New year, new tunes. Get ready to crank it, Gold Coast!
daste. Break Their Silence
After staying quiet for most for over 12 months, local favourites daste. finally gave us some new music at the end of 2022 with their indie/dance slow burner ‘butterfly (so free)’. Produced by friend and long-time collaborator Maxwell Byrne (aka Golden Vessel) the track finds the perfect balance between spacious summer afternoon and up-tempo pre-party with its sparse instrumentation and unsuspecting chorus rhythm. Said to be the first taste from collection of forthcoming singles ‘butterfly (so free)’ sets the scene for an exciting new year for one of the Gold Coast’s finest exports.
Lastling's Euphoric Soundscape
Lastings are certainly making themselves known this month with an appearance at the Australian Open and the release of yet another euphoric electro soundscape ‘Holding Me Like Water’. Written about a long-term relationship coming to an end the track perfectly encapsulates the sentiment with yearning synths, a driving rhythm and crisp emotive vocals completing the picture. As the second release since their acclaimed 2020 debut this new single continues to show the duo’s growth and maturity both lyrically and sonically. World class stuff here from Lastlings.
Will Day Has The Knack
Local country star-on-the-rise Will Day seems to have a knack for releasing catchy modern country songs that stick in your head for days and his latest offering ‘Always A Girl’ is no exception. Written by a group of Nashville based powerhouse songwriters and produced by ARIA Award winning producer Matt Fell, the single finds the perfect mix between the slick pop glitter of a top ten country hit and the working class, authentic edge that Will Day is known for. You can catch Will on the road through regional Queensland over the next few months with a run of shows that kicked off in the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January.
Cold Ghost’s True Collaboration
Cold Ghost (aka Fletcher Babb) is warming our hearts yet again this month with his deeply collaborative single ‘Nobody's Home There's Always a Crow’. When asked to re-work an instrumental piece from Brisbane Banjo composer Andrew Tuttle’s 2022 album ‘Fleeting Adventure’ Babb chose to transform the closing track adding intimate lyrics, beautiful guitar work while still maintaining the sonic template of Tuttle’s original. Accompanied by an equally beautiful video the track is a true reimagining and creative tip of the hat from one artist to another.
The Sun Drives Expand
Fresh faces to the Gold Coast music scene, The Sun Drives have expanded on their debut with the sun-drenched slacker rock inspired track ‘Won’t Be Long’. Bursting with rich, reverb heavy electric guitars the pocket drumming and intimate vocal delivery give the single a real Dope Lemon vibe while still maintaining the garage rock rawness of their previous work. Written about being stuck in the grind and missing out on the good times ‘Won’t Be Long’ is a huge step in the right direction for The Sun Drives. Out 7 Feb.
Georgia Hoareau Sets The Bar
Georgia Hoareau sets the bar high for her forthcoming debut EP with the stunning lead single ‘In The End’. Sparse, tactful production dances behind Hoareau’s captivating vocal creating a subtle but deeply reflective track that is sure to resonate with anyone who has lost a lover. Reminiscent of the raw intimacy of a Billy Eillish track ‘In The End’ is one of five stylistically diverse EP titles set for release in mid-February. Out 10 Feb.
Saint Lane Mixes Things Up
Saint Lane has surprised everyone this month, changing things up with his cleaver indie rock charmer simply titled ‘3.33’. Trading samples and rap bars for jangly guitars and catchy vocal melodies Saint Lane seems right at home in this new genre, putting all the pieces together to create a well-rounded ear-worm of a track written about struggling to move on from your ex-partner. Marked as the first single from a whole album of indie rock gems Saint Lane is certainly keeping fans on their toes and proving to be one of the Gold Coast’s most diverse talents. Out 3 March.
A Rock Tale Of Truth For Adults
Mia Muze is continuing her journey of musical exploration with the wonderfully quirky genre defying album ‘Parallel Life’. Comprised of ten tracks revealing stories beyond the pandemic, the record’s content is described as “a rock tale of truth for adults” by Mia herself. Highlight tracks include the Jazz influenced ‘Round and Round (And)’, The frantic nature of ‘The Lovebird Love Song’ and the Spanish overtones of the album closer ‘Inner Digital’. For the full experience check out her YouTube page for DIY videos for all ten tracks.
Wild Hearted Ditch The Distortion
Wild Hearted have turned down the distortion on their new, heart wrenching single ‘Home’. With just an acoustic guitar and voice coupled with simple delay effects, frontman Shane Gillard dedicates this emotive piece of music to all who have known loss. A beautiful change of direction for this local rock outfit.
Atlamer's Muse 90’s Throwback
Atlamer's Muse give us something a bit left of centre this month with their 90’s pop throwback ‘Did It To Yourself’. Drums machines and vintage synths drive this nostalgic track along while Nina’s distinct vocal reflects on taking ownership of your life and making your dreams become a reality. Accompanied by great DIY video ‘Did It To Yourself’ is a whole lot of fun and a breath of fresh air if you’re after something a little different.
Mad Snax's Blistering Bass
Mad Snax are kicking off the 2023 in style with another techno belter ‘Drop In The Ocean’. Not only do the duo have a talent for producing ear blistering bass drops but they’re also building a good reputation for their local collaborations, this time handing the microphone to India Dupriez who adds her flawlessly catchy melodies and dynamic range to the club ready track. Again following a similar winning formula to previous releases, ‘Drop In The Ocean’ is best consumed at full volume in the early hours of the morning.
Bayley Pearl’s Immaculate Debut
Bayley Pearl exploded onto the scene over the festive season with her huge sounding, self-assured debut single ‘In Her Wake’. Led by a haunting string section, the immaculately produced track does a great job of showcasing Pearl’s impressive vocal range through the intimate moments while introducing her powerhouse five-piece band in the anthemic chorus. Taken from an EP to come early this year, Bayley Pearl is certainly one to watch in 2023.
Megalove’s Futuristic Rock
Recent Gold Coast resident Brett Cusack has gifted us with a wonderfully bizarre, genre defying album this under his solo project Megalove. Self-described as “futuristic electro rock” the record (aptly titled ‘Powerhouse Of The Universe’) features 13 epic tracks from ethereal ballads to sci-anthems all tied together with impressive guitar work and Cusack’s diverse vocal. Highlight tracks include the retro-electro banger ‘Cosmic Heart’, the guitar driven ‘The Elephant In The Room’ and the punk inspired duet ‘The Cyclone’.
Wootton Major’s Brooding Flow
Another fresh name to the new music column, Wooton Major are preparing for a big year after the release of the second single from their forthcoming EP. ‘Victimless Crime’ is a captivating emotional ride that ebbs and flows beautifully with the help of brooding vocals and tactful instrumentation that clearly draw inspiration from acts like War on Drugs, Paper Kites and mid-career Arctic Monkeys. Keep an ear out for the band’s debut EP set for release in the early stages of 2023.
Anita Spring’s Toe Tapping Tale
Building on her recent success in the bluegrass / country music scene, prolific local artist Anita Spring has released another toe-tapping single ‘Old Crazy Joe’. Co-written by Allan Caswell and Lindsay Waddington, the track tells the story of an unsuspecting town hero with the help of an energetic rhythm, lively fiddle and tactful guitar playing. Fading out at the beginning of the final verse (rather than the end) the track really leaves the listener hanging, wanting to discover more about this old crazy Joe.
