I’m not sure anyone has ever written a song more patriotic than “Only in Australia,” from Kiama’s Benn Gunn. It’s crammed with references to Aussie icons, from the Ettamogah Pub to the MCG. The film clip, shot somewhere in the middle of the Outback is also perfectly on point. Just see if you’re not charmed by this dinky-di country-rock track.
Benn will launch his Only in Australia album at Culburra Bowling and Recreation Club on Australia Day. Of course.
The Worst Tribute Ever is the tribute album I didn’t know I needed: a pop-punk tribute to the music of The Simpsons. Conceived by Dan Cribb, the star-studded album sees WA’s punk prince working with a who’s who of Aussie artists including Guy Sebastian, Montaigne, Kram, and countless others.
“This project has evolved into more than I could have imagined,” Dan said. “Not only have I had the opportunity to work alongside some of my musical heroes, I’ve also made a stack of new friends and learnt a lot about songwriting, performance and collaboration. I can’t thank everyone involved enough, especially Troy Nababan, who played about half the record’s instrumentation and mixed and mastered each song to perfection.”
Honestly, The Worst Tribute Ever just needs to be heard to be believed. You can stream it here. It’s far from the worst tribute. In fact, the world is probably a better place simply because this exists.
Image used with permission from Write Timing
Graace blew me away with her single “Last Night” a couple of months ago. Now I’ve listened to her debut EP Self Sabotage, I’m completely besotted. It contains six special songs that you won’t quickly forget.
“Kissing Boys” has such a tender introduction, but by the time chorus kicks in it’s breezy and boppy, with saturated synths and a great groove. But tap into the lyrics and you’ll hear lyrics of real pain, a story of momentary distractions masking heartache. It’s this heartache that dominates this EP. Painful breakups have fuelled so much great music over the years. Like the very best artists that came before her, Graace has a knack for getting her pain down. You hear it through the insightful, reflective lyrics and her beautiful, pure vocals. It’s been some time since I’ve had my heart broken, but songs like “SOS” and “Me Without You” took me right back there. By the time I came to the exquisite closing track “Spoken Word,” a devastating piece of poetry I could feel tears welling in my eyes.
Artists aspire to make music that moves us. However, most of it washes over us, failing to really make a lasting impact. Graace never puts a foot wrong here. It’s a brave collection of songs that reveals her heart, and in doing so touches the listeners’.
Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia
I’m getting serious Prince vibes from “Magic,” the latest single from Daniel March. It’s irresistibly catchy, a soulful track with a pop heart that will have you tapping your toes along with the beat before too long.
This track is the first single lifted from Daniel’s recently released EP Stoneflower. This multi-instrumentalist currently divides his time between Sydney and London. Is it selfish to hope he starts spending more time Down Under? We need more music like this on the local scene!
Image used with permission from Square One Entertainment
In August I predicted big things for Charlie Collins. Fast-forward just a few short months and she’s supporting Gang of Youths and preparing to play the St Jerome’s Laneway Festival dates and her own headlining shows. Somewhere in amongst all that touring she’s found time to release a great new single “Mexico.”
You might have heard the song on Double J, Triple J, FBi Radio, and Triple J Unearthed. It’s even found a radio audience in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and the United Kingdom. Digitally, “Mexico” featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist in Sweden, Denmark, and here at home.
Here are all the places you can catch this Tamworth talent doing her thing over the coming months. Note that all Gang of Youths shows are sold out; make sure you arrive early enough for her set if you’re lucky enough to have a ticket!
26, 27, 29, & 30 November 2018 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
2 February 2019 – St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Brisbane
3 February 2019 – St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Sydney
9 February 2019 – St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Melbourne
22 March 2019 – The Lansdowne, Sydney
29 March 2019 – Worker’s Club, Melbourne
30 March 2019 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
Image used with permission from Habit Music Company
When Sydney singer-songwriter James van Cooper penned his latest single “Come Home,” he felt just one person could tell the “other side” of the story: US Americana artist Jaime Wyatt.
He heard she was playing a show with Shooter Jennings in Huntington Beach, California, so he took an hour and a half Uber ride from his Los Angeles base to convince her to lend her vocals to the track. Anyone else might have been intimidated asking someone they’d never met to sing a song they hadn’t heard, but James was a man on a mission. Thankfully “She said yes and made the song what it is today. She saved the song.”
While Jaime’s contribution is beautiful, I don’t think James gives himself enough credit. It’s the combination of these two strong alt-country voices that makes this beautiful ballad so special.
Rather than sitting around wallowing about a toxic relationship, Gold Coast-based country singer Brooke Lambert got together with her bestie Nina Ward and wrote a song about it. Despite the dark subject matter “I Don’t Wanna Hate You” is a sunny country-pop smash reminiscent of old school Taylor Swift or Miley Cyrus.
“I Don’t Wanna Hate You” is an exciting preview of Brooke’s upcoming EP. It doesn’t drop until next year, but expect to hear a taste of the new material at her upcoming shows.
25 November 2018 – Mr Henderson, Sandgate
22 December 2018 – Rivea Italian Dining, Broadbeach
24 January 2019 – Tudor Hotel, Tamworth (with Josh Setterfield)
25t & 27 January 2019 – The Longyard, Tamworth (with Josh Setterfield)
Melbourne duo IV League debut a very different sound with the release of their dramatic new single “Lose Me.”
It’s a world away from the upbeat “Superstar,” a moody, gritty number which the band’s vocalist and guitarist Bella Venutti says is “a self-reflection of sorts, assessing my feelings at a pretty dark and confusing time in my life in which I was feeling really scared and anxious about the transition from adolescence into early adulthood.”
Personally I think this song is their best work so far, and a great indication that their forthcoming debut EP will be really special. You can hear some of the tracks from that recording before it drops at IV League’s festival slots.
24 November 2018 – Shakafest, Gold Coast
29-31 March 2019 – The Hills Are Alive Festival, Krowera
Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado
Sydney singer-songwriter Peter Senior pays homage to the pop and soul of yesteryear with his fun new single “Baby I Love You.”
This is the sort of song you’ll enjoy in spite of yourself. Some parts of this classic love song are a little cheesy and over the top, but it’s bloody good fun. Honestly, that’s a lot more important than being cool!
So give yourself over to this new Peter Senior track. It might just become your next guilty pleasure.
With the weekend just around the corner, Princeloo has just released a track to get the party started. He now calls Australia home, but his Haitian heritage has definitely influenced his new single “Nights Like This.”
Princeloo blends Caribbean sounds with modern electronic elements, progressive house beats, and some old school soul for a flavour that really sizzles. You know if this song came on at the clubs late at night that it’d give you the second wind you need to get back on the dancefloor.
“Love and fun inspire me to create music,” Princeloo says about his writing and production processes. “It all starts with the freedom of my heart.”
It might be only November, but I think I’ve just found my summer anthem.