Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Highline Drop “Enough For You and Me” Single Ahead of Mini-Tour

Highline really impressed me last year with their single “Staying Sane.” They’re starting 2022 in a similar fashion with a cracking new release. “Enough For You and Me” just dropped today, and you’ll want to get your ears around it. With indie-rock and Brit-pop influences, it feels nostalgically familiar, yet so fresh at the same time.

“The song is about leaning on your friends to feel better about the mundane times in life,” Highline explained. “It’s both a celebration of friendship and the good things it can do for you as well as a reflection of when you’re not happy with the way things are going.”

Once again, the track sees Highline teaming up with Jack Nigro (Middle Kids, DMA’s, Skeggs) at The Grove Studios.

“Our time at the Grove with Jack Nigro during lockdown was really special,” they added. “We love going there and making music with Jack and his input throughout the recording process really helped mould EFYAM into something we’re truly proud of.”

Highline have a couple of shows with Archie coming up. Catch them at the Lansdowne in Sydney on March 16 or Transit Bar in Canberra on March 24.

Image used with permission from Peach & Sons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Ransom Celebrates Making the Most of Your Time With “Livin'”

After two years of lockdowns and event cancellations, most of us are feeling ready to get back to living the way we used to. I must admit, I’m not ready to throw my masks away just yet, but I’m starting to get a little hopeful that the concerts approaching may actually happen. Ben Ransom reflects the mood of so many at this stage of the pandemic with his new track “Livin’”.

“This song was born out of the compounding frustrations of being chained to a job, just to eke out a living … throw in the devastating effects that the couple of years has had on our industry and this song is what you get! An anthem for breaking free”, he explained. “It was a pivotal moment when I was reminded (again) that our lives are so short and that we need to make the most out of every single day. I want to live and celebrate everything the world has to offer … I have no desire to be stuck in a job I hate just to make ends meet, to then turn around at the end of it all and look back with regrets”.

Speaking of living, hopefully it’s not too long before Ben announces some shows. Surely with so many shows scrapping capacity limits, they can’t be too far away!

Image used with permission from Red Rebel Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gareth Leach Back and Bold With “God’s Walking Out On Me”

Rock country outlaw Gareth Leach is back with a ballsy new single “God’s Walking Out On Me.” It’s unapologetically brash, with punk and rock influences bringing edge to the classic country sound. If you like your Americana with a shot of whiskey, this one will be right up your alley.

COVID has put the kibosh on a lot of opportunities to see Gareth play, but you can catch him at a couple of festivals this year. Hopefully the pandemic eases and we get a few more dates between these ones.

26 & 27 March 2022 – Country by the River @ Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge
3 & 4 December 2022 – Mornington Country Music Festival @ The Briars, Mornington Peninsula

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Attached to Tied Down’s Latest Track, “Slow”

Australia has long been a fertile breeding ground for great rock acts. As I listened to “Slow,” the latest track from Perth band Tied Down, I realised they might be the latest group worthy of their title. As the name suggests, this song is a bit of a slow burner, but by the time the chorus kicked in, I was firmly on board.

“Slow is definitely the most personal and emotionally-charged song we’ve written as a band to date. It explores an adventure through addiction and coming out the other side of it, and the music is written in a way that reflects that, with some pretty heavy and emotional moments that really resolve in a positive, optimistic and opportunistic way,” Tied Down explained. “It’s a song that we feel will resonate with anyone who has experienced something similar and we hope that people can draw meaning from not only the lyrics, but the journey that the music takes them on as well.”

Tied Down have a couple of shows coming up in their home state. With borders opening up, hopefully it’s not too long before the rest of Australia gets to see them perform. Until then, you know what to do WA!

25 February 2022 – Indian Ocean Hotel, Scarborough (supporting Satisfaction Guaranteed)
11 March 2022 – Lynott’s Lounge, Perth (supporting Ezra Tide)

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Portia Gebauer @photosbyportia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ronny Lee Couling Releases Stellar New Single “Home”

British-born and Sydney-based, Ronny Lee Couling is one of those rare talents I’m glad to call our own. His new track “Home” is an uplifting folk track that takes its queues from artists like Mumford & Sons and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. You know those organic jangly energetic songs that make you think of road trips and good nights with friends? Full of heart and soul? It’s one of those. And it’s special.

Ronny says “I just want people to feel happy and not alone when they hear my music.” Mission accomplished. This is one of those songs that inspired me to listen to the artist’s back catalogue. It gives you a taste of what he’s all about, but there’s so much more to explore. There’s also more to come. Ronny’s new EP Weatherman will drop really soon.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Helen Shanahan Releases Powerful New Single, “Canvas”

Helen Shanahan lays her heart bare in the lyrics of her latest song, “Canvas.” The song paints a vivid picture of a woman in the wrong relationship. If you love classic female singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell and Janis Ian, this will be right up your alley.

“The single was inspired by a theme from a songwriting group (I Heart Songwriting Club) I joined in 2018,” Helen said. “The theme was ‘lessons’, and it made me think about how I learnt to make myself small and essentially a doormat for a particular group of people. The song brought up lots of mixed emotions, as it unravelled how that relationship affected my adult life and how I had to ‘unlearn’ my feelings of low self-esteem and worth.”

The song’s themes are mirrored beautifully in the music video, which presents a young girl and eventually a young woman who’s learned to shrink herself to suit the people around her.

“The music video revolves around the concept of what it means ‘to be’ and how we become a summation of our own life experiences,” explained direct Jane Tiouowidjaja. “It’s what we learn over time but also what we decide to tolerate when we relate to those we love.”

“Canvas” is the title track of Helen’s forthcoming album, which drops on March 4. She’ll celebrate its release with a special local launch show at Morley’s Night Owl Studio on March 5.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Unsafe Passage” – Seph Cove

I’ve always believed that music finds you at the right time. So I don’t believe it’s any coincidence that Seph Cove has just dropped his beautiful new EP Unsafe Passage just as I’m feeling anxious about easing COVID restrictions. Thankfully Seph’s music is like a big warm hug in these uncertain times.

After enjoying the singles “Sirens” and “Helen,” I knew this EP would be right up my alley. Those singles set Unsafe Passage up beautifully. Just like those singles, the remaining songs cast a spell, creating calm with the beautifully layered folk instrumentation, Seph’s poetic lyrics, and his rich voice. The songs gently melt into one another. They might not show a lot of diversity, but I think that’s OK. Seph knows his sound. There’s a gentle confidence about what he does, and he does it so well.

Unsafe Passage might not set the charts on fire, but I think that’s OK too. While it lacks catchy, radio-friendly numbers, it’s a beautiful collection of songs that listeners can take into their hearts. Arguably that’s more important.

Unsafe Passage was released today.

Images used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amber Farnan Embraces Softer Side With “Muse”

Cairns indie-pop songstress Amber Farnan has won me over with her sweet new single “Muse.” It’s a dreamy romantic track, the sort of song Amber could never have imagined writing when she began creating music.

“Twelve-year-old Amber promised herself that she would never write a love song. Nineteen-year-old Amber finally caved,” she admitted.”’Muse’ was written around the notion of being inspired by someone, with them ultimately being your source of inspiration towards creativity as an artist. Whether its poetry, art, theatre or dance, both modern and historic art forms utilise muses as their inspiration.

“I would like for listeners to be able to relate to the song in some way, whether that be through shared experience or through hopes and dreams. I think that ‘Muse’ has a universal feeling of relatability and no matter who you are, I am damn sure you have dreamed about someone falling in love with you before.”

Amber will launch the single and its music video at The Tanks in Cairns on March 4. Click here for tickets.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Galleri’s New Single is Really Good

Mid-NSW Coast outfit Galleri offers up some quiet reflection with their beautiful new single “I’m Good.” Its chilled acoustic vibes are perfect for a cruisy Friday, but it’s those introspective lyrics that really get me.

“I wrote this song as a reflection on trying to make sense of life and where our decisions take us,” explained frontman John Moore. “We all make a heap of mistakes through life, trying to make sense of it all and pushing to be a better person.”

John and the band booked out the Community Hall in Pacific Palms for the recording. The bass rig was isolated in the storeroom, the drums set up on stage, with baffles and guitar amps strung through the old hall. It’s an unconventional approach, but it works. The soon-to-be-released music video captures the unique recording session.

Galleri will drop their latest album, Easy, on February 25. They’re celebrating the single release with a show tonight at Kings Valley Egyptian Cuisine in Foster.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Waxflower Bring the Good Vibes With “Ring”

After playing in the shadows with “Soak,” Waxflower are starting the new year on a more optimistic note. Their latest “Ring” is pure pop-punk goodness that is sure to brighten your day.

Waxflower frontman Tristan Higginson calls the track “a self-affirmation. A reminder to myself that it’s worth fighting odds, industry and enemies to keep my creative passion alive.”

“I almost gave up on music before Waxflower,” he admitted. “Questioning my ability at the backend of a decade of failed projects and crumbling under the weight of panic disorder, I recorded a demo as a last ditch effort to get something started. A year and a half later I was playing with my heroes, beginning to do the things I’d always dreamed. It’s me trying to calm the insecurities that keep me from putting myself on the line creatively. Don’t let your insecurities get in the way of where you want to be.”

Preach! 2022 has delivered a lot of the same old shit for many of us, so it’s refreshing to hear something so light and optimistic. If you need a lift right now, turn the volume up loud!

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co; credit: Mitch Lowe