Kota Banks’ new single “20 Missed Calls” is a girl power anthem to be reckoned with. This slick pop number is catchy as all get with a great message about respecting yourself and refusing to give second chances to people who don’t deserve them.
“The two things that are important to me when I write music are that it’s empowering and strong in its message, and that it’s fresh and clever lyrically.” she says. “Even though ‘20 Missed Calls’ is a ballad, it’s a sassier edgier take on the conventional “ballad” and there are some punchlines that make it feel unique to me.”
Move over Ariana. Australia has its own pop princess to be reckoned with.
Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia
I didn’t immediately warm to Los Leo’s single “The End,” but after catching the Adelaide indie-pop artist with LANY recently, I’ve been converted. And just in time too, as Los Leo has just released the track’s film clip, which he recorded in a run-down motel in rural Victoria.
“Lighting was everything in this video clip, we had some great lighting rigs – especially in the dreamland bar scenes”, Los Leo explained. “This clip was shot over one huge day. I owe big credit to the crew for staying so sharp until we had finished. The semi-trailer truck that we had lined up pulled out an hour before we shot. Somehow our production designer Nick Wilton was able to persuade a truckie to lend us his truck at 10 pm at night”.
“The End” is available from all your favourite digital platforms now.
With the recent release of her film clip for latest single “Things Change” and upcoming shows all around the country, including the coveted support gig for Holy Holy, there’s no better time to discover Perth singer Carla Geneve.
I love the easy country-folk vibes of “Things Change,” but this track really should be just a starting point for your listening. Carla’s recently released self-titled EP has so many more gems. Her music is heartfelt and raw, with such relatable lyrics.
Carla is also in fine form after recently touring North America for the first time with San Cisco. In fact, the clip for “Things Change” was captured while she was abroad. See her before everyone knows just how good she is at the following shows.
22 August 2019 – Oxford Art Factory Gallery, Sydney
23 August 2019 – Old Bar, Melbourne
24 August 2019 – Mojos Bar, Fremantle
12 September 2019 – Villa Noosa, Noosaville (supporting Holy Holy)
13 September 2019 – Kingscliff Beach Hotel, Kingscliff (supporting Holy Holy)
14 September 2019 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (supporting Holy Holy)
19 September 2019 – Mt Pleasant Tavern, Mackay (supporting Holy Holy)
20 September 2019 – Magnums, Airlie Beach (supporting Holy Holy)
21 September 2019 – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville (supporting Holy Holy)
22 September 2019 – Edge Hill Tavern, Cairns (supporting Holy Holy)
27 September 2019 – The Gov, Adelaide (supporting Holy Holy)
28 September 2019 – Astor Theatre, Perth (supporting Holy Holy)
29 September 2019 – The River, Margaret River (supporting Holy Holy)
17 October 2019 – Uni Bar, Wollongong (supporting Holy Holy)
18 October 2019 – Roundhouse, Sydney (supporting Holy Holy)
19 October 2019 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (supporting Holy Holy)
1 November 2019 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay (supporting Holy Holy)
2 November 2019 – Forum, Melbourne (supporting Holy Holy)
Image used with permission from Remote Control Records
It’s Friday and we’re all more than ready to usher in the weekend, so crank up Dom Youdan’s latest feelgood slice of indie-pop goodness, “Pockets.” This is smart pop music, full of melodic hooks but with real heart that ensures it makes an impact.
“The song is built around holding onto the things we cherish dearly, whether they’re good or bad, and keeping them so secret that eventually, not even we can find them,” Dom explained. “It speaks to moving on but also struggling to let go.”
Speaking of the weekend, Dom has your plans sorted with a show at Sydney’s Low 302 tomorrow night with Oly Sherman and James Campbell.
David Taylor shows why he was a recent finalist in the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting contest with his stunning new single “Battered.” The track was shortlisted for the competition even before it was released, a feat which saw him going toe to toe with more well-known artists including Dean Lewis, The Veronicas, and eventual winner Matt Corby.
At just 21 years old, I think David will have plenty of opportunities to take out the gong. With “Battered” he shows great sensitivity in expressing the feelings of entrapment so many experience in abusive relationships. At a time when one in five Australian women and one in 20 Australian men have been sexually and/or emotionally abused by a partner, this is a song people need to hear.
David hasn’t toured the country since 2016, but the patience of fans will be rewarded with shows this August and September. See him at the following intimate venues around the country in the coming months.
30 August 2019 – The Junk Bar, Brisbane
6 September 2019 – The Newsagency, Sydney
14 September 2019 – Four5Nine, Perth
21 September 2019 – Bar303, Melbourne
Sydney trio Polymer are delivering grungy rock vibes with their killer new single “Believers.” Recorded in an abandoned warehouse, it’s got a great guitar hook and powerful lyrics.
“All our music has some serious undertones that inspire each track, be it a personal experience, or world events, we definitely have some strong opinions on a lot of things,” the band explained. “Luckily we can express them, albeit under the guise of music.”
“Believers” comes from Polymer’s forthcoming album, Zealots Box. Hear tracks from that release at the band’s up and coming New South Wales gigs.
28 July 2019 – Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney (supporting Elephant Hive)
10 August 2019 – Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
14 August 2019 – The Foundry, Wollongong
23 August 2019 – The Lansdowne, Sydney
5 September 2019 – The Hideaway Bar, Sydney
Iluka continues her winning ways with her latest single “Fall Apart Again.” This is another retro pop gem from the Sydney singer-songwriter, the kind of track that tugs at your heart while compelling you to reach for your hairbrush and sing it out. Shimmery synths and rich guitars wrap around her distinctive voice so beautifully.
Iluka says it’s “A song I am a little terrified to release into the world because it is so painfully close to my heart. What to say … heartbreak, love lost. There’s no human words to articulate it. To do it justice. I wrote this on the eve of the end. When I knew it was over but I couldn’t say those words.”
Iluka seems to go from strength to strength. I’ll have this song on repeat for a while, but I can’t wait to hear what’s next from this local talent.
Perth-based producer Mwansa has teamed up with South African songwriter Lauren-Joy for his new single “Wildest Dreams,” and the results are simply stunning.
What a beautiful voice Lauren-Joy has, rich and soulful. This song gives that heaven-sent voice space to breathe, moving along at a leisurely pace allowing the emotion to build naturally. Lauren-Joy approached the project with some trepidation, unsure how collaborating with someone a world away might work. However, I’m so glad she took a chance on this.
“At first I was pretty nervous, when I eventually received the track, I followed the same process that seems to work for me,” she explained. “Blasted the track with my body stretched out on the floor. Immersing myself in the track, reaching for the words and images it throws my way. What I love most about my process is that, as much as the process remains the same almost sacred, the words and images that every song gives me is a new story to tell. A story you can relive to your hearts content.”
Every so often you hear musicians working together and creating real magic. This is one of those times. Get your ears around it!
Image used with permission from the A&R Department
Melbourne singer, songwriter, and producer Eilish Gilligan has taken out this year’s Josh Pyke Partnership. A collaboration between Josh Pyke and APRA AMCOS, the partnership provides funding and mentorship for one unsigned musical act each year.
I must admit, Eilish wasn’t on my radar until this morning. The first thing I did after hearing the news was check her out on Spotify. Take a listen to her latest single “Someone Else” and you’ll soon understand why she took out the top prize. Her voice is absolutely stunning and she has such a great artistic sensibility. This track is an absolute banger, and there’s plenty more where it came from.
“I am so, so humbled, grateful and excited to be the winner of the 2019 JP Partnership,” Eilish said. “This vote of confidence from Josh Pyke, APRA AMCOS, Wonderlick and Select means a lot to me as an artist, and it also means that I will be able to continue to work towards my musical, artistic and professional goals for 2019, now with the extra guidance of these industry veterans.”
“Eilish Gilligan is an artist that has achieved a hell of a lot under her own steam, but it’s the potential in Eilish that’s truly exciting,” added Josh. “I’m a huge fan of multi-faceted artists, and in 2019, having more than one string to your bow is paramount to having longevity in the creative arts. Eilish is a songwriter but also a gifted technical producer, collaborative songwriter, as well as being the star of her own show. This is what makes for a long and fruitful career. Being not just a “musician,” but a “creative”.
Eilish has plenty of shows coming up. Discover her music for yourself at the following gigs.
24 August 2019 – UC Refectory, Bruce
29 August 2019 – HQ Complex, Adelaide
30 August 2019 – Metropolis, Fremantle
6 September 2019 – The Goods Shed, Hobart
7 September 2019 – Forum Theatre, Melbourne
13 September 2019 – UOW UniBar, Wollongong
14 September 2019 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
20 September 2019 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
21 September 2019 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
Image used with permission from Wonderlick Entertainment
With the release of his debut album Wanderous approaching, it’s the perfect time to introduce you to the musical stylings of Darwin’s own, Ben Evolent. He’s just released the lead single “Shiver,” a jangly feelgood piece of folk-pop that goes down easy.
“’Shiver’ was written in Timor Lest’e in 2017 after walking around the island of Atauro,” Ben explained. “’Shiver’ is about the moments in life where a choice of left or right can be made. It is you taking the plunge knowing that you are in the right place doing the right thing.”
You might not know him yet, but Ben is a big deal up in the Territory. He’s garnered several NT Song of the Year Award nominations, played a sold out EP launch at the Darwin Railway Club, and clocked up more than 100,000 Spotify streams. He’s supported everyone from Boo Seeka to Busby Marou and his songs have served as the soundtrack for Tourism NT social media campaigns. I’m sure you’ll agree, the time seems right for the rest of Australia to discover this awesome singer-songwriter.
