Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole Reunite For Another Album and Tour

Everyone deserves a friend like Adam Harvey. A friend who doesn’t just reach out when you’re doing it tough, but really steps up to make you feel better.

“A few months ago when I wasn’t doing so well, my friend Adam Harvey checked in on me every week or so,” fellow Central Coast-based country artist Beccy Cole shared on social media. “He asked if there was anything he could do and I said ‘you could tour with me again, they are my happiest times.’ So he changed his year around and orchestrated this whole project. He said if I got better he would tour with me till the bloody wheels fall off! That’s what you call a friend.”

That project was The Great Country Songbook Volume 3, a sequel to the Great Country Songbook Volume 2 they released in 2017. I revisited that album yesterday and was so struck by the genuine love that radiates from these recordings. Adam and Beccy may be the closest Australia has to Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, and not just because they do a mean cover of “Islands in the Stream”!

As we await the album’s release, it’s time to get excited about that tour. Expect music, stories, and plenty of laughs when Adam and Beccy visit your town.

9 September 2022 – Northern Beaches Bowls Club, Yuibera Country/Mackay
10 September 2022 – The World Theatre, Gudjal Country/Charters Towers
11 September 2022 – Dalrymple Hotel, Bindal and Wulgurukaba Country/Townsville
15 September 2022 – Brolga Theatre, Tuaggra/Maryborough
16 September 2022 – Twin Towns Services Club, Goodjinburra Country/Tweed Heads
17 September 2022 – Caloundra RSL, Cullowundoor/Caloundra
18 September 2022 – City Golf Club, Tawampa/Toowoomba
23 September 2022 – Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, Wiradjuri Country/Bathurst
24 September 2022 – Penrith Panthers, Darug Country/Penrith
29 September 2022 – Lighthouse Theatre, Dhauwurd Wurrung Country/Warrnambool
30 September 2022 – York On Lilydale, Wurundjeri Country/Mount Evelyn
1 October 2022 – Palais Theatre, Wadawurrung Country/Geelong
8 October 2022 – Red Hill Auditorium, Boorloo/Perth
14 October 2022 – The Street Theatre, Ngambri/Canberra
15 October 2022 – Anita’s Theatre, Wodi Wodi Country/Thirroul
16 October 2022 – Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Wiradjuri Country/Wagga Wagga

Image used with Sony Music Australia

Jacob Fitzgerald Rocks Out With “Muse”

Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Jacob Fitzgerald serves up a slice of classic rock with his bold new single “Muse”. This is an irresistible track with a killer bass line and plenty of swagger.

“Essentially, there are times where I’m writing about love/lust, but I’m not actively in love or possessing a similar feeling. In those situations, I found I naturally gravitate to basing the subject around this one particular person,” Jacob explained. “To be honest, I don’t even really know her, but she somehow is tattooed into my subconscious and is someone I can draw inspiration from EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I dunno, she just has the ‘thing’.”

A track this energetic is going to only get better in the live arena, so Jacob and his band are heading on tour. Catch them supporting Selfish Sons at the following shows:

6 August 2022 – Stay Gold, Naarm/Melbourne
12 August 2022 – The Zoo, Meeanjin/Brisbane
13 August 2022 – Hotel Carrington, Meeanjin/Brisbane
14 August 2022 – The Bearded Dragon, Yugambeh/Tambourine
19 August 2022 – Burleigh Bazaar, Yugambeh/Gold Coast
20 August 2022 – The Great Club, Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Bo’Ness “Still Young”, Still Fantastic

Bo’Ness were one of my favourite acts on the 2020 season of The Voice. There was something just so likeable about these enthusiastic young identical twins. They were also super talented; not just for teenagers but proper talented. So I’m thrilled to see they’re still making music and touring around the country. Their latest track is “Still Young,” a country-rock anthem about embracing life.

“’Still Young’ is about purely living in the moment and not letting neither your past or future bother you,” they explain. “Just living it up, savouring friends and family and doing everything while you can.”

Bo’Ness have been pretty busy this year, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.

“This whole year has been a life-changing experience; we have travelled on a tour bus for the last six months on the road and played over 20 shows to over 120,000 people in total.”

And there are more shows to come. They’re supporting some top artists, playing festivals, and headlining their own gigs. Catch Bo’Ness at one of the following venues this year:

6 August 2022 – Commercial Hotel, Meeanjin/Brisbane
13 August 2022 – Daylesford Town Hall, Djadjawurrung Country/Daylesford (with Dallas Frasca)
16-26 August 2022 – Variety Bash (30th Anniversary)
2 September 2022 – It’s Still a Secret, Meeanjin/Brisbane (with Amber Lawrence)
8 September 2022 – Wallaby Hotel, Mudgeeraba (with Screaming Jets)
9 September 2022 – The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane (with Screaming Jets)
10 September 2022 – Bribie Island Hotel, Yarun/Bribie Island (with Screaming Jets)
11 September 2022 – Lefty’s Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane (with Reece Mastin)
17 September 2022 – Down on the Farm Country Campout, Geynyan Country/Springdale (with James Blundell)
18 September 2022 – Harrigans, Kombumerri Country/Jacobs Well
29 September 2022 – Beenleigh Tavern, Bundjalung Country/Beenleigh
5 November 2022 – One Electric Day @ Kent Reserve, Ngarrindjeri Country/Victor Harbour
11 November 2022 – Waves Sports Club, Taribelang Bunda Country/Bundaberg
13 November 2022 – Lighthouse Hotel, Taribelang Bunda Country/Burnett Heads
19 November 2022 – One Electric Day @ Mornington Racecourse, Boonwurrung Country/Mornington Peninsula
20 November 2022 – One Electric Day @ Werribee Park, Wirribi-yaluk/Werribee
26 November 2022 – One Electric Day @ Sandstone Point Hotel, Ningy Ningy Country/Sandstone Point
27 November 2022 – One Electric Day @ Broadwater Parklands, Yugambeh Country/Southport

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Flynn Gurry Floors Me With “Don’t Know Love”

Naarm/Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Flynn Gurry has totally slayed me with his new single “Don’t Know Love”. It’s not surprising really, as he was inspired by one of my favourite international artists.

“I was really inspired by the way Dermot Kennedy brings such cool production to dark stories and that is what Jan [Skubiszewski, producer] and I attempted to achieve, this was also the first time I had recorded a song on the electric guitar,” he explained.

It was also the first time Flynn wrote a song from someone else’s perspective. If this is what happens when Flynn shakes things up, I think he should do it more often!

“I remember at the time of writing this thinking pretty deeply about love in general and how powerful it can be and that maybe we don’t fully understand it until we lose it,” he added.

“Don’t Know Love” comes from Flynn’s debut studio EP, slated for release later this year. Before that, you can catch him doing his thing at the following venues:

24 July 2022 – Hotel Brunswick, Arakwal Country/Brunswick Heads
29 July 2022 – Saints and Sailors, Bellawiyn/Portarlington
30 July 2022 – Palais Hepburn, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Hepburn Springs

Image used with permission from Footstomp PR

“How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater” – Alex the Astronaut

Alex the Astronaut is one of the more unique voices in the Australian music industry. Queer, neurodivergent, the holder of degrees in maths and physics. Hers is the kind of voice we don’t often hear releasing music. That’s just one of the many reasons you should pay attention to her new album, How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater.

I think one of the best ways to learn about experiences different from our own is to hear people share their stories. This is such a personal album. “Octopus” explores her recent autism spectrum diagnosis. Songs like “Haunted” and “Airport” give snapshots of interactions with her parents, blind dates, and love interests. “Sick” is a deeply intimate exploration of the loss and grief process that often begins when the ones we love are clinging to life. “South London” is a nostalgic look at a childhood so removed from many Aussie upbringings. The closing song “Haircut” is about more than a typical trip to the salon; it’s a celebration of gender expression and authenticity.

Listening to these songs you start to understand that we have more similarities than differences. We may not have loved someone of the same gender, but we’ve loved so we understand those feelings of vulnerability and comfort. We might not be neurodivergent, but we’ve felt unsure of ourselves, like an outsider, so those songs make sense for us too. We might not know the people that mean so much to Alex the Astronaut, but we’ve got our own connections that these songs remind us of.

There’s also such a beautiful joy to this music. These songs tackle some really big, important, heavy themes, but they’re delivered with such heart and humour. This album is a celebration of life in all its messy, beautiful weirdness. Listening to it simply makes you feel good. And maybe that’s the biggest reason why you should give How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater a listen.

How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater is out today. Alex the Astronaut will embark on an Aussie tour, kicking off with an appearance at Splendour this weekend.

24 July 2022 – Splendour in the Grass, Bundjalung Nation/Byron Bay
11 August 2022 – Freo Social, Noongar/Perth
13 August 2022 – Darwin Festival, Garramilla/Darwin
18 August 2022 – Kambri at ANU, Ngunnawal Country/Canberra
19 August 2022 – City Recital Hall, Eora/Sydney
20 August 2022 – The Cambridge, Mulubinba/Newcastle
21 August 2022 – River Sounds, Gumbaynggirr Nation/Bellingen
27 August 2022 – The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane
2 September 2022 – Tanks Arts Centre, Gimuy/Cairns
4 September 2022 – Springtime Festival, Kombumerri Country/Gold Coast
8 September 2022 – Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
9 September 2022 – Altar, Nipaluna/Hobart
10 September 2022 – Uni Bar, Kaurna Land/Adelaide

Images used with permission from Warner Music Australia; album cover: Giulia McGauran; main image: @jessgleeson

Dulcie Serve Up Another Perfect Pop Bop With “Cold Hard Truth”

Dulcie are back with the sublime harmonies and catchy hooks that I can’t get enough of. “Cold Hard Truth” is another stellar single for the Boorloo/Perth pop act.

“‘Cold Hard Truth’ explores the frustration, insecurity and longing that comes from not knowing if someone feels the same way you do. It’s all about that waiting period, where you want them to make a move before you do!” explained the band’s lead vocalist and keyboardist, Ash Carr-White. “I originally wrote this song to be much slower and stripped back, but after workshopping it with the band and our producer it’s taken on a more punchy indie pop sound, which I love! We recorded it in my living room with Joel Quartermain and spent most of our time finding the perfect synth layers and midi sounds to bring it to life.”

Fresh from the back of supporting Amy Shark on her sold-out regional dates, Dulcie are ready to headline their own gigs. Catch them in the East Coast capitals before they return to the West this August.

4 August 2022 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeanjin/Brisbane (with Hollie Joy and Dizzy Days)
5 August 2022 – Waywards, Eora/Sydney (with 90ivy and Angela Rose)
6 August 2022 – Workers Club, Naarm/Melbourne (with Mvlholland and Harper Bloom)
12 August 2022 – The River House, Noongar Country/Margaret River (with Supathick, Siobhan Cotchin, and Mia June)

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; credit Stephanie Senior

COTERIE Ready to Headline First National Tour

I meant to write an article about COTERIE’s upcoming tour yesterday. Instead, I found myself travelling down the rabbit hole listening to their music and remembering just how much I love it. I’m still listening today, but I’m a bit more focused on the task at hand!

With Western Australian borders shut for so long, this will be the first time COTERIE have headlined an Aussie tour. Fans have wasted no time snapping up tickets, with several shows already sold out or getting close to it. COTERIE have just wrapped up a tour supporting Kiwi group SIX60, so they’re in fine form right now. Head to their website to get your tickets, because you don’t want to miss out.

29 July 2022 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne (FINAL TIX)
30 July 2022 – Jive Bar, Tarndanya/Adelaide
4 August 2022 – The Great Club, Eora/Sydney (SOLD OUT)
5 August 2022 – The Great Club, Eora/Sydney
6 August 2022 – Woolly Mammoth, Meeanjin/Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
19 August 2022 – Astor Theatre, Boorloo/Perth

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Fall in Love With Matt Joe Gow’s Newie, “‘Til My Whole Heart Bursts”

When you press play on a new Matt Joe Gow track, you know you’re in good hands. His latest single “’Til My Whole Heart Bursts” is another sublime slice of Americana. From Matt’s easy, earnest vocals to the cool sounds of the slide guitar, it ticks all the boxes for me.

“’Til My Whole Heart Bursts” comes from Matt’s forthcoming album Between Tonight & Tomorrow. He’s got a couple of local shows before he heads across the ditch to wow crowds in his homeland. Catch him at the following venues:

16 July 2022 – Shady Palms, Kincumba/Kincumber
17 July 2022 – Bayview Country Arts Club, Boonwurrung Land/Bittern
30 July 2022 – Radio Luna, Bunurong Land/Portsea
5 August 2022 – Bark, Dunedin
6 August 2022 – Peace Memorial Hall, Ophir
7 August 2022 – Thomas Green Pub, Gore
12 August 2022 – Maheno Hall, Oamaru
13 August 2022 – Luggate Hotel, Luggate
19 August 2022 – Hilltop House Concerts, Wellington
21 August 2022 – Wine Cellar, Auckland

Image used with permission from Matt Joe Gow

Bad Weather Drops “Flowers in Your Room” Ahead of The Faim Support

Winter may have well and truly set in, but Bad Weather are bringing the sunshine with their sweet new single “Flowers in Your Room.” This track has such a fun, radio-friendly feel. It’s the perfect blend of pop and rock, and we just don’t hear enough of that these days.

“‘Flowers In Your Room’ is one of the few songs I’ve written that started on an acoustic guitar,” recalls lead singer Callum Robertson, who also produced the track. “My writing process almost always starts on a laptop, but I had the main chords of the song and would just play them over and over again and hum to myself. The song is about the breakdown of a relationship and learning to navigate the emotions you feel throughout that process. Like a lot of the songs on the EP, it was written during the first lockdown where everyone was thrust into this new reality of living in the confines of four walls. It was a really emotional time for me, so I just locked myself away and wrote a heap of music.”

Bad Weather are heading out on the road to support fellow Boorloo/Perth rockers The Faim this week. You know these shows are going to be good, so make sure you don’t miss out on tickets!

15 July 2022 – Vision Studios, Boorloo/Perth (ALL AGES)
16 July 2022 – Jack Rabbit Slims, Boorloo/Perth
21 July 2022 – The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane
22 July 2022 – Newcastle Hotel, Mulubimba/Newcastle
23 July 2022 – The Lansdowne Hotel, Eora/Sydney
24 July 2022 – La La La’s, Woolyungah/Wollongong
29 July 2022 – Transit Bar, Ngambri/Canberra
30 July 2022 – Evelyn Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
31 July 2022 – Enigma Bar, Kaurna/Adelaide

Image used with permission from Good Intent; credit: Drew Kendell

Baker Boy Covers Bernard Fanning

I was pretty surprised when I heard Baker Boy had released a version of Bernard Fanning’s “Wish You Well”. But I should have known this wouldn’t be any karaoke cover. The Yolnu superstar has flipped the script here, bringing something new and very fresh to the Powderfinger frontman’s solo smash. Speaking of Bernard, he lends vocals to this incredibly cool new take.

“‘Wish You Well’ is a break-up track, but it’s all about spreading that love,” Baker Boy explained. “The original isn’t really usual for Baker Boy – that vibe. So I wanted to kind of make it into a story where I can also apply it differently and make it Yolŋu flavour. It’s not just in a romantic way, it’s about sharing the love – whether it’s your partner, whether it’s your friends or family … It’s also for the people that are having a hard time right now. I just wanted to spread some love through music.”

Bernard was also full of compliments for Baker Boy and his new version of “Wish You Well”.

“Baker Boy’s music is so full of energy and excitement that I was very happy to collaborate on a new take on ‘Wish You Well’,” he added. “I love the spirit of this new version and am so glad it’s taken such a different musical tack but maintained the buoyancy of the original. It’s the first time I’ve worked in this way, but I found it so easy because the ideas coming from Danzal and Pip [Norman, producer] were so good.”

After delighting crowds on his North American tour, Baker Boy is ready to play local shows. Catch him at Splendour in the Grass or one of his recently announced regional Victorian shows:

26 August 2022 – Ulumbarra Theatre, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Bendigo (ALL AGES)
2 September 2022 – Memo Theatre, Wurundjeri Country, Healesville (ALL AGES)
3 September 2022 – Volta, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Country/ Ballarat (18+)
8 September 2022 – Westernport Hotel, Bunurong Country/San Remo (18+)
9 September 2022 – Pier Hotel, Bunurong Country/Frankston (18+)
10 September 2022 – Gippsland PAC, Traralgon (ALL AGES)
23 September 2022 – Lighthouse, Warrnambool (ALL AGES)
24 September 2022 – Riverlinks, Kanny-goopna/Shepparton (ALL AGES)

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia; credit: Charlie Ashfield