Shotgun Mistress may well be the last of a dying breed, a bunch of (mostly) long-haired rockers with big chords, big sing-along choruses, and big attitude. Their latest single “Shot Down” is a total throwback, but I for one thing this kind of music needs resurrecting.
Shotgun Mistress are red hot right now. They just played Glam Fest alongside absolute rock legends like Slaughter and Vixen frontwoman Janet Gardner and even appeared on The Project. Up next they’ll support Dirty Honey, Audio Reign, and The Poor, headline Wrestlerock, and release their album Kings of the Revolution on June 2. They’ll also head to Japan for a 10-date tour. Don’t worry local fans, they’ll be back before you know it to headline gigs all around the country. Until then, here are all the shows they’ve got locked in:
Born from a one-minute voice note, ioakim’s latest single “alltimefan” is a total bop. I love its upbeat poppy feel and relatable lyrics about infatuation and that natural human tendency to project onto people that turn our heads.
“‘alltimefan’ was the first song I made in LA with Jackson Phillips (Day Wave) in 2022. It is about drawing up a preconceived idea of someone before you have met them,” ioakim explained. “There’s a lot you can know about someone before you meet them in real life so you have a pretty good idea if you’re going to get along. This song ended becoming reality a month or so later. Life is weird”.
When it results in music this good, I’m all for the weird! Something tells me we’ll be hearing a lot more from ioakim in the future.
I’ve held off for as long as I could. As a Eurovision tragic, I always try to wait for the competition to hear the songs. I want them all to be fresh for me. But I caved. I couldn’t help but listen to “One Milkali (One Blood)”, our entry this year from the one and only Electric Fields. I am properly on board. It’s a disco dance banger, but it’s also got a powerful message about connection with the world around us. And how exciting to hear a didge and some native language in our entry! Talk about representation.
“We are buzzed with euphoria at our chance to share this music with the world,” the duo said. “Our music comes from the deepest place in both of us and Eurovision is the most exciting opportunity to bring together our cultures and share the joy of our global connection.”
Make sure you don’t miss Electric Fields doing our country proud when SBS airs the Eurovision Song Contest from May 8 to 12.
As they prepare to release their sixth album, Angus & Julia Stone might just be making some of the best music of their careers. Their music has always been chilled, but sometimes it veered too close to sleepy territory for my taste. With their new music, they’ve definitely got the balance right. Their latest single “Cape Forestier” comes hot on the heels of “The Wedding Song,” and it’s every bit as good.
“‘Cape Forestier’ is about a boat on a journey. I suppose it speaks to the journey we’re all on in our lives—the comings and goings of love, loss, pain, and moving towards new horizons,” they explained. “We spent a lot of our childhood on and in the water. Elements of nature are lyrically and mythically important in our writing. The ebb and flow of tides, the changing cycles—nature so often helps us to understand our inner world. This is a very personal song to us, so we’ve chosen to share some unseen footage in the music video from the start of our time together making music in the living room at home to where we are now.”
“Cape Forestier” is the title track of Angus & Julia Stone’s new album, which drops on May 10. Remember they’re also playing intimate shows around the world to support its release, so if you haven’t already got your tickets, what are you waiting for?
Hit that volume button and give yourself over to the frenetic energy of “1769”, the bold new single from Naarm/Melbourne punk outfit Arabella and the Heist. If there was any doubt, this band proves that acts with femme energy can do punk just as well as the boys, if not better.
“We wanted to write a track that felt like a night out in Melbourne, and we wanted to build that energy and tension,” frontwoman Arabella explained.
They’re bringing those vibes to Eora/Sydney next week for a free show at the Duke of Enmore on March 28. You won’t receive a better offer on a Thursday night!
Dolce Blue have just dropped their cool new track “Sugar Free.” It’s billed as an alt pop-rock number, but I’m hearing a little jazz influence in this one. It ushers in a new era for the band, who say they feel it’s “a step up in production, songwriting, and skill level as musicians.”
“I wrote this song when I was meant to be working because I was dreaming of being famous, instead of doing my job (fulfilling famous musicians’ rider requests),” said the band’s singer, guitarist, and songwriter Veronica Zurzolo. “We (the band) really focused on getting our individual parts sounding slick, sexy, and punchy, for me musically it’s inspired by Måneskin, but with our own Dolce Blue spin.”
“Sugar Free” is our first taste of the new deluxe version of Dolce Blue’s Sweet Melancholy album, which is scheduled for a late June release. It’ll feature four new songs, including “Sugar Free,” and three alternative versions of tracks from the original album. Sounds exciting! But before then, Dolce Blue will launch “Sugar Free” at four5nine in Boorloo/Perth on March 23.
As a sucker for yacht rock, Bailey Judd’s latest single “Helpless” is right up my alley. It’s an easy, breezy tune, perfect for taking a little me time in your midweek.
“It’s a song about falling in love and ultimately fighting to keep it strong,” Bailey explained.
“Helpless” comes from Bailey’s EP Fool’s Gold, which drops in a couple of months. He’ll celebrate its release with the following shows.
23 May 2024 – Gasometer Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
6 June 2024 – Goulburn Club, Gundungurra Country/Goulburn
7 June 2024 – Lazybones, Eora/Sydney (with Vinyl 45)
8 June 2024 – Yulli’s, Eora/Sydney (with JAZZSCHOOLHURTME Jam)
Image used with permission from Bailey Judd
After a brief hiatus, Tarntanya/Adelaide alt-rock act Choosing Sides are back in action with a new single, “Penelope.” It’s an anti-love song which explores feelings of desire and delusion.
“Penelope is a continuation of the narrative that began in our single ‘Cardboard Seats’,” explained the band’s lead singer Will Wright. “After escaping the city from a supernaturally toxic relationship – our character is fractured by his desire to hear from Penelope despite all the negativity she brought into his life. Whilst Penelope’s curses and evil ways drove our protagonist out of town, he still has a sadistic addiction to hearing her ringtone, her voice, and her coarse language.”
The supernatural plot the band imagined comes to life in the song’s music video. This is a great return to form from Choosing Sides. Hopefully they won’t leave us waiting so long for the next one!
There are few things I enjoy more than some angry girl music. I have a love-hate relationship with the term, because it feels so reductive, but no one has coined anything better for that incredible music that sees women venting their frustrations. Artists like Alanis Morisette and Tori Amos were so influential in my formative years, and I love that there seems to be a renaissance thanks to talents like Olivia Rodrigo, Gayle, and Noah Cyrus. While those big American talents grab the headlines, Aussies aren’t sleeping on the movement. The latest to pique my interest is EDIE, who’s not holding anything back with her new single “Villain.”
“‘Villain’ explores post-heartbreak frustration and the selfish desire for your ex to feel the same pain as you do,” EDIE explained. “This song highlights how sometimes you have to make someone the villain to be able to move on.”
The music video is also stellar, but not for the faint hearted. If blood makes you squeamish, you might want to look away. You have been warned!
From that bold electric guitar-driven opening, you know “All So Dear” by The Vendettas is a serious rock track. Pretty soon the relentless drums and boisterous vocals kick in and all you can do is hang on for dear life and enjoy the ride.
Turn this one up. Put your fist in the air. And don’t be surprised if after the four minutes is done, you want to press play and enjoy it all over again. If you like what you hear, make sure you get along to the album launch at The Evelyn Hotel in Naarm/Melbourne on March 23.
Image used with permission from Golden Robot Records
