I’ve got goosebumps listening to “My Admiration,” the gorgeous new single from emerging Tarndanya/Adelaide-based artist Jamie Lena. It’s one of those delicate songs that proves that you don’t need to have big, belting vocals to make a serious impression.
“My Admiration” is such a gorgeous song which perfectly expresses all the uncertainty of new infatuation. It comes from Jamie Lena’s upcoming EP, produced by Nick Herrera. If it’s got more gems of this quality, it’s going to be incredible. You might hear some more tracks from that release when Jamie launches this single with the following shows next month:
Order of Owls are back with a rocking new track “What Becomes.” The follow-up to “Speak Up,” the band’s latest single builds upon their commitment to putting mental health front and centre.
“Where ‘Freedom(ination)’ presents the hopelessness and fragile state of mind one can find themselves in and ‘Speak Up’ is the first action one must take to overcome this adversity, ‘What Becomes’ is the next step on the mental health journey,” lead vocalist Tim Leopold explained. “It asks the question: We have overcome many issues and are on the path to our better selves. But what is next? What becomes of the healed? What choices do we make now, and how do we not fall again? But more importantly, now we have seen both sides. How can we stop that cycle from happening on a large scale?”
It spreads a powerful message, but beyond that it’s got an incredible sound. It’s been far too long since I heard a song with a great guitar solo, but special guest artist Jake Webber reminds us how incredible they can be. The band filmed the music video for “What Becomes” at Aradale Lunatic Asylum, rumoured to be the most haunted place in Australia.
“The first thing I was told when I turned up to the shoot was that the site didn’t have power, I couldn’t help but laugh,” recalled Order of Owls’ guitarist Nathan Mesiti. “Luckily, we were somewhat prepared for this situation and managed to squeeze enough out of a little petrol generator and Ramon’s van with an inverter. I really do mean squeeze. The generator kept cutting out and struggled to run the haze machine at half power with the lights. That made for a lot of fun when we lost the daylight and struggled through the dining hall shoots, plunging us into complete darkness every 20 minutes. When you’re in rural Australia and the light pollution is non-existent, that particular darkness was unsettling.”
If you long for the good old days when Aussie pub rock ruled the airwaves, “Jude Judas,” the latest track from Shotgun Mistress, will be right up your alley. This is a balls to the wall rocker that sounds best turned up to 11.
“Jude Judas” gives us our first taste of Shotgun Mistress’ sophomore album, due for release in June. They’ll also tour the East Coast as part of Glam Fest Australia 2024 with Slaughter, Lynch Mob, H.E.A.T., and Vixen’s Janet Gardner. You can check out that stacked line-up at one of the following venues:
If you ever find yourself singing along to classic pop from the ‘80s and lamenting that they just don’t make music like that anymore, wrap your ears around “Funhouse”. The latest single from Boorloo/Perth artist Nocturnal, it’s a synth-infused slice of nostalgic pop. If it doesn’t put a smile on your face, I’m a poor judge!
It usually requires a big team working behind the scenes to bring us our favourite ‘80s hits, but Nocturnal has managed to create this song almost all on his own. Inspired by the energy of a community fair for his daughter’s school, he grabbed his phone and recorded the lyrics and basic melody on the spot. He then produced the track in his home studio before handing mixing duties over to award-winning recording engineer Dave Parkin (Spacey Jane, South Summit, Sly Withers, Old Mervs, Drapht).
“Funhouse” is a bit of a departure from the slow jams Nocturnal delivered on his self-titled debut album, but I really appreciate the change of direction. Turn it up and grab your nearest hairbrush!
Image used with permission from Louis Rendle-O’Shea
I barely have a maternal bone in my body, but I feel there are few things more pure and beautiful than the love a mother has for her child. So while I’m never going to have my own kids, I’ve found totally and utterly captivated by Alana Wilkinson’s new single “Dream Big.” Alana wrote the song in the neonatal intensive care unit as her new son Rafferty slept on her chest.
“Raffy was born extremely prematurely at 24 weeks and put up a big fight for 92 days in hospital until he was finally big and strong enough to come home,” she recalled. “Throughout the terrifying experience I found solace in daydreaming of our future together; wishing on birthday cakes, singing to the trees and exploring the beauty and the chaos of the world waiting just beyond the hospital window.”
She might have a little one now, but Alana is not slowing down. Catch her at one of the following shows in the coming months.
Eora/Sydney-based bedroom creator Lee Sugar has just dropped the video for his dreamy single “One Too Many.” Take a moment to relax and settle into the groove of this one. It’s very cool.
Lee says the song is “a reminder to trust your gut and grow through the acceptance of both your strengths and weaknesses.” As for the film clip, which sees Lee living his best life enjoying the best choreographed karaoke ever, he said “Honesty is the directive for this music video. Sydney cops a lot of flack for being stale and I’m guilty of perpetuating the sentiment, but let’s flip the narrative. ‘One Too Many’ is an honest song that hits close to home so it only seemed right that the video romanticised my city in some way. Sydney, sorry for all the times I said I hated you, I actually love you, you just suck sometimes.”
If you’re admiring the cover art, take note: it’s Lee’s work too. Is there anything this guy can’t do?
Claire Anne Taylor has one of those female voices that you just don’t hear in 2024. It’s raw, earthy, weathered. Richly textured, hinting at a life that’s been lived. Above all, it’s utterly unforgettable. The press release describes it as “the voice of Tasmania.” If that’s the case, I’ve got to listen to more of the women making music in Tassie. Take a listen to her latest song “Lay You Down in the Cold Hard Ground” and you’ll hear exactly what I mean.
This song comes from Claire’s album Giving It Away, set for release on February 16. “This album is a deeply personal one for me, and comes from a huge time in my life; following my son’s diagnosis with Angelman Syndrome. I guess you could say I took all my grief and anger and put it into my music and this has been my therapy and an escape of sorts.”
Claire will give music lovers plenty of opportunities to see her play in the coming months. Make sure you catch her when she’s in your hometown.
Sometimes less than perfect conditions can give you the perfect night. There was a lot that I wasn’t looking forward to last night. A trip to Sydney, always such an inconvenience, especially midweek. And we were going to the Hordern, far from the my favourite venue (I much prefer places where I can reserve a seat). But I put all that aside, because I was going to see Noah Kahan, my favourite musical discovery of 2023. And sometimes, that’s enough. Dylan Gossett, a Texan singer-songwriter with a country twang and endearing demeanour warmed up the crowd. I must admit, I checked him out on Spotify earlier in the week and wasn’t impressed. His songs were OK, but they felt a little samey to me. But on the stage, they came alive. His voice was stronger than the recordings suggested, and he was super sweet. While I appreciated what Dyland brought to his set, I was just as thrilled by the way the crowd lapped up his music. It’s one of the great things about seeing a show with the right young audience. Yes, I’ve been at shows where the millennials seemed more interested in their phones and their conversations than the artists, but when young people are invested in a gig they lap it up. They never treat a performer as “just a support act”; they appreciate what they bring to the show and will clap enthusiastically and wave those phones with their lights on in delight. Seeing how they supported Dylan, I knew I was in for a good night.
I knew I was in for a good night, but I didn’t know just how good. But as Noah took to the stage and started playing “Northern Attitude”, one of my favourite songs from Stick Season, everything just seemed right with the world. I sang along with enthusiasm, those lyrics that had come to mean so much to me over the last year. The set leant heavily on that breakthrough album. I’m not sure how that sat with the original fans, but as someone who fell so deeply for that record I was thrilled to hear almost every one of its songs.
He chatted easily with the crowd, cracking jokes that had us all giggling. He even invited a fan up to sing to “Everywhere, Everything” with him. Tyler – wherever you are – you did an amazing job. “Your Needs, My Needs”, was a real highlight. I’ll forever remember his performance of that song as one of the best I’ve ever seen live. Ever. Chills. It takes a special performer to deliver heavy songs like that and then feelgood moments like “All My Love” and “Dial Drunk.” It also takes a special artist to get people to connect so deeply with their lyrics, even when they don’t necessarily reflect their own experiences. I marvelled at that as Noah sang his final song, “Homesick,” and we were all belting out the line in the chorus, “I’m me because I grew up in New England.” I’d wager most of us didn’t grow up in New England, yet we all felt that lyric in some deep part of ourselves.
It’s a sort of magic when an artist can put their very specific experiences into songs, then come to the other side of the world and connect in such a powerful way with the people there. I loved being a part of it. Even at the Hordern. Even in the middle of the week. Some shows transcend those little inconveniences. This was one of those shows. Noah plays Eora/Sydney again tonight before heading to Boorloo/Perth. All tickets were snapped up months ago, but if you’re lucky enough to have one you’re in for a real treat.
I love hearing a really great debut single. I figure if someone can impress me from the jump, they’re bound to have a big future ahead of them. “Television”, the first single from Eora/Sydney artist Ant Enoch is one of those tracks that’s made me really sit up and take notice.
“This song was born out of a very intense writing experience. Seeing myself write 100 songs in 10 days. ‘Television’ began as a small idea, no. 54 of 100. Then Georgia [Potter, co-producer] and I expanded on the story itself,” Ant explained. “We wanted to paint a vivid picture of the underdog. A clear triumphant song that saw people choosing to carry on and choose love as the way through hardship. We started with a basic drum machine pattern and wrote the entire song with the piano, vocals and drum machine. Myka Wallace [drums] came and added that superhuman swagger, furthering the humanity of the song.”
“Television” comes from Ant’s debut EP Big Talk Big Party, which drops on May 17.
Image used with permission from Guerilla Music
Don’t you just love a big dramatic ballad? If torch songs give you tingles too, make sure you listen to “Love It All Out,” a new duet from local talent Greg Gould and Filipino megastar Morissette. This pair is talented enough, but when you realise it was penned by Tania Doko and Swedish songwriter Nick Jarl, who’s written songs for Westlife and Loreen, and that it features a live strings arrangement from John Foreman, you start to understand why it’s so good.
“‘Love It All Out’ is possibly my biggest ballad to date, and I’ve sung a few in my career!” Greg enthused. “When I first heard the stunning track from my dear friend Tania Doko, and then blended with the gorgeous strings by John Foreman, I knew we needed a huge voice to take the song to the next level. I am so honoured to have the beautiful Morissette sing with me and I’m so proud of the finished product. I hope you love it as much as we do – it carries such an important message.”
“Love It All Out” is the fourth single from Greg’s new album Strings Attached, which should drop in the middle of the year. No doubt he’ll add to his already busy schedule on its release! Until then, you can catch him at one of the following shows:
Eora/Sydney-based bedroom creator 
