Every now and again, we talk about changing the national anthem. “Advance Australia Fair” has served us well since 1974, but it was written by a Scot. And even with the recent lyric change, it still doesn’t really represent who we are as a nation. I think a much worthier option is “Sing Australia,” the latest single from proud Wiradjuri man, Jason Owen.
Yes, it’s a bit cheesy. But just see if you’re not feeling all patriotic by the end of it. I love that it highlights so many of the people and places that make Australia home. It celebrates unity and what we can do working together. I’d feel pretty proud belting this out. What about you?
If you’ve ever struggled to connect with American rappers bragging about their sweet rides, Lemaire has the track for you. The Gold Coast rapper’s new single “Ford Laser” is one for all the Aussies who can only dream about a luxury sports car. He might have a “shitbox car” with “no aircon,” but he’s not going to let that dampen his mood! Add a funky beat to those hilarious lyrics and you’ve got a recipe for a good time.
Listening to the lyrics, you should know this song has come from a real place. But just in case you thought he was putting it on, Lemaire’s music video features his now-famous Ford Laser.
“I have always wondered if owning an expensive car, as opposed to my piece of shit Ford Laser, would make me any happier in my day-to-day life,” Lemaire admitted. “I feel like the satisfaction associated with buying things (like cars, clothing, phones) is a very short-lived, fleeting happiness, and before long they just become standard. I wrote this song to express my content with what I have already: friends, family, time, music, and an absolute lemon of a Ford Laser.”
Lemaire will celebrate the release of “Ford Laser” with a hometown show at Miami Marketta on February 25.
The Faim have got to be one of the best Aussie rock acts most locals haven’t heard of yet. Every song they release is a winner, and their latest track “The Hills” is no exception. Crank it up, because this is one of those numbers best experienced loud.
“’The Hills’ is a song which touches on anxiety and the desire to go back to that place where you can reconnect with yourself and take a breath,” explained guitarist and songwriter Sam Tye. “For Josh and I, the Perth hills is one of these places and after two years of being on the road, coming home gave us a moment to reflect on the sometimes-overwhelming experiences you have whilst touring. I hope this song helps people find that place for themselves.”
If like me you’re still dreaming of a WA holiday, The Faim’s new music video can take you there. It features beautiful footage of the Perth landscape alongside footage of the band doing what they do best.
“’The Hills’ music video involves a stylistic representation of life inside the band,” added Sam, who created the video’s concept. “The driving connects to life on the road and experiencing the world through a moving window as they travel to their next destination. In certain moments we see live performance represented and in others we see snapshots of personal creativity, drawing back the curtains of life in a band and its perpetual motion.”
2022 is set to be a big year for The Faim. Their new album will drop and they’ve already earned spots on the lineups of some of the United Kingdom and Europe’s hottest summer festivals. They’re also preparing to announce headlining shows in the United Kingdom and Europe really soon.
3 June 2022 – Rock am Ring, Mendig Deu
5 June 2022 – Rock in the Park, Mendig Deu
11 June 2022 – Download Festival, Leicestershire
18 June 2022 – Rock for People, Hradec Kralove
Sydney-based pop artist Christina Castle is rubbing shoulders with all the right people. Matt Pauling, who’s worked with blink-182, 5 Seconds of Summer, and Twenty One Pilots, produced her latest single “FFFree” in Los Angeles. She’s also collaborated with blink’s Travis Barker and Linda Perry of 4 Non Blondes and toured internationally with Run The Jewels, Yelawolf, and Mikey Mike. Taking a listen to that single, I can understand why she’s generating such buzz. It’s so much fun. I love the rebellious pop vibe that doesn’t take itself too seriously. This is the sort of music that makes you want to grab a hairbrush and belt it out.
“It’s about freedom – in a time where the world can feel like a crazy overwhelming place to live in, finding comfort in the fact that true freedom is found within yourself,” Christina explained.
Christina will play the following shows next month:
4 February 2021 – West HQ, Rooty Hill
25 February 2021 – West HQ, Rooty Hill
26 February 2021 – Mounties Terrace Bar, Mount Pritchard
Most albums have a few strong singles and a whole lot of filler. So it’s impressive that Mermaid Avenue are still delivering the goods with “Prisoner,” the sixth (yes, sixth!) single from their soon-to-be-released album Sugartown.
This track has got everything you want to hear. Incredible multipart harmonies, a soaring slide, killer guitar solos, incredible lyrics about the human condition. It’s all here, and it’s glorious.
Mermaid Avenue have definitely left us waiting a long time for Sugartown, but they should stop teasing us soon. I hear it’s dropping sometime early this year.
In their press release for their latest single “Worth Your While,” Melbourne five-piece Raging Hormones encourage you to “Check your baggage at the door. Or, drag it in and destroy it altogether.” Either way, the bold energy of this track is all you’re going to need to forget about your problems, at least for a little while. It’s so much fun, so press play and turn that volume right up.
The press release also shares the urban legend that seeing Raging Hormones live “gets you the equivalent of 12 hours sleep, a shot of adrenaline to the heart, a two-week beach holiday, and a giant bear-hug.” I understand the source is a little biased, but until I see them live I’m just going to believe it.
Raging Hormones were all set to take over a Lygon Street shopfront and write and record an EP in front of passers-by this month, but COVID got in the way. Give their Facebook page a follow to find out all about other exciting plans they’re making as they’re announced.
Image used with permission from Little Giant Agency; credit: Nick Manuell
The pandemic has posed more than its fair share for musicians around the country, but few acts had it as tough as Eliza & The Delusionals. The band had members living on either side of the New South Wales and Queensland borders, but it wasn’t going to stop them from making fabulous music together. Their latest single “Nothing Yet” is a fantastic indie-rock track that takes me right back to the late ‘90s and early ‘00s. Its fun nostalgic feel is the perfect counterweight for its heartbreaking lyrics.
It’s a sign of the times that Eliza & The Delusionals have had to postpone their single launch shows, which were due to kick off in Sydney tonight. Stay tight for the rescheduling, but it looks like international fans may get the opportunity to see them first. Eliza & The Delusionals will head to Napa Valley to play the Bottlerock Festival this May.
Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Luke Henery
If you’re sick of the musical cliches, The Plane Sailors are the band for you. This Brisbane indie-rock act feel the same way, so you won’t find the same old lines in their latest track “Bell Curve.” At just a little over two minutes, it’s a great reminder that sometimes less is more.
“This is not your cliche story, I’m sick of happy endings, they feel so boring” singer Curtis Hooper declares in this super catchy single.
Curtis recorded the track in his bedroom before moving to complete it in bassist James Glenleft’s spare room. According to the press release, the recording process was “a labour of love (with sprinkles of frustration), that ultimately resulted in a track the band could be immensely proud of.”
“You’re likely gonna have to do a lot more for yourself in the studio than you think,” added guitarist Joseph Floyd. “Whether it’s adding in the extra layers, redoing your mate’s part for them that they hastily punched in on their lunch break, or spending time alone because the others forgot to show up to press the record button for you; it’s all worth it in the end.”
The Plane Sailors recently launched the single in their hometown. Hopefully it won’t be too long before they take their live show to the rest of the country.
Bloom channels vintage vibes in her latest single “One More Place.” This track is the ultimate breakup anthem, a melancholy rumination on the memories that hold us hostage as we try to move on.
“I’ve had a few (too many) breakups, as most of us can relate to at some point in our lives,” Bloom admitted. “There is always that one place that reminds you of your ex, or that raw phase you go through post break up where you are wondering who they are with and have a bunch of unanswered questions while coming to the realisation that it is really over.”
Most artists have a fairly bare concert calendar at the moment, but not Bloom. She’s playing covers at the following shows all around Australia and New Zealand:
17, 18, 19, 20, 21, & 22 January 2022 – Downstairs at the Maj, Perth (Adele & Amy Songbook)
18 February 2022 – Norwood Hotel, Adelaide (Stevie, Linda & Carole Songbook)
19 February 2022 – Norwood Hotel, Adelaide (Adele & Amy Songbook)
4 March 2022 – The Lounge, Brisbane (Stevie, Linda & Carole Songbook)
5 March 2022 – Kings Beach Tavern, Sunshine Coast (Stevie, Linda & Carole Songbook)
11 March 2022 – Springlake Hotel, Brisbane (Stevie, Linda & Carole Songbook)
12 March 2022 – Wallaby Hotel, Gold Coast (Stevie, Linda & Carole Songbook)
18 March 2022 – Jindalee Hotel, Brisbane (Stevie, Linda & Carole Songbook)
19 March 2022 – Beenleigh Tavern, Brisbane (Stevie, Linda & Carole Songbook)
31 March 2022 – Camelot Lounge, Marrickville (Eva Cassidy Songbook)
1 April 2022 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle (Eva Cassidy Songbook)
2 April 2022 – North Ryde RSL, Sydney (Stevie, Linda & Carole Songbook)
29 April 2022 – York on Lilydale, Melbourne (Stevie, Linda & Carole Songbook)
7 May 2022 – Laycock Street Community Theatre, Wyoming (Stevie, Linda & Carole Songbook)
21 August 2022 – Salt Village, Kingscliff (Stevie, Linda & Carole Songbook)
9 September 2022 – New Plymouth Club, New Plymouth (Adele & Amy Songbook)
10 September 2022 – Upper Hutt Cossie Club, Wellington (Adele & Amy Songbook)
11 September 2022 – Globe Theatre, Palmerston North (Adele & Amy Songbook)
15 September 2022 – Ashburton Trust Event Centre, Ashburton (Stevie, Linda & Carole Songbook)
16 September 2022 – Oamaru Club, Oamaru (Stevie, Linda & Carole Songbook)
17 September 2022 – Wunderbar Lyttelton, Christchurch (Stevie, Linda & Carole Songbook)
18 September 2022 – Wunderbar Lyttelton, Christchurch (Adele & Amy Songbook)
Melbourne punk trio Snark has won my heart with their latest single “Weightless.” This song feels like a natural progression from their lockdown anthem “Pressure.” Instead of exploring isolation, it celebrates the human connection so many of us enjoyed over the festive season (for better or worse!).
Frontman Stefan Sepulveda reveals that “Weightless” is “all about connection and how your relationships with those around you can really define you. The verses of the song are punctuated by darkness, self-doubt and self-sabotage but the chorus overcomes all that – aiming for a soaring, on-top-of-the-world feeling that comes from the love and the friendships that define us. I repeatedly reference the ‘avenue,’ which is a placeholder of sorts – with the idea being that you can meet the people who will mean everything to you in the unlikeliest of places. The avenue could be anywhere, at any time for anyone – you never know when or how these things are going to happen. There’s something beautiful about the serendipitous way people find their way into each other’s lives, and this song celebrates that.”
With the Melbourne lockdowns midyear, Snark didn’t have a chance to launch “Pressure.” Then the COVID storm swept in again and ruined their plans for a double single launch this month. Hopefully third time’s the charm and we see them on a stage really soon!
Image used with permission from Habit Music Co; credit: Act IV Photography
