If you love your country with some grit, check out Gareth Leach’s new track “Habitual Line Stepper.” We’re all familiar with heavy rock and heavy metal; this single introduces you to a new genre: heavy country. It’s a hard-hitting song about toxic relationships that puts its foot on the throttle and stays the course.
The music video gives you an insight into what it’s like seeing Gareth live. It also features great rodeo footage captured when Glen and his band played the Bendigo M5 Pro Rodeo.
“Habitual Line Stepper” is the third track lifted from Gareth Leach and the Narratives of Hope’s third album, scheduled for released next year. In the lead-up, Gareth has booked plenty of festival performances. Catch him at the following events:
18 & 19 November 2022 – Sale Country Music Festival @ Sale Racecourse, Wayput/Sale
4 & 5 March 2023 – Country by the Bay @ Frankston Foreshore, Bunurong Country/Frankston
1 & 2 April 2023 – Goulburn Country Music Festival, Kanny-goopna/Shepparton
If Channel Seven doesn’t use Jade Gibson’s latest track “Country Mile” on their promos for the final eps of Farmer Wants a Wife, they’ve missed an opportunity. This is such a happy, catchy country song that it’s even won over this city slicker.
We shouldn’t be surprised considering the team behind it though. Nashville native Tyler Bank penned it with Melbourne’s MSQuared (Michael Paynter and Michael DeLorenzis). No wonder it sounds like a hit! It celebrates the touring lifestyle that Jade knows all too well. She always seems to be on the move, but you can see her at the following shows:
1 November 2022 – Wangaratta Racecourse, Bpangerang Country/Wangaratta
5 November 2022 – Gerogery Hotel, Wiradjuri Country/Gerogery
6 November 2022 – Balldale Hotel, Wiradjuri Country/Balldale
19 November 2022 – Precinct Bar & Restaurant, Bpangerang Country/Wangaratta
25 November 2022 – The Caledonian Hotel, Boonwurrung Country/Wonthaggi
10 December 2022 – Wangaratta Racecourse, Bpangerang Country/Wangaratta
7 January 2023 – Wangaratta Rodeo, Bpangerang Country/Wangaratta
And the award for best band name I’ve heard in a while goes to Turpentine Babycino. But this Mulubinba/Newcastle rock act doesn’t just have a great name going for them. They’ve got an infectious energy that’s pretty hard to resist. I’ve currently got their debut single “Write a Song Sounds Shit” on repeat.
“’Write A Song Sounds Shit’ is about the aftermath of a break-up. Big parties, loud music, long nights, and writing shitty break-up songs are often on the cards to help ‘forget’ about an ex. As a songwriter it’s easy to dismiss a great song due to self-doubt and judgment and after a break-up, these insecurities are heightened. ‘Write A Song Sounds Shit’ is that shitty break-up song that nobody’s supposed to hear, except people will this time,” Turpentine Babycino said. Only thing is though, it’s not shitty. Not even a little bit. Trust me. Have a listen.
After spending most of the year supporting such diverse acts as Bad Dreems, The Screaming Jets, and Mia Dyson, Turpentine Babycino are ready for the spotlight. They’ll travel to capital cities and regional venues in the Eastern states to support the release of “Write a Song Sounds Shit”. Every show is free, so there’s no excuse for staying home.
5 October 2022 – Retreat Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
8 October 2022 – Botany View Hotel, Eora/Sydney
9 October 2022 – The North Wollongong Hotel, Dharawal Country/Wollongong
14 October 2022 – Wave Bowl, Birpai Country/Port Macquarie
16 October 2022 – Hamilton Station Hotel, Mulubinba/Newcastle
28 October 2022 – Last Rites Bar, Yaygir Country/Yamba
29 October 2022 – Eddie’s Grub House, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Wanagi
Kiwi trio Albi & The Wolves have won plenty of fans and awards back home, but they’re largely unknown here across the ditch. Hopefully their upcoming Aussie tour will change all that, because these guys are pretty special.
Albi & The Wolves celebrate their folk rock and Americana influences with a sound you just don’t hear enough in 2022. Using just an acoustic guitar, electric violin, double bass, a stomp, and their stunning vocals, they create such beautiful music I know you’re going to fall for them too. Seriously, I’ve been listening for hours. Take a listen and snap up a ticket to one of the following shows:
30 September 2022 – Humph Hall, Eora/Sydney (Entry by donation)
1 October 2022 – Dashville Skyline Festival, Wonnarua Country/Belford
5 October 2022 – Sewing Room, Boorloo/Perth
7-9 October 2022 – Nanga Music Festival, Nyoongar Country/Dwellingup
13 October 2022 – House Concert, Boorloo/Perth
14 October 2022 – It’s Still A Secret, Meeanjin/Brisbane (with The Long Johns)
15 October 2022 – Dusty Day Out, Wakka Wakka Country/South Burnett Region
16 October 2022 – Sublime Farm, Kabi Kabi Country/Kia Ora (FREE)
19 October 2022 – Dust Temple, Yugambeh Country/Currumbin Waters
20 October 2022 – Eudlo Hall, Eudlo
21-23 October 2022 – Tablelands Folk Festival, Yungaburra
27 October 2022 – Shot Kickers, Naarm/Melbourne (FREE)
28 October-1 November 2022 – Maldon Folk Festival, Djadjawurrung Country/Maldon
Image used with permission from Footstomp Music
In the wake of the recently released Raising Their Voices report into sexual harassment and discrimination across the Australian music industry, RedHook have dropped their powerful new single “SAY.” Lead singer Emmy Mack wrote the song to share her own experiences of sexism before and after the birth of the #MeToo movement. That’s right, if you thought #MeToo solved everything, Emmy is here to burst your bubble.
“When I was first starting out, I was told in no uncertain terms that I had a ‘use-by date’, I was pressured to dumb down my ‘image’ and conform to a more palatable ‘female rock artist’ stereotype; and I was repeatedly made to feel like my opinion didn’t matter when it came to my own music and career,” Emmy said. “And even though it does feel like things are starting to shift in a more positive direction, with the #MeToo movement and now this Raising Their Voices report helping to bring these issues out of the shadows, we clearly still have a long way to go. I hope my little trauma dump on ‘SAY’ helps empower people who’ve copped similar bullshit in any aspect of life. My vision for the song is to be a loud and impetuous ‘fuck you’ to anyone who’s ever tried to make anyone else in this world feel voiceless or small.”
Fuck yes. RedHook have a bunch of upcoming dates playing festivals and supporting In Hearts Wake. Catch them anywhere you can.
22 September 2022 – Drifters Wharf, Darkinjung Country/Gosford (supporting In Hearts Wake)
23 September 2022 – Cambridge Hotel, Mulubinba/Newcastle (supporting In Hearts Wake)
24 September 2022 – Manning Bar, Eora/Sydney (early show – supporting In Hearts Wake)
24 September 2022 – Manning Bar, Eora/Sydney (late show – supporting In Hearts Wake)
29 September 2022 – Uni Bar, Tharawal/Wollongong (supporting In Hearts Wake)
30 September 2022 – UC Hub, Ngunnawal/Canberra (supporting In Hearts Wake)
1 October 2022 – Beer Deluxe, Wiradjuri/Albury (supporting In Hearts Wake)
5 October 2022 – Volta, Wathaurong/Ballarat (supporting In Hearts Wake)
6 October 2022 – Sooki Lounge, Wurundjeri/Belgrave (supporting In Hearts Wake)
7 October 2022 – The Wool Exchange, Djilang/Geelong (supporting In Hearts Wake)
8 October 2022 – Pier Bandroom, Boonwurrung/Frankston (supporting In Hearts Wake)
14 October 2022 – Altar, Nipaluna/Hobart (supporting In Hearts Wake)
15 October 2022 – Lion Arts Factory, Tarndanya/Adelaide (supporting In Hearts Wake)
16 October 2022 – North Sound System, Kaurna/Elizabeth (Licensed-All Ages supporting In Hearts Wake)
21 October 2022 – Vinnie’s Dive, Yugambeh/Cold Coast (supporting In Hearts Wake)
22 October 2022 – The Northern, Cavanbah, Byron Bay (supporting In Hearts Wake)
29 October 2022 – Scorched Festival, Meeanjin/Brisbane
2 December 2022 – Good Things Festival, Naarm/Melbourne
3 December 2022 – Good Things Festival, Eora/Sydney
4 December 2022 – Good Things Festival, Meeanjin/Brisbane
10 December 2022 – Rolling Sets Festival, Darkinjung Country/The Entrance
Riley Catherall is one of those artists that makes you want to hear everything they’ve ever written. I intended to write about his new single “Bark at the Moon” hours ago, but then I found myself falling down the Spotify rabbit hole, becoming equally enamoured with every carefully crafted song in his catalogue. But back to matters at hand. “Bark at the Moon” is the first single Riley’s dropped after the release of his critically acclaimed debut album When I Go, and it shows its accolades were no fluke. The secret, it seems, is just letting the music flow.
“This song was a real exercise in not trying to overwrite new material,” Riley said, noting that he felt a real pressure to deliver something fresh. “This meant lots of unfinished songs abandoned and wondering whether I’d be able to write another good song.”
Rest assured, this song isn’t just good. It’s great.
“’Bark at the Moon’ was one of those magical instances where it sort of fell out in about an hour and with each line I grew more excited about it. I was so caught up in that once it was written, another hour went by, and I had demoed it using a basic recording set up in my room.”
The music video, shot by Tyler Ridgeway, features Riley cruising around the Dandenong Ranges in a classic 1989 Mitsubishi Magna. “I wanted to replicate that teenage dream era of driving around in the early hours, trying to find the best place to see the sunrise,” he explained.
Riley is doing a lot of travelling at the moment taking his music to the people of the eastern states. Here are all his upcoming shows:
22 September 2022 – The Citadel, Kalibai Country/Murwillumbah (supporting Charm of Finches)
24 September 2022 – Junk Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
24 September 2022 – Dust Temple, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast (supporting Charm of Finches)
25 September 2022 – Flow Bar, Biripi and Worimi Country/Old Bar (FREE)
5 October 2022 – The Midnight Special, Eora/Sydney
8 October 2022 – Shellharbour Rocks the Park Festival, Yerrowah/Shellharbour (FREE)
13 October 2022 – Little Alberts, Wiradjuri Country/Bathurst
14 October 2022 – The Front, Ngunnawal Country/Canberra
27 October 2022 – The Gasometer Upstairs, Naarm/Melbourne
28 October 2022 – The Taproom, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Castlemaine (FREE)
30 October 2022 – The Barwon Club, Djilang/Geelong
Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity
A memorable travel moment inspired Bec Sandridge’s latest pop smash “The Jetty.” Featuring the equally-fabulous Andy Bull, it’s the perfect feelgood Friday tune.
“‘The Jetty’ was written about falling off a jetty in Naoshima, Japan. My ex-partner fell in and I attempted to pull her out. Hilariously, I also fell in (passports, phone, paper-money were all completely gone),” Bec recounted. “This felt like the perfect analogy for our relationship – losing ourselves and each-other, whilst trying to salvage every last water-damaged object that we had on us. I guess, this one asks the sea-sick question: ‘is there something (or someone) else out there?’
“Initially, Andy came into the studio to play synths on the track. I was beyond honoured when he asked if he could sing on the track as well. I’ve been a big Andy Bull fan for a very long time and completely adore what he does vocally, lyrically and in particular, all of the synth sounds he uses. Dave (Jenkins Jr) had the genius idea that we make the track a Joni Mitchell-esque ‘Snakes and Ladders’ duet whereby Andy kinda drops in and out of the second verse in a non-linear kinda of way – which I love. An old collaborator, Tony Buchen also did some additional production on the track, which was a nice full-circle moment.”
“The Jetty” is the second track lifted from Bec’s forthcoming EP, Lost Dog. Having recently wrapped up an Aussie tour, she’s set to dazzle the UK and Europe this month. It’s the first time Bec has toured these regions with her full band, so the shows are bound to be pretty special. If you’re lucky enough to be there, you can see Bec in action at the following venues:
21 September 2022 – Haldern Pop Bar, Haldern
23 September 2022 – THE AUSSIE BBQ @ Reeperbahn, Hamburg
24 September 2022 – Reeperbahn Festival, Hamburg
25 September 2022 – Indiestad Festival @ Paradiso, Amsterdam
27 September 2022 – The Hope & Ruin, Brighton
28 September 2022 – Sebright, London
30 September 2022 – Hug & Pint, Glasgow
Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit: Sam Brumby
Eora/Sydney singer, DJ, music producer, radio host, and all-round super talent Dyan Tai has teamed up with award-winning Guzheng artist Mindy Meng Wang 王萌 on dance-pop anthem, “We Can’t Forget.”I love the way this track incorporates the classical sounds of the Guzheng, a traditional Chinese harp, with fresh pop beats. This upbeat number is just what you need to bounce back from hardships, whether you’re facing the kind of breakup that inspired it or simply the slog of the working week.
“”We Can’t Forget” is about rejection and heartbreak and how those feelings never truly leave,” Dyan explained. “It is also about finding comfort in your tribe and the (queer) community.”
Dyan features that community in the vibrant music video. As the founder of Worship Queer Collective, Dyan helped nurture all the emerging QTPOC artists featured in the clip. What a great celebration of their artistry! Dyan has several shows coming up over the coming months. Catch them at the following events:
16 September 2022 – Rina Sawayama Official Album Launch @ The Imperial Erskineville, Eora/Erskineville (Live & DJ Set)
1 October 2022 – Coastal Twist Dance Party & Fair Day, Darkinjung Country/Central Coast
14 October 2022 – Astronaughty, Pride of Our Footscray, Naarm/Melbourne (with Dirty Versachi)
22nd October 2022 – Dynasty: Drag & Dumpling @ Festival Hub: Trades Hall – ETU Ballroom, Naarm/Carlton (Naarm/Melbourne Fringe Premiere)
24 November 2022 – Powerhouse Museum, Eora/Ultimo (EP Launch with AnSo and Salllvage)
Can The Vanns ever put a foot wrong? I’ve been a little slow to listen to their latest track “Making It Out Alive,” but I am so glad I’ve taken the time to listen this morning. Perhaps it’s that new-music rush talking, but this single might just be their best yet.
“Making It Out Alive’ is one of a bunch of songs we recorded with Chris [Collins, producer] earlier this year,” The Vanns explained. “The song wasn’t finished being fully written until the night before we tracked it, which is always a fun timeframe to record in. It also features some great saxophone work by Dusty Boots, who’s so talented and an absolute legend.”
Life’s been good for The Vanns, with the band selling out their entire Red Light national tour, recently wrapping up a successful regional run, and sharing stages with The Wombats. And they’re still not done. Check them out at the following shows:
The quality collaborations from Hilltop Hoods just keep on coming. Fresh from their pairing with Eamon, they’ve enlisted old friends Montaigne and Tom Thum for their latest track “A Whole Day’s Night”. As you might imagine, it’s pretty brilliant.
“‘A Whole Day’s Night’ is a response to our own song, ‘What a Great Night’. It’s a reflection on how we look at the same situation 15 years later. How what we considered a celebration back in the day, could be considered a regret in the present,” they said. “The song had a real ‘1955’ feel to it, so we decided to get the line-up of Hoods, Montaigne, Tom Thum and One Above back together. And it feels like we found that same chemistry again.”
In case you missed it, Hilltop Hoods have been playing sold out shows all around the country on their first national tour in three years. There are still a few tickets for the remaining shows, but they won’t last long. You have been warned!
