Hannah Stow has thoroughly charmed me with “Sunflowers,” a love song with a difference. This sweet track explores a budding relationship with a healthy mix of heart and cynicism.
“My girlfriend said she loved me after three weeks of dating and I was trying to prove to her that what she felt was lust and not love. I said, ‘You know nothing about me,’ and she said, ‘I know your favourite colour is red, you didn’t walk until you were two because everyone kept picking you up, and I don’t know if they’re your favourite – but I know for sure you like Sunflowers’. The moment she said that I knew it would make a catchy song,” Hannah said. “So, ‘Sunflowers’ discusses the point in a relationship right after someone says ‘I love you’ where you’re feeling like they don’t know you well enough to express those emotions. It unpacks the moment you’re being proven wrong as they highlight facts about you which you thought they never listened to.”
I love the intimacy of this track. It’s so lyrically good, and the minimalist instrumentation makes sure you don’t miss a word. I’m definitely looking forward to hearing more from Hannah.
Image used with permission from Kick Push PR; credit: Ian Young
Listening to “Harder to Fake It,” the first new music from Hollow Coves since 2021, has made me realise just how much I missed them. This is music that simply makes you feel good with its beautiful harmonies, acoustic feel, and uplifting lyrics. Rest assured, this one ticks all the boxes. As it should, as Hollow Coves wrote and recorded the track with Matt Corby and Alex Henrikkson at Alex’s Rainbow Valley Studio.
“Last year, we played at an event that Matt Corby had put on to raise money for victims of the floods in the Northern Suburbs of New South Wales in Australia. After the show, we got chatting with Matt Corby and we connected really well. We were both keen to see what we could make together, so we ended up going to his studio, which happened to be not too far from where we lived, and did a few writing sessions. We ended up writing five songs together,” the band explained. “We were all in a room together trying to come up with an initial idea. I had a guitar part and rough melody that I had been wanting to work on for a while so I thought I would test it by starting to play it and see if anyone would comment on it. Straight away, Matt Corby expressed that he liked what he heard so we took the idea and ran with it. From there, a lot of the song came quite quickly. We recorded the main guitar part quickly and then Matt Corby jumped on the drum kit and started recording some really cool drum parts to make a quick demo. A lot of the parts from the demo ended up being used in the final recording.”
The song comes with a beautiful music video filmed in the scenic coastal town of Tofino on Canada’s Vancouver Island. It features school children bored with the mundanity of the classroom who taste real joy when that bell rings and they can go out and experience the world.
Hollow Coves are back on the road playing shows around the country. Here are their upcoming dates:
If your afternoon is dragging on, hit the volume on “Paperwings,” the latest single from Eora/Sydney pop-punk act ” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>Dial Denial. I guarantee this high-octane number will give you the energy you need to get through to the end of the day.
“‘Paperwings’ is an amalgam of everything I fear as I start to become an adult. I was afraid of a bunch of very small things that stacked up to create complete mental claustrophobia. Moving from home, losing self worth, change, losing my relationship, losing my friends, all that good stuff,” the band’s press release reads. “ The song’s about exhaustion from bending yourself to other peoples will, and saying ‘Fuck that! I worked hard to become who I am and I like who I am’. The chorus is coated with a thick lining of irony, directly pointing the finger at people who play the victim. Everyone goes through tough times, and it’s what makes us who we are. Don’t change who you are for others, change yourself for the better.”
Fresh from supporting Drastic Park, Dial Denial will headline their own show for hometown fans at The Chippo Hotel on November 18.
I must admit, when I heard that Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers had teamed up with The Grogans for their latest single, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I love the angsty energy of Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, but The Grogans’ music hasn’t been my cup of chai. However, the combination of these two acts is really something special. “Salt” is one of the standouts on Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers’ stellar debut album I Love You, which just dropped on October 6.
“During the three years we wrote this the lyrics changed so much, but I think what really pulled it all together was when we decided to have The Grogans join us on the track,” vocalist Anna Ryan shared. “It definitely shifted the energy from something so sad to something so beautiful and special.”
“Being a part of ‘Salt’ was pretty special,” The Grogans added. “It was something super different for us and it is an incredible song to have worked on. This was such a beautiful way for us to learn a lot about the Teen Jesus crew as well as ourselves. We felt that our role in this track was to add a sense of support for each other, musically and outside of the studio. The whole process was healing in a way. This track isn’t about our personal experience yet we find relevance in our own lives, we just hope we added something special. We are grateful to be let in and trusted with such a lovely song.”
Let this be your reminder that Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers are currently on the road playing heaps of shows to support their recently released album, including headlining gigs, festivals, and some stellar supporting slots. See them anywhere you can.
10 October 2023 – The Cube, Waywurru Country/Wondonga (supporting DMA’s)
11 October 2023 – Kambri at ANU, Ngunnawal/Canberra (supporting DMA’s)
13 October 2023 – Anita’s Theatre, Wodi Wodi Country/Thirroul (supporting DMA’s)
14 October 2023 – Yours & Owls Festival, Woolyungah/Wollongong
20 October 2023 – Bar on the Hill, Awabakal/Newcastle (supporting DMA’s)
21 October 2023 – Hoey Moey, Gumbaynggirr/Coffs Harbour (supporting DMA’s)
22 October 2023 – Kingscliffe Beach Hotel, Bundjalung/Kingscliff (supporting DMA’s)
27 October 2023 – The Triffid, Meanjin/Brisbane (Lic/AA)
28 October 2023 – Tanks Arts Centre, Gimuy/Cairns (supporting DMA’s)
29 October 2023 – Tanks Arts Centre, Gimuy/Cairns (supporting DMA’s)
2 November 2023 – UniBar, Tarndanya/Adelaide (Lic/AA)
3 November 2023 – 170 Russell, Naarm/Melbourne
10 November 2023 – The River, Wadandi Boodja/Margaret River
11 November 2023 – Port Beach Brewery, Walyalup/Fremantle
17 November 2023 – Metro Theatre, Eora/Sydney (Lic/AA)
4 December 2023 – AAMI Stadium, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Foo Fighters)
Image used with permission from Super Duper; credit: Neve Van Boxsel
Eora/Sydney pop-rock act Loretta have been releasing music at such a furious pace that I don’t blame you if you’re struggling to keep up. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, they’ve digitally bundled their latest track “Wish I Could Show You” with “All My Friends (Are Your Friends)”, which dropped in mid-September. The two tracks show different sides of this exciting ensemble.
“‘Wish I Could Show You’ is about the essence of growth, self-discovery, and profound changes and experiences that come with time and getting older. It offers a deeply personal perspective from us that acts as a love letter to the past, acknowledging the evolution of relationships, friendships and personal aspirations,” Loretta explained of the upbeat, nostalgic cut.
“‘All My Friends’ navigates the complexities that come with trying to maintain a friendship after a breakup, delving into the challenges that come with sharing a social circle with an ex,” Loretta said of this bittersweet ballad. “It is a portrayal of the stage immediately after a relationship ends, encapsulating the bittersweet reality of seeing your ex move on, whilst trying to focus on moving on yourself.”
We can look forward to more new music from Loretta when their new EP Never Thought of Growing Up drops on November 3. To celebrate the release, they’ll play the following East Coast shows:
4 November 2023 – Yah Yah’s, Naarm/Melbourne
9 November 2023 – Stranded Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
17 November 2023 – Towradji Beach Hotel, Warrang/Wollongong
23 November 2023 – Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney
25 November 2023 – King Street, Mulubinba/Newcastle
Woolyungah/Wollongong band Lizzie Jack and the Beanstalks have just dropped the video for their latest single “Dumb Decisions,” and it’s a love song with a different. Sweet without the saccharine, it celebrates the risky decision to get romantically involved with a friend.
This is the first song featuring the band’s new drummer Paul Pozzachio, who’s slotted in nicely alongside vocalist Lizzie Jack, lead guitarist Alex Fordyce, and bassist Jayke Beckette. I love the jangly 90s feel and relatable storyteller lyrics.
Lizzie Jack and the Beanstalks will open up the RAD Stage at the Yours & Owls Festival on October 15, so if you’re getting along make sure you catch their set!
Image used with permission from Lizzie Jack and the Beanstalks
We don’t often hear queer voices like Michael Waugh’s. His brand of country-folk is a world away from the pop and dance tracks that usually come from the LGBTQIA+ community, and it makes a refreshing change. His new single “We Are Here” is a powerful anthem that celebrates gay pioneers while acknowledging the hardships so many faced, including Michael himself. Take a moment to properly listen to this song. Trust me, you’ll want to take these lyrics in.
“I want to celebrate those gay men through history – many of whom risked their lives – so that I can stand here today, wearing my rainbow elastic-panelled Blundstone boots, and speak my truth,” he explained.
“What made it safe for me to come out was having other queer artists and storytellers who were unafraid to speak their truth. You can’t be what you can’t see, right? So, I had this really ambitious idea when writing ‘We Are Here’. I wanted to talk about the history of gay men, and to include myself as a point on that timeline. I also wanted to let the next generation know that we are here, we are waiting to be their community, and that they are loved.”
Michael is currently touring from town to town, busting stereotypes everywhere he plays. Here are his upcoming gigs:
7 & 8 October 2023– Nanga Music Festival, Noongar Country/Dwellingup
13 October 2023 – Stratford Courthouse, Brayakaulung Country/Stratford
15 October 2023 – Wesley of Warragul, Darug Country/Warragul
Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity
Eora/Sydney artist Dinley Jones is giving me late ‘90s, early 00’s vibes with his fun new pop single “Get Down, Right Now.” If you blasted acts like Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, and 5ive back in the day, you’re going to love this one.
Dinley started his career in musical theatre at the tender age of 13, which explains the fire dance moves in the clip. It’s been a long time since we’ve had an artist like this on the scene. Only time will tell whether the scene has moved on from music like this, but I’d love to think there’s still a place for something so purely nostalgic.
Normally the press release that accompanies the launch of a single contains information about the song and the artist. There’ll usually be quotes from the musician about the track’s inspiration, the recording process, and its video. There might even be some tour dates or information about the album to come. There are probably images attached so press outlets like mine can include them in our articles and catch your eye.
The press release of Paul Kelly’s new single “If Not Now” doesn’t have any of that. Instead, it just contains the lyrics of this song. As you listen to this one, it makes perfect sense. Honestly, the words to this song are all that matter. They speak for themselves, a call to all Australians to make change today. Or at least when we head to the ballot boxes on October 14.
These Voice-inspired songs are coming thick and fast at the moment, and I love it. The best art has something to say. When it can inspire us, immobilise us, perhaps even change our hearts and minds, it’s done its job.
In case you were wondering, Paul does have some upcoming shows. Check him out when he plays near you:
Boorloo/Perth talent Skyuka first caught my attention with her upbeat indie-pop ditty “Michael Cera.” It was playful and sweet, and not at all like her latest single “Houseplants.” We love peeling back the layers of an artist, so we’re pretty psyched to her switching things up with this brooding, angsty track.
“‘Houseplants’ is definitely the first angry song I’ve released, and it feels great,” she enthused. “It’s about having complete, utter disappointment in someone and a lack of communication making you question everything to the point that you drive yourself crazy, creating your own narratives that may not even exist. ‘Houseplants’ originally started with just a bass line that I wrote and from there came the melody quite easily. I was having a terrible night mentally, so the salty lyrics just poured out of me. I then programmed some synth and recorded my vocals from home. My brother (Token Friend) put down live bass and guitar; and did a lot of layering in parts to really build the tension. We both then went to Debaser Studios with Jasper Emmitt Miller who put down live drums. We were very grateful to then have Andy Lawson steer the track in the right direction with his production and mixing skills.”
There’s more new music from Skyuka on the way with her EP slated for release later this year.
