Thursday May 23, 2024
VICTORIA K – ‘Frozen’ (Single)
Melbourne Gothic Metal powerhouse Victoria K have recorded their own heavy rendition of Madonna’s iconic 1998 ballad, ‘Frozen.’ Victoria K bring their dark and tenebrous stylings to the classic with heavy riffs and the judicious incorporation of harsh vocals, while at the same time paying tribute to the soulful and introspective nature of the song with more dulcet moments led by frontwoman Victoria Knight’s hypnotic voice.
Victoria K is this week #9 on the Metal Charts in the USA with their unique version of the Madonna track ‘Frozen’. The track is also receiving significant airplay in the USA, Canada, Germany, Italy, & Brazil. Reflecting on the journey of recording the song, Knight reveals, “’Frozen’ is one of my favourite Madonna tracks, I’m so excited to be breathing new life into the song.”
She continues, “We’re hoping that with this cover, we can bring a new and fresh sound to Victoria K.” Fans can indeed look forward to a bigger Victoria K sound than ever, as ‘Frozen’ is mixed and mastered by the deft hand of Lance Prenc, whose work includes some of Australia’s biggest heavy acts such as Alpha Wolf, Thornhill and Void of Vision.
Watch the lyric video HERE
Victoria K exploded into the minds and ears of Australian audiences with their 2019 hometown support of Swedish Folk Metal legends, Eluveitie. The band then took the Gothic Metal world by storm with the release of their debut album, Essentia. Although the now-infamous 2020 pandemic struck on the eve of their first headline show as the world entered lockdown, Victoria K were undeterred by this setback. While touring was off the cards, the band embraced the opportunity to deliver a live-streamed show direct from the studio where Essentia was recorded, providing a beacon of Gothic celebration in the darkest of times. The show is now available as the Essentia – Live Isolation Concert DVD.
UPCOMING SHOWS
MAY 24 – Northcote Social Club (Melbourne)
JUNE 14 – Headlining ‘Symphony Of Shadows’ John Curtin Hotel
JUNE 15 – Headlining ‘Symphony Of Shadows’ Golden Vine Hotel (Bendigo)
THE WHITLAMS BLACK STUMP TOUR EXPANDS
The Whitlams Black Stump’s “Kookaburra” album launch tour rolled on with sold out jaunts throughout Victoria and Tasmania over the last fortnight, and the band today announces extra dates through to September with talk-of-the-town Sweet Talk (trio show) and Melody Moko joining in (see dates below).
The album sits at # 3 on the ARIA Australian Country Album chart nearly three months after its release and keeps gathering critical acclaim:
KOOKABURRA TOUR DATES:
Thu 23 May – Resin Brewing, Bulli – NSW * – SOLD OUT
Fri 24 May – Tallagandra Hill Winery, Gundaroo – NSW * – SOLD OUT
Sun 26 May – Dangar Island Bowling Club, Dangar Island – NSW 2pm * – SOLD OUT
Sun 26 May – Dangar Island Bowling Club, Dangar Island – NSW 6pm * – SOLD OUT
Thu 30 May – Avoca Beach Theatre, Avoca – NSW – 2ND SHOW ADDED
Fri 31 May – Factory Theatre, Marrickville – NSW
Sat 1 June – Avalon Beach RSL, Avalon – NSW – SOLD OUT
Sun 2 June – Avalon Beach RSL, Avalon – NSW – 2ND SHOW ADDED
Fri 21 June – Mangrove Mountain Hall, Mangrove Mountain – NSW *
Sat 22 June – Qirkz in the Hunter, Abermain – NSW *
Sun 23 June – Royal Dungog Hotel, Dungog – NSW * – SOLD OUT
Fri 28 June – Sanctus Brewing Co, Maclean – NSW *
Sat 29 June – Bellingen Memorial Hall, Bellingen – NSW *
Sun 30 June – Welder’s Dog, Armidale – NSW *
Fri 23 August – Bone Idol Brewery, Toowoomba – QLD *
Sat 24 August – Gympie Music Muster – QLD *
Sun 25 August – Gympie Music Muster – QLD
Thu 5 September – Odessa at Leaver’s, Creswick – VIC *
Fri 6 September – Echuca Paramount, Echuca – VIC * with SWEET TALK (trio)
Sat 7 September – Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston – VIC * with SWEET TALK (trio)
Sun 8 September – The Pig & Whistle, Main Ridge – VIC *
Thu 12 September – The Beer Shed, Leumeah – NSW * with MELODY MOKO
Fri 13 September – Avalon, Katoomba – NSW *
Sat 14 September – Prince of Wales Opera House, Gulgong – NSW * with MELODY MOKO
Fri 20 September – The Co-Op, Gerringong – NSW *
Sat 12 October – Savannah in the Round – QLD
* The Whitlams Black Stump Duo – Tim and Ollie **Tickets on sale now and available at https://thewhitlams.com/tour/
PIPER BUTCHER – ‘Turn The Key’ (Single)
After scoring a spot in Australian Idols’ top 24, Newcastle-based Piper Butcher shares a story of wanting to be something more than just friends in ‘Turn The Key’ (out now). This marks a huge comeback for the independent indie pop/ rock artist, being her first release since her majorly successful single ‘Unconscious Mind’ in late 2022.
On her Australian Idol debut in 2023, Piper received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the likes of Amy Shark, Harry Connick Jr, Kyle Sandilands and many others. Piper has also received nationwide radio play of her single ‘Read Between The Lines’ as well as the accompanied music video featuring on Country Music Channel. She has also reached #1 on the AMRAP regional charts, #1 on the Alternative Album iTunes chart, and #2 on the All-Genre iTunes chart, just to name a few mind-blowing achievements. Now, with her new soulful track ‘Turn The Key’, Piper is filled with hope that her crush has the ‘same thing on their mind’. The glistening guitars, along with Piper’s enchanting vocals convey her suspense-ridden story, sure to strike the hearts of any listener who yearns for that certain someone to feel the same way. Piper reflects that:
“The tale pulls from the suspenseful feelings of wanting to know a person more than a friend and finding a way to break the ice and be together. ‘Turn the Key’ shows a more fun and cheeky side of Pipers’ narratives, while still enchanting listeners with her commanding studio presence.”
Piper Butcher’s feeling-driven sound and impressive songwriting ability shown in ‘Turn The Key’ should prove to fans that the incredible up-and-coming artist hasn’t gone anywhere and has much, much more to come. With the discography to mark her as an exciting new artist in Australian music, and her new single undoubtedly proves her worthiness even further.
Be ready to break the ice with Piper Butcher’s ‘Turn The Key’, out everywhere now.
Follow Piper Butcher Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube Facebook | Instagram | Triple J Unearthed | Bandcamp
PJ O’BRIEN – ‘Silence is Golden’ (Single)
On his latest release ‘High Cost’, Sydney Blues & Roots performer PJ O’Brien continues to hone an original, singular style that seamlessly blends his dynamic blues guitar with cleverly crafted blues and roots songwriting. Exuding a retro and modern feel, PJ’s blend of vintage and contemporary blues and roots influences have created a diverse repertoire that is uniquely his own.
Engineered by George Brugmans and mixed/mastered by Michael Lynch, High Cost was recorded at Dust Radio studios during the dark days of COVID during 2020/21.
The self produced album features nine original compositions with contributions from some of Sydney’s finest in Al Britton, Mike Rix, Ray Beadle, Davo Fester, Chris Nable, Danny Tsun, George Bibicos, Rob Woolf, Jessie Wagner and Rachel McMullan.
From the hooky blues/pop title track High Cost to the BB King inspired closer Younger Days, the album showcases O’Brien’s ability to combine his Blues & Roots influences with contemporary sounds to create his own signature style.
PJ’s last album, Jefferson Blues debuted at No. 1 on the Australian Blues and Roots PJ’s music has featured in Blues Revue (USA), Blues Blast (USA), Blues Matters (UK), Classic Rock’s ‘Blues’ (UK), Rhythms (AUS) FHM (AUS) and Australian Guitar.
PJ has won numerous music awards over the years and has twice represented the Sydney Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN, reaching the semi-finals from a field of over one hundred and twenty American and International acts at the 2017IBC.
He has played multiple times at Australia’s premier Blues festivals such as Blues at Bridgetown (WA), Great Southern Blues Festival (NSW), Thredbo Blues Festival (NSW) Gympie Muster (QLD), Darling Harbour Jazz and Blues Festival (NSW), Blues on Broadbeach (QLD) Echuca Winter Blues Festival (VIC) and the Australian Blues Music Festival (NSW), as well as top Sydney music venues including the Basement, The Vanguard and the Factory Theatre. STREAM (and buy) HERE
RED TEMPLES ‘MEDICINE MAN’ (Single)
Boorloo/ Perth band Red Temples, fresh from a top 20 nomination at the West Australian Music ‘Song of The Year’ awards, announce the release of their debut indie-rock single Medicine Man – out May 24.
An uplifting anthem about new beginnings, described by the band themselves as being about “a chance encounter one day that takes you by the hand and changes how you see everything.” It’s a track that captures the close-knit chemistry and collaborative spirit of the band, taking influence from Powderfinger, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Incubus, Hunters and Collectors, and Pearl Jam.
Please find links to STREAM
SKEGGS – ’Spaceman’ (Single)
Skegss today share their single ‘Spaceman’, their first new music since 2022’s double release of ‘Stranger Days’ and ‘December’. An evocative rocker that simmers to a soaring, anthemic conclusion, the song reintroduces the band as the duo of Ben Reed (vocals, guitar) and Jonny Lani (drums) for the first time.
“Made this song during the pandemic and it’s had a couple of versions, but happy we kept trying new things with this one and where we got it to,” explains Reed. “It’s funny how far we are from outer space, sleeping is hard sometimes but thinking about outer space is harder.”
‘Spaceman’ is out now via Loma Vista Recordings alongside a spirited, cinematic video that chronicles Skegss’ otherworldly encounter. “We found an alien, his name is Ruku Chismun, which translates to Ricky Cheesemoon. Stuck on Earth, space is 62 miles away, so far without a spaceship!” says Reed.
“He looked a similar age to us in light years, so we thought we would show him what we do for fun to cheer him up. He found a groove, he accidently fell in love and he lost his way twice. Can Ruku Chismun pull through…”
To celebrate the new release the band have also announced they will be kicking off their regional Spaceman Tour on Friday 14th June in Torquay, playing 13 shows across Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales, including an Under 18 Matinee in Ballarat.
SKEGSS’ REGIONAL ‘SO FAR FROM SPACEMAN’ TOUR 2024
Featuring supports from Carla Geneve (ex. VIC) & Good Sniff (VIC only)
FRI 14 JUN – TORQUAY HOTEL, TORQUAY, VIC
SAT 15 JUN – PIER BANDROOM, FRANKSTON, VIC
SUN 16 JUN – VOLTA, BALLARAT, VIC *U18 MATINEE
SUN 16 JUN – VOLTA, BALLARAT, VIC *18+ EVENING
SUN 30 JUN – MIAMI MARKETTA, GOLD COAST, QLD
THU 04 JUL – BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, NSW
THU 11 JUL – FLAMINGOS, ROCKHAMPTON, QLD
SAT 13 JUL – DALRYMPLE HOTEL, TOWNSVILLE, QLD
SUN 14 JUL – EDGE HILL TAVERN, CAIRNS, QLD
THU 18 JUL – BEER DELUXE, ALBURY, NSW
FRI 19 JUL – TILLY’S, WAGGA WAGGA, NSW
SAT 20 JUL – THE STATION, JINDABYNE, NSW
SUN 21 JUL – MARLIN HOTEL, ULLADULLA, NSW
For tickets head to skegss.com
CERES “Want / Need” (Single/Tour)
Beloved Melbourne indie rock band Ceres are back with one hell of a single called “Want / Need” and a bunch of tour dates this July. Ceres’ blissful new song is out now via Cooking Vinyl Australia and is just the soul balm we all desperately need in 2024. To celebrate their return, Ceres will dust off their instruments for a long-awaited headline tour – their first live shows in five years!
The first piece of new music from the Melbourne five-piece since the release of their album, We Are A Team (2019), “Want / Need” is a joyous celebration of love that will lift your spirits long after the final note rings. Starting simply with a delicately strumming guitar, “Want / Need” blossoms with the arrival of the Northern Voices Choir who also perform alongside Ceres in the stirring video.
“It’s a love song. I don’t need a single thing, if you don’t need a single thing. Feeling content. Singing songs. Filling lungs. Blocking out the haters. Us versus them. You and me. Wanting everything. Needing nothing.” Frontman Tom Lanyon explains.
Ceres are one of those special bands that don’t come around too often. An oft-touted favourite of those in the know, Ceres sprung up organically via word-of-mouth until their breakthrough 2016 album, Drag It Down On You, let the rest of Australia in on Melbourne’s best-kept secret. By the time We Are A Team rolled around in 2019, Ceres hit their stride with the release of life-affirming single “Viv In The Front Seat”, which captured the hearts of everyone who heard it. Sold out shows, award nominations and critical acclaim followed, with Ceres wrapping up their most successful album cycle right as the pandemic arrived. With Covid came a lot of life changes within the camp – the intervening years saw members leave and return – and though Ceres was quietly humming along in one form or another, the band decided to return to the fore, all in it together.
“Want / Need” perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Ceres as they enter an exciting new chapter in 2024. The band will debut their new single live on their first Australian headline tour in half a decade, coming to Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney in July. Ceres fans have been waiting a long time for this and tickets are expected to fly out the door.
Tickets on sale Monday 27 May via weareceres.com
CERES – Live On Tour With Support From Suzi
Tickets On Sale Monday 27 May Via weareceres.com
Saturday 13 July
Northcote Social Club, Melbourne / Naarm
Thursday 25 July
The Brightside, Brisbane / Meanjin
Friday 26 July
Crowbar, Sydney / Warrang
ALICE ANDERSEN -Blue” (Single)
Melbourne folk artist Alice Andersen to release first song, ‘Blue’ from upcoming EP on Thursday May 23. Alice Andersen returns to her roots with the release of her heartfelt folk EP, ‘Blue’. The title track drops first (digitally) on Thursday, May 23. The single launch gig is on Saturday night, May 25 at The Retreat Hotel in Brunswick, Melbourne.
From the very first moment of this five track EP, Andersen’s velvety tone immediately grabs you, bringing to mind the likes of Neko Case, Feist or Jenny Mitchell.
On the opener, ‘Blue’, she’s up close to your ear, letting you in on some deeply personal reflections about what it’s like to navigate love when life gets serious – when baggage and expectations build up, and it feels impossible to find common ground with a potential partner. Blue has an irresistible, meandering feel that makes you want to pack a bag, drive down the coast, and get away from all the hard stuff.
The theme of futile or complicated love runs through the whole collection, which traverses folk, country and jazz, but all woven together by the thread of Andersen’s smooth and warm vocal.
The songwriting across the EP is natural, heartfelt and beautiful, and the instrumentation throughout is simple yet lush. There’s thoughtful lead guitar playing and gorgeous strings in just the right places to highlight the emotion of the songs.
About Alice Andersen
Alice grew up singing from a young age – but it wasn’t until she was living in London that she realized that singing in a band was something she could do. After returning to Australia, she decided she wanted to sing her own stories – so she got writing. By early 2020 Alice was planning her first album when the pandemic hit. Feeling stuck, she took a detour to write and develop a synth-pop single, ‘Dance with you’ – a gentle but uplifting track featuring jangly guitars and heart-thumping drums – all underpinned by her folk story-telling sensibility.
Now, in 2024, Alice is finishing off what she started, with the release of her first EP, ‘Blue’. Featuring five tracks written across five years, it’s a synthesis of pre and post pandemic life: detailing complicated love, loss and isolation.
Linktree https://linktr.ee/aliceandersen
‘Blue’ single digital pre-save https://gyro.to/237003Blue
JADA WEAZAL – Send My Love’ (Single)
Rising soul and R&B artist Jada Weazel drops her latest single “Send My Love,” a powerful anthem born from personal transformation and self-discovery.
“Send My Love” reflects Jada’s journey of finding self-worth and setting firm boundaries. Inspired by her desire to break free from past constraints, the song captures her declaration to prioritize personal value and energy.
“I walked through the river, through the fire,” sings Jada, emphasizing the resilience and determination to create a space where only genuine connections thrive. Produced by ARIA Award winning producer UNO Stereo (Kaiit, Sampa The Great) & and renowned producer/songwriter Rudy Sandapa (Static Major, Pretty Ricky), the track features a captivating blend of emotive R&B and modern storytelling.
“Send My Love” marks Weazel’s evolution as an artist and storyteller, showcasing her signature emotive style and bold lyrical prowess. The accompanying music video, directed by Adam Saunders from Killa Kreative, adds a visually stunning dimension to the song’s empowering message.
In Jada Weazel’s words, “Cutting people off and moving on from hurt doesn’t have to be so brutal all the time. Sending your love and going on your way is in.”
Jada Weazel, originally from Woorabinda in Central QLD, delves deep into themes of transformation and growth in her music, drawing from her own life experiences. Her captivating sound, influenced by soulful R&B, jazz, and hip hop, underscores her unique storytelling approach. In 2023, she released her debut EP titled “No Peace,” which received critical acclaim and positioned her as a rising star in the Australian music scene. Jada was also nominated for the ARIA Best Soul & R&B award in 2023, solidifying her place as one of the most promising talents in Australian music.
JADA WEAZEL – NEW SINGLE “SEND MY LOVE” OUT TODAY
THE NIGHT TERRORS ‘Hypnotica’ (LP launch)
Melbourne electrogoth legends The Night Terrors return to the recently revitalised Tote Hotel to launch their fourth album ‘Hypnotica: Composition for Theremin and Electronic Music Synthesizer’, out now on Disdain Records.
Featuring the haunting theremin melodies of Miles Brown and Sarah Lim’s vintage horror synthesisers, The Night Terrors have earned a reputation as one of Australia’s most unique and original musical acts. They are also one of the only bands in the world to compose and release original music albums featuring theremin as a lead instrument.
HYPNOTICA sees The Night Terrors return with a deeply cinematic album of haunting emotional electronics. The result is a breakthrough album which establishes the theremin as a transcendent musical medium for the processing of universal heartbreak and the expression of contemporary existential terror.
See the band play selections from Hypnotica plus tracks from their classic albums with special guest drummer Mitch McGregor (Split System / No Zu).
Support comes from industrial electronic powerhouse Quell and future darkwave phenomenon Full Fleshed, with Melbourne electropunk legends Vacuum DJs bringing the dark afterparty ’til late.
Fri 21 June at The Tote Melbourne w/ Quell, Full Fleshed and Vacuum DJs
Tickets $25 + bf via Oztix.
NINA SESSIONS featuring THE NIGHT TERRORS. Performing ‘Trance Encounters’ and ‘Dreamboat’ from the Hypnotica LP using NINA Synthesizers and Theremin
The Night Terrors new Album “Hypnotica” out now via Disdain Records Listen / Watch
Follow Miles Brown WEB | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | SOUNDCLOUD
LOVEMEDO – ‘Zooted’ (Single) ‘sit me down, shut me UP! (EP) out 24 May)
There are those artists that are content to make music for themselves, whose journey with music is purely kept in their own world. Then there are those that want to touch as many people as they can, to comfort and soothe and hold space and inspire. From the earliest of ages, lovemedo knew he wanted to be in the latter category. With a sound that boldly splices together gleaming pop, scrappy punk, indie, rock, and an ingredient that’s entirely just him, lovemedo creates music that deeply connects with his audience. On sit me down, shut me UP!, his major label debut, a six track EP release, lovemedo asserts himself as one of Australia’s most singular talents – an artist whose unyielding honesty and openness have already earned him a following.
For lovemedo – born Blake Wares – there was never a question of whether he’d become a musician. Growing up on the Central Coast in a musical family surrounded with instruments, Blake’s first musical memories can be traced to when he was small child, watching his father strum a guitar on the couch after work. For a young Blake, these moments were magic. “It was like when a magician does a magic trick in front of you and you suddenly go, ‘how did you do that??’,” he recalls. “That would happen to me with watching people play instruments. The illusion would wash over me, and I’d be subject to it for a brief moment.”
lovemedo is: relentless, open, reflective, constantly striving to capture and project that magic he first encountered as a child. This six track EP appeared over the course of three to four years, the slightly esoteric opening soundscape that is track one ‘smd,smU!’ is followed by lovemedo’s debut single ‘Dancing On The LINE!’ which lovemedo wrote in a brief flash of frustration at the industry and the lack of lofi pop music on the radio. In two minutes, he pulled together the “screaming nonsense punk track” and sent it to his manager – who loved it. “He loved it, and I honestly agree,” he says. “I was upset when I recorded it and that rawness came through, it’s the most transparent thing I’ve done.” ‘Fake Plant On Fire’ strips back the gleeful chaos and sees lovemedo addressing his younger self – yearning for constancy and stability in a world and life that’s constantly changing. “I’ll always be alone / I’ll always feel away from home”, he sings over a current of fuzzy distortion. The twisting ‘Baby On A BOTTLE’, meanwhile, brilliantly clashes together liquidy guitars and soaring vocals. Track five, ‘ZOOTED!’, is lovemedo at his wry and winking best, a brimming and bounding pop stunner. Things take a turn on the tender, closing track ‘You Have The Heavens’, as lovemedo pulls apart his grief over the death of his grandfather, his vocals quivering over swelling strings.
Written, recorded, produced, and mixed by lovemedo himself the six tracks of sit me down, shut me UP! reveal lovemedo to be a considered and accomplished songwriter, capable of exploring grief and pain alongside lightness and laughter. Sonically, it shows an artist who’s unafraid to fuse styles and production techniques to create something completely unique. Up until now, these songs have existed just for Blake – now he wants it to belong to his listeners. https://www.instagram.com/loveme.do/
GARAGEE – Blood’ (Single)
Portraying a deep sense of reflective mournfulness, Naarm/Melbourne based artist Garagee, creates a cinematic, dub-laced soundscape with his new single ‘Blood’ (Out May 17), featuring vocalist Steve Kilbey of the legendary Australian band, The Church, crafting a reality warping experience alongside the hallucinatory music video.
Active for 16 years, Garagee has built an impressive discography consisting of full-length EPs and Albums released through psy-trance label Tempest Recordings. His debut album ‘Gar-Adji(Y)’ (the phonetic spelling), followed by ‘Garagee II’ were both launched to sold out crowds in Melbourne, with guest appearances on PBS, The Breakfast Spread, and Radio City. Garagee’s intricate, warm production and rich sonic pallet has also gained him recognition from the likes of SBS Chill, PBS, and Triple R.
‘Blood’ marks the lead single for his upcoming third studio album, ‘Garagee 3’.
Garagee’s joined on this piece by renowned and prolific singer-songwriter Steve Kilbey, who brings over 50 years of active experience in the Australian music industry, along with the wisdom of his vast body of musical work, to this introspective single, ‘Blood’.
With ethereal guitar loops, lush, atmospheric pads, and nostalgic imagery from Steve Kilbey’s vocals, the combination of Garagee’s detailed, eclectic production and Steve’s clear knack for articulating ambiguous storylines creates an intimate account of an emotional and metaphoric ‘world’. Steve Kilbey portrays this ‘world’ as his oyster among other things, reflecting on moments throughout his past. Garagee shares that:
“I like to name an instrumental piece first, so I have a context to lean into with the performance. In naming this piece ‘Blood’, the headspace was always to represent a flow of reflective mournfulness that we all identify with at one time or another. I had Steve in mind when I wrote this, and the lyrics and vocal performance which he brought to the song connected with its essence in expanding ways.”
In this instance, Garagee’s cinematic, dub-laced journey pairs with Steve Kilbey’s inimitable knack for ambiguous storytelling, presenting an existential reflection and lamentation on a physical, emotional, and metaphoric world and our place in it.
Creating a chilled, alt-pop soundscape, perfectly meshing with Kilbey’s vocal timbre and storytelling, ‘Blood’ is releasing on May 17 along with the entrancing music video.
Follow Garagee Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
KING STINGRAY ‘best Bits’ (Single out May 29) + NATIONAL REGIONAL TOUR
NT’s finest King Stingray continue their songwriting roll with the announcement of a brand new single ‘Best Bits’, out next Wednesday 29 May. The track follows their soaring recent single ‘Through the Trees’.
Today the band also announce that they will head on a regional tour in July and August, where fans will get a chance to hear ‘Best Bits’ live alongside the group’s growing list of hits. They will be supported by Jem Cassar-Daley. Tour dates below.
“‘Best Bits’ is a song about all the best parts of life all poured into one moment”, King Stingray share. “Inspired by a particular moment in time, a particular day that had all the right ingredients. It’s about those ripper-of-a-day type moments, those warm days in the sunshine with your mates, with your family or a loved one. The memorable days that just seem to stick with you.
“It’s about simple living in a complex digital world, and although it can be hard to articulate in just a few words, a feeling that is so massive and profound. Sometimes all the best bits of life are already all around us! Yo manymak!”
The Arnhem Land based group have been teasing their new music on social media, letting fans know that they have been putting the finishing touches on their sophomore album, following 2022’s acclaimed self-titled debut LP. Stay tuned for more King Sting news soon!
KING STINGRAY – REGIONAL RUN 2024
For tickets and more information, visit www.kingstingrayofficial.com
THU 18 JUL – THEATRE ROYAL, CASTLEMAINE, VIC
FRI 19 JUL – PIER BANDROOM, FRANKSTON, VIC
SAT 20 JUL – TORQUAY HOTEL, TORQUAY, VIC
THU 08 AUG – BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, NSW
FRI 09 AUG – MIAMI MARKETTA, GOLD COAST, QLD
SAT 10 AUG – SOLBAR, MAROOCHYDORE, QLD
WED 14 AUG – HOEY MOEY, COFFS HARBOUR, NSW
THU 15 AUG – KING STREET BANDROOM, NEWCASTLE, NSW
FRI 16 AUG – WAVES, WOLLONGONG, NSW
SAT 17 AUG – UC HUB, CANBERRA, ACT
SAT 31 AUG – EAST ARNHEM LIVE, NHULUNBUY, NT
THE SCRIPT ’Satellites’ (Album out August 16)
After 10 billion streams, 12 million album sales, six UK #1 albums, five Top 10 ARIA Charting Albums and two Platinum-certified US singles, The Script return with the release of their new album ‘Satellites’ on 16th August 2024. The first single lifted from the highly anticipated new album ‘Both Ways’ is out now – Listen HERE.
‘Both Ways’ sees The Script strike out with swaggering new energy, with boisterous hip-hop and funk rhythms providing the irresistible dance-floor vibes to complement the star quality of Danny’s voice. The result is frantically fun, an explosive cocktail that brings to mind Black Eyed Peas playing Bruno Mars’ ‘Locked Out of Heaven’ and it is a world apart from anything The Script have previously released.
Glen Power says, “‘Both Ways’ is high energy, and maybe not what people might expect from us. But we’re The Script, and now we have something to prove that there is life and light after the darkness. It’s why we’re coming fast and strong with that one.”
Vowing to pay tribute to their friend (Mark Sheehan) by continuing the band they had built together, vocalist Danny O’Donoghue returned to the studio and experimented in a number of ways: using 808s and playing with R&B-inspired sounds, focusing on upbeats sonics, and co-writing with hitmakers Steve Robson (Rascal Flatts, Take That) and Wayne Hector (One Direction, Nicki Minaj) as well as bandmate Glen Power. What emerged is ‘Satellites’, an utterly uplifting collection of songs that forges a new future for The Script while remembering that although Mark may no longer be here, he remains a vital part of everything that they do.
Danny explains, “The album cover is silhouettes of me, Glen and Ben Sargeant, our bassist, who’s been with us from the beginning. Then we have a hooded silhouette, because the air of Mark is still there. He always will be, but it’s also giving a tip of the hat to the future. It’ll never be the same Script. We’re just trying to get on and do what it is that we all feel is the next right thing to do and that’s to keep making more great music.”
‘Satellites’ is available to pre-order / pre-save HERE. The album is available as a limited-edition hardback book CD, black vinyl and standard CD. The Script’s official artist store also offers a limited-edition white vinyl, cassette and new merchandise.
AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS ‘U Should Not Be Doing That’ (Single)
Amyl and The Sniffers are pleased to announce their first new music in over three years, with new single ‘U Should Not Be Doing That’ backed by B-side ‘Facts’ released on B2B Records / Virgin Music Group, the single will be released on limited edition 7″, ready for pre-order now.
Recorded with Nick Launay (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Yeah Yeah Yeahs), the first new music from the Melbourne, Australia foursome since its 2021 sophomore album Comfort To Me. Taylor’s unmistakable vocals—which once moved Pitchfork to crown her “punk’s reigning snarl champion”—cut through with newfound range and confidence, while Martens, Romer and Wilson refine their magnetic proto-punk din to incorporate a radically expanded palette of sonic elements—spanning the AC/DC-esque rhythmic stomp of ‘U Should Not Be Doing That’ to the Stooges-by-way-of-Black Flag guitar pyrotechnics of ‘Facts’ and beyond. Stream Singles | Watch Music Video
Frontwoman Amy Taylor says:
“Lyrically they’re both pretty self-explanatory. ‘U Should Not Be Doing That’ makes me laugh, but it’s also in a way poking fun at the shock that people still feel at a little bit of skimpy clothing, and the bitchy high school way that the music community still is (yes I’m talking to you random 40 year old metalheads sitting around a table doing lines and bitching about a 28 year old chick in a band for wearing shorts and “selling out”) but it mainly makes me laugh. It’s unconscious and meant nothing at the time of writing it but now I think it’s a comedic way of rubbing the dog’s nose in its own dog piss after it wee’d on your favourite rug or something.”
To accompany the single, the band have also released a new music video for ‘U Should Not Be Doing That’, shot by their long-time collaborator PHC Films. The video was filmed in Los Angeles and features actor Steven Ogg (Grand Theft Auto, Better Call Saul). The release also follows the announcement of Amy’s highly anticipated arrival as keynote speaker for the upcoming BIGSOUND 2024 conference in Brisbane this September.
ARABELLA AND TH HEIST ‘Electric’ (Single)
Entering the ring are femme-punk outfit Arabella and The Heist, coming out alive, fierce and biting with their new single ‘Electric’ and pumped up music video to match (May 17).
With overdriven electric guitar and amped up drums, this follow up to ‘1769’ is an unrelenting headbanger that’ll be available with its predecessor on a limited edition vinyl for preorder on May 17.
‘Electric’ is an unapologetic power anthem with old-school punk vibes, crunchy guitar riffs, fast and heavy drums, and strong, versatile vocals that tackle screaming highs and growling lows that harness the pure energy that comes with taking the stage. Arabella and The Heist share:
“Electric is a celebration of energy. We wanted to press on a record a feeling of alive-ness, the feeling we get when performing live. There’s something so special about standing in a room with other humans, loving the same thing you do and to us, that’s electric.”
The music video that drops with the single wraps it in a visual bow, thrown into the ring for a bloody boxing match of light and dark. It’s a freeing, dizzying ode to confidence.
“The Electric music video encapsulates the feeling of release this track is inspired by,” state the band. “Boxing gave us the medium to communicate this expression and through the lens of the sweaty gym, we aimed to create an atmosphere of electricity.”
‘Electric’ is dropping with its music video on May 17, joined with the opening of preorders for Arabella and The Heist’s upcoming vinyl, featuring this song and previous release ‘1769’. Catch Arabella and The Heist launching their vinyl at The Last Chance Rock And Roll Bar in Melbourne on June 7.
Pre-orders for the special edition 7″ vinyl of ‘1769’ and ‘Electric’ start on May 17.
‘1769’ and ‘Electric’ Vinyl Launch
Friday, June 7 – The Last Chance Rock And Roll Bar, Naarm (Melbourne) | Tickets
Follow Arabella and The Heist Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Youtube Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
RAAVE TAPES ‘BRACES’ (Single out now) (Album out May 24)
As Newcastle’s RAAVE TAPES draw closer to the release of their debut album (out this Friday on the 24th of May), the band have decided to drop one last single ahead of the release; the huge, bass-heavy track ‘Braces’.
‘Braces’ is a huge highlight on the album; showing off some massive hooks, a deep, hypnotising bass-line, and some seriously slick production from collaborator Fletcher Matthews (Dear Seattle, Stumps, The Buoys). The track is the opener for the album – laying down the perfect platform for the rest of the debut.
Thematically, the track tells a tale of friendship – and the feeling of being your true self around the people most important to you.
“This song feels like that last scene in Thelma and Louise when they look at each other before they drive off the cliff (sorry for the spoiler) and there’s that moment of solidarity between them. Maybe the title is an allusion to needing to be ‘braced up’ by your mates. Maybe it’s an allusion to crooked teeth and the ugly smiles you share with those close to you when you think no one is looking.” LINDSAY O’CONNELL, RAAVE TAPES
While writing the track, Joab and Lindsay, along with producer Fletch Matthews looked back in time for their inspiration – drawing on early dance and electronic floor-fillers that focussed more on impact than lyrical content.
“We indulged ourselves with the production of BRACES, tapping into some Ministry of Sound x French Electronica nostalgia. Harking back to a simpler time, when 80% of dance music was simply a few words that barely made sense followed by a dirty drop.” JOAB EASTLEY, RAAVE TAPES
The debut, self-titled album from RAAVE TAPES drops this Friday on the 24th of May; 12 songs of pure pop-bliss that range from out and out club-ready ragers (‘k hi’, ‘Goodbye’ ‘Braces’) to perfectly-crafted pop songs (‘I Just Wanna Be Alone’, ‘Wake Up Next To You’), and everything in between. Thematically, the album discusses the different relationship situations we find ourselves in, and how drastically these relationships can change over time.
‘RAAVE TAPES’ (LP) is out 24.05.24
Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter (X) | YouTube | Tik Tok | Triple J Unearthed
SNARSKICIRCUSLINDYBAND ‘I Know, I Know’ (Mini Album)
After a busy and productive year, singer-songwriter Rob Snarski [Blackeyed Susans | Chad’s Tree] and legendary Go-Betweens drummer Lindy Morrison returned to Yikesville Studio, Victoria with their musician pals in sooopergroop – SnarskiCircusLindyBand – to record their second mini album “I KNOW I KNOW”.
Their 2023 release “Someone Said, That Someone Said” included the tracks “Shane O’Mara Wore Mascara” and “Since I Slept With You Everybody Wants to Sleep With Me” – gaining them public radio support and a featured review in UK’s Mojo Magazine.
“I KNOW I KNOW” sees further collaborations between Snarski & Morrison as Lindy puts pen to paper and Rob finds melodies to swirl and spin their way through “My Sweetheart Always Comes Back” “Somewhere, Sometime” and “Parapet” as well as writing an answer song to their earlier pop-hit with “I Don’t Think I’ll Ever Sleep With You Again”.
If Ray Davies and Loudon Wainwright III, somehow met Tom Verlaine and Kim Gordon at a Melbourne tram stop and formed a band, they might sound a little like the new release from SnarskiCircusLindyBand.
SnarskiCircusLindyBand are:
Dan Kelly (Paul Kelly, Dan Kelly & The Alpha Males) – bass
Lindy Morrison (The Go-Betweens) – drums
Shane O’Mara (Rebecca’s Empire, Chris Wilson, The Silversound, etc etc) – guitars
Rob Snarski (The Blackeyed Susans, Chad’s Tree) – vocals/guitar
‘Evil’ Graham Lee (The Triffids, The Blackeyed Susans) – pedal steel
SnarskiCircusLindyBand also have a number of shows coming up in coming weeks:
FRI MAY 31 Camelot, Sydney, NSW
FRI JUNE 21 Haba, Rye, Vic
SAT JUNE 22 Volta, Ballarat, Vic
w/Dog Trumpet
SUN JUNE 23 Brunswick Ballroom, Vic
w/ Dog Trumpet + Jonnie Goes To Church
I KNOW I KNOW is available thru MGM, Bandcamp and robsnarski.com
robsnarski.bandcamp.com
SLINKEE MINX ‘This Is Your Night’ (Single)
In collaboration with Aria award-winning producer James Ash (Rogue Traders), ‘This Is Your Night’, delivers an explosive and modern twist on a classic 90s club anthem, while retaining the signature Slinkee Minx sound that fans have grown to love.
Australian noughties dance-pop icons Slinkee Minx are set to drop their first major release for 2024 – ‘This Is Your Night’, a modern spin on a classic 90s club anthem. This explosive radio-friendly release unleashes fresh flirty vibes to the dancefloor and once again showcases why Slinkee Minx remain one of Australia’s best and most enduring female dance music acts.
Few have the history or street cred to bring reworked club anthems like ‘This Is Your Night’ to a new generation of music lovers. Collaborating with legendary Aria award-winning producer James Ash (Rogue Traders), ‘This Is Your Night’ fuses some of the song’s original sounds, with silky upbeat vocals, punchy piano synths, exhilarating drops and an insatiable beat that will get stuck in your head for days! The result is quintessential Slinkee Minx – a signature sound fans have loved since they launched onto the scene two decades ago.
Part of the golden era of dance music in the early 2000s, Slinkee Minx have had multiple successive top ten dance hits both in Australia and internationally, including their unforgettable smash ‘Summer Rain’, continuing to amass millions of music streams worldwide.
Loved equally for their original music and on-point interpretations, ‘This Is Your Night’ is sure to be another Slinkee Minx dancefloor filler!
https://www.linktr.ee/slinkeeminx
ELIZA & THE DELUSIONALS ‘Falling For You’ (Single)
This week, indie outfit Eliza and the Delusionals can reveal their highly-anticipated second studio album Make It Feel Like The Garden is set for release Friday July 19 via Cooking Vinyl Australia.
To celebrate the trio have offered up their second single ‘Falling For You’ out today via Cooking Vinyl Australia. WATCH CLIP HERE
LISTEN TO ‘FALLING FOR YOU’ HERE
Penned during a creative retreat in Napa, ‘Falling For You’ explores the disorienting nature of emotional entanglements. Amidst the chaos of feelings, the track delves into the struggle of maintaining one’s identity amidst the turmoil of love and longing.
Eliza Klatt (lead singer) comments, “’Falling For You’ was a personal favourite from the get go for me. There’s just something about the driving beat and the soaring melodies that I love. We knew we wanted to experiment with saxophone for this record, and this song felt like the perfect track for that. I think it has so much emotion to it, and it’s such a beautiful part of the song. To me, lyrically it’s about not wanting to fall down the rabbit hole of falling in love but you just can’t help it.
The band have also shared the stunning visuals, enlisting Brisbane videographer and 3D designer Tom Carroll (@egumei) to bring to life the concept of the garden.
WATCH THE VISUALS HERE
“It was actually amazing seeing the whole visual side of things come together – seeing the entire Garden come to life the way he had imagined it. Visuals are always such an important part of a record to us, we always want to try something different and really push the boundaries of the ideas we have.”
The album will also include latest release & title track ‘Make It Feel Like The Garden’ which has received massive support from Triple M, including being added on their national Homegrown program and Triple M Brisbane Weekend Nights, plus airplay across triple j, SYN FM, 4ZZZ, 2SER and Rebel FM.
This week the trio will join Scottish sensations The Snuts on their Millennials Tour across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. They recently performed a gorgeous cover of their single ‘Gloria’ , which the band reshared – watch here
THE SNUTS TOUR SUPPORT
Thu 23 May 2024 | Northcote Theatre, Melbourne
Sat 25 May 2024 | Metro Theatre, Sydney
Sun 26 May 2024 | The Triffid, Brisbane
boi&eSKae “Feel It In My Bones” (Single out June 8)
Known for their captivating melodies and introspective lyrics, Indie Pop Band, boi&eSKae will release on June 8th their highly anticipated first single “Feel It In My Bones”. The track is from their debut album “Come Out Of The Darkness” due for release late 2024.
Mixed & Mastered by Triple Grammy Award Winning engineer and producer Alan Branch (U2, Jeff Beck, Sinead O’Connor) in London, Lead singer and songwriter, boi Crompton, describes the single as “a landmark occasion born out of the necessity to release music” after a break from music back in 2002. Forced to abandon their career after boi was hit by a truck as a pedestrian, the duo put their art aside and embarked on a career in Touring Production roles that saw them both work with some of the biggest artists in the world at that time, and quite a few occasions finding themselves together on the same tour.
The duo left the hustle of touring in 2015 and have since been concentrating on their own music which boi describes as completely autobiographical. “Feel It In My Bones, for example, evolved from boi’s decision to discontinue medication after 12 long years intended to help him deal with the symptoms of complex PTSD. “Quite suddenly I felt human again and started to feel things that had been suppressed for way, way too long. I had been numbed by these drugs” says boi. “Feel It In My Bones” also has a very positive message in that the world throws you curve balls daily, but it’s how we react that makes us who we are as human beings. boi&eSKae have toured with and have supported many Australian and International acts such as INXS – YOTHU YINDI – ROACHFORD – HANSON – BEN LEE – CHRISTINE ANU – DIESEL – ROGUE TRADERS – MENTAL AS ANYTHING – IOTA & RENE GEYER.
They are also regulars at major festivals including Woodford Folk Festival, Agnes Blues Roots and Rock Festival and Gympie Music Muster. boi&eSKae first appeared on the major festival circuit back in 2000 where they gained the title of the first act to play a Major Australian festival (Big Day Out) after the disastrous and decidedly unremarkable Y2K debacle ceased to end the world as we knew it!
Web: www.boiandeske.com
THE SHARP ’This is The Sharp’ (31st Anniversary Album release TOUR)
The Sharp are Charlie Rooke (guitar/vocals), Allan Catlin (double bass/vocals) and Piet Collins (drums/vocals). Formed in Collingwood in 1990, the three piece already had a strong live following but when they released an independent single “Love Your Head” the band quickly gained radio support on Melbourne’s Triple R and PBS.
Triple J were soon behind the band and a record deal with Warner Music was struck. Their debut album “This is the Sharp” went Gold and the band received ARIA nominations, magazine covers and appearances on just about every TV/Radio show in Australia. Comedy program The D-Generation loved “The Sharp” so much they did a parody of hit single “Scratch My Back” and it became “Skivvies are Back” in reference to the now famous black skivvied uniform the band had adopted.
Rigorous touring ensued before the band settled into the studio to record its second album “Sonic Tripod” with American producer Rick Will (Ziggy Marley, Diesel). A brief tour of Europe and the US saw the band back home exhausted but ready to take on more touring.
Finally, after nearly five years in the limelight, the rigorous touring schedule brought the band to a crossroads and a decision was made to end on a high note. A collection of singles “Single File” was released as the band’s final album and a final tour “Thank you Goodnight” saw them playing to packed houses around the nation. When the band played its last shows in 1995, many (including the band), wondered when (or if) it could all happen again.
Now many years later, and thanks to some persistent pestering from fans, The Sharp are back and sounding better than ever.
Singer Bass player Allan Catlin is not involved due to personal reasons, but he is ably represented by Scott Owen (double bass) from The Living End with lead singer duties taken care of by the amazing Louie Lee Feltrin. Playing all their hits plus some rockin’ covers. 31 years after the release of their debut album “This is the Sharp”, The Sharp are back with a vengeance!
Connect with The Sharp – www.facebook.com/thesharpaus
Upcoming shows
July
26 – Sooki Lounge Belgrave Vic
27 – Bundy Hall Bundalaguah Vic
August
30 – Dee Why RSL NSW w/ James Reyne
31 – Dee Why RSL NSW w/ James Reyne
September
6 – South Port RSL QLD w/James Reyne
7 – Alexandra Hills QLD w/James Reyne
20 – Northcote Social Club Vic
November
2 – The Corner Hotel Vic w/James Reyne