Local country artists are absolutely killing it at the moment. It was only yesterday I was raving about Braeden Faint, and now I want to put another name on your radar: Jake Whittaker. Jake hails from Southern Queensland, but his latest track “Coming Home” is about his father’s hometown, Eltham, Aotearoa/New Zealand.
“I was having a chat with my co-writer, producer and best friend Jared Adlam about how I have this intrinsic feeling that every time I head back to Eltham, that I’m coming home,” Jake explained. “I didn’t grow up there, but I know all the stories of him growing up, all his friends are still there, my Kiwi family are still there and it feels like home. I feel like everybody has that town or place that when they spend time there, it feels like second nature going there whether it’s your favourite camping spot, grandparents’ place, or somewhere you used to holiday. It’s that place when you head there, it’s like coming home.”
Jake will play for his own hometown when he takes to the stage at the Monte Music Muster in Mungaree/Slacks Creek on November 23.
Image used with permission from Bec Gracie Publicity
Saif has teamed up with fellow Eora/Sydney-based Samin Al Sabah, the lead singer of Packing Dhaka, for a fabulous new single “Celebration.”
This is such an exciting fusion of genres. Saif brings his signature hip-hop rhymes which somehow pair beautifully with Samin’s cool jazzy neo-soul sound. And then when you dig into those lyrics, which look to empower the oppressed and encourage them to embrace their inner strength and rise up, you start to realise how truly special this single is.
“Power to you, my music for you, be liberated,” Saif enthused.
“Celebration” is such an exciting release from Saif. I can’t wait to hear what he does next.
Baeden Faint has just released “A Whole Lot More,” a powerful and uplifting anthem for rising up when mental health issues take their toll. They’re themes that hit home for Baeden, who’s battled his own mental health issues and seen friends lose their fight.
“I was struggling, feeling isolated from friends and family” Baeden recalled of writing the song. “I tracked back home for a bit of a birthday bash to get my head straight and to see my friends, but sadly woke up the night after to find out that one of my mates had lost the battle himself.”
He wrote it with a melancholy tone in mind, but it shifted once producer Garth Porter got involved. “Garth saw it as a more hopeful and uplifting song, and so the music steered in that direction,” he said.
Baeden will bring his message and some great tunes to towns in regional and rural NSW at the following shows:
11 October 2024 – MusicNSW Outback Tour @ Wilcannia Golf Club, Barkindji Country/Wilcannia 12 October 2024 – MusicNSW Outback Tour @ Palace Hotel, Wilyakali Country/Broken Hill 22 February 2025 – Country Sounds Festival, Wiradjuri Country/Parkes
Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity
I’ve had one of those days where the music just doesn’t seem to stick. Every song either made me turn up my nose or just washed over me without making an impression. And then I heard “Wild Card,” the charming new single from Boorloo/Perth singer-songwriter Whiskey Jack. It’s a gentle, folky ditty that has a warm, nostalgic air that’s cast a spell over me. Amazing poetic lyrics, a distinctive, special voice; I’m sold.
“This song is about the highs and lows of going through things together, and being there for someone even while watching them repeat the same mistakes,” Whiskey Jack explained.
This is so special, hopefully we’ll be hearing a lot more from Whiskey Jack in the future.
It’s taken some time, but King Stingray have finally given us a love song. “Cat 5 (Cyclone)” comes from the band’s highly anticipated sophomore album, For the Dreams. Like the other songs on that album, and indeed the album before, “Cat 5 (Cyclone)” is a joyous track that celebrates life.
“Nothing’s changed in the sense that we’re still who we are, we’re still playing music and enjoying things. But what I think is different about this one is there’s a little bit more lived experience,” the band explained. “We wanted a lot of singalong moments … We were thinking a little bit more about getting everyone in on the party.”
I definitely found myself singing along to this track by the end, so I’d say job done! King Stingray’s new album For the Dreams drops on November 8. You can preorder it now from various retailers by clicking this link. The band have got some American shows with King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard coming up, but Aussies won’t need to wait too long to see them. They’ll play their biggest local shows to date in March. The pre-sale kicks off on Thursday, the same day the band will release “Light Up the Path,” another track from the album. Exciting times for King Stingray fans ahead! Whether you’re in the States or here in Oz, here are all the dates you need:
Originally from Aotearoa/New Zealand, indie-pop Foley are now based in Australia and bringing plenty of sunshine to break through the gloom with their latest single “Time Of My Life.” It’s such a catchy, feel-good track I’m sure you’ll be grinning ear-to-ear by the time the first chorus kicks in.
“We are so confident now in what Foley’s sound is after releasing our first album … ‘Time Of My Life’ is a pivotal part of that because it’s so joyous, so unapologetic, and so genuinely aspirational,” the twosome explained. “The song starts from a place of wanting more for yourself that the mundane day to day life you are living. It’s truly born from ambition and dreaming of a ferociously chaotic and AWAKE life.
“We wanted to lean into a feeling of need and desperation for some excitement – which led to a lot of quite dramatic lyrics like, ‘At the end of the night, I kind of feel like I’m dying,’ talking about being stuck in your hometown at the same old party with the same old people, being pleasant to everyone but inside absolutely screaming to leave.
“The song is a craving for new memories, new stories, and letting yourself be free to make mistakes and learn from them. The production is just as chaotic and loose as the song’s meaning which was such a pleasure to work on. Josh Naley, our wonderful producer, absolutely let it rip and made the song such a joy to listen to and play because it feels so free.”
I hear there’s plenty more new music on the way, so it’s time to jump on the Foley train!
Eora/Sydney-based singer-songwriter Heath Burdell has really impressed me with his latest single “I’ll Be Yours.” Indie country label RTC Records, but I wouldn’t put Heath in the country box.
This track has got a lot more of a nostalgic rock feel than anything they’re playing on country radio. I love the rasp of Heath’s voice and the infectious melody that sticks in your head like glue. You’ll be humming this for the rest of the day, mark my words!
I’ve been on a bit of a pop-punk kick at the moment, and I’m not going to apologise for it when our local acts keep making such amazing music. The latest on my radar is “fauxlove” from Naarm/Melbourne outfit Belle Haven.
“Lyrically, ‘fauxlove’ delves into the intricate and conflicting emotions of craving love and intimacy while simultaneously fearing it,” Belle Haven’s frontman David De La Hoz explained. “It’s a paradox that I live every day. The line ‘love me with the lights down low’ highlights the desire to be loved without the vulnerability of being fully seen, while the line ‘sinking into you’ portrays how the pursuit of love can quickly become overwhelming and feel out of my control. This theme is brought to life in the music video through the use of harsh spotlight shots and overwhelming paparazzi-style imagery, effectively illustrating the tension between wanting to be loved and feeling engulfed by that very desire. Or it’s about having sex. Whatever you prefer to take from it.”
If you love this, you won’t be waiting too long for more. Belle Haven drops their new EP, aptly titled Something New, on October 4. To celebrate the release, they’re playing a special acoustic show for hometown fans at Bendigo Hotel that night. To attend simply pre-order the EP through their website or pay $20 at the door and get your copy upon entry. And after that they’re playing a couple of am/pm emo nights. Catch them at Rhino Room in Tarntanya/Adelaide on November 1 and Stay Gold in Naarm/Melbourne on November 2.
Brad Cox is loading up his Mack truck and heading out to play the biggest shows of his career to celebrate the release of his fantastic new single “Everything I’ve Got.” The shows will see Brad play capital cities and major regional centres along the East Coast.
“I can’t wait to bring the Brad Cox roadshow to these cities to play some absolute milestone rooms,” Brad said. “I’ve spent months working on how to bring the fans together to make this tour one to remember. I’m loading this trailer full of surprises that’ll make this tour unlike any Brad Cox shows.”
Brad’s sandwiched the single tour dates in amongst a bunch of other shows including some fabulous festivals. And after that, this hardworking Aussie will make his way to Europe and the United Kingdom. Make sure you see him anywhere you can:
Eora/Sydney alt-rock act RedHook has teamed up with the UK’s Holding Absence for a massive new single “Dr. Frankenstein.” If you’ve ever found yourself in a toxic love story that has you questioning everything, I know listening to this one’s going to be cathartic.
“‘Dr. Frankenstein’ tells the story of a fairytale romance that rapidly devolves into a nightmare as one partner displays increasingly more possessive and controlling behaviour. But the bridge then hits us with a plot twist by suggesting that this emotional abuse may have spawned from the other partner being dishonest and unfaithful, thus posing several questions for us to consider: who is the real monster in this situation? Does making mistakes and hurting each other (emotionally) make us monsters? Or does it make us human?,” mused RedHook frontwoman Emmy Mack. “Ultimately, this song is about me owning my shit and taking accountability for my role in a past relationship that became toxic as all hell. During the breakup, I was guilty of privately indulging that kind of ‘victim’ mentality, but now that I’m a bit older and wiser, I feel like it’s important to take responsibility for the mistakes that I made too.”
“Holding Absence are one of our favourite bands in the world right now, and Lucas [Woodland]’s vocal talents are unparalleled,” she enthused. “I wrote this song with a male feature in mind, and Lucas was #1 on the list! We cheered so hard when he said he loved the song and was keen to jump on board!”
Lucas added, “I’m super hyped to be featured on this song! I knew from the moment I heard it that I had to get involved. ‘Dr. Frankenstein’ is a total rager with hooks galore, and RedHook are a great band. I can’t wait for people to hear it!”
This is the latest track released from RedHook’s forthcoming album Mutation, which drops on November 22. The band will head to the United Kingdom and Europe next month to support Welsh band Dream State. If you’re attending one of these shows, make sure you arrive early enough for their set!
