Miguel Rios – Joys Of Sin

I met up with Miguel Rios, a very well- known singer/songwriter from Victoria and Martin Sykes a well- known musician from Queensland at a DAG Songwriter’s Retreat. We had such a great time working on this song and it received a standing ovation from fellow songwriters when the boys performed it that night.

Joys Of Sin was inspired by teenage memories of my Father advising my brothers to be aware, that beautiful women they may meet up with in some establishments, are more interested in your money than your company. And to definitely not drink anything you are offered, as you could go to sleep and wake up the next morning, with no money and no memory of what happened to you.

  • Lola Brinton

No PROMISES – Hold The Door

No PROMISES are a dynamic Alt Country duo from South Gippsland, in country Victoria. Masterful storytellers, they have a huge catalogue of original music, and are currently recording their third and fourth album simultaneously.

‘HOLD THE DOOR’ is the angsty break up banger you’ve been waiting for.
With a dash of Chrissie Amphlett and a sprinkling of Stevie Nicks with a country twist, Janine’s emotive vocals tell the tale of a woman pushed to the brink and ready to fly the coop.

Gritty, raw, punchy alt country rock at its finest. Eric’s electric guitar work captures the angry undertones of the song perfectly and when that solo kicks you in the face and the band bring it on home, you’ll be wanting to replay this song again and again.
Recorded live in the No PROMISES studio with their newly formed band, ‘Hold The Door’ is a tantalizing little taste of things to come.

BELLA MACKENZIE – WILD THING

Australian Country Artist on the rise Bella Mackenzie, a highlight at the recent Ridin’ Hearts Festival, releases today her wildly anticipated debut EP WILD THING. Each song on the 7 track EP is a cascade of lyrical and instrumental earworms, all built around Bella’s powerful vocals, which can blow the roof off or grace the ear with stunning intimacy from song to song. WILD THING EP follows the release of Bella’s singles ‘COWBOY’, ‘WASTED’ feat. LECADE and the title track.

With over 1 million global artist streams and 24k social media followers garnered in only 4 months, Bella has been winning the hearts and minds of country music fans and media alike. Media outlet Country Town noted her “rich voice, catchy country-pop tunes, and can-do attitude”; while Rolling Stone Australia chose ‘COWBOY’ as the Best Australian Music Of The Week upon release. ‘COWBOY’ was met with high rotation on KIX Country, ABC Country, iHeartCountry, Nova Fresh Country and Triple M Country, peaking at #2 on the Australian Country Radio Charts.

Bella supported James Johnston on his national tour and played to capacity crowds at BIGSOUND, BOOTS, BUCKLES & BEERS and Ridin’ Hearts Festival. The latter saw Bella invited on stage by US country music artist Riley Green to perform ‘you look like you love me’ during his set in Melbourne and Sydney.

The go-get-em confidence of Bella’s new EP WILD THING is the perfect nexus of country authenticity, hook-driven modern production and the powerful pride and self-confidence she wants to inspire in her audience.

Determined to capture the energy and dynamism of her live shows on record, Bella headed to the Central Coast with her bandleader: multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Jacky McCormack to record a sound that’s both organic and progressive.

From the sizzling fiddle and guitar that kicks off the title track to sultry outlaw tale ‘GEORGIA’, the swaggering kiss-off of lead single ‘COWBOY’ and beyond, WILD THING is a blazing declaration of empowerment and self-worth.

The gentle and gorgeous ‘buy me a drink’, co-written with Sarah Buckley of The Buckleys, is classic country romance. ‘ neon mood’ is tender and soaked in mournful pedal steel – you could close your eyes and feel like you’re sitting at the next barstool.

There’s no sign of slowing down for Bella Mackenzie whose talent and drive see her destined to take on the world.

Billy Gudgeon – Back To Country

Billy Gudgeon – Rocking Debut Radio Single “Back To Country”
We believe that Billy Gudgeon is the next big voice in Australian Music, and it’s present in this well-written and composed Debut Radio Single, “Back to Country”, is not the only place that Billy Gudgeon takes you with his mid-80s style and presence. He will take you back to a style that country music craves.
Col Finley – M2M Managing Director.

“Back to Country” is a traditional country rock song that captures the essence of vast open spaces, freedom, mateship, and the land’s beauty. Born from a yearning to escape the pressures of corporate life and return to his simpler, rural roots, Billy crafted this song to express those deep feelings. It’s the ideal soundtrack for cruising through our beloved land’s breathtaking landscapes and returning to the country.
Billy Gudgeon is a singer-songwriter whose powerful blend of raspy, emotive vocals and heartfelt melodies will captivate audiences nationwide. Drawing inspiration from childhood icons like Randy Travis, Brooks & Dunn, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty, Billy’s music weaves a rich mixture of classic country sounds with a modern edge.
Raised on a farm in the NSW Western Tablelands, Billy’s deep-rooted connection to country life infuses his songs with authenticity and passion. His upbringing in rural New South Wales’s wide-open spaces and rugged landscapes has profoundly shaped his musical style and lyrical content.
With a voice that carries the soul of traditional country and the energy of modern rock, Billy Gudgeon is a rising star in the Australian country music scene, bringing a fresh yet timeless sound to fans everywhere.

Artist Quote – Back To Country, Where Everyone is Someone.

Artist Bio:
Billy Gudgeon is expected to leave a lasting impact on the future of the Australian country rock industry, according to country music veteran Col Finley. Growing up on a farm, Billy’s deep roots in the country genre shine through in his music and performances. His experiences with horse riding and working with cattle continue to influence his music. With his powerful voice and high-energy performances, he has become one of the most exciting new artists in the scene. Billy has performed at major country music festivals in Australia such as the Texas Country Music Festival, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Dalby Stock Horse Sale, Kyogle Rodeo, and Heart of Lismore Music Festival featuring Travis Collins and Max Jackson. He has also shared the stage with renowned artists including Casey Barnes, The Wolfe Brothers, and Catherine Britt. Billy’s down-to-earth attitude and ability to connect with his audience are winning him fans across Australia and beyond. He recently signed a major distribution deal with the Australian company “Music 2 Media” led by country veteran Col Finley. Fans can look forward to more music from him in 2024, and with his dynamic stage presence, soulful voice, and undeniable talent, he is set to make a big impact in the coming years.

Billie-Jo Porter Featuring Andrew Swift – This Is Us Here

BILLIE-JO PORTER AND ANDREW SWIFT RELEASE DUET ‘THIS IS US HERE’

Her recent single ‘Howl at the Moon’, hit #18 on the Country Songs Top 40 Australian airplay chart and received additions to Apple Music’s ‘Back Porch Country’, ‘New Music Daily’ and ‘Aussie Country’ editorial playlists. Now Billie-Jo Porter teams up with Andrew Swift to unveil the freewheeling rocker, ‘This is Us Here’.

From its rolling bass line and cosmic guitars to Billie-Jo and Andrew’s carefree vocals, ‘This is Us Here’ shouts four-wheel freedom. It’s got the kind of groove that makes you want to keep hitting repeat.

The song was inspired by an epic road trip. “Everything in the song actually happened”, says Billie-Jo. “While living in Canada my partner Kyle and I decided to go on a road trip to meet some friends rock climbing in the USA. The total trip was meant to be for two weeks, but we were having so much fun that we decided to quit our jobs and just keep going.”

When Billie-Jo shared her experience with a group of writers at the Gympie Song Muster in 2023 the lyrics were born. “It was an epic trip. We had so many unreal experiences to celebrate, but I also had to dig deep and work on myself and our relationship. I’m scared of heights, so although the rock climbing was exciting to begin with, after months and months of living in a tent and rock climbing, I was over it.”

When the winter snow began to fall, she made the tough decision to call it quits, ditch the rock climbing and head down to the warmer weather in Central America to get lessons in Spanish. It took a bit of convincing to get Kyle on board, but from one whirlwind experience to another, they went for it and held no regrets. “We look back on that trip and smile, because we could have turned back but we went up a gear.”

Andrew Swift entered the equation after a proposition from producer, Shane Nicholson. “He suggested that we make it a duet. I started thinking about who would be great on this song and thought of Andrew Swift right away.”

Shane’s production feels timeless but fresh; reminiscent of open road country rock à la The Eagles or Tom Petty but grounded to Billie-Jo’s distinctive sound. Having worked on the singer-songwriter’s self-titled #4 ARIA debut album, he’s well versed in nuances of Billie-Jo’s music, and this feels like a natural next step.

Andrew Swift’s vocal certainly kicks the song into another gear. “Swifty’s vocals take this song to the next level, so glad that he jumped on board.” The pair sound as though they’ve sung together for years; their voices intertwining effortlessly in soaring harmony.

Proving she’s still got that gypsy soul, Billie-Jo has spent much of 2024 on the road. She’s notched appearances at a slew of festivals around the country, including Gympie Music Muster, Meatstock Sydney, Meatstock Toowoomba, Barra & Boots Music Festival and Tamworth Country Music Festival.

And the shows roll on. Over the coming months she’ll cruise her fun-loving repertoire up and down the east coast, including a date at the 2025 Tamworth Country Music Festival, Camp For a Cure, and a performance alongside her duet partner in Noojee, Vic.

With ‘This is Us Here’, Billie-Jo Porter showcases not just her storytelling prowess but also her dedication to music that resonates with real-life experiences. The delightful combination of her soulful vocals with Andrew Swift’s dynamic energy brings a new edge to her music.

Kaylee Bell – Cowboy Up

Award-winning country-pop sensation Kaylee Bell is back with a bold new single, “Cowboy Up”, a boot stomping high energy tune about standing at a crossroads in a relationship. “Cowboy Up” is the first taste of new music from Bell since the March release of her #1 album “Nights Like This”

Produced by Travis Heidelman, the producer behind 2024’s biggest break out hit Dasha’s “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” and co-written during SongHubs Aotearoa alongside Kiwi music talents Jol Mulholland and Brooke Singer, “Cowboy Up” is all about that pivotal moment in a relationship, when a man must make a choice-either step up and take responsibility or move on – ‘cowboy up or cowboy out’. It’s a declaration of independence, wrapped up in Bell’s signature blend of powerhouse vocals and country-pop hooks driving the message home.

While the song carries a powerful message, “Cowboy Up” is also a fun and spirited song, delivering a vibrant arrangement that makes it impossible not to sing along. The lyrics cut deep, delivering a no-nonsense ultimatum with the phrase “cowboy up” serving as a rallying call for women to demand respect and accountability in their relationships. With its infectious energy, the track is poised to become a fan favourite, combining Bell’s gift for storytelling with an irresistible lively sound.

Since teasing “Cowboy Up” on TikTok, the song has exploded with over a million views, building massive anticipation for the full release. Fans have flooded Bell’s social media, excited to hear the full version.

In addition to releasing new music, Bell has a packed performance schedule ahead. Later this month, she will be supporting international superstar Kane Brown across his Australasian arena tour. Bell is also set to perform at Australia’s biggest country music festival, CMC Rocks and Jim Beam Homegrown next March.

“Cowboy Up” offers a bold reminder that Bell is not afraid to tackle the hard truths in life and relationships through her music. With this new release, she continues to lead the charge in Australasia’s country-pop scene.

Robbie Mortimer – Good Times & Tan Lines

ROBBIE MORTIMER DROPS SUMMER ANTHEM ‘GOOD TIMES & TAN LINES’

Hot on the heels of his debut performance at the sun-soaked Groundwater Country Music Festival, Robbie Mortimer releases his scorching new single ‘Good Times & Tan Lines’.

The feel-good anthem was born out of an unforgettable festival experience. “I was at a country music festival on the beach in Florida,” he recalls. “Everybody was smiling, loving their life and all gathered for the same thing, which was the love of country music.” That was the moment inspiration struck. “I saw a sign that said ‘Good times & Tan Lines’… I took a photo of it and thought, I’m going to write a song about this exact feeling.”

The result, a summertime soundtrack that makes you want to relive nights like those. The song practically leaps from the speakers thanks to Jared Adlam’s expert production. “I have a close working relationship with him, as we co-wrote my first release ‘Blow the Speakers” together. Jared and I have worked tirelessly on who I am as an artist and the sound I want to deliver.”

That debut single only arrived in March this year, but the powerhouse singers rocked-up, feel-good music has quickly garnered attention. Robbie has received over 1.1 million artist streams since bursting onto the scene, while his previous single, ‘You Got That Love’, peaked at #8 on the AIR charts and #12 on the CountryTown Hot 50 airplay charts.

The 2023 Toyota Star Maker Grand Finalist has supported major acts like The Beach Boys and The Temptations and brought down the house at recent festival Groundwater Country Music Festival, and was the headline act on the 2024 PBR National Tour. Next year he’s slated to perform at Country Sounds CMF, Meatstock, A Night in Nashville and The Man From Snowy River Festival.

However, this November he gears up for one his most personally significant performances yet. “I am doing my biggest ever headline show in Orange at the Orange Civic Theatre Nov 29.” Since portraying the straw-brained scarecrow in his primary school production of The Wizard of Oz at that same theatre, he’s always vowed to return. “I promised myself one day I would perform on that stage again, selling it out with my own music.”

Robbie Mortimer is quickly establishing himself as one to watch in Australian country music. With a stadium-worthy voice and an outlook sunnier than Australia’s brightest beaches, his feel-good songwriting is irresistible. ‘Good Times & Tan Lines’ is no exception to the rule – the vibrant summer anthem is another triumph for this exciting new artist.

Denvah – One Of Them Cowboys

With a voice that feels like home and a down-to-earth charm, Denvah is fast becoming a rising star in the Australian Country Music scene. After winning the Groundwater Kix-Start and Gympie Muster Talent Competitions and dazzling as a Top 3 finalist on Australian Idol, she’s been captivating audiences nationwide.

Her latest single, “Making Cups of Tea”, recently hit #1 on the Countrytown National Country Radio Charts, resonating with fans through its heartfelt and nostalgic storytelling. “It’s a true recount of a life-changing moment,” Denvah shares, “filled with memories, inside jokes, and personal breakthroughs.”

Now, she’s back with “One of Them Cowboys”, a fun, light-hearted anthem about finding that perfect cowboy. “It’s a playful look at what it takes to tick all the right boxes and be ‘one of them cowboys’,” says Denvah.

With chart-topping hits, irresistible storytelling, and a mix of warmth and wit, Denvah is proving she’s not just another country artist-she’s the one to watch.

Scarlet’s Way – In Another World

Scarlet’s Way are excited to announce the release of their latest single, “In Another World.” This heartfelt track evokes the iconic sound of the 90s Country era, reminiscent of artists like Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, and Sheryl Crow. With smooth, storytelling vocals and soulful instrumentation, “In Another World” delves into the themes of love and self-discovery, exploring the poignant realization that sometimes we don’t truly know ourselves enough to make a relationship flourish. The song beautifully captures the idea that in another life, circumstances might have been different.

“Much like our last release, ‘In Another World’ was also born on the Nullarbor after we had just completed a 3-month national tour! We were feeling very inspired after just having played for so many amazing people. We’re very excited to show you the next piece we unearthed on our adventure! We hope you love it!”

Known for their Southern-inspired sound, Scarlet’s Way masterfully blends Country-Rock and Blues, creating a powerful sonic tapestry. Led by Katey’s dynamic vocals and Shayne’s thrilling guitar work, the band delivers performances that resonate with raw energy, transporting audiences back to the exhilarating live music scenes of the 70s.

Fresh from their electrifying set at the 2024 Deni Ute Muster, where they performed alongside Amy Shark, Kip Moore, and Tyler Hubbard, Scarlet’s Way continue to make waves in the industry, recently clinching “Album of the Year” and “Group of the Year” at the WA Country Music Awards. They have shared stages with notable artists, including Kasey Chambers, Ian Moss, and Amy Shark, leaving an indelible mark on audiences everywhere.

In early 2023, their self-titled album was met with glowing reviews, with the single “Empire” soaring to #1 on the AMRAP Metro charts for two consecutive weeks. Following a three-month national tour that began with a sold-out album launch, Scarlet’s Way continued to captivate audiences at major festivals, including the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival and Tamworth Country Music Festival.

“In Another World” is set to resonate deeply with fans, drawing them into the soulful narrative that Scarlet’s Way has so masterfully crafted.

Scarlet Way’s new single ‘In Another World’ is out at radio and all streaming services on Friday 8th November.

Billie Rose – Slaying Ghosts

GHOSTS, GRIEF AND GRIT: BILLIE ROSE DROPS POWERFUL NEW SINGLE ‘SLAYING GHOSTS’

Alt-Country trend-setter Billie Rose holds nothing back on her haunting new single, ‘Slaying Ghosts’.

The 3 x Queensland Music Award finalist penned the song after a relationship breakdown. “Slaying Ghosts was written back in 2021, and it was inspired by my very first experience of being ‘ghosted’ by a guy I had liked,” she shares.

Turning to close friend and collaborator, Peta-Cherae, the pair quickly transformed heartache into a gutsy hit. “At this stage I was living in Brisbane, so we wrote Slaying Ghosts over zoom in just under an hour.”

The track opens with Billie’s delicate vocal arranged in eerie harmony. In a masterstroke of light and shade it slowly lurches towards its hard-hitting chorus. Produced by Garret Kato (Jem Cassar-Daley, Pete Murray), the two sought inspiration from unorthodox places. “I knew the song needed to be expressed in an edgy way. Instead of playing it safe we decided to draw inspiration from the likes of Nirvana.”

Despite falling outside of Billie’s regular wheelhouse, the rock-tinged tones that emerged from Kato’s Byron Bay studio perfectly married the song’s angst. “It felt a little out of my comfort zone, but I really wanted the listener to feel my frustration through the production.”

Receiving various accolades for her daring brand of Alt-Country, Billie Rose is surely making a name for herself. Three finalist spots at the Queensland Music Awards – including ‘Emerging Artist of the Year’ – and a CMAA Songwriting Finalist nod indicate that the road ahead is bright for this future star.

She’s touted her magnetic live show to audiences supporting Fanny Lumsden , Busby Marou and Catherine Britt. Next the singer-songwriter will join fellow country music trailblazer, Josie, on November 23rd for a show at Otherwise Bar in Townsville.

With a willingness to break boundaries and embrace raw, unfiltered emotion, Billie Rose blends alt-country and gritty rock elements to elevate her distinctive sound. ‘Slaying Ghosts’ captures a journey from vulnerability to empowerment, while showcasing the singer’s multitude of talents. Billie is poised to become a powerful voice in the country scene.