The press release for The Hollywood Waltz’s debut single “There For You” says that “If a DeLorean had a head on collision with a Tesla,” this band would be the result. Their music might not be as messy as all that, but they certainly infuse a contemporary feel into classic ‘80s pop. This song is so much fun, I’ve had it on a loop.
If you love what you hear and live in Eora/Sydney, you’re in luck. The band will play Frankie’s Pizza every Thursday in September, showcasing this song and others from their forthcoming mini album. The band will hit the stage at 9 pm, but you’ll want to get there early as the first 100 punters through the door take home a free badge.
Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute
If you weren’t already excited about the next album from The Smith Street Band, wrap your ears around their latest single “Everyone Is Lying to You For Money”. The robot voices threw me for a second, but before too long it becomes the explosively angry track I hoped for.
While I love the clip, you’re going to want to head to the streaming services as this single comes packaged with three killer live cuts from the band’s appearance at the Forum last year. If that doesn’t get you excited about seeing The Smithies live, I don’t know what will. Here are the remaining dates on their current Aussie tour!
You can always count on Bootleg Rascal for a good time. Their latest tune “Rescue Me” is an absolute banger. As if its sunny soul sound wasn’t enough, it comes complete with a Baywatch parody film clip. And if you’re still not satisfied, there’s a tour on the horizon. Happy days!
“Every Saturday night, Carlos, Fraser, and myself stay up late to have pillow fights and talk about the boys we like. During our time together, we also watch re-runs of Baywatch, The Sandlot Kids and clips of Kenny Powers slaying on a jet ski,” guitarist Jimmy Young admitted. “We thought about what we could do for the music video and then it hit us – we should just pay someone else to sort out a concept for us.”
Bootleg Rascal’s upcoming single shows are on track to sell out, so if you want some tickets, you know what to do.
I’ve always appreciated artists who find success in groups, yet take time away from their bands to express themselves a little more. Amy Sheppard is best known as a member of sibling pop act Sheppard, but she’s now carving out an impressive country career in her own right. Her latest single “Blue Guitar” is bound to resonate with anyone who loved those big ‘90s country acts like LeAnn Rimes, Faith Hill, and Trisha Yearwood.
“I really leaned into the beauty of country music storytelling. Country music gives permission for songwriters to weave creative stories and this is where ‘Blue Guitar’ was born,” Amy explained. “The storyline follows a woman who returns to visit her small hometown. When she enters a local bar, she is taken aback by a familiar voice. The man singing on the stage is her former lover who never quite made the big time. She notices he is still playing his blue guitar- the same one he used to write love songs to her on. She is filled with the same old feelings she had for him and begins to wonder if the songs he is singing today are still about her.”
If you love what you hear, you’re in luck. Amy will release her debut solo EP Nothing But Wild on September 16. She’s also playing a few shows around Queensland, so get onto those!
10 September 2022 – Country Music Raceday @ Doomben Racecourse, Meeanjin/Brisbane
16 September 2022 – Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane (EP launch)
23 September 2022 – CMC Rocks QLD 2022, Tulmur/Ipswich
1 October 2022 – Savannah in the Round, Mareeba
Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Georgia Wallace
The press release calls “Hate Club,” the new single from Clay J Gladstone “a blistering two-minute wrecking ball, assailing with the emotional ingredients of angst and vitality.” Honestly, I couldn’t have said it better myself. So I won’t. Instead, I’m just going to instruct you to turn this one up. Oh, and maybe grab the headphones if you share an office with others. The swears are perfect for slogging through the working week, but I’m not sure your boss would agree!
“‘Hate Club’ is about a teenage relationship being torn apart by the jealous friends group, only to have those same jealous friends slide into your DMs months later,” Clay J Gladstone explained. “It is about standing your ground in a relationship and calling out poor behaviour when you see it; being comfortable hunted by the ‘Hate Club’.”
Clay J Gladstone are making waves in the live arena after wowing crowds when they toured with Hellions, Deadlights, and Ocean Sleeper. They’ve also sold out hometown gigs at The Burdekin Hotel and The Factory Floor. You can catch Clay J Gladstone doing what they do best at the Winter Music Festival in Kedumba/Katoomba on August 27.
Meeanjin/Brisbane artist Alex Edwards aims to erase the stigma around mental health with his brave new single “I Have Schizophrenia.” It’s a gorgeous, honest track featuring guest appearances from Dorothy Daisy, Blaq Carrie, Sean FitzGerald, and Trav Jenkins.
Renee Brazel Photography directed the video, which sees Alex and Dorothy Daisy bearing all, quite literally. The visuals are the ideal match for a song that’s so intimate and personal.
Alex has several local gigs coming up. Catch him at the following Queensland venues:
4 August 2021 – It’s Still a Secret, Meeanjin/Brisbane
25 August 2021 – Mo’s Desert Clubhouse, Jellurgal/Burleigh Heads
27 August 2021 – Ric’s Bar, Meeanjin/Fortitude Valley (FREE)
Meet Evergreener, an exciting new act that’s formed from the ashes of Stand Tall. Like so many bands, the pandemic ground Stand Tall to a halt. Someone left the group, but not to be deterred they’ve decided to keep on making music under a new moniker. “Deciduous” is Evergreener’s first release, a track that shows these guys still have all the angst and energy that brought them together all those years ago.
Evergreener say their new single is “A light-hearted and positive outlook on a dark time, similar to that of deciduous leaves falling from a tree, only to grow back again more vibrant than before.”
Evergreener will support Bad Neighbour when their If No One Gets to Win EP tour rolls hits Bad Decisions Bar in Ngár-go/Fitzroy on September 10.
Have you ever met that person who’d be absolutely perfect for you, except for that small matter of their partner? If you have, Katie Thorne’s new single “Hate Your Girlfriend” is for you. The title prepares you for an angsty punk or rock track, but Katie prefers to keep her anger just simmering below the surface with this cool jazz number.
“IHYG was written as a kind of self-exorcism to placate my very own green-eyed monster – you know, say the bad thing out loud and then maybe it won’t feel so big,” Katie explained. “I’ve always been drawn to music that portrays the flawed woman who feels pain.”
Whether you’re going through your own mess right now or feeling nostalgic about the crushes of the past, crank this one up and I swear you’ll feel better.
Image used with permission from The PR Files
Queensland indie act LT takes us on a trip with her dreamy new single “Rollercoaster.” This track brings you all the fun of the fair, with plenty of twists and turns. It sounds beautiful and bright, but make sure you don’t miss the message in those lyrics.
“Rollercoaster is about caring for someone who battles with bipolar disorder,” LT explained. “It’s about navigating through sleepless nights and uncontrollable highs, and keeping afloat during days of slumber and sweeping lows. It’s about love, perseverance, and riding that rollercoaster until you next see light.”
LT worked closely with emerging Meeanjin/Brisbane creator Brendan Shoenmaker to bring this story to life with a gorgeous video.
“Due to the sensitive subject matter of Rollercoaster, it was really important we created something beautiful that in no way added to the stigma that people battling mental health issues can experience,” LT added. “Brendan used inspiration from filmmaker Ingmar Bergman’s persona, creating a film depicting inner duality. The story demonstrates a study of yin and yang told through the cat and mouse relationship of two dancers, representing not just the duality of bipolar but the togetherness of the relationship as well as a healthy dose of self-love. It explores the relationship of duality from a perspective of absence and presence, with the dance built around two characters slipping in and out of each other’s space. It is the tug of war between these moments that we wanted to showcase along with connection, endurance and the will to push on through.”
I hear this is just one of several new tunes from LT we should hear this year. Bring them on!
Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Rhea Caldwell
If you love pop music that combines catchy melodies with messages that matter, Naarm/Melbourne act Ellery Cohen will be up your alley. His latest single “Demons” is the perfect combination of happy-sad. The lyrics explore some dark subject matter, but those sweet retro synths provide the right balance.
“Demons is a step above what I’ve released before, both musically and lyrically, and it’s more vulnerable than anything I’ve done previously,” Ellery admitted. “It’s a song about accepting the things in life we can’t change. We all face struggles and battle addictions and we wanted to write a song about there being comfort in knowing that all humans struggle and although we are different, we are all the same.”
Ellery worked closely with producer-turned-filmmaker Daniel Kelaart to create a film clip that complements “Demons” perfectly.
“We really wanted a video that showed the message of the song. Demons is all about the struggles we all face in life. The video follows the stories of two people just trying to work through their ‘demons’ in life,” Ellery added. “One is a lady trying desperately to be in a body she loves and the other is someone who is working a job he hates and hoping to get away. I wanted to make a video that hits emotions that we have all experienced in life.”
Hometown fans can catch Ellery launching “Demons” at The Toff in Town this Friday, July 22. “You can expect new songs, high energy, and some very, very bad jokes,” he says. If that sounds like your idea of a good time, make sure you lock those tickets in!
Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Liam Frogley
