Here’s our weekly wrap of releases and other Snippetz of news.
Thursday May 16, 2024
ISLA NOON – ‘Her’ (Single/video)
An introspective yet expansive alt-pop gem, the brand new single Her from Aotearoa New Zealand artist Isla Noon is a driving new outing, also fittingly accompanied today by an intimate and energetic music video.
Opening with wavering synths and the ethereal vocal stylings of Isla Noon, Her buoyantly builds into an empowered and vibrant ode to Noon’s younger self. Nodding to the passionate creations of Sam Fender, the intimate yet atmospheric wiles of Holly Humberstone, and the dreamy hues of American indie pop group MUNA, Her is ultimately a candid and assured triumph, complete with goosebump-inducing melodics and glimmering textures. “I wrote Her alone, at home with my guitar,” reveals Isla Noon. “Her is about my younger self. Life often ends up taking you down a whole lot of roads you could not have anticipated when you were young. I didn’t want to lose my child self in adulthood, because I still have a lot of the same dreams I’ve had since I was a little kid. In a way, I felt like I owed that little kid, like she was counting on me. Writing this song allowed me to open a dialogue with my younger self and let her know; ‘You can trust me to take over now. It won’t be perfect, and some of the things you thought you wanted will change, but you’ll be happy’. It’s me at my most candid and conversational.”
Producing Her alongside long-time collaborator Maude Minnie Morris as well as Chris van de Geer on co-producing and mixing duties, Isla Noon’s experience recording the demo vocals for her latest single proved as memorable as the end result, as she explains, “I wrote the song at home and then brought it into the studio to record with Maude. I was sitting on the couch behind Maude, recording in the demo vocal, and I remember her turning her chair around when the song ended and looking at me like she was about to cry. It only really struck me then that anyone else would understand what I was feeling or connect with the song, it just felt so incredibly personal when I wrote it.”
Also armed with a brand new music video, the kinetic Her rises to new and connective levels, with Her’s accompanying visual concepts organically emerging the very same day Isla Noon penned the sublime track. “I wrote the music video concept the same day that I wrote the song,” she reveals. “I had this mental image of a fake car in a studio environment, driven by people in my life with me as a constant passenger, and ending with me leaving the set and driving my real car. The fake car in the video is a nod to the driving metaphor throughout the song, but also a metaphor for my life and the way in which I felt I was being driven by a younger self that had high hopes for me. I met with Oshara Ardelean, who also directed the video for Body, and I remember thinking: ‘Oshara is going to think I’m nuts for wanting to construct a life-size model of a car out of cardboard’. But thankfully, she was totally on board. It was a really personal shoot. Full of laughter and also a few emotional moments. The video features a young Isla Noon, played by the absolutely joyous Scarlett Ewen. It also features my best friends Georgia Mismash as the ‘cool 25 year old’, Maude Minnie Morris and Swap Gomez who are also my live band.”
Her is out now
Listen: HER
Stream: HER
Watch: HER
AIR AWARDS 2024 – NOMINEES REVEALED
Thanks to the continued support from the South Australian Government’s Music Development Office, AIR is thrilled to return to the UNESCO City of Music this August for its annual AIR Awards and Indie-Con Australia Conference.
The AIR Awards recognise, promote, and celebrate the success of Australia’s Independent Music sector. Over 250 individual Awards have been presented to date and for many winners and nominees, it has been their first industry recognition that has helped facilitate national and international attention. Some of these artists include Genesis Owusu, Courtney Barnett, Vance Joy, Flume, Sampa the Great, Amyl and the Sniffers, Sheppard, Confidence Man, G Flip, Tones and I, A.B Original, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Violent Soho and Telenova.
The 2024 AIR Awards will be held at the Queen’s Theatre, Adelaide on Thursday 1st August 2024.
THE 2024 AIR AWARDS NOMINEES ARE..
BEST INDEPENDENT BLUES AND ROOTS ALBUM OR EP
DAN SULTAN – Dan Sultan
DOPE LEMON – Kimosabè
GEORGIA MOONEY – Full of Moon
LEAH SENIOR – The Music That I Make
THE TESKEY BROTHERS – The Winding Way
BEST INDEPENDENT HIP HOP ALBUM OR EP
GENESIS OWUSU – STRUGGLER
JK-47 – Revision For Regrowth
TEETHER & KUYA NEIL – Stressor
URTHBOY – Savour
ZIGGY RAMO – Sugar Coated Lies
BEST INDEPENDENT COUNTRY ALBUM OR EP
FANNY LUMSDEN – Hey Dawn
HENRY WAGONS – South of Everywhere
MAPLE GLIDER – I Get Into Trouble
THE WOLFE BROTHERS – Livin’ The Dream
TRAVIS COLLINS – Any Less Anymore
BEST INDEPENDENT JAZZ ALBUM OR EP
ELIXIR – A Small Shy Truth
GRIEVOUS BODILY CALM – Cascades
LANCE GURISIK & JEREMY ROSE – Cull Portal
MIKE NOCK – Hearing
THE ROOKIES – Feed the Fire
BEST INDEPENDENT CLASSICAL ALBUM OR EP
AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA / RICHARD TOGNETTI – Beethoven Symphonies 1, 2 & 3 ‘Eroica’
KAREN JACOBSEN – Misogyny Opus
NEIL GAIMAN & FOURPLAY STRING QUARTET – Signs of Life
RUSSELL MORRIS – The Real Thing Symphonic Concert
SLAVA GRIGORYAN – Gratitudes
BEST INDEPENDENT CHILDREN’S ALBUM OR EP
AMBER LAWRENCE – A Very Aussie Aussie Christmas
EMMA MEMMA- Ballet Time
JOSH PYKE – It’s Gonna Be A Great, Great Day!
THE WIGGLES – Ready Steady Wiggle
WHISTLE & TRICK – Bananas and Other Delicious Things
BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE, ELECTRONICA OR CLUB SINGLE
CONFIDENCE MAN – On & On (Again)
FISHER & KITA ALEXANDER – Atmosphere
MEMPHIS LK – Black And Blue
ODD MOB & OMNOM – Losing Control
THE JUNGLE GIANTS – Trippin Up
BEST INDEPENDENT PUNK ALBUM OR EP
ENOLA – All Is Forgiven EP
LUCA BRASI – The World Don’t Owe You Anything
PRIVATE FUNCTION – 370HSSV 0773H
RADIO FREE ALICE – Radio Free Alice
TEENAGE JOANS – The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest
BEST INDEPENDENT HEAVY ALBUM OR EP
C.O.F.F.I.N – Australia Stops
GLITORIS – Glitoris
POLARIS – Fatalism
REDHOOK – Postcard From A Living Hell
VOID OF VISION – CHRONICLES
BEST INDEPENDENT DANCE OR ELECTRONICA
ALBUM OR EP
BIG WETT – PU$$Y
CUB SPORT – Jesus At The Gay Bar
HAIKU HANDS – Pleasure Beast
SIMONA CASTRICUM – SINK
SKELETEN – Under Utopia
BEST INDEPENDENT ROCK ALBUM OR EP
ALEX LAHEY – The Answer Is Always Yes
PACIFIC AVENUE – Flowers
ROYEL OTIS – Sofa Kings
RVG – Brain Worms
TEEN JESUS AND THE JEAN TEASERS – I Love You
BEST INDEPENDENT SOUL/RNB ALBUM OR EP
BUMPY – Morning Sun EP
IMMY OWUSU – LO-LIFE!
RUBY JACKSON – Sweeter For Me
WILSN – Those Days Are Over
WOMEN OF SOUL COLLECTIVE – Feel Good
BEST INDEPENDENT POP ALBUM OR EP
HATCHIE – Giving The World Away (Deluxe)
JACK RIVER – Endless Summer
KATE CEBERANO – My Life Is A Symphony
MOLLY MILLINGTON- 5 Stages
NAT VAZER – Strange Adrenaline
BREAKTHROUGH INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR – PRESENTED BY PPCA
BIG WETT
CHLOE DADD
ENOLA
PACIFIC AVENUE
ROYEL OTIS
INDEPENDENT SONG OF THE YEAR
GENESIS OWUSU – Leaving The Light
JEM CASSAR-DALEY – King of Disappointment
MAPLE GLIDER – Don’t Kiss Me
RVG – Nothing Really Changes
TEEN JESUS AND THE JEAN TEASERS – I Used To Be Fun
INDEPENDENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR
CUB SPORT – Jesus At The Gay Bar
GENESIS OWUSU – STRUGGLER
JEN CLOHER – I Am The River, The River Is Me
MAPLE GLIDER – I Get Into Trouble
RVG – Brain Worms
BEST INDEPENDENT LABEL
ABC MUSIC
DOT DASH RECORDINGS
OURNESS
POISON CITY RECORDS
SPINNING TOP RECORDS
INDEPENDENT MARKETING TEAM OF THE YEAR
DOMESTIC LA LA – Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, I Love You
I OH YOU, MUSHROOM – DMA’S, How Many Dreams?
IVY LEAGUE, MUSHROOM – The Teskey Brothers, The Winding Way
SLOW CLAP- PRIVATE FUNCTION, 370HSSV 0773H
THE ANNEX, OURNESS, AWAL – Genesis Owusu, STRUGGLER
INDEPENDENT PUBLICITY TEAM OF THE YEAR
I OH YOU, MUSHROOM – DMA’S, How Many Dreams?
JANINE MORCOS – Teenage Joans, The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest
JESSICA SEARLE – Jen Cloher, I Am The River, The River Is Me
THINKING LOUD – Genesis Owusu, STRUGGLER
THIS MUCH TALENT – Nat Vazer, Strange Adrenaline
AIR has announced two new industry award categories – the Independent Music Video of the Year and the Independent Producer of the Year awards, to recognise the Australian/Australian-based teams responsible for incredible Australian releases during the eligibility period.
Below are the nominees:
INDEPENDENT MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
ADAM MUNNINGS – Cub Sport, Keep Me Safe
CHRIS COWBURN – Emma Donovan, Blak Nation
HAYDEN SOMERVILLE – RVG, Nothing Really Changes
SEAN HIGGINS – Adam Noviello, Fumbling
TOBIAS WILLIS – Georgia Mooney, War Romance
INDEPENDENT PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
BONNIE KNIGHT – ENOLA, All Is Forgiven EP
KONSTANTIN KERSTING – DMA’s, How Many Dreams?
OSCAR DAWSON – Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, I Love You
PNAU – multiple singles in 2023
TOM IANSEK – Maple Glider, I Get Into Trouble
Focusing on issues that are specifically relevant to the independent music sector, AIR’s Indie-Con Australia conference will be held from Wednesday 31st July to Friday 2nd August at Mercury Cinema and will be followed by Scouted.
Details about speakers and the program to be announced in the coming weeks.
Follow AIR and join the conversation:
air.org.au | twitter.com/ausindies | facebook.com/australianindies | instagram.com/ausindies
WATLING & BATES ‘Alice’ (Single)
Alice is free-spirited, well-intentioned, and doesn’t always make the best choices. Alice’s friend cares deeply from a distance, nursing a secret hope that they will find each other again. They move on parallel highways, never sure where their travels will lead, but always headed in the same direction.
Alice features Geoffrey Bates on vocals, with special guest Thor Phillips on guitars, keyboards, and bass. Kym Watling plays harmonica and sings backup. Marcus Schintler completes the work on drums. Vocals were recorded by Geoffrey Bates at Unumgar Studios, Unumgar NSW. Guitars, bass, and keyboards were tracked by Thor Phillips at Ridgeline Studio, Horse Station Creek NSW. Drums were recorded by Thor Phillips at Comrade Rock Studio, Kyogle, NSW.
STREAM AND DOWNLOAD AUDIO AS WAV AND MP3 HERE
Final mix and engineering by Scott French of Lovestreet Studios, Currumbin Qld, with mastering by Paul Blakey of 12th & Vine Post, Broadbeach, Qld.
Watling & Bates are Kym Watling and Geoffrey Bates, songwriters from Unumgar NSW, on the western edge of the Northern Rivers. Their distinctive and energetic brand of oldtime Gothic hillbilly honkytonk has taken them to country pubs, art galleries, outback camel races, riverside operas, country halls, and city malls. Their upcoming Dark Middle Period album brings a layer of complexity and depth to their catalogue, complementing their 2018 Small Town Tales album and 2014 debut EP Before I Met You.
Website: watlingbates.com
Socials:
facebook.com/WatlingBates
instagram.com/WatlingBates
youtube.com/@WatlingBates
THE QUIXOTICS – ’See Saw’ (Single)
The Quixotic Michael Gabriel is the singer /song writer/ guitarist behind the musical adventure that is The Quixotics.
Currently recording album number 6 at the amazing Poons Head studio,The Quixotics are ready to release the first single ‘See Saw’. An uplifting, upbeat poppy rock groover to follow up their 2021 album release ‘Young Tearaway’ which was launched locally at Mojos in Fremantle.The 2010 Quixotics debut ‘Bumpy ride’ was also launched at Mojos. STREAM AND DOWNLOAD AUDIO AS WAV AND MP3 HERE
A trippy melodic rocking debut, the album highlights the Quixotics guitar based origins steeped in the blues, indie pop and rock n roll. Subsequent live shows and releases have highlighted the Quixotic nature of the band as it has adventured through myriad sound and personnel changes. Fluctuating members since the bands inception have contributed piano, sax and harmonicas over the years. The current line up ( since 2017) is stripped back to a 3 piece which includes Michael’s son Gabriel on drums and Hannah Smilie (Psychotic Reactions) on bass and notable harmonies.
Together they form the chemistry groove engine that powers the band. The 2017 album release ‘All is Atremble’ was launched live in Melbourne and Sydney.
The Quixotics since then have been regularly gigging and recording locally and are ready to follow this up with some WA launches to be announced for their new single ‘See Saw’ from their forthcoming album throughout 2024.
INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK BANDCAMP
DREAM PONY – Suspicion Today’ (Album)
SUSPICION TODAY is the debut full-length offering from the exciting and phenomenally striking NYC duo DREAM PONY. Released on legendary Spanish label FOLC Records, the Neo-Glam heartthrobs deliver an intoxicating album that inspires the ecstatic feeling that anything is possible. Jordan D’Arsie’s captivating vocals and Aaron Mika’s spectacular drumming create an irresistible atmosphere, danceable, romantic, passionate and up-lifting. Shimmering harmonies weave their way through this radiant album, with its glassy synths and hypnotic guitars. A sonic dreamscape that evolves, blurring the lines between the ethereal and the NYC streets. A perfect soundtrack to get ready for a wild night out.
Recorded at NY HED studios in the Lower East Side by longstanding producers & co-conspirators Rocio & Matt Verta-Ray. The album features Jordan D’Arsie on Guitar and Vocals, Aaron Mika on Drums, Matt Verta-Ray on Bass, Rocio Verta-Ray on Synth, Organ & Tambourine & Ruby Rogers-Garcia on Backing Vocals & Violin. Mastered by Fred Kevorkian at Kevorkian Mastering.
CLICK TO WATCH TONIGHT VIDEO
ABOUT DREAM PONY: Dream Pony are a shape-shifting genre bending Neo Glam band from NYC. Drawing comparisons with Lou Reed, Patti Smith & The modern Lovers and serving up a live show full of heart & guts. Fearless, irregular, limitless but always sincere they’re a mainline to the heart of things. Formed late 2022 by singer songwriter / poet Jordan D’Arsie [Women of the Night] and Aaron Mika [Televisionaries] later joined by Supremo Massiv [Revel in Dimes] on Bass. Dream Pony draw on cinematic themes and are rooted in the poetic condition of the everyday.
Follow Dream Pony: BANDCAMP | INSTAGRAM | SOUNDCLOUD | YOUTUBE
CASSANDRA JENKINS – Delphinium Blue’ (Single)
Cassandra Jenkins shares ‘Delphinium Blue,’ the second single from her forthcoming album, My Light, My Destroyer, which will be released on 12 July. ‘Delphinium Blue’ follows the stunningly lush first single, ‘Only One,’ and sees Jenkins embark on a celestial journey into the realm of new-age pop.
Accompanying the single is an ethereal music video directed by Jenkins herself. Mesmerising and contemplative, the video transports viewers into a technicolour dreamscape where flowers reign supreme, serving as a breathtaking visual companion to the song’s meditative melodies and introspective themes.
Reflecting on the genesis of the song, Jenkins reveals, “Sometimes when I don’t know where to turn, I look for something reliably beautiful. Applying for a job at my local flower shop felt like survival instinct kicking in, and that job got me through one of the bluest periods in my life– being surrounded by flowers didn’t just make the weight easier to bear– it helped me understand it and myself better. I began to dream in technicolour; flowers became the language of my subconscious. At times, I felt like I was surrounded by a Greek Chorus while I went about my menial tasks– they took on an all-knowing quality like they held the keys if I was willing to listen like they were porters of my grief, and delicate portals to awareness.”
‘DELPHINIUM BLUE’ OUT NOW VIA DEAD OCEANS BUY/STREAM HERE
MY LIGHT, MY DESTROYER OUT 12 JULY PRE-SAVE HERE
MORE INFORMATION:
WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM
SPOTIFY
BANDCAMP
GEORGIA LINES ‘Wayside’ (Single)
Aotearoa’s award-winning artist Georgia Lines has today returned with the powerful and astoundingly honest new single ‘Wayside’. This is the third and final single to be released ahead of Georgia’s upcoming debut record THE ROSE OF JERICHO, out June 7, 2024.
A grand piano matched with a driving rhythm section opens up into an expansive chorus, with powerful vocals and stacked harmonies. Co-written with Grammy-nominated producer Leroy Clampitt (Justin Bieber, Madison Beer, Laufey), Georgia explains that “‘Wayside’ delves into the journey of facing obstacles and uncertainties, urging against complacency and not settling for the easy path. It’s a reminder to stay strong, keep fighting, and hold onto hope, even when things get tough.”
‘Wayside’ is the third single to be released off her forthcoming debut record THE ROSE OF JERICHO, following ‘Grow Old Without You’ and ‘The Letter’; the latter of which has now spent eight consecutive weeks in New Zealand’s RadioScope charts.
Wayside gives one last final glimpse into the sonic and emotional landscape of what’s to come, from the full body of work out on June 7.
“I’ve poured a lot of myself into the songwriting of this album,” says Georgia. “It is honest and vulnerable, and dives into places in my own journey which I have written much of the album around. ‘Wayside’ is a significant piece of the larger puzzle, in many ways encapsulating the album’s overarching themes and emotions, giving anyone who listens a sincere glimpse into the journey that has shaped my music.”
Aside from her musical accomplishments, Georgia also hosts a popular music web series called INTROS which is a series in which Georgia introduces her new favorite female and non-binary artists through a relaxed sit-down kōrero. Each episode focuses on the artist’s chosen song, delving into the story behind the song and the process of writing, before treating viewers to a live performance. 2024 INTROS has kicked off, and this year is being hosted on Rolling Stone AU/NZ for the first time!
‘Wayside’ is out now. The Rose Of Jericho is out Friday June 7th
DILLION JAMES ‘Heavy Keys’ (Album)
Dillion James specialises in starting the party with his New Orleans piano grooves, funky Hammond Organ, and raw honest vocals. Influenced heavily by the pioneers of blues piano & Hammond organ, Dillion’s powerful stage presence makes an instant impact.
Dillion released his full length album ‘HEAVY KEYS’ in February 2024. The new album currently sits at #1 on the Australian Blues and Roots Airplay Charts. It was co-produced with his string shredding older brother 8 Ball Aitken, who also co-wrote four of the new songs.
‘HEAVY KEYS’ features Melbourne drumming legend John Watson behind the kit and Mississippi based saxophone legend ‘Buddy Leach’ (long-time member of George Thorogood & The Destroyers) who played the majority of the sax on the recording. A hand-picked cast of Brisbane’s finest blues musicians also played on the album.
Over the last twenty years of gigging on the festival and blues circuit, Dillion has re-birthed an energetic sound that encapsulates the tone of an earlier era. His self-taught keyboard technique binds melody and rhythm together, and like a real blues-man, has paid his dues performing and perfecting his craft on the road and at the late night gigs.
Dillion James won the 2010 BASEQ blues performer of the year award. Either with his own band, or as a session musician, Dillion has tickled the ivories on many of the biggest stages in Australian blues music. He has played at Byron Bluesfest, Blues on Broadbeach, Woodford Festival, Mitchell Creek Rock & Blues Festival and many more.
General Information: www.dillionjames.com
IXARAS ‘Fresh Figure’ (Single)
ixaras is paving her own path within the music industry, and heads are turning! Debut singles lately + sprouts have culminated 280K+ streams alone and over 4 Million radio impressions (triple j, unearthed, Double J, 4ZZZ, Joy FM, SYN FM)
In 2023, ixaras was a triple j unearthed High Finalist, and was nominated for a Queensland Music Award in the youth category, and recently launched Coke Studios alongside Tones and I. She has previously supported the likes of Tyne James Organ, GRINSPOON, Hope D, Chloe Dadd, Platonic Sex, Clea & Luca Brasi. Played Valley Fiesta alongside Mallrat, Mildlife, Hatchie and Miss Kaninna.
Through her music and live gigs, ixaras champions authenticity and inclusivity, cementing herself as a beacon of youth culture. Recently launching the new era of her label Anti Dismal. With a comprehensive mission, focusing on creating, distributing, and promoting music while also organising and managing all-ages gigs. The label’s commitment to providing safe and vibrant spaces for young music enthusiasts has gained widespread recognition, with events regularly drawing diverse audiences across generations.
The launch of Anti Dismal was met with overwhelming support from notable music publications such as The Music, The Partae, Good Call Live, and Purple Sneakers.
‘fresh figure’ is OUT MAY NOW via Anti Dismal.
FAVOURED STATE ‘It’s A Mess’ (EP)
Naarm/Melbourne’s very own Favoured State have just put out their debut EP, titled It’s A Mess. The absolute ripper of a 5-track record is a mighty introduction to this 4-piece post-punk outfit; it’s a body of work that is sharp, bold, and mesmerising, in both content and sound alike.
It’s A Mess is defined by a style which sits somewhere between the classic punk approach of artists like Black Flag, The Saints and Stiff Little Fingers, and the more modern flair of current acts like Dust, Amyl & The Sniffers, and Genesis Owusu; all blended together in one big, beautiful, gritty melting pot of post-punk madness.
Following the release of the EP’s most recent single, the hugely spirited ‘Look Who’s Talking’, which explores the corrupt and out-of-touch nature of individuals in power who offer their input where they shouldn’t, It’s A Mess is completely devoid of any dull or lulling moments. The record maintains energy from track to track, all while approaching each tune with something fresh and exciting. The title track, ‘It’s A Mess’, reflects on matters dark and dreary (“There’s no sun in an echo chamber / It’s a mess / It’s a mess”), but with a sense of fire and passion behind its every move, refusing to go down without a fight.
The creative process of the EP itself came about in an almost poetic manner, as frantically as the sound of the music itself, according to the band:
“Once we had rehearsed it a bunch we got together and smashed it all out in a day tracked live, we felt that tracking things individually wouldn’t be able to get across the energy of the music so everything was tracked in the room at that time.” FAVOURED STATE
It’s A Mess was recorded, mixed & mastered by Calum Newton (Amyl & The Sniffers, Moaning Lisa, Tamara and The Dreams), and is set to be followed by a launch tour down the East Coast of the country. Favoured State have previously supported Berlin band S.U.G.A.R. on tour, and just earlier this year played Melbourne’s beloved Sydney Road Street Party for Brunswick Music Festival. With an unforgettable debut EP now under their belts, as well as talent and spirit aplenty, Favoured State continue, without a doubt, to establish themselves as ones to watch in the scene.
IT’S A MESS LAUNCH TOUR
Saturday May 18th The Hotel Metro Adelaide
Friday May 31st The Tote Melbourne
Saturday June 1st The Baso Canberra
Friday July 5th Towradgi Beach Hotel Wollongong
Saturday July 6th Shark Bar Sydney
It’s A Mess EP out now. Favoured State: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | triple j Unearthed
DOG TRUMPET – ‘Space and Time ‘ (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. Space and Time is the first single from the forthcoming new album by Dog Trumpet’s their ninth.
Space and Time is a fun song about our universe. This curiosity is expressed in an up-tempo 60’s pop style song written by me and produced by Peter O’Doherty and Declan O’Doherty, mixed by Declan O’Doherty, It expresses a desire to visit the beginning of time and space at the big bang and the end of time when all the stars are extinguished, and the last free-floating proton has decayed to nothing.
I would like to visit these mysterious places as they may be where all the gods and demons and dead humans exist. Maybe the gods and demons live in black holes, and that’s why we can’t see them.- Reg Mombassa
Space and Time Dog Trumpet’s new single will be released on all platforms on the 24th May.
https://dogtrumpet.lnk.to/spaceandtime
Space and Time Tour May/June 2024
24.5.24 – The Great Club Marrickville NSW
25.5.24 – Vivid Sydney NSW
26.5.24 – The Servo Food Truck Bar Port Kembla NSW
7.6.24 – Wallaby Hotel Mudgeeraba Qld
8.6.24 – Royal Quarters Nundah Qld
9.6.24 – Kings Beach Tavern Kings Beach Qld
21.6.24 – Star Hotel Yackandandah Vic
22.6.24 – Volt Ballarat Vic w/ #SnarskiCircusLindyBand
23.6.24 – Brunswick Ballroom Brunswick Vic w/ #SnarskiCircusLindyBand special guests Jonnie Goes To Church.
Tickets: www.dogtrumpet.net/gigs http://www.dogtrumpet.net
SUMMER FLAKE ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ (Single) (EP out June 28)
Melbourne/Naarm three-piece Summer Flake today announces ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ – a new 5-track EP, following their 2023 Australian Music Prize-nominated album ‘One Less Thing’. Ahead of full EP release on 28th June 2024 via Rice Is Nice Records, the melancholic title track ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ is available right now, accompanied by sumptuous video by frequent ‘Flake collaborator, Geoffrey O’Connor.
With humble beginnings as Steph Crase’s lofi guitar dream-pop solo recording project in 2012, Summer Flake has since flourished into a dependable indie rock mainstay releasing 4 albums and 3 EPs, arriving at today’s optimal trio format with Joel Carey (Peak Twins, Skid City) and Perry Mahoney (The Shifters, Scott & Charlene’s Wedding). The tender new single ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ radiates with woozy echoes, glowing leads and downbeat layered-vocal elegance, spackling Crase’s distinctive malaise over a faultless rhythm section, enclosed in engineer Paul Maybury’s warm analogue touch.
‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ is available to preorder now [HERE] – streaming everywhere and available in a limited cassette edition, featuring original lino cut cover art by Adelaide’s finest, Seb Calabretto.
Follow Summer Flake on Facebook + Spotify + Instagram + X + Bandcamp
JESSE LAWRANCE ‘Your Way of Leaving’ (Single)
Jesse Lawrance is a song writer, guitar player and singer based in Castlemaine, Victoria. Blending folk and Americana styles in his music, he crafts songs that bring these rich storytelling traditions to a contemporary audience. From etchings of love—lost or found, to character sketches in full colour, every song works to draw a life, a situation, a time.
Jesse’s commitment to the art of storytelling was brought about by his early exposure to the so-called Texas songwriter tradition: ‘When I was a kid, we used to drive everywhere in this old Chrysler my father had, listening to a tape of Guy Clark. There was a whole world inside that cassette—fully formed characters who lived and breathed and died in those songs. I think that really opened my mind to what songwriting could be.’
Jesse has been playing the bars of Melbourne’s vibrant roots music scene since his late teens. In 2007 he formed The Goodtime Medicine Band who built a loyal following with their intoxicating blend of blues, country and folk over the course a five year residency at East Brunswick’s Lomond Hotel, as well as multiple festival appearances and a successful live EP.
In 2015 Jesse formed the Bon Tons featuring Dean Hilson, Jason Liu Soon, Steve Temple and Paul Williamson. The band continues to treat audiences to scintillating New Orleans rhythm & blues between lockdowns. Since early 2020 Jesse has been steadily writing songs, returning to his folk roots. He has produced a ‘small bag-full’ of poetic and powerful songs in this time and is looking forward to hitting the road to perform them in front of fresh audiences. His rich baritone voice, honest guitar playing and beautifully-crafted lyrics will stay with you long after the songs have ended.
https://www.jesselawrance.com
https://www.instagram.com/jesselawrance_music/
https://www.facebook.com/jesselawrancemusic
SELENE MATHEWS – ‘Beyond’ (Album)
Selene Mathews’s sophomore album Beyond threads torture with tonic in effortless valour Selene Mathews is a poet and lyricist based in Melbourne / Naarm. Selene collaborates with musicians to create haunting, atmospheric music centred around storytelling. Selene works with music and writing as a vehicle for expressing her unique perspective on life. When she was three years old, she was in an accident that left her a quadriplegic. Selene hopes to show people that no matter who they are or what situation they are in they can still do anything. Selene’s music is also focused around giving voice to the natural world and calling attention to what we take for granted.
Following her debut album Beginning But Never The End with producer Akasha Temple, Selene’s sophomore album Beyond is about what we cannot see, but we know. The single, Beyond is a hypnotic story soundscape, asking people to open their minds and look beyond what they believe or are told. An atmospheric meditation on the world beyond what the human eye can see. A tapestry of sound and words that is at once both epic and intimate, touching on morality, alternate realities, and the limitations of the physical body. Beyond was created through Wild At Heart, one of Australia’s leading music organisations for artists with Disability. The album was written, recorded, and performed with artist collaborators Domini Forster, Leah Senior, Danny Ross, Chris Windley, Seth Henderson, Meena Shamaly, Jesse Williams, Yannick Rosette, Byron Leonard, Bianca Hatfield, Samuel Pakoti, Hannes Lackmann and Dan Sullivan. Selene’s Sophomore Album Beyond is out Friday, May 17, 2024 through Wild At Heart Records. Beyond will be available to purchase on CD & Digital platforms.
Connect with Selene Mathews: Facebook
AMY VEE ‘Ennui’ (Single)
Acclaimed NSW singer-songwriter Amy Vee’s latest musical offering and third full-length album, sees her stepping outside of the studio and onto the stage, exposing new layers of musical vulnerability. Live at Lizottes, a 12-track live album, is available now on all streaming platforms.
Taking to her beloved hometown stage at the iconic Lizotte’s Newcastle earlier this year alongside a stunning 6-piece band, Vee showcased her prowess as not only a prolific songwriter, but consummate performer.
Live at Lizottes is a mesmerising and introspective journey that showcases Vee’s growth and musical maturity. With her soulful voice and evocative songwriting, Vee delivers a collection of songs that resonate deeply, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and personal transformation.
The album opens with Ennui (pronounced on-WEE) an initially stripped-down acoustic guitar, setting the stage for Vee’s captivating vocals, which effortlessly glide through the verses, carrying a sense of both fragility and strength. Lyrically, Vee invites us to float in the yearning for a life unlived (a pandemic anthem if there ever was one). The dirge rises with the entry of the band, who skilfully traverse between haunting soundscapes and dark rhythmic rock.
Throughout the album, Vee demonstrates her versatility as a songwriter and performer. The record seamlessly shifts between delicate ballad (The Pilot), bittersweet anthem (Uncrossable), dreamy shoegaze (Without End), and disquieting, guitar-driven lament (Slow Burn), showcasing her ability to command a variety of musical styles. Forget Me is a standout moment, where Vee’s haunting vocals intertwine with poetic lyrics to a cathartic crescendo.
Throughout the album, Vee’s songwriting shines, demonstrating a poetic sensibility that transcends the boundaries of genre. Her lyrics are imbued with a sense of introspection, capturing moments of vulnerability and self-reflection. Whether she’s exploring themes of love, desperation, or self-examination, Vee’s words resonate with authenticity and sincerity.
Live at Lizottes is a testament to Amy Vee’s artistic evolution and her ability to connect with listeners on a deeply emotional level. This latest project solidifies Vee’s place as a talented and compelling artist, and a staying force in Australian music.
Full artist biography: http://amyvee.com/about
CENTRAL RAIN ’She Showed Me To Her Room’ (Single) (Album ‘Paint Over Paint out July 26)
Central Rain, the ongoing project for Melbourne-based, Gold Coast/Brisbane expat singer/songwriter Luke Thomas, has today announced a new album Paint Over Paint – to be released Friday July 26 – and released the album’s first single, “She Showed Me To Her Room”. Old friend and sometime bandmate Ashley Naylor has called “She Showed Me To Her Room” “a modern-day classic”.
Luke Thomas has been a go-to guy in Melbourne since relocating with Brisbane band Lavish in the ’90s. He played bass for a stint in 2003 with Evan Dando but is probably best known for his work with The Pictures. Fronted by You Am I’s Davey Lane, The Pictures had a Triple J Feature Album for Pieces of Eight in 2005 and were freshly signed in the UK to Virgin-subsidiary Hut Records (The Verve, The Auteurs, David Gray etc) when the label collapsed on them. Following The Pictures’ split (and of course they have regrouped sporadically and have been working on new music of late) Luke released a couple of albums with his own band The Deserters, and became involved with The Ronson Hangup, alongside The Anyone’s Steve Pinkerton and Church/Paul Kelly, RocKwiz/Even guitarist Ashley Naylor. The Ronson’s recently released their second album (and first in over a decade) entitled Centaurus to much acclaim
Since 2014, Luke has also been working as Central Rain, an ongoing vehicle for his own songwriting and singing. Central Rain debuted in 2015 with the lush pop of the Flying Information EP and followed that up in 2017 with an album Kick The Moon which took a rawer and rockier approach. For the forthcoming album Luke has changed approach again, crafting an album that is intimate and affecting. Paint Over Paint was recorded by producer Robert Muiños at his Rat Shack studios in Collingwood (situated above The Gem Hotel, where Luke is the chef!), with instrumental assistance from drummer Jess Ellwood (Alex Lahey), and keyboard player Olaf Scott (Teskey Brothers) with the occasional contribution from Ronson bandmate Ashley Naylor on guitar.
Says Luke of the album’s first single: ““his song was probably the catalyst for the whole album. There was just something special about it. I wrote it about a brief encounter I had when I was much younger, though I never saw her again. I was well chuffed to have Ashley Naylor play slide on the record, it reminds me of a Jackson Browne song from the Late For The Sky era.”
Paint Over Paint will be released July 26 on Limited Edition LP and digitally.
Purchase “She Showed Me to Her Room” single and pre-order Paint Over Paint on Bandcamp here.
Follow Central Rain: www.centralrain.com https://centralrain.bandcamp.com
TRACE BALLA & ANDREW MCSWEENEY ‘A Basket of Songs’ (Book)
Andrew McSweeney, a superb songwriter, has teamed up Trace Balla who writes lyrics, illustrates and creates kids books. Together they have created a book of song lyrics, stories behind the songs, dreamy illustrations, music sheets and link to online recordings – to send out to the world at this time when there is so much need to find a way back to a kinder way of living. We hope these songs are sung at kitchen tables, round fires, on bicycles, in the shower, at schools, with choirs, on deathbeds, at funerals… anywhere that a song can be had.
One song is for Survival day, another a prayer for peace, some songs are about the strength of community, others about our place within the environment. Keep an eye out for live events to singalong with Andrew and Trace, or create your own singalong with this book guiding the way. In some ways this is an accidental book! It certainly wasn’t the plan when Trace handed Andrew a basket made with natural materials with a rim made from synthetic string found up a tree. ‘Old ways, new ways, together strong,” she said.
Andrew lit up and soon he wrote and performed “drawing pictures in the sand” a superb song about the time they camped with a group of friends by Dungala (Murray river) on Yorta Yorta Country.
Trace was so taken by the song she sent him a poem to see if it might turn into a song.
Within minutes he had sent her back a spontaneous recording on his phone. And that’s how it went for the next few months, lyrics from Trace, music from Andrew.
“You know it’s an endless well,” he said. Eventually they realised they had enough songs to make something of it. Andrew has a recording studio and Trace creates books. Between them they came up with this collaboration to send out to the world at this time when there is so much need to find a way back to a kinder way of living.
The book can be purchased at: www.andrewmcsweeney.com.au
The music can be purchased at https://andrewmcsweeney.bandcamp.com/album/a-basket-of-songs
Melbourne Launch
George Lane, St Kilda, 3.00-6.00pm, Saturday 29th June, 2024
with Andrew McSweeney & The Wishing Horse
THE BLACK DAKOTAS ‘Nothing Good’ (Single)
‘NOTHIN’ GOOD’ is the third single release by Brisbane band, The Black Dakotas. Recorded live at Incremental Records, ‘Nothin Good’ is a song that says its okay to take the day off! Sometimes, its better just to stay at home and not face the world. ‘Nothin‘ Good’ is a song for anyone who’s ever had one of those days where you just wanna skip forward to tomorrow…
Born from an obsession with old-school country, The Black Dakotas play pedal steel soaked country music and they play it real well. Hailing from Brisbane Qld Australia The Black Dakotas feature ex members of The Silver Dukes, Halfday and The Vegas Kings and are no strangers to the seediest of bars in any corner of the world.
Tipping their hats to George Strait, George Jones, Merle and Kris, The Black Dakotas write songs about real life – the good bits, the bad bits and the whiskey-soaked bits in between.
STREAM AND DOWNLOAD AUDIO AS WAV AND MP3 HERE
Paul Gaydon – guitar and lead vocals
Lindsay Mottershead – guitar
Nathan Lockwood – bass guitar and vocals
Angus Chapman – drums
Ben Morine – pedal steel guitar and vocals
DROPPING HONEY ‘Branches’ (Single)
In the late nineties amongst the heavy stoner rock and punk bands that were dominating local stages in Wollongong, four young guys emerged, still firmly entrenched in the guitar rock world but taking more influence from British music of the eighties, rather than the American sounds of the early nineties. The band were Dropping Honey and their shoegaze/post punk sounds quickly developed them a loyal following on the local scene. The band would play regularly over the next few years, and then sporadically over the years following as lives took other directions.
With the members all still staying connected to music in various ways via other bands and as songwriters/composers, Dropping Honey reconvened in recent years and started to write new music. The magic was still there and the foursome decided to get back in the studio, enlisting legendary producer Wayne Connolly (Underground Lovers, You Am I, Cloud Control) to record their new music.
Today the first taste of the recordings is released in the form of the new single ‘Branches’, the bands first new music in twenty-three years! Guitarist/Vocalist Damien Lane says of the single “Branches came together quickly and became an obvious lead single, despite being a bit of an outlier in our set. It’s simpler and has a more straightforwardly shoegaze or dream pop vibe, which seemed to fit a song about childhood memories”.
Alongside Damien Lane, Dropping Honey consists of Alongside Damien, Dropping Honey consists of Jolyon Pagett (guitar/vocals), Darren Ireland (drums) with Zac Morgan replacing former bassist Dave Lee. For ‘Branches’ the band enlisted Jodi Phillis from seminal Australian band The Clouds to contribute backing vocals.
The single will be released via the freshly minted Silhouette Label that was recently formed by members of Shining Bird to release their own music alongside friends’ music that they love. Damien has collaborated with label co-founder Russell Webster on a number of projects over recent years.
The band will launch the single with a show at La La Las in Wollongong on Friday May 17th with support from The Escarpment and Tropical Strength.
Dropping Honey’s single ‘Branches’ is out now via the Silhouette Label distributed by Farmer & The Owl.
Stream Branches HERE
SKYSCRAPER STAN & THE COMMISSION FLATS ‘Down The M8’ (Single)
Skyscraper Stan and the Commission Flats let us know the things they’ll do for love with “Down The M8”, the next single taken from the forthcoming 3rd studio album due this August through Cheersquad Records & Tapes.
Skyscraper Stan and the Commission Flats continue to display the pedigree their reputation affords with another standout gem from the expat New Zealander’s well-thumbed songbook. “Down The M8” again finds the writer and his cohort difficult to pin down by any genre other than classic, as Stan resists his aversion to writing love songs, admitting that, “for a long time I resisted writing them. I always said there were so many other things to write about. Maybe I’d just never had the right kind of love”. Nawww…
Captured at Melbourne’s Head Gap studio, with the Commission Flats painting in warm vintage hues, Stan details the lengths (about 110 kms, actually) that he and his partner are willing to travel for love. “Down the M8 is a song about the things we do for love”, Stan explains.
“When my partner and I first got together I was living in Ballarat, and she was living in Melbourne. For six months or so, we would take turns driving the M8 so we could spend weekends together. We called it ‘Crossing the Desert’ – an inside joke that gets a nod in the first verse”.
Then adding, “usually, if I write a song about a relationship, it’s about a fractious one, but not this time. Down the M8 is a celebration. It’s a straight-up love song”.
After the release of his recent single “Strange Things Happen” and the triumphant micro tour through the front bars of Melbourne’s inner North where the buzz in each bulging barroom was indeed palpable, “Down The M8” has been road tested (sorry) for danceability, with Stan confirming that, “it came to me easily and feels great to play. It’s a real hit in the live set and gets the dance floor moving every time”.
With the tide on global awareness for Skyscraper Stan and the Commission Flats extended by the songs “I Fell Over” and “Always Thinking of You” featuring on the first season of the TV series Colin From Accounts, and a further tune “21st Century Lullaby” featuring in season 2, “Down The M8” is further proof that the forthcoming Skyscraper Stan album will be more reason for us Australians to claim another New Zealander as our own!
Skyscraper Stan and the Commission Flats launch “Down The M8” on June 1st at the Evelyn Hotel.
Skyscraper Stan and The Commission Flats – Down The M8 is out now through Cheersquad Records & Tapes
https://skyscraperstan.bandcamp.com/track/down-the-m8