Radio 16

The 25-year-old singer-songwriter Allison Ponthier has released her debut single, “Cowboy,” today via Interscope Records. The song is today’s Apple Music World First track featured on The Zane Lowe Show. “Cowboy” is both a touching homage to her Texan roots and a bold coming out statement that finds the Brooklynite telling her story only the way she can. Listen to “Cowboy” HERE.

“Cowboy” is accompanied by a bold, statement-making video that perfectly pairs with the new artist’s visually evocative lyricism. “I mostly just try to make music that speaks to me,” she says, “because I know there’s no way I’m the only person in the world who’s felt like this.”

“Saw the cutters through barbed wire / I didn’t know I could come out,” Ponthier sings over gauzy guitar tones, referencing the journey from Texas to New York that it took for her to accept her own sexuality. “Cowboy” ushers new listeners into a fully realized world of sound and sight, a place where difference is endlessly celebrated through melodies and harmonies that are both familiar and new all at once. Written entirely by Ponthier, the song is co-produced by Sam O.B., Michael Freesh, Otis English, and Brandon Shoop.

Directed by the visionary Jordan Bahat (responsible for Christine and the Queens’ “Girlfriend”), the “Cowboy” video finds Allison rambling through field and forest as the stars twinkle behind her and UFOs circle above her. It’s equal parts aesthetically high camp and emotionally warm, with the singer paying tribute to her Bible Belt roots and fascination with eccentrics like Elvira and Vincent Price in both her red-carpet ready styling and winking visual references (including a horse in a skeleton onesie and a dancing carton of smokes). “Cowboy” is, in every sense, the B-movie homage of your wildest dreams. “I probably watch movies more than I listen to music,” she says of the video. “That’s why all my songs are stories.”

The first release from Ponthier’s forthcoming debut EP, “Cowboy” echoes Ponthier’s main mission as an artist: “A lot of my songs are about being uncomfortable in your own skin but getting to know yourself better, figuring out who you really are.”

Revered songwriter Andrew Farriss is set to release his debut self-titled solo album this month. The outlaw-inspired country release has been a passion project for more than a decade, and sees Andrew setting his feet firmly in a music direction that is all about the storytelling. To coincide with the album, Andrew is releasing a new single, ” Run Baby Run”, a track that combines old-time reverie with an outlaw country sentiment.

Co-written with Bruce Wallace and Phil Barton in Nashville, Run Baby Run” embodies the feeling of freedom, and the concept of getting away from it all. “The idea that you can just run, you can ride your horse, you can get into your car, or you can drive off down the highway,” says Andrew. “It is a feel good kind of song. The idea of the song is about being liberated, you always want to feel like you are young, and may the young forever run free.”

The film clip for “Run Baby Run” was filmed near Gympie, in the Amamoor State Forest and National Park. The clip features the historic Mary Valley Rattler, a heritage steam locomotive. Vibrantly vivid with circus performers and vaudeville characters, it showcases the story of a heroine in trouble. For Andrew, this storytelling aspect was an important part of the songwriting process for “Run Baby Run”.

Early on, Andrew was particularly moved by the thought process of ‘movers and shakers’ and wanted to carve a story around this concept. “There are some people who are happy to fly under the radar,” he says. “And there are some people who want to be movers and shakers in the world. If you are going to be a mover and shaker, you have to run baby run. I knew those two phrases, I had to have in a song. I like the second verse in particular. Singing a song for the lost and disillusioned in the world! People want to feel like they have a purpose, why we are here, we have a good code to live by and that is what the song is all about.”

When it came to recording “Run Baby Run”, Andrew hand-picked some of the best players in Nashville to join him on the song. Recorded with Larry Beaird at his studios, the track features Eddie Bayers (drums), Jimmy Nicols (keyboards), Eli Beaird (bass), Justin Ostrander (electric guitar) and Justin Schipper (pedal steel). Like many of the songs recorded for Andrew’s debut release, the song fell into place in the studio, as the musicians and Andrew laid all the instrumentation down live.

“Run Baby Run” is the third single from Andrew’s self-title forthcoming solo album. His previous singles – “Good Momma Bad” released at the start of 2020, and “Come Midnight”, released in 2019 – have already garnered strong radio support. Andrew’s solo album was originally slated for release in March 2020, however, it was put on hold due to COVID-19. Never one to stop working, Andrew instead released his EP “Love Makes The World”, which spawned two hit singles, the title track and the empathetic All The Stars Are Mine” .

Rising Australian singer-songwriter Georgia Mae has released her brand new single and official video for ‘Let You Go’ via Lemon Tree Records/Sony Music Entertainment Australia.
Georgia explains the song: “‘Let You Go’ is about moving on from a shitty relationship. One of those ones that’s like a reoccurring nightmare. It’s about letting go of the late nights, the stupid lust, the fighting and the crying. About standing up for what you know is best for you, and getting rid of that person that’s only causing you drama. It’s a song about moving out of the dark and into the light. I wanted it to be a bop and empowering, like almost a celebration of finally letting someone crap go.”
Since graduating with a scholarship from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music with a degree in Music Technology, Georgia has released six singles, played multiple shows across Australia and has been nominated for Queensland’s ‘Most Promising Female Songwriter’ and ‘Best Female Pop Artist’ at the Queensland Music Awards.
Georgia’s aptitude for music, sound and instrumentation has taken her across the world to San Francisco and Los Angeles; from working in sound design at the esteemed Skywalker Sound, to working as a writer and recording artist for US TV Shows like ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’, and most recently at Warner Bros. Studios.
Georgia’s emotional pop sound stems from warm experiences and fond memories, laced with a curiosity for adventure and obsession with surrealism. Georgia takes pride in storytelling, by creating a space for human connection, joy, reverie and escapism.

Sydney-based, Gold Coast-raised pop siren Charley today makes her debut mark with the single ‘Hard For Me’ out via EMI Music Australia.

Written on the singer-songwriter’s first trip to the fast evolving US music hub of Nashville almost three years ago, and produced by Stephen Schmultz, Hard For Me is a glossy & fun yet fiercely honest pop anthem, an embracement of female sexuality & falling hard and fast in love.

“Me and my boyfriend had kind of just gotten back together again at that point. All of the butterflies were heightened again. I just wanted to write a song about how I felt about him and how it gave me such a rush when I looked at him. Everyone has been there! When you just… melt.”

Co-written with Schmultz alongside Tom Jordan & Mitch Thompson, who make up the Sydney-via-Nashville duo Seaforth, the song is the result of what Charley refers to as “the best session I’ve ever done in my life.”

Hard For Me has been “a long time coming,” Charley notes. “And as a Virgo, I am not patient.” “In my head, this has always been my debut release. It’s got such a special place in my heart. I’ve had such a vision for every single part of it.”

Part of that vision is a self-written direction treatment for the official video, directed by MY Media Sydney’s Mitchell McKay. A professionally trained makeup artist, Charley’s video looks are self-designed for the Clueless-inspired clip that takes the potently visual lyrics of Hard For Me and brings them to life, with a huge pop of colour & sass. Watch the video here

Born in Sydney into a multi-generational musical family, Charley grew up on the Gold Coast, raised on a healthy combo of starring in local musicals, Kelly Clarkson and The Veronicas CDs on her discman. A move back to her birth city in 2017 opened the window for Charley to find her musical kinship, discovering a mentor in UK superstar Jessie J before regularly collaborating with Australian pop limelights including Xavier Dunn, CXLOE & Carla Wehbe and revisiting the pairing with Seaforth that made Hard For Me possible.

Stay tuned for more from Charley via EMI Music Australia.

Lous and the Yakuza have released new track “Je ne sais pas” featuring multiplatinum Italian superstar Sfera Ebbasta. Produced by hit maker Shablo, “Je ne sais pas” is now available on all DSPs, listen to the track here.

“Je ne sais pas” is a melancholic introspection about the setbacks of artist life. This definitely finds a singular resonance within the current context. Lous and Sfera gracefully join their voices and energies into this track, working like a mutual and voluptuous remedy to their respective doubts.

Lous and the Yakuza’s debut single “Dilemme” is certified Platinum in Italy and Lous has just announced her participation to the biggest Italian TV show Sanr emo Festival early March, where she will be performing in front of 15M+ TV viewers.

“Je ne sais pas” follows the release of Gore – Lous’ Debut album – last Octoberand her fantastic breakthrough journey in the global music landscape.

Born and raised in Carson, California to Hawaiian parents, Bo Napoleon followed in his father’s footsteps as a singer songwriter. His success as a writer came when he wrote two hit singles for Common Kings, Wade In The Water, and, Alcoholic, which lead to a Grammy nomination for Reggae Album Of The Year. Subsequent to his success with Common Kings, Bo released his first single, Another Rainbow, which crossed over to Top 40 radio. Two more singles followed, Born and Raised, and, Rastaman. Napoleon’s biggest hit to date was, If That’s Okay, which was a commercial success and again crossed over to Top 40 radio. After sold out tours and with the onset of Covid-19, Bo released, Here Comes The Sun. When asked what his motivation was, he replied, “I’ve been missing my friends and family and wanted to make them something special, a fresh take on one of my favorites. It gives me a feeling of optimism and it’s a feeling I’d like to spread.”
Produced By Jonnie “Most” Davis (P!nk, Santigold, American Authors, Outkast)
Mixed by Tony Maserati (Jason Mraz, Shawn Mendez, Beyonce, Selena Gomez)

With smooth vocals that intertwine with her piano, Central Coast’s ELASKIA elicits raw emotion, rarely heard in a young emerging artist.

ELASKIA’S new single ‘Lying to Myself’ was written and co-produced by herself, produced and mixed by one of Australia’s top producers, ROD MCCORMACK and mastered by Grammy-winning CHRIS GEHRINGER at Sterling Sound New Jersey, (Rihanna’s Loud, Lady Gaga’s Born This Way and Drake).

ABOUT

With previous success in her song writing, her debut single ‘Calling Out My Name’ was featured in the hit American TV broadcast and worldwide Netflix series ‘Dynasty’ as well as ‘Marvel’s Runaways’.

ELASKIA’S follow up single ‘I Will Do Anything’ also landed on an episode of one of Australia’s most successful media exports ‘Home and Away’ as well as having a featured article in the popular teenage magazine ‘Total Girl’.

ELASKIA’S feature track with artist and producer GEM ‘Rich Girl Remix’ was featured in the Billboard magazine Grammy edition in 2019 where it was announced, along with ELASKIA’S single ‘Calling Out My Name’ in ballot one for the Grammys®.

ELASKIA has a sound that can best be compared to the artists she’s opened for Vera Blue, Alpine, and has also shared the line-up with acts RUFUS, Peking Duk, Gang of Youths, The Preatures, The Jungle Giants, Ocean Alley, Skeggs and Amy Shark.

I get many songs across my desk these days, even in this Covid time, but this one stood out from the pack and I hope you agree.

Check out this exciting new Australian talent.

Who can forget Alice Cooper’s unforgettable performance at Fire Fight last year in front of 70,000+ fans?

Well, rock is back as Alice Cooper unleashes his 27th studio album “Detroit Stories” on the 26th February.

The album is named after his city of birth. “I was born here” said Alice Cooper, “and so was the sound and spirit of Alice Cooper .”

The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductee is a living legend and one of the most appreciated and inspiring rock stars of all time with more than 50 million units sold.

This album sees Alice team up with original and long-time producer Bob Ezrin,(KISS, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Lou Reed, Thirty Seconds To Mars + many others) who was and is integral to the Alice Cooper sound.

Brisbane’s NERVE and Sydney’s LIYAH KNIGHT have joined forces for a brand new collab titled ‘Cheers’.

“If you’re across these two, the result is unsurprisingly excellent. Over production courtesy of Korky Buchek, Knight and Nerve prove exactly why they’re two of the country’s most exciting rising names.

Liyah ‘s vocals are superb, showing range and emotional vulnerability, and immediately captivate you as soon as the track starts (a perfect example of why we named her an Artist to Watch in 2021).

Nerve is on his A-game as always, delivering witty bars with precision over the funk-infused beat. Created during lockdown in 2020, ‘Cheers’ shows that there is indeed SOME good things to come from the mess that was last year.”

You Am I release new single from forthcoming studio album

“Edinburgh, Galway, Nashville, Ulladulla / Breakin’ my heart / In four places.”

The lines are from The Waterboy, released today via Caroline Australia, the first taste of new music from You Am I’s forthcoming 11th studio album. You Am I fans know how many great songs Tim Rogers has written since the band released their debut album Sound As Ever in 1993. This one is right up there with them.

The Waterboy is a song about inspiration, being lifted up by a song, wondering if and how there was still a way to find a way forward in music. The conclusion is there for all to hear in the song – “Ventricle, aorta, muscle and blood / Building a heart in four places”.

Rogers says: “On the Waterboys album Modern Blues I found a Mike Scott song called I Can See Elvis. It just killed me, I couldn’t stop listening to it. Mike is a big-hearted person, he really puts it all out there and I like that. I was on the New South Wales south coast listening to a Scottish guy living in Ireland singing about Elvis and that led to the four places line.”

Rogers sent the song to You Am I guitarist Davey Lane, who says: “The first time I heard the song it hit me right in the guts. It packs such an emotional punch.”

The band was separated by the pandemic, with Lane and Rogers in Melbourne and bassist Andy Kent and drummer Russell Hopkinson in Sydney. They couldn’t meet so they moved things forward the only way they could. Rogers and Lane recorded a demo of The Waterboy in Melbourne to send to their bandmates.

Kent and Hopkinson recorded parts in a Sydney studio and what they sent back was like a shot of adrenaline. Rogers says: “What they did was very different to what I had imagined for the song and made it so much better.”

He continues, “The Waterboy began as a folk tune set to fingerpicking but when peak “pining” for our band hit I imagined being in a room together and changed the whole feel of the toon. Typically, what Russ, Davey and AK came back with eviscerated all my daydreamin’s and replaced them with jumpin round the room enthusiasms.”

With their Enmore Theatre, Sydney show confirmed for Thursday April 15, the band is understandably excited about playing live again, after a Covid induced layoff of some 18 months or more. As Rogers says, “Who wants solo fingerpickin when you have thunderous friends? Not this ol’ showgirl. I felt my heart being replaced. In all four places. 3000 plus shows and there’s a lotta memories but the reason you wake up is for the NEXT one. I’ve day dreamt and night tussled thinking about this show in ways that have ruined three sets of linen. We wanna be together. Come join the band.”

Andy Kent concurs: “The Enmore Theatre stage holds some very special memories for us as a band. So to be able to put 2020 well behind us all and step back out there to share a night of loud rock and roll with our strong, faithful and beautiful audience is something we are very much looking forward to. GBTFLoU!”

And with the prospect of their new album dropping later this year, Hopkinson says: “There is a reason why this band has been together for a long time and it’s not just because we are really good friends. We’re resilient to the things that go on outside the band, for better or worse.

“There was an idea that we would be able to be together at some point to finish the record. Fate had a way of making sure that didn’t happen. Yet we’ve made an album since the last time we were all together in a room, made the best of the situation to create this piece of art.

“It has been a cathartic experience which is what we all needed after a year when those have been few and far between if you are a touring musician.”