Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melody Pool on Tour to Promote “Changing” Single

If the working week has ground you down, you’ve got to press play on Melody Pool’s gorgeous new single “Changing.” Listening to this uplifting folk track and its beautiful lyrics about evolution and growth, I instantly felt lighter.

Melody said the song “is really mostly about accepting that the only constant in life is change. ‘Changing’, to me, is about finding a way to make the heavy stuff worth it, allowing it to change you. And allowing the darkest parts of yourself their time in the light so you can hear their needs and shift them into a healthier space in your life.”

Melody embraced old-school techniques, recording “Changing” live as a band, to tape, with no isolation.

“The process seems to make everyone a little more on edge, which ups everyone’s game,” she enthused. “It’s a special thing to rely on each other throughout a take when you are all in the same room, but it helps you lean into everyone’s energy and I believe that’s where the magic happens.”

Fans living abroad can expect a little more of that magic when Melody kicks off a string of shows in Germany and England today. But don’t worry Aussie fans. She’ll be back with some local shows in Setepmber and October as she works towards the release of her third studio album.

23 August 2024 – Klein Klang Festival, Eisenach
24 August 2024 – Folk Im Viertel Festival, Osnabrück
30 August 2024 – Wohnzimmer Live I’m Piepenstock, Dortmund
1 September 2024 – Litfass, Bremen
3 September 2024 – Tonfink, Lübeck
4 September 2024 – MALT, London
6 September 2024 – Zur Scharfen Ecke, Sande
7 September 2024 – Filou Die Kneipe, Steinhude
25 September 2024 – Lyrics Underground, Boorloo/Perth
27 September 2024 – The York Festival, Ballardong Nyoongar Country/York
9 October 2024 – Jazzlab, Naarm/Melbourne
11 October 2024 – Trinity Sessions, Tarntanya/Adelaide
13 October 2024 – Smiths Alternative, Ngambri/Canberra
25-27 October 2024 – Nimbin Roots Festival, Whiyabul Country/Nimbin

Photo credit: Madeleine Becker

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sarah Blasko Releases “The Way” From Upcoming Album

It’s been six years since Sarah Blasko released her last album Depth of Field. I really appreciate it when artists take the time to find inspiration and craft music that matters. It’s always worth the wait. Just take a listen to Sarah’s latest single “The Way,” the opening track from her soon-to-be-released album I Just Need to Conquer This Mountain, and you’ll know I’m right.

“The Way” was inspired by Sarah’s strict religious upbringing and reflections on her decision to turn her back on her faith at the age of 17. “I had been feeling like turning my back on god may have contributed to misfortunes in my life,” she said. “Looking back upon the death of my mother, a failed marriage, and then a failed friendship during a time that felt like the apocalypse. Makes sense considering I was raised to believe in the apocalypse when I was a teenager.”

I Just Need to Conquer This Mountain sees Sarah exploring goodbyes, griefs, new beginnings, and an important friendship that underpinned her childhood. She says “This album was probably the most relaxed & free feeling record I’ve made.” Album preorders and presaves are currently available ahead of its November 1 release.

Photo credit: Mclean Stephenson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Velvet Bloom Releases Dreamy Soul Single, “My Love”

There’s nothing like some good classic-sounding soul music to make your day feel better. With her latest release “My Love,” Velvet Bloom delivers just that. This song pays tribute to the traditions of Motown, but it’s got some extra special sauce that helps keep things fresh.

Lead vocalist Maddy Herbert produced the track and engineered and mixed it with her long-time collaborator and bandmate Alex Marko to bring their artistic vision to life.

“‘My Love’ is about accepting and loving people for who they are, meeting them where they are at and growing together,” they explained. “We really wanted to capture that classic soul sound for this release, leaning into lots of techniques and production styles used by engineers in that era of music.”

The press release says this single “is the first taste of the band’s step into a new era of the project, carving out their celestial niche in the musical cosmos.” It’s a pretty grandiose statement, but if it means we get more music like this I’m here for it!

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hayley Mary Impresses With Latest Solo Effort, “The Lonely One”

In case you hadn’t heard, The Jezabels frontwoman Hayley Mary is gearing up to release her first solo album. But before she does, she’s dropped a fabulous new single, “The Lonely One”. This track has a cool retro feel that reminds me of strong female artists of the 80s like Chrissie Hynde, Kate Bush, and Annie Lennox.

Hayley co-wrote “the song”The Lonely One” at a house party with Reggie Goodchild of Confidence Man. She recalled “Goodchild and I started writing kinda by accident. We were partying and hanging out at the Con-man house a bit, and he had a few amazing demos that he thought would suit my 80s diva-style singing. We were jamming over this track, trying to flesh it out while everyone else was on the dance floor. It gave me the feeling of driving down a highway away from heartbreak, sadly but triumphantly.”

“The Lonely One” comes from Hayley’s solo album Roman XS, which drops on October 25.

Image used with permission from AAnthologies

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dylan Ollivierre Releases Debut Solo Single, “It’s Just a Shame”

Dylan Ollivierre, one-half of The Money War, is flexing his creative muscles with some new solo material. His debut single “It’s Just a Shame” is a fabulously nostalgic track with a cool Americana feel.

“The chorus just bubbled up one day when I was noodling on the guitar. It felt very personal, and I knew I had to go down the well myself to find the rest of the song and bring it to life,” Dylan said.

“It’s Just a Shame” was the first of several songs Dylan’s penned for an upcoming solo album. “The process of making these songs was as much for my own clarity and healing as it was about creating a song,” he explained.

Follow Dylan on Instagram to learn more about his solo material as his album release approaches.

Image used with permission from Blue Grey Pink

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nick Keogh Releases Comeback Single “Always Knew”

It’s been nearly two years since Nick Keogh graced us with new music, but it’s definitely been worth the wait. Listening to his bittersweet new single “Always Knew” has reminded me just how brilliant this Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter is. The track is a poignant exploration of heartbreak set to one of the catchiest melodies you’ll hear this year.

“I wrote ‘Always Knew’ looking back at a relationship and how I knew it was going to crush me,” Nick reflected. “For me, writing this song was a way for me to move past the heartbreak.”

“I really love making songs that are upbeat and something fun you could dance at a gig to but once you scratch away at the surface you see that there’s a whole lot of vulnerability lurking in the shadows,” he added.

After spending most of last year touring with his own band and as the guitarist for Suzi, Nick is fully focused on creating his next batch of new releases. Which of course means he won’t leave us waiting so long for the next single!

Photo credit: Chris O’Toole

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ama Impresses With “not ur fkn fan”

If you hoped for a happy ending after listening to Ama’s last single “How to Fall in Love,” I’m sorry to disappoint you. Her latest track “not ur fkn fan” was inspired by the same girl, so needless to say things didn’t go well!

While I’d hoped that the infatuation Ama captured so beautifully with her last release might blossom into something more, we would have missed out on this alt-pop belter. I love the way Ama’s emotions simmer under her delicate vocals. You can hear her frustration, and her heartache, with every line.

This song is still so fresh, but Ama’s already announced her follow-up “Sucks” will drop on August 23. Sounds like another angsty one from this Western Eora/Sydney talent. I can’t wait!

Image source: Ama’s website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Zion Garcia Releases Epic Single “Film Star Prelude”

Campbelltown Art Centre’s Conscious Program has been elevating talent from Western Eora/Sydney for more than a year now. I’ve relished hearing the diverse acts nurtured by this program, including Zion Garcia. Through the program, Zion worked with Conscious and producer Chelsea Warner (BOY SODA, Emalia) on his epic track, “Film Star Prelude.”

“Before letting everyone in on my next era as an artist, I wanted to launch myself into the frame of mind of: ‘How can I make the biggest thing sonically that I possibly can, while still staying grounded in who I am right now?’” Zion explained.

Big is one word to describe this track. Bold and trailblazing are just a couple more. Trust me, you need to hear this.

“This was my first time really collaborating like this and Chelsea really gave me the space to explore ideas. She’s such a wizard at her craft, and I trusted her ear,” Zion recalled. “We kept going back and forth until we finished up the song you hear now. A prelude to my next body of work- Inspired by lots of ambition, and in unison, lots of delusion.”

Zion’s done some big things, such as performing at the Sydney Opera House as part of Vivid and sharing the stage with Lil Uzi Vert and Ice Spice as part of the Listen Out Sydney line-up. And surely there’s more to come. Keep an eye on Zion, because he’s definitely got a big future ahead.

Photo credit: Justin Cueno

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amalia Wows Me With “Silly Cliche”

Sounding like some enchanting mix of Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, and Lana Del Rey, Amalia has enchanted me with her latest single “Silly Cliché.” Her voice effortlessly moves through the swirling kaleidoscopic sound she’s created here. That’s a pretty off-the-wall description, but take a listen and I swear it’ll make sense to you.

“Musically, ‘Silly Cliche’ whisks you back to the 70s, blending swirling psychedelia with modern pop allure,” Amalia explained. “It’s a song about the overwhelming feelings of the early stages of a relationship and the hope the feeling never fades.”

Can you believe this is only Amalia’s second release? The sky’s the limit for this Naarm/Melbourne-based talent. I’m obsessed and can’t wait to hear more.

Photo credit: Nick Manuell

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Forever Ends Here Release Career Best Single, “Unspoken”

I am such a sucker for a pop-punk anthem and “Unspoken”, the latest single from Eora/Sydney trio Forever Ends Here is right up there with the best. Crank that volume, press play, and enjoy this one!

“Unspoken is about the realisation that you left it too long to open up to someone and missed the window to be together – knowing the other person felt the same, but you both left it unspoken and ended up in different places,” vocalist Luke McChesney shared. “I had to channel my teen self to match the energy of a coming-of-age pop-punk track, and I think this is something we all experienced in some capacity growing up. The secret crush that we’ll probably never talk about.”

This sound feels so fresh and youthful, but these guys actually started making music together more than a decade ago. However, after some time off between 2018 and 2023, they’re sounding better than ever.

“It really feels as though we’ve finally found our sound, all of these years later,” Luke said. “Last year was about the reunion, focusing on the pre-hiatus memories and reminding ourselves of why we started this band. Unspoken marks the beginning of the new FEH. We’re treating this like a new band now. Our new baby. We’re more in love with the music than we’ve ever been before and we hope that shows.”
I’m hearing that there’s more new music where this came from, with the band planning a larger release later this year. Bring it!

Image used with permission from Bigmouth PR