Author: Matthew Wotherspoon

Rumours unveil brand new release ‘Incredulous’ alongside nation-wide tour

Posted on by Matthew Wotherspoon


Since the release of their electrifying new-year release, “Paralyse”, Melbourne-based rockers Rumours have been knuckling down in the studio working on a new style of music. This new style comes in the form of “Incredulous” – a fast-paced alternative-rock tune reminiscent of early Linkin Park.

“Incredulous” was released on September 13th and with the release came the announcement of a headline tour which will begin this Thursday 19th, September, that will take the single to audiences in Newcastle, Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne.

“Incredulous” builds on the hype that “Paralysed” earned Rumours, with over 138,000 streams on Spotify since March, plays on Triple J’s Home & Hosed and Short. Fast. Loud. and rotation on Triple J Unearthed radio.

Produced, mixed, and mastered by Chris Lalic, “Incredulous” begins with a deep sound before delving into its traditional grungy edge. Before too long, the tune soars into a unique chorus full of heavy sonic elements and dynamic vocals.

Vocalist Jackson Bentley explains that “the song is basically about if you were to find yourself in another world surrounded by alien life, or a different form of living being, how many people would still disbelieve in what stood before them?”

The single comes complete with a music video, produced and directed by videographer, Colin Jeffs (Windwaker, Dealer, The Brave, The Beautiful Monument). The video’s chaotic bursts of colour and dark components compliment the band’s edgy and unique timbre, producing a visual that is both creative and synonymous with the band’s identity.

Bentley says that the band wanted the film clip to be captivating, so in turn, the video became “a celebration of music, dance, abstract art, makeup and colour. And it all combines into this 4-minute film, for what I think is the coolest video we have made!“

In celebration of the release of “Incredulous”, Rumours will head out on a headline tour with Sydney’s Inertia to play Newcastle’s Hamilton Station Hotel on Thursday September 19 alongside PSTCRDS and Everleigh, Sydney’s Oxford Art Gallery on Friday September 20 with Artisan and Kaskeid, Canberra’s The Basement on Saturday September 21 with Hostel and Strones Throw and finally Melbourne’s Workers Club with To Octavia, Vatic and Days Like These.

“Incredulous” is out now on all digital platforms and streaming outlets. 
Tickets for the “Incredulous” tour can be purchased from https://linktr.ee/rumours_au!

Greta Stanley keeps on evolving with new EP, ‘Sun In My Eyes’

Posted on by Matthew Wotherspoon

Known for her heartfelt songs tackling themes bound to the human spirit, 23-year-old Greta Stanley has continued her reign as far north Queensland’s wunderkind with her new EP, ‘Sun In My Eyes’.

Weaving together pop, folk, rock and electronica, Stanley‘s newest release exhibits her confessional lyricism and raw themes, solidifying her reputation as an artist that is both relatable and mesmerising.

Before ‘Sun In My Eyes‘, Greta Stanley‘s ‘Bedroom City’ and album ‘Full Grown’ combined evocative storytelling with a gorgeous indie-folk palette to create a sound which gained her plenty of support from radio stations and listeners.

Now, on her new EP ‘Sun In My Eyes’, Stanley has taken a bold sonic leap forward, blending folk with pop and rock, and other genres. The lyrical vulnerability remains the same, but her artistic horizons have broadened dramatically, while her voice continues to entice. Altogether, ‘Sun In My Eyes’ creates a rich tapestry that’s hard to define, but easy to listen to.

Stanley says of the EP:

“This is a collection of songs from a long list of memories. From Melbourne to Mena Creek to Cairns, to things I’ve dreamt up in my head that never landed anywhere at all. I wanted to share both the outward real things and the inward mess of thoughts – in the hope that others find comfort or connection in that.

It’s a collection of songs about dealing with the lows, about putting your heart on the line but knowing your worth and when to say no, about day to day things that drag, about crying in your room (and probably a lot of other places), about beautiful memories but the sadness that comes from not being able to have the moment again and again – and questioning everything. But despite the brushes on depression and mental health, it’s about maintaining hope, about getting up from the floor and remembering that time heals – friends rule – there’s lessons in everything and to never stop loving, even when it gets hard to.”

‘Sun In My Eyes‘ saw longtime producer Mark Myers and Tristan Barton (The Middle East, Emma Louise) assist Stanley in creating an EP that is cinematic, nuanced and immaculate. Known for its mesmerising soundscapes, the EP features popular singles ‘Kick’, ‘Come Undone’ and ‘Follow Suit’.

‘Sun in My Eyes’ is out now on all digital streaming platforms via Double Drummer/AWAL.

BIGSOUND announces major keynotes to 2019 lineup

Posted on by Matthew Wotherspoon

Australia’s leading new music festival and industry gathering, BIGSOUND, has announced another major addition to its 2019 speaker lineup.

Joining the bill is Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino, music writer and industry figure Vivien Goldman, Frontier Touring’s Sahara Herald and acclaimed artist Mojo Juju.

Apart from writing some of the best indie anthems of the past decade, Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino has become a key figure in the feminist movement, speaking out against sexism and sexual assault, on top of being a voice for those battling addiction.

Vivien Goldman is another figure who has helped evolve the industry through her work as a journalist in the UK on publications such as NME, Sounds and Melody Maker and pirate radio. On top of such feats is her work as a publicist for Bob Marley, becoming an artist as part of 80s new-wave duo Chantage and receiving acclaim through her latest book ‘Revenge of the She-Punks’.

Sahara Herald has been a staple of the live music industry for decades, co-ordinating Big Day Out for eighteen years before moving to Mushroom Group’s Frontier Touring where she was appointed Tour Director in 2018.

Mojo Juju is an ARIA-nominated Australian musician, best-known for her breakthrough album Native Tongue. Her storytelling through music and musical journey has led her to become an important artist voice in the industry, giving us insights few other artists can provide.

BIGSOUND has also announced their party program, which comprises of no less than 16 official events. The BIGSOUND Virgin Australia ‘HOME’ Welcome Party will feature music from Electric Fields, DRMGNOW, Deline Briscoe and Mambali and the Women in Music lunch. The bill will also see music from Milan Ring, Kobie Dee, Stevan and Dulcie, Nettwerk Music Showcase (featuring Riley Pearce, Jaguar Jonze, Hayden Calnin and Harrison Storm), the Unified Showcase (with Tones And I, Jack Botts, Stellie and RINI), Music Industry College Bacon & Bangers and the famous Bloody Mary Brunch.

For more information about BIGSOUND and ticketing options, click here.


BLESSED provides the goods with, “Memoirs of the Melancholy”

Posted on by Matthew Wotherspoon


For the past two years, BLESSED has been nurturing his talent as a musician, producer and songwriter to bring forth a style that’s not often seen or heard in Australia’s music scene.

Combining his influences of Kid Cudi, Jimi Hendrix and Kanye West, BLESSED‘s sublime talent has seen him bridge the gap of punk and hip-hop to create a unique and textured sound, full of colourful melodies and grungy layers.

His singles, “Sorrows“, “My World” and “Superfly“ have soared into the realm of online streaming, racking up millions of plays and has led to him to receive nods from Triple J, Pigeons & Planes, NYLON, Noisey, i-D Magazine, and Clash Mag.

Weaving together stories and life experiences with his passion for art and music, BLESSED is an artist that is hard to put your finger on. But as time goes on, his sonic deliverances allow us to step into the world that is BLESSED. And the result is just as commanding as it is enchanting.

With his latest single “Memoirs of the Melancholy”, you get a little more of the picture –

“You built your walls on my back, Then told me I can’t come inside”

Stream “Memoirs of the Melancholy” – HERE.

To learn more about BLESSED, visit his Facebook page here, https://www.facebook.com/blessedtunes/.

Swanny announces debut single, ‘Sweat Baby Sweat’

Posted on by Matthew Wotherspoon


Before Royal Blood electrified the globe with their thunderous, hard rock tunes, they were but an ominous duo rumbling local bars and recording demos along the east coast of Australia and Great Britain.

As they blemished the walls of pubs and clubs with their sonic grit and broadcasted their brash and bluesy tunes, bassist, Mike Kerr and drummer, Matt Swan found themselves thrusted into the musical spotlight, earning comparisons to early Muse and Led Zeppelin.

It was only after the release of their debut single, “Come On Over” (previously “Leaving”), which saw Matt Swan depart the blues rock duo to embark on his own sonic endeavours. Fast forward to July 2019 and Swanny (Matt Swan) has released his debut single – an absolute hip-swinger of a single entitled, “Sweat Baby Sweat”.

Swanny has said, “Sweat Baby Sweat is simply about letting the good times roll live life to the max – life is one big party. It was written after a long hot Summer’s night of no sleep in Byron Bay in 2018. I had just got home in the early hours of the morning after playing drums at one of Byron Bay’s crazy warehouse parties – I picked up the guitar, cracked another beer and the main riff quickly came to me. I then laid down some drums and Sweat Baby Sweat was born.”

Swanny‘s “Sweat Baby Sweat” drips with his signature tribal and thunderous drumming, while his raw vocals provide a sensory experience reminiscent of Led Zeppelin and Kram (Spiderbait). Now that we can grasp what Swanny is like on his lonesome, we can truly hear how he has shaped the sound we know as Royal Blood and how his drumming has effectively helped revive a new era of Rock n Roll.

If you’re a fan of Royal Blood, Kram, Led Zeppelin, Torrential Thrill and everything in between, be sure to get around this tasty jam, it’s definitely worth a listen.

The single saw the light of day on all digital outlets and streaming platforms on Friday July 5th.




Brisbane is getting a brand new summer music festival!

Posted on by Matthew Wotherspoon

The teams who brought Australian audiences Beyond The Valley and Origin Fields have joined forces to deliver a show-stopping one-day festival this December in Brisbane.

Premiering at Brisbane Shows this December 28th, Wildlands will see a plethora of artists converge to bring a showcase of exciting dance, electronic and hip-hop performances to our sun-soaked doorstep.

The prestigious RUFUS DU SOL has already been announced as the first act, which is soon to be followed by a line-up of prolific talents from around the world.

The teams behind Beyond the Valley and Origin Fields have been the forerunners of Australia’s live music scene for a number of years now, bringing international acts like The Kooks, Chance The Rapper, Jamie XX, Stormzy, Mura Masa, Cardi B and more, to stages down under. 

Now, after much preparation and dedication, they are set to push the boundaries of creative line-ups once more, this time with their eyes on the sunshine state.

“Brisbane is such a beautiful city, filled with music lovers of all genres.
Beyond The Valley & Origin host so much amazing talent touring the country over New Years, that often don’t visit Brisbane. Each festival has grown so much over the past years, carving their own unique festival experience & collectively we thought it’s time Brisbane gets their own taste of our flair too. We’re really excited to create something just for Brisbane that will be totally different to anything currently on offer, bringing the best of the East and West Coast together for one very special day.”

– Michael Cristidis, Beyond The Valley

“The thing I love about Brisbane is that it’s so musically and culturally diverse. Being able to curate a broader musical programme with our partners at BTV has been one of the most enjoyable booking experiences I’ve personally have ever had. With the strengths of the two festivals, I feel, that we will be able to create an event that is unique to Brisbane as beyond the valley is unique to Melbourne and Origin is to perth.” 

– Saran Bajaj, Origin Fields


John Keenan launches debut single ‘If You Saw Me’

Posted on by Matthew Wotherspoon


Rising from Brisbane’s underground music scene, multi-talented singer-songwriter John Keenan is pleased to announce the release of his debut single – ‘If You Saw Me’.

The release of ‘If You Saw Me’ comes after months of Keenan refining his musicianship and creativity at Hunting Ground studios where he has dedicated endless hours writing and recording his upcoming EP at Hunting Ground Studios, and the result is exactly what you’d expect and more from a debut single.

From the very first note, he catches you with his smooth vocals and poetic lyricism, which together form a rich and powerful blend that echoes the likes of Paolo Nutini and Leon Bridges. To complement the tune even further is the tight backing, catchy harmonic hooks and gentle instrumental phrasing that match guitar icons like John Mayer.

It’s a flowing combination of soul, blues and pop that creates a signature sound Keenan has come to be known for, all with a specific lyricism that resonates with pretty much everyone – what would my ex and I feel if we saw each other?

With a topic that is often approached with a sense of pensive sadness, somehow Keenan turns such a theme into one that is charged with different emotions. Instead of wanting to think back to your first love in gloom, you instead find the desire to tap your feet and live in the present moment.

‘If You Saw Me’ is a powerful yet gentle tune that encapsulates Keenan’s gift as a musician and vocalist well, all while telling a story that’s heartfelt, relatable and heavy in sentiment.

‘If You Saw Me’ can be found on all downloading platforms, including Spotify and Triple J Unearthed. To check out more of John Keenan’s catchy tunes and tasty jam sessions, visit johnkeenan.com.

Sea N Sound delivers stellar line-up led by Amy Shark

Posted on by Matthew Wotherspoon

One of Queensland’s biggest music festivals is back for another year, and it comes with everything that the Sunshine State is famous for – Mooloolaba’s famous Seafood, craft beer, gourmet food – and it’s all topped off with a stellar line up of Aussie artists led by Aria Award winning Amy Shark.

Joining Amy Shark will be Busby Marou, Didirri, Ali Barter, Kyle Lionhart, I Know Leopard, Cheap Fakes and Living Robins, making this year’s lineup the festival’s biggest bill yet.

Last year saw Amy Shark celebrate a milestone with the release of her chart-topping album, Love Monster, which won 2018 Album of the Year at the ARIA’s. She also blew away audiences in all parts of the globe as she toured internationally, sold out shows across Australia, scored spots on the Hottest 100 list and sealed it off with just a few ARIA wins.

Emerging as one of Australia’s most promising artists is Busby Marou, who are currently busy gearing up for a big year themselves with their fourth album set for release mid this year. But in the meantime, they’re basking in the success of their recent hit, ‘Sound of Summer’.

Another act that is greatly anticipated is the one and only Didirri – the artist behind the indie hits ‘Can’t get last night out of my head’ and ‘Formaldehye’.
Renowned for his genuine storytelling and immersive live performances, Didirri will serenade Sea N Sound audiences, while Ali Barter performs a searing set garnering tunes from her 2017 album, A Suitable Girl.

Treasured by the local Sunshine Coast scene is OKA, a group who have amassed fans from all over the world with their self-described “Australian earth music with sublime dimensions.”

Furthering the good vibes will also be rising star Kyle Lionhart, indie rockers I Know Leopard, genre-blenders Cheap Fakes and local legend Livi Robins. This year’s Sea N Sound is set to not only be sonically diverse, but one that is for the books, so prepare yourselves for any possible giveaways or promos!

General tickets went on sale Friday, February 30th, so get in quick before they sell out!

Source: Sea N Sound

Reside set to release new single ‘Replace Me’ in lead up to upcoming EP

Posted on by Matthew Wotherspoon

Melbourne alternative-rockers, Reside, are gearing up for the release of their brand new single, ‘Replace Me‘, which is due for release on March 29th.

Set to fuel their upcoming EP ‘The Light That You Saw’, ‘Replace Me‘ is a thematic journey surging with gritty guitars and powerful vocals, all while telling the tale of hardship after dealing with the loss of a friend or family member.

“Acceptance is often the hardest part of dealing with loss. Whether it’s the end of a relationship, loss of friend or family, the letting go and moving on is the scariest part. Leaving behind what was familiar and walking a path into total unknown,” said vocalist Liam Guinane. 

Refusing to be shackled down by the chains of losing a loved one, the band dive deep into the harrowing unknown in Replace Me, exploring the themes of what it is to move on from the emotions attached to friendships and relationships.

“The track that deals these themes unforgivably. It’s a journey of starting at a point where sorrow and pain are almost to much to bare any longer to realising that while you might “feel like dying sometimes (you’ll]) be alright,” said Guinane.

For Guinane, ‘Replace Me’ summarises his experience in learning to deal with life’s most difficult truths.

“Replace Me was one of the first songs we wrote for this upcoming EP and in a way sort of sums up my journey of how low I was 18 months ago to reaching a point where I felt  more myself again.

“It’s similar to that mantra “It’s okay not to be okay.” Accepting that you might feel shit now but you’ll get through it. There’s plenty of songs about heartbreak but I’m not sure any of them reach a point of positive conclusion,” said Guinane.

‘Replace Me’ follows their banger 2018 release, ‘In This Moment’ – a similar lyrical and melodic journey about loneliness and its suffering.

‘The Light That You Saw’ will be released on Friday, March 29 and to celebrate Reside will be hitting the road with dates in Wagga, Albury and Melbourne (TBA).

Sophiya unleashes fiery visuals for ‘White Ivory’

Posted on by Matthew Wotherspoon

Melbourne’s newest flow queen Sophiya took over the underground hip hop scene late last year with her rebellious single, ‘White Ivory.’ With rhythmic flow and catchy lyricism, Sophiya caught the attention of Spotify and radio listeners, where they drew comparisons to Leikeli47 and others.

To add even more colour to her already energetic release, Sophiya has decided to team up with a league of local filmmakers and supporters – Brayden at Fun Films, close friends July Stewart, model Sophia Ast and Sophiya’s girlfriend. Together, they produced a video that effectively amplifies Sophiya’s confident and energetic personality while adding an extra layer to the already explosive, ‘White Ivory’.


“Before I released White Ivory, I promised myself that if I ever got more than 10,000 streams on Spotify I would have to make a music video for it. One month and 30,000 streams later, I met up with Brayden (Fun Films) and we began to bounce ideas for the video.” 

“A non-negotiable for this music video was my friend July Stewart and his talented voguing dance moves. If you don’t know what voguing is, google it! The moves are super sassy and truly embody White Ivory’s bad bitch energy. It was also very important for me to represent a LGBTQ friendly vibe through the visuals of this song and July really made all of that possible.”

Sophia, 2019

Sophiya has already amassed over 85,000 streams in just a couple of months with ‘White Ivory’, so expect to hear a whole lot more of her in the coming months. Stay tuned!