October's tunes are ready and raring to go, fresh from our desks to your ears.

Richard Neill’s western hoedown

Imagine stepping into a shady side-of-the-road phone booth and suddenly, the world around you winds back the clock to old country western times. Upon exit, you’re greeted by busty women in corsets, saloon poker fights and heated pistol showdowns between bandits. Sounds like an episode straight out of Westworld, or, the latest video release from Gold Coast-based musician Richard Neill and his band The Drunken Midnight Choir. ‘Here My Dear’ is a charming folksy rock tune we’ve come to expect from this talented local, with a distinct country edge. The hilarious video is everything, so be sure to check it out on YouTube below, and read our interview with Richard in this edition.

GENIIE BOY’s Sonic Wonderland

Fresh off a busy September performing at the Gold Coast Music Awards and SPRINGTIME, GENIIE BOY invite us into their unique sonic wonderland with ‘Better’, a feel-good tune packed with warmth written about the lifelong pursuit of ‘betterness’ and the many ways we duck and weave the obstacles of modern life to find it. Ditching the synths and opting for a more traditional band sound the track again features the winning combo of Alisha Todd’s captivating vocal, Scotty French’s musical direction and Michael McCartney’s drumming excellence. Accompanied by a must watch music video GENIIE BOY have again proven themselves as one of the Gold Coast’s most innovative new outfits.

Raw Deep’s Musical Exploration

Genre benders Raw Deep continue to diversify their sound with the 90’s synth, pop rock infused anthem ‘Helpline’. Driven by a pulsating bass synth the dreamy track floats along with the help of reverb heavy electric guitar parts, powerful drums and Nathan Lindsay’s commanding vocal, giving the track a sense of urgency right up until the souring guitar outro. Released alongside a beautifully put together video, Raw Deep’s continuous exploration of new musical territory has paid dividends with ‘Helpline’, marking the bands strongest single to date.

AYA J’s Low-Key Banger

Electronic duo AYA J add to their repertoire of sun-drenched party starters with the low-key banger ‘Be Your Lover’. Led by a hypnotic swinging rhythm the track’s energy ebbs and flows with the help of tactful production and lead singer Angus Field's yearning melodies reminiscent of local contemporary’s RÜFÜS DU SOL. Pairing the release with a luminescent accompanying music video the clip showcases the juxtaposition of sun-setting afternoons and black-cloaked nights, a perfect visual representation of the track that is not to be missed.

Jacob Lee’s Blockbuster Supercut

Prolific creator and musical innovator Jacob Lee has given us (and his magnitude of world-wide fans) his seventh release of the year with the haunting indie pop single ‘Jealousy’. Opening with sparse instrumentation coupled by Jacob’s heavily effected vocal, the track quickly bursts into a huge sounding chorus led by a driving backbeat and a hooky melody that will knock you off your feet. Adding to his 140 plus YouTube videos the clip for ‘Jealousy’ follows a twisted love story in an alternate digital realm creating an epic supercut to a blockbuster film that doesn’t exist (yet). World class stuff here from one of the Gold Coast’s finest exports.

ELSKA’s Golden Disco

Gold Coast favourite ELSKA has hit a winner this month with her flamboyant 90s pop fuelled single ‘Golden’. Penned with the 2032 Brisbane Olympics in mind the Brad Hosking produced single is an empowering song about being a fighter, never giving up and believing that nothing can stop you. Described by ELSKA as a mix between Dua Lipa and Survivor the tracks soaring strings and nostalgic disco beat also channel the infectious charm Australia’s golden girl Kylie Minogue. With a few years of campaigning ahead, ‘Golden’ certainly has the chops to soundtrack the world’s largest sporting event.

Dani Teveluwe Switches Things Up

Dani Teveluwe has surprised us yet again producing another development in her musical progression wigh the tough, soul/blues influenced track ‘Are We Gonna Wake Up?’. Co-written with Emily Wurramurra and Matt Collins from WHARVES the track is vastly different to her February single ‘Double Shot’ trading acoustic guitars and bright production for swampy bass, distorted guitars and souring vocals. Written as a stirring response to potent feelings of anger and frustration brought on by recent world events ‘Are We Gonna Wake Up?’ is the latest single from Dani Teveluwe’s wonderfully diverse EP ‘Into The Deep’.

Atticus Chimps' Sonic Punch

Atticus Chimps are delivering a sonic punch to the face this month with their full throttle single ‘Allen Jewelry’, a metaphor for stars in the night sky written about love, the cosmos and the existential questions in life. Full to the brim with huge sounding guitar riffs and rollocking virtuoso drums ‘Allen Jewelry’ takes clear cues from rock Juggernauts Queens Of The Stone Age and Royal Blood while still managing to intertwine their own brand of modern rock into the mix courtesy of Sam Bray’s commanding vocal. ‘Allen Jewelry’ demands to be listened to at full volume. OUT OCTOBER 7.

Lucca Mae’s Black Magic

Modern day musical troubadour Lucca Mae has released an endearing new single ’Black Magic’, a track she wrote and recorded on the Gold Coast before relocating to the UK. Working with locals Damiano Mex on production and Paul Blakey on mastering the song follows an infectious tresillo rhyth surrounded by slinky guitar parts and haunting percussion giving the track a sort of gypsy-jazz feeling reminiscent of Amy Winehouse. Written about looking into someone’s eyes and feeling an instant connection ’Black Magic’ is charming from start to finish.

Loose Leaf’s Modern Classic

Loose Leaf (AKA Rory Switzer) has given us his first new music for 2022 with the delicate folk/rock ballad ‘Spiral Staircase’. Working with Brad Hosking on production the pair have managed to replicate a timeless classic sound somewhere between The Band and Perl Jam with a modern touch reminiscent of bands like Bahamas and Local Natives. Beautiful song writing, intricate musicianship and world class production makes for the perfect storm that will leave you digging into Loose Leaf’s back catalogue for more gems like just like this.

SOFT NYLON Steps Out

Local musician/producer Dylan Lindquist has surprised us this month with a change in stylistic direction on his solo project SOFT NYLON. ’Spring Water’ sees Lindquist step into the spotlight as a singer songwriter, showcasing his skills as a traditional musician, replacing loops and synthesisers with guitars and live drums. Taking cues from acts like Gorillaz, and Tame Impala the song is about a love that cannot be quenched, delivered intimately through Lindquist’s raw baritone vocal. Nice stuff here from SOFT NYLON. OUT OCTOBER 20.

Is Man Kind’s Musical Escape

Local rock trio Is Man Kind have gifted us with another classic rock ballard this month with the Billy Joel-esque single ‘Lay Me Down’. Produced by Benny D Williams the track takes a more upbeat approach to a traditional ballad with heavily strummed acoustic guitars and thrashy drums providing the setting for a track the band hope listeners will perceive as more than just noise, and rather an escape for a moment in time. Released as the first single from an upcoming body of work, keep an eye on Man Kind’s socials for updates on release dates and tour announcements. 

Georgia Hoareau Turns Up The Guitars

18-year-old bedroom musician Georgia Hoareau is another artist expanding her sound this month with the guitar driven pop rock single ‘Oh Well’. Welcoming distorted guitars and live drums into the mix the track has strong pop song writing at its core resulting in a sound similar to Willow or a heavier cut from the Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Sour’. Written about coming to terms with letting go of a relationship, the track also reflects on discovering a renewed confidence in finding peace within your own mental state. ‘Oh Well’ is the first taste of a forthcoming debut EP from Hoareau which is setting up to be something truly special.

Jesswar’s Mixtape Teaser

Unstoppable local talent Jesswar has given us another taste of their forthcoming mixtape with the gritty new single 'HEFTY’. Keeping the production nice and simple the track features staccato piano strikes, a pared-back beat and tactful bass drops that seem to dance around Jesswar’s boastful, chest-heavy lyricism keeping her vicious vocal font and centre where it belongs. Keeping things more in line with what we’ve come to expect from Jesswar here the new mixtape actually marks an overall stylistic change in direction for the Gold Coast artist and is well worth a full listen.

MATH’s Anthemic Rock Debut

Rockhampton via Gold Coast act MATH have released an impressive debut EP this month, collaborating and recording with Gold Coast stalwarts Ian Peres, Luke Palmer and Matt Bartlem. Harnessing some serious anthemic rock sounds reminiscent of pop/rock crossover artists like Thirsty Merc and Birds Of Tokyo, the EP also has a modern day pop-punk flavour giving a vital edge to the otherwise polished production. Written over the course of four years the EP showcases the band’s diverse song writing, from the quirky-fun sounds of ‘Break My Heart’ to the guitar driven epic of ‘Baby, Where On Fire’ the self-titled EP is a strong first offering from this talented five piece.

Ronan Maclean’s Lush Soundscape

Ronan Maclean has followed up his debut from earlier this year with the pop-infused electro funk ear worm ‘Stargazing’. With song writing and production skills well beyond his 17 years the multi-instrumentalist manages to create a luscious soundscape featuring a popping bass rhythm layered synths, funk guitar and effortlessly cool vocals. Referencing his musical idol Charlie Puth as a major influence Ronan Maclean has done well to find his own sound within the competitive genre of pop/RnB. Promising stuff here from Ronan Maclean.