Melbourne’s Angus Legg has just dropped his latest single; a heart-wrenching acoustic ballad titled ‘Spaceship’. The song demonstrates an impressive level of musicianship, boasting layer after layer of emotive instrumentals combined with Legg’s stunning vocals. A deeply honest and vulnerable track written about a breakup and its aftermath, this release exhibits Angus Legg’s impressive ability to balance lyrical creativity with a sense of sincere reflection.
“‘Spaceship’ was written about 6 months ago, I wrote it directly after breaking up with my partner of two years… ‘Spaceship’ explores imaginative, otherworldly scenarios, almost desperately begging for them to be a reality. The lyrical punchline drives home that it was not only the end of the relationship, it was the beginning of an uncomfortable, foreign journey neither of our emotions were prepared to embark upon.” ANGUS LEGG
The track was mixed by close friend and fellow Melbourne Artist Jim Alxndr (who has previously collaborated with the likes of Angie McMahon), and mastered by Alex Gordon from Abbey Road Studios (Florence + The Machine, Slowthai, Cocteau Twins).
“Jim’s superpower is providing a safe space for others to sit in their emotions, he’ll sit there with you too. He’s also incredibly sonically inventive, his passion for artistic experimentation shines through in the record. There are so many layers that create the depth and texture that you may not necessarily hear immediately, however, they all lend themselves perfectly to the emotional landscape we created.” ANGUS LEGG
With previous tracks ‘3rd Grade Art’ and ‘Someone I Never Knew’ having received support from the likes of MILKY, Amnplify, The Au Review, The Music, and Happy, Angus Legg’s newest release is sure to strike a similarly effective chord with listeners, and to further establish him as an acoustic indie darling in the local scene.
“‘Spaceship’ is another story, beginning to end. I hope the listener enjoys the ride and can feel it with me.” ANGUS LEGG
Artwork by: Hunter Blair
PRAISE FOR ANGUS LEGG
“Clean and emotive sound from Angus Legg – he delivers it well and there’s a fun lyrical concept to get hooked on too.”
DAVE RUBY HOWE, TRIPLE J (‘3rd Grade Art’)
“Intimate and vulnerable lyricism unfurls atop a moving and emotion-stirring soundscape, with Legg’s mesmerising performance luring you in with his storytelling approach.”
MILKY (‘Someone I Never Knew’)
“A profoundly moving piece that showcases Legg’s ability to tap into raw emotions and create a musical experience that resonates with listeners.”
A polished blend of abundant grooves and effortless flow, Perth dynamo CHISEKO impresses with a brand new beam of euphoria via his new single Outside. An alternative dance-fuelled paradise, Outside also arrives armed with a music video drenched in vivid chromatics and CHISEKO himself drawing you deeper into his creative universe.
A slick, suave and confident array of warmth, charisma and grooves, Outside finds CHISEKO fusing elements of hip hop, rap and house into his own addictive style, with diverse nods to the likes of Kaytranada, Azealia Banks, Tentendo, Aluna, Disclosure, Isenburg and The Streets percolating alongside CHISEKO’s glossy flow.
Crafted to capture the feeling of exhilaration on a night out as the world passes you by in an intoxicating blur, Outside began life over a year ago before finding its final form, billowing with a moody and arresting breeze as CHISEKO elaborates, “Outside is about the euphoria and rush of being on a night out and everything seeming to fly by in a blur. As we were making the track I was listening to a lot of house music. This definitely influenced most of my creative decisions. Abraham Tilbury, who produced the track, has a very unique and quirky sound which I really love. Him and I usually get into the studio and vibe out until we develop a form which has a lot of character. The rest of the process involves chiselling away at this form until we have a well thought out and detailed idea. Sometimes it takes a few hours, sometimes it takes a few months. Andi, my resident DJ/producer, was also involved and added his own flair to the drums and bass in the second half of the song.”
With equal passions and talent for multiple art forms, including graphic design and architecture, CHISEKO’s dexterous creativity comes to life via Outside’s accompanying music video. Featuring CHISEKO, vivid colour washes and a concise narrative threaded throughout, Outside saw the multi-faceted artist team up alongside videographer Lachy Ross, as well as Evie Oldham and Liam Grace, to capture the mellow yet powerful energy of the overarching track, as CHISEKO explains, “Lachy Ross and I conceptualised the clip together. I sent him a mood board of all of the ideas I wanted to include on the project so that we could tie together a consistent narrative largely based around colour and clothing. The concept is fairly simple and self-explanatory, I’m quite literally ‘outside’. I think the lighting, colour grading and graphics are what really stand out here. Lachy helped to capture the mood of the track by filming at the right time of day and enhancing the colours to make them really pop out.”
Born in Zimbabwe, CHISEKO’s journey has spanned living in London, Leeds and Switzerland, before moving with his family to Australia in 2008. With a lifelong love for visual art, music and adventure, CHISEKO’s childhood and more recent travels frequently influence his creative output, as did some of his earliest musical memories weaving between people’s legs in the living room as they danced at his parents’ house parties in London. Developing his sonic palette after receiving a Ministry of Sound CD in the mail and a copy of Lethal Bizzle’s Pow! single from his dad, CHISEKO also deepened his musical appetite listening to Jay Z and early 90s rap and R&B in his parents’ car, gospel at church services, and watching classic movies with his mother, including Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. But it wasn’t until the age of 13 that CHISEKO would inadvertently ignite his artistic journey, stemming from darker origins but ultimately guiding him to his true calling, as he reveals, “I didn’t start rapping until I was 13 at my high school talent show in Perth. I largely started doing it because I was getting bullied in school and wanted to be seen, to stand out. Hip hop gave me an identity where there were only two black kids in the whole school and skin colour was something I was constantly bullied about. It was funny seeing the energy shift around me after the talent show. I went from being uncool to everyone knowing me and nicknaming me Biggie”.
Now in command of multiple hit singles, including his ground-breaking debut Juice, the sensual Westside Story, and unforgettable collaborations with fellow Perth artists Your Girl Pho and Adrian Dzvuke, CHISEKO’s clever lyricism bolstered by introspective themes and dazzling delivery is no longer a best-kept-secret. From his acclaimed appearance at BIGSOUND earlier this year to snapping up airplay at triple j for his recent silky single Bank Account, to a host of shows at SXSW last week, CHISEKO is thriving well and truly into 2023 and beyond; as CHISEKO concludes, “At a CHISEKO show, expect high Octane dance parties with an eclectic mix of music curated for and by those with an inclination to groove, with a hip hop flavour sprinkled in between. And Outside is also the second single from my debut EP! So that’s something to be excited about too.”
With her powerhouse vocals, striking looks and fierce determination, Australia’s EMALIA is a recording artist and actress to watch in 2024.
Hailed as the nation’s ‘R&B princess on the rise’, Emalia is defined by her unique musical identity, ultra-confident persona, and a voice with the prowess of SZA, Ella Mai and Summer Walker.
Her latest single ‘Stacks’ is released today, the compelling single encapsulates the empowerment of unwavering self-belief and the courage to invest wholeheartedly in one’s dreams and potential.
Emalia above
‘Stacks’ is Emalia’s first independent release since parting ways from her label in 2021 and offers an alluring blend of bass-heavy R&B and playfully metaphoric lyrical depth that celebrates the pursuit of success with resolute determination.
‘Stacks’ heralds Emalia’s captivating and unapologetic return to the music scene, “I felt it was an incredibly fitting song choice to mark this exciting stage of my journey as an independent music artist. Betting on yourself, although sometimes daunting, can lead to some wonderful life experiences, and I wanted to celebrate that”.
As Emalia embarks on this new phase of her career, ‘Stacks’ serves as a striking testament to her artistic evolution. With 2024 shaping up to be her most momentous year to date.
Her lead role as popstar ‘Izzy James’ in the upcoming Paramount + TV series Paper Dolls showcases five aspiring singers thrust into the spotlight in pursuit of pop-stardom and fame.
Launching on Sunday, 3 December, Paper Dolls is an eight-part scripted drama following the meteoric rise and fall of fictional manufactured girl-group: HARLOW. The five young women must navigate the dark side of a glamourous industry determined to commodify them with Izzy (Emalia) at the helm.
With the release of additional singles and her upcoming second EP scheduled for 2024, undeniably, Emalia’s time is now, and she is confidently set to showcase both her acting prowess and her new music on a global stage.
Stacks is available on all streaming platforms now.
Charm of Finches are Melbourne-based sisters Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes, and today share their moody new track ‘Atlantis’ – a slow sway that dives deep into an emotional underwater landscape, enlaced with the duo’s signature blood harmonies, captivating lyricism and cinematic production.
After touring extensively in UK/Europe and Canada in 2022/23, the duo recorded in the woods of rural Nova Scotia, Canada during the depths of winter with acclaimed Canadian producer Daniel Ledwell. The track is accompanied by a captivating music video filmed on a frozen lake just outside the recording studio they were bunkered down in for a month recording.
“Atlantis is a place to retreat to when overcome by intense emotions. We’ve witnessed friends we care about sinking into dark places, like being underwater. Water has always been a recurring motif in our music to express the fluidity and intensity of feeling.” – Charm of Finches
Charm of Finches join innovative alternative label Spunk! Records among alumni of luminaries like Sufjan Stevens, Adrianne Lenker, The Middle East and Aldous Harding. They’re also excited to announce that they are joining the roster of Melbourne-based boutique booking agency Four Tone Artists for Australia and New Zealand.
UPCOMING LIVE SHOWS:
NOV 18 | Foggy Mountain Music & Arts Festival Kinglake, VIC NOV 30 | Brisbane Powerhouse, QLD (supporting Katie Noonan’s Elixir) DEC 2 | Grounded Festival, Dookie Quarry, Dookie, VIC DEC 3 | Factory Theatre, Sydney, NSW (supporting Katie Noonan’s Elixir) DEC 9 & 10 | Lyrics Underground, Perth, WA (supporting Katie Noonan’s Elixir) DEC 27 – JAN 1 | Woodford Folk Festival, QLD JAN 19 – 21 | Illawarra Folk Festival Wollongong, NSW
Due to overwhelming ticket demand in the Frontier Member presale, MG Live and Frontier Touring are excited to announce a third & final Sydney show for multi-platinum & GRAMMY award-winning artist, Macklemore on his Australia and New Zealand headline tour for May 2024.
The third Sydney show will take place at the Hordern Pavilion on Monday 13 May.
The headline tour starts in New Zealand for a show at Wellington’s TSB Arenaon Wednesday 8 May and Auckland’s Spark Arena on Thursday 9 May. The singer-songwriter will then perform six headline shows in Australia including Hordern Pavilion, Sydney on Saturday 11 May, Sunday 12 May and Monday 13 May (new show), Melbourne’s John Cain Arena on Wednesday 15 May, Brisbane’s Riverstage on Friday 17 May before rounding out his headline tour with a final show at Perth’s HBF Stadium on Monday 20 May.
Macklemore has partnered with PLUS1 for his Australian and New Zealand tour so that $1.00 AUD / $1.00 NZD per ticket goes to supporting adolescents and their families from active substance abuse to meaningful, long-lasting, fun and enthusiastic recovery.
Macklemore will also perform at the 2024 edition of BASSINTHEGRASS Music Festival in Darwin on Saturday 18 May. Tickets on sale now: bassinthegrass.com.au
With a total of 13.2 billion combined streams to date, worldwide accolades and critical acclaim, Macklemore is one of the most successful independent artists of the 21st century.
Releasing his third solo studio album BEN (out now via Warner Music Australia, here) in 2023, the project includes the single ‘CHANT’ featuring Australia’s very own Tones And I, ‘NO BAD DAYS’ feat. Collett, ‘HEROES’ feat. DJ Premier & ‘MANIAC’ feat. Windser with the rapper, singer & songwriter proving his passion for music and exceptional lyricism once more with critical acclaim and admiration from fans.
Consistently touring the BEN project globally throughout 2023, alongside the hits the fans known and love, Macklemore’s return to Australia will see him perform tracks from the album for the very first time. Don’t miss Macklemore live in 2024!
MACKLEMORE AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR MAY 2024 Presented by MG Live & Frontier Touring
TICKETS ON SALE Begins: Friday 17 November (10am local time)
Wednesday 8 May TSB Arena | Wellington, NZ Lic. All Ages On sale: Friday 17 November (10am local time) ticketmaster.co.nz
Thursday 9 May Spark Arena | Auckland, NZ Lic. All Ages On sale: Friday 17 November (10am local time) ticketmaster.co.nz
Saturday 11 May Hordern Pavilion | Sydney, NSW Lic. All Ages On sale: Friday 17 November (10am local time) ticketek.com.au
Sunday 12 May Hordern Pavilion | Sydney, NSW Lic. All Ages On sale: Friday 17 November (10am local time) ticketek.com.au
Monday 13 May Hordern Pavilion | Sydney, NSW NEW SHOW Lic. All Ages On sale: Friday 17 November (10am local time) ticketek.com.au
Wednesday 15 May John Cain Arena | Melbourne, VIC Lic. All Ages On sale: Friday 17 November (10am local time) ticketek.com.au
Friday 17 May Riverstage | Brisbane, QLD Lic. All Ages On sale: Friday 17 November (10am local time) ticketmaster.com.au
Monday 20 May HBF Stadium | Perth, WA All Ages On sale: Friday 17 November (10am local time) ticketmaster.com.au
Also performing at: Saturday 18 May – BASSINTHEGRASS Music Festival, Darwin* Tickets on sale now: bassinthegrass.com.au
Better Lovers end 2023 with the unexpected release of Two Alive Amongst The Dead, a standalone single that caps off a year that saw the Better Lovers seemingly burst out of nowhere only to become one of heavy music’s most talked about, and promising, new bands.
“’Two Alive…’ was birthed on tour this Summer,” Will Putney notes of the nearly-three-minute rager that Jose Mangin debuted on Sirius XM’s Liquid Metal. “We were having fun with the high energy, aggressive material live, and that cathartic spirit carried into this song. This is a band that never stops having ideas and likes the challenge of showing new music to fans live, so it was performed and fine-tuned on our Fall dates, and then immediately tracked in the studio between touring to make sure that fire stayed intact. There is no better feeling than capturing lightning in a bottle like this.”
Greg Puciato adds: “This song is about saying fuck you to the societal and institutional pressure to fall for “me versus you”/”us versus them” divisional tactics and realizing that we’re stronger when we remember the ways we’re the same, trying to find commonalities instead of differences. Understanding and finding compassion for one another instead of allowing ourselves to be separated and controlled. Brothers and sisters. Pieces of the same consciousness.”
Better Lovers return to the studio in January, working on their debut full-length via SharpTone Records, but not before closing out the year with a pair of sold out “BLissmass” shows: Dec. 8 at Town Ballroom and Dec. 9 at Buffalo Iron Works, both in Buffalo. The band has also confirmed multiple festivals performances for the new year, including Sick New World 2024, Jera on Air, Tons of Rock and 2000trees.
Better Lovers announced their very existence in April with the release of 30 Under 13, leading Consequence to astutely say: “Rather than fire off a warning shot, Better Lovers signaled their arrival with a crushing banger of the highest caliber.” The band, once again without notice, released the four-song EP, God Made Me An Animal, in July, before venturing out on their first North American tour. Revolver characterized the offering as a “four-song thrill ride,” adding that the five-piece “attack like a… band out for blood.”
Brisbane alt rock trio East Capri share their slick new single Veil Vision.
Tackling the emotional turmoil experienced when dealing with the fallout of a relationship and later reflecting on the red flags hiding in plain sight, Veil Vision is a track about being momentarily blinded by love and lust. “Veil Vision is about being unable to see or admit to the toxicity that was ever-present in the relationship,” explains songwriter and vocalist Eden Cartwright.
It’s about that constant battle between intense deep emotional connection and passion, versus self-doubt, emotional depletion and the intoxicating addiction to her approval.”
Sonically melding melodic metal elements with pop groove reminiscent of artists to the likes of I Prevail, Wage War and We Came As Romans, Veil Vision is produced and recorded in-house by guitarist Jackson Deasy of Dark Polar Studios and mixed and mastered by Joseph McQueen of Sparrow Sound (As I Lay Dying, Bury Tomorrow).
Matching the energy of the single, the accompanying music video directed by Jackson Bentley of Crow River Visuals (Make Them Suffer, Windwaker, Banks Arcade) is a cinematic cyberpunk-inspired exploration of desire and control. Feminine figures assassinate band members to the soundtrack of soaring desperation and impassioned confession. Watch here.
East Capri is Eden Cartwright (vocals), Jackson Deasy (guitar) and Jamal Irlam (guitar). The trio meld their heavy roots with alt-pop sensibility, culminating in an impressively unique take on modern metal.
After the warm welcome received from the release of their debut EP ‘Wake n Repeat’ in 2021, East Capri make way for a new chapter with intent to broaden the possibilities of their creativity while honouring their foundations. Cartwright explains, “We’re a band that doesn’t want our listeners to get too comfortable with our sound. We love to push the boundaries of the genres we find ourselves writing and incorporating new flavours and sounds into it.”
Since their inception, East Capri have found their footing, mastered their craft and have become a staple in the Brisbane alternative rock scene. The band have shared the stage with fellow Brisbane acts including Stepson, Headwreck, Days Like These, Revoid, Bad Neighbour and more.
‘Wake n Repeat‘ shared a delicate side to the band that unveiled an honest and cathartic collection of music. In collaboration with Lance Prenc on mix and mastering, East Capri produce their own body of work with Deasy in the drivers seat.
The debut EP saw support from triple j and Unearthed with multiple plays on singles Wake n Repeat, Liberate and Danger to Myself, which additionally earned a spot on Spotify AU + NZ’s New Music Friday playlist the day of release on top of adds to Homegrown + Heavy and Rock Out. Wake n Repeat was impressively featured in an AFL broadcast on Channel 7 and was editorially covered nationally across its release.
Veil Vision is available and streaming everywhere now.
Wake n Repeat‘ shared a delicate side to the band that unveiled an honest and cathartic collection of music. In collaboration with Lance Prenc on mix and mastering, East Capri produce their own body of work with Deasy in the drivers seat.
The debut EP saw support from triple j and Unearthed with multiple plays on singles Wake n Repeat, Liberate and Danger to Myself, which additionally earned a spot on Spotify AU + NZ’s New Music Friday playlist the day of release on top of adds to Homegrown + Heavy and Rock Out. Wake n Repeat was impressively featured in an AFL broadcast on Channel 7 and was editorially covered nationally across its release.
Veil Vision is available and streaming everywhere now.
Alt R&B/indie Meanjin artist King Ivy today releases sultry and sophisticated new track ‘OY’, showcasing what is fast becoming a trademark effortless sound from an artist on the rise.
Dulcet tones saunter, weaving in and out step with the track’s lazy trap beat – an addictive back-bone. Much like the free-styled nature from which the song sprung, everything about King Ivy’s vocal delivery feels effortless. A drowsy and addictive hook opens the track, a prelude to the seductive tones that beckon we hit ‘replay’, drifting anchorless through the sky, never wanting to touch down.
Though Ivy seems to pose the question ‘Oh Why?’ – his dichotomously self-assured yet laissez-faire vocal delivery suggests he doesn’t question, but rather exclaims. It’s a sentiment expressing the exasperation one feels when caught in their own mental loops.
“It’s like revisiting memories with someone you used to be really close to, reliving both the good and challenging times you shared. Even though you know it’s not the best idea to delve into these discussions, you can’t help but get caught up in them, and it’s a cycle that keeps coming back. The process of coming up with ‘OY’ felt very natural, most of the lyrics were freestyled by me in the session with Toby Hobart. We are always going back and forth with unique and creative ideas that feel right for each track. There is no real structure involved; we just do what feels right. That’s what works best for us.” – King Ivy
King Ivy burst onto the scene with debut EP Brown – released in April 2023 to a stream of support from the likes of triple j Unearthed, Acclaim, and Waevz who wrote of the EP: “It feels like King Ivy is unearthing wholly uncharted territory in the alternative R&B landscape within Australia”.
To add to his irresistibly silky releases, King Ivy is swiftly gathering a loyal live fanbase off the back of a headline show in his hometown of Meanjin/Brisbane, a run of East Coast shows supporting Telenova, and showcasing at BIGSOUND. Tickets for his recent underground headline slot for Valve Sessions flew out the door, landing King Ivy his second sold-out Brisbane show in 2023 off the back of his EP release.
The lead single from this year’s debut EP, ‘Complicated’, quickly caught the attention of triple j Unearthed presenters and Radio One NZ, plus the likes of Ungrained, Sniffers, Waevz and Fashionably Early. Silky-smooth follow up ‘Paranoid’ gained further love from Acclaim, offering a raw and honest exploration of feelings of anxiety and insecurity in relationships, closely followed by guitar-led cut ‘Take My Love’ which premiered on triple j Unearthed, with the song seeing adds at MTV, SYN FM and triple j Unearthed, plus alternative and indie playlisting from Spotify and Apple across Australia, US, UK and Europe territories.
Each new release confirms King Ivy’s growth as a creative. With an already impressive catalogue under his belt for such a new artist, this is undoubtedly, one to watch.
FOR FANS OF: TYLER THE CREATOR / BAKAR / STEVE LACY / DOMINIC FIKE
Florida five-piece CAPSTAN — Anthony DeMario (vocals), Joe Mabry (guitar), Harrison Bormann(guitar), Andrew “Boz” Bozymowski (bass, vocals), and Scott Fisher (drums) — have shared another new single.
Bloom demonstrates the softer side of Capstan. Driven by a lilting piano melody, gorgeous vocals, and layered harmonies, it’s an emotional journey that packs a sonic lifetime into the space of four minutes. Stick around for the epic ending. It’s quite the payoff.
“Every one of us will experience tremendous shifts throughout our lives,” the band says, offering a closer look into the song. “We all change drastically as we age, especially as we attempt to overcome our past traumas. ‘Bloom’ speaks to the journey of learning to focus on the future, instead of the tragedies of the past. A song about growth, and the transition from cyclical self-destructive behavior into hopeful intention for what is to come. It’s about the desire to impact the world in a positive, meaningful way, from the perspective of a person who was previously only able to view life through the lens of their trauma. The desire to be the love, be the change. We never stop growing. We never stop blooming.”
Bloom follows the previously issued double singles Bête Noire + Heart to Heart. Capstan released their second album SEPARATE in 2021 via Fearless Records.
Capstan are touring next year with Holding Absence in North America.
One of the East Coast’s most engaging performers, Donna Amini returns in a big way, announcing the release of her newest music since 2019 – her second studio album, Other People. Amini has just released ‘Pilots’, the newest single off her upcoming album.
‘Pilots’ possesses a strong sense of self, serving up a great blend of arrangement and production execution. Consistent with the charm and creativity of its lead single, Other People will demonstrate a beautiful evolution of Amini’s style as a songwriter. As she charts course for the embrace of a new era, this is the type of album to reposition her clear and proven songwriting skills in front of audiences new and long-standing alike.
Entirely self-produced, Other People sees Amini flex as a musician and as a creative visionary. Set to feature previously released tracks like ‘Suburban Surf’ and ‘Big Machine’, the two tracks Amini developed and released prior to 2020, Other People represents a sonic and artistic peak for the Sydney songwriter and performer.
“The title ‘Other People’ relates to the false idea that we are somehow separate from others. And how questioning other peoples’ behaviour, is really holding up a mirror to our own. The entire album is an abstract presentation of how we look at the world through the lens of our own personal culture and traumas. But as a body of work, I’d say it’s a collection of songs that are cutting, full and direct.” DONNA AMINI
In addition to the release of ‘Pilots’ with the announcement of the Other People album, Amini has released a music video for the track, directed by Shahane Bekarian. Filmed in Sydney, at Good Loco in Marrickville.
“Shahane Bekarian directed a music video for a friend’s band, which I really liked. So I contacted him, and we got to work with a concept. Mostly it was going to be me dancing. Very choppy editing and black on white contrast between costume and background. He did a great job, and it suits the song. “ DONNA AMINI
Along with Amini’s own stand out musicianship, the album will feature instrumentation from Nick Collerson (drums), Jon Zion (bass), Tobias Priddle (bass – ‘Love Me’, ‘Ghost’), Scott Leishman (bass, ‘Hell’) and Wade Keighran (bass, ‘Big Machine’).
“The process was a long one. I first recorded the album live with a full band in 2017, but didn’t feel that the result was close to what I had envisaged the work to sound like. So I started again, recording all the guitar and drum parts at home and replacing them later at a studio.
“After that it was a matter of filling the songs out with synths, effects, solos and bass parts. And of course the vocals all had to be recorded in a clean studio environment. The process of recording this album was similar to my first album. The songs were built up and moulded over time. It took a long while, but I didn’t stop working on them till they sounded exactly how I imagined them to.” DONNA AMINI
PRAISE FOR DONNA AMINI
“Tune and a half. It bristles with an energy akin to many moody ‘90s alt rock heroes.”
Dave Ruby Howe, triple j Unearthed (‘Suburban Surf’)
“I feel like it’s the kind of song where you might be out at a bar and you hear this voice in the corner singing. And suddenly whoever you’re with, it just goes silent, you just tune your ears straight to that corner. It’s really moody and cool… I heard it the other day on triple j Unearthed radio and it just caught me hook line and sinker.”
Declan Byrne, triple j (‘Big Machine’)
“There’s this smouldering rumble that rests just beneath. This is very compelling – you’re bound to stick around.”
Set to make a triumphant homecoming this Spring/Summer after what has already turned out to be a successful return to the European live circuit, beloved Melbourne four-piece KINGSWOOD announce that 2023 will not wrap up with a brand new collection of music, set to drop this November 3!
The cogs of inspiration and musical spirit have continued to turn and flourish in the year that followed the release of KINGSWOOD’s impassioned fifth studio album HOME – instead of letting that momentum rest, the band have instead poured that energy back into studio sessions, creating a fitting follow up record, THE TALE OF G.C. TOWNES.
The record leans further into KINGSWOOD’s love for rich and in depth songwriting and storytelling style; expressed initially with their recent releases, ‘How Many Times’, ‘God Already Knows’ and ‘Glass Half Full’; and today, with the album’s lead single, ‘Little Red Jumpsuit’.
The honeyed vocals of Alexander Laska, buoyed by the harmonies of Fergus Linacre and musicality of band members Josh Koop and Jack Davies, makes a song like ‘Little Red Jumpsuit’ one that comes wrapped in warmth. The country lilts and arrangements lend themselves to nostalgic emotions, even if no direct memories are attached by the listener – it’s music that is easy to immerse oneself in and for a moment, escape in the romanticism that Laska establishes on the record.
Engineered by Laska and longtime collaborators Guus Hoevenaars and Edward Spear, ‘Little Red Jumpsuit’ falls in line as a classic KINGSWOOD cut in the making, and a perfect new taste of The Tale of G.C. Townes still to come.
“Little Red Jumpsuit encapsulates the spirit of G.C.Townes, representative of the spirit of the album in one song. Written on a warm summer evening in east Nashville, Little Red paints the picture of loss and yearning, young love burdened with the knowledge that life has other plans; the melancholy known to both parties without either relenting on the investigation of what might be” Alexander Laska, Kingswood
“The Tale of G.C.Townes” – a sojourn into the old west embodying a collective alter ego born in time of complete isolation – G.C.Townes delves into the deeper and more eclectic influences behind the eclectic Kingswood sound ranging from Tony Rice, Tom T. Hall, Merle Haggard and Marty Robbins to name a few, in creating a parallel universe embodying boyhood old western fascinations and dreams. This is an alt-country roots record adopting acoustic instruments in a modern environment.
G.C.Townes was written and record alongside “Home” in the mountains of Queensland Australia’s hinterlands on a ranch, with the finishing touches placed both on the road amongst the record breaking 110 date Australian tour and in Kingswood’s spiritual home in Nashville, TN.”Alexander Laska, Kingswood
The release of ‘Little Red Jumpsuit’ and the news of this imminent new KINGSWOOD record comes as the band prepares to hit the road in Australia for another extensive run of shows that will take them directly into Summer 2024. The band is well-versed in traversing Australia of course, having completed their record-breaking ‘Hometowns Tour’ throughout this year, criss-crossing the breadth of the country in their purpose built bus, taking in 100+ shows.
This new run of shows will see KINGSWOOD kick things off in regional NSW this October, with a show at Everglades in Woy Woy, before continuing right around the country as headliners, as well as some select festival appearances in Adelaide (Cry Baby Fest) and Heybridge, Tasmania (Good Gumnuts Festival).
Along with these tour dates, KINGSWOOD will be launching their very own beer, KINGSWOOD LAGER. As part of the tour, fans will be able to taste this new beer and celebrate with the band. In Melbourne, there will be a special VIP launch at the Prince Of Wales in St, Kilda on November 17.
“Beer has been the fuel of the Kingswood machine since the beginning, the beautiful lubrication accompanying the highs and the lows, the perfect punctuation at the end of a working day. Building a sense of community through relentless touring of this wonderful country of ours very quickly highlighted one obvious thing. Australian beer is the best beer, and we love it.
To love something means you want it to be a part of your life, and quite clearly, we’re not a band that sits on the sidelines when it comes to everything we do, so naturally, we proudly present – KINGSWOOD LAGER.
The gold standard in Australian beer.
This is a no frills, good times lager by the people, for the people.
Refreshing and crisp with a recipe perfected through 15 years of good times country rock and roll.”
Friday 9 February All Seasons Hotel Bendigo Tickets
Saturday 10 February Wool Exchange Geelong Tickets
PRAISE FOR KINGSWOOD
“Try and find me a harder working band than Australia’s own Kingswood. They are in the midst of a run of 120+ shows across Australia giving fans the opportunity to listen to the tunes off Home. Home features rich storytelling, some sweet guitars and beautiful harmonies. From the hopefull sorrow of “One Too Many Times” the celebration of acceptance and contentment in “Burning Holes” and the shredding guitars in “Last One’s Kicking In”, Home is their strongest work to date.”
The AU Review
“A lot of bands would like to say they’re the hardest working in Australia, but Kingswood have a stronger claim than most.”
Tone Deaf
“this song feels classic even though it’s brand new. A celebration of hopeful sorrow, a staple in the emotional catalogue of the Kingswood repertoire and something synonymous with country and rock’n’roll classics for that matter”
Sounds of Oz
“Kingswood strolls deep into blues-rock territory and invites us to come along. Home is anchored by the opener, its blues-rock title track. What follows are caked in bitumen, (“Mercy Ref”), and drenched in whisky (“Burning Holes”), and warmth from top to toe.”
Rolling Stone Australia
“‘Burning Holes’ sees Kingswood sound more sonically and emotionally aligned than ever due to the competence of rich acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies between Alexander Laska and Fergus Linacre.”
Beat Magazine
“Channelling themes of solace, resolve and independence, the nostalgic clip for Burning Holes features guitarist Alexander Laska in fine cowboy form.”
Coming straight outta the Bayou, New Orleans-based quintet HourHouse are proudly rap metal. But don’t get it twisted — we ain’t talking about no mall-variety jock-pop; HourHouse have concocted a fully loaded riff ‘n’ rhyme proposition, splitting at the seams with dirty grooves and heavy riffage, thumping beats and fierce spittin’.
With their debut studio album GOLD TOOTH GURU out now via UNFD, the compelling release features Shaolin G and Taylor Barber of Left To Suffer alongside some unforgettable genre-defying moments from the New Orleans group.
Leading the charge alongside the release of GOLD TOOTH GURU is a new single, the turbo banger 6FLOW which acutely showcases the band’s high ceiling, combining authentic hip hop, thick guitars and earworm hooks into a sleek, pop package without sacrificing an ounce of edge. 6FLOW also arrives with a brand new accompanying music video.
Speaking about the album, vocalist Milly says, “Louisiana plays a heavy role into our sound and direction of the album — it’s like a huge melting pot down here, different music everywhere you turn. Rap and metal are big here especially. We never wanted to box ourselves in with trying to be a certain type of band and only make one type of music.
Our surroundings play a big part in the content. It may be out of the ordinary compared to most bands, but it’s all we’ve known. It’s everything we’ve been brought up seeing and living through — it’s not just Mardi Gras and voodoo down here, it can be a real warzone. The main themes are unity, determination, and staying true to yourself no matter what you go through. Hard times make strong people but sometimes those hard times feel like it’s all you can see in front of you. Life for young people like us is constant highs and lows, and this album is sort of our way of navigating through it all.”
HourHouse’s music oozes confidence and swagger — with influences varied and diverse, from $uicideboi$ to Meshuggah, Kendrick to Korn. So expect the unorthodox from this forward-thinking crew. Fusing tectonic plate-shifting riffs with woozy beats, thunderclap grooves, and ferocious screams that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end, HourHouse are setting a new bar for where rap metal is headed.
GOLD TOOTH GURU TRACK LISTING: 01. THE SIT DOWN 02. GOLD TOOTH GURU 03. BODY BAG MUSIK 04. LSD 05. INSTINCTS 06. 6FLOW 07. DO IT LIKE 08. 985CUTTHROAT 09. PARASYTE 10. SWARM 11. CLUB 12. RIDE 13. CONSTRICTING THE ANIMAL
Hailed by Pitchfork as one of the “most exciting and skillful storytellers” working today, Jaime Wyatt is the kind of generational talent whose raw, honest lyricism is matched only by the power of her huge, unmistakable voice. With the announcement of her third and most ambitious album yet – Feel Good, out November 3rd 2023 on New West Records – along with the release of lead single ‘World Worth Keeping‘ and ‘Love Is A Place‘ – where she expresses her experience learning to love another woman, Wyatt takes a firm step into the future, pushing her sound to new sonic and emotional heights, while blurring the lines between classic roots, southern soul, and vintage R&B.
Recorded with Black Pumas’ Adrian Quesada, Feel Good is bold and ecstatic, built on tight, intoxicating grooves that belie the songs’ substantial emotional stakes, showcasing Wyatt’s unparalleled artistry and musical prowess. Wyatt’s writing is unguarded and intuitive here, tapping into the deep recesses of her subconscious as she reckons with grief and growth, and her delivery is visceral to match, cutting straight to the bone with equal parts sensitivity and swagger. Taken as a whole, the collection stands as a radical act of creative liberation from an artist already known for pushing limits, a genre-defying work of healing, queer joy and self-love that tips its cap to everything from Al Green and Otis Redding to Waylon Jennings and Bobbie Gentry in its relentless pursuit of peace and pleasure.
“A lot of us grow up feeling like we have to hide who we are just to be accepted, but that comes from a place of fear and judgment,” Wyatt explains. “I wrote these songs as a way of letting go of all that, as permission to feel good.”
Eschewing the traditionally solitary process that begot her early work, Wyatt penned Feel Good in a series of collaborative, freewheeling writing sessions built around infectious drum and bass grooves. Working with different rhythm sections in LA (her former hometown) and Nashville (her current hometown), Wyatt began experimenting with stream-of-consciousness and improvisation in the rehearsal studio, allowing herself to trust her instincts (as well as those of close collaborator Joshy Soul) as she pulled lyrics and melodies from the ether.
Wyatt carried that same energy into Electric Deluxe Recorders in Austin, where she and the band cut much of the basic tracks and vocals live to tape before fleshing them out with lush horns, strings, and harmonies.A West Coast native, Wyatt first began turning heads with her breakout 2017 debut, Felony Blues, which chronicled her now much-publicised battle with addiction and transformative journey through the criminal justice system. Her 2020 follow-up and New West debut, Neon Cross, tackled even more profoundly personal revelations and arrived to tremendous acclaim everywhere from Pitchfork to NME, with NPR praising Wyatt’s “remarkable voice” and Rolling Stone lauding her “lush, layered, and complex” performances.
Alternative metal trio PROFILER have revealed the details of their debut album, A Digital Nowhere, that will be released on February 16 through SharpTone Records. To coincide with the announcement, the band have also released a video for the album’s first single, All In Forever.
Vocalist and guitarist Mike Evans comments “I had a lot of fun writing this track. It’s actually the first track of the debut writing process. I think it creates a great follow up from our previous EP and continues our old sound, along with hinting what the debut encapsulates. I think it’s the perfect way to kick off A Digital Nowhere. I love the groove and bouncy riffs and I hope our fans enjoy the evolution of our sound.”
On the process of crafting their debut album, Mike Evans says “I had an amazing time writing our album A Digital Nowhere. Myself and Joe collaborated on this record more than the EP. This was a great opportunity to bounce ideas off of each other. I wrote the majority of the record isolated in my flat during the Covid 19 lockdowns. Although this time was stressful and alien it was a perfect opportunity to create. I think the record is a great evolution of our sound. We are really excited to show people a more varied and mature Profiler. We love the consistent punch of the production and crisp & clear mix that gives our songwriting the credit it deserves. We are incredibly grateful to everyone involved. This album is diverse, original and authentic to us and we feel we’ve created a body of music we will be proud of our whole career.”
01. All In Forever 02. Artifice 03. Delay 04. Animo 05. To Utopia 06. Zero 07. Operator 08. Consumed 09. The Living Receiver 10. Sequence
About Profiler: Profiler is a Nu-Metal reawakening from the mind of vocalist and guitarist Mike Evans.
This band is inspired by those who have incited change in genres, arts, and theories. It’s a weight of legacy that Profiler is comfortable shouldering, backed by SharpTone Records, its home since 2020.
After starting as a solo project in Bristol, UK, Mike stepped out from the studio and onto the stage, enlisting bassist/vocalist Joe Johnson and drummer Oscar Hocking. In early 2023, Oscar departed to be replaced by Brad Ratcliffe, cementing the line-up that would forge 2024’s debut album, A Digital Nowhere.
Profiler’s nu-metal-grunge-alt-rock, call it what you want, is an abrasive distorted soundscape that reverently glances back to those genres’ heydays. Profiler is for anyone who misses or missed the contagious nineties Seattle grunge movement or the explosion of nu-metal that dominated the 00s and the genre-bending bands they made a path for.
Following their appearance at the inaugural SXSW Sydney Festival just less than a week ago, Canadian quartet Hotel Mira return with their new album ‘I Am Not Myself’. Their hip-swerving, passionately pop-contorting contemplation of identity sees release through long-time label Light Organ Records.
A lot has changed since the early 2020 release of Hotel Mira’s breakthrough release, Perfectionism. That album’s finely honed and honest take on mental health and personal struggles took the band on their biggest tours yet, building a passionate fandom across North America.
As Hotel Mira’s profile grew, vocalist Charlie Kerr was undergoing a time of transformation himself. Kerr found himself writing the bulk of I Am Not Myself while travelling between Vancouver and his now adopted home of Los Angeles, while the band recorded the album in various studios across British Columbia in Canada alongside producers Adam Kasper (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), Ryan Worsley (Fake Shark), Steve Bays (Fur Trade, Hot Hot Heat), Parker Bossley (Fur Trade), Louise Burns, James Younger and more.
While Kerr admits his anxieties over the move bled into his lyrics, he soon realised I Am Not Myself’s mix of autobiography and tragi-comic character portraits likewise reflected a profound loss of self, with the concept of ‘identity’ becoming the connective thread between the album’s 12 tracks.
“I think that there is value to expressing unsavoury things about oneself, and peeling away shame. If this music has a purpose, I think it’s to show people how engulfed by shame we are, and how universal that is to the human experience. By pinpointing my own, hopefully people are more forgiving of theirs.” – CHARLIE KERR, HOTEL MIRA
It’s suggested that I Am Not Myself — its title a key line from lead single ‘Dancing With the Moonlight’ — takes place within various points of an identity crisis. Sometimes, that means breaking free from the social constructs others impose on you (‘Eventually’); other times it means gleefully — perhaps even chaotically — lobotomising yourself while in the throes of young love (‘Fever Pitch’, ‘King of the World’); other times, it means digging for truths through the blurriness of all-night party (‘Dancing With the Moonlight’).
“We set out with the idea of making anthems for aliens — really, really catchy pop songs for outcasted people.” – CHARLIE KERR, HOTEL MIRA
As a special nod to their fans down under, Hotel Mira also share an Australian-exclusive bonus track, ‘Waste Away’. A poignant tribute to those who have experienced domestic abuse, the track explores a topic that hits close to home for far too many people, including members of the band.
“‘Waste Away’ tells the story of Domestic abuse. The tendency to Blame oneself. The confusion and backwards way we justify abusive behaviour. The way things can escalate slowly over time in a way that we don’t recognize until it’s too late. And of course trying to gather the courage to leave a partner and the very real threat of violence if you do. It is a love letter to the courage and resilience of survivors. Myself and close friends included.” – HOTEL MIRA
This album has been highly anticipated by fans across the globe, with Hotel Mira being on an impressive upwards trajectory since their outset. Their hugely successful recent US/Canadian tour included 27 headline dates, with the band previously sharing stages with the likes of Billy Talent, Foals, USS, The Beaches, and July Talk – as well as the legendary Frank Iero (from My Chemical Romance). Having been invited to perform at festivals around the world including Westward Music Festival, SKOOKUM, Pemberton, Reeperbhan and The Great Escape, Hotel Mira have just ticked SXSW Sydney off their list with their captivating showcase over the weekend.
With over 20M+ streams on Spotify and 1M+ views on Youtube, they’ve seen huge support from alternative radio stations across North America, and have been featured in top-tier editorial publications such as Earmilk, CLASH, NME, and Exclaim. Hotel Mira are ready to embark on this new chapter of vulnerability and growth with I Am Not Myself, with a palpable authenticity that continues to draw the praise of media and fans alike.
PRAISE FOR HOTEL MIRA
“Hotel Mira is quickly becoming one of the hottest new acts to watch. The band has an electrifying energy that radiates through their music” – Earmilk
“Frontman Kerr is a bombastic, dynamic performer clearly made for the stage, and you can’t take your eyes off him” – The Indy Review
“Backed by rippling ‘80s guitars, pounding drumming, and a howling vocal performance, the track sees the band tearing into a groovy arena-ready anthem, hitting on a similar vibe as indie pop touchstones like The 1975” – Under the Radar
“For an album that has a lot of uptempo moments in optimistic-sounding major keys, it’s not afraid to embrace important, darker topics” – Exclaim [Perfectionism – 2020]
