Posted on by Lauren Katulka

FEKI Teams Up With LANKS & Sloan Peterson For “Golden Remedy”

I knew I was going to love FEKI’s latest single “Golden Remedy” before even hearing it. When you collaborate with talented people like LANKS and Sloan Peterson, magic is bound to happen. This track’s shimmery upbeat vibe is just what we all need as the weekend approaches.

“Golden Remedy” has spontaneous energy about it, but it certainly didn’t come together quickly. In fact, it’s been percolating for three years!

“Since the original session in 2017, Feki would come back to me every few months about ‘Golden Remedy,’ and while it always ‘still wasn’t quite right’, each time it edged closer,” LANKS explained. “No one could really sum up why, but when Sloan Peterson and [mixer] Cassian came on board, it really reached its final form.”

Maybe the track was just waiting for the right time to reach the world, as FEKI acknowledged “We are in a really uncertain time right now. I hope this song gives people a bit of hope that we can get through it together.”

The final release of “Golden Remedy” is one of those cases where the waiting was certainly worthwhile!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elaskia Releases Another Pop Banger, “I Will Do Anything”

Central Coast talent Elaskia continues to impress with her latest single “I Will Do Anything.”

Hot on the heels of recent release “Calling Out My Name,” this is another impressive slice of upbeat indie-pop. It’s very reminiscent of HAIM with its melodic hooks and upbeat vibe.

Cold weather and the threat of the pandemic might loom large, but this track should help you forget all of that gloominess for a few minutes.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Music on Show in “Mint Condition” Webseries

Recently released webseries Mint Condition is a real treat for music lovers with a soundtrack featuring some of Melbourne’s best independent acts. Think Mick Thomas and the Roving Commission, Jade Imagine, The Meltdowns, Nat Vazer, Hearts and Rockets, and heaps more. The five-episode series follows single mum Audrey, played by Sibylla Budd, as she opens a new Fitzroy shop. She’s joined by Gary Sweet, Bernard Curry, and exciting newcomer Grace Champion.

“Mint Condition was a labour of love. We’re very proud of our amazing cast, our dedicated crew, and all the great local bands who contributed to the soundtrack,” said Gareth Calverley, the show’s co-writer and producer. “We know things aren’t easy right now. We decided to launch the show in the hope that it connects with an audience worldwide. It’s made for anyone who loves independent Australian music and for those who believe it’s important to support local filmmakers during a difficult time. Short-form content is taking off around the world. New international platform QUIBI is a great example, ‘quick bites’ of original new shows. Our audience can experience Series 1 of ‘Mint Condition’ in one hour.”

“We want the audience to really love the diversity of these great songs and get a good feel for the live music scene and the music community that we have in Melbourne,” added Lyndelle Wilkinson, the show’s co-producer and music supervisor. “Even though we are all currently in lockdown, we want to bring that passion for local music to the audience while we are currently unable to go out and be a part of it. Melbourne is the music capital of the world, with usually hundreds of gigs on weekly, so right now we have a huge opportunity to showcase this incredible community and comfort each other with what we have and remind ourselves how lucky we are. I hope the audience is hungry for it and will be inspired to get out and support local artists when things return to normal.”

Whether you’re in hard lockdown or just enjoying life at a slower pace, Mint Condition is perfect pandemic viewing. Check out all the episodes at mintconditiontv.com, Apple TV, Roku, iOS, Android, and Chromecast.

Image used with permission from Dave Laing Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Baby Shakes Covers The Angels Classic in Lockdown

Doc Neeson and the Brewster brothers could never have imagined COVID-19 when they penned the classic Aussie rock song “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again.” However, it’s the perfect anthem for our times. New York punksters Baby Shakes first covered The Angels’ hit for their 2019 album Cause a Scene, but they’ve revisited it in a new lockdown video.

Baby Shakes filmed the clip on their phones, mostly within their Brooklyn apartments. Its release has been a great way for the band to communicate with their fans and make some new ones.

“The news has been pretty gruesome and many friends outside of NY have expressed their concern. We thought it was important to show everyone how we’ve been living our common everyday lives from the safety of our homes,” explained the band’s bass player, Claudia Gonzalez.

“Some people said it made them cry and some laughed and said it cheered them up. We were thrilled that so many Australians expressed pride and nostalgia overhearing a classic song from their youth. Overall, most people said that they felt the same way,” added lead guitarist Judy Lindsay.

I love the energy Baby Shakes breathed into their take on “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again.” Their cover makes it sound so fresh and edgy. What do you think of it?

Image used with permission from Dave Laing Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

CVIRO and GXNXVS Take Us Way Back With “Stay With Me”

Gold Coast singer CVIRO and his producer buddy GXNXVS for a slamming new single “Stay With Me.” It’s giving me old-school R’n’B vibes. If you were listening to Boyz II Men, Dru Hill, or Jagged Edge back in the day like I was, or you stole their albums from your mum’s record collection, you’re definitely going to dig this.

No wonder these guys are already generating plenty of buzz. They’ve got fans in the United States and United Kingdom, not to mention right here at home, and they’ve been championed by tastemakers including Vice, Clash, and the OVO team (who have incidentally never featured an Aussie act before). They’ve also clocked up 38 million streams!

CVIRO and GXNXVS will drop a few more singles before releasing an EP in the last quarter of the year. That means there’s plenty of new music for anyone else loving their sound.

Image used with permission from Universal Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mick Thomas Releases New Pandemic-Inspired Folk Charmer, “See You When I’m Looking at You”

Former Weddings, Parties, Anything frontman Mick Thomas is back with a whole swag of new tunes for your isolation playlist. The new Mick Thomas & The Roving Commission album See You On the Other Side: A Postcard from April 2020 features a selection of choice cuts written and recorded in lockdown. They might be apart, but Mick couldn’t have done it without the help of his famous friends. The album features appearances from Angie Hart (Frente), Nick Barker, Vikki Thorn (The Waifs), Darren Hanlon, Shelley Short, Alana Jagt, Brooke Russell, Van Walker, Ron S. Peno (Died Pretty), Alannah Russack (The Hummingbirds), Ben Salter, Dana Gehrman, Cam Butler, and Jen Anderson. Talk about star power.

You’ll see many of them on my favourite track from the album, “See You When I’m Looking at You.” But there’s plenty more where that came from. All the new music is available now on all the best streaming platforms. If you prefer something more tangible, check out the Mick Thomas Bandcamp page.

Gigs are few and far between these days, but Mick is making the most of the streaming technology available. Fresh from his own virtual album launch, he’ll take part in Memo Music Hall’s “Keep the Circle Unbroken” streaming show tomorrow night. Visit Memo Musical Hall’s website for ticket details.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paige Black Reminds Us Of the Silver Linings With “Rebuild”

If there are any upsides to the pandemic, it’s hearing all the beautiful music it’s inspired. One of the latest additions to our pandemic playlists is “Rebuild,” a beautiful single from Yarra Valley native Paige Black.

“Rebuild” is a gentle folky number, the kind of song that would go down a treat while you’re enjoying a glass of red in front of a crackling fire.

“I wrote this song about hope, while reflecting on the current pandemic we are all going through,” Paige explained. “It captures the way our reality suddenly changed overnight and how communities throughout the world were compelled to band together to overcome the devastating loss and forthcoming challenges, some worse than others.”

“As time went on in isolation, I began to reflect on the silver linings that have transpired as a result of staying put in our homes. Mother Nature has had a chance to breathe and bloom and our consumerist and workaholic behaviours were forced to alter. Maybe this has created an opportunity to change our habits for the greater good of the human race and the environment. A chance to “shape a world that matters”, slow down and think about our values.”

That new lockdown might not be easy Victoria, but perhaps you can hear this song and reframe your thinking. Stay safe everybody!

Image used with permission from Arow Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dylan Wright’s Latest Song “Passing Through” Resonates

Dylan Wright started writing his latest single in 2016, “Passing Through” when Donald Trump won the American election and the world seemed so chaotic. Four years later, there’s even more turbulence and unrest. As Victorians are in lockdown and the rest of Australia nervously watches COVID-19 cases climb, this track’s lyrics hit hard.

“The song talks about the world as we know it crumbling down around us but that there is a light within all of us that will get us through our darkest days, even though we may not think we’ll be able to get through as first,” Dylan explained. “Unfortunately, there have been many disasters and tragedies over the past couple of years since I wrote ‘Passing Through’ and that light still does shine out from us in those moments.”

Gigs are few and far between these days, but Dylan recently managed shows in Sydney and Mudgee. Follow his Facebook page for news of any upcoming gigs as they’re announced.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Dreggs Spread Sunshine With “Call Me Home” Single

In the time of COVID-19, there isn’t too much to smile about. That makes it the perfect time for a new track from The Dreggs. This Sunshine Coast indie-folk duo makes such sweet music, and their latest single “Call Me Home” is no exception. Those harmonies, the acoustic guitars, it all sounds so good.

“As a musician, it’s really easy to fall into the trap of making something that should be fun and simple, so complex,” the lads admitted. “‘Call Me Home’ is simply put a happy and energetic track that should be enjoyed lightly. Whether you’re road-tripping down the coastline, thinking about your lover, or just wanting to dance around the house, we feel ‘Call Me Home’ is the perfect theme.”

The Dreggs sold out thirteen shows on their 15-date Postcards tour this year but had to cancel the lot of them due to the global pandemic. While they hope top tour extensively later this year, for now they’re content with the few gigs available. Here are all the places you can see them doing what they do best in the coming months.

11 July 2020 – Airwaves Drive-in Music Festival @ Nambour Showgrounds, Nambour
8 August 2020 – Anti-Social @ The Zoo, Brisbane
1 October 2020 – The Lansdowne, Sydney (supporting Caravana Sun)
9 October 2020 – The Foundry, Brisbane (supporting Caravana Sun)

Image used with permission from Ditto Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Agnes Manners’ New Single “Sydney” Packs a Punch

Agnes Manners, the new solo project from former Hellions guitarist Matthew Gravolin, shows that quality trumps quantity with his powerful new single “Sydney.” Featuring Trophy Eyes vocalist John Floreani, the song clocks in at just under two minutes. But two minutes is all it takes to grab you and strike a powerful emotional connection.

If you’re familiar with Hellions, you probably don’t expect the gentle flutes, strings, and piano, or the admission that these instruments were deliberately chosen to create the feel of a Disney tune. But that’s perhaps not the most surprising instrument you’ll hear.

“During that recording trip, I ambled down to a beach after a long night at the bar to try and get a voice recording of sea sounds to put in one of the songs. I had too much to drink and I ended up vomiting on the beach – I forgot that the voice memo was still recording all the while. I revisited the recording the next day and salvaged the sound of me being sick over the sounds of waves. After some cutting, the result can be heard at the end of ‘Sydney,’” Matthew admitted.

“Although admittedly a bit uncouth, I feel that it suits the lyrical content of the song. It’s about a particularly excessive time in my life before I made the move from Sydney to Melbourne. Paranoia and shame are the operant themes, written from a perspective that felt very real and frightening at the time.”

That unconventional approach really pays off here. This is one of those tracks I had to listen to a couple of times in a row because I wanted to make sure I caught it all. Even then I missed the vomit! Who knows what’s in store when Agnes Manners’ debut album Fantasia Famish drops on September 18.

Image used with permission from Habit Music