Category: Video

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Brad Cox Releases “Acres” Ahead of Largest Aussie Tour

I might be a little biased, but I think the country music scene in Australia is at least the equal to the scene over in the United States. It might not get the same international attention, but we’ve got so many superb artists telling authentic stories in this genre. The latest to really impress me is Brad Cox. Today he dropped his third studio album, Acres, and it’s an absolute cracker.

This is a guy with so much to say. The album features 17 songs, so you might expect a few filler tracks. Not even close. Every one is a winner. Trust me. Perhaps that’s because Brad took his time with this release, recording the songs after two years in Kabi Kabi Country/Gympie, Eora/Sydney, and Nashville. I encourage you to listen to the whole thing, because it’s just that good. But if you’re short on time, try the current single “Now She Ain’t.” As a bit of a grammar Nazi, the song title made me bristle. But it didn’t take long before I softened. It’s such a sweet song about stepping up and being the person someone else needs you to be.

“‘Now She Ain’t’ is “a song for the girls!,” Brad said. “Have hope and believe that person is out there. Stop crying into your pillow, strap on your can-do attitude, and get after it. We have been playing this one on the road for a few months now and it’s a super fun one to play live.”

Speaking of the road, Brad will be embarking on his biggest headline tour to date next month to support the release of Acres. Tickets are on sale now, so get onto it:

1 June 2023 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Tartanya/Adelaide
2 June 2023 – Rosemount Hotel, Boorloo/Perth
8 June 2023 – Kings Beach Tavern, Kabi Kabi & Jinbara Country/Sunshine Coast
9 June 2023 – Kingscliff Beach Hotel, Bundjalung Country/Kingscliff
10 June 2023 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane
16 June 2023 – The Gateway Hotel, Djilang/Geelong
17 June 2023 – Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne
22 June 2023 – The Cambridge Hotel, Mulubinba/Newcastle
23 June 2023 – Manning Bar, Eora/Sydney
24 June 2023 – Anita’s Theatre, Thurraral Country/Thirroul

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia; credit: Brad Elder

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wifecult Releases Powerful New Rock Track, “Hold It Down”

Today I’m rocking out to “Hold it Down,” the cool new track from Meeanjin/Brisbane-based act Wifecult. It’s got an anthemic quality and a really cathartic feel. I’m so into it. The band hopes the song might bring comfort to anyone struggling with their mental health.

“Depression is a vulnerable subject, at times cheapened and worn out by our sterile societal approach to handle it, or the overuse of ‘mental health’ vocabulary thrown around in daily conversations,” acknowledged Wifecult’s vocalist Jarith Hughes. “In its depths, this song is about watching a loved one truly struggle, lost in orbit, for a long time. Wishing I could pull them out of the dark, but still at times being there myself. It’s trying to balance compassion and empathy with practical efforts to walk through it with them. It’s not the blind leading the blind. Sometimes it takes someone who knows, by your side to ride it out together.”

“Hold it Down” is the second single released from Wifecult’s forthcoming EP Kindness in Clarity, which drops on June 9.

Image used with permission from Bigmouth PR; credit: Nick Hargans

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kel Makes a Splash With Stunning Debut Single, “Paradise”

If “Paradise,” the debut single from Eora/Sydney-based singer-songwriter Kel is any indication, he’s got a massive future ahead of him. This is one of those special songs that stops you in your tracks. Starting as a gentle piano ballad, it draws you in so you’re totally on board as it builds.

“Paradise is a song about a break-up. It’s a metaphor about losing something special about a place you might’ve shared with someone else, and how places and feelings change sometimes,” he explained. “It was inspired by a trip with my friends to a beach on the South Coast NSW. I wanted to write a song that felt like that place”.

Kel’s studies also helped him develop the song’s gorgeous music video.

“The music video was made by myself and some family on a holiday,” he said. “As a current film student, I was keen to direct and film my own video. When I was writing the song, the opening lyrics stuck out to me. Sunrise and long hikes. So, I knew I wanted the main visuals to be central around a beach. The song is about a favourite place that doesn’t belong to you anymore. I’ve found that often we connect certain places with people, and when that connection’s lost, the place is not the same”.

Kel is currently working towards releasing his debut EP. This song has definitely got me excited to hear the music that comes next.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Sian Sandilands

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kaitlyn Thomas Releases Unapologetic New Single, “Pretty Little Thing”

I must say, I don’t quite remember Kaitlyn Thomas from this year’s Australian Idol Top 30. I think that’s a failing of the show’s rapid pace than on Kaitlyn though. I certainly won’t forget her after hearing her powerful new single “Pretty Little Thing.” This is country rock at its finest, a gutsy effort that takes its cues from Gretchen Wilson and Shania Twain.

“’Pretty Little Thing’ came about after being told I don’t fit the mould and what is typically expected as a female artist,” Kaitlyn revealed. “I wanted to write about embracing who I am and female empowerment.”

Kaitlyn cowrote the song with acclaimed duo MSquared (Michael Paynter and Michael DeLorenzis) who’ve previously penned hits for The Veronicas, Casey Barnes, and Aloe Blacc.

“Writing this song with Paynter and Delo was like a Nashville experience,” she said. “The song was written in a day, vocals laid the next and final production completed on the third day. Working with MSquared allowed me to dig deeper into who I am as an artist and really find my distinct sound that no one else is doing.”

The accompanying music video, shot by Benny Griggs at the Race Track Betting Shed, captures the fire Kaitlyn brings to the stage.

“I didn’t want to go down the storytelling road, I wanted to capture what it would look like live,” she said. “The live audience we had, had never heard the song until the day of filming.”

You can experience her live show for yourself at the following events:
3–5 November 2024 – Molesworth Music Festival, Taungurong Country/Molesworth
17–19 November 2024 – Camp for Cancer, Kulin Country/Darraweit Guim

Image source: Kaitlyn Thomas official website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Younger Than Me Drops Exquisite New Single “Right Way”

I love artists that keep me guessing. I’m never sure what I will get when Eora/Sydney duo Younger Than Me releases new music, but it’s always exciting. Their latest single “Right Way” is a sublime track that showcases their otherworldly vocal harmonies and gift for layering unique sounds and loops.

“I think it’s the first track that we wrote as one, rather than each bringing different parts to the table,” they mused. “We began to let go of preconceived ideas of our songwriting and to record more intuitively together. We ended up with something we would never have expected to come out of us!”

If you want to hear something truly different today, look no further. Then treat yourself to an exploration of Younger Than Me’s back catalogue. Full of twists and turns, it’s some of the most surprising and beautiful music coming out of New South Wales at the moment.

Image credit: Marcus Coblyn

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Connor Black-Henry Releases Beautiful New Song, “Stupid Monkey”

Naarm-Melbourne singer-songwriter Connor Black-Harry has me swooning with his folky new single “Stupid Monkey.” It’s an intimate song crafted in his bedroom studio accompanied by a beautiful film clip, directed by Michael Ridley, shot in Connor’s hometown and during his recent road trip to Yuin Country/Tomakin, New South Wales.

“Everyone knows how it feels to have an insistent weight on their shoulders or a monkey on their back. ‘Stupid Monkey’ explores the rude realisation that the process of healing and growth is a messy, frustrating, and yet finally, ultimately cathartic,” Connor explained.

“Stupid Monkey” is Connor’s first release since 2020, so hopefully he won’t leave us waiting so long for the follow-up!

Image used with permission from Brain Drain PR; credit: Michael Ridley

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

A Swift Farewell Drop Tasty New Single, “Salt”

Eora/Sydney pop-punk trio A Swift Farewell are back with their killer new single “Salt.” If you’re running low on energy today, this anthemic track, co-written by Yours Truly’s former guitar Lachlan Cronin, will give you the kickstart you need. Hit that volume, because this one sounds best loud.

“’Salt’ is the first track we worked with someone externally, and we were so excited when Lachlan Cronin wanted to work with us,” explained A Swift Farewell’s vocalist Ryo Sprott. “I’ve held on to these lyrics for a while now, and it was a time where I was constantly told I was weird, and no one liked me. But I realise why should I change to someone’s needs?”

Fresh from performances at Perish Fest and supporting acts like Yours Truly, Rumours, and Clay J Gladstone, A Swift Farewell will play AM/PM’s 6th Birthday show at the Burdekin Hotel in Eora/Sydney tomorrow night, April 29.

Image credit: Jasmine Tan

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

YARA Gets Honest With Soulful Single “Bad Behaviour”

We’re always encouraged to take the high road, but as YARA reminds us, it can be cathartic to get a little bitter! Her new single “Bad Behaviour” sees her embracing the devil on her shoulder and really speaking her mind about someone who did her wrong.

“When I wrote this, I enjoyed the freedom of thinking negatively about this person without limiting myself to being the bigger person (which I usually try to be),” she admitted.

This is a very different side of YARA than we heard in her dreamy single “Back of the Uber,” but I like it! Her vocals on this are just as sublimely soulful too. Couldn’t you just listen to her all day?

You’ll get a chance to hear more when YARA releases her debut EP, Lonely Love Affair, on May 3.

Image used with permission from Stagedive; credit: @clairegiuffre

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fall In Love With Franjapan

I love falling down a musical rabbit hole. I intend on listening to a band’s current single, but end up devouring their entire back catalogue. The latest band to fire me up that way is Franjapan. Trust me, if your Hump Day is anything like mine, they’ll give you the pick-me-up you need to make it through. Sitting somewhere between The Strokes and Sam Fender, they make some of the catchiest rock music I’ve heard in some time. Take a listen to their new single “Lucy,” but don’t be surprised if like me you find yourself tuning in to the rest of their songs.

“The song was written about a night I had at a party,” explained the Naarm/Melbourne band’s guitarist and vocalist, Rhys Fraser-White. “It’s simply an observation of the activities or values that are ever-present in the youthful nightlife. I believe the essence of the song is an attempt to capture the lustful innocence of our youth before its impending end. A snapshot of a moment in time.”

“The guitar riff and chord progression came first. They’re heavily inspired by Sam Fender’s guitar playing (very tasty). We love Sam and his band. The verse lyrics followed shortly after. Once I had the riff and verse lyrics down, I showed Spencer [Ward, guitar/vocals] the song and we constructed a chorus and bridge in a matter of minutes. We brought the finished song to Dennis [Sehovic, guitar], Oli [Collins, drums], and Oscar [Macalpine, bass] who each added their own unique touches. The finished product is ‘Lucy’.”

Franjapan are currently touring the East Coast, headlining shows for the very first time. You can still catch them at the following gigs:
28 April 2023 – The Barrie, Eora/Sydney (FREE)
30 April 2023 – The North Gong Hotel, Dharawal Country/Wollongong (FREE)

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Jontee Langton

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hayley Marsten Drops Empowering Anthem “I Am a Rich Man”

Hayley Marsten takes inspiration from the iconic Cher for her latest single “I Am a Rich Man.” Hayley wrote the song with Imogen Clark, celebrating the diva’s quote “I don’t need to marry a rich man, Mom, I am a rich man”. That’s right, these women can buy their own flowers too!

“I grew up in a very strong Cher fandom household,” Hayley explained. “I remember having my tiny mind blown listening to ‘Believe’ when I was five. I had always loved the interview she gave talking about how her mum said to her once that she should settle down and marry a rich man and she said ‘Mom, I am a rich man’. For me, I have been asked for so long ‘when am I getting married?’ and although I’m not against the concept I always thought it was weird because I was doing so many other exciting things that I thought were huge achievements and were just as valuable of milestones but weren’t celebrated in the same way. And in my opinion, whether or not a woman has a ring on her finger, she can have a whole and fulfilling life, and be her own rich man to settle down with”.

Hayley also created the concept for the video, which was directed by Jazmyn Produces.

“I really wanted to celebrate different versions of myself as a ‘successful woman’ – in the video I am the Stepford wife that many people in my life wanted me to grow up to be, I am rich enough to roll around on a bed covered in money with my face on it! I am a fangirl, writing in my diary and singing into my hairbrush fully embracing the things that I love and then I’m the version of me now that I worked really hard to become. A woman that my younger self could look up to,” she added. “We took some editing inspiration from Miley Cyrus’ ‘Mothers Daughter’ video and really leant into the Stepford wife trope with the manic hedge trimming. Everything for this video was really DIY with it all being shot at my house or family member’s homes, pulling costuming from my wardrobe and I did my own hair and makeup, very rich man to do it all that way I think! I loved this song from the moment I wrote it with Imogen Clark but this video is easily my favourite to date and I think my best work yet!”

“I Am a Rich Man” is also Hayley’s first release through Cheatin’ Hearts Records. It gives us an exciting taste of what’s to come on Hayley’s sophomore album.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute