Category: Video

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

James Johnston Back in the Spotlight With “Small Town”

I remember James Johnston as a contestant on Australian Idol and The X Factor. Since that time away from the reality TV spotlight, he’s carved out an impressive career as a country music artist. He’s amassed more than 5 million streams, topped country radio and the Spotify Fresh Country playlist, and had his song “Raised Like That” used on more than 8,000 TikTok videos. If, like me, you’re not across his latest tunes his current single “Small Town” is the perfect reintroduction.

“I wrote ‘Small Town’ on the drive back home to my hometown of Wingham. I had been spending quite some time in the city and I was just so excited to get back to my family farm. I wanted to capture that feeling of excitement and anticipation in the song – that build-up as I was on that drive to get back home,” James explained.

The video captures the simple pleasure of gathering with friends around a country bonfire. It was produced by Elijah Cavanagh (Cavanagh Films) and shot on the outskirts of Gatton, in Queensland.

“The storyline follows the journey of a young country guy who was working in the city returning to his roots,” James added. “We threw a big party with a bunch of friends and just captured the magic.”

James is earning a reputation for his live shows after sets at Bush to Bay Festival, Savannah in the Round, and Pro Bull Riding events. You can see him doing his thing at the following upcoming shows:

26 March 2022 – PBR Australia @ Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle
9 April 2022 – Supagas Canowindra International Balloon Festival @ Canowindra Showgrounds, Canowindra
30 April 2022 – Road to Rodeo @ Longreach Showgrounds, Longreach
27 May 2022 – Beach & Boots Festival @ Breakwall Holiday Park, Port Macquarie
2 October 2022 – Savannah In The Round Festival @ Kerribee Park, Mareeba

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rachael Fahim Drops Country-Pop Pleaser, “Darts in the Dark”

You might not know Rachael Fahim’s name, yet, but she’s proven a real force in the local country music scene. After her last single “Middle Ground” spent five weeks at the top of the Official Australian Country Charts, she became the second most-streamed female Australian country artist of all time (after Kasey Chambers). Her latest single “Darts in the Dark” is an empowering country-pop song about finding strength even when the odds seem stacked against you.

Rachael co-wrote the song during the 2021 Country Meets Pop song camp with producer Robby De Sa, Ned Philpott, and American writer Rosi Golan, who’s previously worked with acts including Little Big Town and Christina Aguilera.

“When we wrote this song, I was talking about how I often feel stuck while everyone around me seems to be moving forward, life can be a rollercoaster, but you just have to sit back, enjoy the ride and just focus on your own path,” Rachael explained. “Rosi had this amazing title, and the song just flowed; we literally had a finished production six hours later!”

Live performances have been few and far between in recent years, but Rachael said she hoped to recreate their vibe with her latest must video, filmed in a container yard in the Sydney suburb of St Peters.

“We went into this video just wanting to create something fun that gave a sense of the energy you would get from one of my live shows,” she said. “After being away from the stage for two years, I’ve spent a lot of time with my band working on building a live show that was festival ready and hoping that audiences will connect with that.”

Hopefully it won’t be too long before she’s sharing her live show with music lovers. Until then, turn this one up!

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Smitten by CSÖKE’s Romantic New Single

With so much angst in the world, listening to music is a great way to drown the noise out and forget your troubles for a little while. That’s exactly what I did on hearing “I Think I’m Falling,” the latest track from Sydney singer-songwriter CSÖKE. This song is such a charmer, with an easy, breezy groove and CSÖKE’s angelical vocals. It sounds all sweetness and light, but tap into those lyrics and you’ll discover it’s more complex than you first realised.

“I found it hard to let people in, even myself. I was scared to let someone love me, be vulnerable and allow myself the possibility of having my heart broken. I had myself for so long, I got used to having my guard up and only relying on myself. The idea of relying on someone else freaked me out,” CSÖKE admitted.

“I wrote this track with Chelsea Warner. Her presence made me feel super calm to talk a bit about how I was feeling and I was scared I had lost the ability to write songs. We decided to write a song about the total opposite thing I was feeling at the time and write about that first realisation of falling in love, that first hit of emotion you feel, the ‘Oh shit’ and the struggle I felt in my own experience of falling in love and pushing down my walls and allowing myself to feel things. It was a silver lining of what was going on in my life, when life felt like it was falling apart I was also falling in love for what felt like the first time.”

After just one listen, I’m sure you’ll have fallen just as hard for this song as I did!

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; photo credit: Stephanie Jewell

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Isabella Manfredi Drops Another Stellar Single Ahead of 2022 Album Release

After hearing her latest single “One Hit Wonder,” I could not be more excited about Isabella Manfredi’s debut solo album. Its poppy melody masks the bittersweet lyrics which say goodbye to a love that’s run its course.

“When I walked into the session for ‘One Hit Wonder’ in March 2020, two weeks before the pandemic really hit, The Preatures had already been in limbo for eighteen months and I had been off the stage and in stalemate,” she recounted. “The day before the session I had been in the studio with G Flip, Jess B and Thandi Phoenix for Like a Version, and I came home from rehearsals energised and inspired. I sat down at my piano and wrote the prechorus and chorus, and over the next few days I finished ‘One Hit Wonder’ with Chris Collins and Lucy Taylor. I remember it feeling tongue-in-cheek at the time, like maybe it could be a Preatures song. But I was really saying I was done with the band before I was ready to admit it to myself. I think sometimes it can be hard to swallow that the strongest thing you can do is cut your losses and walk away. It’s also right to acknowledge when something truly was wondrous and leave it at that.”

Isabella Manfredi’s solo album will drop next year. Until then, crank this one up!

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia; credit: Maclay Heriot

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Faim Release Rocking Comeback Single “Ease My Mind”

I raved about Perth rock act The Faim back in 2019, but like so many bands in the last couple of years they fell off my radar. The pandemic saw everyone slow down, but they’re coming back with a vengeance with their new single “Ease My Mind.” Think world domination and a little something for local fans too.

But back to the song. What a welcome return this is. The band’s bassist, keyboardist, and songwriter Stephen Beerkens says he wrote the track while struggling to process the changes the pandemic brought.

“’Ease My Mind’ was written last year, during a very unpredictable period of my life,” he explained. “Unable to do the things that meant the most to me, I found myself dealing with stress and emotions I’d never experienced. During this time, I was constantly looking for someone or something to lean on and wrote ‘Ease My Mind’ about processing and dealing with these emotions.”

The Faim will head to Europe in the summer to play some big festivals including Rock am Ring and Rock in the Park in Germany, Download in the UK, and Rock for People in the Czech Republic. They’re also planning 15 headline shows across the UK and Europe. But don’t worry Aussies. They won’t forget you. I hear they’ll be supporting a big local act on their national tour next year. I’m sworn to secrecy, but you’ll want to start saving up for tickets!

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Nostalgic With WANDERERS’ “Malibu”

Like so many of us, WANDERERS seem to be experiencing a little wanderlust at the moment. Their latest single sees the band reminiscing about their last trip to the US. Many of us might not be able to jet off right now, but we can let our minds take us away with this fabulous track.

“Malibu to me is that place in my head, that mindset I was in on that trip, which is a state of mind I always try to get back to, where anything seems possible,” lead singer Dusty explained.

WANDERERS are set for a big 2022. Their self-titled EP drops on January 28 and they’re scheduled to play SXSW in March. They’ll be back no home soil before you know it, with a local tour already in the works.

Image used with permission from Big Oak Records; credit: Samuel Graves

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

THE RIOT Vent With “PISSED”

Crank up that volume, because there’s only one way to listen to THE RIOT’s current single “PISSED”: loud! This track is an explosion of aggressive funk rock, with distorted guitars, electronic beats, and searing lyrics calling out the fakers.

THE RIOT says “this song is about the difference between the leeches and the creatures.” The film clip pays tribute to the satirical videos of artists including Busta Rhymes, Beastie Boys, Blink-182 and D12.

“We really wanted to make a video for ‘PISSED’ that would show the humorous side in situations where we would be pissed off,” they explained. “We also wanted to pay homage to some of our favourite moments and styles of the ‘90s so we got together with our friends Call [Ellet] and Bowen [Hopper, from flouressence] to help bring our vision to life.”

Despite the challenging climate, THE RIOT are doing their best to soldier on with their current tour. Here are the remaining dates:

7 January 2022 – Vic on the Park Hotel, Sydney
14 January 2022 – Laundry Bar, Melbourne
21 January 2022 – The Met Hotel, Toowoomba

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gunning for Allie Release Pop-Rock Bop, “Stay”

It’s been so long since I heard some good Aussie pop-rock that I’d started to think the genre had died out. If it’s on life support, Gunning for Allie are giving it mouth-to-mouth with their single “Stay.” This track is everything good pop-rock music should be: super catchy with solid vocals that compel you to sing along. It sounds so effortless that it’s surprising to hear about its long gestation.

“This song is about three years in the making; I originally started writing the track in January of 2019 when I was seeing the now ex-girlfriend the song is written about,” explained frontman Joshua Mulheran. “During our relationship, she went on a seven-month contract requiring us to do long distance. As the relationship broke down, the song came to fruition. The song started as what I thought would be a get back together song with someone I thought I’d spend my life with. Now I listen to the song fondly, knowing as a younger person, you can be so naïve in love.”

The band is no overnight success either, with Joshua and James Waters playing together since they were in grade nine of high school.

“From working side-by-side in our share house to remotely on different sides of the country, we’ve always been on the same wavelength with our love for music and the way that we approach writing a song,” added Joshua.

As a pop-rock fan from way back, I’m really looking forward to hearing more from Gunning for Allie in the new year.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Waxflower Embrace the Dark Side With “Soak”

Waxflower have ushered in a new sonic era with their latest single, “Soak.” The Brisbane pop-punk outfit has dabbled in electronic elements before, but this track really embraces layered synthy sounds. It’s a little darker and heavier than their usual fare, and those notes are perfect for continuing the band’s exploration of mental health issues.

“‘Soak’ is about the lowest of lows, standing before a hopelessness that feels insurmountable,” explained Waxflower’s frontman Tristan Higginson. “When my panic attacks were at their worst, I wanted a medicated lobotomy — I just wanted it to be done. The song zeroes in on those moments where you would give up anything for the pain to stop.

“The most intense struggles often feel the most insular. Being told “everything’s going to be ok” doesn’t do much when you’re gasping for air. Soak lives in those moments without an agenda, it’s just down there, feeling the pain with you.”

Waxflower were due to play EP shows in Melbourne last week, but that nasty coronavirus still has a way of ruining plans. Hopefully those gigs get rescheduled soon and we can look forward to welcoming Waxflower back to the stage.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co; credit: Mitch Lowe

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Greta Stanley Gives Taste of New Album With “Close Call”

The raw vulnerability of “Close Call,” the latest track from Cairns artist Greta Stanley, has really struck a chord with me right now. It’s the kind of song that stops you in your tracks, drawing you instantly with its vulnerable lyrics and gentle electronic melody.

“‘Close Call’ actually started as a set of lyrics that I’ve had for ages … years actually,” Greta admitted. “I always liked these words, so Tristan and I wrote new music to them. It’s about being frustrated with people’s egos, needing solitude and trying to step away to protect myself. It’s a reminder to myself not to be manipulated or get lost in someone else’s world. The chorus lyric – “draw those blinds, I need an honest light” is basically me saying you can’t hide in the daylight.”

“Close Call” comes from Greta’s forthcoming sophomore album which is due to drop early next year.

“Coming from Mena Creek, a tiny town south of Innisfail and being based in Cairns for most of my 20’s, I’ve felt so grateful to be able to collaborate with other local creatives for the recording of my new album,” Greta explained. “I believe Cairns hosts a lot of talent. The record was predominantly recorded with two Far North Queensland-based producers, Tristan Barton and Mark Myers, who I have been musically involved with since the beginning of my career in music. Tristan also plays drums in my band. I’ve also worked with two incredible female photographers who I plan to work with again for videography. I’m so proud to have the support of a great artist community up here. I can’t wait to share the album with everyone.”

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute