Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sophian Releases Fire New Single, “Georgia”

Blending a little reggae with indie rock sounds, Boorloo-Perth act Sophian has won me over with their latest single “Georgia.” I’ll be surprised if you don’t find yourself grooving along to this one. If you’re into acts like Ocean Alley and Coterie, you’re going to be all about this.

“We are going behind a very beachy vibe. We want to inspire and spread happiness with this song,” said the band’s frontman and namesake, Sophian Manik. “The song itself is about a sailor falling in love with a mermaid but finding it difficult to maintain the relationship given their differences. It’s also a metaphor for what relationships in real life sometimes can be like. Things can be tough, but you can always work on turning them into something positive. We love the ocean and the beach. So, it was only natural for us to explore a song which would incorporate the ocean and also campfire vibes of bringing people together.”

Sophian are launching the single at The Bird in Boorloo/Perth on May 5. Their last single launch sold out, so you might want to pounce on some tickets pronto.

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Somber Hills Releases Feelgood New Single “YDS”

Aotearoa/New Zealand-born, Eora/Sydney-based artist Somber Hills is destined for big things. He’s just dropped his upbeat new single “YDS,” which celebrates being young, dumb, and stupid. If this doesn’t put a spring in your step today, I don’t know what will.

“Time moves so fast and the moments we love and cherish escape us so quick,” Somber Hills said. “Our motives and goals may stay the same but time will not wait, and if in a year you haven’t done enough to get where you’re trying to go, it’s gone, you’ll never get the time back. I had a painful year, but in the pain there’s learning and I learned that to truly enjoy what I’m doing I have to embrace who I am and not focus on what someone else thinks.”

Fresh from supporting Seth Sentry here in Oz, Somber Hills will play two shows in England with Jonny Craig next month. If you’re there, you can catch these awesome gigs at Bournemouth Live – Bear’s Bar & Venue on May 14 and The Underworld Camden on May 15.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia; credit: Billy Zammit

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joel Leggett Releases Gorgeous Acoustic Folk Ditty, “Love is So Easy”

Darkinjung Country/Central Coast indie folk artist Joel Leggett can help you wind down the working week with his easy, breezy new single “Love is So Easy.” I love the way Joel’s cool voice brings his sweet lyrics to life.

“It’s so easy to fall in love with how good life can look through other people’s screens. Staying off our phones these days seems to be a superpower. It feels like they have been stitched into our DNA and have been made so essential in this life. I believe we all need to support each other and spread love because that’s such an easy thing to do. In the end, all we really have is each other,” he said. “And dogs.”

Right? The video, filmed, directed, and edited by Search media’s Harry Wills and James Quigley at The Grove Studios, shows Joel enjoying the act of creating the music you hear.

“It shows the live and raw process of recording my single ‘Love Is So Easy’ from arrival to departure. I was so lucky to be creative with friends and managers visiting the studio and getting involved with the process.”

To celebrate the release of “Love is So Easy,” Joel has been playing a few shows around his home state. Here are the remaining dates.

31 March 2023 – The Cambridge, Mulumbinba/Newcastle
1 April 2023 – Flow Bar, Baara/Old Bar (FREE)
2 April 2023 – Last Rites, Yaegl/Yamba (FREE)

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Choose “Violence” With THE RIOT

After listening to “Violence”, the new track from Bundjalung Country/Gold Coast act THE RIOT, and I know you’re going to have an opinion. In a world where there’s a lot of forgettable music, these guys come out swinging. You might hate them or love them like I do, but you’re not going to sit on the fence.

“The guitar came out and Tyler and Gabe (Club Angel) went into a world of THPS (Tony Hawk Pro Skater). We had a few different choruses, but they weren’t feeling right. When we came up with the one you hear on the finished track we knew we had completed the song… that’s until Tyler decided he needed an extra riff at the end,” the band explained. “The tempo change worked out perfectly and glued the song together exactly how it needed. Then JD jumped on with a 1 take freestyle at the end and the song was complete.”

“Violence” comes from THE RIOT’s HAPPY TEARS! EP, which drops tomorrow. They’ll play shows in the East Coast capitals to support its release. THE RIOT say this song “feels even better live,” so if you like what you hear on the record, you won’t want to miss these gigs.

5 May 2023 – OAF Gallery, Eora/Sydney
6 May 2023 – Bad Decisions, Naarm/Melbourne
20 May 2023 – Warehouse Party, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

PRETTY BLEAK Drop Latest Banger, “spare room song”

It’s been far too long between new PRETTY BLEAK releases. I’m thrilled to hear the lads are back to their best with the release of “spare room song.” It starts small, but I know you’ll find yourself punching your fist in the air by the time that epic chorus drops.

“‘spare room song’ describes the difficulty of internally navigating the line between self-growth and the comfort of your previously destructive behaviours,” vocalist Sam Thomas explained. “I’ve been pretty consciously aware of a number of different periods like this throughout my life, and one of the more noticeable aspects of that process is the arguments I would have with myself to continue resisting growth and change. This is symbolised lyrically through a dialogue between two separate individuals.”

The music video sees PRETTY BLEAK collaborating again with Tom Thomas, who directed their videos for “other people’s heads” and “Living With Mice.”

“We thought it would be interesting for the majority of the video to be set in the wilderness, and that the photo frames would depict the comfort of a familiar room inside of a house, which metaphorically alludes to the themes presented in the lyrics of the song,”

Fresh from their stellar performance at Tasmania’s Great Escape festival, PRETTY BLEAK will play the following shows to support “spare room song”’s release.

31 March 2023 – Towradgi Beach Hotel, Woolyungah/Wollongong
7 April 2023 – Stay Gold, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Loose Bricks)
22 April 2023 – The Workers Club, Naarm/Melbourne (official single launch)

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.; credit: Tom Thomas

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The Runner” by Anna Smyrk Puts a Spring in My Step

Anna Smyrk’s new single is one for all the commitment-phobes out there. If your flight or fight instinct kicks in when relationships get real, “The Runner” will strike a chord with you. Thankfully the story has a happy ending, with Anna overcoming her natural urge for the right person.

Anna says it’s “a song about trying to overcome a fear of letting people get close, that fight or flight instinct that can lead to self-sabotaging a relationship. So it’s a deep self-examination, but I hope it’s also a bit of a banger. We tried to go for a feel-good vibe that makes you want to jump around, or maybe even go for a jog yourself.”

Like the best relationships, Anna said this song came together easily even though she hadn’t worked with producers Jake Finch and Collin Pastore before.

“Everything came together really quickly on this one. The producers and I just clicked as soon as I walked into the studio and a few hours later we had the track,” she explained.

Anna will support Birds of Tokyo at Sip & Savour Lake Macquarie in Speers Point Park (Awabakal Country) on Saturday, April 1.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent; credit: Jeff Andersen Jnr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Oscar The Wild Rocks Out With “Pinch Me Please”

Kaurna/Adelaide quartet Oscar the Wild are back with a vengeance. “Pinch Me Please” is the first of multiple releases this year, including their debut EP near the back-end of 2023. The track is the perfect mix of angsty rock and indie pop. Listen to this one loud!

Oscar the Wild have built a solid live reputation playing festivals and warming up for acts like The Killers, Amy Shark, and Something for Kate. They’ll be the headliners next month when they launch “Pinch Me Please” for hometown fans at Lion Arts Factory on April 6.

Image used with permission from Oscar the Wild; credit: Mayah Salter

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Harry Foxton Wows Me With “One More Night”

With all of the charisma and conviction of Bruce Springsteen, Boorloo/Perth rocker Harry Foxton has really impressed me with his latest single “One More Night.” The song is an unholy mix of country, rock, and soul which sounds oh so good. You’re going to want to hit the volume on this one.

It seems I’m not the only one paying attention to Harry’s music. He recently played Tamworth and showcased his work at Nashville’s Americanafest. Rest assured, he’s going places.

Harry will officially launch “One More Night” at Clancy’s Fish Pub in Walyalup/Fremantle on April 22.

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Greg Gould Drops Powerful Original Single, “Marching On”

Fresh from performances at Pride Cup, Sydney World Pride, and Chillout Festival 2023, Greg Gould has released his impressive new single “Marching On”. This original track is an absolute anthem that shines a light on the constant fight for equality and acceptance that minority groups face.

“Music is so powerful and can change the world. ‘Marching On’ is a brave, fierce and powerful anthem that celebrates how far we’ve come; never forgetting the struggles, the lives lost and the shoulders we stand on to be where we are today,” said Greg, a proud gay man.

“It sets out to empower those still fighting for their rights around the world and is a war cry to continue to fight for equality. No matter your sexuality, gender/non gender, race, beliefs or ability, when we are all united – the world is stronger! We must keep marching on for ourselves, and the next generations to follow.”

I love listening to this song, but watching the music video takes it to the next level. Featuring Ethiopian dancer and artist LION, First Nations drummer Benny Clark, and trans advocate Sait Ergo, it’s a powerful accompaniment to “Marching On.”

While “Marching On” is an incredible original, don’t think this former Australia’s Got Talent finalist is giving up singing covers. Greg will celebrate the work of one of his idols when he plays The Freddie Mercury Songbook with Jimi the Kween and Sarah C at Oakleigh Music Hall on June 24.

Image used with permission from Kick Push PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

This Space is Ours Drop Angsty New Single, “Apology”

Naarm/Melbourne easy-core act This Space is Ours return with their first single of 2023, “Apology.” Trust me, hit the volume. With big bold drums and a killer guitar riff, this is one of those angsty tracks that sounds best loud.

“The lyrics of the song tackle the tough situation of falling out of love with the person you’re with,” the band explained. “When things seem to have gone stale and cold but you’re not quite ready to address it, out of the fear of letting go.”

“Apology” comes with an awesome animated lyric video featuring the creative work of Joanne Lee, who the band found serendipitously while scrolling through Instagram. Talk about a meeting of creative talents!

This Space is Ours will support NORA at Bad Decisions Bar on April 20.

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Georgia Smith