Welcome to your new music for May, Gold Coast!
Chavez Cartel’s Impressive Wall Of Sound
Chavez Cartel are continuing their 2023 campaign with the distortion-fuelled alt-rock single ‘Midnight Skiess’. Huge guitars soar over rollicking drums and brooding vocals to create an epic wall of sound, glued together with subtle padded synths and textured swirling reverb. Marked as the final taste of the band’s forthcoming EP titled ‘Man’s Best Friend’, Chavez Cartel plan on heading to the UK for an impressive run of tour dates through May, before returning home for Moondoll Festival in Brisbane on June 3.
Bunyip Aristocracy’s Deep Psych Melter
Local three-piece Bunyip Aristocracy take us on a trip back in time this month with their 60’s influenced psychedelic blues gem ‘Slytherin’. A watertight rhythm section provides the backbone for a free-spirited instrumental jam complete with haunting slap back vocals, rich harmonies and adventurous lead guitars. Lyrically combining mythological and modern scriptures to represent evil in the form of a serpent, ‘Slytherin’ is original deep thinking psych music that is sure to get your mind melting.
Atlamer’s Muse Change Things Up
Atlamer’s Muse are continuing to broaden their musical horizons this month with the theatrical pop-inspired single ‘I’m Waiting’. Trading in retro synths and drum machines for piano and strings, the track explores the intensity of longing for a loved one through emotive, operatic vocals. Marking a significant change in direction the duo have promised more of the same with a follow up single set for release in June.
Eimhin’s Full Circle Self Reflection
After blowing us away with two beautiful singles in 2022, Eimhin is back with his first release of the year ‘Modern Mending’. First penned, but unfinished over ten years ago the track explores themes of healing, self-belief and deep reflection over rich production, swelling string sections and intimate vocals. You can catch Eimhin launching this single and previewing more new material at Art-Work Agency in Mermaid on May 26. OUT MAY 17.
Javan Kai’s Coastal Cruiser
Javan Kai will help warm up your autumn nights with his latest, sun-soaked offering ‘Hey Girl’. Structured around a simple guitar rhythm reminiscent of Jack Johnson, Javan takes the edge off with a gritty guitar solo that sits as a real highlight in the middle of the track. Written about an enticing attraction to a foreign lady, ‘Hey Girl’ is best consumed with the windows down cruising the coastline.
Tijuana Cartel’s Electrifying Diversity
Gold Coast mainstays Tijuana Cartel have emerged after a huge 2022 of touring and releases with their first single of the year ‘Nisaba’. Continuing to channel their unmistakably diverse sound the electrifying track brings together elements of Flamenco guitar, Cuban percussion, electronic beats, and the sounds of the Australian rainforest to create a truly one of a kind experience. With over 20 years releasing music Tijuana Cartel are continuing to push musical boundaries and pave their own way within the ever changing landscape of the contemporary music scene.
René Le Feuvre’s Indie Pop Body Mover
René Le Feuvre has stepped things up this month with his slick, indie pop groover ‘Underwater’. Led by René’s in-the-pocket vocal and shimmering lead synths it’s the track’s driving beat and pulsating bass that really seem to get the body moving. Written about finding calm amongst the chaos, ‘Underwater’ was released alongside an equally impressive B side ‘Ghost’.
Golden Orb Brightens Up Your Day
Golden Orb is sure to brighten up your day with her energetic throwback dance tune ‘Girls Like Me’. Borrowing from 70’s disco, 80’s funk, 90’s pop and early 2000’s house music, the track follows a simple swaggering beat led by warbling bass and prominent, self-assured vocals. So put on some fluro hot-pants and get dancing to this unlikely banger from Golden Orb.
Super Fun Down Under Keep It Different
Super Fun Down Under are keeping things different with their wonderfully obscure debut single ‘Itazura Kiti’ (‘Naughty Kitty’ in Japanese). Comprising a collection of local musicians spanning from different ends of the musical spectrum, the band come together to deliver a truly unique sound they describe as Electro Pop Cyber-punk. fFeaturing Vintage drum machines, provocative lyrics and the kind of synths you’d expect to hear in 80’s arcade games ‘Itazura Kiti’ is definitely unlike anything else you’ll hear this month.
Honeygum’s Vintage Indie Rock Gem
Honeygum are keeping things fun this month with their jangly rock gem ‘Friends’. The short sharp single features distorted, tongue-in-cheek vocals over fuzzy guitars and garage drums reminiscent of the early work of The Strokes. Coupled with lyrical content dealing in alienation and friendships of convenience, ‘Friends’ presents a happy/sad juxtaposition that seems to make more sense after every listen. Keep an eye on the band’s socials for more material in the lead up to the release of their debut EP later this year.
Leaving Jordan Tease EP
Leaving Jordan wear their hearts on their sleeves this month with the emotive, guitar-driven single ‘Memphis’. Drawing influence from the Northern Rivers hardcore scene, the track slowly builds in intensity with layers of distortion and heartfelt vocals that tell a story of transformation through the weight of expectation. Released as the first single from the band’s forthcoming album, Leaving Jordan clearly have big plans for 2023 and we’re here for the ride. OUT MAY 19
Lastlings Make Noise
Local heroes Lastlings are continuing their domination this month with the release of a euphoric new single ‘Noise’, a stunning accompanying video and the announcement of Australian tour to coincide with their sophomore record out June 23. Expanding on their special blend of haunting EDM, Lastlings channel the atmosphere of late-night peculiarity behind a bass heavy rhythm, hypnotic synths and Amy Dowdle’s alluring vocal. You can catch the sibling duo rounding out their tour at Splendour In The Grass in July.
Mark Easton’s Musical Adventure
Mark Easton is adding to the ecelectic melting pot of local music this month with ‘Dark Blue’, a wonderfully obscure record that marries classic Blues with traditional Mongolian, Kazakhs and Middle Eastern folk music. Eleven diverse tracks feature a plethora of world instruments including Mongolian Horse Fiddle, the Kazakh Dombra and Siberian jaw harp over multilingual lyrics, throat singing moments, harmonica, bass and drums. Highlight tracks include the addictive rhythms of ‘Ya Um Al-Abaya’, the instrumental wonder of ‘Kazakhstan’ and the warped interpretation of the blues on ‘Hold On To What You’ve Got’.
Bella Paton’s Introverted Love
Bella Paton has gifted us with another stunning acoustic-driven indie folk gem this month ‘Mid-Party Getaway’. As a self-confessed introvert Paton wrote the track for liked minded people who tend to crave getaways from social situations. Romanticising these emotions, the song tells a story of finding solitude with a loved one and embracing social anxiety. Beautiful stuff here from Bella Paton. Out May 31
Is Man Kind Explode Into Action
Is Man Kind continue to fly the flag for classic rock with their belter of a single ‘25 To Life’. Recorded and mastered locally by Benny D Williams and Paul Blakey, the deeply abstract lyrical content expresses the need to live out your dreams and surround yourself with people you love. Building from just vocal and a guitar the track explodes into action by the one-minute mark with front man Mars Sahara’s powerful vocal stitching together the entire track seamlessly through its many ebbs and flows. Impressive stuff here from the local three piece.
Originally published on Blank Street Press.