Velvet Bloom is giving you a soulful start to your working week with her latest single, “Best in You.” It’s an uplifting, feelgood number that sees Velvet Bloom working with a horns section for the first, and hopefully not the last, time.
“We were lucky enough to have Brennan Hamilton-Smith (composition and saxophones) and Ben Harrison (trumpet) on board to perform these compositions,” Velvet Bloom said. “I loved stacking the vocal harmonies around the horns with Jay (Jarome, regular collaborator and guest backing vocalist) and Alex (Marko, bandmate) because we had to be a lot more strategic about placement than we usually are.”
The song encourages the listener to see the best in their loved ones, even in their worst moments.
“When you know people well enough (yourself included) you are exposed to their best and worst qualities. ‘Best In You’ is about showing compassion to the ones you love when they mess up forgivingly,” Velvet Bloom explained.
“Best of You” gives us a sneak peek at Velvet Bloom’s forthcoming album, which drops on March 28. Expect to hear more new tracks when Velvet Bloom plays the St Kilda Festival on February 16.
“Good Times & Tan Lines,” the latest single from Robbie Mortimer, is the country summer anthem you didn’t know you needed. Robbie was inspired to write the song after attending a country music festival in Florida. He brings all the energy of that experience into this song.
“Everybody was smiling, loving their life and all gathered for the same thing, which was the love of country music,” Ribbie recalled. “I saw a sign that said ‘Good Times & Tan Lines’… I took a photo of it and thought, ‘I’m going to write a song about this exact feeling.’”
The single sees Robbie reuniting with producer Jared Adlam.
“I have a close working relationship with him, as we co-wrote my first release ‘Blow the Speakers’ together,” Robbie said. “Jared and I have worked tirelessly on who I am as an artist and the sound I want to deliver.”
Robbie will bring the party to some of Australia’s best country music events over the coming months. Make sure you don’t miss his sets at these shows.
If you’re reading this blog, chances are that you feel the way I do that music is so much more than notes arranged into melodies. So I think you’ll appreciate “Til the Day I’m Gone,” the latest single from up-and-coming Eora/Sydney-based folk-indie rock group Lucky Governors. The band says this song is “a heartfelt anthem celebrating music as a journey of soul, expression, and purpose.”
“I do it for the love of the feel, of a song,” Lucky Governors’ founding member and songwriter Andrew Fischer shared. “I do it just to share, the joy and pain I got going on.”
“Til the Day I’m Gone” is one of the fantastic new tracks featured on my playlist, Sounds of Oz Loves Rock. Wrap your ears around it on Spotify now.
I am absolutely enamoured with Evie Irie’s latest track, “Laila.” The press release describes it as “a gorgeous pop lullaby; a letter of love and admiration for her best friend.” While it’s got the soothing sound you might associate with a lullaby, it’s anything but sleepy. Evie sings with such heart that it brought tears to my eyes. This song stopped me in my tracks, and I’m sure it’s going to make as big an impression on you.
“I originally wrote ‘Laila’ during the COVID-19 pandemic when I was back in Australia after leaving my life in LA,” Evie recalled. “Being away from my best friend, Laila, was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. She is my rock and soulmate, and she’s been there for me through every dark moment. Not being able to be with her during that time was unbelievably difficult. It was her 18th birthday, and I struggled to find a present that could truly show my love. Since I couldn’t fly to see her, I ended up writing and gifting her this song. It’s a piece of my heart, a love song, that binds best friends together.”
“Laila” is just one of the awesome pop tracks I’ve included on my new playlist, Sounds of Oz Loves Pop. Give it a listen and follow on Spotify, pop music fans!
It’s taken eight years, but Tyler Hilton is making his long-awaited return to Australia. Best known for his starring turn on One Tree Hill, Tyler is a super talented American singer-songwriter who’s blown me away with his latest EP No Man’s Land. It seems Tyler is every bit as excited about returning to ours as we are to have him.
“I have been DYING to get back to Oz since I came for the first time ever in ’17,” he said. “ Meant to get right back then the pandemic happened and it took a sec for me to get everything back on track. I had no concept of Australia before I came. No real idea of the culture or what the cities looked like … it just hadn’t really spent much time in my brain. I landed in Sydney, hit Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Perth and my life was changed. I was like, ‘What is this magical place?’
“The food! The people! The beaches! The coffee! I still drink flat whites as my daily drink to this day after that trip. I bought an acoustic guitar there from a local luthier to help commemorate my time there. I wanted to hold onto it so badly. Anyway, the point is, I’m BEYOND excited to be returning and so thankful to still have a fanbase there to justify the trip!”
Expect to hear songs from the incredible new EP and his entire catalogue, including many featured on One Tree Hill, at these East Coast shows.
With the release of their sophomore album Mutation, RedHook show they’re a serious force to be reckoned with. This album builds on the promise of their debut Postcard From a Living Hell, with a killer selection of rock cuts that you’ll want to play again and again.
Some might call it an evolution, but mutation seems more appropriate for this spooky rock act who brings us songs like “Cannibal,” “Dr. Frankenstein, “and “Party/Zombie.” They’ve mutated into a band that consistently delivers the best parts of themselves.
“With this record, we wanted to crystallize all the most unique parts of RedHook’s DNA and then put that on steroids,” lead vocalist Emmy Mack explained. “Stronger hooks, braver lyrics, bigger production, wilder collaborations, bolder musical choices, just an evolution in every way. From moments of deep pain and heartbreak to moments of rage and defiance, to moments of joy, celebration and just pure fun, Mutation is an authentic statement of everything we are, and we hope you don’t get bored for a single BPM.”
Some of those wild collaborations include tracks recorded with Alpha Wolf, Holding Absence, and Vana. Their contributions are inspired, but RedHook are every bit as strong without their help. Emmy is one of the most exciting frontwomen in the business. I adore her strong vocals and convictions. You can almost guarantee that this band wouldn’t be calling out misogyny in “Bomb.com” or narcissistic abuse in “Scream 2” if it didn’t have a kick-arse female at the helm. I also appreciate the contributions of her bandmates. This outfit is tight. Without those big drums and big guitar chords RedHook wouldn’t sound nearly as compelling. Everyone has a role to play and they do it so well.
Mutation is everything I love about RedHook but better. If you’re a fan of this quirky rock outfit, I know you will adore this album. And if you weren’t already on the RedHook train, Mutation may be the album that encourages you to get on board. RedHook will support Stand Atlantic on their Was Here regional tour in March and April.
Listen to “HEXXX,” RedHook’s track with Vana, on my new playlist Sounds of Oz Loves Rock. It’s early days so I’m still adding tracks but I hope that playlists like this will be another way you can engage with my blog and discover some fantastic Aussie tunes.
Saturday night saw me back at my musical happy place, Avoca Beach Theatre. Here in Darkinjung Country/Central Coast we are so blessed to have this intimate “barn,” as co-owner Beth Hunter calls it, where some of the country’s best and brightest play. And it shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, things seem to be ramping up. I visited on Saturday night to see Jack Jones, but what I got was a whole lot more.
For the first time our evening started outside the theatre, where the venue is hosting summer sessions before the main gig. They’re free events that welcome all members of the community, including non-ticket holders and their furry friends. I’ve often enjoyed a glass of wine before the show in this lovely courtyard area, but adding live music to the mix takes the experience up a notch. It’s also such a great platform for emerging artists like the lovely folk singer who entertained us with her mix of original songs and classic covers. I just wish the artist was better advertised. A little sign saying her name or a reminder from the artist herself every now and again would have helped us all remember to support her in future.
The talent kept coming inside when Piper Butcher warmed up the stage. I’ve appreciated her music for a long time, but my admiration has gone up a notch after seeing her live. She has such a beautiful, warm personality that’s incredibly endearing. I loved hearing her stories about her career and where it might go next as she prepares to head to the United States for a month. Her music was also incredible. It takes a special something to capture an audience with predominantly original tracks they don’t know, but she held us all captivated. The only cover in her set – a bluesy take on Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love” – hinted at what could have been had she stayed longer in the Australian Idol competition. Piper also treated us to a few yet-to-be-released songs she recorded with Australian country royalty, Kasey Chambers. If there’s any justice, they may just be the tracks to give her the mainstream attention she deserves.
I’ve seen Jack Jones perform solo a few times now, and I keep coming back because he always impresses. His voice is flawless and his songs bring back such beautiful memories. It’s hard to believe I was 10 years old when his band Southern Sons released their first album. It gave us so many smash singles Including the beautiful “Hold Me in Your Arms” which Jack opened the show with. It takes such confidence to play such a beloved song so early, but this beautiful number set the tone for this special night. I loved hearing it and watching Jack’s face light up as we sang a chorus for him so sweetly. I only wish our singing was as good on “Always and Ever.” It seems like less than half of us knew the words, and try as I might I couldn’t quite make up for those who had faded away.
The show wasn’t all about the hits though. I loved hearing favourite album tracks like “Something More” and “Wildest Love,” who he dedicated to his partner in the audience. He also treated us to some music from his time performing under his birth name, Irwin Thomas. I remember seeing him at that time supporting Matchbox Twenty and it wasn’t my thing. Hearing these songs stripped back though has helped me appreciate them all these years later. There were new songs too from an EP or album to come. That’s right readers; Jack Jones isn’t done creating music.
As with the last time I saw Jack, he regaled us with generous stories with many tangents. We heard all about his lock down experiences and the recent losses in his life which still bring tears to his eyes. He joked that chatting to us was like therapy; his walls were certainly down. I love when an artist lets us in like that and we get to see the human behind the music.
This was one of the longer concerts I’ve attended at Avoca Picture Theatre. Jack was so chatty that he had to ask whether there was a curfew because he understood his stories had taken up a lot of time. Thankfully there wasn’t and none of us had a better place to be. And so we all took our time, and yet it still felt like it wasn’t enough when Jack hit the opening notes of “Heart in Danger.” And yes, we all sang along.
Later this month Jack will start celebrating the 35th anniversary of Southern Sons with a string of shows around the country. Check back here for a review of the Darkinjung Country/Wyong gig after it happens. Tickets are limited so make sure you snap up yours soon.
After a busy week of work, social engagements, and medical appointments, I’m relishing the opportunity to slow down and soak up the summer vibes this Sunday. As I embrace a day free from responsibilities, I’ve got Amanduh’s latest single “Eye to Eye” on repeat. It’s a break-up anthem that refuses to dwell on the end of a relationship and instead celebrates the possibilities ahead.
“It’s a reflection of everything that didn’t align, not for better, not for worse, just is what it is,” Amanduh admitted. “A lot of break-up songs latch onto the idea of really deep sadness, or anger, but I wanted to recall on all the little intricacies that just don’t align when dating and there’s no bad blood when it doesn’t work out. Sometimes things just don’t work out and it’s OK.”
Hit the volume on this one and take the time for a little dance break. I swear this song will elevate your Sunday just as it has mine.
Meeanjin/Brisbane band SPACE&AGES are quickly becoming one of my favourite bands. Hot on the heels of “Trial&Error,” they’ve dropped a new single which shows an impressive amount of versatility.
“Puzzle Piece” is an indie rock anthem about pushing past the doubt and giving in to falling in love. Lead singer Phin Spence’s vocals are on point here, brimming with emotion and bursting with energy. He’s also in fine form on the B-side “Bittersweet,” a gentle acoustic ballad showcasing their softer side. It’s like the other side of the coin, a much folkier, gentler counterpiece to the A-side. Or perhaps, if you’ll excuse the reference, another piece of the puzzle. Listening to the two songs together, you start to get a sense of exactly what SPACE&AGES are capable of. Although something tells me they’ve still got plenty more to show.
I love that this band can keep us guessing. And they can seemingly do it all. I definitely look forward to hearing what SPACE&AGES deliver next.
Mulubinba/Newcastle based artist Mishayla shows she’s every bit as good as the indie pop acts that top the charts with her latest single “Clutter.” If you’re into the heartfelt singles of Gracie Abrams and Olivia Rodrigo, I know you’re going to vibe with this one.
“The track is called ‘Clutter’ because it reflects how someone can completely take over your thoughts. It’s that feeling of your mind being full of them, like they’re cluttering your brain in the best way possible,” Mishayla said. “I wanted the song to truly capture the essence of that initial feeling of a crush. From the romantic piano melodies to the lush and lively chorus, every element – I wanted to evoke vulnerability and authenticity. I hope listeners connect with it just as deeply.”
As a born and bred Novocastrian, I was thrilled to see Mishayla shot the music video in her hometown.
“There’s a little café across from my university called The Press Coffee and Book House, with such a cosy vibe. I had a friend who works there connect me with the owner, and I was able to rent out the space for the lyric video and photos, she said. “My amazing photographer and videographer, Nikola Jokanovic, really captured the warmth and aesthetic I envisioned.”
“Clutter” sees Michelle building on the promise she showed with her debut EP BLEED in 2023. I’m sure we’ll see her go from strength to strength this year.
