Thursday October 3, 2024
PETE MURRAY ‘Wouldn’t It be Good’ (Single/Video)
Loading up the good vibes, today beloved Australian singer-songwriter Pete Murray returns with his new single and music video, Wouldn’t It Be Good. Soaked in grooves, sunny melodics and Murray’s powerfully soothing vocals, Wouldn’t It Be Good is a charismatic addition to 2024, as well as a perfect accompaniment to the summer months ahead; a fitting fact with Murray also set to embark on an extensive tour kicking off late December and closing out in January 2025.
Starting life with nothing but its opening riff percolating, Wouldn’t It Be Good not only evolved into slightly new sonic territory for Pete Murray; it also marked a shift in Murray’s creative process, with producer Luke Palmer (Dead Letter Circus) ultimately helping to solidify the radiant end result. “It just started with the opening riff then went to the two-chord verse,” shares Murray of Wouldn’t It Be Good’s origins. “I was really just searching for the chorus lyrics, and the music just seemed to fit in with the lyrics. It’s normally the other way around. I produced this song with the help of Luke Palmer, and it’s funny with this song because when I first wrote it and played it for some friends, it wasn’t getting a great reaction. But I still really liked the song and never gave up on it. Then I had my nephew Dylan Cattanach (aka Katanak) help me out on an early demo, and it was here that I really started to hear the potential of the song – but people still weren’t getting it. During the recording of the album, I even played it to Luke and he wasn’t that into it, so I left it until the very end of the album recording and I brought it up again and got Luke to help me with it. There is a really great drum groove with congas paying and I got Luke to play a bass line on it too. As soon as I heard the bass, acoustic and drums, I knew this was going to work and the whole song just fell into place after that. Even at this stage when the song started to fall into place, I think I had lost a bit of confidence with it and I said to Luke: “I’ll keep this song for the next record, but let’s just finish it anyway”. Instead, he was like: “No way this is one of my faves and should go on this album”, so we finished it off and now it’s the first single. Funny how things work.”
With performances lined up to close out 2024 and heading into early 2025, fans can definitely expect to hear Wouldn’t It Be Good live when Pete Murray takes the stage, kicking off on Friday December 20 in Miranda before heading around the country, with stops in regional New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia. But fret not if the Pete Murray live experience doesn’t head to a town near you; the man himself has also just launched the Play At Your Place competition, offering fans a chance to go in the running to have Pete Murray play an intimate, private performance at their own home; just by signing up to his mailing list, one lucky winner will score the ultimate bragging rights and an unforgettable experience, head to petemurray.com.
Stream: Wouldn’t It Be Good
Watch: Wouldn’t It Be Good
PETE MURRAY – UPCOMING SHOWS:
FRI 20 DEC | MIRANDA HOTEL, MIRANDA NSW
Tickets available from Oztix https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/03b0579a-7fd8-493e-b3b9-d087deb87b6c
SAT 21 DEC | WAVES HOTEL, WOLLONGONG NSW
Tickets available from Moshtix https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/pete-murray-w-special-guests/171837
SUN 22 DEC | THE VINEYARD, VINEYARD NSW
Tickets available from Oztix https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/01db6ee1-29da-4dac-ab19-d5f101132657
MON 23 DEC | THE RECKY, ELIZABETH BEACH NSW
Tickets available from Oztix https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/c87247d3-4dd5-4ea8-896f-216c1b365def
TUE 01 JAN | MANLY HARBOUR BOAT CLUB, MANLY QLD
Tickets available from Ticketek https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=petemnyd25
WED 02 JAN | KINGSCLIFF BEACH HOTEL, KINGSCLIFF NSW
Tickets available from Oztix https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/fef634bd-6bd7-4b18-a988-c681a1e8592f?preview=dfbfd120-cab6-4e82-9cf4-e075a5a1d9d9
THU 03 JAN | THE STATION, SUNSHINE COAST QLD
Tickets available from Moshtix https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/pete-murray-w-special-guests/171840
FRI 04 JAN | JETTY BEACH HOUSE, COFFS HARBOUR NSW
Tickets available from Oztix https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/e7ffc6e9-0b37-40e3-86e6-2d9be4f5bff4
SAT 05 JAN | TORONTO HOTEL, TORONTO NSW
Tickets available from Try Booking https://www.trybooking.com/CVYRO
TUE 08 JAN | BARWON HEADS HOTEL, BARWON HEADS VIC
Tickets available from Oztix https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/53ab1abf-d130-4b4b-a2d5-cdbd1112328d
WED 09 JAN | THE PIER BANDROOM, FRANKSTON VIC Tickets available from Oztix
https://bit.ly/4erXf44
THU 10 JAN | THE DUNSBOROUGH, DUNSBOROUGH WA
Tickets available from Oztix https://bit.ly/4e5s5Qq
FRI 11 JAN | RAVENSWOOD HOTEL, RAVENSWOOD WA
Tickets available from Oztix https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/54bc5a03-ddf9-4fe2-a645-9c08a0c3372d
SAT 12 JAN | HOTEL ROTTNEST, ROTTNEST ISLAND WA
Tickets available from Ticketmaster https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/event/1300612996207591
JOSHUA BATTEN ‘All Along The Watchtower’ (Single)
To celebrate his ten-year anniversary as a singer-songwriter and performing artist, Melbourne roots rocker Joshua Batten will release his first cover song to online music platforms! Following on from its successful release on YouTube with over 2K views and counting, Joshua’s take on the Bob Dylan/Jimi Hendrix classic “All Along The Watchtower” will be available to stream on all music platforms from Monday, September 30th.
Recorded live in the studio at The Avenue in Cheltenham VIC and mixed and mastered by Luke Crouch, Joshua puts his personal stamp on this staple of blues and folk by tapping into both the storytelling of Dylan’s original lyrics and the ferocity of Hendrix’s arrangement.
Throughout the performance, Joshua effortlessly utilises his loop pedal and Cole Clark Humbucker guitar to seamlessly switch between acoustic rhythms and electric lead lines, filling his solo with classic riffs and hooks as well as his own interpolations. This performance also provides an example of what people can expect from Joshua’s one-man live shows, after years of only releasing studio tracks with full band arrangements.
Although Joshua performs covers regularly as part of his live repertoire, this is the first time he has professionally recorded and released a cover onto music platforms. As to why he chose this particular song,
Joshua explains “My biggest influences as a singer-songwriter have been the compelling stories told through folk, and the raw energy from Blues and Rock. I’ve always aimed to combine the two in my own original songs, and ‘All Along The Watchtower’ is the ultimate benchmark of how the two styles can be melded together. Bob Dylan’s lyrics paint a pastoral picture of trepidation and anticipation along an unfamiliar terrain, which was later amplified musically when Jimi Hendrix rearranged the song a year later, using dynamics to highlight the intensity in the breakdowns between the seemingly calm verses.”
Joshua Batten will also be celebrating his 10th anniversary with an intimate headline show in The Basement at St Kilda’s famed Esplanade Hotel on Saturday October 19th. This will be followed by gigs in The Basin and Castlemaine, appearances in South Australia at both Fleurieu Folk Festival and Port Noarlunga Blues Festival in October & November respectively, and back-to-back weekends onboard the legendary Blues Train in Queenscliff in December.
“All Along The Watchtower” will be available to stream on all platforms from Monday, September 30th. Tickets for all shows are available via Joshua Batten’s website and venue websites.
TOUR DATES
Saturday October 19 – The Espy Basement, St Kilda VIC (10th Anniversary Show w/ Montana Sharp)
October 25-27 – Fleurieu Folk Festival, Willunga SA
October 30 – Oak Tree Tavern, The Basin VIC (Eastern Blues Association – Feature Artist)
Saturday November 9 – The White Room, Glenlyon VIC (House Concert – Intimate & Unplugged)
Sunday November 10 – Shedshaker Brewery, Castlemaine VIC (FREE ENTRY)
November 29-December 1 – Port Noarlunga Blues Festival, Adelaide SA
Sunday December 8 – Yorkshire Stingo Hotel, Collingwood VIC (Stingo Blues Club – Feature Artist)
The Blues Train, Queenscliff VIC
Friday December 6
Saturday December 7
Friday December 13
Saturday December 14
Saturday January 11
Instagram: @joshuabattenmusic
YouTube: Joshua Batten Music
Spotify: Joshua Batten
BandCamp: Joshua Batten
GROUNDWATER’S KIX-START COMPETITION WINNER FOR 2024 ANNOUNCED
Indie folk songwriters Freight Train Foxes will be joining the Groundwater Country Music Festival (CMF) lineup this year after being announced as the winner of the Groundwater KIX-Start Competition.The Brisbane based duo will perform on the Gold Coast alongside some of Australia’s most loved country music stars and international acts when the festival returns in less than three weeks.
Along with the Groundwater CMF performance Freight Train Foxes will also take home a stellar prize package including on air support from KIX Country and iHeartCountry network, a single recording package with Jared Adlam at Machine Lab Recording, songwriting session with Jordan Dozzi, six-month strategic marketing package with The Music and a PR package with Varrasso PR.
The Groundwater KIX-Start competition, a nationwide talent search and collaboration between Groundwater CMF and KIX Country Radio Network has unearthed some of Australia’s finest emerging country artists since the competition kicked off in 2021, and this year’s winner is no exception.
Folk duo, Freight Train Foxes are built around the talents of Queensland songwriters, Pat Kenny and Kelsey Berrington. The pair wield their unique brand of suburban acoustic folk, which manages to wound and soothe simultaneously.
“We’re stoked to be this year’s winner for Groundwater’s 2024 Kix-Start competition! With so much talent out there, we never expected to even be in contention. Groundwater Country Music Festival is ‘hands down’ one of the best country music festivals in Australia, and we’re thrilled to be part of an incredible line-up. We want to say a massive thank you to Kix Country and Groundwater CMF for such a great opportunity!” said Freight Train Foxes.
After releasing five EPs in five years and amassing over 2 million streams on Spotify, the songwriting partnership that emerged from a chance encounter at an open mic night continues to impress audiences with stirring performances while on tour in Nashville and at some of Australia’s biggest festivals. The duo were also finalists at the 2023 Queensland Music Awards for Best Folk Song for their track, Fly to You, and the pair won Alt-Country Song of the Year in 2024 at the Tamworth Songwriters Association Awards. Freight Train Foxes fifth EP ‘This City Holds Memories’ was released on 22 August 2024.
This year’s esteemed judging panel included industry stalwart and 2024 Groundwater CMF headliner Adam Brand alongside Justin Thomson from KIX Country Radio Network and Mark Duckworth, Festival Director of Groundwater CMF.
The Groundwater KIX-Start competition continues to play a pivotal role in the careers of young Australian artists, and this year’s winner is set to leave a lasting impression on festivalgoers and the country music industry alike.
Set to take over Broadbeach from 18 – 20 October with live music, this iconic festival by the beach promises a free long weekend of toe-tapping, boot-stomping performances from some of the very best in country music.
This year’s festival will feature 55 artists performing across 12 stages and venues in Broadbeach, bringing fans a taste of all styles of country from Bluegrass to American rockabilly, folk to pop, and everything in between, along with the chance to witness the rise of the next big star in Australian country music.
Groundwater Country Music Festival is produced by Experience Gold Coast and supported by the Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland.
Important links and assets WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | SPOTIFY PLAYLIST |APP DOWNLOAD | PROGRAM
THE AMITY AFFLICTION ‘Let The Ocean Take Me (REDUX)’
Legendary metalcore outfit The Amity Affliction have released ‘Let The Ocean Take Me’ (Redux), giving fans an updated version of their 2014 album.
‘Let The Ocean Take Me’ was a breakthrough moment for the band, opening them up to a growing international audience, and pushing their sound forward as they found themselves becoming one of Australia’s premiere alternative acts. The album debuted at number 1 on the ARIA charts (the band’s second consecutive album to do so, following 2012’s ‘Chasing Ghosts’), reached number 31 on the Billboard 200 in the US, and is certified platinum in Australia.
Featuring singles such as ‘Pittsburgh’, ‘Don’t Lean On Me’ and ‘The Weigh Down’, ‘Let The Ocean Take Me (Redux)’ elevates the unrelenting energy found on the 2014 album to new heights; every riff, breakdown and chorus hitting harder than ever. During the recording process, frontman Joel Birch was forced to face the heavy themes found on the record once again – reflecting on all of the highs and lows since the original release.
“The album is almost entirely dedicated to addiction and the effects it had on my life and mental health; the strangest thing while rerecording this was reading the words and then reflecting on life since then, this album was the catalyst for us touring the world and turning what was just a really fun time into a career, from kids to adults, from haphazardly throwing together songs to the place where we’re at now where we feel like we put more purpose into everything we create. I started drinking again almost immediately after this album was finished and almost blew up everything I held dear, so the album is a warning of sorts, for myself and for anyone else out there struggling with addiction. I should have been able to read what I wrote and perform these songs and have it reinforce the very thing I had written about, but addiction is a soul crusher and just swallowed me up and spat me out.” JOEL BIRCH, THE AMITY AFFLICTION
The re-release comes after the band’s exit from their previous label, whom they worked with from 2012’s ‘Chasing Ghosts’ up until 2018’s ‘Misery’. ‘Let The Ocean Take Me (Redux)’ is the band’s chance to take back ownership of their art, and move on from a difficult situation that has weighed immensely on the band in recent years.
The re-release was produced by the bands very own Daniel Brown, with mixing and mastering by Henrik Udd (Architects, Bring Me The Horizon, Dayseekeris) who also worked on the bands 2023 album ‘Not Without My Ghosts’. The band hope the slick, modern update will resonate with their passionate fanbase – one they would like to thank for the endless support they’ve given over the years.
UPCOMING SHOWS
Big Pineapple Festival TICKETS
Saturday 19th of October Pineapple Fields Woombye QLD
National Tour TICKETS
Playing ‘Let The Ocean Take Me’ in full
w/ Ice Nine Kills, We Came As Romans, Heavensgate
Friday, 8th of November Riverstage Brisbane QLD SOLD OUT
Saturday, 9th of November Hordern Pavilion Sydney NSW SOLD OUT
Monday, 11th of November Enmore Theatre Sydney NSW *NEW SHOW*
Thursday, 14th of November John Cain Arena Melbourne, VIC
Friday 15th of November The Drive Adelaide SA
Saturday 16th of November Red Hill Auditorium Perth WA SOLD OUT|
The Amity Affliction: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube | X
HELEN SHANAHAN ‘The Aeroplane’ (single out Fri Oct 4)
Perth-based folk singer-songwriter Helen Shanahan is sharing her hauntingly beautiful cover of Tim Minchin’s ‘The Aeroplane’ with the world on Friday, October 4.
For those new to her world, Helen Shanahan is an indie folk singer-songwriter, graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, and winner of the 2018 Western Australian Music Industry ‘Song of the Year’ award for her song ‘I Only Hide’. Helen has become known and adored for her haunting, emotive vocals, with her previous releases drawing extensive praise from Rolling Stone, Pilerats, AAA Backstage and much more.
The past few years have been a journey for Helen Shanahan. In 2021, she started her motherhood journey with the birth of her daughter Bonnie, and in the same year provided backing vocals for Tim Minchin and Missy Higgins. In 2022, she set her sophomore album ‘Canvas’ free into the world to much acclaim, with Jeff Jenkins of STACK Magazine describing it as “poetic and damn near perfect”. In 2023, she was nominated for WAM Folk act of the year, and 2024 has already seen her supporting Midnight Oil’s Peter Garrett and writing for ARIA award-winning artists Vika and Linda Bull.
Her collaborations with iconic Australian musician Tim Minchin created the perfect foundation for this track, a cover of his song ‘The Aeroplane’ which he wrote for season two of his award-winning show Upright.
This tender, emotional song explores themes of unconditional love and support, and Helen Shanahan’s emotion packed vocals and beautiful range combines with that to create what Tim Minchin himself has described as “absolutely gorgeous”. The gentle acoustic guitar at the start of the song melts to soft electric riffs, paired with slow and steady drums that build up the pure feeling of the song.
This song holds a special place in Helen’s heart, almost mirroring her life at the moment:
“The song resonates deeply with me, especially now, with my second baby due just weeks after its release. The lyrics, ‘any fuel or any fire will do / I will fly to you,’ carry a special meaning for me.”
Get lost in Helen Shanahan’s hauntingly beautiful voice with her cover of Tim Minchin’s ‘The Aeroplane’, available on Friday, October 4.
Follow Helen Shanahan Spotify | Apple Music | Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Youtube
RA RA VIPER ‘Pinkies’ (Single) ‘Big Speak’ (Album out Nov 4)
The track, which received a first play on triple j’s Home & Hosed, was birthed from demo instrumentation heavily inspired by a combination of Dandy Warhols and Royel Otis.
The band comment, “When we later came to write lyrics, Bolty brought his acoustic round to Jack’s place one night and we knocked them out altogether after a few more beers than usual… What came out of that was a full nostalgia trip for us, with melancholy lyrics reflecting back on our younger days. This vibe was then built into the final tracking of the song, most notably in the very restrained lead vocal (very uncharacteristic for a Ra Ra song, for those who’ve been listening).”
Their debut album Big Speak, including previous releases 4AM Child, Shark & ‘Howler’, was recorded at Debaser Studio and produced by Andy Lawson (Noah Dillon, Fool Nelson, and Verge Collection).
The five-piece have received massive radio support including adds across triple j, triple j Unearthed, RTR, Edge Radio, first plays on triple j Home & Hosed, and featured as triple j Unearthed Track of the Day. They’ve also received extensive DSP playlisting across Spotify’s Local Noise, New Music Friday AU/NZ, Fresh Finds AU/NZ, and Indie Arrivals, plus Apple’s Good Times, New Music Daily, Breaking Rock.
Drawing inspiration from the raw energy of Fontaines D.C. and IDLES, they crafted a sound that is darker, more brutal, and hauntingly beautiful. The result is an evolution in their music, blending visceral emotion with a captivating sonic experience.
Big Speak offers a darker yet playful and introspective view of life. The tracks symbolize emotional existence in the modern world, treating everyday encounters as opportunities to learn and appreciate the moments that remind us we are truly alive.
On the release of their debut album, the band reflect “Knowing that this opportunity might not come again, we’ve poured immense blood, sweat, and emotion into this album over the last seven months. We are incredibly proud and happy to have created something that not only captures this unique period in all of our lives but does so in a way that will have a lasting, positive impact”
Known for their sweaty, energy filled performances, the band are hitting the road for a national tour this November heading to Fremantle, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane. They’ve also just been announced on Perth’s NYE Festival You and Me.
RA RA VIPER BIG SPEAK NATIONAL TOUR
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
NOVEMBER 1 | FREMANTLE METROS, FREMANTLE
NOVEMBER 15 | THE NIGHT CAT, MELBOURNE
NOVEMBER 16 | JIVE, ADELAIDE
NOVEMBER 28 | OXFORD ART FACTORY, SYDNEY
NOVEMBER 29 | THE BRIGHTSIDE, BRISBANE
PRE-SAVE BIG SPEAK HERE
GET SOCIAL WITH RA RA VIPER WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY
MARK VINCENT ‘Life Is Beautiful’ (Album out Oct 18)
Renowned Australian tenor, Mark Vincent will release his first independent album after nearly 15 years with a major label on Friday, October 18. Titled “Life Is Beautiful” and produced by Mark’s long-time friend and collaborator, Chong Lim, this lush album sees Mark stepping boldly out of the operatic world and into a diverse repertoire of pop songs and contemporary musical theatre hits. From the timeless melodies of The Beatles to the rousing rock of Queen, and from the emotive power of “Les Miserables” to the grand romance of “Moulin Rouge,” each song has been carefully chosen to represent a new and personal chapter in Mark’s storied career.
A standout feature of this album is the range of collaborations with celebrated artists. “The Long and Winding Road” features a stunning duet with Australian icon who is also Mark’s mentor and friend, David Campbell. Mark also teams up with acclaimed mezzo-soprano Silvia Colloca, exquisitely complementing each other in “Come What May”.
Another highlight is the inclusion of Mark’s first original single, “Se Ami La Vita (Life is Beautiful)”, composed and produced by Andrea Bocelli’s longtime collaborator, Pierpaolo Guerrini. This song, which debuted at No. 1 on the Apple Music Classical Charts, is a profound testament to Mark’s journey and growth as an artist. It was originally intended for Bocelli, but with the maestro’s blessing, it became Mark’s to share with the world.
Check out Mark’s dramatic music clip for this stunning track, filmed in regional New South Wales, near Goulburn.
Featuring the Budapest Scoring Orchestra, conducted by Péter Illényi and the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir conducted by Andrew Wailes, this album is not just a collection of songs; it’s a celebration of Mark Vincent’s evolution as an artist, a tribute to his influences, and a heartfelt gift to his fans. Each track is a testament to his love for music and his willingness to push boundaries. Enjoy this remarkable collection and experience Mark Vincent like never before.
“Life Is Beautiful” by Mark Vincent is available to pre-order now on CD and digital at all good music stores and streaming platforms, released through Rocella Music, distributed by MGM Distribution. Pre-order here.
THE PLOT IN YOU ‘Pretend’ (Single/Video) ‘Vol 3’ (EP out Nov 8)
The Plot In You has released their latest offering Pretend (via Fearless Records) and the official music video, which is bound to have viewers holding their breath. The track can be found on the quartet’s upcoming EP Vol. 3 available now for pre-saves and vinyl pre-orders at the link here.
When asked about the inspiration behind Pretend, vocalist Landon Tewers commented: “Pretend touches on the depressing nature of the current state of the world. How we tend to live in our own bubbles and forget the atrocities happening around us.”
TAKEN FROM UPCOMING EP VOL. 3 OUT FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8
PRE-SAVE HERE
The band previously released their lead track Been Here Before from the upcoming EP and has already amassed 1.8 million streams on Spotify and 141k views on YouTube. Fresh off the heels of their sold-out UK/EU headlining run, The Plot In You will next be bringing their incendiary live show across the US with Currents, Zero 9:36, and Wind Walkers as support. This headlining run begins Friday, November 8, coinciding with the Vol. 3 EP release.
During 2023, The Plot In You kickstarted a new era with Vol. 1 with Divide, having generated 16 million Spotify streams and counting followed by Left Behind, exploding to the tune of 31 million Spotify streams with no signs of slowing down. Upon the arrival of Forgotten, Revolver praised it among the “6 Best New Songs Right Now”. The Plot In You ‘s Vol. 2 EP is a powerful showcase of the band’s evolution, blending raw emotion with polished musicality, and stands as a testament to the band’s growth and artistic maturity, captivating listeners with its intense yet introspective narratives with tracks Closure, Don’t Look Away , and All That I Can Give further solidifying their place as one of the genre’s most compelling acts.
The band is set to captivate fans once again with their latest offering, Been Here Before. Delving into the emotional turbulence of relationships, the band weaves a narrative of enduring the highs and lows with their signature intensity and profound storytelling. This impactful track is bound to resonate deeply with listeners, highlighting the band’s unparalleled talent for exploring complex emotions through powerful music.
PRETEND – OUT NOW https://found.ee/pretend
VOL. 3 – OUT NOVEMBER 8 https://found.ee/tpiymerch
CATHERINE TAICOS ‘O Darling Don’t Be That Way’ (Single out Oct 4)
Catherine Traicos releases new single from SWANSONGS – and adds a Perth show to album launch dates, with supports for each show now announced. The second and final single from SWANSONGS, Catherine Traicos’ tenth studio album captures the essence of the project’s overall sound while standing out as a powerful individual track. O Darling Don’t Be That Way blends emotive lyricism with a bold, experimental approach to production, underscored by Traicos’ hypnotic piano playing and signature ethereal vocals.
Lyrically, O Darling delves into romantic love, exploring the tipping point of a relationship that was destined to burn brightly but only for a brief time. With metaphors that resonate universally, the song offers a balance of reflection, introspection and empowerment.
The song’s structure is distinctive, with sophisticated production by Anna Laverty that elevates its essence. At times, it swells into an anthem, while at others, it shifts into a heartfelt pop ballad or feels like an outpouring of raw emotion. The production echoes the powerful emotional space, applying contrasts—balancing softer, ambient moments with driving beats and textured instrumentation including angelic Teo Mando played by Grant Ferstat.
Catch Catherine Traicos live at one of the following album launch shows.
Friday October 4 @ Golden Barley Hotel, Sydney – with The Darling Hearts
Sunday October 6 @ The Brunswick Green, Melbourne – with Teresa Duffy-Richards
Sunday October 13 @ Lyrics Underground, Perth – with Hugh Jennings
“O Darling Don’t Be That Way” is available to stream / download for radio here: https://s.disco.ac/cmvmceeirjoz or via AMRAP and Bandcamp from October 4
“SWANSONGS” is out now and available on all major streaming platforms, including bandcamp.
KAYLA ROSE ‘Dear Little Me’ (Single/EP)
Hot on the heels of her recent single ‘Drinks’, Country Rock artist Kayla Rose releases her title track and new EP ‘Dear Little Me’. Kayla’s new EP gives you a glimpse of a diary entry of a 20-something finding herself in the world.
Kayla expresses …“This song was written for my younger self who had high expectations for where she wanted to be by age 23. She envisioned herself as a successful artist, in a loving relationship, and achieving all her dreams at a young age. It’s a song where I give myself credit by saying I’m not quite reaching all those goals yet, but I’m still trying and will give it my all to make my younger self proud.”
Kayla Rose is a stunning singer/songwriter hailing from Auckland, New Zealand. She is a member of the legendary NZ Country Music family, The Greaves family with her grandfather being NZ Recording Artist (The Late) Rusty Greaves and her Uncle being International Recording Artist (The Late) Kevin Greaves. Her Mother and Uncle head up one of the Top Country bands in Auckland and Waikato ‘Midnight Special.’
Kayla’s new EP has been produced by Dan Cosgrove and recorded at DC Studio NZ.
Find Kayla Rose:
Instagram: @iam_kaylarose
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamkaylarosemusic
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6HNSUbD5SnmA6AXbFfHkDA
‘Dear Little Me’ is available now on all digital platforms: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/kaylarose5/dear-little-me-3
OCEANS ‘Happy’ (Album)
Germany’s Nu Death powerhouse OCEANS are back with unprecedented ferocity since their debut EP in 2018. Brace yourself for their third album HAPPY, a colossal juggernaut that once again showcases the band’s ability to seamlessly fuse Nu Metal, Death Metal and Post Rock into their own signature sound. The days of subtle introversion seem to be over. As the world faces one crisis after another, OCEANS are channeling their frustration at the state of the world into a bold statement against the influence of social media on society, while staying true to their mission of promoting mental health awareness. This band has never sounded as angry as they do now, and these 11 songs are impressive proof of how well that emotion suits them. Surely this is also what convinced Australia’s finest, keyboardist MISSTIQ and Josh Collard from EARTH CALLER, to take part as feature artists on two tracks. OCEANS ’previous album Hell Is Where The Heart Is put the band on the road with international acts like BLIND CHANNEL in 2022, as well as supporting ANNISOKAY in 2024. It’s safe to say that HAPPY will ignite massive mosh pits on their upcoming extensive European tour with SEPTICFLESH in October 2024.
The new studio album by German nu metal band OCEANS sees the light of day! The band’s third album, entitled HAPPY, comprises 11 new songs, including the two previously released singles, and is available now. The album thematically deals with the topics of mental health and the negative phases in life. The album name HAPPY functions more likely as a destination state. The band gives free rein to their emotions and describes in their usual musical rigor everything that goes wrong in this world and needs to be improved in order to finally reach the state of mind ‘Happy’.
OCEANS have also delivered a brand new music video for the title track ‘Happy’, which you can witness here: https://youtu.be/3_u60_ZDUsM
Bass player Thomas Winkelmann comments: “With HAPPY we go harder and more uncompromising than ever before. In the sometimes very interchangeable mishmash of metal/deathcore bands out there, we tried to create our own sound without imposing limits on ourselves in the process.”
Buy/stream the new album HAPPY here: https://oceans.bfan.link/happy
Watch the previously released music video for the last single ‘Spit’ here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9OILDvMmMk
Watch the previously released music video for ‘Parasite’ here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pMuqk7_v3E
Get your copy of OCEANS’ last album Hell Is Where The Heart Is here:
https://oceans.bfan.link/hell-is-where-the-heart-is
More info:
www.oceansofficial.com
ELMAR ‘At Your Feet’ (Single)
Jack Froggatt, the Grammy-nominated vocalist of Mansionair, continues his artistic journey under the moniker ELMAR with the release of his new single, ‘At Your Feet’, also announcing the release of his debut solo album ‘Beneath My Skin’, due out on 29th November 2024. Bringing the music to audiences for the very first time, Jack will be performing as part of a three piece band at The Vanguard in Sydney on Friday 13th December to celebrate the release of the album https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/elmar-presents-beneath-my-skin-live/172113
A delicate, yet inspired piece that blends nostalgic melodies with an optimistic outlook on new beginnings, ‘At Your Feet’, captures the emotional depth and sonic evolution of Froggatt’s solo project.
The song showcases ELMAR’s signature ability to craft space within his music, embracing moments of vulnerability with raw emotion and introspective lyrics. ‘At Your Feet’ taps into the universal experience of love, obsession, and the longing to fix everything, whether in a relationship or in life’s broader uncertainties. Jack explains:
“This is one of the first complication stories of the record; when you’re just so hopelessly trying to fix anything in your life, in your relationship or whatever. Even just in a sense of being so lost in an idea of an obsession, being so in love with someone that you’re just like, “Oh my God – you have to be it, because I am so invested and I’m literally on the altar, at your feet.”
With Jack’s affinity for emotionally resonant storytelling and atmospheric soundscapes, he continues to captivate audiences and critics alike with varied support across the debut single ‘Beneath My Skin’, with nods from Rolling Stone ANZ, Happy Mag, AAA Backstage, PBS and more.
ELMAR represents a new chapter in Jack’s artistic evolution. Born out of a desire to reconnect with his own musical vision, ELMAR is more than just a project—it’s a sanctuary, a place where Jack can escape the noise and rediscover the joy of creation. The name itself, ELMAR, is a nod to both Ernest Hemingway’s ‘The Old Man and the Sea’ and the iconic Café Del Mar compilations, drawing inspiration from Jack’s lifelong love of the ocean and surfing culture.
Over the years, Jack has garnered critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including a Grammy nomination and multiple Gold records for his work with Mansionair and collaborations with Odesza, Dom Dolla, and Rezident. Now, with ELMAR, he steps into the spotlight with a sound that is distinctly his own—one that is steeped in reflection and bathed in sunlight.
ELMAR’s new single ‘At Your Feet’ is out now across all platforms, with the debut album ‘Beneath My Skin’ due for release on 29th November 2024.
For further info on ELMAR, visit: INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | SOUNDCLOUD
MITCH TAMBO ‘The Best’ (Single)
World music star, Mitch Tambo, known for his infectious energy and cultural pride, is turning up the heat with a fresh take on Tina Turner’s iconic smash hit “The Best”.
To coincide with the 35th anniversary of Turner’s powerhouse anthem, Tambo has injected a new vibe into the song by performing it in his traditional Gamilaraay language. However, this rendition doesn’t just honour the late music legend – it’s a high-energy celebration of culture, empowerment and the unifying power of music.
“Tina Turner’s version of ‘The Best’ has pumped up fans for decades, and I’m one of them,” says Tambo. “Tina’s exhilarating live pre-game performance of the song at the NRL Grand Final back in 1993 was incredible – it was such a uniting moment in Australia for cultures, codes and footy fans alike.
“I wanted to recreate that same energy but with a twist. Singing it in Gamilaraay is a way to show that great music crosses all boundaries – it’s universal. This one’s for Tina and everyone who believes in the power of music to lift us up.”
This year has been one of the most successful and productive for Tambo who first earned global acclaim for his chart-topping debut album “Guurrama-Li”. His version of John Farnham’s You’re the Voice recently hit over 1 million streams, becoming the first song in Gamilaraay to reach the milestone.
Throughout 2024, he also performed on 100 stages across Australia on his wildly successful Walanbaa Youth Tour where he was celebrated for spreading positivity and empowering young people with his unique blend of culture and pop.
He also dropped “Tambo Jamz, Vol. 1,” a collection of 60 short instrumental tracks which crossed genre boundaries and resulted in numerous tracks receiving radio play and acclaim locally and abroad.
“The Best” is available now on all major streaming platforms.
Catch Mitch Tambo in Australia at the following spring and summer festivals:
12 October 2024 Many Mobs Dunggula Cultural Festival, Yarrawonga, VIC
25 October 2024 Milbi Festival, Bargara, QLD
1 November 2024 Blue Heeler Film Festival, Denman NSW
2 November2024 Denman Wine Food and Film Affair, Denman, NSW
For more information and updates, visit www.mitchtambo.com
THE MEANIES ‘Zamboni/ I Agree’ (Single out October 11)
THE MEANIES are set to release their first new music since 2020 in the form of a new double A side single ‘Zamboni/I Agree’. Out Friday October 11, the new single will be available as a limited-edition vinyl 7” (in five colour variants – see links below) and digitally, just in time before The Meanies head off to tour Japan.
The tour, a co-headliner with Cheersquad label mates Rocket Science, will be the Meanies’ third tour of Japan, and their first in 25 years! It will be followed by a couple of local shows in November & December:
Sat 2 Nov at Volta, Ballarat, with Los Chicos (ES)
Sat 14 Dec at the Corner Hotel, Richmond, supporting Superchunk (US)
Another masterpiece from the brain of Link Meanie, ‘Zamboni’ (a vehicle that cleans and smooths the surface of a sheet of ice, for those playing at home – it also rhymes with baloney) is about “the darkest side of pragmatism in politics. Imagine an outrageous, hypothetical situation as a politician where you support and defend a pathologically lying, hate mongering, rapist conman and then justifying it to your children knowing full well that you lack any real conviction.” (Link Meanie)
Flip over to ‘I Agree’… do you have that friend that is an expert when it comes to politics and world issues? Rants at their friends about the atrocities out there, knowing full well that their friends agree, and they may as well just be shouting at the wind? Link says “This is about those people who want to throw the baby out with the bathwater; politically speaking that is. No babies were harmed in the making of this statement.”
FIVE different colour variants:
Eucalyptus vinyl via Cheersquad – preorder here
White vinyl via Soundmerch – preorder here
Red vinyl via Artist First – preorder here
Yellow vinyl via (NZ label) Leather Jacket – preorder here
Black vinyl via everywhere – preorder here
The Meanies Official Website | Facebook | Instagram
www.cheersquad.com.au
DOG TRUMPET ‘Marianne’ (Single)
Dog Trumpet is spearheaded by brothers Peter O’Doherty and Reg Mombassa, original members of iconic Aria award winning and Hall of Fame band Mental As Anything. Featuring Bernie Hayes on bass and Vocals and Declan O’Doherty on drums and vocals.
Marianne Statement: “Marianne is a song about Marianne Faithfull. I was inspired to write it after reading her vivid and colourful memoir ‘Faithfull’ in 1994. First recorded and released by Mental As Anything a year later, the track was sent to her in England. We heard back that she liked it. While she was touring
Australia in 1996 Reg and I met her at a party in Sydney at artist Martin Sharp’s house where she told us how much the song meant to her. Martin had the record and she danced as it was played on the stereo. As a songwriter that was a high-water mark. Recently Dog Trumpet started playing Marianne at gigs and we decided to re-record it with a new approach and sound and updated lyrics.” Peter O’Doherty – 2024
Dog Trumpet are on tour to promote the new single in October/Nov 2024
Dog Trumpet will be performing their new single, Dog Trumpet favourites and Mentals classics @:
Fri 18th Oct 2024 – Camelot Lounge Marrickville w/special guests Jonnie Goes To Church
Sat 19th Oct 2024 – Avalon Beach RSL w/special guests Jonnie Goes To Church
25th -27th Oct 2024 – Nimbin Roots Festival NSW
Fri 15th Nov 2024 – Live @ The Polo Turner ACT
Sat 16th Nov 2024 – Sussex Inlet Tavern Sussex Inlet NSW
Tickets: www.dogtrumpet.net/gigs
ROB EDWARDS ‘Emerld Skies’ (Single)
Adelaide-based First Nations artist, Rob Edwards, this week releases his latest single, Emerald Skies—a soul-stirring track steeped in personal experience, cultural discovery, and the power of storytelling.
Known for his rich blend of jazz, blues, and R&B, Edwards channels his journey of reconnecting to his Indigenous heritage and healing from the generational trauma of the Stolen Generation into this emotionally powerful song.
Emerald Skies explores Rob’s experience visiting the lands where his great-grand mother as born, a significant moment in his ongoing path to rediscovering his cultural roots. As part of the Stolen Generation, his family had been disconnected from their heritage and Country, a loss deeply felt across generations. Through this song, Rob expresses the profound impact of stepping onto his ancestral lands for the first time, and the overwhelming sense of connection, healing, and belonging it brought him.
“The experience showed me the power of asking, listening, and respecting this land. It was incredibly impactful to me, as it was the first time I had really felt a connection with our culture,” Rob explains. “It’s about learning what was lost and creating a conversation around the importance of re-establishing that connection—not just for me, but for future generations.”
Rob’s music is not only a testament to his artistry, but a medium through which he fosters conversations around mental health, cultural reconnection, and the ongoing effects of the Stolen Generation. With influences ranging from neo-soul to folk, his sound is as diverse as his message—bold, honest, and unmistakably rooted in his identity as a First Nations artist.
Emerald Skies marks the final standalone single before the release of his forthcoming EP, a project that promises to take listeners on a deep, genre-blending journey of storytelling, culture, and self-reflection.
SISTER SWITCHBLADE – ‘Don’t Try This at Home’ (Album)
Sister Switchblade are an Australian hard rock band formed in Perth, Western Australia in 2017. Founded by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Andy Smith following the dissolution of his previous band, Babyjane, Sister Switchblade burst onto the worlds hard rock radar with the critically acclaimed debut album Best Served Cold. Described as a blend of 80’s era Sunset Strip meets classic Australian pub rock with a splash of 70’s punk rock, the band built a solid reputation for their high energy live shows and in 2019 unleashed their sophomore album, Tales and Taboo’s.
The global pandemic and a change in personnel saw the band take a hiatus for a few years with the only activity being the release of the singles Comatose (2021) and What Did You Expect? (2022).
2024 – Sister Switchblade are back, armed with their third album Don’t Try This at Home.
With 12 rocking track’s of riffy grooves and catchy chorus’s, including an acoustic take on the aforementioned Babyjane classic ‘Are You Listening’. Don’t Try This at Home is everything fans have come to expect from the Perth quartet.
https://ditto.fm/dont-try-this-at-home-sister-switchblade
https://sisterswitchblade.bandcamp.com/
DUSTYN ‘Right Where You Are’ (Single)
‘Right Where You Are’ is the latest single from the innovative Adelaide artist Dustyn. Out now, this track marks the first instalment of Dustyn’s highly anticipated debut EP, Midnight Movements.
Blending lo-fi soul with stunningly cinematic string arrangements, ‘Right Where You Are’ masterfully marries modern and vintage influences, creating a uniquely immersive soundscape. The single is a poignant exploration of deep love and the vulnerability inherent in believing that your feelings are reciprocated. Dustyn’s evocative lyrics and rich, atmospheric production capture the surreal, terrifying, yet brilliant essence of love. On the influences driving the new single, Dustyn has said:
“I was inspired by the moment in Wizard of Oz where Dorothy steps out of the fallen house and into munchkin land for the first time. As she opens the door to the technicolour world, the sound of the wind is an incredible vocal arrangement, alluding to different melodies and hook lines from the rest of the soundtrack. The way the vocals moved like the wind always blew me away and I wanted to emulate that somewhere in this song. So in the moment right before the final chorus I arranged my vocals in a similar way so that it feels like the song steps back into technicolour for the end.”
Written late at night on piano—an instrument Dustyn is less known for, given his reputation as a guitarist— ‘Right Where You Are’ showcases a new dimension of his songwriting skills. The track features lush string arrangements by Ross Irwin, renowned for his work with Cat Empire and The Bamboos, adding distinctive string lines to the composition. Mixing was handled by Francois Tetaz (Gotye, Kimbra, Lior, Baz Luhrmann films) whose Grammy-winning touch brought a cinematic depth to the track, cutting to the core of what the song is with his less-is-more approach, ensuring that each note resonates with emotional impact.
Known for his previous work as the frontman of beloved South Australian blues-rock band WANDERERS, Dustyn has been one of the brilliant minds and creative forces behind tracks like ‘Off My Back’, which on its own sits at over 1.5 million streams on Spotify.
Recently performing under the name for the first time at the 2024 Adelaide Guitar Festival, Dustyn was met with a standing ovation at the end of his performance at the Dunstan Playhouse.
As the first release under his new solo project of Dustyn, and the first song written for the upcoming Midnight Movements EP, ‘Right Where You Are’ sets the stage for a body of work that promises to be both introspective and profound. This release showcases Dustyn’s distinctive ability to fuse genres and evoke deep emotional responses, establishing a new benchmark for his evolving artistry.
Dustyn: Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok
HEAVY MOSS ’Star’ (Single) Dead Slow (Album out Nov 22)
Heavy Moss, formed in late 2022, is a psych-pop quartet hailing from Geelong, Australia, featuring the seasoned line up of Lucas Harwood, Sam Ingles, Kyle Tickell and Bec Goring. With a unique blend of dynamic psychedelia and dreamy pop textures, the group is set to release their debut LP Dead Slow on November 22nd via p(doom) records.
Today, Heavy Moss give us the first taste of Dead Slow, sharing the single ‘Star’ and it’s lo-fi-sci-fi music video. The track draws you in with a mellow groove, weaving together keys and fuzzy guitar, before pouring into five minutes of lush, melodic dreampop. Nodding to Real Estate and My Morning Jacket along the way, the tune winds towards its cosmic instrumental outro.
Kyle Tickell recalls, “I left my wallet at my friends house in Berlin. So I rushed back to get it. On my way, the verse melody popped into my head, so I recorded it into my phone as I walked through the suburbs. It was just beamed down to me…”
‘Star’ is shared alongside a beautifully shot music video that mirrors the winding melodic trajectory, with the band hatching a conspiratorial plot to make contact with two black-eyed aliens by branding their patch of earth in the shape of a star. Written and directed by band member Kyle Tickell, he explains that the concept for the video “falls out of this need for something bigger that breaks the monotony, and the lengths people will go to do so, even if what’s around them is really quite okay.”
He elaborates, “Star’s lyrics are supposed to be a conversation between a couple. They are call/answer, where one person is content, and grounded, but the other wants more, with no plan on how to get it.”
“When Heavy Moss approached me to shoot their music video, they had me at “crop circles”,” says Brian Purnell, the video’s director of photographer and editor. “What I loved about Kyle’s script was the characters and their motives he created for each band member.”
‘Star’ is out today on all DSPs. Dead Slow is due November 22nd via p(doom) records.
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THEE SACRED SOULS ‘My Heart Is Drowning’ (Single) ‘Got A Story To Tell’ (album out Oct 4)
Thee Sacred Souls have shared a final preview of their anticipated sophomore album – Got A Story To Tell – out this Friday on Daptone Records. The new single, “My Heart Is Drowning,” is a ballad of guilty feelings that draws on two pivotal wells of inspiration for the band: Jamaican rocksteady and ‘60s girl-group pop. The spectral slow tempo of rocksteady, with its thick bass lines and simple guitar riffs, is the instrumental basis upon which singer Josh Lane sings about making his lover cry, eventually losing her. The chorus is accented with soft backing vocals and a trundle of piano. In its final moments, it takes an unexpected turn toward the sunny, even though the protagonist is still languishing in regret.
Listen to “My Heart Is Drowning” here: https://daptonerecords.com/tssgastt/
Got A Story To Tell, written by Thee Sacred Souls’ founding members Alejandro Garcia, Salvador Samano, and Josh Lane, features 12 brand new tracks that further cement the band’s status as masters of modern soul. Recorded at Penrose Recorders in Riverside, CA, with producer Gabriel Roth at the helm, the album reflects the band’s artistic growth and deep connection to the soul tradition that inspires them. Richly layered with strings, smooth guitar, piano, congas, and horns, the album creates an immersive soundscape, unfolding like a novella filled with evocative tales of love, struggle, and triumph. Got A Story To Tell offers a deeply textured listening experience, drawing listeners into its vivid narratives.
The lead up to the new album release has been tremendous – including a triumphant debut at Celebrate Brooklyn in July for nearly 10,000 fans, a spotlight set at Montreal Jazz Festival, and at Fool In Love performing alongside soul legends in Los Angeles. The band also just nabbed a co-sign from Beyoncé in a recent GQ story.
Thee Sacred Souls’ touring continues with a US leg beginning October 11 in Charlottesville, VA, including sold out shows at Brooklyn’s Paramount Theater November 8 and three sold out nights at The Wiltern in Los Angeles in early December. See below for the full itinerary.
Previously released Got A Story To Tell singles include “Waiting on the Right Time,” “Lucid Girl” and “Live For You” (which has moved into the Top 15 on this week’s Triple A radio chart.
The highly anticipated follow-up to their self-titled 2022 breakout, Got A Story To Tell is a reflection of the band’s journey—marked by relentless touring, newfound fame, and the trials that come with rapid success. In just two years, the band’s “music of terrifyingly high quality” (UNCUT) led to a performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk, several TV show appearances — Jimmy Kimmel Live!, CBS Saturday, Kelly Clarkson, Jools Holland, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert — six million monthly listeners on Spotify, an ever-growing list of celebrity fans including SZA, Alicia Keys, Leon Bridges, and Kylie Jenner, and festival debuts at Bonnaroo, Newport Folk, Austin City Limits and Lollapalooza.
Pre-order Got A Story To Tell here: https://daptone.ffm.to/gastt.OPR
https://shorefire.com/roster/thee-sacred-souls
ZIGGY ALBERTS ‘Where Does The Love Go’ (Single) ‘New Love’ (Album out Feb 21, 2025)
The debut of Ziggy Alberts’ next album chapter is on the near horizon, with the award-winning songwriter, performer and author announcing his new studio record NEW LOVE arriving 21st February 2025. Capping off a busy and fruitful year for Ziggy, the release of NEW LOVE lands as a bright and heart-led offering from the globetrotting musician.
Now, Ziggy shares a new single from the album, in the introspective track ‘WHERE DOES THE LOVE GO?’. Following on from tracks this year including ‘Outlaw’, and ‘New Love’, this new offering from Ziggy brings together his signature acoustic warmth, with an insightful perspective on the importance of self-love and awareness, so that we may be able to care for ourselves, as well as one another.
Recorded with GARRETT KATO, who Ziggy co-produced the whole NEW LOVE album with, as well as Ziggy’s ARIA Gold-Certified album Laps Around The Sun, ‘Where Does The Love Go?’ is a perfect addition to the string of releases that have begun to paint a beautiful portrait of the album so far.
Says Ziggy of his latest track, “It’s a song I wrote about wondering where does the love go, when it’s not us? It’s a question I was asking myself when I was feeling a lack of self-love. Now that I’ve thought about it more, I think love disappears unless we embody it. And it is the responsibility of humanity, wherever possible, to keep it alive.”
Sonically, ‘Where Does The Love Go?’ takes inspiration from artists including Jose Gonzalez, Nick Mulvey and The 1975. Fleshing out these influences, coupled with his own beloved sense of songwriting, ‘Where Does The Love Go?’ has proven to already be a fan favourite, with Ziggy rolling the single out as part of his current New Love World Tour that kicked off in June 2024.
ZIGGY ALBERTS: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
TURMION KÄTILÖT ‘Pulssi’ (Single) Reset (Album out Oct 25)
TURMION KÄTILÖT, the Finnish-singing industrial and electronic metal band hailing from the barren wastelands of Savo, is rapidly becoming a new favorite among open-minded metal fans in the mid-2020s. The odds of their rise to prominence are nothing short of great. Known for their ecstatic and theatrical concerts, TURMION KÄTILÖT invites you to dive into their twisted world of “disco metal.” The current lineup features singers MC Raaka Pee and Shag-U, guitarist Bobby Undertaker, bassist Master Bates, keyboardist RunQ, and drummer DQ. Since the early 2000s, this vivid sextet has been delivering a unique blend of electrifying heavy music, characterized by its peculiar, perverted, and catchy style. Their journey includes numerous sold-out concerts, gold and platinum records, and Emma nominations (Finland’s equivalent to the Grammys).
TURMION KÄTILÖT release today their second single ‘Pulssi’ featuring Kasperi Heikkinen from BEAST IN BLACK. The single coincides with the publication of the bands first autobiography ‘En tahdo unohtaa koskaan’ (‘I never want to forget’). The new album RESET will be released on October 25th via Nuclear Blast Records.
MC Raaka Pee comments about ‘Pulssi’: You know you’re living when you feel your pulse up to your gums. The song arrangement and lyrics were born in one evening without any pre-planning or notes. That night the moon burned my face. This time, the song was kept really simple. I wanted to include a riff that I would have been able to play as a 14 year old. Sort of like Smoke On The Water for many youngsters at the time when they first tried playing the guitar. For me that was the 90s and you can hear that kind of middle school riffing in Pulssi. Works damn well I think! Give it a try yourself!
He continues about Reset: “I would say that Reset is like a bastard son or daughter of previous records – with tasty new spices added to the whole thing. It has everything you could ever want from us and more. One of the special twist of this album is the vocal parts: the fierce screams are counterbalanced by a huge melodiousness – often at the same time.”
Stream ‘Pulssi’ here: https://turmionkatilot.bfan.link/pulssi
Watch the band’s new video for ‘Pulssi’ here: https://youtu.be/OQdyZ6QPteY?si=uSCBYslyTT12JBoJ
https://turmionkatilot.com/
SEX ON TOAST ‘PEGASUS’ (Album out Oct 16) National Tour Announced
Sex on Toast are an enigma. A 7 legged beast, a phenomenon, and an auditory and visual feast. Explorers of funk, soul, theatrical rock and beyond, with all manner of line ups, Sex on Toast are lifers, plain and simple.
Sex on Toast, the genre-defying collective revered for their eclectic sound and undeniable charm, is set to release their latest album, ‘Pegasus’, this October. To celebrate this exciting new chapter, the band will embark on a 7-date national tour.
After 20 years in the game, Sex on Toast has firmly established themselves as icons of the Australian music scene. Their enviable back catalogue spans a multitude of styles, but with ‘Pegasus’, Sex on Toast have delivered a luscious, energetic, moody new album that takes the listener on an unforgettable sonic journey.
Imagine a strange dream, colour-saturated, with the sun glaring through the window of a motel room. This album is a romantic ballad of hope and despair—a Hollywood movie for your ears and a technicolour daydream.
‘Pegasus’ features previously released singles that have been lovingly drip-fed to fans over the past three years, including the tracks ‘Take Your Mask Off (And Love Me Tonight)’, ‘Somebody Like You’, ‘Never Let Go’, and ‘Another One’. Pre-save the album here.
Join Sex on Toast as they take flight on this thrilling national tour, bringing the enchanting sounds of ‘Pegasus’ to life. Tickets are on sale now. Don’t miss your chance to witness the next chapter in the Sex on Toast mythology.
‘Pegasus’ Album Tour – Tickets
7 Nov – Crown & Anchor, Adelaide
9 Nov – Out West Festival, Ararat
15 Nov – The Vanguard, Sydney
16 Nov – Smiths Alternative, Canberra
22 Nov – The Evelyn, Melbourne
29 Nov – Felons Barrel Hall, Brisbane
1 Dec – Wallaby Hotel, Gold Coast
‘Pegasus’ (Album) Out Wednesday October, 16 – Pre-save here
Follow Sex on Toast Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
SEREN SPAIN ‘You Lost Nothing’ (Single/Video)
Seren Spain – the Australian songstress, now residing in rural Victoria, presents her mesmerising track “You Lost Nothing” along with its captivating music video.
“An exquisite, nuanced, astonishingly textured and beautiful song. A voice and songwriter you need to hear. I could say a voice to die for – but you don’t want to do that as you’ll miss future gems that are sure to come from Seren Spain.” Stuart Coupe, Australian Music Journalist and Author.
This new single release sets the stage for more of her exquisitely performed and plaintiff music, slated for release in October and her second single in November 2024. Fans can also look forward to her highly anticipated debut EP, arriving in February 2025.
Seren, whose name translates to “star” in Gaelic, is already starting to shine brightly on the international stage. This January, she’ll make her mark at an Official Showcase at Ireland’s Folk Conference, Your Roots Are Showing, in Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland. Her star continues to rise as she will Tour Ireland and the UK after she visits the renowned Celtic Connections in Glasgow and then onto the AMAUK in Hackney, London.
The music world is certainly taking notice of this rising luminary.
Seren says of “You Lost Nothing”:
“It’s a huge relief and so exciting to finally take the plunge and re-embark on this musical adventure! I’m glad I can give “You Lost Nothing” into the world! I thank my brilliant Aria Award-winning producer, Mitch Cairns, who worked tirelessly with me on this one!
ARTIST STATEMENT “You Lost Nothing” is about re-birth, letting nature guide us to take the gold from our hardships as we cross that threshold, whilst letting go of hurt in order to reclaim our innocence and tenderness fully. I think that’s where our power lies as human beings, our ability for renewal. It’s also about having grit to get through what we do and how we draw upon beauty, cyclic nature, and gentleness to do that.”
ARTIST LINKS Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Website
NEOMANTRA ‘Paranosis’ (EP)
Binding their ritualistic circle, Neomantra sets sorcery in motion with their EP ‘Paranosis’, a grimdark doom metal tale in five acts produced & engineered by Chad Blondel (Foxhole Recording Studios) and mastered by Forrester Savell, with additional creative inputs from Drew Goddard (KARNIVOOL).
This EP closes the ouroboros that had begun with their previous EP Henosis, a masterpiece praised by the ravenous masses and began a new dark era, exploring the thoughts behind the mind and self.
Now, ‘Paranosis’ sets the storytelling cogs in motion for a delve into the functions of the universe and the great ascension. Each track is packed with gritty guitar, viking vocals, hardcore drums, and emotions that humans have not yet named.
‘Consciousness’ opens the EP and toys with the brain with its repeated name throughout the song and a hardcore, headbanging beat imbued with echoing guitar and electronic waves. It flows into recently release ‘Astral Prison’, a deliciously rough exploration of eternal life with heavy doomsday guitar and dangerous, gritty vocals.
The midway point in the album is ‘Dualism II’, a long inhale with winding guitar melodies, slow drums and muffled vocals that grows with intensity until it becomes a muddied mental conversation.
‘Boltzmann Brain (Thought Experiment)’ blends demonic, screaming vocals with winding riffs of guitar fry. The ominous energy of the song looms heavy in the air, giving it the feeling of a horror movie.
Finally, ‘Atman Brahman’ begins with heavy, stomping drums. The slow build of this song is almost apocalyptic as it whirs into shredded screaming vocals and the decay of normalcy, questioning everything and teasing the listener with brief softer use of instruments that are quickly stomped out by their all-powerful metal counterparts.
Alongside the EP release, Neomantra have released the spiralling music video for the lead single ‘Astral Prison’, produced, directed and edited by Dominic Pearce.
Bare your teeth and thrash with release of Neomantra’s ‘Paranosis’, a five-track dose of delicious deviance, out everywhere now.
Follow NEOMANTRA Spotify | Apple Music | Soundcloud | Bandcamp | Triple J Unearthed | Facebook | Insta: @neomantraband | Youtube | TikTok
DRUID ‘Chokehold’ (Single/Video)
In the space between reality and abstraction stands Druid, bold and fresh, proudly wielding their latest single ‘Chokehold’ and its companion music video out now.
To those new to the cult of Druid, this 6-piece powerhouse has made waves in Melbourne’s metalcore scene, with their fiery blend of scream vocals and trap flow. Their 90s nu-metal vibes and industrial hardcore sound has captivated the likes of Triple J, Hysteria magazine, Triple M, Spotify curation, and others, and has led them to perform in Slipknot’s Knotfest and the digital music festival Pulse Of The Maggots.
Making their grand debut in 2019, Druid has honed their 6-piece varied and dark sound to pure chaotic perfection. With the guitarists Daeyul Baggins, Robert Corcoran, and Tim Lucas, vocalists Tim Lucas, Chris Mercuri, and Jordan Williams, and Alex Bikovsky on drums, each member brings their own unique twisted take on the genre that blends together perfectly while contrasting like dark and blacklight.
‘Chokehold’ is a chaotic, erotic, nu-metal trip of a song, only exacerbated by the music video shot by Martin Wood. The pole dancing men and women in the music video and the liminal space it takes place in is a strange and intimate experience, creating an environment that feels like it could be anywhere or nowhere. The video cuts between the writhing bodies of the dancers and the band’s performance illuminated by a spotlight, giving the video an intimate atmosphere that borders on claustrophobic.
The song itself plays off this, a meld of metal of all kinds, familiar and twisted. Though containing a varied display of passionate song vocals, incredible screams, and poetic rap, the sheer intensity of this song never waver, delivering punch after punch of hardcore vibes and leaving the head spinning.
Follow Druid Spotify | Apple Music | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
CRASH & THE CRAPENTERS
Crash & the Crapenters are back after their last album with a grown-up grunge-y psychedelic spiral, taking the form of their new single ‘Depression’, which is out now.
After three studio albums since their formation in 2016, Sydney’s punk-rock powerhouse have become known for their well-matured and honest sound, picking elements from genres spanning from punk-rock to reggae to ska to create a sound that’s both their own while staying honest to the heart of rock. Their last album ‘Of A Love Renewed’ was praised by likes of Hysteria, AAA Magazine, and Backseat Mafia for its unique twist on a classic sound.
‘Depression’ is an ode to garage grunge, and with its psychotropic bass riffs, echoey, hymn-like vocals, and bloody metallic drums, it’ll leave a listener feeling like they’ve tread these roads before. Referred to by the band as ‘Smells Like Middle Aged Spirit’, this song takes subtle sampling from one of the most well-known songs of all time, with that same-but-different feeling tying right in to the theme of the song.
Repetition occurs all throughout the song, echoing how easy it can be to get trapped in a cycle and lose yourself to it. Exploring songwriter Chris Carpenter’s experience with depression and anxiety, this song also takes a step back and looks at the world around, looks at how many people are also struggling in the same way. This song is meant to be a touch point, a way for people to see themselves and also see those around them, with Chris saying that,
“My hope is that people will hear it and think to themselves, “this guy feels the way that I do on a day to day basis, and knowing that this guy feels like I do, makes me feel less alone!””
This single will feature on their upcoming EP ‘Species Du Faeces’, which will debut in December, before they go back into the studio to record their new album in early 2025.
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