With fans already snapping up tickets to The Show Business Tour, there’s no better time to remind you that Hilltop Hoods are bringing new music to your ears and preparing to tour. If you thought their best music might be behind them, press play on their latest track “Show Business” immediately. With special guest vocals from Eamon (remember him?!), this feel-good single is a real crowd-pleaser.
With the pandemic slowing everyone down, Hilltop Hoods haven’t had the chance to headline shows since The Great Expanse World Tour in 2019. This time around they’re taking A.B. Original, Elsy Wameyo, and DJ Total Eclipse along for the ride. Fan club members could nab their tickets yesterday before Telstra Plus members get in on the action tomorrow. The general sale happens at 10 am on Wednesday 11 May. The last shows sold out, so you can expect these ones will too. Don’t say you weren’t warned!
Pacific Avenue really impressed me with their single “Easy Love” last year. In fact, it was my most-streamed track on Spotify. But I think the Gerringong band might have topped it with “Give It Up For Yourself”. It’s a bright, shimmery indie-rock banger that somehow fuses psychedelic and Brit-pop vibes.
“’Give It Up For Yourself’ is a song that acknowledges and celebrates your life, everything that you are, and everything that you have overcome,” the band explained. “When I was writing the lyrics, I wanted to keep in mind the importance of taking a step back and appreciating how far you have come, no matter how far along you are in achieving your dreams. This song is about giving yourself some credit because if the younger version of yourself could see you today, I’m sure you would be proud.”
A song this good is only going to sound better live, so Pacific Avenue are taking it to capitals all around the country in the middle of the year. Catch them near you, supported by last year’s Unearthed High Competition winners, The Rions.
17 June 2022 – Mojo’s, Perth
18 June 2022 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
24 June 2022 – The Brightside, Brisbane
25 June 2022 – Howler, Melbourne
2 July 2022 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Image used with permission from Good Intent; credit: Charlie Hardy
Western Australian sister act Oceanique are making the most of the long weekend with shows all around the state to support their gorgeous new single “Emotional Weight”. If stunning vocal harmonies make you weak at the knees, you’re going to want to hear this. This beautiful folk ballad is accompanied by an equally stunning video created by local filmmaker Tashi Hall, with creative input from the siblings behind Oceanique, Maddy and Jess Larkman.
“We really wanted to create that feeling of the push and pull of life, with the lighter scenes conveying how people can see you only from the outside, sometimes there is a greater emotion kept within that people don’t see,” the sisters explained. “So, we wanted the blue-toned scenes to feel more weighty, to show that emotion. We feel very grateful to have worked with Tashi on this project, it was so much fun to film, and it was a perfect mix of creative minds!”
Tashi was also full of praise for Oceanique.
“From the first meeting to the final edit, Maddy and Jess were a treat to collaborate with,” she gushed. “Their many wonderful ideas made the experience of filming the music video so fun and exciting to create together. Their communication and comfortability in front of (and behind the camera) helped facilitate an all-round smooth and calm process that was exceptionally enjoyable. They each have such a wonderful and warm presence that is a joy to be around – and a beautiful experience to capture on film.”
If you’re in Western Australia, don’t miss your chance to see Oceanique at their upcoming intimate gigs.
22 April 2022 – Vancouver Arts Centre, Albany (with Tracey Barnett)
23 April 2022 – House Concert, Bunbury (with Tracey Barnett)
24 April 2022 – The Cidery, Bridgetown (with Tracey Barnett – FREE)
25 April 2022 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River (with Tracey Barnett – FREE)
29 April 2022 – Four5Nine, Perth (supported by Tanaya Harper, Cecilia Brandolini & Ruby Taylor)
Image used with permission from This Much Talent; credit: Bridget Julie-Anne
We’re only a quarter of the way in, but it looks like this year will be massive for Yorke. She’s just released a poptastic new single “next life” and announced some headlining shows in addition to some impressive support gigs.
Yorke’s debut EP Liberosis was one of my favourite releases of 2020. It perfectly showcased her introspective lyrics and knack for perfect pop melodies. But I feel Yorke has taken her sound up a few notches with “next life.” While it acknowledges dark feelings of denial and anger, there’s a euphoric optimism that I just can’t resist. Yorke penned the song in a single day with JIM ALXNDR (James Vincent).
“James really took the time to make sure that every word/melody was considered and purposeful allowing for a certain type of vulnerability that’s rare when you first meet someone. It felt like going back to my roots of pure storytelling and that’s why it came together so well,” Yorke explained. “When it was time for production, we already knew what we wanted and spent the rest of the day messing around with different equipment and warped effects. I’m a huge fan of James’ work and had goosebumps the entire day.”
Yorke also produced “next life’s” music video, working alongside director Kyle Caulfield.
“There was a spectacle about this video and the concept that we didn’t want to feel like a music video, we were really pushing for an international cinematic look,” he added. “We wanted it to feel more like a movie or movie trailer, to help the audience digest themselves in the story. It was important to create a new world with the locations, the styling, and other creative choices that help facilitate the story of the song. Exploring the five stages of grief was a big theme of the clip, and it was interesting to explore the representation of these feelings and emotions visually. I also had a lot of fun structuring the scenes and narrative around the arrangement of the song, both James and Grace have both really brought to light some very special sonic moments in this track.”
As I mentioned, Yorke has a stack of gigs on the horizon. She’ll support San Cisco in her hometown of Byron Bay before playing her own gigs and supporting Amy Shark on shows around regional Victoria.
29 April 2022 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (supporting San Cisco)
1 May 2022 – Golden Shores Festival, Gold Coast
26 May 2022 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
27 May 2022 – Waywards, Sydney
12 July 2022 – Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre, Wangaratta (supporting Amy Shark – SOLD OUT)
14 July 2022 – Riverlinks, Shepparton (supporting Amy Shark)
16 July 2022 – Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, Traralgon (supporting Amy Shark – SOLD OUT)
17 July 2022 – Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, Traralgon (supporting Amy Shark – SOLD OUT)
19 July 2022 – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool (supporting Amy Shark – SOLD OUT)
20 July 2022 – Bendigo Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo (supporting Amy Shark – SOLD OUT)
21 July 2022 – Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts, Ballarat (supporting Amy Shark)
22 July 2022 – Horsham Town Hall, Horsham (supporting Amy Shark – SOLD OUT)
23 July 2022 – Costa Hall, Geelong (supporting Amy Shark)
27 July 2022 – Mildura Arts Centre, Mildura (supporting Amy Shark – SOLD OUT)
Image used with permission from Island Records Australia
Sydney producers Ben Siva, Nico Scali, and Max Jacobs have been writing music together for nearly 10 years. They’re also talented producers and performers in their own right. Recording under the name jnr., they’ve just released their debut single “Remember” and it’s such a bop.
If you love upbeat modern pop, this track will be right up your alley. It sounds so fresh and fun, but there’s real weight to the lyrics.
“‘Remember’ deals with grief, nostalgia, and the moment you are forced to put yourself in your parent’s shoes. I think anyone can relate to wanting to remember someone or something from their childhood, but the song has a deeper meaning for me,” Ben admitted. “I’m always drawn to darker lyrical themes and uplifting instrumentals – that push and pull always attracted me to some of my favourite artists. The feeling of knowing oneself is essential to being human. So the writing process was really me thinking about who I would be without my memories.”
jnr. promises fans on their Facebook page that this song is just the beginning of what they have in store for us this year. I can’t wait to hear what comes next!
Image used with permission from Pollen Scout; credit: Megan Donnelly
A friend introduced me to Perry Keyes’ “The Day John Sattler Broke His Jaw” a few years back. My friends introduce me to a lot of songs, and most of them I probably forget before too long. But this song was different. It was so good that I wondered why we don’t all know it, the way we know “Khe Sanh” and “The Horses”. It’s so good that when you hear it, you wonder why it’s not more well-known. It feels familiar from the first play. Once you do hear it, it’s not easily forgotten. I’m hopeful that a few more people will fall in love with it now that The Whitlams have put their stamp on it.
It’s no accident that this cover has more of a country sound than we’re used to from The Whitlams. It came from an idea hatched by frontman Tim Freedman as he drove between regional stops on his 2021 solo tour. While travelling from Gunnedah to Mudgee, via Black Stump Way, he discovered country radio playing his band’s latest single, “Man About a Dog.”
“I must admit it was a surprise to be played on Kix Country and Triple A Murri Country, but it was very cool,” he said. And it got him thinking. In Mudgee, he called Matt Fell, who produced his solo effort Australian Idle, and said “Put together your dream band. I think I want to make a country album.”
And so, The Whitlams got together with the new Black Stump Band, featuring Rod McCormack (on banjo, papoose, and acoustic guitar), Ollie Thorpe (pedal steel and electric guitar), and Matt Fell on bass. And they made that country album, The Black Stump Sessions, featuring this song.
Sydney photojournalist and director Johnny Barker made the gorgeous black and white video. It features archival footage of Tim’s father, Barrie Freedman, tipping Souths to win that historic rugby league grand final, with captain John Sattler finishing the game despite breaking his jaw. Talk about grit and determination!
The Whitlams, Black Stump Band will play shows all around the eastern states to launch the single later this year.
22 April 2022 – Longyard Hotel, Tamworth
24 April 2022 – Victoria Hotel, Bathurst
28 July 2022 – The Metropolitan Hotel, Mackay
29 Jul 2022 – Mansfield Hotel, Townsville
30 Jul 2022 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
3 August 2022 – Gunnedah Town Hall, Gunnedah
4 August 2022 – Orange Civic Theatre, Orange
5 August 2022 – Royal Hotel, Queanbeyan
6 August 2022 – Bowral Bowling Club, Bowral
7 August 2022 – Tallagandra Hill Winery, Gundaroo
12 August 2022 – Westernport Hotel, San Remo
13 August 2022 – Queenscliff Town Hall, Queenscliff
14 August 2022 – Burrinja Theatre, Upwey
Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity
Lyn Bowtell made a splash on The Voice in 2017, but she’s been far from idle since that show propelled her into the spotlight. While she plays to smaller crowds now, she’s been releasing some incredible music. Her latest single “Woman to Woman” is the perfect reintroduction to her talent.
When so many young starlets dominate the charts, it’s so exciting to hear music from a mature woman sharing her experiences. Diverse voices are so important. It’s a timely song which speaks of the importance of real human connection in the digital age.
“I hope listeners to ‘Woman To Woman’ might be a little less influenced by social media in their everyday life and consider going to the source of information before they cast judgment on people,” Lyn said. “It’s great to be able to reach out across boundaries and borders to talk to people, but social media does come with negative effects as well and we are understanding that more and more now. I’ve never had anything particularly damaging said to me on social media, although there were a few moments after The Voice, but I’m lucky in that respect. Country music people are usually friendly, supportive and good-natured. Words can be so hurtful, faceless lies are painful. Don’t fool yourself into think that it’s nothing when it might mean something to someone else.”
“Woman to Woman” comes from Lyn’s forthcoming album, appropriately titled Wiser. She’s touring all over the country at the moment to support its release. See her at one of the following gigs:
24 April 2022 – The Longyard, Tamworth
12 May 2022 – Lizotte’s, Lambton
14 May 2022 – Halekulani Bowling Club, Budgewoi
15 May 2022 –Leichhardt Bowling Club, Lilyfield
26 May 2022 –The Front Gallery & Café, Lyneham
27 May 2022 – Tumut River Brewing Co, Tumut
28 May 2022 –Bowral Bowling Club, Bowral
29 May 2022 – Joyce Wheatley Community Centre, Kiama
17 June 2022 – The Beer Shed Brewing Co, Leumeah
18 June 2022 – Muswellbrook RSL Club, Muswellbrook
19 June 2022 – Armidale City Bowling Club, Armidale
22 July 2022 – The Press, Tamworth
23 July 2022 – Glen Aplin Hall, Glen Aplin
24 July 2022 – Dalby Events Centre, Dalby
27 & 28 July 2022 – Oodies Café, Bundaberg North
29 July 2022 – Maleny Community Hall, Maleny
30 July 2022 – GTM Music Studios, Beaudesert
31 July 2022 – Cabarlah Hall, Cabarlah
4 September 2022 – Mantra, Yarraville
9 September 2022 – The Wesley Anne, Northcote
10 September 2022 – The Palais, Hepburn Springs
11 September 2022 – The Old Church On The Hill, Quarry Hill
15 September 2022 – Murray Delta Juke Joint, Goolwa
16 September 2022 – The Wheatsheaf, Thebarton
17 September 2022 – The Barn, Wombat Flat
14 October 2022 – Nethercote Hall, Nethercote
15 October 2022 – Murrah Hall, Murrah
Image used with permission from The Country Journo
As you cruise towards the weekend, take a listen to Dani Teveluwe’s laidback new single “Waiting Wasting Time”. It’s a cool pop number with a jazz influence that reminds me a little of Norah Jones or Corinne Bailey-Rae. While the track has a relaxed feel, the lyrics encourage listeners to quit procrastinating and go out and get whatever it is they’ve been wanting.
“’Waiting Wasting Time’ first came to me when I was walking my gorgeous Golden Huey around Miami. The chorus melody soothed my soul and I loved it from the get-go”, Dani explained. “It’s funny because building the courage to make a change can sometimes take years, but in reality, the moment we decide to change is quite fleeting. Around that time, I had been thinking a lot about the motivation behind change. That moment when change is no longer a choice and when it becomes a necessity. What is that thing that gets us to finally book that overseas trip we’ve always wanted to go on? What makes us overcome the fear of rejection to ask someone out, or perhaps ending a relationship that isn’t right? How do you describe the desire to leave a perfectly stable job to pursue your passion? The more I dwelled on it, the more I realised that I had created my own discontentment in the past by not going for it. By taking the safe option instead of the scarier path, living in my head not my heart. I decided I was done with waiting and wasting time.”
Dani also isn’t wasting any time taking this song to the people. You can catch her playing free at the Beach Hotel in Byron Bay tonight or tomorrow night at Solbar on the Sunshine Coast.
Adelaide singer-songwriter Zac Eichner has floored me with his latest single, “Not a Break-Up Song.” It’s a bit of a slow burner, but its gentle start drew me in. By the time the horns kicked in, I was firmly on board.
“’Not A Break-Up Song’ is the final song in the series of ‘Naked’, ‘Autumn’ & ‘Fool’,” Zac explained. “It follows where I left off and where I’ve landed recently. I’ve battled with depression, anxiety and self-destructive behaviour. I’ve worked hard, to pull away from that person I once was which has led to meeting my partner. It’s a song of hope, determination and reflection. Ironically named ‘Not A Break-Up Song’, I’m only breaking up with a previous version of myself.”
I’m always a sucker for a lyrical dance routine so the video is right up my alley. I was doubly impressed when I read that performer Rob McLean improvised the whole routine which was shot in a single take.
“This movement piece captures the internal battle and eventual release that the lyrics represent,” Zac added. “I think Rob and I have both been going through our own battles and watching him move to this, solidified my intentions with this song. A sense of self-reflection and intensity in the beginning and complete escape, hope and release toward the end.”
South Australian fans are in luck, with Zac playing a string of local shows in April and May.
17 April 2022 – Space Jams Festival, Robe
7 May 2022 – Big Easy Radio, Aldinga
8 May 2022 – Grace Emily, Adelaide
As the working week winds down, Cairns-based Jelly Oshen is bringing the chill vibes you need. His new single “Bordalonely” is a cool mix of R&B and indie-pop in the vein of Frank Ocean and Rex Orange County. He describes it as “island flava”, and who am I to argue? It sounds so smooth, but that’s more a testament to the quality of Jelly’s voice than technical wizardry.
“Most of my music is recorded at home with my stepdad,” he admitted. “My writing process is just making a poem and then creating a good music genre melody to fit, or vice versa. I was bored in lockdown and kinda lonely. My mum was imposing her own self-isolation on us, above and beyond any government rules, and this track sprung from that.”
Jelly Oshen has already supported some of the country’s hottest talents including Tones & I, Dami Im, and Ben Lee. Next up he’ll play a couple of cool festivals. Make sure you catch his set at the following events.
21 May 2022 – Festival of the Sun, Port Macquarie
19 November 2022 – Rolling Hills Festival, Brisbane
Image used with permission from Good Intent; credit: Bridie J Egan @bridies.journal
