Victorian Country/Pop duo Souly Us release debut album "Alive"...all emotions covered

Souly Us, the recipients of the 2019 APRA AMCOS New Songwriter of the Year award from the Tamworth Songwriters Association (TSA), recently released their debut album ‘Alive’. The release comes off the back of the duo’s Hello World EP, which peaked at #5 on the iTunes Country Music Charts. Their debut single ‘Meant to Be’ received widespread airplay across Australia, while its follow up single, ‘My Soldier’ reached #10 on the iTunes Country Music Charts.

Speaking of the album, Souly Us says, ‘Every single person will get something out of this album. Whether it’s a powerful break-up ballad, an uplifting song of strength, a love song or a song about life, this album is bound to capture listeners in more ways than one and covers all types of emotions.’

Comprised of Kate Appleyard and Ben Mawdsley, Souly Us recorded and produced ‘Alive’ in their home studio in Inverloch, Victoria, while it was mixed by ARIA and CMAA winner Matt Fell and mastered by Michael Carpenter at Love HZ Studios in Sydney. ‘With country music at heart and a twist of pop, every track on this album was written and produced by us with the assistance of Matt Fell’s final mixing touch and Michael Carpenter’s mastering at Love HZ Studios in Sydney,’ Souly Us says.

https://youtu.be/VQ1VRO30F30

Taking inspiration from the world around them, ‘Alive’ features the soulful sound, powerful storytelling and captivating lyrics the young Victorian duo have been known for since forming in January 2018. With Kate’s warm angelic voice and Ben’s rhythmic and passionate artistry on guitar, the band share dreams, hope, love and connection through their latest release.

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BEACH PANIC! new single "Dance 'Till Your Feet Bleed"..energetic and infectious

Melbourne’s BEACH PANIC! are loud, confident, full of charm and artistic flare, and they’re back with a brand-new grooving tune "Dance 'Till Your Feet Bleed", the latest track off their just announced debut EP ‘Ride The Tiger’ slated for release in late September.

Following on from their previous release "Tsunami of Love", "Dance 'Till Your Feet Bleed" is about the desperate yearning for the intoxicating feeling of falling in love - a feeling sometimes so overwhelming that the only remedy there is, is to well... it’s all right there in the title.

https://youtu.be/7c53gRaEvMI

Bringing together their punk-rock roots, love of art, and downright desire to shake a leg, BEACH PANIC! mix good ol’ fashioned party times with slick jangly riffs, ruthless kicks, and lyrics that speak simply of love - from the highest joys to the darkest desperations.

They wear their hearts on their sleeves, their sweat on the D-floor, and leave you with a smile on your face, adrenaline in your veins, and love in your heart.

Marty's thoughts: energetic and infectious punk grooves, a thumping beat, some 60's style psychedelia and a sense of humour from these guys makes this a very entertaining and lovable tune that is sure to hook you in and have you jumping around with a big smile on your face.

Keep on grooving with BEACH PANIC!: https://www.facebook.com/BEACHPANICBAND/ https://twitter.com/beach_panic

Melbourne duo HPKNS new EP release "This Is What You Get"....alternative blues-rock

‘This Is What You Get’, released May 2017, is the debut EP from Melbourne duo HPKNS (pronounced Hopkins, aka James Deville and David Lovegrove). 

The record is raw and unfiltered to capture the simplicity and early stages of the bands life. 

Stream on Soundcloud HERE

The writing obsesses over the illusions of lust and desire while the edgy and dark narrative style of lyrics draws inspiration from another Melbourne native, Nick Cave. Musically there was a strong urge to do as much as possible with as little resource as possible. The challenge of restraint produces an apocalyptic post-blues sound with power and violence reminiscent of other two pieces, The White Stripes and Royal Blood. 

Download on Bandcamp page HERE

All music was written in two weeks from their Southbank apartment and recorded in 3 days at Hothouse Studios, St.Kilda.

All Songs: J Deville & D Lovegrove 
Recorded & Mixed by Jez Giddings / Hothouse, St Kilda 
Mastered: Jack The Bear Deluxe Mastering, Brunswick

Official website: http://www.wearehpkns.com/

      

Sydney experimental-electronic duo Blondebears debut single "Dissolve"

Sydney experimental-electronic duo Blondebears are Jake Stiles and Sebastian Morales. On their debut, the two songwriters deliver the mesmerising track titled ‘Dissolve’ – produced and recorded by the group themselves at their Sydney-based studios.

Opening with warped synths, soothing falsetto and hypnotic beats, ‘Dissolve’ soars into a gradual crescendo; unapologetically melding its array of hauntingly beautiful and cracked sonic textures. As the layers ascend and overlap seamlessly, the dream-laden journey eventually enters a state of climax and resolves fading out distantly; leaving behind an air of melancholy.

Stream 'Dissolve'

The moody cut also carries a deeper and underlying hypothesis further explained by Stiles –

“'Dissolve" is about empathy for other human beings and living in another person’s body for a day. What should you do with someone else's life? The character abuses their new body/lifestyle and disagrees with how others lead their lives but eventually empathises with other humans after living as them and feeling new emotions and experiences. I feel it is paramount to accept people from different circumstances or life experiences. With imagining how they live their day to day lives we can better understand others from another perspective.”

Stiles and Morales first met through an unsuccessful attempt to sneak into a music festival underage. Sharing a common love for music the boys experimented with different instruments and sounds until finding what would be known as Blondebears. The two plan to continually release new songs over the year and launch their live show nationally.

‘Dissolve’ is available via Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes and all good digital retailer’s 

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BAD FRENCH - NEW SINGLE ‘ALL YOUR DAYS ARE HERE WHERE YOU ARE NOW’

Following on from releasing their standout singles ‘Finley’s Downfall’, ‘Erroll’s Forest’ and ‘Within You’, Central Coast-based dance-pop duo, Bad French, have just returned by revealing their brand-new cut ‘All Your Days Are Here Where You Are Now’.

Stream the track on SOUNDCLOUD Here

Recorded and produced by the band themselves between their Sydney and Central Coast home studios, ‘All Your Days Are Here Where You Are Now’ is another intriguing slice of 80’s inspired electro-pop glimmering with moments of psychedelia and reminiscent to some of the group’s staple influences Tame Impala, AIR and Icehouse.

Song-writer / multi-instrumentalist, M. Carney describes the creative and recording process for ‘All Your Days Are Here Where You Are Now’:-

“Dan kicked off the musical idea one lazy afternoon in his studio at MacMasters Beach on an acoustic guitar with a chilled-out drum beat. I "Bad Frenchified" it with some stabby synths and found a drony pulsing bass sound to sit underneath. The chorus was at first an offbeat melodic idea, but Dan matched his words to it, and it became quite an unusual musical mantra that has grown on us over time. We then decided go to Jupiter and back with the instrumental!”

Their previous singles have received support from local online press, community radio and triple j Unearthed. The group have also performed shows supporting the likes of I Know Leopard, Polish Club, Boo Seeka and have even held their own gigs on front man Daniel Forsyth’s front lawn.

Over the coming months the band will continue to work on new material and perform around Sydney and the NSW Central Coast.

‘All Your Days Are Here Where You Are Now’ is now available to stream via Soundcloud and available via Spotify, Apple Music and all other good digital retailers.

Official website: http://badfrench.com.au/

Sydney duo The Tapes' debut single "AT ALL" recently released

Introducing: THE TAPES...
.....A collaboration between Sydney musicians Andrew Grant and Mickey Kojak. 

Having cut their teeth in the dance music scene, this new project is a departure from the glitchy, electronic sounds we are used to hearing from these two. 

The world of The Tapes comes to you through your top-down convertible’s FM radio. Cruising along a pristine coastline on a sun-drenched afternoon, Diet Pepsi in hand, they’re there to take you wherever it is you're going. Lo-fi guitars, retro synths and crunchy drums combined with their technological know-how and unique songwriting all come together as one glorious, wholly holy sound. 

Like a tailor-made suit, The Tapes just feel right. 

It is also incredibly exciting to announce their first single AT ALL. Which premiered on "La Belle Musique" recently, quickly clocking 20,000 plays. This first track is but a tasty morsel of the feast that is to come. The boys have a five-track debut EP burning a hole in their back pocket as well as an immense four-piece live show that will be unveiled at some of the year’s latter showcases. The Tapes are here to embrace the weird and wonderful in all kinds of new ways; get tuned in.

Listen to "AT ALL" on soundcloud here.

Download it for free via TripleJUnearthed here.

                                            

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"A soothing and melodic track that blends two extremely skilled producers to create a blissful musical mid-point." - StoneyRoads.com

"Well worth the hype." - TheInterns.net


"Serene, spacey... we foresee some great material from the pair" - HillyDilly.com

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Sydney Electronic duo Porsches track "HORSES" and a taste of what's to come in 2015

Put two musicians in a room swapping samples and rubbing shoulders around drum machines for long enough and it will lead to a song, and then an entire project.

HORSES, is a sneak "taster" from a brand new collaboration project between beatmaker/producers Jesse Sewell and Carl Fox.

Chill swirling synths, ethereal vocals and eclectic beats are all phrases that are being thrown around the studio during the creation process and that's just where this first track has landed. Like much of the material in development, HORSES is focused around Fox's vocal melodies, layered over beats that were the original catalyst for the project.

The track premiered on BBC's Radio One Breakfast with Phil Taggart recently and is available for free download on Soundcloud. You'll be able to find it on all your favorite streaming services.

Expect a February release for Porsches debut single, which will be accompanied by the project's first live sets.

Soundcloud Link

                                                      

Syre and Fresko...talked about and upcoming Indie-Pop duo from Melbourne

2014 began with Syre and Fresko winning 1st place in the National ABC/TripleJ Run competition, allowing them to represent Australia at the Annual Spring Gala for Chinese New Year in Beijing, performing for over 600+ million viewers in over 70+ countries. And the momentum hasn't stopped there.

“Creating a baby is kind of fun…”, but despite this, the husband and wife duo being about to start a family, it doesn’t look like they’ll be slowing down anytime soon.

Having recently released their debut EP, Syre & Fresko bring a rock edge now to the table, with some heavy drum performances, embellished with lush guitars and sweeping synths – it’s the sound of raw songs in their truest form, a sound growing around the world, particularly for those less excited about mainstream produced pop, but still maintaining some sweet vocal lines to thread it all together.

Admittedly still finding their feet, Syre & Fresko report a couple of fresh new singles on the way to help listeners balance their rock edge, with their melodic folk appeal. It’s truly an exciting time for one of the freshest, musically capable and talented duo’s to ever come out of Australia. 

“They’re one of Australia’s most talked about up and coming duo’s…” Tracee Hutchison, ABC Australia

“Hauntingly beautiful vocals. Very talented - need more music like this…” KovoBand (Melbourne, Australia)

“It's amazing what you guys are doing here… I just love visiting again... I could laze out on your sweet “Pillow” (original track) all day at this rate! London loves Syre & Fresko!!” MikeWhitePresents

Genre
Indie, Pop, Indie-Pop

Comparison
Foster The People, Florence and the Machine, Chairlift

Location
Melbourne, VIC, Australia

La Mar, electronic-soul duo from Sydney: Debut Single Release "Anchor"

LA MAR is a two piece from Sydney's south producing music that delves deep into the electronic-soul genre. Combining classic vocals and intricate electronic production, LA MAR’s infectious tracks are becoming something fresh audiences have found instantly able to immerse themselves with.

Fronted by vocalist Dylan Wright, delivering raw emotion that manifests into somber and seductive imagery. With soulful influences, Dylan’s melodies establish a reflective brooding and yet sweetly mellowed atmosphere that draws the listener inside the underpinned electronic production of Andrew Grant; utilizing an array of synthesizer and keyboard sounds to artfully complement the vocals and bring modern edge to the music. A relaxed, down-tempo beat is the undercurrent of LA MAR’s sound and maintains the hints of soul throughout.

LA MAR’s new track ANCHOR marks the debut release for this new project and is the first single to be taken from a forthcoming self-titled EP. Recorded over the past few months the two writers worked in a number of different studios collecting sounds including the songs opening Fender Rhodes chords that have become the foundation for the track. The duo headed to REC Studios for the final mix with Craig Willson (Flume, New Navy, LDRU & Yahtzel). LA MAR performed a showcase at GoodGodSmallClub earlier this year alongside Phebe Starr and Revier, a string of live dates will be announced soon in support of the single.

"A song that mould’s so perfectly together in every way that it becomes a chilling experience when listening." - Stoney Roads

Sound Cloud: http://soundcloud.com/la-mar-music
iTunes Store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/anchor-single/id879951729
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ibglNNtHJ8
Band Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WeAreLaMar

Bobby and Laurie...Hitch Hiker

click here for more information

Dynamic vocal duo Bobby and Laurie was one of the leading acts in the first wave of Australian 'beat pop' 1964-67. They cut a series of fine recordings which rank alongside those of Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs, Ray Brown & The Whispers, The Easybeats, Normie Rowe and MPD Ltd as milestones of Australian pop in the mid-60s.

Although perhaps not as well remembered today as some of their contemporaries, they were one of the most popular and successful acts of their day, and deserve a lot more recognition for their contributions. Bobby, Laurie and the members of their regular backing band, The Rondells, were all important figures in the development of the Melbourne rock scene, and their History is also a great illustration of the intricate (and sometimes confusing) interconnections between the many groups of the '60s and '70s.

This album "Hitch Hiker" was released in 1966 and showcases both their songwriting and vocal abilities. More in a pop format than their earlier beat sound with The Rondells, this had similarities to other vocal duos like The Everly Brothers and Simon and Garfunkel, but still had a uniqueness that identified with their own sound. A good mix of rockers and ballads too.

See also earlier post: I Belong With You

1. No Next Time
2. Jump Back
3. Sweet And Tender Romance
4. Not My Girl
5. Fallin'
6. You'll Come Round
7. Hitch Hiker
8. Tonight When I Come Home
9. Bless You
10. I've Learned
11. Down In The Valley
12. Trouble With A Woman

                                          

Bobby and Laurie...I Belong With You...Early 60's Beat and Pop

Bobby and Laurie were a popular singing duo of the 1960's, featuring Laurie Allen (vocals, guitar, keyboards) and Bobby Bright (vocals, guitar). Their regular backing band were The Rondells. The pair formed one of the leading acts in the first wave of the Australian 'beat pop' era between 1964 and 1967.

They had the first record on the new Go Records label with "I Belong With You" which was released with its 45 B-side song "Trouble in Mind" in August 1964. "I Belong With You" was a hit staying at number-one on the Melbourne charts for two weeks and won Laurie an Australian Record Award for 'Best Composition' in 1965.The duo reached their peak in late 1964, busily touring the country and appearing in numerous concert and television performances.In early 1965 the pair appeared on the Teen Scene music television show on the ABC, where they were famously dragged off the stage by screaming female fans.

This 26 track compilation combines their early hits plus a few bonus tracks.

Bobby & Laurie*– I Belong With You 2:12

Bobby & Laurie*– Trouble In Mind 2:10

Bobby & Laurie*– Someone 1:57

Bobby & Laurie*– You Are Gone 2:18

Bobby & Laurie*– Judy Green 2:25

Bobby & Laurie*– Mojo Queen 2:32

Bobby & Laurie*– Crazy Country Hop 2:47

Bobby & Laurie*– It Ain't Fair 2:03

Bobby & Laurie*– I'm Not A Bad Guy 2:02

Bobby & Laurie*– Lucky Me 1:59

Bobby & Laurie*– She Don't Know 2:15

Bobby & Laurie*– Riding Hood 3:03

Bobby & Laurie*– I Won't Be Back 1:57

Bobby & Laurie*– Give All Your Lovin' To Me 2:38

Bobby & Laurie*– Strange Rain 2:32

Bobby & Laurie*– You Got It Off Me 2:30

Bobby & Laurie*– I'll Come Running To You 2:34

Bobby & Laurie*– Hold Me 2:43

Bobby & Laurie*– Goodnight Irene 3:12

Bobby & Laurie*– The Glory Of Love 1:50

Bonus Tracks

The Blue Jays*– Wolf Man 2:02

The Blue Jays*– I Left A Broken Heart In Broken Hill 2:38

Bobby Bright & The Strangers – Girls Never Notice Me 2:29

Bobby Bright & The Strangers – There's A Great Day A'comin' 2:08

Bobby Bright– Defeated By His Heart 2:20

Bobby Bright– You Won't Get A Chance 2:21

Bobby and Laurie...I Belong With You