Gold Coast/Yugambeh Country artist Eimhin has had a varied musical journey, transitioning from a musical theatre teen to playing punk rock and emo tunes. Now his sound has evolved into the beautiful folk-rock you hear in his latest single “She Met My Eyes.” If this one doesn’t give you chills, I’d suggest checking your pulse.
“It’s about the liminal period in a relationship when you’re still in denial that things are falling apart,” Eimhim admitted. “Instead of facing the truth you find yourself placating each other, you still say ‘I love you’ but it doesn’t feel the same in your heart. You’re still planning for the future, but that future is no longer a reality, at least not with one another.”
Victorian singer-songwriter Nigel Wearne has teamed up with UK songstress Lauren Housley for “To the Edge,” one of the coolest duets I’ve heard in some time. When I say cool, I mean cool. Smoky bars in the American Wild West kind of cool. Americana with a hint of jazz kind of cool. Horns, minor keys, and just the right amount of tension kind of cool. Just listen and you’ll hear what I mean.
The pair met in early 2019 at the Arts Café in Montreal when they were both in town for the Folk Alliance International. With a mutual respect for John Prine and some dry witty banter, they became firm friends. After reconnecting in New Orleans in early 2020, they began working together remotely during the pandemic and this fantastic song was born.
Nigel has a couple more Victorian dates before he flies out to the United Kingdom to play shows with Lauren. UK music lovers, you are in for a treat! Then he’ll jet to the US for the Folk Alliance International showcase MerleFest, the country’s top roots festival. Here are all the dates you need:
10 December 2022 – Odessa at Leaver’s Hotel, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Creswick
11 December 2022 – Union Hotel Brunswick, Bulleke-bek/Brunswick
13 January 2023 – West End Centre, Aldershot (Lauren Housley)
14 January 2023 – Chapel Arts, Bath (Lauren Housley)
15 January 2023 – Edge of The Wedge, Portsmouth (Lauren Housley)
17 January 2023 – The Witham, Barnard Castle (Lauren Housley)
18 January 2023 – The Crescent, York (Lauren Housley)
19 January 2023 – The Met, Bury (Lauren Housley)
20 January 2023 – Philharmonic, Liverpool (Lauren Housley)
21 January 2023 – Alder Bar, Sheffield (Lauren Housley)
22 January 2023 – The Hive, Shrewsbury (Lauren Housley)
24–25 January 2023 – OFFICIAL SHOWCASE UK Americana Music Week, London
27 January 2023 – The Stables, Milton Keynes (Lauren Housley)
28 January 2023 – Thimblemill Library, Birmingham (Lauren Housley)
2-5 February 2023 – Folk Alliance Showcase, Kansas City
27-30 April 2023 – MerleFest USA, Wilkesboro
Image used with permission from I Hear Django; credit: Ian Laidlaw
Kaypo wowed me a few months back with his gorgeous single “Empty Highs”. His newie, “Help Me Out” is every bit as impressive. If you love artists who tell stories through their songs and favour the simple strum of an acoustic guitar to studio wizardry, this will be right up your alley.
“‘Help Me Out’ is slightly more driven/higher energy production compared to the last two songs which have been slower/more ‘ballady’,” Kaypo explained. “The track itself was inspired by a conversation with someone who at the time wasn’t doing great and had developed an unhealthy dependence on both alcohol/substances as well as an ongoing love interest.”
A young talent with the world at his feet, Kaypo will relocate to London early in 2023.
Image used with permission from Footstomp Music
I don’t know about you, but I think Hump Days become more challenging as the year wears on. You’re so ready for a Christmas break, but it seems there’s always a mad rush before you can take it. Thankfully I’ve found something that takes the edge off: “Say (Light Me Up)”, the latest single from self-produced Eora/Sydney artist jnr.
This is such good pop music. It’s fresh and fun, with an accessible sound that’s sure to win over fans of acts like LANY and Conan Gray. If that’s you, you won’t want to miss this one. A little birdie tells me jnr. will release several more singles in 2023, which is definitely something to look forward to.
Born in London but raised in Naarm/Melbourne, Thomas Headon is bringing a little sunshine to your Tuesday arvo. If you’ve lost your mojo, press play and turn his latest single “Georgia” up. I swear it’ll make you feel better about the world.
“We’ve actually been sitting on this song for over a year now,” he admitted. “I wrote it by myself with my little acoustic guitar in London, then finally produced it up into 100 different versions with my friend Stephen months later, finally landing on this one. It’s actually not even about someone called Georgia, it’s more pointed towards the US state … also which I have nothing to do with, but it’s a metaphor. Anyway, it’s my favourite song of mine to date. I hope people like it.”
Since moving back to the UK in 2020, Thomas has been doing big things. Like supporting Elton John big. He’s also just announced he’ll be part of the Are You Listening? Festival in Reading on 6 May 2023. Hopefully a return visit to Oz isn’t too far away.
Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia
I’ve always appreciated Georgia Maq’s work, whether she’s fronting punk act Camp Cope or playing solo. However, my love for her music has deepened after hearing her new Live at Sydney Opera House EP. It’s a beautiful recording featuring five tracks recorded at her Vivid show in the Opera House’s Utzon Room last year.
The Utzon Room is a small, intimate space, perfect for stripping music back. We hear Georgia on piano, backed only with strings. In doing so, we hear her music in a new way. While her solo material has always been a little quieter and more introspective than her work with Camp Cope, I found I could appreciate it even more without the layered electronic sounds. This is simplicity at its finest. Georgia’s voice shines with such simple accompaniment, encouraging you to listen to her lyrics, to her stories.
While her own stories dominate, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention her stunning cover of Regina Spektor’s “Samson” which closes this EP. I’ve always loved this song. Regina set the bar so high, but Georgia’s version is equally beautiful. I’m so glad I got the chance to hear it on this EP.
Georgia Maq Live at the Sydney Opera House is out now.
Images used with permission from Our Golden Friend; main image photo by Jess Gleeson + design by Sebi White
I love Christmas. While I don’t believe in decorating your tree before December 1, you also won’t catch me playing Whamageddon either, because I can’t imagine spending this month trying to avoid this and other glorious Christmas songs. So now that it’s December, I’m probably going to bring you plenty of new Christmas music. Deal with it. The first is Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission’s delightful cover of Cold Chisel’s “Home and Broken Hearted”. Lifted from Chisel’s debut album, it’s a track that many Aussies are unfamiliar with, so I’m thrilled that Mick and his crew are bringing it to audiences.
“Brooke [Taylor, who takes lead vocals on the song] wanted a Christmas song she could sing and I thought this is one people constantly overlook and one I was eager to have a crack at. And what a song it is. The first Cold Chisel album is one that had a major effect on me and one I think still stands up after all this time. So many good songs,” Mick enthused. “We toyed with the idea of changing the protagonist’s gender, or even name (‘Dear Jimmy it’s over, goodbye’), but there’s something timeless about the way the words cascade and people know it as it is, so we thought better of it. I guess the mandolin could never really replace Don Walker’s frantic piano in the chorus but you can’t say I haven’t given it my best shot.”
This song comes from Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission’s latest EP Back in the Day, which features some originals and other choice covers. They’re supporting its release with plenty of shows all around the country.
4 December 2022 – Leftys, Meeajin/Brisbane (with Full Power Happy Hour)
11 December 2022 – Longley International, Muwinina Country/Longley (with Teresa Dixon)
13 December 2022 – Grace Emily, Kaurna/Adelaide (with Cookie Baker)
14 December 2022 – Grace Emily, Kaurna/Adelaide (with Tom Redwood)
15 December 2022 – Grace Emily, Kaurna/Adelaide (with Mark Curtis and the Flannelettes)
16 December 2022 – River Hotel, Kaartdijin Noongar/Margaret River (with Carla Geneve)
17 December 2022 – Navy Club, Waylyup/Fremantle (with Carla Geneve)
18 December 2022 – The Oxford Hotel, Boorloo/Leederville (with Carla Geneve)
21 December 2022 – Shotkickers, Wurundjeri Country/Thornbury (with Skyscraper Stan)
22 December 2022 – Shotkickers, Wurundjeri Country/Thornbury (with Alana Jagt and the Monotremes)
23 December 2022 – Shotkickers, Wurundjeri Country/Thornbury (with Maggie Alley Band)
1 January 2023 – Archies Creek Hotel, Gunai Country/Archies Creek (with Sherry Rich and the Grievous Angels)
Image used with permission from Dave Laing Publicity
Grace Amos is one of those special artists who seem to get better with every single release. She’s always had a cool angsty rock vibe reminiscent of Alanis Morissette or Demi Lovato, depending on your vintage. But in her latest track “By the Grace of God, ” she sounds her most confident. It’s only fitting as the song talks about embracing and retaining your own power, even when faced with seemingly all-consuming love.
“It’s mainly about looking back on previous relationships I’ve shared and how I always put in so much, without really getting the same in return,” she admitted. “So I wrote this as a reminder to myself to know what I’m worth, to stop letting people “walk all over me”. I wrote this song for me.”
Naarm/Melbourne rock outfit The Velvet Club have got my toes tapping with their latest single “Thinking Straight.” This is a straight-up banger with totally relatable lyrics about escaping chaotic thoughts. Hot tip, turning a track like this up and just enjoying the music is the perfect way to get your head right!
“Lyrically, ‘Thinking Straight’ is about getting stuck in your own head and doubting yourself but at the same time recognising that you’re in your head and taking five to relax and reset,” explained lead singer AJ. “It’s just about recognising that at times things get overwhelming and to accept that and find ways to relax and get back on track when it happens instead of dwelling in it and trying to avoid it.”
The Velvet Club have been impressing crowds recently opening up for Ra Ra Viper. They’ve got just three shows for that tour left, plus some other gigs in the coming months. Here are all the places you can see them:
1 December 2022 – Liberty Alive, Boorloo/Perth (supporting South Summit)
3 December 2022 – Mojos, Waylyup/Fremantle (ALL AGES supporting Ra Ra Viper)
3 December 2022 – Mojos, Waylyup/Fremantle (18+ supporting Ra Ra Viper)
4 December 2022 – Mojos, Waylyup/Fremantle (18+ supporting Ra Ra Viper)
18 February 2023 – Now & Again Festival @ Werribee Park, Wirribi-yaluk/Werribee
Image used with permission from Habit Music Co; credit: Tim Lambert
I knew before pressing play that I was going to love Kyle Lionhart’s sophomore album The Silence of You. I’d already fawned over the singles “Chemical Heart” and “Lighthouse,” highlighting Kyle’s personal lyrics and heartfelt delivery. But I wasn’t prepared for just how much this collection of songs would move me.
When you release a few exceptional singles, they often become the highlights of the album. That’s not the case here. Every song is a standout, a powerful and personal revelation. Perhaps the pandemic has something to do with that. With the exception of “Locked to Towns,” penned during the songwriting sessions for his debut album, Kyle wrote every song during lockdown.
While we were all reflective while stuck in our homes, the period was especially telling for Kyle. Near the end of 2019, after more than six years of constant touring, he started feeling like pursuing his career came at the expense of his most important relationships. When the pandemic forced him to take a break from the road the following year, it was time to start working on those relationships and himself. These songs stemmed from that period of self-reflection; they’re powerful, sometimes confronting, and always authentic. Kyle admits that he cried every day in the studio singing these songs; that emotion really comes through. You can hear it in his voice, but make sure you listen to those lyrics to really understand the powerful experiences and feelings that shaped these songs.
While these songs deal with some heavy themes, The Silence of You isn’t a dark album. Kyle’s voice has a beautiful warmth that lifts you up as you listen. There’s also an undercurrent of optimism that brings lightness to the material. This album celebrates human connection and love. While that exists, we can never stay down for too long. Kyle will play shows in the new year to support the album’s release.
20 January 2023 – Milk Bar, Boorloo/Perth
21 January 2023 – Jive, Tarntanya/Adelaide
27 January 2023 – The Factory Theatre, Eora/Sydney
28 January 2023 – Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
3 February 2023 – Mos Desert Clubhouse, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
4 February 2023 – The Zoo, Meeanjin/Brisbane
10 February 2023 – Solbar, Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country/Sunshine Coast
11 February 2023 – The Northern, Cavanbah/Byron Bay
Images used with permission from Revolutions per Minute
I’ve always appreciated 
I knew before pressing play that I was going to love