Author: Glynn Peake

DONATACHI

ANNOUNCNEW SINGLE

‘BAD DREAM’

Donatachi shares their latest single, ‘Bad Dream’ featuring the ARIA-nominated Muki. Marking Donatachi’s first release of 2024, it also signifies their official partnership with the esteemed FADER Label in the United States and Central Station Records in Australia and New Zealand.

‘Bad Dream’ is a hypnotic journey into the heart of eurodance, reimagined for the modern era. From the opening beats, trance and breaks of ‘Bad Dream’, the track’s nostalgic homage to ’90s dancefloor anthems is undeniable, yet its production is sleek and contemporary, offering a fresh take on a classic sound. The track’s production escorts listeners to the dancefloors of 90s eurodance clubs, while Muki’s vocals add a modern piquancy – a seasoned pairing.

‘Bad Dream’ distinguishes itself through a nuanced interplay of complexity and accessibility, a delicate equilibrium that speaks to Donatachi’s evolving artistry. The release of the single heralds a transformative moment, as evidenced by its striking artwork reminiscent of the iconic title card from ’90s anime classic “Neon Genesis Evangelion.” This stylistic departure not only underscores a shift in sonic direction but also foreshadows a bold new chapter for them.

Reflecting on the creation of the track, Donatachi states “During my first tour for ‘donatachi.com’ I developed a more intimate relationship with music, with the crowds and the relationship that we share. Every night was a different city with different punters but the collective bliss we felt was the same each time. The euphoric trance and breaks of Bad Dream were born in those clubs from the energy of those dance floors.” 

Donatachi speaks pure, blurry eyed sincerity into the rave. They take the molten core of proto trance and gives it a heartfelt, glittering new edge: packing it up in an acrylic Ken doll box, with a beautifully designed gloss, and turning the familiar into something ecstactic, comforting and new. In the last few years they’ve moved skilfully and playfully across the most enlightened forms of fast paced music, toying with bubblegum and jungle in equal measure.

As producer, DJ and pop girl, their work has courted attention from Ashnikko, Kim Petras, Slayyyter, that kid and Rina Sawayama, becoming a figurehead of hyperreal, impossibly fun electronic music. Their approach is crushingly heartfelt. Their singular style has connected quickly with audiences and established them as a link between Australia and forward thinking scenes abroad – a sentiment that has been absent in the country for many years.

The world they build finds digital parallels between safety and intensity – recalling chrome paint on a sportiva, a character selection screen, plastic sneakers so new they squeak when they move, DDR backing tracks, lip gloss spilling on latex, hyaluronic acid, and jet set radio future. To listen to Donatachi is to evade suffering and to be ridiculously in love.

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IDLES SHARE LATEST

VIDEO FOR ‘POP POP POP’

TAKEN FROM

ALBUM ‘TANGK’

ALTERJOY SHARES

EXPERIMENTAL NEW

ALT-METAL TUNE

“WORLD SO LOUD”

Dark-pop solo powerhouse ALTERJOY shares new single World So Loud, tackling themes of hypocrisy, societal decay, and the consequences of human actions. The official music video will premiere this weekend in Sydney at Clipped TV’s Inner West Film Festival.

World So Loud critiques societal norms and behaviours, diving into the destructive cycle of hypocrisy and exploitation. Once again working alongside established producer ChrisLalic (Windwaker), Ben Heidrich, also known as ALTERJOY, explores the overwhelming and chaotic nature of the world in his new single, as the title suggests.“‘World So Loud’ encapsulates a sense of dissonance, noise, and confusion, reflecting the challenges and contradictions faced by individuals in society.” explains Heidrich. “It also implies the pervasive influence of external pressures and societal expectations that contribute to the struggle talked about in the lyrics.”

World So Loud carries over themes established in previous single Better Make A Move, which took a step into the dark side of ambition and desire, exploring our addiction to instant gratification and the hunger for attention as we prioritise status and wealth over human connection, particularly in such a social media driven society.

ALTERJOY is the brainchild of singer songwriter Ben Heidrich, predominantly known for his role as drummer in Adelaide alternative metal outfit, The Daily Chase. Relocating to the Gold Coast last year, Heidrich ignites his creativity in the form of ALTERJOY, a project free from genre restraint and restriction. Experimenting with elements of EDM, metal, dark pop and hip hop, inspired by artists to the likes of Enter Shikari, BILMURI and Ghostmane, ALTERJOY borrows from a broad range of genres, setting out on a unique path of self discovery and sonic exploration.

Launching in 2023, This is Real became ALTERJOY’s debut single, a rock anthem built upon a cinematic landscape, paving the foundations of alternative pop rock mixed with EDM elements. A blend of dark synths and vibrant keys sought to strike listeners in the feels from the first drop. This years sophomore single Hella Good is a fierce and confident cover of a No Doubt favourite. The single reached tens of thousands of streams across YouTube and Spotify and further established ALTERJOY as a newcomer worth watching.

Launching in 2023, This is Real became ALTERJOY’s debut single, a rock anthem built upon a cinematic landscape, paving the foundations of alternative pop rock mixed with EDM elements. A blend of dark synths and vibrant keys sought to strike listeners in the feels from the first drop. This years sophomore single Hella Good is a fierce and confident cover of a No Doubt favourite. The single reached tens of thousands of streams across YouTube and Spotify and further established ALTERJOY as a newcomer worth watching.

World So Loud is available and streaming everywhere now.

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POND ANNOUNCE

AUSTRALIAN TOUR FOR

JUNE & JULY 2024!

Prolific and beloved psychedelic rock band Pond have announced they will take their Stung! Tour around Australia this June and July.

Coinciding with the release of the band’s tenth studio album Stung! on 21^st June, Pond will tour nationally through winter, for the first time since 2022. On their anticipated homecoming, the band will visit Hobart, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle, along with a stop at VIVID Sydney.

Frontier Members can access presale tickets from 12 noon today (local time), ahead of the general public onsale on Thursday 28^th March at 12 noon (local time).

Today’s news is accompanied by a brand new single from the band, ‘(I’m) Stung’– watch the official video here – the follow up to last month’s ‘Neon River’ which garnered acclaim from the likes of NME, Rolling Stone, DIY, The Line of Best Fit and Rough Trade. With Happy Mag noting that the track solidifies “Pond’s status as one of the most versatile and accomplished groups in the genre.”

Formed in Perth in 2008, Pond set out with an aim to create a collaborative musical project that initially saw a revolving line-up allowing anyone they wanted to play whatever they wanted. Quickly gaining attention at home in Australia and across the world, Pond were named NME’s The Hottest New Band In The World in their 2012 Hot List issue following show stopping international appearances.

Fast forward to 2024, Pond have cemented themselves as a band of collaborators, releasing projects that stay consistent with their ethos. Their forthcoming project marks a shift in the band’s creative process, Stung! serving as a chance for the quintet to lean into playful songwriting, tinkering with sounds and workshopping ideas before recording the album in Dunsborough WA.

Supporting fellow rockers Queens of the Stone Age across Australia and New Zealand as well as swiftly selling out dates across their UK and European headline tour, ten albums in, Pond seem to be having more fun playing now than ever before. Their perfectly curated live shows have seen the band teasing tracks from the album as they tour across the globe.

“… a transcendently powerful live music experience” – Rolling Stone

“Perth psych-rockers turn up the nuclear power… an entertaining evening of cosmic wonder” – The Guardian

Pond will bring their live show home following an extensive North American tour through May. Experience Pond’s transcendent live performance across Australia this June and July.

Pre-order Stung! now via Spinning Top Records here.

POND
​AUSTRALIAN TOUR​JUNE & JULY 2024
​Presented by Chugg Entertainment, Frontier Touring, Village Sounds, Laneway Presents & Spinning Top

FRONTIER MEMBER PRESALE
​via frontiertouring.com/pond
​Runs 23 hours from: Wednesday 27 March (12 noon local time)
​or until presale allocation exhausted

TICKETS ON SALE
​Begins: Thursday 28 March (12 noon local time)

All shows 18+

SATURDAY 15 JUNE
​Altar | Hobart TAS
​moshtix.com.au

THURSDAY 27 JUNE
​Lion Arts Factory | Adelaide SA
​moshtix.com.au

FRIDAY 28 JUNE
​Northcote Theatre | Melbourne VIC
​moshtix.com.au

SATURDAY 29 JUNE
​The Princess Theatre | Brisbane QLD
​ticketmaster.com.au

SATURDAY 6 JULY
​Freo.Social | Fremantle WA
​moshtix.com.au

Also playing VIVID Sydney at Carriageworks on Friday 14^th June

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THE PAPER KITES

ANNOUNCE HOMECOMING

HEADLINE SHOWS

FOR JUNE 2024

Australia’s biggest indie-folk band, The Paper Kites, are hitting home soil in 2024. Frontier Touring today announce the Melbourne-born band will return to Australia for a series of special headline shows this June.

Performing alongside The Roadhouse Band in what will be their first Australian shows together, The Paper Kites will kick off at Freo.Social on Saturday 8 June, heading to Brisbane’s The Tivoli on Friday 14 June, Enmore Theatre, Sydneyon Saturday 15 June, to Forum Melbourne on Friday 21 June, before a final show at Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal on Saturday 22 June.

Frontier Member presale begins Tuesday 26 March from 9am local time before general tickets on sale Wednesday 27 March. Tickets and tour information via frontiertouring.com/thepaperkites.

010 saw the debut EP release for The Paper Kites – Sam Bentley, Christina Lacy, David Powys, Sam Rasmussen and Josh Bentley – which yielded global attention with the song Bloom hitting platinum certification in the US (and subsequently going platinum in 6 other countries, including Australia). Tallying over half a billion streams to date, the success of ‘Bloom’ is still felt fourteen years on.

Following on from their trailblazing debut, The Paper Kites commanded the global stage, redefining the growing folk country scene and quietly amassing a huge global audience of over 8 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. Releasing full-length projects, States (2013), twelvefour (2015), On the Train Ride Home(2018), On The Corner Where You Live (2018), and Roses (2021), the band garnered nominations in their home country from the ARIA awards and J Awards, alongside consistently sold-out tours across the globe.

2023 saw the band release their sixth studio album and most poignant project to date –  At The Roadhouse. Stumbling across an abandoned heritage venue in the small Australian town of Campbells Creek in 2022, the band repurposed the space into a venue (The Roadhouse) and embarked on a month-long residency – bringing this album project to life. Writing and recording in the barn behind The Roadhouse, word soon got around that the band were in town and weekends became a chance to perform the songs and allow them to evolve. An approach to songwriting and producing the band had never explored before, At The Roadhouse is a project deeply connected to community with smoky vocals and a magnetic groove that conjures the spirit of old-time country and blues.

The success of the small-town residency and performing alongside newly formed The Roadhouse Band – Hannah Cameron (vocals, piano, percussion), Chris Panousakis (vocals, guitars, percussion), Matt Dixon (pedal steel, guitars) – The Paper Kites knew they had to take the now eight-piece band on the road. Beginning in North America, The Paper Kites and The Roadhouse Band blew fans away, bringing the album to life on stage evoking the essence of a home-town show, yet so far away.

“… this tour exemplifies what The Paper Kites do best – presenting music in its purest and rawest form, in a way that facilitates a sense of rustic community, each audience member having their soul be soothed and warmed by the fire of the band’s blazing chemistry.” – The Luna Collective

“… this was one of those performances that created a sense of euphoria – a giddy and heady joy at seeing such skilful musicians deliver the highest grade of entertainment with such an infectious sense of joy” – Backseat Mafia

“The Paper Kites created a night that would be hard to forget…leaving the crowd feeling like they had just been wrapped up in a blanket made up of warm sounds and sugary-sweet stories of live” – GEM Magazine

The Paper Kites above

Last in Australia in 2022 performing sold-out shows across the country, Melbourne locals The Paper Kites will return this June, joined by The Roadhouse Band. Due to play at this year’s Bluesfest in Byron Bay, the band will then embark on their European tour with multiple sold-out dates before a highly anticipated return home.

Performing their most-loved tracks as well as the At The Roadhouse project for the first time down under, don’t miss The Paper Kites for these special homecoming headline shows.

THE PAPER KITES & THE ROADHOUSE BAND
​AUSTRALIAN TOUR
​JUNE 2024
​Presented by Frontier Touring

ICKETS ON SALE NOW

Saturday 8 June
​Freo. Social | Fremantle, WA
​18+
​moshtix.com.au

Friday 14 June
​The Tivoli | Brisbane, QLD
​18+
​ticketmaster.com.au

Saturday 15 June
​Enmore Theatre | Sydney, NSW
​Lic. All Ages
​ticketek.com.au

Friday 21 June
​Forum Melbourne | Melbourne, VIC
​18+
​ticketek.com.au

Saturday 22 June
​Theatre Royal | Castlemaine, VIC
​18+
​oztix.com.au

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WOLF & CHAIN RELEASE

NOSTALGIC EMO

ROCK BELTER

“NOT GIVING UP”

Adelaide emo alt-rock five-piece Wolf & Chain release nostalgic new single Not Giving Up. The band will tour the new song across the East Coast supporting Tapestry at AM//PM Emo Nights, starting tonight in Sydney! Tickets available here.

Pulling from sounds found in the 2000s with My Chemical Romance, Panic! At The Disco and 30 Seconds To Mars, the track ebbs and flows through chugging bass lines, infectious melodies and a soaring chorus that begs for a sing-along. No Giving Up is produced and engineered by Josh Meyer of Sunflex Sound (Those We Dream, The Faim) and mastered by Steve Smart at Studio 301 (King Stingray, Ocean Alley, Vance Joy).

The single toys with the classic Werewolf trope as a metaphor, contrasting the hopeless, dark version of a person with light and clarity. “It can often feel like you have two sides,” explains the band. “Where you have moments of being really down and hopeless, feeling like an entirely different person, not happy with who you are. But, at the same time, you come out of it and you are not that person and you have these moments of clarity that urge you to push through and survive. “

The song serves as a reminder that as dark as it can get there is a light on the other side. One can either succumb to the dark or refuse to give up and see the night through to a new day. The accompanying music video visualises this, paying homage to a cult favourite, Donnie Darko, showing a looming wolf figure leading the protagonist through the dark to the bright lights of the band. Watch here!

Bringing their unique brand of aggressive pop rock and chaotic anthems to the forefront of the alternative scene, Wolf & Chain have been expanding their dedicated following since the release of debut EP ‘An Honest Mistake’ in 2020.

Wolf & Chain single ‘Not Giving Up’ official artwork above

2021 saw the release of dramatic follow up EP ‘Amor Mortal’, a six-track storybook collection of dark fairytales, using fantastical elements to reflect the human experience of being consumed by love, distributed through UNIFIED Music Group’s Community Music. This was championed with singles Taste of Blood and An Unfortunate Tale of Two Lovers and an Insatiable Taste for Poison. These further lured in fans with an interconnected music video series set in a grim world of warring vampire gangs and damaged love, with Taste of Blood featured as Rolling Stone Australia’s Music Video of the Week.

Since this the band has progressed nationwide touring with Terra, Alera, Headwreck and AM//PM. Wolf & Chain has also supported Black Veil Brides (USA), Creeper (UK), Short Stack and Between You & Me. In 2023 the band conquered demons and survived hauntings, releasing their single Phantom, which made an appearance on Channel 7’s Friday Night Football.

The first installment of 2024 is here – Not Giving Up is available now and streaming everywhere.

TICKETS

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RUEL AND DMA’S

JOIN FORCES FOR

UNEXPECTED TWO-TRACK

INDIE POP COLLABORATION

FIRST SINGLE ‘WHAT A LIFE’ OUT NOW
+ BORN FROM A FRIENDSHIP SPARKED IN 4TH WALL WRITING SESSIONS, THE UNLIKELY PAIRING ARE RELEASING TWO BRILLIANT TRACKS THAT SHOWCASE THEIR COLLECTIVE STRENGTHS

Four of Australia’s most loved musicians have come together in a uniquely unexpected creative partnership – with breakthrough artist Ruel and acclaimed indie rock trio DMA’S dropping the first of two collaborative tracks today, ‘What A Life’.

Hitting it off at writing sessions for Ruel’s music, the group organically penned a handful of tunes together that felt far more collaborative in genre and style, pairing the best of DMA’S sound with Ruel’s striking vocals.

Ruel’s surprise appearance at DMA’S’ sold-out Enmore Theatre show last October, joining the band to perform a teasing acoustic version of one of these tracks, was met with overwhelming fan response (quickly racking up over 400k views). It was the final push they needed to finish and release the tracks from these sessions.

“Ruel is a special talent and we worked really well together through the writing and recording process. Things came together very naturally.”
– Tommy O’Dell, DMA’S vocalist

“This one is a little removed from either of our sounds, so it was really fun to collaborate in a different way and write an up-tempo feel-good song” – Ruel

It comes as Ruel breaks through to new heights internationally following his debut album 4TH WALL, with DMA’S now firmly established in the global indie rock scene after taking home ARIA Best Group last year and earning their second top 5 UK Chart result.

‘What A Life’ opens with warm synthetic keys; a nostalgic tone that would feel at home on the soundtrack of 1996 cult classic ‘Romeo & Juliet’ but is modernised by DMA’S’ trademark descending guitar strum – a sonic emblem of the band. At the chorus Ruel’s stunning vocal delivers “Welcome to my life”, and the music deftly follows his command. A simple synth line sweeps us back into the shuffling rhythm of the second verse, a masterful dance that continues – creating a single that is at once playful, and plaintive.

DMA’S embarked on their biggest run of Australian shows to date in 2023, a mammoth 19 shows across 16 cities and towns, as well as playing to adoring crowds across UK/Europe, including a sold-out show at London’s OVO Arena Wembley and the main stage of Reading & Leads Festival. With their fourth record How Many Dreams, the band landed their highest chart debut ever, peaking at #2 on the ARIA charts and a momentous #3 on the UK Official Album Charts, marking DMA’S second top 5 UK Chart debut – a feat only a handful of Australian artists such as Kylie Minogue, ACDC and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds have achieved. The trio also took out triple j’s Hottest 100 of Like A Version with their iconic cover of Cher’s ‘Believe’.

Ruel is the youngest ever recipient of an ARIA Award, following the now 21-year-old singer/songwriter’s discovery at the young age of 12. He boasts over 3 billion streams globally, has sold out the iconic Sydney Opera House twice, completed four sold out world tours and taken home two MTV Europe Awards. Ruel has collaborated with fashion houses such as Prada, Fendi and Louis Vuitton, featured in publications such as GQ and VOGUE, and released three award winning EPs ahead of his beloved 2023 debut record 4TH WALL.

PRAISE FOR DMA’S

“The central pillar in DMA’S is the voice of Tommy O’Dell, a melodic siren that blares across the rooftops” – The Australian ★★★★

“Tommy O’Dell, Johnny Took and Matt Mason’s gift is for getting straight to the big emotions and letting them out with the hooks to match” – Classic Pop ★★★★

PRAISE FOR RUEL

“It’s astonishing that someone so young, can write something this good… I give up”. – Elton John

“Ruel is like the second coming of the pop prince, one destined to scale to even greater heights.” – GQ

Ruel & DMA’S – ‘What A Life’

Out now via
I OH YOU / RECESS RECORDS

Listen/watch here

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JNR. EMBRACES HIS

DARK SIDE WITH AN

AMBIENT SLICE OF HIP HOP

IN NEW SINGLE

“4DAYS/4NIGHTS”

OUT NOW

The genre-hopping Sydney artist jnr. is back with his new single, ‘4DAYS/4NIGHTS’, the second release for 2024. Listen HERE. The brand new single follows a busy year with a whopping six singles, multiple features and remixes as well as a support slot for Last Dinosaurs.

Indulging in all-round ambience, ‘4DAYS/4NIGHTS’ dives deeper into the world of dark hip hop, attributed to contemporaries – Chase Atlantic, Don Toliver and Riley. Crooning over a bed of synths and reverb, the song explodes into snappy drums and pumping 808s made to destroy speakers turned up to 11. The song builds with glitched sound design before breaking in the finale for a chopped and screwed outro.

jnr. has been paving his own path in the alt-pop landscape with his fearless approach to innovating his sonic identity. Drawing comparisons to The 1975, LANY and No Rome, the project has always flowed between genres effortlessly whilst maintaining a consistent sonic and visual aesthetic. With an electric live show that has seen him sharing the stage with Last Dinosaurs, Chloe Dadd and Taj Ralph, jnr. is able to show a different side to his artistry, showcasing his songs with a three-piece band and a whole lot of energy.

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NORTHEAST PARTY HOUSE

SINGLE ‘DARK BOY’

OUT NOW

One of the best live acts in the country has dropped their new single ‘Dark Boy’  along with announcing their 4^t studio album Enhancer, set for release on May 17 2024. 

UK INDIE FAVOURITES

THE REYTONS

ANNOUNCE 2024

AUSTRALIAN TOUR

After an intense tour down under in 2023, UK indie juggernauts The Reytons are set to return with a bang. Fresh from selling out fields and arenas in the UK, the self-made ‘kids off the estate’ will be bringing their non-stop energy to five raucous shows in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne this September and October.

The Reytons have quickly become one of the UK’s premiere indie bands since the release of their debut album ‘Kids Off The Estate’ back in 2021. Fiercely independent since their inception, the band quickly rose to fame following their sophomore album ‘What’s Rock And Roll?’ which topped the UK albums chart back in early 2023.

The band have racked up an impressive 130m+ streams on Spotify, with countless sell out tours across the UK and Europe – including a sold out show in Sheffield’s Utilita Arena (which happens to hold 13,500 people). Their latest album ‘Ballads Of A Bystander’, which dropped in late January of this year, recently topped the UK Record Store Chart and is just shy of 3m total streams on Spotify.

‘Ballad Of A Bystander’ is the band doing what they do best – communicating real stories of real people; unleashing more of the crowd-pleasing, aspirational indie that has brought so many music fans to their door in years past. Tracks such as ‘Market Street’ and ‘Nineteen Crimes’ demonstrate a introspective, anthemic form of songwriting from the band, whilst songs like ‘Adrenaline’ & ‘Minus One’ are the band at full throttle – filled with grit and raucous energy that Australian audiences are sure to enjoy.

They were last in the country for Brisbane’s Super Fun Day festival last year, with the band also selling out shows at the Oxford Art Factory in Sydney and Stay Gold in Melbourne. Currently touring through Europe, The band have recently announced a headline show in their hometown of Rotherham at the historic Clifton Park, where the band will play to over 20,000 fans- the largest concert the town has seen.

With plenty of huge shows between now and their Australian tour, the band will be primed and ready to give their Aussie fans the show of a lifetime – after their last tour sold out well in advance, these special shows are not to be missed!

“Australia seems like a second home to us. The Australians just ‘get it’ and create the same level of carnage and chaos in the crowd that the fans back home bring. These shows are going to be special and we can’t wait to come back! All Reytons aren’t we?!

THE REYTONS

THE REYTONS 2024 AUSTRALIAN TOUR

Presale sign up: https://daltours.cc/24REY

Early Bird Presale: Wednesday 13th March – 9am local time

General Public On Sale: Friday 15th March – 9am local time

Tickets available via https://www.destroyalllines.com/

Sunday, 29th September – Amplifier Bar – Perth WA 18+

Tuesday 1st October – Lion Arts Factory – Adelaide, SA 18+

Thursday 3rd October – The Triffid – Brisbane, QLD 18+

Friday 4th October – Metro Theatre – Sydney, NSW 18+ 

Saturday 5th October – The Croxton Bandroom – Melbourne, VIC 18+

PRAISE

“Going into a Reytons show, you generally know what to expect: high energy tunes, a bouncing crowd, and an unforgettable atmosphere.” 

THE COURIER (UK)

“..the band cemented their status as indie superstars last night (Saturday, September 30) when they played to a sold-out, Steel City crowd of some 13,500 fans at the Utilita Arena Sheffield.”

THE STAR (UK)

“There are some bands that simply demand to be seen live, with albums not able to truly contain the scale and scope of their sound. The Reytons are very much one of them.”

THE LIVERPOOL ECHO (UK)

“The Reytons are unstoppable!” 

JACK SAUNDERS, BBC R1

“What we’re missing in music right now”  

ARIELLE FREE, BBC RADIO 1

“A band who are really hard to ignore!”

STEVE LAMACQ, BBC RADIO 6

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LAUREN MAYBERRY

SHARES MUSIC VIDEO

TO NEW SINGLE

‘CHANGE SHAPES’

Lauren Mayberry shares the music video for her new single ‘Change Shapes’, an infectious, propulsive and lyrically powerful pop workout, out now. The new song sees Mayberry expanding upon the themes of how traditional gender roles have impacted her life and career.

“I feel like I perform to the general public but also play a character inside the internal experience, because there is so much negotiation involved in my existence there,” she says. “How do I keep people happy enough that they’ll let me do the creative work that I want to? I feel quite fake and hypocritical sometimes because so much of the narrative around the band is “feminist”, but my experience inside of it hasn’t been a lot of the time. I feel like I did all this work to make things function but when you DO adapt yourself in that way, it’s seen as manipulative, in order to get what you want.” 
– Lauren Mayberry

Lauren Mayberry – ‘Change Shapes’

Out now via
Liberator Music

Listen/watch here

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ONE STEP CLOSER

SHARE NEW SINGLE/VIDEO

“GIANT’S DESPAIR”

One Step Closer recently announced their highly anticipated new full-length, ‘All You Embrace’, and today the Wilkes-Barre melodic hardcore heroes are back with a daring new single Giant’s Despair.

Due out May 17th from Cooking Vinyl Australia and Run For Cover Records, ‘All You Embrace’ boldly expands the scope of One Step Closer’s sound, offering their most anthemic and passionate work to date.

Lead single Leap Years felt like a bridge from the band’s past into their present (and drew attention from the likes of Stereogum, BrooklynVegan, AltPress, and more), now Giant’s Despair fully displays the soaring sense of unabashed melody at work on ‘All You Embrace’. By far the most dynamic One Step Closer song to date, the track builds to a roaring conclusion that incorporates shimmering shoegaze guitars, towering drums, and triumphant horns.

‘All You Embrace’ follows 2021’s ‘This Place You Know’ and 2023’s ‘Songs For The Willow’ which catapulted One Step Closer into the ranks of the most exciting new bands coming out of hardcore. ‘All You Embrace’ makes good on all of that potential, leaning into the most melodic elements of the band’s sound without sacrificing an ounce of energy. The album finds One Step Closer exploring the sonic overlaps of hardcore, emo, ’90s alternative, and more–resulting in the most ambitious songs they’ve ever written.

“I wanted to showcase One Step Closer in its fullest state,” explains vocalist Ryan Savitski. “Every single part of the band, I wanted it to be there. I wanted us to be 100% ourselves and be as authentic to our band as we could possibly be.” And ‘All You Embrace’ is certainly imbued with that sense of identity, a testament to knowing who you are in a world of uncertainties, and a powerful new era for One Step Closer.

The band will also be continuing their non-stop touring ways in support of ‘All You Embrace’. One Step Closer are currently halfway through their North American co-headlining tour with Koyo and Anxious, and in May the band will be heading to the UK for Slam Dunk Festival.

Giant’s Despair is out now and streaming everywhere. ‘All You Embrace’ will be available Friday May 17 via Cooking Vinyl Australia & Run For Cover Records, pre-orders live now.

ONE STEP CLOSER

ALL YOU EMBRACE

OUT FRIDAY MAY 17

VILIFY CALL OUT

USERS ON GROOVING

NEW SINGLE

“SPLIT TONGUE”

Newcastle metalcore outfit Vilify pack a punch on their latest single Split Tongue, out everywhere today. The band will tour the new track across the East Coast on the Fever Dream Tour in May – tickets on sale now.

Split Tongue is the second track to release off upcoming EP ‘Fever Dream’, out Friday April 19. Vilify’s brand new face-scruncher goes straight  those who deceive, overpromise and under-deliver in the business of music. “Split tongue is about those slithery, slippery little snakes that are only out for themselves,” explains the band. “The tracks draws from the disdain we have all felt from believing in and taking chances on people in the industry only to have it returned to us like a kick in the teeth. The music industry is already hard enough and once you sprinkle in some rats it becomes a full blown blood bath.”

Debuting on triple j The Racket, Split Tongue walks listeners a little closer towards the release of their sophomore EP, ‘Fever Dream’, produced by Chris Blancato (Reliqa, Northlane) and mixed and mastered by Mark Williamson (Inertia). The extended play will feature previously unleashed ripper Light Bringer, and will get a run around the East Coast in May on the Fever Dream Tour, supported by St Sinner. The tour will visit Brisbane, Tamworth, Adelaide, Ballarat, Melbourne, Sydney and Newcastle.

The Fever Dream Tour announces just shortly after Vilify slayed at Brisbane’s CVLTFESTlate February alongside metal heavyweights Alpha Wolf, Crossfaith (JPN), Emmure(US), Paledusk (JPN), Ocean Grove, Diamond Construct and more.

Vilify is Amy McIntosh (vocals), Deni Hourihan (guitar), Kieran Jackson (drums) and Lizi McIntosh (bass). Since their inception Vilify have explored all corners of their alternative metal genre, and across their releases they’ve developed a sound that is uniquely their own. Vilify hone in on their darkness through their lyrical content and have found a way to ensure every song has its own identity, while staying true to the goal of keeping crowds moving and listeners feeling.

Never a band to shy away from heavy subject matters, their standalone single, Take The Pill, was described by NME Au as “crushing” as vocalist McIntosh divulged that the track is about, “the battle of balance between SSRIs, depression and drive”. Their latest single Light Bringer dominated on the airwaves with play on triple j The Racket, short.fast.loud,Home & Hosed and Drive and an add to Unearthed rotation. It featured in Knotfest’s She’s With The Band Spotify playlist and was added to Apple Music’s New Music Dailyand Heaps Heavy playlists.

Vilify have clocked tens of thousands of digital streams since their inception and have established themselves as a band on a mission to help others through candid storytelling and unrestrained live performance.

Split Tongue is available now and streaming everywhere. The ‘Fever Dream’ EP will be available Friday April 19.

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CONRAD SEWELL

RELEASES UPLIFTING

NEW SINGLE

‘ALL LIFE LONG’

Multi-platinum-selling singer and songwriter Conrad Sewellreleases new single ‘All Life Long’, a soulful revelation about his demons and overcoming them with love

He has performed at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden, won an ARIA award, and his hit song with Kygo ‘Firestone’ has garnered more than one billion streams on Spotify alone.

But throughout his acclaimed career, the Brisbane-born artist has battled addiction, which nearly caused him to lose it all. Now, that journey and ultimate recovery is explored in ‘All Life Long.’

‘All Life Long’ pulls no punches as it begins with a soulful ballad, before switching gears to blend soul and pop, creating both an emotive and captivating song that stays with you long after its runtime. Conrad’s dynamic vocal performance and thoughtful lyrics serve as an uplifting love letter to his family and the importance of cherishing those you care about.

Known for his ability to write with unmatched vulnerability and perform with that same raw energy on stage, Conrad wrote the track in Los Angeles with producer Josh Cumbee, drawing on intensely personal experiences, inspired by the sonic palette of soul and R&B records Conrad grew up listening to.

“All Life Long is a song about accepting that we all have demons and things that we do, habits that may cause problems in our lives and coming to accept that maybe we’ll do them forever. And that kind of back and forth that you fight with, you know, with those things that can affect you in a negative way. I’ve talked about my issues before, but never quite like I have in this song.” – Conrad Sewell

Currently on tour around Australia including sold out shows in Brisbane and Sydney, ‘All Life Long’ adds to Conrad’s set list of career highlights.

A little more about Conrad Sewell…
Carefully honing his craft, ARIA Award-winning, multi-platinum-selling singer and songwriter Conrad Sewell had ascended to international renown by 2019. He garnered the coveted Song of the Year honour at the 2015 ARIA Awards for his breakout solo single ‘Start Again’, with follow up hit ‘Hold Me Up’ clocking over 58 million Spotify streams and followed by his acclaimed debut EP All I Know.

Between touring with Ed Sheeran, Maroon 5, and Kygo, Conrad earned praise from Entertainment Weekly, Teen Vogue, Vice, NBC, and Nylon who proclaimed him to be “Australia’s next great pop export”. Simultaneously, his voice carried to nearly every corner of the globe on Kygo’s ‘Firestone’, reaching RIAA platinum status, generating over 1 billion cumulative streams, and entertaining audiences everywhere from Coachella to Madison Square Garden. He joined forces with the late Avicii for the hit ‘Taste the Feeling’ in addition to featuring on worldwide hit ‘Sex, Love & Water’ with Armin van Buuren.

Listen/watch hereCONRAD SEWELL TOUR DATES
Ticket details at: conradsewell.store/

Conrad Sewell – ‘All Life Long’

Out now via Mushroom Group

Listen/watch here

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