With much of the country devastated by fire and drought, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of get happy about, but Cairns-based singer-songwriter Bobby Maguire is determined to make you smile. His latest track “Moving to the City” is pure joy, a feelgood ditty that is made to lift your spirits and get your toes tapping.
“Moving to the City was inspired by bands like The Cure and The Kooks,” Bobby admitted. “It deals with the loss of a past life as well as growth and a need to move forward with a new chapter. I wrote this song as a form of encouragement for myself to embrace this new journey.”
The clip, which Bobby made with the help of his family and friends, is also hilarious. If you’ve ever struggled to find the right rental property, it’s bound to strike a chord with you!
“Moving to the City” is the title track from Bobby’s debut album, which is full of gems. Hometown fans can see Bobby Maguire doing his thing at the following shows.
20 December 2019 – Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs AFL Club, Cairns
24 December 2019 – Cotton Club NEMO Jams, The Cotton Club, Cairns
28 December 2019 – Cotton Club NEMO Jams, The Cotton Club, Cairns
Aussie expat Lucas Laufen casts a spell with his new single, “I Know Where Silence Lives.” It’s a beautiful folky number inspired by Lucas’s experience watching the ocean from a bird-watching tower on the border of the Netherlands and Germany.
“It was the first time I’d seen the sea in months and I remember thinking, ‘this is where silence lives’,” he recalled. “The wind was super strong so it wasn’t actually silent but I felt at home with the salt spray and no one around. So it’s silence relating to peace as opposed to real acoustic silence.”
Much like the song itself, the songwriting process was a bit of a slow-burn.
“When I was growing up, my father would always wake up at 5:30 am to find a quiet place before the rest of the world woke up. I’d see him wandering down the beach by himself and I never really understood what he was doing. While writing this song I finally understood the reason for this and feel that I’ve grown to seek these moments out like my father did,” he added. “The song spans a one-year writing process, which is strange for me. I usually find it hard to hold onto an emotion for this long and a song will lose its meaning if it’s drawn out for this amount of time. It was my way of looking through his life and trying to understand him. I found that we are very similar people and hold this thought as an anchor when I’m trying to figure out when I’m going with my life.”
The film clip expands on Lucas’ original idea, telling the story of a woman who leaves city life to find her own quiet place in the Norwegian countryside.
“We purposefully begin the video with a greyish look and feel, the actress, Leona Grundig, is obviously sick of traffic and noise, the colours of her clothes are nondescript and she looks like she’s in the wrong place,” explained the director, Dennis Schischke. “Her mood lifts the closer she gets to her destination, the colours of her clothing changes and the colour grading is more saturated. Within the video there are three portraits of her, the last one shows the end of her journey and her reaction to finally finding her own silence.”
“I Know Where Silence Lives” is the title track from Lucas Laufen’s new album, which drops on December 6. He’ll play a string of shows around Europe in the coming months to support its release.
14 December 2019 – Privatclub, Berlin
30 January 2020 – L’Atelier, Basel
1 February 2020 – Chur Unplugged, Chur
3 February 2020 – Sofar Sounds, Paris
5 February 2020 – Cafe De Loge, Ghent
6 February 2020 – Cafe Litteraire Le Bovary, Luxembourg
9 February 2020 – Cafe de Witte, Assen
17 February 2020 – Viertal Bar, Wuppertal
18 February 2020 – Schlosskeller, Darmstadt
19 February 2020 – Lolita Bar, Kassel
20 February 2020 – Altes Wettburo, Dresden
21 February 2020 – Moritzhof, Magdeburg
22 February 2020 – Wohnzimmermucke, Bayreuth
24 February 2020 – Inspire, Chemnitz
25 February 2020 – Horns Erben, Leipzig
27 February 2020 – Stubenkonzerte, Aarau
28 February 2020 – La Cyma, Winterthur
2 March 2020 – Rififi, Innsbruck
3 March 2020 – Das Wohnzimmer, Klagenfurt
4 March 2020 – Guest Room, Graz
5 March 2020 – Rhiz, Wien
7 March 2020 – Foxis/Fuxbau, Freistadt
9 March 2020 – FOX, Munchen
10 March 2020 – Cafe Manheim, Nuremberg
11 March 2020 – Viertelkultur, Wurzburg
12 March 2020 – Kulturcafe Lichtung, Koln
16 March 2020 – Tonfink, Lubeck
17 March 2020 – Pony Bar, Hamburg
Image used with permission from Guerilla Music Promotion; credit: Jordan Kirk
I’ve had Thandi Phoenix’s debut self-titled EP on repeat today. It’s all such incredible music, but I’m most struck with the EP’s lone duet, “Again,” which sees her joining forces with Dan Caplen.
The song is a quiet moment in a collection of upbeat, sassy songs. It shows a more vulnerable side of this stellar local talent while reinforcing just how good her vocals are.
Take a listen to “Again,” then do yourself a favour and give the rest of the EP a listen. You will not regret it. And if you’re heading to Festival X in Sydney on November 30 or Melbourne on December 1, make sure you catch her doing her thing!
Press Club can do no wrong in my eyes, or by my ears. Their energy and passion is absolutely infectious. Their lyrics are so relatable. In short, they’re bloody awesome. All of the things I love about them are showcased in their latest single “Separate Houses.”
The film clip was captured on the band’s recent UK and European tour. With guitarist Greg Rietwyk behind the camera, it takes you to Scotland, England, and continental Europe.
“Separate Houses” is the first track on Press Club’s recently-released sophomore album Wasted Energy. If you still haven’t got your ears around this one, what are you waiting for? Press Club are bringing punters songs from that album and some old favourites on their current tour. They’re in fine form, after recently wrapping up that UK and European tour, so make sure you catch them this time around.
8 November 2019 – The Gaso, Melbourne
9 November 2019 – Hobart Brewing Company, Hobart
15 November 2019 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
16 November 2019 – The Westerport, San Remo
21 November 2019 – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide
22 November 2019 – Pelly Bar, Frankston
29 November 2019 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
30 November 2019 – The Zoo, Brisbane
5 December 2019 – Dunsborough Hotel, Dunsborough
6 December 2019 – Lucy’s Love Shack, Perth
Image used with permission from Little Giant Agency; Photo credit: Ian Laidlaw
Sydney singer-songwriter anseo has been playing cover gigs around New South Wales’ capital for some time, but with the release of his latest single “Deadbeat” he’s reminding us that he’s at his best when he’s playing his own music. This is such a strong song, with poetic lyrics and vocals that can seemingly do anything. I find myself thinking of artists like Matt Corby, Jeff Buckley, and D’Angelo as I let this track wash over me.
“Deadbeat” comes from anseo’s recently released sophomore EP Wilder Shades. While “Deadbeat” is the stand-out for me, it’s all worth a listen. Get your ears around it music lovers!
Aussie expat Shelley Segal is back with a brand new single and an EP on the horizon. “No” is a modern #metoo anthem giving a voice to the problems many women face when turning down sexual advances today. It gives us a great taste of the kind of thought-provoking music that’s in store for us when her EP Holy drops on November 1.
“No is a song about consent and the subtleties surrounding it,” she explained. “It describes three different scenarios in which the protagonist finds it difficult to say no to sexual advances. I wrote the song because even though it’s 2019 and so many women feel comfortable asserting themselves and speaking up for themselves, and even though there has been so much public discourse and progress on these issues, there are still scenarios where it feels hard to say ‘no’. You can find yourself in a situation that you don’t want to be in and yet be unable to express that. It’s not always easy in the moment to process the potential consequences that may come from your reaction. Like the examples in the song for instance, in a work environment, in the street with a stranger. Saying ‘no’ can create adverse outcomes like risking your job, or your safety. This discussion around consent is not as straightforward as maybe we would like it to be and I wanted to reflect on those nuances.”
Shelley has been living and working in the United States since 2016. Hopefully it’s not too long before we see her back on our shores for some shows. Until then, listen out for Holy on its release next month.
With their new album Good. Bad. Happy. Sad available on all major streaming services now, it seemed like the perfect time to introduce you to South Sydney quartet Sketchy Fancy. The five-piece has got me grooving with the album’s lead single “Pub Rock.”
I love the vibrant horns, the wailing electric guitars, and the old-school storyteller vibe of the lyrics. If you’re vibing it too, make sure you dive into the rest of Good. Bad. Happy. Sad. It’s an eclectic collection of songs, but I guarantee it’s got plenty more gems. If you like what you hear, catch Sketchy Fancy at Bulli’s Heritage Hotel on September 27.
Image used with permission from the A&R Department
Start your week right with “Growing Pains,” an indie pop pleaser from Melbourne band Telescreen. The track reminds us of the importance of letting life take its course.
“Sometimes you can find yourself in this kind of neutral zone where you’re letting life direct you where to go. You feel like you’re having no influence on the next phase of your existence, like you’re mindlessly living day to day,” explained Telescreen front man Nic. “’Growing Pains expresses how it’s okay to take a hands-off approach and allow things to come to you – you can’t always be reaching out for the next big step.”
“Growing Pains” comes from Telescreen’s forthcoming debut EP, which drops on September 26. Victorians can hear tracks from this EP first at the following shows. Hopefully it won’t be too long before they announce some shows outside their home state.
28 August 2019 – The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood (with ZUMA)
13 September 2019 – Grace Darling Hotel, Melbourne (with Chela)
Image used with permission from Habit Music Company
Melbourne punksters Press Club might be conquering the world right now, but they don’t want us to forget them here at home. They’ve just released a brand new video for the ballsy single “Thinking About You” and their new album Wasted Energy drops tomorrow, August 16.
“The idea for the ‘Thinking About You’ video clip came to me as we touched down from a 20-plus hour transit home from our first European tour in May this year,” explained guitarist Greg Rietwyk. “I pictured a surreal retelling of the story of a stalking stranger that is told within the song lyrics, with [vocalist] Nat [Foster] being tormented by masked freaks. We enlisted the help of our good friend and filmmaker Gina Somfleth from Popcandi productions. We are all massive fans of Gina’s keen eye for cinematography.It was shot on location at Nat’s parents farm outside of Ballarat in North Western, Victoria. We particularly enjoyed being able to feed our inner pyromaniacs in what was to become the climax of the film. We’ve thrown a few DIY festivals at the farm where it was shot so the location holds a special place in our collective hearts”
It’s no coincidence that on album release day, Press Club will play an instore in Melbourne before jetting off for more UK and European dates. With appearances at Reading and Leeds festivals and stacks more, if you’re living abroad you don’t want to miss this.
16 August 2019 – Oh Jean Instore, Melbourne
22 August 2019 – The Parish, Huddersfield
23 August 2019 – Reading Festival, Reading
24 August 2019 – Leeds Festival, Leeds
25 August 2019 – Greenbelt Festival, Northamptonshire
27 August 2019 – Redrum, Stafford
28 August 2019 – Bodega, Nottingham
29 August 2019 – Surf Cafe, Newcastle
30 August 2019 – Broadcast, Glasgow
31 August 2019 – Night People, Manchester
3 September 2019 – Annie’s, Worcester
4 September 2019 – Bermuda Bob’s Hi-Fi, Norwich
5 September 2019 – New Cross Inn, London
6 September 2019 – Prince Albert, Brighton
8 September 2019 – Cinetol, Amsterdam
10 September 2019 – Haldern Pop Bar, Haldern
11 September 2019 – Sonic Ballroom, Cologne
12 September 2019 – Alte Hackerei, Karlsruhe
13 September 2019 – Dynamo, Zurich
14 September 2019 – Strom, Munich
15 September 2019 – Cross Club, Prague
18 September 2019 – Stengade – Copenhagen
19 & 20 September 2019 – Reeperbahn, Hamburg
21 September 2019 – Vera, Groningen
Image used with permission from Little Giant Agency; photo credit: Ian Laidlaw
More than 20 years have passed since The Superjesus released their debut album Sumo, but this groundbreaking Aussie act rocks just as hard as ever. They’re heading back out on the road in September to celebrate the release of a new double live album Sumo 20 LIVE, recorded during their massive 20th anniversary tour.
“2018 was the year that marked the 20-year anniversary of our debut album Sumo. To celebrate, we put together a show that encompassed a jurassic back catalogue of material that rolled out a two-and-a-half hour show. After smashing this set out night after night, it became obvious to us that we had become a pretty good band!” frontwoman Sarah McLeod reminisced. “Three-quarters of the way through the tour we decided that we should document where we were at, because it was surprising even us! Also, and more importantly, the crowds were singing along with us with enthusiasm like we’d never heard before. This shit needed to be recorded, so we set it up to film and record two shows. We were playing two sets per night, set one was Sumo, set two was hits and rarities. We recorded set one at the Manning Bar in Sydney and set two at The Zoo in Brisbane and were stoked with how it came up.”
Sumo 20 LIVE hits stores and your favourite digital outlets on September 6. All the hits are there, alongside the B-sides and other rarities diehard fans love. It’s the sort of album that reminds you just how good these guys are on stage and why you need to see them again. Purchase it on vinyl, buy a ticket to the show, or get a ticket and vinyl bundle and you’ll receive a free download of a brand new, never-before-heard song called “The Impossible.” Get onto it Superjesus fans! Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 am from the Superjesus website and Oztix outlets.
6 September 2019 – Badlands, Perth
7 September 2019 – The Gov, Adelaide
20 September 2019 – Max Watts, Melbourne
21 September 2019 – Crowbar, Sydney
Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Nix Cartel
