Month: June 2021

Kia ora everyone!
It’s AWA from New Zealand and this is my new jam “Would you be”.
It’s funky, sexy and soulful, much like yourself. Like a fine New Zealand wine, this jam will evoke lush notes of being in love, having that cheeky crush or acknowledging that special someone in your life.
The response has been amazing and it debuted on the NZ HOT Singles chart at #9!
Bring the FEEL GOOD back!
Arohanui / Much love x

Today, Byron Bay siblings, THE BUCKLEYS release a remixed version of their second worldwide and fourth Australian single, “Breathe,” via Petrol Records / Universal Music Australia / Ume.

The song was recorded and co-written by Sarah Buckley and two-time Grammy Award winning producer and engineer Chad Carlson, whose credits include Taylor Swift, Jewel and the Hunger Games soundtrack.

“‘Breathe’ was our musical prayer to the world,” explains THE BUCKLEYS singer Sarah Buckley. “I wrote this song at a time when Australia was experiencing devastating find myself remembering these lyrics in moments where I just need to stop, close my eyes, listen to the sounds of world around me and just breathe.

Today this song has a far more personal meaning to us. This track was our label chairman and mentor Chris Murphy’s favourite song on our album, his passing earlier this year has been incredibly difficult to come to terms with, we performed the song at his funeral, and now it will always hold a very special place in our hearts.”

Linda Kury, VP Commercial Partnerships & Label Relations, UMG, “I have had the pleasure of watching THE BUCKLEYS develop an ever-growing fan base in Australia, the US and worldwide. The pandemic limited their ability to tour, but they launched their first single and toured the world, all virtually from Byron Bay. At every virtual club show, radio station visit, press interview and fan listening party, they have won over people with their music and charismatic personalities. They have built solid relationships due to their natural talent and sincere enthusiasm. Now, we look forward to introducing them in person to their fans around the globe.”

Over the past year THE BUCKLEYS have continued to impact the Australian and global media, their recent release of their up-tempo track “Money” saw the band transition to commercial radio and the young trio celebrated a series of additions across various radio networks.

Sarah Buckley has also spent the past 12 months working on her song writing and was this week shortlisted for the 2021 APRA Professional Development Awards that will be announced later this month.

Promoters began to book the rising stars on major festival stages and the band were recently announced to play at Byron Bay’s iconic Bluesfest in October later this year, as well as Gympie and Savannah.

“Every so often, something special comes along. Something so cool and authentic that the world has no choice but to sit up and take notice. THE BUCKLEYS are that special something.” American Songwriter

“Hottest Creatives to Watch in 2021.” The Australian

“Breathe seems built for American radio and stardom.” Sydney Morning Herald

“A blend of Country, Pop, Indie and Americana with a sprinkle of Fleetwood Mac…” Honey Pop

A bout of insomnia and a couple of good mates have inspired Benny Allen’s new single, ‘Tired All The Time’.

“The song came to me at 3 o’clock one morning when I was lying in bed and my sarcastic inner voice was asking why I was so tired all the time,” the award-winning Victorian artist said. “The chorus came to me, then little verse bits as I thought about those mates we have who say they’re really busy working overtime, juggling family commitments and everything else and you wonder how they fit that all in.”

Originally written in a slower, ballad style, Benny worked on the song over a month and added a bit of a swing feel to it, and increased the tempo. The finished product has a honky tonk vibe and is a story that many listeners will connect with.

Produced by Michael Carpenter, ‘Tired All The Time’, features Benny on piano and vocals recorded in Melbourne, Michael on drums, acoustic guitars and bass, and Zane and Jy from The Banks Brothers on electric guitars and pedal steel. “I’m so excited about this song because I’m really happy with how it came together,” Benny said. “Mentioned in the song are a couple of good mates, too. I met Kim Wright and Aaron Jurd through the Academy of Country Music in 2018, and they fit the story in this song, so they’re mentioned.”

Although his previous single was a murder ballad, ‘Tired All The Time’ sees Benny return to a happier vein, in a similar vein, to an earlier single, ‘Lady Luck & Me’. “I want people to sing along with the chorus – my daughter has already told me it’s an ear worm and has been singing it to herself after just one listen!” Benny said.

“This is an anthem for the people who don’t get enough sleep.”

After a three year hiatus and a recent single in late 2020 ‘Like the Movies’, Reuben Koops is back with another new single Oblivious, due for release on March 12. Sonically a step up from Like The Movies, Oblivious is a new direction for the Australian singer/songwriter; a move he has been planning for some time.

Still focused around Reuben’s captivating acoustic guitar and vocal, Oblivious introduces more production, co-produced by Jack McLaine (Sumner). Reuben explains the process, “this was a fun one to work on. It had a strong personality before production; after working with Jack it went to another level sonically that I’m really happy with. I love the beats that Jack framed around the acoustic and vocal. Ben Edgar (Angus & Julia Stone, Passenger) played the stunning guitar parts; they add so much vibe. The heavier production on this track is eluding to where I see my sound heading in the future.”

Luke Hodgson (Washington, Ecca Vandal) played the bass parts. The single was mixed by John Castle (Gretta Ray, Cub Sport) and mastered by Grammy Award winner William Bowden (Gotye, Winston Surfshirt ).

Speaking of the song, Reuben adds “this track is another one I’ve had with me for quite a while. It’s about losing someone or something important to you. Maybe someone or something you knew wouldn’t last forever, but when that time comes, it’s always harder than you expect”.

After his 2017 release Higher Ground (produced by David Ryan Harris), Reuben decided to spend some time working on writing, co-writing, working with different producers and writing for other artists. This single is the perfect follow-up to Like The Movies and shows a sign of what’s to come. Speaking of the future, Reuben explains “more music is my plan. There are many more songs to come and I’m excited to be in the mode of making and releasing music again. I’m hoping to continue being productive and purposeful in releasing more singles this year”.

Northern California pop singer and songwriter salem ilese’s shares new EP (L)only Child – out now via 10K Projects/Homemade Projects/Virgin Music Australia. The EP features brand new single and video ‘Dinosaurs (S4E7)’, alongside previously released tracks ‘(L)only Child’ and ‘About A Breakup’.

On ‘Dinosaurs (S4E7) ‘, salem asks “did the dinosaurs see it coming?” and grapples with mortality, climate change and the general uncertainty of life. The title of the song, as well as its music video, directed by Jason Lester (Lauv , Cautious Clay), references the iconic final episode of the 1990s show “Dinosaurs” that shows the dire consequences of disrupting nature in favour of profits, a message more relevant now than ever. Watch the video below…

Salem’s new project arrives on the heels of her recent writing credit on TikToker-turned-popstar Bella Poarch’s ‘Build a Bitch’ single, which has been streamed more than 7M times on Spotify, this week alone. Similar to salem’s very own smash hit ‘Mad At Disney’, Bella’s ‘Build A Bitch’ is an anthem of female empowerment, turning establishment led gender norms on their heads.

A strong proponent of environmentalism and social justice, salem hopes to spread awareness about important issues through catchy pop songs. This mission included her breakout single ‘Mad At Disney’ (174M Spotify streams, 15 weeks on Today’s Top Hits) which unpacked Disney’s harmful stereotypes of women as well as her EP, (L)only Child, which is full of coming-of-age electro-pop anthems about self-acceptance and the social issues plaguing our world.