It’s been seven long years since Melbourne-based muso Matt Joe Gow released his debut album The Messenger. But it’s making a welcome return to the music scene with the release of “I’m Your Man,” the lead single from the forthcoming and highly anticipated new album, aptly titled Seven Years.
This song is a real charmer with lyrics and rich vocals that have me smitten. If you are too, make sure you catch Matt playing with a full band at Brunswick’s The Retreat Hotel on September 2.
Aussie act HOLY HOLY is giving us a taste of their highly anticipated second album with the release of the new single “Darwinism.”
It’s a sonic feast with grungy guitar and an easy vibe that grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go. It’s amazing really that this track sounds so coherent because the members of HOLY HOLY are scattered across Australia. From Launceston to Brisbane and Melbourne, ideas are sent backwards and forwards and songs developed despite the distance.
With such an unorthodox approach to music making, it’s only fitting that “Darwinism” had a strange beginning. Lead vocalist Timothy Carroll recalls conceiving the song in a hotel bathroom.
“I remember the boys were all asleep in the apartment and I was looking for a place to play so I locked myself in the bathroom and was making some recordings on my phone,” he said. “I felt straight away it could work as a full band track”.
The song starts sparsely with that melody from the bathroom before building to an orchestral crescendo with trumpet and trombone work from Ross Irwin and Kieran Conrau.
There are no firm dates scheduled yet, but HOLY HOLY will play shows from September to November in the United Kingdom, Europe, and here in Australia, ahead of the release of their next album in early 2017.
With her debut album The Ocean of Everything set for release later this month, Melbourne songstress Phia has given us another teaser of what’s to come with the release of the poppy new single “Open/Closed.”
Pop is a bit of a dirty word on the modern musical landscape, but this song is a world away from the manufactured music that gave the genre that bad reputation. “Open/Closed” is everything good music should be, catchy as hell with real charm. I also love the music video which Phia shot in the Australian outback.
The Ocean of Everything drops on August 26. Phia will support its worldwide release with some shows abroad. Hopefully it’s not too long before she treats local fans to some dates too!
19 August 2016 – Artlake Festival, Lichterfeld
25 August 2016 – The Gladstone, Brighton
27 August 2016 – The George Tavern, London
28 August 2016 – Hagglers Corner, Sheffield
30 August 2016 – The New Adelphi, Hull
13 September 2016 – Blue Shell, Cologne
14 September 2016 – Objekt 5, Halle
15 September 2016 – Gruene Zitadella, Magdeburg
16 September 2016 – Privatclub, Berlin
20 September 2016 – Ostpol, Dresden
22 September 2016 – Noch Besser Leben, Leipzig
23 September 2016 – Forty One, Saalfeld
24 September 2016 –Wandertheater Festival, Radebeul
Daggy Man continues to impress with the release of his latest single, “Lovers on a Hospital Wing.”
This is such a beautiful song, delicate and perfectly measured. It’s the third single from Daggy Man’s upcoming album called A Lazy Kind of Pain, which should drop in the coming months.
Daggy Man promises to play a few shows soon so we can hear the incredible music he’s creating in person.
I’m totally digging the country-rock vibes of “Let Me Be Your Man,” the sophomore single from Sydney ban Twin Fires.
Its Americana feel should come as no surprise, because the track was actually written in Austin, Texas. Its twangy riffs and shuffling beat reference the classic sounds of the American south perfectly, providing an excellent backdrop for this classic story of boy wants girl.
“Let Me Be Your Man” comes from Twin Fires’ EP This Time I’m Fine, which will drop on August 12.
Gold Coast songstress Amy Shark has been doing some amazing things of late, including winning the best pop release title for her song “Golden Fleece” at the Queensland Music Awards this year and supporting the likes of Matt Corby, The Delta Riggs, and Dylan Joel. However, I must admit she hasn’t been on my radar until now.
What an introduction “Adore” is though. The production by M-Phazes and Cam Bluff is first class, but it’s the song beneath all of the lush soundscape that really gets me excited. Amy’s vocals are gorgeous, with just the right amount of vulnerability for this confession of longing. The words are so on point.
“Adore” is the first single from Amy’s forthcoming EP The Little Sleeper, which will drop on September 16. She’ll tour the country in October to celebrate its release.
With Tash Sultana preparing to play a slew of shows overseas and here at home, it seemed the perfect time to make sure you all knew about this exciting local talent.
This Melbourne singer-songwriter was a triple j Unearthed featured artist and her online content has racked up millions of streams and views. That content includes this video for Tash’s most recent single “Notion,” recorded in her bedroom.
It takes serious talent to make a bedroom session sound this good! There seems to be plenty of global interest in Tash, as she’s just signed deals with Paradigm/Windish Agency in North America and Free Trade Agency in UK/Europe.
If you’re in Australia or living abroad, here are the places you can catch this dynamic performer in the coming months.
19-21 August 2016 – Townsville Cultural Festival, Townsville
12 September 2016 – Badehaus, Berlin
14 September 2016 – Birthdays, London
15 September 2016 – The Borderline, London
17 September 2016 – 7 Layers Festival, Amsterdam
18 September 2016 – Rotown, Rotterdam
22 September 2016 – The Northern, Byron Bay
23 September 2016 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
24 September 2016 – Listen Out, Melbourne
25 September 2016 – Listen Out, Perth
28, 29, & 30 September 2016 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
1 October 2016 – Listen Out, Sydney
2 October 2016 – Listen Out, Brisbane
6 October 2016 – Mojos, Fremantle
7 October 2016 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
13 October 2016 – Baha’s Tacos, Rye
14 October 2016 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
15 October 2016 – Uni Bar, Adelaide
18, 19, & 20 October 2016 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
22 October 2016 – Swagger Music Festival, Bright
27 October 2016 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
4 November 2016 – The Homestead, Hobart
11 November 2016 – Kings Arms, Auckland
17-20 November 2016 – Mullum Music Festival, Mullumbimby
25 November 2016 – The Palais, St Kilda (with The Temper Trap)
26 November 2016 – Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley (Day on the Green with Garbage, The Temper Trap, The Preatures, & Adalita)
27 November 2016 – Leconfield Wines, Yarra Valley (Day on the Green with Garbage, The Temper Trap, The Preatures, & Adalita)
30 November 2016 – Enmore Theatre, Newtown (with The Temper Trap)
1 December 2016 – WIN Sports and Entertainment Centre, Wollongong (with Garbage and The Temper Trap)
2 December 2016 – The Solbar, Maroochydore
3 December 2016 – Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley (Day on the Green with Garbage, The Temper Trap, The Preatures, & Adalita)
4 December 2016 – Sirromet Wines, Mt Cotton (Day on the Green with Garbage, The Temper Trap, The Preatures, & Adalita)
10 December 2016 – The Pleasure Garden, Melbourne
With a whole lot of sass and swagger, Melbourne singer Maya is releasing her debut single “Sinners” today.
This song sounds far more polished than any first effort has a right to be, which is a testament to Maya’s talent and the good people she has surrounded herself with. The vocals are rich and soul, utterly captivating. The track is also a killer, but we’d expect nothing else from something penned by Smash Bros (Cheryl Cole, Cee Lo Green, Flo Rida) and Australia’s own Shelley Segal.
“I have been working hard to reach this moment and am ready to release ‘Sinners’ to the world,” Maya said in a statement. “The single is a representation of relationship drama, it looks at the two sides of love and desire.”
Maya will front her own show at The Evelyn in Melbourne on September 2 before taking part in Total Eclipse: Songs by Jim Steinman at the Anthenaeum Theatre on September 17.
Perth songbird Georgia Reed makes a strong statement with her latest single “Helen,” which is officially released today.
It’s a dark and brooding song which tells the story of a young girl spiralling into despair from the perspective of an insightful outsider. The track builds beautifully and is made that much more potent through Georgia’s vocals. I just love her tone, so low and husky.
“Helen” should capitalise on the buzz Georgia’s already been building in the industry. The Fremantle launch for her debut single “Waiting For You to Run” sold out and she played to big crowds supporting Olympia and Stillwater Giants.
Expect to see plenty more from this Western Australian talent.
I’ve been closely following The Evening Cast’s career since they released their debut EP Lake in 2013. The Victorian band rarely puts a foot wrong, and that tradition has continued with the release of their first album Belong.
This album has everything I’ve always loved about The Evening Cast. The harmonies are sublime and there’s a gorgeous Australian feel to the songs, with their references to familiar places and effortless feel.
It’s just an album that feels good to listen to, hooking you in from the first notes of the gorgeous opening track “Ride With Me.” I was already familiar with “Gang of Fools,” the lead single, but I think it sounds even better within the context of this album. “Water” is one of my favourite songs on Belong. Its delicate opening, with some of the most vulnerable and relatable lyrics I’ve heard in some time, grabbed me from the get go. I also adore “South Coast,” with its beautiful words that speak to the yearning to escape so many of us feel from time to time. “Clover” is a beautiful way to finish. It’s a track with real heart and soul, and some of the most powerful vocals on the album.
So many bands struggle to make the transition from EPs to full-length album, but there are no evident teething problems here. Every song is so special in its own right. I already loved The Evening Cast, but with the release of this album I think I’ve fallen a little deeper.
Belong is in stores now.