Sydney rock act FBH has gone from a bunch of 14-year-olds making noise in a garage to a serious contender for your next favourite band. For the record, they’re still noisy. New single “Overthinkers” is a joyous cacophony of sound, riddled with hooks and introspective lyrics.
“Overthinkers” might be an ode to self pity, but it’s hard to feel too down when it sounds this good. Turn this one up loud, Sounds of Oz readers. It’s just what it deserves.
Image used with permission from Friends Like Us
Melbourne six-piece Northeast Party House are spreading good vibes with their latest upbeat indie-pop anthem, “Magnify.” If this track doesn’t convince you to take a little dance break, or at least tap your toes in time, I’m a bad judge!
Guitarist Mitch Ansell says the song tries to “capture that moment with someone where your feelings are intensifying, and you crave that security of knowing they feel the same way.”
Northeast Party House are sure to bring the party when they kick off their Aussie tour next month. Remember to bring your dancing shoes to the following shows.
13 September 2019 – The Triffid, Brisbane
21 September 2019 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
4 October 2019 – Forum, Melbourne
11 October 2019 – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide
18 October 2019 – Capitol, Perth
Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia
“Fuzzy Teeth” is the latest single from Sydney multi-instrumentalist, producer, and singer Portair, but he’s no stranger to the game. He’s got more than half a million views on YouTube and 1.2 million streams on Spotify. His music was also featured on the CBS detective drama Elementary and MTV’s Teen Mom.
This is such a beautiful song with poetic lyrics and a cool, ambient folk sound that really gets under your skin. I’ve listened to it four times this morning, and I’m probably not done. More like this please!
With tickets to her biggest Aussie tour on sale going on sale today, it seemed the perfect time to put G Flip’s new track “Stupid” on your radar. It’s a fantastic take on the trials and tribulations of relationships. Forget about all those warm-fuzzy love songs; this one isn’t afraid to get real.
Expect to hear “Stupid” and more songs from G Flip’s forthcoming debut album About Us, which drops on August 30, at her upcoming shows.
“Australian shows are always the BEST and I’ll definitely be turning it up a notch this time. My beginner nerves are gone now and I’ll be debuting a new show full of HECTIC SHIT,” she enthused. “New tracks, new arrangements and fun surprises here and there. I just wanna have fun with you all and give you a bloody good time.”
G Flip has already sold out three Australian tours and European dates (and several shows on this tour since I posted this article a few hours ago!), so don’t get complacent. Get your tickets now before they’re all gone!
7 November 2019 – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide (NEW SHOW)
8 November 2019 – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide (SOLD OUT)
9 November 2019 – Freo.Social, Fremantle
15 November 2019 – The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
16 November 2019 – The Triffid, Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
17 November 2019 – The Triffid, Brisbane (NEW SHOW)
21 November 2019 – Metro Theatre, Sydney (NEW SHOW)
22 November 2019 – Metro Theatre, Sydney (SOLD OUT)
29 November 2019 – The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne
Image used with permission from Chugg Entertainment; credit: Reuben Moore
This week has felt longer than most, but Melbourne’s Like Bear is helping us get through to the weekend with her cruisy new single “Drive.” It’s her first solo effort, but with more than seven years working as a songwriter and engineer, she’s no stranger to the music business.
The first thing that struck me about this track was its cool sound. Like Bear has one of those voices that draws you in and instantly puts you at ease. The song has such a great melody too. But tapping into the lyrics, which speak of looking to ourselves for what we need rather than seeking external validation, made me appreciate “Drive” even more.
Like Bear is usually a self-produced artist, but this time she called in the expertise of a long time friend, London-based producer Dan Villalobos, who designed the track’s synth and drum sounds.
“I had completed the verses, and [Melbourne artist] Maxon came in and threw a melody at me within seconds that felt completely strengthening and empowering, and it immediately formed the pre-chorus,” Like Bear said of “Drive’s” creation. “The chorus itself fell into my lap, fully realised – I feel like it was definitely one of the many moments musicians live for.”
If this song fires you up, you’re not alone. Like Bear has also used the song for fuel.
“Since writing ‘Drive’ I’ve actually used it to inspire and motivate myself. In the past I was very comfortable sitting in the back seat of a bunch of worlds external to my own, but you can’t live there forever. Eventually you need to take a look at your own planet and get to building or re-building that foundation.”
“Drive” establishes Like Bear as an artist to listen out for. I can’t wait to hear what she’ll release next.
Image used with permission from Like Bear
Pop-punk-rock act The Faim are making a real splash with their latest single “Humans.” The track was added to Spotify’s New Music Friday playlists in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, and here at home. Apple Music put it on their Best of the Week playlist, YouTube added it to their Alternative Uprising and New Music Weekly lists, and it also found its way onto Amazon Music’s Brand New Music selection. This follows serious buzz from taste-making publications including NME, Billboard, Alternative Press, Forbes, and Rock Sound. Not bad for a couple of blokes from Perth, right?
If you haven’t wrapped your ears around this one, what are you waiting for? It’s an epic track with an anthemic chorus that’s giving me serious Fall Out Boy vibes.
“‘Humans’ is about embracing the unique qualities that make up who we are, from our individual character and personality traits, to our strengths and weaknesses. These diverse characteristics, and how they evolve throughout our lives, show us what it means to be human and how connected we all actually are,” the band explains.
“Humans” gives us an exciting taste of the music to come from The Faim’s first full-length album, State of Mind. The Faim are currently touring Europe and the United Kingdom. If you’re abroad, make sure you check them out!
17 August 2019 – Frequency, St Polten
19 August 2019 – Colos – Saal Aschaffenburg, Aschaffenburg
20 August 2019 – Melkweg Oude Zaal, Amsterdam
21 August 2019 – Den Eglantier, Antwerp
23 August 2019 – Reading & Leeds Festival, Leeds
25 August 2019 – Reading & Leeds Festival, Reading
27 August 2019 – The Academy @ Middle Abbey Street, Dublin
28 August 2019 – Oh Yeah Music Centre, Belfast
29 August 2019 – Sneaky Petes, Edinburgh
30 August 2019 – Arts Club, Liverpool
31 August 2019 – Corporation, Sheffield
1 September 2019 – Epic Studios, Norwich
4 September 2019 – Den Atelier, Luxembourg
5 September 2019 – Skaters Palace, Münster
7 September 2019 – Klub Hydrozagadka, Warsaw
8 September 2019 – Lollapalooza Berlin, Berlin-altglienicke
9 September 2019 – L’ATELIER, Luxembourg
10 September 2019 – Tower Musikclub, Bremen
11 September 2019 – Meet Factory, Prague
Image used with permission from Good Intent
Sometimes you hear voices that stay with you. Colin Lillie’s is one of those voices for me. I remember being wowed by him on The Voice a year ago. I’m pretty sure he didn’t get that far, but I never forgot about it. So I’m thrilled to hear some new music in the form of his latest single “We Got Love.”
This is joyful soul-rock, a true celebration of life and getting through the hard times.
“The song is about believing in yourself no matter how life kicks you, if you believe you’re on the right road you can get through anything,” he explained. “Real change is only relevant to the individual because no one really wants to know about the past, only the present. I guess ‘We Got Love’ is also about coming to peace with your past and walking down the new road with confidence.”
“We Got Love” comes from Colin’s forthcoming album, which is set for release near the end of the year. It’s only a matter of time before Colin is the headliner, but until then you can catch him supporting Diesel at the following shows.
2 August 2019 – Commercial Hotel, South Morang (with Diesel)
3 August 2019 – Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave (with Diesel)
8 August 2019 – Mt Pleasant Tavern, Mackay (with Diesel)
9 August 2019 – Kirwan Tavern, Townsville (with Diesel)
10 August 2019 – Edge Hill Tavern, Cairns (with Diesel)
15 August 2019 – Star Hotel, Emerald (with Diesel)
16 August 2019 – Allenstown Hotel, Rockhampton (with Diesel)
17 August 2019 – Harvey Road Tavern, Gladstone (with Diesel)
18 August 2019 – Bay Central Tavern, Harvey Bay (with Diesel)
22 August 2019 – Ramsgate Hotel, Henley Beach (with Diesel)
23 August 2019 – Norwood Hotel, Norwood (with Diesel)
24 August 2019 – Victoria Hotel, O’Halloran Hill (with Diesel)
30 & 31 August 2019 – Brass Monkey, Sydney (with Diesel)
Image used with permission from Footstomp Music
Kota Banks’ new single “20 Missed Calls” is a girl power anthem to be reckoned with. This slick pop number is catchy as all get with a great message about respecting yourself and refusing to give second chances to people who don’t deserve them.
“The two things that are important to me when I write music are that it’s empowering and strong in its message, and that it’s fresh and clever lyrically.” she says. “Even though ‘20 Missed Calls’ is a ballad, it’s a sassier edgier take on the conventional “ballad” and there are some punchlines that make it feel unique to me.”
Move over Ariana. Australia has its own pop princess to be reckoned with.
Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia
The historic Tivoli is set to become a whole lot cooler with the opening of a new intimate performance space, What’s Golden. The 200-capacity space will sit in the Tivoli’s central foyer, allowing easy access to a new renovated box office area and bar serving craft beers and new cocktails.
What’s Golden opens on August 27 with an exclusive invitation-only concert featuring local A-listers and international special guests. It will then host a diverse selection of artists including CLEA, Sahara Beck, Good Boy, HONCHO DISKO, and Betty Grumble in the coming months. Get onto it Queenslanders!
Image used with permission from Aruga
Perth-based acoustic pop act Adrian Wilson follows in the footsteps of Ed Sheeran and James Bay with his gorgeous new single “Farewell.” Strong lyrics and a groove that just won’t quit make this a compelling listen.
“Farewell” is the follow-up to Adrian’s previous singles “Home” and “Soldier Heart,” but it just might be his strongest release yet. If a bigger name dropped this song, you know it’d already be over radio.
With the right break, Adrian Wilson might just be Australia’s next big thing.
Image used with permission from the A&R Department