Thursday June 13, 2024
DEAN LEWIS The Epilogue World Tour. October 18 Album Release Date for Next Musical Chapter
Following unprecedented worldwide success, critical acclaim, and sold-out tours, including a Wembley Arena in London and a Ziggo Dome in The Netherlands, multi-platinum award-winning Australian singer and songwriter Dean Lewis has today announced The Epilogue World Tour – with Australian dates in October and November. The tour will follow the release of his hotly anticipated third album ‘The Epilogue’ on October 18.
Kicking off in Newcastle on October 30, The Epilogue World Tour will include stops in Brisbane, Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne and Adelaide before finishing in Perth on November 23.
Tickets go on sale this Friday June 14 at 9am local time. Go to tegvanegmond.com for tour details.
Artist pre-sales begin on Thursday June 13 at 9am local time, until Friday June 14 at 8am local time.
Sign up to the Dean Lewis mailing list, and get pre-sale access here
A TEG Van Egmond pre-sale begins on Thursday June 13 at 9am local time, until Friday June 14 at 8am local time.
In announcing ‘The Epilogue’ news, Lewis said, “Reaching this level in my career is beyond anything I ever imagined. It’s been my dream all along to perform at venues like these. It’s hard to believe that I started out playing to 100 people in tiny venues, and now I’m headlining places like Rod Laver Arena, Wembley, Ziggo Dome and the Royal Arena. This truly feels like a dream come true. I can’t wait for my fans around the world to experience my biggest and best shows yet.”
Supporting Lewis is American multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter Daniel Seavey whose music channels the spirit of the late nineties and early-aughts pop and rock from a 22nd century perspective. Seavey recently released his new single ‘The Older You Get’ from his forthcoming debut album, and has five billion global career streams to his name, along with two RIAA platinum-certified singles, five RIAA gold-certified singles, two Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200, and three Top 20 singles at Pop Radio
.Lewis last toured Australia in March 2023 to perform two brand new shows as part of his The Future is Bright world tour. The shows followed his massive sold out Sad Boi Winter Summer Australian tour in 2022.
He has just returned to Australia following arena shows in the UK and USA, and continues to write and perform with unmatched vulnerability, vibrancy, and vitality.
DEAN LEWIS THE EPILOGUE WORLD TOUR
NEWCASTLE, THE CIVIC THEATRE
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 30
BRISBANE, RIVERSTAGE
THURSDAY OCTOBER 31
SYDNEY, ICC SYDNEY THEATRE
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 2
HOBART, MYSTATE BANK ARENA
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 5
MELBOURNE, ROD LAVER ARENA
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8
ADELAIDE, ADELAIDE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 21
PERTH, KINGS PARK & BOTANIC GARDEN
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 23
Tickets go on sale Friday June 14 at 9am local time. Visit tegvanegmond.com
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ZAC CROSS BAND ‘If You Have To Know’ (Single/Tour Dates)
QLD Country rockers Zac Cross Band have “A sound that’s catching attention and making serious waves in the music scene” (Unfiltered & Undiscovered). Recently the boys unveiled their warm-hearted new single, ‘If You Have to Know’.
“If You Have To Know tells a part of the story of how my now fiancé and I started seeing each other,” shares frontman, Zac. The three-and-a-half-minute bop reminisces on the newly engaged couple’s roots.
“The intention of If You Have To Know is to capture the moment when you realise that this person could be the start of the rest of your life and that you want more than a kiss goodnight, you want a kiss good morning.”
Cruisy guitar lines and a lazy backbeat form the backdrop for Zac’s earnest words. “The lyrics are words that were said, the depiction of the story really happened. It can be daunting to put your life on paper and tell your story to the world, but I am proud of this story and the life it has given me.” WATCH VIDEO HERE
They opened for Aussie legends Dragon at the 2023 Rocky Nats; lit up the Big Beer Festival, Country on Keppel, Country on Quay and countless PBR’s. This year fans can find them on some of the best festivals stages – Country Fest Queensland, Baralaba Bash, Boon Lane Country Festival, Gympie Music Muster, Wild As Country Party and Goombungee Country. On top of their festival appearances, the boys keep a rigourous touring schedule. Over the coming months they’ll trace their way down the coast to play a slew of shows through the sunshine state.
SHOW DATES:
Saturday 22nd June – Arcadia Bar – Mackay, QLD
Friday 28th & Saturday 29th June – Johnny Ringo’s – Brisbane, QLD
Friday 5th July – Maraboon Tavern – Emerald, QLD
Saturday 13th July – The Club Hotel – Chinchilla, QLD
Saturday 27th July – Boon Lane CMF – Emerald, QLD
Wednesday 21st August – Gympie Music Muster – Gympie, QLD
Friday 30th August – Baralaba Bash – Baralaba, QLD
Friday 13th September – Maraboon Tavern – Emerald, QLD
Saturday 14th September – Morven Cup Race Day – Morven, QLD
Saturday 28th September – Bull, Bronc & Barrells – Imbil, QLD
Friday 10th October – Thomson River Festival – Longreach, QLD
Saturday 18th October – Goombungee Country – Goombungee, QLD
Saturday 18th October – Wild As Country Party – Sunshine Coast, QLD
Friday 1st November – Maraboon Tavern – Emerald, QLD
Saturday 30th November – Wild As Country Party – Brisbane, QLD
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DOM DOLLA ‘girl$’ (Single)
Grammy-nominated, ARIA Award-winning Australian DJ, producer and songwriter Dom Dolla has today released his first new song of 2024, ‘girl$’. Fresh off the runaway success of singles ‘Saving Up’, ‘Rhyme Dust’ with MK and ‘Eat Your Man’ featuring Nelly Furtado, as well as career-defining Coachella performances closing the Sahara tent to a full capacity crowd, and the Outdoor Theatre alongside John Summit as Everything Always, Dom continues his 2024 momentum.
‘girl$’ is evocative and emotive, striking a balance between naughty and empowering. The chorus chant, “Girls don’t need nobody,” has invited en masse sing-alongs from festival over the past couple of months, and has made it one of the most anticipated dance singles of 2024 with over 46M views across fan videos before it’s official release.
Dom shares about the record; “girl$ was inspired by a conversation I had with a bunch of friends who were all tired of bad dates… and had eventually come to the conclusion they were giving up on the whole charade. In ‘24 we have so much choice. Nobody is limited by who they want to love or spend time with… whether that’s a guy, girl, or even just relish in their own company.
In 2024, Dom Dolla is set for his biggest ever headline shows in North America, and UK and EU festivals including Reading & Leeds (UK), Parklife Festival (UK), Elrow (UK), Tomorrowland (Belgium), Emerge (Ireland), Szigeit (Hungary), Brunch In The Park (Spain). Dom instantly sold 150,000 tickets ahead of his 2024 Australian tour this November and December.
GEORGIA LINES ‘The Rose of jericho’ (Album)
Aotearoa’s award-winning artist Georgia Lines has recently released her impeccable debut album, THE ROSE OF JERICHO, along with its lead single ‘Grand Illusion’. THE ROSE OF JERICHO is an astounding debut that further cements Georgia Lines’ reputation as an artist with an undeniable talent for capturing vulnerability through songwriting. Magic, nostalgic charm, musical depth and an incredible vulnerability is encapsulated within the album. It’s an immersive experience; sonically creating a unique sense of both old and new, through moments of whimsical strings and soaring melodies, piano ballads and sparkling synths, stacked harmonies and hook-laden choruses. At the centre of it all is Georgia’s flawless vocals; skilfully intertwining raw and honest storytelling, drawn from her own life experiences.
“The Rose of Jericho is a flower that can survive in the desert; it can endure months of dehydration. However, when it is put back into water, it comes back to life. The name felt like the perfect way to signify my journey, one that I will look back on in 20 years’ time and see the collection of songs, The Rose Of Jericho, as the time when I wrote an album that helped me heal, process, and brought me back to life.”
Along with the album comes the lead single ‘Grand Illusion’; an incredibly beautiful track with big vocals, strings, and an upright piano. “Grand Illusion reflects on the struggle and desire to create a meaningful life amidst distractions and illusions. All whilst longing for authenticity and finding comfort in embracing both beauty and pain.
Georgia’s success is not surprising, given her impressive track record. She has just won Best Pop Artist at the 2024 AMA’s and was named the AMA Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2022. Her EP HUMAN topped the Official Top 20 NZ Album chart, and her lead single ‘Faith’ held the #1 spot on the NZ Airplay Radioscope chart for four consecutive weeks. Her live performances have also received critical acclaim, and she has opened for international acts and performed at various showcases around the world including SXSW, Big Sound and Los Angeles iconic industry showcase, School Night.
This success was complemented by her electrifying showcase at SXSW, leading to her signing with Wasserman Music. The momentum from this event propelled her Spotify streams to an astounding 8 million. Recently, she completed her first US tour supporting Abraham Alexander in November 2023, and in March 2024, Georgia embarked on her second U.S tour, a 13-date tour across the US supporting Priya Ragu.
Georgia Lines: Official Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram
AURORA ‘Starvation’ (Single) What Happened To The Heart’ (Album)
Following on from the success of her recent soaring single ‘Some Type of Skin’, AURORA releases her fourth studio album, What Happened To The Heart? alongside it’s focus track, ‘Starvation’, a dance-heavy opus which takes us to a darker place via an urgent, pulsating and hypnotic electronic beat.
What Happened To The Heart? is a journey from weakness to strength, from self-destruction to self-healing. A poignant and introspective musical journey that explores the loss of spiritual connection in modern society, the healing power of vulnerability, and the call to ignite change through reuniting the heart with politics and personal growth.
Describing the album as the “most personal and cathartic album” she has ever written, AURORA adds “Though its precise function and anatomy were not clearly understood, the heart was believed to be the centre of the soul. Of intuition. Of emotion and intention. Until we decided these were qualifications of the mind. Emotion overpowered by logic. And with the world being so corrupted by money, power and selfishness you cannot help but ask yourself – what happened to the heart?”
Since her 2015 debut EP Running With The Wolves, AURORA has toured the world multiple times over, been listed by Rolling Stone as one of ten new artists you should know about, collaborated with artists like The Chemical Brothers, performed at the Academy Awards and appeared as a guest on US TV shows The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Late Night with Seth Meyers.
AURORA
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THE ORION EXPERIENCE ‘Loving on Each Other’ (Single)
The Orion Experience is a musical phenomenon from another space and time. They create hyper-colorful pop music with irresistibly catchy hooks and melodies. Lead singers Orion Simprini and Linda XO deliver bewitching vocal harmonies with a glamorous stage presence that have enchanted audiences around the world. Best known for their hedonistic love anthem, The Cult of Dionysus, (which thanks to a viral resurgence, has surpassed 100 Million Spotify streams) the band continues to gain fans with their impressive catalog of pop gems, and an electrifying live show.
Loving on Each Other, the Poly-Pride Song of the Summer, is dropping Friday, June 7th! Are you ready to get your groove on?? The Orion Experience, pioneers of polyamorous pop-music, best known for their hedonistic free-love anthem, The Cult of Dionysus (you know the one… “I’m feeling devious, you’re looking glamorous, lets get mischievous and polyamorous”) are back at it with this irresistible Dance Hall bop.
Loving on Each Other is a top-down, sunset drive along the coast, belting out a care-free chorus with your besties, middle finger up to the haters kind of song. “Got no worries, no drama, gummy bears and marijuana, feels like every day is summer when we’re loving on each other!”
“Loving on Each Other” out now on all digital platforms.
STREAM AND DOWNLOAD AUDIO AS WAV AND MP3 HERE
DONOVAN WOODS ‘116 West Main, Durham, NC’ (Single/Tour)
Ahead of his debut Australian tour starting on the 13th of June, Juno award-winning Canadian artist Donovan Woods has released ‘116 West Main, Durham, NC’. The track is taken from his upcoming seventh studio album, ‘Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now’ out July 12th via End Times Music.
“I wrote this in a green room at The Carolina Theatre in Durham. I had a great day walking around (really nice town), and I was feeling hopeful. This is what passes as hopeful for me,” notes Donovan. “I’m trying to forgive myself more, and that’s what I’m doing here. I wanted it to feel like one of those days when you’re getting a lot of errands done. Maybe you’re walking, and your legs feel good. You feel like you could walk forever. It’s sunny, not too hot, and you think it’s good that time rolls on. Maybe it is actually good. Saxophones are the sound of moving on. Maybe you didn’t know that.”
The release of ‘116 West Main, Durham, NC’ comes just ahead of Donovan’s first shows on Australian shores – with intimate solo shows booked in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Newcastle, Sydney and Melbourne – all of which will also feature local artist Hayley Warner.
The tour also sees Donovan partnering with Support Act – with $1 from each ticket sold going towards the music industry charity to support music industry professionals doing it rough; offering crisis relief, mental health support and aid. Donovan’s popularity has built consistently over the last decade, testament largely to his heartfelt storytelling and live performances to match. Woods’ audiences have grown significantly in recent years, thanks to the success of 2020’s Without People album, tours with artists including The Gaslight Anthem, and US TV syncs (‘Portland, Maine’ featuring on The CW’s Legacies) establishing Donovan Woods as an artist to watch in a number of different markets.
DONOVAN WOODS LIVING WELL TOUR w/ special guest Hayley Warner
TICKETS
Thursday June 13th Milk Bar, Perth WA
Friday June 14th Jive, Adelaide SA
Saturday June 15th Northcote Social Club, Melbourne VIC
Thursday June 20th Stag & Hunter Hotel, Newcastle NSW
Friday June 21st The Great Club, Sydney NSW
Saturday June 22nd Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane QLD
ALFIE TEMPLEMAN ‘Radiosoul’ (Album)
London-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer and performer Alfie Templeman has released his new album Radiosoul via Chess Club Records / AWAL Recordings. LISTEN / WATCH
Radiosoul is an ambitious suite of tracks that showcase a bold new acid-pop direction for the Bedfordshire-born polymath. The record features production from Templeman as well as Nile Rodgers, Dan Carey, Karma Kid, Oscar Scheller, Will Bloomfield, Justin Young, Josh Scarbrow and Charlie J Perry. It is an album of self-discovery, one that zips between genres at whim and showcases a newfound incisiveness and acerbic humour to Templeman’s lyricism, whilst retaining the sense of joy that defined his previous releases. It is the work of a prodigiously talented songwriter truly coming into his own.
Templeman says, “In February 2023, I planned a small trip to the USA and fell back in love with recording music. I visited Nile Rodgers in Miami and Oscar Scheller in LA, then came back and hung out with a bunch of amazing producers in South London: Charlie Perry, Karma Kid, Dan Carey, Will Bloomfield and Josh Scarbrow. During the next 5 months we’d make my next album together. I’d go home and craft songs; taking from ideas I had dating all the way back to 2017. Then we’d meet up and make things spontaneously. There’s an exciting energy that gets captured when you don’t know what’s coming next.
Every song is intentionally different from the last. It’s about the weird and the wonderful, the big, bright, bursting moments and the quiet, raw, reflective moments. Back when I started out, what really excited me was using music as a way of documenting my life. Each EP felt like a little diary entry, taking the last half a year of my life condensed into a few songs. This album really reminds me of that, but this time it looks back at my whole life. I finally feel a little more confident about fighting the darkness that will inevitably lurk around from time to time. This album is about turning 20: entering a new decade of your life and figuring out how you guided yourself to where you are now even if you don’t really know how.
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MENAJERIE ‘Melt’ (Single)
Meanjin-based, female-led powerhouse Menajerie sways and sighs to the sensual sounds of their new single ‘Melt’, out now. This neo-soul slow jam is sweet like honey and just as flavourful. Stream ‘Melt’
Bringing their iconic sultry charm, the three frontwomen use their bewitching skills to ensnare music to their will. Together, they brew up truly irresistible melodies, as they are backed up by tantalizing rhythms and tones from the band. Having cast their spell in 2023 with their debut EP ‘Selective Deafness’, Menajerie was embraced with overwhelming support and garnered a nomination at the 2024 Queensland Music Awards in the Soul/ Funk/ R&B category. Now, with the furnace still burning hot, they are ready to unveil their latest single ‘Melt’.
Forging something raw and seductive, ‘Melt’ is a brazen and impassioned love song, that typifies that fluttering heartbeat, those butterflies in the stomach, and the thirst for someone’s powerful intimacy. Set against the alluring backdrop of a neo-soul groove, the romantic lyrics combine with funky wah guitar, soaring synths and slinky rhythms.
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SARAH BRINDELL “Horizon Eyes” (SINGLE)
The latest release from Boston-based artist Sarah Brindell is a testament to strength, friendship, and the power of persisting despite it all. The song speaks to a young person at the brink of change, whose eyes are absorbing the oceans of transformation in front of them–and bringing them back to the present, as they almost lose themselves in the future.
An international collaboration, the single was recorded in Switzerland, Jamaica and the US, enhanced by Earl “Chinna” Smith on acoustic guitar, Danny Morris on bass, Nathan Sabanayagam on drums/percussion, and an incredibly tasteful flugelhorn by Yaure Muniz.
The track was also mixed and mastered at Nevo Sound Studio in London, UK. ‘Horizon Eyes’ marks a new chapter of sound discovery for Sarah Brindell. The hybrid grooves that create the rhythm of the song, complete with moving harmonies, borrow from jazz and bossa nova, and the storytelling nature of the lyrics come from a singer/songwriter & folk tradition. The track emanates from a heartfelt space– as an attempt to connect to audiences that have an appreciation for adult contemporary and jazz styles, and listen to vocally-driven Brazilian-influenced music with acoustic live instruments.
The song’s lyrical journey ends at an ambiguous turn: we are unsure of whether the protagonist swims with the waves, or perishes under their overwhelming force. It concludes in resounding and swirling harmonies, drawing us in and introducing us to the beautiful soundscape that is Brindell’s new EP. Website https://www.sarahbrindell.com/
DIO ‘THE COMPLETE DONINGTON COLLECTION’ (Album)
On July 19th, Niji Entertainment & BMG will release The Complete Donington Collection, a Limited Edition 5LP boxset housing Dio’s classic Donington ’83 and Donington ’87 performances at the Donington Festival in the UK, both on 2LP 180gr vinyl with an etching on Side D, as well as the limited Picture Disc Double Dose of Donington ’83 & ’87. PRE-ORDER NOW
Wendy Dio says, “Fond memories of sitting on the grass and watching the bands play. This is an amazing Collection. 1983 when Ronnie had just recently formed the Dio Band and again in 1987. Ronnie always enjoyed playing in Britain, he loved the audiences and the beer!”
DIO AT DONINGTON ‘83 captures the original DIO lineup on the HOLY DIVER TOUR and captures a young, hungry band 3 months after the release of their debut album. The set features classic tracks from Ronnie James Dio’s already amazing career as vocalist for Rainbow and Black Sabbath, alongside soon to be classics like “Holy Diver”, “Rainbow In The Dark”, and “Stand Up And Shout”. Following three hugely successful studio albums and silver, gold, and platinum certifications around the world, DIO AT DONINGTON ’87 captures the DREAM EVIL line up, and features such classics as “The Last In Line”, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Children,” and “All The Fools Sailed Away”.
Additionally, both discs contain killer renditions of both RAINBOW and BLACK SABBATH classics, including “Man On The Silver Mountain”, “Neon Knights”, “Stargazer”, and “Heaven and Hell”, among others. As the singer of Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell, and his own band, Ronnie James Dio is often considered to be one of rock’s all-time great vocalists, who sadly passed away in 2010, after battling stomach cancer. However, Dio’s music continues to connect with the masses – the official Ronnie James Dio Facebook page has over 2.5 million followers, his music on Spotify receives over 3 million monthly listeners, and in the most recent season of the hit Netflix series, STRANGER THINGS, the popular character Eddie Munson sports a large “DIO” patch on the back of his beloved denim jacket.
PRE-ORDER THE COMPLETE DONINGTON COLLECTION
DIO AT DONINGTON ’83
Personnel:
Ronnie James Dio – Vocals
Vivian Campbell – Guitar
Jimmy Bain – Bass
Vinny Appice – Drums
Claude Schnell – Keyboards
Tracklist:
SIDE A
1. Stand Up And Shout
2. Straight Through The Heart
3. Children Of The Sea
SIDE B
4. Rainbow In The Dark
5. Holy Diver
6. Drum Solo
7. Stargazer
8. Guitar Solo
SIDE C
9. Heaven And Hell
10. Man On The Silver Mountain
11. Starstruck
12. Man On The Silver Mountain (Reprise)
SIDE D
DIO Vinyl Art Etching
DIO AT DONINGTON ‘87
Personnel:
Ronnie James Dio – Vocals
Craig Goldy – Guitar
Jimmy Bain – Bass
Vinny Appice – Drums
Claude Schnell – Keyboards
Tracklist:
SIDE A
1. Dream Evil
2. Neon Knights
3. Naked In The Rain
SIDE B
4. Rock And Roll Children
5. Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll
6. The Last In Line
7. Children Of The Sea
8. Holy Diver
SIDE C
9. Heaven And Hell
10. Man On The Silver Mountain
11. All The Fools Sailed Away
12. The Last In Line (Reprise)
13. Rainbow In The Dark
SIDE D
DIO Vinyl Art Etching
DOUBLE DOSE OF DONINGTON TRACKLIST (PICTURE DISC)
SIDE A
1. Stand Up And Shout (Live From Donington 1983)
SIDE B
1. Rock And Roll Children (Live From Donington 1987)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT ronniejamesdio.com facebook.com/OfficialRonnieJamesDio twitter.com/OfficialRJDio instagram.com/_ronniejamesdio
TRASH SPRINGFIELD ‘Standing Around’ (Single)
Trash Springfield wrote Standing Around shortly after a breakup she had when she was 18. It was the first love song she had ever written. Before this point Trash vowed to steer clear from writing love and break up songs because she thought they were passé. That was until she experienced the dark side of love first hand. Standing Around remains one of Trash’s most vulnerable and passionate songs and perfectly closes her debut album ‘Escape From Those Who Care’.
After delighting us w/ her ‘Early Signs’ EP, Sydney’s Trash Springfield returns w/ her maiden album, ‘Escape From Those Who Care.’ Trash’s range is really on show here w/ solemn confessionals adjacent to funky party songs and brooding ballads riding shotgun w/ chugging rock songs.
The familiar strains of ‘Control’ begin proceedings followed by the blazing groove of ‘Rip Off’ and the ambitious ‘Everythings Alright.’ Familiar to independent radio listeners will be the laid-back rock of ‘Confused by Early Signs,’ which is backed up by more songs covering diverse themes, ranging from confidence to diffidence and boastfulness to hopelessness. 10th track ‘Standing Around’ closes out the album. Starting w/ a lone piano, it soon evolves into a bemused ballad w/ searing strings and a desperate, impassioned vocal delivery.
A very mature and impressive album from a woman who just turned 23, “Escape From Those Who Care,’ seems destined for plenty of airplay and attention.
STREAM AND DOWNLOAD ENTIRE ALBUM AUDIO AS WAV AND MP3 HERE
THE CALEDONIAN CASTAWAYS ‘Schizo Scot’ (Single)
Some post punk poetry on a bed of funk – think Ian Dury meets John Cooper Clarke with some scratchy guitar and punchy harmonica and keys. The Castaways are a Melbourne band of Scots – very evident here where lead singer has an Aussie accent and BVs have Scottish ones.
For the “chorus” the band found some iconically Scottish words for Castaways to shout. Words like murder and eleven sound distinctive in a west of Scotland accent. The “polis” are the police. Why gogomobile though? An insurance ad aired on Australian TV in the ‘90s used deep-voiced Scot Tommy Dyshart saying “Gogomobile”.
The phrase “bhoys were just boys” here is a reference to one of Scotland’s biggest football teams, Celtic known as the “bhoys” – something lost on everybody in Australia. Of course, that team has had an Australian coach and players – so maybe more familiarity in Melbourne now.
Three of Australia’s finest blues/roots songwriters collaborated on country, ska, reggae, blues, funk and soul tunes – all with a theme, they were about Scotland, their homeland. Steve Boyd, Alex Burns and Tom McEwan. To deliver them as an amazing live show, they added fellow Melbourne Scots, frontmen and vocalists Steve Montgomery and Stuart Ferguson, completed the “supergroup”, with two fine sidemen, Ken Howden (keys) and Craig Kelly (bass).
If you were to describe Caledonian Castaways in one sentence, “A fabulous Melbourne blues and roots band who all happen to be Scottish and their set of original ska, rocksteady, funk, blues and country songs telling amusing and heart warming stories about coming to Australia.” STREAM AND DOWNLOAD AUDIO AS WAV AND MP3 HERE
IAN BULLER ‘Persona’ (Album out June 25)
When a DJ /producer takes to the stage, he is responsible for setting the mood of the dancefloor. Each one of the tracks that he plays, and everything he creates out of the studio forms a story about him – a story that he unfolds, hour after hour; single after single. This is a responsibility that Far North Queensland, Indigenous Australian artist Ian Buller thrives on.
Inspired by the sound designs and styles of some of the greats including Avicii, Martin Garrix, Don Diablo and MK, Ian Buller weaves future house and trance with a unique flair that showcases the liveliness and joy that can come out of doing something that you love. The sheer passion of Ian Buller shines through, his production skills developing over his 12 year experience in the industry, expertly moulding the throbbing bass lines and catchy vocal chops to create club heaters that are made for the dancefloor. Following the release of his latest single Good Love, Ian Buller will continue to build his craft and hone his skills, hoping to one day become a role model for many generations to come.
https://www.facebook.com/ianbullerofficial/
VOICE OF LELE ‘Island Proud’
West Papuan refugee, singer, and proud advocate for cultural diversity Voice of Lele is gearing up for the release of her debut single, “Island Proud,” which will be released on June 20, 2024, in celebration of World Refugee Day.
Reflecting on the release date’s significance, Lele said, “Is there a better day to release my debut single? To have ‘Island Proud’ out on World Refugee Day was a perfect fit. I make music to share and showcase my diverse culture and journey, hoping to inspire others to do the same.”
“Island Proud” is a heartfelt ode to Pasifika brothers and sisters everywhere, encouraging pride in one’s island, roots, and heritage. The song’s vibrant melodies and uplifting lyrics encapsulate Lele’s unwavering passion for celebrating cultural identity and fostering unity through music.
Produced by Rob Amoruso, “Island Proud” promises to be an uplifting anthem that resonates with listeners from all walks of life. Get It Now!
Lele’s journey in music has been deeply influenced by her upbringing and cultural heritage. As the daughter of Agustinus Rumwaropen, a revered cultural songman and lead singer of the Black Brothers Band, music has always been a central part of her life. Following her father’s footsteps, Lele embarked on a musical journey, co-founding “The Black Sistaz” and touring the world alongside her sisters.
Lele is touring Australia as part of Mitch Tambo’s acclaimed ‘Walanbaa Youth Tour’, empowering young people and inspiring positive change through music. Her dedication to raising awareness about West Papua’s struggles and promoting cultural inclusivity has earned her widespread acclaim and recognition. With “Island Proud,” Lele invites listeners to join her in celebrating diversity, embracing heritage, and spreading love and positivity through the power of music.
SUMMER FLAKE ‘New Day’ (Single)
Summer Falke have released a new single, ‘New Day’ from their forthcoming EP Nothing Lasts Forever.Out 28th of June, 2024. Summer Flake’s new single ‘New Day’ is out now! Listen here!
We’re also pleased to announce tickets are on sale for the ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ EP launch show, 19 July at Shotkickers in Melbourne, with Scott & Charlene’s Wedding, and Sleeper & Snake. Get your tickets!
‘New Day’ is the second single lifted off the upcoming Summer Flake EP ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’, and following the release of the melancholy title-track, ‘New Day’ bursts with sunny indie-pop radiance. Squinting expectantly into the luminescent daybreak, ‘New Day’ wryly describes the paranoia beyond the duvet: “It’s a new day, the future’s so bright you gotta wear shades, everything’s on fire.”
Since 2012, Summer Flake has artfully blended the palettes of lo-fi bedroom balladry and post-punk discord across four acclaimed albums and as many EPs. Now, with Joel Carey (Peak Twins, Skid City) on drums and Perry Mahoney (The Shifters, Bloody Hell) on bass, the band is dynamic as ever, as captured by Rocket Science guitarist and iconic Melbourne engineer Paul Maybury at A Secret Location Sound Recorders analogue studio in Fairfield VIC.
Summer Flake’s 2023 album ‘One Less Thing’ was nominated for the Australian Music Prize, and the band has received the gracious support of community radio and glowing reviews from SPIN, Rolling Stone, The Saturday Paper, Stereogum, The Guardian, Indie Shuffle, Double J, The Music and Beat across a prolific decade of releases.
Pre-order the full EP ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ on digital/ limited edition cassette, out 28 June 2024 via Rice Is Nice Records here.
Follow Summer Flake on Facebook + Spotify + Instagram + X + Bandcamp
J VERSE “get Up’ (Single)
Naarm/Melbourne-based 19-year-old rap/hip-hop artist J Verse has unveiled his high-energy single ‘Get Up’ – produced by Kuda and by the artist himself. ‘Get Up’ blends the rhythmic vitality of hip-hop, the smooth atmosphere of R&B and the vibrancy of Afrobeats to deliver an infectious narrative. Both celebratory and unifying, the party atmosphere layered with memorable hooks is led by J Verse’s charismatic vocals.
J Verse talks about the inspiration behind ‘Get Up’:
“‘Get Up’ is a bouncy track that I made to get people standing up, whether it’s in the club, at a show or even a house party there’s always a couple of people sitting around so I made this song for the pretty girls and the guys with too much pride that sit in the corner of the room instead of getting up and dancing. ‘Get Up’ also features my story and how you gotta have your own style to be fly and take over the game, not only within the music industry but to be that person that gets people up and involved with big positive energy when you walk in the room.”
J Verse was recently announced as part of JBL’s ‘Be Heart’ series and has been widely embraced by Spotify, Apple Music, triple j, Take Flight, AUD$ and featured in triple j Unearthed’s ‘Unearthed High Yearbook’ (2022). Along with this, J Verse performed at Good Life Festival, sharing the stage with the likes of Lil Pump (USA), Fivio Foreign (USA) and Joel Corry (UK).
Born in Dubai, raised by an American mother and Lebanese father, J Verse has quickly captivated global audiences with his unmatched grit and humble beginnings. With 334k + followers and 6.4 million likes on TikTok (click to view), J Verse has captured attention with viral clips performing to some of the world’s biggest stars such as Shaquille O’Neal (12.9M views), The Kid LAROI (2M views) and Jack Harlow (84.3K).
‘Get Up’ is available worldwide now
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TOKiMONSTA ‘Switch It’ (Single) ‘Eternal Reverie’ (Album out September 27)
Grammy-nominated artist, producer and label-head TOKiMONSTA has announced her sixth studio album, Eternal Reverie, out September 27th on Young Art Records. This announcement also comes with the release of her latest single, ‘Switch It’, featuring Cakes Da Killa and rising R&B duo GAWD. LISTEN
The new single flawlessly epitomises the synchronisation of each artist’s distinct sound and showcases their remarkable versatility to push beyond the traditional range of house and hip-hop beats. TOKiMONSTA’s signature ethereal soundscape and lush chord progressions interwoven with Cakes Da Killa’s high-octane delivery and deep house grooves make the track equally suitable for late-night dancefloors and vibe-inducing winter playlists. GAWD’s soulful harmonies and flirty lyrics playfully floating throughout the chorus further elevate the track into an undeniably catchy tune that’s sure to be on every DJ’s rotation.
In addition to the album announcement and new single, TOKiMONSTA will be going on a 26-stop North American tour with the anticipation of her new album. The tour is set to kick-off on September 28th in San Diego’s CRSSD Festival with stops in Dallas, Nashville, New York, Toronto, Chicago, and more before wrapping up on November 30th in Los Angeles.
General tickets are now available for purchase. For more information and ticket purchasing please visit: https://tokimonsta.com/
BOBBY UNCLE ‘Coffee’ (single)
Eora/Sydney based artist Bobby Uncle has dropped his latest slice of pop-perfection titled ‘Coffee’. The incredibly infectious track is the talented up-and-comers 2nd release for the year, following on from ‘Summertime (make it happen)’ released back in February. ‘Coffee’ is a convincing statement from Bobby Uncle (aka Liam Barrera), displaying his fine-tuned songwriting, performing and producing skills at their absolute best. Not one to shy away from different vocal styles and genres, ‘Coffee’ weaves through many different moods and tones throughout its runtime – creating a consistently compelling listen, filled to the brim with catchy ear worms that are sure to stick around long after the song has finished.
The track initially was written during a period of infatuation, and was finished following the eventual breakdown of the relationship – with themes of jealousy and obsession prevalent throughout. “I wrote the melodies to the entire track on acoustic guitar around late November. I had a gig on Dec. 9th and wanted to advertise it on my instagram by singing an unreleased song. At the time, I only had written lyrics for the chorus as I was anxiously into this girl I was seeing. I laid down the guitar riff in Logic and started filming myself singing over it.. I was quite emotional at the time which added cadence to the chorus which I would not have added previously. Fast-forward, the gig was a successful night musically, but not for my relationship with this person. A few days later, I wrote the lyrics for the verses and pre-chorus.” BOBBY UNCLE
The slick production on ‘Coffee’ elevates the song to a whole new level – with layers upon layers of synths and guitars that create the perfect backdrop for Bobby’s passionate vocal performance. During the production process, different techniques were used to represent different moods and themes from the track – with every element playing an important role, even down to the tempo of the track.
“I started by sound designing the lead synth. I needed something harsh and dark to capture anger and sadness for the central melody but to keep the track happy and upbeat. One of my good mates is a metal drummer and he carefully uses the Toms to create build up and tension. Hence, the Toms were used in certain sections but predominantly in the chorus where each part is more intense than the next. I mirrored the hi-hats with the acoustic-guitar to drive the central groove. The electric guitars provide that summer indie pop feel. The pace of the track of 170 bpm reflects the sensation of taking a shot of concentrated caffeine. I wanted people to hear the track and feel like they needed to move, where it’s uncomfortable to be idle.”
Since the release of his first single back in 2021 Bobby has released a total of 11 singles – all conveying a different stylistic style, from Hip-Hop to Pop and everything in between. His previous single ‘Summertime (Make It Happen)’ has seen extensive play on triple J Unearthed since its release – as well as a spin on triple J’s Home and Hosed program. With no sign of slowing down, ‘Coffee’ is another step in the right direction for Bobby Uncle as he continues to make his stamp on the Australian music industry, proving he is certainly one to watch throughout the rest of 2024.
‘Coffee’ is out now. Bobby Uncle : Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Unearthed
FANGZ “Wasting Time’ (Single)
Eora/Sydney-based punk rock quintet FANGZ have just revealed their frenetic single ‘Wasting Time’ and B-side ‘Nothing To Lose’ – produced by Tim Maxwell (LOSER) and mixed by Jonathan Gardner (Front End Loader, Grinspoon). Click to stream ‘Wasting Time’ / ‘Nothing To Lose’
Raucous guitars wrap a resolute rhythmic section, as ‘Wasting Time’ defies its title brazenly with haste. Recalling the vibe of post-hardcore luminaries Refused and Thrice, the track maintains its unapologetically fast-paced tempo, while effortlessly melding pop sensibilities through its infectious choruses.
Front man Joshua Cottreau describes the motivation behind the track: “‘Wasting Time’ is about people who you spent years of your life partying with only to realise that you have created zero real connection together. Once the party is over, who is truly your friend? I once lived by the ethos ‘time is never wasted, when you’re wasted all the time’ – as more responsibility has come into my life it seems my friendship circle and support network got smaller. Quality over quantity. ‘Wasting Time’ is an ode to people I thought had my back but really just needed a party pal.”
Accompanying it is the B-side ‘Nothing To Lose’; another thrash-laden punk-rock offering awash with sing-a-long melodies. “The track is about getting out of your head and going with your gut. In essence it’s a love song about allowing yourself to take a chance. A night out could end happily ever after… you just need to get out of your own way sometimes.” adds Cottreau.
Since their 2019 inception, the band have released three EP’s ‘For Nothing’ (2019), ‘But No Thanks’ (2020), ‘Falling Is Pretty Normal’ (2022), and a slew of singles, which received strong support from the likes of triple j, triple j Unearthed, Triple M, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Metal Hammer (UK), Loudwire (USA), Classic Rock (UK), Metal Injection (USA), Louder Sound (UK), NME (UK), Pilerats, The Guardian, MANIACS, and many more.
They’ve traversed the country multiple times selling out headline shows, performing at festivals and sharing stages with the likes of FIDLAR (USA), Pennywise (USA), RedHook, Comeback Kid (CAN), He Is Legend (USA) and Gyroscope. The group have also launched their very own line of hot sauce ‘Fang us Some Sauce’, an annually curated festival ‘FANGZstock’, and hold the Guinness world record for the most hard-boiled eggs eaten in one sitting by Cottreau (143 eggs in three minutes and ten seconds).
Coming into 2024, the quintet have recently completed a run of headline shows and a national tour with The Bennies. They set out today to support Cancer Bats (CAN) on their first Australian tour since 2019.
‘Wasting Time’ is available worldwide now
FANGZ on CANCER BATS AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Tickets available from destroyalllines.com/tours/cancer-bats
THU 13 JUN | THE BRIGHTSIDE OUTDOORS, MEANJIN/BRISBANE QLD
FRI 14 JUN | THE NEWCASTLE HOTEL, MULUBINBA/NEWCASTLE NSW
SUN 16 JUN | CROWBAR, EORA/SYDNEY NSW
MON 17 JUN | THE BASEMENT, NGAMBRI/CANBERRA ACT
WED 19 JUN | STAY GOLD, NAARM/MELBOURNE VIC
FRI 21 JUN | JIVE, TARNTAYNA/ADELAIDE SA
GUM / ABROSE KENNY-SMITH ‘DUD’ (Single) ‘Ill Times’ (Album out July 19)
GUM / Ambrose Kenny-Smith – made of Jay Watson (Gum, Pond, Tame Impala) and Ambrose Kenny-Smith (King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, The Murlocs) – present a special new single/video, ‘Dud’ from their forthcoming record Ill Times, out July 19th via King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizardʼs recently-announced p(doom) records. Loss is a recurring theme across Ill Times, and todayʼs ‘Dud’ co-written by Ambroseʼs late father, acclaimed musician Broderick Smith, is an ode to the gravitas of losing someone, as well as a thundering celebration of life. Its lyrics were mainly written by Broderick Smith, with Ambrose finishing off a few of the lyrics in the verses and the chorus. His lyrics, especially in context of his fatherʼs passing, are especially poignant: “I had an open heart, I believe I was told to guard it, instead I let it break apart.” Stream single
The beautiful, cinematic accompanying video, directed by Matt Wallace and Jack Rule of Recliner Films, sees Ambrose Kenny-Smith riding horseback through bushland in the outskirts of his hometown of Melbourne, Australia. Rule describes the video as landing “somewhere between happy and sad.” He explains, “Sam, an actor and friend of ours played the role perfectly and, when he started to break into dance, he kind of became this emotional extension of Ambrose who could help share the load of the very real emotional he of this beautiful track.”
Kenny-Smith further explains: “After my Dad passed away in May last year, we never got to properly finish the song together. It only felt right to make the chorus as more of a send off to him. I miss him everyday but Iʼm so glad I now have this song to remember him by. It helped me process his passing a lot. Dad used to always sign off on his emails and birthday cards with ʻ- love Dud x.ʼ”
Watson adds: “This one started as a demo Ambrose sent me, with the songwriting all there. I loved the melody and the classic chord progression, and ran about half of the stems through a tremolo, as well as adding some Vox repeater fuzz tremolo, a classic Spacemen 3 trick. It just sounded like Track 1 to me, I donʼt know why.”
Watson and Kenny-Smith first met at the bar in the hazy hours aer Tame Impala played the legendary Eureka Hotel in Australia in 2009, but it wasnʼt until Kenny-Smithʼs bands came to prominence a couple of years later that the bond between these groups was formed. The roots of Ill Times lay in an instrumental Watson had recorded that he loved but couldnʼt find a home for in Pond or GUM by itself, leading him to send the track to Kenny-Smith. The idea of collaborating remained non-corporeal for more than a year, both musicians on tour with their respective acts. When Christmas came around with enforced down time, the duo got to work, remotely. “I was excited to explore stuff our other bands hadnʼt really touched on before,” Watson says. “Funk, soul… groove-based music.” The instrumentals he cut for Ill Times were firmly in the pocket, though thrillingly devoid of genre cliché, their grooves colossal, their melodies deep and irresistible.
For Kenny-Smith, that soulfulness seeped into his very bones. The GUM project arrived not long aer the passing of his beloved dad, musician Broderick Smith, and the death of a dear friend, losses that would inform the lyrics he penned for the album, and the way he sang them. The previously-released lead single “Ill Times” is about figuring out how to put your life back together and move on in the wake of devastation. “I learned life is too short to live it in regret or a hole of depression,” Kenny-Smith explains. But thereʼs humor and wisdom in there, too.
Ill Times is an album that takes swings at losers with god complexes, that builds the Impressionsʼ slow-burning ballad ‘Fool For You’ into something so massive and brawny itʼd give Jack White the willies, and closes with Watson and Kenny-Smith delivering righteous rough justice to an unabashed villain, and then riding off into the sunset like the heroes they are. The album is easily as much fun as the duo had making it, and that was a truly ridiculous amount of fun.
GUM / Ambrose Kenny-Smith – ‘Dud’
Single out now via p(doom) records Listen here
Pre-order Album
BRENDAN McMAHON ’Speed Humps’ (Single)
Multi award winning singer/songwriter, Brendan McMahon, grew up in the small town of Kapunda near South Australia’s Barossa Valley. He discovered his love of music at the age of 15 after being “awed and floored” seeing some old footage of Jimi Hendrix played on television; amazed by the sounds that Jimi could pull from a guitar and captivated by the iconic performer’s showmanship. Borrowing money from his mother (and paying it back at $2 a week) he promptly bought himself a $60 guitar and amp rig from a mate.
Spending his late teens and early twenties as a lead singer/lead guitarist in rock cover bands playing across Adelaide and country Victoria, McMahon honed his skills the hard way – in front of demanding Australian pub and club crowds. In 1998, and now bitten by both the song writing and performance bug, McMahon released a 7-track EP called ‘Picture This’ with his band The Cunning Stunts
In 2015 and 2016, Brendan released the solo albums ‘Falling To Earth’ and ‘Marker 7-58’ under the moniker of Satellite Gods, and in doing so was fortunate enough to collaborate and work with some renowned Australian musicians including Peter Maslen (Boom Crash Opera), Jason Vorherr (Darryl Braithwaite), Bob Spencer (The Angels), Simon Hosford (Vanessa Amorosi) and Wilbur Wilde (Ol’ 55).
Brendan explains “I met these fabulous musicians through the studio I record, Soggy Dog Recording Studio in Upwey, Victoria. Not only did they contribute their instrumental talents to these albums, they also opened up my eyes to new concepts and helped me understand the importance of “leaving space’ in the music.”
After supporting artists such as Boom Crash Opera, Russell Morris, Wendy Stapleton and The Chantoozies in Australia, Brendan releas ‘On This Fine Occasion’, his third album in 2017, which received great reviews both locally and internationally.
In 2019, McMahon, who now calls Melbourne home, released ‘In The Moment’ – his 4th solo album. Maturity, reflection and drawing on his personal experiences, his inspired yet refined lyrics again take listeners on a captivating journey.
Recorded with Steve Vertigan at Soggy Dog Recording Studios, and again drawing upon Australian music royalty in its creation – namely Dave Leslie (Baby Animals), Danny Spencer (Jimmy Barnes Band), Brett Kingman (James Reyne Band), and the previously mentioned Peter Maslen and Jason Vorherr, plus a string trio from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (Sarah Curro, Gabi Halloran and Paul Zabrowarny), this powerful album embraces the essence of story-telling and leaves you thinking about the songs long after the last track finishes.
Having visited over 60 unique and varied countries (McMahon and his wife share an extensive and adventurous bucket list), Brendan’s travel experiences, specifically his observations of history, cultures, people, architecture and nature are at the root of his creativity and songwriting. These themes again feature prominently throughout ‘In The Moment’.
November 2020 saw the release of ‘No Rush Today’, an album that debuted at No. 2 on the iTunes country music chart on release. McMahon feels his 5th solo offering cemented him in the Country Rock space. The album delivered 3 top 10 AMRAP singles, Jack, Sugar Cane Man and Wired to the moon along with strong charting on many other Australian charts including a No.4 position in France with Sugar Cane Man.
Once again, the collaboration of Soggy Dog Studios (Steve Vertigan) and McMahon, along with the incredible session musicians from previous albums, has delivered an album of stories about personal journey, travel experiences and people.
The 17th of June, 2022, marked the release of ‘As The Road Unfolds’, the most successful record to date. It debuted as the highest selling Australian album on the iTunes Country chart. It has also delivered no less than 6 chart topping singles – Jenni J, When I See You Tonight, I Feel A Change, Skin & Bone, Gundry’s Track and Back Roads which went on to win the Australian Songwriters Association award for best song lyrics in 2023.
“I strongly believe that ‘As The Road Unfolds’ is my most cohesive and strongest offering yet”, McMahon says. “We’ve spent a lot more time listening to and fine tuning the tracks. I’ve also recorded a lot more of this album in my own studio and the studio of Aussie guitar virtuoso, Simon Hosford which definitely added more colour to the end product”.
“I’ve found it really exciting in 2021 & 2022 to be getting strong airplay all over the world… my songs are now being played in Ireland, England, Scotland, Canada, USA, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy and Luxemburg… it’s one of the positives of global reach to new audiences through the internet” states McMahon.
‘As The Road Unfolds’ won the Australian Country Music Peoples Choice Award for best album at the 2023 Tamworth music festival.
June 2024 sees the release of McMahon’s 7th studio album, ‘Somewhere West Of Nowhere’, which features 12 new tracks including no less that 6 No.1 singles from the AMRAP metro chart including ‘I Hear Your Voice’ which won an award at the Tamworth Australian Peoples Choice Awards in January 2024 for best video.
‘Somewhere West Of Nowhere’ has recently been nominated in the International Singer/Songwriters Awards in Atlanta, Georgia even prior to its full release based on the tracks that have been released as singles, “It’s extremely exciting to be recognised internationally for my songwriting” says McMahon… “it may mean a trip to Atlanta in October this year (2024) for the awards ceremony if I’m shortlisted.”
What’s next for Brendan…? “Over to Nashville in May (2024) to play a few shows and then back in the studio to work on new material for my 8th album whilst preparing for Hats Of To Tamworth festival and the Gympie Muster in the second half of the year.”
STREAM AND DOWNLOAD AUDIO AS WAV AND MP3 HERE