Jack Nolan Releases Single ‘Always’

"Jack Nolan Releases Single ‘Always’"

Jack Nolan’s ‘Always’ is a story of enduring love with additional Nashville craft. Recorded at Nashville’s Curb Studios, the track emerged from Jack’s ongoing collaboration with producer Justin Weaver. Surprisingly, this captivating track, like many of their standout songs, began as a mere afterthought, a filler, before evolving into a powerful and poignant expression.

nola

Jack Nolan was thinking, of that first moment, when songwriting suddenly felt possible, when the penny dropped. “In my mid-teens, sitting alone on my bed, acoustic guitar in hand, trying to get it all happening, when I realised – these greats I love, Dylan, Bowie, Pink Floyd et al are playing all the same chords I’m playing” he says nostalgically “I could do this too – It was one of those split seconds that can alter your life, floored by the possibilities, the potential of music.”

On Nolan’s new album, The Lonely Petunia, he went to find that boy again, to honour that moment, that subliminal decision with his acoustic guitar.

Recorded in Nashville, “The Lonely Petunia” marks the eighth solo album by the Sydneysider. This intimate acoustic journey showcases the artist’s signature lyrical depth. Lush strings and piano add depth and character to Jack’s trademark storytelling. The album was produced by Justin Weaver, an American musician and producer celebrated for his collaborations with, amongst others, Wynona Judd and The Chicks. Nolan describes Weaver as a musical comrade, highlighting the great working partnership that spans over five albums.

Based in Sydney, Jack has been performing and releasing music and albums since the mid-1990s. In addition to an eight-album solo catalogue, Jack also fronted the Kelly Gang, alongside Rick Grossman, bassist for the Divinyls and Hoodoo Gurus, and Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst and guitarist Martin Rotsey. Their 2004 album, “Looking for the Sun,” remains a hidden gem, featuring an incredible lineup of musicians that delivered passionate and energetic live performances of the time.

Always is the first single from ‘The Lovely Petunia. The album is scheduled for release later this year.

Stream Below

Connect with Jack Nolan

JJ Davison Releases EP ‘The Long Road South’

"JJ Davison Releases EP ‘The Long Road South’"

JJ Davison and the Shipbuilders present The Long Road South, a heartfelt collection recorded at the renowned Damien Gerard Sound Studios on the Central Coast, NSW. This project captures the essence of Jack Davison’s folk roots, offering a distinct departure from his work with the rock band Halfway Homebuoy.

The tracks on this record offer a poignant homage to heritage, memory, and the unbreakable ties between past and present. The record stands as a testament to Davison’s passion for folk music and his commitment to preserving the stories and songs of his homeland, even as he carves out a new life and sound in Australia.

jack d

Jack “JJ” Davison, best known as the front man for the Australian rock band Halfway Homebuoy, steps into the spotlight with his evocative solo project, JJ Davison and the Shipbuilders. Their debut record, The Long Road South, is a heartfelt collection of folk songs that trace the journey from the rugged landscapes of Northeast England to the distant shores of New South Wales, Australia.

Davison’s music is deeply rooted in his upbringing in the Northeast of England, where he was immersed in the region’s rich folk tradition from an early age. Growing up, he played alongside his father, brother, and friends in the folk clubs and pubs scattered across the Northeast, absorbing the stories, melodies, and camaraderie that define the area’s musical heritage. These formative years instilled in him a passion for the working men’s songs and the resilient spirit of the local communities.

The Long Road South is a more acoustic and introspective record compared to Davison’s rock work with Halfway Homebuoy.  The EP weaves together tales of football, local characters, resilience, and pride—each song a tribute to the people and places that shaped him. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and pride in times gone by, reflecting the enduring heritage of Northeast England’s working-class culture.

Davison’s storytelling is both personal and universal, capturing the challenges and triumphs of migration, the bonds of family, and the pride of community. The acoustic arrangements highlight his gravelly, emotive vocals, allowing the stories to take centre stage.

Stream Below

dav

Connect with Jack

The Mezcaltones Release Single ‘Big Hat No Cattle’

"The Mezcaltones Release Single ‘Big Hat No Cattle’"

Don’t worry if you missed their sell out run at Tamworth Music Festival last month , you can catch The Mighty Mezcaltones at any of the following dates:

pdf mez

Big Hat No Cattle is a song about that boss that we all had/have. He (generally a he) is not the owner or the manager, maybe a supervisor, but probably not, just been there longer than you – so he’s your BOSS. Definitely a big hat and for sure – no cattle!

Northern Beaches Band The Mezcaltones perform regularly at Sydney venues – The Orient (The Rocks), Marrickville Bowlo, Collaroy Beach Club, Brighton RSL to name a few. They have also performed at eight Tamworth Country Music Festivals; Groundwater CMF; Blues on Broadbeach; Sydney Blues & Roots Festival; Dashville Skyline Festival; and Greazefest.

 Their last album ‘Agave Soirée’ entered the Australian Blues and Roots airplay charts at #7 before spending five months embedded in the Top 20. The band are putting the finishing touches to their fifth album ‘Big Hat No Cattle’, scheduled for release in March. The title track is the first single released on 17 January to coincide with their shows at this years Tamworth County Music Festival.

Screenshot 2025-01-15 at 2.35.09 PM

 Their sound can be difficult to describe – mixing original songs with rare tracks you might find on Robert Rodriguez/Tarantino movies or B-Grade 60’s Sci-Fi Flicks. The guitars are richly infused with surf tones and 60’s Twang served up with a healthy dose of Cowpunk brashness. One booker described them as “Mexican Hillbilly Surf Music”. One punter said “If Johnny Cash surfed he’d have sounded like you guys”.

Their atics are captivating. The band is fronted by vocalist Col Padre (who engages in tongue in cheek choreography) and dancer/singer/percussionist Mimi. Mimi is renowned for her routines involving gymnastic ribbons used as whips, hula hoops, fans and whatever else she can lay her hands on. Big Daddy K from 2RRR’S Sydney Sounds show described the Mezcaltones as the best live band in Sydney.

The costumes make for an outstanding visual – four guys dressed as party hire Cowboys and two girls dressed as Spanish gunslingers with several minor costume changes throughout the show involving masks, veils and mirror shades. Sounds corny… sure is.

TOUR DATES

Date Venue Location
Saturday, 18 January 2025 West Diggers Club Tamworth
Friday, 19 January 2024 West Diggers Club Tamworth
Saturday, 20 January 2024 West Diggers Club Tamworth
Saturday, 18 January 2025 West Diggers Club Tamworth
Friday, 19 January 2024 West Diggers Club Tamworth
Saturday, 20 January 2024 West Diggers Club Tamworth
Saturday, 18 January 2025 West Diggers Club Tamworth
Friday, 19 January 2024 West Diggers Club Tamworth
Sunday, 16 February 2025 Orient Hotel The Rocks
Sunday, 9 March 2025 Marrickville Bowlo Marrickville
Saturday, 15 March 2025 Railway Hotel Hornsby
Sunday, 23 March 2025 Orient Hotel The Rocks

Stream

ffm

Connect

Instagram logo

Facebook F

worldwideweb logo

Bob Pigott Releases EP ‘Still Moving’

"Bob Pigott Releases EP ‘Still Moving’"

 ‘Still Moving’ is Bob Pigott’s 9th studio release and was recorded at Damien Gerard and Ears That Hear Studios on the picturesque Central Coast of NSW. The songs were written on an old stand-up piano while Bob took some time out to raise his young son.

The songs reflect light and shade with tracks ‘Like It’s Summer’ and ‘Pop Song’ pushing the beat while reflective moments come with ‘Glasgow’ and ‘Moving Day’. The toe tapping ‘Arlo’ is a note from a father to a son, and ‘Tired of Thinking About You’ goes straight to the heart strings. ‘Still Moving’ is another welcome offering from a singer- songwriter who just won’t stop moving…still.

bob png

Critically acclaimed and multi award winning singer/songwriter Bob Pigott bridges folk, pop and country with rich vocals and a gift for storytelling. His original blend of smooth acoustic rhythms and poetic lyrics has broad appeal that transcends genres.

Bob’s intimate style and ability to craft songs that are artful as well as commercial has seen Bob secure a raft of ABC Music Awards and gave him the opportunity to record at the famous Abbey Road studios in London.

Bob’s ability to discover the heart of a song and produce lyrics that sound like words we could hear ourselves speaking, continues to attract the discerning listener worldwide.

Stream

png bob

Connect

Instagram logo

CB Ghost Releases Single ‘Beautiful Middle Finger’

"CB Ghost Releases Single ‘Beautiful Middle Finger’"

UPCOMING LIVE SHOWS!!

 CB Ghost & Pinky Ring Live

@ The Baso Canberra

Thursday 24th October 7pm

 CB Ghost & Pinky Ring Live

@ The Vault Port Kembla

Friday 25th October 6pm

 CB Ghost & Gene Gibson Live

@ Lazybones Lounge, Marrickville

Friday 6th December 7pm

 CB Ghost & Special Guest

@ The Baroque Room, Katoomba

Saturday 7th December 7pm

Que catchy guitar riff, add harmonica, then a swinging beat, leads us to CB Ghost’s signature and original vocal style and we are away with Beautiful Middle Finger.

From the first line, images and themes are subconsciously drip fed into your mind and the folk-rock rhythm and country-like sway moves your hips. While the chorus is simply an elevated version of the same guitar riff it certainly lifts you and adds that needed meat to the musical bones.

Beautiful Middle Finger is a good time song, with a silly title from a serious song writer who obviously loves to have fun and not take things too seriously while putting his heart and soul out there.

Screen Shot 2024-05-02 at 12.01.21 pm

CB Ghost, a songwriter with an honest simple folk-rock style that captures the essence of a complicated existence with singalong tunes and poetic lyrics and sometimes a banger beat. He has emerged from a close-nit coastal surfing village in Australia. His background provides him with a deep connection to toe tapping Celtic, country and straight-ahead heartfelt rock music mixed with salt water from the ocean.

A former pro surfer, CB Ghost is driven, bold and dedicated to his evolving sound and a deep love of blue-collar folk stories and sensibility – and most importantly playing live to crowds who love to drink, dance, sing and have fun.

Having recently toured Northern NSW and Queensland with Sydney band Pinky Ring, The Ghost is finding his feet live and now incorporating a full band at most shows (his solo shows are still a must see for that intimate intensity). His first single ‘Hollywood Hills’ was followed by ‘Hold Down Hymn’ and gives a strong idea of what is to come later this year.

Stream

pngh

Connect

Facebook F

Instagram logo

Big Merino Releases Single ‘Ain’t No Shame’

"Big Merino Releases Single ‘Ain’t No Shame’"

Alex: ‘I’ve always been fascinated by people who are able to move through life and experience unguarded joy, it’s something that I’ve learned but it doesn’t come naturally to me and I like that idea of learning to let go of something that you love’.

During the recording process the band tried to recapture the spirit of the legendary Sun Studio recordings. Working with Phil Punch provided the perfect opportunity to try that approach especially as he had built equipment for the iconic recording space.

Formed in 2017, Big Merino play original music that blurs the lines between country, blues, roots, rock and pop. Despite an obvious passion for what’s often called ‘Americana’, their songs somehow manage to be very personal and quintessentially Australian – the words and sound shaped by the landscape and their own stories.

Their live sound is a classic combination of acoustic and electric guitars, vocals, bass and drums. Their recordings are fleshed out with multiple guitar layers, gospel style harmonies, Hammond organ, piano, horns and percussion.

In 2018 the band released their debut album ‘Suburban Wildlife’, made two cinematic film clips with director Alan Harca, and performed all around Sydney. The band has done numerous Interviews & live-to-air performances including ABC 702 & RN, 2SER Dirt Music, Radio Skid Row, Eastside Radio, Aussie Music Weekly and 2BBB. The single ‘Black Cockatoos’ was top 10 on AMRAP Metro and Regional playlists.

Stream the Single

Screen Shot 2024-08-13 at 11.22.48 am

Connect with Big Merino

Facebook F

Gareth Koch Releases Single ‘Song For Taylor Swift’

"Gareth Koch Releases Single ‘Song For Taylor Swift’"

Song for Taylor Swift is the first in a series of dedications to influential artists of the modern era by Gareth. There is a rich history of one artist acknowledging another in music, ranging from Beethoven to David Bowie, the latter having written his Song for Bob Dylan.

Song for Taylor Swift explores the gentler side of her output, with a recurring fragile interlude subtly reminiscent of her ballad-like material. The resonator & lap steel guitars reference Taylor’s occasional country influences, as does the cover art of the release.

Screen Shot 2024-05-23 at 12.17.04 pm

Gareth Koch is an ARIA Award winning multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, guitar soloist, composer & songwriter. He has recorded a sizeable repertory across multiple genres spanning works for classical guitar, flamenco, original compositions, arrangements, medieval projects, rock & songwriting. He has appeared at major festivals within Australia, Europe, Asia and North America.

Stream the Single

Screen Shot 2024-05-27 at 10.41.03 am

Connect with Gareth Koch

linktreelogo

Big Merino Release Single ‘Second Hand Smoke’

"Big Merino Release Single ‘Second Hand Smoke’"

The first 2024 release for Sydney’s Big Merino

The song ‘Second Hand Smoke’ came about after the 2019 bushfires in NSW and Covid. It’s a bit of a lateral take on a story that a lot of people can relate to and it suggests why, in spite of everything, we get up the next day and give things another crack.

Recorded and mixed by Studio Legend Phil Punch, this is a great beginning for a range of singles the guys will be following with this year.

Big Merino arts n crafts

Formed in 2017, Big Merino play original music that blurs the lines between country, blues, roots, rock and pop. Despite an obvious passion for what’s often called ‘Americana’, their songs somehow manage to be very personal and quintessentially Australian – the words and sound shaped by the landscape and their own stories.

Song Description

Acoustic southern vibes abound in this new single from Big Merino. Bass, drums, guitars and a driving snare beat keeps this bluesy track afloat with plenty of sing-a-long moments, even handclaps. Up-tempo, happy and feel good, a great first of the year for these Sydney locals.

The band will  be performing it and a whole bunch of new songs on

Sat April 13 @ The Gasoline Pony

It’s Big Merino‘s first gig for quite some time … come and join us to celebrate the release!

@ The Gasoline Pony, Marrickville
Saturday 13th April, from 7pm.

Book : trybooking.com/CQCRM

Out March 22 Foghorn/MGM

Stream it here

smoke bm

Connect

Facebook F

Bec Taylor and The Lyrebirds Release New Single ‘Photograph’

"Bec Taylor and The Lyrebirds Release New Single ‘Photograph’"

Just added as the first track on our national cafe music playlist(soundslikecafe digital expresso), ‘Photograph’ is a delicate and broody alt-folk song full of melodic hooks and echo harmonies, featuring introspective verses, and soaring choruses. The Lyrebirds’ ethereal harmonies combine with Bec’s lead vocal to create a haunting effect, meditating on how hard it can be to forgive and forget in a relationship.

Screen Shot 2024-02-29 at 7.16.27 pm

Bec Taylor and the Lyrebirds are a five-piece alt-country pop band from Canberra. Described as Seeker-Lover-Keeper-meets-Nashville-the-TV-show, their “twangy, Australiana” sound combines with “charming melodies and lyrics brimming with heart” (Scenstr). They are a band with incredible musical chemistry, with soaring harmonies and a rich instrumentation of guitars, piano, drums, bass, banjo, mandolin, and occasional cello parts, which complement Bec’s heartfelt songwriting.

Consisting of versatile musicians with rich experience in different genres, the Lyrebirds are Hannah Beasley (PaintonPaint), Sam McNair (JD McNair, The Burley Griffin), Sophie Chapman (Brass Knuckle Brass Band, Andy and George Band) and Grahame Thompson (Cracked Actor, BabyFreeze, Mr Fibby).

There’s two shows in March to launch the single and plenty more coming later in the year

Saturday 9th March 7pm – Cancophany at UC Refectory hosted by Enlighten Canberra – Tickets https://enlightencanberra.com/program/cancophony/?

– Thursday 14th March – Photograph Launch House Gig at Hannah’s in Canberra (tickets below)

Screen Shot 2024-02-29 at 7.25.51 pm

Stream the single 

Screen Shot 2024-03-01 at 8.43.22 am

Connect with Bec Taylor and The Lyrebirds

Facebook F

Instagram logo

Sheyana Releases Video for ‘Remarkable Man’

"Sheyana Releases Video for ‘Remarkable Man’"

Born in covid lockdown, Remarkable Man morphed from a quick trot, Johnny Cash sounding country & western ditty into a full throttle foot tapping country rock banger! While we were in the studio, recording this song, we changed up the feel. Our sound engineer/producer Russell Pilling suggested changing the original feel of Johnny Cash inspired Americana Country to a tougher AC/DC – Aussie Rock feel. And bingo, it was like a brand new song and the track fit like a glove into our latest EP ‘Ricochet’.

IMG_7126

And when I close my eyes, this is how the imagery of the song plays in my mind: “Show yourself friend or foe! And without warning, Remarkable Man lined up a double barrel shotgun in his right hand, took aim and pulled the trigger. Bullets of pleasure and pain cracked down the barrels at the same time. A direct hit! In his left hand was a double edged sword to finish the job, shining bright, cutting deep, demanding to be loved & loathed. Cover your trusting heart! Do you have the superpowers to survive the impact?”

IMG_7093

Sheyana gathers her band and they head towards Mt Gnomen to a property in the central coast of Tasmania. With the power of music and inspiration from their deep Tassie roots, they jam out a song about taking a bullet, and surviving! You can’t keep a good band down!

Filming & editing by Jesse Creedon at Readings Advertising.

Watch the Video

Youtube play button

Connect with Sheyana

Facebook F