Los Angeles-based Aussie act Jack Gray may have penned the poppiest ditty about fake relationships I’ve ever heard. His new track “Friends Like These” is a real banger, with an upbeat vibe that beautifully contrasts with the subject matter.
This track is our first taste of new music from Jack following the release of his debut EP Nights Like This. It wasn’t that long ago that he was on Aussie soil promoting that EP, but “Friends Like These” has me hoping a return visit won’t be too far away!
Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia
Aussie expat Lucas Laufen casts a spell with his new single, “I Know Where Silence Lives.” It’s a beautiful folky number inspired by Lucas’s experience watching the ocean from a bird-watching tower on the border of the Netherlands and Germany.
“It was the first time I’d seen the sea in months and I remember thinking, ‘this is where silence lives’,” he recalled. “The wind was super strong so it wasn’t actually silent but I felt at home with the salt spray and no one around. So it’s silence relating to peace as opposed to real acoustic silence.”
Much like the song itself, the songwriting process was a bit of a slow-burn.
“When I was growing up, my father would always wake up at 5:30 am to find a quiet place before the rest of the world woke up. I’d see him wandering down the beach by himself and I never really understood what he was doing. While writing this song I finally understood the reason for this and feel that I’ve grown to seek these moments out like my father did,” he added. “The song spans a one-year writing process, which is strange for me. I usually find it hard to hold onto an emotion for this long and a song will lose its meaning if it’s drawn out for this amount of time. It was my way of looking through his life and trying to understand him. I found that we are very similar people and hold this thought as an anchor when I’m trying to figure out when I’m going with my life.”
The film clip expands on Lucas’ original idea, telling the story of a woman who leaves city life to find her own quiet place in the Norwegian countryside.
“We purposefully begin the video with a greyish look and feel, the actress, Leona Grundig, is obviously sick of traffic and noise, the colours of her clothes are nondescript and she looks like she’s in the wrong place,” explained the director, Dennis Schischke. “Her mood lifts the closer she gets to her destination, the colours of her clothing changes and the colour grading is more saturated. Within the video there are three portraits of her, the last one shows the end of her journey and her reaction to finally finding her own silence.”
“I Know Where Silence Lives” is the title track from Lucas Laufen’s new album, which drops on December 6. He’ll play a string of shows around Europe in the coming months to support its release.
14 December 2019 – Privatclub, Berlin
30 January 2020 – L’Atelier, Basel
1 February 2020 – Chur Unplugged, Chur
3 February 2020 – Sofar Sounds, Paris
5 February 2020 – Cafe De Loge, Ghent
6 February 2020 – Cafe Litteraire Le Bovary, Luxembourg
9 February 2020 – Cafe de Witte, Assen
17 February 2020 – Viertal Bar, Wuppertal
18 February 2020 – Schlosskeller, Darmstadt
19 February 2020 – Lolita Bar, Kassel
20 February 2020 – Altes Wettburo, Dresden
21 February 2020 – Moritzhof, Magdeburg
22 February 2020 – Wohnzimmermucke, Bayreuth
24 February 2020 – Inspire, Chemnitz
25 February 2020 – Horns Erben, Leipzig
27 February 2020 – Stubenkonzerte, Aarau
28 February 2020 – La Cyma, Winterthur
2 March 2020 – Rififi, Innsbruck
3 March 2020 – Das Wohnzimmer, Klagenfurt
4 March 2020 – Guest Room, Graz
5 March 2020 – Rhiz, Wien
7 March 2020 – Foxis/Fuxbau, Freistadt
9 March 2020 – FOX, Munchen
10 March 2020 – Cafe Manheim, Nuremberg
11 March 2020 – Viertelkultur, Wurzburg
12 March 2020 – Kulturcafe Lichtung, Koln
16 March 2020 – Tonfink, Lubeck
17 March 2020 – Pony Bar, Hamburg
Image used with permission from Guerilla Music Promotion; credit: Jordan Kirk
As bushfires blaze and politicians squabble, it’s easy to get frustrated with the state of the world. However, Anna Smyrk offers some optimism in the dark times with her latest single “Alight.”
Anna wrote the song a couple of years ago while living in the Solomon Islands, but listening to her reminisce it seems not a lot has changed in the world.
“There was so much going on in world politics making me miserable, and in the Solomon Islands I was seeing first-hand what it looks like as the world starts to go underwater,” she explained. During that time she found solace in the book “Hope in the Dark,” by American activist Rebecca Solnit.
“I wanted to write a song that conveyed the feeling this book gave me,” Anna said. “It talks about how hope can be an axe we can use to break down doors. Hopeful actions can seem meaningless against all the darkness and uncertainty, but the book shows how, historically, those small acts have added up to huge changes.”
Anna recorded the track in a Central Victorian farmhouse on a hot summer’s day. The track features some of her oldest friends on violin, banjo, dobro, double bass and drums and her sister on backing vocals. They play supporting roles, but you can hear the influence of loved ones in the warmth of this song.
Making the song a truly global affair, Anna shot the video in an abandoned mansion in Tagaytay, Philippines, with award-winning Phillipino film-makers Sheron Dayoc and Sonny Calvento.
“Alight” comes from Anna’s second EP, Swim, which is available through all good digital platforms. She’s taking a break from her advocacy work abroad to play shows all around the country in the New Year.
16-19 January 2020 – Illawarra Folk Festival, Illawarra Jan 16-19, 2019
26 & 27 January 2020 – Newstead Live Music Festival, Newstead
6 February 2020 – Terang Live 2 Terang Commercial Hotel, Terang
7 February 2020 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide
8 February 2020 – Stone Pony, Adelaide
Pub trivia took precedence over the ARIA Awards last night so I’m only just catching up on all the goings on (thanks 9Now!). Honestly, I think it was one of the better award ceremonies. It was so exciting to see such a diverse range of talent honoured with the sharp pointy things. Guy Sebastian was such a superb host with the right mix of warmth and humour. I was thrilled to see him take out the Song of the Year title for “Choir.” What a top track that is.
I found myself getting unexpectedly emotional at Human Nature’s Hall of Fame induction. They were my boy band of choice in my teenage years, although I swore black and blue that they were a “vocal group” instead. I went to countless RSL gigs, shopping centre appearances, and the like. I lost track of them somewhere along the way, but watching them bust out those old hits before their induction took me right back. 30 years together is a massive achievement. Congratulations to them.
While Human Nature stirred my nostalgia, The Teskey Brothers delivered the performance of the night for me with “Rain.” I’ve long championed these guys and I can only hope the ARIA Awards puts them on the radar of people who might have been unaware of their talents. I was stoked to see them take home awards for best group and best blues and roots album for Run Home Slow.
I’m not going to run through every performance and accolade, because it’s so late on a Thursday that all that information has already been widely publicised. But it’d be remiss of me not to mention Tones and I. She’s smashed chart records and earned global fame this year, but four ARIA awards is such a fitting cherry on top. Hats off to her.
What did you think of the 2019 ARIAs? Who were you excited to see honoured and was there anyone you were disappointed to see missing out? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Anthony Callea has come a long way since he took second place in just the second season of Australian Idol. Now 15 years on from his stint on reality TV, Anthony is forging a new musical path writing his own songs. His brand new single “What’s Wrong With Me?” is the perfect introduction to his new musical chapter.
“‘What’s Wrong With Me?’ is a deep and meaningful song for me,” Anthony explained. “It’s inherently personal but also a song that I think many will be able to relate to. Telling a story through music is in my DNA and when I close my eyes and get behind the mic, I feel like I am home. It’s an honour to share this song with Australia and the World. Self-discovery is a beautiful yet confronting and scary process, so I hope that when you hear this song, you connect with me and we share a moment together, a moment of honesty, purity and respect.”
“What’s Wrong With Me?” is a world away from catchy pop tunes like “Addicted to You.” It also shows more creativity and soul than the admittedly excellent cover albums he’s produced in recent years. Everyone loves a cover; it’s what endeared Anthony to us all those years ago after all. Releasing a song like this, a song that’s not just an original but one that’s so vulnerable is a real risk. But I think it’s one that could pay off.
Press Club can do no wrong in my eyes, or by my ears. Their energy and passion is absolutely infectious. Their lyrics are so relatable. In short, they’re bloody awesome. All of the things I love about them are showcased in their latest single “Separate Houses.”
The film clip was captured on the band’s recent UK and European tour. With guitarist Greg Rietwyk behind the camera, it takes you to Scotland, England, and continental Europe.
“Separate Houses” is the first track on Press Club’s recently-released sophomore album Wasted Energy. If you still haven’t got your ears around this one, what are you waiting for? Press Club are bringing punters songs from that album and some old favourites on their current tour. They’re in fine form, after recently wrapping up that UK and European tour, so make sure you catch them this time around.
8 November 2019 – The Gaso, Melbourne
9 November 2019 – Hobart Brewing Company, Hobart
15 November 2019 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
16 November 2019 – The Westerport, San Remo
21 November 2019 – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide
22 November 2019 – Pelly Bar, Frankston
29 November 2019 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
30 November 2019 – The Zoo, Brisbane
5 December 2019 – Dunsborough Hotel, Dunsborough
6 December 2019 – Lucy’s Love Shack, Perth
Image used with permission from Little Giant Agency; Photo credit: Ian Laidlaw
Melbourne’s Rich Delinquent shows he’s an artist not afraid to take risks with the release of his first single “Death Drive.” This is an emotional and evocative piece of electronic pop with powerful vocals and vulnerable lyrics. Listening to it, I really feel like Rich Delinquent has put his whole heart into this piece.
While the song is a stellar standalone work, the cinematic music video adds a whole other dimension to this exciting track. It shows the death and rebirth of Rich Delinquent as he leaves his previous identity behind and assumes a new artistic form.
Other artists might wait to drop the merch, but not Rich Delinquent. He’s just released a streetwear line which furthers the “Death Drive” narrative. With so many creative elements working together in harmony, Rich Delinquent shows he’s an artist to watch.
Image used with permission from Good Intent
E^ST is reminding us all what a breath of fresh air she is with the release of her latest single “Talk Deep.” It’s an upbeat bop with relatable lyrics about relishing that early flush of connection you feel when you’re getting to know someone special.
“’Talk Deep’ is about having crazy chemistry with someone and not wanting to miss out on a single second of it,” she explained. “Who needs sleep anyway?”
“Talk Deep” gives us out first taste of E^ST’s debut album I’m Doing It. It won’t be released until next year, but expect to hear a few more tracks from it if you catch E^ST at NYE on the Hill at The Farm in Kernot.
Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia
We often talk about musicians being artists, but few performers have the creativity running through their veins that Parker does. Her new single “Can’t Keep Waiting” gives you just a taste of what she can do.
This track really blew me away. There are hints of Massive Attack, Portishead, and Lana Del Rey in its lush sonic layers and haunting vocals. It’s the sort of song that sucks you in to a brand new world when you press play.
“’Can’t Keep Waiting’ is about gathering the courage to be honest with myself,” Parker explained. “It’s about letting go of all that is safe and familiar in life in order to evolve and grow,” explains Parker. “I believe it’s in the moments when we feel completely lost that we find the opportunity to discover something new about ourselves. Nothing is permanent, everything can change. Each moment we have the ability to create ourselves anew.”
Then there’s the video clip, which adds another dimension to “Can’t Keep Waiting.” Parker created it in collaboration with director and technology artist Jaymis Loveday and sculptor Briony Law. When such creative minds come together like this, you know it’s going to be impressive. The music video has already earned critical acclaim, winning Best Concept at Clipped Music Video Festival in Sydney, Best Music Video at the Los Angeles Film Awards, New York Film Awards and Top Shorts.
Parker has also just wrapped up her exhibition You, Me and that Other Thing at Launceston’s Sawtooth ARI gallery. Is there anything this woman can’t do?
Put a shot of caffeine into your morning with King Coyote’s high-octane new single “Coca Cola.” One for all the rock fans out there, its chunky guitar riffs and hooky vocals strike all the right notes.
“This song is a bit of old time rock n roll, a throwback with our twist,” explained frontman Sunny Rowlands. “’Coca Cola’ was inspired by true love, about seeing the red flags and acting on it, before you lose too much time … or whatever the listener thinks it’s about. We like both!”
“Coca Cola” comes from the Port Macquarie band’s upcoming EP Wild. Hometown fans can catch them at the following shows in the coming months.
18 October 2019 – Finnians, Port Macquarie (with Slippery Gypsees and Scuffy)
1 November 2019 – Art of the Empire, Port Macquarie (Acoustic)
28 December 2019 – Tacking Point Tavern, Port Macquarie (supporting Thirsty Merc)
