Wednesdays are much maligned, but WA act Have a Good Day are bringing the positivity with their dreamy new single “Punch-Drunk in Love.” I’ve fallen hard for this cool indie-pop number, and I’m sure you will too.
I love the way this song manages to strike the perfect balance between sounding modern and like an 80s throwback. The nostalgia is perfect for a track that celebrates youthful enthusiastic love, the kind that knocks you off your feet giving you no choice but to give in to it. A bit like this song really!
East Coasters will get the chance to see Have a Good Day when they play Towradgi Beach Hotel in Dharawal Country/Towradgi on September 6.
British-born, Queensland-based singer-songwriter Lucy Gallant has just dropped her sultry new single “Devious.” It’s a cool, genre-blending track with elements of soul, pop, and trip-hop that explores the addictive nature of the wrong relationships that can feel oh so right.
“In recent years, I’ve navigated through profound losses and experiences that have deeply shaped my music. My new sound reflects how I’ve channeled these experiences into my songwriting,” Lucy explained. “Stepping into my own power, I’ve discovered a reservoir of confidence. Embracing the strength of my womanhood, I’ve conquered past fears. Now, I’m ready to declare to the world: here I am, crank up the volume and listen closely to my lyrics—I have a lot to say, and I’m not afraid to say it.”
Lucy is currently playing shows in the United Kingdom and Europe for the first time in four years. The intimate venues and festivals she’s playing provide the perfect opportunity to reconnect with her fans abroad. Don’t worry Australia; she won’t be gone for too long. We’ll see her back on her adopted home soil by November. Here are all Lucy’s announced dates.
1 August 2024 – Market House, Maidstone 3 August 2024 – House concert, North Norfolk District 16 August 2024 – Café Kultus, Grevenbroich 17 August 2024 – House concert, Osnabruck 25 August 2024 – House concert, Devon 28 August 2024 – Alte Utting, Munich 4 September 2024 – The Green Man Inn, Charroux 8 September 2024 – Musettes Festival, Pyla Sur Mer (FREE) 21 September 2024 – Briston Pavilion, Norfolk (Entry by donation) 22 September 2024 – The Flying Circus, Newark Upon Trent 27 September 2024 – Holmfirth Tavern, Holmfirth 28 September 2024 – House concert, Halesowen 16 November 2024 – Seven Sisters Festival, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Country/Glenaroua
2024 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for Meeanjin/Brisbane-based alt-rockers Bad Neighbour. They’ve already toured with American acts Hot Mulligan and Free Throw and just dropped a fantastic new single “Heart Pumps Blood.” That track gives us our latest taste of the band’s debut album Millions, which drops on September 20. But before that they’ll hit the road with another choice American act, Badflower.
“We’re incredibly excited to share this release with the world,” the band said in a press statement. “Writing this record was very cathartic for us and to have something palpable we can share with people is very special to us.”
If you want an early listen to some more new tunes, make sure you see Bad Neighbour supporting Badflower next month. Some shows have already sold out, and the others aren’t too far behind!
Renee Nacari has given me goosebumps with her stunning new single “Looking For Myself.” This track builds so beautifully, with lush layered vocals that cast a spell. Aside from its sonic appeal, it’s also got a great message about self-discovery and self-love.
“The backing vocals at the ends of the chorus and song are crafted to envelop the listener in a vast soundscape,” Renee explained. “This emulates the feeling of being alone and lost, with echoes that reflect a large, expansive area. I wrote this song whilst I was traveling alone. During that trip, I truly began to understand myself and confront my past. It was an eye-opening journey that allowed me to find and learn to love myself, a process I continue to engage with every day.”
“Looking For Myself” comes from Renee’s upcoming album 222, which further explores the idea of finding yourself and growing into the person you’re meant to be. Follow her on Instagram to learn more about that album and future shows.
If you’ve ever felt like you don’t quite measure up, I know “Underachiever”, the latest track from East Coast New South Wales singer-songwriter LORNA, the musical alter-ego of Erin Condon, will resonate with you. It’s a gorgeous alt-country/folk ballad that explores the impact of the labels we’re saddled with.
“’Underachiever’ was written at the exact moment I thought my life was over. Following a pretty rough breakup, I had made such a big deal about being alone for Valentine’s Day so I did the inevitable Tinder download and began vetting my next date,” Erin recalled. “This series of events summed up the months following this breakup; completely distraught and looking for any light at the end of the tunnel, even if that light took the form of a complete stranger … just so that you don’t have to buy yourself flowers and a Twix bar from the Coles Express on your way home.”
LORNA will showcase her music, including “Underachiever”, at The Baso in Ngambri/Canberra on August 1, followed by The Victoria in Wiradjuri Country/Bathurst on August 8.
Naarm/Melbourne-based punk outfit Bukowski have just dropped their latest single “Superweak,” and you should definitely take a listen. It explores the effects of anxiety, overthinking, and people-pleasing. If you’ve ever struggled with that kind of behaviour, I know this track’s going to resonate with you.
“I found myself constantly trying to please people in my life and being apologetic about who I was, even if I didn’t think I did anything wrong,” frontman James Karagiozis reflected. “That constant battle would hurt me, but I would never outwardly show it or discuss it. Superweak? Maybe. But at least I’m trying to ventilate those thoughts from my anxious/overthinking brain.”
It’s exciting to hear more new music from Bukowski, since their previous single “one hundred seconds” was their first since 2021. It seems the drought has well and truly been broken, with the band promising more new releases and announcements throughout 2024.
Eora/Sydney-based singer-songwriter Will Baker has just released his impressive new track “Eddie.” It’s got such an accessible pop-rock sound with some really quality lyrics exploring the way our relationships with people can evolve over time.
“’Eddie’ is about watching people you grow up with turn into people that they said they would never be,” Will explained. “I wrote this song one night with my drummer Giac. We were in love with it straight away. Was a super easy process and a song that the whole band looks forward to playing every gig. I remember wanting to write a song about one of my mates who was going down a bad path.”
The music video, which Will directed with Harry Corcoran, was inspired by classic music of the 1970s.
“The music video was nuts. The theme was very rock n roll which we all bought into very well. First time I’ve ever worn makeup as well,” Will laughed. “Loved every second of the shoot day.”
If the quality of this song is any indication, we’ve got some exciting music from Will to look forward to in 2024.
Eora/Sydney duo Younger than Me have given me goosebumps with their latest single “With Every Heartbeat.” To call it beautiful doesn’t even begin to cover it. Their stunning harmonies, creativity, and talent shine through in technicolour. Take a moment to stop what you’re doing, block the rest of the world out, and just listen. I promise you that you won’t want to miss a detail.
“With Every Heartbeat” comes with a gorgeous music video shot on 16mm film in southern lutruwita/Tasmania by the super-talented video artist and cinematographer Ursula Woods.
“Ursula is based in one of those corners of the world that is almost too magical to exist,” the duo said. “We woke up each morning to the sound of water lapping under the converted boat shed that we slept in, and spent the day frolicking outside and making shapes together in the landscape. It embodied everything we tried to create through sound in the track, and it could not have been more perfect.”
Younger Than Me are working towards releasing a debut album. With every single release so strong, you can beat it’ll be something special.
Vanessa Lawless celebrates the wild feminine spirit with her latest single “La Loba.” The title translates to the she-wolf and takes inspiration from the book “Women Who Run With the Wolves.”
“‘La Loba’ declares the unleashing of the wild feminine spirit that’s been suppressed and misunderstood throughout time, encouraging total raw expression and the reawakening of our hidden selves,” Vanessa explained.
I love the way this one sounds. It’s got such a primal core which brings something new to the pop genre. I also appreciate that the lyrics deliver feminine power that comes from deep within. We’re so used to women declaring they’re powerful because they don’t need a man or because they’ve risen to the top. This one doesn’t measure a woman’s worth against her relationships or achievements. She’s powerful simply because she is.
Vanessa Lawless shows she’s a real force with this release. I can’t wait to hear what comes next.
King Stingray are bringing all the good vibes with their latest single, “Best Bits.”
“‘Best Bits’ is a song about all the best parts of life all poured into one moment”, the band explained. “Inspired by a particular moment in time, a particular day that had all the right ingredients. It’s about those ripper-of-a-day type moments, those warm days in the sunshine with your mates, with your family or a loved one. The memorable days that just seem to stick with you. It’s about simple living in a complex digital world, and although it can be hard to articulate in just a few words, a feeling that is so massive and profound. Sometimes all the best bits of life are already all around us! Yo manymak!”
King Stingray will be making more memories when they play shows through regional Australia in July and August with Jem Cassar-Daley warming up the crowds. Then they’re off to the United States to support King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizzard. Exciting times ahead for one of the Territory’s finest acts.
