Category: Releases

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Clay J Gladstone’s the “Talk of the Town” Ahead of Sienna Skies Shows

Clay J Gladstone have come to kickstart your Wednesday with their rocking new single “Talk of the Town.” This angsty track about struggling to break through in the music industry sounds best loud, so crank that volume!

“Talk Of The Town is my uppercut to the business side of the music industry,” vocalist Tim Wisbey explained. “Targeting those elitists and gatekeepers that decide whether your social media is vogue and colossal enough to give you a shot. It makes me sick thinking how tough it is for younger bands coming through, or any band really.

“It’s not just about the music – though I guess it never really has been. You basically need to be an expert in marketing, sales, relationship management, bookings, or even dance choreography to cut through the fog. Anyway, I’m not whining. I could die tomorrow and be happy that I got to write this song, pretending I’ve made it and giving the middle finger to any creature that’s tried to cut us at the knees along the way.”

“Talk of the Town” is the latest single lifted from Clay J Gladstone’s forthcoming debut album, set to drop later this year. The band have a stack of shows coming up supporting Sienna Skies all around the country, where you just might hear some of those new songs.

2 November 2024 – Lynotts Lounge, Boorloo/Perth (supporting Sienna Skies)
6 November 2024 – The Basement, Ngambri/Canberra (supporting Sienna Skies)
7 November 2024 – The Jungle Duke, Wiradjuri Country/Wagga Wagga (supporting Sienna Skies)
8 November 2024 – The Leadbeater Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Sienna Skies)
9 November 2024 – Froth & Fury Festival, Tarntanya/Adelaide (supporting Sienna Skies)
14 November 2024 – La La La’s, Woolyungah/Wollongong (supporting Sienna Skies)
15 November 2024 – The Red Rattler, Eora/Sydney (supporting Sienna Skies)
16 November 2024 – Tomcat, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Sienna Skies)

Photo credit: Hayden Nixon

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joan & The Giants Release “Feels Like Heartache” Ahead of Belinda Carlisle Tour

Sometimes a beautiful song doesn’t hit you immediately. If it’s too subtle, it can lost in all the noise of the day-to-day. But when it does hit you, when it catches you in a moment of quiet, the payoff is so rewarding. That’s how I’m feeling about “Feels Like Heartache,” the latest single from Joan & the Giants. It’s such a beautiful, bittersweet ballad about a doomed romance moving towards its inevitable demise.

“’Feels like Heartache’ is the most deeply personal and honest song we’ve written,” lead vocalist Grace Newtown-Wordsworth said. “It’s centred around longing for the person you love more than anything but knowing it’s an addiction and isn’t good for you. Being brutally honest isn’t easy, but honesty to us is a very important thing, especially in our songwriting.”

Joan & The Giants usually headline shows these days, but they’re stepping into the support role on Belinda Carlisle’s upcoming tour, which kicks off in their hometown next month. Here are all the dates you need for those gigs:

18 September 2024 – Astor Theatre, Boorloo/Perth (supporting Belinda Carlisle – SOLD OUT)
20 September 2024 – Palais Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Belinda Carlisle)
21 September 2024 – Palais Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Belinda Carlisle – SOLD OUT)
24 September 2024 – Civic Theatre, Mulubinba/Newcastle (supporting Belinda Carlisle – SOLD OUT)
27 September 2024 – Anita’s Theatre, Dharawal Country/Thirroul (supporting Belinda Carlisle)
29 September 2024 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney (supporting Belinda Carlisle – SOLD OUT)
30 September 2024 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney (supporting Belinda Carlisle)
3 October 2024 – Twin Towns, Goodjinburra Country/Tweed Heads (supporting Belinda Carlisle)
5 October 2024 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Belinda Carlisle – SOLD OUT)
6 October 2024 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Belinda Carlisle)

Photo credit: Isabelle Haubrich Photography

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Braydin Good Drops “Honest” New Single

There are few qualities I value more in music than honesty. You give me the truth and I can overlook a less-than-perfect vocal or raw production values. So I had pretty high hopes for Braydin Good’s new single, called “Honest.” Thankfully this beautiful country ballad delivers just what its title promises.

Braydin has honed his craft supporting artists like Christie Lamb and Casey Barnes. “Honest” is only his second single, but it suggests he won’t be playing second fiddle to other acts for too much longer.

Image used with permission from Rock This Country

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