“Sorbet”, the latest single from Naarm/Melbourne outfit Creature Fear feels like a sweet treat on the first listen, but this cool retro-pop track has got a bit of bite. It wasn’t until I stopped and paid attention to the lyrics, which explore mental health and how we manage it, that I really appreciated this release.
“The song paints a picture of an unhealthy relationship with food, using it as a coping mechanism and the complications that surround it,” explained songwriter and vocalist Cameron Graham. “While it was written in a way that’s somewhat ambiguous, ‘Sorbet’ expresses determination to break free from difficult patterns and persevere through mental health challenges, though at the same time expresses a lot of self doubt.” With a refreshed line-up, featuring new vocalist Louis Gaul and bassist Liam Brennan, and a bunch of fresh new material, Creature Fear will make their long-awaited return to the stage next week with a hometown gig, followed by some New South Wales shows in May. Here are all the dates you need:
It’s been two years since GRAACE released new music, but she’s back with a brand new single. “Jealous Type” is a brilliant return to form, with all the pop vibes you need to dance through your weekend. It’s a timely release from GRAACE, who grapples with coming of age and self-discovery in this song’s insightful lyrics.
“I learned in my early twenties that I wasn’t loving all the versions of myself yet” GRAACE admitted. “I can be a bitch and also be kind. I can be creative and also be lazy. I can be, and do, all of these things. As women, we’re so diverse and I was so sick of being pigeonholed. It feels so much more powerful and in tune with myself than a lot of stuff that I’ve released before. I’ve shielded away from talking about a lot of things in the past, but this time around I wanted to be very candid. I’m accepting that I’m not always the chill partner in a relationship, that sometimes I can become jealous, and that it’s OK to honour those two sides of myself.”
Expect more truth bombs when GRAACE releases a larger body of work later in the year. GRAACE also has a stack of shows coming up supporting Stephen Sanchez later this month and The Dreggs in June.
Jordy Burns proves that her strong debut single “Walls” was no fluke with the release of the follow-up “Second Chances.” This an upbeat pop number sounds so different from her more sombre debut, but its lyrics are every bit as powerful as its predecessor.
“‘Second Chances’ fell out of my brain on a pretty poignant day in a toxic relationship when I finally realised that this person wasn’t going to change,” Jordy admitted. “After a really heated discussion, as many pained artists do, I found creativity in some intense journaling and suddenly I was staring at the lyrics of my next song.”
“Second Chances” is the second single lifted from Jordy’s debut EP Games, which drops on April 18. She’s got a couple of local shows coming up this month, so get onto it Eora/Sydney!
6 April 2024 – Tokio Hotel, Eora/Sydney (FREE) 27 April 2024 – Bucketty’s Brewing Co, Eora/Sydney
I’m currently blissing out to “Tunnel Road,” the latest single from Eora/Sydney artist ANT ENOCH. Featuring Moreton, this dreamy piece of romantic pop is perfect for your long weekend.
“To be completely honest, probably the most terrifying part of my whole life was when this song was being written. This feeling of being in love but also terrified because you’re so open, so vulnerable,” ANT admitted.
“The danger of when you are so connected to someone is that you feel their feelings and it no longer feels like it’s just you,” Moreton added. “Love’s a risky business and it’s not always comfortable to be in big highs and really big lows.”
“Tunnel Road” is the latest single lifted from ANT’s upcoming debut EP Big Talk Big Party, which drops on May 17.
Jersey-born, Eora/Sydney based indie pop act Phoebe Over has blown me away with her latest single “Impact.” With a simple melody and lyrics that cut to the heart, Phoebe explores a relationship that could have been, if only the object of her affection’s heart wasn’t elsewhere.
“My song aims to forge a personal and emotional connection, finding resonance in the somber yet resonant melodies that mirror the unique pathways we navigate,” Phoebe explained.
Jersey’s loss is our gain Australia. Phoebe Over is the real deal.
Eskimo Joe haven’t released a single since 2021, but listening to their latest track “The First Time,” it’s like they never left. This song feels so familiar yet fresh. It’s got me all nostalgic about their music, but also excited about everything that’s still to come.
“We really look up to bands like the Rolling Stones and U2 – those guys who keep touring and creating music over and over again,” explained the band’s bass player and vocalist Kav Temperley. “It makes us proud of our musical journey and the people who have taken our songs into their lives. Eskimo Joe is still the three core members. It just wouldn’t be the Eskies without the three of us in a studio or on stage making music together – our friendship is as much a part of the band as the music itself. After an amazing 2023 of playing some huge festivals, there’s this indescribable energy when a massive crowd is singing your songs back at you. We wanted to capture that energy and infuse it into our recording. So, in the first week of January this year, over five days we wrote and recorded ‘The First Time’ at my studio in Fremantle.”
“We wanted to write something that set out to encapsulate the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia, that looks back through rose coloured glasses conveniently forgetting the heartache and sleepless nights that came with a certain place and time in our lives. It’s easy in the loneliest moments to look back and take comfort in those memories secretly holding onto that feeling like an addict. The song is also a realisation that holding onto the past might also be holding you back from the present. The subject is nostalgic but so is the sound of this song, it sounds like it could have sat perfectly on the Black Fingernails album.”
“You put so much energy into each song, you build it up, tear it down, build it back up again until it matches the band’s vision. I love the energy in this song and the sentiment, and I’m stoked that we get to release it out into the world,” added lead guitarist Stu MacLeod.
Drummer and guitarist Joel Quartermain is equally enthusiastic, noting, “Once it’s out in the world, a song truly exists. Hopefully people connect with it.”
Eskimo Joe will play Lookout Festival, alongside choice international acts Live and Incubus, before headlining an acoustic theatre tour. Expect to hear all your old favourites and choice new cuts like “The First Time” at the following shows.
Boorloo/Perth emo artist RinRin has really impressed me with her latest single “Miss Miserable.” An ode to her younger self, the track effortlessly combines pop-punk and metal influences.
We do not have enough artists like RinRin on the local scene. Her music is so fierce and powerful. She’s playing in such a male-dominated space, but if this song’s any indication it doesn’t phase her one bit.
RinRin has toured with the likes of Caskets, Windwaker, The Plot In You, and our own RedHook, as well as headlining her own shows earlier this year. Hopefully it won’t be too long before we see her ripping up stages again.
After releasing seven albums and bagging a stack of awards in his native Canada, indie-folk artist Donovan Woods is finally making his way to Australia. He’ll play seven shows in intimate venues around the country in the middle of the year.
The tour announcement encouraged me to take a deep dive into Donovan’s music. I’ve had “Truck Full of Money” on my Spotify list of favourites for some time, but for some reason I hadn’t really explored his music before now. On one hand, I am so glad that I did. It’s incredible. And it just keeps getting better; his new track “Rosemary” is exquisite. On the other, now I’m sweating on my husband finding a new job before tickets sell out!
Donovan has partnered with Support Act and pledges to donate a dollar from every ticket sold to supporting music industry professionals in this country with crisis relief, mental health, and wellbeing assistance. He’s also got another album on the way in July, so expect to hear new tracks and plenty of your old favourites at these long-awaited shows:
Alt-rockers Peace Ritual have really impressed me with their latest single “Seconds.” It builds on the sound they showcases on their 2022 self-titled debut and takes their music to new heights. I’m a fan.
“’Seconds’ evolved into a love song about timing and dealing with the unknown, and reminds us to slow down and breathe through the noise,” they explained. “We teamed up with James [Goodson, aka producer Dazy] to add a fresh twist to the song. We recorded it remotely, bringing in the idea of ‘time zones’ from the lyrics right into the making of the song. Self-recording played a crucial role, giving us the freedom to take our time and experiment with instrumentation, textures and sound design–and push through our own boundaries. We are also really excited to be cooking away on a larger body of work with James behind the scenes.”
I’m really excited to hear what else has come from Peace Ritual’s work with Dazy. Until then, I’m going to put “Seconds” on regular rotation.
France-born and Naarm/Melbourne based, 20-year-old ISHAN may just be your next acoustic-pop obsession. Footage of him playing his new track “My Mouth (la la la)” while busking went viral earlier online earlier this year. Now the song has an official release, you can expect to hear a lot more about him. It’s got a cool acoustic vibe that reminds me a lot of Vance Joy or Noah Kahan.
ISHAN wrote the song during a period of self-reflection, noting “I was meeting lots of new people but my self-confidence was low and I found myself trying to fit a social stereotype by portraying an image that was different to the real me.”
ISHAN just wrapped up a seven-date tour with Jack Botts and signed a co-management deal with Jaddan Commerford (Vance Joy, Tash Sultana) and Nick Lynagh (Gang Of Youths, Middle Kids, Brad Cox), so we can expect to see a lot more from him in the future. After going down the Spotify rabbit hole and hearing more of his music, I think that’s a very good thing.
