Books Editor. An admirer of songs and reader of books. Simon has a PhD in English and Comparative Literature. All errant apostrophes are his own.
Gold Coast-based artist Black Rabbit George is all set to release his new album, Warren, next month. But first, comes the delightfully dreamy lead single, “Fingers Radio”. We’re excited to bring you this exclusive first taste, psychedelic visuals and all, ahead of its official release date tomorrow. Black Rabbit George is the new project from…
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It’s been announced today that Cannot Buy My Soul, the seminal Kev Carmody tribute album first released in 2007, is set to be re-released. Out on August 21st, the 2020 edition will feature new recordings of Carmody’s songs from artists such as Courtney Barnett, Kate Miller-Heidke, Alice Skye and Electric Fields. Carmody is one of…
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Former Hungry Kid of Hungary K. L. Mazlin is continuing on his journey into solo territory. Following the positive response to his debut single “Aurora Glass”, he’s back with new single “Middle Ground”. Officially releasing tomorrow, we’re stoked to bring you this exclusive premiere of the new track. “Middle Ground” is an ode to getting older,…
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Move over Orville Peck there’s a new mysterious cowboy country singer on the scene: A.R. Pinewood. His debut album, No Life, dropped on Friday on Scotland’s Lost Map Records. The creativity that’s gone into the production of this album, is amply matched in the project’s fictional backstory. A heartbroken cyber-cowboy, forged in Colorado, but programmed…
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With the release of the debut album Hopefuls all set for next month, let us introduce you to The Harriets. Fronted by lead vocalists Daniel Parker-Smith and Ben Schrodel, The Harriets are a Leeds-based alternative rock/pop four-piece. Live, they’re joined by Jess Womack (keys) and Ryan Bailey (drums). The band head towards the release of…
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Singer-songwriter Tom West released his new album, Antarctica, on Friday. The album, produced by Allen Tate in Brooklyn, was written following the death of West’s father from motor neurone disease. It is the culmination of a three year journey around America; touring, couch surfing, and playing as much as possible. That was until a Husky…
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Melbourne songwriter, composer and podcast host Joshua Moriarty has returned with his new single, the aptly titled “Isolation”. The Miami Horror frontman wrote and recorded the song in 2019, working with the ARIA nominated producer Tony Buchen, in LA. The single forms part of Moriarty’s third record Melancholia, which is set to be released later…
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The shortlist for the 2020 Miles Franklin Literary Award was announced yesterday evening. As has become the new norm during the COVID-19 pandemic the announcement was made online via a live YouTube presentation. The award, established in 1954, celebrates the best of Australian character and creativity whilst recognising “the novel of the highest literary merit…
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There’s no denying that COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the Australian music scene. Festivals have been cancelled or rescheduled, and countless tours have been grounded. Even though restrictions are starting to lift, there remains a great deal of uncertainty about the situation and the pandemic’s lasting impact on the country’s music and arts…
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Melbourne singer-songwriter Elsie Lange has released her new single, “Adelaide”. The track is the first single from her debut solo EP Talk To Me, which is set for release in August. Recorded with artist/producer Calum Newton, “Adelaide” grapples with the notion of being confused and far from home. Although she is firmly in solo singer-songwriter…
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“Better Things” is the sublime debut single from First Nations singer-songwriter Kee’ahn. It’s also the first taste of her forthcoming debut album, In Full Bloom. Introspective and soulful, “Better Things”, chronicles Kee’ahn’s journey from self-doubt to empowerment and joy. Kee’ahn is a proud Gugu Yalanji, Jirrbal, Zenadth Kes song woman, and a recent transplant to the…
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London and the rest of the UK has been in lockdown since late March. That hasn’t stopped singer-songwriter Tadhg Daly from keeping busy and keeping creative. Since March, Daly has released two singles, live streamed, and continued to record in his home studio. His most recent release, “Figure It Out”, dropped on May 25th, with…
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Brisbane quartet Lost Goat Found released single number four, “Open Invitation”, on Friday. The single, which started life as a homage to Billie Eilish, follows a busy 2019 from the Queensland newcomers. Although they officially burst onto the scene in late 2018, the four piece share a much older musical history. Growing up as neighbours,…
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Roz Pappalardo continues to tease her forthcoming solo album, Sound The Alarm, thanks to her new single “Immune”, out tomorrow. We’re excited to bring you this exclusive sneak peek before the official release tomorrow. “Immune”, like its parent album, was recorded and mixed at Blackbox Studios with Jeff Lovejoy. The single, despite the timely title,…
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CJ Stranger, the alter-ego of singer-songwriter Cameron Henderson, has continued to tease his forthcoming album, Hey Stranger, with a new single. “Fool’s Gold” is the third single released from the album, and follows on from “Strange One” (2019) and “Outlaw” (2020). “Fool’s Gold” is a satisfying stripped back and slow burning slice of alt-country. It’s…
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Josef Salvat’s sophomore album modern anxiety is one that rewards repeat listens. I write this as someone who initially didn’t really rate it highly. Sure, several of the singles really hit their mark, but on first listen the album as a whole didn’t work for me. Yet, further listens, and closer listens, reveal an album…
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Mammoth, the new novel from author Chris Flynn, is a witty and compelling mash-up of historical and science fiction, with gags and subtle ecological (and more) messaging nestled side by side. On the face of it, Mammoth, sounds bold, audacious and something that shouldn’t really work. A sentient Mammoth fossil tells his life (and after…
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Earlier this month Northern Territory singer-songwriter Serina Pech released her latest EP Politics. Her first full length release, Politics has been four years in the making, and comes from a place of reflection and experience. The piano ballad, “Please Go Lightly”, is the EP’s sublime emotional centrepiece. A beautiful cry for help and understanding in…
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You may know (Noah) Harris, the Melbourne singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, as the lead vocalist of rock outfit Fan Girl. You might even know him as the keyboardist for indie supergroup primetime. Now he’s releasing a new solo single, “Sheena Is A Bush Doofer”, replete with accompanying DIY video clip. Produced by Sam Swain, and featuring…
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Dharawal singer-songwriter Aodhan released his latest single earlier this month. “Drive”, written in collaboration with his musical hero Josh Pyke, follows a hugely promising debut year for the award-winning fifteen year old. Produced by JP Fung, Aodhan began writing “Drive” in 2018. Back then he envisioned it as an indie rock/pop song, but the song…
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Melbourne band Howlite make their return this week, with new single “Infancy”. Offering insight into their forthcoming EP Not Here, the single sees the trio venturing into the territory of “dark” other-worldly pop. We’re excited to bring you this exclusive first listen ahead of tomorrow’s official release date. Alison Thom’s beguiling vocal is what immediately…
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This afternoon, the 2020 ABIAs (Australian Book Industry Awards) were live streamed into the homes of book lovers across Australia. Winners were toasted, writers celebrated, and history was made, in more ways than one. Thanks to COVID-19 2020 saw the Award’s Gala held virtually for the first time in the event’s history. 2020 also marks the…
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Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Riley Pearce returned with his new single “Ceramic Real Estate” this week. The track serves as an introduction to his forthcoming EP Maybe I Can Sleep It Off, which is out in September. Recorded at Debaser Studios with Andy Lawson and with additional recording by fellow alt-folk artist Hayden Calnin, “Ceramic Real…
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Let us introduce you to Brisbane’s Damien Johnson. The self confessed “backyard philosopher, theologian, and beer connoisseur” is a live-looping indie-hop artist from Ipswich, QLD. He also happens to be releasing his latest single, “Crowd in My Hand” tomorrow. But, before the official release, we’re bringing you this early exclusive sneak peek and premiere. “Crowd…
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One of London’s latest up-and-coming indie rockers, The Valla, will be releasing their brand new single, “Ice Cream” tomorrow. Before its official release we’re stoked to bring you this exclusive first taste of the feel good track. Recorded and produced by Andy Hall Hall (Bastille), the single is the band’s first of the year, and…
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It can be difficult to keep motivated during this lockdown. Procrastination can take over easily enough. But, a couple of artists who have managed to stay productive are singer-songwriters Hayden Calnin and Harrison Storm. The label and housemates collaborated on Calnin’s new single, “Unfortunate Love”, which was released on Friday. The duo, along with friend…
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Tasmanian singer-songwriter Nuria returns with her second single of 2020, “Love”. It’s an emotive and poignant balm for the uncertain times we all currently find ourselves in, and another strong release from the Tasman singer. Much like her previous single, “Noise”, the new release benefits from some elegant (yet understated) production. This time, however, production…
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Melbourne-based songwriter and synth-pop artist Seattic is back with a brand new single, “bit”. It’s his first slice of music since the release of his debut album Retrospeculation in February 2019, and we’re stoked to bring you its exclusive premiere. “bit” takes the nostalgia tinged tones of debut Retrospeculation and dials up the moodiness levels….
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Melbourne-based artist K.L. Mazlin has taken the leap into solo territory and released his debut single, “Aurora Glass”. For some Mazlin might be a recognisable name, having spent the better part of his musical career plying his trade across several bands, most notably Hungry Kids of Hungary. Produced by good friend and bandmate, Holy Holy’s…
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The shortlist for the 2020 Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs) has been unveiled today. The awards are a key fixture in the Australian literary scene, and are designed to celebrate the very best in homegrown literature and publishing. Usually a red carpet affair, this year the awards gala will be heading online, with the winners…
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