Laura Adeline has given me chills with her gorgeous neo-soul track “Curbside.” Her voice is simply stunning and it sits so beautifully in the single’s cool groove. This one absolutely sizzles.
Laura was born and raised in Boorloo/Perth but she recently moved to Naarm/Melbourne. The relocation has inspired her to explore more soulful R & B sounds. I listened to some of her earlier material, and this single is easily the most exciting, original single she’s released. It sounds like Victoria’s capital agrees with her! I can’t wait to hear more as Laura’s music evolves.
I don’t often write about podcasts here. In fact, I’ve not sure I’ve ever written about a podcast here! But we don’t often get new podcasts from Aussies as important to the music industry as Jack Nigro. The local producer, engineer, and studio owner has worked with some of the hottest bands around including The Amity Affliction, DMAs, Skegss, Middle Kids, Pacific Avenue, and The Terrys. And now he’s sharing his wisdom with his Make Your Own Noise podcast.
“This is something very close to me that I have wanted to do for a long time,” he said. “I have been blessed with so many great discussions with my professional peers over the years about how to work for yourself, creating and perfecting your art and the many challenges and vulnerabilities we all face, mostly working for ourselves in the creative industries.”
Make Your Own Noise aims to empower creatives, but honestly I think there’s a lot for anyone to glean from podcasts discussing overcoming imposter syndrome and coping with post-study overwhelm. He also speaks to some fascinating industry heavy-hitters like renowned promoter and festival organiser Paul Campbell. So regardless of what field you’re in, I recommend checking it out.
Listening to Ben Ransom’s new single “High on Life”, I’m having a bit of an Inception moment. I’m listening to it anticipating how I’ll feel when you see this article that you’re reading. I’m actually writing it a couple days ahead of a trip to New Zealand, so when you see it I’ll be chilling in Dunedin with my husband. “High on Life,” right? Even if you can’t enjoy the rest and relaxation I’m lapping up, I trust you’ll enjoy this stellar country song.
Ben said his latest single “is a song that truly speaks from the heart about the things in life that are actually important for success and happiness.”
“High on Life” comes from Ben’s forthcoming album, Sonic Manna. There’s no release date yet, but as it’s been two years in the making surely it’s not too far off. I’m sure that when it does drop, it’ll be worth the wait.
You know those songs you start out hating but realise you love by the end? Usually ultra-poppy and infectiously catchy? “Rodeo Star” by Eora/Sydney-based Kiwi Venice Qin is a song exactly like that. I’m not sure exactly when my brain made the switch and embraced it, but I was definitely bopping along long before the final notes. Think of this track as a queer, spicy, local version of Steps’ “5, 6, 7, 8”.
Venice said that “‘Rodeo Star’ is all about the surge of energy I feel when that perfect, super c***ty song comes on at a house party. It’s me, moving my hips, making eyes at all the hot, sexy people around, totally caught up in the moment. This track celebrates confidence and the joy of exploring your sexuality, all wrapped up in the drop-a** Y2K vibe. It’s about letting loose, embracing the playful side of life and not being afraid to show who you really are.”
This single probably won’t be for everyone, but that message definitely is! I also love the video, which Venice shot after performing at the 41st Rocky Mountain Regional Gay Rodeo in Denver, Colorado, earlier this year. As I say, I expect this song will be a bit polarising, but the best art usually is!
Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia
I wasn’t going to write about Daryl Braithwaite’s newest single “It’s You.” While it’s Dazza’s first release in four years, it’s not exactly groundbreaking. It’s a love song by the numbers if you will, and those kinds of songs are easy to dismiss. But it’s such an earworm. I’ve found myself singing the chorus randomly at all times of the day since I heard it, so I’m relenting. Because while it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it’s super catchy, and that’s not nothing.
“The first time I heard ‘It’s You’ was when Michael Fatkin, who wrote ‘Love Songs’, sent it to me maybe a year or so back and I started playing it live to a very warm reaction,” Daryl recalled. I hope that as people continue to discover ‘It’s You’ it will resonate with them and bring them the same joy it brings me to play it live on stage!”
And who can argue with that? If you need a slice of feelgood pop today, you’ve found it. Not every song has to be “The Horses.” This one is pretty fun. You can see Daryl play this track and all your old favourites at one of his upcoming shows:
Skyscraper Stan is spreading all the good vibes with his fabulous new single “Talk To Me.” If your day’s off to a rough start, this soulful little ditty is just the stuff to turn things around. Make sure you tap into those lyrics too which explore conspiracy theories and how we can help our nearest and dearest separate fact from fiction.
“I’ve had friends fall down the rabbit hole and it can be alarming. This tune is for anyone out there trying to save a loved one from the loonysphere,” he said. “Don’t turn your back on them. Have a chat. That might be all they need!”
Skyscraper Stan is currently touring around the country with his band The Commission Flats to celebrate the release of “Talk To Me.” Here are all the remaining dates:
Tim Minchin’s well-recognised for his hilarious tunes and musical theatre contributions, but many people don’t realise he’s just an incredible songwriter, period. So I’m glad that fellow Western Australian Helen Shanahan is shining a light on one of his more serious, brilliant songs with her cover of “The Aeroplane.” Her voice has the perfect storyteller quality for this incredible track.
“The song resonates deeply with me, especially now, with my second baby due just weeks after its release,” Helen explained. “The lyrics, ‘any fuel or any fire will do / I will fly to you,’ carry a special meaning for me.”
Take a moment to properly listen to this one. Trust me, you don’t want to miss a lyric. It’s really something special.
Boorloo/Perth talents Have A Good Day and Drea have teamed up for a feelgood new single “Floating.” I love the retro 80s feel that the sax line gives this one. It’s a total bop.
Have A Good Day will bring their good vibes to Beerfest in Walyalup/Fremantle this Saturday, November 16. Catch them alongside Sneaky Sound System at Esplanade Park this weekend!
Kiwat Kennell, a proud Eastern Torres Strait Islander musician from the islands of Ugar/Stephens and Erub/Darnley, has one of those voices that captures your attention from the first note. It’s so rich and textured, and perfectly showcased on his latest single “The Moment.” Kiwat was inspired to write the track after watching a friend struggle with their mental health.
“’The Moment’ is a song that speaks to the balance of fear-inducing anxiety that the future can bring, and the overwhelming depression of living in the past,” Kiwat explained. “Sometimes our thoughts speak so loud, we cannot see the other side of the coin we are currently spinning on.”
Kiwat cowrote this song with Joel Quartermain of Eskimo Joe. It’s one of several new tracks he’ll release in the near future.
“The Moment’ is my first single from a series of new works from my latest project, Love & Hate, a depiction of what life is like in this colony as a Black Man who was raised to respect law enforcement, whilst simultaneously witnessing the systemic injustices Indigenous people are faced with. This track is the beginning of something truly special,” he promised.
I love music with meaning, especially when it’s coming from a singer-songwriter that sounds this good. Needless to say, I’m pretty excited to hear what comes next!
Fingerless’ new single “Monster” proves the old adage that the best things are worth the wait. This track has long been a highlight in the Meeanjin/Brisbane band’s sets for some time, but now the rest of the country gets to hear how good it is.
“It’s a pretty simple song, but a deeply personal one,” Fingerless frontman Marc Cheeseman said. “We’ve been playing this live for a long time, but I resisted recording it. Basically it’s about self-doubt. Maybe that’s why I didn’t want to record it…”
“Monster” is the latest track lifted from Fingerless’ as-yet-untitled fifth album. And the band’s already planning a sixth, which promises to see them experimenting with electronica. It sounds like we’ll have plenty of exciting and eclectic releases from this outfit in the future.
