Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hilltop Hoods Drop Latest Banger “Laced Up” Ahead of Aussie and NZ Shows

When Hilltop Hoods release a single, it’s always a good time. “Laced Up,” the latest cut from their forthcoming ninth studio album, is no exception.

“The idea for ‘Laced Up’ was inspired by an actual dinner I had with my wife when I was young and broke. We were at a pretty nice restaurant for Valentines Day, and I spent the whole time sweating about whether I’d actually be able to pay the bill or not,” Suffa admitted. “I was working at a factory at the time and was struggling to make ends meet. The funny thing is that I would have had crisp, fresh kicks on, and I would have been confident that I had enough money for drinks. It’s just how your priorities are when you’re that age I guess, at least that’s how mine were.”

They might have been in the biz for nearly 30 years, but Hilltop Hoods are showing no signs of slowing down. Fresh from shows in Europe and the United Kingdom, Hilltop Hoods will play some Aussie festivals later this month before jetting across the ditch. You won’t have a chance to miss them, as they’ll be back on home soil for the Yours & Owls Festival. Catch them anywhere you can.

21 July 2023 – Spinoff Festival, Tartanya/Adelaide
23 Jul 2023 – Splendour In The Grass, Cavanbah/Byron Bay
1 September 2023 – The Studio, Auckland
2 September 2023 – Hunter Lounge, Wellington
3 September 2023 – Ngaio Marsh Theatre, Christchurch
7 September 2023 – Snow Machine, Queenstown
14 October 2023 – Yours & Owls Festival, Dharawal Country/Wollongong

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia; credit: Ashlee Jones

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

STUMPS Release Career Best Single, “Life’s Moving Past You”

A few years ago I felt STUMPS were finding their feet and their own unique sound. I knew they had something, but it still felt a little derivative. What a difference a few years makes. Their latest single “Life’s Moving Past You” is a triumph, with an epic feel and a lyrical hook that promises to stay with you.

“This song somewhat started as a longer-form ballad in its infancy,” explained STUMPS’ bassist, Merrick Powell. “But when we brought it to the studio we wanted to give it more drive and some dance-y flavour. By changing the beat in the chorus, the song felt like it came to life in that moment. Now it feels, to us, like it brings together almost all of our sonic elements in a way we really love, which was a big goal of ours.”

STUMPS will kick off a national tour tonight to celebrate the release of “Life’s Moving Past You.” If the single’s lyrics don’t inspire you to get off the couch and see these guys live, I’m not sure what will!

15 July 2023 – The Station, Ngarigo/Jindabyne
27 July 2023 – Bucketty’s, Dharug/Brookvale
28 July 2023 – New Cambo, Awabakal/Newcastle
3 August 2023 – Finnian’s Irish Tavern, Birpai/Port Macquarie
4 August 2023 – Black Bear Lodge, Meanjin/Brisbane
5 August 2023 – Vinnie’s Dive, Yugambeh/Gold Coast
11 August 2023 – La La La’s, Dharawal/Wollongong
18 August 2023 – The Retreat, Naarm/Melbourne
19 August 2023 – Barwon Club, Wathaurong/Geelong
25 August 2023 – Crown & Anchor, Kaurna/Adelaide
26 August 2023 – Four5Nine Bar, Boorloo/Perth
1 September 2023 – The Shaking Hand, Ngambri/Canberra
2 September 2023 – Marrickville Bowling Club, Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission fron cult logic; credit: Josh Carr-Hummerston

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alice L Drops Personal Pop Ballad, “Hailey (Do You Know)”

If you’ve ever found yourself competing with another person for someone’s affection, “Hailey (Do You Know)” by up-and-coming singer-songwriter Alice L is bound to strike a chord with you. The lyrics really struck me, but I’m also enchanted with Alice’s gorgeous voice.

“I was aware that both myself and the other girl knew what was going on, but I guess we were both so convinced we were number one that we both continued,” Alice admitted. “I sort of became a bit fixated on her because we could not have been more different –I never met her though the whole time!”

That relationship might be long gone, but at least Alice got an awesome song out of the ordeal!

Image used with permission from Capital Artist Group

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aurateque Release Cathartic New Single “Renegade”

I probably don’t review enough metal acts on my blog. And I definitely don’t shine the spotlight on enough female-fronted metal acts. But after hearing “Renegade,” the new single from Eora/Sydney act Aurateque, I knew I couldn’t let it slip through the cracks. Frontwoman Lauren Coleman drew me in with her incredible vocals, but her bandmates definitely hold their own on this one.

“‘Renegade’ is about violence, anger and the pain behind the violent masque,” the band said in a shared statement. “Lauren grew up in a very hostile environment as a child and although she left quite young, she didn’t leave completely unscathed. As she grew older, it was a harder pill to swallow to see a human being behind the abuser and to understand that the violence only came from a deep sadness that her family could never escape. The only way to escape these cycles of pain is to truly face yourself. ‘Renegade’, much like every Aurateque song, has helped heal these scars.”

The song comes with a striking video directed, filmed, and edited by Dunelabs’ Jack Fontes. Shot at Sydney Props Studios and Marrickville Graffiti Wall, the clip is rich in symbolism.

“The constant theme of fire in the video is representative of anger,” Aurateque added. “Lauren experienced a lot of violence as a child and this song is about the constant raging fire that burns inside of her because of it. The two themes of light and dark also represent that rage and violence are not a part of who we are, it’s just that sometimes it is all we know.”

“Renegade” comes from Aurateque’s debut EP The Dragonfly Pursuit, which drops on July 28.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Forever Ends Here On the Comeback Trail With “Cherry Chapstick”

After a five-year hiatus, Eora/Sydney act Forever Ends Here are making a return to the music scene. Their comeback single “Cherry Chapstick” is an infectious pop-punk track that you’ll find yourself singing long after its last notes fade out.

“The reunion has been in the works for quite some time now,” explained the band’s songwriter and vocalist, Luke McChesney. “We always thought we’d do some kind of one-off club show to celebrate 10 years of our second EP, but we got talking last year about all the things we miss about the band and all the possibilities if we reopened the door. We’ve done a lot of growing since the band split, not only as people but as songwriters too and it seems a shame not to share that growth with the people who stuck by us.”

Talking about “Cherry Chapstick,” he explained that “lyrically the song is about being involved with someone who you know is playing you, and playing them right back – ‘I can be your cherry chapstick, pressed against your lips ’til you lose me. You can keep me in your pocket, you always look your best when you use me’”.

If you like what you hear, make sure you check out Forever Ends Here wrapping up their comeback tour at The Brightside in Meeanjin/Brisbane tonight, with support from Those Who Dream and bellehaven.

Image used with permission from Bigmouth PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rock Out With Sunset Avenue’s Crowd-Pleasing New Single, “Change It Up”

Fridays call for feel-good music like “Change It Up,” the latest single from Dharawal Country/Sutherland Shire band Sunset Avenue. It’s such a catchy indie-rock tune with relatable lyrics calling for freedom from the grind. If that sentiment’s not appropriate for the end of your working week, I don’t know what is!

Sunset Avenue filmed the video when they recently headlined a sold-out show at the Caringbah Hotel. The night was so much fun that it inspired the band to take on music full-time. So it sounds like we’ll be hearing a lot more from them!

Image used with permission from Sunset Avenue

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Elsewheres Surprise With “Run Away With Me” Single

With whisky-soaked vocals reminiscent of Tom Waits coupled with the folky energy of acts like Mumford & Sons and Of Monsters and Men, there’s a lot to like about The Elsewheres’ new single “Run Away With Me.” I was firmly on board from the first finger-picking notes, but the unexpected blast of horns and female vocals tipped me over the edge. This track has more twists and turns than the average, but you’ll want to hang on for the ride.

“Run Away With Me captures a fantasy I’ve always had of an unexpected meeting between two unlikely lovers who, although uncertain, long to abandon their mundane lives,” explained the band’s frontman and songwriter, Oliver Northam. “For me, it is a story of freedom and the beauty of a recklessly romantic love. Although fictional, Run Away With Me does draw from real moments and memories. The inspiration for the ‘topless bar’ in which our characters meet in the opening verse comes from my first job out of high school as a pianist at a burlesque bar. It’s within that smoky, sordid world that I see these characters breathing.”

“Run Away With Me” comes with a beautiful film clip that showcases the Victorian countryside. What more could you want? Maybe a single launch? Don’t worry, that’s happening too. Catch The Elsewheres at The Curtin Hotel in Naarm/Melbourne on August 10.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: WILK

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joe Mungovan Ushers in New Era With “Handmidowns”

Southern New South Wales singer-songwriter Joe Mungovan blew me away with his debut album A Flower in the Weeds a couple of years back. Now he’s regrouped and dropped a fabulous new single “Handmidowns.” I must admit, it took me a little while to embrace as it’s a bit more sonically layered than the music that came before, but now I’m on board I really appreciate his evolution. Perhaps a new sound is only natural, as Joe took a different approach to recording this time around.

“This is the first time I’ve ever had other musicians in the studio with me,” he explained. “Prior to ‘Handmidowns’, I’ve always recorded all the parts by myself. It was awesome to hear other musicians play the parts and bring their own flavour to the track.”

“I want this song to empower whoever listens to it to believe they can do exactly what they want and to tread their own path in life,” he added. “Writing this song has had a strong impact on my outlook and I hope it can help others.”

Fresh from shows supporting The VANNS, Joe is playing the following gigs in the coming weeks:

15 July 2023 – Suburban Vibes, Walyalup/Fremantle
20 July 2023 – Sofar Sounds, Boorloo/Perth
22 July 2023 – Little Village, Wadandi Country/Metricup
29 July 2023 – General Assembly, Naarm/Melbourne
12 August 2023 – Ryans Hotel, Dharawal Country/Thirroul

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Emma Yue Drops “Letters to My Exes”

Emma Yue is letting her “psycho-drama queen tendencies” show with her fun new single “Letters to My Exes.” The track also looks to normalise the idea of getting to know lots of people, because how are you supposed to know who’s right for you if you don’t have other experiences to compare them to? With addictive pop hooks and some serious rock edge, “Letters to My Exes” is a whole lot of fun.

When talking about her music, Emma says “These are the vibes: think wine drunk on the floor with your closest friends, speaking about taboo topics, stomach sore from laughing while knowing you need to be up early the next morning for work.”

If you like what you hear, there’s more to come. Emma will release her next single “Lonely Lover” really soon.

Image used with permission from Emma Yue Management

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jay Wood Releases Bittersweet Folk-Pop Single, “Oh Well”

Jay Wood has thoroughly charmed me with her new single “Oh Well.” With its sweet ukelele melody and romantic lyrics, it quickly won me over. But this folk-pop song isn’t quite as light as it first seems. It’s a bittersweet number of love but also of loss penned at a time before same-sex marriage was legal in Australia.

“[The song] began as a cute upbeat song professing heartfelt intentions toward her but morphed into more of an optimistic song with a lament of the love gone by, hence the weaving of the phrase “oh well” throughout,” Jay explained.

Ultimately “Oh Well” is a song of resilience, something Jay knows about all too well following a devastating car accident seven years ago. She was revived at the scene but told she would never regain her full function. Against all odds, she taught herself how to walk and play music again. With that sort of determination, you know she’s got a bright future ahead of her.

Jay Wood will treat us to more new music soon when her EP, Respire, drops on September 1.

Image used with permission from Rise Indie