valentine’s Day, February 14.
The Tamworth Country Music Festival may be Australia’s most well-known celebration of country music, but it’s far from the nation’s only country event attracting big-name talent. Mulubinba/Newcastle will keep the party going with its Howlin Country Music Festival next month.
The event features American country stars Tyler Childers, S.G. Goodman, and Willi Carlisle alongside local talents Brad Cox, Sons of the East, and Austin Mackay, plus heaps more. The two-stage setup will keep the tunes pumping. Everyone’s welcome, with organisers promising a family-friendly day out that country-music loving adults and kids can enjoy.
“City of Newcastle is a strong supporter of live music and committed to attracting and hosting major events,” said Alissa Jones, City of Newcastle’s Executive Director Creative & Community Services. “We’re proud to support events that contribute to a varied and diverse event calendar for Newcastle, generating economic activity for local businesses while utilising the wonderful assets our city has to offer, such as Foreshore Park.”
Turn the volume all the way up to 11 and rock out with local outfit Precious Mess and their latest single “Rainbows”. Their big riff-heavy sound has really impressed me, especially considering Precious Mess are a duo. You don’t often hear two-piece outfits creating such a full, powerful sound, but guitarist and vocalist Peter “Reggie” Bowman and drummer and artist Nate Hill are nailing it.
Precious Mess came about when Reggie and Nate started discussing how music in the audio realm moves hand in hand with art in the visual world. Through this project, they aim to combine music and art in a fully immersive creative experience. “Rainbows” is one of 10 songs the pair wrote and recorded in the same room. Once they laid down the tracks, they started pushing paint around on canvases to represent each album tune. Check out the film clip for “Rainbows” to understand more about what this colourful two-piece is about.
Some of Australia’s best and brightest female talents are coming out to celebrate International Women’s Day with two massive days of events in Boonwurrung Country/St Kilda on the Labour Day long weekend. Event ambassadors Kate Ceberano, Tania Doko, and Ella Hooper are among the talents taking part in ROAR FEST Celebrating Women in Music which aims to see “more women on and off the stage”.
“It has always been my intention as an artist, to carve a path for other women to walk,” Kate explained. “This festival is a way for women in music to share our songs, discuss the work behind the music, share wisdom and stories of touring and performing. On the bill are friends, family and musicians who I admire and love”
“There’s been a lot of talk but not a lot of action to address the lack of women on festivals. This festival IS the action!” Ella enthused. “It also celebrates several eras, genres and generations, making it unique in its appeal. You can come with your girls, your mum or your aunties, and your brothers and uncles! All are welcome. The fact its women led behind the scenes is unique and very rare. Not to mention female crew and industry workers manning the sound and lights. ROAR is walking the talk!”
The highlights will be two big concerts at the end of each day. On Saturday March 8, ROAR FEST presents Women on the Bay at George Lane. This concert focuses on emerging artists and has a ripper bill featuring Kathleen Halloran, Charlie Needs Braces, Ruby Mae, Charlie Lane, and Wild Gloriosa. On March 9, the event concludes with the headlining concert at the National Theatre hosted by Ella Hooper with performances from Kate Ceberano, Tania Doko, WILSN, Gabriella Cilmi, and Gypsy Lee.
ROAR FEST will also feature a panel discussion event with the event ambassadors, Women in Music photo exhibition, Inaugural Women in Music St Kilda guided walking tours, live and local showcases and buskers, and heaps more.
Head to the ROAR FEST website for all the details of this exciting celebration of women in music.
Former Chats guitarist Josh “Pricey” Price is striking out on his own with a brand new single “Bastards Never Change.” It’s a raw, rock track delivered without a hint of bullshit. If that’s the sort of thing you need on your Friday, press play. But if you’re in the office, you might want to grab some headphones, because the lyrics aren’t exactly work-safe!
“The song came about during a recent tour with The Screaming Jets,” Pricey recalled. “As we travelled from venue to venue, I found myself gazing out the bus window when I noticed a homeless man holding a cup. In that moment, I didn’t just see him. I saw my reflection. It struck me how lucky I am to be living my dream, touring with a rock band, having fun, and doing what I love. This song isn’t about that man. it’s about me appreciating the blessings I have and recognizing the stark contrast of our lives. ‘Bastards Never Change’ is my way of expressing gratitude and resilience, inviting listeners to reflect on their own journeys.”
Pricey is back on tour, this time supporting Wheatus on their acoustic Dirtbags Across Australia shows. Here are all the remaining dates on that run!
