Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Spreads Good Vibes With “Only Thing Missing”

Guy Sebastian delivers another pop masterclass with the release of his latest single “Only Thing Missing.” Lifted from last year’s number one album T.R.U.T.H., it’s an effortlessly cool blend of pop and R’n’B, with a laidback funky groove and upbeat vibes. Just try listening to this one without a smile on your face.

“I wrote ‘Only Thing Missing’ on a songwriting camp in the thick of lockdown. It was one of the first virtual songwriting camps I had been a part of so it was a new way to write, which was actually exciting,” Guy explained. “For this session, I was in my home studio in Sydney and streaming online with Trevor and Zaire of The Orphanage, who were in LA. We started by building the track which was really fun, and we were loving the vibe and verses, but the chorus was taking time to come.”

Add the track to your Spotify or Apple Music library and you could win a signed Guy Sebastian puzzle. Guy will tour his T.R.U.T.H. album later this year. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows:

4 November 2021 – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle
5 November 2021 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
6 November 2021 – Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast
10 November 2021 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
12 November 2021 – Aware Super Theatre @ ICC Sydney, Sydney
13 November 2021 – Aware Super Theatre @ ICC Sydney, Sydney
14 November 2021 – Aware Super Theatre @ ICC Sydney, Sydney
17 November 2021 – Bendigo Stadium, Bendigo
19 November 2021 – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
20 November 2021 – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
21 November 2021 – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
22 November 2021 – Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart
24 November 2021 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
26 November 2021 – RAC Arena, Perth
30 November 2021 – Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns
1 December 2020 – Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre, Townsville

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nothing Sleepy About Sachém’s New Single “ZZZ’s”

I knew Sachém’s new single “ZZZ’s” was something special from the moment that Donny Hathaway sample kicked in. It’s an insightful track with some fantastic rhymes exploring the importance of self-belief.

“The song ‘Zzz’s’ is a story of self-realisation told through the perspective of a young indigenous man stuck in the whirlwind of modern day life,” Sachém said, adding that he hopes people listening to this single will understand that”the frustrations we project outward, are just reflections of ourself. We must go within to find the answer and to find our peace.”

Sachém recently tore up the stage at the Mountain Goat Valley Crawl. Keep your ear to the ear to the ground because you’ll want to be wherever he’s playing next.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paris Irwin Blows Me Away With “Dark Tourist”

Feki has worked with some of Australia’s most exciting artists, including LANKS, Sloan Peterson, and Cyrus, so he knows talent when he sees it. So when he says “Paris Irwin is one of the most talented human beings I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with,” you know she’s got something special. She’s captivated me with her latest single “Dark Tourist,” which Feki produced in his home studio. The song’s themes of alienation are so relatable, but Paris had a very specific idea in mind.

“The song’s concept holds a few different meanings however the primary tale narrates a story about a teenage witch growing up in a modern world,” she explained. “She is forced to keep her powers a secret from her significant other, knowing deep down she’ll have to keep torturing herself with silence as he will undoubtedly think she’s lost the plot and everyone will think she’s clinically insane.”

I’ve had “Dark Tourist” on repeat basically since it landed in my inbox earlier this month, so I’m so glad it’s out in the world and I can share it with you all. Get onto this one; it’s fantastic.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stop, Listen, Fall in Love With David M. Western’s “Take Your Opportunities”

David M. Western’s new track “Take Your Opportunities” is like the musical equivalent of a cup of tea. It encourages you to slow down and just appreciate the moment. Its acoustic melody and direct lyrics seem simple, but they’re so good for the soul. The song explores the early days of a relationship, telling the story of a couple who are interesting in one another, but unsure whether they can commit.

“This is the second chapter in this journey that I’m trying to detail through my releases,” David explained. “I wrote it almost tongue in cheek about a relationship between two people entering into a relationship. Kind of like a ‘are you serious? I can barely cross the street or behave like a real person. How can you afford to take a chance on me?’. I wanted to ramble off things about these characters whose lives were a hot mess and were also looking at themselves saying ‘is this possible for someone to actually want this?’. With my single before – ‘Instant Life’ – I was detailing what the listener was getting into, now this song reads as a ‘brace yourself. Get ready. We’re going all the way here’.”

“Take Your Opportunities” is the second track lifted from David’s forthcoming debut album. He’s emerging from his pandemic bubble to play his first show of 2021 at Some Velvet Morning in Collingwood on March 13. Entry is free, so there’s no excuse for staying home!

Image used with permission from This Much Talent; credit Joe Nigel Coleman

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

You Am I Impress With Latest Single “The Waterboy”

If you thought You Am I’s best music was behind them, the band’s latest single “The Waterboy” should quickly dispel you of that notion. While there’s a nostalgic charm about their ‘90s material, I think this track is every bit as good as those classics. In fact, it might just be better.

“On the Waterboys album Modern Blues I found a Mike Scott song called ‘I Can See Elvis’. It just killed me, I couldn’t stop listening to it,” Tim Rogers explained of the song’s inspiration. “Mike is a big-hearted person, he really puts it all out there and I like that. I was on the New South Wales south coast listening to a Scottish guy living in Ireland singing about Elvis and that led to the four places line.”

The song came together despite the band’s pandemic separation, with Tim and Davey Lane in Melbourne and Andy Kent and Russell Hopkinson in Sydney. Tim conceived this song as a laidback folky number, but after Andy and Russell recorded parts in a Sydney studio it began to take on a whole different complexion.

“What they did was very different to what I had imagined for the song and made it so much better,” he explained. “’The Waterboy’ began as a folk tune set to fingerpicking but when peak “pining” for our band hit I imagined being in a room together and changed the whole feel of the toon. Typically, what Russ, Davey and AK came back with eviscerated all my daydreamin’s and replaced them with jumpin’ round the room enthusiasms.”

“The Waterboy” comes from You Am I’s highly anticipated 11th studio album, which will drop later this year. While the pandemic tore them apart, the band is finally back together and itching to get back on stage. Catch them at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on April 15.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Highline Release Stellar New Single “Staying Sane”

The guys from Sydney band Highline met through their high school jazz band, but they’re carving out their own indie-rock sound showcased perfectly on the upbeat new single “Staying Sane.” This catchy tune sounds like an instant classic with its driving beat and relatable lyrics.

“‘Staying Sane’ was written after a relationship of mine fell through,” explained frontman Sam Rigney. “It touches on the subject of the post-relationship conversations we had, and the push and pull games that were being played. It’s about caring for someone despite the relationship being over and having to be selfish in a way, and take care of yourself instead of continuing to support that someone you loved/love. I was a bit of a wreck when we wrote this song and I think a lot of people can relate to what I was feeling at the time.”

These guys were selling out shows around Sydney prior to the pandemic, so I wouldn’t get complacent about their upcoming show. If you want to be there when they hit the Oxford Art Factory stage on April 3, you know what to do!

Image used with permission from Habit Music Co.; credit: John Roman Creations

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Keith Urban Guests on Tender New Amy Shark Single, “Love Songs Ain’t For Us”

Amy Shark has just dropped her new single “Love Songs Ain’t For Us,” featuring vocals from Keith Urban and cowritten by Ed Sheeran. With so much star power, it should come as no surprise that it’s pretty brilliant. Prepare to hear this one all over radio in the coming weeks.

This is a real change of pace for Amy, a tender song without the angst we usually hear. It seems we can credit Ed for that change in direction.

“Ed asked me if I wrote songs about my man. I told him I do, but love songs aren’t really for us. He then smiled and said, “OK that’s what we’ll do then.” This song is as loved up as you’ll get from me and I love it,” she explained.

“The song is so classy and timeless I needed to find a class act to join me,” she added. “Keith is so professional and well respected around the world, so it was a no-brainer.”

“Love Songs Ain’t For Us” gives us our first taste of Amy’s upcoming album Cry Forever, which hits stores on April 30. She’ll celebrate its release with one of the biggest tours we’ve seen in this country for a while. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

12 June 2021 – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
18 June 2021 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
19 June 2021 – Wrest Point Lawns, Hobart
25 June 2021 – HOTA, Gold Coast
26 June 2021 – Riverstage, Brisbane
1 July 2021 – AEC Theatre, Adelaide
3 July 2021 – RAC Arena, Perth

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Say Goodbye to Yuma X With Final Single Release, “We Could Be So Good”

Sydney duo Yuma X have decided to go their separate ways, but they’re leaving us with a parting gift. What delicious irony that their final release together, “We Could Be So Good” is one of their best.

Lucy Washington and Jake Smith have been releasing music together since 2015, but I guess all good things must eventually come to an end. Knowing this is their final single together certainly makes listening to this song a bittersweet experience.

“WCBSG is a real feel-good song, and the visuals in the music video capture that perfectly. I think this song is my favourite we’ve written and it feels like the perfect high note to end on. I’m so grateful for the last 5 years we’ve had and the music we’ve released and everyone who has supported us along the journey. I’m really proud of this one because it’s something so positive and happy that came out of the hardest and strangest year. I hope it puts a smile on people’s faces and is the background song to many fun memories people make in the future.”

“We Could Be So Good” was born out of a period of musical experimentation inspired by acts like Lana Del Rey and Frank Ocean. As Jake explained, they were “moving towards a sound that’s more fun and dancefloor-centric,” Jake explained.
It’s all a bit sad to think what might have been. In that spirit, get nostalgic about Yuma X with this lyric video, which documents the act’s creative process and their personal lives outside the music world.

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jamie Lane Drops Top New Single “Fear”

Brisbane singer-songwriter Jamie Lane has just dropped his first single of the year, “Fear,” and colour me impressed. It explores an emotion many of us can relate to during these uncertain times, but despite the subject matter it’s far from being dark and brooding.

Instead, this Latin-infused electro-R&B single should encourage you to dance away your troubles. Listen past the banging grooves though and you’ll find an honest, eloquent examination of anxiety and mental illness.

This is smart indie-pop music, totally addictive but so cleverly put together. Let’s hope there’s more on the way.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Liz Stringer Drops Title Track Ahead of “First Time Really Feeling” Album Release

There’s something special about listening to new music from a seasoned pro like Liz Stringer. The Melbourne-born musician is prepared to release her sixth studio album, First Time Really Feeling, and she’s giving us a little taste with the release of the title track.

“It’s about experiencing the world with a clear and present heart for the first time after beginning a process of intense personal change, precipitated by getting sober at 36,” she explained. “It was initially very frightening but ultimately liberating and necessary for me to face everything that I hadn’t been able to look at, for a lot of different reasons, for many years. There’s real fear in real feeling. But I believe now that, for me, it’s the only place from which real love can grow and thrive.”

The music video, directed by Dyllan Corbett, is a powerful exploration of the world around us right now.

“Exploring the outskirts of Melbourne just out of lockdown, we wanted the camera to feel the energy of life on the road while capturing a nostalgia and simple beauty of home,” Dyllan explained. “With a small crew, we convoyed around to find these almost forgotten about places; which now inspired a deeper gratitude in us all. In some ways the message of the track reinforced the team’s creativity; helping us to find inspiration in the seemingly mundane.”

The album First Time Really Feeling drops on April 30. Liz will perform at Castlemaine State Festival on April 2, with more shows to come.

Image used with permission from Remote Control Records; credit: Kristoffer Paulsen