ARCHIE Cap Off a Big Year with “So Far Away From Me”

Ngunnawal Country/Canberra quartet ARCHIE have had a massive year releasing their debut EP playing alongside local legends like BENEE, San Cisco, and the Reubens. They show why there’s such hot property on their latest single, “So Far Away From Me.” It’s a cool indie rock track which reflects on the toll distance takes on relationships with loved ones.

“’So Far Away From Me’ is a song about how distance changes the relationships you have with the people you leave behind,” vocalist Grant Simpson said. “Sometimes you don’t recognise the value of a relationship until you are removed from it.”

After a big 2024, ARCHIE seem to be setting the stage for an even better 2025. Bring it on!

Photo credit: Murray Farrell

Sarah Mary Chadwick Releases Incredible Single, “Nothing Was The Same, After The Bar Burnt Down”

“Nothing Was The Same, After The Bar Burnt Down” the latest single by Sarah Mary Chadwick, hit me like a punch to the gut. It’s got such a quiet emotional power. I recommend taking a moment to properly listen, without distractions, because this track deserves your full attention.

Sarah Mary says the single is “An allegorical story about the loss of a village’s local watering hole to a bewildering fire. With respect to Tarkovsky, ‘Trouble Is A Lonesome Town’, Chekov, ‘Dogville’ and Flannery O’Connor.

“Tentatively and in a little bit of awe celebrating my one-year sobriety. It’s been maybe the most challenging thing I’ve ever done and difficult in ways that blindsided me completely, but also so full of new joys and SO MUCH MUSIC.

“Today I’m grateful for my music, and for my friends who I love and who made this year possible with their support. I’m grateful for friends filling my life with what I love best, singing and music. I’m grateful for all the wonderful chats with new and old friends that I now remember.

“I’m grateful to be here. Some people don’t stick around very long, and in the song, I remember. I remember them. But yunno, I’m still here. To live, and to remember.”

I know this song and it’s deep in meaning my resume may resonate with some of my readers, especially at this time of year when alcohol flows so freely. If you’re one of them, I hope that listening may bring you some comfort.

Image used with permission from Rice is Nice Records

Harry Fitzgerald Makes a Comeback With “Talk it Out”

Harry Fitzgerald is showing his one to watch after the release of his sublime new pop song “Talk it Out”. It’s an irresistibly catchy tune with a funky bass line that will have you grooving from the get-go. Unlike so many pop songs, it’s also got something to say. Make sure you listen to those lyrics which Harry said explore his experiences of “choosing silence over communication to avoid conflict.”

“‘Talk It Out’ is a song that really taps into some of my more avoidant tendencies, both in relationships and in dealing with my own emotions,” he admitted. “It’s about how, sometimes, I’d rather just keep quiet and keep the peace instead of risking a confrontation that might stir things up. There’s a kind of fear that comes with the idea of speaking up, especially when it feels like what you say might cause a rift, or when you start believing that the other person’s feelings are more important than your own discomfort.”

This track is the first song Harry’s released since 2020, and what a way to come back. Hopefully he won’t leave us waiting too long for the next release.

Photo credit: Ale Trinchero

Davey Lane Impresses with Solo Single

He’s best known as the guitarist for You Am I, but Davey Lane is proving he’s a solo force to be reckoned with. He’s just dropped a fantastic single, called “God, I’m Fucked Up Over You”, and there’s more to come on a brand-new album.

There’s a story behind the song, and while it’s a little longer than the quotes I normally share, it’d be a shame to cut it. Davey said “Sometimes the path of best intentions turns inexplicably muddy and murky, leaving behind nary but a memory or a picture – or if you’re so inclined a song, and/or some lines on a page to make sense of the mess. When closure ain’t an option, you sit and wait for it to present itself to you.

“Some dear family friends kindly offered me a place to sit and wait, and finish writing songs for this new record. The sounds of the environs (Hua Hin, Thailand) informed the reinvention of this song that I’d originally started as a chugging guitar pop song – which was nice, but something I felt I’d written a few times before.

“A month or so later, we were at Robert Muinos’ Rat Shack studios. The track was recorded but for some reason I could never finish the last verse – there was no ending to the story. I was going to sing the front half of the song anyway and mumble something at the end to finish later. An ending of sorts became apparent that day. Door shut, story done, song finished. It wasn’t the ending I’d hoped for but it was an ending…

“There’s a lot that’s jagged and jarring about this song for me, but with the passing of time, I get comfort from it, oddly. But maybe that’s the marimbas, Mellotron, swathes of harmony and exemplary bass line courtesy of dear pal and one of the land’s finest bass players, Luke Hodgson …

“Onward we roll, hey?”

Onward we roll indeed. “God, I’m Fucked Up Over You” Is the first track lifted from Davey’s forthcoming solo album Finally, a Party Record, which we should hear in the middle of next year.

Image used with permission from Jo Corbett Publicity

Bukowski Release Pop-Punk Banger, “What Do You Want Me To Be?”

I can always count on a good pop-punk song to really lift my mood. As I recover from my accident, I found myself gravitating towards old comfort music and struggling to connect as easily with new sounds. But the nostalgic feel of Bukowski’s latest single “What Do You Want Me to Be?” has got me pretty excited. I won’t be getting into mosh pits anytime soon, but this upbeat single makes me sentimental for them!

Bukowski said the lyrics for their latest single were inspired by the 1994 film Dumb and Dumber.

“Lyrically, it also captures all those messy feelings around juggling being a people pleaser and
letting yourself be who you are,” added the band’s frontman, James Karagiozis.

“What Do You Want Me to Be?” comes from Bukowski’s forthcoming debut album I Don’t Wanna Live. I Don’t Wanna Die, which drops on February 14.

Photo credit: James Dominko

Jade Gibson Embraces New Sound With “Technicolour”

Jade Gibson has always had a knack for pumping out upbeat, feelgood country-pop hits. But she’s taken a bit of a left turn with the release of her latest single, “Technicolour”. With its John Mayer-esque bluesy guitar licks and moody vibe, this track showcases a brand-new sound for Jade. But gee it sounds good on her.

“Technicolour” is the first song released from Jade’s new project scheduled for a 2025 release. If the rest of the tracks sound as good as this one, we’re in for a real treat. You might hear some more new material if you get to one of her upcoming shows:

21 December 2024 – Henley’s Wine Bar & Kitchen, Waveroo Country/Milawa
24 December 2024 – Precinct Bar & Restaurant, Bpangerang Country/Wangaratta
26 December 2024 – Christmas Recovery @ Cofield Wines, Yorta Yorta Country/Wahgunyah
31 December 2024 – Lockhart Ex-Servicemen’s Club, KuukuYa’u, Wuthathi, Umpila, Kaanju and Uuthalganu Country/Lockhart

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

Nick Keogh Releases Romantic New Single, “Messina”

Nick Keogh is showing us his softer side with his beautiful new single “Messina.” This intimate track paints a beautiful picture of the tender moments that make a relationship special. Forget about those schmaltzy, formulaic love songs; this one is the real deal.

“This song is really special to me,” Nick said. “I don’t usually write a lot of love songs. I find it hard to take myself too seriously and be earnest but with this song I tried blending the silly-goofy parts of being in love with the sincere and honest parts of being in a relationship.”

“My favourite thing I’ve ever written is the second verse and it was inspired by a trip to my cousin’s wedding out near the farm where I grew up. My partner, who is vegan, was excited to see all the sheep but didn’t know why they were all standing around this big factory. She genuinely wanted to know where they were going, so I said they were on their way to Coles.”

The year is almost over, but Nick is squeezing in one more gig before 2024 is done. You can catch him at The Tote Bandroom in Naarm/Melbourne on December 28 as part of the A Very Good Christmas lineup.

Photo credit: Chris O’Toole

Joe Mungovan and Aodhan Join Forces for “Old Dog/New Tricks”

Joe Mungovan and Aodhan have teamed up for a cool new single “Old Dog/New Tricks.” I’ve written about how much both artists have impressed me in the past, so you can bet this is right up my alley. I’m sure you’re going to love it every bit as much.

“This song is about our bad days and the struggles we face when going about our day-to-day routines,” Aodhan explained.

“Old Dog/New Tricks is a song for anyone who has ever struggled with even the simplest of daily tasks and the monotony of life,” Joe added.

If you love hearing Joe and Aodhan together, you’re in luck. These talented artists will play the following shows together in the coming months.

15 February 2025 – La La La’s, Woolyungah/Wollongong
28 February 2025 – Low 302, Eora/Sydney
7 March 2025 – The Catfish, Naarm/Melbourne
8 March 2025 – Paper Scissors Rock, Budja Budja/Halls Gap (Joe solo)

Image used with permission from Joe Mungovan

Ziggy Alberts Releases “Singing for Country” Ahead of New Album & Homecoming Tour

Ziggy Alberts is easing you into your working week with his latest single, “Singing for Country.” This patriotic, chilled-out folk song is the latest track from Ziggy’s forthcoming seventh album New Love which drops on February 21.

“I wrote ‘Singing For Country’ along the Mid-North Coast of Australia. It’s a song about what it means to be Australian, to love this land and our planet. For me, being Australian is about embracing a unique mix of cultures on this sunburnt land,” Ziggy explained. “This song was my way of celebrating what and how it feels to be Australian. I performed this song across my tour in Europe, UK and North America and despite it being about my love for Australia, people really connected to it. I think that for anyone who loves the natural beauty of their homeland will relate and feel camaraderie in this too. It speaks to the core reason I write songs; to sing and celebrate people and nature.”

Ziggy has played plenty of shows all over the world, but he’ll be back home in February with gigs in the capitals and regional centres supporting New Love’s release.

“After being on tour all year, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of coming home,” he said. “You don’t realise how much you love a place until you’re back, breathing it in again. There’s something raw and grounding about being back on home soil, smelling the bottlebrush, and returning to the ocean. Originally, this song was just going to be part of the album, but when I got back home, that visceral feeling reminded me how important it was to share it as a single ahead of summer. I’m grateful my team helped make it happen.”

Some shows have already sold out so don’t wait to get yours.

21 February 2025 – The Station, Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country/Sunshine Coast
22 February 2025 – Miami Marketta, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
23 February 2025 – Liberty Hall, Eora/Sydney
25 February 2025 – Hindley St Music Hall, Tarntanya/Adelaide
26 February 2025 – Palais Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne
27 February 2025 – Metropolis, Walyalup/Fremantle
1 March 2025 – 3 Oceans Winery, Wooditup/Margaret River
6 March 2025 – Tanks Arts Centre, Gimuy/Cairns
8 March 2025 – The Powerhouse, Giabal Country/Toowoomba
9 March 2025 – Kingscliff Beach Hotel, Bundjalung Country/Kingscliff (SOLD OUT)
12 March 2025 – Bellingen Memorial Hall, Baligin/Bellingen (SOLD OUT)
13 March 2025 – Bellingen Memorial Hall, Baligin/Bellingen (SOLD OUT)
14 March 2025 – Bar on the Hill, Mulubinba/Newcastle
19 March 2025 – Anita’s Theatre, Thurrural/Thirroul
20 March 2025 – Anita’s Theatre, Thurrural/Thirroul (SOLD OUT)
21 March 2025 – UC Refectory, Ngambri/Canberra
22 March 2025 – Tilba Winery, Yuin Country/Corunna
26 March 2025 – The Cube, Wiradjuri Country/Wodonga
27 March 2025 – Civic Hall, Balaarat/Ballarat
5 April 2025 – Oak and Anchor Hotel, Dhauwurd Wurrung Country/Port Fairy (SOLD OUT)

Photo credit: Janneke Storm

James Johnston and Appel Duet on “Country is For Me”

The United States might be the home of country music, but our own James Johnston and South Africa’s Appel prove the Americans don’t have the market cornered. These talents have teamed up for a fantastic new country single appropriately titled “Country is For Me.” It’s funny; I often say that country really isn’t for me, but then I hear a tune like this and start reconsidering my protests!

“I’ve always dreamed of sharing my music with the world and celebrating the country way of life through the lens of different cultures,” James said. “’County is For Me’ is the embodiment of that dream. Collaborating with Appel has been an incredible experience. His passion and genuine connection to his fans, family, and country have been so inspiring. At the beginning of this journey, I was searching for a kindred spirit in music, but I never could have imagined I would find a lifelong friend. The joy of creating ’County is For Me’ shines through in the recording. I’m excited to share it with the world and show that, despite being born in different places, we’re not so different.”

“Meeting James and collaborating to unite cultures through the universal language of music has been a journey neither of us realised the world needed,” Appel added. “By weaving together our stories, voices, and distinct roots, we’ve proven that when barriers come down, the music only grows stronger. It has been a truly mutual and inspiring experience, highlighting the limitless potential of music.”

James recently played the Cape Town Country Music Festival in South Africa, but he’s back home and ready to play for local crowds this summer. Catch him at all the hottest country music festivals in the coming months.

28 December 2024 – Kix Country Rockin Rocky @ Great Western Hotel, Darumbal Country/Rockhampton City
24 January 2025 – The Music That Made Me @ Tamworth Town Hall, Kamileroi Country/Tamworth
5 April 2025 – Melbourne Muster @ Caribbean Park, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong Country/Scoresby
3 May 2025 – Qld Music Trails – Outback Sounds @ Charleville Showgrounds, Bidjara Country/Charleville

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia