Polish Club Soundtrack Rugby League Season With “Good Time”

I’m not sure how many of you share my sentiments, but I’m pretty excited this week for the return of the regular seasons of the NRL and NRLW. With the trial games out of the way, it’s time to see whether my beloved Eels can go one better in 2023. The Nine Network has a history of opting for fairly safe choices for their rugby league theme song. Everyone loves the Hoodoo Gurus and Barnesy, but Nine’s shaken things up this year, opting for a little Polish Club instead. Rest assured, you’ll be hearing their track “Good Time” a lot this year. And that’s a very good thing.

“We wanted a short, sharp song, filled with nothing but catchphrases, with each part being its own hook. I think we nailed it,” said Novak. I don’t disagree.

Now hopefully we can see Polish Club booked as part of the grand final entertainment!

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia; credit: Derek Bogart

Eliott Releases Stunning New Single, “Tell Me”

It’s been far too long since we heard new music from Eliott, one of my favourite singer-songwriters in the country. Her latest single “Tell Me” is worth the wait, a vulnerable indie-pop track that somehow manages to feel intimate, yet epic.

“I wrote ‘Tell Me’ when I was 22 years old and really feeling the weight of the world,” Eliott said. “My direction wasn’t clear I was a little lost and unsure of the path I wanted to take.”

Working with her cowriter Andy Hopkins in Forbes Street Studios in Eora/Sydney helped Eliott process her emotions and bring the song together.

“Something for me which has helped heal and understand the motions that I’m going through is songwriting,” she added. “Songwriting for me is the purest form of therapy, I’ll often subconsciously write something which I’ve been internally keeping in for a very long time and it gives me the space to let it out into the world and out of my own head – and with this song, that was the case.”

The gorgeous video was captured in just one take.

“To pull it together in that amount of time was nerve-wracking, but I felt alive,” Eliott said. “There’s no room for error there, no leeway. You can’t have a bad performance. I really had to step into that role. But I think this song tells me to trust myself, so I did and it worked.”

Hopefully this is the first of several songs we hear from Eliott this year.

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia; credit: Jess Brohier

Laura Frank Does Country Her Way With “Days Gone By”

With her cropped platinum do and bold blazer, you’ve probably guessed that Laura Frank isn’t your ordinary country singer. Imbuing her sound with more rock edge than the average, she recently earned the People’s Choice Award for Most Promising Future Star at the 2023 Tamworth Country Music Festival. If you’re not already across her music, her latest single “Days Gone By” is the ideal introduction.

Laura says this song is “a thank you to the lessons learnt, the mistakes made, the journey had. Or more accurately – a ‘Thank you, but I don’t need you anymore’.”

“Over the years I put up walls and built castles around myself to protect myself from the disappointment, the failures & the mistakes,” she added. “In more recent times I’ve started to knock those down and forge a new path. Without those experiences or lessons, I wouldn’t be the person I am.”

Laura produced the video with her partner Nick Morrissey.

“From the concept, to design, hair and makeup, set, videography to editing, Nick and I have been doing it with just ourselves.”

In the video, shot in the Queensland hinterland, Lisa takes the wheel of a 1950 Chevy. She makes it look easy, but looks can be deceiving!

“It’s the first time I’ve driven a left-hand drive car… it was strange, but didn’t take me long to get the hang of it!”

Speaking of driving, Lisa will put some kays on her vehicle in the coming months as she plays shows around her home state:

11 March 2023 – Cooly Goes Country @ The Coolangatta Hotel, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
29 April 2023 – Twin Towns Clubs & Resorts, Bundjalung Country/Tweed Heads (supporting Chocolate Starfish)
27 May 2023 Vixens of Fall @ Caloundra RSL, Kabi Kabi Country/Sunshine Coast

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Matt Joe Gow Releases Album Title Track “Between Tonight & Tomorrow” & Tour Dates

Few singer-songwriters produce such consistently good material as Matt Joe Gow. Like a fine wine, he also somehow seems to get better and better. Whether it’s wisdom or maturity, his trajectory as an artist is unmatched. Take a listen to his incredible new single “Between Tonight & Tomorrow” and you’ll hear exactly what I mean. I love the way its introspective lyrics play with that haunting guitar refrain. This is about as close to perfection as you’ll hear today.

The release of “Between Tonight & Tomorrow” is the start of a pretty exciting chapter for Matt’s fans. It’s the title track from Matt’s new album, which drops on March 10. He’ll also play a string of shows to celebrate its release.

16 March 2023 – George Lane, Naarm/Melbourne
17 & 18 March 2023 – Majors Creek Festival, Walbinga Country/Majors Creek
18 March 2023 – The Tea Club, Wandiwandian Country/Nowra
26 March 2023 – Memo Music Hall, Naarm/Melbourne
31 March 2023 – Palais-Hepburn, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Hepburn Springs
1 April 2023 – Saints & Sailors, Wadawurrung Country/Portarlington
2 April 2023 – Hydrant Food Hall, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Ballarat
7 April 2023 – Baroque Room, Kedumba/Katoomba
8 April 2023 – Stag & Hunter, Mulubinba/Newcastle
9 April 2023 – Hiway Enmore, Eora/Sydney
15 April 2023 – Sandy Point Centre, Brataualung Country/Sandy Point
21 April 2023 – Star Hotel, Dhudhuroa/Yackandandah
22 April 2023 – Mt Beauty Festival, Dhudhuroa and Yaitmathang Country/Mt Beauty
25 April 2023 – Arrowtown Festival, Otago

Image used with permission from Matt Joe Gow

Carla Webhe Enchants With “knight To e5”

Eora/Sydney singer-songwriter Carla Wehbe has floored me with her new single “knight To e5.” It’s an emotional slow burner that builds so beautifully to a powerful crescendo. I really felt this one. This is how you get people excited about your upcoming EP.

“If you’re a Harry Potter fan you might get the title reference from the first film. In the same way Ron sacrifices his knight so Harry could win the game of wizards chess, the concept of ‘Knight To E5’ is about sacrificing your happiness or self for the happiness of someone you care about, essentially putting them before you,” Carla explained. “It’s one of the more heartbreaking songs I’ve written, which touches on deep regret and the fear of not living your life for yourself because you’re trying to protect someone else’s happiness.”

As I mentioned, Carla has a new EP on the way. Listen out for Jupiter and Mars when it drops on March 24.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia; credit: Kyle Caulfield

Have a Good Day Start Strong With Debut Single “Somebody, Nobody”

Starting with a bright, ‘80s shimmer, “Somebody, Nobody,” the new single from Have a Good Day, instantly makes you feel good. It doesn’t let up either, with a lush layered chorus and playful beat. If your day needs a lift, this new indie-pop act from Boorloo/Perth have you covered.

This song might be the first release from Have a Good Day, but these guys have been building a reputation in WA after their previous acts shared stages with the likes of Siobhan Cotchin, Dulcie, The Presets, San Cisco, and heaps more. After hearing this song, it seems like they’ve now found something special with this brand new musical project.

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

MOONWOOD’s New Single “Lady in Red” Will Make Your Day Better

Is there anything more romantic than someone rearranging their plans to take a chance on someone special? I think not! Jake McCullough, the frontman of Eora/Sydney band MOONWOOD, shares the story of the time he took a chance on love in the band’s latest single “Lady in Red.”

“A few years ago, I had the opportunity of a lifetime to work in Los Angeles. Minutes before booking my flight and telling my boss I was leaving to pursue my dream I received a text message from a girl (the Lady in Red) asking if I was leaving. In recent weeks, I developed feelings for her despite being friends for years. I wasn’t sure if she felt the same way. As far as I was concerned, I did not think I had any chance, as I only had a short timeframe to grab this opportunity in Los Angeles. Instead of flying, I decided to pursue a girl who might turn me down. The move was risky, but it was worth pursuing,” he explained.

The song is pure joy, as is the lyric music video which sees Jake dancing in the middle of a street. The things we do for love, hey?

MOONWOOD have a couple of gigs coming up, including their big hometown single launch, so get on it!

24 February 2023 – Yours and Owls ‘To Be Honest Fridays’, Woolyungah/Wollongong
11 March 2023 – The Vanguard, Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission from beehive

EDIE Channels ’90s Sounds With “Front Row”

Western Australian singer-songwriter EDIE is taking me right back to the ‘90s with her new song “Front Row.” A grungy sound reminiscent of icons like Juliana Hatfield or Liz Phair, check. Lyrics exploring unrequited love that borders on obsession, check. We’ve all been there, right?

“Through the track ‘Front Row,’ I explore themes of fixation, love, and obsession. The song shines a light on the dynamic of a parasocial relationship and its all-encompassing nature,” EDIE explained. “The track conveys the power of the mind to create a fully realized fantasy relationship about an individual who is not even aware of your existence. From personal experience, I know this can happen to the best of us!”

The music video plays on EDIE’s ‘90s film influences, capturing the relationship between a front-row fan, played by EDIE, and the lead singer of a band.

“When I was a kid, I always enjoyed creating music videos with my best friend. We spent so much time planning and creating and so to be able to create and experience a music video is a childhood dream come true!” she gushed. “It was so incredibly fun and such a rewarding experience to see my vision and dream come to life. When I met my director Steph [Senior] it was a true meeting of like minds as we had a shared vision of how to capture the story within the song.”

This is such a cool track, I can’t wait to hear what comes next for EDIE.

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Stephanie Senior

A Swift Farewell Release Stellar New Single, “Sorry”

Start your day right with Eora/Sydney pop-punk act A Swift Farewell’s bold new single “Sorry”. If the effects of your coffee are starting to wane, this track should give you the adrenalin rush you need to get to lunchtime.

“‘Sorry’ explores a time where I felt like every negative situation I was in was caused by me,” vocalist Ryo Sprott explained. “Relationships falling apart, band members leaving, etc., I felt like I was responsible for other people’s feelings and for making them leave me. The line ‘Held you too close / I squeezed your life away’ was written about an ex who broke up with me. At the time, I thought that it was my fault because I had cared too much, tried too hard and had suffocated them instead of giving them space. I found out later it wasn’t the reason they had left.”

The track comes with a fantastic music video filmed, directed, and edited by Dunelabs’ Oliver Clarke.

“The storyline of this video follows the song’s theme: feeling like your words and action are hurting someone else,” added A Swift Farewell’s guitarist and songwriter Sarah Bonnet. “The first actor is spitting black paint, which represents the words coming out of his mouth, as well as his actions. The second actor is crying black paint, which represents the hurt that these words and actions caused. The first is trying to say he’s sorry, but it’s too late and he can’t fix the damage that’s already done.”

A Swift Farewell will celebrate the release of “Sorry” with a trip to Naarm/Melbourne for Perish Fest on March 18.

Image used with permission from Good Intent; credit: Jack Fontes

Budjerah Drops New Single Ahead of Ed Sheeran Shows

Budjerah is already one of the hottest emerging artists in the country, and he’s set to get a whole lot bigger in the coming months. He’ll play massive stadiums around the country supporting Ed Sheeran and slots at For The Love Festival. He’s also just dropped a fabulous new single, “Therapy,” penned by superstar songwriters Sarah Aarons (John Legend, Demi Lovato) and Stint (Kesha, Panic! At the Disco).

“When I first heard the demo for ‘Therapy’, it hit me at the perfect time. I was going through a few things and the song really nailed how I was feeling at the time,” Budjerah admitted. “Therapy is about frustration in a relationship. It’s the thoughts and feelings that can erupt when you don’t understand each other and that can be tough to deal with. Therapy can come in many forms, but taking a step back and getting an outside perspective is something that has helped me.”

You’ll have plenty of opportunities to see Budjerah this year, starting with all these dates:

17 February 2023 – Suncorp Stadium, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Ed Sheeran)
18 February 2023 – Suncorp Stadium, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Ed Sheeran)
19 February 2023 – Suncorp Stadium, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Ed Sheeran)
24 February 2023 – Accor Stadium, Eora/Sydney (supporting Ed Sheeran)
25 February 2023 – Accor Stadium, Eora/Sydney (supporting Ed Sheeran)
26 February – For the Love Festival @ Thomas Dalton Park, Woolyungah/Wollongong
2 March 2023 – MCG, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Ed Sheeran)
3 March 2023 – MCG, Naarm/ Melbourne (supporting Ed Sheeran)
4 March 2023 – For the Love Festival @ Catani Gardens, Naarm/Melbourne
5 March 2023 – For the Love Festival @ Taylor Reserve, Boorloo/Perth
7 March 2023 – Adelaide Oval, Tarntanya/Adelaide (supporting Ed Sheeran)
12 March 2023 – Optus Stadium, Boorloo/Perth (supporting Ed Sheeran)

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia; credit: Max Doyle