Tag: music

I Prevail drop VR video version of DOA, Collaborating with rapper Joyner Lucas

Posted on by Andrew Sorensen

Having released a VR version of their song, DOA, (featuring rapper Joyner Lucas) I Prevail wanted to take fans inside their world and show them the problems they face.

“The video will take you inside the world we built for ‘DOA’ and give you a front row seat to the problems we are facing.” I Prevail said in a statement.

Having generated over 200 million total streams on last years blockbuster, Trauma, the group has received nominations for two Grammy Awards in 2020: One awarded to Trauma for best rock album, another for best metal performance for the single, Bow Down.

The band managed to turn a mental health breakdown into a powerful body of work.

This resulted in 200 million streams, 100 million views, and a top 15 debut on the billboard top 200.

I Prevail went on to receive coverage from Variety, NPR and Psychology today for their accomplishments.

As such, they have become a prominent member of the rock genre and are now a favorite with their fans, boasting a strong relationship with them.

The VR video for DOA is available now and can be watched on YouTube.

I Prevail’s DOA featuring Joyner Lucas is out now through Fearless Records and Caroline Australia.

Here’s What The Used Had To Say About Their Upcoming Album

Posted on by Matthew Wotherspoon

The Used have officially announced they will be releasing their 8th full length studio album, ‘Heartwork’, on April 24th, after months of anticipation.

As an added bonus for fans, The Used have released the second single from the forthcoming album, “Paradise Lost, a poem by John Milton.”

The song carries emotion and imagery unique to the band, and ties in influences from one of front man Bert McCracken’s favourite authors.

“I’ve always been a bit obsessed with Paradise Lost,” shares McCracken.

“I really dug deep into the poem and its author, John Milton. As I was reading a lot of his political essays I realized that a lot of what ’Satan’ says in Paradise Lost are quotes directly from John Milton’s own mouth. A lot of people thought he was the devil back then. He had a huge problem with the show of opulence from the Church. He thought it was disgusting. His poem is about the failed revolution against the Church of England, which is Satan’s failed revolution on earth. And what’s more incredible or exciting than a failed revolution?” 

Fans can pre-save the new album and stream the new single today at theused.ffm.to/heartwork.

‘Heartwork’ marks the return of John Feldmann to The Used family as he is producing the album and also the head of A&R at Big Noise.

“I couldn’t be more honored or grateful to have one of my favorite bands of all time at my record label! They are one of the most influential bands of the last 20 years and we are making a career-defining album at the  minute,” shares Feldmann. “They are one of the best live bands I’ve ever seen and Bert is quite possibly the best singer I’ve ever worked with. This has been a dream of mine since I met them in 2001.”

Feldmann signed The Used to Reprise Records in January 2002, one year after the band formed in Orem, Utah. He also produced some of the band’s most monumental albums including their self-titled debut, ‘Maybe Memories‘, ‘In Love and Death‘, ‘Lies for the Liars‘ , ‘Vulnerable‘ and ‘Imaginary Enemy‘.

According to McCracken,

“The new album plays on the emotions, the sincerity, and the vulnerability of the first record and In Love and Death, with a little bit of the flair from Lies for the Liars.“”Standing in the streaming circle pit with Kesha and Halsey, the album is just as modern sounding. John Feldmann’s production is that professional. It sounds really good. Those are two really random examples, but I think if you listen to both of those records, the songs are all over the place: dance, pop, actual punk rock riffs and drums. I think music is so all over the place right now that The Used fits in perfectly.”

It’s been almost twenty years since The Used blessed the alternative-rock scene with their high energy live shows, gut wrenching relatable lyrics, and melodies that blended pop sensibility and hard rock.

For more information about The Used, go to www.TheUsed.net.

Harroway vocalist opens up about band’s origins

Posted on by Andrew Sorensen


Originating from a musical background, 26-year-old Sydney based vocalist Matthew Banks formed Harroway due to a passion for music.

Before he started his band, Mr Banks’ father had an assortment of guitars around the house.

“Dad always had guitars around the house, but he never really played to us.

“They were just there.”

However, this all changed once his older brother started high school and chose music as an elective, which meant the guitars found usage.

Soon, Mr Banks was approached by his brother to play the bass, where he learned to play the instrument and “progressed into vocals from there,”

His first foray into the world of metalcore was with the album “in love and death” by used, along with Eminem.

Mr Banks was blown away by what he was listening to.

“I’m really digging these aggressive screams with this clean beautiful vocals.”

Soon, his brother introduced him to Trivium, which made him realise that “this is where metalcore is at.”

When he started high school, Mr banks joined a metalcore band.

 “All the members have been part of a band throughout our teenage and young adult lives,

“Me, Marcus and Jordan were originally from a band called Maybe I’ll live Forever and Jesse was from a band called Like Royals and Alex was from a band called Isotopes.”

Harroway soon evolved from Maybe I’ll live Forever after two of the band members left.

At the time, Mr Banks was between bands and was shown a sample of the band’s music by Jordan, who he met at a local chicken shop.

“A day later, he hit me up and was like ‘hey, our vocalist is leaving, do you want to join?

“Well, I am not doing anything, so **** it, why not?”

The band soon decided to go for a professional approach.

“When I go into these things, I like to do them as best as I can, in a professional sense.

“It’s a more mature and evolved sound.

“It was a massive step up from what we were doing back then.”

As such, Mr Banks said that Maybe I’ll Live Forever “helped us hone our craft and the execution.”

Speaking on the process of song creation, Mr Banks admits that the writing process “stretched out over a good couple of months.”

“if we’re not 100% happy with the execution, we’ll do it again and again until we get this out.”

This saw the whole band work together to create a song, which involved Marcus writing the riffs, Mr Banks writing the lyrics and melodies and Jordan serving as an aide.

The band sat in a room and worked together to create ideas from a variety of topics.

“I’m trying to branch out and take a more rapper approach with how I write lyrics,

“They don’t just write about themselves, they can tell stories, they can do everything.”

Some of the topics involve the struggle of humanity, relationship issues and “stuff on blackholes and outerspace.”

“I don’t want to be limited to what I can do and what I can write about.

“A lot of my inspirations comes from wanting to fix my mental space.

“I’ve been struggling with depression my entire life and never got away.

“It’s not one of those things were it’s situational and my brain doesn’t register emotions properly.”

“Everything is my inspiration.”

Harroway is currently creating more songs and is working on their timeline on when to release.

“Shine” is available now on all major streaming platforms.

Gulgong lights up with New Year’s Eve festival

Posted on by Andrew Sorensen


With New Year’s Eve around the corner, a folk festival is being held down at a New South Wales town called Gulgong.

Called the Gulgong Folk festival, live folk music is offered in intimate venues amidst the backdrop of a town rich in gold mining history.

Playing at the festival is a well-known bush band called the BushWackers, who will be heading the festival.

With the majority of their music based on traditional folk and working songs from the early 20th century, the band have incorporated Celtic instrumentals and contemporary original songs such as ‘Leave it in the Ground.’

Appearing alongside BushWackers is Bethany Jolly, a singer-guitarist from Brunswick Heads and Luke Robinson, who has a reputable bass voice and originates from Mullumbimby..

With a variety of workshops and market stalls available, the festival has plenty of entertainment to offer

The festival starts on the 29th of December and finishes on the 31st of December.

For further information, visit www.gulgongfolkfestival.net.au

Reside win competition to open Unify 2020

Posted on by Andrew Sorensen


Melbourne based alternative rock/emo five-piece Reside won a Triple J competition to play at the opening of the 2020 Unify Gathering.

Reside will play at the festival alongside The Ghost Inside, Architects, and many other bands.

Unify Gathering will take place at Tarwin Meadows in Gippsland, Victoria and will run from January 9 to January 12.

The event will showcase some of the best bands in rock, metal and punk.

Reside will be playing their EP “The light that I found” on the opening stage of Unify.

They came to attention after their single “replace me” received high praise from Triple J hosts and was immediately added to Spotify playlists, “new punk tracks”, “The scene” and “rock out”.

Triple J staff praised the band for their music, with David Ruby Howe highlighting his love for the band.

There’s a familiarity to their melodic, emo-grun that’ll allow this to slip super easily into your playlist.”

The single has recently been streamed on spotify over 100,000.

However, an EP followed shortly after and proved to be popular, with the launch show at Melbourne’s cherry bar sold out.

Reside soon embarked on a national tour with Emo band Eat Your Heart Out, alongside securing tours and spots for the likes of Palaye Royale, Windwaker and the Beautiful Monument, among many others.

Tickets for Unify Gathering 2020 are on sale now at Moshtix.

Sydney metal-heads, IntrØspect, announce brand new single, ‘Sovereign’

Posted on by Andrew Sorensen


To prepare fans for the release of their upcoming EP, Sydney-based progressive metal band, IntrØspect, has just announced the imminent release of a brand new single.

Set to drop October 18th, ‘Sovereign‘ will give audiences a taste of what’s to be included in their upcoming EP, ‘Ad Astra‘.

IntrØspect uses soaring vocal melodies, complex riffs and heavy grooves to create a landscape drenched in emotion and rife with passion and hope.

The band is wanting to take the audience on an emotional and spiritual journey from ecstatic bliss to the depths of despair and back again.

According to IntrØspect vocalist and frontwoman Felicity Jayne, ‘Sovereign’ is “the heaviest song on the ‘Ad Astra’ EP and draws inspiration from Carl Jung’s conception of the shadow.”

“’Sovereign‘ is a reminder that each of us has a darkness within, and we are not truly empowered until we’ve reckoned with it, and integrated it.” Ms Jayne said.

‘Sovereign‘ features a fierce vocal performance from Above, Below’s Jacob Wilkes and is the first track to have screamed vocals.

Mr Wilkes vocals work alongside Ms Jayne’s voice and creates a haunting atmosphere that is underscored by heavy riffs and crushing breakdowns.

The EP will be launched alongside Glass Ocean and Opus of a Machine in Sydney on November 30 as a support at Factor Floor.

‘Ad Astra‘ is available October 18 and can be pre-ordered at https://listen.introspectmusic.co/adastra

Didirri returns with his most captivating tune yet, ‘Blue Mood Rising’

Posted on by Matthew Wotherspoon


After recording with renowned producer Dann Hume (Amy Shark, Matt Corby, Tash Sultana, Troye Sivan), Didirri returns with one of his most captivating and moving tunes yet – ‘Blue Mood Rising‘.

Holding true to his mission to make music for ‘Lovers & Overthinkers’, Didirri’s latest song-writing echoes charm and raw power. Not only is it captivating, but it magnifies important issues and motivates crowds to feel, move, think and heal.

After releasing his debut EP “Measurements”, Didirri has been inundated with success and support from all angles. From a collective 30 million streams, to playing Splendour In The Grass, to having 4x singles added to triple j rotation, and holding a US and UK tour, Didirri has exploded globally.

The achievements are impressive and humbling, and ultimately highlight
the universal language of music and its power to resonate with any audience.

His lyrics are set apart from the average singer-songwriter and usher you into his mind, ultimately connecting you with his inner psyche. It’s modern music with a classic twist.

“I have always been wary of being led down the garden path. However, it is a beautiful path to tread. It is a colourful and engaging life to lead but only when walked by you. Have you ever looked at a photo of yourself and thought that you were different back then? Has your confidence changed? Are you easily shaken now? But, how can your feet be swept away if you have them firmly on the ground by your own decision?,” says Didirri.

“Blue Mood Rising” is a thunderstorm of deep lyrics, lush guitar tones, elevating percussion and smooth backing vocals. As the tune plays, you can’t help but self-reflect and become immersed in the dynamics and uniqueness that is Didirri.

“Remember who you do this for. Whatever ‘this’ is. There will be others that help you down the path but remember where your core is. Your self-worth should be based on your own choices. If there is ever a crack to appear in your footing, you’ll feel it.

You’ll feel a blue mood rising before it appears.” – Didirri

Written by Didirri Peters and George Taylor, and produced by Dann Hume and Hayden Calnin, “Blue Mood Rising” is now available on all digital platforms!

Didirri will be playing The Riverstage in Brisbane with City & Colour for Bris Fest later this month before This That Festival in Newcastle November 9th, headlining Loch Hart Music Festival in Princetown November 15th-17th, as well as joining Middle Kids on their national album tour!




September 28th – Riverstage – Brisbane, QLD (w/ City & Colour)

November 7th – Astor Theatre – Perth, WA (w/ Middle Kids)

November 9th – This That Festival – Newcastle, NSW

November 14th – Enmore Theatre – Sydney, NSW (w/ Middle Kids)

November 15th-17th – Loch Hart Music Festival – Princetown, VIC

November 17th – The Forum – Melbourne, VIC (w/ Middle Kids)

November 21st – The Tivoli – Brisbane, QLD (w/ Middle Kids)

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.