If you love the indie-pop sounds of acts like Phoebe Bridgers and Maggie Rogers, Naarm/Melbourne talent KEZRA will be right up your alley. Her latest single “Insane” is a super catchy track that isn’t your traditional love song.
“‘Insane’ is that exaggerated fight you had with your partner that gives you internal rage, and fills you with emotions and questions such as ‘why the hell am I still living here?’ You then realise that both of you are just as crazy as each other, and that’s what makes it work,” KEZRA explained. “We need people who can keep us on our toes, push us to the edge of the unknown and completely drive us insane – at least for a little while.”
KEZRA will launch “Insane” with a hometown show at The Gasometer on March 24.
Few debuts are as confident as Nyassa’s first single “Ghost”. If she had any nerves recording this number, I can’t detect them. It’s a bold introduction to her talent, with catchy indie-pop hooks and effortless vocals that capture the joy she feels creating her music.
“Making music feels like being in love – you’re in another world, a beautiful one,” Nyassa gushed. “I want to make people feel something that they can’t explain… I naturally put a piece of my soul into my songs.”
Director Richy Sandham and cinematographer Nick Stevens translated Nyassa’s creative vision in the beautiful film clip, shot at South Australia’s Mintaro Maze and historic Martindale Hall (which you may recognise from the classic film Picnic at Hanging Rock).
Something tells me we’ll hear a lot more from Nyassa in the future.
Image used with permission from Island Records Australia; credit: She Is Aphrodite
Amber Lawrence has enlisted the help of Casey Donovan for her latest single “Rise”. Country and soul music seem like strange bedfellows, but these two distinctive voices complement one another perfectly.
“Rise is a powerhouse song vocally, and the inspiring lyric of this song was best shared with two voices, so I couldn’t have dreamed up anyone better to sing with than the amazing Casey Donovan,” Amber gushed. “She’s an incredible singer, artist, and person, and I’m just so proud of the musical moment we’ve achieved together with ‘Rise’”
Amber had a massive 2022, playing more than 80 shows, including Carols by Candlelight, Gympie Music Muster, and supporting Tony Hadley. Her album Living for the Highlights, which this single comes from, was also the highest selling album by a female country artist. 2023 is also starting big, with Amber recognised as female artist of the year at the recent Golden Guitar Awards. She’s also scheduled a whole lot of shows, so there are no shortage of places to see her play.
11 February 2023 – The Cobargo Show @ Cobargo Showground, Cubago/Cobargo (with Catherine Britt)
3 March 2023 – Milton Show @ Milton Showground, Budawang Country/Milton
4 March 2023 – Country by the Bay, Bunurong Country/Frankston
10 March 2023 – Sandigo Hall, Wiradjuri Country/Sandigo (with Paul Costa)
11 March 2023 – Stock Route Country Music Festival @ Lazy River Estate, Tubbagah Country/Dubbo
19 March 2023 – Meatstock Melbourne, Naarm/Melbourne
25 March 2023 – Club Forbes, Wiradjuri Country/Forbes
26 March 2023 – Sunset Bash @ Penrith Panthers, Darug Country/Penrith
15 April 2023 – Meatstock Toowoomba, Jagera, Giabal and Jarowair Country/Toowomba
7 May 2023 – Meatstock Sydney, Eora/Sydney
10 May 2023 – Cardinia Cultural Centre, Naarm/Melbourne
11 June 2023 – The Oaks Hotel, Dharawal Country/The Oaks (with Luke O’Shea)
18 June 2023 – Camden Hotel, Benkennie/Camden (with Luke O’Shea)
5-12 August 2023 – Tunes in the Tropics, Fiji
23 September 2023 – Arco Bar, Bunurong Country/Heatherton
1-8 December 2023 – Cruisin’ Country
Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute
Naarm/Melbourne rock act Catholic Guilt usher in a new era today with the release of their latest single “Live For the Rush.” It’s the first song from the band’s sophomore album, due later this year, and the first featuring new guitarist and vocalist Megan Sidwell. Some bands have teething issues when they alter the line-up, but Catholic Guilt have never sounded better.
“‘Live For The Rush’ is a song about wanting to feel truly ‘alive’ again, after a prolonged period of emotional paralysis. It is about holding an insatiable desire to experience the sensation of life, yet at the same time living in fear of the risks and changes that might be required to do so,” explained vocalist Brenton Harris. “It is a very human thing to want to feel everything, all at once, to want to explore all that this finite existence can offer, yet it is also a very human thing to want to protect the status quo because the status quo offers the safety and the surety of knowing, even if what we know isn’t providing fulfilment. ’Live For The Rush’ is an anthem about rediscovering the joy of the unknown and in the process learning to feel again.”
This song really strikes a chord to me as I anticipate jetting off to Brisbane next week, taking my first flight since the pandemic began. I’m also really digging the video, which takes us through a day in the life of the cutest sauce bottle around.
“The premise of this video at first glance is silly, funny and kinda weird. But when you delve into the bright, shiny world that Sauce lives in, there’s a whole lot more to it,” explained Sophia van Doorn, who directed the video. “Given that Sauce is depicted in an overly saturated, orange-hued world, their life is a vibrant, action-packed and fulfilling existence. Its stark contrast to the initial band shots of gloomy, lacklustre monotony creates a juxtaposition of light and dark. The band’s jubilant facial expressions upon Sauce’s arrival are the hero of this video and really tie back to the incredible lyrics, uplifting the viewer. It was hilarious running around town shooting the Sauce scenes and the band nailed all their shots in every aspect – the fun and ridiculousness shines through in the video. As a first-time director of a music video, I’m thrilled with the outcome, it looks awesome. Awesomesauce.”
You can see Catholic Guilt’s brand new line-up at the Last Chance Rock N Roll Bar in Naarm/Melbourne on March 3.
Fresh from performances at Tamworth’s Country Music Festival, Ben De La Cour has dropped “Appalachian Book of the Dead”, the first track lifted from his fifth album Sweet Anhedonia. As the title suggests, this isn’t one of those upbeat country crossover tracks. It’s a cool, dark and brooding number that really casts a spell. It’s so eerie, and I love it.
“I remember first hearing the phrase “Appalachian Book of the Dead” a long time ago in reference to a poem that I later found out was written by Charles Wright. I think I had it filed away subconsciously for years until Shari Smith at Working Title Farm contacted me with this idea she had about pairing authors and songwriters together on a project and somehow I ended up being paired with Dale Neal who wrote a novel called … “Appalachian Book of the Dead”. So I started working on the song before reading the book, then I read the book and loved it and as soon as I finished it I was able to fill in the few blanks left in the song and it kind of came together in full,” Ben recalled.
“The song is definitely inspired in part by the book but it’s mostly my attempt at capturing the feeling I always get driving through North Carolina and East Tennessee late at night. I always loved the quote by Poe, ‘The best stories are an arabesque of supernatural menace and wry jesting’. This is my feeble attempt at doing justice to that.”
Ben’s new album Sweet Anhedonia drops in April. As he currently spends more than a hundred days touring Australia, Europe, and North America, hopefully we get some shows to coincide with its release.
Image used with permission from Footstomp Music; credit: Nick Nace
Belle Haven have just dropped their new emo anthem “I Can’t Find the Words” in time for their tour with Banks Arcade. If you’ve ever felt powerless as your relationship ends, this one’s for you.
Belle Haven have been together since 2010, but this is first release in nearly two years. Talk about a comeback!
The Future Lovers Australian Tour with Banks Arcade kicks off tomorrow night in Meeanjin/Brisbane. Limited tickets are still available for all shows but selling fast. You know what to do!
4 February 2023 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane
10 February 2023 – Factory Floor, Eora/Sydney
11 February 2023 – Transit Bar, Ngambri/Canberra
17 February 2023 – Stay Gold, Naarm/Melbourne
25 February 2023 – Enigma Bar, Tarntanya/Adelaide
Image used with permission from Bigmouth PR
Aussie trio THE HUNEEZ are bringing the good vibes with their latest single “Addicted to You.” It’s a delightful blend of pop, funk, and soul that you’ll find yourself humming for days. Trust me, it’s an earworm, in the best possible way.
With production from Jess Des (King Princess, Cold Chisel, Imogen Clark) and mastering by Leon Zervos (Guy Sebastian, Amy Shark, Montaigne, Maroon 5), it’s no wonder this track sounds so polished. Add it to your summer playlist, pronto!
THE HUNEEZ will officially launch the single with a show at Diamond Dogs Music Lounge and Bar in Mookoonburro/Dapto on March 11.
King of Spain might just be the funkiest act to come out of Tarntanya/Adelaide. Their latest single “Ferrol” has some serious stank on it, with big horns, cool keys, and ultra-smooth vocals.
“Ferrol” sounds like a party, but tap into those lyrics and you’ll realise this song is actually about the deception and hurt that can come when a relationship breaks down. “Ferrol” is the first of many King of Spain songs based around European cities. I can’t wait to hear where they take us next. Before then though, they’ll hit some cool local bars for an all-too-brief single tour, which kicks off tomorrow.
3 February 2023 – Bar Open, Naarm/Melbourne
4 February 2023 – Lowlife Bar, Tarntanya/Adelaide
If you’re missing the Britpop that dominated the airwaves in the late 90s, wrap your ears around “Ain’t Enough for Me”, the latest single from Naarm/Melbourne indie act Seamus McCorry. I’m really digging its laidback rock vibes, which are perfect for getting you through your Wednesday.
“Ain’t Enough for Me” comes from Seamus’ debut EP. While there are no plans for his own launch show as yet, Seamus will join Emotion Picture at their single launch at The Retreat Hotel in Naarm/Melbourne tomorrow night, February 2.
Crank that volume right up, press play, and experience “Overtime”, the fantastic new single from Eora/Sydney-based pop-punk band Dial Denial. Fergus Harley-MacDonald’s vocals grab you from the jump. By the time the full band kicks in, I’ll be surprised if you’re not punching your fist in the air too.
“‘Overtime’ is the rejection of fitting in a box,” Fergus explained. “We live in a time where living is full of deadlines, panic, and fitting within the cookie-cutter roles placed upon individuals. The talk downs, the ‘real job’ you need, how you need to go to university or college. Dial Denial believes that everyone these days are overwhelmed, living life faster and faster with no time to slow down as if they’re working overtime on just… living.”
“In its purest form, ‘Overtime’ is about slowing down, appreciating the simple things, being happy, and living for yourself. Most importantly, the world in which we live is in desperate need of kindness. My dad used to say, ‘be half as smart and twice as kind’. This one simple phrase shaped the main themes and messages of this song through Fergus’ worldview. You’ll find the simple things in life more joy than overtime.”
The video, shot on Eora/Sydney’s North Shore, gives a hint at just how good this band is live.
“The ‘Overtime’ video reflects the themes of the music,” explained lead guitarist and backing vocalist Owen Borg. “The main messages of appreciating the smaller things, happiness, and kindness are shown through a house party and hanging out with your mates. The process of filming the clip was spontaneous and just super chill.”
Hopefully it’s not too long before we see these guys on the road. Until then, I’m sure “Overtime” will give you that extra shot of adrenalin you need to get through Tuesday.
