Dami Im has always impressed me as a vocalist, but with every new release she’s showing she’s a songwriter to be reckoned with. I’ve got chills listening to her latest single “Proud of Me,” a song that the presser calls her “most personal and vulnerable song yet.”
“It’s about that aching need for validation – not just from others, but from myself.,” Dam explained. “I grew up trying so hard to be perfect, to meet expectations and some kind of moving standard that I could never reach. This song came from a place of questioning: What would it take for me to feel truly seen? Truly enough? It’s about the pressure to perform, to fit a mould, and the quiet, painful truth that often the harshest critic is the voice inside my own head. At its heart, this song is a cry for self-acceptance – a longing to finally be proud of myself, just as I am.”
Tuesday’s not too early in the working week for a little business-related rage, right? If your nine-to-five has you feeling a little angsty, take a listen to “CC,” the latest track from Mertas, a punk group from the tiny coastal community of Nhulunbuy in Arnhem Land. Before you press play, you might want to grab some headphones though, because this one’s definitely not safe for work!
“’CC’ is an anthem for anyone who’s ever lost patience waiting on a reply, decoding corporate jargon, or resisting the urge to smash a keyboard,” vocalist Matt McLean explained. “It’s about the passive-aggressive world of corporate email culture we’ve all had to tolerate when trying to get the information we actually need.”
Fresh from their appearance at BIGSOUND, it’s clear that Mertas are destined for big things. Follow them on Instagram to learn about what’s coming next.
If you’re feeling those mid-week blues, Harley’s shimmering new single “Gold” is just what you need to get out of that funk. It’s such an uplifting and original track that reminds me of music from artists reinventing the pop-rock genre like The 1975 and Sam Fender.
“At its core, it’s about love, loss and trust, but ultimately it’s about independence, believing in who you are, what you create, and trusting your own instincts,” Harley explained. “No one else can tell your story.”
“Gold” is the third and final single lifted from this Meeanjin/Brisbane-based talent’s forthcoming debut EP, which will hit streaming services on September 18. Before then, hometown fans can catch Harley supporting Che Burns at The Brightside on September 11.
Naarm/Melbourne artist Margo Mann has really impressed me with her latest single “Not Love.” Its bouncy melody is an absolute earworm, but it’s much more than just a fun indie-pop song. The lyrics, which reflect on a relationship with someone more in love with the idea of their partner than the person they actually are, are fantastic. They’re so biting, witty, and insightful.
“’Not Love’ is a song I wrote after being in a situationship with someone who told me they believed they were more ‘spiritually enlightened’ than I was. They were probably right about that at the time, but what the comment also revealed to me was how toxic masculinity can sometimes masquerade as this brand of new-age enlightenment,” she explained.
“Not Love” comes from Margo Mann’s upcoming album Love Is a Dog, which she says “was forged from a time of absolute questioning and unravelling. A time where I hadn’t quite reassembled myself properly. But equally, it was born out of an attempt at ruthless self-trust.” Listen out for it when it’s released on October 16.
As a freelance writer, I don’t need to keep a traditional schedule. I love nothing more than staying up until the early hours of the morning. The world is quiet, my time is truly my own. I’d much rather enjoy that, then catch up on sleep while the rest of the world is moving. So I’m really vibing with Josh Setterfield’s night owl anthem, “We Are The Night.” Whether you stay up for work, partying, or just the quiet time I enjoy, I know you’ll love this upbeat country track.
“This one’s for everyone who comes alive after dark,” Josh confirmed. “There’s a whole world that exists after the sun goes down. I wanted to write an anthem for those people because I don’t think they’ve ever really had one… and I’m one of them”
Naarm/Melbourne-based creative Spike Fuck is back with his new single “All By Myself,” his first released via legendary New York label Sacred Bones Records. It comes ten years after he pioneered his sound with the Smackwave EP, then disappeared without a trace. Spike gives no explanation for his absence, although there were rumours he might have traded in the spotlight for years in monastic solitude or perhaps relapsed. All the speculation just makes his return more iconic.
Speaking on the release of “All By Myself,” Spike says “If someone asks ‘What does it mean?’ We’ve done the job. As society has abandoned mythologies, we must create our own… that sounds trite and I’m not quite sure how to defend that statement really. We’re not existentialists. In any case, we also live in a completely schizophrenic society in this sense, so the idea to create a story of a war hero/criminal undergoing an absurdist spiritual transformation seemed almost obligatory. Purgatorial musings, heaven and hell, redemption, fantasy, a mushroom that talks, so on and so forth.
“People understand truth through analogy, moreover, parables. We sought to create something about redemption, forgiveness, faith, hope, and charity that is available to whomever seeks it. I may not be the most reliable narrator, I admit that freely, yet the fantasy of it all is healthy. So is a dose of whimsy or even a small dash of grand delusion. So this video, along with the entire record, is a series of clues, a collection of pieces of evidence… Hopefully this video raises more questions than it answers.”
“All By Myself” is the lead single from Spike’s debut album evidence, which drops on October 2. He’ll celebrate the release with a massive tour. It kicks off in Australia on release day, then travels to the United Kingdom and Europe.
I’ll admit, I don’t cover a lot of music from metalcore acts like Windwaker because they typically rock just a little hard for my taste. However, I always make a point of listening because I never know when something outside my preferred genres will spark joy. I’m so glad I stay open-minded, because if I didn’t I’d miss gems like their latest single “closer.” It comes from Windwaker’s forthcoming third album, smile, you’re on camera, which they say is their best record yet.
“smile, you’re on camera is undeniably our best and most focused collection of songs to date,” Windwaker enthused. “We learned so much making this record together, and we’re incredibly proud of what it’s become. It opens the door to who we are, and offers a glimpse into our world through the highs and the lows. It’s the most personal and honest Windwaker has ever been.”
smile, you’re on camera drops on October 23 and you can preorder a vinyl or CD copy right now. To celebrate its release, Windwaker will travel around the country playing some massive shows with US band The Pretty Wild and local up-and-comers RinRin and DREGG. Then they’ll fly overseas for more gigs in the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom. Tickets for all those shows are on sale now from the links below.
As a regular at Wednesday pub trivia, I feel a real affinity with “Wednesdays at the Waterloo,” the latest single from Lottie McLeod. This cute indie-pop track tells a relatable story of losing at pub trivia because of an unspoken crush on a teammate.
“Wednesdays at the Waterloo” comes from Lottie’s forthcoming EP, The Boathouse, which drops on September 25. Hear more material from that EP at one of her upcoming shows.
I am always a big believer in finding the right song at the right time. For most people, Alex Lahey’s rerecorded version of “Lets Go Out” featuring Slowly Slowly would just make them long for the weekend. But Wednesday is my pub trivia night, so this one will definitely soundtrack my day! Even if you’re not looking forward to a few bevvies this evening, I know you’ll appreciate the way Slowly Slowly complement Alex on this track.
“When I asked Slowly Slowly to be a part of the rerecording of ‘Let’s Go Out’, I told them I wanted ‘the full Slowly treatment,’ Alex said. “And, boy, did they deliver! I think Slowly are one of the greatest Australian bands of all time and it’s such an honour to have them involved in this recording produced by none other than Ben Stewart himself.”
Ben was equally effusive in his praise of Alex, noting “Working with Alex was a breeze – it was like we had always been in a band together or something! I loved being a part of the effortless recreations of these sentimental and adored songs – the hardest part was trying to honour the originals, but I think we got to a place where they hold their own in a new light.” This new version of “Lets Go Out” features on B-Grade University (Reunion Edition), a reimagining of Alex’s breakthrough EP. She’s hitting all the major capitals to promote it, so get your tickets now.
The gloomy weather in my part of the country is encouraging me to hibernate for the weekend and listen to chill indie folk like “Before I Go,” the debut single from Gubbi Gubbi and Jinibara Country/Sunshine Coast singer-songwriter Louella. Her beautiful voice brings this reflective song about love, loss, and letting go to life.
Louella shot the music video for “Before I Go” in Tokyo.” Scenes capture the diversity of the city, from the bustling city streets to serene cherry blossom parks.
“The contrasting locations reflect the experience of navigating an unfamiliar culture and finding your place away from home,” Louella explained.
She’ll showcase more of her music at Backyard Bash, a backyard show in her hometown on August 1. Tickets are on sale now from Humanitix.
